bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A-015 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms are Associated with Reduced Performance on the MoCA among Vietnam Veterans
Authors: S Prieto , K Valerio , J Moody , S Hayes , J Hayes 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
To examine cross-sectional associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, number of stressors experienced, and cognitive outcomes in Vietnam War veterans.

Methods
366 adults between the ages of 60–85 years old completed a Vietnam Veterans Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Project (ADNI-DoD) visit consisting of a clinical interview and neuropsychological assessment. Number of stressful experiences were measured with the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised (LSC-R). Severity scores were assessed via the current Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Correlations were conducted between selected measures of stress and age, years of education, sex, ethnicity, and race. Demographic variables with significant associations with stress were included as covariates in the hierarchical regressions. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to examine the effect of CAPS and LSC-R on baseline Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores.

Results
Higher CAPS scores (indicating higher PTSD severity) were associated with worse cognitive outcomes on the MoCA [ΔF(1,269) = 15.058, p &lt; 0.001, R2 = 0.116]. By contrast, number of stressful experiences was not associated with cognitive outcomes. Follow up analyses indicated that CAPS severity scores were significantly associated with the memory index and the attention index of the MoCA.

Conclusions
In a sample of older veterans, PTSD symptom severity was associated with worse performance on the MoCA. Moreover, further analyses indicated that results within the memory and attention domains are driving these results. As such, treating PTSD symptoms may be helpful in maintaining cognitive function as adults age.
A-017 Lifestyle activity engagement and cognition: Findings in healthy controls across the lifespan
Authors: J Randolph , J Randolph , P Arnett , L Strober , E Guty , C Roman , H Wishart 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
Engagement in physical and intellectual activity has been found to exert an impact on processing speed and executive functioning. One critical issue that remains unclear is at what point in the lifespan self-reported lifestyle factors impact cognition.

Method
A community sample of nondepressed adults aged 18–74 (N = 176) was administered measures assessing activity engagement (Cognitive Health Questionnaire), processing speed (SDMT), and executive functioning (PASAT, Oral Trails B). Very physically and intellectually active (over 3 instances/week of activity) participants were compared to those reporting less activity across three age ranges: young adults (YA; age 18–29), middle-aged adults (MA; age 30–55), and older adults (OA; age 56–74).

Results
MA participants who frequently engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activity showed better SDMT performance than less active participants (p &lt; .05). YA participants frequently engaging in mild physical activity showed a nonsignificant trend toward better PASAT and SDMT performance than those who were less active. YA and MA participants who reported high use of daily cognitive strategies showed stronger Oral Trails B (p &lt; .05) and SDMT (p = .06) performance, respectively. Very intellectually active YA participants showed better PASAT performance than less active participants (p = .06). While OA participant group comparisons were not significant, small sample sizes for some analyses may have impacted results.

Conclusions
We found that individuals with strong lifestyle activity engagement showed better processing speed and executive functioning than less active participants. These findings are consistent with previous research indicating that more robust activity engagement is associated with better cognition.
A-026 Older Adults’ Likelihood of Participation in Home-Based Cognitive Assessment: The Role of Age, Geographic Location, and Income
Authors: M Splonskowski , D Binng , H Cooke , C Jacova 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
Recent implementations of teleneuropsychological services allow cognitive assessment to take place within the individual’s home. Geographic location and financial resources may influence older adults’ decision to access these services. Additionally, the likelihood of older adults’ participation in home-based cognitive assessment (HBCA) is unknown. We aimed to examine the relationship between age, geographic location, income, and likelihood of participation in HBCA.

Method
A nation-wide sample of 483 adults ages 50–79 completed an online survey via the crowdsourcing website Amazon Mechanical Turk. Respondents were asked about age, income and geographic location (e.g. rural, urban, suburban). Income was categorically measured in $20,000 increments. Likelihood of participation in HBCA was measured using 4 likert-scale items. Total likelihood was calculated by summing items.

Results
Perceived likelihood of participating in HBCA increased with greater household income, B = .087, p = .001 (0-20 K: M = 13.08 ± 4.19; 20-40 K: M = 14.76 ± 3.39; 40-60 K: M = 14.55 ± 3.49; 60–80 K: M = 14.55 ± 3.38; 80-100 K: M = 15.11 ± 2.83 and &gt; 100 K: M = 15.48 ± 2.55). Likelihood decreased with age, B = −.061 p = .025 (50–59: M = 15.03 ± 3.56; 60–69: M = 14.31 ± 3.52, 70–79 M = 14.29 ± 3.27). Likelihood was not related to geographic location B = −.005, p = .933 (rural: M = 14.52 ± 3.84; suburban: M = 14.48 ± 3.31; urban: M = 14.48 ± 3.56).

Conclusion
Adults aged 50–59 with high income were the group most likely to participate in HBCA. Geographic location does not appear to play a role in acceptance of HBCA. However, this survey was conducted with online respondents. Different results may be obtained with in-person samples.
A-032 The Relative Contribution of Neuropsychological Assessment and Radiological Scans to Diagnostic Accuracy in Young Onset Dementia
Authors: A Macrae , A Dyson , D Mason 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
Younger-onset dementias (YOD) are relatively rare neurodegenerative disorders that often present unique diagnostic challenges to health professionals. These difficulties often result in significant delays to diagnosis and uncertainty in clarifying the aetiology of a client’s presenting problems. In this audit of routine clinical practice, we evaluate the utility of radiological scan reports (Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Single Photo Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Computerised Tomography (CT) with neuropsychological assessment, and retrospectively evaluate the relative contribution of each approach to diagnostic accuracy.

Method
83 clinical records were reviewed from a regional specialist centre for assessment and diagnosis of YOD in the United Kingdom. Patients were assessed using clinical interview, neuropsychological assessment and neuroradiological diagnosis (MRI, SPECT or CT scan). The correlations between radiologist report, neuropsychological status and neuropsychiatric evaluation were compared to established diagnoses retrospectively.

Results
The diagnostic labels identified and highlighted in radiology reports were found to be congruent with the final agreed diagnosis, arrived as a consensus by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, in 70% of cases. In contrast, neuropsychological opinion was congruent with the final agreed clinical diagnosis in 93% of cases. Substantial differences in congruency between scan report and clinical diagnosis were observed for the different neuroradiological techniques with SPECT showing high rates of false positive abnormality.

Conclusion
Overall, neuropsychological opinion concurred with final diagnostic outcomes significantly more frequently than diagnosis indicated by radiology scan report. Results are discussed in terms of both cost–benefit analysis and the clinical utility of both assessments in the diagnosis of YOD.
A-035 What Make Them Tick? The Clock Drawing Test and Correlations Between Cognitive and Functional Abilities
Authors: D Gold , K Boulos , N Coolbrith , I Piryatinsky 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is among the most researched cognitive measures and is frequently used to screen for neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). No study to date has investigated the relationship between qualitative errors on the CDT and independence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) or discrete cognitive abilities. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the correlations between qualitative errors on the CDT and IADL status as well as performance in individual cognitive domains.

Method
Data were retrospectively collected from patients seen at an outpatient clinic in eastern Massachusetts, including 16 healthy controls, 22 patients with mild NCD, and 35 patients with major NCD. Analyses were performed between qualitative errors on the CDT and patients’ scores on the Lawton IADL Scale, Mattis Dementia Rating Scale-2 (DRS-2), Digit Span Forward and Backward, Trail Making Test (TMT), and the Boston Naming Test (BNT).

Results
IADL scores were moderately correlated with CDT error types. DRS-2 scores were strongly correlated commission of qualitative errors. Strong to very strong correlations were observed between TMT parts A & B scores and all qualitative error types. BNT performance was strongly correlated with conceptual deficits and spatial/planning errors. Digit Span Forward and Backward scores showed low correlations with all CDT errors.

Conclusions
Functional status appears only moderately correlated with commission of various CDT errors; however, several cognitive measures showed high correlation with various CDT error types. These findings suggest that certain qualitative errors may be indicative of cognitive impairments warranting further workup. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
A-036 Deficit Accumulation Frailty Index as a Predictor of Cognitive Outcomes in HIV+ and HIV- Adults
Authors: K Tureson , A Gold , E Mclntosh , A Thames 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
Adults aging with HIV face elevated rates of frailty than the general aging population and are frail at younger ages, but associations between frailty and cognition in HIV are not well understood. The study aimed to examine: 1) relationships between frailty index and age, and whether relationships differed by HIV status; 2) relationships between frailty index and cognitive performance, and whether relationships differed by HIV-status. It was hypothesized that 1) the frailty index would significantly predict age in non-infected (HIV-) controls but not HIV-infected (HIV+) adults; 2) higher frailty index scores would significantly predict worse cognitive functioning regardless of HIV-status.

Method
Participants included 109 (39.4% HIV+) participants aged ≥45 from a community-based sample in Los Angeles. HIV-status groups did not differ by age, education, or race (p’s &gt; .10). Frailty was assessed using a deficit accumulation frailty index (DAFI) composed of 32 age-related health variables. A comprehensive neurocognitive battery was used to examine motor, processing speed, executive functioning, verbal fluency, learning, memory, and global functioning. Multivariate linear regression was used to assess relationships between the DAFI and age and cognitive performance, and HIV-by-frailty interaction.

Results
DAFI scores were higher in HIV+ adults compared to HIV- controls. The DAFI significantly predicted global, motor, and memory performance (p’s &lt; .05), but the effect was only observed in HIV- controls. The DAFI did not significantly predict age in either group.

Conclusions
Findings highlight that relationships between frailty and cognition may be complicated in patients with chronic health conditions. Frailty may not predict cognitive dysfunction in aging HIV+ adults.
A-040 Shift as Mediator Between ADHD Status and Internalizing Symptoms
Authors: Z Imre , M Kibby 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
Individuals with ADHD are at a higher risk for internalizing disorders such as anxiety (APA, 2013). Some internalizing symptoms are associated with problems in shift (Ajilchi & Nejati, 2017). Individuals with ADHD also often have poor shift (Martel et al., 2007; Shuai et al., 2011). Hence, this project hypothesized shift to be a statistical mediator in the relationship between ADHD status and internalizing symptoms.

Method
Participants included 257 children from a pre-existing, grant-funded database (R03HD048752, R15HD065627), which is from a community sample. The mean age of participants is 9.54 years, with this sample being 53.7% male and 87.9% Caucasian. Participants included children with ADHD (n = 89), Reading Disorder (RD; n = 47), comorbid RD/ADHD (n = 47), and controls (n = 74). Parents completed several questionnaires on their child, including the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Second Edition (BASC-2). The BRIEF Shift and BASC-2 Internalizing Problems subscales were used for this project.

Results
Mediation analysis was run in PROCESS using ADHD status as the predictor variable, BRIEF Shift as the statistical mediator, and BASC Internalizing Problems as the outcome variable. ADHD status was no longer significant when including Shift in the model (from p = .01 to p = .59). Bootstrap estimation with 5,000 samples indicated a significant indirect effect, as the 95% confidence interval did not contain zero [2.66, 6.61].

Conclusions
Problems with shift may be a mediator contributing to the higher risk for internalizing problems in children with ADHD. However, this needs to be verified in a longitudinal study.
A-041 Everyone is Worse than Average: Base Rates of ADHD Impairments Among College Students.
Authors: E Johnson , J Suhr 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
Individuals presenting with concerns of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) report non-specific symptoms and may seek academic or disability accommodations. However, simply having a diagnosis is not equivalent to having a disability that justifies accommodations. The legal definition of disability is poorly understood by clinicians. Guidance for determining the need for accommodations promotes self-report as the primary source of information in decision making and suggests using “most people in the general population” as a reference point when making decisions. Unfortunately, this benchmark is not well defined, and the population base rates of functional impairments commonly reported in ADHD evaluations have not been established. The present study sought to evaluate the base rates of commonly self-reported impairments among non-treatment seeking college students.

Method
Undergraduate students (N = 282; 72.3% female; 90.1% Caucasian) completed an online inventory of 32 education-related functional impairments commonly reported during ADHD evaluations. Students indicated how frequently they experienced symptoms on a 6-point scale (Never to Very Often).

Results
College students reported education impairments at a startlingly high rate. Of the 32 impairments, 22 were endorsed as “often” or higher by over 25% of students, and 30 were endorsed as “sometimes” or higher by over 25% of students.

Conclusions
Results suggest that functional impairments reported in ADHD evaluations that may be used in accommodation decision making are very common among college students. Common impairments included difficulty focusing or concentrating, needing to study more than others, and difficulty sitting in class. Results shed light on the need for clearer guidelines for determining accommodations.
A-049 Cognitive Correlates of Childhood Lead Poisoning in a High Achieving Child
Authors: Z Repp , J Hertza , J Burton , K Jupp 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
Individuals exposed to lead often have persistent medical issues, changes in personality, and cognitive decline, with worsening symptoms following chronic exposure. Lead poisoning in children can have lasting effects as they age. This case study examines the correlation between cognitive ability and brain damage, with demyelination, following lead exposure in an academically well performing eight-year-old. Lead poisoning was verified by medical records and neuroimaging showing demyelination is included.

Method
The individual was an eight-year-old male who was exposed to lead multiple times in a home environment over the course of one year starting as a two-year-old. Cognitive ability, academic achievement, and emotional development were assessed with clinical interview of the child and his mother and comprehensive test battery including cognitive and emotional measures. Testing also included appropriate imbedded and free-standing validity measures.

Results
Cognitive testing showed relative weakness in certain measures of verbal and visuospatial processing speed as well as indications of deficit in sustained attention. These deficits did not reach objective impairment but suggest weakness in these areas in the context of superior overall cognitive ability and academic achievement. Observation showed hyperactivity and anxious behaviors, the individual’s mother reported elevated anxiety and unusually high somatic complaints.

Conclusion
This pattern of scores corresponded to what is typically seen in patients with lead poisoning, suggesting an impact of lead poisoning on the individual’s neural development, potentially causing both cognitive and psychiatric deficits. This case is unique because, despite his lead poisoning, the patient performs well academically, suggesting that the brain can compensate for this impairment given the correct environment.
A-052 Computer Game Addiction in Children is a Risk for Emerging Weakness in Visuospatial Functions
Authors: N Kiseleva , S Kiselev 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
There are evidences that game addiction can cause the delay in development of cognitive functions in children. However, we need further research for revealing this risk. The goal of this research was to examine the hypothesis that children at the age of 5 with computer game addiction have a risk for emerging weakness in visuospatial functions at the age of 6.

Methods
We used questionnaire for parents to reveal children with computer game addiction. Experimental group consisted of 16 5-year-old children with computer game addiction. Control group consisted of 16 children without computer game addiction. Children from experimental and control group were matched for age, gender and IQ. In the framework of longitudinal research children at the age of 6 from both groups were assessed by 4 subtests from NEPSY which are designed for assessing visuospatial functions (Arrows, Block Construction, Design Copying, Route Finding).

Results
One-way ANOVA has revealed the significant differences (p &lt; .05) between groups for scores in 3 visuospatial subtests (Block Construction, Design Copying, Route Finding). Children from experimental group had low level of performance in these subtests.

Conclusion
The findings from this study suggest that computer game addiction can have negative effect on the development of visuospatial functions in children. We are going to do further research for revealing the long-term effect of computer game addiction on cognitive development of children in the framework of longitudinal research.
A-057 Deficits in Inhibitory Control Are Associated with Social and Emotional Difficulties Among Children with Congenital Heart Defects
Authors: D Badaly , J Wallace , V Lee , S Beers , A Panigrahy 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
Research has suggested that children with congenital heart defects (CHD) may experience socioemotional maladjustment because of their often-seen executive dysfunction. However, preliminary work has largely used behavioral ratings of executive functioning. Our study used cognitive assessments of inhibitory control, an executive function key for emotional regulation and social initiative.

Method
We prospectively recruited 46 6-to-16 year olds with CHD (M = 11.65 years, SD = 3.11; 74% male) and 95 healthy controls (M = 12.09 years, SD = 2.87; 54% male). Children completed face-to-face and computerized tests of inhibitory control (D-KEFS Color-Word Interference Test; NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test). Children and their parents also filled out scales assessing emotional and social functioning (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory [PedsQL]; Harter Self Perception Profile [SPP]).

Results
Using regression, controlled for age, children with CHD had greater parent-rated emotional distress than healthy peers (p &lt; .001). Poorer inhibition was associated with greater distress for children with CHD but not (or less so) healthy peers (p &lt; .05). Children across groups rated their emotional functioning similarly; a face-to-face test of inhibition (but not a computerized test) was related with greater emotional health for both groups (p &lt; .05). Children with CHD had poorer parent-rated social functioning than healthy peers on the PedsQL (p &lt; .005) but not the SPP; there were no significant differences for self-reports. Inhibition was associated with social skills only in select models (p &lt; .05).

Conclusions
Similar to past research, families reported more maladjustment than children. Regardless, poor inhibition emerged as one potential contributor to socioemotional maladjustment among children with CHD. Interventions targeting executive dysfunction may support socioemotional development.
A-073 Intra-Individual Variability in Stroke and Mixed Neurologic Conditions
Authors: J Davis , N Kurniadi , C Mullen , K Kitchen Andren , S Rolin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
Intra-individual variability (IIV) has shown utility in characterizing cognitive dysfunction in conditions including traumatic brain injury and dementia, but has been less studied in stroke. This study examined IIV in physical medicine and rehabilitation patients with stroke and mixed neurologic conditions.

Method
Participants (N = 95) were 40% female and 83% white with average age and education of 46 (SD = 13) and 14 (SD = 2) years, respectively. Participants completed an outpatient evaluation using a flexible battery of up to 33 common neuropsychological measures. Participants were grouped by diagnosis: stroke and other cerebrovascular events (e.g., aneurysm; 58%), and mixed neurologic conditions (e.g., anoxia, dementia; 42%). Adequate performance validity was determined on the basis of embedded and freestanding validity measures. Test battery scores were converted to T scores. Cases with four or more scores below 36 T were identified as impaired. Measures of IIV were calculated including overall test battery mean (OTBM), test battery standard deviation (SD), kurtosis, skew, range, and unbiased coefficient of variation (UCV). Groups were compared on IIV measures and impairment.

Results
Diagnostic groups were not significantly different on IIV measures. Impairment rates were not different in stroke (78%) and mixed (68%) groups. Unimpaired cases showed significantly higher OTBM, and significantly lower SD, range, and UCV (all p’s &lt; .01); kurtosis and skew were not significantly different.

Conclusions
IIV markers of cognitive dysfunction in stroke are similar to those observed in dementia and other neurologic conditions. Further study of the clinical application of IIV measures is needed.