Biomedical subjects

E Simms

Publications and source records attributed to E Simms.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

The test-retest reliability of a standardized neurocognitive and neurophysiological test battery: "neuromarker".

NeuroMarker combines EEG and ERP measures with neurocognitive tests in a fully computerized and standardized testing system. It is designed for use across the lifespan and has a large normative database of over 1,000 subjects. This study was a preliminary evaluation of "NeuroMarker" in subjects spanning four decades. Twenty-one healthy subjects (12-57 years) were tested at baseline and four weeks later. From the "Neuromarker" battery, the authors analyzed EEG data (eyes open and closed) and ERPs elicited during auditory oddball (N100, P200, N200, P300) and working memory (P150, P300) tasks. Concomitant neuropsychological data, acquired using a touch-screen system, comprised measures of sensori-motor, attention, verbal, executive, and memory function. Test-retest data were examined using analyses of variance and correlational procedures (corrected for multiple comparisons), with parallel analyses of age. EEG data did not differ across sessions, and showed high test-retest reliability (.71-.95), particularly for theta and delta (>.85). ERP components also showed sound reliability, particularly for sites where components are maximal: fronto-central N100 (.76-.77), centro-parietal P300 (.78-.81) to oddball targets, N100 and P200 (.74-.86) to oddball non-targets, and P150 amplitude and latency (.84-.93) to working memory stimuli. Neuropsychological tests showed a similarly sound level of consistency (on average, .70), with the most consistent tests tapping simple motor function, estimated intelligence, switching of attention (Part 2), verbal interference response time and memory intrusions (.71-.89). Age and sex did not have a differential impact on reliability for EEG, ERP, or neuropsychology measures. These findings provide preliminary evidence that the "NeuroMarker" battery is reliable for test-retest assessments. The results suggest that the standardized approach has utility for providing sensitive clinical and treatment evaluations across age groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Acquisition of hearing aids and assistive listening devices among the pediatric hearing-impaired population.

Sufficient access to health care is of concern to the indigent population in the US and to their health care providers. This study was undertaken to elucidate the rate of the follow-up among lower socioeconomic hearing-impaired pediatric patients who had received a recommendation for hearing aids and/or assistive listening devices. Our question was, would the families' financial situation have a negative effect on the acquisition of hearing aids and assistive listening devices? Fifty patients, age 0-18 years, who had been seen in our clinic over 2 years were evaluated via a telephone survey. The survey consisted of seven questions, including whether or not the devices or aids were obtained, what type was purchased, where the device was being used, and the child's apparent performance with the device. Eighty-two percent of our patients were on TennCare, a state mandated Medicaid HMO system. Two-thirds of these TennCare patients are at or below the poverty level and the remaining one-third is either disabled or uninsurable according to the Aid for Dependent Children (AFDC) with indeterminate income. In addition the TennCare organization did not cover hearing amplification equipment for these children. The study showed that the majority of the patients did follow-up as recommended. Furthermore, this equipment is easily obtainable for the pediatric indigent population due to financial resources available in the community outside the mandated Medicaid system.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Severe combined immunodeficiency: otolaryngological presentation and management.

In order to increase the awareness of otolaryngologists of severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCIDS) so they may contribute to an earlier diagnosis of this disorder, we performed a retrospective chart review of a multicenter series from 2 children's hospital medical centers. Eighteen cases were identified, and 14 had an otolaryngological presentation. The average age of presentation was 3.3 months, and 72% were males. Most cases were inherited in an X-linked fashion. Five patients had thrush; 4 had recurrent otitis media. Other otolaryngological presentations included cough, mouth ulcers, pharyngitis, mastoiditis, and bilateral neck abscess. The most severe form of immunodeficiency, SCIDS is a rare condition that involves a disorder in both T and B cell functions. The manifestations involving the head and neck include recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, otitis media, thrush, oral ulcers, and abscesses. It is important that SCIDS be considered in any infant with recurrences of these common infections.

Abscess↗

PubMed1992