Serial neuropsychological assessment of an adolescent girl after suffering a sudden out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest following recreational inhalant use

Sudden out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest (OHCA) following recreational inhalant use is well documented in the literature. The present case study reports the long-term neuropsychological sequelae of a 14-year-old girl who suffered an OHCA secondary to recreational butane gas inhalation. The patient was assessed on day-13 as an inpatient, and again at 3- and 12-month outpatient follow-ups. Acutely the patient demonstrated significant impairment on tasks associated with verbal and non-verbal memory and executive functioning. Re-testing at 3-months post-acute state suggested improved executive and non-verbal functions while showing continued deficits in verbal memory. At 12-months she was cognitively performing at levels expected for her age. This case is reported for its rarity in successfully being able to track the patient's clinical course from hospital discharge to the successful reintegration back into school and community settings. © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Neuropsychological assessment of 86-year-old man with Broca's aphasia complaining of memory difficulties

We report the clinical assessment of J.P., an 86 year-old man with Broca’s aphasia complaining of memory problems. Our aim was to objectively investigate his level of cognitive functioning using standardized neuropsychological tests in order to determine the nature of his memory impairment. J.P.’s medical history included left-middle cerebral artery (left-MCA) stroke, high frequency hearing loss, macular degeneration, and a recent hospitalization related to a fall. Results from his neuropsychological testing and from information gathered during the clinical interview with his wife suggested that a deficit in executive functioning might have been the source for some of his perceived memory problems. We were unable to detect any progressive cognitive decline that might have been suggestive of something more sinister. Despite his age J.P. was a fully functioning and highly contributing member of his society who was completing quite complex activities of daily living (ADLs). We provided J.P. with a compensatory set of strategies in order for him to circumvent his executive difficulties and impairment in expressive language. In the elderly population survivors of stroke are continuing to rise with improvements in drug treatment and primary care. This case study is important as it provides information on neuropsychological assessment in aphasia; and draws attention to valuable information in a client’s clinical history that might help clarify the prognosis. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

The theoretical underpinnings of Internet addiction and its association with psychopathology in adolescence

This paper reviews the psychological and theoretical underpinnings that might help to explain the reported relationship between Internet addiction (IA) and psychopathology in both children and adolescents. Drawing on cognitive-behavioural models and social-skills theory, IA shows a strong relationship with depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and time spent using the Internet use. Mixed findings are reported for social anxiety. Loneliness and hostility were also found to be associated with IA. Gender and age moderated these relationships with greater psychopathology generally reported among males and younger Internet users. This paper adds to the growing body of literature showing an association between IA and a range of mental health problems in both children and adolescents. A dependence on the Internet can potentially result in significant harm both socially and psychologically. While research has identified a potential pathway commencing with mental health problems and concluding with IA, few studies have examined the alternative direction and this may provide the impetus for future research endeavours. © 2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston