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Poor blood pressure regulation (BPR) in response to orthostasis could contribute to cerebral hypoperfusion and cell damage. The authors of this study examined neuropsychological function and mood in relation to BPR following orthostatic challenge in African American children, aged 6 to 9 years. Participants (N = 33) laid supine for 5 minutes, before having their BP taken. Participants then stood and had BP measured again at 1, 3, and 5 minutes. After a rest, the authors administrated neuropsychological and depression tests while the participants were seated. The authors calculated the difference between supine and 1-minute standing systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) scores. In response to orthostatic challenge, smaller increases in SBP were predictive of decreased verbal memory whereas smaller increases in PP were associated with increased depressive symptomatology and poor prospective memory. In conclusion, less effective BPR was associated with increased depression and poor performance on some neuropsychological tests.

Humanitarian medical assistance and intervention during the civil war in Bosnia and Croatia was felt by national health workers to be relatively ineffective (2.8 on a 5-point Likert scale), compared to other forms of humanitarian assistance such as medical supplies (4.4/5) and non-medical materials (3.9/5). Bosnian physicians treating civilians noted that the most helpful types of personnel were surgeons and emergency physicians. This study suggests that assessment of personnel needs at the recipient level, in addition to standard relief assessments, is required early in models of complex emergencies. This study supports existing epidemiological models of complex emergencies, especially when high trauma-related mortality and morbidity are likely to occur.

Results from a retrospective chart review of thirty-seven patients completing an individualized cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) program, using a Developmental Metacognitive approach, are reported. Neuropsychological functioning was used as the measure of progress in CRT. Demographic data, number of CRT sessions, and number of months post-injury were used to predict overall improvement in neuropsychological status. Eighty-nine percent of the patients in the CRT program experienced significant change on at least one neuropsychological measure administered. Despite considerable sample diversity, demographic and treatment variables were not predictive of overall neuropsychological change. Individualizing the CRT approach can maximize the chance of improvement in a diverse patient sample.

Objective: The study was conducted to systematically investigate previous anecdotal reports of memory decline during pregnancy., Study Design: We used a longitudinal design to investigate memory in women throughout pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Closely matched, nonpregnant women were similarly studied at equivalent intervals. We also assessed degree of depression and anxiety., Results: There was a significant time-by-group interaction (P < .01) for both immediate and delayed recall of paragraph length material. Contrasts showed a significant decline in memory for the pregnant group from the second to the third trimester (P < .01). No significant changes in memory were noted for the control group. The pregnant women scored higher on both depression and anxiety scales; however, somatic rather than cognitive items accounted for the elevated scores. Fluctuations in mood and memory did not coincide., Conclusion: There is a pregnancy-related decline in memory, which is limited to the third trimester. The decline is not attributable to depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, or other physical changes associated with pregnancy.