Effects of age of onset and medication on cognitive performance and quality of life in patients with epilepsy.

Previous research shows that earlier age of onset of epilepsy and larger antiepileptic drug (AED) load are related to cognitive impairment and lower quality of life in patients with epilepsy. However, there has been a discrepancy in the specific cognitive domains that are affected and whether AED load is a significant contributor to the cognitive impairment. This study aimed to examine (a) the specific cognitive domains that are affected by age of epilepsy onset and (b) the effects of AED treatment and age of onset on cognition and quality of life. Participant data included scores on (1) the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), (2) Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), (3) Test of Everyday Attention (TEA), (4) Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT), (5) Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31), (6) Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2), and (7) a medical record review for drug treatment information. Earlier age of epilepsy onset predicted lower auditory attention span and working memory as assessed by digit span forward (DSF) and digit span backward (DSB). Additionally, larger AED load predicted lower visuospatial memory as assessed by BVMT-Delayed Recall (BVMT-DR). No relationship between either age of onset or AED load and quality of life in epilepsy was found. However, depression was highly correlated with quality of life. These results highlight the need to balance epilepsy control and AED effects, especially in early-onset epilepsy, and to gain awareness of the specific cognitive domains affected by epilepsy variables to effectively monitor and treat it.

Evaluation of the classification accuracy of multiple performance validity tests in a mixed clinical sample.

The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and Word Memory Test (WMT) are among the most well-known performance validity tests (PVTs) and regarded as gold standard measures. Due to the many factors that impact PVT selection, it is imperative that clinicians make informed clinical decisions with respect to additional or alternative PVTs that demonstrate similar classification accuracy as these well-validated measures. The present archival study evaluated the agreement/classification accuracy of a large battery consisting of multiple other freestanding/embedded PVTs in a mixed clinical sample of 126 veterans. We examined failure rates for all standalone/embedded PVTs using established cut-scores and calculated pass/fail agreement rates and diagnostic odds ratios for various combinations of PVTs using the TOMM and WMT as criterion measures. TOMM and WMT demonstrated the best agreement, followed by Word Choice Test (WCT). The Rey Fifteen Item Test had an excessive number of false-negative errors and reduced classification accuracy. The Digit Span age-corrected scaled score (DS-ACSS) had highest agreement. Findings lend further support to the use of a combination of embedded and standalone PVTs in identifying suboptimal performance. Results provide data to enhance clinical decision making for neuropsychologists who implement combinations of PVTs in a larger clinical battery.

Minimizing evaluation time while maintaining accuracy: Cross-validation of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) Trial 1 and first 10-item errors as briefer performance validity tests.

Current standards of practice in neuropsychology advocate for including validity tests (PVTs). Abbreviating PVTs, such as the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), may help reduce overall evaluation time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. TOMM Trial 1 performance (T1), as well as the number of errors within the first 10 items of Trial 1 (TOMMe10), have shown initial promise as abbreviated PVTs but require additional external cross-validation. This study sought to replicate findings from other mixed, diverse, clinical samples and provide further validation of abbreviated administrations of the TOMM. Data included 120 veterans who completed the TOMM and 3 criterion PVTs during clinical evaluation. In total, performance from 68% of the sample was classified as valid (52% met criteria for cognitive impairment), and performance from 32% of the sample was invalid. Group differences, diagnostic accuracy statistics, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed for relevant TOMM indices. There were large (η²p= .45-.66), significant differences between validity groups (p < .001) on TOMM T1 and TOMMe10, with lower TOMM T1 and higher TOMMe10 scores for participants with invalid performance. Using established cut-scores, sensitivities/specificities were: TOMMe10 ≥1 error: .84/.66; ≥2 errors: .74/.93; TOMM T1 ≤40: .82/.93. ROC curve analysis yielded significant areas under the curve for both TOMMe10 and T1 with respective optimal cut-scores of ≥2 errors (.74 sensitivity/.93 specificity) and ≤41 (.84 sensitivity/.91 specificity). TOMMe10 and T1 performances are minimally impacted by cognitive impairment. Although both evidenced robust psychometric properties, TOMM T1 continued to show greater accuracy than TOMMe10. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Comparison of models of premorbid IQ estimation using the TOPF, OPIE-3, and Barona equation, with corrections for the Flynn effect.

OBJECTIVE: Premorbid estimates of intellectual functioning are a key to assessment. This study aimed to compare 3 common measures and assess their accuracy: the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF), Oklahoma Premorbid Intelligence Estimate (OPIE-3), and what is commonly referred to as the Barona equation. We also sought to provide appropriate adjustment considering the Flynn effect. METHOD: The sample consisted of a cross-section of 189 outpatient veterans receiving neuropsychological assessment including the TOPF and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th ed. (WAIS-IV). Paired sample t tests assessed differences between IQ models. Correlations for all models and actual WAIS-IV Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) to establish which model best predicted variance in current IQ. Mean differences were evaluated to establish how closely the models approximated WAIS-IV FSIQ. RESULTS: The Barona equation estimated higher premorbid IQ than TOPF Simple Demographics Model; however, differences between the models were nonsignificant after a Flynn effect correction for the Barona equation (.23 IQ points per year). The OPIE-3 correlated with FSIQ but overestimated the FSIQ, demonstrating the Flynn effect. TOPF performance models (include word reading) characterized the variance of IQ scores best, but the Flynn-adjusted Barona equation had the smallest mean difference from the actual WAIS-IV FSIQ of any prediction model. CONCLUSION: Demographic models for premorbid IQ accurately estimate IQ in adult populations when normed on the test used to measure IQ, or when adjusted for the Flynn effect. A Flynn-corrected Barona score provided a more accurate estimation of WAIS-IV FSIQ than the TOPF or the OPIE-3. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

The Utility of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory Participation Index (M2PI) in US Military Veterans With a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the utility of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4th Edition Participation Index (M2PI) as a self-report measure of functional outcome following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in US Military veterans. SETTING: Department of Veterans Affairs Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center specialty hospital. PARTICIPANTS: On hundred thirty-nine veterans with a history of self-reported mTBI. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional examination of data collected from regular clinical visits. MAIN MEASURES: M2PI, Neurobehavioral Symptoms Inventory with embedded validity measures, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military Version. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the sample provided symptom reports that exceeded established cut scores on embedded symptom validity tests. Invalid responders had higher levels of unemployment and endorsed significantly greater functional impairment, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and postconcussive complaints. For valid responders, regression analyses revealed that self-reported functioning was primarily related to posttraumatic stress complaints, followed by postconcussive cognitive complaints. For invalid responders, posttraumatic stress complaints also predicted self-reported functioning. CONCLUSION: Caution is recommended when utilizing the M2PI to measure functional outcome following mTBI in military veterans, particularly in the absence of symptom validity tests.

Embedded Performance Validity Tests in the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised: A Replication Study.

OBJECTIVE: Embedded performance validity tests (PVTs) within the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) were recently identified. This study aimed to further validate/replicate these embedded PVTs. METHOD: Eighty clinically referred veterans who underwent neuropsychological evaluation were included. Validity groups were established by passing/failing 2-3 well-validated PVTs, with 75% (n = 60) classified as valid and 25% (n = 20) noncredible. Fifty-two percent of valid participants were cognitively impaired. RESULTS: HVLT-R Recognition Discrimination (RD) of ≤5 yielded 67% sensitivity/80% specificity for identifying noncredible performance. Removal of seven valid participants with an amnestic profile who produced a false positive, improved specificity to 92%, which replicated the original findings. Replication efforts failed for BVMT-R Percent Retained; however, significant findings for RD were elucidated. CONCLUSION: Replication efforts were positive for the HVLT-R embedded PVT, corroborating its ability to identify invalid performance in this heterogeneous clinical veteran sample with and without cognitive impairment.