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Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS)-Italian version: regression based norms and equivalent scores

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Abstract

Cognitive assessment for individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) can be difficult because of frequent occurrence of difficulties with speech, writing, and drawing. The Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) is a recent multi-domain neuropsychological screening tool specifically devised for this purpose, and it assesses the following domains: executive functions, social cognition, verbal fluency and language (ALS-specific), but also memory and visuospatial abilities (Non-ALS specific). ECAS total score ranges from 0 (worst performance) to 136 (best performance). Moreover, a brief caregiver interview provides an assessment of behaviour changes and psychotic symptoms usually associated with ALS patients. The aim of the present study was to provide normative values for ECAS total score and sub-scores in a sample of Italian healthy subjects. Two hundred and seventy-seven Italian healthy subjects (151 women and 126 men; age range 30–79 years; educational level from primary school to university) underwent ECAS and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age and education significantly influenced performance on ECAS total score and sub-scale scores. From the derived linear equation, a correction grid for raw scores was built. Inferential cut-off scores were estimated using a non-parametric technique and equivalent scores (ES) were computed. Correlation analysis showed a good significant correlation between adjusted ECAS total scores with adjusted MoCA total scores (r rho = 0.669, p < 0.0001). The present study provided normative data for the ECAS in an Italian population useful for both clinical and research purposes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Barbara Poletti for her contribution in providing the Italian version of Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS). Moreover, the authors thank Dr. Marianna Vicidomini, Dr. Dalila Biondi, and Dr. Carla Caterino for their contribution in collecting data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, 81100, Caserta, Italy

    Mattia Siciliano, Luigi Trojano, Roberta Greco, Manuela Santoro, Giuseppe Basile, Fausta Piscopo, Alfonsina D’Iorio, Manila Patrone & Gabriella Santangelo

  2. Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples (SUN), 80138, Naples, Italy

    Mattia Siciliano, Francesca Trojsi, Cinzia Femiano, Mariarosaria Monsurrò & Gioacchino Tedeschi

  3. Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University “Federico II”, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Mattia Siciliano

  4. Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Telese, 82037, Telese Terme, BN, Italy

    Luigi Trojano

  5. IDC-Hermitage-Capodimonte, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Gabriella Santangelo

Authors
  1. Mattia Siciliano
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  2. Luigi Trojano
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  3. Francesca Trojsi
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  4. Roberta Greco
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  5. Manuela Santoro
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  6. Giuseppe Basile
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  8. Alfonsina D’Iorio
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  9. Manila Patrone
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  10. Cinzia Femiano
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  11. Mariarosaria Monsurrò
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  12. Gioacchino Tedeschi
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  13. Gabriella Santangelo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luigi Trojano.

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Appendix

Appendix

See Tables 7 and 8.

Table 7 Conversion table to convert Verbal Fluency Index (VFI) to a fluency score—letter S
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Table 8 Conversion table to convert Verbal Fluency Index (VFI) to a fluency score—letter C
Full size table

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Siciliano, M., Trojano, L., Trojsi, F. et al. Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS)-Italian version: regression based norms and equivalent scores. Neurol Sci 38, 1059–1068 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-2919-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-2919-4

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