Cognition, emotional state, and quality of life of survivors after cardiac arrest with rhythmic and periodic EEG patterns.

Aim: Rhythmic and periodic patterns (RPPs) on the electroencephalogram (EEG) in comatose patients after cardiac arrest have been associated with high case fatality rates. A good neurological outcome according to the Cerebral Performance Categories (CPC) has been reported in up to 10% of cases. Data on cognitive, emotional, and quality of life outcomes are lacking.

The Coping with Attention and Memory Complaints Questionnaire (CAMQ): psychometric evaluation of an instrument in suspected chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy (CSE).

Long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents may induce chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy (CSE), leading to neuropsychological impairments. We developed the Coping with Attention and Memory Complaints Questionnaire (CAMQ), an instrument for the assessment of coping strategies in patients suspected of CSE with neuropsychological complaints. Items for the CAMQ were based on existing coping dimensions and constructed by experts.

Decision rules for assessment of chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy: Results in 2370 patients.

For the diagnosis of patients suspected of chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy (CSE), it would be helpful if the applied cognitive tests show a characteristic profile of impairment in this disease. We investigated the existence of such a profile. In 1997-2006 two expert teams in The Netherlands systematically examined 2370 patients referred for evaluation of suspected CSE.

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with chronic solvent induced encephalopathy (CSE).

Introduction: Long term occupational exposure to organic solvents may induce chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy (CSE), characterized by mild to severe cognitive impairment, generally seen as the key diagnostic feature. Psychiatric disorders are often diagnosed in subjects with CSE, but were never studied in more detail. This study was designed to establish the prevalence rates of DSM IV mood, anxiety, and alcohol and substance related disorders in patients with CSE.

Psychosocial and cognitive rehabilitation of patients with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy: a randomised controlled study.

Background: There is little experience with the (neuro) psychological treatment of patients with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy (CSE). In this randomised controlled trial (RCT), a treatment programme was evaluated based on previous outcome studies of patients with chronic fatigue, whiplash and traumatic brain damage.

Methods: The treatment consisted of 8 group sessions based on cognitive behavioural principles focusing on inadequate illness behaviours, and 8 sessions of cognitive strategy training to compensate memory problems.

Psychological treatment of patients with chronic toxic encephalopathy: lessons from studies of chronic fatigue and whiplash.

Background: Chronic toxic encephalopathy (CTE), which can result from long-term exposure to organic solvents, is characterized by problems of attention and memory, fatigue and affective symptoms. There is little experience with (neuro)psychological treatment in this patient group. We reviewed treatment outcome studies of CTE and comparable syndromes, namely, chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), with a view to providing recommendations for the psychological treatment of patients with CTE.

Suboptimal performance on neuropsychological tests in patients with suspected chronic toxic encephalopathy.

Suboptimal performance during neuropsychological testing can seriously complicate assessment in behavioral neurotoxicology. We present data on the prevalence of suboptimal performance in a group of Dutch patients with suspected chronic toxic encephalopathy (CTE) after long-term occupational exposure to solvents. One hundred and forty-five subjects referred to one of two Dutch national assessment centers for CTE were administered the Amsterdam Short-Term Memory Test (ASTM) and the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), two tests specifically developed for the detection of suboptimal performance.