Carolyn Shelly

Does the right hemisphere age more rapidly than the left

It has been hypothesized that the right hemisphere ages more rapidly than the left, but there have been no direct empirical studies aimed at confirmation of that hypothesis. Within the framework of a cross-sectional design, 1,247 subjects, divided into six age groups (20s-70s), were tested with a modified Halstead-Reitan battery. The test scores were analyzed with the Russell, Neuringer, and Goldstein localization key, with each case being evaluated for number of right- and left-hemisphere points. It was found that there was a significant increase in right-hemisphere points with age, with a significant, but less pronounced, effect for left-hemisphere points. The same effect was found in a subsample of nonbrain-damaged medical and psychiatric patients. It was also established on the basis of neurological diagnostic evidence that there was not a coincidental increase in structural lateralized brain damage with age in the present sample. The results were discussed in terms of possible differences in functional organization of the two hemispheres, the general conclusion being that the right hemisphere ages in a different manner than does the left.

Statistical and Normative Studies of the Halstead Neuropsychological Test Battery Relevant to a Neuropsychiatric Hospital Setting

A series of studies was performed with the general aim of evaluating the usefulness of the Halstead Neuropsychological Test Battery with a neuropsychiatric population. Factor analysis of the battery showed that it measured language, perceptual, complex problem-solving, and motor skills. Utilizing stepwise discriminant analysis the battery discriminated between brain-damaged and non-brain-damaged Ss at a statistically significant level. However, a simpler index, the Average Impairment Rating, did as well in terms of percentage of correct classifications. Also, through the use of stepwise multiple discriminant analysis, the battery discriminated among Ss with lateralized, diffuse and no brain damage at statistically significant levels, with the exception that it could not discriminate between Ss with right-hemisphere lesions and those with diffuse lesions.

Neuropsychological diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in a neuropsychiatric setting.

This study had the aims of: 1) replicating two previous studies done in the area of behavioral aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS); and 2) comparing the performance of MS patients on a series of neuropsychological tests with neuropsychiatric patients and patients with various forms of brain damage other than MS. In both cases the Wechsler Intelligence Scales and the Halstead Battery of Neuropsychological Tests were used as the behavioral measures. With regard to the replication, differences were found among studies on the Wechsler Scales, but not on the neuropsychological tests. The performance patterns were similar in all three studies. The comparison among MS, neuropsychiatric, and brain-damaged patients revealed that the major difference among these groups appeared on tests of various aspects of motor functioning.

Intellectual, Academic and Neuropsychological Performance Levels in Learning Disabled Adults

Normative data are provided for intellectual, academic achievement and neuropsychological tests based on a sample of 100 learning disabled adults. The tests used included the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, The Wide Range Achievement Test, a measure of reading comprehension and components of The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery. The sample was characterized as being of dull normal intelligence with lower verbal than performance IQs. Scores on achievement tests were substantially below grade level. The average neuropsychological test profile formed a pattern characterized by intact nonverbal memory and problem solving ability, with mildly impaired levels of attentional, motor and speech discrimination skills. It was concluded that the cognitive profile found in learning disabled adults is not dissimilar from what is typically found in learning disabled children.

Neuropsychological Investigation of Brain Lesion Localization in Alcoholism

While a variety of behavioral deficits have been associated with chronic alcoholism, there is still an incomplete understanding of the relationship between these deficits and their basis in central nervous system changes. One aspect of the problem has to do with structural changes in localized areas of the brain. It has been proposed that certain brain structures are particularly sensitive to the effects of alcoholism and deteriorate more readily than do other structures. For example, the effects of alcohol on cerebellar function are well known. With regard to the cerebral hemispheres, however, controversy remains.

Univariate Vs. Multivariate Analysis in Neuropsychological Test Assessment of Lateralized Brain Damage

Summary This study compared univariate with multivariate statistical procedures in regard to accuracy of prediction of lateralization of brain lesions. Utilizing measures derived from the Halstead Neuropsychological Test Battery, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and other neuropsychological tests, discrimination was attempted through single test score t test analysis, utilization of factor scores, and discriminant function analysis. Subjects consisted of 26 patients with left hemisphere and 22 patients with right hemisphere lesions. It was found that while the single variable and factor score methods did not differ substantially from each other in predictive power, the discriminant analysis method was clearly superior. The conclusion was reached that cerebral lateralization is a complex phenomenon that is best approached by multivariate methods rather than by attempting to conceptualize it through some single test or principle.

The Pittsburgh Initial Neuropsychological Testing System (PINTS): A neuropsychological screening battery for psychiatric patients

This paper presents a new neuropsychological screening battery for psychiatric patients. It takes 1.5 to 2 hr to administer and briefly assesses general level of performance, memory, language skills, attention, and spatial-constructional abilities. Scoring and profiling are computerized. Initial validation based on discriminant analysis of a group of brain-damaged and non-brain-damaged psychiatric patients yielded a diagnostic accuracy level of 84.51%. Cross-validation on a different population led to a substantial attrition of classificatory accuracy, but cross-validation based on a comparison between two samples drawn from a homogeneous population yielded substantially less attrition. It was concluded that while the battery discriminates accurately in a homogeneous population, it is necessary to develop separate norms for populations varying in level of impairment.

Reaction Time and Motor Speed in Chronic Alcoholics

16 chronic alcoholics were hypothesized to show a discrepancy between performance on motor speed and complex perceptual-motor tasks. Utilizing a tapping test as the measure of motor speed, and reaction time and tracing tasks as measures of perceptual-motor coordination, alcoholics did not differ from 16 normals on tapping but did on the perceptual-motor tasks.

The impact of mild head injury on neuropsychological capacity in chronic alcoholics

A series of neuropsychological tests known to be sensitive to the effects of chronic alcoholism was administered to 25 detoxified alcoholic patients with histories of mild head injury and 25 detoxified alcoholics matched for age, race, socioeconomic status, education and drinking history parameters, but without histories of head injury. None of the tests was performed at significantly different levels by the two groups. It was concluded that mild head injury did not compound the effects of chronic alcoholism among these patients, although it was noted that both groups demonstrated the anticipated impairments on the tests. It was also suggested that researchers need not exclude alcoholic subjects with mild head injury histories from studies involving the use of standard neuropsychological tests.

Relationships between neuropsychological and psychopathological dimensions in male alcoholics

A study was conducted of the relationships between psychopathology and neuropsychological deficit in chronic alcoholic patients who had received the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). Classification of the MMPIs by code type resulted in the formation of groups of 10 subjects with normal MMPIs, 19 subjects with MMPI profiles suggestive of depression, and 10 subjects with profiles suggestive of psychosis. Analysis of covariance was performed for various Halstead-Reitan scores; the only significant findings emerged for several of the verbal subtests of the WAIS. The group with psychotic MMPIs did substantially more poorly on these measures than the other groups. It was concluded that depressed alcoholics do not show greater neuropsychological deficit than do individuals with no significant psychopathology other than alcoholism. However, alcoholics with MMPI profiles that suggest psychosis differ from the other groups studied with regard to certain verbal abilities.