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Title: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and cognitive dysfunction.
Creator: Nash, Stacey S., Florida Atlantic University, Bressler, Steven L., Kersten, Alan
Abstract/Description: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a metabolic disorder arising from pancreatic dysfunction. For survival, a diabetic must rely upon an exogenous source of insulin to ensure cellular health. Hypoglycemia is a condition that may arise in IDDM patients in which more insulin than glucose is present in the body. Chronic, severe occurrences of this condition have been speculated to incur memory impairment in diabetics. This experiment sought to determine if diabetics performed...
Show moreInsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a metabolic disorder arising from pancreatic dysfunction. For survival, a diabetic must rely upon an exogenous source of insulin to ensure cellular health. Hypoglycemia is a condition that may arise in IDDM patients in which more insulin than glucose is present in the body. Chronic, severe occurrences of this condition have been speculated to incur memory impairment in diabetics. This experiment sought to determine if diabetics performed differently from a non-diabetic population on a delayed matching memory task, and also if those diabetics experiencing hypoglycemia performed more poorly than other diabetics on this task. It was found that IDDM patients do not perform differently from non-diabetics on a matching task, and most diabetics did not perform more poorly than other patients on the same task. One diabetic experiencing severe, chronic hypoglycemia performed more poorly than other experiment participants, suggesting that hypoglycemia may, in fact, be related to memory impairment on this delayed matching task.
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Date Issued: 2002
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12922
Subject Headings: Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Cognition disorders
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Electroencephalography in children with autism.
Creator: Lucas, Nikola N., Jones, Nancy Aaron, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by deficits involving social interaction, communication, and perception. Although there is much research that has examined functional neural connectivity in individuals with autism, few have conducted these studies in very young children while awake across EEG power and coherence measures. Anomalies in EEG coherence and power have been associated with deficits in executive function and mental activity. The present study examined...
Show moreAutism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by deficits involving social interaction, communication, and perception. Although there is much research that has examined functional neural connectivity in individuals with autism, few have conducted these studies in very young children while awake across EEG power and coherence measures. Anomalies in EEG coherence and power have been associated with deficits in executive function and mental activity. The present study examined neural activation and functional connectivity with an EEG, in children ages 3 -5, during an eyesclosed baseline period. Discrete Fourier Transform was performed on artifact-free segments of EEG data to produce power density values. In addition, coherence measurements were examined to assess functional connectivity in the alpha bandwidth during the baseline recording. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrated reduced alpha coherence in fronto-temporal regions and between right temporal sites when compared to typically developing (TD) children. In addition, the reduction in coherence was based on ASD severity, such that high-functioning children with ASD showed greater coherence than low-functioning children with ASD. Children with ASD also displayed reduced power in the alpha, beta, and theta frequency bandwidths in frontal, temporal, central, and occipital regions compared to TD children. Interestingly, delta power differentiated children based on developmental status such that high-functioning children with ASD demonstrated the greatest delta power, followed by TD children, and then low-functioning children with ASD. Finally, TD children demonstrated left anterior temporal EEG asymmetry in the alpha bandwidth, whereas children with high-functioning ASD exhibited left posterior temporal EEG asymmetry and right frontal EEG asymmetry. Thus, the results suggest that children with ASD exhibit atypical patterns of brain activity and functional connectivity compared to their typically developing counterparts.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004034
Subject Headings: Autism in children -- Research, Autism spectrum disorders, Cognition disorders in children, Cognitive neuroscience, Electroencephalography -- Therapeutic use
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Using the symbolic expression of sand tray to kinesthetically connect to the inner cognitions of individuals diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder.
Creator: Parsons, Mindy A., Peluso, Paul R., College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
Abstract/Description: This qualitative case study investigated the impact of sand tray on individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Four participants successfully completed the creation of sand trays while the researcher observed, interviewed, and documented the individual sand trays. The intervention established that sand tray allows the dementia patient to kinesthetically connect to their inner cognitions through the intentional symbolic expression offered by this unique therapeutic...
Show moreThis qualitative case study investigated the impact of sand tray on individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Four participants successfully completed the creation of sand trays while the researcher observed, interviewed, and documented the individual sand trays. The intervention established that sand tray allows the dementia patient to kinesthetically connect to their inner cognitions through the intentional symbolic expression offered by this unique therapeutic medium. Using a series of eight sand trays of varying thematic concepts, the participants were offered a modality to facilitate a synthesization of their continued individuation, presenting a possible neural pathway to connect and express thoughts, feelings, emotions, concerns, challenges, and fears. The findings of this study include the fact that all trays were classified as “empty” and that the majority of the participants placed objects almost exclusively on the right side of the tray, which is commonly associated with the concreteor conscious side. The use of sand tray allowed each individual the opportunity to create autobiographies in the sand and literally navigate through time – past, present, and future, confronting fears, expressing hope and possibilities. The results of the research study offer insight into the psychotherapeutic effects of using sand tray with dementia patients, as well as a better understanding of the cognitive and expressive abilities and limitations of an individual with impaired memory. The results also offer insight into the difficulties with short-term memory in this population and possibly indicate a potential means for monitoring cognitive decline. Keywords: Neurocognitive disorder, Alzheimer’s, dementia, sand tray, play therapy
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004043
Subject Headings: Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment, Cognition disorders -- Treatment, Cognitive psychology, Play therapy, Psychodiagnostics, Sandplay -- Therapeutic use
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Using WatchMinder to increase the on-task behavior of students with autism spectrum disorder.
Creator: Finn, Lisa., College of Education, Department of Exceptional Student Education
Abstract/Description: In this study the effectiveness of WatchMinderTM, a vibrating prompt watch, was examined as a component of a self-monitoring intervention package to help students with autism increase on-task behavior during independent seatwork. A multitude of literature since the 1970s has suggested that self-monitoring interventions are integral in increasing task engagement. Tactile prompting devices are a new aspect of self-monitoring interventions, and the limited research has shown that these...
Show moreIn this study the effectiveness of WatchMinderTM, a vibrating prompt watch, was examined as a component of a self-monitoring intervention package to help students with autism increase on-task behavior during independent seatwork. A multitude of literature since the 1970s has suggested that self-monitoring interventions are integral in increasing task engagement. Tactile prompting devices are a new aspect of self-monitoring interventions, and the limited research has shown that these unobtrusive devices are effective for providing feedback to monitor their behavior. Self-graphing is another component of self-monitoring interventions that has received little attention in the literature. However, many studies recognize the importance for individuals to be active participants in their educational programs by analyzing progress and being a part of the decision making process. This study assessed the use of WatchMinder and self-graphing on the on-task behavior of four elementary students with autism in the special education setting.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3362336
Subject Headings: Autism spectrum disorders in children, Treatment, Autism spectrum disorders in children, Behavior modification, Behavior disorders in children, Treatment, Communication in education, Cognitive therapy, Methodology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Preserved and deficient calculation processes in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.
Creator: Jurado Noboa, Maria Beatriz., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: Two skills necessary for the execution of proficient calculation, retrieving arithmetic facts from memory and accessing number magnitude information, were studied in a group of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy controls to try to elucidate the locus of impairment in AD-related calculation deficits. This was achieved through the use of an arithmetic production task and a number-matching task as measures of explicit and implicit...
Show moreTwo skills necessary for the execution of proficient calculation, retrieving arithmetic facts from memory and accessing number magnitude information, were studied in a group of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy controls to try to elucidate the locus of impairment in AD-related calculation deficits. This was achieved through the use of an arithmetic production task and a number-matching task as measures of explicit and implicit retrieval of arithmetic facts, and a numerical Stroop task that assesses automatic access to number magnitude representation. AD patients, but not MCI patients, showed high response latencies and a high number of errors when performing multiplications in the production task, and reduced automatic retrieval of arithmetic task in the number-matching task. All participants showed the classic problem-size effect often reported in the mathematical cognition literature. Performance on the numerical Stroop task suggests that access to number magnitude information is relatively resistant to cognitive impairment. ... Results for the AD group are consistent with a pattern of preserved and impaired cognitive processes that might mediate the reported calculation deficits in AD.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3362384
Subject Headings: Aging, Psychological aspects, Cognitive psychology, Memory disorders in old age, Alzheimer's disease, Diagnosis, Context effects (Psychology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Age-related changes in executive function and the influence of processing speed.
Creator: Jurado Noboa, Maria Beatriz., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: Healthy aging has been associated with declines in executive functioning (EF) but it remains unclear how different subprocesses of EF are affected by age and by other possibly mediating variables. The principal aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of age and processing speed on three executive functions: set-shifting, planning, and attentional control. Four age groups (20-29 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80-89 years) were compared on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ...
Show moreHealthy aging has been associated with declines in executive functioning (EF) but it remains unclear how different subprocesses of EF are affected by age and by other possibly mediating variables. The principal aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of age and processing speed on three executive functions: set-shifting, planning, and attentional control. Four age groups (20-29 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80-89 years) were compared on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the DKEFS Tower Test, the Conner's Continuous Performance Test, and a Letter comparison test of processing speed. Results suggested that increased age was associated with decreased performance on most of the studied executive measures, but not all EF are equally affected by age. A slowdown in processing speed mediates some, but not all, decrements in executive performance. The results are interpreted in light of recent neuroimaging data on age-related changes in brain functioning.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/187213
Subject Headings: Aging, Psychological aspects, Cognitive psychology, Memory disorders in old age, Ability, Influence of age on, Context effects (Psychology), Cognition, Age factors
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Recognizing Functional Decline in Persons with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment).
Creator: Powers-Jarvis, Robin Story, Tappen, Ruth M., Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Although not all persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) go on to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD), MCI is recognized as an early stage of AD. The effects of AD are devastating to all concerned. Research has identified that recognition of AD in its earliest stages and institution of known treatment modalities can forestall the ultimate outcome. Identification of the first subtle signs of MCI can assist in the recognition of this prodromal phase, and allow for institution of therapy while...
Show moreAlthough not all persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) go on to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD), MCI is recognized as an early stage of AD. The effects of AD are devastating to all concerned. Research has identified that recognition of AD in its earliest stages and institution of known treatment modalities can forestall the ultimate outcome. Identification of the first subtle signs of MCI can assist in the recognition of this prodromal phase, and allow for institution of therapy while still in the initial stages. Unfortunately, the development of MCI is insidious in nature, thus making it difficult to detect. The purpose of this study was to identify areas of functional decline that occur in MCI in an effort to improve its early identification. A mixed-methods design that combined qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Fifty-three participants with memory complaints were interviewed using a semi structured interview technique with open-ended questions, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and a list of eighty-five items previously identified as indicative of functional decline. Twenty-nine persons were divided into two groups: 1) those identified as probable MCI (consensus diagnosis) (n=15) and possible MCI (based on screening examination) (n=14) and 2) those identified as Normal (no cognitive impairment) (n=10), and their subjective functional deficits compared. The findings suggest that there were certain areas of functional decline more commonly experienced by persons in the MCI group than by unimpaired. These include difficulty recalling details of information and forgetting conversations. There were also other changes identified, such as adaptations on the part of persons with MCI (an increased dependence on memory aids, for example, lists and calendars) and a dec rease in social activities leading to an increase in social isolation. Additionally identified were functional activities that appear to remain intact in persons with early MCI. This study highlights the subtlety with which MCI assaults the functional abilities of individuals, thus making its early identification problematic. The results of this study will contribute by providing information that will help professionals who are assessing persons experiencing memory issues for the possible presence of MCI. Additionally, it is hoped that these findings will assist in the development of a measurement tool designed to assess for possible MCI.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004536
Subject Headings: Alzheimer's disease -- Diagnosis, Amnestic mild cognitive impairment -- Diagnosis, Dementia -- Diagnosis, Memory disorders in old age -- Diagnosis, Mild cognitive impairment -- Diagnosis
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Effects of the relationship enhancement® program on social skills, empathy and social support for adults with autism spectrum disorders.
Creator: Cunningham, Alexandra, Sperry, Len, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
Abstract/Description: An important area of research is emerging for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with respect to the challenges they face in their social relationships. Social relationships include those that are romantic in nature such as dating, cohabitation and marriage. Researchers suggest that engaging in a healthy and happy romantic relationship has many physical and mental health benefits that contribute to improved quality of life. This study used a quasi-experimental group design...
Show moreAn important area of research is emerging for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with respect to the challenges they face in their social relationships. Social relationships include those that are romantic in nature such as dating, cohabitation and marriage. Researchers suggest that engaging in a healthy and happy romantic relationship has many physical and mental health benefits that contribute to improved quality of life. This study used a quasi-experimental group design to explore the effects of psychoeducation for adults with ASD. Study participants were assigned to one of two group conditions. One group received the Relationship Enhancement®(RE) program and the other received RE with supplements targeting specific social skills. Social skills, empathy and social support were measured pre and post intervention for participants both within and between groups. Significant differences were found in the assessment of all participants, in both groups, as measured by t-tests and effect sizes in the variables of social skills (t(37)=- 2.28-2.72, p=.028-.029, η2=.122) and empathy (t(37)=-2.31, p=.027, η2=.123). These differences indicate that all participants, in both groups improved in social skills and empathy from pre to post treatment. No significant differences were found among all group participants for the variable of social support. There were no significant differences between groups for the three variables measured (p>0.05). Overall, these results provide support for the use of RE and the targeted supplements to increase social skills and empathy among adults with ASD who are interested in engaging in romantic relationships.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004096
Subject Headings: Asperger's syndrome -- Patients -- Conduct of life, Asperger's syndrome -- Social aspects, Autism spectrum disorders, Interpersonal relations, Mindfulness based cognitive therapy, Psychology, Pathological
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The effect of age on processing family, famous and novel faces: An fMRI study.
Creator: Jones, Lana Casey, Florida Atlantic University, Tuller, Betty, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: Facial recognition memory is a specialized system in the human brain, with an effect of familiarity playing a role in the brain activations involved. Previous studies examining the familiar face processing system have used college-aged subjects. However, memory disorders, like those associated with Alzheimer's disease, typically affect adults over sixty. In an attempt to reveal possible differences between young and older adults', two different age groups were subjected to fMRI analysis while...
Show moreFacial recognition memory is a specialized system in the human brain, with an effect of familiarity playing a role in the brain activations involved. Previous studies examining the familiar face processing system have used college-aged subjects. However, memory disorders, like those associated with Alzheimer's disease, typically affect adults over sixty. In an attempt to reveal possible differences between young and older adults', two different age groups were subjected to fMRI analysis while viewing face images with varying familiarity (family, famous and novel). The result showed a significant difference in activations for various cortical areas including the precuneus, cingulate cortex, and fusiform gyrus. Among the differences, an overall trend of greater activation in the left hemisphere for younger subjects compared to the older group was revealed. The results have implications for the study of memory disorders afflicting older adults, like Alzheimer's disease.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13358
Subject Headings: Brain--Magnetic resonance imaging, Evoked potentials (Electrophysiology), Memory, Cognition--Age factors, Aging--Psychological aspects, Memory disorders in old age
Format: Document (PDF)

Cognitive psychology (3)	+ -
Memory disorders in old age (3)	+ -
Aging (2)	+ -
Autism spectrum disorders (2)	+ -
Context effects (Psychology) (2)	+ -

Psychological aspects (2)	+ -
Ability, Influence of age on (1)	+ -
Age factors (1)	+ -
Aging--Psychological aspects (1)	+ -
Alzheimer's disease (1)	+ -
Alzheimer's disease -- Diagnosis (1)	+ -
Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment (1)	+ -
Amnestic mild cognitive impairment -- Diagnosis (1)	+ -
Asperger's syndrome -- Patients -- Conduct of life (1)	+ -
Asperger's syndrome -- Social aspects (1)	+ -
Autism in children -- Research (1)	+ -
Autism spectrum disorders in children (1)	+ -
Behavior disorders in children (1)	+ -
Behavior modification (1)	+ -
Brain--Magnetic resonance imaging (1)	+ -
Cognition (1)	+ -
Cognition disorders (1)	+ -
Cognition disorders -- Treatment (1)	+ -
Cognition disorders in children (1)	+ -
Cognition--Age factors (1)	+ -
Cognitive neuroscience (1)	+ -
Cognitive therapy (1)	+ -
Communication in education (1)	+ -
Dementia -- Diagnosis (1)	+ -
Diabetes (1)	+ -

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (4)	+ -
Department of Psychology (4)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University (4)	+ -
College of Education (3)	+ -
Department of Counselor Education (2)	+ -

Jurado Noboa, Maria Beatriz. (2)	+ -
Bressler, Steven L. (1)	+ -
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing (1)	+ -
Cunningham, Alexandra (1)	+ -
Department of Exceptional Student Education (1)	+ -
Finn, Lisa. (1)	+ -
Jones, Lana Casey (1)	+ -
Jones, Nancy Aaron (1)	+ -
Kersten, Alan (1)	+ -
Lucas, Nikola N. (1)	+ -
Nash, Stacey S. (1)	+ -
Parsons, Mindy A. (1)	+ -
Peluso, Paul R. (1)	+ -
Powers-Jarvis, Robin Story (1)	+ -
Sperry, Len (1)	+ -
Tappen, Ruth M. (1)	+ -
Tuller, Betty (1)	+ -

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