Browsing by Subject "Cognition disorders"
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Item Executive functioning : a way to differentiate ADHD/C from ADHD/PI(2008-08) Walkowiak, Jenifer Lin, 1977-; Semrud-Clikeman, Margaret; Keith, Timothy, 1952-ADHD is a childhood onset disorder with the cardinal features of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Research has verified the validity of two subtypes of ADHD, Inattentive type (ADHD/PI) and Combined type (ADHD/C), which have unique differences in behavioral, emotional, and social impairment. The question remains, however, as to whether the ADHD subtypes actually represent two separate and distinct disorders. Results from studies examining executive functioning ability in ADHD have provided inconsistent and confusing results; however, several studies have shown poorer performance on certain measures of executive function for children with ADHD. Additional research on ADHD suggests that ADHD/PI and ADHD/C may have specific executive functioning deficits. The majority of previous research exploring the executive functioning deficits of ADHD has focused on ADHD/C or has neglected to differentiate between the subtypes, resulting in limited or inconsistent findings. Thus, the exact relationship between executive functioning and the ADHD subtypes is understudied and unclear. This study attempted to identify the differential patterns in the executive functioning of children with ADHD by subtype. Using executive functioning tasks of inhibition, planning, and working memory, this study sought to determine whether children with ADHD/C and ADHD/PI displayed unique patterns of executive functioning. Participants included 60 children aged 8-15 years who were classified into three groups: ADHD/C, ADHD/PI, and control. Results from this study revealed significantly poorer performance by the ADHD subtypes on a task of inhibition. Although analyses using the remaining tasks indicated subtype differences on planning, working memory, and inhibition/ cognitive flexibility tasks, these results were not statistically significant. Results are consistent with previous research which has also detected performance differences by the ADHD subtypes on executive functioning tasks; however, not at the clinically significant level. Analyses examining symptom severity indicated a relation between inattentive symptoms and executive functioning performance. Thus, further exploration into executive functioning within the ADHD subtypes is needed for the clarification of the neuropsychological similarities and differences of these two ADHD subtypes. Such research could assist in the establishment of effective interventions and assessment tools to aid in the earlier and more accurate identification of children with ADHD.Item Identifying the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in stages of Alzheimer’s disease: A meta-analysis(2012-08) Williams, Ben; Harter, Stephanie; Cohen, Lee M.; Cukrowicz, Kelly C.; Mumma, GregoryDementia of the Alzheimer’s Type (DAT) is an insidious disease that, over time, affects all aspects of neurocognitive functioning, eventually resulting in death. While neurocognitive symptoms of DAT certainly impair overall functioning and well-being, the behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) of DAT have traditionally been overshadowed by the more overt neurocognitive symptoms of DAT. Numerous correlates and risk factors have been identified for individual BPSD. Some studies have even examined the presence of sub-groups, clusters, or syndromes of BPSD. The current study examined, using meta-analytic techniques, the occurrence of BPSD in different levels of DAT severity (mild, moderate, and severe). It was hypothesized total BPSD would increase from mild to moderate DAT, while decreasing in the severe stage. It was also believed individual BPSD would be more prevalent in certain DAT severity levels. While there was only one significant difference among the different DAT severity levels, many of the effect sizes were in the expected directions. Limitations in the empirical literature include lack of data available for BPSD in different severity levels of DAT and studies that do not differentiate the DAT severity levels in the participants.Item Traumatic brain injury: effects of alcohol on cognitive recovery and neurobehavioral outcome(Texas Tech University, 1998-08) Tate, Phillip SAlcohol intoxication often plays an etiologic role in the occurrence of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Few studies have examined whether pre-injury alcohol usage exacerbates cognitive impairment and neurobehavioral problems that commonly occur secondary to TBI. Research was conducted to examine the influence of blood alcohol level (BAL) at time of TBI on cognitive recovery and neurobehavioral adjustment. Results indicated that BAL was predictive of poorer performance on tests of delayed verbal memory and visuospatial functioning and demonstrated predictive trends on tests of immediate verbal memory and perseveration during the post-acute stage of recovery. During late stage recovery, BAL was negatively associated with changes in immediate verbal memory and to a neurobehavioral measure of energy, mood, and activity level.