bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A - 35 The Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Everyday Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment: a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Split Molly , De Wit Liselotte , Rodriguez Amy D , Goldstein Felicia C , Vickers Kayci L 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Explore the relationship between perceived social support and changes in informant-rated cognitive ability in people with mild cognitive impairment (pwMCI) enrolled in a lifestyle intervention program. Based on prior literature, we hypothesized lower levels of social support would be associated with greater declines in executive functioning (EF) over time.

Method
Forty-nine pwMCI who enrolled in a 12-month comprehensive lifestyle program completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and their informants completed the Everyday Cognition Scale (ECog) pre- and post-program. Change scores were calculated for the ECog Total Score and EF subscale. MCI participants were classified into three groups based on ECog change: Declined (n = 17), Stable (n = 17), and Improved (n = 15). Pearson correlations were conducted between MSPSS, ECog, and EF change scores within each group.

Results
There was no significant difference in baseline ECog ratings between groups, F(2,46) = 0.36, p = 0.70 or baseline MSPSS F(2,46) = 1.23, p = 0.30. For the Declined group, a trend emerged suggesting higher MSPSS was associated with declines in EF (r = 0.27, p = 0.07). The relationship between MSPSS and ECog total scores was not significant (p = 0.16). No trends or associations were observed in the Stable or Improved groups.

Conclusions
Findings were counter to initial hypotheses. Although further work is needed, this effect may relate to Reciprocity Theory which posits those who require more social support experience emotional distress due to feelings of unwanted dependence and a lack of perceived ability to reciprocate support. This experience may adversely affect EF through an increase in negative emotions and stress. Further exploration of moderators of this relationship is warranted.
A - 39 Diagnosing Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia in the Absence of Notable Cognitive Changes: the Value of Collateral Reports
Authors: Espinal Elizabeth , Erani Fareshte , Minniti Nancy 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder broadly characterized by insidious changes in psychosocial domains including personality/mood, behavior, and cognition. Early detection of bvFTD can be challenging in the absence of structural brain changes, cognitive deficits, and/or patient report. Collateral reports and behavioral observations become integral to diagnostic conceptualization.

Methods
The patient is a 71-year-old White male who was seen by a neurologist for semi-involuntary fidgeting. His spouse also began noticing medication mismanagement and personality changes characterized by irritability, compulsive spending, and irrational thoughts, as well as uncharacteristic lapses in judgement and difficulty with planning and organization. Additional family reports endorsed new perseverative behaviors and intermittent confusion while operating familiar devices. An MRI of the brain demonstrated mild white matter disease.

Results
The patient demonstrated superior premorbid intellectual functioning and average-to-above average scores across most neuropsychological tests. Subtle deficits in maintaining set on executive tasks were noted. Behaviorally, speech was perseverative and tangential throughout the evaluation and he demonstrated low frustration tolerance. Collateral questionnaires indicated a decline in most activities of daily living and significant elevations in apathy, personal neglect, and loss of insight.

Conclusion
While there were subtle changes in cognition, the patient’s overall cognitive profile was intact. However, collateral reports, reported functional decline, and direct behavioral observations warranted concern for early stage bvFTD. Consistent with bvFTD literature, current neuropsychological assessments lack sensitivity for capturing deficits in the presence of behavioral and functional impairment. This case highlights the continued need to develop and validate naturalistic assessments to appropriately capture bvFTD.
A - 46 Mild Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Multiple Etiologies Case Study
Authors: Felegy Katelyn , Keaveney Julie 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Frank, a 68-year-old male, is seeking a neuropsychological evaluation based on a referral from the concussion legacy foundation. He wants to know if he has impairment and if so, what the cause is. He has been told by previous providers that he has Lewy Body Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, or CTE.

Method
Frank has had over 20 concussions from football, car accidents, and assaults. For approximately a year, Frank has noticed short-term memory loss, word-finding problems, difficulty concentrating, and forgetting things. Frank indicated his balance is poor, as he stumbles and falls 3–4 times/day. In 2022, Frank began having visual hallucinations. Frank’s medical history includes diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. He is prescribed Seroquel, Aricept, Depakote DR, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Prazosin.

Results
A test of premorbid functioning indicated Frank’ abilities were in the Above Average range, which relative to his scores on this evaluation indicates a significant decline in cognitive functioning. There are significant impairments in Frank’ auditory working memory, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, visual planning and organization, and mental flexibility.

Conclusions
Deficits are consistent with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder due to multiple etiologies. Possible etiologies include multiple concussions, vascular risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, as well as possible degenerative brain changes. The data suggests deficits with attention, learning, retrieval, impulsivity, mental flexibility, which is consistent with frontal subcortical executive deficits. The pattern of findings is consistent with Lewy Body changes due to visual hallucinations, fluctuating cognition, motor symptoms, and dysexecutive patterns on testing.
A - 51 The Interaction of Social Cognition Deficits and Personality Change in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Hebron Liberty P , Callahan Patrick , Wever Leonore , Rijpma Myrthe G , Antoniou Rea , Kramer Joel H , Miller Bruce L , Rankin Katherine R 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Small studies have suggested individuals with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) may have socioemotional deficits (i.e., poor emotion recognition and mentalizing). However, consideration has not been given to the interplay of social cognition and personality changes. The present study used multiple personality and social cognition measures to identify neurologically-driven socioemotional changes in PSP.

Method
Data was collected from 177 individuals: 77 with PSP and 100 older healthy controls (HC). The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT) measures patients’ comprehension of emotional videos (Emotion Evaluation Test: EET) and everyday social interactions (Social Inference Enriched: SI-E). Premorbid and current personality was reported by informants using the Interpersonal Adjectives Scale (IAS) and the Big Five Inventory (BFI). Groups were compared controlling for age and sex; statistical significance was set at p &lt; 0.05.

Results
PSPs displayed impairment in reading emotions on the TASIT-EET (M:9.1 ± SD:2.66) and inferring others’ intentions on the TASIT-SIE (44.8 ± 6.12) compared to HCs (11.5 ± 1.48; 53.8 ± 4.94). PSPs showed clinically (−1.5 SD) and statistically significant drops from premorbid levels in Extraversion (IAS current T: 37.0 ± 16.28; BFI: 20.1 ± 5.80) and IAS Dominance (39.9 ± 13.54).

Conclusions
PSP patients showed significant deficits at multiple levels of emotion reading and theory of mind, impairing their comprehension of social communication. This may in turn explain the observed declines in interpersonal dominance and extraversion, possibly reflecting loss of agency and sociableness with disease progression. These results reveal more clinically significant socioemotional deficits in PSP than are generally recognized, and suggest face-to-face social testing and informant reports of personality change can be valuable testing approaches.
A - 53 A Digital Health Solution for Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment in Primary Care
Authors: Hilsabeck Robin C , Keller Jeffrey , Henry Maya L , Li Jessy , Pugalenthi Lokesh , Rathouz Paul J , Toprac Paul , Chang Patrick , Chang Joshua T , Schmitz Suzanne M , Largent Avery , Foil Heather , Brouillette Robert , Lester-Smith Rosemary 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
To determine which task or combination of tasks provided the most effective way to differentiate cognitively impaired (CI) from cognitively normal (CN) participants in under 5 minutes and to ensure that classification accuracy was equal to or better than a traditional brief cognitive screening task, the Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment (Qmci) screen.

Method
CN (n = 53) and CI (n = 51) participants completed a risk assessment task, a symbol matching (SM) task, and four speech-language tasks, followed by a second administration of SM to examine utility of practice effects administered on an iPad. Participants also completed the Qmci. Eleven models were tested using Bayesian adaptive regression trees.

Results
The top three models all included the two SM variables: the one with SM by itself (estimated c = 0.91), one with SM and features from a personal narrative task (c = 0.94), and one with SM and a counting backwards task (c = 0.90). Models with picture description and procedural discourse tasks performed the worst. For comparison, the QMCI-only model yielded c = 0.91.

Conclusions
A combination of working memory/processing speed and acoustic and linguistic variables from recalling a personal story achieved a high level of classification accuracy, slightly exceeding that of a traditional cognitive screening task. The inclusion of both verbal and nonverbal tasks may be an important feature, allowing for cognitive screening of individuals who are not able to do one type of task or the other. Future work is planned to examine this shortened tool in a pragmatic clinical trial in two primary care clinics.
A - 55 Boosting Positive Emotion in Caregivers: Moderators of a Positive Psychological Intervention
Authors: Maynard Taylor , Stephens Jacquelyn , Dowling Glenna , Moskowitz Judith T 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
There are numerous negative health effects associated with dementia caregiving, including increased stress and depression. Positive emotion interventions could improve health and psychological outcomes for caregivers. The present study was a secondary analysis of data from the Life Enhancing Activities for Family Caregivers (LEAF) trial (R01NR014435). LEAF is an evidence-based intervention designed to increase positive emotion in caregivers.

Method
Using multiple linear regression, data from the LEAF trial (n = 170 community-dwelling caregivers) were examined to identify which caregiver characteristics moderated LEAF outcomes (positive emotion, negative emotion, positive aspects of caregiving) over time.

Results
Length of time caregiving significantly moderated the effect of positive emotion from baseline to post-intervention, such that longer-term caregivers in the LEAF intervention group experienced greater increases in positive emotion compared to longer-term caregivers in the emotion-reporting waitlist control group (B = 0.119, t = 2.1, p &lt; 0.05). Moreover, gender moderated positive emotion, such that males in the intervention group and females in the waitlist control group experienced greater increases in positive emotion over time than males in the waitlist control group and females in the intervention group, respectively (R2 = 0.06, F[3, 139] = [2.75], p = &lt;0.05). No other effects were found. Results suggest that length of time caregiving and gender play an important role in the extent to which dementia caregivers benefit from positive emotion interventions.

Conclusions
This study assists in identifying caregivers for whom positive emotion interventions work best, suggests ways that the intervention should be tailored to match caregiver characteristics, and targets outcomes most impacted according to caregivers’ individual differences.
A - 66 Non-Fluent/Agrammatic Variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia (Nappa) in a Bilingual Chinese Speaker: a Single-Case Study
Authors: Zhang Belinda Y , Peery Shelley 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
The non-fluent/agrammatic variant of primary progressive aphasia (naPPA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome associated with agrammatism in language production and effortful speech (Gorno-Tempini et al., 2011). There is limited literature on PPA in non-English speakers and few clinical cases of bilingual naPPA have been described (Tee et al., 2022; Zanini et al., 2011). Characteristics of symptoms in orthographic languages, such as Chinese, are not well understood (Ting et al., 2017). This case describes the assessment of naPPA in a bilingual Mandarin Chinese speaker.

Method
A 66-year-old Asian male with 16 years of education complained of worsening aphasia in both languages over two years with initial preferential sparing of Chinese. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was administered mostly in Chinese with select subtests in English. Language functioning was assessed with the Bilingual Aphasia Screening Test (Paradis & Libben, 1987).

Results
Agrammatism and apraxia of speech was present in both languages. Single-word comprehension and object knowledge was preserved, while comprehension of complex commands was impaired. Lexical discrimination of real and nonsense words was preserved. Delayed memory was impaired with relative improvement upon recognition. Attention, processing speed, visuospatial skills, and motor functioning were preserved. Mood was euthymic.

Conclusions
This case revealed deficits in both languages with slower decline of the dominant language, suggesting that the less proficient language in bilinguals is more vulnerable to degeneration in naPPA.
A - 70 Age of First Exposure to Contact Sports and Later-in-Life Brain Health in Community-Dwelling Older Men
Authors: Jo Jacob , Wong Gunther , Rigney Grant , Davis Phil , Zuckerman Scott L , Terry Douglas P 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate whether earlier age of first exposure (AFE) to contact sports is associated with worse long-term brain health outcomes in a cohort of community-dwelling older men.

Methods
Older men with prior history of contact sport participation completed a survey assessing brain health outcomes in various areas, including well-validated measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), cognitive difficulties (bc-CCI), and neurobehavioral symptoms (NSI). Endorsements of general health problems (e.g., sleep, pain, headaches), motor symptoms (dysarthria, balance, falls, tremor), and psychiatric history were also collected. The cohort was dichotomized by AFE (&lt; 12 years vs. ≥12 years). AFE groups were compared using t-tests, chi-squared tests, and multivariable linear regressions. Regression covariates included age, number of prior concussions, and total years of contact sport.

Results
Of 69 men aged 70.5 ± 8.0 years, approximately one-third of the sample (34.8%) reported exposure to contact sports before the age of 12. That group had more years of contact sports (10.8 ± 9.2 years) compared to those with AFE ≥12 years (5.6 ± 4.5 years; p = 0.02). No differences were found after univariate testing between the AFE groups on all brain health outcomes, including psychiatric, cognitive, and neurobehavioral symptoms (p-values &gt;0.05). Multivariable linear models showed that AFE was not a predictor of depression (PHQ-9) or anxiety (GAD-7). Those in the AFE &lt; 12 group had fewer cognitive difficulties on the bc-CCI (β = 0.29, p = 0.03) and fewer neurobehavioral symptoms on the NSI (β = 0.29, p = 0.03).

Conclusions
In a cohort of community-dwelling older men, those with AFE &lt; 12 to contact sports did not have worse long-term brain health outcomes compared to those with AFE ≥12.
A - 72 Neuropsychological Test Performance in Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Patients with and without Subjective Cognitive Complaints
Authors: Russell Sydney , Novak Alexandra , Eagan Danielle 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
This cross-sectional study measured cognitive performance in mild–moderate COVID-19 patients with and without self-reported persistent cognitive complaints, while accounting for demographic variables, cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors, and mood symptoms. We hypothesized that individuals with persistent cognitive complaints would demonstrate lower global cognitive composite scores compared to those without.

Method
67 adults aged 24–83 completed in-person neuropsychological testing in a hospital setting in Phoenix, Arizona.

Inclusion
PCR-confirmed COVID-19 within 24 months before evaluation and no pre-existing neurological conditions. The Long COVID (LC) group included those with persistent cognitive symptoms 4+ weeks after infection; COVID-positive Controls (CC) included those with prior infection but without persistent cognitive symptoms. Demographic information, CVD risk factors, and psychiatric history were collected. Neuropsychological evaluation included performance validity testing and validated measures of attention, language, visuospatial ability, executive function, and memory. T-scores from each domain were averaged to create a global cognitive composite score.

Results
Gender, age, race (white/non-white), mood disorder, and CVD were equivalent across groups. Education was significantly higher in the LC group, t(65) = 2.737, p = 0.008, and was included as a covariate in the model to account for differences in cognitive reserve. With this adjustment, there was not a statistically significant difference in global composite scores between groups, F(1, 64) = 0.13, p = 0.911, partial η2 = 0.000.

Conclusion
Cognitive performance did not differ between LC and CC groups when demographics, cardiovascular risk, and mood symptoms were held constant, suggesting that other factors influence the development of persistent cognitive complaints in mild–moderate COVID-19 patients.
A - 74 You’ve Got a Friend in me: the Importance of a Confidant and its Role on Health and Well-Being among Women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Authors: Strober Lauren B , Weber Erica , Ngai Kristen 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
The role of social support or connectedness on health is profound. While this has been known for some time, recent reports of the role of social activity on mortality, general health, cognition, and well-being have suggested that it may play a larger role than the known culprits of poor outcomes (e.g., smoking, diet, exercise). The present study looked at the role of social support among women with multiple sclerosis (MS), specifically whether one felt that they had a friend to confide in.

Methods
One hundred and sixty women with MS completed measures of general health, MS symptomatology, and well-being. Participants also completed the Community Integration Questionnaire in which they were asked if they had a close friend that they could confide in. Thirty (19%) reported that they did not (Confidant -). We compared these women to those that did (Confidant +).

Results
There were no differences between the groups on age, education, relationship status, disease course or duration. The Confidant – group reported worse general, physical, and mental health and greater fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbance (p’s &lt; 0.05). They also reported greater depression and anxiety and worse satisfaction with life and psychological well-being (p’s &lt; 0.001). Consistent with this, they reported lower perceived social support and partner satisfaction (p’s &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion
The simple question of “Do you have a best friend” was a large determinant in individuals’ health and well-being. Findings urge practitioners to inquire about one’ social network and support and assist individuals in assuring greater social connectedness in hopes of maintaining or improving one’s health.
A - 75 Neuropsychological Consequences of Anoxic Encephalopathy Pursuant to Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Whynot Delaney , Fischer T , Keniston A , Lewandowski A , Briggs K 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Myocardial infarctions (MI) often result in irreversible muscle damage to the heart and difficulty returning to daily activities. While the physical consequences of acute cardiac events are well documented in the medical literature (Lesperance et al., 1996), there is less research identifying the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral consequences of MI (Brink et al., 2008) particularly when complicated by anoxia and unresponsiveness.

Method
We present a case study of a 54-year-old right-handed male with 12 years of education referred for neuropsychological assessment pursuant to mental status changes following a MI with an estimated 25–30 minutes of unresponsiveness and subsequent diagnosis of anoxic encephalopathy, supported by neuroimaging, which is also positive for a 4 mm pituitary tumor.

Results
Neuropsychological assessment revealed difficulties with cognitive efficiency, sequencing, language production, phonemic fluency, and memory. Performance was also inconsistent with age- and education-weighted norms, and therefore did not reflect a normal aging profile. An objective psychological inventory (PAI) revealed negative self-evaluation, a focus on health matters, acute stress, and substance concerns. Additionally, an endorsement of social isolation, discomfort in social interactions, and a readiness to express anger verbally was indicated. Findings supported diagnosis of cognitive impairment associated with anoxic brain injury from above noted MI.

Conclusion
This case provides an example of the neuropsychological consequences of anoxic encephalopathy from MI on cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning. It also supports the need for awareness of bodily health within the context of overall cognitive health. It emphasizes the benefits of integrating physiological and neurocognitive symptoms when conceptualizing patients with cardiac arrest.