Publications by authors named "Steffen Aschenbrenner"

Performance validity tests (PVTs) can be seen as gatekeepers for valid neuropsychological assessment, by marking cognitive test scores that may not reflect true ability levels. The present study explored the significance of repeated validity testing of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), by exploring the potential value of performance consistency across assessments. The operational definition of performance consistency was determined by calculating the mean variation in a participant's PVT scores across three separate assessments.

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There is a growing interest in using wearable technology for the treatment of (BFRBs), such as Trichotillomania. Yet, to our knowledge, few studies address the applicability and use of wearable technology as a therapeutic element in more naturalistic situations. Here we would like to introduce its potential use combined with a Habit-Reversal Training in a single-case experimental design.

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Introduction: The world's population is aging, increasing the prevalence of dementia. Recently, foreign language learning in later life has been suggested to improve cognition and thus support healthy cognitive aging. To date, however, there are only a few studies with conflicting findings.

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The evaluation of performance validity is an essential part of any neuropsychological evaluation. Validity indicators embedded in routine neuropsychological tests offer a time-efficient option for sampling performance validity throughout the assessment while reducing vulnerability to coaching. By administering a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery to 57 adults with ADHD, 60 neurotypical controls, and 151 instructed simulators, we examined each test's utility in detecting noncredible performance.

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Neuropsychological assessments of attention are valuable sources of information in the clinical evaluation of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, it is unclear whether the attention performance of adults with ADHD is stable or fluctuates over time, which is of great importance in the interpretation of clinical assessments. This study aimed to explore the stability of attention performance of adults with ADHD in repeated assessments at one-month intervals.

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Background: Many clinical studies reported deficits in basic and complex cognitive functions in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, the extent in which deficits in basic functions (i.e.

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Abnormalities of early and middle latency auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) are widespread in schizophrenia and have been suggested to be associated with cognitive deficits in schizophrenia patients. In this cross-sectional study with schizophrenia patients (n=30) and psychiatrically healthy counterparts (n=31) (matched for age, sex, education), we investigated whether auditory information processing (measured via amplitudes and gating of the auditory ERPs P50, N100 and P200) correlates with neuropsychological performance across cognitive domains. The groups differed significantly in amplitudes and gating of N100 and P200 potentials as well as in neuropsychological performance, but not in P50 amplitude and gating.

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Objective: Cognitive impairments are a frequent and difficult to treat symptom in patients with schizophrenia and the strongest predictor for a successful reintegration in occupational and everyday life. Recent research suggests transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance cognition in this patient group. However, the question regarding its acute effectiveness on executive functions remains largely unanswered.

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Objective: Previous research indicated that adults with ADHD may have deficits in metacognition, yet the evidence base is scarce. This study aims to explore the existence and nature of metacognitive deficits in adults with ADHD, how psychopathology (such as inattention and depression) may affect metacognition and whether metacognition may impact daily functioning in adults with ADHD.

Method: Forty-six adult patients with ADHD and 46 controls completed questionnaires for metacognition, psychopathology and daily functioning (subjective assessment; self- and informant report).

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The aim of the study was to investigate changes in both subjectively and objectively measured cognitive functions as well as their discrepancy in outpatients with major depression disorder in the course of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). A neuropsychological test battery with cognitive tests measuring the domains of attention, memory, and executive functions as well as a questionnaire for the self-assessment of cognitive functions (FLei) in these domains were administered to depressed outpatients (n = 46) at the beginning of CBT, post-treatment after on average 40 sessions, as well as six months after the end of treatment. We found that subjectively as well as objectively measured cognitive functions did not change.

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Mental disorders are a frequent consequence of acquired central nervous damage. If not recognized and treated early, they have a negative impact on the course of neurological rehabilitation. This article deals with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders after acquired damage to the central nervous system.

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As attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a feasible target for individuals aiming to procure stimulant medication or accommodations, there is a high clinical need for accurate assessment of adult ADHD. Proven falsifiability of commonly used diagnostic instruments is therefore of concern. The present study aimed to develop a new, ADHD-specific infrequency index to aid the detection of non-credible self-report.

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Cognitive impairments are frequent in patients suffering from major depressive disorders. They are among the first symptoms, often persist independently of improvement even after remission of the affective symptoms and are an important predictor of psychosocial functioning. In the clinical practice it is mandatory to ask about subjective complaints of the patient as well as to assess the cognitive abilities with the help of a standardized neuropsychological test battery.

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Objective: Cognitive deficits and visual impairment in the magnocellular (M) pathway, have been independently reported in schizophrenia. The current study examined the association between neuropsychological (NPS) performance and visual evoked potentials (VEPs: N80/P1 to M- and P(parvocellular)-biased visual stimuli) in schizophrenia and healthy controls.

Methods: NPS performance and VEPs were measured in n = 44 patients and n = 34 matched controls.

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Background: With age, most cognitive functions decline. As the number of people aged 60 years and older is expected to rise rapidly within the next decades, identifying interventions that promote healthy cognitive ageing is of utmost importance. Promising research on bilingualism has led to the notion that learning a foreign language could protect against cognitive decline.

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The current study examined neuropsychological changes over the course of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in outpatients with major depressive disorder and the influence of cognitive deficits as predictors of clinical outcome in depression. A neuropsychological test battery was carried out on depressed outpatients (N = 54) at the beginning and at the end of CBT. Small improvements were found in divided attention, figural memory, and processing speed from pre- to posttreatment.

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Adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) commonly experience impairments in multiple domains of daily living. Work has a central role in daily life and is susceptible to ADHD due to its cognitive demands. The present study seeks to examine the nature of work-related problems and impairments of adults with ADHD, and explores the association to ADHD symptoms and neuropsychological test performance.

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Although attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood is associated with marked cognitive impairment, research on metacognition in adult ADHD is scarce. Deficits in metacognition may have a negative impact on treatment adherence, functional outcomes, and everyday life. This study explores metacognition, specifically self-awareness of cognitive performance, in adults with ADHD by combining objective and subjective assessments.

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Stigmatization represents a major barrier to treatment seeking across mental disorders. Despite this, stigma research on individual mental disorders remains in its infancy. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults also represents an under-researched area-being far less studied than its child counterpart.

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Computer-assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) is an economical, adjustable, and effective treatment for individuals with schizophrenia. The current randomized controlled study examined whether an individualized or generic exercise plan in CACR is superior in patients with multiple cognitive deficits compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU). Fifty-nine inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to 1) TAU, 2) TAU plus an individualized exercise plan in CACR, or 3) TAU plus a generic exercise plan in CACR.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates hyperfocus, a state of intense concentration often linked to ADHD, among adults with and without the disorder.
  • It involved analyzing data from 1,124 healthy participants and comparing them to 78 ADHD patients regarding their experiences of hyperfocus.
  • Results indicate that while hyperfocus occurs in both groups, ADHD patients experience it less in educational and social contexts, suggesting that hyperfocus is not unique to ADHD and may depend on various situational factors.
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Background: There is an urgent need for the development and evaluation of targeted interventions for cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with (partially) remitted major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of our study was therefore to evaluate the effect of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) on cognitive and psychosocial functioning in a sample of patients with MDD, taking into account comorbidity, psychopathology, remission status and CI profile. Furthermore, we compared a generalized training (GT) with an individualized training (IT) approach regarding their effects on cognition.

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: The Groningen Effort Test (GET) is a recently developed performance validity test (PVT) for the identification of noncredible performance in a neuropsychological assessment of attention abilities. Because the majority of already established PVTs are based on memory functions, the GET has the potential to make a valuable contribution to validity testing.: The current study examined the utility of the GET in the detection of feigned cognitive dysfunction after acquired brain injury (ABI) and its incremental validity over already established PVTs, namely the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), the Dot Counting Test (DCT), and the b Test.

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