Age-related differences in the predictive ability of executive functions for intelligence Analysis of NAB Executive Functions Module and WAIS-IV Scores

The Executive Functions Module of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) were used to investigate age-related differences in the predictability of intelligence with executive functions. The NAB subtests age and sex better predicted the WAIS-IV index scales and the Full Scale IQ in the older than in the younger age group, with total variance explained up to 75% in 60-to 88-year-olds and up to 46% in 18-to 59-year-olds. The NAB subtests Categories and Word Generation were most frequently included, whereas Letter Fluency was least frequently included in the best-fitting models of WAIS-IV prediction. Mazes predicted better in the younger age group, whereas Judgment predicted better in the older age group.