Patients in a treatment programme for severe alcohol dependence were tested on a battery of tests designed to examine organizational and visuo-spatial abilities. Analysis using a case-study approach indicated independent organizational and visuo-spatial impairments. An understanding of aetiological factors underlying these cognitive deficits and implications for treatment are discussed.

This presidential election year reminds us of the importance of each vote and of the integrity of the electoral process. Recent elections have been decided by very narrow margins. In this context, the voting rights and capacity of persons with dementia warrant attention. About 4.5 million Americans currently live with dementia. Whether these citizens should vote raises a host of ethical, legal,...

A basic neuropsychological test battery was given to 64 adolescents (57 males and seven females; mean age = 15.5) divided in two groups: (1) drug-abusers ("experimental group," n = 26), and (2) non drug-abusers ("control group," n = 38). Psychoactive substances included marijuana, "crack," solvent inhalation, gasoline sniffing, and alcohol. The following tests were used: (1) language, (2) perce...

BACKGROUNDS Studies have reported that non-motor symptoms are an important component of primary dystonia. However, evidence supporting cognitive impairment in primary dystonia is limited and contradictory. METHODS We applied the Chinese version of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to screen for cognitive impairment in patients with pr...

Introduction: Previous studies showed that white matter lesions (WMLs) were an important risk factor for cognitive impairment, but the mechanisms whereby WMLs induced cognitive impairment have not been clarified. We hypothesised that the correlation between WMLs and cognitive impairments would be mediated by cortical thinning. Methods: Patients with periventricular white matter hyperintensities...