Benton Visual Retention Test Research Articles

EVALUATION OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG NEWLY DIAGNOSED IDIOPATHIC EPILEPTIC PATIENTS

Background: Neuropsychological study of new-onset idiopathic epilepsy is considered an exciting opportunity to document cognitive effects of epilepsy before initiation of antiepileptic drugs. Recent studies revealed significant affection of executive functions in new onset seizure without medication. Aim of the Work: To evaluate cognitive functions including (IQ, visual memory and executive functions) in patients with idiopathic epilepsy at onset of disorder before drug treatment or within one week of treatment. Patients and Methods: An observational case -control study was conducted on 30 patients with new onset idiopathic epilepsy recruited from the outpatient clinic of the department of neurology (Ain ShamsUniversity) and 30 healthy cross matched control in the period from June 2016 to June 2018. Both patients and control were subjected to cognitive assessments (Wechsler IQ, Benton visual retention test and Wisconsin card sorting test).Results:In our study we found significant poor performance of patient group before treatment compared to control group in all domains of intellectual abilities measured by Wechsler IQ test (verbal IQ, performance IQ and total IQ), visual memory measured by Benton visual retention test (obtained correct score, expected error scores and difference between them, obtained error score and expected error score and difference between them) and executive functions measuredby Wisconsin card sorting test (conceptual level, category completed, perseverative errors and non-perseverative errors).Conclusion: cognitive functions impairment including (intellectual level, visual memory and executive functions) were found in patients with idiopathic epilepsy at onset of epilepsy and before treatment.

The 5 Objects Test: Normative data from a Spanish community sample.

The objective of this study was to provide normative data for the 5 Objects Test in a large Spanish community sample, as well as some validity evidence. The sample was composed of 427 participants (of which 220 females, age 15 to 95 years old; educational level range: 2-17 years). Normative data are provided, as well as correlations with test scores from Benton Visual Retention test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and Mini Mental State Examination. No association was found between delayed recall score and level of education, age or gender. Immediate recall score was correlated with age. Both immediate and delayed recall significantly correlated with the criteria, evidencing concurrent validity. It is recommended that the 5 Objects Test be used for assessing persons in primary care, including those from different linguistic backgrounds or with limited language use. Delayed recall scores are especially recommended given the lack of association with demographic variables.

Long-term impact of subthalamic stimulation on cognitive function in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (DBS-SN) on cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) 5 years after surgery. Material and methodsWe conducted a prospective study including 50 patients with PD who underwent DBS-SN (62.5% were men; mean age of 62.2±8.2 years; mean progression time of 14.1±6.3 years). All patients were assessed before the procedure and at one year after surgery; 40 patients were further followed up until the 5-year mark. Follow-up assessments included the following neuropsychological tests: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS), letter-number sequencing of the WAIS-III (WAIS-III-LN), clock-drawing test, Rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), Judgment of Line Orientation (JLO) test, FAS Phonemic Verbal Fluency Test, Stroop test, and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). ResultsPatients were found to score lower on the MMSE (−0.89%), clock-drawing test (−2.61%), MDRS (−1.72%), and especially phonemic (−13.28%) and sematic verbal fluency tests (−12.40%) at one year after surgery. Delayed recall on the RAVLT worsened one year after the procedure (−10.12%). At 5 years, impairment affected mainly verbal fluency; scores decreased an additional 16.10% and 16.60% in semantic and phonemic verbal fluency, respectively. Moderate decreases were observed in immediate recall (−16.87%), WAIS-III-LN (−16.67%), and JLO test (−11.56%). DiscussionIn our sample, DBS-SN did not result in global cognitive impairment 5 years after surgery. Verbal function was found to be significantly impaired one year after the procedure. Impaired learning and visuospatial function may be attributed to degeneration associated with PD.

One-carbon metabolism gene polymorphisms are associated with cognitive trajectory among African-American adults

The sex-specific link between longitudinal annual rate of cognitive change (LARCC) and polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism enzymatic genes remains unclear, particularly among African-American adults. We tested associations of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from MTHFR, MTRR, MTR, and SHMT genes and select MTHFR haplotypes and latent classes (SNPHAP/SNPLC) with LARCC. Up to 797 African-American participants in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study (age: 30–64 y, 52% women) had 1.6–1.7 (i.e., 1 or 2) repeated measures (follow-up time, mean = 4.69 y) on 9 cognitive test scores, reflecting verbal and visual memory, verbal fluency, psychomotor speed, attention, and executive function: California Verbal Learning Test–immediate recall (CVLT-List A), CVLT-DFR (delayed free recall), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), Animal Fluency (AF), Digits Span Forward and Backward tests, and Trail Making Test parts A and B (Trails A and B). Multiple linear mixed-effects and multiple linear regression models were conducted. Overall, MTHFR SNPs rs4846051(A1317G, G>A) and rs1801131(A1298C, G>T) were associated with slower and faster declines on AF, respectively, whereas rs2066462(C1056T, A>G) was related to slower decline on Trails B (executive function). Among men, rs4846051(A1317G, G>A) was linked to faster decline on BVRT (visual memory), whereas rs2066462(C1056T, A>G) and rs9651118(C>T) were associated with slower decline on CVLT-List A and rs9651118(C>T) with faster decline on CVLT-DFR. Among women, a slower decline on the domain “verbal memory/fluency” was observed with rs1801133(C677T, A>G). MTHFR2SNPHAP [rs1801133(C677T, A>G)/rs1801131(A1298C, G>T): GG] was associated with slower decline on AF among women, whereas MTHFR3SNPHAP(AT) was linked with slower decline on CVLT-List A among men but faster decline on “verbal memory/fluency” among women. Similar patterns were observed for MTHFR SNPLCs. In sum, MTHFR gene variations can differentially impact longitudinal changes in multiple cognitive domains among African-American adults.

Cognitive functions in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

There is controversy regarding cognitive function in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This study is aimed at the assessment of cognitive functions in children with CAH, and their relation to hydrocortisone (HC) therapy and testosterone levels. Thirty children with CAH due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency were compared with twenty age- and sex-matched healthy controls. HC daily and cumulative doses were calculated, the socioeconomic standard was assessed, and free testosterone was measured. Cognitive function assessment was performed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale - Revised for Children and Adults (WISC), the Benton Visual Retention Test, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The mean age (SD) of patients was 10.22 (3.17) years [11 males (36.7%), 19 females (63.3%)]. Mean (SD) HC dose was 15.78 (4.36) mg/m 2 /day. Mean (SD) cumulative HC dose 44,689. 9 (26,892.02) mg. Patients had significantly lower scores in all domains of the WISC test, performed significantly worse in some components of the Benton Visual Retention Test, as well as in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. There was no significant difference in cognitive performance when patients were subdivided according to daily HC dose (< 10, 10 - 15, > 15 mg/m 2 /day). A positive correlation existed between cumulative HC dose and worse results of the Benton test. No correlation existed between free testosterone and any of the three tests. Patients with CAH are at risk of some cognitive impairment. Hydrocortisone therapy may be implicated. This study highlights the need to assess cognitive functions in CAH.

COGNITIVE VARIABILITY AND BRAIN AGING IN LATE-LIFE DEPRESSION

Introduction Dispersion across cognitive test scores, a measure of variability in cognitive performance, may be an indication of pathological aging. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association of test dispersion with structural brain variables and cognitive decline in non-demented older adults with major depression (MD) and healthy controls (HC). We hypothesized that those with greater dispersion would have lower hippocampal volumes (HPC) and higher white matter hypointensities (WMH) and that dispersion would predict cognitive decline at one-year follow-up. Methods Subjects included 121 MD and 39 HC subjects who participated in the NBOLD study at UConn Health. Inclusion criteria were age 60+ and a psychiatrist's diagnosis of MD for the patient group. Dementia and other major neuropsychiatric illnesses were exclusion criteria. Dispersion was calculated as the standard deviation of z-scores divided by group mean z-scores of a demographically adjusted neuropsychological test performance across a comprehensive battery. Results Dispersion positively correlated with WMH in both HC (r=0.386; p =.001) and MD (r=0.318; p=0.001), and negatively correlated with left HPC volume in MD (r=-0.191; p=0.034). Linear regression analyses accounting for baseline cognitive performance, demographics, and depression found that dispersion predicted cognitive tasks performed at a year follow up. For older adults with MD word list (WL) 1-3 (p=.038), WL delayed recall (DR) (p=.020) and symbol digit modality test (SDMT) (p=.035) were predictors. For HC dispersion was predicted for logical memory (LM) DR (p=.004) and Benton test (p=.003). Conclusions Dispersion is correlated with evidence of brain aging in older adults with MD. Future studies may look at ways to reduce dispersion in older adults and help prevent cognitive decline. This research was funded by Research reported in this poster was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under linked Award Numbers RL5GM118969, TL4GM118971, and UL1GM118970. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Educational and research grant from the Leo and Anne Albert Charitable Trust.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction and the possible underlying neurodegenerative effect of anaesthesia

Introduction: There is alarming evidence about the involvement of general anaesthesia in the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction.Aim: To clarify the impact of general anaesthesia on cognitive function and to study the possible effect of general anaesthesia on serum S100B, the marker of neuronal degeneration.Methods: This is a prospective randomised controlled study carried out on 50 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under conventional general anaesthesia. Cognitive assessment for selected patients was done preoperative and 1 week postoperative using Paired Associate Learning test (PALT) for assessment of verbal memory and Benton Visual Retention test (BVRT) for assessment of visual memory. Quantitative determination of serum S100B was done for all patients in the basal sample and postoperative sample by applying an enzyme- linked immunoabsorbent assay technique on am automated ELISA platform.Results: Regarding cognitive tests, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean value of preoperative PALT and postoperative PALT (p-value = .012). There was also a statistically significant difference between the mean value of preoperative BVRT and postoperative BVRT (p-value = .011). Regarding S100B, there was a statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative serum level (p-value = .002). There was also a statistically significant negative correlation between postoperative S100B serum level and the postoperative scores of both PALT and BVRT.Conclusion: General anaesthesia is incriminated in the development of postoperative verbal and visual memory impairment and in the postoperative increase in serum S100B, the markers of neuronal degeneration.

Neuropsychological rehabilitation of patients with symptoms of depression after ischemic stroke

Introduction Depression significantly affects the effects of rehabilitation, quality of life, as well as patients’ mortality. The estimated prevalence of post-stroke depression is approximately 25%–70%. Aim To examine when neuropsychological rehabilitation after stroke affects the cognitive functions of people suffering from depression. Material and methods 42 persons after ischemic stroke suffering from depression took part in the study. The participants were in 3 weeks daily neurological rehabilitation care. Mood disorders were measured by Beck depression inventory. Cognitive functions were examined using verbal fluency test and following psychological tests: mini mental state examination, color trail test and Benton visual retention test. Results and discussion Mood disorders were diagnosed in 70% of patients. The neuropsychological diagnosis revealed existing memory disorders, low resistance to distractors (30.9% participants), impaired visuospatial function (78.7%), impaired ability to recognize visual stimuli with preserved normal vision, weakened executive functions, in particular planning, initiating and sustaining activities (85.6%), rigid thinking, slackening, difficulty with focusing on the task, problems with selective attention and increased levels of anxiety. Verbal fluency deficits was diagnosed in 92.9% of patients. Significant improvements were observed for all cognitive domains after neuropsychological rehabilitation. The biggest improvement was noted in the attentional domain (73.8%), the least – in the visuo-spatial functions (21.4%). Conclusions Depression is a frequent and important problem among patients with stroke, as a post-stroke depression is present in at least 30% of survivors from stroke. Psychological complications such as emotional, behavioral and cognitive disorders, can have a negative effects on the social functioning and the overall quality of life of stroke survivors.

Does alcohol influence the cognitive functions of schizophrenic patients?

To establish an effect of alcohol dependence on the cognitive functions of patients with schizophrenia. One hundred patients with paranoid schizophrenia were examined. Half of them had a co-occurring diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome. Memory, attention, thinking were studied. Comparisons were made between groups, depending on the presence of the addictive disorder. Attention and short-term memory are at the low border of normal values in both groups. No significant between-group differences were found. In Benton test, errors characteristic of schizophrenia were more frequent in the main group. 'Organic' errors were prevalent in the control group. Mild thinking disorders of organic type were significantly more frequent in the main group. Co-occurring alcohol dependence does not significantly influence intelligence but significant organic stigmas contribute to the structure of the cognitive profile of patients. The prevalence of organic disturbances in the structure of thinking in patients with co-occurring alcohol abuse was revealed. The best indicators of attention were demonstrated by patients with attack-like schizophrenia without substance abuse. This suggests that the influence of the alcohol factor differs in continuous and attack-like progressive schizophrenia.

Temporal Sequence of Hearing Impairment and Cognition in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Hearing impairment (HI) could be a risk factor for cognitive decline, but cognition could plausibly also affect psychoacoustic assessment of hearing with audiometry. We examined the temporal sequence of hearing and cognitive function among nondemented, community-dwelling older adults. Hearing and cognition were assessed between 2012 and 2015 and 2 years thereafter in 313 nondemented participants aged ≥60 years in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Poorer hearing was defined by pure-tone average of 0.5-4 kHz tones in the better-hearing ear. Cognitive measures with either visual or auditory inputs were Trail-making Test Part B; Digit Symbol Substitution Test; California Verbal Learning Test immediate recall, short delay, and long delay; Digit Span Forward/Backward; Benton Visual Retention Test; and Mini-Mental State Examination. We used linear regression models for cross-sectional associations at each timepoint and autoregressive, cross-lagged models to evaluate whether baseline hearing impairment (Time 1) predicted cognitive performance 2 years after baseline (Time 2) and vice versa. Cross-sectionally, there were no associations between poorer hearing and cognitive performance. Longitudinally, poorer hearing was associated with declines in California Verbal Learning Test immediate (β = -0.073, SE = 0.032, p = .024), short-delayed (β = -0.134, SE = 0.043, p = .002), long-delayed (β = -0.080, SE = 0.032, p = .012) recall, and Digit Span Forward (β = -0.074, SE = 0.029, p = .011).) from Time 1 to Time 2. Cognitive performance at Time 1 did not predict change in hearing status at Time 2. Audiometric hearing impairment predicted short-term cognitive declines in both California Verbal Learning Test and auditory stimuli for attention.

Preliminary Reliability Study of Computerized Neurobehavioural Test Method

The recently developed Neurobehavioural Risk Assessment Evaluation System 1.0 (NeuRAES 1.0) tool aims to assess the neurobehavioural performance in Malaysia. Prior to utilize the advantage of the developed NeuRAES 1.0 tool effectively, it is vital to evaluate its reliability. The study aimed to conduct test and retest of NeuRAES 1.0 and assess the reliability of the NeuRAES 1.0 tool among university students in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). With that regard, the reliability of the tool was examined among 40 healthy university students using a test–retest of four computerized tests that are, Benton Visual Retention, Symbol Memory, Trail Making, and Pursuit Aiming, with the test and retest held two weeks apart. The reliability was analyzed for all test measures using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient ( r ) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A two-way mixed effect model was applied in this study to determine the ICCs and their 95% confidence intervals. The finding of all parameter measures in all four tests for standard scores were significantly similar, and the improvements of scores were also detected at retest for raw scores. The test–retest scores were found to have the ICC values ranging from low to adequate (0.269 to 0.655). The low ICCs were detected on Memory Symbol Test ( r = 0.264, ICC = 0.269), Trail Making Test (Section A: r = 0.377, ICC = 0.383; Section B: r = 0.445, ICC = 0.452), Benton Visual Retention Test ( r = 0.511, ICC = 0.517), and Pursuit Aiming Test (Test B: r = 0.567, ICC = 0.574). An adequate ICC was found on Pursuit Aiming Test (Test A: r = 0.649, ICC = 0.655). This demonstrating that the instrument still have not achieved a condition where, a measurement process is capable to produce stable and consistent scores when repeated over time except for Pursuit Aiming Test (Test A). In conclusion, the findings extend our understanding of score changes due to repeat testing. A further review on the test measures with low ICC needs to be considered. Therefore, further studies with larger samples and varied group of populations would be valuable.

Erratum: “A Novel Method for the Development of Environmental Public Health Indicators and Benchmark Dose Estimation Using a Health-Based Endpoint for Chlorpyrifos”

Vol. 126, No. 9 ErratumOpen AccessErratum: “A Novel Method for the Development of Environmental Public Health Indicators and Benchmark Dose Estimation Using a Health-Based Endpoint for Chlorpyrifos”is correction ofA Novel Method for the Development of Environmental Public Health Indicators and Benchmark Dose Estimation Using a Health-Based End Point for Chlorpyrifos Todd J. Zurlinden and Brad Reisfeld Todd J. Zurlinden Search for more papers by this author and Brad Reisfeld Search for more papers by this author Published:6 September 2018CID: 099001https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4279AboutSectionsPDF ToolsDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InReddit The estimated exposure thresholds for RBC acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibition were listed incorrectly in the Results as “99% available RBC AChE, and 90% available plasma BuChE.” The correct values are 99.98% for available RBC AChE and 96.25% for available plasma BuChE.In addition, the RBC AChE level associated with a 15% cognitive deficit, based on data from Farahat et al. (2003), was derived incorrectly as BM sub RBC – AchE equals open parenthesis 100 minus 80 close parenthesis divided by 100 equals 0.20BMRBC–AChE=(100−80)/100=0.20. The correct value is BM sub RBC – AchE equals open parenthesis 100 minus 80 close parenthesis divided by 80 equals 0.25BMRBC–AChE=(100−80)/80=0.25. The estimate shown in the original Figure 5 for the level of BM sub AChEBMAChE associated with a 15% cognitive deficit in Farahat et al. (2003) also was incorrect. The corrected figure is included in this erratum.Figure 5. Predictions of human-specific cognitive deficits from measurable biomarkers of exposure. BM sub CPF, BM sub AChEBMCPF,BMAChE, and BM sub BuChEBMBuChE, are the independent biomarker of exposure variables for Equation 2 and correspond to peak plasma chlorpyrifos (CPF) concentration, minimum blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and minimum blood butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibition, respectively. Dashed lines represent 95% prediction intervals, and the solid circle (•) represents measured fractional cognitive deficit data from Farahat et al. (2003) using the differences in performance of the Benton Visual Retention Test between the exposed and unexposed groups and fractional plasma AChE activity from the reported plasma AChE activity.The authors confirm that these changes do not affect the study conclusions.The authors regret these errors.ReferenceFarahat TM, Abdelrasoul GM, Amr MM, Shebl MM, Farahat FM, Anger WK. 2003. Neurobehavioural effects among workers occupationally exposed to organophosphorous pesticides. Occup Environ Med 60(4):279–286, PMID: 12660376, 10.1136/oem.60.4.279. Crossref, Medline, Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesA Novel Method for the Development of Environmental Public Health Indicators and Benchmark Dose Estimation Using a Health-Based End Point for Chlorpyrifos20 April 2018Environmental Health Perspectives Vol. 126, No. 9 September 2018Metrics About Article Metrics Publication History Manuscript received1 August 2018Manuscript accepted1 August 2018Originally published6 September 2018 Financial disclosuresPDF download License information EHP is an open-access journal published with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. All content is public domain unless otherwise noted. Note to readers with disabilities EHP strives to ensure that all journal content is accessible to all readers. However, some figures and Supplemental Material published in EHP articles may not conform to 508 standards due to the complexity of the information being presented. If you need assistance accessing journal content, please contact [email protected]. Our staff will work with you to assess and meet your accessibility needs within 3 working days.

NUMBER OF FACE-TO-FACE CONTACTS PREDICTS VARIANCE IN COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS

Personal social networks are composed of hierarchical layers. The innermost layer typically contains five friends/relatives (Sutcliffe, Dunbar, Binder, & Arrow, 2012). Subsequent layers increase in relationship number by a multiple of 3 and decrease in emotional closeness, and contact frequency (i.e. 5 ‘intimate’, 15 ‘good’ friends). Associations exist between cognitive function and social relationships according to relationship type, frequency, and number (Kelly et al., 2017). This research investigated the ability of three social engagement indicators to predict performance in cognitive domains, controlling for sociodemographic and health-related variables. Baseline data were from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. Cognitive domains were Attention/Processing Speed (Digit Symbol-Coding; Trail Making Test A), Language (30-item Boston Naming Test; Semantic Fluency—Animals), Executive (Controlled Oral Word Association Test-FAS; Trail Making Test B), Visuo-spatial (Block Design), Verbal Memory (Logical Memory Story A delayed recall; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Tests, trials 1-7), Memory (ibid. plus Benton Visual Retention Test—recognition), and Global Cognition. Engagement indicators were number of friends/relatives contacted monthly, number of monthly face-to-face contacts with friends/relatives, and having a confidant. Covariates were age, sex, years of education, and Geriatric Depression Scale score (Sheikh & Yesavage, 1986). Respondents were 873 Sydney residents aged 70 to 91 years, 56% were female. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age, years of education, Geriatric Depression Scale score and number of face-to-face contacts predicted variance in cognitive domain scores. Total variance explained by the models ranged from 14.9% to 26.5%. Reporting < 1 (n = 19) face-to-face contact each month (vs. reference ≥ 11, n = 540) predicted lower Executive function (beta = - .09, p < .01), controlling for covariates. Reporting 1 to 4 (n = 85) face-to-face contacts predicted lower Attention/Processing Speed (beta = -.09, p = .01) and Language (beta = - .09, p = .01) and Global Cognition (beta = - .08, p = .01). Fewer than five regular face-to-face contacts was associated with lower cognitive function. Type, frequency and number of social relationships should be considered in predictive models of cognitive function for older adults.

Plasma Concentrations of Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Macular Pigment Optical Density, and Their Associations With Cognitive Performances Among Older Adults

We investigated the cross-sectional associations between macular pigment optical density (MPOD), plasma lutein (L), and zeaxanthin (Z) concentrations and cognitive function in 184 older adults of the 3-City-Bordeaux cohort. MPOD was measured using the two-wavelength autofluorescence method with a modified scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Plasma L and Z (L+Z) concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and were considered either crude or expressed as a ratio of the concentration of plasma lipids (total cholesterol [TC] + triglycerides [TG]). Cognitive performances were assessed using the following four separate neuropsychological tests: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Isaacs Set Test (IST), the Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), and the sum of the three free recalls of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT). These test results were summarized by a composite global cognitive z-score. Higher MPOD at 0.5° was significantly associated with a higher composite z-score (β = 0.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.26), higher BVRT (β = 0.39, 95%CI 0.08-0.70), and higher IST (β = 1.16, 95%CI 0.11-2.22) performances. Higher plasma L+Z concentrations were significantly associated with higher IST scores (β = 0.97, 95%CI 0.01-1.94). Furthermore, a higher L+Z/TC+TG ratio was associated with a higher composite z-score (β = 0.12, 95%CI 0.01-0.23), along with higher IST (β = 1.02, 95%CI 0.002-2.04) and FCSRT (β = 1.55, 95%CI 0.41-2.69) performances. This analysis suggested that both higher MPOD and L+Z concentrations were significantly associated with higher cognitive performances. However, MPOD measurements have the advantage of being a fast and representative measure of long-term carotenoid intake.

Cognitive Behavior Classification From Scalp EEG Signals.

Electroencephalography (EEG) has become increasingly valuable outside of its traditional use in neurology. EEG is now used for neuropsychiatric diagnosis, neurological evaluation of traumatic brain injury, neurotherapy, gaming, neurofeedback, mindfulness, and cognitive enhancement training. The trend to increase the number of EEG electrodes, the development of novel analytical methods, and the availability of large data sets has created a data analysis challenge to find the "signal of interest" that conveys the most information about ongoing cognitive effort. Accordingly, we compare three common types of neural synchrony measures that are applied to EEG-power analysis, phase locking, and phase-amplitude coupling to assess which analytical measure provides the best separation between EEG signals that were recorded, while healthy subjects performed eight cognitive tasks-Hopkins Verbal Learning Test and its delayed version, Stroop Test, Symbol Digit Modality Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Trail Marking Test, Digit Span Test, and Benton Visual Retention Test. We find that of the three analytical methods, phase-amplitude coupling, specifically theta (4-7 Hz)-high gamma (70-90 Hz) obtained from frontal and parietal EEG electrodes provides both the largest separation between the EEG during cognitive tasks and also the highest classification accuracy between pairs of tasks. We also find that phase-locking analysis provides the most distinct clustering of tasks based on their utilization of long-term memory. Finally, we show that phase-amplitude coupling is the least sensitive to contamination by intense jaw-clenching muscle artifact.

Early effect of thalamotomy on cognitive function in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Thalamotomy is a neurosurgical procedure used in the treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of our research is to evaluate the early impact of a lesion in the ventrointermedial nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus on cognitive and motor function in people with PD. Sixty patients who qualified for right- or left-sided VIM thalamotomy were involved in the study. The cognitive and motor functions of each patient were assessed both prior to and following the surgical procedure. Twenty-nine PD patients without ablative treatment were qualified for the comparison group, and 57 neurologically healthy individuals were assigned to the control group. The following tests were carried out: Mini Mental State Examination, Benton Visual Retention Test, Stroop Color and Word Test, Trail Making Test A&amp;B, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Statistically significant differences were found in reaction time, visual-spatial working memory, auditory-verbal memory, and overall level of cognitive function when comparing the results of tests carried out before and after thalamotomy and when comparing patients who had undergone surgery with untreated or healthy individuals. In patients with right-sided and left-sided thalamotomy differences were also found in the mean number of perseverative errors and recalled words.

Efectos del ejercicio físico moderado sobre la cognición en adultos mayores de 60 años

Clinical evidence gathered in recent years indicates that elderly individuals more frequently display cognitive changes. These age-related changes refer, above all, to memory functions and to the speed of thinking and reasoning. A number of studies have shown that physical activity can be used as an important mechanism for protecting the cognitive functions. To test the hypothesis that physical exercise is able to bring about changes in the cognitive functions of healthy elderly adults without cognitive impairment, thereby improving their quality of life. The study population included participants in the University of Salamanca geriatric revitalisation programme. The sample initially consisted of a total of 44 subjects of both sexes, with a mean age of 74.93 years. The neuropsychological evaluation of the subjects included a series of validated neuropsychological tests: Mini-Mental State Examination, Benton Visual Retention Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Stroop Test and Trail Making Test. The results show that more physical activity is related to better performance in the cognitive functions of the subjects included in this study, after applying the geriatric revitalisation programme. The geriatric revitalisation programme can be a valuable tool for improving cognition in adults over 60 years of age, resulting in enhanced well-being in their quality of life.

Does differential visual exploration contribute to visual memory impairments in 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome?

Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a genetic syndrome characterised by a unique cognitive profile. Individuals with the syndrome present several non-verbal deficits, including visual memory impairments and atypical exploration of visual information. In this study, we seek to understand how visual attention may contribute to memory difficulties in 22q11.2DS by tracking eye movements during the encoding phase of a visual short-term memory task. Eye movements were recorded during a computerised version of the multiple-choice Benton Visual Retention Test, which consisted of exploring and then recognising complex visual stimuli. Seventy-four participants affected by 22q11.2DS were compared with 70 typically developing participants. Participants with 22q11.2DS performed less well than healthy controls on the task and spent more time and fixations on the principal (larger central) figures and less time and fixations on the smaller peripheral figures within the stimuli. This study is the first to investigate visual attention in 22q11.2DS during a memory task. The results delineate impaired processes during encoding that affect visual memory performance. The findings may be especially useful for informing interventions intended to boost visual learning in patients with 22q11.2DS.

Attention and memory impairments in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis and inflammatory bowel disease in comparison to healthy controls

The main aim of the study was to analyze and compare attention and memory performance in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in healthy controls....

Impacto de la estimulación subtalámica a largo plazo sobre la situación cognitiva de los pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson avanzada

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (DBS-SN) on cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) 5 years after surgery. Material and methodsWe conducted a prospective study including 50 patients with PD who underwent DBS-SN (62.5% were men; mean age of 62.2±8.2 years; mean progression time of 14.1±6.3 years). All patients were assessed before the procedure and at one year after surgery; 40 patients were further followed up until the 5-year mark. Follow-up assessments included the following neuropsychological tests: Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS), letter-number sequencing of the WAIS-III (WAIS-III-LN), clock-drawing test, Rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), Judgment of Line Orientation (JLO) test, FAS Phonemic Verbal Fluency Test, Stroop test, and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). ResultsPatients were found to score lower on the MMSE (−0.89%), clock-drawing test (−2.61%), MDRS (−1.72%), and especially phonemic (−13.28%) and sematic verbal fluency tests (−12.40%) at one year after surgery. Delayed recall on the RAVLT worsened one year after the procedure (−10.12%). At 5 years, impairment affected mainly verbal fluency; scores decreased an additional 16.10% and 16.60% in semantic and phonemic verbal fluency, respectively. Moderate decreases were observed in immediate recall (−16.87%), WAIS-III-LN (−16.67%), and JLO test (−11.56%). DiscussionIn our sample, DBS-SN did not result in global cognitive impairment 5 years after surgery. Verbal function was found to be significantly impaired one year after the procedure. Impaired learning and visuospatial function may be attributed to degeneration associated with PD.