THE WAIS-R PROFILE AS A COGNITIVE MARKER OF ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE - A MISGUIDED VENTURE

The utility of a pattern on WAIS-R subtest performance (Fuld profile) in differentiating between dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) and multi-infarct dementia (MID) was investigated. The Fuld profile was neither sensitive nor specific to DAT, as similar numbers of DAT subjects (15%) and MID subjects (12%) obtained a positive profile. No relationship between presence of the profile and level of education was detected. However, a positive profile in DAT subjects was associated with less severe neuropsychological impairment. Implications of this finding as well as the value of searching for a cognitive marker for DAT are discussed.