Presentation Type
Poster
The Association of Neuropsychological Functioning and Depression in Patients with Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Abstract
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is an illness that often goes undetected and early warning signs like headache, fatigue and nausea are easily attributed to a seasonal flu. The effects that CO poisoning has on cognition and the central nervous system can be severe. Symptoms such as impaired executive functioning, cortical blindness, tics and/or tremors can appear even at low levels of exposure. This study will look at the relationship between neuropsychological test results and depression. Data from 10 CO poisoning patients will be analyzed using Pearson correlations and regression analyses in order to determine if the presence of depression has statistical or clinical significance to performance on neuropsychological measures. Depression will be measured using the Beck Depression Inventory. It is hypothesized that the presence of depression has a negative impact on neuropsychological test results and as levels of depression increase, cognitive function will decrease. Many studies are available on the effects of depression on cognitive functioning of patients in the healthy population, but there is a paucity of information on the effects of depression in CO poisoning patients. Results may give clinicians a new perspective in treating patients with CO poisoning and contribute to literature that analyzes the effects of depression on neuropsychological batteries.
Categories
Biomedical Sciences
Research Type
Research Assistant
Mentor Information
Dr. Eric Rinehardt
The Association of Neuropsychological Functioning and Depression in Patients with Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is an illness that often goes undetected and early warning signs like headache, fatigue and nausea are easily attributed to a seasonal flu. The effects that CO poisoning has on cognition and the central nervous system can be severe. Symptoms such as impaired executive functioning, cortical blindness, tics and/or tremors can appear even at low levels of exposure. This study will look at the relationship between neuropsychological test results and depression. Data from 10 CO poisoning patients will be analyzed using Pearson correlations and regression analyses in order to determine if the presence of depression has statistical or clinical significance to performance on neuropsychological measures. Depression will be measured using the Beck Depression Inventory. It is hypothesized that the presence of depression has a negative impact on neuropsychological test results and as levels of depression increase, cognitive function will decrease. Many studies are available on the effects of depression on cognitive functioning of patients in the healthy population, but there is a paucity of information on the effects of depression in CO poisoning patients. Results may give clinicians a new perspective in treating patients with CO poisoning and contribute to literature that analyzes the effects of depression on neuropsychological batteries.
