Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) validity scales were compared in 4 groups: nonclinical participants answering under standard instructions (n = 20), nonclinical participants instructed to fake closed-head injury (CHI) symptoms (n = 18), non-compensation-seeking CHI patients (« = 31), and compensation-seeking CHI patients (n = 30). The highest scores on MMPI-2 overreporting scales were obtained by nonclinical participants faking CHI, and significantly higher scores on these scales were obtained by compensation-seeking relative to non-compensation-seeking CHI patients. These results suggest that MMPI-2 overreporting scales are sensitive to fabrication of CHI complaints, and possibly to exaggeration of CHI complaints, although further research is necessary to evaluate the latter hypothesis fully.Closed-head injury (CHI) is currently one of the most common neuropathologies in the United States, resulting annually in an estimated 2 million medically attended injuries, 300,000 hospitalizations, and 75,000 deaths (Kraus & Sorenson, 1994). In addition to the peripheral injuries caused by trauma incurred in accidents producing CHI, neuropsychological (Lovell & Franzen, 1994) and neuropsychiatric (Taylor & Price, 1994) symptoms are quite common. In order to address the psychiatric symptoms of CHI (Prigatano, 1987), assessment of psycho-

The present study was an attempt to cross-validate discrimination rules derived from a previous study on the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery for use in predicting ventricular enlargement and to replicate the correlations found between the Luria-Nebraska scales and ventricular brain ratio. Forty-three chronic schizophrenic patients between the ages of 20 and 39 were given a computed tomography (CT) scan and the Luria-Nebraska Battery. Ventricular brain ratio was calculated, and the Luria-Nebraska rules previously suggested were applied to predict the absence or presence of ventricular enlargement. All 15 of the patients with ventricular enlargement were correctly classified by the Luria-Nebraska. Of 28 patients with normal ventricles, the Luria-Nebraska classified 18 as normal and 10 as brain damaged, for a combined hit rate of 33 out of 43, or 77%. The multiple correlation between the Luria-Nebraska scales and ventricular brain ratio was .76, comparable to the results of the previous study. Differences between the studies and the implications of objective CT scan measurement for detecting cerebral atrophy are discussed..

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Previous studies found changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns related to both age and various cognitive tasks. However, no study has yet demonstrated a relationship between rCBF and performance on the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB) in an elderly group. Seventy-nine elderly volunteers (56-88 years old), both healthy and demented, underwent the 133xenon inhalation rCBF procedure and were given the LNNB. The decrements in the gray-matter blood flow paralleled decrements in performance on the LNNB. Using partial correlations, a significant proportion of shared variance was observed between gray-matter blood flow and the LNNB scales. However, there was much less of a relationship between white-matter blood flow and performance on the LNNB. This study suggests that even within a restricted age sample rCBF is related in a global way to neuropsychological functioning.

Since the introduction of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB), issues related to its understanding, interpretation, and validity have generated much interest. In response to P. A. Spiers's criticism of the battery, the authors suggest that the controversy appears to arise from a divergence in theoretical orientation on the role of quantitative versus qualitative assessment as well as from differences in the understanding of measurement methodology and validity. The present article discusses the theoretical basis from which the LNNB was constructed and describes the process of test interpretation. Previous and current research on use and validity of the battery is presented as it relates to the theoretical and methodological concerns. While basic philosophical differences with other theoretical systems are not likely to be resolved, the authors of the LNNB will continue to emphasize the integration of quantitative and qualitative approaches, both in the use of the LNNB and in the field of neuropsychology in general. It is concluded that the LNNB will continue to be revised on the basis of research findings and experience with the test in different patient populations. (35 ref)