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Heterogeneity in the profile of HIV-associated neuropsychological disorder (HAND) may obscure understanding of its etiology and prognosis. Despite longstanding acknowledgement of this heterogeneity, HAND diagnostic approaches such as the Frascati criteria characterize neuropsychological function based on the level of impairment, without regard to the pattern of strengths and weaknesses. Attention to these patterns may enhance etiologic and prognostic specificity. We used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify relatively homogeneous subtypes of neurocognitive function in adults with well-treated HIV infection. We compared the diagnostic agreement of latent classes and Frascati categories, as well as their associations with demographics, HIV markers and antiretroviral factors, comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions, and everyday functioning. LCA identified four classes, whose cognitive profiles are depicted in Figure 1: cognitively intact, mild-to-moderate motor/speed impairment, mild-to-moderate memory/visuoconstruction impairment, and moderate mixed impairment. Latent classes and Frascati categories demonstrated good agreement in the overall classification of impaired cognition but more disagreement regarding subtypes of impairment. Both latent classes and Frascati categories demonstrated unique associations with etiologic factors and significant associations with functional outcomes. However, only latent classes, not Frascati categories, were associated with HIV variables. Additionally, functional difficulties were significantly elevated in the motor impairment class but not the memory impairment class despite similar levels of cognitive impairment in the two groups. Findings support the utility of a diagnostic approach that accounts for both the level and pattern of neurocognitive impairment. Future research should examine the neuropathological mechanisms, longitudinal trajectories, and treatments of empirically identified HAND subtypes. / Psychology

Although the extant literature suggests that associations with deviant peers (ADP) contribute to the persistence and exacerbation of adolescent conduct problems (CP) and substance use (SU), few studies have investigated processes through which these relations develop, the stability of ADP, risk factors for ADP, or prospective relations among patterns of ADP, CP, and SU across adolescence and substance use disorder (SUD) in early adulthood. Relations among ADP with CP and ADP with SU may be due to selection processes (i.e., youth select into ADP groups) and/or socialization processes (youth are influenced by deviant peers once they enter the ADP group). In addition, selection and socialization processes may be moderated by neuropsychological and temperamental (i.e., emotionality) factors, though there is a dearth of literature examining moderators of these processes. The present study addressed these gaps in the literature by examining five research aims: (1) identify subgroups of youth who vary in type and levels of ADP and CP/SU at three different ages using latent class analysis, (2) investigate the stability of ADP and CP/SU subgroup membership using latent transition analysis, (3) examine the prospective relations among ADP and CP/SU subgroup membership, (4) investigate potential neuropsychological and emotion regulation moderators of selection and socialization processes, and (5) evaluate prospective prediction to SUD in early adulthood from patterns of ADP and CP/SU subgroup membership across adolescence. Participants were youth who participated in a large-scale research project conducted through the Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research at the University of Pittsburgh. Youth and their families completed multiple assessments, beginning when youth were 10-12 years old, followed by assessments at 12-14, 16, and 22 years old. Results indicate (a) deviant peer groups vary based on type and severity of deviant behavior; (b) deviant peer group involvement increased across adolescence and continuity of deviant peer involvement was evident; (c) youth selected peers based on similar levels of deviant behavior across ages 10 to 16 years, but were influenced by these deviant peers to engage in CP and/or SU from ages 12-14 to 16 years; (d) relations between youth deviant behaviors and later selection of deviant friends differed according to levels of youth neuropsychological functioning and temperamental emotionality; and (e) earlier involvement with deviant peers, involvement with deviant peer groups defined by severe CP and SU, and youth engagement in both CP and SU were related to the greatest risk for SUD in early adulthood. / Psychology

Ongoing controversies regarding the clinical and nosological status of ADHD in adults emphasize the need for studies examining whether <i>DSM-IV</i> ADHD symptom dimensions and subtypes identified in research with children are valid for adults. Firm symptom criteria validated by data from adult samples have not been developed. Moreover, many clinic-referred adults present with attentional complaints and exhibit symptoms, neurocognitive weaknesses, and secondary problems similar to those seen in ADHD. However, data are mixed regarding the profile of neurocognitive deficits involved in adult expressions of ADHD, and it is unknown whether patterns of weakness in neurocognitive performance can be identified that reliably discriminate adults with ADHD from those with other neurobehavioral disorders (e.g., learning disabilities, LD). The purpose of this study was to further (a) evaluate the discriminant validity of <i>DSM-IV</i> ADHD in adults, (b) examine the nature and severity of neurocognitive deficits in adult ADHD, and (c) clarify the diagnostic utility of executive functioning measures among clinic-referred adults. Overall, results supported the discriminant validity of adult ADHD, but little support emerged for the existence of separate <i>DSM-IV</i> subtypes. Importantly, symptom ratings supported the existence of two broad symptom domains consistent with those delineated in <i>DSM-IV</i>. Moreover, principal components analysis of neuropsychological data identified three dimensions of neurocognitive executive functioning (EF; verbal working memory; sustained intention; and effortful learning) in which ADHD adults (n=35) performed significantly less well than those who received an LD diagnosis (n=24) or no diagnosis (n=21). Furthermore, composite scores in these EF domains generated correct classifications that were significantly better than chance when classifying adults that (a) did and did not meet criteria for ADHD, (b) met criteria for ADHD or LD, and (c) met criteria for ADHD or no clinical diagnosis. Classification results were robust when submitted to a jackknife (leave-one-out) validation procedure. Finally, results provided general support for the developmental lag hypothesis of frontal-subcortical functioning in ADHD when considered vis-à-vis child ADHD data, but findings also supported the notion that ADHD in adults is associated with continuing dysfunction in specific neuroanatomical pathways believed to subserve executive attentional functions (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal-subcortical; anterior cingulate-subcortical; orbitofrontal-subcortical). / Ph. D.

While there has been ample research examining the relationship between an acute concussion on immediate neuropsychological performance, very little research has examined the relationship between lifetime concussion history with current neuropsychological performance. We collected preseason neuropsychological test performance (ImPACT) and a detailed lifetime concussion history questionnaire from 71 UCF football players. Stepwise linear regressions were conducted for each of the five ImPACT domain scores for the 18 participants that reported at least one lifetime concussion. The regressions used the following four concussion history predictors: total number of lifetime concussions, length of time between last concussion and lmPACT testing, severity of worst concussion, and severity of most recent concussion. Results revealed that only one ImpACT domain score had at least one predictor enter the model. For the domain of visual memory, the predictor of length of time between last concussion and ImPACT testing entered the model (and only that predictor),P = 4.07, t(l7) = 2.78,p = .01, R1 = .33, as a shorter length of time between the last concussion and the preseason testing related to lower performance on the visual memory tests. Many athletes and clinicians assume that the cognitive effects of a concussion are relatively brief in duration. However, the results of this study suggest that, at least for visual memory, these effects may last for several years following a concussion. The correlational design of this study precludes drawing conclusions about the causal direction of this relationship, but future longitudinal research may be able to clarify this important preliminary finding.

It has been well-established in the literature that a history of concussion makes individuals more susceptible to sustaining subsequent concussions. However, there is little neuropsychological evidence of how sustaining multiple lifetime concussions affects cognitive functioning in the general adult population. It is known from previous traumatic brain injury and single concussion literature that impairments in cognitive performance across domains often follow the initial injury, and exploratory studies have shown that multiple concussions can have a measurable impact on cognition. However, existing research is often limited by its reliance on archival data and abbreviated neuropsychological batteries. Therefore, the current study aimed to fill this gap in the literature to help inform clinical prognoses and treatment considerations. Analyses of attention and memory outcomes revealed significant associations between concussion history and performance, but they were directionally opposite from expectations. When discrepancy scores were used to account for participants’ estimated intellectual functioning, these associations were no longer significant. Executive functioning was also not significantly associated with concussion history, either with or without accounting for intelligence, contrary to expectations. On language and spatial measures, outcomes were unrelated to concussion history, as expected. Together, results from the present study emphasized the multifaceted nature of concussions and highlighted the many necessary considerations when investigating long-term outcomes, particularly when multiple concussions are involved. Future research would likely benefit from continuing to explore the neurocognitive impact of sustaining multiple concussions in the general adult population and expanding the current research with larger, more representative samples, neuroimaging, and baseline data, as available.

No / OBJECTIVES: Performance on neuropsychological tests can be influenced by non-cognitive factors, including deliberate underperformance, stress, the need to fulfil a sick role, depression, un-cooperativeness, fatigue and unhappiness with the evaluative situation. Tests to detect suboptimal effort are becoming widely used in clinical practice and are based on their reported insensitivity to cognitive dysfunction. A diagnosis of dementia has life-changing implications for an individual of working age. It is therefore crucial that clinicians can be confident they have obtained a valid estimate of current cognitive functioning. This study aimed to establish whether mood or cognitive functioning adversely influenced performance on symptom validity tests (SVTs) in individuals with working age dementia, who were judged to be using full effort. METHOD: Forty-two participants with dementia diagnosed before the age of 65 completed measures of emotional and cognitive functioning and six SVTs. RESULTS: There were no significant correlations between emotional functioning and measures of effort. However, cognitive functioning, in particular new learning, was significantly related to SVT performance. Participants with mild dementia performed significantly better on all six SVTs than those with moderate/severe dementia. The results also suggest that the SVTs are not equally sensitive to cognitive dysfunction. Rey's Dot Counting Test (DCT) (times criterion) achieved 100% specificity, and was the only test passed by every participant. CONCLUSION: Rey's DCT is the only SVT that can be recommended for use in those under 65 years with possible dementia at this time until further validation studies are undertaken.

Yes / OBJECTIVES: Variation in plasma hormone levels influences the neurobiology of brain regions involved in cognition and emotion processing. Fluctuations in hormone levels across the menstrual cycle could therefore alter cognitive performance and wellbeing; reports have provided conflicting results, however. The aim of this study was to assess whether objective assessment of cognitive performance and self-reported wellbeing during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle is feasible and investigate the possible reasons for variation in effects previously reported. METHODS: The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used to assess the cognitive performance and wellbeing of 12 women. Data were analysed by self-reported and hormone-estimated phases of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS: Recruitment to the study and assessment of cognition and wellbeing was without issue. Plasma hormone and peptide estimation showed substantial individual variation and suggests inaccuracy in self-reported menstrual phase estimation. CONCLUSION: Objective assessment of cognitive performance and self-assessed wellbeing across the menstrual cycle is feasible. Grouping data by hormonal profile rather by self-reported phase estimation may influence phase-mediated results. Future studies should use plasma hormone and peptide profiles to estimate cycle phase and group data for analyses.

Целью дипломной работы является изучение развития зрительного восприятия у детей с помощью субтестов на зрительное восприятие и зрительную память. Дипломная работа состоит из семи глав, каждая из которых посвящена различным аспектам зрительного восприятия и зрительной памяти у детей. В результате можно сделать вывод, что средний возраст составляет 8 лет (SD = 0,78). Согласно статическому одностороннему психологическому анализу, значение p составило 0,99, что указывает на отсутствие значимой статистической разницы в возрастной группе. Среди этих детей 29 были правшами (99 %) и 1 левшой (1 %). / The purpose of this graduation thesis is to examine the development visual perception in children by using visual perception and visual memory subtests. The graduation thesis is composed of seven chapters, each of them dealing with different aspect of visual perception and visual memory in children. Result this is can conclude an average age of 8 (SD = 0.78). According to the one way psychology static analysis, the p-value was 0.99, indicating no significant statistical difference in age group. Among these children, 29 were right handed (99 %) and 1 were left handed (1 %).

Violence and aggression continue to be both public health and economic concerns. The field of violence prediction has undergone a series of changes in an attempt to best assess risk including using unstructured clinical judgment, actuarial measures, and structured professional judgment. Although prediction has become more accurate with improved measures, a new generation has recently emerged with an emphasis on understanding violence, as opposed to merely predicting it, to shift the focus towards violence prevention. In addition to the creation of measures, researchers have sought to identify specific risk factors for aggression and violence including static and dynamic risk factors. Despite research demonstrating associations between neuropsychological and social-cognitive factors, violence risk measures continue to omit these variables. The current study developed a multi-faceted, theoretical model of aggression including social-cognitive, neuropsychological, personality, and psychiatric factors. A community, male sample (N = 1,192) collected through Amazon's MTurk responded to a series of self-report measures and neuropsychological tasks. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM), I created a model predicting aggression. Several important paths were significant including from entity theory to aggression, mediated by hostile attribution bias, schizotypy to aggression, mediated by both hostile attribution bias and disinhibition, substance use to aggression mediated by disinhibition, and psychopathy to aggression directly. This model provides a framework for future research that focuses on process factors of violence and aggression.