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Studies have observed variable associations of prior contact sport participation with subjective and objective measures of cognitive function. This study directly investigated the association between subjective self-report and objective performance-based cognition among former collegiate football players, as well as its relationship to self-reported concussion history.Former collegiate football players (N = 57; mean age = 37.9 years [Subjective cognition was not significantly associated with any objective measures of cognitive functioning (Reliance on self-reported measures of cognitive functioning alone is insufficient when assessing cognition in former contact sport athletes. Assessment of other factors known to influence subjective cognitive complaints should also be examined in determining the presence of cognitive deficits.

Neuropsychological profiles are heterogeneous both across and within epilepsy syndromes, but especially in frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), which has complex semiology and epileptogenicity. This study aimed to characterize the cognitive heterogeneity within FLE by identifying cognitive phenotypes and determining their demographic and clinical characteristics.One hundred and six patients (age 16-66; 44% female) with FLE completed comprehensive neuropsychological testing, including measures within five cognitive domains: language, attention, executive function, processing speed, and verbal/visual learning. Patients were categorized into one of four phenotypes based on the number of impaired domains. Patterns of domain impairment and clinical and demographic characteristics were examined across phenotypes.Twenty-five percent of patients met criteria for the Generalized Phenotype (impairment in at least four domains), 20% met criteria for the Tri-Domain Phenotype (impairment in three domains), 36% met criteria for the Domain-Specific Phenotype (impairment in one or two domains), and 19% met criteria for the Intact Phenotype (no impairment). Language was the most common domain-specific impairment, followed by attention, executive function, and processing speed. In contrast, learning was the least impacted cognitive domain. The Generalized Phenotype had fewer years of education compared to the Intact Phenotype, but otherwise, there was no differentiation between phenotypes in demographic and clinical variables. However, qualitative analysis suggested that the Generalized and Tri-Domain Phenotypes had a more widespread area of epileptogenicity, whereas the Intact Phenotype most frequently had seizures limited to the lateral frontal region.This study identified four cognitive phenotypes in FLE that were largely indistinguishable in clinical and demographic features, aside from education and extent of epileptogenic zone. These findings enhance our appreciation of the cognitive heterogeneity within FLE and provide additional support for the development and use of cognitive taxonomies in epilepsy.

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects over 2.5 million individuals worldwide, yet much of the disease course is unknown. Hemispheric vulnerability in MS may elucidate part of this process but has not yet been studied. The current study assessed neuropsychological functioning as it relates to hemispheric vulnerability in MS. Methods Verbal IQ, as measured by verbal comprehension index (VCI), nonverbal IQ, as measured by perceptual reasoning index (PRI) and memory acquisition were compared in right-handed (dextral) and non-right-handed (non-dextral) persons with MS (PwMS). Results Linear mixed-effects modeling indicated a significant main effect of handedness, F(1, 195.35) = 3.95, p = .048, for a composite measure of VCI, PRI, and memory acquisition, with better performance for dextral PwMS. In examining differences for specific neuropsychological measures, the largest effect size between dextral and non-dextral participants was seen in PRI (d = 0.643), F(1,341) = 12.163, p = .001. No significant interaction effect between handedness and IQ was found, F(3, 525.60) = 0.75, p = .523. Conclusions Dextral PwMS perform better than non-dextral PwMS when assessing neuropsychological performance for memory and IQ combined. Results are suggestive of increased vulnerability in the left brain to the pathological process of MS.

Patterns of cognitive impairment in former American football players are uncertain because objective neuropsychological data are lacking. This study characterized the neuropsychological test performance of former college and professional football players.One hundred seventy male former football players (n=111 professional, n=59 college; 45-74 years) completed a neuropsychological test battery. Raw scores were converted to T-scores using age, sex, and education-adjusted normative data. A T-score ≤ 35 defined impairment. A domain was impaired if 2+ scores fell in the impaired range except for the language and visuospatial domains due to the limited number of tests.Most football players had subjective cognitive concerns. On testing, rates of impairments were greatest for memory (21.2% two tests impaired), especially for recall of unstructured (44.7%) versus structured verbal stimuli (18.8%); 51.8% had one test impaired. 7.1% evidenced impaired executive functions; however, 20.6% had impaired Trail Making Test B. 12.1% evidenced impairments in the attention, visual scanning, and psychomotor speed domain with frequent impairments on Trail Making Test A (18.8%). Other common impairments were on measures of language (i.e., Multilingual Naming Test [21.2%], Animal Fluency [17.1%]) and working memory (Number Span Backward [14.7%]). Impairments on our tasks of visuospatial functions were infrequent.In this sample of former football players (most of whom had subjective cognitive concerns), there were diffuse impairments on neuropsychological testing with verbal memory being the most frequently impaired domain.

The aim of this study was to conduct item reduction of the Memory Assessment Clinics Self-Rating Scale (MAC-S) to create a briefer measure that can be used to quickly evaluate subjective memory com...

Objective To identify cognitive phenotypes in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and test their reproducibility in a large, multi-site cohort of patients using both data-driven and clinically driven approaches. Method Four-hundred seven patients with TLE who underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation at one of four epilepsy centers were included. Scores on tests of verbal memory, naming, fluency, executive function, and psychomotor speed were converted into z-scores based on 151 healthy controls (HCs). For the data-driven method, cluster analysis (k-means) was used to determine the optimal number of clusters. For the clinically driven method, impairment was defined as >1.5 standard deviations below the mean of the HC, and patients were classified into groups based on the pattern of impairment. Results Cluster analysis revealed a three-cluster solution characterized by (a) generalized impairment (29%), (b) language and memory impairment (28%), and (c) no impairment (43%). Based on the clinical criteria, the same broad categories were identified, but with a different distribution: (a) generalized impairment (37%), (b) language and memory impairment (30%), and (c) no impairment (33%). There was a 82.6% concordance rate with good agreement (κ = .716) between the methods. Forty-eight patients classified as having a normal profile based on cluster analysis were classified as having generalized impairment (n = 16) or an isolated language/memory impairment (n = 32) based on the clinical criteria. Patients with generalized impairment had a longer disease duration and patients with no impairment had more years of education. However, patients demonstrating the classic TLE profile (ie, language and memory impairment) were not more likely to have an earlier age at onset or mesial temporal sclerosis. Significance We validate previous findings from single-site studies that have identified three unique cognitive phenotypes in TLE and offer a means of translating the patterns into a clinical diagnostic criteria, representing a novel taxonomy of neuropsychological status in TLE.

The presentation, risk factors, and etiologies of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in people exposed to repetitive head impacts are unknown. We examined the burden and distribution of WMH, and their association with years of play, age of first exposure, and clinical function in former American football players.A total of 149 former football players and 53 asymptomatic unexposed participants (all men, 45-74 years) completed fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging, neuropsychological testing, and self-report neuropsychiatric measures. Lesion Segmentation Toolbox estimated WMH. Analyses were performed in the total sample and stratified by age 60.In older but not younger participants, former football players had greater total, frontal, temporal, and parietal log-WMH compared to asymptomatic unexposed men. In older but not younger former football players, greater log-WMH was associated with younger age of first exposure to football and worse executive function.In older former football players, WMH may have unique presentations, risk factors, and etiologies.Older but not younger former football players had greater total, frontal, temporal, and parietal lobe white matter hyperintensities (WMH) compared to same-age asymptomatic unexposed men. Younger age of first exposure to football was associated with greater WMH in older but not younger former American football players. In former football players, greater WMH was associated with worse executive function and verbal memory.

Results of practice surveys indicate that clinical neuropsychologists tend to use a clinical test battery consisting of a flexible collection of tests. This chapter traces the origins and history of many of the tests commonly employed in a neuropsychological test battery. What is evident is that approximately 30% of the tests that are employed in contemporary test batteries have origins more than 100 years old. Many of the tests currently used by neuropsychologists are based on dated theories, have not been updated for use with modern digital technology, and fail to address the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Although learning the historical origins of commonly used neuropsychological tests enriches our knowledge and appreciation for how the field has developed, it also places our methodology in a context that makes it clear that there is a need for a continuing evolution of the field’s methodology in order to keep current in an ever-changing world.

Effect of Combined Physical Training on Cognitive Function in People With Epilepsy: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial Feter N, Alt R, Häfele CA, et al. Epilepsia. 2020;61(8):1649-1658. doi:10.1111/epi.16588. PMID: 32602966.Objective:To examine the effect of 12-week exercise program on cognitive function in people with epilepsy.Methods:Twenty-one physically inactive patients were randomized into 2 groups: the exercise group (EG) or the control group. Exercise group performed 12 weeks of combined physical training. Control group was advised to maintain usual daily activities. Exercise group received a structured, individually supervised exercise program with two 60-minute sessions per week. Each session included warmup (5 minutes), aerobic (15-20 minutes at 14-17 on Borg scale), strength (2-3 sets, 10-15 repetitions), and 5-minute active stretches. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, memory (Digit Span Test [DST]), executive function (Trail Making Test [TMT] A and B), Stroop Color and Word Test, a verbal fluency task, global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]), anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and hip and waist circumferences), cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen consumption [V. o 2max]), and strength (dynamometer) were measured at baseline and after the 12-week intervention.Results:Exercise decreased time spent on TMT-A from baseline to postintervention (difference = −7.9 seconds, 95% CI = −14.5 to −1.3, P = .023). Exercise group improved total number of words on the verbal fluency task after intervention (difference = 8.1 words, 95% CI = 3.0-13.2, P = .002). Exercise group also improved the score on MoCA at 1.7 (95% CI = 0.1-3.3, P = .043) points. We observed a 22.4% (95% CI = 13.1-31.6, P = .021) improvement in executive function in EG. No effect of group, time, or group × time was observed on any other cognitive test. Changes in V˙ o 2max were negatively associated with changes in performance on DST (r = −0.445, P = .049) and overall memory score (r = −0.544, P = .042).Significance:This randomized controlled trial provided the first evidence that combined physical training improves executive function in adults with epilepsy, showing main improvements in attention and language tasks. Physical exercise should be encouraged for people with epilepsy to reduce the burden on cognitive function associated with this disease.

There has been considerable public interest in the topic of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a risk factor for development of late-life dementia. A review was performed on empirical studies examining the relationship between these two conditions. Although results from a number of studies clearly demonstrate that TBI is a positive risk factor for developing dementia, there are an equivalent number of studies that obtain inconclusive or negative findings. Inconsistencies across studies are often the result of methodological findings including the nature of the investigational design, choice of comparison groups, and criteria used to define cases. In many studies, the diagnosis of TBI is obtained retrospectively in a manner that is subject to bias. Accurate identification of dementia cases is often compromised by the use of inappropriately brief follow-up periods and variations in diagnostic methods. There remains no universally accepted neurobiological mechanism to explain the transition from acute TBI to the chronic effects of dementia. Studies of specialty populations, including athletes and military personnel are beset by secular and cohort effects, raising questions about the applicability of findings to the general population. No existing studies have been able to exclude the possible effects of confounding medical or lifestyle factors in facilitating the onset of dementia following TBI. Although the research findings suggest a general association between TBI and dementia, the specifics of the relationship remain poorly defined.

ObjectiveTo develop evidence-informed, expert consensus research diagnostic criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES), the clinical disorder associated with neuropathologically diagnosed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).MethodsA panel of 20 expert clinician-scientists in neurology, neuropsychology, psychiatry, neurosurgery, and physical medicine and rehabilitation, from 11 academic institutions, participated in a modified Delphi procedure to achieve consensus, initiated at the First National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Consensus Workshop to Define the Diagnostic Criteria for TES, April, 2019. Before consensus, panelists reviewed evidence from all published cases of CTE with neuropathologic confirmation, and they examined the predictive validity data on clinical features in relation to CTE pathology from a large clinicopathologic study (n = 298).ResultsConsensus was achieved in 4 rounds of the Delphi procedure. Diagnosis of TES requires (1) substantial exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHIs) from contact sports, military service, or other causes; (2) core clinical features of cognitive impairment (in episodic memory and/or executive functioning) and/or neurobehavioral dysregulation; (3) a progressive course; and (4) that the clinical features are not fully accounted for by any other neurologic, psychiatric, or medical conditions. For those meeting criteria for TES, functional dependence is graded on 5 levels, ranging from independent to severe dementia. A provisional level of certainty for CTE pathology is determined based on specific RHI exposure thresholds, core clinical features, functional status, and additional supportive features, including delayed onset, motor signs, and psychiatric features.ConclusionsNew consensus diagnostic criteria for TES were developed with a primary goal of facilitating future CTE research. These criteria will be revised as updated clinical and pathologic information and in vivo biomarkers become available.

Spatial and Episodic Memory Tasks Promote Temporal Lobe Interictal SpikesVivekananda U, Bush D, Bisby JA, et al. Ann Neurol. 2019;86(2):304-309. doi:10.1002/ana.25519Reflex epilepsies have been demonstrated to exploit specific networks that subserve normal physiological function. It is unclear whether more common forms of epilepsy share this particular feature. By measuring interictal spikes in patients with a range of epilepsies, we show that 2 tasks known to specifically engage the hippocampus and temporal neocortex promoted increased interictal spiking within these regions, whereas a nonhippocampal dependent task did not. This indicates that interictal spike frequency may reflect the processing demands being placed on specific functional–anatomical networks in epilepsy.

Several methods for identifying suboptimal effort on Spanish neuropsychological assessment have been established. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine whether recognition data from the WHO-AVLT could be employed for determination of malingering in a Spanish-speaking sample. Sixteen subjects in litigation, 25 neurological patients, and 14 healthy controls completed neuropsychological testing. All subjects completed the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM). Inclusion criteria for neurological patients and controls included performance above the standard TOMM cutoff. Subjects in litigation were classified as probable malingering, through lower than cutoff performance on the TOMM and at least one other performance validity measure. Cut-off scores for classification of malingering were determined based on the number of recognition hits on the WHO-AVLT. The probable malingering group performed significantly worse than both groups on recognition hits. A score

Objective Assessment of performance validity is a necessary component of any neuropsychological evaluation. Prior research has shown that cutoff scores of ≤6 or ≤7 on Reliable Digit Span (RDS) can detect suboptimal effort across numerous adult clinical populations; however, these scores have not been validated for that purpose in an adult epilepsy population. This investigation aims to determine whether these previously established RDS cutoff scores could detect suboptimal effort in adults with epilepsy. Method Sixty-three clinically referred adults with a diagnosis of epilepsy or suspected seizures were administered the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III or WAIS-IV). Most participants (98%) passed Trial 2 of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), achieving a score of ≥45. Results Previously established cutoff scores of ≤6 and ≤7 on RDS yielded a specificity rate of 85% and 77% respectively. Findings also revealed that RDS scores were positively related to attention and intellectual functioning. Given the less than ideal specificity rate associated with each of these cutoff scores, together with their strong association to cognitive factors, secondary analyses were conducted to identify more optimal cutoff scores. Preliminary results suggest that an RDS cutoff score of ≤4 may be more appropriate in a clinically referred adult epilepsy population with a low average IQ or lower. Conclusions Preliminary findings indicate that cutoff scores of ≤6 and ≤7 on RDS are not appropriate in adults with epilepsy, especially in individuals with low average IQ or below.

Postoperative Memory Prognosis in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgery: The Contribution of Postictal Memory Sveikata L, Kavan N, Pegna AJ, et al. Epilepsia. 2019;60(8):1639-1649. doi:10.1111/epi.16281. Epub July 22, 2019. PMID: 31329286.Objective:The prediction of verbal memory decline after temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgery remains difficult at an individual level. We evaluated the prognostic value of postictal memory testing in predicting the postoperative verbal memory function.Methods:Sixty-three consecutive patients were included in the analysis who underwent TLE surgery at our center with preoperative interictal/postictal and postoperative memory testing. Verbal memory was evaluated using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). We used reliable change indices with 90% confidence interval (90% RCIs) to evaluate a significant postoperative memory decline. The sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), area under the curve (AUC), and accuracy (ACC) were calculated. The analysis was performed for all patients with TLE and for the subgroup with hippocampal sclerosis (HS).Results:Patients with left TLE (n = 31) had lower verbal memory scores on RAVLT than right TLE at 3 months (57% vs 78%) and 12 months (53% vs 78%) after surgery. The 90% RCI was estimated to be a loss of 4 out of 15 items. The predictive value was Sn = 42%, Sp = 84%, PPV = 39%, NPV = 86%, AUC = 0.630, and ACC = 76% to predict a verbal memory decline in the whole group (n = 63). In patients with HS (n = 41), the postictal verbal memory test had Sn = 50%, Sp = 88%, PPV = 50%, NPV = 88%, AUC = 0.689, and ACC = 81% to predict a significant postoperative decline.Significance:Postictal memory is a noninvasive bedside memory test that can help predict the postoperative verbal memory decline in patients with HS with an overall ACC of 81%.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the electroencephalographic (EEG) Brain Function Index (BFI) for characterizing sports-related concussive injury and recovery. Participants Three hundred fifty-four (354) male contact sport high school and college athletes were prospectively recruited from multiple locations over 6 academic years of play (244 control baseline athletes and 110 athletes with a concussion). Methods Using 5 to 10 minutes of eyes closed resting EEG collected from frontal and frontotemporal regions, a BFI was computed for all subjects and sessions. Group comparisons were performed to test for the significance of the difference in the BFI score between the controls at baseline and athletes with a concussion at several time points. Results There was no significant difference in BFI between athletes with a concussion at baseline (ie, prior to injury) and controls at baseline (P = .4634). Athletes with a concussion, tested within 72 hours of injury, exhibited significant differences in BFI compared with controls (P = .0036). The significant differences in BFI were no longer observed at 45 days following injury (P = .19). Conclusion Controls and athletes with a concussion exhibited equivalent BFI scores at preseason baseline. The concussive injury (measured within 72 hours) significantly affected brain function reflected in the BFI in the athletes with a concussion. The BFI of the athletes with a concussion returned to levels seen in controls by day 45, suggesting recovery. The BFI may provide an important objective marker of concussive injury and recovery.

Neuropsychology has fallen reliant on outdated and labor intensive methods of data collection that are slow, highly inefficient, and expensive, and provide relatively data-poor estimates of human behavior despite rapid technological advance in most other fields of medicine. Here we present a brief historical overview of current testing practices in an effort to frame the current crisis, followed by an overview of different settings in which technology can and should be integrated. Potential benefits of laboratory based assessments, remote assessments, as well as passive and high-frequency data collection tools rooted in technology are discussed, along with several relevant examples and how these technologies might be deployed. Broader issues of data security and privacy are discussed, as well as additional considerations to be addressed within each setting. Some of the historical barriers to adoption of technology are also presented, along with a brief discussion of the remaining uncertainties. While by no means intended as a comprehensive review or prescriptive roadmap, our goal is to show that there are a tremendous number of advantages to technologically driven data collection methods, and that technology should be embraced by the field. Our predictions are that the comprehensive assessments of the future will likely entail a combination of lab-based assessments, remote assessments, and passive data capture, and leading the development of these efforts will cement the role of neuropsychology at the forefront of cognitive and behavioral science.

ObjectiveThe Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a brief neuropsychological battery that has been validated in the assessment of dementia and other clinical populations. The current study examines the utility of the RBANS in patients with epilepsy.MethodsNinety-eight patients with epilepsy completed the RBANS as part of a more comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Performance on the RBANS was evaluated for patients with a diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE; n = 51) and other epilepsy patients (non-TLE, n = 47) in comparison to published norms. Multivariate analysis of variance compared group performances on RBANS indices. Rates of impairment were also compared across groups using cutoff scores of ≤1.0 and ≤1.5 standard deviations below the normative mean. Exploratory hierarchical regressions were used to examine the relations between epilepsy severity factors (i.e., age of onset, disease duration, and number of antiepileptic drugs [AEDs]) and RBANS performance.ResultsTLE and non-TLE patients performed below the normative sample across all RBANS indices. Those with TLE performed worse than non-TLE patients on the Immediate and Delayed Memory indices and exhibited higher rates of general cognitive impairment. Number of AEDs was the only epilepsy severity factor that significantly predicted RBANS total performance, accounting for 14% of the variance.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the RBANS has utility in evaluating cognition in patients with epilepsy and can differentiate TLE and non-TLE patients. Additionally, number of AEDs appears to be associated with global cognitive performance in adults with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a relatively prevalent neurological condition affecting individuals from all age groups. Although the condition is generally defined by the development of recurrent seizures, there is increasing recognition that disturbances in cognitive and behavioral functioning are also important features of the disorder with the potential of having an equivalent, if not greater, effect on quality of life than seizures. The diagnosis of epilepsy is generally based on electroencephalographic studies. The cognitive effects of epilepsy will vary according to the type of seizures and underlying epilepsy syndrome. Epilepsy is treated most successfully through pharmacologic management, although 30 percent of individuals will not respond to standard treatment. The approach to cognitive assessment will depend on the type of setting, with some test batteries designed to characterize functional strengths and weaknesses, whereas others are focused on providing localizing information and measures of baseline functioning prior to surgery. Behavioral treatments have been less successful for treatment of seizures than for comorbid conditions such as anxiety disorder or depression. Much less is known about the effects of cognitive remediation for treatment of cognitive disorders in patients with epilepsy. This chapter discusses some of the more common underlying pathological substrates and clinical features of epilepsy. The role of neuropsychology in assessing patients with epilepsy is reviewed, with particular consideration for different measurement tools and their contribution to diagnosis, localization/lateralization of seizure activity, and treatment planning. Finally, current controversies and emerging areas of study in the field of epilepsy research are highlighted.

This paper describes 10 core features of a neuropsychological assessment with the aim of helping neurologists understand the unique contribution the evaluation can make within the wider context of diagnostic methods in epilepsy. The possibilities, limitations and cautions associated with the investigation are discussed under the following headings. (1) A neuropsychological assessment is a collaborative investigation. (2) Assessment prior to treatment allows for the accurate assessment of treatment effects. (3) The nature of an underlying lesion and its neurodevelopmental context play an important role in shaping the associated neuropsychological deficit. (4) Cognitive and behavioural impairments result from the essential comorbidities of epilepsy which can be considered as much a disorder of cognition and behaviour as of seizures. (5) Patients' subjective complaints can help us understand objective cognitive impairments and their underlying neuroanatomy, resulting in improved patient care. At other times, patient complaints reflect other factors and require careful interpretation. (6) The results from a neuropsychological assessment can be used to maximize the educational and occupational potentials of people with epilepsy. (7) Not all patients are able to engage with a neuropsychological assessment. (8) There are limitations in assessments conducted in a second language with tests that have been standardized on different populations from that of the patient. (9) Adequate intervals between assessments maximize sensitivity to meaningful change. (10) Patients should be fully informed about the purpose of the assessment and have realistic expectations of the outcome prior to referral.

Background: The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool–3 (SCAT3) facilitates sideline clinical assessments of concussed athletes. Yet, there is little published research on clinically relevant metrics for the SCAT3 as a whole. Purpose: We documented the psychometric properties of the major SCAT3 components (symptoms, cognition, balance) and derived clinical decision criteria (ie, reliable change score cutoffs and normative conversation tables) for clinicians to apply to cases with and without available preinjury baseline data. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: High school and collegiate athletes (N = 2018) completed preseason baseline evaluations including the SCAT3. Re-evaluations of 166 injured athletes and 164 noninjured controls were performed within 24 hours of injury and at 8, 15, and 45 days after injury. Analyses focused on predictors of baseline performance, test-retest reliability, and sensitivity and specificity of the SCAT3 using either single postinjury cutoffs or reliable change index (RCI) criteria derived from this sample. Results: Athlete sex, level of competition, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disability (LD), and estimated verbal intellectual ability (but not concussion history) were associated with baseline scores on ≥1 SCAT3 components (small to moderate effect sizes). Female sex, high school level of competition (vs college), and ADHD were associated with higher baseline symptom ratings ( d = 0.25-0.32). Male sex, ADHD, and LD were associated with lower baseline Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) scores ( d = 0.28-0.68). Male sex, high school level of competition, ADHD, and LD were associated with poorer baseline Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) performance ( d = 0.14-0.26). After injury, the symptom checklist manifested the largest effect size at the 24-hour assessment ( d = 1.52), with group differences diminished but statistically significant at day 8 ( d = 0.39) and nonsignificant at day 15. Effect sizes for the SAC and BESS were small to moderate at 24 hours (SAC: d = −0.36; modified BESS: d = 0.46; full BESS: d = 0.51) and became nonsignificant at day 8 (SAC) and day 15 (BESS). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated a stronger discrimination for symptoms (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.86) than cognitive and balance measures (AUCs = 0.58 and 0.62, respectively), with comparable discrimination of each SCAT3 component using postinjury scores alone versus baseline-adjusted scores ( P = .71-.90). Normative conversion tables and RCI criteria were created to facilitate the use of the SCAT3 both with and without baseline test results. Conclusion: Individual predictors should be taken into account when interpreting the SCAT3. The normative conversion tables and RCIs presented can be used to help interpret concussed athletes’ performance both with and without baseline data, given the comparability of the 2 interpretative approaches.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) may be a distinct syndrome from TLE with mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS). Imaging and neuropsychological features of TLE-MTS are well-known; yet, these features are only beginning to be described in MRI-negative TLE. This study examined whether a quantitative measure of cortical gray and white matter blurring (GWB) was elevated in the temporal lobes ipsilateral to the seizure onset zone of individuals with MRI-negative TLE relative to TLE-MTS and healthy controls (HCs) and whether GWB elevations were associated with neuropsychological comorbidity. Gray–white matter blurring from 34 cortical regions and hippocampal volumes were quantified and compared across 28 people with MRI-negative TLE, 15 people with TLE-MTS, and 51 HCs. Declarative memory was assessed with standard neuropsychological tests and the intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP). In the group with MRI-negative TLE (left and right onsets combined), hippocampal volumes were within normal range but GWB was elevated, relative to HCs, across several mesial and lateral temporal lobe regions ipsilateral to the seizure onset zone. Gray–white matter blurring did not differ between the groups with TLE-MTS and HC or between the groups with TLE-MTS and MRI-negative TLE. The group with MRI-negative TLE could not be distinguished from the group with TLE-MTS on any of the standard neuropsychological tests; however, ipsilateral hippocampal volumes and IAP memory scores were lower in the group with TLE-MTS than in the group with MRI-negative TLE. The group with left MRI-negative TLE had lower general cognitive abilities and verbal fluency relative to the HC group, which adds to the characterization of neuropsychological comorbidities in left MRI-negative TLE. In addition, ipsilateral IAP memory performance was reduced relative to contralateral memory performance in MRI-negative TLE, indicating some degree of ipsilateral memory dysfunction. There was no relationship between hippocampal volume and IAP memory scores in MRI-negative TLE; however, decreased ipsilateral IAP memory scores were correlated with elevated GWB in the ipsilateral superior temporal sulcus of people with left MRI-negative TLE. In sum, GWB elevations in the ipsilateral temporal lobe of people with MRI-negative TLE suggest that GWB may serve as a marker for reduced structural integrity in regions in or near the seizure onset zone. Although mesial temporal abnormalities might be the major driver of memory dysfunction in TLE-MTS, a loss of structural integrity in lateral temporal lobe regions may contribute to IAP memory dysfunction in MRI-negative TLE.

Neurodegenerative conditions associated with sports participation have been described in the medical literature for nearly 100 years with the initial studies focusing on retired boxers. Over the past 15 years, similar conditions have been described in athletes participating in other contact sports, with an emphasis on retired football players. It is claimed that exposure to repetitive head impacts in these former athletes leads to a condition that is now known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is characterized as a progressive tauopathy associated with specific patterns of clinical and neuropathological changes that are distinct from other neurodegenerative conditions. Media coverage and public reaction to the topic of CTE have advanced beyond scientific evidence supporting its existence and the scope of its occurrence. To date, no studies have established the prevalence of CTE. The proposed link to repetitive head impact remains speculative, and studies aimed at establishing clinical criteria for making a diagnosis in living subjects remain at preliminary stages. The theme of this chapter is that the science of CTE remains in its infancy with a need to extend the scope of study of its alleged effects, including suicide and violence, beyond explanations limited to its underlying neuropathology.

As a 10-year follow up to our original study (Rabin, Barr, & Burton, 2005), we surveyed the test usage patterns of clinical neuropsychologists in the U.S and Canada. We expanded the original questionnaire to include additional cognitive and functional domains and to address current practice-related issues. Participants were randomly selected from the combined membership lists of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the International Neuropsychological Society. Respondents were 512 doctorate-level members (25% usable response rate; 54% women) who had been practicing neuropsychology for 15 years on average. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, followed by the Wechsler Memory Scales, Trail Making Test, California Verbal Learning Test, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, were the most commonly used tests. These top five responses were identical and in the same order as those from 10 years ago. Participants respectively identified a lack of ecological validity and difficulty comparing the meaning of standardized scores across tests as the greatest challenges associated with the selection of neuropsychological instruments and interpretation of test data. Overall, we found great consistency in assessment practices over the 10-year period. We compare results to those of previous studies and discuss challenges and implications for neuropsychology.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated how attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disability (LD) are associated with concussion history and performance on standard concussion assessment measures. Based on previous reports that developmental disorders are associated with increased injury proneness and poorer cognitive performance, we anticipated that ADHD and LD would be associated with increased history of concussion and poorer baseline performance on assessment measures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Clinical research center. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample aggregated data from two separate projects: the National Collegiate Athletic Association Concussion Study and Project Sideline. INTERVENTIONS: We analyzed preseason baseline data from 8056 high school and collegiate athletes (predominantly male football players) enrolled in prior studies of sport-related concussion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures included demographic/health history, symptoms, and cognitive performance. RESULTS: Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and LD were associated with 2.93 and 2.08 times the prevalence, respectively, of 3+ historical concussions (for comorbid ADHD/LD the prevalence ratio was 3.38). In players without histories of concussion, individuals with ADHD reported more baseline symptoms, and ADHD and LD were associated with poorer performance on baseline cognitive tests. Interactive effects were present between ADHD/LD status and concussion history for self-reported symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Neurodevelopmental disorders and concussion history should be jointly considered in evaluating concussed players. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical judgments of self-reported symptoms and cognitive performance should be adjusted based on athletes' individual preinjury baselines or comparison with appropriate normative samples. Language: en

Younger age has been hypothesized to be a risk factor for prolonged recovery after sport-related concussion, yet few studies have directly evaluated age differences in acute recovery.Context: To compare clinical recovery patterns for high school and collegiate athletes.Objective: Prospective cohort study.Design: Large, multicenter prospective sample collected from 1999–2003 in a sports medicine setting.Setting: Concussed athletes (n = 621; 545 males and 76 females) and uninjured controls (n = 150) participating in high school and collegiate contact and collision sports (79% in football, 15.7% in soccer, and the remainder in lacrosse or ice hockey).Subjects: Participants underwent evaluation of symptoms (Graded Symptom Checklist), cognition (Standardized Assessment of Concussion, paper-and-pencil neuropsychological tests), and postural stability (Balance Error Scoring System). Athletes were evaluated preinjury and followed serially at several time points after concussive injury: immediately, 3 hours postinjury, and at days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 45 or 90 (with neuropsychological measures administered at baseline and 3 postinjury time points).Main Outcome Measure(s): Comparisons of concussed high school and collegiate athletes with uninjured controls suggested that high school athletes took 1 to 2 days longer to recover on a cognitive (Standardized Assessment of Concussion) measure. Comparisons with the control group on other measures (symptoms, balance) as well as direct comparisons between concussed high school and collegiate samples revealed no differences in the recovery courses between the high school and collegiate groups on any measure. Group-level recovery occurred at or before 7 days postinjury on all assessment metrics.Results: The findings suggest no clinically significant age differences exist in recovery after sport-related concussion, and therefore, separate injury-management protocols are not needed for high school and collegiate athletes.Conclusions

Surface-based cortical thickness (CT) analyses are increasingly being used to investigate variations in brain morphology across the spectrum of brain health, from neurotypical to neuropathological. An outstanding question is whether individual differences in cortical morphology, such as regionally increased or decreased CT, are associated with domain-specific performance deficits in healthy adults. Since CT studies are correlational, they cannot establish causality between brain morphology and cognitive performance. A direct comparison with classic lesion methods is needed to determine whether the regional specificity of CT-cognition correlations is similar to that observed in patients with brain lesions. We address this question by comparing the neuroanatomical overlap of effects when 1) whole brain vertex-wise CT is tested as a correlate of performance variability on a commonly used neuropsychological test of executive function, Trailmaking Test Part B (TMT-B), in healthy adults and 2) voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VBLSM) is used to map lesion location to performance decrements on the same task in patients with frontal lobe lesions. We found that reduced performance on the TMT-B was associated with increased CT in bilateral prefrontal regions in healthy adults and that results spatially overlapped in the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex with findings from the VBLSM analysis in patients with frontal brain lesions. Findings indicate that variations in the structural integrity of the left dorsomedial prefrontal lobe, ranging from individual CT differences in healthy adults to structural lesions in patients with neurological disorders, are associated with poor performance on the TMT-B. These converging results suggest that the left dorsomedial prefrontal region houses a critical region for the complex processing demands of TMT-B, which include visuomotor tracking, sequencing, and cognitive flexibility.

International audience; The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Diagnostic Methods Commission charged the Neuropsychology Task Force with the job of developing a set of recommendations to address the following questions: (1) What is the role of a neuropsychological assessment? (2) Who should do a neuropsychological assessment? (3) When should people with epilepsy be referred for a neuropsychological assessment? and (4) What should be expected from a neuropsychological assessment? The recommendations have been broadly written for health care clinicians in established epilepsy settings as well as those setting up new services. They are based on a detailed survey of neuropsychological assessment practices across international epilepsy centers, and formal ranking of specific recommendations for advancing clinical epilepsy care generated by specialist epilepsy neuropsychologists from around the world. They also incorporate the latest research findings to establish minimum standards for training and practice, reflecting the many roles of neuropsychological assessment in the routine care of children and adults with epilepsy. The recommendations endorse routine screening of cognition, mood, and behavior in new-onset epilepsy, and describe the range of situations when more detailed, formal neuropsychological assessment is indicated. They identify a core set of cognitive and psychological domains that should be assessed to provide an objective account of an individual's cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial functioning, including factors likely contributing to deficits identified on qualitative and quantitative examination. The recommendations also endorse routine provision of feedback to patients, families, and clinicians about the implications of the assessment results, including specific clinical recommendations of what can be done to improve a patient's cognitive or psychosocial functioning and alleviate the distress of any difficulties identified. By canvassing the breadth and depth of scope of neuropsychological assessment, this report demonstrates the pivotal role played by this noninvasive and minimally resource intensive investigation in the care of people with epilepsy.

SummaryObjective For patients with medically intractable focal epilepsy, the benefit of epilepsy surgery must be weighed against the risk of cognitive decline. Clinical factors such as age and presurgical cognitive level partially predict cognitive outcome; yet, little is known about the role of cross-hemispheric white matter pathways in supporting postsurgical recovery of cognitive function. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the presurgical corpus callosum (CC) midsagittal area is associated with pre- to postsurgical change following epilepsy surgery. Methods In this observational study, we retrospectively identified 24 adult patients from an epilepsy resection series who completed preoperative high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, as well as pre- and postsurgical neuropsychological testing. The total area and seven subregional areas of the CC were measured on the midsagittal MRI slice using an automated method. Standardized indices of auditory-verbal working memory and delayed memory were used to probe cognitive change from pre- to postsurgery. CC total and subregional areas were regressed on memory-change scores, after controlling for overall brain volume, age, presurgical memory scores, and duration of epilepsy. Results Patients had significantly reduced CC area relative to healthy controls. We found a positive relationship between CC area and change in working memory, but not delayed memory; specifically, the larger the CC, the greater the postsurgical improvement in working memory (β = 0.523; p = 0.009). Effects were strongest in posterior CC subregions. There was no relationship between CC area and presurgical memory scores. Significance Findings indicate that larger CC area, measured presurgically, is related to improvement in working memory abilities following epilepsy surgery. This suggests that transcallosal pathways may play an important, yet little understood, role in postsurgical recovery of cognitive functions.