Joseph A. Kwentus

Modified wisconsin sorting test in elderly normal, depressed and demented patients

Abstract Patients with major depression, and normal controls completed a modified version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). DAT patients completed fewer categories and made more total and more perseverative errors than normal elderly patients. Moderate by severe DAT patients completed fewer categories than mild DAT and depressed patients. Mild DAT and depressed patients performed in a similar manner. The modified WCST may be particularly applicable for an elderly population. It simplifies the procedure and reduces ambiguity in conveying feedback so that fewer subjects may be unwilling or unable to complete the task. Further research is needed to establish the comparability of the modified WCST with the original test.

Psychomotor slowing and subcortical-type dysfunction in depression.

Elderly patients with major depression and normal controls completed the Sternberg short-term memory scanning procedure and WAIS Digit Symbol. Depressed patients demonstrated psychomotor slowing on both tasks, but normal response latency as a function of memory set size on the Sternberg procedure. While cognitive-behavioural slowing may be observed in both depressive illness and subcortical neurological disorders, a normal rate of processing information centrally appears to distinguish depression from certain of these disorders. Psychomotor slowing in the presence of normal information processing speed might be explained by a deficit in motivational state associated with depression.

Rate of forgetting in mild Alzheimer's-type dementia☆

Patients with mild dementia of the Alzheimers type (DAT) and matched controls were examined for rate of forgetting line drawings of common objects. DAT patients demonstrated rapid forgetting in the first 10 min after learning to criterion. This finding is discussed with respect to memory consolidation and neuropathologic changes in dementia of the Alzheimers type.

Psychiatric complications of closed head trauma

Abstract After summarizing the pathophysiology of closed head injury, the authors examine its psychiatric complications with specific attention to the relationship of head trauma and schizophrenia, affective disorders, and personality change. Post-concussion syndrome is especially common after minor head injury. The longer it or more severe trauma lasts, the more likely the assistance of a psychiatrist will be necessary.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus presenting as mania.

A case of normal pressure hydrocephalus presented as a secondary mania. The patient responded to neurosurgical intervention. Psychiatric aspects of diagnosis and management of normal pressure hydrocephalus are discussed.

Effects of protriptyline on vigilance and information processing in narcolepsy.

Vigilance, memory function, and response latency on the Sternberg short-term memory scanning task were examined in eight narcoleptic patients on and off medication. Off medication, half of the patients demonstrated reduced vigilance and all displayed diminished automatic memory encoding and longer response latencies on the Sternberg memory scanning procedure relative to the treated condition. Protriptyline normalized vigilance in half of the patients, while response latency and automatic information processing significantly improved in all. These findings are discussed with regard to the potential effect of the medication on central nervous system arousal.

INFORMATION PROCESSING SPEED OF CHILDREN WITH FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA

Two children with Friedreichs ataxia and six controls matched for age and Verbal IQ were administered a measure of short‐term memory scanning and tests of attention, memory, language and abstraction. The patients demonstrated a deficit in information processing speed, decreased sustained attention and variable memory performance. The findings suggest that a deficit in information processing speed occurs early in the clinical course of Friedreichs ataxia and progresses as neurological status deteriorates.

Sleep apnea: A review

Abstract Sleep apnea, although frequently unrecognized or misdiagnosed, is neither uncommon nor trivial in its effects. Patients who complain of sleep difficulty may be treated initially with sedative-hypnotics, which only reduce arousal ability and prolong apneic episodes. Sleep apnea frequently presents with psychiatric symptoms. Once suspected, its provisional identification is not difficult, although definitive diagnosis is best done in a sleep laboratory. The symptoms, examinations and assessments, pathophysiology, and treatments are reviewed in this article in relation to the three types of apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed.