Narcissistic Traits and Executive Functions

Spearman's Rho ◽

Spearman’S Rho ◽

Several personality disorders have been associated with cognitive impairment, including executive functions like working memory. Yet, it is unclear whether subclinical expression in non-clinical persons is associated with cognitive functioning. Recent studies indicate that non-clinical subjects might, in fact, perform better with increasing moderate to mild expressions of narcissistic features. We tested working memory performance in a cohort of n=70 psychiatrically and neurologically healthy subjects using Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS/WIE) subtests Arithmetic, Digit Span and Letter-Number Sequencing, and assessed narcissistic features using three different inventories: the widely used Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), as well as two clinically used measures of narcissistic traits and states, respectively, derived from schema-focused therapy, i.e., the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) entitlement/grandiosity subscale and the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI) self-aggrandizer subscale. In accordance with our hypothesis, we found nominally significant positive correlations of WIE Arithmetic performance with NPI total score (Spearman’s rho=0.208; p=0.043) and SMI self-aggrandizer scale (Spearman’s rho=0.231; p=0.027), but findings did not survive false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment for multiple comparisons (pFDR=0.189 and pFDR=0.243, respectively). While our findings add to recent studies on cognitive performance in subclinical narcissism, they fail to demonstrate an association of cognitive performance with narcissistic traits across multiple working memory tests, indicating the need for additional study, including complementary executive functions in larger cohorts and ranges of phenotype expression.

Does Greater Phonological Storage Capacity Correlate with Levels of Intentionality and Theory of Mind?

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.105.2.625-632 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 105 (2) ◽

pp. 625-632 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rachel M. Wynn ◽

Frederick L. Coolidge

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

High School Students ◽

Theory Of Mind ◽

Storage Capacity ◽

Digit Span ◽

School Students ◽

Age Range

Greater phonological storage capacity may be associated with levels of intentionality, and therefore by assumption, Theory of Mind. The participants were 34 high school students in the Midwest (15 girls, 19 boys; age range = 15 to 17 years). The measures were digits forward and digits backward from the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–III and a measure purporting to assess Theory of Mind and Levels of Intentionality (Kinderman, Dunbar, & Bentall, 1998). There was found to be a weak nonsignificant correlation between digits forward and Levels of Intentionality, and a moderate and significant correlation between digits backward and Levels of Intentionality. The later correlation was significantly larger. The digits backward test requires not only greater phonological storage capacity but also appears to tap working memory resources. Findings suggest that greater phonological storage capacity is associated with higher intentionality, and by implication, perhaps more elaborate Theory of Mind, but only when the phonological task requires working memory functions.

Preliminary comparative study of cortical thickness in HIV-infected patients with and without working memory deficit

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0261208 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0261208

Author(s):

Rafael Ferracini Cabral ◽

Diogo Goulart Corrêa ◽

Nicolle Zimmermann ◽

Gustavo Tukamoto ◽

Tadeu Takao Almodovar Kubo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Cortical Thickness ◽

Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽

Memory Deficit ◽

Cognitive Domain ◽

Cortical Regions ◽

Cluster 2

Purpose Changes in cerebral cortical regions occur in HIV-infected patients, even in those with mild neurocognitive disorders. Working memory / attention is one of the most affected cognitive domain in these patients, worsening their quality of life. Our objective was to assess whether cortical thickness differs between HIV-infected patients with and without working memory deficit. Methods Forty-one adult HIV-infected patients with and without working memory deficit were imaged on a 1.5 T scanner. Working memory deficit was classified by composite Z scores for performance on the Digits and Letter-Number Sequencing subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (third edition; WAIS-III). Cortical thickness was determined using FreeSurfer software. Differences in mean cortical thickness between groups, corrected for multiple comparisons using Monte-Carlo simulation, were examined using the query design estimate contrast tool of the FreeSurfer software. Results Greater cortical thickness in left pars opercularis of the inferior frontal gyrus, and rostral and caudal portions of the left middle frontal gyrus (cluster 1; p = .004), and left superior frontal gyrus (cluster 2; p = .004) was observed in HIV-infected patients with working memory deficit compared with those without such deficit. Negative correlations were found between WAIS-III–based Z scores and cortical thickness in the two clusters (cluster 1: ρ = –0.59; cluster 2: ρ = –0.47). Conclusion HIV-infected patients with working memory deficit have regions of greater thickness in the left frontal cortices compared with those without such deficit, which may reflect increased synaptic contacts and/or an inflammatory response related to the damage caused by HIV infection.

A-196 BVRT Copy and Memory Trial Omission Errors Are Associated With Working Memory and Auditory Comprehension Deficits

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa068.196 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 991-991

Author(s):

Vickery A ◽

Moses J ◽

Boese A ◽

Maciel R ◽

Lyu J

Keyword(s):

Verbal Fluency ◽

Digit Span ◽

Spoken Language ◽

Auditory Comprehension ◽

Intelligence Scale ◽

Benton Visual Retention Test ◽

Omission Errors

Abstract Objective The goal of this study is to examine the cognitive factors that account for omission errors on the Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) copy and memory trials using factorial indices based on raw subtest scores of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III) and the Multilingual Aphasia Examination (MAE). Method Participants were referred for assessment at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. One hundred and forty-three participants were sampled. BVRT omission error scores for the copy and memory trials were factor analyzed with age, education level, WAIS-III Digit Span Forward (DSpF), and Letter-Number Sequencing (LNS). These variables were refactored with the spoken language components of the MAE (naming, repetition, verbal fluency, and auditory comprehension). Results BVRT copy and memory omission scores were factorially grouped with age and inversely correlated with LNS. A second factor was composed of positive loadings on DSpF, LNS, and education. The BVRT Copy-and-Memory-Omissions-Age-LNS component was inversely and specifically related to the MAE measure of auditory comprehension. The Digit Span Forward-LNS-Education variable loaded strongly on the MAE Repetition component and secondarily on the MAE Verbal Fluency and Naming components. Conclusions BVRT copy and memory trial omission errors are strongly and specifically related to failure of auditory comprehension. Errors of this type are not related to the other three components of spoken language.

Neuropsychological Correlates of Greek Alcoholic Patients Who Report Memory Disturbances

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.96.1.197-203 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 96 (1) ◽

pp. 197-203

Author(s):

Ioannis Liappas ◽

Ioulia Theotoka ◽

Elisabeth Kapaki ◽

Ioannis Ilias ◽

George P. Paraskevas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Verbal Fluency ◽

Digit Span ◽

Cultural Backgrounds ◽

Verbal Fluency Test ◽

Short Test ◽

Test Category ◽

Fluency Test

We studied 40 male and 37 female ( M age = 63 yr.) Greek alcoholic patients and an equal number of control subjects. Both groups were evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Syndrome Short Test, the Verbal Fluency Test (Category & Letter), the Clock Test, and the Digit Span (Forward and Backward from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised). Alcoholic patients had statistically significant lower scores on MMSE, Verbal Fluency Test, and Digit Span, and higher scores on the Syndrome Short Test, while positive correlations were found among MMSE, Verbal Fluency Test, Clock Test, Digit Span-Backward, and age. These findings point to frontal lobe dysfunction in Greek alcoholic patients which is not different from that shown in patients from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

A-011 Stability of Impairment Rating Discrepancies in a Longitudinal Observational Alzheimer’s Study

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa068.011 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 801-801

Author(s):

Kaylegian J ◽

Ritter A ◽

Caldwell J

Keyword(s):

Rating Scale ◽

Digit Span ◽

Neuropsychological Test ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Clinical Dementia Rating ◽

Wide Range Achievement Test ◽

Wide Range ◽

Abstract Objective The present study investigated frequency and 12-month persistence of discrepant Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment ratings of impairment. Methods We examined CDR and neuropsychological test scores from year 1 and 2 visits of 162 adults enrolled in a longitudinal observational study. Neuropsychological measures included Wide Range Achievement Test, American National Adult Reading Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised, Dementia Rating Scale 2nd edition, Boston Naming, Verbal Fluency/Color Word Interference from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System, Judgment of Line Orientation, Trail Making Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, and Digit Span/Letter Number Sequencing from The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 4th edition. Discrepancies were defined as: CDR = 0 and 2 test impairments, CDR = 0.5 and > 5 or 0 impairments, CDR = 1 and 0 impairments. Results Including all test domains, 40.1% of participants in year 1 and 44.3% in year 2 showed discrepancies. 69% maintained this discrepancy at year 2 and 68% of these showed no change in discrepancy type. Considering only memory tests, 37% of participants in year 1 and 28.4% in year 2 showed discrepancies, with 45% maintaining at year 2 (74% showing no change in discrepancy type). A majority of discrepancies observed in both years 1 and 2 revealed the CDR was under reporting impairment compared to the neuropsychological battery year. Conclusions The results provide evidence that within our study population, impairment as rated by the CDR frequently does not match the level of measured cognitive impairment and this observation is stable year to year.

0632 Time of Day and Time on Task Effects on Working Memory and Sleepiness of Bus Drivers

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsz067.630 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A252-A252

Author(s):

Maryam Maghsoudipour ◽

Ramin Moradi ◽

Mostafa Pouyakian ◽

Mehdi Yaseri ◽

Sara Moghimi

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Epworth Sleepiness Scale ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Digit Span ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Time On Task ◽

Bus Drivers ◽

Abstract Introduction Fatigue and sleepiness have direct effects on vigilance, and cognitive functions of drivers. The objective of this study was to analyze individual bus drivers' characteristics and work shift parameters and relation to the working memory performance and sleepiness. Methods This prospective study was conducted on 35 inter-city bus drivers by convenience sampling. We collected data during the time span of a 24-hour round trip by using the demographic questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), and reversed digit span memory test (part of the Wechsler-Adult Intelligence Test). A linear mixed model was used for statistic analysis. Results The mean (± SD) of Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 6.4 (±2.7). 12.5% of drivers had excessive daytime sleepiness according to ESS results. The circadian effect of time of day on the drivers' working memories was statistically significant (P=0.001), and the working memory was minimum at 04:00 am (± 1). Additionally, the differences in sleepiness at different times of day were statistically significant (P=0.001); with the highest score at 04:00 am (± 1). Time on task and time of sleep parameters did not show a significant effect on working memory (p> 0.05). Time on task parameter affected sleepiness significantly (p=0.024). Conclusion The circadian factor was the most important predictor of cognitive performance compared to time on task (fatigue) and time of sleep. Although, time on task had a significant effect on sleepiness and sleepiness significantly decreased working memory. We conclude that optimizing the drivers' schedule is the most important intervention to optimize drivers' performance and increase road safety. Support (If Any) Not

Can we improve the clinical assessment of working memory? An evaluation of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Third Edition using a working memory criterion construct

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology ◽

10.1080/13803390903032529 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 315-323 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

B. D. Hill ◽

Emily M. Elliott ◽

Jill T. Shelton ◽

Russell D. Pella ◽

Judith R. O'Jile ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Clinical Assessment ◽

Intelligence Scale ◽

Adult Intelligence ◽

Use of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Digit Span subtest for malingering detection: A meta-analytic review

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology ◽

10.1080/13803395.2010.516743 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 300-314 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

Lindsey J. Jasinski ◽

David T. R. Berry ◽

Anni L. Shandera ◽

Jessica A. Clark

Keyword(s):

Digit Span ◽

Intelligence Scale ◽

Adult Intelligence ◽

Analytic Review ◽

Malingering Detection

The effect of duration of dependence and daily dose of tramadol in tramadol dependent patients on cognitive performance

Middle East Current Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s43045-019-0005-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hossam Eddin Khalifa Ahmad ◽

Alaa Eldin Mohamed Darweesh ◽

Shehab Hassan Mahmoud Hassaan ◽

Mostafa Nooman ◽

Islam Shaaban ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Performance ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Mental State ◽

Mini Mental State Examination ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Daily Dose ◽

State Examination

Abstract Background Tramadol dependence represents a major medical and legal hazardous phenomenon in the last decade. It is a synthetic opiate analgesic which exerts its therapeutic effect by its action on μ opioid receptors. It has a weak dependence ability. The present study investigated the effect of duration of dependence and daily dose of tramadol on cognitive performance. Cognitive functions were assessed using the following: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test–Revised (BVMT-R), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III), the P300 (ERP), and conventional electroencephalogram. Results There was a non-significant negative correlation between the daily dose of tramadol and cognitive performance as regards IQ, Mini-Mental State Examination, MoCA score, P300 reaction time (μs), and deterioration index (r = − 0.08, P = 0.689; r = − 0.02, P = 0.896; r = − 0.11, P = 0.554; r = − 0.11, P = 0.581, r = − 0.17; P = 0.368, respectively). Additionally, the results showed non-significant negative correlation between the duration of dependence and the cognitive performance (r = − 0.19, P = 0.325; r = − 0.15, P = 0.424; r = − 0.30, P = 0.108; r = − 0.02, P = 0.909; r = − 0.02, P = 0.937, respectively). Conclusion Daily dose and duration of tramadol dependence have a negative but non-significant effect on cognitive performance.

Detection of Malingering Using Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV for Psychiatric Patients

Psychiatry Investigation ◽

10.30773/pi.2019.0330 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 526-532

Author(s):

An Kook On ◽

Kyu-Sic Hwang ◽

Seung-Ho Jang ◽

Hye-Jin Lee ◽

Min-Jung Soh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Military Service ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Digit Span ◽

Poor Performance ◽

Intelligence Scale ◽

Adult Intelligence ◽

Group 1

Objective Psychiatric patients sometimes show poor performance or exaggerated symptoms as malingering for secondary gain. The aim of this study was to introduce cut-off scores for detecting poor performance using Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) in psychiatric patients.Methods Participants were 261 in- and out-patients who visited psychiatry department. They were classified into 4 group- 1) military service, 2) traumatic brain injury (TBI), 3) psychosis, 4) neurosis. A Digit Span subtest (called as Reliable Digit Span, RDS) of WAIS was used to detect malingering. This study considered a score of 10% base rate as RDS cut-off score.Results The RDS cut-off score was shown at 7 pts for military service group, at 3 pts for TBI group, at 6 pts for psychosis group, and at 6 pts for neurosis group.Conclusion This study first introduced RDS cut-off scores for malingering psychiatric patients in South Korea. In clinical practice, clinicians may be able to utilize the RDS cut-off scores for malingering-suspected patients. In particular, for patients with military service issues, 7 or less pts of RDS can be used for detecting and inferring their malingering.