RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of abnormal Virchow-Robin (VR) spaces in children and adolescents with an autistic disorder (AD). An increased incidence of enlarged VR spaces in children has been reported in several developmental disorders. METHODS: Sixteen children and adolescents (13 male, 3 female; mean age = 143.5 months; mean IQ = 95.1) with an AD, verified by use of standardized procedures (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Revised), received cranial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Sixteen children and adolescents (13 male, 3 female; mean age = 160.7 months; mean IQ = 111.6) without AD, as determined using the same procedures, were scanned as a comparison group. The MR scans were performed using a 1.5-T scanner. Two T1-weighted spoiled GRASS sequences (0.7-mm coronal thin-slice, 0-mm gap; 1.5-mm sagittal, 0-mm gap) and a complementary T2-weighted fast spin echo sequence (1.5-mm, 0-mm gap) were obtained. A neuroradiologist and a neurobiologist without clinical information determined the incidence of normal, accentuated, and/or dilated VR spaces. RESULTS: Seven of 16 subjects with AD (approximately 44%) had dilated VR spaces in the centrum semiovale. No grossly abnormal spaces were present in the control subjects. CONCLUSION: Unusually large VR spaces are seen in at most 22% to 27% of MR scans in children with tension headaches and other psychiatric disorders, suggesting that the incidence of spaces of this type is greater in AD than in other abnormal populations. The origin and significance of this phenomenon remain unknown.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno Autístico/patología , Arterias Cerebrales/patología , Corteza Cerebral/patología , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Adolescente , Adulto , Trastorno Autístico/diagnóstico , Trastorno Autístico/psicología , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Piamadre/irrigación sanguínea , Piamadre/patologíaRESUMEN
This study examined the variability of Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence profiles using the subtest range and profile variability index in a sample of 70 psychiatric inpatients. The subtest range and profile variability index were correlated .93 (p<.001), indicating that either measure may be used to assess profile variance. Comparison of profile variability on this abbreviated scale with other Wechsler intelligence scales in similar populations suggests that variability measures are not comparable across the tests.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos Mentales/diagnóstico , Trastornos Mentales/rehabilitación , Escalas de Wechsler , Femenino , Hospitalización , Humanos , Masculino , Muestreo , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
This study examined the convergent and discriminant validity of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test for 85 psychiatric inpatients. The correlation between the WASI Full Scale and K-BIT Composite IQ scores was significant (r = .89, p < .001). Multitrait-multimethod analysis of the subtest scores showed that the K-BIT had higher internal consistency for its two subtests but, therefore, less differentiation of cognitive functioning than the brief Wechsler scale, as would be expected due to the larger number and diversity of the latter subtests. Correlations among the Wechsler scale subtests were lower than among those for the K-BIT, so the former may tap different cognitive functions and yield more clinically useful information than the latter. This brief Wechsler scale appears to be a valid screening measure of verbal, performance. and general intellectual ability for use with an inpatient psychiatric population when considerations of the setting or patient preclude administration of a longer measure of intellectual ability.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos del Conocimiento/diagnóstico , Pruebas de Inteligencia/normas , Trastornos Mentales/rehabilitación , Escalas de Wechsler/normas , Adulto , Trastornos del Conocimiento/epidemiología , Femenino , Hospitalización , Hospitales Psiquiátricos , Humanos , Masculino , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
31 staff members within one VA medical center were briefly trained in using the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. At both pre- and posttraining participants provided Global Assessment of Functioning scores and identified their GAF-derivation strategies for two vignettes describing hypothetical patients. Analysis showed that initially there was inter- and intrarater inconsistency in strategy for deriving scores and that training increased consistency. Participants persisted in giving ratings that exceeded the criterion score. However, training significantly reduced Global Assessment of Functioning scores for one vignette, bringing scores closer to the criterion, and a significant number of people gave lower ratings after training. The study highlights common errors and points to the need for formal training in use of the scale.