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Introduction: Language acculturation is the process by which a bilingual individual obtains proficiency and comfort in speaking a new language while maintaining fluency in their native language. Considering the degree of language acculturation in bilingual patients is essential to choosing appropriate tests and interpreting neuropsychological assessment. The Language Acculturation Meter™ (LAM) was created for native Spanish speakers who are bilingual in English to aid in selecting and interpreting verbally-administered assessments. While the LAM was created to be completed as an interview, a Spanish version of the form exists and can be given to patients to complete independently. We sought to evaluate the feasibility and utility of self-administered LAM in a clinical older adult population in NY State. Methods: The LAM was given to Spanish-speaking older adults and their caregivers as part of their clinical neuropsychological evaluation at Montefiore's Memory Disorders Centers. 16 patient and caregiver dyads completed the LAM in either English or Spanish. Results: Patient ages ranged from 67 to 83; 75% of the patients were female, and 56% self-identified as bilingual. 18% of patients completed the LAM without caregiver assistance. Dyads did not comment on the form, but early qualitative feedback suggests that some had difficulty understanding how to complete aspects of the LAM, and others found that some items on the LAM did not apply to them. Conclusions: The LAM is a previously validated interview tool that requires further research to determine if it can be used as a self-report questionnaire in clinical populations, including older adults with cognitive complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS), also known as Hughes Syndrome, is an autoimmune condition linked to various adverse medical and neurological outcomes affecting 5 in 100,000. APS results from antibodies (aPL) that attack blood proteins that bind to phospholipids (e.g. 2-glycoprotein I and prothrombin), which can cause blood flow problems, increased risk of blood clots, and recurrent vascular thrombotic events. Research suggests APS may lead to various neurologic/medical issues including memory loss, visual disturbances, and dementia. Method Neuropsychological evaluation of 48-year-old female with triple-positive APS and history of bilateral superior parietal chronic ischemic infarctions, multiple bilateral lacunar infarctions, and bilateral encephalomalacia. Reports progressive cognitive changes (< 1 year). Results Neuropsychological evaluation evidenced low average premorbid functioning and currently, extremely low overall cognitive ability. Memory was variable with significant visual and working memory impairment but preserved delayed recall of contextual information. While verbal abilities were intact, deficits were noted in executive functioning, attention, processing speed, visuomotor, visual–spatial, and fine motor skills. Conclusion This 48-year-old woman's cognitive profile is consistent with findings in the APS literature and is indicative of an early onset major vascular neurocognitive disorder. Retrospective studies suggest that cognitive deficits often precede somatic symptoms of APS and abnormal neuroimaging findings; she presents atypically, as somatic symptoms and abnormal neuroimaging preceded cognitive decline. This case adds to the limited body of neuropsychological data regarding the effects of APS on cognitive functioning, as the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in APS is unclear and leads to questions regarding differences in, and trajectories of, cognitive deficits in APS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Developmental Discoordination Disorder (DCD) is an often overlooked and seldom diagnosed neurodevelopmental condition marked by impairments in motor skills. Lacking identifiable medical or neurological etiology, children with DCD often have preserved intellectual abilities. Comorbidity is common, including ADHD and specific learning disability. Despite extensive evidence of significant impact on daily activities and academics due to differences in motor behaviors, DCD difficulties are regularly treated as behavioral problems. Method Neuropsychological evaluation of an 8-year-old boy with a possible reading delay and inability to perform some age-appropriate academic and self-care tasks. Results Average overall ability with very strong verbal performances; intact visual perceptual processing, memory, and non-written language. Academics are within expected range, although graphomotor weakness impacted academic performances on tasks with written demands. Patient appeared clumsy and awkward with low muscle tone, poor balance, and difficulty learning new motor skills. Impaired fine motor control, handwriting, gait, gross motor skills, motor planning, coordination, and oromotor weakness as well as inferior verbal language abilities were evident. Impulsivity, inattention, poor planning, and poor self-monitoring were also evident. Conclusions DCD is evidenced by impairment in fine and gross motor skills, oromotor skills, motor planning, energy, and coordination with clear discrepancy between motor abilities and abilities in other areas, specifically language. In our case, DCD features were overlooked despite wide ranging impact. ADHD and SLD with impairment in written expression were concurrent. This case highlights the need for greater appreciation of DCD so that children can benefit from early detection and intervention considering the life-long implications of the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]