Articles tagged with Neuropsychology
Research by Université de Montrêl neuropsychologist Dave Ellemberg shows that adolescents are more sensitive to the effects of a sport-related concussion than adults or children. The study found that a first concussion can result in six months to a year of neurophysiological side effects for adolescents, adults, and children alike.
Researchers caution against relying solely on computerized neuropsychological tests (CNT) to determine when athletes can safely return to play after a concussion. The tests may not accurately measure an athlete's brain function and could lead to premature return, posing risks such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy and death.
A new study by University of Zurich researchers found that brain areas responsible for the left hand adapt to compensate for an immobile right arm. The study suggests using the undamaged arm to strengthen the affected one through therapy, offering a potential treatment approach for stroke patients.
Two Kessler Foundation researchers received over $100,000 in National Multiple Sclerosis Society grants to investigate cognitive impairments in MS. The studies aim to improve processing speed and understand the relationship between white matter damage and cognitive decline.
A Loyola University Health System study found that 35% of retired NFL players had scores suggesting possible mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which can be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. The average age of the players was 61, and their impairments were highly similar to those exhibited by patients with MCI.
A recent study published in Rehabilitation Psychology found that TBI victims who feel a strong connection to a higher power experience better emotional and physical rehabilitation outcomes. Social support also played a significant role in positive health outcomes.
Researchers developed a brief exam to identify frontal and temporal dysfunction in ALS patients, which can impact decision-making and treatment planning. The Penn State Brief Exam of Frontal and Temporal Dysfunction Syndromes (PSFTS) has been used in over 200 patients and is now standard care at the Medical Center.
A multicenter study found that older adults at risk for stroke have increased risk of verbal fluency decline and difficulty ignoring irrelevant information. The research suggests treating stroke risk factors may decrease executive function decline in otherwise healthy patients.
Researchers at the University of Granada have found that early neuropsychological rehabilitation significantly reduces cognitive, emotional, and behavioral after-effects in patients with acquired brain injury. The study proves that treating cognitive, emotional, and behavioral skills simultaneously improves patient outcomes.
University of Denver neuropsychologist Kim Gorgens states that most concussions deliver a significant force of 95g to the human body upon impact. This is significantly lower than the average football player's g-force, which reaches 103g during gameplay. The event also featured other notable speakers discussing pressing global issues.
Researchers created a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) using neuropsychological data from a multisite study. The results suggest that executive functioning and spatial processing are especially sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure, making these traits valuable in distinguishing between ch...
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that treating sleep disorders in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may not lead to improvements in daytime sleepiness. Despite significant reductions in sleep apnea severity, participants showed no changes in mood, quality of life, or cognitive performance.
Research reveals that adult-onset diabetes slows mental functioning in several ways, with deficits appearing early and persisting into old age. The study found that healthy adults performed significantly better than those with diabetes on executive functioning and processing speed tests.
A University of Missouri study suggests that spiritual experiences associated with selflessness are related to decreased activity in the right parietal lobe of the brain. Researchers found that individuals with traumatic brain injury reported higher levels of spiritual experiences, such as transcendence.
Researchers found that intra-individual variability in cognitive function improves dementia prediction beyond individual test scores. The Einstein Aging Study evaluated 897 individuals, identifying 61 cases of dementia, and showed that within-person variability across multiple tests predicts future dementia.
A study examining testing models to predict and diagnose new cases of dementia found that within-person variability on neuropsychological tests is linked to the development of dementia. The research, published in JAMA, suggests that this variability may be an independent predictor of dementia development.
A new study reveals that ownership increases value by enhancing the salience of possible loss, explaining the aversion to parting with possessions. The endowment effect is linked to increased activation in brain regions associated with predicted gain and loss.
Researchers found that electric shocks ranging from 120 to 52,000 volts can cause neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms in humans. Short-term follow-up showed 26% of patients experiencing new symptoms, while one-year follow-up revealed 28% still suffering from these symptoms.
A new study confirms that colour contrast is first detected by the primary visual cortex at the back of the brain. The brain processes colour contrast earlier than previously thought, making it a significant contribution to understanding how the brain functions.
A University of Pittsburgh study links changes in brain function to recovery in children and adolescents with concussions, using functional MRI scans. The findings confirm the importance of objective neuropsychological testing for safe return-to-play decisions.
A study by Timothy Salthouse found that cognitive scores vary significantly within test-takers as between age groups, raising questions about the validity of single test scores. Repeating tests over a short period may provide a more accurate range of scores, improving diagnostic workups.
A study found that U.S. Army soldiers deployed to the Iraq war experienced mild neuropsychological compromise, including poorer memory and sustained attention performance. The researchers suggest that these effects may persist into daily life and negatively impact occupational and psychosocial functioning.
A study of over 534 children found no significant differences in neuropsychological function between those with amalgam and resin composite materials. Higher urinary mercury levels were detected in the amalgam group, but no adverse effects were observed. The study concludes that mercury-containing amalgam should remain a viable clinica...
Researchers used DTI scans to analyze the movement of water molecules in brain fibers, finding abnormalities in neural pathways related to verbal memory and executive functioning. The study suggests that schizophrenia may result from differences in neural connections rather than single component faults.
A Université de Montréal study reveals that early- and late-onset blind subjects excel in spatial hearing tests, distinguishing sounds from ambient noise. This improvement may stem from increased time spent developing the sense of hearing and compensatory cortical adaptations.
A study found that 35% of women with noninvasive breast cancer had baseline cognitive impairment prior to chemotherapy, including deficits in verbal learning and memory. The research challenges previous studies' findings on the frequency of cognitive decline secondary to chemotherapy.
Visuospatial tests were found to be the most reliable predictors of driving skill in individuals with early-Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychological testing can help identify at-risk drivers and inform clinical decisions about driving restrictions.
Researchers found that African Americans scored lower on neuropsychological tests due to poor educational experiences, but incorporating reading tests addressed this issue. The study suggests that including reading assessments can improve diagnosis accuracy among individuals with diverse educational backgrounds.
Researchers examined abstinent alcoholics and healthy controls to investigate motor functioning, finding impaired limb movements, gait, and postural stability. Alcoholic men showed slower movement speeds and jerky movements, while women displayed less impairment but still struggled with postural instability.
Researchers investigate subtle cognitive changes and brain asymmetry as potential precursors to Alzheimer's Disease, using neuropsychological tests to track changes in cognition over time. The studies aim to identify individuals at high risk of developing the disease, enabling earlier intervention and minimizing brain damage.
A study found that alcoholic women exhibit impaired working memory and visuospatial abilities, which remain significant even after abstinence. The researchers also discovered that female hormones may offer some protection against these impairments.
A study of 393 male college football players found a link between multiple concussions and permanent neurological damage, particularly in athletes with pre-existing learning disabilities. Players with two or more concussions showed significant signs of long-term neurological damage, especially if they had an LD.
A Penn State neuropsychologist emphasizes the need for individualized assessment when determining an athlete's readiness to return to play after a concussion. Reliable Change scores can provide a general guideline, but their application is limited by factors such as practice effects and difficulty in determining significant differences.