Cognitive Outcome in Acute Sporadic Encephalitis

Acute encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain parenchyma. In the United States, 20,000 cases occur yearly. A variety of cognitive deficits, often the sole cause of disability, may persist after the acute stage. Still, infectious diseases tend to be covered only briefly in neuropsychological handbooks. Recent literature demonstrates the heterogeneity of both amnestic disorders and the outcome following encephalitides. Herpes Simplex virus (HSV), the most common single etiology of sporadic encephalitis, usually causes the most severe symptoms. Modern antiviral medication, however, seems to improve the cognitive outcome. Much less is known about non-HSV encephalitides, where both mild and severe defects have been observed. This article summarizes the current knowledge and also calls upon a more active neuropsychological research in the area.     

Nonverbal Amnesia and Asymmetric Cerebral Lesions Following Encephalitis

Global amnesia after herpes simplex encephalitis has been typically associated with lesions of anterior and medial temporal lobe, inferior and medial frontal lobe, and insula. The neuropathologic correlates of this disease are usually considered to be bilateral and similar across cases. We describe a 27-year-old woman whose chronic amnesia and cerebral lesions after viral encephalitis indicate a different pattern. Two features distinguish her presentation: (1) markedly asymmetric lesions extensively involving the right temporal lobe but sparing almost all of the same structures on the left and (2) severe compromise of nonverbal learning and a nonverbal retrograde amnesia in contrast to disproportionately small impairments of verbal learning and retention. The findings suggest that encephalitis patients cannot be treated as a homogeneous group and that detailed analysis of variability in their anatomic lesions may be an important explanatory factor in neural accounts of these severe human amnesias.     

Projective Drawings in a Cerebellar Disorder Due to Chicken Pox Encephalitis

Projective drawings may be more sensitive to cerebellar disorders than the Rorschach or the geometric designs of the Bender. Drawings of a nine-year-old whose “bad case of chicken pox” was later diagnosed as varicella encephalitis are presented, with suggestions as to why this sensitivity may occur.     

Trigeminal involvement following preventive influenza vaccination

Neuralgia-like complaints occurred in the region served by the ramus ophthalmicus et maxillaris nervi trigemini dexter of a woman aged 48 years two days after she had been inocculated with an inactivated influenza-A adsorbate complete vaccine (A/Bangkok/1/79 (H3-N2)); (A/Brazil/11/78 (H1-N1)). The clinical findings are explained, and the possibility of a connection between the symptomatology and a previous inocculation is discussed.     

Human papillomavirus vaccination intentions and uptake in college women

Objective: Using the health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) as theoretical frameworks, the objectives of this study were: (a) to identify correlates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination intentions and (b) to explore differences between correlates of HPV vaccination intentions and uptake. Methods: Undergraduate women (N = 447) who did not intend to receive (n = 223), intended to receive (n = 102), or had received (n = 122) the HPV vaccine were surveyed. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the correlates of vaccination intentions and uptake. Results: Negative health consequences of the vaccine, physician's recommendation, positive attitudes toward the vaccine, and subjective norms were significant correlates of vaccination intentions. When comparing correlates of vaccination intentions to correlates of vaccination uptake, physician's recommendation, subjective norms, and perceived susceptibility to HPV were unique correlates of uptake. Conclusion: Differences between correlates of vaccination intentions and uptake suggest that social influences of liked and trusted individuals may make an important and unique contribution in motivating young women to receive the HPV vaccine beyond other variables from the HBM and TPB. Future utilization of longitudinal designs is needed to understand which factors may cause individuals to decide to receive the HPV vaccine. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).     

乙脑患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶、S-100蛋白、髓鞘碱性蛋白测定及其临床意义

为了解流行性乙型脑炎（乙脑）患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、S-100蛋白（S-100）、髓鞘碱性蛋白（MBP）含量变化及其临床意义,用酶联免疫吸附法检测100例乙脑患儿血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量变化。结果显示,乙脑组患儿血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量与对照组比较显著增高（P均〈0．01）,增高程度与病情严重程度相平行（P〈0．01）。因此,血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量测定对乙脑患儿脑损伤严重程度及临床预后判断有重要参考价值。     

乙脑患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶、S-100蛋白、髓鞘碱性蛋白测定及其临床意义

为了解流行性乙型脑炎(乙脑)患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、S-100蛋白(S-100)、髓鞘碱性蛋白(MBP)含量变化及其临床意义,用酶联免疫吸附法检测100例乙脑患儿血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量变化.结果显示,乙脑组患儿血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量与对照组比较显著增高(P均<0.01),增高程度与病情严重程度相平行(P<0.01).因此,血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量测定对乙脑患儿脑损伤严重程度及临床预后判断有重要参考价值.     

Memory for/and execution of future intentions: evidence from patients with Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

Prospective remembering was studied in a group of patients who suffered from Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE). All patients showed a marked deficit in executing intentions for future actions under all the given constraints. The deficit extended to both time- and event-based intentions. The analysis of errors showed somewhat different patterns and some dissociations with evidence for selective preservation or damage to specific components involved in prospective remembering. These patients, in fact, may fail because of a difficulty in taking into account all given constraints or in activating stored intentions and in forming intentions or in remembering the content of the actions. Time- and event-based tasks seem to show different sources of errors also in the same patient.     

Risk perceptions: assessment and relationship to influenza vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: Accurate measurement of beliefs about risk probability is essential to determine what role these beliefs have in health behavior. This study investigated the ability of several types of risk perception measures and of other constructs from health behavior theories to predict influenza vaccination. DESIGN: Prospective study in which students, faculty, and staff at 3 universities (N = 428) were interviewed in the fall, before influenza vaccine was available, and again early in the next calendar year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Self-reported influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Two interview questions that asked about feeling at risk and feeling vulnerable predicted subsequent behavior better (r = .44, p = .001) than 2 questions that asked for agreement or disagreement with statements about risk probability (r = .25, p = .001) or 4 questions that asked respondents to estimate the magnitude of the risk probability (r = .30, p = .001). Of the 4 perceived risk magnitude scales, a 7-point verbal scale was the best predictor of behavior. Anticipated regret was the strongest predictor of vaccination (r = .45, p = .001) of all constructs studied, including risk perceptions, worry, and perceived vaccine effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Risk perceptions predicted subsequent vaccination. However, perceived risk phrased in terms of feelings rather than as a purely cognitive probability judgment predicted better. Because neither feeling at risk nor anticipated regret is represented in the most commonly used theories of health behavior, the data suggest that these theories are missing important constructs.     

Using game theory to examine incentives in influenza vaccination behavior

The social good often depends on the altruistic behavior of specific individuals. For example, epidemiological studies of influenza indicate that elderly individuals, who face the highest mortality risk, are best protected by vaccination of young individuals, who contribute most to disease transmission. To examine the conditions under which young people would get vaccinated to protect elderly people, we conducted a game-theory experiment that mirrored real-world influenza transmission, with "young" players contributing more than "elderly" players to herd immunity. Participants could spend points to get vaccinated and reduce the risk of influenza. When players were paid according to individual point totals, more elderly than young players got vaccinated, a finding consistent with the Nash equilibrium predicting self-interested behavior. When players were paid according to group point totals, however, more young than elderly players got vaccinated-a finding consistent with the utilitarian equilibrium predicting group-optimal behavior-which resulted in higher point totals than when players were paid for their individual totals. Thus, payout structure affected whether individuals got vaccinated for self-interest or group benefit.     

Civil law regulation and criminal enforcement of mandatory vaccination policies: A comparative aspect

One of the most important tasks of any state is to provide everyone, including the child, with the opportunity for a healthy and fulfilling life. Processes of immunisation through vaccination are considered most appropriate for the prevention of infectious diseases. The purpose of this study is to understand the legal regulation of immunisation of the population and to give it a legal assessment, to review the legal acts on vaccination in different countries of the world and to identify the legal tendencies of resolving conflicts in the field of vaccination on the basis of court decisions. As a result of the research the prospective directions of work of civil and criminal regulation of vaccination of children, regulation of the right to education for children who have not been vaccinated, the lawsuits, petitions and court decisions regarding the population response to vaccinations were analysed. The authors of the study conclude on the methods of introducing mandatory vaccination of children, the development of new criminal legislation to protect rights and freedoms.     

Emotions and preventive health behavior: worry, regret, and influenza vaccination.

The role of worry, regret, and perceived risk in preventive health decisions was explored in a longitudinal questionnaire study on influenza vaccination among 428 university employees. The study yielded 3 main findings. First, ratings of anticipated worry and regret were stronger predictors of vaccination than perceived risk and mediated the effect of risk on vaccination. Second, the anticipated level of emotions differed systematically from experienced emotions, such that vaccinated individuals anticipated more regret and less worry than they actually experienced. Third, anticipated and experienced emotions had implications for subsequent vaccination decisions. Those who did not vaccinate in the 1st year but had high levels of worry and regret were likely to be vaccinated the following year.     

The role of message framing in promoting MMR vaccination: evidence of a loss-frame advantage

This study examined the effects of message framing on intentions to obtain the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for one's child and investigated whether Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and perceived outcome efficacy variables mediate and/or moderate message framing effects. One hundred and forty women read either a loss-framed or gain-framed message and then completed measures assessing their intentions to obtain the MMR vaccine for their child, and TPB and outcome efficacy variables. Exposure to the loss frame increased intentions to obtain the MMR vaccine and influenced perceptions of outcome efficacy. This suggests that outcome efficacy, but not other TPB variables may mediate framing effects within the context of MMR vaccination. Message frame, in addition to TPB variables, significantly predicted unique variance in behavioural intentions. These findings are discussed within the context of Prospect Theory, perceived risk and prevention/detection behaviours.     

Verbal retention after shadowing and after listening

Ss shadowed or listened to stories that had been recorded at 1 word/sec (wps), 2 wps, and 3 wps. They then took tests of word recognition, semantic retention, and syntax recognition. At the slowest rate, shadowers’ word recognition and semantic retention were somewhat higher than listeners’ scores, but this difference disappeared at faster rates. Significant positive correlations among all three retention scores were observed for listeners, but for shadowers word recognition was unrelated to either of the other two retention measures. The results are discussed in terms of monitoring during shadowing. Implications for experiments on selective attention are considered.     

Meta-analysis of the relationship between risk perception and health behavior: the example of vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Risk perceptions are central to many health behavior theories. However, the relationship between risk perceptions and behavior, muddied by instances of inappropriate assessment and analysis, often looks weak. METHOD: A meta-analysis of eligible studies assessing the bivariate association between adult vaccination and perceived likelihood, susceptibility, or severity was conducted. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria (N = 15,988). Risk likelihood (pooled r = .26), susceptibility (pooled r = .24), and severity (pooled r = .16) significantly predicted vaccination behavior. The risk perception-behavior relationship was larger for studies that were prospective, had higher quality risk measures, or had unskewed risk or behavior measures. CONCLUSIONS: The consistent relationships between risk perceptions and behavior, larger than suggested by prior meta-analyses, suggest that risk perceptions are rightly placed as core concepts in theories of health behavior.     

Loneliness, social network size, and immune response to influenza vaccination in college freshmen.

Antibody response to the influenza immunization was investigated in 83 1st-semester healthy university freshmen. Elevated levels of loneliness throughout the semester and small social networks were independently associated with poorer antibody response to 1 component of the vaccine. Those with both high levels of loneliness and a small social network had the lowest antibody response. Loneliness was also associated with greater psychological stress and negative affect, less positive affect, poorer sleep efficiency and quality, and elevations in circulating levels of cortisol. However, only the stress data were consistent with mediation of the loneliness-antibody response relation. None of these variables were associated with social network size, and hence none were potential mediators of the relation between network size and immunization response.     

Self-reported changes in subjective health and anthrax vaccination as reported by over 900 Persian Gulf War era veterans

A 1999 study of United Kingdom servicemembers by Unwin, et al. recently found significant relationships between anthrax and other vaccinations, reactions to those vaccines, and later health problems for male current or former active military Gulf War veterans. Likewise, in 2000 Steele and in 1998 Gilroy found possible adverse effects of vaccinations on Gulf War veterans. However, the role of such vaccinations remains controversial; more recent government reports continue to dispute the existence of any data that might reflect adversely on the role of vaccinations on the health of Gulf War veterans. To address this controversy, the current study assessed similar relationships for over 900 Reserve Component Gulf War Era veterans from Ohio and nearby states. Gulf War veterans were more likely to report poorer health than non-Gulf veterans. Female veterans were more likely to report mild or severe reactions to vaccines than male veterans. Those veterans who received anthrax vaccine reported more reactions to vaccines than those who did not receive anthrax vaccine. Declines in long-term subjective health were associated with receipt of anthrax vaccine by Gulf War veterans but not for those who did not deploy to the Gulf, although few of the latter received anthrax vaccine. Regardless of deployment status, veterans who reported more severe reactions to vaccines were more likely to report declines in subjective health. Female veterans reported poorer health during the Gulf War than did male veterans, but sex was not related to veterans' reports of subjective health at subsequent times. It is recommended that servicemembers who experience severe reactions to anthrax vaccine be medically reevaluated before receiving further anthrax vaccine and that careful follow-ups be conducted of those receiving the vaccine currently, in accordance with Nass's 1999 recommendations. We also recommend that safer alternatives to thimerosal (a mercury sodium salt, 50% mercury) be used to preserve all vaccines.