The relationship between oral and written language

It has been agreed for some time now that reading is primarily a language-based activity and that deficits in oral language will be reflected in deficits in reading ability. This paper explores the association between specific aspects of oral and written language as reflected in current literature and research.     

The relationship between information processing and language production.

We explored the relationships between information processing and language in order to further the understanding of language disturbances in psychiatric patients. To assess the impact of reduced processing capacity on language, 50 undergraduates completed an interview concurrent with a category monitoring task and a control interview without a concurrent task. Syntactic complexity, verbosity, and pause patterns were all disrupted by a reduction in processing capacity. In addition, individual differences in syntactic complexity and information processing were significantly associated, even after accounting for verbal intelligence. We discuss the relevance of the results for understanding language disturbances in psychopathology and hypothesize that a reduction in processing capacity may underlie the decreased syntactic complexity, decreased verbal output, and increased pause length found in schizophrenia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between cognitive inhibition and psychotic symptoms.

Cognitive models of schizophrenia have highlighted deficits of inhibitory attentional processes as central to the disorder. This has been investigated using "negative priming" (S. P. Tipper, 1985), with schizophrenia patients showing a reduction of negative priming in a number of studies. This study attempted to replicate these findings, but studied psychotic symptoms rather than the broad diagnostic category of schizophrenia. Psychotic individuals exhibiting positive symptoms were compared with asymptomatic psychiatric patients and with a normal control group. As predicted, the symptomatic group failed to show the usual negative priming effect, which was present in the asymptomatic and normal groups. A modest but significant correlation was found between negative priming and delusions. Neither diagnosis, nor affective or negative symptoms, nor chronicity, nor medication, was related to negative priming. These data replicate previous findings that positive symptoms are related to a reduction in cognitive inhibition, although considerable variability was observed among the psychotic patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between specific cognitive functions and falls in aging.

The current study examined the relationship between cognitive function and falls in older people who did not meet criteria for dementia or mild cognitive impairment (N = 172). To address limitations of previous research, the authors controlled for the confounding effects of gait measures and other risk factors by means of associations between cognitive function and falls. A neuropsychological test battery was submitted to factor analysis, yielding 3 orthogonal factors (Verbal IQ, Speed/Executive Attention, Memory). Single and recurrent falls within the last 12 months were evaluated. The authors hypothesized that Speed/Executive Attention would be associated with falls. Additionally, the authors assessed whether associations between different cognitive functions and falls varied depending on whether single or recurrent falls were examined. Multivariate logistic regressions showed that lower scores on Speed/Executive Attention were associated with increased risk of single and recurrent falls. Lower scores on Verbal IQ were related only to increased risk of recurrent falls. Memory was not associated with either single or recurrent falls. These findings are relevant to risk assessment and prevention of falls and point to possible shared neural substrates of cognitive and motor function. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between remembering and knowing: a cognitive neuroscience perspective

Cognitive neuroscience has provided strong support for the idea that there are multiple memory systems. Recent evidence suggests that remembering and knowing may be two types of recognition with different neural substrates. The remember/know distinction is not equivalent to the explicit/implicit distinction because both remembering and knowing are impaired after damage to medial temporal lobe structures. A number of converging lines of evidence suggest that the relationship between remembering and knowing is one redundancy, with "knowing" processes also active during remembering. Remembering appears to depend additionally on frontal lobe functioning.     

The relationship between cognitive deficits and everyday functional activities in multiple sclerosis.

Considerable evidence indicates that cognitive dysfunction and impairments in everyday life activities are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the relationship between these cognitive and functional deficits has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of cognitive dysfunction in the functional status of individuals with MS. Participants were 74 adults with MS and 35 healthy comparison participants (HCs) who underwent neuropsychological testing and completed the Executive Functions Performance Test (EFPT; Baum, Morrison, Hahn, & Edwards, 2003), an objective measure of everyday life activities. Between-groups comparisons and correlational analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between cognition and functional capacity. Significant differences in EFPT performance were revealed between individuals with MS with and without cognitive impairment and HCs. In individuals with MS, performance on cognitive constructs was related to performance on the EFPT. Furthermore, a linear regression model comprised of indices of cognitive functioning explained a significant portion of the variance in everyday life activities. Findings suggest that individuals with and without cognitive impairment differ in functional status and that aspects of cognition are predictive of functional status in MS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Theoretical explanation of the relationship between backscattered electron and x-ray linear attenuation coefficients in calcified tissues

Adverse reactions to seafood are common and may cause many types of symptoms that are difficult to define. The nature of these reactions are variable including allergic and toxic reactions as well as infectious diseases. The differentiation between these entities is essential in choosing therapy. We describe 9 patients with IgE mediated allergic reactions due to crustaceans and fish diagnosed from case history, clinical findings, skin tests and specific IgE antibodies. Most symptoms of a IgE mediated allergic reaction appear within 30 minutes after ingestion. Characteristics clinical features may include an urticarial rash, gastrointestinal symptoms and even anaphylaxis. In this case immediate therapy with intravenous glucocorticoids, antihistamine and perhaps subcutaneous epinephrine is required.     

The relationship between loneliness, social support, and decline in cognitive function in the hospitalized elderly

To determine the effects of preexisting levels of loneliness and social support on cognitive decline during hospitalization, 145 elderly subjects 65 to 92 years old without impaired cognition were tested for levels of loneliness, social support, and cognitive status on admission to an acute care hospital. Five days later, cognitive status was again measured in the remaining 86 patients. Loneliness was found to be inversely related to cognitive status on admission. In those with high loneliness scores on admission, cognitive status had improved significantly 5 days later. High social support was correlated with high cognitive status on admission and significant cognitive decline during hospitalization.     

The relationship between selected cognitive abilities and learning: A second look.

Examined the relationship between learning strategies and cognitive abilities in 3 experiments using a total of 420 3rd-12th graders from rural school as Ss. Ability tests given to Ss included Raven's Progressive Matrices and a digit span test. Based on the argument that such relationships ought to follow predictable and differentiated patterns, different strategy manipulations were used in an attempt to moderate the relationship between reasoning and memory abilities and free recall and paired associate learning. Results suggest that meaningful differential interrelations can be demonstrated as long as the processes and strategies forming the link between learning and ability test performance are both potent and well understood. Implications for future research into the cross-linkages between intelligence and learning tasks are discussed. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The neuropsychology of the prefrontal cortex

Single photon emission computed tomography with the xenon inhalation technique is used to compare activation of regional cerebral blood flow in frontal brain regions during the performance of four widely used neuropsychological tests: the Continuous Performance Test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Tower of London, and Porteus Mazes. Healthy normal volunteers performing these tasks show significant increases in frontal regions during the Continuous Performance Test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and the Tower of London, but not the Porteus Mazes. Activation produced by the Continuous Performance Test and the Tower of London are mesial and bilateral and may reflect stimulation of midline attentional circuits. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test produces a left dorsolateral area of prefrontal activation. These findings indicate that regional activation of the frontal lobes occurs in response to cognitive challenges produced through performance of standard neuropsychological tests.     

The relationship of the changing structure of families and the health of children

The changing family structure impacts on the physical and mental health, emotional state and academic performance of children. Children reared in other than a family with both biological parents have increased difficulties. Pediatric dentists will need to consider these realities in their treatment of an increasing diverse population of children.     

Prospects for a cognitive neuropsychology of autism: Hobson's choice.

A. M. Leslie (see record 1988-13495-001) proposed a new, metarepresentational model for the cognition of pretense. This model identified a cognitive component necessary for the normal development of a "theory of mind." In this article, the relation of the child's early affective sensitivities to this component is considered. Early affective sensitivities seem to be cognitively distinct from the metarepresentational component. Childhood autism provides an interesting opportunity to study this problem. Three theoretical possibilities for the pathogenesis of this condition are presented: (a) a basic affective disorder as proposed by R. P. Hobson (see record 1990-14380-001), (b) a basic affective disorder and a basic cognitive disorder jointly, and (c) a basic cognitive disorder. There is little evidence for Option a, and a growing body of evidence supports Option c. Option b is sidelined for the time being on grounds of parsimony. Leslie's original theoretical proposals are revised, and some resulting implications are presented for the future investigation of the cognitive neuropsychology of autism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between the mini-mental state examination and cognitive functioning in normal elderly adults: a componential analysis

The relationship between the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and selected cognitive performance indices was examined in a sample of 251 non-demented adults over 75 years of age. MMSE items were divided into I 1 binomial content domains and an examination of these revealed that only seven had sufficient variability to predict cognitive performance. A factor analysis with these items yielded three factors, reflecting memory, spatial skill, and the ability to follow commands. After controlling for age and education, these factor scores were included as predictors of specific cognitive tasks including two measures of free recall, and two measures of visuospatial skill. The memory factor score was a strong predictor of the two free recall tasks and block design. The spatial factor score contributed to the prediction of the two visuospatial measures, as well as free recall of organizable words. The results suggest that, in normal ageing, the predictive value of the MMSE is due to subset of cognitively demanding items that are heavily influenced by both memory and visuospatial skills.     

The relationship between victimization and cognitive schemata among episodically homeless, seriously mentally ill women

This study explored the extent to which specific aspects of violent victimization are associated with cognitive schemata in the context of ongoing, often lifelong, trauma and negative life events. Specifically, we examined the relationships between cognitive schemata (safety, self- and other esteem, intimacy, and trust) and three dimensions of physical and sexual assault histories (recentness, frequency, and variety) among 91 predominantly African American, episodically homeless, seriously mentally ill women. Findings indicated that even in the context of pervasive violence, more frequent, recent, and varied abuse was associated with more negative cognitive schemata. We discuss these findings in the context of research and practice with disenfranchised populations at high risk for violent victimization.     

Individual-differences assessment of the relationship between change in and initial level of adult cognitive functioning.

Methodological factors may have been partially responsible for the inconsistency in findings from previous investigations into the relationship between change in, and initial level of, adult cognitive functioning. An alternative data-analytic procedure is proposed and applied to data from 277 men (25–76 yrs of age at initial testing) over 3 measurement occasions (interwave intervals of 6.7 yrs). Performances on both the Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Vocabulary subtest were analyzed. The findings demonstrate that the significant negative relationships between change and initial status, found on both tests, were partially a function of measurement error. Once adjustments were made for errors of measurement, the previously significant negative relationship for the BVRT data became significantly positive, whereas for the WAIS the relationship remained significantly negative, although to a lesser degree. The importance of accounting for errors of measurement is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The neuropsychology of post-polio fatigue

To test the hypothesis that post-polio fatigue and its concomitant cognitive deficits are associated with an impairment of attention and not of higher-level cognitive processes, six carefully screened polio survivors were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests. Only subjects reporting severe fatigue, and not those with mild fatigue, demonstrated clinically significant deficits on all tests of attention, concentration, and information processing speed while showing no impairments of cognitive ability or verbal memory. These findings suggest that an impaired ability to maintain attention and rapidly process complex information appears to be a characteristic in polio survivors reporting severe fatigue, because these deficits were documented even when their subjective rating of fatigue was low. This finding supports the hypothesis that a polio-related impairment of selective attention underlies polio survivors' subjective experience of fatigue and cognitive problems.     

The specialty of neuropsychology.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 4(3) of Neuropsychology (see record 2010-01278-001). This article does not represent an attempt by the Division 40 Committee on Professional Affairs to define the specialty of clinical neuropsychology, and was not prepared at the request of the Division 40 Committee on Professional Affairs of the American Psychological Association. The publisher extends its apologies for any confusion this may have caused.] Presents an attempt by the Division 40 Committee on Professional Affairs of the American Psychological Association to define the specialty of clinical neuropsychology. The specialty should be defined for psychologists and consumers of psychological services (e.g., government agencies, insurance companies) so that all concerned can have a clearer sense of expectations of qualifications and standards of practice for this field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)