Previous research with adult mental health and adolescent forensic samples has found that intelligence is differentially related to the four dimensions of psychopathy. The current study evaluated the relations between the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV) factors and full-scale intelligence (FIQ) in 100 males detained in a county jail. Structural equation modeling results revealed that the PCL:SV interpersonal factor had a strong positive relationship to the FIQ latent variable, whereas the antisocial factor was moderately positively associated with FIQ. In contrast, FIQ was negatively related to both the affective and lifestyle PCL:SV factors. Overall, the psychopathy factors accounted for 25% of the variance of FIQ. The current study adds to a growing literature suggesting that features of psychopathy are differentially related to intellectual functioning.

Adult participants for the current study were placed into one of two groups depending on whether they manifested either high or low symptom levels of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as determined by the Wender Utah Rating Scale. Participants were also assessed on a battery of cognitive tasks as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety and substance abuse. The ADHD symptom groups were comparable in age and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Adults with greater ADHD symptomatology performed more poorly on cognitive measures of response inhibition (the Stop-Signal task) and visual attention, compared to those with fewer ADHD symptoms. Regression analysis indicated the Stop-Signal task accounted for a greater proportion of the variance of ADHD symptomatology than any other cognitive variable. The conclusions from the findings are discussed in relation to self-regulation model of ADHD.

Performance validity testing refers to neuropsychologists' methodology for determining whether neuropsychological test performances completed in the course of an evaluation are valid (ie, the results of true neurocognitive function) or invalid (ie, overly impacted by the patient's effort/engagement in testing). This determination relies upon the use of either standalone tests designed for this sole purpose, or specific scores/indicators embedded within traditional neuropsychological measures that have demonstrated this utility. In response to a greater appreciation for the critical role that performance validity issues play in neuropsychological testing and the need to measure this variable to the best of our ability, the scientific base for performance validity testing has expanded greatly over the last 20 to 30 years. As such, the majority of current day neuropsychologists in the United States use a variety of measures for the purpose of performance validity testing as part of everyday forensic and clinical practice and address this issue directly in their evaluations. The following is the first article of a 2-part series that will address the evolution of performance validity testing in the field of neuropsychology, both in terms of the science as well as the clinical application of this measurement technique. The second article of this series will review performance validity tests in terms of methods for development of these measures, and maximizing of diagnostic accuracy.

Practical experience is central to the education and training of neuropsychologists, beginning in graduate school and extending through postdoctoral fellowship. However, historically, little attention has been given to the structure and requirements of practicum training in clinical neuropsychology. A working group of senior-level neuropsychologists, as well as a current postdoctoral fellow, all from a diverse range of settings (The AACN Practicum Guidelines Workgroup), was formed to propose guidelines for practicum training in clinical neuropsychology. The Workgroup reviewed relevant literature and sought input from professional organizations involved in education and training in neuropsychology. The proposed guidelines provide a definition of practicum training in clinical neuropsychology, detail entry and exit criteria across competencies relevant to practicum training in clinical neuropsychology, and discuss the relationship between doctoral training programs and practicum training sites. The proposed guidelines also provide a methodology for competency-based evaluation of clinical neuropsychology practicum trainees and outline characteristics and features that are integral to an effective training environment. Although the guidelines discussed below may not be implemented in their entirety across all clinical neuropsychology practicum training sites, they are consistent with the latest developments in competency-based education.

Objective Data for the use of embedded performance validity tests (ePVTs) with multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are limited. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether ePVTs previously validated in other neurological samples perform similarly in an MS sample. Methods In this retrospective study, the prevalence of below-criterion responding at different cut-off scores was calculated for each ePVT of interest among patients with MS who passed a stand-alone PVT. Results Previously established PVT cut-offs generally demonstrated acceptable specificity when applied to our sample. However, the overall cognitive burden of the sample was limited relative to that observed in prior large-scale MS studies. Conclusion The current study provides initial data regarding the performance of select ePVTs among an MS sample. Results indicate most previously validated cut-offs avoid excessive false positive errors in a predominantly relapsing remitting MS sample. Further validation among MS patients with more advanced disease is warranted.