bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A-164 Influence of Executive Function, Partner Support, and Environmental Structure on Behavioral Weight Management Outcomes
Authors: K Gettens , A Gorin
Published: August 2020

Objective

Executive functions (EF) are crucial to successful weight management, yet few studies have prospectively explored the influence of social-environmental factors on the EF-weight loss (WL) link. This study examined interactions between EF, partner support, and household structure on weight loss outcomes in a couples-based intervention, grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT).

Method

Cohabitating dyads attended weekly weight loss groups (Ncouples = 64), Mage =54.0 ± 9.5, MBMI = 34.2 ± 5.4 kg/m2, 50% female, 88.8% Caucasian). Weight was measured at baseline and 6 months. The Behavior Rating Index of Executive Functions-Adult assessed 9 EF domains; higher scores indicate greater difficulty. Partner autonomy support (AS) was measured using the Important Other Climate Questionnaire, household structure with the Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS), IQ with the WASI-II 2-subscale estimate.

Results

Multilevel models were specified with MIXED linear function in SPSS to account for dyadic interdependence, controlling for age, education, IQ and group. Moderators (AS and CHAOS) were grand-mean centered. High and low levels were created at +1SD and -1SD. At high levels of AS, Shifting (B = 1.50, p = .01) and Inhibition (B = 2.23, p = .01) were associated with greater 6-month WL. At low levels of AS, Working Memory was associated with greater WL (p < .01). Self-Monitoring was associated with greater WL at high chaos (B = .43, p = .01), but not low chaos (p = 0.1).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that context matters; recruiting specific EFs may promote more WL for individuals embedded in low support or chaotic home environments. Future interventions should address the complexity of successful weight management, targeting both individual and social-interpersonal factors.
A-166 The Role of Apathy on Executive Functioning After Stroke
Authors: A Lopez , D Lopez Palacios , A Quintana , D Gibson , S Arguelles-Borge
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study examined the role of apathy on performance of an executive functioning task.

Method

The data for this study was derived from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set containing neuropsychological information for stroke patients (n = 317) who completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire (NPI-Q) and the Trail Making Test (Part B). The sample was divided into two groups. One which endorsed feelings of apathy in the last month (n = 102; mean age = 84,SD = 8.33) and a second group which denied feelings of apathy within the last month (n = 215; mean age = 86, SD = 8.02).

Results

After controlling for depression [as measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)], age, gender, and motor impairment, the results of an ANCOVA showed that those who reported apathy performed significantly slower on the Trail Making Test—Part B than those who did not report it [F(1,312 = 6.01, p = .02].

Conclusions

It has previously been found that cognitive performance can be impacted by depression on stroke patients. However, recently, it has been identified that apathy specifically, can have an effect on cognitive domains such as verbal learning, short-term, and long-term memory. The present study further supports that apathy may play a role in overall cognitive performance. Therefore, even if patients do not meet criteria for depression, the presence of apathy should still be taken into account. Future research should examine other possible contributing factors such as processing speed should be taken into account as they could be affecting the scores. Finally, researchers should utilize additional measures of executive functioning as only one was available for this study.
A-170 The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Cognitive Control and Complex Visual Attention: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: A Simpson , J Clark , J Paredes
Published: August 2020

Objective

The primary objective of this review is to expand upon a previous meta-analysis that found small to medium effect sizes (ES) for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on cognitive control of adults. In addition to cognitive control, we examined other aspects of complex visual attention and whether duration or intervention type moderates the relationship between MBIs and cognitive performance.

Data Selection

Three databases were searched for studies from 2000–2020, yielding 82 initial articles. After systematic filtering of peer-reviewed, pretest-posttest designs, ES from 17 studies were retained.

Data Synthesis

The average ES across all studies was small (Hedge’s g = 0.23; SE = .05; CI [.13, 0.32]). By individual domain, ES were small to medium for inhibition (Hedge’s g = 0.31; SE = .09; CI [0.14, 0.48]) and sustained attention (Hedge’s g = 0.40; SE = .09; CI [0.21, 0.58]), but negligible for set-shifting (Hedge’s g = −0.0009; SE = .11; CI [−0.22, 0.20]) and weak for complex processing speed (Hedge’s g = 0.14; SE = .09; CI [−0.23, 0.32]). Moderator analyses revealed that interventions utilizing mindfulness-based cognitive training (MBCT) had significantly higher ES (Hedges g = 0.82; SE = 0.19; CI [0.44, 1.19] than other interventions. However, intervention duration did not explain variability in ES.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis confirmed previous research that MBIs have small to medium ES for complex visual attention/cognitive control, but only for inhibition and sustained attention. Across trainings, MBCT was the most effective in improving cognitive functioning. Future research should explore critical facets of MBCT and neurophysiological correlates of improvement.
A-175 Logopenic Variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia in a 66-Year Old Female—A Case Study
Authors: N Kurniadi , J Davis
Published: August 2020

Objective

The semantic, logopenic, and nonfluent/aggramatic variants of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) have distinct clinical profiles. However, much overlap exists and many questions remain regarding the nature of language impairments in each variant. This case study seeks to contribute to our understanding of the neuropsychological profile, syntactic, and phonological processes involved in logopenic variant PPA (lvPPA).

Method

The current case study was of a 66-year old female who gradually developed symptoms consistent with lvPPA during the prior four-year period, with marked worsening in the last few months. A collateral informant indicated that she was independent for basic and advanced activities of daily living. Brain/head imaging had not been conducted; medical history was unremarkable.

Results

Speech was notable for frequent pauses due to word-finding difficulty, circumlocution, and impaired naming, repetition, and verbal abstraction; fluency and comprehension were intact. Test data revealed significant impairments in tasks mediated by language including verbal processing speed, semantic knowledge, phonemic and semantic fluency, verbal learning and memory, verbal set-shifting, and judgment. Comprehension, non-verbal attention and processing speed, recognition for visual information, and performance on tasks of non-verbal executive functioning were intact. Depression and anxiety were denied.

Conclusions

Findings were notable for prominent language deficits, with preserved articulation, basic comprehension, and no evidence of visual agnosia. Her progression of symptoms, medical history, and test data were not consistent with a typical Alzheimer’s or vascular process, but were most consistent with lvPPA. Neurology consultation, MRI brain with volumetric analysis, and speech therapy were recommended.
A-180 A Preliminary Study of Prospective Memory Performance and Medication Adherence Among Young Adults
Authors: T Glover , E Flores , L Williams , S Shorter , L Childers , K Mollenkopf , L Barela , J Sawyer , M Barnett
Published: August 2020

Objective

Medication adherence is a significant problem concerning the proliferation of many illnesses, and prospective memory—that is, memory to carry out an intended future action—may play a role in whether individuals take their medications (Osterberg & Blaschke, 2005; Zogg, Woods, Sauceda, Wiebe, & Simoni, 2012). Current research on prospective memory and medication adherence suggests that individuals take medication more efficiently when associated with a specific event, rather than when associated with the passage of time (Zogg et al., 2012). The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate the relationship between prospective memory and medication adherence.

Method

Young adults (N = 16, 18–30 years) who identified as regularly taking prescription medications completed the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) and the Virtual Kitchen Protocol, which includes prospective memory tasks with both event-based and time-based cues.

Results

Higher scores on event-based cues were associated with better medication adherence among young adults (p = .005). However, performance on time-based cues was not associated with medication adherence.

Conclusions

Event-based prospective memory cues are associated with higher medication adherence among young adults. Furthermore, event-based prospective memory cues may be more indicative of medication adherence in young adults, when compared to time-based prospective memory cues. Individuals are generally better at event-based cues, particularly because they involve automatic retrieval processes (Zogg et al., 2012). On the other hand, time-based cues require more monitoring and greater time estimation (Zogg et al., 2012). Overall, it is evident that prospective memory is an important contributor to medication adherence among young adults.
A-181 Comparing Virtual Reality and Analog Prospective Memory Performance
Authors: A Coldiron , L Smith , J Helphrey , J Sawyer , E Flores , T Glover , D Lee , M Barnett
Published: August 2020

Objective

A virtual reality-based prospective memory task was designed to examine whether a virtual environment would allow for a deeper level of processing and aid prospective memory performance. The purpose of this study was to compare young adults’ performance on analog and virtual reality-based prospective memory tasks.

Method

Young adult college students (N = 40; ages 18–26) completed both analog and virtual reality prospective memory tasks in the Virtual Kitchen Protocol.

Results

A within-subjects analysis of variance found that participants performed better on the analog prospective memory task than in virtual reality, F(1,39) = 12.46, p = .001.

Conclusions

Results suggest that the virtual environment served as a source of distraction rather than a memory aid for young adults’ prospective memory ability. However, this added level of distraction may mimic everyday prospective memory settings better than traditional analog tasks, suggesting that virtual prospective memory tasks may be able to better assess everyday prospective memory abilities.
A-190 Neuropsychological profile of adolescent with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: M Smith , D Masur , J Mcginley , E Weiss , R Fachinni
Published: August 2020

Objective

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic microdeletion disorder linked to various adverse medical and psychiatric outcomes affecting 1 in every 1,000 to 4,000 births. 22q11DS results from a meiotic deletion of DNA at the q11.2 site on chromosome 22, contributing to cognitive impairments resulting from a range of congenital anomalies. While data are inconsistent and the 22q11DS profile is incomplete—research suggests neuropsychological impairments with receptive language and attention. We describe the neuropsychological findings of a young woman with stronger than expected receptive language and atypical attention profile. Thus, we will highlight the cognitive profile of 22q11DS and the critical role of neuropsychological evaluation in clarifying cognitive performances.

Methods

This adolescent was diagnosed with 22q11DS at age 10, and various professionals made prior diagnoses of ADHD, ODD, Anxiety, ID, developmental delay, and learning delay without previous formal neuropsychological evaluation.

Results

Evaluation revealed low overall performances (WISCV- FSIQ = 66) with relative strengths on tasks of category fluency and receptive vocabulary, with stronger than expected receptive language. Her attention profile was not consistent with ADHD, although by history, ADHD criteria would have been met previously. Qualitatively, even with a low IQ, she did not present as someone with an ID.

Conclusion

This case of a young woman with 22q11DS with several prior diagnoses demonstrated a slightly atypical cognitive profile supporting the need for formal neuropsychological evaluation. Furthermore, the patterns of her performances add to the literature of 22q11 deletion syndromes and raise important questions regarding differences in cognitive development in individuals with 22q11DS.
A-193 Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment of a Nine-year-old Child with a Rare Congenital Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Case Study of Cognitive Dysfunction Accompanying the IGF-1-R Mutation
Authors: B Tross , K Briggs , S Brown , A Lewandowski , C Lewandowski
Published: August 2020

Objective

The insulin growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1-R) gene plays a pivotal role in human growth and development (Kannian & Ryan, 2019). Heterozygous IGF-1-R mutations represent a rare subtype of congenital growth hormone deficiencies (Abuzzahab et al., 2003). The very few cases that have been reported implicate lower volume in brain structures that include the splenium, right global pallidus, hippocampus, and left thalamus (Webb et al., 2012). As a result, physical anomalies in children are expressed through short stature, microcephaly, and atypical facial morphology, as well as intellectual and academic deficits (Essakow et al., 2016; Webb et al., 2012). Given the limited case studies of this gene mutation, the neuropsychological implications are unclear (Yang et al., 2019).

Method

This case study is of a nine-year-old male child with mild physical anomalies, fine motor deficits, inattention, and cognitive delay, referred by pediatrics for differential diagnoses of impaired cognition vs. amotivation vs. emotional-behavioral problems. Impairment on an initial educational screening evaluation indicated the need for a more comprehensive and broad-based assessment which is presented here.

Results

Findings revealed cognitive impairment on measures of intellect, fine motor integration, complex and sustained attention and vigilance, executive functioning, memory, learning, language comprehension, phonological knowledge, encoding, decoding, reading comprehension, and arithmetic. Emotional testing was normal.

Conclusion

Neuropsychological assessment provided detailed information for pediatricians, parents, teachers, and allied health providers for treatment planning, and led to genetic testing that confirmed the diagnosis of the rare IGF-1-R mutation and furthered clinical understanding of this child’s social, academic, and neuropsychological needs.
A-195 Emotional Factors in Performance on Halstead-Reitan/Halstead-Russell Neuropsychological Tests
Authors: C Gass , B Patten
Published: August 2020

Objective

Evaluate the relation between depression and performance on eight widely used tests: Revised Category Test, Trail Making Test, Part B Tactual Performance Test, TPT Memory, TPT Location, Aphasia Screening Test, Seashore Rhythm Test and Speech Perception Test.

Method

Participants: 116 women, 71 men referred for comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation in an outpatient memory disorders clinic as part of a broader neurodiagnostic workup for memory complaints and cognitive decline. Referral sources: neurologists (78%), primary care physicians (21%). Patients’ mean age: 59.0 (SD =13.8); education: 14.9 (SD = 2.6) years. They were screened from a larger sample (N = 214) for brain disorder or positive neurodiagnostic findings. All participants satisfied performance and symptom validity criteria. Diagnostically, 62% had mood disorders. Based on Scale D scores, 65 middle-range scorers were excluded and 122 patients were classified into High and Low Depressive Symptom groups (ns = 61). The two groups were no different on age, education, Average Impairment Rating or predicted level of intelligence (Test of Premorbid Function).

Results

On all eight of the neuropsychological tests, scores were compared across the two groups. There was no main effect (MANOVA) for group, F(8,98) = 1.56, p = .147. Univariate comparisons revealed a trend on TPT Location but no statistically significant effects of depression severity on any of these tests.

Conclusion

Results suggest that severity of depressive symptoms is unrelated to performance on these neuropsychological tests. In cooperative examinees, these tests are valid for assessing brain-based abilities independent of depressive symptom severity.
A-197 Utility of the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination—Third Edition (ACE-III) to Predict Neuropsychological Test Performance in Older Adults Referred for Neurocognitive Evaluation
Authors: G Zarrella , C Kay , K Gettens , J Sherman , M Colvin
Published: August 2020

Objective

The ACE-III is a brief cognitive screener with high sensitivity and specificity in detecting neurocognitive disorders. We examined the utility of ACE-III subscale scores (Attention/Orientation, Memory, Fluency, Language, Visuospatial) to predict performance on expanded neuropsychological evaluation and detect diagnostic group differences.

Data Selection

217 patients (Mag = 74.0, Medu = 15.78) with neurocognitive concerns completed the ACE-III followed by a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, including Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) Digit Span Backward (DSB), Trail Making Test Part B (TMT B), Boston Naming Test (BNT), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), Category Fluency (Vegetables), Wechsler Memory Scale-IV (WMS-IV) Logical Memory (LM), and WAIS-IV Block Design (BD). Patients were diagnosed as having Normal Cognition (NC), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), or Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) from clinical history and overall performance (67-NC, 105-MCI, 45-MND). Within-construct performances on comprehensive testing were regressed on ACE-III subscales. Group differences in ACE-III subscales and total scores were also examined.

Data Synthesis

Each ACE-III subscale score predicted within-construct performance on expanded testing with moderate-strong effects (p’s < .001): Attention/Orientation predictive of WAIS-IV DSB and TMT B; Memory predictive of WMS-IV LM immediate and delayed; Fluency predictive of COWAT and Category Fluency; Language predictive of BNT; Visuospatial predictive of WAIS-IV BD. ACE-III subscale and total scores also distinguished between groups (NC > MCI > MND; p’s < .001).

Conclusions

Across severity of cognitive impairment, ACE-III subscales are predictive of within-construct performance on expanded testing. The ACE-III may be a useful proxy for a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and demonstrates diagnostic utility in distinguishing different levels of cognitive impairment in older adults referred for neurocognitive concerns.
A-204 Cross-Validation of the Dot Counting Test in a Nonclinical Sample
Authors: K Martinez , C Sayers , C Clark , R Schroeder
Published: August 2020

Objective

Studies have indicated that nonclinical participants in neuropsychological research do not always perform validly on testing (e.g., An, Zakzanis, & Joordens, 2012). As such, we cross-validated a brief yet well-researched performance validity test, the Dot Counting Test (DCT), in a validly performing nonclinical sample.

Method

Participants were 50 college students (mean age = 19.92; mean education = 14.10) who completed a neuropsychological test battery under the instruction to provide their best effort on all tests. Freestanding performance validity tests included the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and DCT. To ensure that only valid participants were included in the study, it was required that participants pass all examined TOMM validity indices (i.e., Trial 1, Trial 2, Retention, Albany Consistency Index, and Invalid Forgetting Frequency Index; no participant failed any of these indices).

Results

The first DCT E-score cutoff at which 90% specificity was obtained was > 13. At a cutoff of > 17 (a previously established clinical group cutoff), 98% specificity was obtained. At a cutoff of > 21, 100% specificity was obtained.

Conclusions

Results cross-validate the DCT for use in a nonclinical sample. Multiple cutoffs are reported, along with corresponding specificity rates. Researchers can now choose the cutoff, which corresponds to their desired specificity rate, to use in nonclinical research studies to help ensure that invalidly performing participants are excluded from future research.
A-215 The Utility of the First Ten Items of the Warrington Recognition Memory Test as a Performance Validity Test
Authors: J Fett , M Cottingham
Published: August 2020

Objective

Performance validity tests (PVTs) are widely used in neuropsychological evaluations but are often lengthy and time-consuming. Therefore, development of more efficient PVTs is critical. The current study evaluated the utility of the first 10 items of the Warrington Recognition Memory Test (RMT) as an indicator of performance validity.

Methods

This study utilized archival data from 134 veterans presenting for a clinical neuropsychological evaluation at a southeastern Veterans Affairs hospital. Patients were deemed “credible” if they failed less than two unrelated PVT measures, had a FSIQ > 70, and did not carry a diagnosis of dementia. This resulted in 103 patients in the credible group [Mage = 49.76(11.67); Meducation = 14.09(2.88); 77.67% Male]. The 31 patients in the non-credible group met Slick et al. (1999) criteria[Mage = 45.13(11.18); Meducation = 12.77(2.53); 87.10% Male]. Frequency counts were run to determine sensitivity and specificity values at established cut-offs and to create new cut-offs for the first 10 items.

Results

Using established cut-off scores, the RMT total score had adequate specificity (91%) with a corresponding sensitivity of 84%, and the RMT time score had adequate specificity (93%) with a corresponding sensitivity of 34%. When examining the first 10 items on the RMT, a score of < 8 resulted in 96% specificity and 61% sensitivity.

Conclusions

The established cutoffs for the RMT performed well in this patient sample. Additionally, using a cutoff score of ≤ 8 on the first 10 items of the RMT may be a useful indicator of probable failure on the RMT, significantly reducing test administration time.
A-218 Sex Differences on the ImPACT Validity Indices at Baseline
Authors: L Greenberg , P Arnett , V Merritt
Published: August 2020

Objective

In the context of sports-related concussion (SRC) evaluations, some athletes have been known to “sandbag” baseline testing in order to improve chances of return-to-play post-concussion. To circumvent this problem, the ImPACT, a widely used computerized program in SRC evaluations, contains five embedded validity indices (VIs). Building on nascent research demonstrating the ImPACT VIs’ validity in detecting sandbagging, this exploratory study seeks to identify the distinguishing characteristics of those who sandbag. With this in mind, the present study aimed to examine sex differences in performance on the ImPACT VIs at baseline.

Method

Participants included 1,254 college students (70% male; 77.3% Caucasian) divided into two groups: males (n = 881) and females (n = 373). All participants completed the ImPACT individually. Primary outcomes of interest included the five ImPACT VIs: Impulse Control Composite, X’s and O’s Total Incorrect, Word Memory Learning Percent Correct, Design Memory Learning Percent Correct, and Three Letters Total Letters Correct.

Results

Independent samples t-tests revealed significant sex differences on Word Memory Learning Percent Correct and Design Memory Learning Percent Correct (p = .007 to .009; d = 0.16), with males performing worse. The three remaining VI’s were not significantly different between groups (p = .080 to .331, d = −0.08 to 0.06).

Conclusion

Significant sex differences were found on two of the five ImPACT VIs; however, effect sizes were small. Our results suggest that while sex may play a role in sandbagging, other factors are also likely at play. Identifying a subgroup of males and females with poor performance on these validity indices and exploring their characteristics will help to further clarify these findings.
A-221 The Impact of Visuospatial Memory Impairment on Rey 15-Item Test and Test of Memory Malingering Performance: Implications for Performance Validity Assessment
Authors: D Carter , G Ovsiew , T Rhoads , Z Resch , J Soble
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study examined Rey 15-Item Test (RFIT), RFIT/Recognition Trial, and Test of Memory Malingering-Trial 1 (TOMM-T1) performance as a function of increasing visual memory impairment to assess the effect of bona fide memory deficits on these performance validity tests (PVTs).

Method

Cross-sectional data from 146 patients who were administered the RFIT, TOMM-T1, and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised Delayed Recall (BVMT-R DR) trial were examined. In total, 120/146 (82%) were classified as valid and 26/146 (18%) as invalid per 4 independent criterion PVTs. The valid sample was 55% female/45% male, 39% Caucasian, 33% African American, 19% Hispanic, 7% Asian, and 3% other, with mean age of 46.2 (SD = 16.7) and education of 14.0 years (SD = 2.6). BVMT-R DR memory impairment bands were defined as ≥40 T (unimpaired; N = 70), 30-39 T (mild impairment; N = 26), and ≤ 29 T (severe impairment; N = 24).

Results

Multivariate analysis of variance with memory impairment bands as the fixed factor was significant, (p < .001, np2 = .21). Follow-up ANOVAs for RFIT (p < .001, np2 = .29) and RFIT/Recognition (p < .001, np2 = .34) were significant with large effect sizes, whereas TOMM-T1 (p < .05, np2 = .07) exhibited significant, albeit smaller, differences across memory bands. Post-hoc comparisons showed the unimpaired group outperformed the mild and severe impairment groups on the RFIT and RFIT/Recognition, whereas nonsignificant TOMM-T1 differences emerged between the three memory groups. Finally, significantly more patients with memory impairment failed the RFIT (X2 = 18.01, p < .001), and RFIT/Recognition (X2 = 23.70, p < .001), but not TOMM-T1 (X2 = 3.70, p = .16).

Conclusions

Results showed the RFIT and RFIT/Recognition were more highly affected by memory impairment and yielded significantly greater false positives with increasing memory impairment compared to TOMM-T1.
A-224 Clinical Utility of Grooved Pegboard as an Additional Embedded Measure of Performance Validity
Authors: J Link , L Lu , P Armistead-Jehle , R Seegmiller
Published: August 2020

Objective

Previously, the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPB) has shown potential as an embedded measure of performance validity (PVT) using a T-score cutoff for either hand (≤ 29) or both hands (≤ 31). This study sought to validate these cutoffs with established PVTs (Medical Symptom Validity Test [MSVT], Non-Verbal Medical Symptom Validity Test [NV-MSVT], and Reliable Digit Span [RDS]).

Method

Subjects (N = 190) were primarily Caucasian (85%) and male (81%). Average age and education were 41 (SD = 11.62) and 16 years (SD = 2.35), respectively. Participants were stratified as GPB “pass or fail” based on previously proposed cutoff criteria. MSVT, NV-MSVT, and RDS were also dichotomized as pass or fail based on manual or conventional recommendations.

Results

Chi-Square analyses revealed significant associations between GPB “fails” for both hands and MSVT, NV-MSVT, and RDS (χ2 (1, n = 190) ranging from 5.80 to 15.98, Phi ranging from .18 to .29, p ranging from < .05 to < .0001). Similar findings were observed for dominant hand “fails”; however, non-dominant hand was only related to the MSVT. Sensitivity and specificity values from the GPB measures ranged from .47 to .58 and from .89 to .92, respectively. Positive and negative predictive power ranged from .38 to .45 and .93 to .94, respectively.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate the relative utility of the GPB as an embedded PVT. In particular, dominant and both hand cutoffs are likely to be more clinically useful in determining sub-optimal performance. However, as sensitivity is relatively low, this measure should not be employed as the sole PVT administered.
A-230 Symptom Validity and MMPI-2-RF Somatic/Cognitive Scales
Authors: S Rolin , A Kolaski , J Davis
Published: August 2020

Objective

In addition to the standard validity scales, the MMPI-2-RF Somatic/Cognitive Scales (SCS) are associated with symptom validity in veteran and epilepsy samples. The Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) is a self-report questionnaire with an embedded symptom validity index (Validity-10) developed by examining endorsement on atypical neurological items. The current study examined relationships among symptom validity and SCS in a physical medicine and rehabilitation sample.

Method

Participants underwent outpatient evaluation with the MMPI-2-RF and NSI among other measures. Cases with invalid MMPI-2-RF (TRIN or VRIN>79; Cannot Say>14) were excluded (n = 5). The sample (N = 120) was 43% female and 96% white with average age and education of 41 (SD = 13) and 14 (SD = 2) years, respectively. A linear regression model was examined with Valdity-10 as outcome and SCS as predictors. Participants were grouped by Validity-10 cutoff (>18). SCS were examined with receiver operating characteristic analysis and compared to the MMPI-2-RF Symptom Validity Scale (FBS).

Results

A regression model predicting Validity-10 was significant (p < .001; R-squared = .51). Gastrointestinal complaints and neurologic complaints (NUC) scales made independent contributions with standardized beta-weights of .18 and .43, respectively. Twenty-seven percent of participants scored above cutoff on the Validity-10. NUC showed area under the curve (AUC) of .78 predicting Validity-10 status, which was not significantly different from the FBS AUC of .81. A NUC cutoff of 91 or higher showed 34% sensitivity and 93% specificity.

Conclusion

MMPI-2-RF SCS are associated with symptom validity as determined by the NSI Validity-10. In this rehabilitation sample, NUC was comparable to FBS in classifying participants grouped by symptom validity.
A-231 Using Rates of Low Scores to Assess Agreement between CogState and a Traditional Battery of Neuropsychological Tests
Authors: B Ivins , J Arrieux , W Cole , K Schwab
Published: August 2020

Objective

CogState is a brief computerized test battery used to assess cognitive function. We compare intra-individual agreement between CogState and a battery of traditional neuropsychological tests using rates of low scores.

Methods

Complete and valid data from 246 healthy soldiers and 177 soldiers ≤ 7 days from sustaining mild TBI (mTBI) were used in this analysis. All soldiers were consecutively administered CogState and a traditional test battery consisting of: TOPF, WAIS-IV, CVLT-II, RCFT, DKEFS, and CPT-II. We performed base rate analyses of both batteries to determine the proportions of soldiers who had various numbers of scores that were 1.0+, 1.5+, and 2.0+ standard deviations below the normative mean. We used those rates to place Soldiers into a “low score hierarchy” ranging from the least poor (i.e. ~ > 10th %ile) to the worst overall performance (i.e. ~ ≤ 10th %ile). We then compared agreement between the batteries at each of those levels.

Results

More soldiers with mTBI had low scores than healthy soldiers on both batteries. Of the soldiers who performed at the worst level on one battery, 95.1% from CogState and 70.6% from traditional had some level of poor performance on the other battery. However, of the soldiers who performed at the worst level on either battery, only 31.7% from CogState and 38.2% from traditional also performed at the worst level on the other battery.

Conclusion

These batteries similarly identify poor performance to a degree, though with some potentially meaningful differences still present.
A-241 Five Point Test: Reliability, Validity, and Test Performance in Cognitively Intact Adults
Authors: Z Chaudhary , A Hubley
Published: August 2020

Objective

Reliability and validity evidence related to the Five Point Test (FPT) scores is severely limited. The primary purpose of this study was to examine psychometric evidence related to two commonly used FPT scores (number of unique designs (UD), percentage of repetitions (PR)) using one-week test–retest reliability, correlations with demographic and neuropsychological variables, and convergent validity in line with a regression-based explanation-focused view of validity.

Methods

The sample consisted of 86 cognitively intact, non-depressed adult men and women ages 21–82 years (M = 52.7, SD = 17.7) with 7–21 years of education (M = 14.2, SD = 3.13) recruited from the general community and tested individually.

Results

UD ranged from 8–60 (M = 35.4) and PR ranged from 0–45% (M = 6.9%). Test–retest coefficients were .83 for UD but only .43 for PR. Age was significantly correlated with UD (r = −.59) and PR (r = .23). Education was significantly correlated with UD (r = .26) but not PR (r = −.10). There were no gender differences. UD showed significant bivariate correlations with WAIS-III Block Design, Trail-Making Test (TMT) A, TMT-B, Bicycle Drawing Test, and FAS Verbal Fluency but, together in a regression, only age and TMT-B remained significant. PR scores did not correlate significantly with any neuropsychological variables.

Conclusion

UD showed strong test–retest reliability. UD performance tends to be poorer with older age and less education. The meaning and interpretation of UD performance using a regression-based explanation-focused view of validity will be discussed. PR reliability is poor even over a short interval and attenuates subsequent statistical findings. Use of PR is not recommended in research or practice.
A-245 So What's the Damage? The Effect of the WISC-V Digitization Debacle
Authors: W Macallister , M Vasserman , T Fay-Mcclymont , S Mish , C Medlin , S Deighton , C David , B Brooks
Published: August 2020

Objective

The WISC-V can now be administered in paper format or digitally. Though most subtests are comparable, Processing Speed Index (PSI) subtests, Coding and Symbol Search required complete redesign for digital presentation. We initially collected data to assess comparability of paper versus digital PSI tasks for future use. However, in March of 2020, Pearson issued an alert stating that, due to a programming error, Coding scores may be inflated secondary to timing inaccuracy; they advised against further use of digital Coding. We refocused our analyses to assess the degree to which inaccurate digital Coding impacted overall test results.

Method

Children with neurological disorders (N=104) received both versions of the PSI subtests (order randomized). Correlational analyses assessed relations between versions, t-tests assessed for administration order effects, and Kappa coefficients assessed agreement across platforms.

Results

Correlations between paper and digital subtests (r=.570 to .853) and composites (r=.848 to .987) were robust. As expected, Coding was higher digitally (difference=1.91, p < .01, d=.52), but Symbol Search, PSI, and FSIQ were comparable (p>.05). Given evident practice effects, subsequent analyses considered “first administered” versions and score range agreement was best when PSI tasks were administered digitally first (Kappa=.452, p < .001) versus paper first (Kappa=.153, p=.023). Agreement was strong for FSIQ regardless of order (Kappa≥.760, p < .001). Importantly, in highest stakes evaluations (i.e., presence versus absence of intellectual disability), agreement was extraordinarily strong (Kappa≥.93, p < .001).

Conclusions

Digital Coding scores are inflated in comparison to traditional paper version, but the impact of this programming error was minimal at the level of PSI and FSIQ.
A-246 Comparing Boston Naming Test Short Forms in a Rehabilitation Sample
Authors: D Zimmerman , J Attridge , S Rolin , J Davis
Published: August 2020

Objective

The Boston Naming Test (BNT) has several short forms do not include the noose item. These short forms have been mainly examined in dementia populations. This study compared BNT short forms with standard administration (BNT-S) in physical medicine and rehabilitation patients.

Method

Participants (N = 480) completed the BNT in an outpatient evaluation. The sample was 34% female and 91% white with average age and education of 46 (SD = 15) and 14 (SD = 3) years, respectively. Diagnoses included traumatic brain injury (62%), mixed neurologic conditions (21%), and stroke (17%). Five 15-item short forms were calculated: Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD-15); Lansing; and Mack 1, 2, and 4 (Mack-15.1, −15.2). Three 30-item short forms were calculated: Mack A, Saxon A, and BNT odd items. Short forms and BNT-S were compared with Spearman correlations. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated for all forms. Impaired BNT scores were determined using norm-referenced scores (T < 36). Area under the curve (AUC) values were compared across short forms with impaired BNT as criterion.

Results

BNT-S showed strong correlations with 30-item (rho = .92–.93) and 15-item short forms (rho = .80–.87) except for CERAD-15 (rho = .69). Internal consistency was acceptable for 15-item (alpha = .72–.80) and 30-item short forms (alpha = .85–.86). BNT was impaired in 17% of participants. AUC values were not significantly different in 15-item (AUC = .83–.89) and 30-item (AUC = .91–.92) groups. CERAD-15 (.83), Mack-15.1 (.87), and Mack-15.2 (.87) AUC values were significantly lower than 30-item short form AUC values.

Conclusion

BNT 30-item and 15-item short forms showed outstanding and excellent classification accuracy, respectively. BNT short forms warrant further study in rehabilitation settings.
A-248 Using Rates of Low Scores to Assess Agreement between CNSVS and a Traditional Battery of Neuropsychological Tests
Authors: B Ivins , J Arrieux , W Cole , K Schwab
Published: August 2020

Objective

CNSVS is a brief computerized test battery used to assess cognitive function. We compare intra-individual agreement between CNSVS and a battery of traditional neuropsychological tests using rates of low scores.

Methods

Complete and valid data from 246 healthy soldiers and 177 soldiers ≤ 7 days from sustaining mild TBI (mTBI) were used in this analysis. All soldiers were consecutively administered CNSVS and a traditional test battery consisting of: TOPF, WAIS-IV, CVLT-II, RCFT, DKEFS, and CPT-II. We performed base rate analyses of both batteries to determine the proportions of soldiers who had various numbers of scores that were 1.0+, 1.5+, and 2.0+ standard deviations below the normative mean. We used those rates to place Soldiers into a “low score hierarchy” ranging from the least poor (i.e. ~ > 10th %ile) to the worst overall performance (i.e. ~ ≤ 10th %ile). We then compared agreement between the batteries at each of those levels.

Results

More soldiers with mTBI had low scores than healthy soldiers on both batteries. Of the soldiers who performed at the worst level on one battery, 95.9% from CNSVS and 80.0% from traditional had some level of poor performance on the other battery. However, of the soldiers who performed at the worst level on either battery, only 38.8% from CNSVS and 63.3% from traditional also performed at the worst level on the other battery.

Conclusion

These batteries similarly identify poor performance to a degree, though with some potentially meaningful differences still present.
A-257 Use of inpatient tele-neuropsychological evaluation to assist neurological management of a complex Spanish-speaking patient in the time of COVID-19
Authors: D Gonzalez , C Hung , J McGinley , R Facchini , D Bronshteyn , D Masur , E Weiss
Published: August 2020

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted traditional neuropsychological practices as in-person evaluations have been postponed. Controversy and ongoing discussion remains about the validity and appropriateness of teleneuropsychology, but provider and patient risk associated with in-person testing needs to be considered when cognitive evaluation is warranted. We describe the remote evaluation of a man hospitalized with altered mental status and positive COVID-19 infection and the effectiveness of teleneuropsychology in clarifying cognition/assisting clinical management in a non-English-speaking individual with limited formal education.

Method

35 year old Spanish-speaking male with no formal education referred for inpatient neuropsychological consultation to rule in/rule out possible encephalopathy and confirm premorbid cognitive functioning. Cognitive evaluation completed using iPad and Zoom technology at bedside.

Results

Tele-neuropsychology was conducted in the patient’s primary language without the necessity for PPE, which enabled improved engagement. Although testing had to be modified; the environment could not be controlled; and all cognitive domains could not be evaluated—remote evaluation confirmed fluctuations and variability, both within and between tasks, with notable fluxes in attention, comprehension and speech. Results aided in the management and care of the patient.

Conclusion

Tele-neuropsychological evaluation in the inpatient setting, while not a replacement for traditional in-person assessment, can play an important role in the management and care of culturally and educationally diverse patients.
The impact of transcription inhibition during in vitro maturation on the proteome of bovine oocytes†
Authors: Gegenfurtner Katrin , Flenkenthaler Florian , Fröhlich Thomas , Wolf Eckhard , Arnold Georg J
Published: August 2020

Proper oocyte maturation is a prerequisite for successful reproduction and requires the resumption of meiosis to the metaphase II stage (MII). In bovine oocytes, nuclear maturation has been shown to occur in in vitro maturing cumulus-enclosed oocytes (COCs) in the absence of transcription, but their developmental capacity is reduced compared to transcriptionally competent COCs. To assess the impact of transcription during in vitro maturation of bovine COCs on the quantitative oocyte proteome, a holistic nano-LC–MS/MS analysis of germinal vesicle oocytes and MII oocytes matured with or without addition of the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D (ActD) was carried out. Analyzing eight biological replicates for each of the three groups, a total of 2018 proteins was identified. These could be clearly classified into proteins depending or not depending on transcription during oocyte maturation. Proteins whose abundance increased after maturation irrespective of transcription inhibition - and hence independent of transcription - were related to the cell cycle, reflecting the progression of meiosis, and to cellular component organization, which is crucial for cytoplasmic maturation. In contrast, transcription-dependent proteins were associated with cell–cell adhesion and translation. Since a high rate of protein synthesis in oocytes has been shown to correlate with their developmental competence, oocyte maturation in transcriptionally impaired COCs is apparently disturbed. Our experiments reveal that impaired transcription during in vitro maturation of COCs has a substantial effect on specific components of the oocyte proteome, and that transcription is required for specific classes of oocyte proteins predominantly involved in translation.
The endometrial proteomic profile around the time of embryo implantation†
Authors: Guo Xi , Li Tin Chiu , Chen Xiaoyan
Published: August 2020

Embryo implantation is an intricate process which requires competent embryo and receptive endometrium. The failure of endometrium to achieve receptivity is a recognized cause of infertility. However, due to multiplicity of events involved, the molecular mechanisms governing endometrial receptivity are still not fully understood. Traditional one-by-one approaches, including western blotting and histochemistry, are insufficient to examine the extensive changes of endometrial proteome. Although genomics and transcriptomics studies have identified several significant genes, the underlying mechanism remains to be uncovered owing to post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications. Proteomic technologies are high throughput in protein identification, and they are now intensively used to identify diagnostic and prognostic markers in the field of reproductive medicine. There is a series of studies analyzing endometrial proteomic profile, which has provided a mechanistic insight into implantation failure. These published studies mainly focused on the difference between pre-receptive and receptive stages of endometrium, as well as on the alternation of endometrial proteomics in women with reproductive failure. Here, we review recent data from proteomic analyses regarding endometrium around the time of embryo implantation and propose possible future research directions.
Global brain network dynamics predict therapeutic responsiveness to cannabidiol treatment for refractory epilepsy
Authors: Anderson David E , Madhavan Deepak , Swaminathan Arun
Published: August 2020

Refractory epilepsy is a chronic brain network disorder characterized by unresponsiveness to multiple (>2) anti-epileptic drugs. Cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic neuroactive substance, is an emerging anti-epileptic treatment that was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of refractory epilepsy, especially Lennox Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Here, we evaluated associations between global brain network dynamics and related changes and responsiveness to cannabidiol therapy using a combination of electroencephalography phase coherence and graph theoretical analyses. Refractory epilepsy patients with Lennox Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome underwent serial electroencephalography testing prior to and during cannabidiol treatment. Patients showing greater than 70% seizure frequency reduction were classified as treatment responders for the purposes of this study. We calculated inter-electrode electroencephalography phase coherence in delta (1–3 Hz), theta (4–7 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz) and beta (13–30 Hz) frequency bands. Graph theoretical analysis of brain network dynamics was extracted from phase coherence to evaluate measures of network integration (i.e. characteristic path length, global efficiency and degree) and segregation (i.e. modularity and transitivity). We found that responders, relative to non-responders, showed increased network integration—as indexed by relatively higher global efficiency and lower degree—and increased network segregation—as indexed by relatively higher modularity—exclusively in the beta-frequency band. We also found that larger cannabidiol dosages were associated with increased network integration—as indexed by higher global efficiency with increasing dose—and increased network segregation—as indexed by lower transitivity with increasing dose—in the delta, theta and alpha frequency bands. In summary, we demonstrate novel effects of cannabidiol on brain network dynamics with important implications for the treatment of refractory epilepsy and, possibly, across broader research applications in the future.