Classification of performance validity and symptom validity using the Trauma Symptom Inventory-2.

The Trauma Symptom Inventory-Second Edition (TSI-2) is garnering research interest as a symptom validity test in the evaluation of trauma-related disorders. However, there has been limited empirical validation of its validity scales in clinical and forensic real-world settings. This study evaluated the ability of the TSI-2 Atypical Response (ATR) scale to discriminate response bias in cognitive performance and symptom reporting in a large sample of disability and compensation-seeking claimants.

Schizophrenia vs. encephalitis: A neuropsychological case study.

From presenting with flu-like symptoms, seizures, and erratic behaviour including hallucinations, to being dismissed as "partying too much" and misdiagnosed with schizophrenia before the ultimate provision of a neurological explanation - encephalitis; this was a true sequence of events for the 24 year old female, Susannah Cahalan, who suddenly became ill with a mysterious illness that was misdiagnosed even after extensive evaluation until a neurologist was able to diagnose and effectively treat her (Cahalan, 2012; Barrett, 2016). Susannah's case bemused the medical field and became the plot of a book that subsequently garnered attention, large enough to be adapted into a movie, titled "Brain on Fire" (Barrett, 2016). Her case illustrated the exquisite interplay of neurology, physiology, and neuropsychology, complicated by personality traits and stereotypical behaviours observed in young adulthood, the period in which psychiatric illnesses also often begin to manifest.

Splenic infarction associated with transient anti-prothrombin antibodies is a rare manifestation of acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

We report the first paediatric case of splenic infarction following acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with induction of anti-prothrombin (aPT) antibodies. A 12-year-old boy was admitted to the paediatric emergency department for a left pleuropneumonia and a splenic infarction. aPT antibodies were transitorily detected.

Assessment of fluctuating decision-making capacity in individuals with communication barriers: a case study.

A current need exists for research to assist clinicians in the capacity evaluation process, especially in relation to assessment of clients with complex issues such as fluctuating capacity and communication barriers. The aim of this article is to promote knowledge and consideration of these issues through an examination of neuropsychological, ethical, and medical-legal factors associated with the assessment of capacity in an individual with both fluctuating capacity and communication impairments. The discussion includes a narrative case study of a complex individual case seen by the Regional Capacity Assessment Team (RCAT) for an assessment of decision-making capacity related to personal and financial matters.

Clinical utility of the mini-mental status examination when assessing decision-making capacity.

The main objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between cognitive deficits, as measured by the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), and decision-making capacity and to determine whether the sensitivity and specificity of the MMSE varied based upon the patient population assessed. Using a sample size of 152 patients and varying cutoff scores, the MMSE demonstrated extremely poor sensitivity. In contrast, the MMSE had excellent specificity when scores of 19 or less were obtained.