Chapter 13
Developmental Disorders &
Cognitive Disorders
Nature of Developmental Psychopathology:
An Overview
 Normal vs. Abnormal Development
 Developmental Psychopathology
– Study of how disorders arise and change with time
– Disruption of early skills can affect later
development
DSM-IV TR has 43 different categories/types
Mental Health vs. Educational categories – IDEA 2004
IDEA 97 Categories - PL 105-17
IDEA 2004 – (Same)
Individual Disabilities Education Act
 Blind or Visually Impaired
 Hearing impaired (includes
deaf)
 Orthopedic
 Other Health Impaired
 Mentally Retarded
 Specific Learning Disability
 Autism




Emotional Disturbance
Speech & Language Impaired
Traumatic Brain Injury
Developmental Delay (DD) <
age 9
 Needs special education
services
Kentucky Regulations - IDEA
 Mental Disability
 (mild/functional)
 Hearing impairments
 Communication Disorders
 Visual Impairment
 Emotional Behavioral
Disability
 Autism
 Deaf-Blind






Orthopedic/physically disabled
Traumatic Brain Injury
Other Health Impaired
Specific Learning Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Developmental Delay (DD)
<age 9
Nature of Developmental Psychopathology:
An Overview (continued)
 Developmental Disorders
– Diagnosed first in infancy, childhood, or
adolescence (43 diagnoses)
– Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD)
– Learning disorders
– Autism
– Mental retardation
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD): An Overview
 Nature of ADHD
– Central features – Inattention, overactivity,
and impulsivity
– Associated with numerous impairments

Behavioral

Cognitive

Social and academic problems
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD): An Overview (continued)
 DSM-IV-TR Symptom Types
– Inattentive type
– Hyperactive type
– Impulsive type
ADHD: Facts and Statistics
 Prevalence
– Occurs in 6% of school-aged children
– Symptoms are usually present around age
3 or 4
– 68% of children with ADHD have problems
as adults
ADHD: Facts and Statistics (continued)
 Gender Differences
– Boys outnumber girls 4 to 1
 Cultural Factors
 Probability of ADHD diagnosis
– Greatest in the United States
The Causes of ADHD: Biological
Contributions
 Genetic Contributions
– ADHD seems to run in families
– DRD4, DAT1, and DRD5 genes have been
implicated
The Causes of ADHD: Biological
Contributions (continued)
 Neurobiological Contributions
– Smaller brain volume
– Inactivity of the frontal cortex and basal
ganglia
– Abnormal frontal lobe development and
functioning
The Causes of ADHD: Biological
Contributions (continued)
 The Role of Toxins
– No evidence that allergens and food
additives are causes
– Maternal smoking increases risk
The Causes of ADHD: Psychosocial
Contributions
 Psychosocial Factors
– Can influence the nature of ADHD
– ADHD children are often viewed negatively
by others
– Constant negative feedback from peers
and adults
– Peer rejection and resulting social isolation
– Such factors foster low self-esteem
Biological Treatment of ADHD
 Goal of Biological Treatments
– To reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and
to improve attention
 Stimulant Medications
– Reduce core symptoms in 70% of cases
– Examples include Ritalin, Dexedrine
Biological Treatment of ADHD (continued)
 Other Medications With More Limited Efficacy
– Imipramine and Clonidine
(antihypertensive)
 Effects of Medications
– Improve compliance and decrease
negative behaviors
– Do not affect learning and academic
performance
– Benefits are not lasting following
discontinuation
Behavioral and Combined Treatment of
ADHD
 Behavioral Treatment
– Reinforcement programs

To increase appropriate behaviors

Decrease inappropriate behaviors
– May also involve parent training
Behavioral and Combined Treatment of
ADHD (continued)
 Combined Bio-Psycho-Social Treatments
– Are highly recommended
– Superior to medication or behavioral
treatments alone
Learning Disorders: An Overview
 Scope of Learning Disorders
– Academic problems in reading,
mathematics, and writing
– Performance substantially below expected
levels
Learning Disorders: An Overview
(continued)
 DSM-IV-TR Reading Disorder
– Discrepancy between actual and expected
achievement
– Performance significantly below age or
grade level
– Cannot be caused by sensory deficits
Learning Disorders: An Overview
(continued)
 DSM-IV-TR Mathematics Disorder
– Achievement below expected performance
 DSM-IV-TR Disorder of Written Expression
– Achievement below expected performance
in writing
Learning Disorders: Some Facts and
Statistics
 Prevalence of Learning Disorders
– 5-10% prevalence in the United States
– Highest in wealthier regions of the United
States
– About 32% of these students drop out of
school
– 5-15% prevalence for reading difficulties
– School experience tends to be generally
negative
Fig. 13.1, p. 514
Biological and Psychosocial Causes of
Learning Disorders
 Genetic and Neurobiological Contributions
– Reading disorder runs in families
– 100% concordance rate for identical twins
– Evidence for subtle forms of brain damage
is inconclusive
– Overall, contributions are unclear
 Psychosocial Contributions are Largely
Unknown
Treatment of Learning Disorders
 Requires Intense Educational Interventions
– Remediation of basic processing problems
– Improvement of cognitive skills
– Targeting skills to compensate for problem
areas
 Data Support Behavioral Educational
Interventions
Pervasive Developmental Disorders: An
Overview
 Nature of Pervasive Developmental Disorders
– Problems occur in Language, Socialization,
and Cognition
– Pervasive – Problems span many life
areas
 Examples of Pervasive Developmental
Disorders
– Autistic disorder
– Asperger’s syndrome
The Nature of Autistic Disorder: An
Overview
 Autism – Significant Impairments
– Social interactions and communication
– Restricted patterns of behavior, interest,
and activities
The Nature of Autistic Disorder: An
Overview (continued)
 Three Central DSM-IV-TR Features of Autism
– Qualitative impairment of social interaction
– Problems in communication

50% never acquire useful speech
– Restricted patterns of behavior, interests,
and activities
Autistic Disorder: Facts and Statistics
 Prevalence and Features of Autism – 1 in
every 500 births
– More prevalent in females with IQs below
35
– More prevalent in males with higher IQs
– Occurs worldwide
– Symptoms usually develop before 36
months of age
Autistic Disorder: Facts and Statistics
(continued)
 Autism and Intellectual Functioning
– 50% have IQs in the severe-to-profound
range
– 25% test in the mild-to-moderate IQ range
– Remaining test in the borderline-toaverage IQ range
 Reliable indicators of good prognosis
– Language ability and IQ
Causes of Autism: Early and More Recent
Contributions
 Historical Views
– Bad parenting
– Unusual speech patterns
– Lack of self-awareness
– Echolalia
Causes of Autism: Early and More Recent
Contributions (continued)
 Current Understanding of Autism
– Medical conditions – Not always related
with autism
– Genetic component is largely unclear
– Neurobiological evidence of brain damage
– Substantially reduced cerebellum size
 Psychosocial Contributions Are Unclear
Asperger’s Disorder: Part of the Autistic
Spectrum
 The Nature of Asperger’s Disorder
– Show significant social impairments
– Restricted and repetitive stereotyped
behaviors
– May be clumsy
– Often quite verbal
– No severe language and/or cognitive
delays
Asperger’s Disorder: Part of the Autistic
Spectrum (continued)
 Prevalence of Asperger’s Disorder
– Often under diagnosed
– Affects about 1 to 36 persons per 10,000
people
 Causes of Asperger’s Disorder Are
Somewhat Unclear
Treatment of Pervasive Developmental
Disorders: Example of Autism
 Psychosocial “Behavioral” Treatments
– Skill building
– Reduction of problem behaviors
– Target communication and language
problems
– Address socialization deficits
– Early intervention is critical
Treatment of Pervasive Developmental
Disorders: Example of Autism (continued)
 Biological and Medical Treatments Are
Unavailable
 Integrated Treatments: The Preferred Model
– Focus on children, their families, schools,
and home
– Build in appropriate community and social
support
Mental Retardation (MR): An Overview
 Nature of Mental Retardation/Intellectual
Disability (new term)
– Disorder of childhood
– Below-average intellectual and adaptive
functioning
– Range of impairment varies greatly across
persons
Mental Retardation (MR): An Overview
(continued)
 DSM-IV-TR criteria
– Significantly sub-average intellectual
functioning
– Deficits or impairments in present adaptive
functioning
– Must be evident before the person is 18
years of age
DSM-IV-TR Levels of Mental Retardation
(MR)
 Mild MR/ID
– IQ score between 50 or 55 and 70
 Moderate MR/ID
– IQ range of 35-40 to 50-55
 Severe MR/ID
– IQs ranging from 20-25 up to 35-40
 Profound MR/ID
– IQ scores below 20-25
Other Classification Systems for Mental
Retardation (MR)
 American Association of Mental Retardation
(AAMR)
– Defines MR based on levels of assistance
required
– Levels of assistance

Intermittent, limited, extensive, pervasive
Other Classification Systems for Mental
Retardation (MR) (continued)
 Classification of MR/ID in Educational
Systems
– Educable (IQ of 50 to 70-75)
– Trainable (IQ of 30 to 50)
– Severe (IQ below 30)
 Implications of Different MR/ID Classification
Systems
Mental Retardation (MR)/Intellectual
Disabilities (ID): Some Facts and Statistics
 Prevalence
– About 1-3% of the general population
– 90% are labeled with mild mental
retardation
Mental Retardation (MR): Some Facts and
Statistics (continued)
 Gender Differences
– MR occurs more often in males
– Male-to-female ratio of about 1.6:1
 Course of MR
– Tends to be chronic
– Prognosis varies greatly from person to
person
Causes of Mental Retardation (MR):
Biological Contributions
 Hundreds of known causes
– Environmental – Deprivation, abuse
– Prenatal – Exposure to disease or a drug /
toxin
– Perinatal – Difficulties during labor
– Postnatal – Head injury
Causes of Mental Retardation (MR):
Biological Contributions (continued)
 Genetic Research
– Multiple genes, and at times single genes
 Chromosomal Abnormalities
– Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome
 Maternal Age and Risk of Having a Down’s
Baby
 Nearly 75% of Cases Have No Known Cause
Causes of Mental Retardation (MR):
Psychosocial Contributions
 Cultural-Familial Retardation
– Believed to cause about 75% of MR cases
– Is the least understood
– Associated with

Mild levels of retardation on IQ tests

Good adaptive skills
Causes of Mental Retardation (MR):
Psychosocial Contributions (continued)
 Difference vs. Developmental Views
– Difference view - Kind and degree of
impairment
– Developmental view – Rate of
developmental delay
Treatment of Mental Retardation (MR)
 Parallels Treatment of Pervasive
Developmental Disorders
 Teach Needed Skills
– To foster productivity
– To foster independence
– Educational and behavioral management
– Living and self-care skills via task analysis
– Communication training – Often most
challenging
Treatment of Mental Retardation (MR)
(continued)
 Community and Supportive Interventions
– Persons with MR can benefit from such
interventions
Summary of Developmental Disorders
 Developmental Psychopathology
 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
– Deficits in attention, hyperactivity, or
impulsivity
 Learning Disorders
– Deficits in performance below expectations
Summary of Developmental Disorders
(continued)
 Pervasive Developmental Disorder
– All share deficits in language, socialization,
and cognition
 Mental Retardation
– Sub-average IQ, deficits in adaptive
functioning
– Onset before age 18
 Prevention and Early Intervention Are Critical
p. 558-559
p. 558-559
p. 558-559
p. 558-559
p. 558-559
p. 558-559
Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy,
Childhood, or Adolescence
 New additions
 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Preschool Children
 Temper Dysregulation Disorder with Dysphoria
 Callous and Unemotional Specifier for Conduct Disorder
 Learning Disabilities
 Non-Suicidal Self Injury
 Non-Suicidal Self Injury Not Otherwise Specified
 Language Impairment
 Late Language Emergence
 Specific Language Impairment
 Social Communication Disorder
 Voice Disorder
Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood,
or Adolescence
 Reclassification
 Pica: Move to Eating Disorders
 Rumination Disorder: Move to Eating Disorders
 Feeding Disorder of Infancy or Early Childhood: Move to
Eating Disorders; Renamed Avoidant/Restrictive Food
Intake Disorder
 Separation Anxiety Disorder: Moved to Anxiety Disorders
Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood,
or Adolescence
 Disorders to be removed
 Expressive Language Disorder
 Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder
 Communication Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
 Rett's Disorder
 Reactive Attachment Disorder of Infancy or Early Childhood:
Division into Reactive Attachment Disorder of Infancy or Early
Childhood & Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
 Disorder of Written Expression and Learning Disorder Not
Otherwise Specified: Subsumed under Learning Disorder
 Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and
Pervasive Developmental Disorder: Subsumed under Autistic
Disorder (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
ADHD
 A. Either (1) and/or (2)
 1. Inattention
 2. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
 B. Several noticeable inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive
symptoms were present by age 12.
 C. The symptoms are apparent in two or more settings (e.g., at
home, school or work, with friends or relatives, or in other
activities).
 D. There must be clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with
or reduce the quality of social, academic, or occupational
functioning.
 E. The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of
schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder and are not better
accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g., mood disorder,
anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or a personality disorder).
 Specifiers:
 Combined, Predominately Inattentive, Predominately
Hyperactive/Impulsive, Inattentive (Restrictive)
Communication & Learning Disorders




Phonological Disorder: Renamed to Speech Sound Disorder
Stuttering: Renamed to Childhood Onset Fluency Disorder
Reading Disorder: Renamed to Dyslexia
Mathematics Disorder: Renamed to Dyscalculia
Mental Retardation
 Mental Retardation: Renamed Intellectual Disability
 Mental Retardation, Severity Unspecified: Renamed to
Intellectual or Global Developmental Delay Not Further
Specified
Autistic (Autism Spectrum) Disorder
 Autistic Disorder: Renamed Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Must meet criteria A, B, C, and D
 A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social
interaction across contexts
 B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or
activities
 C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may
not become fully manifest until social demands exceed
limited capacities)
 D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday
functioning
Tic Disorders
 Tic Disorders
 Tourette’s Disorder
 Chronic Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder
 Transient Tic Disorder
 Tic Disorder NOS
 All proposed to be classified as Neurodevelopmental
Disorders
Medical Conditions Related to Delirium
 Medical Conditions
– Drug intoxication, poisons, withdrawal from
drugs
– Infections
– Head injury and several forms of brain
trauma
– Sleep deprivation, immobility, and
excessive stress
p. 558-559
Nature of Cognitive Disorders: An Overview
 Perspectives on Cognitive Disorders
– Affect learning, memory, and
consciousness
– Most develop later in life
Nature of Cognitive Disorders: An Overview
(continued)
 Three Classes of Cognitive Disorders
– Delirium – Temporary confusion and
disorientation
– Dementia – Marked by broad cognitive
deterioration
– Amnestic disorders – Memory dysfunctions
Nature of Cognitive Disorders: An Overview
(continued)
 Shifting DSM Perspectives
– From “organic” mental disorders to
“cognitive” disorders
– Broad impairments in cognitive functioning
– Profound changes in behavior and
personality
Delirium: An Overview
 Nature of Delirium
– Central features – Impaired consciousness
and cognition
– Develops rapidly over several hours or
days
– Appear confused, disoriented, and
inattentive
– Marked memory and language deficits
Delirium: An Overview (continued)
 Facts and Statistics
– Affects 10% to 30% of persons in acute
care facilities
– Most prevalent in older adults

Those undergoing medical procedures

AIDS patients and cancer patients
– Full recovery often occurs within several
weeks
Medical Conditions Related to Delirium
(continued)
 DSM-IV-TR Subtypes of Delirium
– Delirium due to a general medical condition
– Substance-induced delirium
– Delirium due to multiple etiologies
– Delirium not otherwise specified
Treatment and Prevention of Delirium
 Treatment
– Attention to precipitating medical problems
– Psychosocial interventions include
reassurance

Focus on coping strategies

Inclusion of patients in treatment
decisions
Treatment and Prevention of Delirium
(continued)
 Prevention
– Address proper medical care for illnesses
– Address proper use and adherence to
therapeutic drugs
Dementia: An Overview
 Nature of Dementia
– Gradual deterioration of brain functioning
– Deterioration in judgment and memory
– Deterioration in language / advanced
cognitive processes
– Has many causes and may be irreversible
Dementia: Initial and Later Stages
 Initial Stages
– Memory and visuospatial skills
impairments
– Agnosia – Inability to recognize and name
objects
– Facial agnosia – Inability to recognize
familiar faces
– Other symptoms

Delusions, apathy, depression, agitation,
aggression
Dementia: Initial and Later Stages
(continued)
 Later Stages
– Cognitive functioning continues to
deteriorate
– Total support is needed to carry out day-today activities
– Death due to inactivity and onset of other
illnesses
Dementia: Facts and Statistics
 Onset and Prevalence
– Can occur at any age, but most common in
the elderly
– Affects 1% of those between 65-74 years
of age
– Affects over 10% of persons 85 years and
older
Dementia: Facts and Statistics (continued)
 Incidence of Dementia
– Affects 2.3% of those 75-79 years of age
– Affects 8.5% of those 85 and older
– Rates seem to double with every 5 years of
age
Dementia: Facts and Statistics (continued)
 Gender and Sociocultural Factors
– Occurs equally in men and women
– Occurs equally across educational level
and social class
DSM-IV-TR Classes of Dementia
 Dementia of the Alzheimer’s type
 Vascular Dementia
 Dementia Due to Other General Medical
Conditions
 Substance-Induced Persisting Dementia
 Dementia Due to Multiple Etiologies
 Dementia Not Otherwise Specified
Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type: An
Overview
 DSM-IV-TR Criteria and Clinical Features
– Multiple cognitive deficits
– Develop gradually and steadily
– Memory, orientation, judgment, and
reasoning deficits
– Additional symptoms may include

Agitation, confusion, or combativeness

Depression and/or anxiety
– “Sundowner syndrome”
Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type: Extent of
Deficits
 Range of Cognitive Deficits
– Aphasia – Difficulty with language
– Apraxia – Impaired motor functioning
– Agnosia – Failure to recognize objects
Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type: Extent of
Deficits (continued)
– Difficulties with

Planning

Organizing

Sequencing

Abstracting information
– Negative impact on social and
occupational functioning
 An Autopsy Is Required for a Definitive
Diagnosis
Alzheimer’s Disease: Some Facts and
Statistics
 Nature and Progression of the Disease
– Deterioration is slow during the early and
later stages
– Deterioration is rapid during middle stages
– Average survival time is about 8 years
– Onset usually occurs in the 60s or 70s
Alzheimer’s Disease: Some Facts and
Statistics (continued)
 Prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease
– About 4 million Americans and many more
worldwide
– Prevalence greater in

Poorly educated persons and females
– Prevalence rates are low in some ethnic
groups
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease










1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
2. challenging in planning or solving problems
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
4. Confusion as to time and place
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial
relationships
6. New problems with words in speaking and writing
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgment
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Change in mood or personality
 See – www.alz.org
Vascular Dementia: An Overview
 Nature of Vascular Dementia
– Caused by blockage or damage to blood
vessels
– Second leading cause of dementia next to
Alzheimer’s
– Onset is often sudden (e.g., stroke)
– Patterns of impairment are variable
– Most require formal care in later stages
Vascular Dementia: An Overview
(continued)
 DSM-IV-TR Criteria and Incidence
– Cognitive disturbances – Identical to
dementia
– Obvious neurological signs of brain tissue
damage
– Incidence is about 4.7% of men and 3.8%
of women
Other Causes of Dementia:
HIV
 HIV
– Causes neurological impairments and
dementia
– Cognitive slowness, impaired attention,
and forgetfulness
– Apathy and social withdrawal
Other Causes of Dementia:
Head Trauma
 Head Trauma – Accidents are leading cause
– Memory loss is the most common
symptom
Other Causes of Dementia:
Parkinson’s Disease
 Parkinson’s Disease – Degenerative brain
disorder
– Affects about 1 out of 1,000 people
worldwide
– Motor problems – Central feature of this
disorder

Caused by damage to dopamine
pathways
– Impairments appear similar to sub-cortical
dementia
Other Causes of Dementia:
Huntington’s
 Huntington’s Disease
– Genetic autosomal dominant disorder
– Manifests initially as chorea, usually later in
life
– About 20-80% display dementia
– Dementia also follows a subcortical pattern
Other Causes of Dementia:
Pick’s Disease
 Pick’s Disease
– Rare neurological condition
– Produces a cortical dementia like
Alzheimer’s
– Also occurs later in life (around 40s or 50s)
– Little is known about what causes this
disease
Other Dementias: Creutzfeldt-Jakob
Disease
 Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
– Affects 1 out of 1,000,000 persons
– Linked to mad cow disease
Other Dementias: Substance-Induced
Dementia
 Substance-Induced Persisting Dementia
– Results from drug use in combination with
poor diet
– Several drugs can lead to symptoms of
dementia
– Resulting brain damage may be permanent
Other Dementias: Substance-Induced
Dementia (continued)
– Dementia is similar to that of Alzheimer’s
– Deficits may include

Aphasia, apraxia, agnosia

Disturbed executive functioning
Causes of Dementia: The Example of
Alzheimer’s Disease
 Early and Largely Unsupported Views
– Implicated aluminum and smoking
Causes of Dementia: The Example of
Alzheimer’s Disease (continued)
 Current Neurobiological Findings
– Neurofibrillary tangles
– Amyloid plaques
– The role of deterministic genes

Beta-amyloid precursor gene

Presenilin-1 and Presenilin-2 genes
– The role of susceptibility genes - ApoE4
gene
– Brains of Alzheimer’s patients tend to
atrophy
Causes of Dementia: The Example of
Alzheimer’s Disease (continued)
 Current Neurobiological Findings
– Multiple genes are involved in Alzheimer’s
disease
– Chromosomes 21, 19, 14, 12, 1
– Chromosome 14

Associated with early onset Alzheimer’s
– Chromosome 19

Associated with a late onset Alzheimer’s
The Contributions of Psychosocial Factors
in Dementia
 Psychosocial Factors
– Do not cause dementia directly
– May influence onset and course
– Lifestyle factors – Drug use, diet, exercise,
stress
The Contributions of Psychosocial Factors
in Dementia (continued)
– Cultural factors

Risk for certain conditions vary by
ethnicity and class
– Psychosocial factors

Educational attainment

Coping skills

Social support
Medical and Psychosocial Treatment of
Dementia
 Medical Treatment: Best if Enacted Early
– Few exist for most types of dementias
– Most attempt to slow progression of
deterioration
– Do not stop progression of dementia
Medical and Psychosocial Treatment of
Dementia (continued)
 Psychosocial Treatments - Aims
– To enhance lives of patients and their
families
– To teach compensatory skills
– To use memory enhancement devices, if
needed
– Psychosocial interventions appear to focus
on caregivers
Prevention of Dementia
 Reducing Risk of Dementia in Older Adults
– Estrogen-replacement therapy
– Proper treatment of cardiovascular
diseases
– Use of anti-inflammatory medications
 Other Targets of Prevention Efforts
– Increasing safety behaviors to reduce head
trauma
– Reducing exposure to neurotoxins and use
of drugs
Amnestic Disorder: An Overview
 Nature of Amnestic Disorder
– Circumscribed loss of memory
– Inability to transfer information into longterm memory
– No loss of other high-level cognitive
functions
Amnestic Disorder: An Overview
(continued)
 Causes May Include
– Medical conditions, head trauma, or longterm drug use
 DSM-IV-TR Criteria
– Inability to

Learn new information or recall learned
information
– Significant impairment in functioning
Amnestic Disorder: An Overview
(continued)
 The Example of Wernicke-Korsakoff
Syndrome
– Damage to the thalamus
– Thiamine (Vitamin B-1) deficiency
– Resulting from stroke or chronic heavy
alcohol use
 Prevention
– Use of thiamine supplements with heavy
drinkers
 Research on Amnestic Disorders Is Scant
Summary of Cognitive Disorders
 Cognitive Disorders Span a Range of Deficits
– Affect attention, memory, language, and
motor behavior
– Causes include

Medical conditions

Drug use

Environmental factors
Summary of Cognitive Disorders (continued)
 Most Result in Progressive Deterioration of
Functioning
 Few Treatments Exist to Reverse Damage
and Deficits
Table 13.1, p. 540
Table 13.2, p. 543
p. 560-561
p. 560-561
p. 560-561
p. 560-561
p. 560-561
p. 561
p. 561
p. 561