Attention Executive Functions Research Articles

Cognitive improvement following endovascular embolization in patients with intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula: The Neuropsychology in dural ArterIal Fistula (NAIF) Study.

Cognitive improvement after endovascular embolization of an intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) remains unexplored. We aim to investigate cognitive changes following endovascular embolization of dAVFs. Neuropsychology in dural ArterIal Fistula (NAIF) was a prospective multicentric study including patients with an angiographic diagnosis of dAVF who underwent endovascular embolization over the course of 4 years. A complete neuropsychological evaluation comprising five cognitive domains (attention and executive functions, memory, language, praxis, gnosis) was performed at baseline and 3 months follow-up. Mean Z scores for cognitive tests were compared pre- and post-treatment using paired sample t-tests, where higher Z scores indicate better cognition. Effect sizes were computed as Cohen's d. A total of 32 patients (mean age 61.1±15.4 years, 10 (31.3%) females) were included. Patients exhibited improved performance in attention and executive functions: executive functions-attention (+0.282, P=0.009, d=0.29), executive functions-fluencies (+0.283, P=0.029, d=0.4), and executive functions-processing speed (+0.471, P=0.039, d=0.41). There was an increase in memory: verbal learning and verbal delayed recall scores (+0.513, P<0.001, d=0.55, and +0.385, P=0.001, d=0.41, respectively), while verbal recognition parameters (+0.839, P=0.086, d=0.37) and visual memory (delayed recall) (+0.430, P=0.060, d=0.35) displayed trends toward improved performance. Regarding language, there was significant overall improvement (+0.300, P=0.014, d=0.24), but neither praxis nor gnosis changed significantly. These cognitive outcomes were independent of the severity (measured as Cognard classification), and no patient experienced cognitive worsening. This study suggests that endovascular embolization confers cognitive benefits on dAVF patients undergoing endovascular embolization and may be beneficial even for patients with a low risk of hemorrhage.

40 Disorders Of The Anterior Attentional-Intentional System In COVID-19 Survivors - Preliminary Results

Objective:In December 2019, the first reports came from China about cases of pneumonia caused by a previously unknown coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), responsible for a disease called COVID-19. Since then, the pandemic has spread worldwide, affecting people’s physical and mental health and as well as quality of life. Currently, many people are experiencing the health consequences of contracting COVID-19, also due to the impact this disease has on the central nervous system. As a result, in addition to well-known ailments, such as headaches, chronic fatigue or smell and taste disorders, COVID-19 survivors may develop neuropsychological problems such as executive-attentional deficits. However, the specificity of these executive-attentional problems has not been determined. Thus, the purpose of this study was to learn if survivors of COVID-19 may present with more generalized or rather specific dysfunction(s) of the anterior attentional-executive system.Participants and Methods:The study group consisted of 37 individuals who underwent COVID-19 (age M=44, education M=17). The comparison group consisted of 25 matched controls tested before the COVID-19 pandemia. The experimental procedures included (1) a clinical interview, (2) an assessment of selected cognitive functions (3) and attentionalexecutive functioning, which was assessed using the ROtman-Baycrest Battery to Investigate Attention (ROBBIA); a battery was designed to measure three attentional processes (i.e., energizing, task setting, and monitoring). Overall, four reaction time (RT) subtests from ROBBIA were administered: (1) Simple RT, (2) Choice RT, (3), Prepare RT, and (4) Concentrate. For each subtest, the instruction was to press an appropriate button on a response pad as quickly as possible when a target stimulus (one of the following capital letters: A, B, C, or D) is detected, but also (in Choice RT, Prepare RT and Concentrate) to make as few errors as possible.Results:Overall, the analyses revealed that individuals who survived COVID-19 exhibited a different effect of the warning stimulus compared to controls. Specifically, COVID19 survivors presented an increase in reaction time from 1s warning condition to 3s warning condition being significantly greater than the control group’s increase (p &lt; .05). Also, only in the COVID-19 group, reaction time in the Concentrate task tended to be longer (p = 0.01). No group differences in monitoring (e.g., number of errors) or task setting emerged.Conclusions:The patients’ problems appear analogous to those observed in other chronic somatic diseases, likely due to the impact of COVID-19 on the frontal lobe’s medial regions. However, due to a small sample size, future neuroimaging research, including computerized studies of attentional-execution networks, is needed to confirm that COVID-19 may predominantly affect the energization system that contributes to these patient’s cognitive slowing and defective ability to sustain attention.

Cognitive and motor profiles as prodromal markers in predicting phenoconversion and phenotype in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder

ObjectiveTo determine the clinical markers based on cognitive and motor profiles in predicting phenoconverion and phenotype in isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD). Methods45 iRBD patients and 25 healthy controls were included in the follow-up study. All participates received comprehensive evaluations of cognitive, motor and autonomic function at baseline. Positive phenoconversion were identified according to standard diagnostic criteria during follow-up. Results21 iRBD patients displayed phenoconversion in a mean follow-up of 2.9 ± 1.6 years, with 14 presenting motor phenotype and 7 cognitive phenotype. In iRBD, visuospatial, memory, attention-executive function, information processing speed, and motor function predicted phenoconversion, with the combination of Trail Making Test (TMT) and Alternate-tap Test (ATT) performing best (sensitivity = 95.0 %, specificity = 75.0 %); attention-executive function, information processing speed, and motor function predicted motor phenotype conversion, with the combination of TMT and ATT performing best (sensitivity = 100 %, specificity = 66.7 %); visuospatial, memory, and attention-executive function predicted cognitive phenotype conversion, with TMT performing best (sensitivity = 83.3 %, specificity = 91.7 %). Furthermore, individuals with lower z-scores of TMT, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, and ATT than the established cutoff values in iRBD exhibited a significantly higher risk for phenoconversion at follow-up (HR = 2.98, 9.53, 11.68; respectively). ConclusionsIn iRBD, the attention-executive and motor function served as optimum combined markers in predicting phenoconversion and motor phenotype, whereas the attention-executive function performed best in predicting cognitive phenotype. Poor attention-executive function, information processing speed and motor function in iRBD independently increased the risk of phenoconversion.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Spanish Validation of the Computerized Information Processing Assessment Battery (COGNITO).

Mild cognitive impairment (CI) has an exponential increase in its prevalence and causes functional deficits and dependence. Its early detection allows for timely treatment and greater therapeutic efficacy. However, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is currently underdiagnosed. Although recent decades have seen a rise in computerized instruments for the detection and early diagnosis of MCI, showing numerous advantages over the classic paper-and-pencil methods, such as standardized stimulus presentation. However, their limitations include the use of self-administered application without professional supervision. Few of these instruments have Spanish-adapted versions. To translate, adapt, and validate the computerized Information Processing Assessment Battery (COGNITO) battery in the Spanish population and to develop a portable administration system that facilitates its application in different settings. COGNITO was then administered to 232 Spanish participants (18-89years) without cognitive impairment, after which preliminary normative data were obtained. Strong positive correlations were found between the main cognitive domains assessed by COGNITO and the variables of age, educational level, and MEC score. The gender variable only correlated with visuospatial skills, with men outperforming women. The test-retest correlations conducted after 4 weeks with 89 participants revealed adequate reliability coefficients ranging between.63 and.66 (visuospatial skills = 0.35). Internal consistency coefficients were satisfactory in Attention-Executive Functions and Memory domains. The Spanish adaptation of COGNITO shows adequate psychometric characteristics of validity and reliability. The preliminary normative data provided may contribute to the early detection of cognitive impairments associated with both normal aging and various types of neurological pathology. This tool has great utility and versatility for neuropsychological practice.

The Mex-Cog cognitive assessment battery: discriminant analysis of the cognitive performance profile in older adults.

To analyze the cognitive profile of a clinical sample using the Mex-Cog cognitive battery and establish which cognitive measures and domains contribute most to group separation. A group of 145 older adults previously diagnosed with dementia (n= 47), mild cognitive impairment MCI (n= 47), or as cognitively normal (n= 51) were assessed with the Mex-Cog cognitive battery. Six linear discriminant analyses (LDA) were estimated to compare dementia vs. cognitively normal, MCI vs. cognitively normal, and MCI vs. dementia, using ten individual measures and six cognitive domains. We used a leave-one-out cross-validation procedure to evaluate the predictive capacity of LDA models. Discriminant functions using individual measures and domains distinguished correctly 100% of dementia and cognitively normal groups showing a memory and executive function profile. The predictive group membership for MCI versus cognitively normal varied between 82 and 85%, with a cognitive profile associated with attention-executive function followed by memory. Group separation between MCI and dementia was between 80 and 87%, characterized by orientation, memory, and visuospatial abilities. The Mex-Cog cognitive battery is useful for identifying cognitive impairment in older adults.

Dietary and serum tyrosine, white matter microstructure and inter-individual variability in executive functions in overweight adults: Relation to sex/gender and age

Tyrosine (tyr), the precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine, is known to modulate cognitive functions including executive attention. Tyr supplementation is suggested to influence dopamine-modulated cognitive performance. However, results are inconclusive regarding the presence or strength and also the direction of the association between tyr and cognitive function. This pre-registered cross-sectional analysis investigates whether diet-associated serum tyr relates to executive attention performance, and whether this relationship is moderated by differences in white matter microstructure.59 healthy, overweight, young to middle-aged adults (20 female sex/gender group, 28.3 ± 6.6 years, BMI: 27.3 ± 1.5 kg/m2) drawn from a longitudinal study reported dietary habits, donated blood and completed diffusion-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging and the attention network test. Main analyses were performed using linear regressions and non-parametric voxel-wise inference testing.Confirmatory analyses did neither support an association between dietary and serum tyr nor a relationship between relative serum tyr/large neutral amino acids (LNAA) levels or white matter microstructure and executive attention performance. However, exploratory analyses revealed higher tyr intake, higher serum tyr and better executive attention performance in the male sex/gender group. In addition, older age was associated with higher dietary tyr intake and lower fractional anisotropy in a widespread cluster across the brain. Finally, a positive association between relative serum tyr/LNAA level and executive attention performance was found in the male sex/gender group when accounting for age effects.Our analysis advances the field of dopamine-modulated cognitive functions by revealing sex/gender and age differences which might be diet-related. Longitudinal or intervention studies and larger sample sizes are needed to provide more reliable evidence for links between tyr and executive attention.

Electrodermal Activity Biofeedback Alters Evolving Functional Brain Networks in People With Epilepsy, but in a Non-specific Manner

There is evidence that biofeedback of electrodermal activity (EDA) can reduce seizure frequency in people with epilepsy. Prior studies have linked EDA biofeedback to a diffuse brain activation as a potential functional mechanism. Here, we investigated whether short-term EDA biofeedback alters EEG-derived large-scale functional brain networks in people with epilepsy. In this prospective controlled trial, thirty participants were quasi-randomly assigned to one of three biofeedback conditions (arousal, sham, or relaxation) and performed a single, 30-min biofeedback training while undergoing continuous EEG recordings. Based on the EEG, we derived evolving functional brain networks and examined their topological, robustness, and stability properties over time. Potential effects on attentional-executive functions and mood were monitored via a neuropsychological assessment and subjective self-ratings. Participants assigned to the relaxation group seemed to be most successful in meeting the task requirements for this specific control condition (i.e., decreasing EDA). Participants in the sham group were more successful in increasing EDA than participants in the arousal group. However, only the arousal biofeedback training was associated with a prolonged robustness-enhancing effect on networks. Effects on other network properties were mostly unspecific for the different groups. None of the biofeedback conditions affected attentional-executive functions or subjective behavioral measures. Our results suggest that global characteristics of evolving functional brain networks are modified by EDA biofeedback. Some alterations persisted after the single training session; however, the effects were largely unspecific across the different biofeedback protocols. Further research should address changes of local network characteristics and whether multiple training sessions will result in more specific network modifications.

Metabolic syndrome impact on cognitive composites domain scores and on white matter hyperintensities in subjective cognitive decline: The FACEHBI Cohort

AbstractBackgroundTo explore the impact of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components on Cognitive Composites (CCs) domain scores and on White Matter Hyperintensities (WMHs) in individuals experiencing Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD).MethodTwo hundred participants from the FACEHBI cohort underwent structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), 18F‐Florbetaben Positron Emission Tomography (FBB‐PET), and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. MetS was defined using the Joint Interim Statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention criteria (elevated fasting glucose, elevated blood pressure, reduced HDL‐C, elevated triglycerides and elevated waist circumference). WMHs were addressed through the Fazekas scale, the Age‐related white matter changes (ARWMC) scale, and the FreeSurfer pipeline. Ten CCs domain scores were created using principal components analysis (PCA): (1) executive function fluency, (2) executive function processing speed, (3) executive function attention, (4) verbal memory, (5) visual memory, (6) face–name associative memory, (7) face–occupation associative memory, (8) language, (9) visuoperception, and (10) praxis. Age, sex, education, and Apolipoprotein E (APOE) were used as adjusting variables. Several analyses were performed to explore a sex effect.ResultForty‐seven individuals matched the MetS criteria. This syndrome behaves differently based on sex. Only women with MetS showed better performance in language (p = .002; OR = 2.12) than those without MetS. The only differentiating component between both groups (presence/absence MetS) was that women in the MetS subgroup presented greater abdominal obesity (Mann‐Whitney p = .001). From Mets group, antihypertensive drug treatment was significantly associated with better praxis scores (p = .012; OR = 1.84) and HDL‐C drug treatment with better language scores but worse episodic memory performance (p = .028; OR = 1.60; and p = .007; OR = .57, respectively). Drug treatment for elevated glucose was associated with low WMH load in the ARWMC scale (β= ‐.144; p = .045).ConclusionThis study demonstrated a protective effect of MetS in cognitive performance among SCD women with greater abdominal obesity and a lack of association between MetS and WMH load, although further investigation is needed to explore the long term impact of its entity.

Early onset consumption of coca paste associated with executive-attention vulnerability markers linked to caudate-frontal structural and functional abnormalities

Coca paste is the most popular form of smoked cocaine (SC) in Latin America and also the most widespread among adolescents in vulnerable sectors of society, thus representing a significant public health concern. Despite evidence suggesting that abnormal executive-attention function is predictive of addiction to stimulant drugs, no study to date has compared clinically relevant neuropsychological (NPS) and physiological variables between individuals with histories of smoked cocaine dependence (SCD) and insufflated cocaine hydrochloride dependence (ICD). In this study we evaluated 25 SCD and 22 ICD subjects matched by poly-consumption profiles, and 25 healthy controls (CTR) matched by age, gender, education, and socioeconomic status. An exhaustive NPS battery was used to assess cognitive domains (attention, executive functions, fluid intelligence, memory, language and social cognition). We complemented this assessment with structural (MRI) and functional (fMRI) neuroimaging data. We found that executive function and attention impairments could be explained by the administration route of cocaine, with strongest impairments for the SCD group. SCD also presented reduced grey matter density relative to ICD and CTR in the bilateral caudate, a key area for executive and attentional function. Functional connectivity between left caudate and inferior frontal regions mediated the association between brain structure and behavioral performance. Our results highlight the relevance of assessing the route of administration of stimulants, both in clinical and research settings.

Visual surround suppression in people with epilepsy correlates with attentional-executive functioning, but not with epilepsy or seizure types

PurposeFollowing reports that an index of visual surround suppression (SI) may serve as a biomarker for an imbalance of cortical excitation and inhibition in different psychiatric and neurological disorders including epilepsy, we evaluated whether SI is associated with seizure susceptibility, seizure spread, and inhibitory effects of antiseizure medication (ASM). MethodsIn this prospective controlled study, we examined SI with a motion discrimination task in people with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and focal epilepsy with and without focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures. Cofactors such as GABAergic ASM, attentional-executive functioning, and depression were taken into account. ResultsData of 45 patients were included in the final analysis. Suppression index was not related to epilepsy or seizure type, GABAergic ASM treatment or mood. However, SI correlated with attentional-executive functioning (r = 0.32), which in turn was associated with ASM load (r = −0.38). Repeated task administration (N = 7) proved a high stability over a one-week interval (rtt = 0.89). ConclusionsOur results do not support the hypothesis that SI is a reliable biomarker for mechanisms related to inhibition of seizure spread or seizure frequency, i.e., it does not seem to reflect inhibitory capacities in epilepsy. Likewise, SI did not differentiate GGE from focal epilepsy, nor was it influenced by ASM load or mode of action. Thus, in epilepsy, no added value of including SI to routine diagnostics can be concluded.

개인요소와 지역 요소에 의한 소득 양극 집단 아동의 주의력 집행기능 예측에 관한 머신러닝 비교

본 연구는 소득 양극 아동의 개인요소와 지역 요소에 의한 주의력 집행기능의 분류예측모형과 분류예측에 관여하는 변수 중요도를 분석하기 위하여 이루어졌다. jamovi 및 Rｘ64 3.6.1/ R-studio 분석 도구를 활용하여 한국아동패널 제 11차 데이터 자료를 분석하였으며, t 검증, 서포트 벡터머신(SVM)과 랜덤포레스트(RF)를 실시하였다. 첫째, 소득 양극 집단별 주의력집행기능, 준칙성, 지역시설 접근성, 지역기관 이용만족도에 대한 유의미한 차이가 분석되었다. 둘째, SVM 분석결과, 개인요소와 지역 요소에 의해 소득양극 아동별 주의력집행기능은 분류예측 되었으며, 높은 정확도를 보였다. 셋째, RF 분석 결과, 고소득 아동의 주의력집행기능 중요 변수는 준칙성, 지역기관 이용만족도, 지역기관 접근성 순으로 분석된 반면, 저소득 아동의 주의력집행기능 중요 변수는 학업능력, 또래 사교성, 공감 능력 순으로 나타났다. 이러한 분석결과를 토대로 논의 및 제언을 제시하였다.

Relationship between touchscreen tablet usage time and attention performance in young children

This study aims to investigate the relationships between touchscreen tablet usage time and attention performance in preschool children. Seventy-five young children with typical development were recruited. The accuracy rate and reaction time of their attention performance improved with age. Significant differences in accuracy rates, reaction time, and executive attention performance between young children who use touchscreen tablets more or less often were observed. Children who spent more time using touchscreen tablets had better accuracy rates and faster reaction time in the Attentional Network Task test. However, children who spent more time on tablets performed slower in terms of executive attention. These findings add to the understanding of the experience of using touchscreen tablets and its relationship with the attention performance of young children.

Cognitive Processes Underlying Verbal Fluency in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Verbal fluency (VF) has been associated with several cognitive functions, but the cognitive processes underlying verbal fluency deficits in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are controversial. Further knowledge about VF could be useful in clinical practice, because these tasks are brief, applicable, and reliable in MS patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cognitive processes related to VF and to develop machine-learning algorithms to predict those patients with cognitive deficits using only VF-derived scores.Methods: Two hundred participants with MS were enrolled and examined using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, including semantic and phonemic fluencies. Automatic linear modeling was used to identify the neuropsychological test predictors of VF scores. Furthermore, machine-learning algorithms (support vector machines, random forest) were developed to predict those patients with cognitive deficits using only VF-derived scores.Results: Neuropsychological tests associated with attention-executive functioning, memory, and language were the main predictors of the different fluency scores. However, the importance of memory was greater in semantic fluency and clustering scores, and executive functioning in phonemic fluency and switching. Machine learning algorithms predicted general cognitive impairment and executive dysfunction, with F1-scores over 67–71%.Conclusions: VF was influenced by many other cognitive processes, mainly including attention-executive functioning, episodic memory, and language. Semantic fluency and clustering were more explained by memory function, while phonemic fluency and switching were more related to executive functioning. Our study supports that the multiple cognitive components underlying VF tasks in MS could serve for screening purposes and the detection of executive dysfunction.

Engagement in Cognitively Stimulating Activities Mediates the Relationship between Openness and Attention/Executive Functions, but Not Memory in Older Adults.

Openness has a positive association with cognitive functioning and engagement in cognitively stimulating activities (CSA). Older adults who engage in more CSA tend to show greater preservation of their cognitive skills; thus, we examined whether: higher Openness would be associated with higher attention/executive functions (AEF) and verbal memory; and CSA would mediate the relationship between Openness and AEF, as well as verbal memory. 477 community-dwelling older adults (65+ years) were included in the current cross-sectional study. Composite variables of AEF (TMT-A&B, COWAT, and DSST) and verbal memory (RBANS immediate and delayed verbal memory subtasks) were included. Openness was assessed via the Big-5 Inventory and CSA with the Leisure Activity Questionnaire. 477 community-dwelling older adults (65+ years) were included in the current cross-sectional study. Composite variables of AEF (TMT-A&B, COWAT, and DSST) and verbal memory (RBANS verbal memory subtasks) were included. Openness was assessed via the Big-5 Inventory and CSA with the Leisure Activity Questionnaire. Linear regressions indicated a significant positive association between Openness and AEF (β = .09, p < .01), but not verbal memory (β = .06, p = .06). A significant partial mediation was demonstrated between Openness, CSA, and AEF (c: β = .08, p < .05, 95%CI = .02-.14; c': β = .02, 95%CI = .01-.03). The mediation of Openness, CSA, and verbal memory was not significant (c: β = .06, p > .05, 95%CI = .01-.11; c': β = .00, 95%CI = -.01-.01). The association between Openness and AEF, but not verbal memory, was partially mediated by CSA in healthy older adults. The findings suggest that those who are more open to and highly engaged in CSA may have a later in life advantage in preserving their AEF abilities.

Frontal Beta Activity in the Meta-Intention of Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have high theta and low beta activity in the frontal lobe. The higher the theta/beta ratio, the lower the level of central nervous system (CNS) cortical arousal. However, there is seldom evidence between electroencephalograms (EEGs) and the patient's intentionality to regulate the cortical activity of executive attention tasks. We investigated whether children with ADHD intended to improve their performance in executive attention tasks and whether that increased their brain activity. Fifty-one children with ADHD (ADHD) and 51 typical developing (TD) children were investigated using focused attention (FA) and search attention (SA) tasks and a simultaneous EEG. The children were then regrouped as faster (ADHD-F, TD-F) and slower (ADHD-S, TD-S) depending on reaction time (RT). Quantitative EEGs of frontal lobe theta and beta activity at frontal F3, F4, and Fz were used. Twenty-eight (54.9%) ADHD children were regrouped as ADHD-S and 14 (27.5%) as TD-S. The ADHD-S group, however, had poorer FA and SA performance than the other 3 groups did: fewer correct answers, more frequent impulsive and missing errors, and higher RT variations. There were no significant differences in theta activity, but the TD-S group had higher beta activity than the ADHD-S group did. We conclude that the ADHD-F and ADHD-S groups had different attention processes. beta activity did not increase in the ADHD-S group, and their executive attention performance in the FA and SA tests was poor. It seems ADHD-S had poor meta-intention function. The frontal beta activity might be a feasible training target of neurofeedback in ADHD-S patients.

Влияние информационных технологий на когнитивное развитие детей: обзор современных исследований

Although it is widely accepted that children from the age of two can actively use information technologies including touch screens, the specific ways in which children perceive the content have not been fully identified. The impact of information technology on the cognitive function in children is highly dependent on the type of information, the child’s age, and the social context. The article discusses the features of perception of a video stream by children and the influence of regular video viewing on the development of three-dimensional perception, and motor and executive functions. In children under the age of two, regular video viewing has a negative impact on the development of speech and higher mental functions. It was determined that underdeveloped rules of depth perception block the transfer of experience from a two-dimensional environment to the three-dimensional reality. Regular video viewing leads to a constant activity in the systems associated with the launch of the orienting reflex, and, at the same time, it inhibits the development of executive attention functions, namely the ability to concentrate and the choice of priority stimuli. A comparative analysis of learning by means of illustrative activity and by watching videos made it possible to establish that the first approach provides for a much more dynamic development of a new skill. It was found that the use of computer games has a positive effect on hand-eye coordination and on planning complex behaviour strategies. Yet, regular involvement in computer games provokes hyperstimulation of sensory systems and a decrease in concentration. To conclude, not enough scientific data has been accumulated on the impact of information technologies on child development. As the analysis shows, this is largely due to a lack of systematic research covering different age groups, various types of information technologies, and user scenarios.

Neuropsychological group rehabilitation on neurobehavioral comorbidities in children with epilepsy

Neurobehavioral comorbidities, particularly attention-deficits, are common in children with epilepsy (CWE). Neurobehavioral problems are manifested in school performance, peer relations, and social competence. Although the high prevalence of these comorbid behavioral problems is fully recognized, there remains to be a lack of studies on the interventions targeted for CWE. A manualized neuropsychological group intervention, Rehabilitation of EXecutive Function and ATtention (EXAT) has been developed for school-aged children (aged 6–12 years) with executive function (EF) and attention-deficits. This study aimed to explore the effects of EXAT on parent- and teacher-rated attention and behavior problems in CWE compared with children with the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and children with no formal diagnosis but prominent deficits in EF and attention. Forty-two children attending in neuropsychological group rehabilitation EXAT between the years 2006 and 2017 participated in this retrospective registry study. The CWE group consisted of 11 children, the ADHD group with 16 children, and EF/attention group consisted of 15 children with EF attention and/or problems without diagnosis of ADHD. The CWE group did not differ from the other two study groups (ADHD and no formal diagnosis) before the EXAT intervention. This indicates that attention problems in CWE are similar to those with diagnosed ADHD. The results were promising for applying structured multilevel intervention for CWE and neurobehavioral comorbidities. Lack of group differences between the groups participating EXAT suggests similar intervention effects between CWE, ADHD, and those with less severe EF and attention problems. In parent ratings, intervention effects were higher in hyperactivity and oppositional behavior for children with attention problems and without epilepsy. Parents in the CWE group reported no effects except for one subscale related to hyperactivity. However, teachers reported consistently positive intervention effects for both inattention and hyperactivity–impulsivity along with anxiety and emotional lability. The results suggest that neurobehavioral comorbidities in CWE could be targeted in neuropsychological group intervention. In conclusion, CWE seem to benefit from interventions and behavior modification techniques first developed for children with ADHD.

Evening preference and poor sleep independently affect attentional-executive functions in patients with depression

Cognitive impairments are well documented in major depressive disorder (MDD), however, they cannot be fully explained by depressive symptom severity. We investigated how diurnal preference and sleep quality affect cognitive function in MDD. In 34 inpatients with current MDD and 29 healthy controls (HC), we obtained diurnal preference (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, MEQ) and subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI). Further, current mood and neuropsychological performance (Trail Making Test, TMT, part A and B) were assessed in the evening and in the following morning. Patients with MDD performed worse than HC on the TMT-B (particularly requiring executive function), but not on the TMT-A (assessing foremost visuomotor processing speed). In general, participants with evening preference (MEQ-score median split) performed poorer on the TMT than participants with morning preference. Subgroup analyses within MDD confirmed the negative effect of evening preference on the TMT. In addition, patients with severely impaired sleep quality (PSQI > 10) performed cognitively worse than patients with normal to moderately impaired sleep quality (PSQI ≤ 10). The results were largely independent of current mood state. Our findings suggest that evening preference and severely impaired sleep quality independently contribute to cognitive impairment in MDD.

Attention as neurocognitive endophenotype of ADHD across the life span: a family study.

Endophenotypes mediate pathways between genetic variations and the psychiatric phenotype, or share genetic risk with the psychiatric phenotype. Identifying endophenotypes is an important step to unravel disease pathways underlying complex psychiatric phenotypes such as ADHD. Potential viable endophenotypes for ADHD across the lifespan are neurocognitive measures of basic attention functions, such as sustained attention, and executive attention functions (EF), such as inhibition. The present study evaluated the endophenotype criteria of familiality and state-independency for measures of basic attention and EF in affected- and unaffected parents of children with ADHD (N = 139), and typically developing children (N = 60). In addition, the added value of neurocognitive measures relative to questionnaire data in genetically informed designs was explored by comparing the intergenerational transmission of neurocognitive measures to those of ADHD symptom scores. Results revealed small-to-medium-sized familial effects of ADHD for reaction time measures of EF components and state-independency given familial effects. Parent-child correlations as estimates of intergenerational transmission of those neurocognitive measures were not higher than those of behavioral ADHD symptom ratings. Taken together, our results argue against neurocognitive measures as pivotal endophenotypes for ADHD across the lifespan. If studied as neurocognitive endophenotypes of ADHD in adults, reaction time measures of executive-rather than basic attention function-seem to be more sensitive.

CAIDE Dementia Risk Score Indicates Cortical Thinning in Low‐Risk, Middle‐Aged Adults

Increased risk for the future development of Alzheimer's disease begins as early as midlife and can be predicted using modifiable cardiovascular and lifestyle‐related risk factors. The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) dementia risk score has been used to predict late life risk of dementia based on midlife vascular risk factors. Additionally, in older adults with mild or subjective cognitive impairment, higher CAIDE scores were associated with greater atrophy in the middle temporal and frontal regions of the brain.PurposeWe aimed to determine if CAIDE score is associated with cortical thickness in middle‐aged cognitively intact adults at risk for cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized individuals with higher CAIDE scores would have reduced cortical thickness in a priori regions associated with memory and attention‐executive function.MethodsA total of 155 middle‐age adults (49±6 years, 52.4% female) classified as cognitively normal were studied. CAIDE score was calculated using the original model that excludes ApoE e4 genotype. This includes age, sex, education level, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol, and physical inactivity. Each factor is given a specific weight and the total score ranges from 0 to 14. Cortical thickness was obtained from high resolution magnetization‐prepared rapid acquisition gradient‐echo images. Thickness values for 24 a priori regions of interest associated with memory and executive function were extracted and analyzed.ResultsA majority of the participants (95.5%) in this sample were categorized as low‐risk, having a CAIDE score of 8 or lower. After using a corrected p‐value (p=0.006) for multiple correlations, there were several significant negative associations between CAIDE score and cortical thickness. These include the right parahippocampal (r=−0.251, p=0.002), left pars opercularis (r=−0.244, p=0.002), right superior frontal (r=−0.229, p=0.004) and left superior frontal (r=−0.247, p=0.002) regions.ConclusionsHigher CAIDE scores in midlife are associated with lower cortical thickness in middle‐age adults at risk for cardiovascular disease. This finding supports the notion that cardiovascular risks may contribute to early alteration of brain structure. We propose that the CAIDE dementia risk score may be useful in predicting future risk of dementia even in low‐risk populations who have no indication of clinically significant cognitive impairment.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.