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Biomedical subjects

A Ardila

Publications and source records attributed to A Ardila.

90 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Partial psychic seizures and brain organization.

This research was an attempt to determine the cerebral areas involved in focal epileptic seizures accompanied by psychic manifestations. Six types of partial seizures involving psychic symptomatology and phonatory seizures were included in the study. Sixty-one clinical records of focal epilepsy, which had been revealed by means of a CT-scan examination, were analyzed and a subsample of 25 patients with psychic symptoms was selected. The scans taken of the lesions were transferred to a six-level standard template built for this purpose. Subsequently, templates of patients with the same type of seizures were superimposed. The critical zones for the seven types of seizures studied are presented. A clear correlation was found between these results and our present knowledge of functional brain organization.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Sociocultural effects in neuropsychological assessment.

The group selected for this evaluation consisted of 109 normal people with an average age of 25, coming from two different sociocultural levels (high and low) of Mexico City. All were completely evaluated by Luria's battery for neuropsychological assessment, adapted by Ardila, Ostrosky, and Canseco, 1981. This group of tests measures nine different areas: Motor Functions, Somatosensory Knowledge, Auditory Knowledge, Visuospatial Knowledge, Cognitive Processes, Language, Reading, Writing and Basic Calculations. For all of these, the higher performance standards were achieved by the subjects from the high sociocultural level. A significant interaction between sociocultural level and sex was observed. The differences between sexes appear only in subjects from the low sociocultural level. Factor analysis of the battery revealed that the most sensitive items to sociocultural level were those related on one hand, to the handling of complex structural and conceptual aspects of language and on the other hand, to the organization of motor sequences and in general motor programming. Research related to the differences found is reviewed and implications for clinical assessment are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Topography of the hemi-inattention syndrome.

The hemi-inattention syndrome was studied in 15 right-handed adults, 12 men and 3 women. One patient had a pontic-mesencephalic lesion, 3 had right hemisphere damage, 7 had left-hemisphere lesion and 4 had bilateral lesions. All lesions were confirmed by CT-scan. Different criteria of hemi-inattention were used. All patients presented extinction, inattention and in 13 visuomotor akinesia; 5 of the left and all of the right and bilateral lesion patients presented spatial neglect. CT-scans were superimposed. The posterior parietal region was the most important in producing contralateral hemi-inattention. Results are discussed with relation to the literature and the educational factor and cerebral asymmetry are discussed with regard to hemi-inattention.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Transcortical motor aphasia: one or two aphasias?

The name "transcortical motor aphasia" has been used to refer to two different types of language alterations: damage in the left supplementary motor area and Luria's dynamic aphasia. It is proposed that they represent two types of language disturbances different enough to be considered two different forms of aphasia.

Aphasia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychoactive substance use: some associated characteristics.

A questionnaire designed to assess the prevalence of psychoactive substance use and its relation with: (a) central nervous system risk factors, (b) associated disorders (allergies, migraine-type headaches, developmental dyslexia history, smoking, suicide attempt, and sleep disorders), and (c) cognitive-type symptoms, was given to a general population sample of 1,879 university students (mean age = 24.0) from Bogotá (Colombia, South America). A prevalence of 3.4% of self-reported psychoactive substance use was found. Results indicated that the incidence of some risk factors of minor brain injury or dysfunction, smoking, suicide attempt, and headache was higher among the self-reported psychoactive substance users than among nonusers. Cognitive-type symptoms, except suicide ideation, did not differ between drug users and nonusers. Current results point to a significant association between psychoactive substance use and depressive symptoms, and there was no significant association between psychoactive substance use and psychotic ideation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Paroxysmal aphasias.

Forty cases of paroxysmal aphasia were found in a sample of 4,000 patients with epilepsy. Twenty-five had structural brain damage demonstrated by CT scan. Except for two cases, the epileptic focus was located in the left hemisphere. Two patients had a paroxysmal alexia associated with the aphasic disorder. Though preliminary, our data suggest a correlation of dysphasic components with posterior lesions and phonatory components with anterior lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Paroxysmal "feeling of somebody being nearby".

Several days after a right temporal lobectomy for an astrocytoma, a patient experienced a paroxysmal feeling that somebody was nearby. This spontaneous phenomenon has only rarely been reported in the epilepsy literature but has been reported to be evoked by electrical stimulation of the right amygdala. Despite the rarity in the literature, such unusual experiential phenomena probably are seen more frequently in clinical practice.

Amygdala↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Episodic psychic symptoms in the general population.

The frequency of some episodic psychic symptoms (dysmnesic, perceptual, and experiential) was determined in a 2,500-subject general population sample. Correlations with some risk factors eventually associated with nervous system dysfunctions (seizure history, head injury, car accident, hospitalization, febrile illness, and birth injury) were calculated. Subjects with one or several risk factors were more likely to report episodic psychic phenomena in daily life. Significant correlations of episodic psychic phenomena with sleep disorders, headache, allergies, and a history of learning disabilities were observed. We propose that some subclinical dysfunctions can be associated with the appearance of episodic psychic phenomena in otherwise normal subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuropsychological and behavioral assessment of ADHD in seven- to twelve-year-old children: a discriminant analysis.

We hypothesized that children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) would underperform on neuropsychological tests that are sensitive to executive function impairments. We further proposed that a linear discriminant analysis using behavioral and neuropsychological variables as dependent variables would pinpoint the capability of behavioral questionnaires and neuropsychological tests to predict the correct classification of ADHD and control children. We designed a transversal study with 62 seven- to twelve-year-old children with ADHD and 62 Full Scale IQ-matched controls using two behavioral scales and 13 neuropsychological tests. Using analysis of variance and covariance with age and school achievement and multifactor analysis of variance, we found that behavioral variables established robust, statistically significant differences between groups (p < .001). Children with ADHD scored worse than controls on 31 out of 61 neuropsychological variables. Children with ADHD, however, obtained better scores that were statistically significant on WISC-R Comprehension and Picture completion. A linear discriminant analysis with nine behavioral variables correctly classified 100% of the participants in both groups. Another linear discriminant analysis using 10 neuropsychological variables correctly classified 85.48% of the participants in both groups. We propose a core battery of selected tests for assessing children with ADHD. The significance of cross-cultural analyses of different developmental disturbances is emphasized.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Image characterization of Alzheimer's disease associated with the E280A-PS1 mutation. Case-control study: MRI findings].

INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: In order to compare the magnetic resonance image characteristics of individuals belonging to pedigrees carrying the mutation E280A-PS1 associated to early onset Alzheimer disease, coming from Antioquia, Colombia, 78 individuals were studied. 47 of them were carriers of the mutation, 23 of those presented symptoms and 31 individuals being controls (non carriers of the mutation). RESULTS: In summary, significative differences were appreciated between symptomatic individuals and those asymptomatic. There was not significant difference between asymptomatic carriers and the controls. The presence of the perihippocampal fissure constituted a difference statistically significant between the symptomatic individuals and those carriers asymptomatic and between the symptomatic ones and the controls. The interuncal distance increased significantly was another difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals and among symptomatic and control group. The lobar atrophy and the ventriculomegaly were found in symptomatic individuals and they correlate with the disorder graveness. There was not significance in the presence of infarcts and/or hippocampal hyperintensities. CONCLUSION: These results corroborate the statement that magnetic resonance image is very useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of individuals affected by early onset Alzheimer disease.

Age of Onset↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The use of brief questionnaire in the diagnosis of attention deficit. Study group of the Manizales University Foundation].

INTRODUCTION: American Psychiatric Association has defined the DSM-IV ADD diagnostic criteria and symptoms, however, there is not a quantitative instrument to evaluate them in Spanish speaker population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of a ADD checklist in a Colombian schooling population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized and stratified by sex, age and socioeconomic level, 4 to 17-year old, sample of 540 schooling subjects was selected from Manizales City, Colombia. An ADD checklist was applied to the parents of these subjects. RESULTS: The reliability of the different dimensions of the questionnaire (18 total items, 9 items for inattention, 9 for hyperactivity-impulsivity, and 6 for hyperactivity) were strong in both sex and in all age groups (Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.71-0.92). Only the impulsivity dimension formed by three variables showed fairly weak reliability (0.42-0.79 Cronbach's alpha). Some factorial analysis found two dimensions. In the male sample first dimension (inattention) explain around the 45% of the variance, and the second dimension (hyperactivity-impulsivity) explain around the 12 to 15% of the variance in the different age groups. In the female sample the first dimension was hyperactivity-impulsivity and the second dimension was inattention. A categorical (yes or not) scored questionnaire found a ADD estimated prevalence of 16.1, distributed in type I (combined) 3.3%, in type II (inattentive) 4.3%, and type III (hyperactive-impulsive) 8.5%. Male prevalence was 19.8% and female 12.4%. CONCLUSIONS: ADD checklist Spanish version showed a strong reliability. A bidimensional stable structured was found. A clinical related ADD prevalence was presented, it was much higher than the prevalence of the developed countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The Mini-Mental State Examination as a selected diagnostic test for dementia: a Colombian population study. GENECO].

INTRODUCTION: Folstein's Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is widely used as screening test for cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE: To test a Spanish version of the MMSE in a population of high illiteracy rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Population-based survey of a stratified random sample of urban and rural residents of five regions of Colombia, followed by neurological and neuropsychological evaluation of suspect cases (phase 2). Dementia was diagnosed using DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS: 1,611 subjects age 50 or older filled out both the WHO Protocol for Epidemiologic Studies of Neurological Disorders and a Spanish version of the MMSE; 55.2% of them had three or less years of schooling; 536 individuals with scores below cutoff points were sent to phase 2. Of the population with satisfactory scores in MMSE 366 (34.0%) were evaluated by neurologists to exclude other neurological conditions. Twelve cases of dementia were diagnosed among individuals with scores below cutoff point and one among subjects with high scores. Age-adjusted prevalence was 8.1 per thousand subjects age 50 or over (95% CI: 3.7-12.5); and 34.2 per thousand for ages 75 or over (95% CI: 12.2-56.2). Sensitivity and specificity were 92.3 and 53.7%; 16 of the 19 questions show significant differences (p < 0.001) according to educational level. A gender gap is significant in low educational levels (p < 0.001) but not in subjects with more than five years of schooling. CONCLUSIONS: MMSE scores correlated closely with level of education. Low specificity leads to many non-demented subjects with low educational status requiring further investigation.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cognitive evaluation in illiterate persons].

INTRODUCTION: Approximately a third of the world population is illiterate. The analysis of illiterate patients' performance in cognitive tasks is an important part of neuropsychology. OBJECTIVE: To show that cognitive evaluation tests, both psychological and neuropsychological, are extremely sensitive to the educational level of the subject. DEVELOPMENT AND CONCLUSIONS: It has been suggested that schooling may in some way modify the cerebral organization of cognitive activity. Although education does not alter the hemisphere dominance of language and other cognitive functions, there does seem to be increased lateralization of these functions in literate people. In neuropsychological testing, schooling is an even more significant variable than age. However, education does have a lineal effect on the scores obtained in neuropsychological tests. More precisely, the relationship between schooling and performance of neuropsychological tests shows an negatively accelerated curve.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Factorial structure of the executive functions in young university students].

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have proposed a multiple dimensional theoretical model for executive function. OBJECTIVE: To identify the factor structure of the executive function in a sample of young university students of different modalities of learning in their careers. METHODS: 100 participants of both sexes, age 16 to-21-year old and normal Full Scale IQ were selected in a randomized and representative approach from private universities of Medellin Colombia. They were student of verbal, visuospatial and mathematical careers. A executive function assessment battery were applied, which included: Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Trail Making Test (TMT) A and B, verbal fluency test (FAS) by phonologic and semantic guides, and Stroop test. RESULTS: A structure of four factor was found, which explained 74.9% of variance. Factors were: 1. Organization and flexibility, which explained 26.6% of variance; 2. Processing speed, 19.7%; 3. Inhibitory control, 15.1%; and 4. Verbal fluency 13.4%. CONCLUSION: A multiple factor structure of the executive function in young university students was demonstrated.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neuropsychological predictors of reading ability in Spanish].

INTRODUCTION: Learning how to read has been associated with different types of linguistic and non-linguistic skills. However, few studies have looked at the association between neuropsychological test performance and reading skills at different ages during childhood. AIM: To analyze the association between neuropsychological test scores and reading performance, and to investigate the influence of age, gender and type of school (public or private) over reading test performance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample included 625 6 -to-15 year old children (207 Colombians, 418 Mexicans; 277 boys, 348 girls). The following cognitive abilities were assessed: reading speed and reading comprehension and attention, memory (coding and recall), perception, visuospatial and conceptual abilities and executive functions. RESULTS: The best neuropsychological test predictor for reading speed was Letter Cancellation, and for reading comprehension was Memory for a Story. Children from private schools performed better in most reading tests than children from public schools. Differences between boys and girls were observed in only two reading tests. CONCLUSION: Reading speed correlates mainly with attentional skills and reading comprehension with verbal memory. Reading abilities in school age children are influenced mainly by age and type of school and little by gender.

Achievement↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The origins of language: an analysis from the aphasia perspective].

INTRODUCTION: Different areas of knowledge have contributed to a better understanding of the origins of human language. AIM. To relate our current knowledge about the origins of language with the language pathology found in the case of brain injuries (aphasia). DEVELOPMENT: There are two fundamental forms of aphasia, which linked to defects in the lexico-semantic and grammatical systems of language (Wernicke-type aphasia and Broca-type aphasia, respectively). From observations made on children's development of language and experiments with primates, it has been shown that language initially appears as a lexico-semantic system. Grammar correlates with the ability to represent actions (verbs) and depends on what is known as Broca's area and its related brain circuits, but it is also related to the ability to quickly carry out the sequencing of the articulatory movements required for speaking (speech praxis). CONCLUSIONS: Language may have appeared as a lexico-semantic system much earlier than language as a syntactic system. The former may have developed around 200,000-300,000 years ago, coinciding with the increase in the temporal lobe, and would have existed in other hominids. Language as a grammatical system appeared perhaps as recently as 50,000 years ago and seems to be exclusive to Homo sapiens.

Animal Communication↗