Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB)

Interactive Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB)

Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB)

A brief cognitive and behavioural battery for assessing frontal lobe functions. Select the score that best describes the patient’s performance for each subtest.

Patient’s Name:

Date:

1. Similarities (Conceptualization)

Examiner asks: “In what way are they alike?”

A banana and an orange (answer: fruits)
A table and a chair (answer: furniture)
A tulip, a rose, and a daisy (answer: flowers)

Note: If the patient fails the first item (says “they are not alike” or “both have peels”), prompt once: “Both a banana and an orange are…”. Award 0 points for the first item if prompted. Do not help with the last two items.

3 correct answers. 3

2 correct answers. 2

1 correct answer. 1

0 correct answers. 0

2. Lexical Fluency

Examiner says: “Say as many words as you can beginning with the letter ‘S,’ any words except surnames or proper nouns.”

Time allowed: 60 seconds.

Note: If no response in the first 5 seconds, prompt: “for instance, snake.” If the patient pauses for 10 seconds, prompt: “any word beginning with the letter ‘S’.” Repetitions or variations (e.g., shoe, shoemaker), surnames, or proper nouns are not counted.

More than 9 words (>9). 3

6 to 9 words. 2

3 to 5 words. 1

Less than 3 words (<3). 0

3. Motor Series (“Luria’s Test”)

Examiner says: “Look carefully at what I’m doing.”

Examiner, seated opposite, performs the sequence “fist-edge-palm” three times with their left hand.

FIST

EDGE

PALM

Examiner says: “Now, with your right hand do the same series, first with me, then alone.” (Examiner performs sequence 3 times together with patient).

Examiner says: “Now, do it on your own.” (Observe patient’s actions).

Patient performs 6 correct consecutive series alone. 3

Patient performs at least 3 correct consecutive series alone. 2

Patient fails alone, but performs 3 correct consecutive series with the examiner. 1

Patient cannot perform 3 correct consecutive series even with the examiner. 0

4. Conflicting Instructions

Examiner says: “Tap twice when I tap once.”

Trial runs (ensure understanding): Examiner taps 1-1-1.

Examiner says: “Tap once when I tap twice.”

Trial runs (ensure understanding): Examiner taps 2-2-2.

Examiner performs the actual series: 1-1-2-1-2-2-2-1-1-2

No errors. 3

1 or 2 errors. 2

More than 2 errors (>2). 1

Patient taps like the examiner at least 4 consecutive times. 0

5. Go-No Go

Examiner says: “Tap once when I tap once.”

Trial runs (ensure understanding): Examiner taps 1-1-1.

Examiner says: “Do not tap when I tap twice.”

Trial runs (ensure understanding): Examiner taps 2-2-2.

Examiner performs the actual series: 1-1-2-1-2-2-2-1-1-2

No errors. 3

1 or 2 errors. 2

More than 2 errors (>2). 1

Patient taps like the examiner at least 4 consecutive times. 0

6. Prehension Behaviour (Grasp Reflex)

Instructions: Examiner is seated in front of the patient.

Place the patient’s hands palm up on his/her knees.
Without saying anything or looking at the patient, the examiner brings his/her hands close to the patient’s hands and touches the palms of both the patient’s hands, to see if he/she will spontaneously take them.
If the patient takes the hands, the examiner tries again after asking: “Now, do not take my hands.”

Patient does not take the examiner’s hands. 3

Patient hesitates and asks what he/she has to do. 2

Patient takes the hands without hesitation. 1

Patient takes the examiner’s hand even after being told not to do so. 0

Total FAB Score

(Maximum Score: 18. Higher scores indicate better frontal lobe function.)

All Scales