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Eggert T, Nguyen PV, Ernst K, Loosli SV, Straube A. A new test to detect impairments of sequential visuospatial memory due to lesions of the temporal lobe. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272365. [PMID: 35905135 PMCID: PMC9337684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigates visuospatial memory in patients with unilateral lesions of the temporal lobe and the hippocampus resulting from surgery to treat drug-resistant epilepsy. To detect impairments of visuospatial memory in these individuals, a memory test should be specific to episodic memory, the type of memory in which the hippocampus is crucially involved. However, most known visuospatial memory tests do not focus on episodic memory. We hypothesized that a new sequential visuospatial memory test, which has been previously developed and applied only in healthy subjects, might be suitable to fill this gap. The test requires the subject to reproduce a memorized sequence of target locations in ordered recall by typing on a blank graphics tablet. The length of the memorized sequence extended successively after repeated presentation of a sequence of 20 target positions. The test was done twice on day one and again after one week. Visual working memory was tested with the Corsi block-tapping task. The performance in the new test was also related to the performance of the patients in the standard test battery of the neuropsychological examination in the clinical context. Thirteen patients and 14 controls participated. Patients showed reduced learning speed in the new sequential visuospatial memory task. Right-sided lesions induced stronger impairments than left-sided lesions. After one week, retention was reduced in the patients with left-sided lesions. The performance of the patients in commonly used tests of the neuropsychological standard battery did not differ compared to healthy subjects, whereas the new test allowed discrimination between patients and controls at a high correct-decision rate of 0.89. The Corsi block-span of the patients was slightly shorter than that of the controls. The results suggest that the new test provides a specific investigation of episodic visuospatial memory. Hemispheric asymmetries were consistent with the general hypothesis of right hemispheric dominance in visuospatial processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Eggert
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Phuong Van Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Ernst
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra V. Loosli
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Straube
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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2
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Oltra-Cucarella J, Sánchez-SanSegundo M, Lipnicki DM, Crawford JD, Lipton RB, Katz MJ, Zammit AR, Scarmeas N, Dardiotis E, Kosmidis MH, Guaita A, Vaccaro R, Kim KW, Han JW, Kochan NA, Brodaty H, Pérez-Vicente JA, Cabello-Rodríguez L, Sachdev PS, Ferrer-Cascales R. Visual memory tests enhance the identification of amnestic MCI cases at greater risk of Alzheimer's disease. Int Psychogeriatr 2019; 31:997-1006. [PMID: 30355384 PMCID: PMC6483891 DOI: 10.1017/s104161021800145x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate whether amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) identified with visual memory tests conveys an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (risk-AD) and if the risk-AD differs from that associated with aMCI based on verbal memory tests. PARTICIPANTS 4,771 participants aged 70.76 (SD = 6.74, 45.4% females) from five community-based studies, each a member of the international COSMIC consortium and from a different country, were classified as having normal cognition (NC) or one of visual, verbal, or combined (visual and verbal) aMCI using international criteria and followed for an average of 2.48 years. Hazard ratios (HR) and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis analyzed the risk-AD with age, sex, education, single/multiple domain aMCI, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores as covariates. RESULTS All aMCI groups (n = 760) had a greater risk-AD than NC (n = 4,011; HR range = 3.66 - 9.25). The risk-AD was not different between visual (n = 208, 17 converters) and verbal aMCI (n = 449, 29 converters, HR = 1.70, 95%CI: 0.88, 3.27, p = 0.111). Combined aMCI (n = 103, 12 converters, HR = 2.34, 95%CI: 1.13, 4.84, p = 0.023) had a higher risk-AD than verbal aMCI. Age and MMSE scores were related to the risk-AD. The IPD meta-analyses replicated these results, though with slightly lower HR estimates (HR range = 3.68, 7.43) for aMCI vs. NC. CONCLUSIONS Although verbal aMCI was most common, a significant proportion of participants had visual-only or combined visual and verbal aMCI. Compared with verbal aMCI, the risk-AD was the same for visual aMCI and higher for combined aMCI. Our results highlight the importance of including both verbal and visual memory tests in neuropsychological assessments to more reliably identify aMCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Oltra-Cucarella
- Department of Health Psychology, University of Alicante (Spain). Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
- Unit of Cognitive Impairments and Movement Disorders, Hospital General Universitario Santa María del Rosell. Paseo Alfonso XIII, 61, 30203 Cartagena, Murcia
| | - Miriam Sánchez-SanSegundo
- Department of Health Psychology, University of Alicante (Spain). Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Darren M Lipnicki
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, UNSW Medicine, School of Psychiatry, NPI, Euroa Centre, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031 Australia
| | - John D Crawford
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, UNSW Medicine, School of Psychiatry, NPI, Euroa Centre, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031 Australia
| | - Richard B Lipton
- Albert Einstein College Of Medicine. 1225 Morris Park Avenue, Room 3C12B. Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Mindy J Katz
- Albert Einstein College Of Medicine. 1225 Morris Park Avenue, Room 3C12B. Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Andrea R Zammit
- Albert Einstein College Of Medicine. 1225 Morris Park Avenue, Room 3C12B. Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Nikolaos Scarmeas
- Columbia University. Medical Center, Department of Neurology, 622 West 168th street, 10032, New York, NY
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Medicine, 1st Neurology Clinic, Aeginition Hospital, 72 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528, Athens, Greece
| | - Efthimios Dardiotis
- Neurology Department, University Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly
| | - Mary H Kosmidis
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonio Guaita
- Golgi Cenci Foundation, Corso San Martino 10, 20081 Abbiategrasso (Milan) Italy
| | - Roberta Vaccaro
- Golgi Cenci Foundation, Corso San Martino 10, 20081 Abbiategrasso (Milan) Italy
| | - Ki Woong Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro 173beongil Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si,Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Kwanakro 1, Kwanakgu, Seoul, 08826, Korea. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongnogu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Ji Won Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro 173beongil Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si,Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Korea
| | - Nicole A Kochan
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, UNSW Medicine, School of Psychiatry, NPI, Euroa Centre, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031 Australia
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, UNSW Medicine, School of Psychiatry, NPI, Euroa Centre, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031 Australia
- Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - José A Pérez-Vicente
- Unit of Cognitive Impairments and Movement Disorders, Hospital General Universitario Santa María del Rosell. Paseo Alfonso XIII, 61, 30203 Cartagena, Murcia
| | - Luis Cabello-Rodríguez
- Unit of Cognitive Impairments and Movement Disorders, Hospital General Universitario Santa María del Rosell. Paseo Alfonso XIII, 61, 30203 Cartagena, Murcia
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, UNSW Medicine, School of Psychiatry, NPI, Euroa Centre, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031 Australia
- Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rosario Ferrer-Cascales
- Department of Health Psychology, University of Alicante (Spain). Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
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Brown FC, Hirsch LJ, Spencer DD. Spatial memory for asymmetrical dot locations predicts lateralization among patients with presurgical mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2015; 52:19-24. [PMID: 26398592 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the ability of an asymmetrical dot location memory test (Brown Location Test, BLT) and two verbal memory tests (Verbal Selective Reminding Test (VSRT) and California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT-II)) to correctly lateralize left (LTLE) or right (RTLE) mesial temporal lobe epilepsy that was confirmed with video-EEG. Subjects consisted of 16 patients with medically refractory RTLE and 13 patients with medically refractory LTLE who were left hemisphere language dominant. Positive predictive values for lateralizing TLE correctly were 87.5% for the BLT, 72.7% for the VSRT, and 80% for the CVLT-II. Binary logistic regression indicated that the BLT alone correctly classified 76.9% of patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy and 87.5% of patients with right temporal lobe epilepsy. Inclusion of the verbal memory tests improved this to 92.3% of patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy and 100% correct classification of patients with right temporal lobe epilepsy. Though of a limited sample size, this study suggests that the BLT alone provides strong laterality information which improves with the addition of verbal memory tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franklin C Brown
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Lawrence J Hirsch
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dennis D Spencer
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Scott JC, Matt GE, Wrocklage KM, Crnich C, Jordan J, Southwick SM, Krystal JH, Schweinsburg BC. A quantitative meta-analysis of neurocognitive functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychol Bull 2015; 141:105-140. [PMID: 25365762 PMCID: PMC4293317 DOI: 10.1037/a0038039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 317] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with regional alterations in brain structure and function that are hypothesized to contribute to symptoms and cognitive deficits associated with the disorder. We present here the first systematic meta-analysis of neurocognitive outcomes associated with PTSD to examine a broad range of cognitive domains and describe the profile of cognitive deficits, as well as modifying clinical factors and study characteristics. This report is based on data from 60 studies totaling 4,108 participants, including 1,779 with PTSD, 1,446 trauma-exposed comparison participants, and 895 healthy comparison participants without trauma exposure. Effect-size estimates were calculated using a mixed-effects meta-analysis for 9 cognitive domains: attention/working memory, executive functions, verbal learning, verbal memory, visual learning, visual memory, language, speed of information processing, and visuospatial abilities. Analyses revealed significant neurocognitive effects associated with PTSD, although these ranged widely in magnitude, with the largest effect sizes in verbal learning (d = -.62), speed of information processing (d = -.59), attention/working memory (d = -.50), and verbal memory (d =-.46). Effect-size estimates were significantly larger in treatment-seeking than community samples and in studies that did not exclude participants with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and effect sizes were affected by between-group IQ discrepancies and the gender composition of the PTSD groups. Our findings indicate that consideration of neuropsychological functioning in attention, verbal memory, and speed of information processing may have important implications for the effective clinical management of persons with PTSD. Results are further discussed in the context of cognitive models of PTSD and the limitations of this literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Cobb Scott
- VISN4 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Georg E. Matt
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | | | | | - Jessica Jordan
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Steven M. Southwick
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - John H. Krystal
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
- Psychiatry Services, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Brian C. Schweinsburg
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
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Meekes J, Braams OB, Braun KPJ, Jennekens-Schinkel A, van Rijen PC, Alpherts WCJ, Hendriks MPH, van Nieuwenhuizen O. Visual memory after epilepsy surgery in children: a standardized regression-based analysis of group and individual outcomes. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 36:57-67. [PMID: 24857810 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Revised: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Visual memory is vulnerable to epilepsy surgery in adults, but studies in children suggest no change or small improvements. We investigated visual memory after epilepsy surgery, both group-wise and in individual children, using two techniques to assess change: 1) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and 2) an empirically based technique for detecting cognitive change [standardized regression-based (SRB) analysis]. A prospective cohort consisting of 21 children completed comprehensive assessments of memory both before surgery (T0) and 6 (T1), 12 (T2), and 24 months (T3) after surgery. For each patient, two age- and gender-matched controls were assessed with the same tests at the same intervals. Repeated measures ANOVA replicated the results of previous studies reporting no change or minor improvements after surgery. However, group analysis of SRB results eliminated virtually all improvements, indicating that the ANOVA results were confounded by practice effects. Standardized regression-based group results showed that in fact patients scored lower after surgery than would be predicted based on their presurgical performance. Analysis of individual SRB results showed that per visual memory measure, an average of 18% of patients obtained a significantly negative SRB score, whereas, on average, only 2% obtained a significantly positive SRB score. At T3, the number of significantly negative SRB scores outweighed the number of significantly positive SRB scores in 62% of patients. There were no clear associations of clinical variables (including side and site of surgery and postsurgical seizure freedom) with memory outcome. The present analysis revealed that given their individual presurgical functioning, many children obtained disappointing results on some visual memory tests after epilepsy surgery. Comparison of the SRB analysis with ANOVA results emphasizes the importance of empirically based techniques for detecting cognitive effects of epilepsy surgery in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Meekes
- Sector of Neuropsychology for Children and Adolescents, Hp KG 01.327.1, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands; Bio Research Center for Children, Wekeromseweg 8, 6816 VS Arnhem, The Netherlands.
| | - Olga B Braams
- Sector of Neuropsychology for Children and Adolescents, Hp KG 01.327.1, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands; Bio Research Center for Children, Wekeromseweg 8, 6816 VS Arnhem, The Netherlands.
| | - Kees P J Braun
- Department of Child Neurology, Hp KC 03.063.0, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Aag Jennekens-Schinkel
- Sector of Neuropsychology for Children and Adolescents, Hp KG 01.327.1, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands; Bio Research Center for Children, Wekeromseweg 8, 6816 VS Arnhem, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter C van Rijen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hp G 03.124, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Willem C J Alpherts
- SEIN, Epilepsy Institute of the Netherlands Foundation, Location Meer en Bosch, P.O. Box 540, 2103 SW Heemstede, The Netherlands.
| | - Marc P H Hendriks
- Department of Behavioural Sciences, Kempenhaeghe Expertise Centre for Epileptology, Sleep Medicine and Neurocognition, P.O. Box 61, 5590 AB Heeze, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Onno van Nieuwenhuizen
- Bio Research Center for Children, Wekeromseweg 8, 6816 VS Arnhem, The Netherlands; Department of Child Neurology, Hp KC 03.063.0, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Brown FC, Westerveld M, Langfitt JT, Hamberger M, Hamid H, Shinnar S, Sperling MR, Devinsky O, Barr W, Tracy J, Masur D, Bazil CW, Spencer SS. Influence of anxiety on memory performance in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 31:19-24. [PMID: 24291525 PMCID: PMC3946774 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the degree to which anxiety contributed to inconsistent material-specific memory difficulties among 243 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy from the Multisite Epilepsy Study. Visual memory performance on the Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) was poorer for those with high versus low levels of anxiety but was not found to be related to the TLE side. The verbal memory score on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) was significantly lower for patients with left-sided TLE than for patients with right-sided TLE with low anxiety levels but equally impaired for those with high anxiety levels. These results suggest that we can place more confidence in the ability of verbal memory tests like the CVLT to lateralize to left-sided TLE for those with low anxiety levels, but that verbal memory will be less likely to produce lateralizing information for those with high anxiety levels. This suggests that more caution is needed when interpreting verbal memory tests for those with high anxiety levels. These results indicated that RCFT performance was significantly affected by anxiety and did not lateralize to either side, regardless of anxiety levels. This study adds to the existing literature which suggests that drawing-based visual memory tests do not lateralize among patients with TLE, regardless of anxiety levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Westerveld
- Walt Disney Pavilion - Florida Hospital for Children, Winter Park, FL, USA
| | - John T Langfitt
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Marla Hamberger
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hamada Hamid
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shlomo Shinnar
- Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Michael R Sperling
- Department of Neurology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, New York University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - William Barr
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph Tracy
- Department of Neurology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Masur
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Carl W Bazil
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Susan S Spencer
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Alexander GE, Ryan L, Bowers D, Foster TC, Bizon JL, Geldmacher DS, Glisky EL. Characterizing cognitive aging in humans with links to animal models. Front Aging Neurosci 2012; 4:21. [PMID: 22988439 PMCID: PMC3439638 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2012.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
With the population of older adults expected to grow rapidly over the next two decades, it has become increasingly important to advance research efforts to elucidate the mechanisms associated with cognitive aging, with the ultimate goal of developing effective interventions and prevention therapies. Although there has been a vast research literature on the use of cognitive tests to evaluate the effects of aging and age-related neurodegenerative disease, the need for a set of standardized measures to characterize the cognitive profiles specific to healthy aging has been widely recognized. Here we present a review of selected methods and approaches that have been applied in human research studies to evaluate the effects of aging on cognition, including executive function, memory, processing speed, language, and visuospatial function. The effects of healthy aging on each of these cognitive domains are discussed with examples from cognitive/experimental and clinical/neuropsychological approaches. Further, we consider those measures that have clear conceptual and methodological links to tasks currently in use for non-human animal studies of aging, as well as those that have the potential for translation to animal aging research. Having a complementary set of measures to assess the cognitive profiles of healthy aging across species provides a unique opportunity to enhance research efforts for cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies of cognitive aging. Taking a cross-species, translational approach will help to advance cognitive aging research, leading to a greater understanding of associated neurobiological mechanisms with the potential for developing effective interventions and prevention therapies for age-related cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gene E. Alexander
- Department of Psychology, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, USA
| | - Lee Ryan
- Department of Psychology, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, USA
| | - Dawn Bowers
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
| | - Thomas C. Foster
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Bizon
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
| | - David S. Geldmacher
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL, USA
| | - Elizabeth L. Glisky
- Department of Psychology, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, USA
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Wilhelm P, Maathuis I, Matzner M. Effect of verbal encoding and motor memory on test performance in the Rey Visual Design Learning Test. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY 2011; 18:54-60. [PMID: 21390901 DOI: 10.1080/09084282.2010.523388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
This study offers new evidence for the validity of the interpretation of the Rey Visual Design Learning Test (RVDLT) test score. The RVDLT is a design memory test that requires constructive output (drawings of memorized test items) in the recall phase. We mainly focused on response processes and tested the effect of a verbal and a motor memory strategy on test performance. Strategies were only explained and participants (12- to 15-year-olds) were stimulated to use them in a subsequent test session. In the verbal encoding condition, participants were instructed to name the test items of the RVDLT. In the copy condition, participants copied test items with an empty pen concurrent with test item presentation (rehearsal of motor sequences). Test performances were compared to a control group. No significant difference in RVDLT test score was detected between the verbal encoding group and the control group. However, the copy group scored significantly lower than the other two groups. Results are discussed in light of the validity of the test interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Wilhelm
- Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. p.wilhelm@.utwente.nl
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Contador I, Fernández-Calvo B, Cacho J, Ramos F, Lopez-Rolon A. Nonverbal Memory Tasks in Early Differential Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and Unipolar Depression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 17:251-61. [DOI: 10.1080/09084282.2010.525098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Israel Contador
- a Department of Basic Psychology, Psychobiology, and Methodology of Behavioral Sciences , University of Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Jesús Cacho
- c Neurology Service, University Hospital of Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain
| | - Francisco Ramos
- d Department of Personality, Evaluation, and Psychological Treatment , University of Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alex Lopez-Rolon
- e Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München , Munich, Germany
- f Institute of Neuroscience, Innsbruck Medical University , Innsbruck, Austria
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Brown FC, Tuttle E, Westerveld M, Ferraro FR, Chmielowiec T, Vandemore M, Gibson-Beverly G, Bemus L, Roth RM, Blumenfeld H, Spencer DD, Spencer SS. Visual memory in patients after anterior right temporal lobectomy and adult normative data for the Brown Location Test. Epilepsy Behav 2010; 17:215-20. [PMID: 20056493 PMCID: PMC2825669 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2009] [Revised: 11/23/2009] [Accepted: 11/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Several large meta-analytic studies have failed to support a consistent relationship between visual or "nonverbal" memory deficits and right mesial temporal lobe changes. The Brown Location Test (BLT), a recently developed dot location learning and memory test, uses a nonsymmetrical array and provides control over many of the confounding variables (e.g., verbal influence and drawing requirements) inherent in other measures of visual memory. In the present investigation, we evaluated the clinical utility of the BLT in patients who had undergone left or right anterior mesial temporal lobectomy. We also provide normative data of 298 healthy adults for standardized scores. Results revealed significantly worse performance on the BLT in the right as compared to the left lobectomy group and the healthy adult normative sample. The present findings support a role for the right anterior mesial temporal lobe in dot location learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franklin C. Brown
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut,Keene Neuropsychology Clinic, Keene, New Hampshire
| | - Erin Tuttle
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Connecticut
| | | | - F. Richard Ferraro
- Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota
| | - Teresa Chmielowiec
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Connecticut
| | - Michelle Vandemore
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Connecticut
| | | | - Lisa Bemus
- Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota
| | - Robert M. Roth
- Neuropsychology Program, Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Hal Blumenfeld
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - Susan S Spencer
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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11
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Duff K, Leber WR, Patton DE, Schoenberg MR, Mold JW, Scott JG, Adams RL. Modified scoring criteria for the RBANS figures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 14:73-83. [PMID: 17523881 DOI: 10.1080/09084280701319805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Visual construction and memory tasks are routinely used in neuropsychological assessment, but their subjective scoring criteria can negatively affect the reliability of these instruments. The current study examined the standard scoring criteria for the Figure Copy and Recall subtests of the RBANS and compared them to a modified set of scoring criteria in two samples. In both a large community dwelling sample of older adults and in a mixed clinical sample, the original scoring criteria consistently led to lower scores than the modified criteria. Inter-rater reliability was high for the modified scoring criteria, and no age effects were found with the modified scoring criteria. In both samples, the modified scoring criteria led to Figure Copy scores that more closely approximated other performances on the RBANS compared to the standard criteria, whereas both scoring systems led to plausible Figure Recall scores. Despite these results, the present study cannot identify one scoring criterion as the "better," but only points out the significant differences between them. Such differences can have important clinical implications, and practitioners and researchers who utilize the RBANS with patient samples should be cautious when interpreting low scores on Figure Copy and Recall if the standard criteria are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Duff
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1000, USA.
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12
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Brown FC, Roth RM, Saykin AJ, Beverly-Gibson G. A new measure of visual location learning and memory: development and psychometric properties for the Brown Location Test (BLT). Clin Neuropsychol 2007; 21:811-25. [PMID: 17676546 PMCID: PMC4012424 DOI: 10.1080/13854040600878777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
There are a variety of well-established neuropsychological tests that are helpful in identifying global and specific verbal memory deficits. In contrast, tests of visual memory have produced less consistent results likely due in part to confounding variables such as verbal encodability, administration difficulties, and insufficient differentiation of among types of visual memory. The Brown Location Test (BLT) was designed to specifically measure visual memory for location of identical objects (dots) and address limitations found in commonly employed visual memory tests. This paper describes the empirical basis for the BLT and reports the psychometric properties of the test. Results indicate good internal and alternate form reliabilities. Factor analysis of a brief test battery confirmed that BLT performance is generally independent of verbal memory and global intellectual abilities. BLT performance declined with age, but there was no association between performance and gender, education, or intellectual functioning. In view of the favorable psychometric properties observed during preliminary studies, additional normative and validation studies in healthy and patient populations are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franklin C Brown
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT 06226, USA.
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13
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Wilhelm P, Van Klink M. Validity of the Rey Visual Design Learning Test in Primary and Secondary School Children. Child Neuropsychol 2007; 13:86-98. [PMID: 17364565 DOI: 10.1080/09297040600634579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The Rey Visual Design Learning Test (Rey, 1964, cited in Spreen & Strauss, 1991, Wilhelm, 2004) assesses immediate memory span, new learning, delayed recall and recognition for nonverbal material. Two studies are presented that focused on the construct validity of the RVDLT in primary and secondary school children. In the first study, primary school children performed the RVDLT and the Biber Figural Learning Test, as well as the WISC-R Block design Test, Boston Naming Test, and the Trailmaking Test, to assess discriminant validity. In the second study, the age range was expanded and the subtest Visual Reproductions of the Wechsler Memory Scale with a Delayed recall phase was used to assess the construct validity. A test for visual-motor integration and a test for attention, concentration, and speed of information processing were also added to complete the test battery for assessing discriminant validity. Moderate to high correlations were found between scores on the RVDLT and the tests used to assess construct validity. The correlational pattern of RVDLT scores and the scores on the discriminant tests is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Wilhelm
- Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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Woodward TS, Thornton AE, Ruff CC, Moritz S, Liddle PF. Material-specific episodic memory associates of the psychomotor poverty syndrome in schizophrenia. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2004; 9:213-27. [PMID: 16571582 DOI: 10.1080/13546800344000219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Episodic memory deficits consistently correlate with the presence of negative symptoms in schizophrenia, suggesting overlap between the underlying neural systems. Functional neuroimaging and lesion studies suggest that prefrontal hypoactivity may underlie both. The purpose of the present study was to further characterise this association in terms of functional lateralisation. A more pronounced association between psychomotor poverty and verbal memory deficits would suggest more left prefrontal overlap than right, and vice-versa for a more pronounced association with nonverbal memory deficits. METHODS A total of 68 inpatients (48 males, 20 females) diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participated in this study. We evaluated the correlation between verbal and nonverbal memory performance (assessed using the RAVLT and BVMT, respectively) and psychomotor poverty (assessed using the SSPI). RESULTS A trend towards a more pronounced association for nonverbal compared to verbal material was not upheld by conservative statistical testing. CONCLUSIONS Bilateral prefrontal overlap between psychomotor poverty and episodic memory is the most conservative interpretation of these data.
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Morrow BA, Roth RH, Elsworth JD. TMT, a predator odor, elevates mesoprefrontal dopamine metabolic activity and disrupts short-term working memory in the rat. Brain Res Bull 2000; 52:519-23. [PMID: 10974491 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-9230(00)00290-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Working memory has been proposed to require the proper functioning of the medial prefrontal cortex and its dopaminergic innervation. The dopaminergic input to the medial prefrontal cortex has been demonstrated to be sensitive to physical and psychological stress. In this report, we demonstrate that a brief exposure to 2, 5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT), an odor derived from a predator of the rat, the fox, resulted in elevated dopamine metabolism in the medial prefrontal cortex and elevated serum corticosterone. We tested the effects of this olfactory stress on working memory using a spontaneous, delayed, non-matching-to-sample task using object recognition methods. Rats were exposed to one set of objects and, after a delay of 1, 15 or 60 min, later demonstrated a robust working memory of the familiar object compared to a novel object. When rats were exposed to TMT during the 15-min delay, working memory was disrupted without altering exploratory behavior. We conclude from these studies that (1) TMT selectively activates mesoprefrontal dopamine neurons, (2) TMT exposure can disrupt working memory and (3) this disruption in working memory is not due to an overall suppression of exploratory behavior but may involve altered mesoprefrontal dopaminergic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Morrow
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8066, USA.
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