Cognitive Test Performance Research Articles

Evolving trends in neuropsychological profiles of post COVID-19 condition: A 1-year follow-up in individuals with cognitive complaints.

Cognitive difficulties are reported as lasting sequelae within post COVID-19 condition. However, the chronicity of these difficulties and related factors of fatigue, mood, and perceived health have yet to be fully determined. To address this, the current longitudinal study aimed to clarify the trends of cognitive test performance and cognitive domain impairment following COVID-19 onset, and whether hospitalization influences outcomes. 57 participants who reported subjective cognitive difficulties after confirmed COVID-19 infection were assessed at baseline (~6 months post COVID-19) and follow-up (~15 months later) visits. Assessments included measures across multiple cognitive domains and self-report questionnaires of fatigue, mood, and overall health. Analyses were conducted in three stages: at the test score level (raw and adjusted scores), at the cognitive domain level, and stratified by hospitalization status during infection. Results at the test-score level indicate that cognitive performance remains relatively stable across assessments at the group level, with no significant improvements in any adjusted test scores at follow-up. Cognitive domain analyses indicate significant reductions in attention and executive functioning impairment, while memory impairment is slower to resolve. On self-report measures, there was a significant improvement in overall health ratings at follow-up. Finally, those hospitalized during infection performed worse on timed cognitive measures across visits and accounted for a larger proportion of cases with short-term and working memory impairment at follow-up. Overall, our findings indicate that cognitive difficulties persist both at test score and cognitive domain levels in many cases of post COVID-19 condition, but evidence suggests some improvement in global measures of attention, executive functioning and overall self-rated health. Furthermore, an effect of hospitalization on cognitive symptoms post COVID-19 may be more discernible over time.

Sleep quality, perceived stress, and attention levels: A study on medical students

Background: Sleep is the most important yet least understood function of the brain. It is seen that students usually get lesser duration of sleep, due to academic and social demands. In our study, we are trying to use relatively short-duration tasks, which are software-based and can be easily used in a clinical setting for screening purpose, for the assessment of attention in individuals with poor sleep quality. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the perceived stress levels in students based on the quality of sleep and to compare the attention in students based on the quality of sleep. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four participants were divided into good and bad sleep quality based on the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores and their perceived stress scores were obtained. All of them were subjected to smartphonebased cognitive function testing using color word and word color Stroop test. Results: Eighty-four subjects were recruited for the study from the Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, of which 34 (40%) were in the good sleep group and 50 (60%) in the bad sleep group. The median PSQI score in the group with bad sleep quality was found to be significantly higher than the median PSQI scores of the group with good sleep. The median word color Stroop score in the good sleep quality was found to be significantly higher than the score of the bad sleep group. Similarly, the median color word Stroop scores were significantly higher in the good sleep group than that of the bad sleep quality group. Conclusion: Sleep quality seems to increase the levels of perceived stress in students. Sleep affects the attention of the subjects in a negative way.

Night Screen Time is Associated with Cognitive Function in Healthy Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In recent years, a significant shift toward remote work, virtual education, and social distancing measures was witnessed, thereby leading people to increasingly depend on digital devices for communication, work, and entertainment. This increased exposure to screens has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on cognitive function. This study investigated the relationship between screen time and cognitive function among healthy young adults. One hundred forty-five healthy individuals (mean age 21.55 ± 2.84 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic information including age, sex, height, weight, and level of education were obtained. Participants reported screen time using a screen time questionnaire. Cognitive function tests including, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) were conducted. Multilinear regression analyses were used to examine the associations between age, sex, level of education, screen time, and cognitive function. One hundred thirty-nine participants (76 women) completed the study. Increased night screen time, bachelor's educational level, and women were associated with lower PASAT scores (R2=0.258; p≤0.047). Moreover, increased night screen time was associated with lower MoCA scores (R2=0.029; p=0.035). However, no associations were found between night screen time and SDMT scores. Participants who had higher night screen exposure had lower cognitive scores in the information speed processing, working memory, calculation, and attention domains. Considering these findings, this study emphasizes on the importance of setting a future recommended screen time guidelines for young adults as well as to promote healthy cognitive habits in order to preserve cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative disease in the future. Future prospective cohort studies involving a more diverse age range is needed.

Association of Cerebral Hypoperfusion and Poor Collaterals with Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Severe Vertebrobasilar Artery Stenosis.

Effect of stenosis of vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) on cognitive function is elusive. To investigate association of cerebral hypoperfusion and poor collaterals with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) in severe VBA stenosis patients. We consecutively enrolled patients with severe VBA stenosis confirmed by digital subtraction angiography who underwent computed tomographic perfusion (CTP) and cognitive assessments. Patients were divided into poor or good collaterals groups according to the collateral circulation status, and were grouped into different perfusion groups according to CTP. Cognitive function was measured by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clock Drawing Test, Stroop Color Word Test, Trail Making Test, Digital Span Test, Auditory Verbal Learning Test, and Boston Naming Test scales. The association of cerebral perfusion and collaterals with VCI were explored. Among 88 eligible patients, VCI occurred in 51 (57.9%) patients experienced. Poor collateral was present in 73 (83.0%) patients, and hypoperfusion in 64 (72.7%). Compared with normal perfusion patients, the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval for VCI was 12.5 (3.7-42.4) for overall hypoperfusion, 31.0 (7.1-135.5) for multiple site hypoperfusion, 3.3 (1.0-10.5) for poor collaterals, and 0.1 (0-0.6) for presence of posterior communicating artery (PcoA) compensated for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and basilar artery (BA). Additionally, decreased scores of cognitive function tests occurred in patients with decompensated perfusion or poor collaterals. Hypoperfusion and poor collaterals were positively associated with cognitive impairment in patients with severe VBA. However, PcoA compensated for the PCA and BA had a protective role in cognitive impairment development.

Influence of gender and quality of sleep in cognitive impairment: A cross-sectional pilot study from Kerala, India

Background: Cognitive decline, a natural aging process, can lead to geriatric neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, which progresses rapidly, with memory complaints and deficits being particularly risky. Sleep is crucial for psychological functions and cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between the sleep quality and cognitive function like working memory, reaction time (simple and choice reaction time), and attention (sustained/vigilant attention and divided attention) in the south Indian youth population.
 Material and methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was carried out on the 30 participants. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality, NIMHANS Neuropsychological Battery for adults was used to assess different neuro-cognitive domains and Computerized test of reaction time to assess the simple reaction time and choice reaction time.
 Results: Participants with poor sleep quality showed impaired performance in the tests of attention (Sustained attention and Divided attention). No significant differences were observed between participants of good sleep quality and poor sleep quality in the test of working memory, N Back 1 test (t=0.539, p>0.05) and N Back 2 test of working memory (t=0.306, p>0.05).
 ConclusionL Participants with poor sleep quality significantly differed from those with good sleep quality and committed more mistakes in the triad test of divided attention, spend longer time, and committed errors in the completion of the digit vigilance test of sustained attention. Sleep patterns are associated with cognitive test performance, and optimising sleep duration and quality should be an important consideration for cognitive functions.

Assessment of Cerebral Hypoxemia and Its Impact on Cognitive and Psychological Functions in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Background and Objective The precise pathophysiology of cognitive impedance and mental illness in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients remains elusive. Therefore, there is a need for studies on novel diagnoses and therapeutic strategies for cognitive impairment in OSA patients. This work aimed to evaluate cerebral hypoxemia, its consequences on brain metabolism, and local and systemic inflammation, and their subsequent impact on cognitive and psychological functioning.Methods This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted on 30 eligible OSA patients and 20 age/sex-matched healthy controls. All the participants underwent one-night polysomnography, and cognitive evaluation was done using the Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Brief Kingston Standardized Cognitive Assessment, D2 Test of Consideration (to evaluate attention problems), and Wisconsin card sorting test. The psychiatric assessment included the Arabic form of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Depression Inventory-II. A radiology assessment was done using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neurophysiological assessment was done using the potential cortical (N20) latency and amplitude of somatosensory evoked potential. Laboratory examinations included serum levels of NF-κB, HMGB1, and HIF-1α.Results Polysomnography demonstrated noteworthy increase in the apnea-hypopnea index, respiratory disturbance index, arousal index, snoring index, and wake after sleep onset. It also showed diminished sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and SaO2 nadir in the OSA group. Neuropsychological scales demonstrated poor performance in global cognitive tests, particular cognitive domains impedance, and depression in the OSA group, with noteworthy differences within the group. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy highlighted that OSA patients had a noteworthy bilateral decrement in N-acetylaspartate (NAA) peak, creatine peak, and NAA/choline proportion and an increment in choline peak, lipid peak, lactate peak, choline/creatine proportion, and NAA/creatine proportion in the frontal white matter, hippocampus, and parieto-occipital cortex. Moreover. OSA patients had either missing or decreased amplitude and delayed latency of N20. There was a noteworthy rise of serum inflammatory marker NF-κB, HMGB1, and oxidative stress marker HIF-1α in OSA patients.Conclusions Chronic intermittent hypoxia with resulting amplified inflammatory and oxidative stress in OSA patients may affect brain metabolism; consequently, leading to cognitive and psychological dysfunctions.

Brain Temperature as an Indicator of Cognitive Function in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients.

Whether brain temperature noninvasively extracted by magnetic resonance imaging has a role in identifying brain changes in the later phases of mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not known. This prospective study aimed to evaluate if TBI patients in subacute and chronic phases had altered brain temperature measured by whole-brain magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (WB-MRSI) and if the measurable brain temperature had any relationship with cognitive function scores. WB-MRSI was performed on eight TBI patients and fifteen age- and sex-matched control subjects. Brain temperature (T) was extracted from the brain's major metabolites and compared between the two groups. The T of the patients was tested for correlation with cognitive function test scores. The results showed significantly lower brain temperature in the TBI patients (p < 0.05). Brain temperature derived from N-acetylaspartate (TNAA) strongly correlated with the 2 s paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT-2s) score (p < 0.05). The observation of lower brain temperature in TBI patients may be due to decreased metabolic activity resulting from glucose and oxygen depletion. The correlation of brain temperature with PASAT-2s may imply that noninvasive brain temperature may become a noninvasive index reflecting cognitive performance.

Dietary fibre confers therapeutic effects in a preclinical model of Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving psychiatric, cognitive and motor deficits, as well as peripheral symptoms, including gastrointestinal dysfunction. The R6/1 HD mouse model expresses a mutant human huntingtin transgene and has been shown to provide an accurate disease model. Recent evidence of gut microbiome disruption was shown in preclinical and clinical HD. Therefore, we aimed to assess the potential role of gut microbial modulation in the treatment of HD. The R6/1 HD mice and wild-type littermate controls were randomised to receive diets containing different amounts of fibre: high-fibre (10 % fibre), control (5 % fibre), or zero-fibre (0 % fibre), from 6 to 20 weeks of age. We characterized the onset and progression of motor, cognitive and affective deficits, as well as gastrointestinal function and gut morphological changes. Faeces were collected for gut microbiome profiling using 16S rRNA sequencing, at 14 and 20 weeks of age. When compared to the control diet, high-fibre diet improved the performance of HD mice in behavioral tests of cognitive and affective function, as well as the gastrointestinal function of both HD and wild-type mice. While the diets changed the beta diversity of wild-type mice, no statistical significance was observed at 14 or 20 weeks of age within the HD mice. Analysis of Composition of Microbiomes with Bias Correction (ANCOM-BC) models were performed to evaluate microbiota composition, which identified differences, including a decreased relative abundance of the phyla Actinobacteriota, Campylobacterota and Proteobacteria and an increased relative abundance of the families Bacteroidaceae, Oscillospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae in HD mice when compared to wild-type mice after receiving high-fibre diet. PICRUSt2 revealed that high-fibre diet also decreased potentially pathogenic functional pathways in HD. In conclusion, high-fibre intake was effective in enhancing gastrointestinal function, cognition and affective behaviors in HD mice. These findings indicate that dietary fibre interventions may have therapeutic potential in Huntington’s disease to delay clinical onset, and have implications for related disorders exhibiting dysfunction of the gut-brain axis.

GERIATRIC MEASURES OF PHYSICAL FUNCTION HAVE THEIR ROOTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD BRAIN HEALTH

Abstract Midlife is a pivotal period in the life course in terms of investing resources to mitigate challenges that can come in older age. It is important to understand the relationship between childhood and midlife health, as it could have predictive properties for aging. We investigated the association between early childhood brain health and midlife physical function in the Dunedin Study, a longitudinal birth cohort (n=1,037). Brain health was measured when Study members were age 3 using a neurological examination, tests of cognitive functioning, and temperament rating. Physical function was measured at age 45 using gait speed, step-in-place, chair stands, balance, and grip strength tests. Children with worse brain health had significantly worse physical function as adults (β, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.30; P &amp;lt; .001), after controlling for sex and childhood socioeconomic status. This relationship supports a link between cognitive and physical function in the aging and development process, the reconceptualization of aging and development on the same ontological path, and the utility of physical function tests – which can be used in many clinical settings – as reflections of lifelong, integrated health in addition to indicators of musculoskeletal integrity in older adults.

EFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC CANNABIS/CANNABINOIDS ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

Abstract Cannabis and cannabinoids such as THC (the major psychoactive component of cannabis) tend to impair cognitive performance, but almost all research on this topic has been conducted in young adults. Given that many aged individuals already exhibit cognitive deficits, it is important to determine how cannabis/cannabinoids affect cognition in this population. We used an animal model (young adult and aged rats) to evaluate the effects of both acute cannabis smoke and chronic oral THC on several tests of cognitive function. Both acute smoke (males only) and chronic THC (both sexes) enhanced working memory in aged rats, but neither affected young adults. In contrast, both regimens tended to impair performance on tests of spatial/episodic memory in an age-independent manner. Results suggest that although cannabis has potential for cognitive benefits in aging, its effects likely depend on both the cognitive domain tested and the manner in which it is administered.

EXAMINING THE PREVALENCE OF UNDIAGNOSED SLEEP APNEA AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH BLOOD BIOMARKERS FOR ALZHEIMER’S

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) prevalence increases with age, but is often undiagnosed. Recent findings suggest association between OSA and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). OSA may impact alterations in amyloid-beta (Aß) protein possibly through interactions with the glymphatic system, thereby unraveling underlying AD mechanisms. In a crossover study conducted 06/22-04/23, older adults (55-65, mean 61.9) without diagnosis of OSA or cognitive impairment(N=33) completed MRIs and blood draws for AD-biomarkers across evening, morning, and midday time points. Polysomnography (PSG) using Philips Sleepware measured Apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI). Morning Trails A&amp;B assessed cognitive function, and abeta40-42-42/40 levels were calculated using Immunoprecipitation-Mass-Spectrometry (IP-MS). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and linear regression were utilized. AHI scores averaged 10.5(SD:10.09), with 30% meeting ‘normal’ (0-5) and 52% mild (5-15) criteria. While not significant(p=.113), males(M:12.5,SD:9.7) averaged higher AHI scores than females (M:8.2 SD:10.3). AHI had a linear relationship with Abeta40 values(R2=0.18,F(2,33)=6.71,p=0.012). However, no significant association between AHI, Abeta42(p=0.09), and Abeta42.40(p=0.54) was found. Neither AHI sum scores [Trails A(p=0.09), Trails B(p=0.67)], nor severity rankings [TrailsA(p=0.74),TrailsB(p=0.14)] were significantly associated with Trails A&amp;B performance. Elevated AHI was associated with higher levels of Aß40 but not cognitive test performance. Though implications are limited by sample size, findings suggest connection between OSA and initiation of AD processes, necessitating additional research.

SENSORY LOSS IN AGING: SPOTLIGHTING JUNIOR AND NEW GSA INVESTIGATORS IN THE SENSORY HEALTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

Abstract Our senses (hearing, vision, touch, taste, smell) are the means by which our brains perceive our environment, allowing us to engage and connect with our world. Recommendations for maintaining brain health and function with age include maintaining strong social connections and participating in intellectually stimulating mental and physical activities. However, our senses are what allow us to engage in these activities. Sensory loss is common in older adults, with over 2/3 of adults over age 55 experiencing loss in multiple senses. The goal of the Sensory Health Special Interest Group (SIG) is to foster collaboration and dissemination of research and clinical/educational resources for professionals interested in sensory health and the effects of sensory impairments on the overall health and well-being of older adults. This session will meet this goal by highlighting work that demonstrates the importance of sensory health with age conducted by outstanding Sensory Health SIG investigators who are early in their career path or who are new to GSA. We will start by discussing the importance of olfaction for mental health over time in older adults and vision for markers of neurodegeneration. We will then have three presentations that consider multiple risk factors, including sensory loss, for cognitive function. First, we will present on the moderation of the association between hearing loss and dementia by sleep. We will then present on the association between multisensory loss and cognitive test performance, and finally, how the inclusion of sensorimotor measures can improve prediction of subsequent neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. This is a Sensory Health Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

PHYSICAL FUNCTION, DEPRESSION, AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION OF OLDER CHINESE AMERICANS: CROSS-LAGGED MODEL

Abstract Introduction Understanding the complex interactions of physical function, depression, and cognitive function is crucial for understanding healthy aging. However, few studies have empirically tested these relationships. This study examined the directional relationships of physical function, depression, and cognitive function among older Chinese Americans. Methods This study included a subsample of participants (n=2,811) from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago who completed the baseline survey during 2011-2013 (W1) and at least one of the three follow-up surveys conducted in 2013-2015 (W2), 2015- 2017 (W3), and 2017-2019 (W4). Physical function, depression, and cognitive function were measured by a battery of physical mobility, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and cognitive performance tests (executive function, memory, and cognitive impairments). A random intercept cross-lagged panel model was performed to examine the bidirectional relationships among physical function, depression, and cognitive function. Results The cross-lagged panel model showed that higher levels of depression at W1 were associated with poorer physical function at W2. In turn, poorer physical function at W2 was related to higher levels of depression at W3. Higher levels of depression (W2) were linked to poorer physical function at W3. Poorer physical function at W2 was associated with poorer cognitive function at W3. Finally, poorer cognitive function at W3 was associated with poorer physical function and higher levels of depression at W4. Discussion Our results support a bidirectional relationship between physical function and depression. Also, as individuals age, cognitive function plays a key role in predicting physical function and psychological well-being.

Effect of intranasal insulin administration on postoperative delirium prevention in elderly cardiac surgery patients: study protocol for a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

BackgroundPostoperative delirium (POD) is a complication after surgery which leads to worse outcomes. The frequency of this syndrome is increasing as more elderly patients undergo major surgery. The frequency is around 10–25% but reaches as high as 50% for cardiac surgery. Although intranasal insulin (INI) administration of up to 160 units in patients with cognitive dysfunction and delirium has been shown to improve memory function and brain metabolism without complications such as hypoglycemia, it remains unknown whether INI prevents POD after cardiac surgeryMethodsA multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial will be conducted at University of Tsukuba Hospital and Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Japan, from July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025. A total of 110 elderly patients (65 years old or older) undergoing cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass will be enrolled and randomly allocated to intranasal insulin or intranasal saline groups. The primary outcome is the incidence of POD within 7 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes include days and times of delirium, screening tests of cognitive function, pain scores, duration of postoperative tracheal intubation, and length of ICU stay.DiscussionThe present objective is to assess whether 80 IU INI administration during surgery prevents POD after cardiac surgery. The results may provide strategic choices to prevent POD in patients with cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.Trial registrationThe trial was registered with the Japan Registry for Clinical Trials with identifier jRCTs031230047 on April 21, 2023.

Ventilation causing an average CO2 concentration of 1,000 ppm negatively affects sleep: A field-lab study on healthy young people

Poor bedroom ventilation, leading to poor indoor air quality (IAQ), has been shown to reduce sleep quality. Ventilation causing a carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration of 1,000 ppm is assumed to permit optimal sleep quality. The effects of three ventilation levels causing average indoor CO2 concentrations of 750 ppm, 1,000 ppm and 1,300 ppm, on sleep quality, physiological response and next-day work performance were examined. After a first night for adaptation, thirty-six young and healthy participants slept alone in simulated bedrooms for two nights at each of the three ventilation levels in balanced order. Sleep quality was recorded by a wrist-worn sleep tracker. Physiological parameters were measured before sleep and after waking. The participants’ ratings of the bedroom environment, the intensity of the health symptoms they experienced, and cognitive performance were obtained using questionnaires and tests.Compared with ventilation causing an average CO2 concentration of 750 ppm, sleep quality was significantly reduced at the ventilation rates causing CO2 concentrations of 1,000 ppm and 1,300 ppm: Sleep efficiency was reduced by 1.3 % and 1.8 % and time awake increased by 5.0 min and 7.8 min, respectively. Deep sleep duration decreased at the ventilation rate causing CO2 concentration of 1,300 ppm as compared to 750 ppm along with a significant increase in salivary cortisol after waking, which suggests increased stress and sympathetic activity. Ventilation causing an average CO2 concentration of 1,000 ppm or above in bedrooms should therefore be avoided. Participants whose sleep quality was poorer performed worse on tests of cognitive performance the next day.

Protective effect of Tat fused HPCA protein on neuronal cell death caused by ischemic injury

BackgroundBain ischemia is a disease that occurs for various reasons, induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and causes fatal damage to the nervous system. Protective effect of HPCA on ischemic injury has not been extensively studied despite its significance in regulating calcium homeostasis and promoting neuronal survival in CA1 region of the brain. ObjectiveWe investigate the role of HPCA in ischemic injury using a cell-permeable Tat peptide fused HPCA protein (Tat-HPCA). MethodsWestern blot analysis determined the penetration of Tat-HPCA into HT-22 cells and apoptotic signaling pathways. 5-CFDA, AM, DCF-DA, and TUNEL staining confirmed intracellular ROS production and DNA damage. The intracellular Ca2+ was measured in primary cultured neurons treated with H2O2. Protective effects were examined using immunohistochemistry and cognitive function tests by passive avoidance test and 8-arm radial maze test. ResultsTat-HPCA effectively penetrated into HT-22 cells and inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and DNA fragmentation. It also effectively inhibited phosphorylation of JNK and regulated the activation of Caspase, Bax, Bcl-2, and PARP, leading to inhibition of apoptosis. Moreover, Ca2+ concentration decreased in cells treated with Tat-HPCA in primary cultured neurons. In an animal model of ischemia, Tat-HPCA effectively penetrated the hippocampus, inhibited cell death, and regulated activities of astrocytes and microglia. Additionally, Cognitive function tests show that Tat-HPCA improves neurobehavioral outcomes after cerebral ischemic injury. ConclusionThese results suggest that Tat-HPCA might have potential as a therapeutic agent for treating oxidative stress-related diseases induced by ischemic injury, including ischemia.

Bidirectional associations between hearing difficulty and cognitive function in Chinese adults: a longitudinal study.

Middle-aged and older adults frequently experience hearing loss and a decline in cognitive function. Although an association between hearing difficulty and cognitive function has been demonstrated, its temporal sequence remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether there are bidirectional relationships between hearing difficulty and cognitive function and explored the mediating role of depressive symptoms in this relationship. We used the cross-lagged panel model and the random-intercept cross-lagged panel model to look for any possible two-way link between self-reported hearing difficulty and cognitive function. To investigate depressive symptoms' role in this association, a mediation analysis was conducted. The sample was made up of 4,363 adults aged 45 and above from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS; 2011-2018; 44.83% were women; mean age was 56.16 years). One question was used to determine whether someone had a hearing impairment. The tests of cognitive function included episodic memory and intelligence. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, which consists of 10 items, was used to measure depressive symptoms. A bidirectional association between hearing and cognition was observed, with cognition predominating (Wald χ2 (1) = 7.241, p < 0.01). At the between-person level, after controlling for potential confounders, worse hearing in 2011 predicted worse cognitive function in 2013 (β = -0.039, p < 0.01) and vice versa (β = -0.041, p < 0.01) at the between-person level. Additionally, there was no corresponding cross-lagged effect of cognitive function on hearing difficulty; rather, the more hearing difficulty, the greater the cognitive decline at the within-person level. According to the cross-lagged mediation model, depressive symptoms partially mediates the impact of cognitive function on subsequent hearing difficulty (indirect effect: -0.003, bootstrap 95% confidence interval: -0.005, -0.001, p < 0.05), but not the other way around. These results showed that within-person relationships between hearing impairment and cognitive function were unidirectional, while between-person relationships were reciprocal. Setting mental health first may be able to break the vicious cycle that relates hearing loss to cognitive decline. Comprehensive long-term care requires services that address depressive symptoms and cognitive decline to be integrated with the hearing management.

About time: neurocognitive correlates of stimulus-bound and other time setting errors in the Clock Drawing Test.

Previous findings suggest that time setting errors (TSEs) in the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) may be related mainly to impairments in semantic and executive function. Recent attempts to dissociate the classic stimulus-bound error (setting the time to "10 to 11" instead of "10 past 11") from other TSEs, did not support hypotheses regarding this error being primarily executive in nature or different from other time setting errors in terms of neurocognitive correlates. This study aimed to further investigate the cognitive correlates of stimulus-bound errors and other TSEs, in order to trace possible underlying cognitive deficits. We examined cognitive test performance of participants with preliminary diagnoses associated with mild cognitive impairment. Among 490 participants, we identified clocks with stimulus-bound errors (n = 78), other TSEs (n = 41), other errors not related to time settings (n = 176), or errorless clocks (n = 195). No differences were found on any dependent measure between the stimulus-bound and the other TSErs groups. Group comparisons suggested TSEs in general, to be associated with lower performance on various cognitive measures, especially on semantic and working memory measures. Regression analysis further highlighted semantic and verbal working memory difficulties as being the most prominent deficits associated with these errors. TSEs in the CDT may indicate underlying deficits in semantic function and working memory. In addition, results support previous findings related to the diagnostic value of TSEs in detecting cognitive impairment.

Necroptosis involved in sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in aged mice by activating NMDA receptors increasing intracellular calcium

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders are a common surgical and postanesthesia complication. Necroptosis contributes to the emergence of various neurological disorders. We conjecture that cognitive impairment is associated with necroptosis of hippocampal neurons, which is mediated by NMDA receptors leading to cytoplasmic calcium imbalance. C57BL/6 J male mice ( 18 months) were randomly divided into the C ( control group), S ( sevoflurane group), S+M ( sevoflurane plus the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine group) and S+N ( sevoflurane plus necrostatin-1) group. We exposed the mice to 3% sevoflurane for 2 h a day for three consecutive days in the S, S+M and S+N groups. Memantine ( 20 mg/kg) or Nec-1 ( 10 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 1 h before sevoflurane anesthesia in the S+M or S+N group. We used the animal behavior tests to evaluate the cognitive function. Pathological damage, the rate of necroptosis, [Ca2+]i, and the expression of necroptosis-related proteins were evaluated. The cognitive function tests, pathological damage, the rate of necroptosis, the expression of necroptosis-related proteins, NMDAR2A and NMDAR2B were significantly different in the S group ( P < 0.05). Alleviated pathological damage, decreased the rate of necroptosis and down-regulated the expression of necroptosis-related proteins occurred in the S+M and S+N group ( P < 0.05). The lower elevated [Ca2+]i, expression of NMDAR2A and NMDAR2B were found in the S+M group. Our findings highlighted sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction is associated with an imbalance in cytoplasmic calcium homeostasis by activating NMDA receptors, which causes hippocampus neurons to undergo necroptosis and ultimately affects cognitive performance in aged mice.

Online psychoeducation and digital assessments as a first step of treatment for borderline personality disorder: A protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background Treatment trials for borderline personality disorder (BPD) have consistently demonstrated that approaches that are diagnostically tailored are superior to those which are not. Currently, gold standard treatments for BPD are highly intensive, lengthy, and specialized, leading to a critical gap between the supply and demand of effective, evidence-based treatment for patients who receive a diagnosis of BPD. Psychoeducation, which is a common component of most treatments known to be effective, is a low-cost, low-burden intervention proven to relieve symptoms. The present study builds on psychoeducation research, assessing online video prescriptions as a means of disseminating information patients need to know about their diagnosis and care. Methods This article presents the study protocol for a safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy trial of psychoeducational video prescriptions and online assessment with feedback for newly diagnosed individuals with BPD. We aim to recruit 100 adults recently diagnosed with BPD to be randomly assigned to receive videos about BPD or videos about non-BPD mental health topics that are matched in length in the first step of the study. All participants will complete daily surveys about their emotions, interpersonal interactions, and behaviors, as well as self-report assessments and cognitive tests at 4 different time points. Half of the participants in the intervention group will receive feedback on their symptom ratings and cognitive test performance to assess whether there is incremental value in tailoring this online set of interventions with individualized feedback unique to each participant. This study aims to assess the effects of BPD-focused psychoeducational videos with and without personalized feedback, on BPD and depressive symptom severity as well as core mechanisms of the disorder such as loneliness, rejection sensitivity, cognitive control difficulties, and self-clarity. Results will inform efforts to progress to a larger, more definitive trial. Trial registration Clinical trials registration: The protocol is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05358925.