This study examined the validity of semantic clustering indexes developed for the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R). Participants were healthy adults and patients diagnosed with probable dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) or vascular dementia (VaD). Neuropsychological test records, which included the HVLT-R, were collected from an archival database. Ratio semantic clustering (RSC) scores were calculated for each HVLT-R recall trial. Factor analysis including RSC and other HVLT-R scores yielded high loadings of RSC scores on a distinct clustering factor. Group comparisons showed that normal controls had higher HVLT-R recall and RSC scores than DAT and VaD patients. Only the DAT group showed significant decline in RSC from the final learning trial to delayed recall, and only the DAT group performed more poorly than controls on other semantic processing measures (e.g., HVLT-R semantically-related false positives, Boston Naming Test). Results suggest that these newly developed semantic clustering indexes are easily calculated and potentially useful for discriminating between elder controls and dementia patients.
Thursday, April 30April 14, 2020Free AccessPredicting Longitudinal Cognitive Decline in MS Using Baseline Clinical Routine T2-FLAIR MRI (2577)Tom Fuchs, Ralph Benedict, Hoan Tran, Daniel Brior, Niels Bergsland, Dejan Jakimovski, Deepa Ramasamy, Robert Zivadinov, and Michael DwyerAuthors Info & AffiliationsApril 14, 2020 issue94 (15_supplement)https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.94.15_supplement.2577 Letters to the Editor
Journal Article The TG Interview: Robert Benedict, U.S. Commissioner, Administration on Aging, Department of Health, Education and Welfare Get access The Gerontologist, Volume 20, Issue 2, April 1980, Pages 131–139, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/20.2.131 Published: 01 April 1980
We examined the impact of neuropsychological (NP) impairment on activities of daily living (ADLs) and quality of life in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-infected persons of low socioeconomic status (SES). Thirty-nine patients were stratified into one of three groups: cognitively normal (n = 13), mild cognitive impairment (n = 15), and moderate/severe impairment (n = 11). Quality of life was assessed with the Sickness Impact Profile and ADLs were evaluated via structured interview performed in the patient's residence. While there were no significant differences across groups on disease stage, drug use, depression, or estimated premorbid IQ, cognitively impaired patients were more likely to be unemployed and fail social planning and medication management tasks. Our study confirms a previously reported association between NP impairment and unemployment among HIV-1-infected patients. The data also extend this relationship to a low-SES sample with a high base rate of unemployment, and to instrumental activities of daily living other than work.
Assess differences in the association of cognitive and clinical variables with work status between people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and healthy controls (HCs) and study the association between work-related difficulties - negative work events (NWE) and work hours per week - and work status in PwMS and HCs through the BVMS.
Background:
PwMS are vulnerable to diverse unfavorable work experiences, from reduced hours to unemployment.
Design/Methods:
We enrolled 80 PwMS & 80 HCs for a single examination that included Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMTR), & Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX). We used the Buffalo Vocational Monitoring Survey (BVMS) to investigate work status and work-related difficulties. Work status was classified into: Stable, Challenged or Loss. Work-related difficulties includes absenteeism, income, hours worked per week, and NWEs (verbal reprimands, demotions, etc.). Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) and Pearson correlations were performed.
Results:
PwMS and HCs were matched on demographics. PwMS (EDSS: 3.18±2.44; disease duration: 13.23±9.14), were impaired on SDMT: 45.16±14.56, CVLT: 48.71±12.71, BVMTR: 21.30±12.65, and DEX: 21.36±12.04. Work status (PwMS vs. HCs): Stable: 51.2% vs. 90%, Challenged: 25% vs. 6.2%, & Loss: 23.8% vs. 3.8%. PwMS: EFA (KMO 0.664, Bartlett 0.000), work status (0.779), SDMT (0.841), CVLT (0.821), and BVMTR (0.560) (α=.590) loaded into the 1° factor, and work status (0.021), DEX (0.891) and depression (0.897) (α=.765) into the 2° factor. HCs: EFA (KMO 0.572, Bartlett 0.000) work status (0.182), SDMT (0.790), CVLT (0.678) and BVMTR (0.751) (α .593) loaded into the 1° factor, and work status (−0.431), DEX (0.808) and depression (0.856) (α=.459) into the 2° factor. In both groups, work status was associated with NWEs (PwMS: r=.864; p=.000, HCs: r= −.758; p=.000) and work hours per week (PwMS: r=.778;p=.000, HCs: r=.393; p=.000).
Conclusions:
Processing speed and memory are associated with worse work status in PwMS, and depression and impaired executive functioning in HCs. Disclosure: Sandra Vanotti has received research support from Merck S.A.,Buenos Aires, Argentina, an affiliate Merck S.A.,Buenos Aires, Argentina, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Maria Sol Román has nothing to disclose. Miss Bardoneschi has nothing to disclose. Mr. Jaworski III has nothing to disclose. Mrs. De Los Santos has nothing to disclose. Miss Daniele has nothing to disclose. Maria Laura Saladino has nothing to disclose. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Bristol Meyers Squibb. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Roche. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Brystal Mier Squibb. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for EMD Serono. The institution of Dr. Benedict has received research support from Genzyme. The institution of Dr. Benedict has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Dr. Benedict has received research support from Bristol Myer Squib. Dr. Benedict has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Fernando Caceres has nothing to disclose.
April 26, 2018April 10, 2018Free AccessPreservation of Functional Connectivity Moderates the Impact of White Matter Tract Disruption on Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis (S44.008)Tom Fuchs, Ralph Benedict, Sanjeevani Choudhery, Xian Li, Keith Carolus, Matthew Mallory, Alexander Bartnik, … Show All … , Devon Oship, Faizan Yasin, Deepa Ramasamy, Dejan Jakimovski, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Robert Zivadinov, and Michael Dwyer Show FewerAuthors Info & AffiliationsApril 10, 2018 issue90 (15_supplement)https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.90.15_supplement.S44.008 Letters to the Editor
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