Applied Neuropsychology-Adult最新文献

The Wechsler Memory Scale is the most widely used test of memory in the United States and was introduced to the clinical community in 1945. The first official revision of the scale, the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, was published in 1987. A second revision, the Wechsler Memory Scale-3 appeared in 1997, followed by the Wechsler Memory Scale-4 in 2009, and the Wechsler Memory Scale-5 in 2025. The evolution of the Wechsler Memory Scale will be briefly discussed, with an emphasis on the strengths and shortcomings of each instrument.

Cognitive impairments are among the most common consequences of stroke. NeuroreAlign Therapy (NRT) integrates motor, sensory, motivational, and cognitive training. This study aims to investigate the effect of the NRT on cognitive impairment post-stroke. Thirty individuals were randomly assigned to the NRT group or the conventional cognitive training (CCT) group. Both groups received treatments for 60 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures were the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Trail Making Test, the Stroop Test, the Digit Span Test, and the Verbal Fluency Test. Except for the Trail Making Test-A (p = 0.065) for the CCT group, there were significant improvements for the NRT and CCT groups for the measures (p ≤ 0.004) and (p = 0.038-0.052), respectively, post-intervention. However, on between-group comparison, it was ascertained that NRT is more effective than CCT in improving cognitive functions post-stroke (p < 0.02). NRT was associated with greater immediate improvements in cognitive function compared with CCT in individuals with chronic stroke. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-ups are needed to identify optimal treatment protocols and confirm the long-term effects.

Background: Episodic memory impairment is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is already present in its prodromal stage. While recall deficits are well established as predictors of memory performance, the role of recognition memory-particularly the dissociation between familiarity and recollection-remains less explored.

Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on recognition memory performance in healthy controls (HC), individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and those with AD, with a focus on the distinct contributions of familiarity and recollection processes.

Methods: We searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Science Direct, PubPsych, and TRIP Medical databases for studies published until November 2025, which investigated recognition memory performance in individuals with MCI and AD including validated memory tools (such as scales, indices, scores, tests, and assessments). Forty-six studies (n = 3996) met the criteria and were included. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022343750.

Results: Most studies were cross-sectional and conducted in memory clinics or research centers, with considerable heterogeneity in sample size and assessment tools. The majority utilized experimental paradigms to differentiate familiarity and recollection, though traditional memory tests remain prevalent. Across studies, recollection was consistently impaired in MCI and AD, while familiarity showed a more variable pattern-often preserved in early MCI but impaired in advanced stages and AD. Structural and functional neuroimaging studies revealed that hippocampal atrophy is closely linked to recollection deficits, while alterations in entorhinal and parahippocampal cortices are associated with familiarity impairment. Combined deficits in recall and recognition, especially when recognition impairment reflects encoding failure, robustly predict conversion to dementia.

Conclusions: Recognition memory assessment, particularly the dissociation between familiarity and recollection, provides valuable information for early detection and prognosis in the AD continuum. Incorporating nuanced recognition memory measures into clinical practice may improve diagnostic specificity and facilitate timely interventions. Further longitudinal research is needed to validate recognition memory as a predictor of dementia progression and to standardize its assessment in diverse populations.

Confrontational naming is widely used in diagnosing neurodegenerative disorders like MCI and dementia, and previous research indicates that healthy Non-Hispanic Whites outperform Hispanics in such tasks. However, understanding the factors contributing to score differences among ethnic groups remains limited. This study focuses on cognitively intact Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic White older adults from the TARCC Hispanic Cohort project. Hierarchical regression analyses reveal that sex, age, ethnicity, education level, and estimated IQ significantly predict performance on the Boston Naming Test (BNT). Notably, education level and estimated IQ more strongly influence BNT performance in Mexican Americans than in Non-Hispanic Whites. When controlling for education level, estimated IQ has a more pronounced impact on BNT performance in aging Mexican Americans compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. Conversely, after controlling for estimated IQ, the influence of education level is weaker for Mexican Americans than Non-Hispanic Whites. These findings emphasize the need for careful evaluation of confrontational naming task scores in diverse ethnic groups, emphasizing the critical role of education and estimated IQ in understanding performance disparities.

Background: Investigating the functional interactions between different brain regions and revealing the transmission of information by computing brain connectivity have great potential and significance in the diagnosis of early Mild Cognitive Impairment (EMCI).

Methods: The Granger causality with Gate Recurrent Unit (GRU_GC) model is a suitable method that allows the detection of a nonlinear causal relationship and solves the limitation of fixed time lag, which cannot be detected by the classical Granger method. The model can transmit time series signals with any transmission delay length, and the time series can be screened and learned through the gate model.

Results: The classification experiment of 89 EMCI and 73 neurologically healthy controls (HC) shows that the accuracy reached 87.88%. Compared with multivariate variables GC (MVGC) and Long Short-Term Memory-based GC (LSTM_GC), the GRU_GC significantly improved the estimation of brain connectivity communication. Constructing a difference network to explore the brain effective connectivity between EMCI and HC.

Conclusions: The GRU_GC can discover the abnormal brain regions, including the parahippocampal gyrus, the posterior cingulate gyrus. The method can be used in clinical applications as an effective brain connectivity analysis tool and provides auxiliary means for the medical diagnosis of EMCI.

Verbs deficits add to communication challenges of people with aphasia (PWA). Tests are needed to investigate the semantic features of the verb deficits in PWA. The present study aimed to design a semantic test involving both comprehension and production of the Persian verbs, and determining its content and face validity, inter-rater, Intra-rater and test-retest reliability. Verb Semantic Test- Persian (VeST-P) with its hierarchy of difficulty was constructed; the production part involved 4 subtests of Oral Picture Naming, Naming from Spoken Definition, Naming from Written Definition, and Word Definition; the comprehension part comprised 5 subtests of Spoken Word-to-Picture Matching, Written Word-to-Picture Matching, Spoken Word Definition-to- Written Word Matching, Written Word Definition-to- Written Word Matching, and Synonym Judgment. Seventy-five speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and 10 linguists participated in the development phase of the VeST-P. Twenty healthy adults participated in the pilot study. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was used to assess inter-rater, Intra-rater and test-retest reliability. The VeST-P indicated high content validity based on CVR/CVI benchmarks. Examining the face validity led to keep the confirmed items and modify or replace the non-proper items. The Wilcoxon for within-group comparisons of the hierarchy levels in each test revealed significant differences (P≤ .001). The findings indicated good to excellent Inter-rater, intra-rater, and test-retest reliability (p< 0.001). The hierarchically- set VeST-P proved appropriate, yet requiring future investigation with large sample. Additionally, further reliability research on greater sample size including PWA are desirable to prove VeST-P practicality in clinical settings.

Succession law, which governs the creation and validity of wills, is closely tied to testamentary capacity (TC), the cognitive competence required for a valid will. This study explores TC in acute stroke patients and its connections to demographic and clinical characteristics. The research included first-time stroke patients admitted within 24 hours of symptom onset, meeting specific criteria. Data were collected, and assessment tools like the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) and Testamentary Capacity Assessment Tool (TCAT) were used. The study found that TCAT scores were not significantly affected by age or gender but positively correlated with education, the Barthel Index and ACE-III scores. They were negatively associated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Specific cognitive domains, particularly memory and attention, were independent determinants of TCAT scores. This research introduces TCAT as a valuable tool for evaluating testamentary capacity in stroke patients and highlights the multifaceted nature of TC, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach. As the population ages and complex medical conditions become more prevalent, understanding the interplay between cognitive functioning and testamentary capacity becomes increasingly crucial for both legal and medical professionals.

Health literacy tends to decrease with age, and lower health literacy has been associated with lower levels of physical function, mental health, and medication adherence. The present study examined health literacy in relation to cognition in a sample of community-dwelling older adults. The study also examined the impact of health literacy on engagement in healthy aging lifestyle behaviors. Participants included 128 older adults (age: M = 72.07, SD = 6.71; education: M = 16.34, SD = 2.56; 74% female) who completed a health literacy measure (Newest Vital Sign; NVS), a lifestyle behavior questionnaire (Healthy Aging Activity Engagement scale; HAAE), and several neuropsychological tests. The cognitive domains assessed included memory, executive function, and attention/working memory. Two variables were computed from the NVS to represent the health literacy factors of document and numeracy literacy; these factors demonstrated a small correlation (r = .18). Results revealed that attention/working memory, executive function, and memory were all significantly related to numeracy literacy and overall health literacy. Only memory was significantly related to document literacy. After accounting for age, education, and cognition, a hierarchical regression revealed that health literacy significantly predicted engagement in healthy aging lifestyle behaviors. Multiple cognitive abilities are necessary for searching, finding, and processing information to make health-related decisions. Health literacy accounted for a significant amount of variance in older adults' engagement in everyday lifestyle behaviors. Health literacy skills may be an area of focus for intervention efforts to improve brain health in older adults.

This study was designed to evaluate the classification accuracy of the Warrington's Recognition Memory Test (RMT) in 167 patients (97 or 58.1% men; M_Age = 40.4; M_Education= 13.8) medically referred for neuropsychological evaluation against five psychometrically defined criterion groups. At the optimal cutoff (≤42), the RMT produced an acceptable combination of sensitivity (.36-.60) and specificity (.85-.95), correctly classifying 68.4-83.3% of the sample. Making the cutoff more conservative (≤41) improved specificity (.88-.95) at the expense of sensitivity (.30-.60). Lowering the cutoff to ≤40 achieved uniformly high specificity (.91-.95) but diminished sensitivity (.27-.48). RMT scores were unrelated to lateral dominance, education, or gender. The RMT was sensitive to a three-way classification of performance validity (Pass/Borderline/Fail), further demonstrating its discriminant power. Despite a notable decline in research studies focused on its classification accuracy within the last decade, the RMT remains an effective free-standing PVT that is robust to demographic variables. Relatively low sensitivity is its main liability. Further research is needed on its cross-cultural validity (sensitivity to limited English proficiency).

Cognitive deficits are among the most common impairments in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Aerobic exercise is a repetitive and structured physical activity that influences structural and functional brain alterations differently. This review aims to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in individuals with TBI. PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched from inception to December 20, 2023. Studies designed as randomized controlled trials (RCT), clinical controlled trials (CCT), and pilot studies included individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of TBI, comparing aerobic exercise with passive, active, or no control group and included at least one outcome measure assessing any cognitive domain were selected. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Six studies met the eligibility criteria (n = 118), with 53% of participants being female. Four studies were of good quality, fair quality (n = 1), and poor quality (n = 1) on the PEDro. Two of the selected studies showed significant improvements in cognition after moderate and vigorous aerobic exercises, while four studies indicated that moderate and vigorous aerobic exercise did not improve cognition post-TBI. The evidence on the effects of moderate and vigorous aerobic exercise on cognitive function post-TBI remains limited. Additional studies are strongly warranted to understand aerobic exercise's effects on cognition post-TBI.