Neuropsychological aspects of internet-based transit navigation skills in older adults.

Older adults commonly experience difficulties efficiently searching the Internet, which can adversely affect daily functioning. This study specifically examined the neuropsychological aspects of online transit planning in 50 younger (M = 22 years) and 40 older (M = 64 years) community-dwelling adults. All participants completed a neuropsychological battery, questionnaires, and measures of Internet use and skills. Participants used a live transit planning website to complete three inter-related tasks (e.g., map a route from an airport to a specific hotel at a particular time). On a fourth Internet transit task, participants were randomized into either a support condition in which they received brief goal management training or into a control condition. Results showed that older adults were both slower and less accurate than their younger counterparts in completing the first three Internet transit tasks. Within the older adults, Internet transit accuracy showed a medium association with verbal memory, executive functions, and auditory attention, but not visuomotor speed, which was the only domain associated with Internet transit task speed in both groups. The goal management training was beneficial for plan development in younger, but not older adults. The planning supports did not impact actual Internet transit task performance in either group. Findings indicate that older adults experience difficulties quickly and accurately using a transit website to plan transportation routes, which is associated with poorer higher-order neurocognitive functions (e.g., memory). Future work might examine the benefits of established memory strategies (e.g., spaced retrieval practice) for online transit planning.

Clinical identification of psychogenic nonepileptic events using combinations of psychological tests in a veteran sample.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events (PNEE) exhibit heterogenous symptoms and are best diagnosed with long-term video-electroencephalogram (vEEG) data. While extensive univariate data suggest psychological tests may confirm the etiology of PNEE, the multivariate discriminant utility of psychological tests is less clear. The current study aggregated likelihood ratios of multiple psychological tests to evaluate incremental and discriminant utility for PNEE. METHODS: Veterans with vEEG-diagnosed PNEE (n = 166) or epileptic seizures (n = 92) completed self-report measures and brief neuropsychological evaluations during the 4-day vEEG hospitalization. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves identified discriminating psychological tests and corresponding cut-scores (0.85 minimum specificity). Likelihood ratios from the remaining cut-scores were sequentially linked using the sample base rate of PNEE (64%) and alternative base rates (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%) to estimate posttest probabilities (PTP) of test combinations. RESULTS: The Health Attitudes Survey, Health History Checklist, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form scales FBS-r, RC1, MLS, and NUC were identified as discriminating indicators of PNEE. Average PTPs were ≥90% when three or more indicators out of six administered were present at the sample base rate. Regardless of PNEE base rate, PTP for PNEE was ≥98% when all discriminating indicators were present and 92-99% when five of six indicators administered were present. PTPs were largely consistent with observed positive predictive values, particularly as indicators present increased. SIGNIFICANCE: Aggregating psychological tests identified PNEE with a high degree of accuracy, regardless of PNEE base rate. Combining psychological tests may be useful for confirming the etiology of PNEE.

The APPCN multisite didactic initiative: Development, benefits, and challenges.

Objective: The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted instructional activity in neuropsychology training programs. In response, the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) launched a multisite didactic initiative (MDI). This manuscript describes the development and implementation of the MDI and presents findings from a recently conducted online survey concerning MDI participation.Methods: Faculty and trainees at APPCN member programs were recruited to complete the MDI survey, administered using the Qualtrics platform, through email announcements and via website link and on-screen quick response code shared at online didactic sessions. The MDI survey instrument was designed to capture basic demographics and professional role; information regarding level of site participation, benefits of participation, barriers to participation, online conference platform(s) used, and interest in continued participation; as well as anxiety and work engagement ratings.Results: The response rate was estimated to be 21-29%. Transition to videoconferencing for didactics was noted by 80% due to Covid-19, with 17% of respondents experiencing cancellation or reduction in didactic activities. About 79% endorsed that participation in MDI activities was always or nearly always beneficial. Barriers to participation included not having time, difficulty accessing didactic information, and not knowing about the MDI. Interestingly, trainees at nonparticipating sites reported greater anxiety than trainees at participating sites.Conclusion: It is hoped that these findings will inform future efforts to develop and implement online training activities. The benefits reported by respondents suggest that this work is warranted, while reported barriers to participation identify areas for improvement.

Utilization of the Patient Competency Rating Scale in an epileptic and non-epileptic veteran population.

Differentiating between epilepsy and psychogenic non-epileptic events (PNEE) can be difficult given similar presentations. PNEE is often misdiagnosed, resulting in unwarranted treatment with anti-epileptic drugs (AED). While the gold standard for differentiating PNEE from epilepsy is video EEG (VEGG) monitoring, self-reported symptomology has also been shown to discriminate between epilepsy and PNEE with high accuracy, particularly in cases where VEEG is difficult to obtain or when there are no observed events during extended monitoring. The Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS) was developed to measure the extent to which individuals are able to function in four domains: activities of daily living, emotional, interpersonal, and cognitive competency. Factor analyses validated the underlying factor structure of the PCRS in this seizure disorder sample. Follow-up MANOVA revealed group differences such that those diagnosed with PNEE reported less competence in all areas of functioning as compared to those diagnosed with epilepsy, with the largest difference being emotional competency. Secondary factor analyses were conducted for each diagnostic category. Two items related strongly to emotional competency loaded equally across the factors for those diagnosed with PNEE, indicating that emotional control is highly correlated with all areas of perceived competence for those with PNEE in this sample and may be considered as an intervention target. This was the first study to validate the use of the PCRS for a seizure disorder sample and to examine group differences in self-reported competency between those diagnosed with epilepsy and PNEE.

Change in illness perception is associated with short-term seizure burden outcome following video-EEG confirmation of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate whether potential changes in the patient's illness perception can significantly influence short-term seizure burden following video-electroencephalography (EEG) confirmation/explanation of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). METHODS: Patients with PNES were dichotomized to two groups based on a five-point Symptom Attribution Scale: (a) those who prior to diagnosis perceived their seizures to be solely ("5") or mainly ("4") physical in origin (physical group) and (b) the remainder of patients with PNES (psychological group). The physical group (n=32), psychological group (n=40), and group with epilepsy (n=26) also completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) prior to diagnosis, and were followed up at 3months as well as at 6months postdiagnosis. RESULTS: At 3months postdiagnosis, the physical group experienced significantly greater improvement in seizure intensity (p=0.002) and seizure frequency (p=0.016) when compared with the psychological group. The physical group was significantly more likely to have modified their symptom attribution toward a greater psychological role to their seizures (p=0.002), and their endorsement on the BIPQ item addressing "consequences" (How much do your seizures affect your life?) was significantly less severe (p'=0.014) when compared with that of the psychological group and the group with epilepsy. At 6months postdiagnosis, the physical group continued to experience significantly greater improvement in seizure intensity (p=0.007) while their seizure frequency no longer reached significant difference (p=0.078) when compared with the psychological group. The physical group continued to be significantly more likely to have modified their symptom attribution toward a greater psychological role to their seizures (p=0.005), and their endorsement on the BIPQ item addressing "consequences" remained significantly less severe (p'=0.037) when compared with the psychological group and the group with epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with PNES, prediagnosis perception of seizures as "solely" or "mainly" physical in cause may be associated with greater likelihood of early postdiagnosis improvement in seizure burden. Within this physical group postdiagnosis, we uncovered preliminary evidence for significantly greater attribution toward psychological roles in seizures as well as reduction in cognitive distortion surrounding the adverse consequences of seizures. These findings portend particular impact of such changes in illness perception for this group.

The Severe Impairment Profile: A Conceptual Shift.

OBJECTIVE: The current study sought to evaluate and replicate the severe impairment profile (SIP) of the Word Memory Test (WMT) in patients referred for dementia evaluations. METHOD: The sample consisted of 125 patients referred for a neuropsychological evaluation at a large Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients were assigned a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) by blind raters, and were classified according to their performance on performance validity testing. Subsequent chart reviews were conducted to help in more accurately determining the presence of severe memory impairment likely due to an underlying dementing process versus poor effort/task engagement. RESULTS: In our sample, 51% of patients failed easy WMT subtests and 93% of these patients obtained the SIP. The rates of failure on these easy subtests generally coincided with both more severely impaired CDR ratings, as well as more impaired delayed memory composite scores. Upon chart review, it was determined that there were likely a significant portion of classification errors using the SIP, with a positive posttest probability of impairment based on having the SIP being 65% as opposed to 28% for a negative result. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the SIP does not appear to function effectively in a mixed dementia sample where there is increased potential for secondary gain. Additional concern is expressed regarding the overall likelihood of obtaining the SIP and subsequent inferential decisions related to obtaining an SIP. Future research should examine more optimal cut scores or alternative methods for more accurately classifying patients in different clinical contexts and patterns of impairment.

Performance Validity in Deep Brain Stimulation Candidates.

OBJECTIVE: Effort and motivation are important factors that influence performance on neuropsychological tests. Performance validity tests (PVT) have not been investigated in a sample of individuals who are at risk for cognitive decline and are presumably highly motivated to do well. The aim of the current study is to investigate performance validity in individuals with Parkinson's disease and essential tremor who are being considered for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. METHODS: Thirty DBS surgical candidates underwent neuropsychological evaluation including completion of the Word Memory Test (WMT) as well as embedded PVTs. RESULTS: Sixteen DBS candidates (53.3%) obtained a passing WMT score, 11 patients (36.6%) obtained scores in the "caution" range, and three patients (10%) produced failing scores. None of the patients scored below an 82.5% on the first three WMT subtests. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study is the first to describe PVT in DBS candidates and in a presumed highly motivated, older, and cognitively at-risk sample.

Performance on the Test of Memory Malingering is predicted by the number of errors on its first 10 items on an inpatient epilepsy monitoring unit.

OBJECTIVE: Performance validity testing is an increasingly vital component of neuropsychological evaluation, though administration of stand-alone performance validity tests (PVTs) can be time-consuming. As the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) is among the most commonly used and researched PVTs, much work has focused on creating abbreviated versions while preserving diagnostic accuracy. A recent addition to this effort, errors on the first 10 items of Trial 1 (TOMMe10), was analyzed for its utility in predicting TOMM performance. METHOD: Subjects were 180 veterans seen on a long-term epilepsy monitoring unit. TOMM learning trials, Word Memory Test (WMT), and WAIS-IV Digit Span (for Reliable Digit Span; RDS) were administered as part of a larger battery. Performance invalidity was classified using established cut scores. Diagnostic classification statistics were calculated predicting TOMM, WMT, and RDS performance, including sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristics (ROC), and positive and negative predictive values for multiple TOMMe10 cut scores. RESULTS: A cut score of ≥2 errors on TOMMe10 yielded the highest sensitivity (.88) while maintaining ≥.90 specificity when predicting TOMM (also supported by ROC analysis). This cut score was also optimal when validated against combinations of PVTs (e.g. two of TOMM, WMT, and RDS; WMT and/or RDS). CONCLUSIONS: TOMMe10 shows great promise in predicting future TOMM performance. In settings where time with patients is at a premium, ≥2 errors on TOMMe10 may be used as an early TOMM discontinue criteria, allowing examiners to use their limited time more effectively. The use of TOMMe10 in settings with varying TOMM failure base rates was discussed.

Contribution of Axial Motor Impairment to Physical Inactivity in Parkinson Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between motor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) and activity limitations in persons with PD. DESIGN/METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of persons with mild to moderate PD (N = 90). Associations among axial motor features, limb motor signs, the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and level of ADL dependency were studied. A composite score of axial motor features included the following Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale items: speech, rigidity of the neck, arising from chair, posture, gait, and postural stability. A composite score of limb motor signs included the following Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale items: tremor at rest of all extremities, action tremor, rigidity of all extremities, finger taps, hand movement, rapid alternating hand movements, and foot tapping. RESULTS: Axial motor features of PD were significantly correlated with physical inactivity (P < 0.001), decreased ADL (P < 0.001), and increase in ADL dependency (P < 0.001). Limb motor signs significantly correlated with decreased ADL (P < 0.001) and level of ADL dependency (P = 0.035) but did not correlate with physical inactivity. After controlling for age, sex, disease duration, and comorbidity, axial motor features contributed significantly to physical inactivity, decreased ADL, and increase in ADL dependency, whereas the limb motor signs did not. CONCLUSIONS: Axial motor impairment contributed to physical inactivity and decreased ability to perform ADLs in persons with PD.

Alexia Without Agraphia in a Right-Handed Individual Following Right Occipital Stroke.

Alexia without agraphia is a disconnection syndrome that typically involves damage to the occipital lobe, with splenium involvement, in the dominant left hemisphere. We describe an exceptionally rare case of a right-handed individual displaying this deficit following a right-sided occipital stroke. A report of a single case of a 65-year-old man is presented with data from appointments with the neurology and neuropsychology departments that occurred approximately 10 and 12 months following the patient's stroke. During the evaluation, he exhibited a marked deficit in his ability to read, with vision grossly intact. His ability to write single words and short phrases from dictation was intact, but he was later unable to read them. This case demonstrates the complexity of the organization of language in the human brain. Although a large majority of individuals exhibit language dominance in their left hemispheres, it remains possible that some right-handed individuals may show atypical organization of language. This highlights the need for clinicians to consider atypical cortical organization when observed deficits may not necessarily match expected lesions within the cortex.

Health resource utilization among US veterans with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: A comparison before and after video-EEG monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: Prior to establishing the correct diagnosis, patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) frequently endure significant costs and morbidities associated with utilization of health care resources. In this study of the US veterans population, we aimed to investigate for potential changes in health resource utilization before versus after video-EEG (VEEG) confirmation and disclosure of the PNES diagnosis. METHODS: We prospectively studied 65 veterans with VEEG confirmed diagnosis of PNES, and followed their health care utilization during the subsequent 3 years after the diagnosis. Primary outcomes entailed comparing the quantities of post-VEEG outpatient visits and diagnostic procedures versus those during the 3-year span prior to the diagnosis. Secondary outcome involved specifically the measures of seizure-related antiepileptic drug (AED) use from time points before and after VEEG. RESULTS: Within the category of non-psychiatric outpatient visits, we observed significant post-diagnostic decrease in the utilization of PNES-related outpatient visits (p < 0.001). Contrastingly, we found significant post-diagnostic increase in the utilization of non-PNES-related outpatient visits (p = 0.004). When examining exclusively for psychiatric outpatient visits, we further observed a trend toward increased attendance of outpatient visits (p = 0.056) after VEEG. Utilization of diagnostic procedures was not significantly different before versus after VEEG (p = 0.293). 52.3% of the patients were prescribed AEDs for seizure-related purpose during the one-year period leading up to VEEG. By comparison, only 7.7%, 12.3%, and 10.8% of the patients were still on AEDs for seizure-related purpose at the one-year, two-year, and three-year time points after VEEG, respectively. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate new evidence that VEEG confirmation of the PNES diagnosis among US veterans can significantly reduce key measures of non-psychiatric/PNES-related resource utilization, while also potentially associating with appropriate enhancement of psychiatric outpatient visits. However, our results suggest that within this patient population, further efforts are necessary to address heightened demands for non-PNES-related outpatient visits after VEEG.

Validation and diagnostic utility of the dementia rating scale in a mixed dementia population.

The Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS), a previously validated caregiver-based measure assessing dementia severity, was recently revised to improve clarity. Our study aims included: (1) identifying the DSRS factor structure, (2) examining the relation between neuropsychological measures, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and clinical diagnoses with the DSRS, and (3) determining the clinical utility of the DSRS in a mixed clinical sample. A total of 270 veterans were referred to a cognitive disorders clinic at a VA medical center and completed neuropsychological, affective, and cognitive screening measures. Caregivers completed the DSRS. Principal components analysis identified a 2-factor solution. After controlling for age and education, memory and language were related to the Cognitive factor, whereas attention, processing speed, visuospatial processing, and executive functioning were related to both Cognitive and Self-Care factors. Neither factors correlated with depression. The total DSRS score was able to differentiate patients by the Mini-Mental State Examination scores and diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment and dementia (mixed vascular Alzheimer, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer disease). A cut-score >15 was optimal for detecting dementia in a mixed clinical sample (sensitivity=0.41, specificity=0.79), with a posttest probability of 74%. This study suggests that the DSRS improves detection of dementia and requires minimal effort to implement.

Dependency aspect of caregiver burden is uniquely related to cognitive impairment in Veterans.

The psychosocial toll of caring for an individual with dementia is an important, if understudied, concept. For practitioners and researchers alike, understanding the relation between patient characteristics and different facets of caregiver burden is important for guiding treatment and prevention efforts. The current study analyzed the dimensions of caregiver burden and the relation between caregiver burden and results of neuropsychological testing. Participants included 243 dyads of caregivers and Veterans referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Caregivers completed the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to assess caregiver burden. Patients completed a battery of neuropsychological tests measuring the domains of attention/processing speed, memory, language, and executive functioning. A principal components analysis of the ZBI revealed a three-factor structure: psychosocial burden, dependency burden, and guilt. Correlations with neuropsychological test performance by Veteran patients suggested that test performance in the memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, and emotional functioning domains were solely related to the caregiver dependency burden factor of the ZBI. Additional analyses suggested severity of dementia and number of tests in the impaired range further influenced reported caregiver burden. The current study is one of the few studies examining caregiver burden in relation to neuropsychological functioning in a mixed clinical sample and has important implications for clinical practice.

Diagnostic utility of the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology for identifying psychogenic non-epileptic events.

The Structured Interview of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS) is a self-report instrument that asks patients whether they experience atypical or implausible symptoms. The instrument has not been evaluated in an epilepsy population, and the potential for it to accurately distinguish between patients with psychogenic non-epileptic events (PNEE) and epileptic event groups has not been established. The SIMS was administered to patients in long-term video-EEG monitoring of these patients, 91 with PNEE and 29 with epilepsy were included in this study. Structured Interview of Malingered Symptomatology total scores as well as neurological and affective subscales were found to be predictors of group membership. Sensitivity and specificity across several different base rates of PNEE as well as maximum level likelihood ratios are presented. The findings not only demonstrate the utility of marked score elevations in differentiating PNEE from epilepsy but also point to considerable caution in interpreting mild elevations. Implications for the utility of this instrument in epilepsy evaluations are discussed.

Intact vs. impaired ictal sensorium: does it affect outcome of psychogenic nonepileptic events following disclosure of diagnosis?

It remains uncertain whether particular ictal manifestations of psychogenic nonepileptic events (PNEE) can reflect distinctive psychological processes or prognostic outcomes. We hypothesize that the integrity of ictal sensorium may affect the clinical outcome of PNEE following disclosure of diagnosis. We prospectively studied 47 veterans who were diagnosed with video-EEG-confirmed PNEE, presented with the diagnosis utilizing a standardized communication strategy, and followed for their clinical progress. When compared to patients with intact ictal sensorium, significantly smaller proportion of patients with impaired ictal sensorium endorsed improvement of either PNEE frequency or intensity across both the initial 1- to 3-month (p=0.005) and ensuing 6- to 9-month (p=0.01) follow-ups. However, improvement among patients with impaired ictal sensorium was more significantly associated with their level of understanding for the PNEE diagnosis across both the initial (rho=0.41, p=0.017) and ensuing (rho=0.43, p=0.015) follow-ups. Our study presents preliminary evidence underscoring the potential clinical significance of ictal sensorial integrity when evaluating patients with PNEE.

Variability in Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV subtest performance across age.

Normal Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)-IV performance relative to average normative scores alone can be an oversimplification as this fails to recognize disparate subtest heterogeneity that occurs with increasing age. The purpose of the present study is to characterize the patterns of raw score change and associated variability on WAIS-IV subtests across age groupings. Raw WAIS-IV subtest means and standard deviations for each age group were tabulated from the WAIS-IV normative manual along with the coefficient of variation (CV), a measure of score dispersion calculated by dividing the standard deviation by the mean and multiplying by 100. The CV further informs the magnitude of variability represented by each standard deviation. Raw mean scores predictably decreased across age groups. Increased variability was noted in Perceptual Reasoning and Processing Speed Index subtests, as Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, Picture Completion, Symbol Search, and Coding had CV percentage increases ranging from 56% to 98%. In contrast, Working Memory and Verbal Comprehension subtests were more homogeneous with Digit Span, Comprehension, Information, and Similarities percentage of the mean increases ranging from 32% to 43%. Little change in the CV was noted on Cancellation, Arithmetic, Letter/Number Sequencing, Figure Weights, Visual Puzzles, and Vocabulary subtests (<14%). A thorough understanding of age-related subtest variability will help to identify test limitations as well as further our understanding of cognitive domains which remain relatively steady versus those which steadily decline.

The use of all three Test of Memory Malingering trials in establishing the level of effort.

Assessment of the effort level is an essential step in establishing the internal validity of any neuropsychological evaluation. The use of response bias measures as part of a core battery, however, is less common outside of forensic evaluations. The amount of time needed to administer many of these tests is often cited as a likely explanation for their exclusion from routine neuropsychological evaluations. This study examined all three trials of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) in a large sample (n = 213) of inpatients on an epilepsy monitoring unit with the goal of establishing cut scores for early termination. TOMM Trial 1 demonstrated impressive diagnostic accuracy for determining both adequate and suboptimal levels of effort; various cut scores and classification statistics are presented. The optional Retention trial from the TOMM also increased the hit rate 16% in the detection of poor effort. Clinical implications, limitations, and directions for further research are discussed.

Gait variability in Parkinson's disease: influence of walking speed and dopaminergic treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of levodopa and walking speed on gait variability in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Thirty-three individuals with PD were studied. Their mean age was 70.61±9.23 year. The average time since diagnosis was 9.65±5.80 year. Gait variability was studied while 'OFF' and 'ON' dopaminergic medication when the subjects walked at their usual and fastest speeds. RESULTS: Variability of step time, double support time, stride length and stride velocity decreased significantly (P=0.037; P=0.037; P=0.022; P=0.043, respectively) after dopaminergic treatment. When subjects increased walking speed, the variability of stride length and stride velocity decreased significantly (P=0.038 and P=0.004, respectively) both while 'OFF' and 'ON' levodopa. Increasing walking speed did not change the variability of step time and double support time regardless of medication status. CONCLUSIONS: Levodopa decreased gait variability in persons with PD. Stride length and stride velocity variability appeared to be speed dependent parameters, whereas, the variability of step time and double support time appeared to be speed independent measures. Levodopa had positive effects on gait stability in PD.

Induction of psychogenic nonepileptic events: success rate influenced by prior induction exposure, ictal semiology, and psychological profiles.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether certain preinduction clinical characteristics may influence the success rate of induction. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled and attempted inductions on 51 patients who were suspected to have psychogenic nonepileptic events based on clinical grounds. In addition to careful examination of the reported ictal semiology, we administered a battery of four psychological instruments to our enrolled patients. KEY FINDINGS: We found that among 42 cases of successful induction, 92.9% (n=39) of these cases were successfully induced on the first attempt (i.e., without prior induction exposure). We observed that induction showed significantly higher rate of success in cases that demonstrate: (1) hypermotor ictal semiology (p=0.029); (2) more prevalent self-reporting of uncommon cognitive and affective symptoms (p=0.035); or (3) higher tendency to rely on coping strategies of "instrumental support" (p=0.013) and "active coping" (p=0.027), when compared to noninducible cases. SIGNIFICANCE: Singular administration of placebo induction on preselected patients with these clinical characteristics may reduce costs by shortening video electroencephalography-(EEG) monitoring sessions and improve the diagnostic yield of video-EEG even for patients with very infrequent events.

Characterizing aggression and its association to anger and hostility among male veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

OBJECTIVES: The basis for the associations among anger, hostility, aggressive behavior, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains unclear. We suggest classifying aggressive behavior may elucidate the associations among these factors. On the basis of diagnostic and neurobiological similarities between impulsive aggression (IA) and PTSD, we proposed that IA was the predominant form of aggression in PTSD and that anger and hostility would not significantly predict PTSD when IA was also included as a predictor. METHODS: We used cross-sectional self-report data obtained from two samples of male veterans (N = 136). RESULTS: Over 70% of veterans with PTSD reported IA compared to 29% of those without PTSD. IA, not anger, hostility, or premeditated aggression significantly predicted a diagnosis of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between anger and PTSD may be unique to individuals with IA, and considering impulsive and premeditated aggressors separately may account for the heterogeneity found within samples of aggressive veterans with PTSD.