Neuropsychological Changes Research Articles

Shared and unique effects of ApoEε4 and pathogenic gene mutation on cognition and imaging in preclinical familial Alzheimer’s disease

AbstractBackgroundNeuropsychology and imaging changes have been reported in the preclinical stage of familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD). This study investigated the effects of APOEε4 and known pathogenic gene mutation on different cognitive domains and circuit imaging markers in preclinical FAD.Method139 asymptomatic subjects in FAD families, including 26 APOEε4 carriers, 17 APP and 20 PS1 mutation carriers, and 76 control subjects, went through a series of neuropsychological tests and MRI scanning. Test scores and imaging measures including volumes, diffusion indices and functional connectivity (FC) of frontostriatal and hippocampus to posterior cingulate cortex pathways were compared between groups, and analyzed for correlation.ResultCompared with controls, APOEε4 group showed increased hippocampal volume and decreased FC of fronto‐caudate pathway (figure 1). APP group showed increased recall scores in auditory verbal learning test, decreased fiber number, increased radial diffusivity and FC of frontostriatal pathway (figure 1 & 2). All three genetic groups showed decreased fractional anisotropy of hippocampus to posterior cingulate cortex pathway (figure 1). These neuropsychological and imaging measures were able to discriminate genetic groups from controls, with areas under the curve from 0.733 to 0.837 (figure 3). Circuit imaging measures are differentially associated with scores in various cognitive scales in control and genetic groups.ConclusionThere are neuropsychological and imaging changes in the preclinical stage of FAD, some of which are shared by APOEε4 and known pathogenic gene mutation, while some are unique to different genetic groups. These findings are helpful for the early identification of Alzheimer’s disease, and for developing generalized and individualized prevention and intervention strategies.

Neuropsychological Changes in Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia/Eclampsia (PE-E): Health Behavior Implications

Objectives: Preeclampsia/eclampsia (PE-E) is a significant cause of maternal morbidities and mortalities in many countries. To expand this topic, the prime aim of this study was to examine the linkage of neuropsychological changes with PE-E in pregnant women. In addition, this study also analyzed the impact of numerous health behavior on development of PE-E in pregnant women. Methods: Employing the quantitative methodology, the data was collected from 350 pregnant women from hospitals in Turkey. Results: The findings of study indicate that health behavior associated with negative psychological predictors indicate significant association with risk of PE-E in pregnant women. Accordingly, sadness, anxiety, depression, disgust and distress were found as negative and significant predictor of PE-E. In addition, the health behavior associated with positive psychological predictors like love, joy, happiness and acceptance were found positive predictor as they improved the healthcare behavior and reduced risk of PE-E in pregnant women. Conclusions: Consequently, the study indicated that pregnant women with neuropsychological distress have twice threat of development of PE-E as compared to normal pregnant women. This study has significant implications for health sector and recommends encouraging positive health behavior to avert effect of PE-E on pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Is there a connection between neurocognitive profile in treatment naïve non-cirrhotic HCV patients and level of systemic inflammation?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a progressive, systemic disease which leads to the development of end-stage liver disease. In 70% of patients, HCV infection is followed by the development of extrahepatic manifestations (EHM). A common EHM is HCV associated neurocognitive disorder (HCV-AND), characterized by neuropsychological changes in attention, working memory, psychomotor speed, executive function, verbal learning, and recall. The aim of this study is to examine the correlation between the neurocognitive profile and routine, available laboratory parameters of inflammation, liver function tests, grade of liver fibrosis, and clinical and laboratory parameters of mixed cryoglobulinemia in treatment naïve non-cirrhotic HCV patients. This is a single-center exploratory study in which we examined 38 HCV + treatment naïve patients. The complete blood count and hematological parameters of systemic inflammation, liver function tests, biopsy confirmed grade of liver fibrosis, and clinical and laboratory parameters of mixed cryoglobulinemia caused by chronic HCV infection were observed. In the study, we used a battery of neuropsychological tests assessing multiple cognitive domains: executive functions, verbal fluency, delayed memory, working memory and learning, and one measure for visuo-constructive performance. Before the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, the results show significant correlations between the scores in the neurocognitive variables and the single measures of inflammation, liver function parameters, and mixed cryoglobulinemia. It has not found a statistically significant correlation between systemic inflammation and neurocognitive variables. After the Bonferroni adjustment, no correlations remained significant. Certainly, the obtained results can be a recommendation for additional validation through future research.

45 Can Surgical Ablation Modify a Developmental Visuospatial Impairment in Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia? A Case Study

Objective:Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH) is a malformation of cortical development (MCD) characterized by aggregates of gray matter adjacent to the lateral ventricular walls. Clinical presentation is heterogeneous with higher rates of seizures and reading impairments typically in the setting of average IQ (Felker et al. 2011). The majority of neuropsychological inquiry has focused on reading fluency, though a single case study showed a neurocognitive profile consistent with nonverbal learning deficits in a 7-year old boy with suspected autosomal dominant bilateral heterotopia (McCann et al., 2008). Given the periventricular focus and potential for unilateral presentations, non-linguistic neurocognitive sequelae may be expected in cases affecting the non-dominant hemisphere, yet this remains largely unexplored. Surgical ablation by laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is increasingly used for epilepsy management in PVNH (Thompson et al., 2016, Whiting et al. 2020). However, there are no reported studies exploring cognitive outcomes following LITT of focal PVNH.Participants and Methods:A 46-year-old, right handed, Black female with 16 years of education presented for management of medically refractory epilepsy. Epilepsy monitoring captured intermittent slow waves in the right temporal lobe, interictal polyspikes in the right temporal lobe, and three epileptic events all emanating from the right temporal lobe. MRI showed extensive migrational anomalies involving the right hemisphere posteriorly consistent with PVNH with no associated mesial temporal sclerosis. Pre-surgical neuropsychological evaluation showed a significant split in IQ, with verbal IQ = 99 and performance IQ = 76. Testing indicated circumscribed deficits in visuoperceptual judgement, visuoconstruction, visuospatial reasoning, non-verbal recall, and several executive weaknesses in the context of otherwise average neurocognitive functioning. Fine motor speed was impaired bilaterally. Her profile was suggestive of non-dominant fronto-parieto-temporal dysfunction, concordant with the remainder of her work-up. By history she reported longstanding academic weaknesses in math and organization with strong verbal and reading abilities.Results:The patient underwent partial LITT of right PVNH sparing areas involved in visual function. At 6-month follow-up she was seizure free (Engel outcome 1A). Post-surgical neuropsychological evaluation showed reliable improvements in perceptual reasoning, aspects of learning/memory, and verbal naming. Visuoconstruction remained impaired but qualitatively improved. She also reported subjective experience of improved mental clarity and was applying for jobs after regaining driving privileges.Conclusions:This case demonstrates symptoms and history concerning for a nonverbal learning disorder in an adult woman with epilepsy secondary to right hemisphere PVNH and underscores the importance of exploring the range of neurocognitive profiles in MCD. Her notable neurocognitive and functional improvements following surgical ablation and seizure freedom suggest a possible release of function in the absence of inhibitory neurophysiological influences. This raises interesting questions about the endurance of her developmental profile. This case report contributes to our understanding of neuroanatomical correlates of neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental presentations. Future investigations should explore neuropsychological changes following LITT for PVNH.

52 Differences in Neuropsychological Test Performance and Symptom Data in Schizophrenia with Co-Occurring Cannabis Use

Objective:Long-term exposure to the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocanabinol (THC), has been consistently raised as a notable risk factor for schizophrenia. Additionally, cannabis is frequently used as a coping mechanism for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Cannabis use in schizophrenia has been associated with greater severity of psychotic symptoms, non-compliance with medication, and increased relapse rates. Neuropsychological changes have also been implicated in long-term cannabis use and the course of illness of schizophrenia. However, the impact of co-occurring cannabis use in individuals with schizophrenia on cognitive functioning is less thoroughly explored. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine whether neuropsychological test performance and symptoms in schizophrenia differ as a function of THC use status. A second aim of this study was to examine whether symptom severity moderates the relationship between THC use and cognitive test performance among people with schizophrenia.Participants and Methods:Peer-reviewed articles comparing schizophrenia with and without cannabis use disorder (SZ SUD+; SZ SUD-) were selected from three scholarly databases; Ovid, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The following search terms were applied to yield studies for inclusion: neuropsychology, cognition, cognitive, THC, cannabis, marijuana, and schizophrenia. 11 articles containing data on psychotic symptoms and neurocognition, with SZ SUD+ and SZ SUD- groups, were included in the final analyses. Six domains of neurocognition were identified across included articles (Processing Speed, Attention, Working Memory, Verbal Learning Memory, and Reasoning and Problem Solving). Positive and negative symptom data was derived from eligible studies consisting of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Self-Evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) scores. Meta analysis and meta-regression was conducted using R.Results:No statistically significant differences were observed between SZ SUD+ and SZ SUD-across the cognitive domains of Processing Speed, Attention, Working Memory, Verbal Learning Memory, and Reasoning and Problem Solving. Positive symptom severity was found to moderate the relationship between THC use and processing speed, but not negative symptoms. Positive and negative symptom severity did not significantly moderate the relationship between THC use and the other cognitive domains.Conclusions:Positive symptoms moderated the relationship between cannabis use and processing speed among people with schizophrenia. The reasons for this are unclear, and require further exploration. Additional investigation is warranted to better understand the impact of THC use on other tests of neuropsychological performance and symptoms in schizophrenia.

38 Language and memory outcome after frontal or temporal resection for epilepsy

Objective:The purpose of this investigation was to examine neuropsychological functioning after frontal (FL) or temporal lobectomy (ATL) in patients with localization related epilepsy. Few studies have compared cognitive changes following FL and ATL. Past research found improvement on measures of verbal and visual memory along with confrontation naming after FL (Busch et al., 2017). In contrast, a number of studies have reported verbal memory and naming decline in those undergoing left ATL. The current study examined post-operative cognitive changes in epilepsy patients who underwent either a left or right FL or ATL.Participants and Methods:Subjects include 430 patients (204 men, 225 women, 1 gender not specified), who underwent surgical resection; Right FL = 25, Left FL = 26, Right ATL = 211, Left ATL = 168. Patients had a mean FSIQ = 90, ages ranging from 18 to 71 (mean age = 37 years), right (n=359), left (n=50), or mixed (n=18) handedness, and education ranging from 3 to 22 years (mean = 12.9 years of education). Change from pre- to post FL and ATL was examined in the following domains: learning and memory [Long Term Storage for Selective Reminding Tests (SRT), Wechsler’s Memory Scale (WMS): Logical Memory Delayed Recall (LM) and Visual Reproduction Delayed Recall (VR)], and language [Boston Naming Test (BNT)].Results:A one-way ANOVA was used to examine changes in language and memory. Our findings revealed statistically significant differences between resection groups for LM, SRT, and BNT. There were significant declines (p<.001) for left ATL when compared to right ATL for LM, SRT, and BNT. There were significant declines for left ATL, when compared to the gains in both left (p<.001; p=.002) and right (p=.018; p=.008) FL for LM and BNT. Left ATL also had significant declines when compared to gains in SRT (p<.001) for right FL. There were significant declines for left FL when compared to right ATL for SRT (p=.007). Lastly, there were significant gains for right FL when compared to left FL for SRT (p=.020).Conclusions:The pre- to post-surgical neuropsychological change in learning, memory, and language is understudied in frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE); although several investigators reported some learning and memory impairments in FLE at either pre- or post-surgical time points (Johnson-Markve et al., 2011; Incisa Della Rocchetta et al., 1993). The current study suggests that resections of the frontal lobes are associated with better outcomes for naming and verbal memory (LM) when compared to left ATLs. Interestingly, verbal list learning declined more in left than right FL and right ATL patients suggesting a possible language based executive functioning component to this memory measure. As expected, our study further supports that left ATLs are associated with material specific memory declines. This pattern was not seen for those undergoing a right ATL (i.e., nonverbal memory did not decline in patients with right ATL).

Effects of Cumulative Head Impact Exposure in Adolescent Male Contact and Collision Sport Student Athletes.

This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the association between head impact exposure (HIE) and neuropsychological sequelae in high school football and ice hockey players over 1 year. Community sample. A cohort of 52 adolescent American football and ice hockey players were enrolled in the study, with a final study sample of 35 included in analyses. The study followed a prospective cohort design, with participants undergoing neuropsychological screening and accelerometer-based measurement of HIE over 1 season. Changes in cognition, emotions, behavior, and reported symptoms were assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests and self-reported questionnaires. Cumulative HIE was not consistently associated with changes in cognition, emotions, behavior, or reported symptoms. However, it was linked to an isolated measure of processing speed, showing inconsistent results based on the type of HIE. History of previous concussion was associated with worsened verbal memory recognition (ImPACT Verbal Memory) but not on a more robust measure of verbal memory (California Verbal Learning Test [CVLT]). Reported attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder history predicted improved neurocognitive change scores. No associations were found between reported history of anxiety/depression or headaches/migraines and neuropsychological change scores. Overall, our findings do not support the hypothesis that greater HIE is associated with an increase in neuropsychological sequelae over time in adolescent football and ice hockey players. The results align with the existing literature, indicating that HIE over 1 season of youth sports is not consistently associated with significant neuropsychological changes. However, the study is limited by a small sample size, attrition over time, and the absence of performance validity testing for neurocognitive measures. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples, longer follow-up, and integration of advanced imaging and biomarkers are needed to comprehensively understand the relationship between HIE and neurobehavioral outcomes. Findings can inform guidelines for safe youth participation in contact sports while promoting the associated health and psychosocial benefits.

Development - Motivation - Resilience

The human body, during the many years since becoming humanoid until now, has received and differentiated stimuli, sensors, reactions, ailments, stress in all its forms - but has constantly found resources to "renew". We are referring to the fact that man did not easily and without obstacles cross centuries of existence, identifying in laborious processes (most often) very nuanced types of reactions - all helping him to adapt, a fact that often generated controversies, contradictions , non-acceptances from the servants of science. Capacities - unlimited adaptation - were followed by neuro-functional, neuro-psychological and social changes, they are permanently interrelated: people became more resistant, braver in the face of the unknown, they overcame difficulties often labeled as "insurmountable", they became more intelligent and came to know more and better the secrets of the universe (in the human sense), but also of the human universe - the psyche.

A Comparison of Two Multi-Tasking Approaches to Cognitive Training in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

The multi-tasking approach may be promising for cognitive rehabilitation in cardiac surgery patients due to a significant effect on attentional and executive functions. This study aimed to compare the neuropsychological changes in patients who have undergone two variants of multi-tasking training and a control group in the early postoperative period of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). One hundred and ten CABG patients were divided into three groups: cognitive training (CT) I (a postural balance task with mental arithmetic, verbal fluency, and divergent tasks) (n = 30), CT II (a simple visual-motor reaction with mental arithmetic, verbal fluency, and divergent tasks) (n = 40), and control (n = 40). Two or more cognitive indicators improved in 93.3% of CT I patients, in 72.5% of CT II patients, and in 62.5% of control patients; CT I patients differed from CT II and control (p = 0.04 and p = 0.008, respectively). The improving short-term memory and attention was found more frequently in the CT I group as compared to control (56.7% vs. 15%; p = 0.0005). The cognitive improvement of all domains (psychomotor and executive functions, attention, and short-term memory) was also revealed in CT I patients more frequently than CT II (46.7% vs. 20%; p = 0.02) and control (46.7% vs. 5%; p = 0.0005). The CT I multi-tasking training was more effective at improving the cognitive performance in cardiac surgery patients as compared to CT II training and standard post-surgery management. The findings of this study will be helpful for future studies involving multi-tasking training.

Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging as an Indicator of Neuropsychological Changes in Type 1 Narcolepsy

To explore indicators of neuropsychological changes in patients with type 1 narcolepsy (NT1) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Thirty-four NT1 patients and 34 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited for neuropsychiatric assessments and rs-fMRI data acquisition. Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and related brain functional connectivity (FC) were calculated for the two groups and compared using a two-sample t test with cluster-level FDR correction. Moreover, partial correlation analysis was performed between these functional values of changed brain regions and clinical scales. Compared to those of healthy controls, spontaneous functional activities were significantly weakened in patients with NT1 in regions such as the left/right posterior cerebellum lobe, left inferior temporal gyrus, and left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, whereas those in regions such as the left middle occipital gyrus, right inferior occipital gyrus, and left/right lingual gyrus were significantly strengthened. Furthermore, NT1 patients displayed significantly changed FCs between the left/right anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) and regions such as the left/right cerebellum, left middle occipital gyrus, and left inferior frontal gyrus in the operculum. In partial correlation analysis, the functions in the left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus were significantly related to the Trail Making Tests (TMT) score. Moreover, the FC between the left ACG and left inferior frontal gyrus in the operculum washighly correlated with anxiety and depression features, including the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) score. Patients with NT1 exhibited abnormalities in the anterior cingulate cortex, frontal-parietal cortex, hippocampus, and left/right posterior cerebellum lobe. The deactivation of the left frontal-temporal cortex is stronger, which is involved in the cognitive decline and mental disorders in these patients. Damage to the ACG may affect its FC with other regions and cause cognition and emotion dysregulation, perhaps by impairing patients' visual pathways and frontal-temporal-parietal networks. Hence, these could be important biomarkers for their neuropsychological changes.

Association Between Lifetime Sexual Violence and Recent Traumatic Brain Injury Among Adults: 2017 Connecticut Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Sexual violence (SV) is a critical public health problem that is associated with numerous negative health consequences, including immediate- and long-term physical and mental health conditions and health-risk behaviors. Some of these health-risk behaviors (e.g., substance use, unsafe driving practices, poor mental health, lower impulse control, and abnormal brain circuitry) might increase the risk for sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI causes neurological or neuropsychological changes and may also lead to various symptoms that affect a person's cognition, mobility, behavior, and mental health. Determining if those who have experienced SV are at increased risk of sustaining a TBI in their lifetime is critical given the high prevalence and health impacts of SV, the potential vulnerability to TBI after SV, and the known detrimental effects of TBI. This exploratory study examined data from the 2017 Connecticut behavioral risk factor surveillance system and found that lifetime SV victimization (controlling for age and sex) was associated with increased odds of reporting a recent TBI in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.03, 4.21]). Further research is needed to better understand how SV history is related to the risk of sustaining a TBI. Healthcare professionals can support patients who experience SV by providing resources to help reduce associated physical and mental health conditions and health-risk behaviors.

Clinical neuropsychological characteristics of bipolar disorder, with a focus on cognitive and linguistic pattern: a conceptual analysis.

Neuropsychology is an academic discipline that investigates the intricate interplay between the brain, mind, and behavior. It accomplishes this by examining the underlying structure and activities of the brain, with a particular focus on psychological phenomena such as language, motivation, memory, attention, thinking, consciousness, learning, and efficacy. The assessment of neuropsychological changes in individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder has received limited attention in comparison to other psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, for instance. Nevertheless, there has been a growing interest in the etiological implications, therapies, preventions, and prognostic factors related to social competence and the quality of life of patients. The objective of this review is to compile and analyze the existing research conducted thus far on the association between cognitive abnormalities and bipolar disorder. This study has examined research conducted across many stages of the condition, including depression and mania. Additionally, it has explored comparative studies involving people with schizophrenia, as well as the potential impact of psychopharmaceutical interventions.

Effects of human probiotics on memory and psychological and physical measures in community-dwelling older adults with normal and mildly impaired cognition: results of a bi-center, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial (CleverAge biota).

This study presents results of our randomized clinical trial studying the effect of human probiotics on memory and psychological and physical measures following our study protocol registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT05051501 and described in detail in our previous paper. Community dwelling participants aged between 55 and 80 years were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of 106 colony-forming units of human Streptococcus thermophilus GH, Streptococcus salivarius GH NEXARS, Lactobacilus plantarum GH, and Pediococcus pentosaceus GH or placebo. A cross-over design allowed each group to receive probiotics and placebo for 3 months each in reverse order. A small subset of participants was examined online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After 6 months a small number of volunteers were additionally assessed after 2 months without any intervention. Primary outcome measures included changes in cognitive functions assessed using brief tests and a neuropsychological battery and changes in mood assessed using validated questionnaires. Secondary outcome measures included changes in self-report and subjective measures using depression and anxiety questionnaires, seven visual analog scales of subjective feelings (memory, digestion, etc.), and physical performance. At baseline, the probiotic-placebo group A (n = 40, age 69 ± 7 years, education 16 ± 3 years, 63% females, body mass index 28.5 ± 6, subjective memory complaint in 43%) did not differ from the placebo-probiotic group B (n = 32) in any of the sociodemographic characteristics and evaluated measures including cognitive status. At follow-up visits after 3, 6, and 8 months, no cross-sectional differences in any of the measures were found between the groups except worse sentence recall of the ALBA test after 3 months of probiotic use. Score changes were not observed for all cognitive tests but one in any group between visits 1 and 3 and between visits 3 and 6. The only change was observed for the TMT B test after the first three months but no change was observed after the second three months. The treatment with human probiotics and prebiotics did not improve cognitive, affective, or physical measures in community-dwelling individuals with normal or mildly impaired cognitive functions. clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05051501.

Risk factors for post-COVID cognitive dysfunctions: the impact of psychosocial vulnerability.

Cognitive dysfunction is a well-established manifestation of the post-COVID syndrome. Psychological vulnerability to stressors can modify disease trajectories, causing long-term risk for negative outcomes. Nonetheless, how premorbid risk factors and response to stressor affect neuropsychological changes is still incompletely understood. In this study, we explored the impact of psychosocial variables on cognitive functioning in a post-COVID sample. All subjects were submitted to a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and an assessment of perceived loneliness, post-traumatic stress, and changes in anxiety and depression levels. A social vulnerability index was also calculated. The set of psycho-social variables was reduced to two Principal Component Analysis (PCA) components: distress and isolation. Forty-five percent of individuals showed cognitive impairments, with predominant memory and executive deficits. Post-traumatic stress disorder was clinically relevant in 44% of the sample. Social vulnerability scores of the sample were comparable to those of general population. The individual performance in learning and response initiation/suppression was directly related to distress component, encasing anxiety, stress, and depression measures. These findings suggest that psychosocial assessment of post-COVID patients can detect fragile individuals at risk of cognitive impairments. Dedicated psychological support services may play a useful role in the prevention of post-COVID cognitive dysfunction.

Neurophysiological markers of emotion regulation predict efficacy of entrepreneurship education

Recent evidence shows that programs targeting the socio-emotional dimensions of entrepreneurship—e.g., resilience, personal initiative, and empathy—are more highly correlated with success along with key business metrics, such as sales and survival, than programs with a narrow, technical bent—e.g., accounting and finance. We argue that programs designed to foster socio-emotional skills are effective in improving entrepreneurship outcomes because they improve the students’ ability to regulate their emotions. They enhance the individuals’ disposition to make more measured, rational decisions. We test this hypothesis studying a randomized controlled trial (RCT, RCT ID: AEARCTR-0000916) of an entrepreneurship program in Chile. We combine administrative data, surveys, and neuro-psychological data from lab-in-the-field measurements. A key methodological contribution of this study is the use of the electroencephalogram (EEG) to quantify the impact of emotional responses. We find that the program has a positive and significant impact on educational outcomes and, in line with the findings of other studies in the literature, we find no impact on self-reported measures of socio-emotional skills (e.g., grit and locus of control) and creativity. Our novel insight comes from the finding that the program has a significant impact on neurophysiological markers, decreasing arousal (a proxy of alertness), valence (a proxy for withdrawal from or approachability to an event or stimuli), and neuro-psychological changes to negative stimuli.

High blood lead level correlates with selective hippocampal subfield atrophy and neuropsychological impairments

BackgroundLead contamination is a major public health concern. Previous studies have demonstrated that lead exposure could affect the hippocampus, which is a complex and heterogeneous structure composed of 12 subregions. Here, we explored volumetric and functional changes in hippocampal subfields and neuropsychological alterations after lead exposure. MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study at a smelting company between September 2020 and December 2021. Blood lead level was recorded, and neuropsychological functions were assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). The hippocampus was segmented into 12 subfields in each hemisphere in magnetic resonance images (MRIs). Then, the effect of altered hippocampal subfield volumes on brain functions were studied by seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis. Finally, the relationships between the lead level with hippocampal subfield volumes and neuropsychological functions were investigated. Baseline characteristics, hippocampal subfield volumes, and FC analysis were compared between lead-exposed (≥ 300 μg/L) and the control group (≤ 100 μg/L). ResultsIn 76 participants, lead level positively correlated with SDS(r = 0.422) and negatively correlated with MoCA(r = −0.414), MMSE(r = −0.251), Concentration(r = −0.331), Recall(r = −0.319), Orientation(r = −0.298) and Executive Function/Visuospatial abilities(r = −0.231). Lead group (26 participants) had lower MoCA and MMSE and higher SDS than control group (23 participants). A significantly decreased volume in the left CA4 and GC-ML-DG subfields was found in the lead group compared with the control group. The left GC-ML-DG of the lead group showed a decreased FC with the bilateral postcentral gyrus. The left CA4(r = −0.409) and left GC-ML-DG (r = −0.383) volumes negatively correlated with lead level. The FC between left GC-ML-DG and left postcentral gyrus positively correlated with MoCA(r = 0.318), MMSE(r = 0.379) and Recall(r = 0.311). The FC between left GC-ML-DG and right postcentral gyrus positively correlated with MoCA(r = 0.326), Executive Function/Visuospatial abilities(r = 0.307) and Concentration(r = 0.297). ConclusionHigh blood lead level was associated with neuropsychological alterations, hippocampal structural and functional changes. The left GC-ML-DG and CA4 atrophy might serve as predictive imaging markers for neurological damage associated with high lead exposure.

Combined physical activity training versus aerobic activity training in unipolar depressive disorder: aquasi-randomised evaluation study.

The positive effect of sport and exercise interventions on the treatment of unipolar depressive disorder (UDD) is well documented with respect to aerobic exercise. However, few studies have determined the effectiveness of other types of interventions (e.g., weight training, body and mind oriented, qigong or progressive muscle relaxation). Additionally, the effectiveness of specific combined sport and exercise approaches has rarely been investigated. Therefore, recommendations for the use of sport and exercise therapy to treat UDD have been developed. This quasi-randomised study used apretest/posttest design to compare the effectiveness of two different interventions (aerobic activity training vs. combined physical activity training) on psychiatric outcome parameters in aday clinic psychiatric setting. Atotal of 62participants were quasi-randomised to one of the two conditions. Affective, cognitive, psychosocial and neuropsychological changes were assessed by abattery of questionnaires before(t1) and after(t2) treatment. Accelerometers were used to assess energy consumption. The results show that both training interventions have similar effects on the treatment of UDD. These findings highlight the effectiveness of different physical activities in the treatment of UDD and provide further information for good clinical practice.

The neuropsychology of healthy aging: the positive context of the University of the Third Age during the COVID-19 pandemic

Older adults have been reported to have increased susceptibility to the adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as fatal outcomes, cognitive decline, and changes in physical and/or mental health. However, few studies have examined neuropsychological changes by comparing measurements before and during the pandemic in healthy older people. In addition, no longitudinal studies have examined whether older adults may have responded positively to the pandemic. We examined these issues through a 2-year neuropsychological study before and during the pandemic period. Results showed that scores before and during the pandemic were the same in memory and attention, whereas global cognitive, executive, and language functions improved. Participants also showed no longitudinal changes in depression, hypomania, and disinhibition, while apathy and, to a lesser extent, anxiety increased significantly. To examine possible signs of pandemic-related emotional (dys)regulation, subjects were shown images at follow-up that recalled the most dramatic lockdown phase while heart rate variability was recorded. Higher apathy was predicted by poorer global cognitive performance, increased anxiety, and emotional dysregulation as measured by a higher ratio of low-to-high frequency heart rate variability. Thus, preserved global cognition appears to play a protective role against the effects of pandemic-related anxiety and emotional dysregulation on apathy.

Blast-Induced Neurotrauma Results in Spatially Distinct Gray Matter Alteration Alongside Hormonal Alteration: A Preliminary Investigation

Blast-induced neurotrauma (BINT) frequently occurs during military training and deployment and has been linked to long-term neuropsychological and neurocognitive changes, and changes in brain structure. As military personnel experience frequent exposures to stress, BINT may negatively influence stress coping abilities. This study aimed to determine the effects of BINT on gray matter volume and hormonal alteration. Participants were Canadian Armed Forces personnel and veterans with a history of BINT (n = 12), and first responder controls (n = 8), recruited due to their characteristic occupational stress professions. Whole saliva was collected via passive drool on the morning of testing and analyzed for testosterone (pg/mL), cortisol (μg/dL), and testosterone/cortisol (T/C) ratio. Voxel-based morphometry was performed to compare gray matter (GM) volume, alongside measurement of cortical thickness and subcortical volumes. Saliva analyses revealed distinct alterations following BINT, with significantly elevated testosterone and T/C ratio. Widespread and largely symmetric loci of reduced GM were found specific to BINT, particularly in the temporal gyrus, precuneus, and thalamus. These findings suggest that BINT affects hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and -gonadal axis function, and causes anatomically-specific GM loss, which were not observed in a comparator group with similar occupational stressors. These findings support BINT as a unique injury with distinct structural and endocrine consequences.

How Do Abnormalities in the Cerebrospinal Fluid Impact Neuropsychology with Progressing Age?

The behavior of an individual changes from neonate to elderly due to the development of the central nervous system (CNS). One of the important components of the CNS is the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which bathes the brain and spinal cord. CSF has changing properties throughout life, including composition and volume imbalance. However, a specific age group that shows prevailing abnormality- corresponding behavior remains unclear. The objective of this article is to explore how such changes reflect on one's psychological as well as physical processing. Production of CSF could be affected by many factors, including its flow, absorption, volume, and composition. Prenatally, congenital malformations and infections hold the greatest risk of impacting the child's physical and mental growth. In adolescents, transmission of external substances like alcohol or drugs in the cerebrospinal fluid is known to impact severe mood changes that potentially result in suicide and depression. In the adult working population, the influence of stress levels on CSF composition causes anxiety and sleep disorders. Finally, the reduced production of CSF was found to be associated with memory deficits and Alzheimer's disease in the aging group. From the collected evidence, it can be observed that CSF played an important role in behavioral changes and may be associated with neurodegenerations. By linking the CSF abnormalities to the clinical symptoms at different stages of life, it may provide additional information in the diagnosis of diseases that are associated with neuropsychological changes.