BrainBlog

I noticed the abstract for this new paper earlier in the day. It should be a good read. Bauer RM, Iverson GL, Cernich AN, Binder LM, Ruff RM, Naugle RI (2012). Computerized neuropsychological assessment devices: Joint position paper of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology and the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology (2012 Mar 1).

Effects of Practice on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV Across 3- and 6-Month Intervals Clinical Neuropsychologist. 2012 Feb 21; Estevis E, Basso MR, Combs D Abstract A total of 54 participants (age M = 20.9; education M = 14.9; initial Full Scale IQ M = 111.6) were administered the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV ) at baseline and again either 3 or 6 months later. Scores on the Full Scale IQ, Verbal Comprehension, Working Memory, Perceptual Reasoning, Processing Speed, and General Ability Indices improved approximately 7, 5, 4, 5, 9, and 6 points, respectively, and increases were similar regardless of whether the re-examination occurred over 3- or 6-month intervals. Reliable change indices (RCI) were computed using the simple difference and bivariate regression methods, providing estimated base rates of change across time. The regression method provided more accurate estimates of reliable change than did the simple difference between baseline and fol...

N-backer: An auditory n-back task with automatic scoring of spoken responses Behav Res Methods. 2011 Sep;43(3):888-96 Monk AF, Jackson D, Nielsen D, Jefferies E, Olivier P Abstract The n-back task is commonly used to load working memory (WM) in dual-task and neuroimaging experiments. However, it typically involves visual presentation and buttonpress responses, making it unsuitable for combination with primary tasks that involve vision and action, such as sequential object use and other tasks of daily living. The N-backer software presented here will automatically present and score auditory-verbal n-back sequences utilising the standard speech synthesis and recognition facilities that come with Microsoft Windows. Data are presented from an experiment in which 12 student participants carried out three tasks from the Naturalistic Action Test (NAT) while their attention was divided between the primary task and a continuous auditory-verbal 2-back secondary task. The participants' 2-bac...

The Guardian/Observer Memory Week Read the article "The free 'Making the Most of your Memory' 24-page booklets, are available with the Guardian this Saturday 14 January and the Observer on Sunday 15 January."

Role of Neuropsychologists in the Evaluation and Management of Sport-related Concussion: An Inter-Organization Position Statement Clin Neuropsychol. 2011 Nov; 25(8): 1289-1294 Echemendia RJ, Iverson GL, McCrea M, Broshek DK, Gioia GA, Sautter SW, Macciocchi SN, Barr WB Abstract Over the past 20 years, clinical neuropsychologists have been at the forefront of both scientific and clinical initiatives aimed at developing evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of sport-related concussion. These efforts have directly impacted current policy on strategies for injury assessment and return-to-play by athletes after concussion. Many states are considering legislation requiring (a) education of athletes, parents, coaches, and school/organization officials on the recognition, evaluation, and management of sport-related concussions; (b) removal from play of any youth athlete that is suspected of having sustained a concussion; and (c) not allowing the student to return to parti...

Relationships Between Behavioral Syndromes and Cognitive Domains in Alzheimer Disease: The Impact of Mood and Psychosis American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry . 2011 Nov 1; Koppel J, Goldberg TE, Gordon ML, Huey E, Davies P, Keehlisen L, Huet S, Christen E, Greenwald BS Abstract OBJECTIVES:: Behavioral disturbances occur in nearly all Alzheimer disease (AD) patients together with an array of cognitive impairments. Prior investigations have failed to demonstrate specific associations between them, suggesting an independent, rather than shared, pathophysiology. The objective of this study was to reexamine this issue using an extensive cognitive battery together with a sensitive neurobehavioral and functional rating scale to correlate behavioral syndromes and cognitive domains across the spectrum of impairment in dementia. DESIGN:: Cross-sectional study of comprehensive cognitive and behavioral ratings in subjects with AD and mild cognitive impairment. SETTING:: Memory disorders researc...

Cognitive and behavioural predictors of survival in Alzheimer disease: Results from a sample of treated patients in a tertiary-referral memory clinic Int J Geriatr Psychiatry . 2011 Sep 29; Russ TC, Batty GD, Starr JM Abstract OBJECTIVE: This study examined the influence of cognitive and non-cognitive factors at the time of diagnosis on the survival of patients with treated probable Alzheimer Disease (AD). METHODS: Consecutive patients seen at a regional, tertiary-referral clinic completed a battery of cognitive tests and assessments of activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms. These clinic data were linked with death certificate data for all individuals and survival from diagnosis was calculated. Cox regression models were constructed using the baseline covariates. RESULTS: The sample comprised 653 patients (459 women), mean age 77.1 years (SD 7.6, range 48-94 years), diagnosed with probable AD and treated with a cholinesterase inhibitor. In the survival analysis, age ...

Are self-reported symptoms of executive dysfunction associated with objective executive function performance following mild to moderate traumatic brain injury? Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology . 2011 Jul;33(6):704-14 Schiehser DM, Delis DC, Filoteo JV, Delano-Wood L, Han SD, Jak AJ, Drake AI, Bondi MW Abstract Background and objective: We examined the relationship between self-reported pre- and post-injury changes in executive dysfunction, apathy, disinhibition, and depression, and performance on neuropsychological tests of executive function, attention/processing speed, and memory in relation to mood levels and effort test performance in individuals in the early stages of recovery from mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Method: Participants were 71 noncombat military personnel who were in a semiacute stage of recovery ( PMID: 21958432 [PubMed - in process]

Correlates of quitting the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test in cognitively normal older adults participating in a study of normal cognitive aging Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology. 2011 Oct;33(8):937-43. Epub 2011 Jun 27. Locke DE, Stonnington CM, Thomas ML, Caselli RJ. Abstract Our study of cognitive aging involves a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological measures. The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) is the only test that some of our participants will refuse to complete. We explored variables related to quitting versus completing the PASAT in this sample of normal older adults. We hypothesized that quitting would be related to personality features, subclinical anxiety symptoms, demographics, and/or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) Arithmetic performance. A logistical regression model including NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R) depression and excitement seeking, age, and WAIS-R Arithmetic classified participants with...

A multidimensional approach to impulsivity changes in mild Alzheimer's disease and control participants: Cognitive correlates Cortex . 2011 Sep 2; Rochat L, Billieux J, Juillerat Van der Linden AC, Annoni JM, Zekry D, Gold G, Van der Linden M Abstract INTRODUCTION: Impulsive behaviors are frequently described in brain-damaged patients, including patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, few studies have examined impulsivity changes and associated cognitive impairments in AD and healthy controls. Consequently, the first aim of this study was to compare patients with mild AD and matched controls on four dimensions of impulsivity (urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking) recently highlighted in the literature. The second objective was to examine the association between impulsivity changes and cognitive performances on executive/attentional tasks in mild AD and healthy controls. METHODS: Thirty patients with mild AD and 30 matched controls...

Nutter-Upham KE, Saykin AJ, Rabin LA, Roth RM, Wishart HA, Pare N, Flashman LA. Verbal fluency performance in amnestic MCI and older adults with cognitive complaints. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology . 2008 May; 23(3): 229-241. Neuropsychology Program, Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School/DHMC, Lebanon, NH, USA. Verbal fluency tests are employed regularly during neuropsychological assessments of older adults, and deficits are a common finding in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Little extant research, however, has investigated verbal fluency ability and subtypes in preclinical stages of neurodegenerative disease. We examined verbal fluency performance in 107 older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n=37), cognitive complaints (CC, n=37) despite intact neuropsychological functioning, and demographically matched healthy controls (HC, n=33). Participants completed fluency tasks with letter, semantic category, and semantic switching constrain...

A short piece in today's Washington Post about the potential problems and potential benefits of broad screenings for dementia of Alzheimer's disease in the general population of aging persons: To Screen, or Not to Screen Experts Debate Mass Testing For Alzheimer's Disease By Alicia Ault Special to The Washington Post Tuesday, December 4, 2007; Page HE01 [ ... Read the full article ... ]