Perceptual Organization Index Research Articles

Beyond Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Exploring Psychiatric Comorbidities and Their Neuropsychological Consequences in Adults.

This study aimed to identify the psychiatric comorbidity status of adult patients diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and determine the impact of comorbidities on neuropsychological outcomes in ADHD. The study participants were 124 adult patients with ADHD. Clinical psychiatric assessments were performed by two boardcertified psychiatrists in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. All participants were assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus version 5.0.0 to evaluate comorbidities. After screening, neuropsychological outcomes were assessed using the Comprehensive Attention Test (CAT) and the Korean version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (K-WAIS-IV). Mood disorders (38.7%) were the most common comorbidity of ADHD, followed by anxiety (18.5%) and substance use disorders (13.7%). The ADHD with comorbidities group showed worse results on the Perceptual Organization Index and Working Memory Index sections of the K-WAIS than the ADHD-alone group (p=0.015 and p=0.024, respectively). In addition, the presence of comorbidities was associated with worse performance on simple visual commission errors in the CAT tests (p=0.024). These findings suggest that psychiatric comorbidities are associated with poor neuropsychological outcomes in adult patients with ADHD, highlighting the need to identify comorbidities in these patients.

Transdiagnostic and sex differences in cognitive profiles of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

An increasing number of studies have shown that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) share symptoms and aetiologies. However, transdiagnostic comparisons between ASD and ADHD is complicated due to the sex differences within each condition. To clarify the similarities and differences in the cognitive functioning between ASD and ADHD, while considering potential sex differences, this study compared cognitive profiles assessed by the WAIS-III between the four groups created by orthogonally combining diagnosis and sex based on the data from 277 ASD males, 86 ASD females, 99 ADHD males and 64 ADHD females. The analysis revealed three major findings. First, performance IQ and perceptual organization index were higher in ADHD males than in ASD males and ADHD females. Second, Gaussian mixture model fitting revealed two clusters underlying the distribution of subindex scores. The percentage of being classified into the cluster that scored lower in all the subindices was higher in females than in males irrespective of diagnosis. Third, feature importance for classification of ASD and ADHD yielded by random forest classifier, a supervised machine learning algorithm, revealed that autism quotient was most informative feature in classifying ASD and ADHD in males, while the discrepancy between verbal and performance intelligence quotient was in females, indicating that the set of behavioral features contributing to classification differs between males and females. Thus, these findings indicate that sex as well as diagnosis is critical in determining the cognitive profiles of people with ASD and ADHD. LAY SUMMARY: The present study compared profiles of cognitive functions measured by Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale between males and females with ASD and ADHD. The analyses revealed clear sex differences in cognitive functions in both ASD and ADHD and that the set of cognitive functions useful in classifying ASD and ADHD differed between males and females. Thus, biological sex seems to be a critical factor in determining the cognitive profiles of people with ASD and ADHD.

Resting-State Beta-Band Recovery Network Related to Cognitive Improvement After Stroke.

BackgroundStroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and it causes important long-term cognitive and physical deficits that hamper patients' daily activity. Neuropsychological rehabilitation (NR) has increasingly become more important to recover from cognitive disability and to improve the functionality and quality of life of these patients. Since in most stroke cases, restoration of functional connectivity (FC) precedes or accompanies cognitive and behavioral recovery, understanding the electrophysiological signatures underlying stroke recovery mechanisms is a crucial scientific and clinical goal.MethodsFor this purpose, a longitudinal study was carried out with a sample of 10 stroke patients, who underwent two neuropsychological assessments and two resting-state magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings, before and after undergoing a NR program. Moreover, to understand the degree of cognitive and neurophysiological impairment after stroke and the mechanisms of recovery after cognitive rehabilitation, stroke patients were compared to 10 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and educational level.FindingsAfter intra and inter group comparisons, we found the following results: (1) Within the stroke group who received cognitive rehabilitation, almost all cognitive domains improved relatively or totally; (2) They exhibit a pattern of widespread increased in FC within the beta band that was related to the recovery process (there were no significant differences between patients who underwent rehabilitation and controls); (3) These FC recovery changes were related with the enhanced of cognitive performance. Furthermore, we explored the capacity of the neuropsychological scores before rehabilitation, to predict the FC changes in the brain network. Significant correlations were found in global indexes from the WAIS-III: Performance IQ (PIQ) and Perceptual Organization index (POI) (i.e., Picture Completion, Matrix Reasoning, and Block Design).

The value of ultrasonography in predicting outcomes at an early school age among individuals with perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Neurosonography (NSG) is a readily available non-invasive radiological examination technique that assesses brain damage in neonates who experienced perinatal hypoxia. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injuries in full-term neonates detected during ultrasonography and mental and neuromotor development outcomes at an early school age. We evaluated 8–9-year-old children (n = 32) who had experienced hypoxia at birth with mild to moderate hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and hadn’t undergone therapeutic hypothermia. The control group consisted of 8–9-year-old children (n = 16) who were born healthy. During the first five days of life, the newborns underwent cerebral ultrasonography. The HIE stage was evaluated according to the Sarnat and Sarnat scale. Neuromotor and neurological outcomes were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System, the Health Utilities Index (HUI) questionnaire, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children WISC-III, and structured neurological examination. In the case of moderate brain edema and/or thalamus and/or basal ganglion injuries along with cerebellum and brainstem (E/T/BG/C/B) injuries compared to other injuries, the following abnormalities were statistically significantly more common: hearing disorders (100%, p = 0.03), cerebellar dysfunction (60%, p = 0.02), epilepsy (60%, p = 0.01), a lower Working Memory Index (median, 82.0, p = 0.015). In case of moderate brain swelling (edema) and thalamus and/or basal ganglion (E/T/BG) injuries, the sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasound examination when predicting epilepsy, hearing disorders, lower full IQ, and the Perceptual Organization Index were 100%. Neurosonography helps predict the outcomes of mental and neuromotor development at an early school age in full-term neonates who experienced perinatal asphyxia/hypoxia. Moderate hypoxic-ischemic brain changes detected during ultrasonography were statistically significantly associated with hearing disorders, cerebellar dysfunction, epilepsy, and a lower Working Memory Index in children at an early school age.

Long-Term Outcomes of Perinatal Hypoxia and Asphyxia at an Early School Age.

Background and Objectives: Late long-term outcomes of perinatal asphyxia (PA) in school-age are often unclear. To assess long-term outcomes at an early school age in children who had experienced perinatal hypoxia or asphyxia, where therapeutic hypothermia was not applied. Materials and Methods: The case group children were 8–9-year-old children (n = 32) who were born at full term and experienced hypoxia or asphyxia at birth, where therapeutic hypothermia (TH) was not applied. The control group consisted of 8–9-year-old children (n = 16) born without hypoxia. A structured neurological examination was performed at an early school age. The neuromotor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Health-related quality-of-life was assessed using the Health Utilities Index (HUI) questionnaire. Intellectual abilities were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). Results: The case group, compared with controls, had significantly (p = 0.002) lower mean [SD] full-scale IQ (87(16.86) vs. 107(12.15)), verbal-scale IQ (89(17.45) vs. 105(11.55)), verbal comprehension index (89(17.36) vs. 105(10.74)), working memory index (89(15.68) vs. 104(11.84)), performance IQ (87(16.51) vs. 108(15.48)) and perceptual organization index (85(15.71) vs. 105(15.93)). We did not find any significant differences in the incidence of disorders of neurological examination, movement abilities and health-related quality of life at an early school age between the case and the control group children. Conclusion: In children who experienced perinatal asphyxia but did not have cerebral paralysis (CP), where therapeutic hypothermia was not applied, cognitive assessment scores at an early school age were significantly lower compared to those in the group of healthy children, and were at a low average level.

Long-term cognitive outcome after radiosurgery in epileptic hypothalamic hamartomas and review of the literature.

Epileptic patients with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) frequently present cognitive impairments. Surgical techniques aiming at HH can be very efficient for epilepsy relief and cognitive improvement but are also demonstrated to carry a significant risk of additional reduction in memory function in these already disabled patients. Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) offers an efficient minimally invasive procedure. We evaluated the effect of stereotactic radiosurgery on cognitive outcome. We designed a prospective single-center case series study. Thirty-nine epileptic patients (median age = 17 years, range = 4-50) with HH underwent preoperative and postoperative testing of intelligence quotient (IQ; all patients), including a working memory component, and other memory function testing (for patients≥16years old). All patients were prospectively evaluated and underwent complete presurgical and postsurgical clinical, electrophysiological, endocrinal, and visual assessments. In all patients, the postoperative assessment was performed at least 3years after radiosurgery. We explored what variables correlate with cognitive outcome. Literature review was done for other surgical techniques and their risks for cognitive complications after surgery. No decline was observed in intellectual ability (including working memory) after GKS, and no memory decline was seen in adults. We observed significant improvement (>1 SD in z-score) in working memory index (46%) and processing speed index (35%), as well as improvement in full-scale IQ (24%), verbal comprehension index (11%), perceptual organization index (21%), verbal learning (20%), and visual learning (33%). Before GKS, the probability of seizure cessation was higher in patients with higher cognitive performance. After GKS, the cognitive improvement was significantly higher in the seizure-free patients compared to the non-seizure-free patients. We found clear cognitive improvement in a high percentage of patients but importantly no significant decline in intellectual ability (including working memory) and no decline in memory in adult patients 3 years after GKS. GKS compares favorably to the other surgical techniques in terms of cognitive outcome, with similar seizure freedom.

Quantitative analysis of cerebellar lobule morphology and clinical cognitive correlates in refractory temporal lobe epilepsy patients

PurposeThis study was conducted to explore the cerebellar substructure volumetric alterations in refractory unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients and the relationship with clinical factors and cognitive scores. MethodsA total of 48 unilateral refractory TLE patients and 48 age- and gender-matched normal controls (NCs) were retrospectively studied. All subjects underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and automatically segmented volumetric brain information was obtained using volBrain and Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI (DPARSF) separately. Clinical seizure features and cognitive scores were acquired by a structured review of medical records. ResultsThe total volumes (TVs) of bilateral crus I, crus II, and IX were significantly smaller in the refractory unilateral TLE epilepsy patients. The gray matter volumes (GMVs) of cerebellar lobules showed lateralized reduction in ipsilateral III, IX, and contralateral crus II. Contralateral crus II GMV showed significant negative correlation with the duration of epilepsy (r = −0.31, p = 0.035) and positive association with the cognitive scores including long-term memory (LTM) (r = 0.39, p = 0.017), short-term memory (STM) (r = 0.51, p = 0.001) verbal comprehension index (VCI) (r = 0.37, p = 0.024), and perceptual organization index (POI) (r = 0.36, p = 0.030). The voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis proved similar results. The contralateral crus I GMV was significantly smaller in the generalized onset group (t = 2.536, p = 0.015). ConclusionsThe lobules of the cerebellar in refractory TLE patients manifest different volumetric change characteristics. Crus II contralateral GMV is negatively correlated with the duration of epilepsy and positively associated with the cognitive scores.

Association between the superior longitudinal fasciculus and perceptual organization and working memory: A diffusion tensor imaging study

The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) is a white matter structure that has long bidirectional projections among the prefrontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal cortices and extends over a wide area in a human brain. Recently, anatomical details of the SLF have been clarified using a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) template of subjects from the Human Connectome Project. However, the neurobehavioral functions of the SLF have not been fully elucidated. It is speculated that the SLF contributes to a broad cognitive domain including visuospatial nonverbal cognitive ability and verbal memory ability because of its anatomical location; however, previous findings in imaging studies are inconsistent. Showing the contribution of the SLF to cognitive function may be important for improving our understanding of the functional role of white matter structures in the human brain. This study aimed to identify the relationship between DTI indices of the SLF and the Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, Working Memory and Processing Speed Indices of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition using regression analysis, accounting for the effects of age, sex and scanner type in 583 healthy volunteers. We showed significant correlations between the fractional anisotropy of the left SLF and the Perceptual Organization Index (β = 0.21, p = 4.5×10–4) and Working Memory Index (β = 0.19, p = 4.0×10–4). These findings may have implications for the rehabilitation of cognitive function in patients with neurological disorders.

Procedure-Related Temporal Infarct After Retractorless Transsylvian Selective Amygdalohippocampectomy and Impact on 2-Year Epilepsy Outcome.

Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) is designed to treat patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). To determine the volume and impact of temporal lobe infarction after retractorless transsylvian SAH (en bloc resection of the hippocampus) that have not been reported. A retrospective analysis of patients treated with retractorless transsylvian SAH. Infarctions were detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within the first week after the operation. Neuropsychological testing was performed preoperatively and 6 mo later. Seizure outcome was evaluated 2 yr after epilepsy surgery. Between 2010 and 2014, a total of 30 patients were included in this study. Analysis of postoperative MRI showed the following: (1) mean removal volume of the hippocampus-parahippocampus was 5.72 cm3, and (2) mean volumes of temporal and insular infarctions were 1.71 and 0.25 cm3, respectively. Twenty-five patients (83.3%) were free of disabling seizures (Engel class I) at 2 yr of outcome. Neuropsychological testing revealed improvement in Perceptual Organization Index (P=.036) and verbal paired associates II (P=.014) after the operation. Neither infarction volume nor removal volume was related to epilepsy outcome in linear regression model. Transsylvian SAH has comparable seizure outcomes but bears inherent risks of vasospasm/vascular injury. Immediate postoperative small infarction volume around resection cavity or along surgical corridor was noticed after retractorless transsylvian SAH, which did not cause neuropsychological deteriorations, in contrast to previous study with the use of self-sustaining rigid retraction system. Further study should be performed to compare procedure-related infarctions and their impacts on neuropsychological outcomes in different selective approaches.

Association between prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and the intelligence at 7 years old children

TPS 731: Neurological effects in children, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 26, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are environmental contaminants that persist in the environment, and previous studies have shown associations between prenatal OCP exposure and subsequent neurodevelopment. However, it is still not clear how long this association could be prolonged. A prospective birth cohort study was conducted to examine the associations between prenatal OCP exposure and intelligence at 7 years children. Blood samples were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques to quantify 29 OCPs. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 3rd edition (WISC-III) was used to assess intelligence of children, which provided Verbal IQ (VIQ), Performance IQ (PIQ), and Full Scale IQ (FIQ). The test also has four subscales to represent more narrow domains of cognitive functions. We analyzed data from 95 singleton children without congenital anomalies, and who had both maternal OCP levels and WISC-III data. After multiple regression analysis adjusted by maternal age, education, parity, blood sampling period, children sex, we found OCPs had negative association with FIQ and PIQ, and positive association with VIQ. When prenatal total dioxin TEQ level was added to adjustment, however, positive associations between OCPs and VIQ disappeared, and negative association between FIQ and p.p’-DDD (β= -10.8: 95% Confidence Interval: -18.6 -2.9), p.p’-DDT (-19.26: -31.4 -7.1), and between PIQ and p.p’-DDD (-10.8: -18.6 -2.9), p.p’-DDT (-19.3: -31.4 -7.1) were remained. In the same analysis for subscale, the Perceptual Organization Index decreased with p.p’-DDD (-12.2: -20.2 -4.3), p.p’-DDT (-22.4: -34.6 -10.2), and Parlar-26 (-11.2: -21.7 -0.7). Additionally, Freedom from Distractibility Index, which reflects attention or working memory, decreased with p.p’-DDD level (-8.8: -16.8 -0.8). Although careful consideration is needed regarding other influential factors, and causal relationship between prenatal exposure to low-level OCPs and cognitive function of school aged children, prenatal OCP level may have prolonged effect on the children’s intelligence, especially perception, and attention or working memory.

Impaired structural connectivity between dorsal attention network and pulvinar mediates the impact of premature birth on adult visual-spatial abilities.

The dorsal attention network (DAN), including frontal eye fields and posterior parietal cortices, and its link with the posterior thalamus, contribute to visual-spatial abilities. Very premature birth impairs both visual-spatial abilities and cortico-thalamic structural connectivity. We hypothesized that impaired structural DAN-pulvinar connectivity mediates the effect of very premature birth on adult visual-spatial abilities. Seventy very premature (median age 26.6 years) and 57 mature born adults (median age 26.6 years) were assessed with cognitive tests and diffusion tensor imaging. Perceptual organization (PO) index of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III was used as a proxy for visual-spatial abilities, and connection probability maps in the thalamus, derived from probabilistic tractography from the DAN, were used as a proxy for DAN-thalamic connectivity. Premature born adults showed decreases in both PO-index and connection probability from DAN into the pulvinar, with both changes being positively correlated. Moreover, path analysis revealed that DAN-pulvinar connectivity mediates the relationship between very premature birth and PO-index. Results provide evidence for long-term effects of very premature birth on structural DAN-pulvinar connectivity, mediating the effect of prematurity on adult visual-spatial impairments. Data suggest DAN-pulvinar connectivity as a specific target of prognostic and diagnostic procedures for visual-spatial abilities after premature birth.

Traumatic experiences and cognitive profiles of schizophrenia cases influenced by the BDNF Val66met polymorphism

The association of early trauma exposure with current cognition was examined in a research series of 56 schizophrenia cases with respect to the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265, Val66Val, Val66Met, Met66Met), as met allele carriers have reduced neurotrophic activity. The Perceptual Organization Index had a significant negative correlation with trauma exposures only in met carriers, including early physical abuse, general trauma after age 18 years, and physical abuse. Within the Val66Val subgroup, there were no significant correlations between WAIS indices and traumatic experiences.

Performance-verbal discrepancies and facets of psychopathy: assessing the relationship between WAIS–R/III summary IQs/index scores and PCL–R facet scores

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between differences in performance and verbal intelligence quotients (PIQ and VIQ) and the four facet scores from the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL–R) (Hare, 2003).Design/methodology/approachWechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and PCL–R facet scores provided by 181 male federal inmates as part of a forensic evaluation were analyzed with multiple regression, paired t-tests, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.FindingsOf the four PCL–R facet scores, only elevations on Facet 4 (antisocial) produced a significant WAIS-Revised (Wechsler, 1981) PIQ over VIQ (PIQ>VIQ) effect. In addition, only Facet 4 achieved significant ROC accuracy and correlated with the PIQ>VIQ discrepancy after other potentially important variables were controlled. In a follow-up study of 46 male inmates, Facet 4 correlated negatively with the Verbal Comprehension and Working Memory indices of the WAIS–Third Edition (Wechsler, 1997) and accurately classified a significant portion of Perceptual Organization Index (POI)>WMI cases but not a significant portion of POI>VCI cases.Practical implicationsVerbal comprehension and executive function deficits are examined as possible explanations for the relationships observed in this study.Originality/valueThese results have potentially important implications for forensic assessment in that they suggest that only certain specific features of the psychopathy construct are related to the well-known PIQ>VIQ discrepancy.

SU32. Impact of Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase Polymorrphism on Cognition and Information Processing in Schizophrenia Using Novel MBIAL Computerized Battery—A Case-Control Study

Abstract Background: Frontal executive dysfunction have been robustly demonstrated in schizophrenia. Several fundamental information processing deficits were reported in schizophrenia underlying the various symptom dimensions. Results of previous studies of neuropsychological functioning in schizophrenia were inconsistent. Association between COMT allele type and cognition was not confirmed in all studies. This study attempted to assess the neuropsychological performance on a hypothesis-driven MBIAL-computerized neuropsychological battery in a sample of schizophrenia subjects and matched healthy comparison subjects and its relationship with the gene polymorphism. Methods: Total 34 patients and 30 matched healthy controls were recruited after obtaining informed consent. An HMSE was applied to exclude those with scores <23. The matrix reasoning module of WAIS-III was applied to obtain an estimate of their perceptual organization index as a reflection of their intellectual abilities, independent of verbal abilities. A novel MBIAL Computerized neuropsychological battery consisting of 6 tests was applied on all the subjects. Later, both the groups were assessed for symptom severity using PANSS. All Neuropsychological tests and PANSS Interviews using SCI-PANSS were Video and Audio recorded. Genotyping for COMTval158met polymorphism was accomplished by PCR-RFLP method. Genotype frequencies across groups were noted using chi-square test and later were compared using ANCOVA as we had WAIS III and HMSE as covariates. Results: Schizophrenia patients performed significantly poorly on most of the neuropsychological tests as compared with healthy matched controls. Negative symptom severity was associated with significant impairment in neuropsychological deficits as compared to positive symptoms. Separate analysis of association of gene polymorphism on these cognitive tests done on patients and controls did not reveal much results. But on pooled data, we found Val-Carriers performed poorly on most of the Neuropsychological and Information processing tasks and have high threat perception compared to Non-Val Carriers. Conclusion: Hypothesis-driven neuropsychological battery was used in schizophrenia that incorporated tests for frontal executive functioning; rostral prefrontal functioning; threat perception (aberration of which is postulated to underlie delusion formation); and cross-modal sensory integration (aberration of which is postulated to underlie development of hallucinations). The MBIAL battery is sensitive in detecting differences between patients and controls in the adult population. We suggest here that Val158Met polymorphism rather exerts a modifying influence on brain activation in general than impacts directly on performance of the particular neuropsychological task.

An assessment of WISC-IIIUK on children with HIV infection.

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition UK test was administered to groups of children between the ages of 6 and 12 years with vertically transmitted HIV infection (n = 70) and a control group who were not infected by the virus (n = 70). The study was conducted in India. The two groups were matched for general verbal abilities, age and gender. The children were assessed for Verbal IQ, Performance IQ and Full-Scale IQ. The Verbal Comprehension Index, Perceptual Organization Index and Freedom from Distractibility Index were also obtained. A three-factor analysis of variance disclosed that school-age children with vertically transmitted HIV infection notched below in the areas of Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, Full-Scale IQ, Verbal Comprehension Index, Perceptual Organization Index and Freedom from Distractibility Index when collated with normal uninfected cohorts. Findings are discussed in the light of both theoretical and clinical implications.

Are Weight Status and Cognition Associated? An Examination of Cognitive Development in Children and Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa 1 Year after First Hospitalisation.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to characterise the association between the cognitive profile and weight restoration in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa.MethodsThe study was a longitudinal, matched case–control, multicentre study. An assessment of cognitive functions was conducted by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–III/the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–III, the Test of Memory and Learning–second edition, Trail Making Tests A and B, the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery.ResultsOne hundred twenty individuals, 60 patients with anorexia nervosa with mean age of 14.65 (SD 1.820) years and 60 healthy controls with mean age of 14.76 (SD 1.704) years, participated. No association was found between weight recovery and cognitive functions. However, a significant increase in motor speed was found in Trail Making Test A (p = 0.004), Reaction Time (RTI) five‐choice movement time (p = 0.002) and RTI simple movement time (p = 0.011), resulting in a normalisation corresponding to that found in healthy controls. Furthermore, a significantly lower score in the perceptual organization index (p = 0.029) was found at follow‐up.ConclusionsWeight recovery appears not to be associated with cognition. Copyright © 2016 The Authors European Eating Disorders Review published by Eating Disorders Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Interpreting WAIS-III performance after primary brain tumor surgery

ABSTRACTThe literature lacks information on the performance of patients with brain tumors on the Wechsler Intelligence Scales. This study aimed to explore the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III) performance profile of 23 consecutive patients with brain tumors and 23 matched controls selected from the Portuguese WAIS-III standardization sample, using the technical manual steps recommended for score interpretation. The control group was demographically matched to the tumor group regarding gender, age, education, profession, and geographic region. The technical manual steps recommended for score interpretation were applied. Patients with brain tumors had significantly lower performances on the Performance IQ, Full-Scale IQ, Perceptual Organization Index, Working Memory Index, Processing Speed Index, Arithmetic, Object Assembly, and Picture Arrangement, though all scaled scores were within the normal range according to the manual tables. Only Vocabulary and Comprehension scatter scores were statistically different between groups. No strengths or weaknesses were found for either group. The mean discrepancy scores do not appear to have clinical value for this population. In conclusion, the study results did not reveal a specific profile for patients with brain tumors on the WAIS-III.

Long-term neuropsychological outcomes in children and adolescents after cardiac arrest.

PurposeResearch into neuropsychological functioning of survivors of cardiac arrest (CA) in childhood is scarce. We sought to assess long-term neuropsychological functioning in children and adolescents surviving CA.MethodsNeuropsychological follow-up study involving all consecutive children surviving CA between January 2002 and December 2011. Intelligence (IQ), language, attention, memory, visual–spatial, and executive functioning were assessed with internationally validated, neuropsychological tests and questionnaires. Scores were compared with Dutch normative data.ResultsOf 107 eligible children, 47 who visited the outpatient clinic (median follow-up interval: 5.6 years) were analyzed. Fifty-five percent had an in-hospital CA, 86 % a non-shockable rhythm, and 49 % a respiratory-related etiology. CA survivors scored significantly worse on full-scale IQ (bar{x} = 87.3), verbal IQ (bar{x} = 92.7), performance IQ (bar{x} = 85.6), verbal comprehension index (bar{x} = 93.4), perceptual organization index (bar{x} = 83.8), and processing speed index (bar{x} = 91.1), than the norm population (mean IQ = 100). On neuropsychological tests, compared with norms, respectively adjusted for IQ, significantly worse scores were found on visual memory, significantly better on verbal memory (recognition), and comparable outcomes on visual–motor integration, attention, other measures of verbal memory, and executive functioning. On questionnaires, parents reported better executive functioning than the norm, but teachers reported more problems in planning/organizing skills.ConclusionsLong-term neuropsychological assessment of CA survivors showed significant weaknesses, but also relatively intact functioning. As deficits in IQ, memory and executive functioning have significant impact on the child, long-term follow-up and neuropsychological support of CA survivors is warranted.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00134-015-3789-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cognitive profile of children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

ObjectiveFew studies of cognitive functioning in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) have been conducted. The aim of this study was to examine the neurocognitive and intelligence profile of this clinical group.MethodThe study was a matched case–control (N = 188), multi-centre study including children and adolescents with AN (N = 94) and healthy control participants (N = 94).ResultsThe results suggest that Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III/Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III) in this patient group is close to the normal population mean of 100. Individuals with AN exhibited significantly worse performance in nonverbal intelligence functions (i.e. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III/Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, Perceptual Organization Index) and in verbal memory (Test of Memory and Learning—Second Edition, Memory for Stories) and motor speed (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, Simple and Choice Reaction Time) compared with healthy control participants. No significant difference in set-shifting ability (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift and Trail Making Test B) was found.ConclusionsInefficiency in nonverbal intelligence functions and in specific cognitive functions was found in this study of children and adolescents with AN. © 2014 The Authors. European Eating Disorders Review published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

EPA-0570 – Wais-iii taps fluid intelligence and executive functions in psychiatric patients and healthy participants

Introduction The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) is widely used in clinical practice but has been subject to criticism due to lack of theoretical foundation. Particularly, the disproportionate assessment of cristallized intelligence (Gc), in comparison to fluid intelligence (Gf) is repeatedly noticed. Gf is in fact a reflection of executive functioning (EF) a set of abilities that includes mental flexibility, planning and problem solving, and (social) decision making. A more balanced assessment of Gc and Gf is important because Gf has significant impact on overall cognitive functioning. Objectives Gaining insight in the degree to which WAIS-III variables are saturated with EF. Aims Examining the relationship between subtests of the WAIS-III and executive functions in a heterogeneous sample consisting both psychiatric patients and healthy volunteers. Methods The Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Stroop Color-Word Test were administered to a heterogeneous group of 234 psychiatric patients and 24 healthy volunteers. Maximum likelihood procedures with promax rotation were applied to two, three and four factor solutions. Results The four factor model fitted the data best, confirming the four factor indices of the WAIS-III. All three executive tasks had their highest loading on the factor corresponding to the perceptual organization index of the WAIS-III. Conclusions Present study results confirm the overload of crystallized intelligence in the subtests and EF involvement in the Perceptual Organization Index of the WAIS-III. Results are discussed as to the need for an integrated, multifaceted view on cognitive disorders and intellectual (dis)abilities.