Conceição Santos Fernandes

Normative data for healthy elderly on the phonemic verbal fluency task - FAS

Phonemic verbal fluency tests assess the production of words beginning with specific letters. Of these letters, the most frequently used are F, A and S. It is a sensitive test for assessing frontal lobe functions. Objective To provide normative data for the elderly Brazilian population on the FAS test and to investigate the effects of age and schooling on test performance. Methods The individuals were divided into three age groups (60–69, 70–79 and =80 years), and into four groups according to education (1–3, 4–7, 8–11 and 12 years). All subjects were assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination and the FAS. Data were analyzed with Student’s t test, ANOVA, simple linear regression and Spearman’s correlation. Results We evaluated 345 cognitively healthy volunteers, 66.66% being female, aged 60 to 93 years, with an educational level ranging from one to 24 years. The average (number of items) ±SD for the whole sample was 28.28±11.53. No significant effect of gender was observed (p=0.5). Performance on the MMSE and education exerted a direct influence on FAS scores (p<0.001), with education being the most significant factor. A positive correlation was found between FAS and the MMSE (r=0.404; p<0.001). Conclusion The performance of Brazilian elderly on the phonemic verbal fluency tests-FAS is significantly influenced by education, where individuals with higher educational level present better performance than those with fewer years of schooling. Age and gender did not prove significant with the FAS.

Age and educational level effects on the performance of normal elderly on category verbal fluency tasks

Cognitive decline, particularly executive dysfunction, is observed in normal aging. In Brazil, the elderly population presents broad educational diversity. Category verbal fluency tests are frequently used to detect cognitive impairment, assessing executive function, language and semantic memory. Objective To investigate the effects of age and education on category animal fluency task (CAF) in healthy elderly. Methods We evaluated 319 healthy elderly from outpatient care units of two university reference centers of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The sample was divided into two age, and five schooling subgroups. To be included participants had to demonstrate preservation of global cognitive functioning, independence for activities of daily living and not fulfill diagnostic criteria for dementia. All participants were submitted to neurological and neuropsychological evaluations. Results There was a correlation between age and CAF performance (r= –0.26, p<0.01), which was not confirmed when years of education were included as a covariant in univariate ANCOVA. Significant differences were found in CAF performance among the different educational level groups on correlation analysis (r=0.42, p<0.01) and ANCOVA analysis (F=18.8, p<0.05). Illiteracy was associated with worst CAF performance, while university level was associated with best performance. Conclusion The best CAF performance was found in the first years of schooling (literacy learning process) compared to illiteracy, and when finishing high school and starting university courses compared to all other educational levels. These stages are associated with significant gains in semantic memory and executive function which are critical for verbal fluency performance.

Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) is a very useful tool for diagnosis of probable mild Alzheimer´s disease in a geriatric clinic

The diagnosis of early signs of Alzheimers disease (AD) is a major challenge in a heterogeneous population. Objective To investigate the use of the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) for the diagnosis of mild AD in a geriatric outpatient unit of a public hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Method BCSB was administered to 51 elderly adults with a clinical diagnosis of probable AD and 123 older adults without dementia (non-AD). Results AD patients performed worse than non-AD group in all BCSB tests, except Clock Drawing (p = 0.10). The ROC curves and Logistic Regression analysis indicated that delayed recall in the figure memory test was the best predictor, screening mild AD patients with sensibility and specificity superior to 80%. Conclusion The BCSB was accurate in identifying people with AD in a geriatric outpatient clinic at a public hospital, including elderly people with chronic diseases, physical frailty and cognitive impairment.

Validez convergente del Inventario de Empatía (IE)

The study aimed at investigating the convergent validity of the Empathy Inventory. The sample was composed by 230 adult individuals from both sexes who answered to the Empathy Inventory (EI) and to the Multidimensional Scale of Interpersonal Reactivity (MSIR). Strong or moderate positive and significant correlations were obtained between the EIs cognitive factors (Perspective Taking and Interpersonal Flexibility) and the MSIRs cognitive factor. Therefore, the EIs affective dimensions (Altruism and Affective Sensibility) showed low positive significant correlations or no correlations with the MSIRs affective factors. These findings provide initial evidences about the convergent validity of EI and refine its psychometric qualities as a measure of assessment of empathic skills.O estudo teve como objetivo investigar a validade convergente do Inventario de Empatia. A amostra foi composta por 230 individuos adultos, de ambos os sexos, que responderam ao Inventario de Empatia (IE) e a Escala Multidimensional de Reatividade Interpessoal (EMRI). Correlacoes positivas e significativas fortes ou moderadas foram obtidas entre os fatores cognitivos do IE (Tomada de Perspectiva e Flexibilidade Interpessoal) e o fator cognitivo da EMRI. No entanto, os fatores afetivos do IE (Altruismo e Sensibilidade Afetiva) apresentaram corelacoes positivas e significativas, porem baixas, ou correlacoes nao-significativas, com os fatores afetivos da Escala EMRI. Os achados fornecem, portanto, evidencias iniciais acerca da validade convergente dos fatores cognitivos do IE e aprimoram suas qualidades psicometricas no que diz respeito a avaliacao da habilidade empatica.

Convergent validity of the Empathy Inventory (EI)

The study aimed at investigating the convergent validity of the Empathy Inventory. The sample was composed by 230 adult individuals from both sexes who answered to the Empathy Inventory (EI) and to the Multidimensional Scale of Interpersonal Reactivity (MSIR). Strong or moderate positive and significant correlations were obtained between the EIs cognitive factors (Perspective Taking and Interpersonal Flexibility) and the MSIRs cognitive factor. Therefore, the EIs affective dimensions (Altruism and Affective Sensibility) showed low positive significant correlations or no correlations with the MSIRs affective factors. These findings provide initial evidences about the convergent validity of EI and refine its psychometric qualities as a measure of assessment of empathic skills.O estudo teve como objetivo investigar a validade convergente do Inventario de Empatia. A amostra foi composta por 230 individuos adultos, de ambos os sexos, que responderam ao Inventario de Empatia (IE) e a Escala Multidimensional de Reatividade Interpessoal (EMRI). Correlacoes positivas e significativas fortes ou moderadas foram obtidas entre os fatores cognitivos do IE (Tomada de Perspectiva e Flexibilidade Interpessoal) e o fator cognitivo da EMRI. No entanto, os fatores afetivos do IE (Altruismo e Sensibilidade Afetiva) apresentaram corelacoes positivas e significativas, porem baixas, ou correlacoes nao-significativas, com os fatores afetivos da Escala EMRI. Os achados fornecem, portanto, evidencias iniciais acerca da validade convergente dos fatores cognitivos do IE e aprimoram suas qualidades psicometricas no que diz respeito a avaliacao da habilidade empatica.

Validade convergente do Inventário de Empatia (IE)

The study aimed at investigating the convergent validity of the Empathy Inventory. The sample was composed by 230 adult individuals from both sexes who answered to the Empathy Inventory (EI) and to the Multidimensional Scale of Interpersonal Reactivity (MSIR). Strong or moderate positive and significant correlations were obtained between the EIs cognitive factors (Perspective Taking and Interpersonal Flexibility) and the MSIRs cognitive factor. Therefore, the EIs affective dimensions (Altruism and Affective Sensibility) showed low positive significant correlations or no correlations with the MSIRs affective factors. These findings provide initial evidences about the convergent validity of EI and refine its psychometric qualities as a measure of assessment of empathic skills.O estudo teve como objetivo investigar a validade convergente do Inventario de Empatia. A amostra foi composta por 230 individuos adultos, de ambos os sexos, que responderam ao Inventario de Empatia (IE) e a Escala Multidimensional de Reatividade Interpessoal (EMRI). Correlacoes positivas e significativas fortes ou moderadas foram obtidas entre os fatores cognitivos do IE (Tomada de Perspectiva e Flexibilidade Interpessoal) e o fator cognitivo da EMRI. No entanto, os fatores afetivos do IE (Altruismo e Sensibilidade Afetiva) apresentaram corelacoes positivas e significativas, porem baixas, ou correlacoes nao-significativas, com os fatores afetivos da Escala EMRI. Os achados fornecem, portanto, evidencias iniciais acerca da validade convergente dos fatores cognitivos do IE e aprimoram suas qualidades psicometricas no que diz respeito a avaliacao da habilidade empatica.

Neuropsychological profile and neuropsychological markers of dementia in older people in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil

(p <0.0001). A sensitivity of 75% was established to detect MCI and of 94.4% for MD and the value of specificity was 79% with a cutting point 24. The relationship between the sensitivity and specificity was optimized with cutoff point of 24, was established a p ositive predictive value of 83% and a negative predictive value of 90%. Conclusions: The translation of MoCA test is valid for application in Colombiawith fine psychometric properties such as internal consistency, interrater reliability and convergent validity. The cutting point 24 reaches 89% sensitivity and 79% specificity for the detection of DCL and DL. The sensitivity for detecting DCL is 75% and 95.4% for DL.

Psicoterapia neurocognitivo-comportamental: uma interface entre psicologia e neurociência

There is an increasingly common ground between neuropsychological rehabilitation and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. This paper presents a model that emphasizes the interface between these two therapeutic intervention approaches. The model is based on neural plasticity mechanism and describes strategies related to comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of the patient neurocognitivefunctioning. This evaluation is an essential requirement for developing effective strategies for psychological intervention. The model also suggests an orientation with family members and other individuals who live directly with the patient. Finally, the model proposes the associations between stimulation techniques of neuropsychological functions impaired and development of alternative forms for the use of neuropsychological functions preserved with cognitive behavioral techniques which promotes psychosocial wellness of the patient.