Merging the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Picture Completion Subtest with fMRI in Adult Learners: a Pilot Study
Ann M. Peiffer1, Paul J. Laurienti2, Kourtland R. Koch3, Lorna C. Timmerman4
1Ann M. Peiffer, Wake Forest University, United States.
2Paul J. Laurienti, Wake Forest University, United States.
3Kourtland R. Koch, Ball State University, United States.
4Lorna C. Timmerman, Ball State University, United States.
Manuscript received on 6 April 2014 | Revised Manuscript received on 17 April 2014 | Manuscript Published on 30 April 2014 | PP: 122-126 | Volume-3 Issue-11, April 2014 | Retrieval Number: K16060431114/14©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: With the emergence of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), standard intelligence tests can now be studied to assess neural activity during test performance. However, traditional assessments are given with paper/pencil or card based methods which are difficult to deliver while in an MRI. Here, we validate a computerized version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Picture Completion subtest against the card based version in 20 adult learners. A preliminary fMRI series is included to investigate whether the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) activity can be associated with the paradigm. Using sparse sampling fMRI techniques, a control condition is contrasted to when participants ‘knew’ what answer they were going to provide. In 8 task-novice individuals, significant activation was seen in right primary visual and left temporal cortex and is interpreted as task-specific activation related to visual search and naming the item missing from the scene. To our knowledge this is the first fMRI experiment of the WAIS picture completion subtest. Future imaging work can now use alternative control conditions to explore the different cognitive components used within the subtest.
Keywords: (WAIS), (BOLD), fMRI.
Scope of the Article: Large-Scale Cyber Systems