Almost all neuropsychological studies of adult bipolar disorder (BP) have failed to control for the established cognitive effects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and often other covariates. ADHD comorbidity in BP is common, and has already been shown to significantly worsen the clinical presentation of BP. This study of young adults (16 - 34 years) aimed to establish whether ADHD and BP with childhood ADHD groups had more impaired cognitive profiles (after controlling for numerous covariates) relative to BP without childhood ADHD and control groups. Using recognised structured and semi-structured clinical interviews and symptom rating scales, BP with (n = 18) or without (n = 66) childhood ADHD groups were recruited from a therapy study, and ADHD (n = 27) and control (n = 26) groups were recruited from the community. Participants completed tests (some from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery) of executive functioning, memory, attention and psychomotor speed. MANCOVA results for cognitive performance indicated that the BP with childhood ADHD group did not differ significantly from the other three groups (except on a test of visual object memory, where it outperformed the ADHD group). The ADHD group was impaired relative to the BP without childhood ADHD and control groups on measures of verbal and visual memory. It was also more impaired than controls on a measure of attention. The BP without childhood ADHD group had visual memory and attention difficulties relative to controls. Compared to BP (controlling for ADHD), ADHD is associated with a more diverse range of cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, individuals with BP may independently demonstrate memory and attention difficulties which have the potential to interfere with treatment and day-to-day functioning.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, August, 2008. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2009.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Montana, 2007. / Title from title screen. Description based on contents viewed Sept. 17, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-121).

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A predominance of symptomology related to neurological dysfunction has been reported for at least some learning disabled (LD) students. This investigation examined the self-reported neuropsychological symptoms of LD and normal students in grades 3 through 12. Determination of group membership based on the childrens' responses to items on the Neuropsychological Symptom Inventory (NSI) was made for all subjects in the study.A discriminant analysis was conducted in order to determine the degree of group separation based on the item responses and which reported symptoms add significantly to that separation. Out of 40 possible items, 19 added to the discriminant function. Prediction of group membership was accomplished with a high degree of accuracy. Nearly 80% of the total population examined were correctly classified according to actual group membership. Of the LD population, 32% were identified as normal but only 16% of the normal population were misdiagnosed as LD. Additionally, nine individual symptoms were identified as reported by a greater percentage of LD students than normals.The results of this investigation suggest that the NSI as a screening instrument may be valuable for some populations. The 80% accuracy rate with the low number of false-positives (16%) is extremely encouraging. Additional research with the NSI to validate the presence of the symptomology reported would add to the already existing data related to the neuropsychological implications related to learning disabilities. / Department of Educational Psychology

The Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB) was published in 1980 as an attempt to provide clinicians with a standardized version of the neuropsychological assessment and diagnostic procedures proposed by A. R. Luria and A, L. Christensen. Research on the LNNB included a series of factor analyses for each of eleven clinical scales. The analyses were completed on the combined scores obtained from a sample of normal, brain-damaged, and psychiatric populations. A second version of the LNNB was published in 1985 as a largely parallel version of Form I, but included changes in stimulus materials, administration procedures, and scoring procedures. The present study completed factor analyses on same eleven clinical scales using data generated with the newer LNNB Form II. The statistical procedures and criteria employed in the present investigation were identical to those used earlier on Form I to allow for comparisons between the two resulting sets of factor structures. The patient populations were different, however, in that all subjects in the current study were receiving inpatient care in a private psychiatric hospital which specializes in long-term treatment. Despite the changes in materials and procedures and the difference in subject parameters, the factors identified in the present investigation are similar to those seen in the Form I studies. However, two trends were observed when comparing the two sets of factor structures. First, in the present study several items were excluded from the statistical procedures because they were performed perfectly by almost everyone and the resulting scores lacked statistical variance. Second, more homogenous factors were obtained with the Form II analysis. That is, some of the complex LNNB Form I factors were reduced to two or more simpler factors. The results of the study lend support to Luna's conceptual model of higher cortical function and to the reliability of the LNNB as an assessment instrument.