Biomedical subjects

L W Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to L W Thompson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Word-to-word variation in ERP component latencies: spoken words.

Data were collected shedding light on the brain electrical activity underlying word recognition. Subjects listened to a list of 48 spoken words in six random orders under two instructional sets: first to "think about the meanings of the words," and second, to learn the list. The scalp EEG associated with hearing and identifying the words was recorded at F3, F4, Cz, P3, P4, Pz, and Oz. Standard within-subjects time-locked averaging across words showed a late negative-positive complex with N2-P3 topography, the negative component peaking around 480 msec, the positive component peaking around 830 msec. Averaging within words across subjects uncovered considerable latency variability in both components. Within-word N2 and P3 component latencies covaried with word durations and with the "recognition points" predicted for the words by the "cohort theory" of word recognition. N2 latencies corresponded closely to the "N400" effect elicited with semantically incongruous sentence-final spoken words. Implications for ERP investigations of language processing are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Maintenance of gains versus relapse following brief psychotherapy for depression.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal data are presented from a 2-year follow-up study of 91 older adults, initially diagnosed as in an episode of major depressive disorder (MDD), who were treated with brief cognitive, behavioral, or psychodynamic psychotherapy. Using research diagnostic criteria (RDC), 52%, 58%, and 70% of the sample did not meet criteria for any RDC depressive disorder at posttherapy, and 12- and 24-month follow-ups, respectively. There were no significant differences in response rate by therapy modality. Using Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE; Shapiro & Keller, 1979; Keller et al., 1987) methodology, we noted that patients not depressed at posttreatment remained depression-free for longer time periods than those who were minor or MDD. These rates compare favorably with published reports on younger depressed patients.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Retrospective assessment of marital adjustment and depression during the first 2 years of spousal bereavement.

Two hundred twelve bereaved elders rated marital adjustment using items drawn from the Locke and Wallace (1959) Marital Adjustment Test and completed the Beck Depression Inventory 2 months, 12 months, and 30 months after the loss of their spouses. Their responses were compared with those of 162 nonbereaved individuals of comparable age who were tested at the same times. More positive ratings of marital adjustment were made by bereaved subjects than by nonbereaved subjects. Among nonbereaved elders, more severe ratings of depression were associated with lower ratings of marital adjustment. In the bereaved sample, however, the opposite was found: More severe ratings of depression were associated with higher ratings of marital adjustment. This pattern of results changed only slightly over the 2.5-year course of bereavement and was not influenced by gender. These results are discussed in terms of cognitive processes (e.g., idealization) that influence retrospective assessments of marital adjustment during bereavement.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1990

The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia.

While many theories of schizophrenia have been explored, recent research has focused on the possible role that dopamine may play in the causation of this complex disease. After reviewing a clinical description of schizophrenia, this discussion reviews the normal physiology of dopamine, proposed pathological mechanisms, and clinical implications.

Dopamine↗

PubMed1990

Relationship between hyperglycemia and cognitive function in older NIDDM patients.

The nature and extent of cognitive impairment was examined in 29 healthy elderly subjects (mean age 69.8 yr) with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 30 demographically similar nondiabetic community volunteers (mean age 68 yr). Measures of verbal learning, abstract reasoning, and complex psychomotor functioning were performed more poorly by diabetic than nondiabetic subjects. Conversely, there were no between-group differences in performance on tasks involving pure motor speed and simple verbal abilities. Within the diabetic group, individuals with poorer metabolic control performed more poorly on tasks involving learning, reasoning, and complex psychomotor performance, although this relationship was not evident for simple verbal or motor tasks. These data indicate that older people with NIDDM who are functioning well and perceive themselves as in good health are likely to manifest greater deficits than healthy elderly people in processing complex verbal or nonverbal material. Possible explanatory mechanisms are discussed, and directions for future research are explored.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Skin cancer--early detection.

Skin cancer, the most frequently occurring of all cancers, shows an encouragingly high rate of cure if detected early and treated properly. Etiologies of nonpigmented and pigmented premalignant lesions and malignant lesions are discussed, where known, with solar exposure frequently cited. Criteria for diagnosis are discussed; however, the clinical similarity of some malignant lesions to premalignant or nonmalignant conditions makes excision necessary in order to establish a definitive diagnosis--when in doubt, take it out. Treatment ranges from close observation of certain nevi to complete lesional destruction at the initial treatment. Prevention is also stressed, with "suntan parlors" coming under some indictment. Overall, the paper emphasizes early detection and points out that even some melanomas undergo a biologic period when metastasis is unlikely and the melanoma is curable if detected and adequately treated during this period.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed1989

Head and neck cancer: early detection.

Head and neck cancers are discussed in four categories: oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and salivary glands. The incidence of head and neck cancers varies with the site of the lesion and ranges from the most common area of involvement, the lip, to those of the nasopharynx, which are extremely rare. The exact etiology of most of these malignancies has not been determined, but an association has been made with many factors, such as immune impairment, environmental (tobacco, chemical, radiation), and genetic. With few exceptions, the cure rate is excellent when these lesions are diagnosed early and initially eradicated completely. Early signs and symptoms are discussed, and guidelines are given for performing examinations to detect early cancers.

Female↗

PubMed1989

Prevalence of depression in family caregivers.

Family caregivers who sought help to increase their coping skills (N = 158) and caregivers who volunteered for a longitudinal study of Alzheimer's disease (N = 58) were screened for depression. Among help-seekers, 46% had depression according to Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC), but among non-help-seekers, only 18% met this criterion. In general, women were more depressed than men, but no major differences in the extent of depression were found in those who cared for more impaired persons.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1989

Alliance and outcome in late-life depression.

Older adults who met criteria for major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to behavioral, cognitive, or brief dynamic therapy. Symptoms were equally reduced across the three treatment conditions. Early in treatment, alliance ratings were obtained from both therapists and patients and were related to outcome. We calculated one therapist alliance composite score and five patient alliance factor scores. In general, no agreement was found between therapists' and patients' judgments of alliance. Levels of alliance were found to be not significantly different across the three treatment conditions. For the sample as a whole, only the patient factor of Patient Commitment was found to be associated with depressive symptoms after treatment, with the strongest findings in the cognitive therapy condition. The Patient Commitment factor uniquely contributed to outcome over and above the contribution of initial symptomatology and symptomatic change at midpoint in therapy. Expected trends of association with outcome were observed for the therapist alliance composite score in brief dynamic therapy and for the patient factor of Patient Working Capacity in both cognitive and brief dynamic therapy. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and clinical implications.

Aged↗

PubMed1988