Separating cognitive impairment in neurologically asymptomatic alcoholism from Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Is the neuropsychological distinction justified?

Recent studies that have combined neuropathological data and clinical histories in a retrospective fashion have shown that Wernicke-Korsakoff neuropathology (WKN) is often unsuspected antemortem and that, in terms of clinical presentation, it is more heterogeneous than previously assumed. Thus, many studies of neurologically normal alcoholics (ALs) may have been confounded by the inclusion of patients with neurologically asymptomatic WKN. Postmortem and in vivo studies have shown that ALs, irrespective of neurological diagnosis, have widespread pathology involving many cortical and subcortical sites. In addition, clinical studies have indicated that, like neurologically asymptomatic ALs, Korsakoff ALs may enjoy substantial recovery in cognitive function. Furthermore, the common research strategy of identifying a subset of neurologically diagnosed Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) as a discrete group of "pure" Korsakoff's amnesia by using a definitional IQ-Wechsler Memory Scale quotient differences may have created a neuropsychological stereotype that is not representative of the broader clinical group. In light of these considerations, the separate treatment of cognitive impairment in groups of ALs distinguished by the clinical signs of WKS may not be justified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Semantic error patterns on the Boston Naming Test in normal aging, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and mild Alzheimer's disease: Is there semantic disruption?

Naming difficulty is common in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the nature of this problem is not well established. The authors investigated the presence of semantic breakdown and the pattern of general and semantic errors in patients with mild AD, patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and normal controls by examining their spontaneous answers on the Boston Naming Test (BNT) and verifying whether they needed or were benefited by semantic and phonemic cues. The errors in spontaneous answers were classified in four mutually exclusive categories (semantic errors, visual paragnosia, phonological errors, and omission errors), and the semantic errors were further subclassified as coordinate, superordinate, and circumlocutory. Patients with aMCI performed normally on the BNT and needed fewer semantic and phonemic cues than patients with mild AD. After semantic cues, subjects with aMCI and control subjects gave more correct answers than patients with mild AD, but after phonemic cues, there was no difference between the three groups, suggesting that the low performance of patients with AD cannot be completely explained by semantic breakdown. Patterns of spontaneous naming errors and subtypes of semantic errors were similar in the three groups, with decreasing error frequency from coordinate to superordinate to circumlocutory subtypes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is there still a role for functional radionuclide study of the liver?

Clinical applications of radionuclide methods for the study of liver hemodynamics and hepatocyte function are examined. In particular, as for hemodynamic studies, perfusion assessment with radiocolloids, 99mTc-IDA scintigraphy or 99mTc-labeled red blood cells, is underlined; they allow characterization of the different cellular component of space-occupying liver processes. The use of hepatic perfusion index (HPI) is reconsidered both as prognostic parameter in cirrhotic patients and as predictor of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. The diagnostic role of recent procedures, as those based on endorectal radiopharmaceuticals in the evaluation of portosystemic shunts in cirrhosis, is analyzed. Studies of hepatocyte function of practical concern are essentially devoted to the "excretory function" and "asialoglycoprotein metabolism". In the first case, a major role is played by IDA halogenated derivatives and functional parameters drawn from them by mathematico-statistical evaluations of radiohepatogram (simple or applied to compartmental models). For metabolic studies, at present an artificial glycoprotein, 99mTc-galactosylneoglycoalbumin (99mTc-NGA) that binds with hepatocellular receptors is used. Information on the rate of blood plasma clearance and liver uptake, receptor density (altered in some pathologic conditions) and plasmic hepatic flow, is supplied.     

Is marital discord taxonic and can taxonic status be assessed reliably? Results from a national, representative sample of married couples.

Addressing potential weaknesses in an earlier investigation, the authors examined the latent structure of marital discord using 4 product indicators from the Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised (Snyder, 1997) in a representative sample of community couples (N = 1,020). Results from 3 taxometric procedures suggested that marital discord is taxonic, with an estimated base rate of .31. Cut scores for classifying members of this marital discord taxon were identified. Additional analyses with several data sets of community and clinic couples provided evidence that the marital discord taxon classification demonstrated good (a) 6-week test-retest reliability, (b) criterion validity (i.e., differences in taxon prevalence in community vs. clinic couples), and (c) construct validity (i.e., correlations with therapist ratings of relationship quality). These results suggest that discordant couples differ qualitatively and not just quantitatively from nondiscordant couples and that user friendly methods, suitable for a range of research and clinical applications, can be used to identify marital discord. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is criminal behavior a central component of psychopathy? Conceptual directions for resolving the debate.

The development of the Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL–R; R. D. Hare, 2003) has fueled intense clinical interest in the construct of psychopathy. Unfortunately, a side effect of this interest has been conceptual confusion and, in particular, the conflating of measures with constructs. Indeed, the field is in danger of equating the PCL–R with the theoretical construct of psychopathy. A key point in the debate is whether criminal behavior is a central component, or mere downstream correlate, of psychopathy. In this article, the authors present conceptual directions for resolving this debate. First, factor analysis of PCL–R items in a theoretical vacuum cannot reveal the essence of psychopathy. Second, a myth about the PCL–R and its relation to violence must be examined to avoid the view that psychopathy is merely a violent variant of antisocial personality disorder. Third, a formal, iterative process between theory development and empirical validation must be adopted. Fundamentally, constructs and measures must be recognized as separate entities, and neither reified. Applying such principles to the current state of the field, the authors believe the evidence favors viewing criminal behavior as a correlate, not a component, of psychopathy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depression as a risk factor or prodromal feature for dementia? Findings in a population-based sample of Swedish twins.

This study tested whether history of depression is associated with an increased likelihood of dementia, and whether a first depressive episode earlier in life is associated with increased dementia risk, or whether only depressive episodes close in time to dementia onset are related to dementia. Depression information came from national hospital discharge registries, medical history, and medical records. Dementia was diagnosed clinically. In case–control results, individuals with recent registry-identified depression were 3.9 times more likely than those with no registry-identified depression history to have dementia, whereas registry-identified depression earlier in life was not associated with dementia risk. Each 1-year increase in time between depression onset and dementia onset or equivalent age decreased the likelihood of dementia by 8.4%. In co-twin control analyses, twins with prior depression were 3.0 times more likely to have dementia than their nondepressed twin partners, with a similar age of depression gradient. These findings suggest that after partially controlling for genetic influences, late-life depression for many individuals may be a prodrome rather than a risk factor for dementia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is a low leptin concentration, a low resting metabolic rate, or both the expression of the "thrifty genotype"? Results from Mexican Pima Indians

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in some populations is believed to be the expression of a "thrifty genotype," which conferred survival advantages during periods of harsh environmental conditions, but has become a liability in industrialized environments of abundance. Low plasma leptin concentrations and a low metabolic rate may be the phenotypic expression of this genotype. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that plasma leptin concentrations and resting metabolic rate would be lower in Mexican Pima Indians not yet exposed to an affluent lifestyle than in non-Pima Mexicans living in the same environment. DESIGN: We studied 208 nondiabetic Pima Indians (105 women and 103 men) living a traditional lifestyle in a remote, mountainous area of northwest Mexico and 183 nondiabetic non-Pima Mexicans (90 women and 93 men) living in the same environment. A subset of 40 (17 women and 23 men) Pima Indians and 40 (19 women and 21 men) non-Pima Mexicans was selected for studies of energy metabolism with a ventilated-hood system. RESULTS: Leptin concentrations were strongly correlated with percentage body fat in both groups (r = 0.83, P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in plasma leptin concentration between groups in absolute value (P = 0.90) or after adjustment for percentage body fat, waist circumference, age, and sex (P = 0.40). Similarly, there was no significant difference in resting metabolic rate between groups in absolute value (P = 0.27) or after adjustment for fat-free mass (P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support the hypothesis that hypoleptinemia, a relatively low resting metabolic rate, or both are expressions of the thrifty genotype.     

Psychopathic traits from the perspective of self and informant reports: Is there evidence for a lack of insight?

It has been suggested that psychopathic individuals are incapable of providing valid reports on their own personality functioning because they are either unwilling (i.e., pathologically lie) or unable (i.e. lack insight) to do so. Despite the long-standing nature of this suggestion, almost no empirical research exists on this topic. In the current study, the authors examined the issue of psychopathy and insight by testing self and informant convergence and mean level differences across 3 indices of psychopathy in a community sample (N = 64). Self- and informant-report psychopathy scores were also examined in relation to self and informant reports on traits from the Five-Factor Model (FFM). Convergence was strong across the 3 psychopathy indices and their respective factors (i.e., median r = .64), and there was only modest evidence that individuals rated themselves as less psychopathic than did informants. In addition, the same FFM domains—low Agreeableness and Conscientiousness—characterized individuals with psychopathic traits regardless of reporter. Psychopathic individuals appear capable of reporting accurately on psychopathic traits when there are no direct consequences to accurate reporting (i.e., sentencing). It may be that the lack of concern for the consequences of these traits has been mistaken for a lack of insight into them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is the donut in front of the car? An electrophysiological study examining spatial reference frame processing.

Notes that the process of describing an object's location relative to another object results in ambiguity. How do people handle this ambiguity? The present 3 studies, using a total of 88 undergraduates, examined spatial language processing when use of different reference frames results in ambiguity. This study investigated whether electrophysiological measures of cognitive processing may elucidate underlying reference frame processing; in particular, the authors were interested in semantic integration. Electrophysiological results show a larger N400, peaking between 300 and 375 ms, when the intrinsic frame was not used. Behavioral results mirrored this finding, indicating a reduced cognitive processing requirement for the intrinsic reference frame. Previous work has not definitively tied spatial reference frame processing to specific electrophysiological components and their associated cognitive processes. Although the N400 peak seen in this data is early, additional work supports the N400 interpretation, thereby linking spatial frame processing to semantic integration. Results are discussed within the larger context of spatial reference frame processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is animal cruelty a marker of interpersonal violence and delinquency? Results of a Swiss National Self-Report study.

Objective: The study assesses the correlation between self-reported delinquency on one hand, and empathy and cruelty toward animals on the other hand, taking into account personal background, personality characteristics, and social context. It is based on the first representative sample of adolescents that allows studying this issue in Europe. Method: The study uses data from the 2006 Swiss National Self-Reported Delinquency Survey. The sample contains more than 3,600 pupils in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. Results: The lifetime prevalence of animal cruelty in Swiss teenagers is 12%. Asked how they feel about people hurting animals, 2.4% answered animals deserve it or it is fun. Animal cruelty is correlated to various forms of offending. Youth who admit having maltreated animals have a higher likelihood of committing vandalism and serious violent acts. The correlation is weaker for minor violence and nonviolent offenses, such as serious property offenses and shoplifting. Conclusion: Animal cruelty goes along with higher risks of committing various types of offenses, but the odds are highest for offenses having a component of anger. Professionals should be aware that animal maltreatment is a sign of serious maladjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

From fighting to preventing disease. Is such a paradigm possible for schizophrenic disorders?

Research on early detection and early treatment of schizophrenia is not only based on findings of studies of course, outcome and therapy, but is the most obvious consequence of the nowadays dominating conceptualisation of schizophrenia. In the last decades, results of birth cohort studies as well as of genetic and psychometric "high-risk" research, of epidemiological studies and of studies of the clinical course have given starting points for the development of early detection and early intervention programmes. Such programmes will be applicable most likely at the begin of the psychotic first manifestation, but it seems possible that they can be extended to the prodromal phase or the premorbide phase. Therefore, it is important to build up early detection networks based on regional early detection centres interacting between each other via an international network. The main aim of these centres--once sensitive screening instruments are existent--should be the identification of not yet psychotic at-risk persons in the general population and, after the application of specific prediction instruments, their preventive treatment.     

What is the shelf life of a test? The effect of time on the psychometrics of a cognitive ability test battery.

The psychometric stability of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery was studied with data collected at 5 points over a 16-year period using item response theory (IRT) methods. Although 25 of the 200 items changed significantly over the years across 3 different gender-ethnic groups (i.e., White men, White women, and Black men), the overall characteristics of the tests were not severely affected by item-level changes. Items from tests that were more semantically laden were found to be more susceptible to the effects of time compared with those that focused on skills and principles. The findings are discussed in the context of the effects of time on the effectiveness of psychological measures. A call is made to test developers and test users to pay attention to the shelf life of their tests. The use of IRT methods for studying the effects of time on psychometrics is also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Do perceptions of vulnerability and worry mediate the effects of a smoking cessation intervention for women attending for a routine cervical smear test? An experimental study.

Objective: Numerous correlational studies have examined whether perceptions of vulnerability or worry are better predictors of health-related behavior. The aim of this experimental study was to explore some of the potential causal relationships involved: Are the effects of a brief smoking cessation intervention (for women attending for cervical smear tests) on intention to stop smoking mediated by perceived vulnerability or worry about cervical cancer? Design: A mediation analysis of an experimental study. Main outcome measures: Perceived vulnerability to and worry about cervical cancer, and intention to stop smoking in the next month. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 172 (71%) women at 2-week follow-up. Compared with women in the control group, those in the intervention group had higher perceptions of vulnerability, worry, and intention to stop smoking. Personal vulnerability (p Conclusion: Worry may be a less important construct in relation to disease prevention behaviors such as smoking cessation. More experimental studies comparing different behaviors are needed to determine the causal relationship between worry and outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The functions of nonsuicidal self-injury: Support for cognitive–affective regulation and opponent processes from a novel psychophysiological paradigm.

Although research on the reasons for engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has increased dramatically in the last few years, there are still many aspects of this pernicious behavior that are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to address these gaps in the literature, with a particular focus on investigating whether NSSI (a) regulates affective valence in addition to affective arousal and (b) serves a cognitive regulation function in addition to an affect regulation function. To elucidate these issues, the present study utilized a sample of 112 participants (33 controls, 39 no pain controls, 16 NSSI individuals, and 24 controls matching the affect dysregulation levels of the NSSI group), employed psychophysiological measures of affective valence (startle-alone reactivity) and quality of information processing (prepulse inhibition), and used experimental methods involving an NSSI-proxy to model the NSSI process. Results largely were consistent with predictions, supporting the hypotheses that NSSI serves to regulate cognitive processing and affective valence. On this latter point, however, the control groups also showed a decrease in negative affective valence after the NSSI-proxy. This unexpected finding is consistent with the hypothesis that opponent processes may contribute to the development of self-injurious behaviors (Joiner, 2005). Overall, the present study represents an important extension of previous laboratory NSSI studies and provides a fertile foundation for future studies aimed at understanding why people engage in NSSI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

To Be or Not to Be—That Is the Question: Is a DRB Right for Your Project?

Dispute review boards (DRBs) have been used on a wide variety of projects both in the United States and abroad. However, this alternative dispute resolution1 methodology has been around for over 3 decades and as of 2006 has been used on over 1,434 projects according to the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation; therefore, now is the time to consider whether the benefits of a DRB outweigh its potential downside. Some DRBs are successful in that all issues have been resolved prior to the close of the project, while others have failed and caused the issues to travel the continuum to litigation and/or arbitration. The writer’s first experience with a DRB was one that failed and the issues continued to both arbitration and litigation at great expense to both the owner and the contractor. The purpose of this paper is to explore the questions that need to be asked to determine whether or not a DRB is right for your project. It will outline the history and development of a DRB as well as its use in the United States and abroad. It will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using a DRB to permit a deliberate decision on whether or not a DRB is right for your project.     

A test of the reactive aggression-suicidal behavior hypothesis: Is there a case for proactive aggression?

A large body of literature suggests that aggressive behavior can be classified into two subtypes--reactive aggression (RA) and proactive aggression (PA)--which differ on dimensions of emotional arousal, control, and impulsivity. A longstanding hypothesis posits that RA underlies the association between aggression and suicidal behavior, with the implicit assumption that PA is unrelated to suicidal behavior. However, no empirical study to date has specifically investigated this question. The authors examined associations of RA and PA with suicide attempts and suicidal ideation among 878 male and female patients in substance-dependence treatment programs. They also examined the moderating effects of sex. Contrary to hypotheses, PA was associated with both suicide attempts and suicidal ideation. RA was also associated with both outcomes in unadjusted analyses but became nonsignificant for suicide attempts in multivariate analyses. Moreover, sex served as a moderator, with PA showing an association with suicide attempt among men but not women. Results indicate the need for additional studies of PA and suicidal behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Do reef fish, variola louti and scarus niger, perform amodal completion? Evidence from a field study.

In terms of visual perception, coral reefs are structurally complex habitats. Therefore, visual stimuli that invoke territorial behavior in fish, causing them to respond to potential intruders and competitors, may be fragmented. Amodal completion was recently shown in a fish species. Here, we presented a mirror covered by occluders, with different squared openings arranged in a vertical or a horizontal broken line or a checkerboard formation, within their natural territories in the reef. Single small openings in the occluders did not trigger an attack on the reflected image, while specific configurations of them did so, suggesting that fish recognized an intruder in the fragmented image. The results suggest the use of amodal completion by fish although other possibilities cannot be rejected. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Do some evaluators report consistently higher or lower PCL-R scores than others? Findings from a statewide sample of sexually violent predator evaluations.

This study examined whether some evaluators tend to report consistently higher or lower scores than other evaluators for offenders on the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; R. D. Hare, 1991, 2003). Data for the study were PCL-R total scores for 321 sex offenders, evaluated by 1 or more of 20 different state-contracted evaluators, during a process of screening for civil commitment as sexually violent predators. More than 30% of the variability in PCL-R scores was attributable to differences among evaluators, with mean PCL-R scores given by 2 of the most prolific evaluators differing by almost 10 points. In a subsample of 22 offenders evaluated with the PCL-R on 2 or more occasions, evaluator agreement (intraclass correlation A,1 = .47) was low. Together, these findings raise concerns about the field reliability of the PCL-R and suggest the need for research examining field reliability of other measures used in forensic assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)