Comparison of Wechsler Memory Scale–Fourth Edition (WMS–IV) and Third Edition (WMS–III) dimensional structures: Improved ability to evaluate auditory and visual constructs

Effects of psychopathic traits on preferential recall and recognition of emotionally evocative photos

Psychopathic traits are associated with impaired emotional processing. The present study examines the potential association between psychopathic traits and memory for emotional stimuli. Although a significant body of research suggests that memory is heightened for emotional stimuli, it is unclear how psychopathic traits may disrupt this process. Eighty-two male jail inmates completed an emotional memory task as well as portions of a standardised memory assessment. Psychopathic traits were not associated with the ability to freely recall images of positive, negative or neutral valence that participants had seen more than 15 min prior; psychopathic traits were also not associated with the ability to recognise these previously viewed images when shown them again. Exploratory analyses indicated trends toward reduced accuracy in recognising both positive and negative, but not neutral, emotional stimuli in individuals with higher levels of interpersonal and affective traits of psychopathy. As expected, psychopathy was unrelated to non-emotion-related memory functioning in auditory and visual domains as measured by the Wechsler Memory Scales 4th Edition. Overall, these results do not support the hypothesis that psychopathic traits significantly interfere with memory for emotional stimuli.

Assessing objective cognitive impairments in cancer survivors: Features and validity of measures for research and clinical applications

Objective

This narrative review aims to (1) identify neuropsychological tests for assessing cognitive function impairment in patients with cancer, specifically in the domains of attention and memory, (2) summarize the characteristics of these tests, including cognitive function domains, test content, readability, and psychometric quality, and (3) evaluate the feasibility of each test in cancer care.

Methods

Data sources include published test manuals, documents from official web pages, and published journal articles.

Results

Our study identified eight neuropsychological tests that are most frequently used to assess the attention and memory domains of objective cognitive function in patients with breast cancer. These tests include the California Verbal Learning Test, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, CNS Vital Signs, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Memory Scale, and Trail Making Test. They demonstrate acceptable evidence of psychometric quality and varying degrees of feasibility. Test feasibility is influenced by factors such as short testing time, brevity and comprehensiveness, clear cognitive domain distinctions, availability of normative data, minimal practice effects, ease of administration, and limited attention-span requirements. These attributes determine a test's feasibility for use in cancer care. Among the evaluated measures, the California Verbal Learning Test for memory, the Trail Making Test for attention, and the CNS Vital Signs for comprehensive assessment emerge as the most practical choices for cancer care.

Conclusions

The assessment and management of cognitive function impairment are crucial for enhancing the quality of life in cancer survivors. Nurses should possess knowledge of assessment tools for early detection and the ongoing monitoring of this symptom's progression.

Intraindividual variability measured with dispersion across diagnostic groups in a memory clinic sample

Increased intraindividual variability (IIV) has been linked to outcomes such as cognitive decline and dementia, suggesting IIV might add valuable diagnostic information beyond traditional neuropsychological interpretation. We explored whether a subtype of IIV, dispersion, can provide additional information for dementia diagnosis. In a sample of memory clinic patients, three cognitive status groups were identified: subjective cognitive impairment (SCI; n = 85), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI; n = 16), and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 48). Dispersion was computed as intraindividual standard deviations across multiple neuropsychological measures within three cognitive domains (executive functioning; immediate and delayed memory) and was compared for each diagnostic group using profile analysis. Patients with AD and a-MCI demonstrated less dispersion than patients with SCI in delayed memory. Results support existing theoretic perspectives on cognitive variability and age-related cognitive decline but suggest floor effects underlie suppression of dispersion in amnestic cognitive presentations. Questions remain about the contribution of IIV beyond impressions of impairment versus no impairment in these constrained representations of cognitive domains. Future investigations should investigate variability in SCI groups against controls to examine whether observed dispersion similarities between SCI and a-MCI or AD in immediate memory and executive functioning are meaningful.

Selected Wechsler Memory Scale norms and aging: Implications for assessment

The Wechsler Memory Scale-I was published in 1945, although it had been used clinically since 1940. Since the original publication, there have been three major revisions. The Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised was published in 1987, the Wechsler Memory Scale-III in 1997, and the Wechsler Memory Scale-IV in 2009. It is significant to note that all official versions of the memory scale have remained in clinical and research use well into the second decade of the 20th century. Each version of the scale was designed to assess memory and attention dysfunction in various clinical populations by comparing the discrepancy between intelligence and memory test performance using age-corrected standard scores. It has long been known that intellectual and memory performance declines with age. Most psychologists, however, are likely unaware of the extent of the decline with age or how this decline is manifested in the various versions of the Wechsler Memory Scale. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what selected norms accompanying each official version of the Wechsler Memory Scale reveal about aging and memory performance and discuss the possible clinical implications of such.

The challenge of neuropsychological assessment of visual/visuo-spatial memory: A critical, historical review, and lessons for the present and future

A proliferation of tests exists for the assessment of auditory-verbal memory processes. However, from a clinical practice perspective, the situation is less clear when it comes to the ready availability of reliable and valid tests for the evaluation of visual/visuo-spatial memory processes. While, at face value, there appear to be a wide range of available tests of visual/visuo-spatial memory, utilizing different types of materials and assessment strategies, a number of criticisms have been, and arguably should be, leveled at the majority of these tests. The criticisms that have been directed toward what are typically considered to be visual/visuo-spatial memory tests, such as (1) the potential for verbal mediation, (2) over-abstraction of stimuli, (3) the requirement of a drawing response, and (4) the lack of sensitivity to unilateral brain lesions, mean that, in reality, the number of readily available valid tests of visual/visuo-spatial memory is, at best, limited. This article offers a critical, historical review on the existing measures and resources for the neuropsychological assessment of visual/visuo-spatial memory, and it showcases some examples of newer tests that have aimed to overcome the challenges of assessing these important aspects of memory. The article also identifies new trends and examples of how technological advances such as virtual reality may add value to overcome previous obstacles to assessment, thereby offering professionals more reliable, accurate means to evaluate visual/visuo-spatial memory in clinical practice.

Circulating Progenitor Cells and Cognitive Impairment in Men and Women with Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND

Circulating progenitor cells (CPC) have been associated with memory function and cognitive impairment in healthy adults. However, it is unclear whether such associations also exist in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between CPCs and memory performance among individuals with CAD.

METHODS

We assessed cognitive function in 509 patients with CAD using the verbal and visual Memory subtests of the Wechsler memory scale-IV and the Trail Making Test parts A and B. CPCs were enumerated with flow cytometry as CD45med/CD34+ blood mononuclear cells, those co-expressing other epitopes representing populations enriched for hematopoietic and endothelial progenitors.

RESULTS

After adjusting for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, lower number of endothelial progenitor cell counts were independently associated with lower visual and verbal memory scores (p for all < 0.05). There was a significant interaction in the magnitude of this association with race (p < 0.01), such that the association of verbal memory scores with endothelial progenitor subsets was present in Black but not in non-Black participants. No associations were present with the hematopoietic progenitor-enriched cells or with the Trail Making Tests.

CONCLUSION

Lower numbers of circulating endothelial progenitor cells are associated with cognitive impairment in patients with CAD, suggesting a protective effect of repair/regeneration processes in the maintenance of cognitive status. Impairment of verbal memory function was more strongly associated with lower CPC counts in Black compared to non-Black participants with CAD. Whether strategies designed to improve regenerative capacity will improve cognition needs further study.

Relationship of Working Memory, Processing Speed, and Fluid Reasoning in Psychiatric Patients

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to investigate relationship among cognitive factors (working memory and processing speed) and fluid reasoning (Gf) in psychiatric patients using a standardized clinical tool.

METHODS

We included the responses of 115 heterogeneous patients who were diagnosed with the MINI-Plus 5.0 and WAIS-IV/WMSIV was administered. For our analysis, structured equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to evaluate which cognitive variables are closely related to the Gf.

RESULTS

The results showed that the visual working memory was the strongest predictor of the Gf compared to other cognitive factors.

CONCLUSION

Processing speed was capable of predicting the Gf, when visual working memory was controlled. The inter-relationship among the Gf and other cognitive factors and its clinical implications were further discussed.

Psychological disturbance and cognitive functioning in TBI patients

The current study examined psychopathology and neuropsychological test performance in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient sample. Previous research has found that the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - Second Edition (MMPI-2) indices of psychological disturbance were related to specific neuropsychological tests of attention and memory. Furthermore, higher scores on clinical scale 2 (Depression) and higher scores on the content scales of Fears and Bizarre Mentation of the MMPI-2 were related to poorer performance in, most notably, Attention and List Learning factors. The present study sought to extend the research by adding a neuropsychological measure of conceptual reasoning. A sample of 116 TBI patients referred for evaluation at a private practice clinic were administered a battery of neuropsychological measures of list learning, working memory, verbal memory, visuographic memory, and conceptual reasoning, as well as the MMPI-2 to assess emotional functioning. Regression analysis indicated that an overall model of MMPI-2 indices significantly predicted poorer performance on List Learning. More specifically, higher scores on the content scales of Obsessions and Fears were most robustly associated with poorer neuropsychological test performance for List Learning and Working Memory respectively. Findings suggest psychopathology is correlated with performance on neuropsychological measures for TBI patients.

Clinical utility of the Wechsler Memory Scale - Fourth Edition (WMS-IV) in patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy

INTRODUCTION

The Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) is one of the most widely used test batteries to assess memory functions in patients with brain dysfunctions of different etiologies. This study examined the clinical validation of the Dutch Wechsler Memory Scale - Fourth Edition (WMS-IV-NL) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

METHOD

The sample consisted of 75 patients with intractable TLE, who were eligible for epilepsy surgery, and 77 demographically matched healthy controls. All participants were examined with the WMS-IV-NL.

RESULTS

Patients with TLE performed significantly worse than healthy controls on all WMS-IV-NL indices and subtests (p<.01), with the exception of the Visual Working Memory Index including its contributing subtests, as well as the subtests Logical Memory I, Verbal Paired Associates I, and Designs II. In addition, patients with mesiotemporal abnormalities performed significantly worse than patients with lateral temporal abnormalities on the subtests Logical Memory I and Designs II and all the indices (p<.05), with the exception of the Auditory Memory Index and Visual Working Memory Index. Patients with either a left or a right temporal focus performed equally on all WMS-IV-NL indices and subtests (F(15, 50)=.70, p=.78), as well as the Auditory-Visual discrepancy score (t(64)=-1.40, p=.17).

CONCLUSION

The WMS-IV-NL is capable of detecting memory problems in patients with TLE, indicating that it is a sufficiently valid memory battery. Furthermore, the findings support previous research showing that the WMS-IV has limited value in identifying material-specific memory deficits in presurgical patients with TLE.

Nootropic efficacy of Satvavajaya Chikitsa and Ayurvedic drug therapy: A comparative clinical exposition

Introduction:

Ayurveda is known for philosophical basis, and its approach to psychological ailments is quite different from conventional system of management. Satvavajaya Chikitsa (Ayurvedic psychotherapy) is a nonpharmacological approach aimed at control of mind and restraining it from unwholesome Artha (objects) or stressors. Withdrawal of the mind from unwholesome objects is known as Sattvavajaya Chikitsa or it is a treatment by Self Control. Charaka defines it as a mind controlling therapy in which a stress has been laid on restraining of mind from unwholesome objects. Thus, it includes all the methods of Manonigraha and Astanga Yoga (Yogic techniques) too. Indian philosophy portrays Astanga Yoga as a primary tool to control mind; hence it can be used as Satvavajaya Chikitsa.

Aims and Objectives:

To evaluate efficacy of Satvavajaya Chikitsa and Aushadhiya Medhya Chikitsa for improving Smriti in young healthy volunteers.

Materials and Methods:

Totally, 102 physically healthy volunteers between age group 16 and 25 years were divided into two groups. In Group A, Satvavajaya Chikitsa was adopted in form of Yogic procedures such as Asana, Pranayama, Chanting etc., with counseling and placebo. Group B was Shankhapushpi tablets made with whole part of Shankhpushpi plant was used as standard control. The Weschler's memory scale (WMS) was adopted to collect data before and after intervention period of 2 months. Paired and Unpaired t-test were used for analysis the data in Sigmastat Software.

Results:

Group A (Satvavajaya + placebo) with counseling showed statistically highly significant result (P < 0.001) in verbal retention for similar pair, verbal retention for dissimilar pair and visual immediate tests; while Group B (Shankhapushpi tablets) showed significant result (P < 0.01) in auditory delayed, visual delayed, auditory recognition and visual recognition tests.

Conclusion:

Satvavajaya Chikitsa shows better results in immediate recollection in terms of short-term memory; while Shankhapushpi found much better in long-term memory enhancement on various tests of WMS.

Clinical utility of the Wechsler Memory Scale--Fourth Edition (WMS-IV) in predicting laterality of temporal lobe epilepsy among surgical candidates

This study evaluated the accuracy of the Wechsler Memory Scale--Fourth Edition (WMS-IV) in identifying functional cognitive deficits associated with seizure laterality in localization-related temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) relative to a previously established measure, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Emerging WMS-IV studies have highlighted psychometric improvements that may enhance its ability to identify lateralized memory deficits. Data from 57 patients with video-EEG-confirmed unilateral TLE who were administered the WMS-IV and RAVLT as part of a comprehensive presurgical neuropsychological evaluation for temporal resection were retrospectively reviewed. We examined the predictive accuracy of the WMS-IV not only in terms of verbal versus visual composite scores but also using individual subtests. A series of hierarchal logistic regression models were developed, including the RAVLT, WMS-IV delayed subtests (Logical Memory, Verbal Paired Associates, Designs, Visual Reproduction), and a WMS-IV verbal-visual memory difference score. Analyses showed that the RAVLT significantly predicted laterality with overall classification rates of 69.6% to 70.2%, whereas neither the individual WMS-IV subtests nor the verbal-visual memory difference score accounted for additional significant variance. Similar to previous versions of the WMS, findings cast doubt as to whether the WMS-IV offers significant incremental validity in discriminating seizure laterality in TLE beyond what can be obtained from the RAVLT.

An examination of associations between the inability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and clinical characteristics and trait markers in first-episode, nonaffective psychotic disorders

Research findings are mixed as to whether or not the inability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) might represent an endophenotypic trait marker for schizophrenia. We hypothesized associations between PTC-tasting status and select clinical characteristics and trait markers in patients with psychotic disorders that, if present, would provide support for the inability to taste PTC as a trait marker. In a first-episode psychosis sample (n=93), we measured PTC tasting, family history of psychosis, age at onset of prodrome and psychosis, severity of positive and negative symptoms, global impairment in functioning, neurological soft signs, and four neurocognitive domains (verbal learning/memory, visual learning/memory, verbal working memory, and spatial working memory). Associations between PTC-non-tasting and clinical/neurocognitive variables were examined with χ(2) tests and independent samples t tests. Among participants, 67.7% tasted PTC in comparison to a strip of control paper, and 25.8% were non-tasters. Tasters and non-tasters did not show statistically significant differences with respect to family history, age at onset, severity of symptoms, neurological soft signs, or the four neurocognitive domains. In conjunction with other findings, it is unlikely that PTC-non-tasting is a trait marker of schizophrenia, though a conclusive study is warranted.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the WAIS-IV and WMS-IV in Older Adults

New editions of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence and Memory scales are now available. Yet, given the significant changes in these new releases and the skepticism that has met them, independent evidence on their psychometric properties is much needed but currently lacking. We administered the WAIS-IV and the Older Adult version of the WMS-IV to 145 older adults. We examined how closely our data matched the normative sample by comparing our scaled scores with those of the publisher and by evaluating interrelations among subtests using confirmatory factor analysis. Not surprisingly, scaled scores from our sample were somewhat higher than those from the normative sample on some tests. Factor analysis on our sample provided support for a higher-order model of the WAIS-IV/WMS-IV Older Adults battery combined. In addition, allowing some subtests to load on more than one factor significantly improved model fit. The best fitting model for our sample was also the best for the normative sample. Overall, the data suggest that the factor analysis models generated from the normative samples for the new WAIS-IV and WMS-IV are reliable.

A brief review of cognitive assessment in neurotoxicology

Among commercial and industrial chemicals, cosmetics, food additives, pesticides, and medicinal drugs, there are more than 50,000 substances distributed. Neurotoxic insults to the brain can manifest in many different ways, especially involving cognition. Given many possible differences in the pathophysiology of neurotoxic exposure and related cognitive sequelae, a systematic method of cognitive assessment is important for appropriate management of neurotoxic exposure. In the context of Neurotoxicology, this article briefly reviews the contemporary literature and the utility of cognitive assessment tools that are used in neuropsychology.