published_or_final_version / Linguistics / Master / Master of Arts

A large body of human brain-behavior research has focused upon sensorimotor processes and their relation to higher mental functioning. Semmes et al. (1960) have presented evidence to suggest that sensorimotor functions of the two cerebral hemispheres are not mirror images of each other. These

A preterm birth is associated with increased risk for neurocognitive deficits, but there is a need to further investigate brain/behavior relations among younger school age children born preterm. The main purpose of this study was to investigate relations between brain volumes and neuropsychological functioning, with an additional aim of examining side preference, among 18 school age children, nine born extremely/very preterm and nine born at-term. Brain volumes were examined using 3T MRI, neuropsychological functioning by WISC-IV and side preference through laterality observations. The children born preterm had, in general lower total brain volume, gray matter and WISC-IV score. Contrary to previous findings no difference was found regarding white matter volumes. Stronger right hand preference was associated to higher perceptual reasoning ability among both preterm and at-term born children, but the associations between right hand preference and brain volumes differed between the groups. The results in this study support previous findings showing long-term neurocognitive effects of a preterm birth.

The present study investigated the extent to which right and left hemisphere stroke patients, within an acute care rehabilitation unit, differ in neuropsychological symptomatology as reported on a self-report instrument.The subjects were 90 patients admitted to an acute care rehabilitation unit within a midwestern hospital. Two groups of 30 were obtained on the basis of stroke location, either right or left hemisphere. In addition, a group of 30 orthopedic patients were selected to serve as a comparison group.Data was collected using the Neuropsychological Symptom Inventory (Rattan, Dean & Rattan, 1989). A discriminant analysis revealed two discriminant functions which were used to classify group membership. Slightly more than 86% of both left hemisphere stroke patients and orthopedic patients were correctly classified. However, only 46% of right hemisphere stroke patients were accurately predicted. The results clearly support the ability to differentiate the groups and suggest a homogeneous character of the left hemisphere stroke and orthopedic groups. The right hemisphere group appears heterogeneous in make-up. Further statistical analysis revealed no significant difference (a<.05) between stroke groups when examining a factor related to emotional/depression symptoms. However, when stroke patients were compared to orthopedic patients on this factor, a high degree of significance was revealed (p<.001).These results suggest that right hemisphere patients cannot be treated as if they make up a single disorder group within the rehabilitation setting. The use of a self-report measure may prove beneficial with this group is assessing the level of neuropsychological impairment and to make modifications in treatment planning. Additionally, the existence of depression within the stroke group suggest that rehabilitation should focus more on these reactions within the first few weeks post-stroke. / Department of Educational Psychology

Thesis (B.A. Hons.))--University of Adelaide, Dept.of Psychology, 1978. / Bibliography: p. 32-34.

Thesis (PhD) - Swinburne University of Technology, Brain Sciences Institute, 2006. / Typescript. [A thesis submitted for requirements of the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University of Technology - 2006]. Includes bibliographical references (p. 234-270).

Issued also as thesis, Columbia Univ. / Bibliography: p. 75-80.

Issued also as thesis, Columbia University. / Bibliography: p. 75-80.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Florida, 1984. / Description based on print version record. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-74).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of British Columbia, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-97)