Cognitive Alterations Research Articles

Shades of decision making in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review on economic, medical and under risk conditions choices.

Shades of decision making in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review on economic, medical and under risk conditions choices.

Chronic dimethomorph exposure induced behaviors abnormalities and cognitive performance alterations in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Chronic dimethomorph exposure induced behaviors abnormalities and cognitive performance alterations in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).

An Update on the Psychiatric Genomics of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

An Update on the Psychiatric Genomics of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Lack of social interaction advantage: A domain-general cognitive alteration in schizophrenia.

Lack of social interaction advantage: A domain-general cognitive alteration in schizophrenia.

Impairment in social cognition in people with substance use disorders

IntroductionSubstance use disorders are associated with impairments in various neuropsychological functions. We evaluated potential alterations in social cognition and differences between men and women in individuals with substance use disorders undergoing treatment at Addiction and Dependency Intervention Centers in Portugal.MethodsThe assessment utilized the Ekman 60 Faces Test (EFT), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), Hinting Task, and Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire (AIHQ).ResultsResults showed that 70.2% of participants exhibited social cognition impairments (50% of women and 79.5% of men). Compared to non-clinical populations, individuals with social cognition impairments displayed significant differences in recognizing emotions such as happiness, fear, sadness, disgust, anger, and in the total EFT score. Differences were also observed in the fantasy and personal distress dimensions of the IRI, as well as in hostility, intentionality, and aggression biases on the AIHQ. Slight differences were found between men and women, but were not statistically significant.DiscussionWe discuss the clinical relevance of social cognition alterations and their potential utility in improving diagnostic and therapeutic processes for individuals with substance use disorders.

A retrospective study on the relationship between delirium and long-term cognitive function in elderly women following cervical cancer surgery.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between postoperative delirium and long-term cognitive function in elderly women undergoing cervical cancer surgery, providing insights into the long-term effects of postoperative cognitive alterations. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 elderly women (≥60 years) who underwent cervical cancer surgery over the past decade. Patients were categorized into a postoperative delirium group (n = 45) and a non-delirium group (n = 75) based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria, with initial screening using the confusion assessment method. Cognitive function was assessed preoperatively, and at 1 year and 3 years postoperatively using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of long-term cognitive decline, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, underlying health status, psychiatric history, and psychological distress. Postoperative delirium occurred in 37.5% (45/120) of patients. One year after surgery, MMSE scores were significantly lower in the delirium group (P < .05), and this difference persisted at 3 years (P < .05). Univariate regression analysis identified postoperative delirium, older age, poorer health status, psychiatric history, preoperative psychotropic drug use, longer hospital stay, pain scores, and psychological distress as significant risk factors for cognitive decline at both time points. Multivariate analysis confirmed that postoperative delirium (P < .001), age (P < .05), poorer health status (P < .05), psychiatric history (P < .001), preoperative psychotropic drug use (P < .05), and psychological distress (P < .001) were independent predictors of long-term cognitive decline. Length of hospital stay and pain scores were not significant in the multivariate model (P > .05). Postoperative delirium is a strong and persistent risk factor for long-term cognitive decline in elderly women following cervical cancer surgery. Psychiatric history and psychological distress further exacerbate cognitive deterioration. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved perioperative cognitive assessment and management strategies to reduce the long-term impact of postoperative delirium in this high-risk population.

Trauma and well-being in terrorism survivors in Spain.

Long after terrorist attacks, victims may experience both trauma-related symptoms and levels of psychological well-being. This paper aimed to examine: (1) the relationship between overall PTSD and well-being; and (2) the associations among different PTSD symptom clusters, well-being, and daily functioning in 87 adult victims of jihadist and nationalist separatist terrorism in Madrid and Andalusia. The Posttraumatic Stress Questionnaire and the Psychological Well-being Questionnaire were administered. The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between PTSD symptoms and well-being. Among the PTSD symptoms, intrusions were the most prevalent, while alterations in mood and cognition, as well as alterations in arousal and reactivity were the most distressing. These latter symptoms also showed the strongest correlations with well-being and daily functioning. Multivariate analyses indicated that symptoms related to mood/cognition and arousal/reactivity uniquely predicted variance in well-being. This study highlights how different PTSD symptom clusters are related to well-being, suggesting important implications for targeted interventions.

Prospective neuroimaging and neuropsychological evaluation in adults with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy.

Few prospective studies exist on newly diagnosed focal epilepsy (NDFE), a critical period for understanding epilepsy's biology and identifying biomarkers and potential interventions. We report a prospective cohort study in patients with NDFE and age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls. We recruited 104 patients with NDFE and 45 controls for research-grade 3 Tesla multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), comprehensive neuropsychological testing, and blood biomarker investigations. Baseline clinical, neuroradiological, MRI morphometric, and neuropsychological findings are reported in this article. Following neuroradiological reporting, MRI was unremarkable in 38% of patients, showed lesions associated with epilepsy in 12%, abnormalities of unknown significance in 49%, and incidental findings in 23%. For controls, these figures were 56%, 7%, 33%, and 16%, respectively. Patients had more white matter hyperintensities, classified as abnormalities of unknown significance, than controls. Reduced bihemispheric frontal lobe cortical thickness and thalamic volumes with moderate effect sizes were observed in patients. Compared to controls, patients scored lower on executive function, processing speed, and visual, delayed, and immediate memory tasks, and higher on depression and anxiety assessments. Cluster analysis identified four distinct patient cognitive profiles, two of which were associated with high levels of anxiety and depression and lower executive function and memory scores. Adults with focal NDFE have more MRI-positive findings than previously reported. Subtle white matter lesions may have clinical significance and a pathophysiological basis in focal epilepsy. Morphometric and neuropsychological changes at epilepsy diagnosis suggest that brain and cognitive alterations are not solely due to chronic epilepsy.

12 years after Roboski: Prolonged grief and posttraumatic effects.

The Roboski massacre, which took place on December 28, 2011, is remembered as a major tragedy resulting from a cross-border operation by the Turkish Air Force that led to the loss of 34 civilians, including 19 children. This event not only caused significant physical losses but also left a profound psychological, social, and political impact on those affected. An enhanced comprehension of prolonged grief disorder's development can assist professionals in identifying bereaved individuals requiring assistance and augment the efficacy of treatments. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the grief process and symptoms of posttraumatic stress, perceived discrimination, and political trust within the framework of the theory of prolonged grief in a sample of the bereaved family members who lost their relatives in the Roboski massacre almost 12 years postloss. In total, 88 Kurdish individuals (Mage = 37.13, SD = 16.4; 53.4% males) who had lost their close relatives in the Roboski incident in 2011 participated in this study. The Prolonged Grief Scale, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, the Perceived Discrimination Scale, and the Political Trust Scale were used to collect data. The findings of the study revealed that, even approximately 12 years after the Roboski massacre, a significant portion of the participants continue to experience symptoms of prolonged grief and posttraumatic stress reactions. There was a positive correlation between prolonged grief symptoms and posttraumatic stress reactions (r = .71) as well as perceived discrimination (r = .53). It was also found that the subdimensions of posttraumatic stress, namely "reexperiencing" (β = .19, p < .05), "negative cognitive alterations" (β = .39, p < .05), and "perceived collective discrimination" (β = .11, p < .05), were significant predictors of prolonged grief. Our findings revealed that professionals should focus on identifying bereaved people who experience prolonged grief after a traumatic loss. Targeting these symptoms may alleviate the exacerbation of persistent grief reactions several years after a traumatic loss. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Memory Functions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Background/Objectives: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex psychiatric condition often associated with alterations in cognitive processes, including memory. Although memory dysfunction has been proposed as a contributing factor to the onset and maintenance of OCD symptoms, it remains debated whether these deficits reflect genuine cognitive impairments or maladaptive metacognitive processes, such as pathological doubt and memory distrust. This review aims to synthesize current findings on memory functioning in OCD, focusing on distinct memory systems and the role of metacognition. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar), covering studies up to April 2025. Search terms included "Obsessive-compulsive disorder"; "OCD"; "Memory dysfunction"; "Episodic memory"; "Working memory impairment"; "Prospective memory deficits"; "Checking compulsions"; "Memory confidence"; "Cognitive biases". Results: Short-term memory appears generally preserved in OCD. Working memory deficits are consistently reported, especially in the visuospatial domain, and they are associated with difficulties in updating and clearing irrelevant information. Episodic memory impairments are common and often linked to inefficient encoding strategies and heightened cognitive self-consciousness. Prospective memory is frequently compromised under neutral conditions. Individuals with checking symptoms tend to show intact objective memory performance, despite reporting low memory confidence, supporting the concept of memory distrust. Conclusions: Memory dysfunction in OCD is multifaceted, involving both cognitive and metacognitive alterations. The evidence supports a model in which executive dysfunctions and memory-related beliefs contribute to compulsive behaviors more than objective memory failure. These insights highlight the need for integrative assessment protocols and personalized interventions targeting both cognitive performance and metacognitive appraisals.

The Psychological and Neurological Legacy of the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Social Distancing Shaped Long-Term Behavioral Patterns

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in persistent alterations in social cognition, trust, and behavior because of its long-term psychological and neurological effects. By conditioning individuals to associate proximity with risk, the pandemic-induced psychological distance has reshaped human interactions. This distance is enforced through social distancing and public health measures. Ultimately, this process has impacted societal cohesion, interpersonal relationships, and workplace behaviors by reinforcing avoidance behaviors, heightened social anxiety, and altering trust dynamics. An interdisciplinary approach that integrates neuroscience, psychology, and social science is necessary to comprehend these changes to address the challenges of re-establishing pre-pandemic norms.

Interpretable modality-specific and interactive graph convolutional network on brain functional and structural connectomes.

Interpretable modality-specific and interactive graph convolutional network on brain functional and structural connectomes.

Cognitive dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus: Its relationship with intracerebral volumes and antiphospholipid antibody profile. Case series.

Cognitive dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus: Its relationship with intracerebral volumes and antiphospholipid antibody profile. Case series.

Synergistic impact of early-life stress and prenatal immune activation on spatial memory and oxidative metabolism in rat cortico-limbic networks.

Synergistic impact of early-life stress and prenatal immune activation on spatial memory and oxidative metabolism in rat cortico-limbic networks.

Effects of Aqueous Extract of Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato) Leaves on the Frontal Cortex of Diabetic Wistar Rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus represents a significant public health concern worldwide, with Sub-Saharan Africa—including Zambia—facing a growing burden. The condition has been associated with cognitive impairments and alterations in brain structure. Sweet potato leaves, known for their antioxidant properties, have been traditionally used in the management of various ailments, including diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of aqueous sweet potato leaf extract on the frontal cortex of diabetic Wistar rats.Materials and Methods: A total of thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were allocated into six experimental groups: normal control, sweet potato leaf extract only, diabetic + sweet potato leaf extract, diabetic + insulin, diabetic + metformin, and diabetic only. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin at a dose of 70 mg/kg body weight. Treatments commenced 72 hours after induction and continued for four weeks. The administered doses were: sweet potato leaf extract (700 mg/kg), metformin (100 mg/kg), and insulin (4 IU/kg).Results: Compared to the untreated diabetic group, animals in the diabetic + sweet potato leaf extract, diabetic + insulin, and diabetic + metformin groups showed statistically significant improvements in body weight and relative brain weight (p &lt; 0.05). Normoglycemia was achieved by the third week in the group receiving sweet potato leaf extract, while insulin and metformin groups reached similar levels by week four. Glucose metabolism enzymes and oxidative stress biomarkers exhibited differential activity, with more favorable outcomes in the treatment groups. Histological evaluation revealed evidence of neuroprotection among treated animals. Conclusion: The results suggest that sweet potato leaf extract possesses neuroprotective effects and may serve as a potential intervention to mitigate diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction.

Differences in cognitive deficits and brain functional impairments between patients with first-episode and recurrent depression

BackgroundAccumulating evidence shows that cognitive deficits are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the specific differences in cognitive impairment and brain functional alterations between first-episode depression (FED) and recurrent major depression (RMD) remain unclear, as do the relationships among these factors.MethodsA total of 43 RMD and 41 FED patients were included in this study. All the patients underwent examinations of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), event-related potential (ERP) measurements, and a series of standardised neuropsychological tests, including event-based (EBPM) and time-based (TBPM) prospective memory tasks, the Semantic Fluency Test (SFT), and the Continuous Performance Task–Identical Pairs (CPT-IP). Two-sample t-tests were used to compare cognitive functioning, ERP parameters, and brain functional indices between FED and RMD groups. Correlation analyses were performed to explore the associations between these variables.ResultsCompared with FED patients, those with RMD displayed poorer CPT-IP performance, lower prospective memory (EBPM) scores, lower SFT performance, and prolonged P300 latency (all P < 0.05). Moreover, neuroimaging data analysis revealed increased regional neural activity in the right inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), alongside decreased interhemispheric functional connectivity in the bilateral ITG in RMD relative to FED. Correlation analyses indicated that these functional changes were significantly associated with the observed cognitive deficits.ConclusionOur data demonstrated more pronounced cognitive deficits and brain functional impairments in RMD relative to FED as well as their potential links. These findings not only elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits in MDD, but also inform future treatment and prevention of cognitive dysfunction in patients suffering from MDD.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Assessing the Spectrum of Internet Use in a Healthy Sample: Altered Psychological States and Intact Brain Responses to an Equiprobable Go/NoGo Task.

Problematic internet use (PIU) is linked to psychological distress and cognitive alterations, yet its early pre-clinical effects remain unclear. This study explored the psychological, behavioral, and neurophysiological correlates of PIU in a healthy, non-clinical population, focusing on response inhibition and execution within internet use patterns. A total of 133 participants (74 females, aged 18-35) were assessed using PIUQ-9 and DPIU questionnaires, along with measures of anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. An auditory equiprobable Go/NoGo task was used and event-related potentials (ERPs; N1/N2/P2/P3) were analyzed in relation to PIU severity and different online activities engagement. Additionally, behavioral, psychological, and neurophysiological profiles of individuals with high and low PIU levels were compared. PIU severity correlated with anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, while Go/NoGo task accuracy was unaffected. N1 amplitudes negatively correlated with PIU severity and gaming engagement, suggesting altered early sensory processing. NoGo-P3 latency positively correlated with information search engagement, indicating delayed inhibitory processing in frequent online searchers. High and low PIU groups differed in psychological measures but not in ERP or behavioral measures. Our findings confirm psychological distress in PIU alongside subtle neurophysiological alterations, suggesting that ERP measures in the equiprobable Go/NoGo task may not be highly sensitive PIU risk biomarkers in non-clinical populations.

Impact of visual stimulus complexity on associative learning and associated reaction times in migraine patients

The semantic complexity and verbalizability of visual stimuli can influence associative learning. The Rutgers Acquired Equivalence Test (RAET) uses semantically rich stimuli (faces and colored fish) to assess associative learning and generalization, while a modified version, the Polygon test, employs simpler stimuli with reduced semantic content (grayscale circles and geometric shapes). Although cognitive alterations are well-documented in migraine patients during interictal periods, the impact of visual stimulus complexity on associative learning and reaction times has not been studied. Forty-one migraine patients without aura completed both the RAET and Polygon tests. Performance metrics included acquisition error ratios, retrieval and generalization error ratios, and reaction times. The two tests were compared using non-parametric statistical methods. Migraine patients demonstrated comparable acquisition performance on the RAET and Polygon test. However, reaction times were significantly longer in the Polygon test across both acquisition and test phases. Retrieval and generalization performance were also similar between tests, despite longer reaction times with semantically reduced stimuli. Migraine patients showed consistent learning performance across visual stimuli of varying semantic complexity. Prolonged reaction times with simpler stimuli suggest increased cognitive demands, potentially mitigated by cortical compensatory mechanisms that maintain learning ability under challenging conditions.

Hippocampal MCT4 as a key regulator in excessive exercise-induced cognitive impairment: involvement of neuroinflammation.

As human life expectancy increases, maintaining a healthy lifestyle has become crucial. However, excessive exercise (EE) can lead to negative consequences such as muscle damage and exercise addiction. Recently, numerous reports have indicated that EE negatively impacts cognitive performance, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the specific mechanisms underlying cognitive alterations induced by EE. We conducted the Y-maze, Barnes maze, and Novel Object Recognition Test to assess both short-term and long-term memory, as well as object recognition ability. We then validated our findings using qRT-PCR to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, Diclofenac (Dic), an anti-inflammatory drug, was administered to evaluate its effects on cognitive function and the results of the molecular experiments. EE-induced mice exhibited cognitive impairments, along with elevated expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL) -6, and IL-1β, and downregulated monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) like MCT4. However, animals pre-treated with Dic regained cognitive function, alongside restored levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and MCT4. MCT4 plays may play a crucial role in EE-induced cognitive impairments.

Systematic review and consensus conceptual model of meaningful symptoms and functional impacts in early Parkinson’s Disease

A comprehensive, patient-centered conceptual model of early Parkinson’s is lacking and is greatly needed. A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative and quantitative research was conducted by a multi-stakeholder taskforce using JBI Mixed Methods Review criteria and GRADE-CERQual standards for assessment of evidence. Over 340 symptoms and impacts were identified across ten symptom domains (Movement, Cognitive, Psychiatric, Sleep, Sensory, Speech, Digestive, Urinary, Sexual, Autonomic) and two impact domains (Physical and Psychosocial functioning). A wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms were present in early disease, with strongest support for tremor, dexterity, gait, stiffness, slow movements, cognitive, mood, and sleep alterations, urinary dysfunction, constipation, pain, and fatigue. These affected mobility, self-concept, coping, effort of living, interactions and important activities, with evidence of many understudied concepts. This model offers the most comprehensive catalogue of symptoms and impacts in Parkinson’s to date and will support clinical practice and endpoint selection for therapeutic trials.