Category test and trail making test as measures of frontal lobe functions

Abstract A brief review of the literature reveals that many psychologists believe that certain tests measure frontal lobe deficits. However, recent carefully controlled studies suggest that neuropsychological deficits are far from specific for frontal versus nonfrontal lesions. In this study, we compared groups with frontal and nonfrontal cerebral lesions that were approximately equivalent for types of lesions and other variables. No intergroup differences were found on the Category Test and Part B of the Trail Making Test. The results suggest that neuropsychologists should adopt a more critical attitude concerning so-called “frontal lobe deficits.”

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