Word Fluency Test (WFT): A parallel FAS alternative.

The capacity to quickly verbalize words beginning with a specific letter is integral in assessing language skills as well as an essential part of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Using the letters F, A, S as a word fluency measure is limited by having no direct parallel alternative that can use the same F, A, S norms. This observational and cross-sectional study examined the correlation between the Word Fluency Test (WFT), utilizing letters M, D, H, as a parallel alternative to the clinical standard F, A, S to determine if the two are equivalent. This would allow for the use of existing F, A, S norms. Study participants (N = 356) were comprised of both adult control participants and out-patients with normal neuropsychological test results. Between-group differences for both task performances were not statistically significant indicating that patients and controls performed similarly on each of the six letters. Between-letter correlations were moderate in strength indicating an acceptable level of agreement between all of the letters. The results confirm equivalency and support administering the WFT and employing F, A, S norms offering a corresponding parallel alternative measure with strong correlation indicating high level of agreement.

The use of psychometrists in clinical neuropsychology: history, current status, and future directions.

In recent years, the National Academy of Neuropsychology and other professional neuropsychological organizations have published a number of articles and position papers regarding the use, education, and training of psychometrists ("technicians"). Although these documents provide guidelines for the suggested qualifications and training procedures of psychometrists, none make any mention of the need for a standardized credentialing process, which is commonly required of technicians in similar fields, especially in medical settings. Given the recent changes in current procedural Terminology codes used to bill for neuropsychological services and the interpretation of legislation disallowing the use of psychometrists in New York, the need for a standard credential for psychometrists is apparent. This article will review the history and current use of psychometrists in clinical neuropsychology and highlight the need and rationale for the credentialing of psychometrists.

A twin study of cognitive function in chronic fatigue syndrome: the effects of sudden illness onset.

Variable reports of neuropsychological deficits in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may, in part, be attributable to methodological limitations. In this study, these limitations were addressed by controlling for genetic and environmental influences and by assessing the effects of comorbid depression and mode of illness onset. Specifically, the researchers conducted a co-twin control study of 22 pairs of monozygotic twins, in which 1 twin met strict criteria for CFS and the co-twin was healthy. Twins underwent a structured psychiatric interview and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment evaluating 6 cognitive domains. Results indicated that twin groups had similar intellectual and visual memory functioning, but fatigued twins exhibited decreases in motor functions (p = .05), speed of information processing (p = .02), verbal memory (p = .02), and executive functioning (p = .01). Major depression did not affect neuropsychological functioning among fatigued twins, although twins with sudden illness onset demonstrated slowed information processing compared with those with gradual onset (p = .01). Sudden onset CFS was associated with reduced speed of information processing. If confirmed, these findings suggest the need to distinguish illness onset in future CFS studies and may have implications for treatment, cognitive rehabilitation, and disability determination.

Directly labeled mRNA produces highly precise and unbiased differential gene expression data.

Microarray based gene expression studies allow simultaneous analysis of relative amounts of messenger RNA (mRNA) for thousands of genes using fluorescently labeled nucleic acid targets. Most common methods use enzymatic techniques, such as oligo-dT primed reverse transcription to produce labeled cDNA. These labeling methods have a number of shortcomings, including enzyme- introduced labeling and sequence bias, laborious protocols, high experiment-to-experiment variability and an inability to detect small changes in expression levels. Here, we describe a novel labeling methodology that uses platinum-linked cyanine dyes to directly chemically label mRNA from as little as 2 micro g of total RNA. We show that the gene expression data produced using the labeled mRNA method has very high precision, low error, no labeling bias and a dynamic range over several orders of magnitude. This allows a greater accuracy in the identification of differentially expressed genes and cuts down on the need for running too many replicate assays. Small changes in gene expression can now be detected in large-scale gene expression profiling assays using this simple, easy and quick procedure.