[Prefrontal symptoms assessment: psychometric properties and normative data of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) in a sample from the Spanish population].

INTRODUCTION: Research on the deficits derived from alterations in the prefrontal circuits has been conducted almost exclusively from a categorical perspective, which differentiates normal from pathological functioning. The functioning of the prefrontal cortex, however, can be seen as a continuous dimension. The Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) was created with the intention of being useful as a qualitative measure of the symptoms of 'dysexecutive syndrome' in day-to-day life. AIM. To explore the psychometric properties of the self-reported DEX in a broad sample of the non-clinical population with a view to providing interpretations that can be of use in clinical practice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Spanish version of the DEX was administered to 1013 non-clinical individuals living in Madrid, Saragossa, Asturias, Navarre and Seville (380 males and 633 females).
RESULTS: The factorial study conducted in parallel reveals the existence of two factors with adequate consistency and internal validity indices: items that explore difficulties in beginning, maintaining and organising behaviour (disorganisation/apathy) and items related with the interruption of behaviour in situations where it is inappropriate (disinhibition/impulsivity). The distribution according to age matches the developmental premises. The following cut-off points are proposed: < 10, optimal functioning; 10-18, sub-optimal functioning within normality; 19-28, moderately dysexecutive functioning that requires identification of the possible causes, and > 28, important degree of dysexecutive disorder that would include severe pathologies.
CONCLUSIONS: The DEX may be useful as an instrument for detecting subjects with demonstrable brain disorders and those with deficient executive functioning without the presence of any known or identifiable pathology.