Protocol - Executive Function

Description

The Trail Making Test is an interviewer-administered, two-part test that requires the respondent to organize numerical and alphabetical sequences that are randomly distributed on a piece of paper. The protocol includes instructions for correcting mistakes and instructions for scoring based on speed and accuracy.

Specific Instructions

Whereas the Trail Making Test has two parts (Parts A and B), the PhenX Neurology Working Group recommends that part B be used to measure executive function in adults.

The Trail Making Test is a proprietary, fee-based instrument that is available from Reitan Neuropsychology Lab, Inc.

Availability

This protocol has limited availability; permission required for use.

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Protocol

Trail Making Test, Part A

The examiner first shows the respondent a sample test that has numbers 1-8 distributed in random order. The examiner demonstrates the task and lets the respondent practice connecting the numbers in increasing order. The examiner then hands the respondent the actual test which has the numbers 1-25 distributed in random order and asks the respondent to connect them in increasing order as fast as possible without raising the pen from the paper. Respondents are scored based on speed and accuracy.

Trail Making Test, Part B

The examiner first shows the respondent a sample test that has numbers 1-4 and letters A-D distributed in random order. The examiner demonstrates the task and lets the respondent practice connecting the numbers to letters (one to A, A to two, etc.) in increasing order. The examiner then hands the respondent the actual test which has the numbers 1-13 and letters A-L distributed in random order and asks the respondent to connect them in increasing order as fast as possible without raising the pen from the paper. Respondents are scored based on speed and accuracy.

Personnel and Training Required

Personnel should be trained by a licensed neuropsychologist or other trained medical professional experienced with the Trail Making test. Additionally, investigators are encouraged to have quality control procedures (such as videotaping sessions, etc.) in place to maintain consistency across examiners.

Equipment Needs

The interviewer will need a copy of the test that includes the cue cards with the sequence of numbers and letters and the scoring instructions.

Requirements

Requirement Category	Required
Major equipment	No
Specialized training	No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection	No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual	No

Mode of Administration

Interviewer-administered evaluation

Lifestage

Adolescent, Adult, Senior, Pregnancy

Participants

Participant ages 15 years and older.

Selection Rationale

The Trail Making Test was selected because it is a standard, widely-used, validated protocol.

Language

Chinese, English

Standards

Standard	Name	ID	Source
Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC)	Executive function proto	62778-6	LOINC
Human Phenotype Ontology	Cognitive impairment	HP:0100543	HPO

Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

Not applicable.

Protocol Name from Source

The Trail Making Test - Adult

Source

Reitan Neuropsychology Lab. The Adult Trail Making Test.

The Trail Making Test is a proprietary instrument and can be obtained through:

Reitan Neuropsychology Lab
POB 66080
Tucson, AZ 85728-6080
USA
Telephone: (520) 577-2970
Fax: (520) 577-2940

General References