Rationale Cognitive deficits are now recognised as a major symptom of schizophrenia with a number of studies reporting profound deficits in cognitive function in both chronic and first episode patients. Recent advances in cognitive remediation therapy have provided the opportunity for patients to improve their cognitive function and therefore improve their functional outcome. Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate cognitive deficits using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB®) in first episode psychosis and chronic schizophrenia patients. In the first episode population the effect of ethnicity on cognition was also examined. In the chronic schizophrenia study comparisons between severity of deficits with first episode psychosis patients were also made. The effects of cognitive remediation therapy were also examined in a sample of first episode patients. Methods A total of 35 patients and 30 healthy controls were recruited into the first episode study, 17 patients and 17 controls into the chronic schizophrenia study and 11 patients into the cognitive remediation study. The first episode psychosis patients were recruited from the Bradford and Airedale Early Intervention Service and the chronic patients from the Leeds Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The control subjects were matched as closely as possible in terms of intelligence and demographics to the patient groups. The Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) was used to estimate subjects pre-morbid IQ. The severity of symptoms was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). All subjects who took part in the study completed a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests from the CANTAB®. Patients in the cognitive remediation study participated in group therapy sessions using X-cog®. Results There were no significant differences found between There were no significant differences found between patients and controls in relation to intelligence or demographics in all studies. The effect of ethnicity was shown to be not significant in the first episode study. Results show that patients performed significantly worse than controls across all iv cognitive domains tested in all studies. A correlation between negative symptoms and executive function was found in both first episode and chronic schizophrenia patients. Comparisons between first episode psychosis and chronic schizophrenia patients in cognition showed no significant differences, however significant differences were found in levels of negative symptoms and age between the two groups with chronic patients scoring higher on negative symptoms and being older. In the cognitive remediation study a significant improvement was observed in patients in the domain of executive function and a reduction in negative symptoms following completion of the intervention. Conclusion First episode and chronic schizophrenia patients display significant cognitive deficits across all domains when tested using the CANTAB®. Some of these deficits appear to be independent of the length of the illness but dependent on negative symptoms. This study demonstrates that cognitive deficits exist across all patient groups regardless of age, gender, pre-morbid IQ, years in education and ethnicity. Cognitive remediation therapy has also been shown to be effective in improving cognitive functioning in patients.

Objective: The nature of disaster research makes it difficult to adequately measure the impact that significant events have on a population. Large, representative samples are required, ideally with comparable data collected before the event. When Christchurch, New Zealand, was struck by multiple, devastating earthquakes, there presented an opportunity to investigate the effects of dose-related quakes (none, one, two or three over a 9-month period) on the cognition of Canterbury’s elderly population through the New Zealand Brain Research Institute’s (NZBRI’s) cognitive screening study. The related effects of having a concomitant medical condition, sex, age and estimated- full scale IQ (Est-FSIQ) on cognition were also investigated. Method: 609 participants were tested on various neuropsychological tests and a self-rated dementia scale in a one hour interview at the NZBRI. Four groups were established, based on the number of major earthquakes experienced at the time of testing: “EQ-dose: None” (N = 51) had experienced no quakes; “EQ-dose: One” (N = 193) had experienced the initial quake in September 2010; “EQ-dose: Two” (N = 82) also experienced the most devastating February 2011 quake; and “EQ-dose: Three” (N = 265) also the June 2011 quake at testing. Results: Two neuropsychological variables of Trail A and the AD8 were impacted by an EQ-dose effect, while having a medical condition was associated with poorer function on the MoCA, Rey Copy and Recall, Trail A, and AD8. Having a major medical condition led to worse performance on the Rey Copy and Recall following the major February earthquake. Males performed significantly better on Trail A and Rey Planning, while females better on the MoCA. Older participants (>73) had significantly lower scores on the MoCA than younger participants (<74), while those with a higher Est-FSIQ (>111) had better scores on the MoCA and Rey Recall than participants with a lower Est-FSIQ. Finally, predicted variable analysis (based on calculated, sample-specific Z-scores) failed to find a significant earthquake effect when variables of age, sex and Est-FSIQ were controlled for, while there was a significant effect of medical condition on each measure. Conclusion: The current thesis provides evidence suggesting resilience amongst Canterbury’s elderly population in the face of the sequence of significant quakes that struck the region over a year from September 2010. By contrast, having a major medical condition was a ‘more significant life event’ in terms of impact on cognition in this group.

No description available.

Using orthogonal subtractions of performance in selected conditions the attentional network test (ANT) measures the efficacy of three isolable components of attention: alerting, orienting, and executive control. This dissertation evaluated: 1) the relationship between these attention networks and absentmindedness measured by the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and 2) stability, isolability, robustness, and reliability of the two versions of the ANT (Fan et al., 2002 and Callejas et al., 2005) with young adults and older adults and of the child version of the ANT (Rueda et al., 2004) with young children when tested over 10 sessions. A greater degree of absentmindedness as measured with CFQ was associated with a greater alerting network score in RT and with a greater orienting network scores in error rate when the ANT-I was used. However, a greater degree of absentmindedness was associated with a smaller orienting network score in error rate when the ANT was used. These results suggest that the alerting and the orienting networks are related to absentmindedness. However, the orienting networks in the two ANTs were related to absentmindedness differently which supports the proposal (Klein, 2009) that there are fundamental differences between attention when controlled endogenously (ANT) as opposed to exogenously (ANT-I). For young adults and older adults, all network scores in RT remained robust even after nine previous sessions despite some practice effects especially in the executive network both with the ANT and the ANT-I. There was some evidence that the networks do not operate independently in all situations. As expected, reliability increased as more data are added. For young children, only the alerting network scores remained robust over time. Learning effects were observed only with the executive network. The reliability was poor even when more data were added. This made it difficult to assess the isolability of the network scores. The ANT and the ANT-I were associated to the CFQ scores in a limited way. The ANT and the ANT-I can be used for applications requiring repeated testing, but the child ANT may not be suitable for such purpose. / This is a thesis that is manuscript-based.

The present thesis describes the development and assessment of two computer-game-like tests designed to measure two cognitive abilities currently of considerable interest to many researchers: processing speed (Gs) and working memory (WM). It is hoped that such tests could provide a unique and important addition to the range of tests currently employed by researchers interested in these constructs. The results of five separate studies are presented across three published papers. In Paper 1-Study 1 (N = 49) a speeded computerized coding test (Symbol Digit) using the mouse as the response device was assessed. Because speeded tests are thought to be highly sensitive to response methods (Mead & Drasgow, 1994) it was deemed important to first assess how a mouse response method might affect the underlying construct validity of a speeded coding test independently of whether it was game-like. Factor analytic results indicated that the computerized coding test loaded strongly on the same factor as paper-andpencil measures of Gs. For Paper 2-Study 1 (N = 68) a more computer-game-like version of Symbol Digit was developed, Space Code. Development of Space Code involved the provision of a cover story, the replacing of code symbols with ‘spaceship’ graphics, the situating of the test within an overall ‘spaceship cockpit’, and numerous other graphical and aural embellishments to the task. Factor analytic results indicated that Space Code loaded strongly on a Gs factor but also on a factor comprised of visuo-spatial (Gv) ability tests. This finding was further investigated in the subsequent study. Paper 2-Study 2 (N = 74) involved a larger battery of ability marker tests and a range of additional computer-game-like elements were added to Space Code. Space Code included a scoring system, a timer with additional voice synthesized countdowns, aversive feedback for errors, and background music. Factor analysis indicated that after a general factor was extracted Space Code loaded on the same factor as paper-and-pencil measures of Gs and did not load on a factor comprised of non-speeded Gv tests. Paper 3-Study 1 (N = 74) was aimed at assessing a computer-game-like test of WM (Space Matrix) and further assessing Space Code within a broader network of tests. Space Matrix used a dual task format combining a simple version of Space Code with a visually presented memory task based on the Dot Matrix test (Miyake, Friedman, Rettinger, Shah, & Hegarty, 2001). The cover story and scoring system for Space Code was expanded to incorporate this additional memory element. Factor analysis indicated that Space Matrix was loaded on the same first order factor as standard WM tests and the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices (Gf). Space Code was substantially loaded on the second order factor but was weakly loaded on each of two first order factors interpreted as Gs and WM/Gf. A final study is presented (Paper 3-Study2) in which Space Code and Space Matrix was administered to a school aged sample (N=94). Space Matrix exhibited construct validity as well as predictive validity (as a predictor of school grades), while results for Space Code were less encouraging. Space Matrix and Raven’s Progressive Matrices showed comparable relationships to school grades for Mathematics, English and Science subjects. It is concluded that the development of computer-game-like tests represents a promising new format for research and applied assessment of known cognitive abilities. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1342350 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2008

While the cognitive disturbances that frequently follow severe TBI are relatively well understood, the ways in which these affect the psychosocial functioning of people with TBI are yet to be determined and have thus received little attention in treatment research. Growing evidence indicates that that a significant proportion of individuals with TBI demonstrate deficits in the perception of affective information from the face, voice, bodily movement and posture. As accurate evaluation of emotion in others is critical for the successful negotiation of social interactions, effective treatments are necessary. Until recently, however, there have been no rehabilitation efforts in this area with TBI groups. The present research aims to redress this absence. The literature on emotion perception deficits in TBI is examined, and a theoretical rationale for intervention is presented. Several lines of research are reviewed which suggest that rehabilitation targeting such deficits is tenable. These include research on emotion perception remediation with other cognitively impaired populations, findings from cognitive neuroscience suggesting the potential for neuronal restoration after brain damage, and the successful applications of remediation techniques, in particular errorless learning and self-instruction, for treating other cognitive deficits in a range of neurological disorders and TBI. Discussion of this research is followed by a description of two randomised controlled trials aimed at improving emotion perception in individuals with TBI. The findings are discussed with reference to useful theoretical models of rehabilitation, learning and emotion perception. Suggestions for future directions of research are outlined together with relevant design issues.

The present thesis describes the development and assessment of two computer-game-like tests designed to measure two cognitive abilities currently of considerable interest to many researchers: processing speed (Gs) and working memory (WM). It is hoped that such tests could provide a unique and important addition to the range of tests currently employed by researchers interested in these constructs. The results of five separate studies are presented across three published papers. In Paper 1-Study 1 (N = 49) a speeded computerized coding test (Symbol Digit) using the mouse as the response device was assessed. Because speeded tests are thought to be highly sensitive to response methods (Mead & Drasgow, 1994) it was deemed important to first assess how a mouse response method might affect the underlying construct validity of a speeded coding test independently of whether it was game-like. Factor analytic results indicated that the computerized coding test loaded strongly on the same factor as paper-andpencil measures of Gs. For Paper 2-Study 1 (N = 68) a more computer-game-like version of Symbol Digit was developed, Space Code. Development of Space Code involved the provision of a cover story, the replacing of code symbols with ‘spaceship’ graphics, the situating of the test within an overall ‘spaceship cockpit’, and numerous other graphical and aural embellishments to the task. Factor analytic results indicated that Space Code loaded strongly on a Gs factor but also on a factor comprised of visuo-spatial (Gv) ability tests. This finding was further investigated in the subsequent study. Paper 2-Study 2 (N = 74) involved a larger battery of ability marker tests and a range of additional computer-game-like elements were added to Space Code. Space Code included a scoring system, a timer with additional voice synthesized countdowns, aversive feedback for errors, and background music. Factor analysis indicated that after a general factor was extracted Space Code loaded on the same factor as paper-and-pencil measures of Gs and did not load on a factor comprised of non-speeded Gv tests. Paper 3-Study 1 (N = 74) was aimed at assessing a computer-game-like test of WM (Space Matrix) and further assessing Space Code within a broader network of tests. Space Matrix used a dual task format combining a simple version of Space Code with a visually presented memory task based on the Dot Matrix test (Miyake, Friedman, Rettinger, Shah, & Hegarty, 2001). The cover story and scoring system for Space Code was expanded to incorporate this additional memory element. Factor analysis indicated that Space Matrix was loaded on the same first order factor as standard WM tests and the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices (Gf). Space Code was substantially loaded on the second order factor but was weakly loaded on each of two first order factors interpreted as Gs and WM/Gf. A final study is presented (Paper 3-Study2) in which Space Code and Space Matrix was administered to a school aged sample (N=94). Space Matrix exhibited construct validity as well as predictive validity (as a predictor of school grades), while results for Space Code were less encouraging. Space Matrix and Raven’s Progressive Matrices showed comparable relationships to school grades for Mathematics, English and Science subjects. It is concluded that the development of computer-game-like tests represents a promising new format for research and applied assessment of known cognitive abilities. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1342350 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2008

The present thesis describes the development and assessment of two computer-game-like tests designed to measure two cognitive abilities currently of considerable interest to many researchers: processing speed (Gs) and working memory (WM). It is hoped that such tests could provide a unique and important addition to the range of tests currently employed by researchers interested in these constructs. The results of five separate studies are presented across three published papers. In Paper 1-Study 1 (N = 49) a speeded computerized coding test (Symbol Digit) using the mouse as the response device was assessed. Because speeded tests are thought to be highly sensitive to response methods (Mead & Drasgow, 1994) it was deemed important to first assess how a mouse response method might affect the underlying construct validity of a speeded coding test independently of whether it was game-like. Factor analytic results indicated that the computerized coding test loaded strongly on the same factor as paper-andpencil measures of Gs. For Paper 2-Study 1 (N = 68) a more computer-game-like version of Symbol Digit was developed, Space Code. Development of Space Code involved the provision of a cover story, the replacing of code symbols with ‘spaceship’ graphics, the situating of the test within an overall ‘spaceship cockpit’, and numerous other graphical and aural embellishments to the task. Factor analytic results indicated that Space Code loaded strongly on a Gs factor but also on a factor comprised of visuo-spatial (Gv) ability tests. This finding was further investigated in the subsequent study. Paper 2-Study 2 (N = 74) involved a larger battery of ability marker tests and a range of additional computer-game-like elements were added to Space Code. Space Code included a scoring system, a timer with additional voice synthesized countdowns, aversive feedback for errors, and background music. Factor analysis indicated that after a general factor was extracted Space Code loaded on the same factor as paper-and-pencil measures of Gs and did not load on a factor comprised of non-speeded Gv tests. Paper 3-Study 1 (N = 74) was aimed at assessing a computer-game-like test of WM (Space Matrix) and further assessing Space Code within a broader network of tests. Space Matrix used a dual task format combining a simple version of Space Code with a visually presented memory task based on the Dot Matrix test (Miyake, Friedman, Rettinger, Shah, & Hegarty, 2001). The cover story and scoring system for Space Code was expanded to incorporate this additional memory element. Factor analysis indicated that Space Matrix was loaded on the same first order factor as standard WM tests and the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices (Gf). Space Code was substantially loaded on the second order factor but was weakly loaded on each of two first order factors interpreted as Gs and WM/Gf. A final study is presented (Paper 3-Study2) in which Space Code and Space Matrix was administered to a school aged sample (N=94). Space Matrix exhibited construct validity as well as predictive validity (as a predictor of school grades), while results for Space Code were less encouraging. Space Matrix and Raven’s Progressive Matrices showed comparable relationships to school grades for Mathematics, English and Science subjects. It is concluded that the development of computer-game-like tests represents a promising new format for research and applied assessment of known cognitive abilities. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1342350 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2008

This study proposed a multifactorial model of development to understand the development of infants during their first 12 months of life who had been born to chemically dependent women. The impact of maternal chemical dependency on pregnancy outcome, factors associated with severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome and effectiveness of three treatments used in the management of neonatal abstinence syndrome was studied in 271 mother-infant pairs, who were managed by the Chemical Dependency Unit, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne between April 1991 and May 1994. / The chemically dependent mothers and their infants were grouped on the basis of their primary drug of abuse: viz methadone, heroin, non-opioid and codeine groups. Fifty two infants born to drug-free mothers were recruited from a routine antenatal clinic of the same hospital to serve as a control group. The controls were matched for maternal age, marital status, race socioeconomic status, educational level, alcohol and tobacco consumption. / Patterns of maternal drug use were determined by reports from methadone treatment programs, drug rehabilitation centres, medical records, personal interviews and urine toxicologic assays performed on mothers during pregnancy and on their infants during the first 48 hours of life. Urine was assayed for metabolites of methadone, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, opiates, cannabis and benzodiazepines. / There were 180 heroin-dependent, one morphine-dependent and one pethidine-dependent pregnant women enrolled in methadone maintenance programs. The methadone group consisted of these 182 methadone-maintained women and their offspring. Thirty five heroin-dependent women and their offspring formed the heroin group. The non-opioid group consisted of 46 chemically dependent women who used multiple drugs but not opioid drugs during their pregnancy and their offspring. There were eight mother-infant pairs in the codeine group. The mothers in this group primarily abused medication containing codeine in pregnancy. (For complete abstract open document)

Thesis (PhD) - Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, 2009. / Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology - 2009. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 264-308)