Biomedical subjects

T B Wahlin

Publications and source records attributed to T B Wahlin.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Age-related cognitive deficits mediated by changes in the striatal dopamine system.

OBJECTIVE: The study examined the influence of losses in dopaminergic function on age-related cognitive deficits. METHOD: Eleven healthy subjects (21-68 years of age) completed a set of cognitive tasks used to assess perceptual speed and episodic memory. D(2) receptor binding was measured in the caudate and the putamen by using positron emission tomography. RESULTS: A gradual age-related deterioration was found for all cognitive tasks and for D(2) binding in both striatal structures. Statistical control of D(2) binding eliminated the age-related cognitive variation, whereas residual effects of D(2) binding were seen after the analysis controlled for age. CONCLUSIONS: D(2) receptor binding is a more important factor than chronological age in accounting for variation in cognitive performance across the adult lifespan. Changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission play an important role in aging-related cognitive decline.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Influences of thyroid stimulating hormone on cognitive functioning in very old age.

This study investigated the relationship of thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) within normal ranges to cognitive performance in very old age. The participants (N = 200) were selected from a population-based study of nondemented persons aged 75 to 96 years (M = 83.9 years). Tasks assessing episodic memory, verbal fluency, visuospatial ability, short-term memory, and perceptual-motor speed were examined. Results indicated that T4 was unrelated to performance. However, TSH was positively related to episodic memory performance, and the effects were independent of the influence of age, level of education, and depressive mood symptoms. There was no reliable effect of TSH on verbal fluency, short-term memory, perceptual-motor speed, or visuospatial functioning. The influence of TSH on episodic memory was interpreted in terms of its potential effects on encoding and consolidation processes.

Affect↗

PubMed1997

Reactions to predictive testing in Huntington disease: case reports of coping with a new genetic status.

A predictive testing program for Huntington disease has been available in Stockholm, Sweden since October 1990. Psychosocial assessments were performed throughout the testing program to evaluate the impact of the risk situation itself and the effect of predictive testing, and to identify those individuals who were most vulnerable to severe stress and anxiety reactions. All subjects underwent neurological, neuropsychological, and psychiatric examinations. Individuals undergoing predictive testing were assessed twice by a genetic counsellor before receiving their results, and at 10 days (gene carriers only) and then 2, 6, 12, and 24 months after receiving the results. The process of coping with the test results and the psychological adjustment to knowledge about new genetic status have been shown to vary considerably. In this report, we describe the results obtained from two gene carriers and two noncarriers. The four persons chosen represent different ways of coping with the outcome of the test and of integrating knowledge about their genetic status into everyday life. These cases illustrate common themes and recurrent problems often surfacing during the counselling and testing process. The longitudinal evaluations provide information about the impact, adaptation, and long-term effects of living with a new genetic status.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1995

Dimensions and progression in the interaction between bilingual/monolingual caregivers and bilingual demented immigrants: analysis of video-recorded morning care sessions in institutions coded by means of the Erikson theory of "eight stages of man".

Seven demented Finnish immigrants were video-recorded during morning care together with bilingual and monolingual Swedish-speaking caregivers. A phenomenological-hermeneutic analysis of the video-recordings inspired by Ricoeur's philosophy was performed. The structural analysis was made by means of the Erikson theory of "eight stages of man." A statistical analysis was done in order to study dimensions and progression of interaction and compare the communication seen in relation to how caregivers supported the patients' integrity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Preconditions for communication in the care of bilingual demented persons.

This study describes how demented immigrants' communicative performance together with caregivers who speak/do not speak these people's native language relates to the demented persons' cognitive, linguistic, and neuropsychological abilities. The study was carried out among demented persons who were born in Finland and had immigrated to Sweden. Their life history, linguistic history and linguistic behavior, and communication in standardized situations were assessed. neuropsychological and medical examinations were performed for diagnostic reasons. The results show that many of these Finnish immigrants had difficulties communicating with their Swedish-speaking caregivers, while their communication with a Finnish-speaking caregiver was adequate. The frequent misunderstanding of a person's message often leads to a one-way communication, in which the caregiver commands and interrupts the demented person. The demented Finnish immigrants functioned on a level of manifest competence that seemed far below their level of latent competence. It seems reasonable that the presence of Finnish-speaking caregivers is an environmental change that would markedly enhance the demented Finnish immigrants' performance and quality of life and also reduce the costs for their care.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Relationship between bilingual demented immigrants and bilingual/monolingual caregivers.

This study illuminates the relationship between bilingual demented patients and bilingual/monolingual caregivers during morning care sessions regarding the promotion of integrity in demented persons. Seven demented Finnish immigrants were videotaped during morning care together with bilingual and monolingual Swedish-speaking caregivers. A phenomenological-hermeneutic analysis of the videotapes was performed based on Ricoeur's philosophy. The structural analysis was made by means of the Erikson theory of "eight stages of man." Comparisons were made regarding demented immigrants' relationships with Swedish-Finnish speaking and Swedish speaking caregivers respectively. Three different patterns of relationship were seen: positive, negative, and mixed relationship. The study showed that bilingual caregivers' relationships with bilingual patients was positive or mainly positive (mixed), while the monolingual Swedish speaking caregivers had severe problems communicating with the same patients and therefore had more difficulties creating a positive relationship with them. It seems important that bilingual caregivers engage in the care of demented bilingual patients in order to help them use their latent competence and show themselves more clearly in the communication with their caregivers.

Acculturation↗

PubMed1992

[Morning toilette].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Visuospatial functioning and spatial orientation in a community-based sample of healthy very old persons.

A population-based sample (n=219) of healthy older adults ranging from 75 to 96 years of age was examined in tests measuring visuospatial ability (modified Block Design Test) and spatial orientation (Clock Setting Test and Clock Reading Test). Results indicated an age-related deterioration in both visuospatial abilities and spatial orientation. Block Design performance was higher under self-paced than under paced conditions across the entire age range, although the beneficial effects from decreased pacing tended to increase with increasing age. Also, the clock test data suggest that the abilities underlying time recognition (clock reading) may deteriorate later in the normal aging process than those underlying time drawing (clock setting). Finally, regression analyses on the relationship between a variety of demographic, psychometric, and biological variables and visuospatial functioning showed that, in order of importance, years of age, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and education, were significantly related to task performance.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Herpes simplex and mood: a prospective study.

The effect of mood, the common cold, amount of sleep, and sunshine on recurring herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection was investigated using daily self-reports over a 3-month period from 23 female and 15 male patients with genital herpes and 26 female and two male patients with oral herpes. Results showed recurring genital HSV infection to be preceded by reduced and decreasing overall emotional well being over a period of 10 days, with a temporary improvement in the middle of the period. This pattern was significantly represented by rated nervousness and rated alertness. Females showed more marked trends for reported mood than did the males, which could not be attributed to the menstrual cycle. Conversely, males showed a more marked, strongly significant fourth-order trend for reported amount of sleep, with nadirs on the 8th and the 3rd day before the recurrence. Neither exposure to sunshine nor the common cold showed any relation to recurrence of genital HSV infection. The common cold appeared as the major precipitating factor in oral herpes. Except for a significant fourth-order trend for rated alertness, no relationship between mood and subsequent onset was found. This negative finding was interpreted as a masking effect of the common cold. Two alternative physiological theories, the ganglion trigger theory and the skin trigger theory, were discussed in relation to present findings. It was suggested that various possible mediators between mood states and recurring herpes should be investigated using the present approach, with structured diaries as complement to the rating scales.

Adult↗