bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
B - 102 Is Working Memory a more Accurate Predictor of Math Ability than Visuospatial Skills?
Authors: Rodriguez Czarinah Micah , Tsay Clay , Sidlow Eliana , Golden Charles J 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
This study used the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) to compare working memory (WM) and perceptual reasoning (PR) as predictors of math ability measured by the Wide Range Achievement Test-Fourth Edition (WRAT-4) after controlling for age and education.

Method
The healthy adult sample (N = 417) derived from a de-identified database in the Neuropsychology Assessment Center (NAC) at Nova Southeastern University has a mean age of 27.9 and was predominantly white (61.45), non-Hispanic (84.9%), and female (57.1%). The mean education of the sample was 15.7 years.

Results
In a multiple linear regression model, age, education, WM, and PR were used to predict math ability. These four factors combined accounted for 32.6% of the variance in the math scores. WM alone accounted for 20.8% of the variance (p &lt; 0.001) while PR alone accounted for 9% of the variance (p &lt; 0.001). Age did not significantly correlate with math scores. Education was significantly correlated but only explained 2% of the total variance (p = 0.008).

Conclusion
WM and PR were positively correlated with math abilities. WM accounted for 63.6% of the variance in math scores explained by the model while PR accounted for 28.0%. This suggests that WM is better than PR as a predictor of math achievement. The results support the important roles of WM and PR in carrying out basic mathematical computations and how WM is a better predictor of math performance than PR. Keywords: math ability, visuospatial skills, working memory, adults.
B - 104 Late-Onset Multiple Sclerosis: a Neuropsychological Case Study
Authors: Greco Steven , Raymond Michael , Sawhney Jasmin , Shah Mihir 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objectives
A neuropsychological case study of Late-Onset Multiple Sclerosis (LOMS). Cognitive impairment often accompanies Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Depending on disease phase/type, 40–65% of MS patients develop various degrees of cognitive impairment. LOMS is a rare branch of Multiple Sclerosis with an onset of 50 years or older. Like MS it has demyelinating qualities, however it typically has a neurodegenerative course rather than inflammatory properties. Additionally, unlike traditional MS, LOMS presents with greater motor and cognitive dysfunction.

Methods
The patient, a 61-year-old, Caucasian, right-handed male, 18 years of education initially presented with acute onset of vague cognitive changes along with significant motor dysfunction. A cerebral MRI revealed white matter disease in the cerebral hemispheres with the largest lesion adjacent to the right frontal horn. Lesions involved bifrontal/parietal lobes, specific lesion posteriorly in the left centrum and right caudate head.

Results
Patient was administered the Meyers Neuropsychological Battery (MNB). Findings were consistent with level one central processing deficits with attention/concentration and processing speed. Deficits were noted with primary and psychomotor abilities. Patient’s premorbid estimate was T-58. Overall Test Battery Mean (T-52) and Domain Test Battery Mean (T-51) were generally within the expected range. Remaining neuropsychological abilities were relatively intact (e.g., memory, abstraction, language, spatial).

Conclusions
Consistent with the literature, higher-order cognitive abilities were relatively intact. LOMS mirrored early-onset MS in this case. However, a significant risk factor for LOMS is the possibility of co-occurring neurodegenerative disease. This underscores the need for comprehensive neuropsychological assessment that includes motor testing for MS.
B - 105 Long COVID: a Pediatric Neuropsychological Case Study
Authors: Greco Steven , Frankfort Tali , Sawhney Jasmin , Greco Julianna 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
A neuropsychological case review of Long COVID. Long COVID remains to be a controversial topic in terms of cognitive residuals from contracting the virus. This child was referred due to acute cognitive changes post-COVID-19 contraction. Active COVID-19 infection was generally unremarkable. Patient did not require hospitalization or medication intervention.

Methods
This patient is a 14-year-old, Caucasian, right-handed male. A psychiatrist referred the patient due to emotional (anxiety and oppositionality), cognitive (attention, reduced processing, memory, “brain fog,”), and physical (disrupted sleep, fatigue) changes post-infection. The diagnostic question was to rule out ADHD and oppositionality prior to obtaining MRI results. MRI of the brain, 30 days post-infection, revealed multiple subcortical white matter lesions, located in the cerebral hemispheres near the grey-white matter junction, particularly in the frontal and parietal lobes.

Results
Patient was administered the Meyers Neuropsychological Battery (MNB). Findings were consistent with diffuse neuropsychological deficits, that is, reduced processing speed, impaired attention, and below average immediate and delayed memory (spatial &gt; verbal). Psychological findings were consistent with an ongoing anxiety disorder.

Conclusion
Initial diagnostic impression of ADHD and oppositional defiance was ruled-out. MNB analysis revealed a pattern of findings consistent with diffuse neuropsychological deficits relating to an inflammatory condition such as Long COVID. Memory, attention, and processing speed were below the cut-off, a finding in agreement with previous research showing impaired results, especially for memory. Because memory, as well as fatigue, seems to be affected by COVID-19, future research should explore possible interactions with cognition and fatigue following COVID-19.
B - 108 The Trait Need for Cognition Moderates Story Learning but Not Other Memory Tests
Authors: Wagaman Bailey , Ikonomou Vasilios , Humphreys Franki , Myers Melissa , Pizer Jasmin , Hawley Nanako , Campbell Ivan , Asencio-Ortiz Paola , Foster Joshua , Hill Benjamin D 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
To examine the effect of the personality trait Need for Cognition (NFC) on memory to determine if NFC moderates memory through positive effort.

Method
Participants included 174 undergraduate students (74.1% female, Mage = 20.10, SD = 1.51). Measures included the 18-item Need for Cognition Questionnaire, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, and the Wechsler Memory Scale-III (WMS-III).

Results
NFC moderated the relationship between Logical Memory I (LM I) and Full Scale IQ (FSIQ). LM I (B = 1.47, SE = 0.31, p &lt; 0.001), NFC (B = 0.41, SE = 0.09, p &lt; 0.001), and their interaction (B = 0.09, SE = 0.04, p = 0.017), accounted for 28% of the variance in FSIQ (F(3, 159) = 20.77, p &lt; 0.001). NFC did not moderate the relationship between Logical Memory II (LM II) and FSIQ. NFC was significantly correlated with FSIQ (r = 0.41, p &lt; 0.001), LM I (r = 0.26, p &lt; 0.001), LM II (r = 0.26, p &lt; 0.001), and Spatial Span (r = 0.17, p = 0.035), but was not related to other aspects of memory.

Conclusions
High NFC individuals may encode more information when initially learning a story due to higher interest in the story context. This appears to improve initial learning of the story but not later recall. Although NFC was correlated with Spatial Span and both immediate and delayed recall for LM, NFC was not related to WMS-III Faces, Family Pictures, or Verbal Paired Associates, which suggests NFC may affect learning through increased test engagement or motivation.
H - 04 Correlates of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Hispanic Older Adults: a Literature Review
Authors: Alcina Jorge , Duarte Andres , Guevara Linda Rios , Villafana Mei-Ling , Gonzalez Dayron , Perez-Haddock Yanelee 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
This systematic review explored correlates of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Hispanic older adults.

Data Selection
Peer-reviewed empirical studies published 2013–2023, in English, were searched through Google Scholar, Medline, PsychINFO, and PsychARTICLES. Keywords entailed mild cognitive impairment, MCI, Hispanic, Latino/a/x, and neuropsychology. The initial search yielded 130 articles, of which 12 were retained.

Data Synthesis
Six studies covered risk factors associated with MCI in Hispanics, with three focusing on Mexican Americans. Across studies, MCI was related to advancing age, chronic kidney disease, low education, depression with/without diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and lack of social connectivity. Two studies investigated acculturation in Hispanics with MCI, one linking reduced categorical verbal fluency to high acculturation, while the second noted no correlation between MCI and acculturation. One article dealt with functional status and brain atrophy in Hispanics with MCI, associating lower functional performance with hippocampal atrophy. Similarly, another study linked cognitive performance to neurodegeneration, finding lesser impact of atrophy in Hispanics compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. One study found that education mediates discrepant cognitive performance in Hispanic Americans depending on geographical region of origin. Lastly, another article found that tests of language, executive function and global cognition best predict progression to dementia in Hispanics.

Conclusions
The literature identified considerations relevant to Hispanics with MCI regarding risk factors, acculturation effects, neuropsychological correlates, and brain biomarkers. Limitations of the present review include knowledge gaps on regional differences represented by many Hispanics in the U.S., and small sample sizes of some of the extracted studies.
H - 07 Associations among Cardiovascular Factors, Mood, and Cognition in Older Latinos: Preliminary Results from the Boston Latino Aging Study
Authors: Bonillas Félix Nikole A , Noriega Daisy T , Fabrega Sofia , Cabrera Alex Leonardo Badillo , Castillo Crystal , Munera Diana , Martinez Jairo E , Giudicessi Averi , Ramirez-Gomez Liliana , Vila-Castelar Clara , Catalan Marta Gonzalez , Quiroz Yakeel T 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Cardiovascular risk factors and depression are prevalent in Latino populations and have been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Adults with depressive symptoms also have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Understanding the link between these factors and how they impact dementia risk among Latino cohorts is critical for the development of preventative interventions. We examined the associations among cardiovascular risk factors, depression, and cognitive status in older Latinos living in Massachusetts.

Method
A total of 42 participants enrolled in the Boston Latino Aging Study (BLAST; n = 28, mean age = 65.36, SD = 7.35) and the Harvard Aging Brain Study Latino cohort (LHABS) (n = 14, mean age = 71.43, SD = 6.89) were included in the analyses. Participants completed a screening evaluation that included the Telephone Interview Cognitive Screen (TICS), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), blood sampling to assess cholesterol, fasting glucose, and triglyceride levels, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure measurements. Spearman correlations were used to determine associations among cardiovascular risk factors, depression (GDS), and cognitive status (TICS).

Results
We found that triglycerides (r = −0.424, p = 0.005) and glucose (r = −0.317, p = 0.041) were negatively correlated with TICS. Systolic blood pressure (r = 0.325, p = 0.036) and fasting glucose (r = 0.327, p = 0.034) were positively correlated with GDS scores.

Conclusion(s)
Preliminary results suggest a link between cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., elevated triglycerides and glucose) and worse cognitive status. Additionally, findings suggest cardiovascular risk factors may be related to depressive symptoms in older Latinos. Further work with larger samples of Latino participants is needed to confirm our findings and examine relevant associations with other risk factors.
H - 08 Differences in the Predictive Validity of Social Determinants of Health and all-Cause Dementia Risk in Hispanic Americans
Authors: Dimmick Andrew , Raffiudin Hanan , Su Charlie , Callahan Jennifer L 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Hispanics and Latinos are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the U.S. This fact, coupled by their increased risk of developing a dementia, underscores the importance of research investigating methods to ameliorate this risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate if common social determinants of health (SDOH) associated with dementia risk were similarly predictive of cognitive decline with Mexican American clients compared to non-Hispanic White clients.

Method
Participants (M age = 65.98; 61.5% female) were non-Hispanic White (n = 1063) and Mexican American (n = 1061) community members participating in the Health and Aging Brain Study: Health Disparities study. The majority (77.9%) of participants were determined by diagnostic consensus to have normal cognition. Information gathered included SDOH factors—income, attained education level, social support, and physical exercise—in addition to information relating to informant-reported cognitive and functional impairment (CDR).

Results
Although higher levels of social support and income were related to less cognitive and functional impairment across participants, more physical exercise (β = −0.09, p = 0.006) was only predictive of less impairment for non-Hispanic White participants. Further, more attained education level (β = −0.08, p = 0.018) was only predictive of less impairment for Mexican American individuals.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that some SDOHs, specifically exercise and educational level, differentially predict cognitive and functional impairment between Mexican American and non-Hispanic White individuals. Future studies should investigate aspects of these variables (e.g., quality of education, type of exercise, etc.) that best protect from cognitive and functional impairment.
H - 10 Misdiagnosis of Dementia in the Latinx Community: a Case Study
Authors: Piazza-Rodriguez Angely A , Saldana Daniel , Yáñez Janet , Suarez Paola 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
This case study will illustrate the importance of increasing health literacy regarding neurocognitive disorders to reduce emotional burden and potential functional loss. This impact will be exemplified through a case of a 56-year-old Mexican bilingual male with 16 years of education diagnosed with dementia after obtaining a 28 out of 30 on cognitive screening administered in his second language.

Method
The patient was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at age 47, though neuroimaging was unremarkable for PD. PD was diagnosed solely on the progression of symptoms, including resting and postural bilateral tremors, mild right bradykinesia, slight rigidity, and rapid eye movement sleep behaviors. Levodopa treatment was administered without benefit. A possible transient ischemic attack at age 52 was reported. Cognitive problems included one-to-two years of stable changes in attention, multi-tasking, short-term memory, and word-finding. The patient managed instrumental activities of daily living independently. A local neurologist diagnosed the patient with dementia, resulting in applying for disability, early retirement, and emotional distress. The patient underwent a comprehensive bilingual neuropsychological assessment.

Results
Findings from neuropsychological testing revealed strengths and relative difficulties, in Spanish and English, including word retrieval, phonemic fluency, visuoconstruction, and aspects of executive functioning. The patient endorsed elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization.

Conclusions
The patient did not meet criteria for dementia; symptoms were consistent with PD. Providing psychoeducation encouraged the patient’s return to former occupational activities that he enjoyed. This illustrates the importance of providing comprehensive evaluations to increase diagnostic sensitivity and highlighting the need for psychoeducation to the community at large.
H - 11 Bilingualism as a Protective Factor Associated with the Delayed Onset of the Clinical Manifestation of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Delpin Gladiliz Rivera , Marrero Elixmahir Dávila , Santiago Giovanni Tirado 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
This systematic review aims to investigate the relationship between bilingualism and Alzheimer’s disease (ad) among individuals by synthesizing available evidence on the age at ad diagnosis, time of clinical ad manifestation, and potential protective effects of bilingualism on ad.

Data Selection
Records were obtained from 2002 to the end of December 2022 using the PsycInfo, Web of Science, and PubMed search engines. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, which among other factors, compared individuals with ad who spoke two languages with those who spoke just one language.

Data Synthesis
Bilingualism was found to have a protective effect against ad, improving memory and executive function, and increasing cognitive reserve. It has also been associated with a delay in ad onset by 4–5 years, compared to monolinguals. Second language (L2) fluency and gray matter density in the left inferior parietal region are positively linked. Early bilingualism is associated with lower levels of tau in the cerebrospinal fluid ad biomarker and a lower prevalence of preclinical/prodromal ad. Lifelong bilinguals have higher neocortical gray and white matter volumes, especially in the temporal lobe, which increases neuronal connections between brain regions.

Conclusion
The cognitive benefits associated with bilingualism may contribute to the delay in the onset of ad symptoms. Bilingualism has been linked to higher cognitive reserve, greater gray matter density, and increased neural activity in regions associated with executive control and attention. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of bilingualism in ad and to develop appropriate interventions that can leverage its benefits.
H - 12 Bienestar Psicológico Y Aflicción en Cuidadores Informales de Adultos Mayores Con Demencia en Puerto Rico, Durante Tiempos de Pandemia
Authors: Rivera Zulmarie Rodríguez , Arias Franchesca , Guzmán Yazdel , Vega Mairim 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objetivo
Los objetivos del estudio fueron describir los niveles de aflicción y bienestar psicológico en cuidadores informales (CI) de personas diagnosticadas con demencia en Puerto Rico, así como determinar la relación entre estos, durante el periodo de pandemia por COVID-19.

Método
En este estudio descriptivo y correlacional participaron 84 adultos puertorriqueños entre las edades de 21 y 65 años. El 92.9% se identificó con el género femenino. Se administró un cuestionario sociodemográfico, la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico de Ryff (EBPR) y el Inventario de Aflicción del Cuidador Marwit y Meuser (IACMM), formulario corto, a través de Psychdata.

Resultados
Un 70.0% de la muestra (n = 59) reportó presentar niveles de aflicción promedio, un 19.0% (n = 16) bajos, y 11.0% (n = 9) altos. El promedio de aflicción reportada en la IACMM fue de 63.89 (DE = 13.31). Un 61.0% (n = 51) de los participantes reportó niveles bajos de bienestar psicológico. La EBPR reflejó un promedio de 70.39 (DE = 13.09). Se llevó a cabo un análisis de correlación Pearson para evaluar la relación entre puntuaciones en la IACMM y la EBPR. Los resultados reflejaron una correlación negativa, moderada baja y estadísticamente significativa, r = −0.374 (p &lt; 0.01).

Conclusión
La muestra reportó niveles de aflicción comparables con los reportados por muestras de CI en tiempos pre-pandemia. También reportaron niveles de bienestar psicológico por debajo de lo esperado para la población puertorriqueña en general. Los resultados apoyaron la correlación inversa entre aflicción y bienestar psicológico documentada previamente en la literatura. Se discutirán implicaciones de estos hallazgos para la población puertorriqueña de CI.
H - 15 Leveraging Community Health Care Workers in Rural Communities to Address Brain Health Equity
Authors: Punt Stephanie , Caicedo Mariana Rincon , Bessette Katie , Engel Ilana , Giovanetti Annaleis , Izzo James , Stiles Robert , Gagnon Kristy , Koob Chase , Loyd Sonita , Zhang E , Maras Melissa , Nelson Eve-Lynn 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
To address brain health in rural communities, Telehealth ROCKS developed a service delivery program with local partners. Community healthcare workers (CHWs) assess and provide students with referrals to address social determinants of health (SDoH) and mental health needs.

Data Selection
Qualitative and quantitative data were collected. This program serves seven school districts and 6876 students in an area historically reliant on a mining/factory economies with high concerns for environmental exposures. Students were from diverse backgrounds with a range of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. To close SDOH gaps, CHWs utilized Community CareLink (CCL), an online platform tailored for rural communities that documents, tracks, and identifies SDOH gaps.

Data Synthesis
Since 2022, 85% of families elected to pursue CHW support. To date, 10 CHWs have worked directly with approximately 10% of the school population with 80% of encounters having an attendance component. Thematic analysis shows building trust has been an important encounter theme: “Building that trust within the families is so important. By being able to help them with housing, utility assistance or getting access to Medicaid can be a huge relief. . .”

Conclusions
The pandemic impacted SDOH domains, further exacerbating rural and other systemic disparities that will have long-lasting impact on brain health in rural communities. For neuropsychologists, adopting this program design may help to foster trusted relationships and community partnerships, improve culturally informed referrals, and provide scaffolding/coaching around referrals so that our expertise can aid patients and families where and when it is needed most.
H - 19 “Clinical Validation of a Video- Based Instrument to Assess Social Cognition: INEVICS”
Authors: Jimenez Betsmarie , Oliveras Rafael , Deliz Laura 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS), are characterized by the lack of social cognition (SC). The evaluation instrument used in this study has the purpose of contributing as an evaluation method directly to the various components of S.C. and demonstrating the possible clinical and discriminatory validity of this audiovisual instrument in the Puerto Rican (P.R.) population with ASD.

Methods
Exploratory quantitative approach was implemented. This pilot project used 9 videos to assess components of SC, administered virtually. Correction: sum of the results of all the videos, max.81 points. The population selected based on availability: participants with a diagnosis of ASD level one (clinical group) and participants with neurotypical development (control group). Groups were constituted of P.R. males and females between the ages of 8 to 12 years.

Results
A total of forty-one participated (n = 41). significant difference component: Theory of mind: control group (x-=12.1, SD = 2.84), (x-=14.74, SD = 2.1) clinical group (x-=7.65, SD = 3.07), (x-=10.6, SD = 2.95), t (39) = 4.82 = P &lt; 0.0000 and t (39) = 5.19 = P &lt; 0.0000. Significant difference: S.C.: control group: (x-=56.83, SD = 8.11) clinical group: (x-=40.7, SD = 10), t (39) = 5.68 = P &lt; 0.0000. Discriminant validity video 1: least (0.343) video 3: highest (0.716). Internal consistency: (α = 0.86).

Conclusions
INEVICS discriminated against difficulties with S.C. in participants with ASD. The theory of mind component was the most captured. The evaluation of social cognition cannot be dependent on a single social situation but rather requires the identification of the different components in different social situations.