bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AGR - 3 Epilepsy Surgical Planning in a Patient with Co-Morbid Multiple Sclerosis and Seizures
Authors: Sanborn Victoria , Ayub Neishay , Margolis Seth A 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Research increasingly points to historically unappreciated cortical effects of multiple sclerosis (MS), with two-fold elevated risk of seizures. Nevertheless, epilepsy only occurs in 2–5% of cases. We present a 42-year-old, right-handed, woman with epilepsy and MS under consideration for epilepsy surgery.

Method
Epilepsy and MS were diagnosed concurrently at age 31; seizures were the presenting symptom. Despite infrequent MS flares, seizures are weekly-to-monthly focal aware, focal unaware and focal-to-bilateral, starting with right head version, dysarthria, and spinning, followed by secondary generalization, at times occurring in clusters. Brain MRI revealed bilateral MS lesions including in left medial-frontal lobe and left hippocampus (Figure 1). Phase I EEG suggested left-lateralized seizures with broad frontotemporal evolution and rapid bifrontal synchrony. Interictal PET was unrevealing. fMRI determined left-hemisphere language dominance. Neuropsychological evaluation (NPE) was ordered to estimate cognitive risks of left-sided surgery.

Results
NPE revealed relatively intact language and verbal learning/memory with exceptionally low visual learning/memory. Visuospatial skills were below average to exceptionally low. Although motor dexterity was exceptionally low bilaterally, her left-hand was markedly slower. Executive functioning, processing speed, and sustained attention were exceptionally low. Risk stratification drew upon traditional epilepsy surgery outcomes, as only 2 cases of epilepsy surgery in vastly different MS patients have been published.

Conclusions
NPE suggested high functional adequacy of the left hemisphere with low functional reserve of the right hemisphere. Due to paradoxical findings across structural/functional brain imaging, EEG, and NPE, with unclear effects/implications of MS, cautions were raised about surgery. Stereo-EEG and magnetoencephalography were recommended/ordered to determine the safest surgical option.
A - 5 Patients’ Understanding of Neuropsychological Performance Descriptors: a Pilot Study
Authors: Smetana Racheal M , Parker Allison , Bajo Stephanie , Picard Emilie , Broshek Donna 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Descriptive labels to communicate neuropsychological performance are an integral part of neuropsychological reports. Although the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) developed a consensus statement on uniform descriptive labels to standardize use of performance descriptors, patients’ understanding of these labels is unclear. This pilot study sought to evaluate patient understanding of neuropsychological performance descriptors.

Method
Patients (N = 47) completed a survey consisting of 13 questions evaluating AACN’s uniform label system and an alternative, patient-centered label system (PCL) designed to improve patients’ understanding of scores. Questions assessed knowledge of label descriptions and their associated percentiles (e.g., average = 25-75th %ile), and the relative relationship between labels. Paired t-tests were used to determine if patients were more accurate in correctly understanding the AACN vs. PCL descriptive labels.

Results
Patients were significantly more accurate in understanding PCL labels (M = 1.38, SD = 0.49) than AACN’s labels (M = 1.72, SD = 0.45), t = 4.08, p.05). Overall, patients demonstrated difficulty accurately understanding percentiles (M correct responses =1.36 of 5).

Conclusions
Results demonstrated that patients may not adequately understand AACN’s descriptive label system or other methods used to describe scores (i.e., percentiles). An improved understanding of labels was seen with an alternative label system (PCL), although response accuracy was still weak. Future studies should assess understanding of performance descriptors among caregivers and healthcare providers, and also examine patient-centric methods for presenting neuropsychological results.
A - 10 Comorbid Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Evidence from the Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research (FITBIR) Informatics System
Authors: O'Neil Maya , Clauss Kate , Cameron David C , Krushnic Danielle , Baker-Robinson William , Hannon Sara 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Although posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common following traumatic brain injury (TBI; Greer et al., 2020), the complex association between these conditions requires further explication. Data repositories, such as FITBIR, which is the product of a national effort to compile individual participant-level TBI data from multiple studies into a unified database, provide a useful avenue for exploring the PTSD-TBI relationship. The present project is a proof-of-concept study demonstrating the ability to harmonize data from numerous shared studies to better understand comorbid PTSD following TBI.

Method
We searched for, merged, and harmonized data from studies with TBI and PTSD variables to analyze rates of probable PTSD across TBI severity categories. The methods and code used to extract, clean, standardize, and harmonize the data have been publicly shared and as additional studies are contributed to FITBIR, they will be added to these meta-datasets.

Results
After harmonizing key variables across FITBIR datasets, the final sample consisted of 1633 participants. Approximately 79% of participants across studies had a history of mild TBI (mTBI) and 32–37% screened positive for PTSD. Those with mTBI had 2.8 greater odds of screening positive for PTSD compared to those with no TBI (95% CI: 1.90, 3.90).

Conclusions
Study findings show that unifying patient-level data is possible and can contribute to knowledge of complex medical and psychiatric comorbidity. These methods allow for nuanced analyses addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion issues often left out of single studies due to small sample sizes of minoritized groups within individual studies.
A - 04 Influence of Smartwatch Feedback on Perceived Health Behavior Change in Older Adults
Authors: Kaplan Marina , McKniff Moira , Holmqvist Sophia , Simone Stephanie , Rosahl Melissa , Chaturvedi Riya , Giovannetti Tania 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Smartwatches may be used to promote behavior changes to improve brain and cognitive health. This study examined the effect of feedback from smartwatches on perceived behavior change in healthy older adults.

Method
Twenty older adults without dementia were screened and recruited (M age = 68.2, SD = 6.79) from the community. Participants wore the Garmin Vívosmart 4 watch for four weeks to measure variation in physiological measures. Watch notifications that provided feedback about sleep and activity level were enabled during the last week of the study. Participants completed a standardized 29-item questionnaire on behavior change at the completion of the study.

Results
Most participants (69%) reported that using the smartwatch was a positive experience. When asked about perceived behavior change since wearing the smartwatch, 50% reported that they “eat healthier”, 45% reported that they “incorporate more activity into my day”, and 30% reported that they “sleep more.” When asked how their activity levels changed since wearing the smartwatch, 45% reported that their activity had increased.

Conclusion(s)
These results support the use of wearable technology as a tool to engage older adults in healthy behaviors. Feasibility was supported by the positive response to wearing the smartwatch by most participants. Additionally, preliminary data suggest that feedback from the smartwatch was effective in altering participants’ reports of health-related behaviors. Further research is needed to determine whether feedback was effective in changing actual health behaviors.
A - 08 Does the Cognitive Change Index Predict Progression of Clinical Dementia Status? Longitudinal Analysis in a Demographically Diverse Aging Cohort
Authors: Nester Caroline , Gao Qi , Wang Cuiling , Mogle Jacqueline , Katz Mindy , Derby Carol , Lipton Richard , Saykin Andrew , Rabin Laura A 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
The Cognitive Change Index (CCI; Rattanabannakit et al., 2016) is a widely used measure of self-perceived cognitive functioning. There are several versions, the most common being a 20-item version, which queries memory, executive functioning, and language concerns (CCI-20), and a 12-item version (CCI-12), which includes only memory concerns. Little is known about how the CCI may predict future clinical decline or which version may be most sensitive to dementia risk. We investigated the capacity of the CCI-20, CCI-12, and an expanded version of the CCI (CCI-40), to predict progression of clinical dementia status in a demographically diverse sample.

Method
Einstein Aging Study participants (community-dwelling cohort; n = 324; M age = 70.4; M education = 15; 67% female; 46.3% White) completed the CCI-40 (self-report) and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) at baseline and over annual follow-up (M wave = 1.48). Inclusion criteria were &gt; age 70, English speaking, and nondemented. We investigated the CCI-12, the CCI-20, and the CCI-40 (memory, language, executive functioning, attention, visuospatial, calculation, and orientation domains). We used generalized LME to examine how CCI at baseline impacts rate change of CDR status, with CCI, time and their interaction term as independent variables, adjusting for covariates.

Results
All CCI total scores were significantly associated with the rate change in log odds on CDR (CCI-40, β = 0.013, p = 0.001; CCI-20, β = 0.020, p = 0.002; CCI-12, β = 0.013, p = 0.002).

Conclusion
Regardless of version, the CCI performance at baseline predicts future progression in clinical dementia status. Using the CCI to assess self-perceived cognition may enhance risk detection in clinical and research settings. Future research will replicate these findings across a range of predementia diagnoses.
A - 10 Normative Data of Neuropsychological Tests of Language in Older Adults from Costa Rica
Authors: Usuga Daniela Ramos , Mora-Villalobos Lara , Brown-Mata Gloriana , Smith-Castro Vanessa , Rivera Diego , Arango-Lasprilla Juan Carlos 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
To generate normative data of the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and Boston Naming Test (BNT) for healthy older adults in Costa Rica.

Method
The sample consisted of 563 healthy Costa Rican adults aged 59–90 years (M = 67.15; SD = 7). Each participant was administered the VFT and BNT as part of a more comprehensive neuropsychological battery.

Results
Multiple regression models showed a linear effect of education for all 4 phonological verbal fluency (PVF) scores, and a sex effect on VF P, with females performing better than males. The model predictors explained between 20.9% and 28.3% of the variance. In semantic verbal fluency (SVF) scores, linear effects of age and education were observed in all 4 subtests, such that word production decreased with increasing age and lower education. In addition, females scored better in all semantic categories except animals, where there was no effect of sex. The predictors of the model explained between 21.7% and 30.9% of the variance. In BNT, there was a linear effect of education and an effect of sex, so that males scored higher compared to females. The predictors of the model explained 9.6% of the variance.

Conclusion
This is the first study to generate normative data for VFT and BNT in older adults from Costa Rica. This data will allow neuropsychologists in the region to perform assessment and diagnostic processes with greater accuracy.
A - 12 Investigating Relationships between Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning, and Adaptive Functioning in Non-Demented Older Adults
Authors: Sergeyev Nicole , Nester Caroline O , Warren David E , Zatkalik Abigail , Aflagah Erica , Rabin Laura A , Pare Nadia , Beadle Janelle N 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Theory of mind (ToM) is a facet of social cognition that relies on the ability to infer the mental states of others and is a cognitive and emotional capacity that may become compromised in the context of neurodegeneration. This may put older adults at greater risk for financial exploitation or susceptibility to scams. We investigated relationships among executive functioning, financial capacity, and ToM in a sample of older adults who did not have a diagnosis of dementia.

Method
Participants were cognitively unimpaired or presented with subjective cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment. As part of a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, participants completed the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), a measure of ToM in which participants view photos of the eye region of the face and select which social emotion they perceive to be depicted in each photo. Pearson correlations were calculated to test relationships among RMET performance and select measures of executive functioning (D-KEFS Trail Making Test 4, Letter Fluency) and basic financial skills (Financial Capacity Instrument, short form).

Results
Participants’ (n = 72; M age = 75.36; M education = 15.676; 69% female) RMET performance was significantly associated with measures of executive functioning (r = 0.243, p = 0.041), mental flexibility (r = −0.283, p = 0.017), and financial skills (r = 0.291, p = 0.015).

Conclusions
Capacity for ToM is linked with integrity of executive functioning skills and financial capacity in older adults with varying degrees of cognitive compromise. Older adults who demonstrate deficits in aspects of social cognition may be at risk for poor outcomes in key cognitive and adaptive skills in daily life.
A - 15 Elucidating Patterns of Naturalistic Behavior in those with Self-Reported Functional Cognitive Decline
Authors: Tassoni Molly B , Giovannetti Tania 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
There is relatively little known about the effect of subjective cognitive decline on everyday behaviors in community-dwelling older adults. We investigated use of compensatory strategies, busyness, and engagement in productive activities in older adults with subjective decline versus those without subjective decline.

Method
353 adults (65+ years old) completed an online survey including demographic information, self-reported decline in functional cognition (Everyday Cognition Questionnaire; ECog), subjective busyness (Martin and Park Environmental Demands Questionnaire), engagement in productive activities (Temple Activities Engagement Questionnaire), and use of compensatory strategies (Memory Compensation Questionnaire). Two-tailed t-tests compared these variables amongst two groups: “decliners,” (ECog Score &gt; 1.49) and “non-decliners,” (ND; ECog Score &lt; 1.50).

Results
There were no significant differences in demographics between the decliners (mean age = 76.68, sd = 8.22, p = 3.00; mean edu = 15.55, sd = 3.97, p = 0.91) and ND (mean age = 75.71, sd = 6.93; mean edu = 15.50, sd = 3.19). Decliners reported greater use of compensatory strategies (mean = 95.58, sd = 20.21, p &lt; 0.001) compared to ND (mean = 80.43, sd = 19.56). Decliners also reported greater daily busyness (mean = 14.47, sd = 5.7, p = 0.002) compared to ND (mean = 12.66, sd = 4.19), but no difference in the engagement in productive activities.

Conclusions
Decliners utilize more compensatory strategies in their daily lives (e.g., using external aids, concentrating harder, etc.), and report feeling busier despite no difference in engagement of productive daily tasks. Future work should clarify how compensatory strategies in decliners are used and whether increased busyness reflects increased task demands or the use of compensatory strategies. Psychoeducation should promote compensatory strategies that are effective and alleviate subjective busyness.
A - 19 Cognitive Test Score Dispersion VS. Traditional Memory Composite Scores: Predicting Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) & Dementia among Cognitively Impaired, Not MCI Patients
Authors: Fatima Hudaisa , Schaffert Jeff , Lacritz Laura , Cullum C Munro 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
To compare mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia conversion rates between global neuropsychological dispersion (GD) and traditional memory neuropsychological composite score (MComp) in participants with baseline evidence of cognitive decline but no diagnosis of MCI or dementia.

Methods
Data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) for 364 participants with a CDR of 0.5, no initial diagnosis of MCI or dementia, and five visits were analyzed. GD was the intraindividual standard deviation across baseline normative (NACC norms) neuropsychological performance. MComp was the mean of the four verbal and visual memory normed scores. Multinomial logistic regression models fit statistics compared GD and MComp as predictors of conversion to MCI/dementia, adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, ApoE4 status, and stratified by suspected etiology (Alzheimer’s disease [ad] or no-ad). Lower Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) values indicate better model fit and predictions.

Results
37% progressed to MCI, and 47% to dementia by visit 5. 53% of these were suspected to have ad etiology, and 47% non-ad. MComp showed a better fit with significant predictions of MCI and dementia progression in both suspected ad (AIC: 351.77, p &lt; 0.001) or non-ad etiology (AIC: 215.02, p &lt; 0.004), versus GD was only significant for non-ad etiology (AIC: 385.74, p &lt; 0.003). Better memory performance predicted a lower likelihood of conversion to non-ad MCI (B = -0.65, p = 0.003) and non-ad dementia (B = -1.33, p &lt; 0.001). GD predicted eventual progression to non-ad dementia (B = 2.311, p = 0.004), but not non-ad MCI.

Conclusion
Traditional memory composite score may be a better predictor of MCI and dementia conversion than cognitive dispersion in individuals with early cognitive decline who do not yet meet MCI criteria.
A - 32 Impact of Demographic Factors in African American (AA) Older Adults in Relation to Confrontational Naming Deficits on an Object Naming Task
Authors: Ramirez Sofia , Ortega Alexandra , Hincapie Diana , Haddock Yanelee Perez , Bosworth Brooke , Sosa Jaylene , Ortiz Juliana , Crenshaw Kirsten , Neer Emory , Zheng Diane 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Dysnomia, or complaints of word-finding difficulties for names, places, and objects is common in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (ad). This common characteristic makes confrontational naming a fundamental component of neuropsychological assessment in aging populations. The Multilingual Naming Test (MINT) detects naming impairments at various stages of cognitive decline. However, our understanding of how performance varies based on education, is sparse. Authors evaluated the sensitivity of the MINT in predicting naming impairments in AA in relation to education levels.

Methods
842 cognitively unimpaired (CU) and 413 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) AA elders were administered the MINT as part of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center neuropsychological battery. The MINT consists of 32 items of ascending difficulty that participants must name spontaneously. Semantic and phonemic cues are given in the absence of immediate responses.

Results
A 5-number MEANS analysis was used to measure differences among CU and MCI stratifying by education level. Overall naming scores were consistently lower in cohorts with lower education across diagnosis. Unsurprisingly CU participants outperformed MCI counterparts.

Conclusion
More sensitive tools are needed to detect cognitive functioning changes in individuals with lower education levels. The MINT offers a novel approach in detecting confrontational naming deficits in those at risk of developing ad, but norms accounting for scholastic attainment are necessary to accurately diagnose minority populations with varying education levels. Further research is required to validate the MINT in participants with diverse backgrounds, low literacy levels and other factors that could affect quality of formative education.
A - 38 Variance in Educational Experiences among Older Adults Enrolled in an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Cohort
Authors: Stites Shana D , Halberstadter Kimberly , Schumann Rosalie , Patel Nisha , Mechanic-Hamilton Dawn 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
In the United States (U.S.), educational experiences can be wide-ranging. We examine educational experiences in an Alzheimer’s disease (ad) research cohort to understand how the representation and distribution of these experiences may affect the generalizability of conclusions in ad research.

Method
An online survey was administered to cognitively unimpaired participants (n = 135) in the UPenn ad Research Center clinical cohort. Self-report questionnaires gather sociodemographic data, including age, race, disability, education, and schooling. We report comparisons to U.S. educational attainment and examine correlations between education variables and executive function as measured by trail making test (TMT) B and digit span backward.

Results
The sample of 135 older adults averaged 74 years old, had about 17 years of schooling, and were mostly women (61%). All had at least a high school degree. About 11% had a high school diploma, about 8% had an associate’s degree, 24% had a 4-year college degree, 33% had a master’s degree, and over 20% had professional degrees. The distribution of educational attainment is not representative of the U.S. older adult population. More education associates with higher performance on TMT-B and digit span (both p &lt; 0.008), particularly among those with the highest attainment.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest older adults enrolled in ad research have more education than the U.S. older adult population and a range of experiences in their schooling. We discuss three ways that the underlying distribution of educational experiences may affect the generalizability of conclusions drawn from ad research cohorts.