Conference Proceedings

2008 Scottish Undergraduate Conference

Conference Venue: University of Abertay, Dundee
Scottish Branch

From: 12 Mar 2008
To: 12 Mar 2008

 
Individual Paper(s)

Is Crystallised Intelligence Preserved in Delirium?

Jennie Robertson
University of Edinburgh

Harriet Ferner
University of Edinburgh


Objectives: Crystallised intelligence (Gc), as measured by the National Adult Reading Test (NART), has been found to be preserved in dementia (a form of chronic cognitive decline), whereas fluid intelligence (Gf) declines. The current research examines whether a similar pattern will be found in post-operative delirium (a form of acute cognitive decline).

Design: Pre- to post-surgery change in cognition was compared between patients who did and did not develop post-operative delirium.

Methods: 37 patients due to have cardiac surgery were recruited.  A ‘Cognitive’ Test battery consisting of fluid intelligence measures, Digit Span Forward, Digit-Span Backward, Verbal Fluency and Victoria Stroop Test, and crystallised intelligence measures, NART, was administered pre- and post- operatively.

Results: Parametric results were analysed using a 2x2 repeated measures ANOVA, and non-parametric change scores (post-pre) compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. No significant change in Gc (NART) score is predicted, while Gf scores are expected to significantly decline in post-operative delirium.

Conclusions: The present study highlights the effect of post-operative delirium on different cognitive abilities in elderly patients.