Reading Based IQ Estimates and Actual Premorbid Cognitive Performance: Discrepancies in a College Athlete Sample

The present study sought to evaluate the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) estimate as an index of premorbid ability in a sample 574 of healthy college athletes participating in a sports concussion management program. We compared baseline neuropsychological test performance with the WTAR FSIQ estimate obtained at baseline. Results revealed that the discrepancy between actual neuropsychological test scores and the WTAR FSIQ estimate was greatest for those with estimated FSIQs greater than 107. The clinical implication of this finding was evaluated in the 51 participants who went on to sustain a concussion. For individuals with higher IQ estimates, the WTAR estimate obtained post-concussion suggested greater post-concussion decline than that indicated by comparison with actual baseline neuropsychological performance. (JINS, 2012, 18, 139-143)