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Biomedical subjects

Jennifer Duncan Davis

Publications and source records attributed to Jennifer Duncan Davis.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Unique contribution of family functioning in caregivers of patients with mild to moderate dementia.

The relationship between family functioning and dementia caregiving is complex. The present study examined the interrelationships between family functioning, caregiver burden, and patient characteristics. Participants were 72 live-in, family caregivers of patients with mild (n = 47) or moderate dementia (n = 25). Caregivers completed measures of burden, family functioning, depression, and anxiety. Ratings of patients' memory/behavior problems and patients' activities of daily living were also collected. Results indicated that higher levels of caregiver burden were significantly associated with increased caregiver depression and anxiety, greater frequency of memory and behavior problems in the dementia patient, worse activities of daily living, and poorer family functioning. Even after controlling for caregiver depression, caregiver anxiety, and frequency of memory/behavior problems in dementia patients, poorer family functioning continued to be associated with higher levels of caregiver burden. Caregivers with high levels of burden reported greater family dysfunction in communication and roles, regardless of their relationship to the patient (i.e., spouse or child). These findings suggest that including a family systems component in caregiver interventions may be beneficial in reducing burden in these very distressed individuals.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Differential impact of executive function on visual memory tasks.

Despite their common use in neuropsychological evaluation, little is known about the differential contribution of executive functioning to visual memory tests. In this study, hierarchical regression was used to determine the role of executive functioning on the Visual Reproduction subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale--Third Edition, and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) in a mixed neurological sample of 193 patients. Executive functioning was predictive of Visual Reproduction but not ROCF recall variables after accounting for demographic variables and global cognitive functioning. Only executive tests with a visuospatial component, the Trail-Making Test Part B and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test perseverative responses, were predictive of recall of Visual Reproduction stimuli. Organization of the ROCF was predictive of both Visual Reproduction and ROCF recall. These findings increase our understanding of the executive contribution to two common visual memory tests and may aid in the clinical interpretation of seemingly discrepant visual memory performance.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Psychosocial predictors of dementia caregiver desire to institutionalize: caregiver, care recipient, and family relationship factors.

Several factors influence dementia caregiver desire to institutionalize; however, little is known about differences in caregivers who desire institutionalization versus those who do not. The current study compares predictors of desire to institutionalize in dementia caregivers. Seventy-two caregivers completed the Desire to Institutionalize Scale (DIS) and several psychosocial measures, including burden, dementia knowledge, self-efficacy, depression, health, care recipient daily functioning and memory/behavior problems, family functioning, and social support. Based on DIS responses, caregivers were divided into No DI versus DI groups. DI caregivers had significantly higher burden, greater dementia knowledge, more family dysfunction, and decreased social support compared with No DI caregivers. Findings emphasize the importance of caregiver and family relationship variables in DIS, suggesting potentially modifiable targets for caregiver interventions. Dementia knowledge was associated with higher DIS, suggesting that educational programs alone may not be helpful to delay institutionalization.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Cognitive and neuropsychiatric aspects of subclinical hypothyroidism: significance in the elderly.

The effects of overt hypothyroidism (HO) on cognition and mood are well established, and HO is considered a common cause of reversible dementia. There is now increasing evidence to suggest that subclinical hypothyroidism (ie, elevated thyroid stimulating hormone in the presence of normal thyroxine concentrations) may be a predisposing factor for depression, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Subclinical hypothyroidism is more common than HO and is most prevalent in the elderly, particularly in women. Older adults may be more vulnerable to the effects of subclinical hypothyroidism, given age-related changes to the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, and there is an association between thyroid status and cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing data on the cognitive and neuropsychiatric consequences of subclinical hypothyroidism, benefits of treatment, and recommendations for screening and monitoring in older adults.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Recognition memory for hand positions and spatial locations in patients with Huntington's disease: differential visuospatial memory impairment?

Allocentric and egocentric memory was investigated in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and matched controls. Patients with HD and age- and education-matched healthy normal controls (NC) were administered two visuospatial recognition memory tasks, one assessing memory for hand positions (egocentric) and the other assessing memory for spatial locations (allocentric). HD patients showed normal primacy and recency effects, but their overall performance was impaired relative to controls on both tasks. Correlation analyses indicated that HD patients' performance on the Hand Position Memory task, but not the Spatial Location Memory task, was associated with global cognitive status (Mattis Dementia Rating Scale) and disease severity (Shoulson and Fahn Rating Scale), and HD patients' performances on the two tasks were not associated. Results provide preliminary support for the role of the caudate nucleus in both allocentric and egocentric spatial memory.

Adolescent↗