Brain Function Tests Research Articles

Relationship between burden of cerebral small vessel disease on imaging and cognitive impairment of COPD patients

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the relationship between the burden of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) on imaging and cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsThe study included 118 COPD patients admitted to Changxing People’s Hospital between July 2020 and July 2023. All patients received a 1.5 T MRI of the brain and pulmonary function tests. A cognitive function assessment was conducted via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, and patients were divided into two groups. The relationship between the MoCA and CSVD burden score was analyzed by Pearson correlation, and to identify risk factors, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. ResultsThe study showed a negative correlation between the MoCA and CSVD burden score in COPD patients (r=-0.479, P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis found that age (OR=2.264, 95 % CI: 1.426–3.596, P<0.001), COPD grade (OR=3.139, 95 % CI: 2.012–4.898, P<0.001), as well as CSVD burden score (OR=5.336, 95 % CI: 1.191–23.900, P<0.001) were the independent risk factors for CI in COPD patients (P<0.05). ConclusionWhen screening for cognitive impairment in COPD patients, the CSVD burden score can be used in conjunction with cognitive assessment scales to make judgments.

A Report on Attempts to Acquire Exercise Habits Through Japanese Health Education for Adult Workers from Cebu, Philippines

Background: Good health is a pivotal aspect of daily life that contributes to social development. Physical activity is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Health promotion enables individuals to increase their control and improve their health, and health programs promote physical activity to improve health. Objectives: This study aims to introduce the Japanese health education guidelines according to the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001-certified health education system in the Cebu region of the Philippines and aims to improve the health of the participants. Methods: A 12-month health program was implemented in Cebu City, and 43 participants were recruited, aged 35.0 ± 9.9 years (mean ± SD), including 22 men aged 35.6 ± 7.9 years and 21 women aged 34.3 ± 7.9 years. The effects of the health program and physical activity were assessed using brain function tests and blood chemistry profiles before and after the program. Results: The average number of total daily steps taken by the 43 participants was 6,052. The weight and eyes-open single-leg stance for balance significantly improved. However, no significant differences were observed in the other physical fitness parameters, blood pressure, and brain function values. Conclusions: This health education is characterized by a mechanism that enables the setting of the next goal based on these evaluations and how to improve health. The participants have to be motivated to aim for a 7,000 daily step goal. Therefore, the participants and the staff involved in health education should build a relationship of trust and a deep bond, and the exercise continuation rate may increase, leading to a higher quality of life.

Effects of a 14-week community health program of exercise and learning/education in older adults: A single-arm pre-post comparison study

This study was initiated in 2022 in Miyaki Town, Saga Prefecture, Japan, to determine the impact of an intervention that combined brain and physical function training and health education in older residents. Miyaki has a population of approximately 26,000, 35% of whom are considered to be aging. A 14-week program consisting of strength training, brain function training, and health lectures was conducted with 34 older residents of the community. Body composition, motor function, brain function, and various blood tests were evaluated before and after the intervention. Brain function was assessed using the Trail Making Test-A. Physical function was assessed by Open-Close Stepping, Functional Reach Test, Open-Leg Standing Time, and Two-Step Test. The intervention group showed significant improvements in brain function (p< 0.0001), physical function (p = 0.0037), body composition (p = 0.0053), and LDL-C (p = 0.017). This study provides substantial evidence that community-based combined programs can be beneficial for older adults.

Implementation of a health education program in Asia, comparing Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan.

BACKGROUND: The global community is faced with aging societies, which will result in increased health care costs. we have been introducing our International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-certified health education system in Thailand and Indonesia.OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to collect data on the effects of this ISO-certified health education system, to extend the healthy life expectancy and to study the feasibility of implementing this program and in new social contexts.METHODS: We implemented the health education program recruiting 43, 114 and 119 participants, respectively, in Japan, Thailand and Indonesia. The participants’ conditions before and after the program were determined through anthropometry, physical fitness tests, blood chemistry tests, brain function tests and pedometry.RESULTS: Regarding pedometry, the Japanese participants took the highest number of daily steps on average, followed by the Indonesian and Thai participants. In the 10-m obstacle walk, the Thai and Indonesian participants had significantly increased times. Furthermore, the differentiation reaction time, reverse differentiation reaction time, total number of “misses”, total number of “mistakes” and total number of errors significantly improved.CONCLUSION: It is possible to implement a program of an ISO-certified health education system, but how to develop exercise habits is important.

An improved driving ability after attention function training for safe driving via use of a day rehabilitation service in a patient with cerebral infarction

In recent years, the assessment of and support for the safety of driving for people with higher brain dysfunction to allow them to resume car driving have become issues to be addressed in Japan. It is difficult to determine whether or not people with higher brain dysfunction may safely resume car driving; in addition, methods of supporting this resumption have not been established. To support people with higher brain dysfunction and allow them to live at home in areas where public means of transportation may be insufficient, initiatives promoting the resumption of car driving are necessary in healthcare sectors, including day rehabilitation facilities. We provided support to a patient with an attention disorder due to left thalamic infarction, with the aim of achieving sufficient independence to drive a car, in a day rehabilitation facility. We herein report this case from the perspective of a speech-language-hearing therapist. The patient was a right-handed man in his 60s who had higher brain dysfunction with attention disorder as the main symptom. No marked motor paralysis of the extremities was observed. Use of a day rehabilitation service was started approximately two months after the onset of symptoms. Rehabilitation and support aimed at the resumption of car driving were provided approximately one month after the start of the day rehabilitation service use. To determine whether or not the patient was fit to drive a car, higher brain function tests for the intellectual function, attention function, and frontal function, as well as a theoretical evaluation based on the Stroke Drivers' Screening Assessment Japanese Version (J-SDSA) and monitoring of daily behaviors were performed. In addition, after the patient was given permission from an attending physician to drive a car on the condition that the patient did not drive fast and the patient's wife always accompanied him while driving, a safety assessment was also performed. As a result, approximately 10 months later, the J-SDSA theoretical evaluation score showed a passing grade, in contrast to the failing grade he had previously earned. Furthermore, errors in performing household activities due to a decreased attention function became unremarkable with respect to daily behaviors; therefore, we determined, together with the attending physician, that the patient now had sufficient independence to drive a car. In our day rehabilitation facility, the number of requests for advice on car driving from people with higher brain dysfunction living in the community had been increasing. Multisectoral assessments, training, and instruction should be continued in collaboration with attending physicians, other facilities located within the community, and driving schools in order to support people with higher brain dysfunction and help them once again be able to drive a car.

Changes in ALFF and ReHo values in methamphetamine abstinent individuals based on the Harvard-Oxford atlas: A longitudinal resting-state fMRI study.

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse has become a global public health problem due to damage to various systems throughout the body, especially the central nervous system. However, the differences in resting‐state brain function between short‐term and long‐term abstinence, the pros and cons of treatments, and the relationship between resting‐state brain function and behavioral tests are unknown. Sixty‐three MA abstinent individuals were followed up for nearly 1 year and treated with three different methods. The amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) based on the Harvard‐Oxford atlas (HOA) were measured by resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Impulsivity was evaluated by the Barratt Impulsivity Scale‐11 (BIS‐11). Brain regions with significant increases in ALFF and ReHo values in the long‐term abstinent group compared to the short‐term abstinent group were around the right frontal pole (McKetin et al., 2012, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03933.x) and right middle frontal gyrus (Wang et al., 2015, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0133431). There were no significant differences among the three groups that experienced long‐term abstinence. The changes in ALFF and ReHo in the right middle frontal gyrus were significantly associated with BIS total scores, BIS attention scores, and BIS nonplanning scores. The right middle frontal gyrus is a critical region in MA long‐term abstinent individuals exposed to therapeutic intervention, and this region may be useful, when combined with BIS‐11, as a potential biomarker to identify the effect of abstinence with therapeutic intervention in MA individuals.

Effects of 30-min mobile use on selected brain function tests in female medical students

INTRODUCTION: Today, mobile phones (MPs) have become an indispensable tool because of the countless perks it provides. In India, there are more than a million MP users. When compared with total telecommunication users, MPs users are 88%. Extensive use of MP has led to exposure to a dangerous level of electromagnetic waves. Many investigations concluded that MP use reduces the cognitive function of the human brain, however, there is a difference of opinion within the research workers. The present research work can be used to plan the large-scale study which will be useful to decide safety limits and advice for advocating safety measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the present study, 240 female medical students (age group: 18–23 years) from KIMS, Karad, were studied. Durations of visual reaction time, trail making test A and B, and letter cancellation test were studied. Digit span test scores were also measured. All the parameters were studied before and after 30-min mobile use. RESULTS: It was observed that there was a highly significant decrease in values of all the parameters studied (P &lt; 0.001) after 30 min of mobile use. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that 30 min of mobile exposure affects the brain function. Hence, the large-scale study with more duration of exposure and large sample size is required to find conclusive results.

Imprinting methylation predicts hippocampal volumes and hyperintensities and the change with age in later life

Epigenetic imprinting is important for neurogenesis and brain function. Hippocampal volumes and brain hyperintensities in late life have been associated with early life circumstances. Epigenetic imprinting may underpin these associations. Methylation was measured at 982 sites in 13 imprinted locations in blood samples from a longitudinal cohort by bisulphite amplicon sequencing. Hippocampal volumes and hyperintensities were determined at age 64y and 72y using MRI. Hyperintensities were determined in white matter, grey matter and infratentorial regions. Permutation methods were used to adjust for multiple testing. At 64y, H19/IGF2 and NESPAS methylation predicted hippocampal volumes. PEG3 predicted hyperintensities in hippocampal grey matter, and white matter. GNASXL predicted grey matter hyperintensities. Changes with age were predicted for hippocampal volume (MEST1, KvDMR, L3MBTL, GNASXL), white matter (MEST1, PEG3) and hippocampal grey matter hyperintensities (MCTS2, GNASXL, NESPAS, L3MBTL, MCTS2, SNRPN, MEST1). Including childhood cognitive ability, years in education, or socioeconomic status as additional explanatory variables in regression analyses did not change the overall findings. Imprinting methylation in multiple genes predicts brain structures, and their change over time. These findings are potentially relevant to the development of novel tests of brain structure and function across the life-course, strategies to improve cognitive outcomes, and our understanding of early influences on brain development and function.

Correlation between Higher Brain Dysfunction and Cerebral Blood Flow after Carotid Artery Stenting.

This study investigated the changes in higher brain function and cerebral blood flow (CBF) after carotid artery stenting (CAS), the relationship with CBF, and the impact of high intensities in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) after CAS. We performed CAS between September 2017 and September 2019 in our department in 88 patients. Patients who did not undergo higher brain function tests according to our protocol or those who did not consent to participate in our study were excluded. This study targeted the 26 patients who were able to undergo the tests, including the Kana Pick-out Test (KPOT) II, three times: before, 1 week after, and 1-3 months after CAS. We investigated the chronological changes in higher brain function and their relationship with high intensity on DWI. The results of Symbol Digit Modalities Tests (SDMT) and KPOT I and II improved significantly. There was a significant correlation between the improvement of higher brain function and CBF in patients with stenosis exceeding 60%, a score of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) of 26 or less, and without other cause of higher brain dysfunction, including known dementia. High-intensity spots on DWI after CAS had no significant impact on higher brain function. Higher brain function associated with attention and working memory improved significantly after CAS. There was a correlation between the improvement of higher brain function and CBF in patients with severe stenosis, mild cognitive impairment, and no known dementia. The prevention of subsequent ischemic attack and higher brain function should both be taken into account when performing CAS.

Verification of spatial recognition ability of stroke patients required to resume automobile driving.

[Purpose] To help patients who had a stroke resume automobile driving, we evaluated their ability to recognize three-dimensional space like that experienced in actual driving situations, with a focus on sensing car width. [Participants and Methods] Seven patients who had a stroke and 29 healthy adults participated in the study. Three 50-cm-wide chairs and 2 panels, 3 m apart, were placed 9 m from the chair in which the participant sat. One panel was fixed and the other panel could be moved toward the fixed panel in a horizontal direction. The participants were asked to signal when they believed that the width of the chair was the same as the space between the panels. [Results] In the simulation of driving a real car, the mean error in judging distance was 13.2 ± 10.4 cm for the Healthy group and that of the Stroke group was two times greater than that of the Healthy group. [Conclusion] These findings show that spatial recognition cannot be evaluated using paper-based two-dimensional higher brain function tests. To help patients who had a stroke resume driving requires evaluation of three-dimensional spatial recognition ability under circumstances that simulate actual driving situations.

Effectiveness of a Japanese-style health program in Minowa Town, Matsumoto city and Nagano city, Japan

Purpose This study aims to establish a Japanese-style healthcare program customized for Japan and Asia under ISO 9001: 2008 (ISO: International Organization for Standardization) to improve problem areas and to inspect the effectiveness of the program. Furthermore, the authors wanted to create this health program using the ISO widely available in Asian countries and make an international contribution. Design/methodology/approach The authors implemented a 6- to 10-month health program in Minowa Town, Matsumoto City and Nagano City in Japan. This study assessed findings from pedometric, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and physical fitness, blood chemistry and brain function tests. Findings The comparisons were made by examining the interaction effects between groups of participants. Groups from three regions in Japan showed significant differences on the physical fitness tests; regarding the 10-meter obstacle walk, the results of the Minowa participants showed the greatest improvement and the Matsumoto participants showed the second greatest improvement. In the six-min walk, the time of the Minowa participants significantly improved. Research limitations/implications This health education program, which has been conducted by the Japanese authors since 1998, measures anthropometry, brain function and physical fitness and performs blood tests before and after the program and it measures energy consumption with a pedometer during the program. With the aim of improving exercise via encouragement from friends and a sense of community with fellow participants, participants learn together with hands-on training in tai chi and aerobics about the importance of ongoing exercise and proper nutrition. This health education met the Health Education ISO in 2014. Practical implications Since 2010, Nagano Prefecture, including Minowa Town, Matsumoto City and Nagano City, where our study was carried out, has been the area with the highest life expectancy rates in Japan. Social implications The authors want to make this health promotion through ISO widely available in Asian countries and an international contribution. Originality/value This study aimed to appropriately establish a Japanese-style healthcare program under the ISO 9001:2008 to improve problem areas and inspect its effectiveness.

The effectiveness of a health promotion program using the International Organization for Standardization in Klongyong and Nikhompattana, Thailand

Aim: This study aimed to appropriately establish a healthcare program in Thailand that acquired ISO 9001 certification; QC14J0022 (the International Organization for Standardization, ISO) improved problems and inspected the program’s effectiveness. Furthermore, we are making this ISO health promotion widely available in Asian countries and are making an international contribution. Method: We implemented a 9-month health program in Klongyong and a 6-month health program in Nikhompattana, Rayong, Thailand. This program assessed findings from pedometry, anthropometry, physical fitness, and brain function tests. Results: In Klongyong, the average number of walking and exercise steps was 3471.3, and in Nikhompattana, the average number of walking and exercise steps was 4695.5. The pre- and post-health program results in Klongyong showed significant differences in blood pressure, hand grip strength, the 10-meter obstacle walk and the 6-minute walk. In Nikhompattana, there were significant differences in hand grip strength and sit-and-reach flexibility as well as the brain function tests. The pre- and post-health program results in Klongyong and Nikhompattana showed significant differences in the total number of “forgets”. Conclusions: The findings from before and after the health program in Nikhompattana suggest that the increased physical activity during the course of the program may have led to improved brain function results.

The role of arterial and venous blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid flow disturbances in the development of cognitive impairments in cerebral microangiopathy

Cerebral microangiopathy (CMA) is the main cause of vascular cognitive disorders, the leading cause of mixed dementia, and the main modifiable risk factor in Alzheimer’s disease. Study objective. To investigate the role of arterial and venous blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid flow, as well as their interrelation in the development of cognitive disorders in patients with CMA. Materials and methods. Ninety-six patients (32 men and 64 women, mean age 60.6±6.3 years) with cognitive complaints and CMA, diagnosed according to the STRIVE international MRI criteria, were examined. The severity of cognitive disturbance was assessed based on the overall cognitive level (MoCA scale and independence in daily life), the results of memory tests (10 words memory test) and executive brain function tests (TMT B-A). Phase contrast MRI was used to measure blood flow in the internal carotid and vertebral arteries (total arterial blood flow), the internal jugular veins and the straight and superior sagittal sinuses, as well as the aqueductal cerebrospinal fluid flow. Arterial pulsation and intracranial compliance indices were calculated. Results. Dementia and severe memory impairment were statistically significantly associated with an increase in the arterial pulsation index, intracranial compliance index and the aqueductal CSF stroke volume. Significant disturbances in brain executive function were also associated with a decrease in the total arterial blood flow, as well as the venous blood flow in the straight and superior sagittal sinuses. The characteristics of blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid are closely related, and the arterial pulsation index affects all the studied parameters. Conclusion. The severity of cognitive disturbance in CMA is determined by an increase in the arterial pulsation index, the intracranial compliance index and the aqueductal CSF stroke volume, while the severity of dysregulation disorders is determined by a concurrent decrease in the total arterial blood flow and venous blood flow in the straight and superior sagittal sinuses. The specific changes in blood flow and CSF flow and their interrelation in patients with cognitive impairment due to CMA suggest the pathogenetic importance of cerebral hydrodynamic disturbances in the aetiology of brain damage and the development of cognitive impairment in CMA.

Observing brain function via functional near-infrared spectroscopy during cognitive program training (dual task) in young people.

[Purpose] To study the brain function during a dual task (cycling exercise and cognitive training) via functional near-infrared spectroscopy in young males. [Participants and Methods] Twenty Japanese young male participants were divided into intervention and control groups by simple randomization (n=10 per group). In the intervention group, participants were given a cognitive program training and cycling exercise (dual task). The control group was given the cognitive program training (single task) only. The cognitive program training consisted of a warm up, followed by 2 minutes of rock-paper-scissors, 2 minutes of numeric memory, 2 minutes of color matching, 2 minutes of calculations, and a cool down. Brain function tests were performed individually throughout the programs by functional near-infrared spectroscopy. [Results] The oxyhemoglobin levels significantly increased in the frontal lobe of the intervention and control groups after program completion compared to before. And the oxyhemoglobin levels of the intervention group also significantly increased more than control group in the prefrontal cortex and motor area. [Conclusion] This program used by Cognibike was also effective for improving hemoglobin oxygen levels at the frontal lobe in young males.

The effectiveness of a Japanese style health program: comparison between Minowa, Japan and Rayong, Thailand

AimThis study aimed to appropriately establish a Japanese style healthcare program under the ISO9001:2008 (ISO: International Organization for Standardization) in Minowa, Japan and Rayong, Thailand to improve problem areas and inspect its effectiveness. Furthermore, we want to make this health promotion through ISO widely available in Asian countries and to make an international contribution. MethodWe implemented a 6-month health program in the c Rayong city, Thailand, and a 12 month health program in the Minowa town, Japan. This study assessed findings from pedometry, anthropometry and blood pressure measurements, physical fitness, blood chemistry, and brain function tests. ResultsThe comparisons were made using interaction effects between the participants in Rayong and Minowa. They showed significant differences in the 10-m obstacle walk, the 6-minute walk, HDL, the reverse and reverse differentiation time, the total number of forgets, the total number of mistakes, and the total number of brain function errors. ConclusionsTo improve the brain function in participants from Rayong through this health education program, measures such as increasing the number of steps, adding muscular strength/stretching exercises, and home training every day is suggested.

Association between α-Klotho and Deep White Matter Lesions in the Brain: A Pilot Case Control Study Using Brain MRI.

The anti-aging protein, α-Klotho, may be involved in cognitive decline and has potential as a surrogate marker that reflects dementia. However, the role of α-Klotho in the brain has not been sufficiently investigated. Here, we investigated the association between α-Klotho and cognitive decline that is associated with cerebral deep white matter lesions (DWMLs). Two hundred-eighty participants (187 males and 93 females, mean age: 70.8 years old) were evaluated for DWMLs, and the Fazekas scale (Grade) was assessed following brain magnetic resonance imaging. A questionnaire concerning lifestyle and neuropsychological tests was administered, and their associations with the blood α-Klotho level were retrospectively investigated. The α-Klotho level was 685.1 pg/mL in Grade 0 (68 subjects), 634.1 in G1 (134), 596.0 in G2 (62), and 571.6 in G3 (16), showing that the level significantly decreased with advanced grades. Significant correlations were noted between the α-Klotho level and higher brain function tests including the Mini-Mental State Examination and word fluency tests (p < 0.05). When a 90th percentile value of the level in the G0 group (400 pg/mL) or lower was defined as a low α-Klotho level, the odds ratio of the high-grade G3 group was 2.9 (95% confidence interval: 1.4-7.8) (after correction for age, sex, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease), which was significant. A reduced blood α-Klotho level was correlated with grading of cerebral DWMLs and was accompanied by cognitive decline as an independent risk factor. The α-Klotho level may serve as a useful clinical index of vascular cognitive impairment.

Differences between two japanese health-promotion programs on measures of health and wellness

We implemented and compared two 10-month health education programs in Minowa town and Matsumoto city, Nagano prefecture, Japan. The Matsumoto city cohort underwent a program of monthly classroom activities (CA group), whereas the Minowa town cohort were not only subjected to classroom activities but also performed 90-min strength and weight training once a week and were termed the classroom/training (CT) group. We measured anthropometric, blood pressure, physical fitness, blood chemistry, and brain function variables. All participants were provided pedometers and were encouraged to walk. Monthly seminars included education regarding yoga, exercise, blood pressure, nutrition, and other health-related topics. In total, 92 healthy participants were included in the CA group [age, 66.5 ± 5.4 years (mean ± standard error of mean); 30 males and 62 females] and 46 healthy participants were included in the CT group (mean age 62.7 ± 4.7 years; 22 males and 24 females). We observed significant differences between the average number of steps walked in the CA (7241.7 ± 113.6) and CT (8686.7 ± 167.2) groups. Both the groups both showed significant improvements in anthropometric, blood pressure, physical fitness, blood chemistry, and brain function tests; however, the CT group showed markedly greater improvement after the health education program than before participation. In conclusion, the CT program had added benefits over the CA program because of the higher average amount of walking (approximately 1,400 steps) and the inclusion of a weekly weight-training activity.

Development of Higher Brain Function Tests in Rodents and Its Application to Neurotoxicity Assessment of Environmental Chemicals

The brain during developmental period is thought to be highly sensitive to environmental insults including exposure to chemicals. However, it has been extremely difficult to detect and assess the features and degree of adversity particularly at low exposure levels. I describe here the effects of maternal exposure to dioxin on higher brain functions later in life, which we detected using our originally developed behavioral tests for quantifying higher brain functions in rodents. We first found changes in the mRNA expression levels of glutamate NMDA receptor subunits that have critical roles in learning and memory function in the neocortex and hippocampus. To assess the neocortical and hippocampal functions in rats, we established novel behavioral tests for assessing paired-associate learning, which is the hippocampal and medial prefrontal NMDA-dependent function. Maternal exposure to dioxin, at a low level of which does not affect simple memory formation, resulted in the disturbance of the paired-associate learning. On the basis of the above learning paradigm, we next developed a behavioral flexibility task and a social competitive task for mice using the automated behavioral assessment system ‘IntelliCage’: this system can accommodate 16 mice at the same time to monitor and record their behavior. Using this system, we found that male mice born to dams exposed to very low doses of dioxin showed inflexibility in a serial reversal learning task and socially low-dominance behavior under a competitive situation. Immunohistochemical analysis of putative neuronal activity markers revealed hypoactivity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of dioxin-exposed mice. We speculate that mPFC hypoactivity reflects the dioxin-induced higher brain dysfunction and may be associated with some psychiatric illnesses and related problems. These behavioral tests were found to be useful for studying the higher brain functions of rats and mice.

Comparative study of brain function tests between patients with schizophrenia and normal controls

Objective To investigate differences in brain function tests between patients with schizophrenia and normal controls.Methods 80 patients who met diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia of International Classification of Diseases (10th edition) received brain function tests,for the same period 52 cases of normal control also received brain function tests.Test results were compared to analyze differences in brain neurotransmitters.Results There were statistically significant differences in GABA and Glu neurotransmitters power between schizophrenia group and normal control group (t =-1.991,P =0.049; t =-2.228,P =0.028).There was statistically significant difference in glutamate neurotransmitter relative power between two groups (t =-2.115,P =0.036).There was statistically significant difference in neurotransmitters total power between two groups (t =-2.631,P =0.010).Conclusion Glutamate neurotransmitter power,relative neurotransmitters power and total neurotransmitters power in schizophrenia group were higher than those in normal control group,which suggested abnormal brain neurotransmitters function in patients with schizophrenia. Key words: Schizophrenia; Normal control group; Brain function tests

Validation of mismatch negativity and P3a for use in multi-site studies of schizophrenia: Characterization of demographic, clinical, cognitive, and functional correlates in COGS-2

Mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a are auditory event-related potential (ERP) components that show robust deficits in schizophrenia (SZ) patients and exhibit qualities of endophenotypes, including substantial heritability, test–retest reliability, and trait-like stability. These measures also fulfill criteria for use as cognition and function-linked biomarkers in outcome studies, but have not yet been validated for use in large-scale multi-site clinical studies. This study tested the feasibility of adding MMN and P3a to the ongoing Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia (COGS) study. The extent to which demographic, clinical, cognitive, and functional characteristics contribute to variability in MMN and P3a amplitudes was also examined. Participants (HCS n=824, SZ n=966) underwent testing at 5 geographically distributed COGS laboratories. Valid ERP recordings were obtained from 91% of HCS and 91% of SZ patients. Highly significant MMN (d=0.96) and P3a (d=0.93) amplitude reductions were observed in SZ patients, comparable in magnitude to those observed in single-lab studies with no appreciable differences across laboratories. Demographic characteristics accounted for 26% and 18% of the variance in MMN and P3a amplitudes, respectively. Significant relationships were observed among demographically-adjusted MMN and P3a measures and medication status as well as several clinical, cognitive, and functional characteristics of the SZ patients. This study demonstrates that MMN and P3a ERP biomarkers can be feasibly used in multi-site clinical studies. As with many clinical tests of brain function, demographic factors contribute to MMN and P3a amplitudes and should be carefully considered in future biomarker-informed clinical studies.