published_or_final_version / Medicine / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

This study investigated the utility of the cognitive measures of the Dean-Woodcock Neuropsychological Assessment System (D-WNAS) in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer dementia (AD) from depression. Past research has found an overlap of symptoms in the early stages of AD and those found in geriatric depression. In both instances, patients are likely to report memory loss, attention deficits, and mood disturbances. As a result of this similarity, differentially diagnosing one from another is a vexing problem for the clinical practitioner. Although a number of screening measures have been offered, none have proven to be clinically useful. Some have proposed this is the result of reliance upon use of single-factor measures. Indeed, many have proposed a multiple factor assessment model would be of more utility in diagnosing AD and depression. Considering the importance of an accurate diagnosis in treatment, this study utilized a multiple factor cognitive model offered by the Dean-Woodcock Neuropsychological Assessment System to differentiate AD from depression.Specifically, subtest scores of the Woodcock-Johnson III - Tests of Cognitive Ability (WJ-III; cognitive measure of the Dean-Woodcock Neuropsychological Assessment System) were compared. Participants (n = 172) fell into one of three groups (i.e. Depressed, Demented, or Normal) based on the diagnoses of a board certified neurologist and neuropsychologist. Results showed clinical groups performed more poorly than normal participants on tests of the WJ-III. In addition, AD participants differed significantly from depressed participants on the Visual Matching and Spatial Relations tests of the WJ-III. However, in all, the WJ-III demonstrated a classification hit rate of less than 70%. Although groups were found to differ in specific ways, the classification hit rate of the WJ-III suggested it could not differentially diagnose AD from depression alone. / Department of Educational Psychology

The purpose of the study was to validate the use of the Geriatric Functional Rating Scale (GFRS) in assessing cognitively impaired individuals 65 years of age and older to determine the need for institutionalization. The population of interest consisted of individuals 65 years of age and older exhibiting cognitive impairment and residing in Delaware County, Indiana. A nonrandomized two-group experimental design was utilized for the study. Eighty subjects were selected from two subpopulations consisting of 40 institutionalized and 40 noninstitutionalized elderly.Two geriatric assessment tools were used for the study, the Mental Status Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Geriatric Functional Rating Scale (GFRS). The hypothesis for the study stated that the mean GFRS score of the noninstitutionalized subjects, the control group, would be significantly greater than the mean score of the institutionalized subjects, the experimental group.The MSQ scores as well as the means and standard deviations for the seven subscales of the GFRS were reported for the two groups. A one-tailed t-test was used to test the hypothesis. A decision with regard to the hypothesis was made at the .05 level.Findings of the study included the following:1. The subjects ranged in age from 65 to 92 years, were 90 percent female, and predominantly Protestant, 88 percent.2. The MSQ scores for the combined groups ranged from minimal cognitive impairment, 71 percent, to severe cognitive impairment, four percent.3. The total mean score on the GFRS for the institutionalized group was 6.8 indicating a need for institutionalization.4. The total score on the GFRS of the noninstitutionalized was over 10 times higher at 70.7.5. The noninstitutionalized group scored significantly higher in the GFRS (p<.00) than the institutionalized counterparts.In conclusion, the research supports the use of the Geriatric Functional Rating Scale in assessing the need for institutionalization in cognitively impaired individuals, 65 years of age and older in Delaware County, Indiana. / Department of Educational Administration and Supervision

The purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship between cognitive status and depression in a sample of geriatric patients. Participants included 282 geriatric patients ranging in age from 65 to 96 years who were classified according to diagnosis as: DAT, VaD, MCI, and Norm. All were referred for neurocognitive testing from the Geriatric Assessment Program (GAP) at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) in Fort Worth, Texas. This study sought to identify factor structures for two versions of the GDS using a geriatric sample of cognitively impaired and intact patients. It then compared these factors to each other to determine whether the GDS-15 is truly a shorter version of the GDS-30. These were then compared to a previously determined factor structure. This study explored whether the four-factors of the GDS-30 are able to differentiate cognitive diagnostic groups. Further, this study sought to identify whether the severity of cognitive decline impacted GDS factor score for each of the cognitively impaired groups. Results revealed a two-factor model of the GDS - 15 and a four-factor model with the GDS - 30. The GDS-15 factors did not differ from the first two factors of the GDS-30. Comparison between the GDS-30 factor structure and that reported by Hall and Davis (in press) revealed no significant differences despite the inclusion of a normal, non-demented group in the current study. Comparisons of subscale scores revealed that DAT patients tended to score lower than the other groups on all but the cognitive impairment subscale. Severity level analyses indicated that as severity of deficits increases, awareness of deficits decreases. This study found that although the GDS-30 is a good screening tool for depression in geriatric patients, it is not particularly useful in differentiating cognitive status group. Also, the GDS-15 was not found to be a good substitute for the GDS-30.

The majority of today's elderly people were primarily infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis at a time when no effective chemotherapeutic treatment was available. With the progressive decline in cell mediated immunity that accompanies aging, the potential to reactivate a dormant lesion, or to be re-infected increases. The latter particularly applies in areas of high density living e.g. homes for the elderly. The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in whites in South Africa is very similar to that in industrialized countries (approximately 16/100 000). In a survey of old age homes in East London (South Africa) involving 809 white subjects the prevalence rate was found to be 1403/100 000; clusters were found in individual homes where up to 10% of residents had tuberculosis. The age specific incidence in the community for whites was 86/100 000, and in homes for the aged the incidence in 648 elderly subjects followed for 2 years was 1080/100 000. It is concluded that the elderly living in high density accommodation constitute a high-risk group for the development of the disease. The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly may be complicated by the high prevalence of atypical radiographic changes, difficulty in obtaining sputum, and the high false-negative rate of the tuberculin skin test. Thus, the value of haematological and biochemical abnormalities in 93 elderly tuberculotics, 113 elderly non-tuberculotics and 264 young tuberculotics were investigated. The results in the elderly tuberculotic patients were: Normochromic normocytic anaemia (70%), leucocytosis (55%), thrombocytosis (33%), rapid ESR in 90%, lymphopenia (22%) and monocytopenia (37%); hyponatraemia (60%), hypokalaemia (42%) and hypoalbuminaemia (83%), serum bilirubin (20%) and alkaline phosphatase, aspartic transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase are elevated in approximately 2/3 of patients. In comparison with the younger group (mean age 48 years) with cavitating tuberculosis, the prevalence of elderly patients (with generally mild and non-cavitating disease) with elevated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and liver enzymes was approximately 50% higher. When the results of liver enzyme elevations in the elderly tuberculotics were compared retrospectively with elderly patients with non-tuberculotic destructive lung disease, the former group had significantly higher values. The sensitivity (76%), specificity (48%) and positive predictive value (60%) suggest that liver enzyme abnormalities may provide useful contributory data in the non-invasive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly. The chest radiographs in 93 consecutive cases of bacteriologically proven pulmonary tuberculosis showed infrequent apical involvement (7%), with the most frequent abnormality being opacification of the middle and lower zones of the lungs; half the cases had a pleural reaction. cavitation occurs in only 1/3 of patients, and was sited equally in the apical zones and in the mid and lower zones. These findings contrast with the pattern of cavitating apico-posterior disease commonly seen in reactivated tuberculosis in younger adults. A series of 21 patients was studied to compare the yield of sputum smear examination with sputum culture for M. tuberculosis. Sputum production in non-cavitating disease was found to be infrequent and unpredictable and the number of bacilli is usually scanty. Repeated Culture of sputum for M. tuberculosis is required to improve the likelihood of obtaining a positive bacteriological diagnosis. On the basis of this study at least 4 negative sputum cultures are required to exclude the disease. In a study of 10 patients the impact of 4-drug therapy on the viability of M. tubercle in their sputum was assessed. Viable tubercle bacilli continue to be excreted in patients with cavitating pulmonary disease on treatment for up to 9 weeks. It is suggested that patients with cavitating disease should probably not be allowed to return to high density accommodation for the elderly until their sputum is clear of acid fast bacilli on sputum smear examinations. The usefulness of using annual tuberculin skin reaction (Mantoux) tests as a screening procedure was evaluated in 648 residents in old age homes. The criteria for further investigation for pulmonary tuberculosis was either recent conversion to positive (reaction equal to 10 mm or more) or a year-on-year increase of greater than 12 mm, or any reaction> 20 mm. 206 subjects were identified as "possibly having the disease" and of these the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis confirmed in 13 cases. 10/13 patients had Mantoux reactions of greater than 20 mm and 3/13 between 10 mm and 19 mm. As a result of this study the recommendation is made that a yearly Mantoux test is a useful screening procedure, and will help identify a population who should be further investigated with chest radiographs and sputum cultures.

The present study was designed to empirically validate six theoretically derived cognitive domains (verbal memory, visual memory, working memory, attention-concentration, executive functions, and visuospatial abilities) assessed by a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests used in the Geriatric Memory Clinic at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The study examined the extent to which various cognitive dimensions are tapped by this battery in a heterogeneous geriatric sample of 114 patients with cognitive impairments. The proposed six-factor model of cognitive functioning has not been supported. Further exploratory factor analysis arrived at a five-factor solution. Factor pattern of the 23 tests supported the following five dimensions: memory, executive control, attention, visuospatial abilities, and cognitive flexibility.

Use of time-compressed speech stimuli has been found to be clinically effective in differential diagnosis of lesions of the temporal lobe. However, notably absent from the literature is information concerning performance of adults on time-compressed closed-set speech discrimination tasks. The goal of this study mas to compare performance of 12 males and 12 females between age 50 and age 70 on a time-compressed closed-set speech discrimination test against the performance of 12 males and 12 females between age 10 and age 28 on the same task. The Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification test (WPI) was presented in both non-compressed and time-compressed conditions to all subjects. Previous research suggests that a difference in performance between age groups and between males and females in the older age group should be expected. Average results indicated negligible differences between age or gender groups under any of the conditions tested. Additionally, the test yielded perfect or near perfect scores for all subjects in the non-compressed condition. Lack of differentiation of results suggests that the Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification CUIPI) may be insensitive to the discrimination disorders expected in older adults, that the subjects included in the study were atypical of older adults in general and therefore such discrimination disorders did not exist in the sample, or that the subjects in the study uiere able to apply some type of compensatory strategies which resulted in the unexpected performance.

Although not all persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) go on to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD), MCI is recognized as an early stage of AD. The effects of AD are devastating to all concerned. Research has identified that recognition of AD in its earliest stages and institution of known treatment modalities can forestall the ultimate outcome. Identification of the first subtle signs of MCI can assist in the recognition of this prodromal phase, and allow for institution of therapy while still in the initial stages. Unfortunately, the development of MCI is insidious in nature, thus making it difficult to detect. The purpose of this study was to identify areas of functional decline that occur in MCI in an effort to improve its early identification. A mixed-methods design that combined qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Fifty-three participants with memory complaints were interviewed using a semi structured interview technique with open-ended questions, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and a list of eighty-five items previously identified as indicative of functional decline. Twenty-nine persons were divided into two groups: 1) those identified as probable MCI (consensus diagnosis) (n=15) and possible MCI (based on screening examination) (n=14) and 2) those identified as Normal (no cognitive impairment) (n=10), and their subjective functional deficits compared. The findings suggest that there were certain areas of functional decline more commonly experienced by persons in the MCI group than by unimpaired. These include difficulty recalling details of information and forgetting conversations. There were also other changes identified, such as adaptations on the part of persons with MCI (an increased dependence on memory aids, for example, lists and calendars) and a dec rease in social activities leading to an increase in social isolation. Additionally identified were functional activities that appear to remain intact in persons with early MCI. This study highlights the subtlety with which MCI assaults the functional abilities of individuals, thus making its early identification problematic. The results of this study will contribute by providing information that will help professionals who are assessing persons experiencing memory issues for the possible presence of MCI. Additionally, it is hoped that these findings will assist in the development of a measurement tool designed to assess for possible MCI. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias in the elderly is critical for improving treatment methods and is a necessary component for improving public health interventions. One of the earliest and most common behavioral syndromes of AD is apathy and is associated with executive dysfunction. Apathy in AD is often misdiagnosed as depression due to an overlap in symptoms. Studies that have found depression to be associated with executive dysfunction have not always controlled for the presence of apathy. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a widely used instrument designed to assess depression in the elderly. This study utilized the GDS and a set of standard neuropsychological instruments to investigate the relationship between apathy, depression, and executive functions in individuals with AD and related dementias. The first objective of this study was to determine if apathy has a greater impact on executive functions compared to depression in AD and related dementias. The second objective was to determine the effectiveness of the GDS as a screen for apathy. The results of the analyses did not support the hypotheses. However, exploratory analyses suggested a possible non-linear relationship with apathy and various levels of dementia severity. Exploratory analysis also suggested mean levels of endorsement for apathy varied by diagnosis. Further research is warranted to investigate this relationship and the GDS endorsement patterns for caregivers regarding their impression of the demented individual.

A methodology for ageing foetal and neonatal cattle is developed, involving radiographic examination of infant mandibles for early developmental stages in molariform teeth; tooth-wear methodologies are imprecise at this stage before wear commences. Known-age modern bovine foetal and neonate material are collected as a control assemblage for method development (n=73); six Neolithic to Norse era assemblages from Orkney are examined using the modified technique together with standard tooth-wear analysis and other methodologies. Foetal and died-at-birth material is diagnosed at most sites using the new technique, together with a range of other peri-natal age-groups. Ageing at this early stage is highly relevant in the diagnosis of milking as a palaeoeconomy: the accepted view is that unwanted (male) calves were slaughtered to maximise milk for human consumption, hence a surfeit of neonate calf remains, as at the study sites. The diagnosis of foetal and died-at-birth material challenges this view, suggesting that attritional causes may have contributed to deaths at this stage. Although milking was probably carried out at most of the study sites, this may have been combined with slaughter of cattle for meat in a pragmatic exploitation strategy. Literary research shows possible attritional causes of abortion and early death in calves, in particular dietary insufficiency in pregnant cows, microbial infections, and also inadequate colostrum uptake. Additionally, research is used to consider the challenges to health that early milking might have posed, to the calf as mentioned, but also to the cow, where three main health issues are highlighted: infertility, mastitis and lameness.