Table 2.
Synopsis of the administered neuropsychological tests
| Test Name | Test Version | Cognitive domain | Description of the test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) | (Giovanni Measso, Cavarzeran, et al., 1993; Measso et al., 1993) | Brief mental status screening | It is composed of 30 items assessing spatial and temporal orientation, memory, attention and calculation abilities, language abilities and praxis |
| Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) | (Appollonio et al., 2005) | Global screening of executive functioning | It is a brief battery composed of six subtests assessing conceptualization skills, mental flexibility, programming, sensitivity to interference, inhibitory control and gripping behavior |
| Symbol Digit Test (SDT) | (Amodio et al., 2002) | Sustained attention and focus | It tests the capability to link a number to a specific symbol in a short time |
| Attentive matrices | (Della Sala et al., 1992) | Selective attention | It is a tool for assessing visual attention, speed and detection skills, working memory and visual-attentional processes |
| Trail-making test (TMT) version AB | (Giovagnoli et al., 1996) | Visual attention, visual-motor coordination, ability to alternate the conceptual setting and mental flexibility | The TMT is made up of two subtests A and B. In the first task the patient has to link in sequence all the numbers present in a sheet. In the second task, the patient must alternate between a number and a letter in the shortest possible time |
| Weigl’s sorting test | (Inzaghi, 2010) | Ability to categorize and cognitive flexibility | The test consists of twelve wooden objects that the patient has to categorize according to the examiner’s sort condition |
| Digit span test | (Orsini et al., 1987) | Short-term verbal memory span measurement | Oral presentation of a series of figures. If the patient repeats the figures in the same order they are presented, he moves on to the longer series |
| Visuo-Spatial span (Corsi tapping test) | (Corsi, 1973) | Visual-spatial span measurement | The patient is presented with a tablet with nine cubes. The patient has to reproduce the sequence in the same order |
| Babcock story recall text | (Carlesimo et al., 2002) | Verbal long-term memory assessment | The story consists of four main elements and five secondary elements. The rehearsal takes place in immediate and deferred recall |
| Letter fluency | (Caltagirone et al., 1995) | Ability to access the verbal lexicon by the phonological way | It is a test to evaluate lexical access, sensitive to left brain damage and frontal injuries |
| Category fluency | (Novelli et al., 1986) | Ability to access access to the lexicon by the semantic way | The patient is asked to name the largest number of words belonging to certain categories (e.g. fruits, animals, car brands) |
| Pantomime of object use | (De Renzi et al., 1980) | Aspects of ideational and ideo-motor praxis of the upper limbs | The patient is asked to perform the pantomime of the use of different objects |
| Coloured progressive matrices (CPM-47) | (Measso et al., 1993; Measso et al., 1993) | Visual-spatial analogical reasoning and logical-deductive intelligence | The test consists of 36 boards, divided into three series (A, AB, B). Each table consists of an upper part which contains the stimulus figure which lacks a fragment and a lower part which contains six response alternatives |