REY-OSTERRIETH COMPLEX FIGURE PERFORMANCE IN HEALTHY, OLDER ADULTS - RELATIONSHIP TO AGE, EDUCATION, SEX, AND IQ

Despite the widespread use of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RO) in clinical practice and research protocols, minimal information is available regarding the influence of demographic factors and intellectual level on test performance, particularly in older individuals. The purpose of the present study was to provide data regarding the relationship of age, IQ, education, and sex to RO copy, 3-min recall, and percent retention in healthy middle-aged and older individuals. Data were obtained on 91 individuals screened for the absence of significant medical, neurologic, and psychiatric illness. RO performance was most closely associated with age and FSIQ; sex and education were not predictive of RO scores. Significantly poorer RO scores did not emerge until age 70 and older.