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Correlates of good and poor cognitive performance in elderly adults
Abstracts of 11th Annual Meeting
343
various diagnostic groups (e.g., Lally & Nettelbeck, 1980). Given that the Category Test is purported to be a good measure of “g” (Hynd & Cohen, 1983), response time measures gleaned from a computerized category test were used to differentiate learning disabled (LD) and normal children. A computerized version of the older children’s Category Test (CCT) (Rattan, 1989) was administered to a sample of 57 children (Normal = 31, LD = 26) ranging from 9 to 12 years of age (Mean = 12.0. SD = 1.77 for boys; Mean = 11.28 SD = 1.81 for girls). To compare the efficacy of the traditional dependent measure of error scores versus response time on the CT, an ANOVA was performed. Results indicated that the LD group did not differ significantly (p < .05) in the number of errors (Mean = 55.85) on the Category Test when contrasted to normal peer cohorts (Mean = 50.16). However, when the average response time for incorrect performance was used as the dependent measure, a difference was observed with the LD group responding significantly faster, p > .05, Mean = 3.25 s, when compared to the normal group (Mean = 4.11 s). The results were discussed in terms of including response time measures to increase the sensitivity of the category test with differential diagnosis.
Lefkowicz, D. P., McCaffrey, R. J., & Eson, M. E. The University at Albany, State University of New York. The Combinatorial Reasoning Task: A Test of Executive Functioning. The Combinatorial Reasoning Task (CRT), originally developed by Scardamalia (1977), was adapted by Eson and Bourke (1982) to be used in assessing the stages of cognitive recovery following traumatic brain injury in adults. Eson and Bourke (1982) noted that many brain-injured subjects made specific errors in task performance which were indicative of information processing difficulties. However, these researchers conceded that since normative information on the CRT was unavailable, data interpretation was difficult. The results of the present study provide normative data for the CRT using male and female college students. Within this sample, the CRT manifested moderate test-retest reliability and moderate correlations with estimates of IQ. Preliminary results using the Combinatorial Reasoning Task with PSDAT, Parkinson’s and HIV+ patients, as well as with normal older adults, will also be presented.
Leverett, J. P., Waid, L. R., Knapp, R. G., Keil, J. E., & Sutherland, S. E. Medical University of South Carolina. Correlates of Good and Poor Cognitive Performance in Elderly Adults. In the 1988-1990 recall of the Charleston Heart Study cohort, 962 elderly blacks and whites underwent examination for cardiovascular disease risk factors and events as well as assessment of behavioral, physical, and cognitive functions. To examine the correlates of good and poor cognitive functioning, a composite score was developed based upon subject’s performance on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and the Russell revision of the
344
Abstracts of II th Annual Meeting
Wechsler Memory Scale. For each race x sex group, subjects were classified as either good (75th percentile or higher) or poor (25th percentile or lower) cognitive performers. Controlling for the effects of age, analyses revealed an inverse relationship between cognitive performance and ratings of physical disability across all groups. For elderly Whites, being married, having higher annual income, and less use of prescription drugs were associated with good cognitive performance. For elderly blacks, self-reported perception of health significantly differentiated good versus poor cognitive performers. Cardiovascular status variables, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and hypertension did not significantly differentiate high and low cognitive performers. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine the degree of variance explained by health and behavioral variables in predicting good or poor cognitive performance for each race x sex group.
Loken, W. J., Thornton, A. E., & Long, C. J. Memphis State University. Factors Associated with Poor Outcome in Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery Patients. Ninety-one patients were evaluated with a brief neuropsychological battery prior to undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Their medical records were reviewed following hospital discharge and, based upon operative outcome, patients were classified into three groups. Sixteen percent of the patients either expired (n = 7) or exhibited significant neurological signs (n = 8) during the operative/postoperative course, while 84% of the patients had a relatively benign medical course. The patient groups were compared on a number of factors including preoperative neuropsychological performance, demographic variables, and medical history variables in order to ascertain factors associated with poor operative outcome. These results are presented, and implications for predicting outcome in this population are discussed.
McCaffrey, R. J., Lorig, T. S., Lefiowicz, D. L., McCutcheon, N. B., & Garrett, J. C. The University at Albany, State University of New York; Washington & Lee University; Albany Veterans Outreach Center. Odor-Induced EEG Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disordered (PTSD) Vietnam Veterans. Odor-induced EEG changes in response to three trauma-related and three neutral odors were examined in Vietnam veterans with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in a control group without PTSD. All subjects were normosmic. EEG was recorded at four scalp locations 0;7, T5, F8, and T6) referenced to link mastoids and amplified using a Grass Instruments Model 79D with 7P511J amplifiers. Electrode impedance was less than 10 k Qs. Raw EEG was stored on-line and sampled at a rate of 128 Hz per channel for two 3.08-s epochs following each odor. Odors were presented for two complete respiratory cycles. Period analysis of the EEG indi-
343
various diagnostic groups (e.g., Lally & Nettelbeck, 1980). Given that the Category Test is purported to be a good measure of “g” (Hynd & Cohen, 1983), response time measures gleaned from a computerized category test were used to differentiate learning disabled (LD) and normal children. A computerized version of the older children’s Category Test (CCT) (Rattan, 1989) was administered to a sample of 57 children (Normal = 31, LD = 26) ranging from 9 to 12 years of age (Mean = 12.0. SD = 1.77 for boys; Mean = 11.28 SD = 1.81 for girls). To compare the efficacy of the traditional dependent measure of error scores versus response time on the CT, an ANOVA was performed. Results indicated that the LD group did not differ significantly (p < .05) in the number of errors (Mean = 55.85) on the Category Test when contrasted to normal peer cohorts (Mean = 50.16). However, when the average response time for incorrect performance was used as the dependent measure, a difference was observed with the LD group responding significantly faster, p > .05, Mean = 3.25 s, when compared to the normal group (Mean = 4.11 s). The results were discussed in terms of including response time measures to increase the sensitivity of the category test with differential diagnosis.
Lefkowicz, D. P., McCaffrey, R. J., & Eson, M. E. The University at Albany, State University of New York. The Combinatorial Reasoning Task: A Test of Executive Functioning. The Combinatorial Reasoning Task (CRT), originally developed by Scardamalia (1977), was adapted by Eson and Bourke (1982) to be used in assessing the stages of cognitive recovery following traumatic brain injury in adults. Eson and Bourke (1982) noted that many brain-injured subjects made specific errors in task performance which were indicative of information processing difficulties. However, these researchers conceded that since normative information on the CRT was unavailable, data interpretation was difficult. The results of the present study provide normative data for the CRT using male and female college students. Within this sample, the CRT manifested moderate test-retest reliability and moderate correlations with estimates of IQ. Preliminary results using the Combinatorial Reasoning Task with PSDAT, Parkinson’s and HIV+ patients, as well as with normal older adults, will also be presented.
Leverett, J. P., Waid, L. R., Knapp, R. G., Keil, J. E., & Sutherland, S. E. Medical University of South Carolina. Correlates of Good and Poor Cognitive Performance in Elderly Adults. In the 1988-1990 recall of the Charleston Heart Study cohort, 962 elderly blacks and whites underwent examination for cardiovascular disease risk factors and events as well as assessment of behavioral, physical, and cognitive functions. To examine the correlates of good and poor cognitive functioning, a composite score was developed based upon subject’s performance on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and the Russell revision of the
344
Abstracts of II th Annual Meeting
Wechsler Memory Scale. For each race x sex group, subjects were classified as either good (75th percentile or higher) or poor (25th percentile or lower) cognitive performers. Controlling for the effects of age, analyses revealed an inverse relationship between cognitive performance and ratings of physical disability across all groups. For elderly Whites, being married, having higher annual income, and less use of prescription drugs were associated with good cognitive performance. For elderly blacks, self-reported perception of health significantly differentiated good versus poor cognitive performers. Cardiovascular status variables, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and hypertension did not significantly differentiate high and low cognitive performers. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine the degree of variance explained by health and behavioral variables in predicting good or poor cognitive performance for each race x sex group.
Loken, W. J., Thornton, A. E., & Long, C. J. Memphis State University. Factors Associated with Poor Outcome in Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery Patients. Ninety-one patients were evaluated with a brief neuropsychological battery prior to undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Their medical records were reviewed following hospital discharge and, based upon operative outcome, patients were classified into three groups. Sixteen percent of the patients either expired (n = 7) or exhibited significant neurological signs (n = 8) during the operative/postoperative course, while 84% of the patients had a relatively benign medical course. The patient groups were compared on a number of factors including preoperative neuropsychological performance, demographic variables, and medical history variables in order to ascertain factors associated with poor operative outcome. These results are presented, and implications for predicting outcome in this population are discussed.
McCaffrey, R. J., Lorig, T. S., Lefiowicz, D. L., McCutcheon, N. B., & Garrett, J. C. The University at Albany, State University of New York; Washington & Lee University; Albany Veterans Outreach Center. Odor-Induced EEG Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disordered (PTSD) Vietnam Veterans. Odor-induced EEG changes in response to three trauma-related and three neutral odors were examined in Vietnam veterans with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in a control group without PTSD. All subjects were normosmic. EEG was recorded at four scalp locations 0;7, T5, F8, and T6) referenced to link mastoids and amplified using a Grass Instruments Model 79D with 7P511J amplifiers. Electrode impedance was less than 10 k Qs. Raw EEG was stored on-line and sampled at a rate of 128 Hz per channel for two 3.08-s epochs following each odor. Odors were presented for two complete respiratory cycles. Period analysis of the EEG indi-