Difficulties In Cognitive Functioning Research Articles

An Overview of Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Promising Herbal Remedy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive brain disease that gradually reduces a person’s ability to think clearly, remember things, and even carry out simple cognitive tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. Although the exact cause is still unknown, genetic factors account for 5 to 10% of instances having a family origin. The damage leads to significant degeneration of the afflicted areas, resulting in memory loss, impaired capacity to acquire new knowledge, fluctuations in mood, difficulties in cognitive functioning, and an inability to do basic everyday tasks. However, it is still commonly acknowledged as the primary reason of dementia worldwide. The two chief pathological landscapes of AD are the build-up of substances outside the cells and the formation of twisted fibers within the cells, known as neurofibrillary tangles. Accumulation of Aβ amyloid (Aβ) initiates neurodegeneration, leading to the development of clinical dementia, which is a defining feature of AD.

B - 109 Neurorehabilitation in Pediatric Acquired Brain Injuries: the Need for More Evidence Based Research.

Many children after sustaining an acquired brain injury (ABI) have noticeable changes in cognitive functioning (CF) making transitioning back to school difficult (Vanderlind et al., 2022). Neurorehabilitation helping to alleviate difficulties in CF are crucial to helping children succeed in school, however there is limited research on the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation in pediatric ABI's (Stark et al., 2020). This poster aims to highlight the current literature surrounding neurorehabilitation in pediatric ABI and recommendations for future research. Literature was obtained using PsychInfo and PubMed and searching keywords such as pediatric ABI, neurorehabilitation, and CF. Selected articles from 2000-2022 were reviewed and main findings were consolidated. Cognitive domains affected after an ABI include memory, executive functioning, and attention (Stark et al., 2020). Programs like AIM, NeuroPage, Captains Log, Cognitive Remediation Program, and MITII have been studied to test their effectiveness in alleviating these cognitive difficulties in pediatric ABI's (Linden et al., 2018, Wilson et al., 2009, Piovesana et al., 2017, Treble-Barna et al., 2016). According to the literature the only program that showed an improvement in CF was NeuroPage (Wilson et al., 2009). Research conducted on the efficacy of neurorehabilitation programs for memory, executive functioning, and attention in pediatric ABI's has shown mixed results. Due to the likelihood of children having difficulties in academic performance after an ABI, it is crucial that psychologists focus on research addressing the efficacy of interventions for these cognitive domains. Future research should focus on creating interventions that successfully target and improve CF in pediatric ABI.

Impairment of cognitive functions in children and adolescents with focal epilepsy

IntroductionFrontal Lobe Epilepsy (FLE) and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) are the two most frequent types of focal epilepsies and they are connected with difficulties in cognitive functioning. Despite multiple trials to systematize profile of cognitive functioning among children with epilepsy by researchers, the available data are ambiguous. The aim of our study was to compare the cognitive function of children upon diagnosis of TLE and FLE and during follow-up and to compare with a control group of healthy children. Material and methodsStudy included 39 patients with newly diagnosed TLE, 24 patients with FLE whose first epileptic seizure occurred between their 6th and 12th year of life and 24 healthy children matched by age, sex and IQ level. Neuropsychological examination was performed the moment of diagnosis and 2–3 years later using diagnostic tools validated and standardized to the patient’s age. Intergroup comparison was conducted in both stages of study. Also, correlation between localization of epileptic focus and cognitive difficulties was analysed. ResultsChildren with FLE and TLE accomplished worse results in most of the cognitive tasks compared to the control group already in the initial examination. Patients with FLE presented difficulties in memorizing verbal and visual material, attention and in learning new information. Patients with TLE had difficulties in tasks engaging verbal and non-verbal memory and attention. In the follow-up, patients with FLE presented more severe cognitive impairment compared with the other groups. Despite similar tendencies among children with TLE significantly worse results in tasks engaging verbal memory and attention were observed among patients with FLE. It is noteworthy that patients suffering from FLE and TLE present deficits in many aspects of cognitive functioning already at the time of diagnosis. ConclusionChildren and adolescents suffering from epilepsy are at risk of psychosocial difficulties, emotional disorders and mental illnesses. Thus, full assessment of cognitive function is essential in this patient group not only at the moment of diagnosis but also during follow-up in order to quickly introduce an individual support system.

A systematic review of illness representations in patients with mild traumatic brain injury

Introduction: Little is known about the cognitive and emotional perceptions of patients with mild traumatic brain injury, although studies showed patients experiencing difficulties in cognitive functioning and psychological impacts following their injury. This systematic review aims to identify the current literature regarding illness representation dimensions in mild traumatic brain injury and their related factors. Methods: A search of electronic databases was completed using PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science, which were published from 2002 to April 2020. Studies were assessed for quality and bias, and data were analyzed using narrative synthesis. Results: The initial search yielded 155 studies, and ten were included. The results showed that patients had negative perceptions toward their mild traumatic brain injury. Some dimensions of illness representation were found to have relationships to their post-concussion symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder, and quality of life of mild traumatic brain injury patients. Conclusions: The illness representations can be applied to such patients because it is able to explain symptoms and related factors that indicate their recovery process. The findings help trauma nurses to build interventions based on the dimensions of illness representations to generate appropriate perceptions after injury, and may to enhance the recovery process and outcomes.

Distressing psychotic-like experiences, cognitive functioning and early developmental markers in clinically referred young people aged 8\u201318\xa0years

PurposeNeurocognitive difficulties and early childhood speech/motor delays are well documented amongst older adolescents and young adults considered at risk for psychosis-spectrum diagnoses. We aimed to test associations between unusual or psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), co-occurring distress/emotional symptoms, current cognitive functioning and developmental delays/difficulties in young people (aged 8–18 years) referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in South London, UK.MethodsStudy 1 examined receptive language, verbal learning and caregiver-reported speech and motor delays/difficulties in a sample of 101 clinically-referred children aged 8–14 years, comparing those reporting no PLEs (n = 19), PLEs without distress (n = 16), and PLEs with distress (n = 66). Study 2 tested associations of severity of distressing PLEs with vocabulary, perceptual reasoning, word reading and developmental delays/difficulties in a second sample of 122 adolescents aged 12–18 years with distressing PLEs.ResultsIn Study 1, children with distressing PLEs had lower receptive language and delayed recall and higher rates of developmental delays/difficulties than the no-PLE and non-distressing PLE groups (F values: 2.3–2.8; p values: < 0.005). Receptive language (β = 0.24, p = 0.03) and delayed recall (β = − 0.17, p = 0.02) predicted PLE distress severity. In Study 2, the cognitive-developmental variables did not significantly predict PLE distress severity (β values = 0.01–0.22, p values: > 0.05).ConclusionFindings may be consistent with a cognitive-developmental model relating distressing PLEs in youth with difficulties in cognitive functioning. This highlights the potential utility of adjunctive cognitive strategies which target mechanisms associated with PLE distress. These could be included in cognitive-behavioural interventions offered prior to the development of an at-risk mental state in mental health, educational or public health settings.

Kompetencje pedagoga w responsywnych oddziaływaniach a efektywność terapii dzieci z zaburzeniami ze spektrum autyzmu

Every child requires an individual and subjective approach – regardless of the difficulties they experience. Each of them has their own pace and rhythm of development. Children’s development can often be disharmonious. It’s important to know that a child’s age is not always equal to their developmental age. If we look at autistic children – their situation is even more complex. Developmental disharmony, difficulties in cognitive functioning, emotional and social communication deficits – just these few challenges mean that autistic children make up one of the most challenging groups to work with for educators. When setting up and executing therapeutic, educational and educational goals, designed to minimize these unwanted behaviors and develop positive ones, it’s easy for educators to forget that they are not working with a “case” but an individual human being. A human being for whom they take responsibility, shaping their internal and external world. Therefore, the choice of therapy goal, choice of methods or forms of work should never take superiority over the child’s individuality. Some authors claim that: “treatment of a child with autism is a race against time” – there is no way to disagree with this statement, but it is worth adding that it’s the child who should be managing that time.

Contribution of executive functions to eating behaviours in obesity and eating disorders.

Patients with eating disorders (ED) or obesity show difficulties in tasks assessing decision-making, set-shifting abilities and central coherence. The aim of this study was to explore executive functions in eating and weight-related problems, ranging from restricting types of ED to obesity. Two hundred and eighty-eight female participants (75 with obesity; 149 with ED: 76 with restrictive eating, 73 with bingeing-purging symptoms; and 64 healthy controls) were administered the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Iowa Gambling Task, and the Group Embedded Figures Test to assess set-shifting, decision-making and central coherence, respectively. Participants with either obesity or ED performed poorly on tests measuring executive functioning compared with healthy controls, even after controlling for age and intelligence. Both participants with obesity and participants with ED showed a preference for global information processing. The findings suggest that treatments for obesity and ED would benefit from addressing difficulties in cognitive functioning, in addition to the more evident clinical symptoms related to eating, body weight and shape.

An analysis of cognitive functioning of children and youth with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in the context of glycemic control.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the cognitive functioning of children and youth with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). The study included 68 children with type 1 diabetes, aged 6-17 years, divided into 3 groups according to the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c): group 1: HbA1c ≤ 6.0-7.5%; group 2: HbA1c 7.6-8.5%; group 3: HbA1c over 8.6%. Wechsler's intelligence scale (WISC-R), the Trail of 10 words and Brickenkamp's and Zillmer's d2 Test of Attention were used to assess cognitive functioning. The research demonstrated a significant influence of low, medium or high glycaemic control on lowering the general level of functioning in verbal intelligence, and in WISC-R subtests: information, vocabulary, comprehension, number sequencing and block design. Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus can experience difficulties in cognitive functioning, as a consequence of high HbA1c. Additional research, involving a larger group of patients and a wider age range when the disease was diagnosed, will enable further findings on the occurrence of cognitive impairment in T1DM.

Filling the glass: Effects of a positive psychology intervention on executive task performance in chronic pain patients.

BackgroundChronic pain is associated with emotional problems as well as difficulties in cognitive functioning. Prior experimental studies have shown that optimism, the tendency to expect that good things happen in the future, and positive emotions can counteract pain‐induced task performance deficits in healthy participants. More specifically, induced optimism was found to buffer against the negative effects of experimental pain on executive functioning. This clinical experiment examined whether this beneficial effect can be extended to a chronic pain population.MethodsPatients (N = 122) were randomized to a positive psychology Internet‐based intervention (PPI; n = 74) or a waiting list control condition (WLC; n = 48). The PPI consisted of positive psychology exercises that particularly target optimism, positive emotions and self‐compassion.ResultsResults demonstrated that patients in the PPI condition scored higher on happiness, optimism, positive future expectancies, positive affect, self‐compassion and ability to live a desired life despite pain, and scored lower on pain catastrophizing, depression and anxiety compared to patients in the WLC condition. However, executive task performance did not improve following completion of the PPI, compared to the WLC condition.ConclusionsDespite the lack of evidence that positive emotions and optimism can improve executive task performance in chronic pain patients, this study did convincingly demonstrate that it is possible to increase positive emotions and optimism in chronic pain patients with an online positive psychology intervention. It is imperative to further explore amendable psychological factors that may reduce the negative impact of pain on executive functioning.SignificanceWe demonstrated that an Internet‐based positive psychology intervention strengthens optimism and positive emotions in chronic pain patients. These emotional improvements are not associated with improved executive task performance. As pain itself often cannot be relieved, it is imperative to have techniques to reduce the burden of living with chronic pain.

The clinical image of memory, attention, and executive functions in a school-aged child with autoimmune epilepsy: A case study

The aim of this study was to identify specific aspects of the cognitive and socioemotional functioning of a school-age child with autoimmune-resistant epilepsy, and to provide a detailed explanation of the executive dysfunctions significant in this type of disorder. A battery of neuropsychological tests and clinical trials were used to neuropsychologically diagnose an eight-year-old girl. Data from an interview with the patient’s mother, observational data, and the results of previous psychological and medical tests were also taken account. Neuropsychological diagnosis was performed in line with the clinical–experimental and psychometric -test models. The patient’s current level of intellectual functions is below average. The patient obtained low results in tests examining executive functions, direct auditory memory, phonemic hearing, and visual–spatial organization. In comparison with children of her age group and with similar intelligence quotients, she obtained average results relating to tasks involving direct visual memory. No difficulty was seen in terms of semantic fluency, concentration, or persistence of the attention process. Executive dysfunctions are among the dominant disorders seen in clinical settings; these significantly hinder the systematic and orderly organization of the child’s learning process. Such difficulties in cognitive functioning, but also in emotional and social functioning, can significantly impede the normal development of the child.

Experiences of peer exclusion and victimization, cognitive functioning, and depression among adolescent cancer survivors in South Korea.

Adolescents who reenter school after treatment for cancer may face certain challenges, such as social exclusion by their peers and difficulties in cognitive functioning, due to the cancer treatment and its psychosocial sequelae. Such challenges may have an impact on their mental health. This cross-sectional study examined the impact of peer exclusion-victimization and cognitive functioning on depression among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. A total of 175 adolescent survivors of childhood cancer between the ages of 13 and 19 years completed a self-reported questionnaire. Their mean age was 15.33 years (SD = 1.65), the mean time since diagnosis was 7.97 years (SD = 3.91), and 49.7% experienced at least 1 kind of peer exclusion in school. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the effects of survivors' experiences related to peer exclusion-victimization and cognitive functioning on depression, controlling for demographic (age and gender) and cancer-related (cancer type, time since diagnosis, recurrence) characteristics. The model with peer exclusion-victimization and cognitive functioning as predictors accounted for 27.9% of the variance in depression. More experiences in peer exclusion-victimization (β = .200, p = .024) and lower cognitive functioning (β = -.465, p < .001) were associated with greater levels of depression. Understanding the impact of survivors' experiences of peer exclusion-victimization and cognitive functioning on their mental health will help professionals to provide appropriate counseling services to moderate peer exclusion-victimization as well as resources for academic performance for those cancer survivors at risk for depression. (PsycINFO Database Record

Cognitive abilities and theory of mind in explaining communicative-pragmatic disorders in patients with schizophrenia

Patients with schizophrenia usually show an impairment in their communicative-pragmatic performance; they also have difficulties in cognitive functioning and Theory of Mind (ToM). In the literature it has been proposed that ToM and cognitive deficits have a role in explaining the communicative-pragmatic difficulties of patients with schizophrenia. However, the exact interplay of these functions is still not completely clear. The present research investigates the relationship between communicative-pragmatic, ToM and cognitive impairments (i.e. general intelligence, selective attention, speed processing and EF -working memory, inhibition and flexibility-) in a sample of 26 individuals with schizophrenia and matched controls. The linguistic and extralinguistic scales of the Assessment Battery of Communication (ABaCo), and a series of ToM and cognitive tasks were administered to patients and healthy controls. The results showed that individuals with schizophrenia performed less well than controls in all the tasks investigated. However, a hierarchical regression analysis showed that only ToM, and not cognitive functions, seems to be a predictive variable of patients’ performance. Finally, a Fisher's exact test showed that there was not a stable significant relationship between ToM or EF and pragmatic impairment.

Perceived cognitive impairments after critical illness: a longitudinal study in survivors and family member controls.

Many former intensive care unit (ICU) patients report difficulties in cognitive functions especially in their daily life. We aimed to measure perceived cognitive impairments in daily life in survivors of critical illness and their family member controls (FMC). Perceived cognitive impairments were assessed two times after ICU discharge using an adapted German version of the "Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function" questionnaire. After 3 months, 127 former patients and 52 FMC participated and 103/127 patients and 36/52 FMC were followed up after 6 months. Baseline information was obtained retrospectively. We found no significant differences between the patient sample and FMC, 3 and 6 months after ICU discharge. Based on questionnaire ratings, cluster analysis divided patients and FMC into a cognitively 'impaired' and a 'non-impaired' cluster. Questionnaire scales differed significantly prior to ICU admission as well as 3 and 6 months after ICU discharge between both clusters. While differences between patients and FMC were less pronounced in the 'non-impaired' cluster, patients were significantly more impaired than FMC at 3 and 6 months after ICU discharge in the 'impaired' cluster. A substantial part of former patients were affected by post-ICU cognitive impairment in daily life. Pre-existing cognitive impairments were a risk factor. These patients would probably profit from tailored neurorehabilitative therapy. Therefore, an efficient tool to identify potential patients for neurorehabilitation is needed. The questionnaire revealed good psychometric properties. We recommend a comprehensive validation of the questionnaire in this patient population.

Subtle visuomotor difficulties in preclinical Alzheimer's disease.

Individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease (Pre-AD) present nonimpaired cognition, as measured by standard neuropsychological tests. However, detecting subtle difficulties in cognitive functions may be necessary for an early diagnosis and intervention. A new computer-based visuomotor coordination task (VMC) was developed to investigate the possible presence of early visuomotor difficulties in Pre-AD individuals. Associations between VMC task performance and AD biomarkers were studied. The influence of ApoE status on participants' performance was addressed, as well as the relationship between performance and subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Sixty-six cognitively normal (CN) elders (19 Pre-AD and 47 control participants [CTR]) and 15 patients with AD performed the VMC task, which consisted in executing visually guided goal-directed movements that required the coordination of the visual and motor systems. All participants underwent ApoE analysis and lumbar puncture. CN participants also completed an extensive standard neuropsychological battery. Despite presenting normal cognition in standard tests, Pre-AD participants exhibited higher response times (RTs) to complete the VMC task than CTR (p<.01). Besides, patients with AD showed higher RTs than CTR (p<.001) and Pre-AD (p<.05), and more errors than CTR (p<.005). RTs in ApoE4 carriers were higher than that observed in ApoE4 noncarriers (p<.01). In CN individuals, RTs were related to amyloid β-protein 42 (AB42) biomarker (p<.01) and informant-rated SCD (p<.01). The VMC task is able to discriminate Pre-AD from CTR individuals. Moreover, VMC results are associated with AB42 levels in CN individuals, suggesting that visuomotor dysfunction may be a sensitive marker of Pre-AD.

Cognitive and emotional functioning in binge-eating disorder: A systematic review.

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating and is associated with eating disorder and general psychopathology and overweight/obesity. Deficits in cognitive and emotional functioning for eating disorders or obesity have been reported. However, a systematic review on cognitive and emotional functioning for individuals with BED is lacking. A systematic literature search was conducted across three databases (Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO). Overall, n = 57 studies were included in the present review. Regarding cognitive functioning (CoF), individuals with BED consistently demonstrated higher information processing biases compared to obese and normal-weight controls in the context of disorder-related stimuli (i.e., food and body cues), whereas CoF in the context of neutral stimuli appeared to be less affected. Thus, results suggest disorder-related rather than general difficulties in CoF in BED. With respect to emotional functioning (EmF), individuals with BED reported difficulties similar to individuals with other eating disorders, with a tendency to show less severe difficulties in some domains. In addition, individuals with BED reported greater emotional deficits when compared to obese and normal-weight controls. Findings suggest general difficulties in EmF in BED. Thus far, however, investigations of EmF in disorder-relevant situations are lacking. Overall, the cross-sectional findings indicate BED to be associated with difficulties in CoF and EmF. Future research should determine the nature of these difficulties, in regards to general and disorder-related stimuli, and consider interactions of both domains to foster the development and improvement of appropriate interventions in BED.

Chemobrain

Patients with neoplastic disease often experience difficulties in cognitive functioning, a condition known as “chemobrain.” However, “chemobrain” is a misnomer as it is not only caused by chemotherapy. The prevalence of chemobrain varies between 17% and 75%, depending on studies and co-factors. Unfortunately, chemobrain is often not recognized by physicians. Increased awareness of the “chemobrain” concept has been shown to increase reporting of cognitive symptoms. Chemobrain essentially denotes difficulties in memory, concentration, and processing speed. It contributes to fatigue and increased distress, which can potentially lead to anxiety, depression, and, ultimately, loss of overall ability to function. It is important to recognize chemobrain in order to treat the causal factors that are reversible or modifiable. Management requires a multidisciplinary approach. For long-term cancer survivors with persistent chemobrain, pharmacological and behavioral interventions may help restore some of the lost functions and improve overall quality of life. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2014; 44(7):334–338.]

Cognitive flexibility and Agouti-related protein in adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa

Cognitive flexibility and the flexible learning and relearning of stimulus-reward-associations are important for decision-making and goal-directed behavior. Studies on patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) have shown difficulties in cognitive functions associated with malnutrition and extreme underweight. However, to date we find a lack of neuropsychological studies on cognitive flexibility among adolescent patients with AN. Furthermore, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we aim to examine cognitive functions, especially reward association learning, as a measure of cognitive flexibility in adolescent patients with AN and investigate the relationship between Agouti-related protein (AGRP) and cognitive functions. The study population consists of 30 patients with AN (M(age)=16.2 ± 1.2) and a healthy control group (CG) of 28 female adolescents (M(age)=16.3 ± 1.3). All subjects completed a neuropsychological test battery including the probabilistic Object Reversal Task, the Digit Symbol Test and the Trail Making Test. Patients with AN were explored before and after weight gain, the CG initially and after 3 months. Subtle deficits in cognitive flexibility were found in patients with AN compared to the CG. After weight gain, the AN group improved relative to their baseline values in most of the variables but did not reach CG values. They still showed slight impairments. Moreover the study revealed a clear association between AGRP levels and cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility plays an important role in AN and may be modulated by abnormal levels of the appetite-regulating peptide AGRP. Even subtle impairments in cognitive flexibility can be relevant for the ability to fully engage in therapy and therefore may hinder a prosperous treatment.

Cognitive functioning and behaviour of epileptic children in parents' assessment

Background and purposeCognitive functioning and behaviour of chronically ill children are affected by many factors, including anxiety due to hospitalization, persistent symptoms of sickness and adverse side effects of medications. The aim of this work was to seek out parents' opinion concerning cognitive functioning and behaviour of children with epilepsy. Material and methodsThe study comprised 156 children with epilepsy aged 7–18 and treated in the Department of Developmental Neurology at Karol Marcinkowski Poznan University of Medical Sciences and in an outpatient clinic. The research tool used was the questionnaire Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy (QOLCE) completed by parents. Assessment of cognitive functioning and behaviour was based on the analysis of the areas V (cognitive processes) and VII (behaviour). ResultsParents assessed children's functioning in the areas of cognitive processes and behaviour at a similar level – 55 points. In the area of cognitive processes, concentration while performing some tasks and reading was assessed as the worst. A significant difference in caregivers' assessment was found according to age, frequency of seizures and duration of disease. In the area analysing the child's behaviour, parents indicated getting angry easily and not being upset by other people's opinions. The display of aggression towards others got the lowest number of comments. ConclusionsThe children's functioning was assessed by parents as rather poor in both analysed areas. Parents of children treated with polytherapy noticed more difficulties in cognitive functioning and behaviour than parents of children treated with one medication.

Cognitive functioning in relation to burnout symptoms and social and occupational functioning in a population-based sample of young adults

Background: There may be an association between cognitive functioning and burnout, but this has previously been investigated in only few studies, all using clinical samples. Aims: This study aimed at examining the relationship of cognitive functioning with burnout symptoms and social and occupational functioning in a population-based sample of young adults. Methods: Neuropsychological tests assessing verbal and visual short-term memory, verbal long-term memory, general intelligence, attention, psychomotor processing speed and executive functioning were administered to a population-based sample of working young adults aged 22–35 years (n=225). Burnout was measured with the Maslach Burnout Survey—General Survey (MBI-GS) and social and occupational functioning with examiner-rated Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS). Results: Higher scores in the MBI-GS related to better performance in tests of verbal working memory and general intelligence. Lower SOFAS associated with poorer performance in tests assessing verbal attention, memory and learning. Conclusions: In a representative population sample of young adults, self-reported symptoms of burnout are not associated with difficulties in cognitive functioning. However, examiner-rated lower social and occupational functioning is related to problems in verbal attention, memory and learning, suggesting the importance of evaluating and enhancing cognitive functioning among those with difficulties in social and occupational functioning.

Self-reported cognitive symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury are poorly associated with neuropsychological performance in OIF/OEF veterans

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is not uncommon among Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans, and many individuals within this group report lingering cognitive difficulties following their injury. For Department of Veterans Affairs clinicians, an accurate assessment of cognitive symptoms is important in providing appropriate clinical care. Although self-assessment is commonly employed to screen for difficulties in cognitive functioning, little is known about the accuracy of self-report in this population. This study collected cognitive, psychiatric, and self-report data from 105 OIF/OEF veterans with mTBI to examine the relationship between self-reported cognitive functioning and objective neuropsychological test performance. Additionally, clinicians who frequently work with OIF/OEF veterans were asked to predict the magnitude of these associations. Self-reported cognitive functioning was not significantly correlated with objective cognitive abilities, suggesting that objective neuropsychological testing should be used when cognitive weakness is suspected. Perceived cognitive deficits were associated with depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, illustrating the additional importance of adequate assessment and treatment of psychiatric symptoms. Clinicians tended to overestimate the association between self-report and test performance.