Apparently abnormal Wechsler Memory Scale index score patterns in the normal population.

Interpretation of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Fourth Edition may involve examination of multiple memory index score contrasts and similar comparisons with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition ability indexes. Standardization sample data suggest that 15-point differences between any specific pair of index scores are relatively uncommon in normal individuals, but these base rates refer to a comparison between a single pair of indexes rather than multiple simultaneous comparisons among indexes. This study provides normative data for the occurrence of multiple index score differences calculated by using Monte Carlo simulations and validated against standardization data.

Development of the MMPI-2 cognitive complaints scale as an embedded measure of symptom validity.

Objective: To empirically-derive a new MMPI-2 sub-scale, the 13-item Cognitive Complaints Scale (CCS), as an embedded measure of symptom validity. This study hypothesized that mild traumatic brain injured subjects with financial incentives who failed performance validity tests (PVTs) would score significantly higher on the CCS compared to mild traumatic brain injured subjects with financial incentives who passed PVTs. Mild traumatic brain injured controls with no financial incentives were predicted to score lowest on the CCS.

False positive diagnosis of malingering due to the use of multiple effort tests.

Objective: Effort indicators are used to determine if neuropsychological test results are valid measures of a patient's cognitive abilities. The use of multiple effort measures is often advocated, but the false positive rate for multiple indicators depends on the number of measures used and the correlation among indicators. This study presents a meta-analysis of correlations among effort measures.

Selection criteria for internships in clinical neuropsychology.

Criteria used in the evaluation and selection of applicants for clinical neuropsychology internships were identified by a survey of programs that met guidelines for specialty training. The number of internships that offer training with specialization in clinical neuropsychology has more than doubled during the past 10 years. Supervising neuropsychologists from 75 programs replied to the survey, yielding a 72.

Rates of apparently abnormal MMPI-2 profiles in the normal population.

MMPI-2 standardization data were re-sampled using Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the base rate of apparently abnormal scores expected by chance in the normal population when multiple scales are interpreted. 36.8% of normal adults are likely to obtain a score that would otherwise be considered clinically significant at 65T on one or more of the 10 Clinical scales.

Noncredible performance in individuals with external incentives: empirical derivation and cross-validation of the Psychosocial Distress Scale (PDS).

Using a known groups design, a new Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) subscale, the 20-item Psychosocial Distress Scale (PDS), was empirically derived and cross-validated. The PDS demonstrated good classification accuracy between subjects under external incentive vs. no incentive conditions.

Changes in intellectual functioning associated with normal aging.

Declines in IQ scores with advancing age have been observed in each successive revision of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales. This study examined age-related changes on the fourth edition of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and compared these to the effects seen on the 1955, 1981, and 1997 standardizations of the scales. The most pronounced declines were in measures of processing speed and nonverbal reasoning.

Comparison of the Lees-Haley Fake Bad Scale, Henry-Heilbronner Index, and restructured clinical scale 1 in identifying noncredible symptom reporting.

A known groups design investigated the comparative predictive validity of the 27-item MMPI-2 Restructured Scale 1 (RC1), the 43-item Lees-Haley Fake Bad Scale (FBS), and the 15-item Henry-Heilbronner Index (HHI) to identify noncredible symptom response sets in 63 personal injury litigants and disability claimants compared to 77 non-litigating head-injured controls. Logistic regression analyses revealed that the HHI and FBS were better predictors of group membership than the RC1. Results suggest that the FBS, HHI, and RC1 may be measuring different constructs.

Comparison of the MMPI-2 restructured Demoralization Scale, Depression Scale, and Malingered Mood Disorder Scale in identifying non-credible symptom reporting in personal injury litigants and disability claimants.

A known groups design compared the ability of the 24-item MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical Demoralization Scale (RCd), the 57-item Depression Scale (Scale 2), and the 15-item Malingered Mood Disorder Scale (MMDS) to identify non-credible symptom response sets in 84 personal injury litigants and disability claimants compared to 77 non-litigating head-injured controls. All three scales showed large effect sizes (>0.80).

Empirical derivation of a new MMPI-2 scale for identifying probable malingering in personal injury litigants and disability claimants: the 15-item Malingered Mood Disorder Scale (MMDS).

A new 15-item MMPI-2 subscale, the Malingered Mood Disorder Scale (MMDS), was empirically derived from the original 32-item Malingered Depression Scale (MDS) of Steffan, Clopton, and Morgan (2003). The MMDS was superior to the original MDS in identification of symptom exaggeration in personal injury litigants and disability claimants compared to non-litigating head-injured controls. Logistic regression revealed that a cut score of > or = 7 on the MMDS produced good specificity (93.

The Henry-Heilbronner Index: a 15-item empirically derived MMPI-2 subscale for identifying probable malingering in personal injury litigants and disability claimants.

A new 15-item MMPI-2 subscale, the Henry-Heilbronner Index (HHI), representing a "pseudosomatic factor," was empirically derived from both the 43-item Lees-Haley Fake Bad Scale (FBS) and the 17-item Shaw and Matthews' Pseudoneurologic Scale (PNS). The HHI was superior to both the FBS and PNS in identification of symptom exaggeration in personal injury litigants and disability claimants compared to non-litigating head-injured controls. Logistic regression analyses revealed that a cutscore of > or = 8 on the HHI was associated with good specificity (89%) and sensitivity (80%).

Brief cognitive behavioral interventions in mild traumatic brain injury.

Postconcussion syndrome is a common and persisting consequence of mild traumatic head injury. The development of treatments for the syndrome has been hampered by a lack of consensus in diagnostic criteria, confusion about the relative contribution of psychological and neurologic etiological factors, and a paucity of controlled treatment outcome studies. In this article, we review the literature relevant to prevention and treatment of persisting postconcussive symptoms.

Astereopsis caused by traumatic brain injury.

Impaired depth perception (astereopsis) has been observed in a variety of cerebral pathologies affecting the posterior parietal lobe. In the current study of 93 consecutive head trauma admissions, 24% had complete astereopsis and 41% performed more than 2 SDs below the orthopedic control group mean. Degree of impairment was related to Glascow Coma Scale score, length of posttraumatic amnesia, reduced visuospatial and memory abilities, and the presence of intracranial pathology of the parietal lobes.

Stereoscopic visual impairment in vascular dementia.

Binocular depth perception is mediated by neural pathways that involve thalamic nuclei, the posterior parietal lobe and adjacent gyri, and white matter projections connecting these regions. Vascular dementia results from a variety of pathologic syndromes that can affect these areas, and in the current study is shown to produce associated impairment of stereoacuity or complete stereoblindness. Stereoacuity was relatively more impaired by right than left hemisphere pathology, by cortical than subcortical vascular processes, and by lesions that involved the parietal lobe.

Practices in forensic neuropsychology: perspectives of neuropsychologists and trial attorneys.

Members of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America were surveyed concerning current practices in forensic neuropsychology. The majority of neuropsychologists and attorneys reported that attorneys never observe neuropsychological testing. Attorneys reported receiving raw data in almost all of their brain injury cases, but neuropsychologists reported that they produce raw data in only a minority of their forensic cases.

Base rates of malingering and symptom exaggeration.

Base rates of probable malingering and symptom exaggeration are reported from a survey of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology membership. Estimates were based on 33,531 annual cases involved in personal injury, (n = 6,371). disability (n = 3,688), criminal (n = 1,341), or medical (n = 22,131) matters.

Mood and anxiety disorders following pediatric traumatic brain injury: a prospective study.

Studies utilizing standardized instruments for assessing mood and/or anxiety disorders following pediatric traumatic brain injury have seldom been reported in the literature. Previous reports have largely focused on cognitive impairment, behavioral dysfunction, or adaptive functioning, and have typically relied on parental informants. In this study, children hospitalized for mild (N = 42) and moderate/severe (N = 19) brain injury were assessed 6-months postinjury using the Anxiety disorders Module A and the Mood disorders Module C of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children - IV Revision (DISC-IV).

Identification of malingered head injury on the wechsler adult intelligence scale - 3rd edition.

Head injured patients show an IQ subtest pattern that can be discriminated from the profile produced by individuals who attempt to malinger intellectual decline due to head trauma. The current paper demonstrates that previously replicated methods for making this discrimination on the WAIS - R generalize to the WAIS - 3. The discriminant function equation accurately classified 83% of nonlitigating head-trauma patients with documented injuries and 72% of persons simulating intellectual impairment due to head trauma.

Treatment of post-concussion syndrome following mild head injury.

Approximately 38% of patients who sustain head trauma characterized by a brief disturbance of consciousness and clinically unremarkable neuroradiologic findings meet International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (ICD-10) diagnostic criteria for postconcussion syndrome (PCS). Physicians treat a majority of cases with nonsteroidal analgesics or antidepressants, and refer about 40% for psychological consultation. Psychological treatment typically involves education, reassurance, and reattribution of symptoms to benign causes.

Prospective study of the MMPI-2 correction factor after mild head injury.

Gass (1991) proposed a correction factor composed of 14 MMPI-2 items that were characteristically endorsed by patients with closed-head injury. Their frequency of occurrence suggested that the items reflected the neurological rather than emotional consequences of head injury. The current study was designed to evaluate the interpretive significance of correction factor items after mild head trauma.

Selection criteria for clinical neuropsychology internships.

Criteria used in the evaluation and selection of applicants for clinical neuropsychology internships were identified by a survey of the programs listed in The Clinical Neuropsychologist. Neuropsychologists from 40 programs replied to the survey, yielding an 80% response rate. Clinical experience in neuropsychological assessment, specialization in clinical neuropsychology during graduate training, personal interview, and letters of recommendation were reported to be the most salient selection criteria.

Diagnosis of mild head injury and the postconcussion syndrome.

Mild head injuries can cause acute transient cognitive inefficiency that typically resolves within 3 months. Postconcussion syndrome may initially be related to acute cerebral dysfunction but can also arise as a psychological consequence of head trauma. The syndrome persists beyond 3 months in a significant number of patients with mild head trauma as a psychological disorder.

Diffuse Lewy body disease: clinical, pathological, and neuropsychological review.

The pathophysiological etiologies and clinical presentations of neurodegenerative dementias have been found to be complex and heterogeneous. Recently, Lewy body inclusions have been identified as an etiological factor in 20-34% of autopsied dementia cases. The term diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) is generally accepted as the diagnostic term representative of this currently under-reported and under-recognized disease.

Postconcussion syndrome following sports-related head injury: expectation as etiology.

Mild head trauma is often complicated by a persistent set of symptoms known as postconcussion syndrome (PCS). Past research has suggested that an expectancy-guided, retrospective-recall bias may account for much of the variance in PCS symptom reporting. The present study examined the influence of symptom expectations on mild head trauma symptom reports among participants in contact sports.

Bias in the use of standard American norms with Spanish translations of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised.

Although most clinicians would readily agree that there is a need for Spanish translations and normative samples of major psychological tests because of the large number of individuals within the United States whose primary language is Spanish, there are in fact few well normed tests applicable to the Spanish-speaking client in the U.S. As a result, many clinicians administer cognitive tests normed on English-speaking American populations translated into Spanish, then interpret the test results using the standard American norms.