Population Normative Data for the CERAD Word List and Victoria Stroop Test in Younger- and Middle-Aged Adults: Cross-Sectional Analyses from the Framingham Heart Study.

BACKGROUND/STUDY CONTEXT: To provide baseline normative data on tests of verbal memory and executive function for nondemented younger- and middle-aged adults.

METHODS: The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease word list memory task (CERAD-WL) and Victoria Stroop Test (VST) were administered to 3362 Framingham Heart Study (FHS) volunteer participants aged 24-78 years. Analyses of the effects of age, gender, and education were conducted. Normative data on traditional measures and error responses are reported for each test.

RESULTS: Traditional measures were significantly associated with both age and education in this cohort. Error responses also evidenced significant age and education effects.

CONCLUSION: These data provide a normative comparison for assessment of verbal memory and executive functioning capabilities in younger- and middle-aged adults and may be utilized as a tool for preclinical studies of disease in this population.