Publications by authors named "Amanda L Stein"

The original Memory Impairment Screen by Telephone (MIST) was designed to identify individuals with dementia but was relatively ineffective for identification of less severe impairment observed in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We expanded the original MIST to create a modified instrument (mMIST) with greater sensitivity to less severe memory impairment. Older men and women with subjective cognitive decline were assessed by phone with the mMIST and subsequently classified independently with MCI or non-pathological cognitive decline.

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Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by respiratory symptoms such as hypoventilation during sleep, significantly reduced ventilatory and arousal responses, and sustained hypoxia. Patients with CCHS exhibit neurocognitive deficits due to structural abnormalities in the brainstem, cerebellum, and forebrain. Due to the potential for repeated hypoxemia and hypercarbia among patients with CCHS, neurocognitive functioning is often impaired.

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Given evidence that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and anthocyanin-rich blueberries provide neurocognitive benefit, we investigated long-term supplementation in older adults with cognitive complaints. In a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, elderly men and women received daily fish oil (FO) or blueberry (BB) or both. Diet records confirmed that participants reduced background consumption of EPA, DHA, and anthocyanins as prescribed.

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Objectives: Preclinical studies have shown that blueberry supplementation can improve cognitive performance and neural function in aged animals and have identified associations between anthocyanins and such benefits. Preliminary human trials also suggest cognitive improvement in older adults, although direct evidence of enhancement of brain function has not been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the effect of blueberry supplementation on regional brain activation in older adults at risk for dementia.

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Polyphenol compounds found in berry fruits, in particular flavonoids, have been associated with health benefits including improvement in cognition and neuronal function with aging. Concord grape juice contains polyphenols, including anthocyanins and flavanols, and previous research has shown improvement in a number of human health conditions with grape juice supplementation. In the current study, older adult subjects with mild cognitive impairment consumed Concord grape juice or placebo for 16 weeks and were administered assessments of memory function and brain activation pre- and postintervention.

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Studies suggest that experience and expectations of intimate partner violence (IPV) among college women may be positively related. We investigated their association using modified versions of two standard measures: the Conflict Tactics Scale and the Multidimensional Emotional Abuse Scale. Five hundred and thirty-four college women completed each measure twice: once based on their partner's actual behaviors and once based on what they expected a male partner would do in a relationship.

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With a sample of 120 Gulf War veterans, the present study investigated the main effects of childhood and lifetime trauma, combat exposure, and coping strategies on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as combat exposure's moderating effects on the other variables' relationships with PTSD. Logistic regression results indicated correct classification of PTSD diagnosis for 88% of the participants, with combat exposure and avoidant coping making significant contributions to this classification. Multiple regression results indicated that lifetime trauma, combat exposure, and avoidant coping were strongly related to PTSD symptoms.

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Background: Breast carcinoma is one of the leading causes of excess mortality rates in Harlem, an inner-city neighborhood with the highest mortality rates and worst life expectancy in New York City. This study reports the results of a breast carcinoma screening and diagnostic program in Harlem.

Methods: Retrospective review was performed of a database of 49,750 visits to the Breast Examination Center of Harlem from 1995 to 2000.

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