The Impact of Neuropsychological Testing on the Emotional State of Patients with Major Depression

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Beblo ◽  
Denise Lahr ◽  
Wolfgang Hartje
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depressive Patients

Abstract: Neuropsychological testing is regarded as being possibly strenuous for patients, however, empirical data are missing. The aim of our exploratory study was an initial investigation of the emotional state before and after the administration of a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery in patients with major depression. Twenty-four patients with major depression and 17 healthy subjects were investigated using a German multidimensional questionnaire (“Eigenschaftswörterliste,” EWL-K). The emotional state of the subjects improved during testing with a more pronounced improvement in the patients group. The results might encourage clinicians not to avoid comprehensive neuropsychological test batteries in depressive patients when indicated. Further research is needed to confirm and further clarify these results.

Measures of anhedonia and hedonic responses to sucrose in depressive and schizophrenic patients in comparison with healthy subjects

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 303-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Berlin ◽  
L Givry-Steiner ◽  
Y Lecrubier ◽  
AJ Puech
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Sweet Taste ◽  
Taste Perception ◽  
Social Anhedonia ◽  
Perception Threshold ◽  
Sucrose Solutions ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Depressive Patients

SummaryAnhedonia may be considered as a transnosological feature of depression and schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to assess hedonic responses to sucrose solutions and sweet taste perception threshold in patients with major depression and in schizophrenic patients in comparison with healthy subjects (matched for age and gender with depressive patients), and to compare these responses to evaluations by the Physical and Social Anhedonia scale of Chapman and the Pleasure Scale of Fawcett, generally used to quantify anhedonia. Hedonic responses to sucrose solutions were similar in patients with major depression (n = 20), schizophrenia (n = 20), and healthy controls (n = 20). Sweet taste perception threshold was significantly higher in depressive patients than in controls. Hedonic response to sucrose was inversely correlated with physical Anhedonia Scores and sweet taste perception threshold with Pleasure Scale scores. Measures of hedonia/anhedonia were not related with the intensity of depression or anxiety as measured by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale, respectively. In 11 depressed patients hospitalised for 17 to 33 days, neither hedonic ratings to sucrose solutions, sweet taste perception threshold, Physical, Social Anhedonia scores nor Pleasure Scale scores were modified in spite of substantial decrease in MADRS or Hamilton Anxiety scores. Hedonic responses to sucrose solutions and sweet taste perception threshold may be used as complementary evaluation to quantify anhedonia.

scholarly journals A prospective study of physician-observed concussion during a varsity university ice hockey season: incidence and neuropsychological changes. Part 2 of 4

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. E2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul S. Echlin ◽  
Elaine N. Skopelja ◽  
Rachel Worsley ◽  
Shiroy B. Dadachanji ◽  
D. Rob Lloyd-Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Hockey Players ◽  
The Impact

Object The primary objective of this study was to measure the incidence of concussion according to a relative number of athlete exposures among 25 male and 20 female varsity ice hockey players. The secondary objective was to present neuropsychological test results between preseason and postseason play and at 72 hours, 2 weeks, and 2 months after concussion. Methods Every player underwent baseline assessments using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-2 (SCAT2), Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT), and MRI. Each regular season and postseason game was observed by 2 independent observers (a physician and a nonphysician observer). Players with a diagnosed concussion were removed from the game, examined in the team physician's office using the SCAT2 and ImPACT, and sent to undergo MRI. Results Eleven concussions occurred during the 55 physician-observed games (20%). The incidence of concussion, expressed as number of concussions per 1000 athlete exposures, was 10.70 for men and women combined in regular season play, 11.76 for men and women combined across both the regular season and playoff season, 7.50 for men and 14.93 for women in regular season play, and 8.47 for men across both the regular season and playoff season. One male player experienced repeat concussions. No concussions were reported during practice sessions, and 1 concussion was observed and diagnosed in an exhibition game. Neuropsychological testing suggested no statistically significant preseason/postseason differences between athletes who sustained a physician-diagnosed concussion and athletes who did not sustain a physician-diagnosed concussion on either the ImPACT or SCAT2. The athletes who sustained a physician-diagnosed concussion demonstrated few reliable changes postinjury. Conclusions Although the incidence of game-related concussions per 1000 athlete exposures in this study was half the highest rate reported in the authors' previous research, it was 3 times higher than the incidence reported by other authors within the literature concerning men's collegiate ice hockey and 5 times higher than the highest rate previously reported for woman's collegiate ice hockey. Interestingly, the present results suggest a substantively higher incidence of concussion among women (14.93) than men (7.50). The reproducible and significantly higher incidence of concussion among both men and woman ice hockey players, when compared with nonphysician-observed games, suggests a significant underestimation of sports concussion in the scientific literature.

Clinically effective ect treatment restores visuospatial learning / memory but not attentional flexibility deficits in patients with major depression

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1147-1147
Author(s):  
D. Kontis ◽  
S. Kalogerakou ◽  
V.-M. Papakosta ◽  
E. Theochari ◽  
E. Anyfandi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Visuospatial Memory ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Paired Associates ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
A Minor

IntroductionWe recently demonstrated that patients with major depression (MDD) with and without electroconvulsive therapy referral (ECTs vs. NECTs) qualitatively differ in neuropsychological profile. ECTs presented severe executive but minor visuospatial memory deficits, suggesting mainly frontostriatal involvement; NECTs presented the opposite pattern, compatible with temporohippocampal involvement. Here we follow up on ECT treatment effects on both cognitive domains.Method15 ECTs were assessed with Hamilton Depression (HAMD-24), Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scales and 5 tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) at hospitalisation (PRE-ECT), immediately after ECT (POST-ECT) and 2 months later (FOLLOW-UP). ECTs at FOLLOW-UP were also compared to 15 matched non-psychiatric CONTROLS who underwent neuropsychological testing once.ResultsThere was significant clinical improvement (reflected by reduced HAMD-24 and HAMA scores: p < 0.001) between PRE-ECT and FOLLOW-UP. After a minor decline POST-ECT, MMSE scores showed significant increase at FOLLOW-UP (p < 0.02). At FOLLOW-UP, Paired Associates Learning (PAL) showed significant improvement (p < 0.001). Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) performance also improved (decrease in early abandonments, p < 0.04) POST-ECT and at FOLLOW-UP. However, clinical improvement did not result in improvement in Intra / Extradimensional Shift (IED): at FOLLOW-UP, ECT patients were indistinguishable from CONTROLS in all neuropsychological measures except IED (p < 0.04).ConclusionsClinically successful ECT treatment was accompanied by improved global cognitive functioning, visuospatial memory and spatial planning, but offered no benefit in attentional flexibility. This residual deficit suggests ‘trait’ frontostriatal involvement in this patient group.

Exploring How Instruction in Style Affects Writing Quality

1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Sydow Campbell ◽  
Charlotte Brammer ◽  
Nicole Ervin
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Data ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Business Communication ◽  
Writing Quality ◽  
Sentence Level ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Business communication instructors regularly teach word- and sentence-level style concepts to help students improve the quality of their writing. To support such teaching, all the textbooks we've seen discuss style at this level, usually in a chap ter on the topic, with additional discussion within other chapters dedicated to spe cific types of messages. We are hopeful but not certain about the impact of this instruction on the quality of our students' future writing. To measure that impact in at least a small way, we gathered empirical data in a single classroom of busi ness communication students. A panel of three writing specialists and three non- specialists rated holistically the quality of informative memos written by undergrad uate business students before and after instruction. In addition, three panelists analyzed the style of the memos. The memos written after instruction were of higher quality than those written before instruction. The students' styles changed for the better after instruction; higher quality memos had more appropriate style than lower quality ones.

BRMP-02. Feasibility and evaluation of a novel language paradigm for intraoperative language testing

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi223-vi223
Author(s):  
Katharina Rosengarth ◽  
Delin Pain ◽  
Frank Dodoo-Schitto ◽  
Katharina Hense ◽  
Teele Tamm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Language Functions ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Assessment Time ◽  
Task Trial

Abstract INTRODUCTION Mapping language during direct cortical stimulation (DCS) in the stetting of awake craniotomy might be challenging without using more than one language paradigm. Applying several language tasks leads to increasing surgery times and to patient’s exhaustion. Additionally, a single language trial must be performed in less than 4 seconds to avoid DCS-induced seizures. Therefore, we aimed to design a single language paradigm which pictures highly relevant language functions and simultaneously restrains the assessment time of single language trials up to 4 seconds. METHOD The intraoperative language task comprised a combination of picture naming and verb generation. During DCS patients should generate correct sentences according to the language stimulus by not exceeding 4 seconds. To assess the intraoperative feasibility of the language task we included 30 healthy subjects in a pilot study to measure subjects’ speed of performing a single language task trial and to evaluate the language paradigm according to its language sensitivity by using the paradigm as a task for functional MRI. Intraoperatively, 21 patients with brain tumors in language associated brain areas were included. Patients received neuropsychological testing before and after surgery. RESULTS The pilot study showed in healthy subjects that by applying the novel paradigm during fMRI there is activation in a left accentuated network of inferior frontal and parietal regions and the superior and middle temporal gyrus (p&lt;.05, FEW). It was feasible to conduct a single language trial of the novel paradigm in a time frame of 4s (performance speed 2.53 s; SD=.32s). Intraoperatively, tumor patients showed DCS-associated language errors while conducting the language task. Postoperatively, mild language but no other neuropsychological deteriorations compared to presurgical assessment were observed (p&lt;.05). CONCLUSION We present a novel language paradigm which safely pictures and monitors highly relevant language functions and consequently can minimize postoperative language deficits.

scholarly journals Antidepressant therapy and C-reactive protein levels

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinead M. O'Brien ◽  
Lucinda V. Scott ◽  
Timothy G. Dinan
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Antidepressant Medication ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ssri Treatment

BackgroundMajor depression is associated with activation of the inflammatory response.AimsTo examine C-reactive protein levels in depression and to determine the impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy.MethodAtwo-part study. In study 1, which used a between-subjects design, C-reactive protein was measured in 32 patients (20 currently depressed, 12 euthymic) with a history of DSM–IV major depression, all of whom were treated with an SSRI, and in a healthy comparison group (n=20). Study 2 employed a within-subject design: C-reactive protein was measured in 20 patients with major depression both before and after SSRI treatment.ResultsIn study 1, C-reactive protein levels did not differ between the group with depressive disorder (either currently depressed or euthymic) treated with SSRIs and the healthy group. In study 2 the protein levels dropped significantly following treatment with antidepressant medication.ConclusionsFollowing SSRI treatment for major depression there is a significant drop in C-reactive protein concentrations whether or not the depression resolves. These findings indicate that antidepressants induce an anti-inflammatory response independent of antidepressant action.

Influence of Negative Stereotypes and Beliefs on Neuropsychological Test Performance in a Traumatic Brain Injury Population

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Kit ◽  
Catherine A. Mateer ◽  
Holly A. Tuokko ◽  
Julie Spencer-Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Stereotype Threat ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Personal Control ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe impact of stereotype threat and self-efficacy beliefs on neuropsychological test performance in a clinical traumatic brain injury (TBI) population was investigated. A total of 42 individuals with mild-to-moderate TBI and 42 (age-, gender-, educationally matched) healthy adults were recruited. The study consisted of a 2 (Type of injury: control, TBI) × 2 (Threat Condition: reduced threat, heightened threat) between-participants design. The purpose of the reduced threat condition was to reduce negative stereotyped beliefs regarding cognitive effects of TBI and to emphasize personal control over cognition. The heightened threat condition consisted of an opposing view. Main effects included greater anxiety, motivation, and dejection but reduced memory self-efficacy for head-injured-groups, compared to control groups. On neuropsychological testing, the TBI-heightened-threat-group displayed lower scores onInitial Encoding(initial recall) and trended toward displaying lower scores onAttention(working memory) compared to the TBI-reduced-threat-group. No effect was found for Delayed Recall measures. Memory self-efficacy mediated the relation between threat condition and neuropsychological performance, indicating a potential mechanism for the threat effect. The findings highlight the impact of stereotype threat and self-referent beliefs on neuropsychological test performance in a clinical TBI population. (JINS, 2013,20, 1–11)

Rumination, mood and social problem-solving in major depression

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1309-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. DONALDSON ◽  
D. LAM
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Social Problem Solving ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Adverse Life Events ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
Before And After ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimentally Induced

Background. Ruminating when depressed is thought to lower mood and impair problem-solving, while distraction is thought to alleviate mood and assist problem-solving. The present study investigates each of these proposals using both naturally occurring and experimentally induced rumination and distraction in a sample of patients with major depression.Method. Thirty-six patients with major depression and 36 control participants were randomly allocated to either a rumination or distraction induction condition. Levels of trait rumination and distraction were measured at baseline, mood and problem-solving were measured before and after the inductions.Results. In terms of trait measures, depressed patients with higher levels of trait rumination reported poorer mood and gave less effective problem solutions than those who were less ruminative. Trait distraction was not associated with mood or problem-solving. In terms of induced responses, depressed patients who were made to ruminate experienced a deterioration in their mood and gave poorer problem solutions. For those receiving the distraction induction, mood improved in all patients and problem-solving improved in patients who were not naturally ruminating at a high level. Neither induction had an impact on mood or problem-solving in control participants.Conclusions. Treatment for depression associated with adverse life events may need to target rumination as well as problem-solving deficits if interventions are to be effective. The differential effects of self-applied versus experimentally induced distraction require further investigation. Future research will need to consider that high levels of trait rumination may interfere with the impact of experimental inductions.

scholarly journals Exploring the Impact of Performance-based Assessment on Malian EFL Learners’ Motivation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Kadidja Koné
Keyword(s):  
English Learners ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Performance Based Assessment ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Project Data ◽  
High Level ◽  
Level Of Motivation ◽  
The Impact

This study investigates university English learners’ motivational and emotional responses to a performance-based assessment project before and after the project. Data were collected from 25 students learning English as a foreign language using two motivation questionnaires while they were working individually on a project called “Identity Poem”. A quantitative analysis of the data using descriptive and inferential statistics revealed that participants were highly motivated before and after the project. This increase in the level of motivation at both stages could be explained by the supportive behavior of the teacher and by the topic of the project that aroused curiosity and interest. Their emotional state was also positive at both stages due to their perception of the feasibility of the project and a high level of confidence resulting from outstanding performance. Regarding the qualitative data, an analysis based on the number of references to a pattern was utilized. The findings corroborated the high level of motivation observed with the quantitative results before and after the project. They additionally supported the quantitative findings indicating that the participants’ emotional state was relatively positive. However, a few learners were anxious, but their anxiety did not prevent them from completing the project. Regarding the pedagogical implications, project work can be used as an alternative in assessment so that learners can stay motivated during the assessment process. To achieve this aim, language teachers need to ensure that a project is within the learners’ reach and provide them with quality feedback at every stage.

scholarly journals Impact of Sarvanga Ruksha Svedana on Physiological, Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Young Healthy Subjects: An Exploratory Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Saurabh Yadav ◽  
Vandana Verma ◽  
. Abinav
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Blood Lipid ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Hematological And Biochemical Parameters ◽  
The Impact

<strong>Introduction:</strong> <em>Svedana Karma</em> (Sudation) is a therapeutic procedure used to pacify <em>Vata, Kapha Dosha</em> and also helps in detoxification of the body. Various methods have been described to induce sweating as per the disorder and the type of Dosha involved in pathogenesis. <em>Sarvanga Ruksha svedana</em> used in the present study is a type of <em>Sagni Sveda</em> (<em>Kuti Sveda</em>) in which heat is applied without prior <em>Abhyanga</em> (massage with oil). <strong>Objectives:</strong> To analyze certain physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters in blood and sweat and also to understand the mechanism of effects produced by <em>Sarvanga Ruksha Svedan</em>. <strong>Methods:</strong> An exploratory study was conducted on 30 clinically healthy subjects in the age group of 20-30 years. They were registered for the study after their written consent for <em>Svedan</em> procedure. The impact of <em>Svedan</em> was observed in terms of subject’s pulse rate (PR), blood pressure (BP), Temperature and biochemical parameters like complete blood count (CBC), and renal function test (RFT), lipid profile, sweat biochemical analysis. Assessment of <em>Prakriti</em> was done as per the predominance of <em>Dosha</em>. <strong>Results:</strong> The changes observed in the BP, PR, temperature, hemoglobin (Hb), CBC, biochemical parameters such as serum and sweat electrolytes, blood lipid levels, serum urea, creatinine have shown significant effect of Sarvanga Ruksh <em>Svedan</em>. The difference in responses has been found to vary as per <em>Prakriti</em> also. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Present study has shown several interesting findings leading to scientific interpretation of<em> Svedan Karma</em> and physiology of <em>Svedavaha Srotas</em> and also has provided a lead for future research in this area.

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