Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Research Articles

Measure of Auditory Working Memory Span Using Monosyllabic Word Recognition Test in Young Adults With Normal Hearing: A Preliminary Study.

Measuring working memory at hearing clinics is important. This study attempted to develop a test protocol that measures auditory working memory using a standardized monosyllabic word list in Korean Speech Audiometry (KSA). We included 25 young adults with normal hearing in this study. Participants conducted word recognition and word span tests concurrently using the KSA monosyllabic word lists. We designed four test conditions according to the presence or absence of background noise and word recall order: quiet-forward (QF), quiet-backward (QB), noise-forward, (NF), and noise-backward (NB). We implemented digit span tests in the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (K-WAIS-IV) to determine the validity of the working memory outcomes. Word recognition scores of QF and QB were significantly higher than those of NF and NB. The percentages of correctly recalled words and word recall span scores were highest in QF and lowest in NB. Overall, the Pearson correlation and multiple regression statistics showed that our word span test outcomes for QB and NF were highly associated with digit span scores on the K-WAIS-IV. Our proposed test protocol showed the possibility of measuring auditory working memory and monosyllabic word recognition simultaneously by validating the results with K-WAIS-IV outcomes.

Fermented Laminaria japonica improves working memory and antioxidant defense mechanism in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study

A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study was used to determine the cognitive functions related to working memory (WM) and antioxidant properties of fermented Laminaria japonica (FLJ) on healthy volunteers. Eighty participants were divided into a placebo group (n = 40) and FLJ group (n = 40) that received FLJ (1.5 g/day) for 6 weeks. Memory-related blood indices (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF; angiotensin-converting enzyme; human growth hormone, HGH; insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1) and antioxidant function-related indices (catalase, CAT; malondialdehyde, MDA; 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine, 8-oxo-dG; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were determined before and after the trial. In addition, standardized cognitive tests were conducted using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Batteries. Furthermore, the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS)-IV, and the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) were used to assess the pre and post intake changes on WM-related properties. According to the results, FLJ significantly increased the level of CAT, BDNF, HGH, and IGF-1. FLJ reduced the level of TBARS, MDA, and 8-oxo-dG in serum. Furthermore, FLJ improved physical activities related to cognitive functions such as K-WAIS-IV, MoCA-K, Paired Associates Learning, and Spatial Working Memory compared to the placebo group. Our results suggest that FLJ is a potential candidate to develop functional materials reflecting its capability to induce antioxidant mechanisms together with WM-related indices.

Depressive Symptom Severity-Related Clinical Characteristics in Korean Male Patients with Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Objectives : Methamphetamine (MA) use continually increases in world wide. MA users present diverse psychiatric comorbidities. The presence of these comorbid symptoms is positively correlated with poorer treatment outcomes and greater utilization of health care services. Depressive symptoms, in particular, are considered to be some of the most common psychiatric symptoms in this population Our study aimed to investigate depressive symptom severity-related clinical characteristics in male Korean methamphetamine (MA) users. Methods : The inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) male; (ii) age iI 18 years; (iii) a diagnosis of stimulant use disorder, especially for amphetamine-type substances, according to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5); and (iv) positive urine test for MA at the time of admission. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (i) patients who were diagnosed with cognitive disorders, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorders; and (ii) patients who were diagnosed with significant physical illnesses, such as cerebrovascular, cardiovascular , or neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, a total of 200 Korean male patients with MA use disorder were included in our study. By reviewing the medical records of 200 male MA users hospitalized in a substance addiction treatment center of South Korea, the clinical characteristics in a MA abstinent state, including scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Symptom Checklist-90-R Revised (SCL-90-R), and Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (KWAIS) were collected. Analyses of covariances (ANCOVAs) for continuous variables and binary logistic regression analyses for discrete variables were used to compare the clinical characteristic scores among four groups that were defined by the severity of their depressive symptoms (i.e., minimal, mild, moderate, and severe). Results : After adjusting for the effects of age, marital status, employment status, monthly income, age of first MA use, pursuit of euphoria, gastrointestinal symptoms, insomnia, hallucination, and cigarette smoking, a greater severity of depressive symptoms was significantly correlated with greater prevalence of aggression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.065, P = 0.004) and irritability (aOR = 2.051, P = 0.001), greater scores on the BAI (F = 22.480, P < 0.0001) and all the items of SCL-90-R, and lower scores on the verbal intelligence quotient (F = 2.699, P = 0.047) of the KWAIS. Conclusions : Our findings demonstrate a potential relationship between depressive symptom severity and other clinical characteristics among male patients with MA use disorder. Thus, depressive symptoms may be an important clinical concern for psychiatric treatment of MA users.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the memory-enhancing effect of lactobacillus fermented Saccharina japonica extract

IntroductionMemory problems are more common with ageing and are related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This study investigated whether the intake of lactobacillus fermented Saccharina japonica (FSJ) extract improved the cognitive function during working memory processing and whether biomarkers were associated with task performance. MethodsEligible participants were assigned to either a control group or an experimental group by computerized randomization. Participants were asked to take either 2 capsules, once a day for 4 weeks of lactobacillus FSJ for the experimental group or placebo control capsules for the control group. The cognitive function was determined using the Beck depression inventory (BDI), Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS), operation-word span task and Raven’s test-based quantitative EEG test. Levels of amyloid-β, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum using the ELISA were also measured. ResultsThere was no significant difference between these two groups in all cognitive function tests using the independent sample t-test. However, the experimental group showed a significant difference in the correct answer percentage, concentration and left and right brain activity of space perception as assessed by the Raven test-based quantitative EEG test by a paired-sample t-test. Biochemical measurements showed, a slightly decreasing trend in amyloid-β, whereas SOD level was not significantly different between groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionThese results suggest that FSJ may have the potential to improve cognitive function as evaluated by the Raven’s test via, regulation of SOD antioxidant system. Our findings provide preliminary evidence of the safety of FSJ and its potential to improve memory.

F183. FUSIFORM GYRUS ABNORMALITIES RELATED TO VERBAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN FIRST-EPISODE PSYCHOSIS

BackgroundResearches have shown that verbal intelligence of first-episode psychosis (FEP) can be deteriorated. Only a few studies have investigated about neural correlates of verbal intelligence in FEP. Fusiform gyrus is often referred to the “visual word form area (VWFA)”, also known to be systematically activated by reading. The object of this study is to explore the relationship between the volume of language processing regions and the verbal IQ (VIQ) in FEP.Methods102 patients with FEP and 54 HC were enrolled this study. All subjects were right-handed. All patients were interviewed and diagnosed with the diagnostic criteria in Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 and examined by means of MRI at 3 Tesla at base line. Schizophrenia patients were measured their IQ through Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS). Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were administered at baseline and 8 weeks after antipsychotics administration for patients. We used the FreeSurfer software package for estimating the volume of language processing area including pars triangularis, pars opercularis, insula, Heschl’s gyrus, Planum temporale and fusiform gyrus of left dominant hemisphere.ResultsCompared to the HCs, first-episode psychosis patients showed volume reductions in fusiform gyrus (p=0.000) and pars opercularis (p=0.006) of left hemisphere among language related regions after Bonferoni correction. We found that only the volume of fusiform gyrus of left hemisphere showed significant positive correlation with VIQ (r=0.30, p=0.026) and also showed positive correlation with its subscales (vocabulary subscale (p=0.042), arithmetic WAIS subscale (p=0.012), similarities subscale (p=0.034)). In addition, the volume of fusiform gyrus of left hemisphere were significantly negative correlated with the score of PANSS Negative subscale at 8 weeks (p=0.016) after antipsychotics administration.DiscussionThese findings suggest that the fusiform gyrus can be related to the verbal intelligence in first-episode psychosis patients and it may be associated with the severity of negative symptoms after treatment.

The Korean Version of the University of California San Diego Performance-based Skills Assessment: Reliability and Validity.

ObjectiveThe study’s aim was to develop and standardize a Korean version of the University of California San Diego Performance-based Skills Assessment (K-UPSA), which is used to evaluate the daily living function of patients with schizophrenia.MethodsStudy participants were 78 patients with schizophrenia and 27 demographically matched healthy controls. We evaluated the clinical states and cognitive functions to verify K-UPSA’s reliability and validity. For clinical states, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia scale, and Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale and Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale-fourth revision were used. The Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale, Short-form of Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test were used to assess cognitive function.ResultsThe K-UPSA had statistically significant reliability and validity. The K-UPSA has high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.837) and test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient, 0.381–0.792; p<0.001). The K-UPSA had significant discriminant validity (p<0.001). Significant correlations between the K-UPSA’s scores and most of the scales and tests listed above demonstrated K-UPSA’s concurrent validity (p<0.001).ConclusionThe K-UPSA is useful to evaluate the daily living function in Korean patients with schizophrenia.

The Korean Version of the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale: Reliability and Validity.

ObjectiveThis study's aim was to develop and standardize a Korean version (SCoRS-K) of the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS), which is used to evaluate the degree of cognitive dysfunction affecting the everyday functioning of people with schizophrenia.MethodsEighty-four schizophrenia patients with stable symptoms who were receiving outpatient treatment and rehabilitation therapy, and 29 demographically matched non-patient controls, participated in the study. Demographic data were collected, and clinical symptoms, cognitive function, and social function were evaluated to verify SCoRS-K's reliability and validity. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia Scale. Cognitive function was evaluated using a short form of the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Social function was evaluated using the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale, the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale, and the Social Functioning Scale.ResultsData analysis demonstrated SCoRS-K's statistically significant reliability and validity. SCoRS-K has high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha; patient 0.941, informant 0.905, interviewer 0.964); test-retest reliability [patient 0.428 (p=0.003), informant 0.502 (p<0.001), interviewer 0.602 (p<0.001); and global rating 0.642 (p<0.001)]. The mean scores of subjects were significantly higher than those of the controls (p<0.001), demonstrating SCoRS-K's discriminant validity. Significant correlations between the total scores and global rating score of SCoRS-K and those of the scales and tests listed above (except WCST) support SCoRS-K's concurrent validity.ConclusionSCoRS-K is a useful instrument for evaluating the degree of cognitive dysfunction in Korean schizophrenia patients.

The Relationship between Language Ability and Cognitive Function in Patients with Schizophrenia.

ObjectiveCognitive dysfunction is common in people with schizophrenia, and language disability is one of the most notable cognitive deficits. This study assessed the use and comprehension ability of the Korean language in patients with schizophrenia and the correlations between language ability and cognitive function.MethodsEighty-six patients with schizophrenia and a group of 29 healthy controls were recruited. We assessed both clinical symptoms and cognitive functions including Korean language ability. For clinical symptoms, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia Scale, and Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale were used. For the Korean language ability assessment, a portion of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) Korean Language Test was used. The Short-form of Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the Korean version of the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Performance-based Skills Assessment (K-UPSA), and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were used to assess cognitive functions.ResultsSchizophrenic patients had significantly lower scores in the language and cognitive function tests both in the total and subscale scores. Various clinical scores had negative correlations with reading comprehension ability of the KBS Korean Language Test. The WCST and a part of the K-UPSA had positive correlations with multiple domains of the language test.ConclusionA significant difference was found between schizophrenic patients and controls in language ability. Correlations between Korean language ability and several clinical symptoms and cognitive functions were demonstrated in patients with schizophrenia. Tests of cognitive function had positive correlations with different aspects of language ability.

Neurocognitive functioning as an intermediary variable between psychopathology and insight in schizophrenia

Based on the neuropsychological deficit model of insight in schizophrenia, we constructed exploratory prediction models for insight, designating neurocognitive measures as the intermediary variables between psychopathology and insight into patients with schizophrenia. The models included the positive, negative, and autistic preoccupation symptoms as primary predictors, and activation symptoms as an intermediary variable for insight. Fifty-six Korean patients, in the acute stage of schizophrenia, completed the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, as well as a comprehensive neurocognitive battery of tests at the baseline, 8-weeks, and 1-year follow-ups. Among the neurocognitive measures, the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS) picture arrangement, Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) perseverative response, and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) standard error of reaction time showed significant correlations with the symptoms and the insight. When these measures were fitted into the model as intermediaries between the symptoms and the insight, only the perseverative response was found to have a partial mediating effect – both cross-sectionally, and in the 8-week longitudinal change. Overall, the relationship between insight and neurocognitive functioning measures was found to be selective and weak.

The Relationship between Cognitive Decline and Psychopathology in Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.

ObjectiveThe primary goals of the present study were to assess intellectual function in participants with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (BD) and to investigate the relationships between cognitive decline and the severity of each type of psychopathology.MethodsThe present study included 51 patients with schizophrenia and 42 with BD who were recruited from the psychiatry outpatient clinic of Jeju University Hospital between March 2011 and March 2014. The Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS) was administered to each of the 93 participants, and they were categorized into two groups based on their current intelligence quotient (IQ) and their estimated premorbid IQ: severely impaired group (SIG) and mildly impaired group (MIG). The Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) were used to assess psychopathology.ResultsThe SIG schizophrenia participants exhibited significantly higher scores on the frequent (F) and schizophrenia (Sc) subscales of the MMPI, but significantly lower scores on the correction (K) and psychopathic deviate (Pd) subscales compared with the MIG schizophrenia participants. Furthermore, the BPRS scores were significantly higher in the SIG schizophrenia participants relative to the MIG schizophrenia participants. The SIG BD participants had significantly higher F, masculinity-femininity (Mf), paranoia (Pa), and Sc but significantly lower Pd scores compared with the MIG BD participants.ConclusionThe present findings revealed a significant discrepancy between the estimated premorbid levels of cognitive function and current cognitive function in participants with schizophrenia or BD. Moreover, this discrepancy was correlated with severity of psychopathology in both groups.

기면병 환자의 인지기능 평가

기면병 환자들은 과도한 주간 졸음증, 탈력발작, 수면마비, 입면시 환각 외에도 야간 수면의 장애를 가지고 있다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 주의, 기억 그리고 집행에 대한 인지기능을 평가한 결과 d2 의 경우 전체 수행을 한 총 넘버수, 지속적이 수행이 요구되는 과제인 정반응 수(TN-E), 집중력 지표(CP), 그리고 과제를 수행하는데 일관성과 안정성을 평가하는 변동률(FR)에서 기면병 환자군의 점수가 대조군에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았다. 이는 기면병 환자의 주의력에 결함을 시사한다. 또한, K-CVLT 검사의 B 목록의 경우 기면병 환자군에서 대조군에 비하여 저조한 수행을 보여 언어성 주의력에 저하를 시사한다. 무엇인가를 기억하기 위해서는 한 가지에 주의를 기울여야 하기 때문에 주의와 기억은 밀접하게 관련되어 있으므로 주의력은 기억이나 집행기능 등의 상위인지기능의 수행에도 영향을 줄 수 있다. 따라서 기면병 환자들에서 기존에 보고되었던 주의력 이외의 인지기능 저하는 실제로 주의력 저하에 의한 이차적인 현상으로도 생각해 볼 수 있다. 기면병은 개인의 삶의 질적인 측면뿐 아니라, 인지기능 저하로 인해 사고가 증가시킨다는 점은 공중보건학적으로도 중요한 문제임에도 불구하고[26], 기면병 환자의 주의, 기억, 그리고 집행에 대한 인지기능을 포괄적으로 평가하는 연구는 거의 이루어지지 않았다. 이 연구는 기면병 환자에서 주의, 기억 그리고 집행기능에 대한 포괄적인 신경심리검사를 통하여 인지기능을 평가하였고, 인지기능의 재활 및 개선을 위한 유용한 자료로서 의의가 있다. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate attention, memory and executive function in patients with narcolepsy. Methods: This study included 23 narcoleptic patients whose diagnosis were confirmed by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders(ICSD) at Chonnam National University Hospital Sleep Disorders Clinic or an other hospital in Korea, from 2005 to 2008, as well as 23 normal controls. All participants were given an IQ test for Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and several neuropsychological function tests (the d2 test for attention function, the Rey Complex Figure Test for nonverbal memory, the Korean-California Verbal Learning Test [K-CVLT] for verbal memory, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test for executive function). Clinical features of narcoleptic patients, including the frequency of excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucination, were investigated by a structured clinical interview administered by a neuropsychiatist. Excessive daytime sleepiness was evaluated by the Epworth sleepiness scale. Results: Characteristic symptoms of narcolepsy observed in this study included excessive daytime sleepiness (n=23, 100.0%), cataplexy (n=19, 82.6%), hypnagogic hallucination (n=5, 21.7%) and sleep paralysis (n=12, 52.2%). In nocturnal polysomnographic findings, stage 2 sleep and REM latency were found to be significantly decreased in narcoleptic patients compared with the control group, and were accompanied by significant increases in stage 1 sleep. Narcoleptic patients had lower scores than the control group on total number, Total Number-Total Error, Concentration Performance and Fluctuation Rate on the d2 test, which measures attention. Also, there were significant differences between the performance of patient and control groups on the B list of the K-CVLT, which measures verbal memory. Conclusion: Narcoleptic patients showed decreased attention and verbal memory performance compared to the control group; however, in many areas, narcoleptic patients still demonstrated normal cognitive function.

Association between Mismatch Negativity and Functional Status in Patients with Schizophrenia

Objectives : It has been constantly reported that mismatch negativity (MMN) is impaired in patients with schizophrenia. However, the mechanism which relates impaired MMN and schizophrenia is not clear yet. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between MMN and clinical variables including functional status in patients with schizophrenia. Methods : The present study assessed MMN using passive auditory oddball task in 26 patients with schizophrenia and 48 healthy controls. Repeated measures Analysis of Variance with age as a covariate was carried out for comparing peak amplitude and latency of MMN at 8 central line electrodes (FPz, Fz, FCz, Cz, CPz, Pz, POz, Oz) across groups. Pearson’s correlation was performed to reveal the relationship between MMN and clinical variables including neurocognitive test results and the Global Assessment of Functioning score. Results : MMN amplitude was significantly reduced in patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy controls. Pearson’s cor relation showed that subsets of short form of Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale scores and GAF scores were associated with MMN amplitude in patients with schizophrenia. Conclusion : These findings suggest that MMN amplitude is associated with current functional status including cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. (Korean J Schizophr Res 2013;16:98-106)

Neurocognitive Function Differentiation from the Effect of Psychopathologic Symptoms in the Disability Evaluation of Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

ObjectiveWe determined whether the relationship between the neuropsychological performance of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their psychopathological characteristics measured by disability evaluation are interrelated. In addition, we assessed which psychopathological variable was most influential on neuropsychological performance via statistical clustering of the same characteristics of mild TBI.MethodsA total of 219 disability evaluation participants with mild brain injury were selected. All participants were classified into three groups, based on their psychopathological characteristics, via a two-step cluster analysis using validity and clinical scales from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R). The Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS), Korean Memory Assessment Scale (K-MAS) and the Korean Boston Naming Test (K-BNT) were used to evaluate the neurocognitive functions of mild TBI patients.ResultsOver a quarter (26.9%) experienced severe psychopathological symptoms and 43.4% experienced mild or moderate psychopathological symptoms, and all of the mild TBI patients showed a significant relationship between neurocognitive functions and subjective and/or objective psychopathic symptoms, but the degree of this relationship was moderate. Variances of neurocognitive function were explained by neurotic and psychotic symptoms, but the role of these factors were different to each other and participants did not show intelligence and other cognitive domain decrement except for global memory abilities compared to the non-psychopathology group.ConclusionCertain patients with mild TBI showed psychopathological symptoms, but these were not directly related to cognitive decrement. Psychopathology and cognitive decrement are discrete aspects in patients with mild TBI. Furthermore, the neurotic symptoms of mild TBI patients made positive complements to decrements or impairments of neurocognitive functions, but the psychotic symptoms had a negative effect on neurocognitive functions.

Intelligence, temperament, and personality are related to over- or under-reporting of affective symptoms by patients with euthymic mood disorder

BackgroundMany patients with mood disorders report subjective indicators of depression that are inconsistent with clinicians’ objective ratings. This study used the self-report Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI) and the observer-rated Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) to evaluate the extent to which temperament, personality traits, and clinical characteristics accounted for discrepancies between self-reports and clinician ratings of depressive symptoms in patients experiencing the euthymic period of a mood disorder. MethodThe sample consisted of 100 individuals with bipolar disorder (n=72) or major depressive disorder (n=28). The HAMD and Young Mania Rating Scale were administered, and participants completed the BDI and Barratt Impulsivity Scale. Intelligence was assessed with the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Patients completed the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire and the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory. ResultsThe BDI and HAMD were significantly but modestly correlated with each other (r=0.319, p<0.001). Lower intelligence and a less conscientious personality were independent contributors to differences between Z-scores for the BDI and the HAMD. Higher impulsivity and a more anxious temperament were also observed in the group that self-reported more symptoms than were noted by clinicians. LimitationsGeneralizability of results can be limited in ethnic difference. ConclusionsSubjective and objective assessments of the depressive symptoms of patients with mood disorders in a euthymic mood state are frequently discordant. Clinicians should consider the subjective aspects of depressive symptoms along with objective information about the influence of intelligence and personality on patients’ self-reports.

Cognitive Impairments in Patients with Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

MethodsZZParticipants were adults between the ages of 18 and 65, and included 40 healthy control subjects, 40 outpatients diagnosed with depressive disorder, and 35 outpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Full-Scale Intelligence Quotients (FIQ) were measured using the Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The levels of Memory Quotients (MQ) were yielded on a Rey-Kim Memory Test, and executive functions were assessed using Kim’s Frontal-Executive Function Test. Scores of each scale were compared among the three groups using ANOVA.

Psychiatric and Psychological Characteristics of Sexual Offenders in Korea

MethodsZZTwenty-two male sex offenders were referred for psychiatric diagnosis from the prosecutor’s office and admitted to the hospital between August 2010 and May 2011. In order to identify Axis I and II disorders, including sexual disorders, we conducted the Korean version of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fourth Edition. All participants completed psychological assessment batteries, including the KoreanWechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and self-report scales, including the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale. Information on participants’ legal, personal, and psychiatric family histories was also gathered.

Impairments in executive functioning in patients with remitted and non-remitted schizophrenia

Although deficits in executive functioning are prominent in schizophrenia, some patients in remission have shown significantly higher levels of neurocognitive functioning than patients not in remission. However, no consensus on the relationship between neurocognitive functioning and the severity of symptoms has been reached. Additionally, previous studies have mainly examined the primary symptom domains of schizophrenia without considering the influence of anxiety symptoms, which are likely to influence neuropsychological performance. The aim of the present study was to compare the executive functioning of normal controls and with that of patients with schizophrenia in acute and remitted states. We further examined associations between impaired executive functioning in patients and anxiety levels. Using a battery of tests assessing executive functioning including subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Test Battery (CANTAB) and the short form of the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS), we assessed 54 patients with schizophrenia and 33 normal controls. Our results showed that patients with non-remitted schizophrenia obtained significantly lower estimated IQ scores than did normal controls. They also exhibited longer reaction times on the Choice Reaction Time (CRT) test and the Stop Signal Test (SST) subtests of CANTAB and a greater number of total errors and errors that occurred before the extradimensional stage (i.e., pre-ED errors) on the Intradimensional/Extradimensional Shift (IED) subtest of CANTAB. Furthermore, those with schizophrenia in acute states showed significantly slower stop signal reaction times (SSRT) on the SST than did those with remitted schizophrenia and healthy controls. Finally, differences in the pre-ED errors and total adjusted errors on the IED became insignificant when scores on the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were entered as the covariate, whereas other significant differences remained when these scores were entered. Differences in executive functioning exist between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls; these differences can be largely attributed to the relatively poor performance of patients in an active state.

Precuneus hypoperfusion plays an important role in memory impairment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The present study was designed to identify regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with memory impairments. Nineteen SLE patients (mean age 36.1 ± 8.6years, range 17-47) with subjective memory complaints underwent brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS) and the Rey-Kim Memory Test (RKMT) were used objectively to evaluate cognitive functions in these patients. On the basis of the Intelligence Quotient-Memory Quotient (IQ-MQ) difference score, patients were classified into two groups: those with below one standard deviation (SD) from the mean for normal subjects of comparable age and education (memory impairment, n = 6) and those with without memory impairment (non-memory impairment, n = 13). Their brain SPECT images were analyzed by statistical parametric mapping (SPM) for group comparisons. The group of SLE patients with memory impairment showed significant hypoperfusion in the right precuneus compared with those with non-memory impairment (p < 0.001). Hypoperfusion of the precuneus may play a significant role in the memory function of SLE patients. SPM analysis of brain SPECT images could be a useful and objective tool for identifying abnormal rCBF in SLE patients with memory impairment.

Impairments of facial emotion recognition and theory of mind in methamphetamine abusers

Chronic use of methamphetamine is related to behavioral disturbances including depression, aggressive behavior, and social isolation. These alterations of social behavior may be attributable to impairments in social cognition. However, few studies have evaluated social cognition in methamphetamine (MA) abusers. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether MA abusers exhibit social cognition deficits in terms of facial emotion recognition and theory of mind (ToM). We also assessed cognitive flexibility by using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) to evaluate the impact of this function on social cognition. Twenty-eight MA abusers and twenty-seven healthy subjects enrolled in this study. All participants performed the Facial Emotion Recognition Task and advanced ToM tasks such as the Eye Test and Hinting Task. The Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised and computerized versions of the WCST were also administrated. The performances of MA abusers on the Facial Emotion Recognition Task and Eyes Test were lower than those of healthy subjects. In the WCST, MA abusers completed significantly fewer categories and made more total and perseverative errors than healthy subjects did. In addition, impairments in cognitive flexibility are correlated with impairments in facial emotion recognition and ToM within MA abusers. These findings lend further support to the assertion that the capacity to identify emotions from facial expression and infer mental state of others is impaired in MA abusers. Therefore, treatment and rehabilitation for MA abusers must consider role of social cognition and include relearning social interactions and behaviors.

Childhood abuse and verbal intelligence among adults diagnosed with first‐episode schizophrenia

Objective: While many individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia report childhood trauma, little is known about the relationship between childhood abuse and intelligence in this population. Authors hypothesized the abused individuals would show lower verbal IQ. Methods: This preliminary study compared the intelligence profile between 46 adults experiencing first‐episode schizophrenic psychosis with and without a history of childhood physical or sexual abuse. Clinical assessment included the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K‐WAIS) and an interview assessing history of sexual and repeated physical abuse before age 16. Results: The mean verbal IQ score of patients with a history of childhood abuse (n=21) was significantly lower than that of patients without a history of childhood abuse (n=25; p < .05). However, the mean number of years of education was also significantly lower in those with a history of childhood abuse (p < .001). In fact, an analysis of covariance controlling for education revealed no group differences in intelligence. Conclusions: Childhood trauma may contribute to low verbal intelligence of first‐onset patients diagnosed with schizophrenia by leading to poor educational attainment. Assessment and management of first‐onset patients with childhood abuse need to be tailored for their intellectual level.