Sex-specific composite scales for longitudinal studies of incipient Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: The impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD) on cognitive decline differs by sex. Composite scores are useful as singular outcomes in clinical trials, yet to date these have not been developed to measure sex-specific change.

Method: We derived optimal composites from component scales available in the AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database among cognitively normal and mild cognitively impaired subjects who are cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β positive for early AD.

Comparing the Boston Naming Test With the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery-Naming Subtest in a Neurodegenerative Disease Clinic Population.

The Boston Naming Test-Second edition (BNT-2) and the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery-Naming (NAB-N) subtest are two commonly used confrontation naming tests used to evaluate word-finding ability in individuals suspected of neurodegenerative disease. The BNT-2 and NAB-N are designed to measure the same construct; however, observations in practice suggest these two tests provide divergent estimates of naming ability. This study sought to systematically investigate the level of agreement between performance on the BNT-2 and NAB-N.

Sex Moderates the Impact of Diagnosis and Amyloid PET Positivity on Hippocampal Subfield Volume.

We examined moderation effects of sex and diagnosis on the effect of positive florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid-β (Aβ) scan (A+) on hippocampus subfield volumes in 526 normal control (NC) and early mild cognitive impairment (eMCI) participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI2; ADNI-GO). Regression moderation models showed that women- but not men- with NC designation did not show reduced subiculum volumes despite A+. At the eMCI stage, A+ was detrimental across sexes.

Moderating effects of sex on the impact of diagnosis and amyloid positivity on verbal memory and hippocampal volume.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) impacts men and women differently, but the effect of sex on predementia stages is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine whether sex moderates the impact of florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid positivity (A) on verbal learning and memory performance and hippocampal volume (HV) in normal cognition (NC) and early mild cognitive impairment (eMCI).

Methods: Seven hundred forty-two participants with NC and participants with eMCI from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (second cohort [ADNI2] and Grand Opportunity Cohort [ADNI-GO]) were included.

Comparing the test of practical judgment with the neuropsychological assessment battery judgment subtest in a neurodegenerative disease clinic population.

The Test of Practical Judgment (TOP-J) and the Judgment subtest from the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB-JDG) are both brief interview-based measures that assess judgment. This study compared estimates of judgment obtained from these measures in a neurodegenerative disease population. Records from 61 referrals seen for neuropsychological evaluation in a neurodegenerative disorders clinic were reviewed.

Daily Stress, Coping, and Negative and Positive Affect in Depression: Complex Trigger and Maintenance Patterns.

Major depressive disorder is characterized by emotional dysfunction, but mood states in daily life are not well understood. This study examined complex explanatory models of daily stress and coping mechanisms that trigger and maintain daily negative affect and (lower) positive affect in depression. Sixty-three depressed patients completed perfectionism measures, and then completed daily questionnaires of stress appraisals, coping, and affect for 7 consecutive days.

Estimates of premorbid ability in a neurodegenerative disease clinic population: comparing the Test of Premorbid Functioning and the Wide Range Achievement Test, 4th Edition.

Objective: Two frequently used measures to assess premorbid intellectual ability include the Wide Range Achievement Test, 4th Edition Reading Subtest (WRAT-4 READ) and the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF). The present study compared estimates obtained from these measures in a neurodegenerative disease population.

Method: Records from 85 referrals seen for neuropsychological evaluation in a neurodegenerative disorders clinic were reviewed.

Atypical performance patterns on Delis-Kaplan Executive Functioning System Color-Word Interference Test: Cognitive switching and learning ability in older adults.

Introduction: Cognitive set shifting requires flexible application of lower level processes. The Delis-Kaplan Executive Functioning System (DKEFS) Color-Word Interference Test (CWIT) is commonly used to clinically assess cognitive set shifting. An atypical pattern of performance has been observed on the CWIT; a subset of individuals perform faster, with equal or fewer errors, on the more difficult inhibition/switching than the inhibition trial.

The role of perfectionism in daily self-esteem, attachment, and negative affect.

This study of university students (64 men, 99 women) examined the role of self-critical (SC) and personal standards (PS) higher order dimensions of perfectionism in daily self-esteem, attachment, and negative affect. Participants completed questionnaires at the end of the day for 7 consecutive days. Trait and situational influences were found in the daily reports of self-esteem, attachment, and affect.