Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology最新文献

Introduction: A bacterial brain abscess (BA) is a localized cerebral infection that requires prompt neurosurgical intervention, although the implementation of treatment may take several days. Approximately half of BA patients exhibit neurological signs, while less is known about cognitive abnormalities following BA from the acute to chronic phases. This case series study aimed to investigate cognitive impairments in patients with BA during the acute phase and evaluate post-acute selective cognitive deficits that align with BA location in neuropsychological profiles during the first year following neurosurgery.

Methods: A case series study of six patients with BA (ages 24-71, 50% female) who underwent neuropsychological evaluations during admission to the neurosurgical department (acute phase), at 8 weeks (subacute phase) and 1 year (chronic phase) post-neurosurgery. Acute phase cognitive impairments were considered as at least two z-scores ≤-1.50 in a brief test battery assessing language, attention, memory, psychomotor speed, and executive functions. Post-acute selective cognitive deficits were considered in a comprehensive test battery as discrepancies aligning with BA location between verbal vs. visual intellectual functions, memory, and attention, as well as right vs. left motor speed functions, of ≥2 SD between or alpha level < .05 using WAIS-IV software.

Results: Five cases had cognitive impairments during the acute phase, whereof three had lateralized neurological deficits (e.g. homonymous hemianopsia, hemiparesis). Four cases had selective cognitive deficits both at 8 weeks and 1 year.

Conclusions: BA patients may exhibit cognitive impairments during admission to acute medical care despite having normal neurological status. A brief neuropsychological test battery should be considered in the post-surgical treatment of BA patients to assist in patient management and planning. Selective cognitive deficits may be a long-term consequence of BA. This study highlights the cognitive impact of BA and illustrates the necessity of expediting the diagnostic process and treatment.

Objective: Emotional priming is modulated by word concreteness, yet the literature is inconsistent. This study investigates the effects of affect, lexical features, depressive symptoms, and rumination on emotional priming for abstract and concrete words.

Methods: Eighty-one healthy participants (48 female, age = 24.12 ± 8.56 years) completed a valence categorization task in which they were asked to decide whether a target word, presented for 500 ms following a 65 ms prime, was pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant. Priming effect (PE) was defined as the RT difference between incongruent and congruent conditions for pleasant and unpleasant primes. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess priming effects and error rates, with fixed effects for prime valence, concreteness, subscales of Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Beck Depression Inventory score, subscales of Rumination Response Scale, semantic relatedness and Levenshtein distance (LD). Model selection was performed using the buildmer algorithm. Post-hoc analyses of interactions and continuous predictor trends across categorical levels were performed using emmeans and emtrends. All statistical analyses were conducted by R 4.4.3.

Results: PEs were stronger for concrete than abstract words, irrespective of prime valence. Positive affect predicted higher error rates for unpleasant targets and enhanced PEs for unpleasant primes, particularly in abstract words. Depressive symptoms were associated with fewer errors for unpleasant targets but did not predict PE. Brooding was associated with larger PEs for abstract words, independent of valence. Lastly, greater semantic relatedness amplified PEs for abstract items, whereas smaller LD both strengthened PEs and increased errors in valence‑incongruent trials.

Conclusion: This study highlights the role of emotional and clinical traits in word processing, showing that abstract word priming is driven by the interaction of affect and stimulus value. Future studies examining biases in abstract emotional word processing may guide the development of methods to identify individuals at risk for depression.

Introduction: Three symptom validity indices have recently been developed for the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). To date, these validity indices have been examined in North American research and clinical samples, generally with promising results. The current study aimed to cross-validate the symptom validity indices in a cross-cultural forensic sample.

Method: Examinees (N = 79) were Balkan (Macedonian, Kosovar, and Serbian) contractors previously employed at United States military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. Examinees claimed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) secondary to alleged adverse experiences, and they were pursuing Federal Workers' Compensation claims for PTSD under the auspices of the Defense Base Act. In this study, validity status was determined via outcome on the Inventory of Problems-29.

Results: There were no significant differences between most demographic and background variables when groups were divided by validity status. Conversely, scores on all validity tests were significantly different between the group of examinees who were likely credibly presenting and the group that was likely noncredibly responding; medium to large effect sizes were observed. Area under the curve statistics ranged from .73 to .77. Sensitivity rates ranged from .33 to .47 when specificity was held at .90 or higher.

Conclusions: The findings converge well with prior research results, extending the use of PCL-5 symptom validity indices to a cross-cultural forensic sample.

Introduction: Approximately 5-10% of the population faces learning disorders (LDs) and encounter difficulties with tasks like reading, writing, and processing auditory information. One method used to assess auditory information processing in the brain is by measuring cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs). This study aims to explore whether abnormalities in CAEPs could serve as clinical indicator for the early diagnosis of LDs, and if modifications in these components could be beneficial in tracking neural changes following intervention in individuals with LDs.

Method: The systematic literature search followed the PRISMA guideline. Two independent reviewers searched five electronic databases (Medline, Science Direct, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and ProQuest) from their inception to 16 April 2024, using relevant keywords.

Results: Upon assessing the quality of articles and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 studies were selected for analysis. The majority of these studies observed delayed latency and reduced amplitude of CAEP components in individuals with LDs. The results of the meta-analysis emphasized delayed latency, particularly a significant delay in the N2 component, as the most prominent distinction between the LD and control groups. Additionally, certain studies have reported therapeutic interventions resulting in improved latency and amplitude of CAEPs in the LD population.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, the presence of an abnormal CAEP pattern, characterized by delayed component latencies, may serve as a potential indicator for LDs, assisting in the early identification of this disorder, and assessment of CAEPs can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for individuals with LDs.

This study aimed to model PIU (Problematic Internet Use) based on executive functions, interpersonal needs, depression, and fear of missing out in adolescents aged 15 to 19 residing in Tehran. The sample size included 200 girls and boys selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed the computerized Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Fear of Missing Out scale (FOMOS), and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with SPSS 26 and AMOS 24 software. According to the results, executive functions directly and through the mediating effects of depression and the fear of missing out, predicted PIU. Thwarted belongingness through the mediating effect of depression and the fear of missing out had an effect on PIU. Perceived burdensomeness predicted PIU directly and indirectly through the mediating effect of depression. The relationship between perceived burdensomeness and fear of missing out was not significant in this study. Overall, the fit indices indicated that the proposed research model is a good fit, and executive functions, depression, interpersonal needs, and fear of missing out can predict PIU. Moreover, executive functions, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness were able to predict depression, and executive functions, along with thwarted belongingness, could predict fear of missing out.

The development of theory of mind is linked to executive functions and language abilities in preschool-age children. Its relationship with these two cognitive variables has been studied from two research perspectives, providing a clear theoretical view on the links between theory of mind and executive functions on the one hand, and theory of mind and language on the other. However, the link between these three variables together has only recently been studied through a single research question and few data exist. This study therefore aimed to assess to what extent executive functions and language abilities contribute to theory of mind development. A sample of 112 children between 3 and 6-years old completed three language tasks from the ELO (Batterie d'Evaluation du Langage Oral) test: a receptive and an expressive vocabulary task and a syntax understanding task, the Wellman and Liu scale as a theory of mind task and three executive function tasks, namely the grass/snow task to measure inhibition, the DCCS (Dimensional Change Card Sort) to evaluate cognitive flexibility and the WPPSI (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale Intelligence) to assess working memory. The findings revealed significant correlations between theory of mind and executive function domains, except for cognitive flexibility. Theory of mind and all language variables were also found to be significantly correlated. Multiple regression analyses justified only syntax and general language abilities as possible explanatory factors of the children's theory of mind performance. These findings support the view that language, more specifically syntax, is an important explanatory factor of theory of mind in young children. Theoretical implications of these finding are discussed.

Introduction: Mind wandering decreases in healthy aging, and in some cases, it is further reduced in Alzheimer disease (AD). However, little is known about how mind wandering changes during the preclinical phase of AD, which is a critical period for intervention. The present study aims to provide novel evidence for the utility of objective and subjective measures of mind wandering in evaluating the risk of developing cognitive impairment and their association with AD biomarkers.

Methods: Participants (N = 504; M_age = 69.54 years, SD_age = 8.95 years) completed a Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART). We calculated objective (reaction time coefficient of variation; RT CoV) and subjective (self-reported frequency of off-task thoughts) mind wandering measures during the SART for participants who remained cognitively stable (N = 349) and those who eventually developed cognitive impairment (progressors; N = 155). A subset of participants (N = 211) completed the SART annually and had recent CSF biomarkers.

Results: Objective and subjective mind wandering significantly differed between progressors and cognitively stable participants at baseline and predicted likelihoods of progression. Moreover, baseline subjective mind wandering predicted progression beyond standard neuropsychological measures. Longitudinal models indicated that biomarker negative, but not positive, participants showed a significant reduction in RT CoV over time, possibly reflecting practice-related changes in performance. There were no longitudinal associations with subjective mind wandering.

Conclusions: Mind wandering is a common activity and may reflect a healthy cognitive system in older age. Subjective measures of mind wandering may be useful in predicting the later onset of cognitive impairment, while objective measures may be more sensitive to longitudinal changes.

Neuropsychological evaluations are typically conducted under specific preconditions as it has been long established that many factors unrelated to an individual's true neurocognitive functioning can influence their cognitive test performance. Assessment readiness refers to the extent to which a client is in a state appropriate for undergoing a neuropsychological evaluation (e.g., well rested, sober) as well as any atypical characteristics that require specific accommodations from the administering clinician (e.g., mobility limitations, colorblindness). The purpose of this study was to propose and investigate the preliminary validation of a screening measure of assessment readiness in order to introduce a systematic method for assessing this novel construct. Younger and older adults (N = 93) were administered the Barnett-Coldiron Assessment Readiness Inventory (BCARI) prior to completing a short battery of neuropsychological tests. Additionally, subject matter experts (SMEs) were asked to rate the content validity of this inventory. The BCARI showed preliminary evidence of discriminant validity when compared to other neuropsychological tests and produced the expected minimal variance in assessment readiness scores among healthy, assessment-ready participant samples and across multiple demographic variables. SMEs were largely in support of the BCARI as a valid scale for measuring assessment readiness and positively rated its application in both clinical and research settings. The BCARI shows potential as a useful tool in evaluating the profile validity of clients prior to neuropsychological testing and for reporting a standardized measure of assessment readiness within the profile validity of evaluation reports and research articles.

Introduction: This study examined the relationship between head injuries due to intimate partner violence (IPV) and sleep quality among women survivors of IPV.

Method: Women were recruited from Kentucky courts after receiving protective orders against intimate partners, including women survivors of IPV with no head injury (n = 260; M = 31.8 years-old, SD = 9.7; 77.3% White) and women survivors with IPV-related head injuries (n = 244; M = 33.7 years-old, SD = 8.9; 88.1% White). Women completed in-person interviews, querying IPV severity, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain severity, and sleep quality.

Results: Women with IPV-related head injuries reported significantly worse sleep quality (p < .001, d = .63) than women survivors without head injuries. Analyses of components of sleep quality indicated that women with IPV-related head injuries had worse subjective sleep quality, longer sleep latency, shorter sleep duration, more sleep disturbances, greater sleep medication use, and more daytime dysfunction (all p-values<.001). The relationship between IPV-related head injury and sleep remained significant (p = .017, ${\eta }_p^2$=.01) after controlling for sociodemographics, IPV severity, PTSD, and pain.

Conclusions: Compared to women survivors without head injuries, women with IPV-related head injuries, on average, had 10-minute longer sleep latency, slept 24 minutes less per night, had trouble falling asleep six more times per month, and used sleep medications more often. Further study of sleep quality among women with IPV-related head injuries and interventions to address poor sleep warrant future investigation.

Introduction: Functional seizures (FS) present with cognitive dysfunction that impacts quality of life, suggesting that neuropsychological evaluations would be beneficial. However, these patients often face barriers to in-person appointments, leading to a gap in care. The current study objective is to examine aspects of feasibility of direct-to-home (DtH) teleneuropsychology for patients with FS.

Method: U.S. Veterans with FS were prospectively recruited from a national VA program from October 2023 to February 2025. Participants completed DtH cognitive testing and neurological/mental health assessments. We measured satisfaction with teleneuropsychology using an adapted questionnaire. We implemented a Seizure Safety Protocol to direct management of acute events. Descriptive analyses report on relevant feasibility metrics.

Results: Of 60 referrals, 22 participants (37%) consented. Of those 22 participants, 20 (91%) completed the full study. Two of 22 (9%) participants were discontinued partway through data collection due to prolonged symptoms following a seizure. Five participants experienced 11 total seizures during the study, but these events did not appear to impact the validity of test data, with a few exceptions (11/720 [<2%] missing cognitive test indices). Satisfaction with the telehealth study was high such that 20/22 (91%) participants agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the study overall. Participants reported enjoying the convenience, safety, and comfort of the DtH method, although some preferred traditional in-person sessions.

Conclusions: Findings support the use of teleneuropsychology in FS. A Seizure Safety Protocol can provide guidance on handling presumed medical emergencies and can mitigate risk of invalid cognitive data. Neuropsychologists may consider declining to use telehealth if seizures are common and likely to lead to (i) the request for acute medical care and/or (ii) prolonged symptoms that interfere with the assessment. More widespread use of teleneuropsychology for patients with FS in the future may improve access to beneficial clinical services.