The Neuropsychology of Adult Hydrocephalus.

Adult hydrocephalus is a heterogeneous disorder with variable cognitive impairments among 4 subtypes: idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH), secondary hydrocephalus, unidentified congenital hydrocephalus, and transitional hydrocephalus. INPH is the most widely studied and presents with frontal subcortical dysfunction affecting psychomotor speed, information processing, executive skills, attention, and memory, ranging from mild to dementia-like impairments. Detailed neuropsychological evaluations are essential for diagnosis, assessing baseline impairment, and monitoring treatment response.

Research priorities for improving cognitive and neuropsychological outcomes in hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder that impacts approximately 85 per 100,000 individuals worldwide and is associated with motor and cognitive impairments. While many advances in surgical interventions have helped substantially improve the survival rates and quality of life of those affected, there continues to be significant gaps in our understanding of the etiology of this heterogeneous condition as well as its specific neuropsychological and functional challenges across different phases of life. To address these limitations, the Hydrocephalus Association and Rudi Schulte Research Institute organized a workshop titled, "Improving Cognitive and Psychological Outcomes in Hydrocephalus", composed of top academics in the fields of hydrocephalus, cognition, and neuropsychology, as well as individuals with hydrocephalus or their caregivers.

Safety and effectiveness of the assessment and treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in the Adult Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the processes and outcomes associated with patients at five sites in the Adult Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (AHCRN) who had undergone evaluation and treatment for suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and had 1-year postoperative follow-up.

Methods: Subjects with possible iNPH who had been prospectively enrolled in the AHCRN registry between November 19, 2014, and December 31, 2018, were evaluated by CSF drainage via either lumbar puncture or external lumbar drainage, consistent with recommendations of the international iNPH guidelines. Standardized clinical evaluations of gait, cognition, urinary symptoms, depression, and functional outcomes were conducted at baseline, before and after CSF drainage, and at 4-month intervals after shunt surgery.

Intensive care-related cognitive impairment: A biopsychosocial overview.

Advancements in critical care medicine have improved survival rates for patients experiencing critical illness in intensive care units (ICUs). Although mortality has declined, more than half of ICU survivors experience functional impairments that persist beyond discharge. Of particular concern is ICU-related cognitive impairment, which can extend across the care continuum, ranging from acute and transient presentations in the ICU (eg, delirium) to long-term impairments years after discharge.

Internalizing, Externalizing, and Interpersonal Components of the MMPI-2-RF in Predicting Weight Change After Bariatric Surgery.

Background: The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is commonly used to assess psychological factors that may adversely impact weight loss. Research is limited on the specific MMPI-2-RF scales that may predict poor postoperative outcomes following bariatric surgery. The current study compared preoperative MMPI-2-RF profiles associated with postoperative weight change to novel component scores in a bariatric surgery sample.

Alcohol use, drinking consequences, and sensitivity to social cues among college women.

College students who drink vary in the extent to which they experience drinking consequences, prompting a need to identify factors that differentiate higher-risk drinkers from others. The present study investigated whether difficulty in processing subtle social information is related to negative drinking consequences experienced within the past year. Specifically, poor ability to detect subtle non-verbal sarcasm cues was predicted to contribute to drinking consequences.

Strategy use on the Ruff Figural Fluency Test.

Although the popularity of including figural fluency tests in cognitive and neuropsychological test batteries has increased in recent years, the spontaneous use of strategies on these measures remains poorly understood. This study addressed three questions pertaining to strategy use on the Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT): (i) how common is strategy use, (ii) what information does strategy use convey, and (iii) can examinees learn to use strategies. Findings revealed that nearly seven out of 10 healthy college students used a strategy at least once while taking the RFFT.