Screening for more than level of cognitive functioning: the BNI screen for higher cerebral functions.

OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the BNI Screen for Higher Cerebral Functions (BNIS) and reviews studies that comment on its reliability, validity, and clinical and research utility. The ability of the BNIS to assess non-cognitive higher brain functions is also described. METHODS: We reviewed the original administration manual, studies published in the BNI Quarterly of the Barrow Neurological Institute, and peer-reviewed studies on the BNI Screen identified by an academic database, PubMed and Google Scholar. Thirty-two studies were reviewed that describe normative data, psychometric properties, sensitivity and specificity estimates, the relationship of demographic factors to test performance, and its research utility. RESULTS: The BNIS is a time efficient screening test often taking no longer than 12-18 minutes. In addition to cognitive functioning, it aids in assessing conation, awareness of memory impairment, and affects expression and perception. Sensitivity estimates ranged from 80% to 92.3%. Specificity estimates ranged from 38.9% to 90%. Its construct, concurrent, and predictive validity have been supported by a series of international studies using different language translations of the test. CONCLUSION: The BNIS is a useful screening test for identifying patients with underlying brain disorders that uniquely measures domains of functioning not sampled by other existing screening tests.

Inhibitory Control of Adjacent Finger Movements while Performing a Modified Version of the Halstead Finger Tapping Test: Effects of Age, Education and Sex.

OBJECTIVE: Selective motor inhibition is known to decline with age. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of failures at inhibitory control of adjacent finger movements while performing a repetitive finger tapping task in young, middle-aged and older adults. Potential education and sex effects were also evaluated. METHODS: Kinematic recordings of adjacent finger movements were obtained on 107 healthy adults (ages 20-80) while they performed a modified version of the Halstead Finger Tapping Test (HTFF). Study participants were instructed to inhibit all finger movements while tapping with the index finger. RESULTS: Inability to inhibit adjacent finger movements while performing the task was infrequent in young adults (2.9% of individuals between 20 and 39 years of age) but increased with age (23.3% between the ages of 40 and 59; 31.0% between ages 60 and 80). Females and males did not differ in their inability to inhibit adjacent finger movements, but individuals with a college education showed a lower frequency of failure to inhibit adjacent finger movements (10.3%) compared to those with a high school education (28.6%). These findings were statistically significant only for the dominant hand. CONCLUSION: Selective motor inhibition failures are most common in the dominant hand and occur primarily in older healthy adults while performing the modified version of the HFTT. Monitoring selective motor inhibition failures may have diagnostic significance.

Patient Competency Rating Scale-Brazilian Revised Version (PCRS-R-BR): Normative and Psychometric Data in 154 Healthy Individuals.

Background Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS-R-BR) is a clinical tool to evaluate the degree of competence in cognitive skills perceived by patients with brain injuries. However, no studies have investigated the influence of sociodemographic variables on self-report and self-awareness of healthy individuals.Aim This study aimed to (1) present normative data from the PCRS-R-BR in a healthy adult Brazilian sample; and (2) investigate psychometric properties of the scaleMethod One hundred and fifty-four adults that were divided in three age groups and two education groups and their informants completed the PCRS-R-BR.Results Score on the PCRS-R-BR Patient's Form differed as a function of age with younger adults reporting less competency than older individuals. An education effect was found on Attention/Working memory Factor on the Informant's PCRS-R-BR with informants of higher education adults reporting better competency than lower education individuals. A gender effect was observed on the Informant's Form. The Informant's Form scores of informants of women were higher than the scores provided by the informants of men. PCRS-R-BR showed adequate consistency coefficients and six factors.Conclusion PCRS-R-BR scores showed acceptable validity evidence and provides information regarding how age and gender effects may influence ratings in a Brazilian sample.

Self-awareness and underestimation of cognitive abilities in patients with adult temporal lobe epilepsy after surgical treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Self-awareness of cognitive, emotional, functional, and social performance is critical for compliance with treatment. However, few studies have investigated self-awareness and the associated effects on other cognitive variables in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) after surgical treatment. AIM: This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of impaired self-awareness (ISA) in patients with TLE who have undergone surgical treatment. Associated correlations with clinical variables (frequency of seizures before surgery, time elapsed since the epilepsy diagnosis, depression, and anxiety) and verbal and visual episodic memory function and differences between patients with right and left TLE were also investigated. METHOD: Twenty-three adults with TLE after surgical treatment were assessed with the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS-R-BR), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task (RAVLT), and the Modified Ruche Visuospatial Learning Test (RUCHE-M). Patients were considered to have memory dysfunction if delayed recall as assessed with the RUCHE-M or RAVLT was at or below the 25th percentile. Patients were considered to have ISA if PCRS-R-BR discrepancy scores were at or above the 75th percentile. Underestimated cognitive ability (UCA) was defined as a PCRS-R-BR discrepancy percentile score ≤25. Results were analyzed using frequency, Spearman correlation, regression analyses, and the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Frequency analysis of the total sample indicated ISA in 39.13% of patients (n = 9), UCA in 39.13% of patients (n = 9), and impaired verbal and/or visual memory performance in 69.56% of patients (n = 16). Moderate positive correlations were found between the frequency of seizures before surgical treatment and relatives' reports, as well as between the duration of time that had elapsed since the epilepsy diagnosis and patient reports. Negative and moderate correlations were found between the frequency of seizures and the discrepancy score, as well as between depression and patient reports. No differences in PCRS-R-BR were found between patients with right vs. left TLE. No clinical variables significantly predicted self-report or self-awareness. CONCLUSION: Patients with TLE exhibit various patterns of ISA and negative effects on cognitive function after surgical treatment. Emotional factors and relatives' reports must be considered when assessing these patients.

Cognition in epilepsy patients with hypothalamic hamartomas.

Many patients with epilepsy caused by hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) have cognitive impairments during the course of the disease or following neurosurgical treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess cognitive function in these patients, as well as factors influencing preoperative cognitive performance and cognitive outcome after neurosurgical treatment. Using the two largest and most detailed neuropsychology datasets on HH and epilepsy from two centers, we retrospectively report on cognitive functions in 48 patients with structural epilepsy due to HH (mean age ± standard deviation [SD] 20 ± 12 years, range 5-53 years, median 16 years; disease duration mean 17 ± 11 years). Intelligence, verbal learning and recall, and speed and executive functions (processing speed and cognitive flexibility) were assessed before and on average 19 (±11) months after surgery (interstitial radiosurgery: N = 22; neurosurgical resection/disconnection: N = 26). Prior to neurosurgical treatment, 52% of patients showed impaired executive and 62% showed reduced verbal memory functions. A trend for a detrimental effect of higher drug load on cognitive functioning was found. After neurosurgical treatment, intellectual functions for the entire cohort tended to increase. This correlated with improved seizure frequency and decreased number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). However, postoperative outcomes for individual patients were highly variable, with significant deteriorations in 17% (processing speed) to 34% (cognitive flexibility and verbal learning), and performance increases in 17% (intellectual functioning) up to 39% (processing speed) of the patients. Higher levels of presurgical performance were significant predictors of cognitive decline after surgery. These results are highly relevant for patient consultation and may help with therapeutic decisions.

Memory and executive functions correlates of self-awareness in traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of executive functions (EF) components and episodic and working memory variables, as well as clinical and demographic factors, to awareness of cognitive ability in traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Sixty-five TBI patients (mild: n = 26; moderate/severe: n = 39) took part in the study. Independent stepwise regression models were calculated for EF and memory predictors, with awareness being measured by patient/informant discrepancy in the Patient Competency Rating Scale. RESULTS: Models with EF variables indicated that semantic verbal fluency and age are the best predictors of awareness, whereas models including mnemonic functions suggested verbal delayed episodic recall and TBI severity as predictors. CONCLUSIONS: These results are discussed in relation to clinical implications, such as the need to focus efforts of rehabilitation in the cognitive abilities related to awareness, and theoretical models.

Development and psychometric evaluation of a scale to measure impaired self-awareness of hyper- and hypokinetic movements in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) can show impaired self-awareness of motor deficits (ISAm). We developed a new scale that measures ISAm severity of hyper- and hypokinetic movements in PD during medication on state and defined its psychometric criteria. METHOD: Included were 104 right-handed, non-depressed, non-demented patients. Concerning ISAm, 38 motor symptoms were assessed using seven tasks, which were performed and self-rated concerning presence of deficit (yes/no) by all patients. The whole procedure was videotaped. Motor symptoms were then evaluated by two independent experts, blinded for patient's ratings, concerning presence, awareness of deficit, and severity. Exploratory principal component analysis (promax rotation) was applied to reduce items. Principal axis factoring was conducted to extract factors. Reliability was examined regarding internal consistency, split-half reliability, and interrater reliability. Validity was verified by applying two additional measures of ISAm. RESULTS: Of the initial 38 symptoms, 15 remained, assessed in five motor tasks and merged to a total severity score. Factor analysis resulted in a four factor solution (dyskinesia, resting tremor right hand, resting tremor left hand, bradykinesia). For all subscales and the total score, measures of reliability (values 0.64-0.89) and validity (effect sizes>0.3) were satisfactory. Descriptive results showed that 66% of patients had signs of ISAm (median 2, range 0-15), with ISAm being most distinct for dyskinesia. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first validation of a test for ISAm in PD. Using this instrument, future studies can further analyze the pathophysiology of ISAm, the psychosocial sequelae, therapeutic strategies and compliance with therapy.

Screening for cognitive and affective dysfunction in patients suspected of mild cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Disturbances of affect expression and perception, as well as accuracy of predicting memory difficulties, have been reported in various brain dysfunctional groups. Screening tests of higher cerebral functions seldom sample these dimensions. The goal of this study was to determine if patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) of the amnestic type would demonstrate impairments in these domains, as well as show expected memory deficits. METHODS: Thirty-nine French-speaking patients with a clinical diagnosis of MCI were compared with 39 age- and education-matched normal functioning individuals on the French translation of the Barrow Neurological Institute Screen for Higher Cerebral Functions (BNIS). Patients and controls also made subjective ratings regarding their cognitive and affective functioning in everyday life. RESULTS: Patients with MCI performed significantly worse than controls on the BNIS subtests sampling memory, orientation, affect expression and perception, and accurate prediction of memory performance. They did not differ on other subtests of the BNIS, as predicted. Poor self-awareness (i.e., inaccurate prediction of the number of words one could recall after distraction) correlated with self-reported deficits in several areas of cognitive and affective functioning. CONCLUSION: This sample of MCI patients demonstrated disturbances not only in memory but also in self-awareness and affect expression and perception on the BNIS. These dimensions should be included in the neuropsychological assessment of patients suspected of MCI.

Performance of a French sample on the French translation of the BNI screen for higher cerebral functions.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain normative data using a French translation of the BNI Screen for Higher Cerebral Functions (BNIS) administered to French-speaking individuals. METHODS: Recruitment and administration of the BNIS to a convenience sample of 167 French-speaking individuals between the ages of 15-84 years. RESULTS: Mean BNIS total score for a French sample was within 1 point of what was observed in the original standardization study using 200 English-speaking controls. Age and education correlated significantly with BNIS scores in a manner reported by other studies. CONCLUSION: The French translation of the BNIS appears to be a reliable method of assessing higher cerebral functioning in French-speaking individuals.

The transition from Mild Cognitive Impairment of the Amnestic Type to early dementia: A phenomenological and neuropsychological case analysis.

The scientific literature on neuropsychological correlates of Mild Cognitive Impairment of the Amnestic Type (MCI-A) often reports large group findings and employs multivariate statistics to describe domains of cognitive impairment associated with the transition of MCI-A to early dementia, typically of the Alzheimer's Type (AD). Individual patients may vary, however, in terms of specific changes in their neuropsychological test performance as they transition from MCI-A to probable AD. The subjective experiences of individuals during this time of transition can also vary but rarely are reported. Tracking both the patient's subjective experiences and their performance on neuropsychological measures provides a more complete picture of the patient's clinical situation. These combined sets of information help the clinical neuropsychologist provide a more individualized and personally relevant service. We present a phenomenological and neuropsychological case analysis of a 67-year-old woman who transitioned from MCI-A to probable early AD in an attempt to illustrate how such a combined analysis is helpful in their psychological care.

Studying lack of awareness of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases requires measures of both anosognosia and denial.

The cause(s) of lack of awareness of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases can be multifactorial. Yet neurologically oriented research on anosognosia of cognitive decline almost exclusively assumes that the underlying disturbance of neuro-networks that support various cognitive functions accounts for the reduced self-awareness. Cultural and psychosocial factors, including the person's emotional state, however, can contribute to the underreporting or avoidance of admitting to cognitive impairments in neurodegenerative diseases. Research on the causes of lack of awareness of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders needs to include these variables. We briefly present two case examples of underreporting or "unawareness" of memory difficulties in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (or minor neurocognitive disorder). One presented with classic anosognosia for memory impairment, while the other initially reported no memory impairment but later admitted to "denying" her memory difficulties secondary to anxiety. Based on these patients' clinical presentations and available research, we suggest three potential screening items that may help identify probable denial of memory impairments when studying anosognosia in MCI.

Impaired self-awareness of motor deficits in Parkinson's disease: association with motor asymmetry and motor phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated impaired self-awareness of motor deficits in nondemented, nondepressed Parkinson's disease (PD) patients during a defined clinical on state. METHODS: Twenty-eight PD patients were examined. Patients' self-ratings and experts' ratings of patients' motor performance were compared. Patient-examiner discrepancies and level of impairment determined severity of impaired self-awareness. Motor exam assessed overall motor functioning, hemibody impairment, and 4 motor phenotypes. Neuropsychological tests were also conducted. RESULTS: Signs of impaired self-awareness were present in 17 patients (60.7%). Higher severity of impaired self-awareness correlated significantly with higher postural-instability and gait-difficulty off scores (r = .575; P = .001), overall motor off scores (r = .569; P = .002), and higher left hemibody off scores (r = .490; P = .008). In multiple linear regression analyses, higher postural-instability and gait-difficulty off scores remained as the only significant predictor of impaired self-awareness severity. CONCLUSIONS: Postural instability and gait difficulties, disease severity, and right hemisphere dysfunction seem to contribute to impaired self-awareness.

End of Life Neuropsychological Impairments and Psychological Care of Persons With Advanced Parkinsonism.

Decline in executive functioning, before frank dementia occurs, has been reported in patients with a history of stroke and malignant brain tumors. This may also be true in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). In this paper, we summarize the limited research on the motor and cognitive predictors of mortality in advanced PD. We then provide 2 case vignettes of patients with end of life advanced PD who demonstrated a substantial decline in working memory and speech festination. We contrast these patients' neuropsychological features to a third patient with advanced PD who shows no signs of impending death. Monitoring neuropsychological signs of executive dysfunction, explaining the neuropsychological dysfunctions to the patient and spouse while recognizing the past and retained cognitive competencies of the person is an important component of end of life psychological care. In the context of this type of consultation, the patient may experience an opportunity to communicate their emotional concerns prior to death which further reduces the anxiety associated with death.

Neuropsychological and Social Characteristics of a 7 Year Old Child with Hypomelanosis of Ito Followed for 11 Years.

Hypomelanosis of Ito (HI) is a neurocutaneous disorder associated with central nervous system abnormalities, including speech delay and intellectual disability. The long term neuropsychological and social characteristics of these children are unknown. Neuropsychological observations and parental reports were obtained yearly on a child with HI from ages 7 to 18 years. Serial measures of intelligence revealed stable verbal and perceptual reasoning scores with later improvements in working memory and processing speed performance. Speech articulation improved at age 12, as did the speed of right-hand finger tapping. Improved social integration occurred, but anxiety persisted throughout this developmental period.

George P. Prigatano's contributions to neuropsychological rehabilitation and clinical neuropsychology: A 50-year perspective.

In the 1970s and 1980s, a multitude of cognitive rehabilitation programs proliferated to facilitate recovery after brain injury. However only a few programs provided a framework for ameliorating disturbances in the cognitive, psychological, and interpersonal spheres of the brain-injured patient. Greatly influenced by Leonard Diller and Yehuda Ben-Yishay's ideas and methods, George P. Prigatano began, in early 1980, a holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation program at the Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City (Oklahoma). The objective of this paper is to summarize the contributions of George P. Prigatano to neuropsychological rehabilitation and clinical neuropsychology during his 50th year of practice. The main body of the paper is structured in three sections. The first section briefly explains the history of neuropsychological rehabilitation in the twentieth century and the emergence of holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation programs in the 1970s. The second section describes the contributions of George P. Prigatano to neuropsychological rehabilitation and clinical neuropsychology (written by AGM). In the third section, the second author (GPP) prepared an autobiographical statement, which attempts to summarize some of the personal and professional experiences which influenced his work. George P. Prigatano's contributions to neuropsychological rehabilitation and clinical neuropsychology are essential to understanding the therapeutic approaches currently used in the treatment of brain-injured patients.

Surgical resection of hypothalamic hamartomas for severe behavioral symptoms.

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are associated with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Many patients also experience severe and sometimes disabling psychiatric problems. The most common behavioral symptoms consist of paroxysms of uncontrolled anger related to poor frustration tolerance. These can include violence, resulting in disrupted family or school relationships, and legal consequences including incarceration. In a large cohort of patients undergoing surgical resection of HHs for refractory epilepsy, 88% of families described an improvement in overall behavioral functioning [1]. Here, we describe four patients (three males, mean age=11.9 years) who underwent surgical resection of HHs largely for behavioral indications. Three patients had relatively well controlled seizures, and one had no history of epilepsy. All patients had striking improvement in their psychiatric comorbidity. HH resection can result in significant improvement in behavioral functioning, even in patients with relatively infrequent seizures. Further investigation under approved human research protocols is warranted.

The importance of the patient's subjective experience in stroke rehabilitation.

Kaufman's observation that the patients' reactions to their impairments and disabilities need to be addressed in stroke rehabilitation has been shown to be an accurate and perceptive statement. In this article, 3 levels of stroke rehabilitation are outlined, and the importance of focusing on the third level (the level of subjective experience) is emphasized. Identification of the patients' subjective experience allows one to understand what is most frustrating to them. After addressing those frustrations, patients are more eager to engage the rehabilitation process. Within the context of this rehabilitation process, helping patients clarify what their subjective or phenomenological state is as it relates to their stroke is crucial in having them not only engage the rehabilitation process, but ultimately find meaning in life in the face of their stroke. This can be a difficult task because patients often do not have the words to clarify what their inner psychological experiences are following a stroke. Helping to provide guidelines for this can result in a meaningful experience for both the patient and the therapists involved in their care.

Neuropsychological rehabilitation, neuroimaging and neuroplasticity: A clinical commentary.

Initial brain imaging studies on recovery of motor functioning after stroke suggested their potential prognostic value in neurorehabilitation. However, the value of brain imaging in documenting brain changes associated with cognitive and behavioral treatment effects seem less likely. Also, neuroimaging studies at that time seem to have little, if any, value for treatment planning. Advances in neuroimaging technology are beginning to challenge these initial impressions. In this clinical commentary, we propose that advances in the field of neuroimaging have relevance for the future development of neuropsychological rehabilitation. Neuropsychological rehabilitation is entering a new era that involves collaboration with neuroimaging and associated studies on neuroplasticity. We recognize that this may seem "aspirational" rather than practical in most rehabilitation settings. However, we provide examples of how this can be achieved as illustrated by collaborative efforts of clinicians and scientists in the SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals in Brazil. We also review selective papers on neuroplasticity, spontaneous recovery and diaschisis that have relevance for research which will expand and further develop the field of neuropsychological rehabilitation.

Deep white matter volume loss and social reintegration after traumatic brain injury in children.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether children judged by their parents as showing an "excellent" or "complete" social reintegration after pediatric traumatic brain injury have less white matter volume (WMV) loss and better neuropsychological test scores than children who do not achieve this same level of reintegration. SETTING: Primary-care hospital/medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight children with post-acute traumatic brain injury evaluated as outpatients. MEASURES: Parental ratings of overall social reintegration, neuropsychological test performance, and voxel-based morphometry analysis of brain WMV loss. RESULTS: In addition to showing worse neuropsychological test performance, children judged not to make a complete or excellent social reintegration had greater WMV loss, particularly within the corpus callosum. WMV loss in the corpus callosum correlated with the child's Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) Full Scale IQ (rho = .677, P = .000) and parental ratings of level of social integration (rho = .415, P = .028). Admitting Glasgow Coma Scale scores, mother's level of education, WISC-IV Processing Speed Index scores, and WMV loss in the region of the corpus callosum significantly contributed to parental ratings of a child's level of social reintegration. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings suggested that diffuse WMV loss, particularly in deep brain regions (eg, corpus callosum), may relate to the child's long-term psychosocial outcome as viewed from the parents' perspective.

Impaired Self-Awareness and Denial During the Postacute Phases After Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

While a number of empirical studies have appeared on impaired self-awareness (ISA) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) over the last 20 years, the relative role of denial (as a psychological method of coping) has typically not been addressed in these studies. We propose that this failure has limited our understanding of how ISA and denial differentially affect efforts to rehabilitate persons with TBI. In this selective review paper, we summarize early findings in the field and integrate those findings with more recent observations (i.e., 1999-2019). We believe that this synthesis of information and expert clinical opinion will inform future research on ISA and denial as well as approaches to rehabilitation for persons with TBI.