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Biomedical subjects

F Ingram

Publications and source records attributed to F Ingram.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Temporal stability of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in an untreated patient sample.

This study evaluates the temporal stability of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The only previous similar study found unacceptably low test-retest stability in a non-patient elderly sample. In contrast, the present study utilizes 29 untreated obstructive sleep apnea patients who are more typical of persons likely to receive the WCST clinically. The 11 WCST scores examined demonstrated test-retest correlations from .34 to .83 (mean = .64). Six of 11 correlations were within .10 of the .80 criterion for clinical utility and there was minimal change across sessions. The current findings justify greater optimism regarding the test-retest reliability of the WCST.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The PPVT-R: validity as a quick screen of intelligence in a postacute rehabilitation setting for brain-injured adults.

The utility of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) as a surrogate for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test-Revised (WAIS-R) was investigated in 61 brain-injured adult participants in a postacute rehabilitation setting. Idiographic comparison revealed substantial disagreement in clinical classification between the two instruments, and it is concluded that the PPVT-R is not a good surrogate for the WAIS-R for this purpose. In contrast, the PPVT-R was judged an adequate surrogate for the WAIS-R for the purpose of group comparison, as is common in biomedical research. Finally, contrary to prior report, the PPVT-R was demonstrated to measure more than simply Vocabulary. As such, in the absence of independent validation research, perhaps the most parsimonious conclusion regarding what the PPVT-R is measuring is that like each of the various subtests of the WAIS-R, the PPVT-R shares some of the variance of the construct termed intelligence, as well as demonstrates some unique variance that is likely comprised of error and, perhaps, a unique or different facet of intelligence.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Trail Making Test: issues in normative data selection.

The Trail Making Test (TMT) is one of the most frequently administered neuropsychological instruments, having been used in the evaluation of cognitive dysfunction for over 50 years. Despite the measure's extensive clinical use and proliferation of research, no comprehensive review of the adult TMT normative literature is available. This report examines the available TMT normative reports and provides a summary of the sample characteristics. Significant variability between studies precludes the use of metanorms. Clinically, these findings indicate that biased results may be obtained if the most appropriate normative data set is not used and underscore the importance of identifying the normative comparison group that approximates the relevant patient characteristics. To assist the clinician, selected normative reports (based on certain exclusionary parameters) have been compiled for three nonclinical comparison groups: (a) an adolescent and young adult group (ages 15-24), (b) an adult group (ages 20-54), and (c) an older adult group (ages 55-85). Results are discussed in terms of the influence of moderator variables on TMT performance and other factors, such as procedural differences in administration, that may account for the significant variability between normative samples.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Latent structure of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in a clinical sample.

The aims of this study were to: (a) examine the consistency of the published Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) factor structures; (b) determine the factor structure of the WCST in a large, heterogeneous sample; and (c) compare the WCST factor analytically with other neuropsychological procedures. Two WCST factors (concept formation/perseveration and Failure-to-Maintain-Set [FMS]) were consistently reported in the literature. Our analysis of data from 473 clinical cases replicated the two factors previously reported and revealed a third on which nonperseverative errors (NPE) was the sole salient variable. This pattern was maintained in three of four diagnostically distinct subgroups. These factors are potentially clinically meaningful, with each seeming to reflect one of three qualitatively different performance styles. In the construct validation factor analysis, WCST scores loaded independently of other neuropsychological variables, indicating that the WCST contributes uniquely to neuropsychological evaluation. Nevertheless, despite the rational interpretation of the factors, the cognitive processes underlying WCST performance remain poorly understood. Future directions for the application of these factor analytic findings are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Cognitive sequelae of unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cognitive sequelae of unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy. DESIGN: Single-group pretest and posttest methodologic assessment with baseline evaluation performed 1 to 2 days prior to surgery and follow-up conducted 3 months after pallidotomy. SETTING: Movement disorder clinic at a university medical center. PATIENTS: Fourteen patients (age range, 43-82 years) with Parkinson disease (average disease duration, 7.4 years). INTERVENTION: Unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy procedures were performed on the right (n=8) and left (n=6) side of the brain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The protocol consisted of a range of neuropsychological instruments sensitive to subcortical dysfunction, including measures of bi-manual coordination, simple-complex reaction time, visual attention, naming, verbal fluency, learning, recognition memory, and problem solving. RESULTS: No significant deterioration in specific cognitive abilities was observed as a function of the procedure. Patients showed a significant improvement in motor coordination speed for both contralateral and ipsilateral upper extremities. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy is associated with minimal risk of adverse neuropsychological effects or cognitive decline. Additional research is warranted, with an increased sample size and extended follow-up, to assess any potential lateralized effects of the procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The Medical College of Georgia Complex Figures: reliability and preliminary normative data using an intentional learning paradigm in older adults.

Reliability and preliminary normative data are provided for the Medical College of Georgia Complex Figures (MCGCF). Forms A and B were examined in 77 healthy older adults, aged 55-75, and found to be of comparable difficulty. Despite the use of parallel forms, there was a practice effect on retesting for each of the recall trials of the MCGCF. There was no effect of gender on performance, but a correction factor is recommended for those aged 65 and older. Preliminary age-adjusted normative tables are available, as is information to facilitate the interpretation of intrasubject (i.e., idiographic) performances within and between trials. The latter data are particularly relevant for clinical practice, but are rarely reported in the literature. Still lacking for the MCGCF is independent validation of their utility in the evaluation of clinical populations. Whereas examination of the various complex figures reveals no prima facie evidence to suggest a lack of congruence in clinical utility between the MCGCF and the Taylor figure, this key question can only be addressed through independent empirical validation.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Sleep apnea and vigilance performance in a community-dwelling older sample.

Impaired vigilance performance has been reported in older subjects with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). The current study is an attempt to extend these findings and to investigate additional factors that might have implications for vigilance in the older adult. Fifty-nine older adults [age: 62 +/- 5 (mean +/- SD), range 54-75 years; respiratory disturbance index (RDI): 8.8 +/- 14.4 (mean +/- SD), range 0-67.5] were categorized as SAS or NotSAS, based on various classification criteria [i.e. apnea index (AI) > or = 5, and 10, RDI > or = 5, 10 and 15], and were compared on their vigilance performance as assessed by the computer program "Steer Clear". Vigilance performance did not discriminate the groups, independent of how they were formed. Groups were then formed based on vigilance performance (HiVig vs. LowVig) and compared on assorted sleep variables, periodic leg movements, and self-reported hypersomnolence and depression. Only age discriminated vigilance performance (an inverse relationship), accounting for 31% of the observed variance. Our findings suggest that subject selection may unintentionally bias findings regarding the neuropsychological functioning of individuals with SAS, that vigilance may be impaired only in relatively more "severe" SAS, and that severity of SAS in older adults may not be well characterized by current classification standards. Age clearly impacted vigilance performance, despite the constricted age range sampled, and should be taken into account in future research.

Age Factors↗
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