Category rule learning was examined in two amnesic patients using the perceptual categorization task (e.g., Ashby & Gott, 1988; Filoteo & Maddox, 1999). Traditional accuracy-based analyses as well as quantitative model-based analyses were performed. Unlike accuracy-based analyses, the model-based approach allowed us to examine both categorization rule learning and variability in the trial-by-trial application of the participant's categorization rule. The results indicated that the amnesic patients were as accurate as the controls in learning a complex, nonlinear rule over a large number of trials. The model-based analysis indicated that, in general, the amnesic patients learned the categorization rule as well as controls and applied their rule as consistently as controls. Categorization performance on a second day of testing revealed that amnesic patients can retain the categorization rule over a 24-h period. These results suggest that the brain regions damaged in amnesia are not involved in category learning or memory for the category structures. (JINS, 2001, 7, 1–19.)

We evaluated auditory working memory in 41 HIV-seropositive (HIV+) and 37 HIV-seronegative (HIV−) male drug users, employing a modified version of the Letter-Number Span Task developed by Gold and colleagues. We added a control condition to the standard task in order to evaluate more directly the contribution of the processing component to the working memory deficits with the effects of storage demands minimized. HIV+ subjects performed significantly more poorly compared to controls on an index of working memory processing derived from raw scores obtained under the two testing conditions. These findings are consistent with our previous reports that HIV-related working memory deficits are evident across multiple informational domains; further, the deficit appears to involve multiple-component functions of working memory. Converging findings from recent working memory studies and from primate and neuroimaging investigations suggest that functional abnormalities of prefrontal cortex should receive greater emphasis in models of neurocognitive aspects of HIV-1 infection, which have typically emphasized “subcortical” deficits. (JINS, 2001, 7, 20–26.)

This study examined the treatment outcome of high-dose (1500 mg/day) zidovudine (AZT) on neuropsychological (NP) functioning (Trailmaking Test A & B, WAIS-R Digit Symbol, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) across a 12-month period in mildly symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive men (n = 46 at entry) enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (VA Cooperative Studies Program #298). Neither short-term (0–6 months) nor long-term (0–12 months) AZT administration revealed enhancement in NP performance. The results suggest that, although AZT may afford patients prophylactic benefits, protracted high-dose AZT treatment does not improve NP functioning in mildly symptomatic HIV-positive individuals. (JINS, 2001, 7, 27–32)

The study investigated longitudinal change in cognitive function in 87 patients with Huntington's disease (HD), using a range of neuropsychological tests, which tap mental manipulative abilities, memory, and frontal executive skills. Over a 1-year period the largest changes were noted in letter fluency, object recall, and Stroop Test performance, whereas no changes were noted over more than 3 years on the modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Contrary to expectation, greater change was evident over 1 year for tasks with low compared to high cognitive demands. The differential sensitivity of tasks was attributed in part to inherent characteristics of the tests themselves: their capacity to detect minor gradations of change and their vulnerability to practice effects. However, the greater change for relatively automatic, speed-based tasks with low cognitive demands was interpreted as reflecting the evolution of HD, with a greater magnitude of change occurring in basal ganglia than cortical function. One purpose of the study was to identify tasks sensitive to the progression of HD and hence most suitable for the evaluation of therapies. Despite reaching statistical significance by virtue of the large group size, numerical differences in test scores over 1 year were very small, suggesting that the use of such tests to evaluate change in individuals or small groups of subjects would be problematic. The data highlight the slow progression of HD, the limitations of standard cognitive tests in detecting change over short periods, and the need for therapeutic studies that encompass a relatively prolonged time frame. (JINS, 2001, 7, 33–44.)

Forty-one boys diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) were each compared to an unaffected sibling on a battery of neuropsychological tests. Verbal, visuospatial, attention/memory, abstract thinking, and academic achievement skills were tested. Results indicated the boys with DMD performed similarly to their siblings on the majority of measures, indicating intact verbal, visuospatial, long-term memory, and abstract skills. However, the DMD group did significantly more poorly than their siblings on specific measures of story recall, digit span, and auditory comprehension, as well as in all areas of academic achievement (reading, writing, and math). This profile indicates that verbal working memory skills are selectively impaired in DMD, and that that likely contributes to limited academic achievement. The association between the known impact of the genetic mutation on the development of the central nervous system and boys' cognitive profile is discussed. (JINS, 2001, 7, 45–54.)

We have recently reported (Saykin et al., 1999b) selective activation of left medial temporal lobe structures during processing of novel compared to familiar words using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The current study describes the relationship between a widely used clinical test of verbal learning, the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), and the previously reported fMRI activations. Thirteen right-handed healthy adult participants were studied with whole brain echo-planar fMRI while listening to novel and recently learned (familiar) words intermixed pseudorandomly in an event-related design. These participants were also tested with the CVLT. Scores for CVLT Trial 1 (immediate encoding of novel words) and recognition discriminability (recognition of familiar vs. novel words) were correlated with fMRI signal change during processing of novel versus familiar words using a covariance model implemented in SPM96. For the novel words analysis, voxels in the right anterior hippocampus correlated significantly with Trial 1 (r = .76 at the maxima). For the recognition analysis, a significant cluster of voxels was found in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (r = .88 at the maxima). Our prior results of separable left medial temporal activation to novel and familiar words, together with results of the covariance analyses reported here, suggest that in addition to the left medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions that are engaged during novel and familiar word processing, the right hippocampus and right frontal lobe are also involved, particularly in those participants with better memory ability. This positive relationship between fMRI activation and CVLT performance suggests a role for these right hemisphere regions in successful memory processing of verbal material, perhaps reflecting more efficient encoding and retrieval strategies that facilitate memory. (JINS, 2001, 7, 55–62.)

Fifty-three volunteer participants were studied with the fade-in task (Ostergaard, 1998) to measure naming latency, word priming, and recognition-memory performance, and with morphometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to measure volumes of mesial temporal lobe, diencephalic, striatal, and neocortical structures. The relationship between measures of cerebral volume loss and performance deficits was modeled using simultaneous regression analyses in which the behavioral measures were dependent variables. The results suggested that damage in both hippocampal and amygdala/entorhinal areas as well as damage in the diencephalon and the nucleus accumbens all contributed independently to the severity of recognition-memory deficits. Both caudate nucleus damage and hippocampal damage contributed independently to increased naming latency (slowed single-word reading). Finally, only damage in the hippocampus appeared to result in decreased word priming. These results provide further evidence against the assertion that word priming represents a form of memory unaffected by damage to the mesial temporal lobes. (JINS, 2001, 7, 63–78.)

Previous research has examined age effects in rates of forgetting at short delay intervals of 20–30 min. The present study examined age effects in three verbal memory tasks at longer delay intervals of up to 62 days. Study participants consisted of 371 community-dwelling men and women comprising three age groups 20–39, 40–59, and 60–79 years. Age differences in acquisition and 20-min delayed recall were found on each of the memory tasks (paragraph, word list, and word pairs). However, all age groups showed equivalent rates of forgetting after this short delay interval. When participants were required to retain information for longer delay intervals (i.e., 1–62 days), increasing age was associated with faster rates of forgetting for day 1, but not over longer delay intervals. Age differences in rates of forgetting for longer delay intervals and the facilitating effects of prompted recall are discussed in terms of encoding and storage versus retrieval processes. (JINS, 2001, 7, 79–91.)

In the clinical setting, Huntington's disease is associated with problems in judgment and decision making, however, the extent of these problems and their association with clinical characteristics have not been assessed. Recently, a laboratory-based simulated gambling task has been used to quantify similar decision-making deficits in ventromedial frontal lobe damaged participants. We hypothesized that participants with Huntington's disease (HD) would show deficits on this gambling task. For this study, 14 HD participants were asked to make 100 selections from four decks of cards with varied payoffs in order to maximize winnings of play money. They were compared to 22 participants with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 33 healthy controls. After an initial period in which participants had to learn contingencies of the decks, the HD group made fewer advantageous selections than the PD and control groups. In HD, the number of advantageous selections in the gambling task was correlated with measures of memory and conceptualization but not disinhibition. Thus, people with HD may have had difficulties learning or remembering win/loss contingencies of the decks, or they may have failed to consistently take these into account in their card selections. These findings are consistent with current models of frontal-subcortical brain circuits and behavior. (JINS, 2001, 7, 92–101.)

This study assessed two relevant aspects of executive dysfunction in children with either Tourette syndrome (TS) or ADHD. Process variables derived from existing neuropsychological measures were used to clarify the executive function construct. Clustering of responses on measures of verbal fluency, figural fluency, and verbal learning was examined to assess strategic response organization. Rule breaks, intrusions, and repetition errors were recorded to assess inhibition errors. No significant differences were found among the three groups (TS, ADHD, and controls) on tasks of response organization (clustering). In our sample, both the ADHD and the TS groups were largely free from executive function impairment, and their performance on the fluency and list learning tasks was in the average range. There was a significant group difference on one of the disinhibition variables, with both TS and ADHD groups showing significantly more intrusions on verbal list learning trials than controls. When more traditional total score variables were analyzed among the three groups, there were no significant differences; however, analysis of effect size revealed medium-to-large effect sizes for Letter Word Fluency total score differences (ADHD vs. controls), and for Semantic Word Fluency total score differences (ADHD vs. TS), with the ADHD group having weaker performance in both comparisons. Results provide some support for the use and analysis of process variables—particularly those related to inhibition and intrusion errors, in addition to the total score variables when assessing executive function deficits in children with ADHD and TS. While group differences may be found, children with uncomplicated TS should not routinely be considered to have significant executive function impairments, and when deficits are found, they may be attributable to other comorbid disorders. (JINS, 2001, 7, 102–111.)

Global and widespread cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions have been documented in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (CHPAE). In addition to further exploring explicit-memory functioning in this population, recent investigations have creatively looked into implicit-memory functions by testing the ability of CHPAE to perform priming (Mattson & Riley, 1999) or skill-learning (Carmichael Olson et al., 1998; Sampson et al., 1997) tasks. These empirical efforts have been supported by recent studies which have linked prenatal alcohol exposure to disproportionate volumetric reductions in subcortical structures such as the basal ganglia (Mattson et al., 1994) and cerebellum (Cavanagh et al., 1997), two structures that have been shown to be actively involved in implicit memory (Doyon et al., 1997, 1998; Heindel et al., 1989; Rauch et al., 1997). In each case, a profile of preserved implicit and impaired explicit-memory functioning has emerged. In the skill-learning domain, for example, participants were required to complete four blocks of 100 trials of the serial reaction time (SRT) task in which participants have to press the button which corresponds to the light that is illuminated, and in which there is an embedded sequence of ten positions that is repeatedly presented throughout blocks of trials. On the latter task, both studies indicated that CHPAE children tended to have longer mean response times than controls, but that their learning profile did not differ across the four blocks of trials.

The editors of this book present rehabilitation after brain injury in the context of a model labeled the “neurologic rehabilitation model”. The model is based on a careful functional diagnosis in the context of neurological syndromes, on prognosis, and on treatment planning. The importance of functional diagnosis cannot be emphasized enough. It constitutes a base of treatment planning and prognosis and I was very happy to read a textbook using functional diagnosis. Unfortunately, I got somewhat confused. From my point of view as a neuropsychologist, functional descriptions are mixed with terms of localizing value. The authors have chosen an uncommon way to present focal cognitive, emotional, or executive disturbances within the context of different etiologies, e.g., Wernicke's aphasia and neglect are presented as specific stroke syndromes. They very often are, but certainly not always. Specific neurological deficits are presented with regard to prognosis and likelihood for impairment. Treatment studies are reviewed. The neurologic rehabilitation model treats deficits in an “egalitarian way,” mixing sensory, motor, and cognitive problems.

The relatively recent advent of computer-based technologies such as information on the web and CD-ROM storage mediums have opened up a new arena for the presentation of educational materials in the sciences. While the possibilities for what can be presented are almost endless, the reality generally has been less successful. In Essential Psychopharmacology, the author has made a commendable effort at presenting materials from his fine textbook of the same name in a stimulating, graphic-intensive fashion.

This book, based on over two decades of research conducted by Robinson and colleagues, is primarily about poststroke emotional sequelae. Major topics include depression, mania, and anxiety, each organized by chapter headings and similar chapter subheadings. Robinson defines each emotional problem, explains how it is diagnosed, compares it to brain–behavior relationships, and recommends treatment, all the while weaving an empirical foundation that matches interpretations and ideas with results. The fabric of this foundation consists mainly of Robinson's collective research. Case histories sprinkled throughout capture the essence of his remarks, bringing them to life for the reader. Contributions of his predecessors are reported as an historical base. As a result, Robinson brings under one cover the wealth of knowledge and information we currently have on the subject of emotional disorders following vascular brain injury.

Far too few books are devoted to family reactions to brain injury. At best, chapters in neuropsychological rehabilitation books have examined this area, albeit mostly from a family support perspective (e.g., counseling, education, and family training). Harder to come by, however, are books concerned with family therapy, where treatment goals include bringing about behavioral change in a disturbed family unit by essentially psychological methods. This book attempts to do just that—synthesize family therapy principles and apply them specifically to traumatic brain injury and degenerative dementia.

The most compelling reason for studying the neuropsychology of aging is the fact that there are so many more people who are elderly. Worldwide average life expectancy has already increased more in the past 100 years than in the previous 2000 years, due mainly to public health advances which are consequently fueling a rapid population growth of the elderly. Gerontology (the study of aging) and Geriatrics (health care for the elderly) are expanding disciplines and will continue offering career and service opportunities to the increasing number people who are interested in answering the questions and addressing the problems of aging.

Yes, that is the Horace Magoun who, with the distinguished neurophysiologist Louise Marshall, has produced a treasure trove of stories about the founders, foundations, and development of contemporary brain science. While large enough (8½″ × 11½″) and with enough interesting pictures that it can serve as a coffee table conversation piece, this book brings research and investigators to life in a lively, conversational text that should be fully accessible to entering college students and fully interesting to mature neuroscientists. This is the kind of book which, if available to young people interested in a scientific or science-based career, could easily attract them to the neurosciences. This is not to say that the book is simplistic; rather it is rich in the truly interesting stories, studies, and pictorial stuff of neuroscience that reminds those of us in the field why we were drawn to brain studies in the first place.

The Handbook of the Aging Brain is a broad and encompassing handbook resource that contains research findings on how brain substrate changes with age and how these molecular and biochemical changes affect behavior and cognition in the elderly. The book contains 16 independent chapters that attempt to integrate an impressive growing knowledge on normal, abnormal, and even successful neural aging. It includes a broad spectrum of research encompassing molecular, morphological, neuropathological, and neuropsychological patterns in later life. Each chapter is written by acknowledged experts who are currently engaged as active researchers in their respective topic areas. Although the chapters have an informative nature and their readability is outstanding, the editorial work is fairly poor. No unifying themes between the chapters were orchestrated. The editors could have organized the book into sections and could have made comments as an attempt to tie together the various chapters or topics, and build chapters based upon the information provided in the preceding one. Instead, the reader is left to do this exercise on his own, and I have attempted to do so in this review.