Pediatric Neurocognitive Test (PNT)

TABLE 4.1 THE PEDIATRIC NEUROCOGNITIVE TEST

The PNT is a test in development. Normative and correlative data are being collected.

Finger Tapping Test (FTT)

The subject is asked to tap the space bar with his index finger as many times as he can in ten seconds. Two trials for left hand, two for right. The FTT is a test of motor speed.

Match to Sample (MTS)

The subject is presented with one object (e.g., a green circle) and then has to identify it in an array of five objects. During the second set, the S is presented with three objects and then has to identify one of the objects in an array of five; only one of the five is a match. During the third set, the S is presented with five objects and then has to identify one of the objects in an array of five; only one of the five is a match. Each trial continues until the S gets five correct. MtS is a test of attention, short term memory, working memory capacity and psychomotor speed.

Cancellation Test

In a 5x5 grid, each box contains an object (e.g., a yellow star). Some of the boxes contain the same object. The subject is asked to click on two boxes that match. If two objects are correctly matched, they disappear and are replaced by new two objects. This tests lasts for 60 seconds. It is a test of scanning attention, visual-perceptual ability and psychomotor speed.

Response Inhibition Task

The first part of the test is simple reaction time: press the space bar as soon as an object (e.g., a square) appears on the screen. There are ten targets. The second part presents a succession of 60 objects at 2 second intervals and the subject is asked to press the space bar for every object except a particular one (e.g., a circle). This is a test of sustained attention and response inhibition.