Demographically adjusted normative data among Peruvians with diverse education levels for version 3 of the Alzheimer's Disease Centers’ neuropsychological test battery in the Uniform Data Set

Brown G.; Bustamante-Paytan D.; Albujar Pereira M.F.; Huilca J.; Custodio B.; Agüero K.; Verastegui G.; Yauri Z.; Bartolo P.; Bendezu D.; Montesinos R.; Custodio N. · Alzheimer's and Dementia (2025) · DOI: 10.1002/alz.70671

Resumen

INTRODUCTION: Demographically adjusted norms are essential for interpreting cognitive tests, yet none exist in Peru for the Alzheimer's Disease Centers’ (ADCs) neuropsychological test battery, especially among low-education populations. METHODS: We assessed 340 healthy adults (ages 43–79, 70% female), balanced by education level (0–6 years, n = 173; ≥ 7 years, n = 167). Participants completed the Uniform Data Set version 3 Neuropsychological Battery (UDS3-NB). Normative values were generated using linear regression with age, education, and sex as predictors. RESULTS: Education groups were matched for age (p = 0.970) and sex (p = 0.904). Neuropsychological measurements varied significantly between education groups, with education emerging as the primary influential factor across all measures, except semantic fluency: vegetables. DISCUSSION: This study provides comprehensive normative cognitive data for Peruvian adults across a range of education levels, which will assist in the more precise identification of cognitive impairments. Clinicians can determine individual z scores for each neuropsychological measure with the included calculator. Highlights: We developed demographically adjusted normative data and a z score calculator for the Uniform Data Set version 3 Neuropsychological Battery among Peruvian adults. Recruitment was balanced by education level (0–6 vs. ≥ 7 years) to reflect the diverse educational backgrounds in Peru. Education was the strongest predictor of performance across most cognitive tests, particularly for working memory/executive tasks. These normative data support more accurate cognitive assessments and dementia diagnoses in Peruvian populations.

Instituciones: Universidad de San Martín de Porres