Cognitive function measurement

These measures often focus on the frequency and intensity of psychological distress (e.g., anxiety or depression), and include the individual s perception of psychological well-being and life satisfaction and an assessment of cognitive functioning.Measures of this domain also cover the broad range of differences possible in the mental health continuum. Health disturbances commonly manifest themselves on behavioral and physical levels ... 

Neuropsychiatric rating scales provide specific information such as the rate of change and severity of cognitive decline or improvement. They are useful in situations in which repeated measurements of a patient s mental status are needed because they allow the clinician to determine response to an intervention (e.g., medication) in a more systematic manner. In addition, some cognitive function measures are useful screens for Alzheimer s and other dementias, cerebral infarction, and encephalitis or encephalopathies. A number of cognitive... 

A study of 214 postmenopausal women suggested that small amounts of alcohol may enhance visuospatial processes (improved cognitive function measured by block design performance). HRT also appeared to be linked... 

Acetyl-i-carnitine (4) is marketed in Italy for dementia as of this writing it is also in Phase III clinical trials in the United States and Europe. In a double-blind, placebo-controUed clinical trial over a one-year period involving 130 patients with clinically diagnosed AD, a slower rate of deterioration in 13 of the 14 outcome measures was observed in the dmg-treated group (28). Earfler smaller scale pilot studies in demented patients had also shown some improvement of various behavioral and cognitive functions (29). 

In summary, HRT improves overall well-being and mood in women with vasomotor symptoms, but it has not demonstrated an improvement in QOL in women without vasomotor symptoms, does not improve cognitive function, and has little effect, if any, on QOL measures. 

There also are numerous highly regarded, creative, and sophisticated tests to assess attention, concentration, and ECF, and these tests usually have manuals with age-corrected norms and sometimes provide sample test profiles of people with drug problems to compare with your client s profile. The WMS, for example, has a section that assesses attention and concentration in addition to memory functions. Another well-known attention and concentration test is the Symbol-Digit Modalities Test (Smith, 1991). Some of the more well-known measures of ECF and related cognitive functions include the Wisconsin Card Sorting... 

Engelhart et al., 1999). This instrument assesses many more areas of cognitive function than does the MMSE. I Iowever, as a screening tool, it too has limits to what it can tell you. My recommendation is that if a client of yours screens positive for a cognitive problem on one of these measures, you refer that client for a comprehensive neuropsychological workup as part of the treatment plan. Note that sometimes a person will screen positive during detoxification, but will clear cognitively after that period is finished. You should probably retest after detox has been completed if the client screens positive while in detox. 

Measurement of learning ability and cognitive function in rats... 

Official Title Effect of EGb 761 on the Ratio of the Isoforms of the Protein Precursor of Beta Amyloid Platelets on Patients With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer s Disease. A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial, on Parallel Groups Versus Placebo Primary Outcome Measures Effect of EGb 761 on the ratio of the isoform of the protein precursor of beta amyloid platelets Secondary Outcome Measures Efficacy of EGb 761 on the cognitive functions and safety of EGb 761 at a dosage of 240 mg per day Total Enrollment 40 Study Start July 2005... 

In the RCT in which participants received memantine and donepezil in combination, less deterioration in cognitive function was recorded in participants receiving combined treatment compared with donepezil alone, as measured by the SIB (mean change from baseline at end point for memantine plus donepezil and donepezil alone was 0.9 and —2.5, respectively, p < 0.001). Memantine also improves behavioural symptoms. 

Consistent with theories on the cognitive underpinnings of ADHD, stimulants have been demonstrated to improve cognitive function as measured by tests of vigilance, impulsivity, reaction time, short term memory, and learning of verbal and nonverbal material in children with ADHD (Barkley, 1977b Klein, 1987 Rapport et ah 1988). These stimulant-associated improve-... 

There are several studies measuring cognitive performance before (drug-free) and after treatment that find a marked improvement on medication. Whereas it is true that some drugs have sedative properties, this is more than counteracted by their ability to correct disturbances of thought. The net effect is that a patient s cognitive functions are much improved, at times approaching premorbid status. 

During the last two decades, much evidence has emerged linking moderately elevated Hey to several diseases, particularly various forms of vascular disease [16]. Less strong links have also been shown with neural-tube defects, neuropsychiatric disorders, impaired cognitive function, dementia, cancer and osteoporosis. The scope and relevance of the measurement of Hey has been recently reviewed by Ref-sum et al. [17]. 

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