Robert D. Hill

Proposed Factor Structure of the Geriatric Depression Scale

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is commonly used to measure depression in the elderly. However, there have been no reports of the underlying structure of the GDS. To this end, the GDS was administered to 326 community-dwelling elderly subjects, and the data were subjected to a factor analysis. A five-factor solution was selected and, after a varimax rotation, the factors that emerged could be described as: (1) sad mood, (2) lack of energy, (3) positive mood, (4) agitation, and (5) social withdrawal. This solution accounted for 42.9% of the variance. Knowledge of the factor structure should aid both clinicians and researchers in the interpretation of responses on the GDS.

Effects of serum vitamin B12 and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age : A population-based study

We examined the relationship between low levels of serum vitamin B12 (< 200 pmol/L) and folic acid (< 11 nmol/L), separately or combined, and episodic memory performance in very old age. Participants with low serum vitamin values were compared with a control group matched for age and educational level. Participants (N = 250) were selected from a group of nondemented, community-dwelling persons ages 75-96. Episodic memory was tested by means of free recall and recognition of slowly and rapidly presented words. Results indicated a deterioration in both free recall and recognition as a function of serum vitamin status. However, no linear effects of vitamin levels on memory were observed, indicating that vitamin B12 and folic acid status may effect memory only among individuals at the low end of the distribution. We speculate that the vitamin-related memory deficit may reflect encoding problems, possibly due to alterations in brain metabolism.

Memory self-efficacy predicts memory performance: Results from a 6-year follow-up study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between memory self-efficacy (MSE) and a 6-year follow-up assessment of memory functioning in a sample of Dutch older adults. MSE was assessed by a Dutch abridged version of the Metamemory in Adulthood questionnaire (MIA; R. A. Dixon, D. F. Hultsch, & C. Hertzog, 1988; C. Hertzog, D. F. Hultsch, & R. A. Dixon, 1989; R. W. H. M. Ponds & J. Jolles, 1996). The total MSE score predicted memory performance at 6 years, as measured by the Visual Verbal Learning Task (VVLT; N. Brand & J. Jolles, 1985). A separate analysis of the different MSE subscales indicated that the MIA Change score was the most salient domain-specific MSE predictor of subsequent memory performance after 6 years. An extreme groups analysis of the MIA Change score revealed a pattern of performance for those who perceived that their memory was worsening, performing less well on the 3 trials of the VVLT when these were readministered at the 6-year follow-up.

Residual effects of cigarette smoking on cognitive performance in normal aging.

The present study examined the residual effects of smoking status on cognitive function in 76 nondemented older adults. Current smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers who were screened for health and intellectual impairments were administered a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests to measure problem solving, psychomotor speed, memory, attention span, perception, and language production. Performance decrements were found for smokers on measures of psychomotor speed. No between-group differences were noted on any of the nonspeeded tests. There were no differences between nonsmokers and ex-smokers on any measures. The results suggest that the residual effects of current cigarette smoking negatively influence speeded cognitive capabilities in older adults.

Remembering Numbers in Old Age: Mnemonic Training Versus Self-Generated Strategy Training

The effectiveness of two memory training programs designed to enhance four-digit number recall was examined in 90 healthy older adults. One group received instruction and training in the number-consonant mnemonic, whereas another group was instructed to adopt their own encoding and retrieval strategies to enhance number recall. Also, a control group receiving no training between testing occasions was included. The criterion task was administered according to the Buschke selective reminding procedure. Posttest performance was evaluated with and without cognitive support for remembering (i.e., verbal cues). Under unsupported conditions, the mnemonic group improved number recall following training and the self-generated strategy group showed a tendency in the same direction. When support was provided, group differences in favor of the two training groups increased. In addition, no training-related gains were observed in two verbal transfer tasks. The relatively similar patterns of gains in the two intervention groups were discussed in terms of advantages and disadvantages in the two training regimens balancing each other.

The influence of depressive symptomatology on episodic memory functioning among clinically nondepressed older adults.

The authors examined a community-based sample of 303 clinically nondepressed individuals aged 75 through 96 years on 4 recall tasks: free recall of rapidly presented random words, free recall of slowly presented random words, free recall of organizable words, and cued recall of organizable words. Using a classification taxonomy that identified mood- and motivation-related symptoms of depression, it was found that motivation-related symptoms had a negative effect on performance across all tasks, whereas mood-related symptoms had no effects. In addition, motivation-related symptoms negatively influenced the ability to benefit from more study time but had no effect on the ability to make use of item organization or category cues. An analysis of the specific motivation-related symptoms suggested that symptoms that may affect the ability to focus and sustain attention (e.g., concentration difficulties, lack of interest) were most strongly associated with performance deficits.

Naproxen-Metabolism, Excretion and Comparative Pharmacokinetics

The importance of absorption, metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies in the development of new drug substances has grown considerably in the last ten years. Drug disposition intelligence has become an essential portion of the total monograph which must be developed. As a result, naproxen has been exposed to an extensive metabolism and pharmacokinetic treatment.

Imagery mnemonic training in a patient with primary degenerative dementia.

A visual-imagery mnemonic was used as a memory training aid for a 66-year-old patient with primary degenerative dementia. Length of retention time was used as the primary outcome measure. The application of the mnemonic procedure extended the length of retention time for name-face recall from baseline. Performance gains were sustained at one month.

Behavioral smoking cessation treatment for older chronic smokers.

The benefits of behavioral smoking cessation treatment were examined in 82 chronic smokers 50 years of age and older. Participants were randomized into one of four intervention conditions: (1) behavioral training only, (2) behavioral training and nicotine gum, (3) behavioral training and physical exercise, and (4) physical exercise only. Behavioral training involved 3 months of group treatment, and physical exercise consisted of a 3-month walking program. Quit rates were assessed at program end and at 4, 7, and 12 months postrandomization. At 12 months the proportion quit across groups was respectively 31.8, 36.4, 27.8, and 10.0%. One-year quit data indicated that behavioral training facilitated cessation over the physical exercise only condition.

Long‐term efficacy of cognitive training for age‐associated memory impairment: A six‐month follow‐up study

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the impact of pretraining on the long‐term effect of an imagery‐based mnemonic in persons with age‐associated memory impairment (AAMI). Eighty‐two participants were randomly assigned to one of six groups: (1) verbal judgment pretraining plus mnemonic training, (2) visual imagery elaboration pretraining plus mnemonic training, (3) relaxation pretraining plus mnemonic training, (4) nonspecific pretraining plus mnemonic training, (5) nonspecific training, and (6) wait list. Participants receiving the three specific pretraining techniques along with mnemonic training (Groups I to 3) recalled more than those receiving nonspecific pretraining with mnemonic training (Group 4) or nonspecific pretraining without mnemonics (Group 5). Participants receiving mnemonic training (Groups 1 to 4) did not differ from nonmnemonic controls (Group 5) at 6 months. The results suggest that specific pretraining strategies can help maintain beneficial effects of imagery‐based mnemon...