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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

The cognitive neuroscience of language processing : towards an understanding of language dysfunction in schizophrenia

Kuperberg, Gina Rosalind January 2002 (has links)
No description available.
2

Neurocognitive function in substance dependence

Taylor, Eleanor January 2016 (has links)
Background: Changes in neuropsychological and emotional systems are associated with substance dependence and reduce the chance of successfully maintaining abstinence after treatment. Impulsivity is strongly associated with substance dependence and is a risk factor for development, a consequence of excessive use and a marker for poor treatment outcomes. The focus of this thesis is impulsivity, as well as emotional and motivational factors, in the context of harmful substance use and dependence. The thesis is formed of two parts; the first (Studies 1 and 2) focusses on the multi-faceted role of impulsivity in substance dependence. The second part (Studies 3 and 4) investigates negative reinforcement and automatic approach and avoidance behaviour in heavy alcohol use. Study 1: A multi-dimensional investigation of impulsivity in abstinent substance dependent individuals using three complementary techniques: self-report, behavioural and neural measures. Results suggest that self-report measures of impulsivity are more sensitive in abstinent individuals than behavioural or fMRI measures. Study 2: An alternative approach to the classification of substance dependent individuals; using Latent Profile Analysis, abstinent substance dependent participants from Study 1 were regrouped based on personality risk factors rather than primary dependence. Important differences were detected within a previously undifferentiated group of abstinent substance dependent individuals; notably the greater incidence of childhood adversity and stimulant dependence history in one group, while the other did not differ from controls. Study 3: A behavioural investigation of the effect of stress induction on automatic approach and avoidance in heavy drinking individuals compared to light drinkers. Results indicated no differential effect of stress. These findings may suggest that the behaviour of older, more established heavy drinkers is comparable to that of alcohol dependent participants and reflects an advanced stage along the spectrum of alcohol use and dependence. Study 4: An fMRI investigation conducted on a subset of participants from Study 3 using neuroimaging paradigms to assess automatic approach and avoidance behaviour in heavy drinking individuals compared to light drinkers. Results can be interpreted to suggest that heavy drinkers approach alcohol in a less controlled manner than light drinkers, and that trait anxiety may be involved in the extent of avoidance behaviour. Conclusions: Although there are more questions raised by this research than are answered, some general conclusions can be drawn. Specifically, impulsivity measures need to be made more appropriate to all stages of substance use and dependence. Furthermore I propose a longitudinal theory of substance use and dependence with different neurocognitive profiles at each stage, as well as individual differences throughout the trajectory. This has implications for future addiction research that should enable better understanding for the benefit of clinical practice and treatment of substance related disorders.
3

EFFECTS OF MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION EXPERIENCE ON COGNITIVE AND EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING AND EGO DEPLETION

Lykins, Emily Lauren Brown 01 January 2009 (has links)
Mindfulness is increasingly recognized as an important phenomenon both clinically and empirically, with mindfulness-based interventions demonstrated to be efficacious across a wide variety of patient populations and disorders (i.e., Baer, 2003). Though debate regarding the exact definition of mindfulness continues, generally accepted definitions involve the common elements of intentionally directing attention toward the present moment and adopting an accepting, nonjudgmental, and/or nonreactive orientation, intent, or attitude (i.e., Baer et al., 2006; Bishop et al., 2004). Several testable predictions in the cognitive and emotional domains were derived from the operational definition of mindfulness provided by Bishop et al. (2004). Recent empirical work (i.e., Chambers, Lo, & Allen, 2008; Valentine & Sweet, 1999) has supported Bishop et al.’s predictions, providing initial validation of their operationalization of mindfulness. However, most work on the effects of meditation practice and the mindfulness construct has relied on self-report methodology. The current work transcended past research by using behavioral methods to investigate the effects of meditation practice, correlates of trait mindfulness, and validity of current conceptualizations of mindfulness. Additionally, the current work investigated relationships between meditation, mindfulness, and self-regulation using behavioral methods. This investigation was warranted as recent theoretical work suggested that increased self-control abilities may be the primary mechanism by which mindfulness-based interventions work and that higher levels of trait mindfulness may appear to be related to enhanced well-being due to the unmeasured third variable of enhanced self-regulatory abilities (Masicampo & Baumeister, 2007). Ninety-eight individuals (33 meditators, 33 age-matched nonmeditating controls, and 32 students) completed self-report and behavioral measures of attention, learning, memory, cognitive and emotional biases, and self-regulation in individual sessions. Results demonstrated that meditation practice related to few of the measured constructs, with significant group differences detected between the meditators and nonmeditators in short-term memory, long-term memory, and self-regulation only. Self-reported trait mindfulness in the nonmeditators related only to self-reported psychological well-being. These results stand in stark contrast to most of the current literature on meditation and mindfulness. The research raises more questions about the effects of meditation practice and conceptualization of mindfulness than it answers, though multiple interpretations of the data are possible.
4

The Long-term Neurocognitive Development of Children Exposed to Above Manufacturer Recommended Doses of Diclectin In Utero

Carey, Nathalie 21 November 2012 (has links)
Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) affects up to 90% of pregnancies. Diclectin (doxylamine/pyridoxine) is the only anti-emetic approved in Canada for NVP, at a maximum dose of 4 tablets/day. However, some women receive higher doses, up to 12 tablets/day. In this study we compared the neurocognitive development of children from four mother-child groups: (1) NVP and >4 tablets Diclectin, (2) NVP and ≤ 4 tablets Diclectin, (3) NVP and no treatment and (4) no NVP. Children received a full age-appropriate psychological assessment. All groups scored in the normal range for IQ and cognition tests. The Diclectin-exposed groups scored significantly higher on a small number of subtests, but none of the differences could be considered clinically significant. No dose-dependent effects were observed. Above manufacturer recommended doses of Diclectin do not appear to harm neurodevelopment and should be considered safe for the treatment of NVP.
5

The Long-term Neurocognitive Development of Children Exposed to Above Manufacturer Recommended Doses of Diclectin In Utero

Carey, Nathalie 21 November 2012 (has links)
Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) affects up to 90% of pregnancies. Diclectin (doxylamine/pyridoxine) is the only anti-emetic approved in Canada for NVP, at a maximum dose of 4 tablets/day. However, some women receive higher doses, up to 12 tablets/day. In this study we compared the neurocognitive development of children from four mother-child groups: (1) NVP and >4 tablets Diclectin, (2) NVP and ≤ 4 tablets Diclectin, (3) NVP and no treatment and (4) no NVP. Children received a full age-appropriate psychological assessment. All groups scored in the normal range for IQ and cognition tests. The Diclectin-exposed groups scored significantly higher on a small number of subtests, but none of the differences could be considered clinically significant. No dose-dependent effects were observed. Above manufacturer recommended doses of Diclectin do not appear to harm neurodevelopment and should be considered safe for the treatment of NVP.
6

Understanding treatment-resistant depression: The complicated relationships among neurocognition, symptoms, and functioning

GUPTA, MAYA 07 September 2011 (has links)
Background: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) encompasses a segment of individuals with major depressive disorder who are severely ill in terms of chronicity, comorbidity, and prognosis. Although functional impairment is a prominent and costly feature of treatment-resistance, very little is known about the factors that contribute to and maintain functional impairment in TRD. Purpose: This study examined the relationships among neurocognition, symptoms, and functional impairment in TRD. Specifically, I examined the neurocognitive impairments that relate to different symptom domains and to level of symptom severity, as well as the predictors of functional outcomes and real-world behaviour in TRD. Method: Patients (N = 29) with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder were recruited from the Mood Disorders Treatment and Research Service at Providence Care Mental Health Services in Kingston, Ontario. Data were collected during a baseline assessment for a neurocognitive enhancement therapy program. Results: Individuals with TRD show mild to moderate impairments across all neurocognitive domains, with a superimposed severe impairment in verbal working memory. Verbal working memory significantly correlated with depressive symptoms and anxiety, such that increased verbal working memory capacity was related to more severe clinical symptoms. Greater response inhibition significantly correlated with less anxiety. Interpersonal competence was predicted by sustained attention and severity of depressive symptoms. Adaptive competence was significantly predicted by age at baseline and set shifting. Real-world work behaviour, interpersonal relations, and general satisfaction were predicted by the severity of depressive symptoms, whereas observed mood and anxiety predicted real-world recreational activity. Conclusions: The current study pioneered some of the first data regarding the relationships among neurocognition, symptoms, and functional outcomes in treatment-resistant depression. Verbal working memory appears to play an important role in the symptomatology of TRD. Neurocognitive variables and depressive symptoms are important in predicting functional competence (what one can do) but only depressive symptoms predict functional performance (what one actually does in the real world). There may be additional intrinsic or extrinsic factors that mediate the relationships among neurocognition, symptoms, and functioning in TRD. / Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-07 11:55:40.708
7

Understanding Criminal Behaviour in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Neurocognitive Deficits and Social Factors

2014 March 1900 (has links)
Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) are more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system than individuals without FASD. Research shows that individuals with FASD are unable to learn from standard methods of punishment, such as incarceration. The objective of this research was to determine how young offenders with an FASD diagnosis differ from young offenders without a diagnosis in order to inform sentencing and treatment options for FASD offenders. Using a pre-existing database of court-referred young offenders, the data of 197 youths were compared. Eighty-six young offenders in this sample were diagnosed with FASD. Information was available on a number of neurocognitive variables, such as cognition, memory, attention, achievement, and language, as well as social data, such as substance use, assistance in school, home stability, and criminal charges. Profile analysis was run on the neurocognitive data for young offenders with and without FASD. The social data were analyzed using a combination of correlation and one-way ANOVAs. Young offenders with FASD differed from young offenders without FASD on severity of impairment on the neurocognitive measures, with individuals with FASD scoring lower that the comparison group. There was no difference in the profile of neurocognitive deficiency between the groups, suggesting that young offenders with FASD have the same profile of impairments as other young offenders but to a more severe degree. There were not found to be any strong or moderate associations between the types of charges accrued and any neurocognitive measure, indicating that deficits likely do not directly lead to offending. Home stability between birth and age seven was particularly important as a protective factor for future crime, and having ever been in foster care was strongly related to number of charges. Current substance use of all kinds was associated with a higher number of charges. Youth with FASD are likely more at risk for criminal behaviour due to lower overall neurocognitive functioning, poor environmental stability, and an interaction of the two. Programs for people with FASD will be required throughout the life span and current correctional programs have yet to be developed for offenders with FASD.
8

Neuroimaging and neurocognitive assessment of PTSD and MDD in a South African community setting

Koopowitz, Sheri 30 July 2019 (has links)
Background: There is growing evidence of abnormalities in neurocognition, neuroanatomy, and functional connectivity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, there has been less work on individuals who suffer with comorbid PTSD and MDD. It is important to investigate the neurobiology of this overlap because of its prevalence, its associated morbidity, and the hope that it may shed more light on the mechanisms involved in each disorder, including the role of the prefrontal regions. This dissertation tests the hypothesis that women with PTSD and MDD display distinct patterns of neurocognitive impairment and associated brain dysfunction, relative to healthy controls, and these effects will be amplified in patients with both disorders. Methods: This dissertation was undertaken within the Drakenstein Child Health Study, a study exploring child health determinants in mother-infant dyads from the Drakenstein district, Western Cape. Mothers (between 18 and 50 years) were recruited and divided into 4 groups: PTSD, MDD, PTSD with MDD, and healthy controls. Participants were assessed using the computerised NIH Toolbox, and paper and pencil neurocognitive tests. Domains assessed included memory, learning, and processing speed, and with particular focus on executive function and attention domains. Participants underwent resting-state functional imaging as well as structural brain imaging. Functional connectivity within and between cognitive control networks (salience network, dorsal attention network, and frontoparietal networks) and a default mode network were compared across the 4 groups. Neuroanatomical indices (cortical thickness, volume, and surface area) of 10 frontal cortical regions from the Desikan-Killiany atlas in Freesurfer 6 were analysed across the 4 groups. Results: All three clinical groups demonstrated no group differences on measures of attention and executive function, diagnoses of PTSD and MDD were associated with more intrusive thoughts and delayed recall impairment, respectively. However, neurocognitive findings indicate that PTSD with comorbid MDD is not associated with greater neurocognitive dysfunction relative to mono-diagnostic groups. Abnormal resting-state connectivity was observed for the MDD group in the default mode network, and for both comorbid and MDD patient groups within frontoparietal networks. Abnormal salience network connectivity for the comorbid group was observed when examining performance on the Pattern Comparison Processing Speed test. No between-network connectivity group differences were observed. Surface area and volume reductions of prefrontal regions were evident for PTSD and MDD, however, no volumetric and surface area differences were observed for the comorbid group. Conclusion: In this sample of mothers from a low-middle income region, distinct patterns of neurocognitive dysfunction and impairment in PTSD, MDD, and PTSD with MDD were observed. However, contrary to hypotheses, comorbidity is not associated with greater dysfunction and impairment and the associations of PTSD and comorbid MDD are not amplified in this sample. These findings have implications for the development of treatment plans for patients diagnosed with PTSD, MDD, and PTSD with comorbid MDD, so that interventions are tailored in a way that is responsive to differences between these groups in the presentation of neurocognitive profile, brain function, and structure.
9

Neurocognitive Correlates Of Body Image Disturbance

Frei, Elizabeth 01 January 2009 (has links)
Body image, broadly defined as an individual's general experience of his or her physical appearance, is a multidimensional phenomenon that has been found to affect functioning throughout the lifetime. Although some degree of dissatisfaction has been found to be a common aspect of the female experience, research suggests that a disturbance in body image can result in a number of clinical complications, particularly the development of an eating disorder (ED). Despite the relationship between body image and EDs, examinations of the cognitive underpinnings of the relationship between body image disturbance and EDs are relatively few and inconclusive. Research indicates that individuals with an ED diagnosis exhibit cognitive rigidity (deficits in set-shifting ability) and weak central coherence(as demonstrated by performance on measures of information processing style). However, research has not established whether individuals with body image disturbance who do not meet criteria for an ED exhibit comparable performance. The aim of the current study was to determine whether individuals with body image disturbance exhibit similar patterns of neuropsychological functioning. A sample of women with high levels of body image disturbance completed a battery of cognitive tests and outcomes were compared to a group of women with little disturbance and also compared with performance of individuals with diagnosed EDs as cited in previous studies. Overall, the results do not clearly indicate that women with body image disturbance have difficulties with set-shifting tasks and global information processing, however some preliminary patterns did emerge. These preliminary findings extend existing theoretical models of body image and have potential to inform clinical efforts aimed at improving treatment protocols for body image disturbance and EDs by targeting these aspects of neurocognition during treatment.
10

Academic Challenges and School Service Utilization in Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Karkoska, Kristine A. 15 July 2021 (has links)
No description available.

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