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Here is a good one for all us musicians...

Regularly playing a musical instrument changes the anatomy and function of the brain and may be used in therapy to improve cognitive skills.

There is growing evidence that musicians have structurally and functionally different brains compared with non-musicians. In particular, the areas of the brain used to process music are larger or more active in musicians. Even just starting to learn a musical instrument can changes the neurophysiology of the brain.

Lutz Jäncke, a member of Faculty of 1000 Medicine, proposes using music in neuropsychological therapy, for example to improve language skills, memory, or mood. In a review for Faculty of 1000 Biology Reports, an online publication in which leading researchers highlight advances in their field, Jäncke summarizes recent studies of professional musicians

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A New Study from  the University of Tulsa, published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology (Neuropsychological impairment and psychosis in mania. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 2009;31(5):523-532),  finds Deficits involving executive function, working memory, speed of information processing, and new learning Occur in many people with mania. Factors that predict impairment remain poorly understood, but there are indications that psychotic features may correspond with increased risk of neurocognitive dysfunction during manic episodes.

"The current study examined neuropsychological function in 40 inpatients with bipolar I mania, 24 of whom presented with psychotic features. Compared to a control group, the inpatients showed worse executive function, speed of information processing, new learning, and dexterity. Nonetheless, presence of psychotic features failed to distinguish the inpatients with mania. Thus, psychotic features do not appear to increase neurobehavioral morbidity in people with mania, but presence of mania clearly corresponded with neurobehavioral dysfunction," wrote M.R. Basso and colleagues, University of Tulsa.

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Biotech Week reported on May 23, 2009:

Remembering what's most important is central to daily life. For example, if you went to the grocery store but left your shopping list at home, you'd at least want to remember the milk and bread, if not the jam. Or, when packing for a trip, you'd want to remember your wallet and tickets more than your slippers or belt.

Even very early in Alzheimer's disease, people become less efficient at separating important from less important information, a new study has found (see also American Psychological Association).

 Knowing this, clinicians may be able to train people in the early stages of Alzheimer's to remember high-value information better, according to a report in the May issue of Neuropsychology, published by the American Psychological Association.

Neuropsychology is the area of neuroscience that studies relationships between brain function and behavior, with a central focus on human brain-behavior relationships. Neuropsychological research attempts to map the brain structures and functions that are critical for particular mental/cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacities.

As my father approaches 70 and my grandmother 87, early onset of Alzheimers is a reality for me.  Making sure they get proper diagnosis and treatment is paramount should signs and symptoms appear.  We should all be mindful of those we love as they age.

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An interesting study comparing the effect of dual tests on memory and activities of daily living in truamatic brain injury patients was released.

According to a study from Nagoya, Japan, "We quantitatively evaluated memory performance in patients in the chronic stage of closed traumatic brain injury using dual visual tasks."

"Simple memory tests and questionnaires concerning activities of daily living (ADL) were also utilized to evaluate any correlation with the results of the dual tasks. The results of dual tasks and memory tests were correlated with the daily activity scores, but there was no correlation between the results of dual tasks and memory tests," wrote J. Hasegawa and colleagues, Nagoya University, Medical Department.

The researchers concluded: "We concluded that the dual task was effective for detecting memory and ADL disturbances, which were not disclosed by conventional memory tests."

"Data on clinical and experimental neuropsychology described by researchers at Nagoya University, Medical Department." Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. NewsRX. 2009. Retrieved May 08, 2009 from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-198635191.html
 

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Trial lawyers, civil litigators and criminal defense attorneys will find Dr. Robert Heilbronner’s latest book, “Neuropsychology in the Courtroom: Expert Analysis of Reports and Testimony” (Guilford Press, 2008), to be an informative legal guide for the evaluation of neuropsychological impairments in civil and criminal litigation.

Edited by Robert L. Heilbronner, this 2008 publication contains contributions from several authors including Erin Bigler, PhD, Ida Sue Baron, PhD, Brian Brooks, PhD, David Bush, PhD, Shane Bush, PhD, Jacobus Donders, PhD, Kevin Greve, PhD, James Holdnack, PhD, Grant Iverson, PhD, Michael McCrea, PhD, Wiley Mittenburg, PhD, Joel Morgan, PhD, Howard Oakes, PsyD, Wilfred van Gorp PhD, Karen Wills PhD.

The Preface identifies that the publication is directed primarily at neuropsychologists.  Obviously those in related professions are an anticipated audience as well.

The book is divided into 3 parts.  The first contains 7 contributions relating to Case Analysis. Part 2 is entitled "Forensic Analysis from Opposing Perspectives."  This portion gave me a illustration of how two neuropsychologists looking at the same case can hold very different opinions.  This is important in my representation of Brain Injured clients as well as those with suspected brain injury.

The third part contains 5 special topics.  Fixed versus Flexed Battery Approach by Dr. Bigler.  Pediatric Issues by Dr. Wills.  Issues about testimony and cross examination.  And finally Misdiagnosis issues.

This is definitely a book worth adding to your TBI literature library.  It is not cost restrictive and can me ordered through Amazon.

 Robert L. Heilbronner, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, is a board-certified neuropsychologist with over 20 years of professional experience. In addition to maintaining a private clinical practice, Dr. Heilbronner is a court-approved forensic expert who consults with plaintiff and defense attorneys in regard to the impact of brain injuries and various neurological disorders on civil and criminal cases.

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Trial lawyers, civil litigators and criminal defense attorneys will find Dr. Robert Heilbronner's latest book, "Neuropsychology in the Courtroom: Expert Analysis of Reports and Testimony" (Guilford Press, 2008), to be an informative legal guide for the evaluation of neuropsychological impairments in civil and criminal litigation.

"Neuropsychology in the Courtroom" is Dr. Heilbronner's most recent text in a series of books on litigation-related neuropsychology topics. Earlier books edited or co-edited by Dr. Heilbronner include "Forensic Neuropsychology Casebook" (Guilford Press, 2005) and "The Practice of Clinical Neuropsychology" (Swets & Zeitlinger, 2003).

This new 268-page hardcover book can be ordered from the publisher online at www.guilford.com, toll-free at 1-800-365-7006 or via fax to 1-212-966-6708. The ISBN is 978-1-59385-634-2.

Also released: Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c81056) has announced the addition of "Neuropsychology for Occupational Therapists: Cognition in Occupational Performance, 3rd Edition" to their offering

The third edition of this successful textbook is written primarily for undergraduate students of occupational therapy, and for practitioners working in the field of cognitive rehabilitation.

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eBay has begun selling Psychological tests used in the assessment and evaluation of criminal defendants, students and others, including TBI victims, online.  Harcourt, the publisher of the Weschsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) argues that allowing such public dissemination of the test will impugn the test's credibility since unscrupulous lawyers or parents will attempt to abuse its availability.

Given more than a million times a year nationwide, according to Harcourt, the intelligence tests often are among numerous tests ordered by prosecutors and defense attorneys to determine the mental competence of criminal defendants. A low IQ, for example, can be used to argue leniency in sentencing.

This issue, whether to allow dissemination of psychological tests to non-psychologists, in cases of traumatic brain injury is ongoing.  Frequently, neuropsychologists who do not want the raw data they have compiled for a testee scrutinized, will assert that releasing test booklets is a violation of ethics.  Doing so, they argue, will allow lawyers to coach their clients to give false results.

"In order to maintain its integrity, there needs to be limited availability,"  Harcourt spokesman Russell said.

This issue is frequently seen in cases of traumatic brain injury when plaintiff lawyers try to analyze the results of the testing done at the insurance company's insistence.

To read the AP article click here.

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