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Biomedical subjects

P Satz

Publications and source records attributed to P Satz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Subjective complaints versus actual cognitive deficits in predominantly symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive individuals.

The relationship of self-reported cognitive, motor, and affective complaints to actual neuropsychological functioning was explored in a cohort of predominantly symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive individuals. Ninety-two symptomatic HIV-1 infected subjects were questioned about complaints common in HIV infection and were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. No relationship was found between subjective complaints and cognitive functioning, yet a significant relationship was found between self-reported difficulties and formal measures of affect and mood. Failure to show a relationship between self-reported cognitive status and actual neuropsychological functioning in this cohort suggests that complaints of cognitive decline may be attributable to emotional factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cognitive correlates of long-term cannabis use in Costa Rican men.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive correlates of long-term cannabis use have been elusive. We tested the hypothesis that long-term cannabis use is associated with deficits in short term memory, working memory, and attention in a literate, westernized culture (Costa Rica) in which the effects of cannabis use can be isolated. METHODS: Two cohorts of long-term cannabis users and nonusers were studied. Within each cohort, users and nonusers were comparable in age and socioeconomic status. Polydrug users and users who tested positive for the use of cannabis at the time of cognitive assessment after a 72-hour abstention period were excluded. The older cohort (whose age was approximately 45 years) had consumed cannabis for an average of 34 years, and comprised 17 users and 30 nonusers, who had been recruited in San José, Costa Rica, and had been observed since 1973. The younger cohort (whose age was approximately 28 years) had consumed cannabis for an average of 8 years, and comprised 37 users and 49 nonusers. Short-term memory, working memory, and attentional skills were measured in each subject. RESULTS: Older long-term users performed worse than older nonusers on 2 short-term memory tests involving learning lists of words. In addition, older long-term users performed worse than older nonusers on selective and divided attention tasks associated with working memory. No notable differences were apparent between younger users and nonusers. CONCLUSION: Long-term cannabis use was associated with disruption of short-term memory, working memory, and attentional skills in older long-term cannabis users.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Test-retest reliability of the WAIS-R Satz-Mogel short form in a normal elderly sample.

Test-retest reliability of the WAIS-R Satz-Mogel short form was tested on a sample of 122 normal elderly volunteer subjects with mean age of 70.4. Subjects' performance was assessed over 3 annual probes. Reliability coefficients for sums of scaled scores on Verbal subscale and Full Scale ranged between 0.79 and 0.83. Corresponding coefficients for Performance subscale ranged between 0.70 and 0.72. The percentage of subjects who showed change between two probes of more than 1 SD was the highest for the Performance subscale. Implications for clinical use, particularly for the purpose of estimation of premorbid intellectual functioning are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Normative data stratified by age and education for the Neuropsychological Screening Battery for Hispanics (NeSBHIS): Initial report.

Neuropsychological assessment of monolingual Spanish-speaking people in the United States is both a common practice and an ethical dilemma. Lack of appropriate tests, the absence of norms, use of interpreters, and the multiplicity of in-house translations of commonly used measures add to the problem of accurate assessment. This paper helps address the lack of appropriate measures for the neuropsychological assessment of Latinos in the United States by providing a standardization of the Neuropsychological Screening Battery for Hispanics (NeSBHIS). Normative data on a sample of 300 Hispanic subjects stratified by gender, age, and education are provided. Current results reveal that not one measure of cognitive functioning is free from education effects. Both nonverbal measures and psychomotor speed measures were highly related to education. Age effects were noted on measures of psychomotor speed, visuospatial reasoning, and visuoconstructive skills. Gender effects were found on measures of psychomotor speed and language, with males achieving higher scores than females. The limitations of the current findings are considered. Further research for the validation of the NeSBHIS with clinical populations, as well as further normative data collection at the national and international levels, is needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Direct and indirect effects of demographic, medical, and psychological variables on neuropsychological performance in normal geriatric persons: a structural equation model.

The direct and indirect effects of demographic, medical, and psychological variables on neuropsychological performance in elderly individuals were examined using a LISREL structural equation model. One-hundred fifty-six geriatric subjects were individually administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, an extensive medical history and demographics questionnaire, and the Neuropsychology Behavior and Affect Profile (a psychological assessment instrument). The model assessed the effects of five independent latent variables (medical history, psychological functioning, global mental status, education, and gender-related functioning) on two dependent latent variables (nonverbal and verbal neuropsychological functioning). The best fitting model revealed that three latent variables (medical history, global mental status, and gender-related functioning) had direct effects on neuropsychological functioning and that all five independent variables exhibited indirect effects. These findings suggest that the influence of demographic variables on neuropsychological functioning for geriatric persons is complex and that certain variables should not be interpreted independently of each other due to their significant moderating influences.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Actual versus self-reported cognitive dysfunction in HIV-1 infection: memory-metamemory dissociations.

The relationship between subjective awareness and objective neuropsychological status in HIV-1 infection remains unclear. Forty-six HIV-1 seropositive males were administered a battery of neuropsychological measures assessing episodic memory, metacognition, and depression. Results of ANOVA revealed a dissociation between subjects' self-complaint of neuropsychological impairment and objective performance, with subjects who denied cognitive impairment performing worse on memory testing. Three subgroups were identified: A group whose self-reported cognitive impairment exceeded deficits demonstrated on memory testing (37% of subjects); a group who denied impairment but evidenced deficits on memory testing (26% of subjects); and a group whose self-appraisal was consistent with performance (37% of subjects). These data suggest that self-report of cognitive dysfunction among HIV-1 infected subjects is frequently at variance with objective neuropsychological testing and that diminished awareness of decline among medically symptomatic HIV-1 infected subjects can be identified.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Left-handedness and age: comparing writing/ drawing and other manual activities.

The percentage of individuals who use the left hand for writing/drawing, brushing teeth, and throwing a ball was compared in 3229 subjects ranging in age from 8 to 96 years. The "elimination" versus "modification" hypotheses were tested as explanations of prior observations that there are fewer left-handers among the elderly. These hypotheses predict different numbers of left-handed elderly individuals when measured by activities not influenced by social pressure. The results suggest that there are age-related patterns among different measures of left-handedness. However, a significant decline in left-handedness among the elderly was also found when measured by less culturally determined activities.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Base rates of the WAIS-R intersubtest scatter and VIQ-PIQ discrepancy in normal elderly.

This study provides base rates for WAIS-R VIQ-PIQ discrepancy and for 3 indices of intersubtest scatter in a sample of high functioning normal elderly. High correlations between indices of scatter, such as (1) range of scatter; (2) Profile Variability Index; and (3) number of subtest scores that significantly deviated from the individual's own mean, indicate that easy-to-compute range can be used as an adequate measure of scatter in many clinical settings. The results suggest that bright elderly individuals display a large degree of scatter. The clinician should base judgment regarding abnormality of the WAIS-R indices on the rarity of the value demonstrated by the individual with respect to the sample of comparable age and intelligence level.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Repeated testing of normal elderly with the Boston Naming Test.

The Boston Naming Test is commonly viewed as a measure of language ability, particularly, confrontational naming. Its utility in detecting word-retrieval problems in clinical populations is well documented. However, studies which would explore information-processing mechanisms involved in BNT performance are not available. Results of our repeated testing of 122 subjects between the ages of 57 and 85 with the 60-item version of BNT and other measures over three annual probes revealed high stability of the BNT scores over time, which suggests a lack of the practice effect, whereas cross-sectional analysis demonstrated some decline in the BNT scores in subjects over 70 years of age. In spite of the high stability in BNT scores on repeated testing, the pattern of correlations between the BNT and measures tapping different cognitive domains shifted over time. Results suggest predominantly the verbal mode of information processing in BNT performance on the first probe, as opposed to visuo-spatial mode on the third probe in our sample of elderly individuals.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Performance on motor tasks as an indication of increased behavioral asymmetry with advancing age.

Age-related asymmetrical functional decline was tested on a sample of 64 right-handed volunteers between 60 and 64 years of age who were free from neurological illnesses and physical handicaps. Increase in functional asymmetry was explored by examining performance indexes for each hand and superiority of the dominant hand on motor tasks of different complexities: the Finger Tapping Test, the Grooved Pegboard Test, and the Pin Test. Our study revealed an increase in superiority of the right hand with age on a highly demanding task (Pin Test). This finding is discussed in light of the hypothesis of a decline in callosal functioning with age and the alternative hypothesis of a greater vulnerability of the right hemisphere in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Heterogeneity of cognitive profiles in normal aging: implications for early manifestations of Alzheimer's disease.

This study explores the presence of homogeneous subgroups among 156 normal elderly subjects based on their performance on a battery of neuropsychological tests. Subjects ranged in age between 57 and 85 years and included 62 males and 94 females with a mean age 70.7 years, mean education 14.1 years, and mean Full Scale IQ of 117.2. Six clusters were extracted, three of which are likely to represent preclinical stages of the dementing process with distinct patterns of cognitive deficits. The results are discussed in light of different models of cognitive deterioration in DAT.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Cerebral metabolic change in patients with AIDS: report of a six-month follow-up using positron-emission tomography.

The authors examined change in cerebral metabolic function over time by using PET in HIV-infected individuals diagnosed with AIDS. Ten subjects with AIDS received [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET scans and completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. The scan and test battery were repeated after 6 months. Over time, the subjects showed increased relative basal ganglia metabolism as well as increased parietal lobe metabolism. There were no statistically significant changes in neuropsychological performance. These results suggest that PET may be more sensitive than traditional neuropsychological evaluation to subtle central nervous system changes in AIDS.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1995

Children's color trails.

Color Trails for Children was developed in response to the need for instruments which minimize cultural bias in neuropsychological testing. The test, similar in format to Trail Making, was designed to provide an evaluation of speeded visuomotor tracking while minimizing the influence of language. The present research involves two exploratory studies which examine the relationship between Color Trails for Children and Trail Making, factors that may affect performance times, and discriminant validity. Results indicate that the tests appear to measure the same neuropsychological domains, and administration of Trail Making did not significantly alter performance times on Color Trails. Increasing age and IQ were related to quicker completion time for both tests. Females were found to complete Color Trails 2 and Trail Making Part B more quickly than males in this sample. Comparison between children diagnosed with learning disabilities, attention deficits, or mild neurological conditions and a preliminary standardization sample supported the discriminant validity of Color Traits to distinguish between normal controls and children with altered neuropsychological functioning. Comparison between clinical conditions indicated that Color Trails 2 was particularly sensitive in discriminating among the groups. Although further research is needed, results suggest that Color Trails has the potential to be an effective research and clinical tool in child neuropsychological assessment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Alternate forms of the Auditory-Verbal Learning Test: issues of test comparability, longitudinal reliability, and moderating demographic variables.

The present investigation examines the alternate-form and longitudinal reliability of two versions of the Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) on a large, multiregional, healthy male sample. Subjects included 2,059 bisexual and homosexual HIV-seronegative males recruited from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study from centers in Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh. The findings revealed no significant differences between forms upon initial or 1-year longitudinal administration, supporting the equivalence of the two versions. However, significant practice effects were noted longitudinally, arguing for the need of appropriate retest normative data. Furthermore, as age, ethnicity, and education were found to significantly affect test performance, it is recommended that normative data be interpreted according to these variables. In addition to providing normative and longitudinal data, this investigation presents information concerning the use and limitations of the alternate forms of the AVLT.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Detection of Alzheimer disease in individuals with Down syndrome.

A comprehensive baseline of emotional functioning was established for adults with Down syndrome. Five emotional factors were studied using groups of (a) adults with Down syndrome (n = 30), (b) clinical control subjects with dementia of the Alzheimer type (n = 18), and (c) elderly control subjects without mental retardation (n = 25). Results of planned statistical comparisons showed indifference, pragnosia, and inappropriateness as primary emotional factors separating Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease groups from elderly control subjects without mental retardation. Indifference was also shown to covary with cognitive mental state, whereby increased levels of indifference were associated with decreased levels of cognitive functioning. The possibility of noncognitive variables signalling dementia of the Alzheimer type in individuals with Down syndrome was discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

WHO Neuropsychiatric AIDS study, cross-sectional phase I. Study design and psychiatric findings.

BACKGROUND: Most available studies on the psychiatric, neuropsychological, and neurological complications of HIV-1 infection and AIDS have been conducted in Western countries, on samples of well-educated, mostly white, homosexual men. Concerns about generalizability of the results of those investigations prompted the WHO to implement the cross-cultural venture called WHO Neuropsychiatric AIDS study. METHODS: This project aims to assess the prevalence and natural history of HIV-1-associated psychiatric, neuropsychological, and neurological abnormalities in representative subject samples enrolled in the five geographic areas predominantly affected by the HIV-1 epidemic. Assessment is made by a data collection instrument including six modules. The intercenter and intracenter reliability in the use of each module has been formally evaluated. The study consists of a cross-sectional phase and a longitudinal follow-up. RESULTS: The cross-sectional phase was completed in five centers. This paper reports on the results of psychiatric assessment, which revealed a significantly higher prevalence of current mental disorders in symptomatic seropositive persons compared with seronegative controls among intravenous drug users in Bangkok and homosexuals/bisexuals in São Paulo. The mean global score on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale was significantly higher in symptomatic seropositive individuals than in matched seronegative controls in all centers. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the significance of the psychopathological complications of symptomatic HIV-1 infection may have been underestimated by previous studies conducted on self-selected samples of well-educated, middle-class, mostly white, homosexual men.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1994

WHO Neuropsychiatric AIDS study, cross-sectional phase II. Neuropsychological and neurological findings.

BACKGROUND: The neuropsychological and neurological complications of HIV-1 infection and AIDS were explored within the cross-sectional phase of the WHO Neuropsychiatric AIDS Study. Special attention was devoted to the controversial issue of the prevalence and clinical significance of subtle cognitive deficits in asymptomatic seropositive subjects. METHODS: A neuropsychological test battery validated for cross-cultural use, a structured interview for the diagnosis of dementia, a rating scale of functioning in daily living activities, and a neurological module were administered to representative samples of seropositive subjects and to matched seronegative controls living in the five geographic areas predominantly affected by the HIV-1 epidemic. Data are available for five centers. RESULTS: The prevalence of global neuropsychological impairment was significantly increased in asymptomatic seropositive subjects compared with controls in only two centers. A significant effect of education on neuropsychological performance was observed among asymptomatic seropositive individuals. In the two African centers, low-education, but not high-education, asymptomatic seropositive persons had an impaired performance. The frequency of impaired functioning in daily living activities and of neurologic abnormalities was higher in symptomatic, but not in asymptomatic, seropositive subjects compared with controls in all centers. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the risk of subtle cognitive deficits may be increased in asymptomatic stages of HIV-1 infection. However, these deficits are not associated with neurologic changes and do not seem to affect subjects' social functioning.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗