- Email: [email protected]
Ederly patients receiving medication for memory problems
Abstracts /Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology I5 (2000) 653-850
741
behaviorally in terms of withdrawal, isolation, lack of volition, emotional unresponsiveness and poverty of speech. Accordingly, the considerable overlap in behavioral expression between patients with schizophrenia and FTD makes a differential diagnosis difficult. This differential diagnosis is especially difficult when the age of onset of schizophrenia is late (i.e., 45+). The purpose of this study was to identify which neuropsychological tests best differentiate patients with late-onset schizophrenia from patients with FTD. Hence, neurocognitive test results from a total of 12 patients with FTD and 32 patients with schizophrenia were analyzed using test sensitivity statistics (i.e., Cohen’s U2 percent overlap). The results support a test battery composed of the WAIS-R Vocabulary, Information, Digit Span, and Comprehension subtests, and the Hooper Visual Organization Test as being the most sensitive measures to diagnostic differentiation between patients with FTD and those with late onset schizophrenia.
Predicting functional independence in dementia patients Ouaou RR, Kabat M, Kane R, Johnson J. Deterioration in the ability of dementia patients to function independently and manage self-care is apparent as the disease progresses (Willis, Allen-Burge, Dolan, Bertrand, Yesavage, and Taylor, 1998; Baum, Edwards, and Morrow-Howell, 1996). Many of these impaired functional abilities, such as medication management, are essential for the success of patient medical therapy, especially in the treatment of chronic illnesses (Col, Fanale, and Kronholm, 1990). A growing body of research has documented the central role of global cognitive functioning in the prediction of everyday functioning (Geropsychology Technical Advisory Group, 1996; Heaton and Pendleton, 198 1; Baum et al., 1996). The purpose of the current research was to advance the ability to predict the relationships between specific neuropsychological abilities to specific functional abilities and general independence in dementia patients. The study compared neuropsychological test data, measures of fUnctiona abilities, and demographic data found in 85 patients previously referred for a comprehensive dementia work-up. Subjects were 42 Caucasian and 43 African American male veterans, age 64 to 97 (M= 77, SD = 5.82), with an educational level ranging from 2 to 18 years (M= 10.34, SD = 3.94). As part of the evaluation, subjects completed the CERAD neuropsychological test battery. Data from patient medical history and activities of daily living (ADLs and IADLs) rating scales were collected. Subjects’ ability to perform specific functions, such as managing medication regiments, was noted as well as patient level of overall independence. Preliminary analysis of the data uncovered several significant findings that related functional impairment and specific cognitive deficits. As expected, measures of global neuropsychological ability (e.g. MMSE) were related to patient independence (r= 0.37, p < O.Ol), as measured by current patient living status. Concerning specific neuropsychological functions, the findings included the discovery that measures of language (e.g. verbal fluency, comprehension, confrontation naming) accounted for significantly more variance relating to patient independence than other measures of cognitive functions. The relationships of specific neuropsychological functions to specific functional abilities are presented.
Ederly patients receiving medication McCue R, Bradshaw AA, Bums WJ.
for memory problems
The Wechsler Memory Scale-Third Edition is often used by neuropsychologists in settings where psychiatrists and neurologists request confirmation of their diagnosis of a memory disorder. The
742
Abstracts /Archives
of Clinical Neuropsychology
15 (2000) 653-850
purpose of this study was to show that neuropsychological test information about memory disordered patients may be used to confirm the appropriateness of the prescription of neuropharmacological medications designed to enhance memory function. In this study, Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) was prescribed for 16 out of 110 patients in a neurology practice in order to reduce the loss of memory function. When the findings from the WMS-III were compared in the 16 medicated (Group I) versus 95 patients not medicated with Aricept (Group II) the following results were obtained. A significantly (p
Effects of estrogen on cognition and mood functioning Miller K, Conney J, Fairbanks L, Rasgon N, Small G.
in older adults
In the past decade there has been a great interest in how estrogen affects both the cognition and the mood functioning of women. Several researchers have reported that women who use estrogen replacement therapy perform better on measures of verbal memory, verbal fluency, semantic naming, and have enhanced mood and/or less depression (Phillips and Sherwin, 1992; Kampen and Sherwin, 1994; Robinson et al., 1994; Henderson et al., 1996; Barrett-Conner and Kritz-Sifverstein, 1993; Schneider, Brotherton, and Hailes, 1977; Sherwin, 1988; Ditkoff et al., 1991; and Best et al., 1992). This study analyzed the neuropsychological data and estrogen use of 47 women, whose mean age was 65.90 (SD, 8.99). In addition, the neuropsychological data of 49 men was included in order to examine male-female differences (mean age of the men was 65.90; SD, 8.46). The univariate analysis of variance, corrected for age, education level, vocabulary scores, and diagnosis, yielded significant results that indicated that the women who use estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) performed better on measures of attention, verbal fluency, and mood functioning. The neuropsychological data of was then examined in a 3-way analysis between men, women who use ERT, and women who do not use ERT. The results indicated significant results between men and women for measures of attention and working memory, semantic fluency, abstract reasoning, nonverbal memory, and depression. The details of these results are presented. The results of this study and their implications are discussed, along with other trends that were present in the data analysis.
Lateraliiation of facial affect recognition Mychack e Kramer JH, Miller BL.
in fronto-temporal
The purpose of this study was to explore lateralization patients with front0 temporal dementia (FTD).
dementia
differences
in recognition
of facial affect in
741
behaviorally in terms of withdrawal, isolation, lack of volition, emotional unresponsiveness and poverty of speech. Accordingly, the considerable overlap in behavioral expression between patients with schizophrenia and FTD makes a differential diagnosis difficult. This differential diagnosis is especially difficult when the age of onset of schizophrenia is late (i.e., 45+). The purpose of this study was to identify which neuropsychological tests best differentiate patients with late-onset schizophrenia from patients with FTD. Hence, neurocognitive test results from a total of 12 patients with FTD and 32 patients with schizophrenia were analyzed using test sensitivity statistics (i.e., Cohen’s U2 percent overlap). The results support a test battery composed of the WAIS-R Vocabulary, Information, Digit Span, and Comprehension subtests, and the Hooper Visual Organization Test as being the most sensitive measures to diagnostic differentiation between patients with FTD and those with late onset schizophrenia.
Predicting functional independence in dementia patients Ouaou RR, Kabat M, Kane R, Johnson J. Deterioration in the ability of dementia patients to function independently and manage self-care is apparent as the disease progresses (Willis, Allen-Burge, Dolan, Bertrand, Yesavage, and Taylor, 1998; Baum, Edwards, and Morrow-Howell, 1996). Many of these impaired functional abilities, such as medication management, are essential for the success of patient medical therapy, especially in the treatment of chronic illnesses (Col, Fanale, and Kronholm, 1990). A growing body of research has documented the central role of global cognitive functioning in the prediction of everyday functioning (Geropsychology Technical Advisory Group, 1996; Heaton and Pendleton, 198 1; Baum et al., 1996). The purpose of the current research was to advance the ability to predict the relationships between specific neuropsychological abilities to specific functional abilities and general independence in dementia patients. The study compared neuropsychological test data, measures of fUnctiona abilities, and demographic data found in 85 patients previously referred for a comprehensive dementia work-up. Subjects were 42 Caucasian and 43 African American male veterans, age 64 to 97 (M= 77, SD = 5.82), with an educational level ranging from 2 to 18 years (M= 10.34, SD = 3.94). As part of the evaluation, subjects completed the CERAD neuropsychological test battery. Data from patient medical history and activities of daily living (ADLs and IADLs) rating scales were collected. Subjects’ ability to perform specific functions, such as managing medication regiments, was noted as well as patient level of overall independence. Preliminary analysis of the data uncovered several significant findings that related functional impairment and specific cognitive deficits. As expected, measures of global neuropsychological ability (e.g. MMSE) were related to patient independence (r= 0.37, p < O.Ol), as measured by current patient living status. Concerning specific neuropsychological functions, the findings included the discovery that measures of language (e.g. verbal fluency, comprehension, confrontation naming) accounted for significantly more variance relating to patient independence than other measures of cognitive functions. The relationships of specific neuropsychological functions to specific functional abilities are presented.
Ederly patients receiving medication McCue R, Bradshaw AA, Bums WJ.
for memory problems
The Wechsler Memory Scale-Third Edition is often used by neuropsychologists in settings where psychiatrists and neurologists request confirmation of their diagnosis of a memory disorder. The
742
Abstracts /Archives
of Clinical Neuropsychology
15 (2000) 653-850
purpose of this study was to show that neuropsychological test information about memory disordered patients may be used to confirm the appropriateness of the prescription of neuropharmacological medications designed to enhance memory function. In this study, Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) was prescribed for 16 out of 110 patients in a neurology practice in order to reduce the loss of memory function. When the findings from the WMS-III were compared in the 16 medicated (Group I) versus 95 patients not medicated with Aricept (Group II) the following results were obtained. A significantly (p
Effects of estrogen on cognition and mood functioning Miller K, Conney J, Fairbanks L, Rasgon N, Small G.
in older adults
In the past decade there has been a great interest in how estrogen affects both the cognition and the mood functioning of women. Several researchers have reported that women who use estrogen replacement therapy perform better on measures of verbal memory, verbal fluency, semantic naming, and have enhanced mood and/or less depression (Phillips and Sherwin, 1992; Kampen and Sherwin, 1994; Robinson et al., 1994; Henderson et al., 1996; Barrett-Conner and Kritz-Sifverstein, 1993; Schneider, Brotherton, and Hailes, 1977; Sherwin, 1988; Ditkoff et al., 1991; and Best et al., 1992). This study analyzed the neuropsychological data and estrogen use of 47 women, whose mean age was 65.90 (SD, 8.99). In addition, the neuropsychological data of 49 men was included in order to examine male-female differences (mean age of the men was 65.90; SD, 8.46). The univariate analysis of variance, corrected for age, education level, vocabulary scores, and diagnosis, yielded significant results that indicated that the women who use estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) performed better on measures of attention, verbal fluency, and mood functioning. The neuropsychological data of was then examined in a 3-way analysis between men, women who use ERT, and women who do not use ERT. The results indicated significant results between men and women for measures of attention and working memory, semantic fluency, abstract reasoning, nonverbal memory, and depression. The details of these results are presented. The results of this study and their implications are discussed, along with other trends that were present in the data analysis.
Lateraliiation of facial affect recognition Mychack e Kramer JH, Miller BL.
in fronto-temporal
The purpose of this study was to explore lateralization patients with front0 temporal dementia (FTD).
dementia
differences
in recognition
of facial affect in