Retrospective and Prospective Memory Among OEF/OIF/OND Veterans With a Self-Reported History of Blast-Related mTBI.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate prospective and retrospective memory abilities in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) Veterans with and without a self-reported history of blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). METHODS: Sixty-one OEF/OIF/OND Veterans, including Veterans with a self-reported history of blast-related mTBI (mTBI group; n=42) and Veterans without a self-reported history of TBI (control group; n=19) completed the Memory for Intentions Test, a measure of prospective memory (PM), and two measures of retrospective memory (RM), the California Verbal Learning Test-II and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised. RESULTS: Veterans in the mTBI group exhibited significantly lower PM performance than the control group, but the groups did not differ in their performance on RM measures. Further analysis revealed that Veterans in the mTBI group with current PTSD (mTBI/PTSD+) demonstrated significantly lower performance on the PM measure than Veterans in the control group. PM performance by Veterans in the mTBI group without current PTSD (mTBI/PTSD-) was intermediate between the mTBI/PTSD+ and control groups, and results for the mTBI/PTSD- group were not significantly different from either of the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that PM performance may be a sensitive marker of cognitive dysfunction among OEF/OIF/OND Veterans with a history of self-reported blast-related mTBI and comorbid PTSD. Reduced PM may account, in part, for complaints of cognitive difficulties in this Veteran cohort, even years post-injury. (JINS, 2018, 24, 324-334).

Evaluation of Cognitive Symptoms Following Concussion.

The assessment of cognitive symptoms following concussion has evolved over the last several decades as a distinct focus in research and an essential component of clinical decision making and management. The aims of this paper are to (1) identify issues related to assessment of postconcussion cognitive functioning and (2) provide a review of common self-report and performance-based measures, including computerized-based assessments (CBAs), and, more traditional, comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. We conclude that (1) there has yet to emerge one cognitive-symptom measurement method that can be considered the "gold standard" for all settings, (2) the usefulness of cognitive symptoms assessment findings in the clinical management decisions rests a great deal on the background of the practitioner, and (3) cognitive-symptom assessment needs to be considered in the context of a broader evaluation of other postconcussion symptoms.

Assessment of the relationship between the use of birth control pill and the characteristics of mate selection.

INTRODUCTION: In recent research, scientists have begun to suspect that birth control pill use could interfere with key mechanisms that play a role when women choose a sexual partner. Many studies have shown that women, particularly during the most fertile days of their menstrual cycle, look for specific physical, psychological, and behavioral characteristics indicative of genetic quality in a short-term partner. AIMS: Analysis of the psychometric properties of the Partner's Masculinity Index (PMI) scale. The scale was built to assess the degree of masculinity in hypothetical short-term partners. METHODS: A total of 395 female Italian volunteers from Central Italy (M = 32.9 years old, SD = 8.58, range = 18-50 years) completed the study. The psychometric properties of PMI were then evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We administered the following self-report questionnaires: (i) PMI; (ii) Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Masculinity/Femininity scale; and (iii) Demographic Questionnaire. RESULTS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed a four-factor structure for the PMI. Internal consistency of the measure, evaluated with the Cronbach's alpha, was satisfactory. Factorial ANOVA results showed that the group of nonpill users obtained higher scores on the PMI scale than the group of pill users (considering the fertile phase of the cycle). CONCLUSIONS: From an evolutionary point of view, changes in preference for indicators of genetic quality in a sexual partner are considered to be functional and adaptive. Pill use may have implications for both current and future generations. Directions for future research are discussed.

Burnout in psychiatric nursing: examining the interplay of autonomy, leadership style, and depressive symptoms.

It is important to consider ways in which nurses can be protected from experiencing the effects of burnout. This study examined the relationships between leadership style of psychiatric nurse supervisors, work role autonomy, and psychological distress in relation to psychiatric nurse burnout. Eighty-nine psychiatric nurses from Montana and New York hospitals completed an online survey that assessed their work-related experiences. Overall, results of this study indicate that the participants were experiencing high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization when compared to a normative sample of mental health workers. Results also showed that leadership style and work role autonomy are likely to be environmental factors that protect against burnout in nurses. Finally, it was shown that the relationship between depressive symptoms and the burnout component of personal accomplishment may be influenced by nurses' perceptions of the leadership style in their work environment. These findings are important because nurse supervisor leadership styles and amount of autonomy are characteristics of the work environment that may be amenable to change through training and intervention.

Do peritraumatic emotions differentially predict PTSD symptom clusters? Initial evidence for emotion specificity.

This study investigated whether specific peritraumatic emotions differentially predict PTSD symptom clusters in individuals who have experienced stressful life events. Hypotheses were developed based on the SPAARS model of PTSD. It was predicted that the peritraumatic emotions of anger, disgust, guilt, and fear would significantly predict re-experiencing and avoidance symptoms, while only fear would predict hyperarousal. Undergraduate students (N = 144) participated in this study by completing a packet of self-report questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses were conducted with PCL-S symptom cluster scores as dependent variables and peritraumatic fear, guilt, anger, shame, and disgust as predictor variables. As hypothesized, peritraumatic anger, guilt, and fear all significantly predicted re-experiencing. However, only fear predicted avoidance, and anger significantly predicted hyperarousal. Results are discussed in relation to the theoretical role of emotions in the etiology of PTSD following the experience of a stressful life event.

iCAMS: Assessing the Reliability of a Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) Tablet Application.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to develop a Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) tablet application, "iCAMS," and examine equivalency between the original paper-based and the tablet-based assessments. METHODS: This study enrolled 100 participants with physician-confirmed multiple sclerosis (MS). Interrater reliability, parallel forms reliability, and concurrent validity were evaluated by incorporating two test administrators in each session: one scoring participant responses with the original paper assessments and the other with iCAMS. Although the participant was exposed to the material only once, responses were recorded on both administration methods. In addition to the standard test procedures, each research assistant used a stopwatch to measure the amount of time required to administer and score each version of BICAMS. RESULTS: Pearson correlation coefficients (r) revealed strong and significant correlations for all three tests. Excellent agreement was observed between iCAMS and paper versions of the BICAMS tests, with all intraclass correlation coefficients exceeding 0.93. The scores from all the cognitive tests were not statistically significantly different, indicating no proportional bias. Including scoring, administration of the iCAMS application saved approximately 10 minutes over the paper version. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings suggest that the tablet application iCAMS is a reliable and fast method for administering BICAMS.

Proposed cut scores for tests of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS).

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). An international consensus committee developed the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) to screen for CI commonly seen in MS. BICAMS cut scores would allow clinicians to, efficiently and effectively, identify patients with possible CI and could aid in clinical decision-making. The aim of this study was to establish cut scores for the neuropsychological tests of the BICAMS. METHODS: This study utilized data collected from MS Centers in the United States. ROC curve analysis identified cut scores yielding the best balance of sensitivity and specificity. We tested two definitions of impairment: 1.5 and 2 standard deviations (SD) below the normative mean. RESULTS: All cut scores yielded excellent or good sensitivity and specificity for identifying impaired cognitive performance. The following cut scores yielded the best balance between sensitivity and specificity: On the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, 44 for 1.5 SD below the mean and 38 for 2 SD below the mean; on the California Verbal Learning Test - II learning trials, 39 (1.5 SD) and 35 (2 SD); and on the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised learning trials, 17 (1.5 SD) and 16 (2 SD). CONCLUSIONS: Cut scores can accurately identify cognitive impairment on all subtests of the BICAMS. Use of cut scores may improve the efficiency of screening for cognitive impairment by reducing administrative burden and simplifying interpretation.