Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Research Articles

Association among aggressiveness, neurocognitive function, and the Val66Met polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene in male schizophrenic patients

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the association among aggressive behavior, neuropsychological function, and the Val66Met functional polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF) gene in male schizophrenic patients. Methods We examined 51 male patients with schizophrenia who had committed homicide (ie, H-SCZ), 50 male patients with schizophrenia who had not committed homicide (ie, NH-SCZ), and 50 healthy male controls. Patients were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Life History of Aggression, and the Overt Aggression Scale. In addition, patients were given neurocognitive function tests, including Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale short form, the Korean version of the Rey Memory Test, the Stroop Test, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. The Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene was also genotyped in all schizophrenic patients. Results We observed no significant difference between patients in the H-SCZ and NH-SCZ groups, with regard to Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores. Total Life History of Aggression ( P < .01) and Overt Aggression Scale scores for the most severe episode ( P < .01) or for the previous month ( P < .05) were higher in the H-SCZ group than in the NH-SCZ group. There were no significant differences in the genotype distribution or allelic frequency of the Val66Met polymorphism between the schizophrenic groups. In addition, we observed no significant differences between H-SCZ and NH-SCZ groups with regard to performance on neuropsychological tests. The Met allele of the Val66Met polymorphism was associated with poor intelligence quotient, memory quotient), learning, and delayed recall in the H-SCZ group. However, genotype did not seem to influence neurocognitive function in schizophrenic patients who had committed homicide. Conclusions The neurocognitive tests used in our study were unable to distinguish between violent and nonviolent schizophrenic patients. Furthermore, the Val66Met polymorphism was not associated with aggressiveness in patients with schizophrenia.

Validity and Reliability of Cognitive Assessment Using Virtual Environment Technology in Patients with Stroke

We assessed the validity and reliability of a virtual environment technology (VET)-based cognitive assessment program that was developed as a measurement tool of cognitive abilities in patients after a stroke. Twenty participants diagnosed with stroke caused by unilateral brain lesions were enrolled to assess the VET program's validity and test-retest reliability. Participants underwent evaluation by paper-based neuropsychological tests including the Korean Mini-Mental Status Examination, the Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the Motor Free Visual Perception Test, Rey-Kim Memory Test, and Kim's Frontal-Executive Neuropsychologic Test as well as the VET-based cognitive assessment. Major variables and indices of the VET program were calculated. The VET program validity was evaluated using a simple correlation analysis between variables from the VET program and conventional paper-based neuropsychological measurements, and the reliability was evaluated by investigating the test-retest correlation coefficients. Major variables and indices of the VET program in patients with stroke correlated significantly with the related scores of paper-based neuropsychological tests. In addition, the test-retest reliability analysis revealed that the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.528 to 0.926. The VET-based cognitive assessment program showed adequate reliability and validity as a method of cognitive assessment in patients after stroke.

움직임 신체활동 프로그램이 성인 지적장애인의 인지능력 및 정서적 행동에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of physical activity program of move grow on recognition ability and emotional behavior in mentally disabled people. They were 16 participants in the experimental group, and 16 in the control group. This program lasted for 8 weeks which was 3 times per week for a total of 24 times. The K-WAIS(Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale)which was adjusted in our study was used for a recognition ability scale and a standard intelligence scale. Research of Emotional adaptation was executed with an adapted EBC(Emotional Behavioral Checklist) which was reconstructed for Korean use. A Paired t-test and ANCOVA was carried out to analyze maladjustment behavior properly for mentally disabled people`s improvement of non-adaptation and interviews were used as well. Conclusion of this research: First, in recognition ability, the experimental group improved after executing the program and the control group did not change. Second, in emotional behavior, the experimental group improved in instigation, depression, attack, actuality, after executing the program, but the not subjects did not improve in anxiety, socialization, and the control group did not change. as a result, a physical activity program of move grow for improving the maladjustment behavior of mentally disabled people affects several areas. moreover, several area improvement is expected through one program and the program can be adapted according to the needs of the individual subject. in addition, it shows that it is possible to use a moving education program for mentally disabled people successfully.

Frontal Lobe Executive Function and Emotional Recognition Ability of Psychopathic Inmates

This article is based on the frontal lobe dysfunction hypothesis and integrated emotion system model related to executive function and emotional recognition abilities of the psychopath and investigates whether the same types of frontal lobe dysfunction and damage to emotional recognition abilities occur in similar groups within the country. For specific research design, PCL-R was conducted with inmates in prisons and based on the results, psychopathic criminals and non-psychopathic criminals were classified. In order to investigate the executive function and emotional recognition in each of two groups, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test, and a revised version of Emotional Recognition Test were administered. As for the control variable, intelligence of the subjects was measured by Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. As a result of the three tests, there were differences between groups, as we expected. Psychopathic criminals showed lower performance ability than did the non-psychopathic group in terms of executive function. However, there was no significant difference in the Emotional Recognition Test. In conclusion, the result that psychopath criminals were showed relatively lower executive function means a specific treatment program are needed to care some criminals who have neurological dysfunction, in the Criminal Justice System.

Effect Of Move Grow Learn Program On Improvements In Maladjustment Behavior In Mentally Disabled Individuals

PURPOSE: This study was initiated to evaluate the effect of "Move Grow Learn" program on mentally disabled individuals. METHODS: Thirty two mentally disabled individuals participated in this study. They were randomly divided into an experimental group (N=16) and a control group (N=16). The experimental group performed MGL (Move Grow Learn) program 60 min a day, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The MGL program consisted of spatial movement exercise, non-spatial movement exercise, and coordination exercise. Before and after conducting MGL program, the K-WAIS (Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) test was used to measure recognition ability and intelligence. Social adaptation was measured by Doll's Vineland Social Maturity Scale. Exercise adaptation was measured by using the Helmas automatic machine (Se woo System, Korea). Emotional adaptation was measured by EBC (Emotional Behavioral Checklist). A paired t-test and ANCOVA was carried out to analyze data and a statistical significant level was at p<0.05. RESULTS: With MGL program, the experimental group significantly (p<0.05) increased physical fitness, including muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, power, agility, and balance. The experimental group also significantly increased all items of recognition ability, intelligence, and social maturity. In emotional behavior, the experimental group significantly improved instigation, depression, attack, actuality, but not anxiety, socialization, and self-consciousness. The control group did not change any of these measurements. CONCLUSIONS: This data indicates that "Move Grow Learn" program improves the maladjustment behavior of mentally disabled individuals, suggesting that a movement education program is very useful for them.

Comparative Analysis of Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia with and without Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

ObjectiveWe investigated the neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenic patients with and without obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).MethodsWe grouped 27 patients as either obsessive-compulsive or non-obsessive-compulsive based on the presence of OCD. The two groups completed the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), and Hamilton Depression Scale. The intelligence quotient (IQ) was tested using the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The memory quotient (MQ) was tested using the Korean-Auditory Verbal Learning and Korean-Complex Figure Test. The executive intelligence quotient (EIQ) was determined using the Kims executive intelligence test (EXIT).ResultsTen of the 27 patients had OCD. The compulsion score of Y-BOCS was positively correlated with positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and the total scores of PANSS. The OCD-schizophrenia patients had higher IQs. No difference was found in MQ. Although the EIQ did not differ between the two groups, the OCD-schizophrenia patients performed better at the Stroop-interference and verbal fluency tests, which was highly dependent on executive function.ConclusionOur findings suggest that OCD may have a protective effect on some cognitive function, at least in relatively early stage of illness. Moreover, based on clinical, neurocognitive features, schizophrenia with OCD could be considered as a distinct subtype of schizophrenia.

The lateralizing value of IQ in mesiotemporal epilepsy: Differences between patients with unitemporal and bitemporal epileptiform discharges

We investigated the lateralizing ability of intelligence scores in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) patients according to the distribution of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs). This study enrolled 82 MTLE patients. All patients had preoperative neuropsychological evaluations, including Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Patients were categorized as having uni- or bitemporal IEDs based on IEDs distribution (cutoff point, 90%). In patients with unitemporal IEDs, performance IQ (PIQ) was significantly lower in the right than in the left subgroup (89.6 vs. 99.4, p<0.05). Verbal IQ (VIQ)-PIQ discrepancy scores differed significantly between the left and right subgroups, being negative in the left and positive in the right subgroup. Based on multivariate analyses, two variables, right MTLE (p=0.042) and the unitemporal distribution of IEDs (p=0.030), were independently related to the VIQ-PIQ discrepancy of more than 10 points. About 47.4% of those with unitemporal IEDs had VIQ-PIQ discrepancies of greater than 10 points and the rate for correct lateralization was 77.8%. In patients with bitemporal IEDs, however, none of the intelligence scores showed evidence of correct lateralization. In patients with bitemporal IEDs, Full-scale IQ and PIQ were significantly lower in the left subgroup, and there was a significant difference in VIQ-PIQ discrepancy scores with the wrong direction. We found that intelligence scores had some lateralizing ability, but only in MTLE patients with unitemporal IEDs.