Performance validity tests in people with epilepsy: A review of the literature.

Objective: Professional bodies recommend the use of performance validity tests (PVTs) to aid the interpretation of scores obtained in neuropsychological assessments, but base rates of failure differ according to neurological diagnosis and the associated impairments. This review summarises the PVT literature in people with epilepsy with the aim of establishing base rates of PVT failure and the factors associated with PVT performance in this population.

Methods: Ovid and PubMed databases were searched for studies reporting PVT test performance in people with epilepsy.

Predictors of clinically significant anhedonia in refractory epilepsy.

Background: Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure or motivation for reward, is a core feature of depression in epilepsy, but can occur independent from depression. It is reported in over a third of people with epilepsy and has a significant impact on quality of life.

Objectives: This study determined whether specific features of medication refractory epilepsy are predictive of anhedonia.

The impact of recreational cannabis use on neuropsychological function in epilepsy.

Cannabis use is associated with neuropsychological impairments in the general population, but little is known about the impact on cognitive function in people with epilepsy who are already at increased risk of difficulties due to the essential comorbidities of the disease. We compared the performance of 42 people with epilepsy (PWE) who reported regular cannabis use with 254 age matched, non-cannabis-using PWE. Patients completed tests of intellectual reserve, memory, language and processing speed.

A Comparison of Social Exclusion Towards People with Depression or Chronic Back Pain.

Objectives: Research comparing mental and physical health stigma is scarce. The aim of this study was to compare social exclusion towards hypothetical males and females with depression or chronic back pain. Furthermore, the study investigated whether social exclusion is associated with participant's empathy and personality traits, while controlling for their sex, age and personal exposure to mental/physical chronic health conditions.