Inhibition in task switching: The reliability of the n-2 repetition cost

The n-2 repetition cost seen in task switching is the effect of slower response times performing a recently completed task (e.g. an ABA sequence) compared to performing a task that was not recently completed (e.g. a CBA sequence). This cost is thought to reflect cognitive inhibition of task representations and has been well replicated (Koch, Gade, Schuch, & Philipp, 2010). As such, the n-2 repetition cost has started to be used as a measure of individual differences in inhibitory control (e.g. Whitmer & Banich, 2007); however, the reliability of this measure has not been investigated in a systematic manner. The current study addressed this important issue. Seventy-two participants performed three task switching paradigms; participants were also assessed on rumination traits and processing speed-measures of individual differences potentially modulating the n-2 repetition cost. We found significant n-2 repetition costs for each paradigm. However, split-half reliability tests revealed that this cost was not reliable at the individual-difference level. Neither rumination tendencies nor processing speed predicted this cost. We conclude that the n-2 repetition cost is not reliable as a measure of individual differences in inhibitory control

Exploring differences in the role of hospitalization on weight gain based on treatment type from randomized clinical trials for adolescent anorexia nervosa

Background: This study explores the impact of weight gain during medical stabilization hospitalization on weight outcomes between three outpatient treatments for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN): Adolescent Focused Therapy (AFT), Systemic Family Therapy (SyFT), and Family Based Treatment (FBT). Methods: A secondary analysis of weight gain data (N = 215) of adolescents (12-18 years) meeting DSM-IV criteria for AN (exclusive of amenorrhea criteria) who participated in two randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted. Main outcomes examined were changes in weight restoration (≥95% expected body weight or EBW) and differences in weight change attributable to hospital weight gain. Results: Weight gain resulting from hospitalizations did not substantially change weight recovery rates. Hospital weight gain contributed most to overall treatment weight gain in AFT compared to FBT and SyFT. Conclusion: Brief medical stabilization weight gain does not contribute substantially to weight recovery in adolescents with AN who participated in RCTs

A deficit in familiarity-driven recognition in a right-sided mediodorsal thalamic lesion patient

OBJECTIVE: According to a still-controversial view of recognition, projections between the perirhinal cortex and the medial subdivision of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (mMDT) support the mnemonic processes underlying familiarity, whereas a separate extended hippocampal system is critical for the recollection of episodic details during recognition. METHOD: In this study, we examined item recognition, familiarity, and recollection for faces and words in a patient (OG) with a right-sided lesion centered on the mMDT, which encroached on the central medial midline nucleus and may have resulted in partial disconnection of the mammillothalamic tract. On the basis of OG's neuropathology, the dual-process signal-detection (DPSD) high-threshold theory and the material-specific hypothesis of long-term memory together predicted a material-specific impairment in familiarity for novel facial memoranda, with a lesser decline in recollection of novel faces at short retention intervals. No abnormalities in either familiarity- or recollection-driven recognition of verbal memoranda were expected. RESULTS: Comparing the performance of OG and that of a group of 10 age-, sex-, and IQ-matched healthy controls, the remember-know procedure revealed the dissociations predicted by the material-specific and DPSD hypotheses: With recognition of previously novel faces, OG showed a deficit in familiarity-driven recognition that was significantly greater than the insignificant reduction in his recollection. All components of his word recognition were, however, preserved. CONCLUSION: A memory profile, marked by a dissociation between familiarity and recollection, fits naturally with the DPSD model and is incompatible with the idea that these kinds of memories reflect different degrees of trace strength

Impulse Control Disorder in Parkinson's Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Cognitive, Affective, and Motivational Correlates

Background: In Parkinson's disease (PD), impulse control disorders (ICDs) develop as side-effect of dopaminergic replacement therapy (DRT). Cognitive, affective, and motivational correlates of ICD in medicated PD patients are debated. Here, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the evidence for an association between ICD in PD and cognitive, affective, and motivational abnormalities.Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on PubMed, Science Direct, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane, EBSCO for studies published between 1-1-2000 and 8-3-2017 comparing cognitive, affective, and motivational measures in PD patients with ICD (ICD+) vs. those without ICD (ICD–). Exclusion criteria were conditions other than PD, substance and/or alcohol abuse, dementia, drug naïve patients, cognition assessed by self-report tools. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used, and random-effect model applied.Results: 10,200 studies were screened (title, abstract), 79 full-texts were assessed, and 25 were included (ICD+: 625 patients; ICD–: 938). Compared to ICD–, ICD+ showed worse performance reward-related decision-making (0.42 [0.02, 0.82], p = 0.04) and set-shifting tasks (SMD = −0.49 [95% CI −0.78, −0.21], p = 0.0008). ICD in PD was also related to higher self-reported rate of depression (0.35 [0.16, 0.54], p = 0.0004), anxiety (0.43 [0.18, 0.68], p = 0.0007), anhedonia (0.26 [0.01, 0.50], p = 0.04), and impulsivity (0.79 [0.50, 1.09], p < 0.00001). Heterogeneity was low to moderate, except for depression (I2 = 61%) and anxiety (I2 = 58%).Conclusions: ICD in PD is associated with worse set-shifting and reward-related decision-making, and increased depression, anxiety, anhedonia, and impulsivity. This is an important area for further studies as ICDs have negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their caregivers

Improving psychological science: further thoughts, reflections and ways forward

Cogent Psychology is a pioneering and dynamic Open Access journal for the psychology community, publishing original research, reviews, and replications that span the full spectrum of psychological inquiry. In 2021, it relaunched with a new Editor-in-Chief and Section Editors with an exciting vision to combine open access publishing with open research practices. As such, the journal welcomes traditional and new article formats, including Registered Reports, Brief Replication Reports, Review Articles, and Brief Reports. This broader range of formats is designed to reflect the evolving nature of psychological research and open science approaches. To the best of our knowledge, no other psychology journal offers such a distinctive combination of article publishing formats. Moreover, we welcome submissions in nine key areas of psychological science: Clinical Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Educational Psychology, Health Psychology, Neuropsychology, Personality & Individual Differences, Social Psychology and Work, Industrial & Organisational Psychology