Biomedical subjects

R Krikorian

Publications and source records attributed to R Krikorian.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Encoding and complex figure recall.

This study investigated the effects of type of encoding strategy (organized and disorganized) and of active versus passive encoding on memory for interrelated spatial material. Delayed recall performance for a complex, nonrepresentational two dimensional figure was measured in 120 normal young adults assigned to one of three groups that varied as to the approach used during the initial construction of the figure. Those applying self-generated strategies performed best. In addition, recall performances were significantly better for those applying a prescribed, organized strategy as compared with performances of those applying a prescribed, disorganized strategy. These effects were not attributable to differences on measures of IQ or spatial information processing. The findings indicated that, independent of memory ability, both the degree of organization and of active strategizing at encoding are determinants of recall ability for complex spatial information and suggest that these factors have implications for memory processes more generally.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The influence of learning style and cognitive ability on recall of names and faces in an older population.

The present study examined whether, for older adults, a verbal or imagery cognitive style is associated with recall of names and faces learned in an experimental condition. Cognitive abilities that are represented in current models of face recognition and name recall were also examined. Those abilities included picture naming, verbal fluency (i.e., naming items within a given category), vocabulary comprehension, visual memory, and the learning of unassociated word pairs. Fifty older adults attempted to learn first and last names of 20 student actors and actresses pictured on videotapes (40 names total). On average, participants learned the most first names, followed by last names, and the fewest full names. The greater the number of responses on a questionnaire associated with an imagery cognitive style, the more the names of faces were correctly identified by participants. There was no significant relationship between a verbal cognitive style and the number of names and faces recalled. As for cognitive abilities, all of the abilities measured--with the exception of vocabulary comprehension--were significantly associated with the number of names and faces learned. A regression analysis indicated that the best predictor of successful name-face learning was the participants' ability to learn and recall 5 unrelated word pairs. When that cognitive measure was deleted from the regression analysis, delayed visual memory and verbal fluency were the next best predictors of the older adults' ability to learn names and faces.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

The Corsi block-tapping task: methodological and theoretical considerations.

The Corsi block-tapping task has enjoyed extensive use in clinical and experimental studies for a quarter of a century and is arguably the single most important nonverbal task in neuropsychological research. Nevertheless, there has been considerable inconsistency not only in the administration and scoring of this measure, but also in the physical properties of the test apparatus. In this paper, we survey a wide range of studies that have made use of the block-tapping task during the past 25 years and provide a detailed appraisal of the manifold methodological variations. Additionally, we discuss the historical context in which the Corsi originated and offer a critical examination of the cognitive processing operations purported to underlie performance on this task.

Humans↗

PubMed1998

Implicit memory in posttraumatic stress disorder with amnesia for the traumatic event.

This report documents a case of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following psychological trauma with cerebral insult and amnesia for the traumatic event. The case history demonstrates the role of implicit memory in PTSD and indicates that the mechanisms of psychopathology are one-trial sensitization and conditioned emotional responses.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed1995

Emotional distress, coping, and adjustment in human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Fifty-seven ambulatory, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients at various stages of disease progression and 17 HIV seronegative controls were examined in a cross-sectional study with self-administered measures of emotional distress, coping, and adjustment to illness. All infected and control subjects were homosexual or bisexual and free of acute medical illness. The findings indicated that both uninfected and infected subjects had enhanced emotional distress in a variety of domains. However, while somatic and cognitive-ruminative complaints were greater in symptomatic subjects relative to controls, depression and anxiety were not. Professed coping strategies were heterogeneous and not particularly related to HIV diagnostic status, with the exception of planful problem solving which was decreased for acquired immune deficiency syndrome subjects. Disruption in several aspects of daily life adjustment was markedly increased in symptomatic subjects. The findings suggest that both HIV seropositive status and perceived risk for infection produce a sustained level of generalized psychological distress. Even in the absence of current medical illness, patients with advanced disease progression are concerned primarily with anticipated medical implications and cognitive effectiveness.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1994

Tower of London procedure: a standard method and developmental data.

The Tower of London procedure (TOL) is being utilized increasingly in clinical and experimental contexts, although there is considerable variation in how it is administered and scored. The procedure detailed here was developed using Shallice's original problems and, along with the Porteus Maze Test (PMT), was administered to 205 elementary school students and 74 young adults. TOL scores increased with age in a linear fashion, and the performance of the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade subjects were not statistically different from the young adults. The TOL was moderately correlated with the PMT suggesting that these procedures share a planning component. These data provide initial developmental standards, and the materials, administration, and scoring procedures documented here provide a standard method for utilization of this instrument.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Cognitive impairment in HIV infection.

HIV-infected subjects at various stages of illness but without opportunistic cerebral disease were evaluated using a comprehensive, cognitively-based neuropsychological protocol and measures of levels of depression and anxiety. The data indicated a prominent attentional disorder among impaired subjects; however, language, visual-spatial and memory functioning were not deficient. There was also evidence suggesting executive function deficit. Depression contributed a small additional component in differentiating the groups. These findings help to specify the nature of the cognitive disturbance associated with HIV encephalopathy and are consistent with the pathological effects of primary infection of the brain by HIV. In addition, they provide a specific basis for ameliorative treatment with psychostimulant medication.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

PubMed1990

Cognitive deficits associated with human immunodeficiency virus encephalopathy.

The encephalopathy associated with direct nervous system infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been recognized as one of the major debilitating aspects of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and of pre-AIDS conditions. A comprehensive neuropsychological examination of symptomatic HIV-infected subjects without opportunistic cerebral disease demonstrated a distinctive pattern of cognitive deficits marked by prominent attentional impairment. Evidence of organizational and reasoning impairments also was observed, but language, visual-spatial, and memory consolidation abilities were relatively preserved. The findings suggest a profile of impairment similar to other cognitive syndromes involving dysfunction of predominantly anterior brain structures and projections and suggest a rationale for psychostimulant drug treatment.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

PubMed1982

Emotional stimulation, defensive orientation, and hemispheric activation.

Lateral eye movements (LEM) were measured for 32 right-handed subjects while responding to questions rated for verbal and visual-spatial cognitive content and for varying levels of emotionally stimulating content. The results indicated that eye movements were distributed to the right and left in response to verbal and spatial items, respectively, and that emotional content enhanced leftward responding. In addition, the defensive style of subjects, as measured by a defense mechanism inventory, interacted with the cognitive and affective dimensions of questions and was a determinant of LEM.

Arousal↗