Cognitive Function In Adolescents Research Articles

Neurometabolic activity in the thalamic and frontal cortex and cognitive functions in adolescents with generalized epileptic syndromes

The study aimed to analyse the mutual correlations between the metabolic activity of the brain evaluated by the magnetic resonance spectroscopy method (MRS) and intelligence and cognitive functions in adolescents with idiopathic generalised epilepsies (IGE). The focus of the study was placed on the activity of the thalamus and frontal cortex.Twenty newly diagnosed patients with juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE) and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) were included in the study. Adolescents underwent primary structural neuroimaging (1.5T) and advanced evaluation of the frontal cortex and thalamus by MRS. Concentrations of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr) and choline (Cho) were measured and were expressed as ratios of NAA/Cr, NAA/Ch and NAA/Cr+Ch. Patients also completed a panel of IQ and cognitive tests (e.g., FePsy Battery – classification test, verbal fluency test, RAVLT memory test). The correlation between the level of metabolites and the results of intellectual and cognitive tests was examined.Strong correlations were found between IQ and some cognitive functions and metabolic ratios in the IGEs group. Overall the patients whose NAA/Cr, NAA/Ch, NAA/Cr+Ch ratios were lower, obtained worse results in IQ and in some of the neuropsychological tests.The metabolite activity in the thalamus and frontal cortex impacts the results of neuropsychological tests in the group of patients with IGE.

Proinflammatory cytokine levels, cognitive function, and suicidal symptoms of adolescents and young adults with major depressive disorder.

Whether proinflammatory cytokine dysregulation and cognitive dysfunction are associated with suicidal symptoms in adolescents and young adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) remains uncertain. We assessed the cognitive function and proinflammatory cytokine levels of 43 and 51 patients aged 15-29years with MDD and severe and mild suicidal symptoms, respectively, as well as those of 85 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Specifically, we measured serum levels of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2, and interleukin-6 and assessed cognitive function by using working memory and go/no-go tasks. The severity of the patients' suicidal symptoms was based on Item 10 of the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale; scores of ≤ 2 and ≥ 4 indicated mild and severe symptoms, respectively. The patients with MDD and severe suicidal symptoms had higher levels of C-reactive protein (p = .019) and TNF-α (p = .002) than did the patients with mild symptoms or the healthy controls. The number of errors committed on the go/no-go by patients with MDD and severe suicidal symptoms (p = .001) was significantly higher than those by patients with MDD and mild symptoms or by controls. After adjusting for nonsuicidal depressive symptoms, we observed suicidal symptoms to be positively associated with TNF-α levels (p = .050) and errors on the go/no-go task (p = .021). Compared with mild suicidal symptoms, severe symptoms are associated with greater serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and inferior cognitive function in adolescents and young adults with MDD.

Cognitive functioning of adolescents using Methamphetamine: The impact of inflammatory and oxidative processes.

Methamphetamine is a substance that causes neurotoxicity and its use is increasing in recent years. Literature highlights cognitive impairment resulting from Methamphetamine use. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between cognitive impairment and inflammatory processes in adolescents with Methamphetamine use disorder. The study included 69 adolescents aged 15-19 years, comprising 37 participants with Methamphetamine Use Disorder and 32 healthy controls. Central Nervous System Vital Signs was used to detect cognitive impairment. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-33 and The Children's Depression Inventory scales were used. In addition, venous blood was collected from the volunteers. Biochemical parameters (IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-a, BDNF, FAM19A5, TAS, TOS) were analyzed. Our study showed that (I) IL-6 and TNF-a levels of Methamphetamine users were lower than the healthy group; (II) BDNF levels of Methamphetamine users were higher than the healthy group; (III) mean Neurocognitive Index in cognitive tests of Methamphetamine using adolescents was negatively correlated with duration of Methamphetamine use and BDNF levels. Our study suggests that Methamphetamine use may have a negative effect on cognitive functions.

Cognitive functioning in adolescents with severe obesity undergoing bariatric surgery or intensive non-surgical treatment in Sweden (AMOS2): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial

Severe obesity during childhood is associated with cognitive deficits. Studies in adults have suggested improvements in executive functioning and memory after bariatric surgery. Our aim was to explore changes in cognitive function in adolescents over two years after bariatric surgery or intensive non-surgical treatment. The Adolescent Morbid Obesity Surgery 2 (AMOS2) is a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial in which adolescents (aged 13-16 years) with severe obesity (defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥35kg/m2) at three specialised obesity centres in Sweden, were randomly assigned to receive bariatric surgery or intensive non-surgical treatment. Herein we report the results of the prespecified exploratory endpoint of change in cognitive functioning. Inclusion in AMOS2 required Tanner pubertal stage ≥3, previous participation in lifestyle obesity treatment for at least one year, and passed assessment form a paediatrician and a paediatric psychologist. Adolescents with severe intellectual disability or other severe, pervasive developmental disorder were excluded. Participants underwent baseline assessment of general intellectual ability, executive functioning, and memory before randomisation. Tests were administrated by clinical psychologists and repeated at one- and two-year follow-up timepoints. Differences in means between groups during follow-up are provided with confidence intervals. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02378259. Between October 28 2015 and June 7 2017, 46 adolescents (74% girls), with a mean age of 15.8 (±0.92) years and a mean BMI of 42.8 (±5.4) kg/m2, were included and randomised (23 to bariatric surgery and 23 to intensive non-surgical treatment). At baseline 23/46 (50%) of the adolescents had general intellectual functioning classified as borderline or below. For 15/18 (83%) aspects of cognitive functioning, no significant differences in change over two years were identified between groups; Immediate (average difference during follow-up 1.0 [95% CI:-2.6 to 4.6]) and Delayed (0.5 [95% CI:-0.6 to 1.6]) Verbal Recall, Category Fluency (1.1 [95% CI:-1.6 to 3.8]) and Switching (1.5 [95% CI:-0.0 to 2.9]), Number (-6.0 [95% CI:-12.3 to 0.3]) and Letter (0.1 [95% CI:-5.2 to 5.3]) Sequencing, Number-Letter Switching (-10.3 [95% CI:-26.4 to 5.8]), Motor Speed (-8.3 [95% CI:-17.5 to 0.9]), Colour Naming (-1.9 [95% CI:-4.2 to 0.3]), Inhibition (-3.6 [95% CI:-9.6 to 2.5]), Inhibition Switching (-6.7 [95% CI:-15.3 to 1.9]), Mazes (-0.5 [95% CI:-4.9 to 3.9]), Digit Span Forward (0.1 [95% CI:-0.6 to 0.9 ]) and Backward (0.6 [95% CI:-0.4 to 1.6 ]), and Estimated IQ (0.4 [95% CI:-3.9 to 4.8]; all p>0.05). Three sub-tests assessing fundamental cognitive skills improved more over two years in operated adolescents than in intensive non-surgical treatment; Letter Fluency (average difference during follow-up 3.8 [95% CI: 0.1-7.5]; p=0.046), Visual Scanning (-6.5 [95% CI:-11.6 to-1.5]; p=0.011), and Word Reading (-1.9 [95% CI:-3.3 to-0.4]; p=0.011). In contrast to non-randomised studies in adults, we could not demonstrate an association of bariatric surgery and its accompanying significant weight loss with overall greater improvement in executive functions and memory in adolescents over two years compared with a non-surgical group without weight loss. However, lack of statistical power is a potential limitation. The clinical relevance of greater improvements in basic cognitive skills needs to be explored. Sweden's innovation agency (VINNOVA), Swedish Research Council, Joanna Cocozza foundation for paediatric research, The Skane University Hospital Psychology Research and Development Grant, Tore Nilsson's Foundation, SUS Foundations and Donations, and Mary von Sydow's Foundation.

Standardized Treatment and Shortened Depression Course can Reduce Cognitive Impairment in Adolescents With Depression.

This study aimed to explore the influence of depression severity, disease course, treatment status, and other factors on cognitive function in adolescents with depressive disorders. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic data of each participant were recorded, including age, sex, and family history of mental disorders. Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale was used to assess depression status in adolescents. Moreover, P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) were used to objectively evaluate the participants' cognitive function. Only 26.8% of the adolescents with depression received standard antidepressant treatment. The latencies of N2 (267.80±23.34 ms), P3 (357.71±32.09 ms), and MMN (212.10±15.61 ms) in the adolescent depression group were longer than those in the healthy control group (p<0.01). Further analysis revealed that the latency of MMN was extended with increased levels of depression in adolescents. The MMN latency was short in participants with depression receiving standardized treatment. Furthermore, the latency of MMN was positively correlated with the severity and duration of depression (correlation coefficients were 0.465 and 0.479, respectively) (p<0.01). Receiving standardized treatment and shortening the course of depression can reduce cognitive impairment in adolescents with depression.

Relationship between hair cortisol concentrations and cognitive functioning in adolescents with ADHD

ABSTRACT Background: Our study aimed to explore whether the hair cortisol concentration (HCC), a measure of long-term cortisol output, is associated with poorer cognitive functioning in adolescents with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We further aimed to test the potential moderating effects of sex and childhood maltreatment. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, fifty-three adolescents with ADHD were studied. The ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were administered. Seven cognitive tasks from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were administered, and two cognitive factors (attention and memory and executive functioning) were identified by confirmatory factor analysis. A 3-cm hair sample from the posterior vertex region of the head was obtained. HCCs were determined by a high-sensitivity enzyme immunoassay kit. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the association between HCCs and either cognitive performance or ADHD severity while adjusting for sex, childhood maltreatment and the ADHD-RS total score. Results: Sex moderated the relationship between HCCs and attention/memory confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) scores, with better performance in boys with higher HCCs. HCCs were not associated with executive functioning or ADHD symptoms. Childhood maltreatment was associated with inattention symptoms in adolescents with ADHD. Conclusions: Our study suggests that HCCs are positively associated with attention and memory performance in adolescents with ADHD, with a moderating effect of sex (the relationship is strongest in boys).

Effects of Treatment with Probiotics on Cognitive Function and Regulatory Role of Cortisol and IL-1β in Adolescent Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotics on cognitive function and the regulation of cortisol and IL-1β in adolescents with depression. All 180 participants were randomly assigned to a study group (treated with probiotics combined with sertraline hydrochloride) and a control group (treated with sertraline hydrochloride). The repetitive Neuropsychological State Test (RBANS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were administered to MDD patients. The levels of serum cortisol and IL-1β were detected using an ELISA kit. Except for speech function, factors including immediate memory, visual span, attention function, delayed memory, and the RBANS in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The levels of cortisol and interleukin-1β in the study group were significantly downregulated compared to those in the control group. Except for speech function, the cortisol level was negatively correlated with the RBANS total score and other factors in the study group. Interleukin-1β was also negatively correlated with the RBANS total score and each factor score. Cortisol and interleukin-1β were predictors of the RBANS total score, which explained 46.80% of the variance. Cortisol had significant predictive effects on attention function and delayed memory, and interleukin-1β had significant predictive effects on visual span and speech function. It could be concluded that probiotics could improve cognitive function in adolescents with depression by regulating cortisol and IL-1β levels.

Exergames improves cognitive functions in adolescents with depression: study protocol of a prospective, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDepression is a condition that imposes a significant disease burden, with cognitive impairment being one of its costly symptoms. While cognitive rehabilitation is crucial, it is also challenging. Although some studies have investigated the impact of exergames on cognitive function improvement, these have primarily focused on the elderly population, with limited attention given to individuals with depression. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the effects of exergames on cognitive functions in adolescents with depression and compare the effectiveness of exergames with traditional exercise.MethodThe present investigation is a single-center randomized controlled trial that employs the ANOVA method to calculate the sample size using G*Power software, assuming a 25% dropout rate. The study enrolls fifty-four eligible patients with depression who are randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups: the exergames group, which receives standard treatment and exergames intervention; the exercise group, which receives standard treatment and traditional exercise intervention; and the control group, which receives standard treatment exclusively. The study provides a comprehensive regimen of 22 supervised exercise and exergame sessions over an 8-week period, with a frequency of twice per week for the initial two weeks and three times per week for the subsequent six weeks. The researchers gather cognitive, mood, and sleep metrics at the onset of the first week, as well as at the conclusion of the fourth and eighth weeks. The researchers employ a wearable device to track participants' heart rate during each intervention session and evaluate the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale at the conclusion of each session.DiscussionThe findings from this study make several contributions to the current literature. First, this study comprehensively reports the efficacy of an exergames intervention for multidimensional symptoms in adolescents with depression. Second, this study also compares the efficacy of exergames with that of traditional exercise. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the use of exergames as an adjunctive intervention for depression and lay the groundwork for future research.Trial registrationThis trial is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2100052709; Registration Status: Prospective registration;) 3/11/2021, URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=135663&htm=4.

ASSOCIATION OF SCREEN TIME AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH INFORMATION PROCESSING SPEED AMONG SCHOOL GOING EARLY ADOLESCENTS IN SOUTH INDIA

Background and Objectives: Excessive use of smartphones and computers among adolescents together with less physical activity is a major public health concern as it has shown to produce attention difficulties, decreased academic performance and various health issues. This study aims to identify the relationship among screen time, physical activity and cognitive function of adolescents. Materials &amp; Methods:This was a cross sectional study done on students between the age of 10 and 14years of one government and one private school in Trivandrum corporation Kerala.Information processing speed was assessed using Digit Letter Substitution Tests (DLST).Physical Activity was measured using the Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (YPAQ). Screen time in the study included watching television, playing video games, and using smartphones, tablet devices, desktop, and laptop. Results:147 students participated in the study. Screen time was high across all groups in the study, only 9.5 % of the study group had optimum screen time of 2 hours as recommended by WHO but this group had significantly higher information processing speed.57.1% of adolescents in the study group had adequate physical activity and this group of students had significantly higher DLST score compared to those with low physical activity. Interpretation &amp; Conclusions: The findings of the study could serve as a reliable indicator on the harmfulness of screen time and sedentary lifestyle on cognitive function of young adolescents. This can also help to implement a school-based monitoring on unhealthy life styles and interventions for intellectual development of adolescents in Kerala.

Neural association between cognitive function and anhedonia in adolescents with melancholic major depressive disorder: A fNIRS study

BackgroundCognitive dysfunction is common among adolescent patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the pattern and magnitude of cognition impairment in patients during melancholic episodes remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the neurocognitive performance and the underlying cerebral blood flow activation of adolescent patients with melancholic and non-melancholic features. MethodsFifty-seven and 44 adolescent patients with MDD with or without melancholic feature (MDD-MEL/nMEL) and 58 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. We used the repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) measuring neurocognitive function, and used functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) monitoring cerebral hemodynamic changes, described by β value. The non-parametric test and post-hoc analysis were conducted in RBANS scores and β values among three groups. Spearman correlation and mediating analysis was performed for RBANS scores, β values, and clinical symptoms in the MDD-MEL group. ResultsThere were no significant difference in RBANS scores between MDD-MEL and MDD-nMEL group. Compared with patients in MDD-nMEL, patients in MDD-MEL have lower β values in eight channels (ch10, ch16, ch20, ch25, ch27, ch37, ch41, ch45). The cognitive function is significantly correlated with anhedonia, and the β values play a partial mediating role between anhedonia and cognitive function. LimitationIt's a cross-sectional study and monitoring longitudinal effects are needed to further elucidate the mechanism. ConclusionThe cognitive function in adolescents with MDD-MEL may not significantly differ from those with MDD-nMEL. However, the anhedonia may influenced the cognitive function by altering the function of medial frontal cortex.

Beyond weight: associations between 24-hour movement behaviors, cardiometabolic and cognitive health in adolescents with and without obesity

ABSTRACT Background Adolescence is a critical time for establishing behaviors. 24-hour movement behaviors, including physical activity, sleep, and sedentary time, are likely to influence obesity, cardiovascular, and cognitive health. The aim was to examine associations between 24-hr movement behaviors, cardiometabolic health and cognitive functions in adolescents with and without obesity. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that included adolescents (n = 30, ages 12–16) with obesity and normal weight controls matched on age and sex. 24-hr movement behaviors of physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep were assessed using waist-worn accelerometers. Cardiometabolic health was measured using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery, body composition via dual x-ray absorptiometry, blood pressure, and blood analyses of cholesterol, glucose, and insulin. Cognitive health was assessed using two computer-based tasks. Linear regressions were used to examine associations between 24-hr movement behaviors, cardiometabolic health, and cognition. Results In examining relationships between 24-hr movement behaviors and cardiometabolic health, when adjusted for body fat percentage, MVPA was positively associated with cardiovascular health (FMD log difference 0.1, 95%CI: 0.003, 95%CI: .001, .01, p = .020), sedentary time was negatively associated (−0.7, 95%CI: −1.3, −0.2, p = .016), and total sleep time was negatively associated with HDL cholesterol (−0.1, 95%CI: −0.2, −0.005, p = .039). There were no statistically significant associations between 24-hr movement behaviors and cognitive outcomes, except sleep and reactive control. When examining relationships between cardiometabolic and cognitive outcomes, higher HDL was associated with improved cognitive accuracy and higher insulin was associated with slower reaction times. Conclusions 24-hour movement behaviors of MVPA, sedentary time, and sleep time were associated with cardiometabolic measurements in a small sample. 24-hr movement behaviors, particularly MVPA and sedentary time, may be important behaviors for cardiometabolic health in adolescents, independent of body composition. Additional research is needed on the triadic relationship between 24-hr movement behaviors, cardiometabolic health, and cognitive performance.

Effects of a games-based physical education lesson on cognitive function in adolescents.

Despite the importance of physical education (PE) lessons for physical activity in adolescents, the acute cognitive responses to PE lessons have not been explored; a gap in the literature that this study addresses. Following familiarisation, 76 (39 female) adolescents (12.2 ± 0.4 y) completed two trials (60 min games-based PE lesson and 60 min academic lesson) separated by 7-d in a counterbalanced, crossover design. Attention, executive function, working memory, and perception were assessed 30 min before, immediately post, and 45 min post-lesson in both trials. Participants were split into high-and low-fit groups based on a gender-specific median split of distance run on the multi-stage fitness test. Furthermore, participants were split into high and low MVPA groups based on a gender-specific median split of MVPA time (time spent >64% HR max) during the PE lesson. Overall, a 60 min games-based PE lesson had no effect on perception, working memory, attention, or executive function in adolescents (all p > 0.05) unless MVPA time is high. The physical activity-cognition relationship was moderated by MVPA, as working memory improved post-PE lesson in adolescents who completed more MVPA during their PE lesson (time*trial*MVPA interaction, p < 0.05, partial η2 = 0.119). Furthermore, high-fit adolescents displayed superior cognitive function than their low-fit counterparts, across all domains of cognitive function (main effect of fitness, all p < 0.05, partial η2 0.014-0.121). This study provides novel evidence that MVPA time moderates the cognitive response to a games-based PE lesson; and emphasises that higher levels of fitness are beneficial for cognitive function in adolescents.

Greenness modifies the association between ambient air pollution and cognitive function in Australian adolescents, but not in mid-life adults

Exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with reduced cognitive function in childhood and later life, with too few mid-life studies to draw conclusions. In contrast, residential greenness has been associated with enhanced cognitive function throughout the lifecourse. Here we examine the extent to which (1) ambient air pollution and residential greenness predict later cognitive function in adolescence and mid-life, and (2) greenness modifies air pollution-cognitive function associations. Participants: 6220 adolescents (51% male) and 2623 mid-life adults (96% mothers) from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Measures: Exposures: Annual average particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and greenness (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) for residential addresses from validated land-use regression models over a 10–13-year period. Outcomes: Cognitive function from CogState tests of attention, working memory and executive function, dichotomised into poorer (worst quartile) versus not poor. Analyses: Adjusted mixed-effects generalised linear models with residential greenness assessed as an effect modifier (high vs. low divided at median). The annual mean for PM2.5 and NO2 across exposure windows was 6.3–6.8 μg/m3, and 5.5–7.1 ppb, respectively. For adolescents, an IQR increment of NO2 was associated with 19–24% increased odds of having poorer executive function across all time windows, while associations weren't observed between air pollution and other outcomes. For adults, high NO2 predicted poorer cognitive function across all outcomes, while high PM2.5 predicted poorer attention only. There was little evidence of associations between greenness and cognitive function in adjusted models for both generations. Interactions were found between residential greenness, air pollutants and cognitive function in adolescents, but not adults. The magnitude of effects was similar across generations and exposure windows. Findings highlight the potential benefits of cognitive health associated with the regulation of air pollution and urban planning strategies for increasing green spaces and vegetation.

Sports-Related Concussion Affects Cognitive Function in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Rates of sports-related concussion (SRC) are high in adolescents. Ambiguity exists regarding the effect of SRC on cognitive function in adolescents. Purpose: To rigorously examine adolescents’ cognitive function after SRC. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were searched from database inception until September 2021. Studies were included if participants were adolescents aged 13 to 18 years, if the definition of SRC was fully consistent with the Berlin Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport, if the study included a control group or in-group baseline test, and if the study reported cognitive outcomes (eg, visual memory, processing speed) that could be separately extracted. Results: A total of 47 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 31 were included in the meta-analysis, representing 8877 adolescents with SRC. Compared with individuals in the non-SRC group, individuals with SRC had worse performance in cognitive function and reported more symptoms not only in the acute phase but also in the prolonged phase (1-6 months after injury) (visual memory: d = −0.21, 95% CI, −0.37 to −0.05, P = .012; executive function: d = −0.56, 95% CI, −1.07 to −0.06, P = .028; and symptoms: d = 1.17, 95% CI, 0.13 to 2.22, P = .028). Lower scores in most of the outcomes of cognitive function were observed at <3 days and at 3 to 7 days, but higher scores for verbal memory (d = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.17; P = .008) and processing speed (d = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.24; P < .001) were observed at 7 to 14 days after SRC relative to baseline. The effects of SRC on cognitive function decreased over time (100% of the variance in reaction time, P < .001; 99.94% of the variance in verbal memory, P < .001; 99.88% of the variance in visual memory, P < .001; 39.84% of the variance in symptoms, P = .042) in control group studies. Study design, participant sex, measurement tools, and concussion history were found to be modulators of the relationship between cognitive function and SRC. Conclusion: This study revealed that adolescent cognitive function is impaired by SRC even 1 to 6 months after injury. Results of this study point to the need for tools to measure cognitive function with multiple parallel versions that have demographically diversiform norms in adolescents. Effective prevention of SRC, appropriate treatment, and adequate evaluation of cognitive function before return to play are needed in adolescent SRC management. Moreover, caution is warranted when using the baseline-to-postconcussion paradigm in return-to-play decisions.

Designed acute physical activity to benefit primary school children’s cognition: Effects of cognitive challenge, bout duration and positive affect

Designed acute physical activity to benefit primary school children’s cognition: Effects of cognitive challenge, bout duration and positive affect

The Relationship between Working Memory and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents and Relevant Interventions

Major depressive disorder can have a serious negative impact on the cognitive functioning of adolescents, while most existing research focused on the biological, genetic and social factors of major depressive disorder. Working memory is a system related to the manipulation of short-term memory and is part of what constitutes human cognition. The current study reviewed the recent studies exploring the relationship between working memory and major depressive disorder in adolescents and related applications for treatment. As a result, in general, the ability of working memory was negatively associated with major depression, accompanied by negative correlations between it with various relevant factors and depressive symptoms. Also, intervening the working memory could alleviate major depression in adolescents. This paper only provided a generalized discussion regarding the relationship between working memory and depressive symptoms, while the interactions and specific associations of internal systems of working memory with depressive symptoms are expected to be confirmed in the future research. This review can contribute to future research on the relationship between specific working memory systems and mood disorders from a cognitive psychology perspective. It can also provide some suggestions to the design of prevention and intervention programs for depression at schools.

Literature Review: Association of Iron Deficiency Anemia with Cognitive Function in Adolescents

The prevalence of anemia in adolescents in Indonesia shows a high number with a percentage that is close to the category of severe public health problems. Anemia has an impact on the decline in cognitive function which in turn will affect intelligence, mental health, psychosocial, and the maturation process. A literature review study design by searching for research articles on the parameters of the relationship between iron deficiency anemia and cognitive function of adolescents aged 10-19 years using Google Scholar and ScienceDirect databases in the range of publication years between 2017-2022. 10 selected articles with 8 articles being conclusive and 2 articles being inconclusive, within parameters of learning achievement, school performance, concentration, cognitive response, cognitive behavior, irritability, expressed emotion, EEG, and mediation models In general, there is a significant relationship between anemia and cognitive function. However, this function itself has various aspects and measurement parameters so that further systematic studies are needed to find deeper patterns of relationships in a wider range of age groups.

Altered regional homogeneity and its association with cognitive function in adolescents with borderline personality disorder.

Adolescents with borderline personality disorder often have cognitive impairment, but the underlying mechanism for this is not clear. This study was aimed at assessing alterations in regional homogeneity using resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) in adolescents with borderline personality disorder, and evaluating the associations between regional homogeneity and cognitive testing scores. We enrolled 50 adolescents with borderline personality disorder (age 12-17 years) and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We performed regional homogeneity and seed-based functional connectivity analysis for both groups. We also performed correlative analysis for regional homogeneity and cognitive testing scores. Compared with healthy controls, adolescents with borderline personality disorder had reduced regional homogeneity values in the frontal cortex (including the left inferior orbitofrontal cortex and the bilateral superior frontal cortex) as well as in the left precuneus in the default mode network. Adolescents with borderline personality disorder also had higher regional homogeneity values in several cortical regions: the right middle temporal gyrus, the right cuneus, the right precentral gyrus and the left middle occipital gyrus. Regional homogeneity values in the left middle occipital gyrus, left inferior orbitofrontal cortex and right superior frontal gyrus were associated with cognitive testing scores in adolescents with borderline personality disorder. We also found increased functional connectivity between the left middle occipital gyrus and right superior frontal gyrus in adolescents with borderline personality disorder. This study had a modest sample size, with a possible case selection bias for patients with more severe illness. This cohort also included patients with comorbidities or taking psychotropic medications, which may have confounded study results. Alterations in regional homogeneity and functional connectivity in brain regions that involve the limbic-cortical circuit could be neural correlates for cognitive impairment in adolescents with borderline personality disorder.

A literature review of the relation between iron deficiency anaemia, physical activity and cognitive function in adolescent girls

Women, especially those young and/or pregnant, are at high risk of experiencing an iron deficiency. Low iron stores in the body can affect cognitive function and physical activity in adolescents, but the results of epidemiological studies about the effect of iron deficiency on cognitive function decline and physical activity in adolescents are not consistent. Therefore, it is necessary to review the literature on the relationship between iron deficiency, cognitive function and physical activity in women and girls. This study is an article review using sources from Google Scholar, PubMed and ProQuest database searches from 2014 to 2021. The keywords used were iron deficiency OR anaemia AND adolescent girls OR young women AND activity AND cognitive. By using review criteria, sources were limited to those in English that used a sample of adolescents or young women. In the initial search stage, 63 reviews were obtained and based on the predetermined criteria, 12 reviews were selected to be analysed. Eleven studies examined the relationship between iron deficiency and cognitive decline, there was one study that showed a non-significant relationship between the two; ten studies showed a significant effect of iron deficiency on cognitive decline in the domains of attention tasks, memory tasks and executive function. Three studies showed their effect on decline in adolescents by using different measuring tools. Lack of iron in the body caused a decrease in cognitive function, especially in the domain attention tasks, memory task domains and executive functions domains. In addition, iron deficiency can cause a decrease in physical activity in adolescents due to the low supply of oxygen to the blood and tissues. Therefore, it is necessary to research nutrition intervention programs to improve iron anaemia status in adolescent girls and prevent a decline in cognitive function and physical activity as a result of the impact of iron deficiency.

Interhemispheric asymmetry profile and cognitive functions in adolescents with average and high intelligence

Background. The neuropsychological approach suggests that differences in cognitive processes are associated with the variability of combinations of signs of partial dominance of certain brain structures, manifested in the form of individual laterality profiles. However, the problem of identifying and studying the relationship between interhemispheric asymmetry and cognitive functions in adolescents with a high level of intelligence remains not fully resolved, which determines the relevance of this study.The aim of the research was to describe the relationship between the type of profile of interhemispheric asymmetry with the characteristics of cognitive functions in adolescents with average and high levels of intelligence.Materials and methods. The sample included 52 people aged 12–15 years: 26 adolescents with high level intelligence (main group), 26 adolescents with an average level of intelligence (control group). The following research methods were used: Wechsler test (WISC-IV), method for studying the profile of interhemispheric asymmetry (Khomskaya E.D., Efimova I.V.); method “Correction test” by B. Bourdon; method ”Story on a given topic”.Results. The majority of adolescents with a high level of intelligence revealed the severity of right-lateral features, which were traced in the manual, auditory and visual spheres of sensorimotor asymmetry. At the same time, the severity of right-lateral and ambilateral features is accompanied by more pronounced indicators of the development of cognitive functions. Adolescents with the type of profile of interhemispheric asymmetry “Left-handed” were characterized by an insufficient level of attention stability and a reduced ability for detailed speech utterance, regardless of the level of intelligence.Conclusions. The data obtained show that the peculiarity of individual profiles of interhemispheric asymmetry determines the uneven development of a number of mental functions in adolescence and the different readiness of brain mechanisms to support various cognitive processes. We assume that the results of the work will expand the understanding of the role of interhemispheric asymmetry of the brain in the organization of cognitive functions in adolescents with a high level of intelligence.