In a previous analysis of ImPACT scores relative to traditional neuropsychological tests (NP) and experimental tasks (Maerlender et al., 2010 ) we demonstrated convergent construct validity for the primary ImPACT test-score composites. A complete analysis of discriminant validity was not undertaken at that time. Here, test scores from the 54 collegiate football and hockey players were re-analyz...

The impact of heading on neuropsychological performance is a subject of controversy. In this experimental study, a controlled group design was used to investigate the possible effects of a short heading training session on neuropsychological performance. Ninety-one participants matched by age, sex, and intelligence were assigned to one of the following groups: A heading-training group, a placeb...

Loss of consciousness often is considered an important variable when estimating head injury severity. The purpose of this study was to determine if brief loss of consciousness had any effect on the neuropsychological test performance of patients in acute recovery from an uncomplicated mild head injury (N = 195). Three groups of 65 patients were given a brief battery of neuropsychological tests ...

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE There is controversy surrounding the cognitive effects of sports concussion. This study aimed to verify whether the technique of virtual reality could aid in the identification of attention and inhibition deficits in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN A prospective design was used to assess 25 sports-concussed and 25 non-sports-concussed adolescents enrolled in a sport and education ...

Many animals repeat standardized displays multiple times while attracting a mate or deterring a rival. In such contexts it is possible that the ability to perform each display or signal type in a consistent fashion is under direct selection. Studies on sexual selection on song learning in birds have focused on differences in repertoire size with less attention to the potential importance of bei...

In this article we discuss how incentive motivations and task demands affect performance. We present a three-factor framework that suggests that performance is determined from the interaction of global incentives, local incentives, and the psychological processes needed to achieve optimal task performance. We review work that examines the implications of the motivation-cognition interface in cl...

Health care professionals are now faced with a growing number of patients from different ethnic groups, and from different socioeconomical backgrounds. In the field of neuropsychology there is an increasing need of reliable and culturally fair assessment measures. Spanish is the official language in more than 20 countries and the second most spoken language in the world. The purpose of this res...

The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) is a short test that is widely used in neuropsychological assessment to evaluate the executive aspects of attention control, information processing speed, selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and executive function in terms of the ability to inhibit a usual response in favor of an unusual response. The aim of this study was to create normative data f...

A prior report found unusually high rates of performance validity test (PVT) failure in undergraduate research participants (31%-56%). The present study examined 110 undergraduate volunteers in three conditions (positive, neutral, or negative demand characteristics) in either an easy to hard or a hard to easy progression of neuropsychological tests using the Word Memory Test PVT. Neither demand...

This article provides a review of current important issues in the management of athletes who have sustained a concussion during athletic competition. Recent research in the area of concussion management is reviewed with specific reference to the side line evaluation of concussion and the follow-up of the athlete during the recovery period. The use of neuropsychological testing in sports is also...