Cognitive Index Research Articles

An analysis of the adaptability of Confucianism Civic Education in colleges and universities based on the construction of cognitive mapping

Abstract To extract the main structural features, we first use the CRF algorithm to annotate different knowledge feature vectors based on cognitive mapping in this paper. To mine the correlation between the main structures and fuse them, the G-DINA technique is employed to set the threshold value. The response function is utilized to diagnose the cognitive parameters of students and accurately quantify their cognitive state. According to the results, the educational platform has an average coverage rate of 78%. The average cognitive index scores of the students were 75, and 92% were content with the teaching effectiveness of the platform. The intelligent Civic Education Platform constructed based on cognitive mapping integrates Confucianism and culture to achieve two-way development.

KIBRA single nucleotide polymorphism is associated with hippocampal subfield volumes and cognition across development.

The hippocampus (Hc) consists of cytoarchitectonically and functionally distinct subfields: dentate gyrus (DG), cornu ammonis (CA1-3), and subiculum. In adults, a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs17070145, C→ T) in KIBRA, a gene encoding the eponymous (KIdney-BRAin) protein, is associated with variability in Hc subfield volumes and episodic memory. T-allele carriers have larger DG and CA volumes and better episodic memory compared to C-homozygotes. Little is known, however, about KIBRA's role in the development of the brain and cognition. In a sample of children, adolescents, and young adults (N = 176, ages 5- 25years), we replicated the adult association between KIBRA T-allele and larger DG and CA volumes but observed no relationship between KIBRA rs17070145 polymorphism and episodic memory. We noted, however, that a general cognitive performance index (IQ) differed across the allelic groups, with the lowest scores among T-homozygotes and the highest among C-homozygotes. Thus, in this developmental sample, KIBRA appears to have opposing effects on regional brain volume and cognition. These influences of KIBRA SNP may stem from associations between developmental reduction in brain volume and gains in cognitive performance-a hypothesis to be tested in longitudinal studies.

A - 07 The Role of Age and Cognitive Reserve in Moderating the Cognitive Effects of Chemotherapy.

The aim of this exploratory study is to assess the cognitive effects of chemotherapy (CT) in women with breast cancer and to understand the role of age and cognitive reserve (CR) in the development of these effects. A group of women with early breast cancer with indication for CT (n = 32) and a group of healthy subjects (n = 32) were recruited. Both groups performed neuropsychological assessment at two time points- at baseline (before the initiation of CT and 6months later). Additionally, Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq), a comprehensive measure of CR, was applied. The cognitive tests were combined in a unique z-score for attention and executive function domain. The longitudinal cognitive assessment was analyzed using a mixed effect modeling approach with patient's vs controls as grouping factor and adjusted for age, CR, years of education and baseline cognitive performance as fixed factors. Mean age and education years for both groups were 49 (SD ± 8) years and 17 (SD ± 3), respectively. The level of CR was equally distributed across both samples, with 75% of participants presenting a high level of CR. The mixed effects model analysis did not show a significant effect for group. For Attention, a three-way interaction among CR, age and years of education was significant (p = 0.04). For the executive functions, none of the factors were significant. Our results suggest that CT did not contribute significantly for the development of cognitive decline in cancer patients. However, age, years of education and CR have a joint impact on attention, but not executive functions.

Over ninety years old: Does high cognitive reserve still help brain efficiency?

Nonagenarians and centenarians, also called oldest-old, are a very heterogeneous population that counts a limited number of individuals as it is a real challenge to reach this goal. Even if it is well known that cognitive reserve can be considered a factor in maintaining good cognitive functioning in ageing, only very few studies have been carried out on the role of cognitive reserve (CR) in the oldest-old people. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between cognitive reserve and cognitive functioning in a population living in a specific region of Italy, the Blue Zone in Sardinia. This population is characterised by extreme longevity and distinctive historical, geographic, social, linguistic and nutritional features. The cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq) and the short cognitive Esame Neuropsicologico Breve-2 (ENB-2, Brief Neuropsychological Examination) were administered to 67 participants, all aged between 90 and 105 years old. The CRIq was a predictor of neuropsychological performance for the global score of the battery of tests, ENB-2 (ENB-tot) and also for 7 out of 16 of its sub-tests. All except one (Token) tapped executive functions (Interference memory at 10 and 30 s, TMT-B, Overlapping figures, ion, Fluency). Results highlight that also in the oldest-old population CR has a positive effect on cognition, especially on executive functioning.

Perception of cognitive change by individuals with Parkinson's disease or essential tremor seeking deep brain stimulation: Utility of the cognitive change index.

The Cognitive Change Index (CCI-20) is a validated questionnaire that assesses subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) across memory, language, and executive domains. We aimed to: (a) examine the internal consistency and construct validity of the CCI-20 in patients with movement disorders and (b) learn how the CCI-20 corresponds to objective neuropsychological and mood performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET) seeking deep brain stimulation (DBS). 216 participants (N = 149 PD; N = 67 ET) underwent neuropsychological evaluation and received the CCI-20. The proposed domains of the CCI-20 were examined via confirmatory (CFA) and exploratory (EFA) factor analyses. Hierarchical regressions were used to assess the relationship among subjective cognitive complaints, neuropsychological performance and mood symptoms. PD and ET groups were similar across neuropsychological, mood, and CCI-20 scores and were combined into one group who was well educated (m = 15.01 ± 2.92), in their mid-60's (m = 67.72 ± 9.33), predominantly male (63%), and non-Hispanic White (93.6%). Previously proposed 3-domain CCI-20 model failed to achieve adequate fit. Subsequent EFA revealed two CCI-20 factors: memory and non-memory (p < 0.001; CFI = 0.924). Regressions indicated apathy and depressive symptoms were associated with greater memory and total cognitive complaints, while poor executive function and anxiety were associated with more non-memory complaints. Two distinct dimensions were identified in the CCI-20: memory and non-memory complaints. Non-memory complaints were indicative of worse executive function, consistent with PD and ET cognitive profiles. Mood significantly contributed to all CCI-20 dimensions. Future studies should explore the utility of SCCs in predicting cognitive decline in these populations.

Relationship between gait parameters and cognitive indexes in adult aging.

This study aimed to identify the most effective summary cognitive index predicted from spatio-temporal gait features (STGF) extracted from gait patterns. The study involved 125 participants, including 40 young (mean age: 27.65 years, 50% women), and 85 older adults (mean age: 73.25 years, 62.35% women). The group of older adults included both healthy adults and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Participant´s performance in various cognitive domains was evaluated using 12 cognitive measures from five neuropsychological tests. Four summary cognitive indexes were calculated for each case: 1) the z-score of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) from a population norm (MMSE z-score); 2) the sum of the absolute z-scores of the patients' neuropsychological measures from a population norm (ZSum); 3) the first principal component scores obtained from the individual cognitive variables z-scores (PCCog); and 4) the Mahalanobis distance between the vector that represents the subject's cognitive state (defined by the 12 cognitive variables) and the vector corresponding to a population norm (MDCog). The gait patterns were recorded using a body-fixed Inertial Measurement Unit while participants executed four walking tasks (normal, fast, easy- and hard-dual tasks). Sixteen STGF for each walking task, and the dual-task costs for the dual tasks (when a subject performs an attention-demanding task and walks at the same time) were computed. After applied Principal Component Analysis to gait measures (96 features), a robust regression was used to predict each cognitive index and individual cognitive variable. The adjusted proportion of variance (adjusted-R2) coefficients were reported, and confidence intervals were estimated using the bootstrap procedure. The mean values of adjusted-R2 for the summary cognitive indexes were as follows: 0.0248 for MMSE z-score, 0.0080 for ZSum, 0.0033 for PCCog, and 0.4445 for MDCog. The mean adjusted-R2 values for the z-scores of individual cognitive variables ranged between 0.0009 and 0.0693. Multiple linear regression was only statistically significant for MDCog, with the highest estimated adjusted-R2 value. The association between individual cognitive variables and most of the summary cognitive indexes with gait parameters was weak. However, the MDCog index showed a stronger and significant association with the STGF, exhibiting the highest value of the proportion of the variance that can be explained by the predictor variables. These findings suggest that the MDCog index may be a useful tool in studying the relationship between gait patterns and cognition.

Association of Cognitive Polygenic Index and Cognitive Performance with Age in Cognitively Healthy Adults.

Genome-wide association studies have discovered common genetic variants associated with cognitive performance. Polygenic scores that summarize these discoveries explain up to 10% of the variance in cognitive test performance in samples of adults. However, the role these genetics play in cognitive aging is not well understood. We analyzed data from 168 cognitively healthy participants aged 23-77 years old, with data on genetics, neuropsychological assessment, and brain-imaging measurements from two large ongoing studies, the Reference Abilities Neural Networks, and the Cognitive Reserve study. We tested whether a polygenic index previously related to cognition (Cog PGI) would moderate the relationship between age and measurements of the cognitive domains extracted from a neuropsychological evaluation: fluid reasoning, memory, vocabulary, and speed of processing. We further explored the relationship of Cog PGI and age on cognition using Johnson-Neyman intervals for two-way interactions. Sex, education, and brain measures of cortical thickness, total gray matter volume, and white matter hyperintensity were considered covariates. The analysis controlled for population structure-ancestry. There was a significant interaction effect of Cog PGI on the association between age and the domains of memory (Standardized coefficient = -0.158, p-value = 0.022), fluid reasoning (Standardized coefficient = -0.146, p-value = 0.020), and vocabulary (Standardized coefficient = -0.191, p-value = 0.001). Higher PGI strengthened the negative relationship between age and the domains of memory and fluid reasoning while PGI weakened the positive relationship between age and vocabulary. Based on the Johnson-Neyman intervals, Cog PGI was significantly associated with domains of memory, reasoning, and vocabulary for younger adults. There is a significant moderation effect of genetic predisposition for cognition for the association between age and cognitive performance. Genetics discovered in genome-wide association studies of cognitive performance show a stronger association in young and midlife older adults.

Mapping the Path to Cognitive Balance: Applying the States of Mind Model and Network Analysis to Eating Disorder Patients.

Background: In eating disorders (EDs), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) represents one of the first-line treatment options albeit with sub-optimal results. The assessment of cognitive balance through an index measuring increased adaptive thinking and reduced maladaptive thinking, the desired outcomes, and the ultimate goal of CBT treatments warrants attention. The states of mind model (SOM) provides a framework through which a cognitive balance index can be defined. The current cross-sectional controlled study tested the clinical utility of the SOM model in a sample of ED outpatients. Methods: ED outpatients (n = 199) were assessed at baseline with the attitudes and beliefs scale-2 (ABS-2) for rational beliefs (RBs) and irrational beliefs (IBs), from which a SOM ratio score index (RBs/(RBs + IBs)) was calculated, the eating disorder inventory-3 (EDI-3) for ED symptoms and ED-related psychopathological features, the psychological well-being scales (PWB) for positive psychological functioning. A matched control sample (n = 95) was also assessed with the ABS-2. Results: ED patients exhibited significantly lower SOM and RB scores compared to controls. Network analysis results highlighted the centrality of the SOM-cognitive balance index, PWB-self-acceptance, and EDI-3-general psychological maladjustment, as well as the importance of the influence that cognitive balance and general psychological maladjustment exert on each other. Conclusions: The findings support the clinical utility of the SOM ratio applied to cognitions in EDs. This demonstrates its ability to differentiate such patients from controls and in capturing worse ED-related general psychopathology as well as compromised aspects of psychological well-being, in particular self-acceptance and environmental mastery. It thus might be considered in CBT treatment of EDs a potential cognitive clinimetric and clinical index of ED severity indicating key difficulties in counteracting maladaptive thinking with adaptive thinking.

Use of cognitive load measurements to design a new architecture of intelligent learning systems

In the context of learning environments, the learner’s attention and mental effort are of primary interest in the process of acquiring knowledge. Due to the skills and abilities of each learner, there is a growing need for generic and adaptive environments. In this work, we introduce a new architecture for such environments to assist the learner with a multi-agent-based approach. Using Electroencephalogram, this architecture generates learning content and interactions adapted for each learner. Moreover, this work presents a new unsupervised approach to estimate and recognize the learner’s cognitive load based on the Standardized Euclidean Distance (SED) and the Power Spectral Density (PSD) of brain rhythms within low frequencies, namely Theta[4–7 Hz] (θ) and Alpha [8–11 Hz] (α). The learner’s outcomes and estimated mental efforts are combined in the evaluation process using a fuzzy logic-based approach. Three experimental protocols are adopted in order to validate our study. These protocols are based on cognitive tasks with different difficulty levels. Experimental results show that PSD in θ and α bands in the occipital lobe accurately describe changes in the learner’s mental efforts and cognitive load according to the cognitive task difficulty level. Based on the Cohen Kappa coefficient, our cognitive load estimation approach, using α, is compared to an existing cognitive load index from the literature. This performance assessment process revealed large values (k≥0.48) in the occipital lobe, which reflects the efficiency of the proposed approach. Results from this study are mainly used in educational engineering and reeducation in order to subjectively assess the approaches and treatments offered in these contexts.

Cognitive effort investment: Does disposition become action?

Contrary to the law of less work, individuals with high levels of need for cognition and self-control tend to choose harder tasks more often. While both traits can be integrated into a core construct of dispositional cognitive effort investment, its relation to actual cognitive effort investment remains unclear. As individuals with high levels of cognitive effort investment are characterized by a high intrinsic motivation towards effortful cognition, they would be less likely to increase their effort based on expected payoff, but rather based on increasing demand. In the present study, we measured actual effort investment on multiple dimensions, i.e., subjective load, reaction time, accuracy, early and late frontal midline theta power, N2 and P3 amplitude, and pupil dilation. In a sample of N = 148 participants, we examined the relationship of dispositional cognitive effort investment and effort indices during a flanker and an n-back task with varying demand and payoff. Exploratorily, we examined this relationship for the two subdimensions cognitive motivation and effortful-self-control as well. In both tasks, effort indices were sensitive to demand and partly to payoff. The analyses revealed a main effect of cognitive effort investment for accuracy (n-back task), interaction effects with payoff for reaction time (n-back and flanker task) and P3 amplitude (n-back task) and demand for early frontal midline theta power (flanker task). Taken together, our results partly support the notion that individuals with high levels of cognitive effort investment exert effort more efficiently. Moreover, the notion that these individuals exert effort regardless of payoff is partly supported, too. This may further our understanding of the conditions under which person-situation interactions occur, i.e. the conditions under which situations determine effort investment in goal-directed behavior more than personality, and vice versa.

Disrupted Structural White Matter Network in Alzheimer's Disease Continuum, Vascular Dementia, and Mixed Dementia: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study.

Dementia presents a significant burden to patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Early and accurate diagnosis, as well as differential diagnosis of various types of dementia, are crucial for timely intervention and management. However, there is currently a lack of clinical tools for accurately distinguishing between these types. This study aimed to investigate the differences in the structural white matter (WM) network among different types of cognitive impairment/dementia using diffusion tensor imaging, and to explore the clinical relevance of the structural network. A total of 21 normal control, 13 subjective cognitive decline (SCD), 40 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 22 Alzheimer's disease (AD), 13 mixed dementia (MixD), and 17 vascular dementia (VaD) participants were recruited. Graph theory was utilized to construct the brain network. Our findings revealed a monotonic trend of disruption in the brain WM network (VaD > MixD > AD > MCI > SCD) in terms of decreased global efficiency, local efficiency, and average clustering coefficient, as well as increased characteristic path length. These network measurements were significantly associated with the clinical cognition index in each disease group separately. These findings suggest that structural WM network measurements can be utilized to differentiate between different types of cognitive impairment/dementia, and these measurements can provide valuable cognition-related information.

Mild cognitive impairment identification based on motor and cognitive dual-task pooled indices.

This study investigates the possibility of adopting motor and cognitive dual-task (MCDT) approaches to identify subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). The upper and lower motor performances of 44 older adults were assessed using the SensHand and SensFoot wearable system during three MCDTs: forefinger tapping (FTAP), toe-tapping heel pin (TTHP), and walking 10 m (GAIT). We developed five pooled indices (PIs) based on these MCDTs, and we included them, along with demographic data (age) and clinical scores (Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) scores), in five logistic regression models. Models which consider cognitively normal adult (CNA) vs MCI subjects have accuracies that range from 67% to 78%. The addition of clinical scores stabilised the accuracies, which ranged from 85% to 89%. For models which consider CNA vs SCI vs MCI subjects, there are great benefits to considering all three regressors (age, FAB score, and PIs); the overall accuracies of the three-class models range between 50% and 59% when just PIs and age are considered, whereas the overall accuracy increases by 18% when all three regressors are utilised. Logistic regression models that consider MCDT PIs and age have been effective in distinguishing between CNA and MCI subjects. The inclusion of clinical scores increased the models' accuracy. Particularly high performances in distinguishing among CNA, SCI, and MCI subjects were obtained by the TTHP PI. This study suggests that a broader framework for MCDTs, which should encompass a greater selection of motor tasks, could provide clinicians with new appropriate tools.

Exploring the relation between reserve and fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

Intellectual enrichment and brain reserve modulate the expression of cognitive and motor disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Their association with fatigue, one of the most debilitating and common symptoms of MS, has never been explored. Forty-eight MS patients underwent clinical and MRI examination at baseline and after 1 year. Physical and cognitive MS-related fatigue were evaluated via Modified Fatigue Impact subscales (MFIS-P and MFIS-C). Differences in reserve indexes between fatigued and non-fatigued patients were tested. The relationship between clinico-demographic features, global brain structural damage, indexes of reserve (age-adjusted intracranial volume and cognitive reserve index) and fatigue were tested via correlations and hierarchical linear/binary logistic regression, to predict MFIS-P and MFIS-C (at baseline) or new-onset fatigue and meaningful worsening in MFIS (at follow-up). At baseline, although a significant difference was identified for cognitive reserve questionnaire between fatigued and non-fatigued patients (18.19±4.76 versus 15.15±3.56, p=0.015), only depression accounted for significant variance in MFIS-P and MFIS-C (R2=0.248, p=0.002; R2=0.252, p<0.001). MFIS-T, MFIS-P and MFIS-C changes over time were associated to depression changes over time (r=0.56, r=0.55, and r=0.57, respectively; all p<0.001). Indexes of reserve did not differ between non-fatigued patients and patients developing new-onset fatigue at follow-up. None of the baseline features was able to predict the new-onset fatigue or meaningful worsening in MFIS at follow-up. Among the explored features, only depression was strongly associated to both physical and cognitive fatigue. Intellectual enrichment and brain reserve did not seem to affect fatigue symptoms in MS patients.

Utilizing maternal prenatal cognition as a predictor of newborn brain measures of intellectual development

ABSTRACT Identifying reliable indicators of cognitive functioning prior to age five has been challenging. Prior studies have shown that maternal cognition, as indexed by intellectual quotient (IQ) and years of education, predict child intelligence at school age. We examined whether maternal full scale IQ, education, and inhibitory control (index of executive function) are associated with newborn brain measures and toddler language outcomes to assess potential indicators of early cognition. We hypothesized that maternal indices of cognition would be associated with brain areas implicated in intelligence in school-age children and adults in the newborn period. Thirty-seven pregnant women and their newborns underwent an MRI scan. T2-weighted images and surface-based morphometric analysis were used to compute local brain volumes in newborn infants. Maternal cognition indices were associated with local brain volumes for infants in the anterior and posterior cingulate, occipital lobe, and pre/postcentral gyrus – regions associated with IQ, executive function, or sensori-motor functions in children and adults. Maternal education and executive function, but not maternal intelligence, were associated with toddler language scores at 12 and 24 months. Newborn brain volumes did not predict language scores. Overall, the pre/postcentral gyrus and occipital lobe may be unique indicators of early intellectual development in the newborn period. Given that maternal executive function as measured by inhibitory control has robust associations with the newborn brain and is objective, brief, and easy to administer, it may be a useful predictor of early developmental and cognitive capacity for young children.

Optimization of computer-assisted teaching mode in universities based on Dijkstra’s algorithm

Abstract In the context of digitalizing big data and information, optimizing the teaching model of colleges and universities is a key concern in the education sector. This paper optimizes the shortest path planning of the Dijkstra algorithm around the Floyd algorithm and ant colony algorithm, constructs the model of a computer-aided teaching system in colleges and universities through the Dijkstra algorithm, and constructs the system model indexes from three aspects: students’ cognitive ability, students’ learning performance, and students’ learning interest. A sample of 100 college students was randomly selected, and the accuracy performance of the samples was compared by the Dijkstra algorithm and improved Dijkstra, respectively. The accuracy rate of the improved Dijkstra algorithm fluctuated from 83% to 90%, with a variable rate of 7%, which was relatively small. Then the Dijkstra algorithm was used to analyze the weighting of the cognitive ability index, learning achievement index, and learning interest index. In the cognitive ability index, the memory ability weight of 34% performed better compared with the other five, the good weight in the learning achievement index performed better compared with the other categories, and the more interesting weight in the learning interest index performed better overall compared with the other five categories. This study has guiding reference value for optimizing computer-assisted teaching mode in colleges and universities to improve teaching quality and efficiency of colleges and universities.

Exploring Enhancement of AR-HUD Visual Interaction Design Through Application of Intelligent Algorithms

This study aims to optimize the visual interaction design of AR-HUD and reduce cognitive load in complex driving situations. An immersive driving simulation incorporating eye-tracking technology was utilized to analyze objective physiological indices and measure subjective cognitive load using the NASA-TLX. Additionally, a visual cognitive load index was integrated into a BP-GA neural network model for load prediction, enabling the derivation of an optimal solution for AR-HUD design. The optimized AR-HUD interface demonstrated a significant reduction in cognitive load compared to the previous prototype. The experimental group achieved a mean total score of 25.63 on the WP scale, whereas the control group scored 43.53, indicating a remarkable improvement of 41.1%. This study presents an innovative approach to optimizing AR-HUD design, effectively reducing cognitive load in complex driving situations. The findings demonstrate the potential of the proposed algorithm to enhance user experience and performance.

Association of maternal prenatal urinary fluoride levels with ADHD symptoms in childhood.

BackgroundHealth concerns about the potential impact of exposure to fluoride via drinking water (DW) on neuropsychological development include behavioral outcomes such as ADHD. ObjectiveWe aimed to examine the association between prenatal maternal urinary fluoride and symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the age of 8 and 11 years. MethodData from 255 to 236 mother-child pairs from the “Infancia y Medio Ambiente” (INMA) birth cohort (Gipuzkoa; Spain) with maternal urinary F adjusted for creatinine (MUFcr) during pregnancy (first and third trimester) and child assessments of ADHD-like symptoms reported by Conners' Rating Scales-Revised at age of 8 and 11 years was available. Clinical approach was also used: cut off criteria (T > 66). Multiple linear regression models were fitted when outcomes were analyzed as continuous, and logistic regression models when the outcomes were analyzed with a categorical clinical approach. Covariates related to maternal characteristics, birth outcomes, childhood, quality of family context and biomarkers of neuro-toxicants were used. ResultsNo association was found between MUFcr levels during pregnancy and cognitive problems-inattention, hyperactivity or ADHD index score of symptoms at 8 or 11 years. When results were analyzed from the perspective of a clinical approach, at the age of 11 years, there were significant inverse association between MUFcr and being categorized as a cognitive problems-inattention case. ORs were also indicative of a lower risk, although not significant, for ADHD index at age 11. Sensitivity analyses, taking into consideration quality of family context or the levels of other toxicants during pregnancy showed similar results. ConclusionsHigher levels of MUFcr in pregnant women were associated with a lower risk of cognitive problems-inattention at 11 years. These findings are inconsistent with those from previous studies and indicate the need for other population-based studies to confirm or overturn these results.

Decoding information about cognitive health from the brainwaves of sleep

Sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) signals likely encode brain health information that may identify individuals at high risk for age-related brain diseases. Here, we evaluate the correlation of a previously proposed brain age biomarker, the “brain age index” (BAI), with cognitive test scores and use machine learning to develop and validate a series of new sleep EEG-based indices, termed “sleep cognitive indices” (SCIs), that are directly optimized to correlate with specific cognitive scores. Three overarching cognitive processes were examined: total, fluid (a measure of cognitive processes involved in reasoning-based problem solving and susceptible to aging and neuropathology), and crystallized cognition (a measure of cognitive processes involved in applying acquired knowledge toward problem-solving). We show that SCI decoded information about total cognition (Pearson’s r = 0.37) and fluid cognition (Pearson’s r = 0.56), while BAI correlated only with crystallized cognition (Pearson’s r = − 0.25). Overall, these sleep EEG-derived biomarkers may provide accessible and clinically meaningful indicators of neurocognitive health.

2-O-β-D-Glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid, an ascorbic acid derivative isolated from the fruits of Lycium barbarum L., ameliorates high fructose-induced neuroinflammation in mice: involvement of gut microbiota and leaky gut

Western diet (rich in highly refined sugar and fat) can induce a range of metabolic dysfunctions in animals and humans, including neuroinflammation and cognitive function decline. Neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment, two critical pathological characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease, have been closely associated with microbial alteration via the gut-brain axis. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the influence of 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2βG) isolated from the fruits of Lycium barbarum on preventing the high-fructose diet (HFrD) induced neuroinflammation in mice. It was found that AA-2βG prevented HFrD-induced cognitive deficits. AA-2βG also predominantly enhanced the gut barrier integrity, decreased lipopolysaccharide entry into the circulation, which subsequently countered the activation of glial cells and neuroinflammatory response. These beneficial effects were transmissible by horizontal fecal microbiome transplantation, transferring from AA-2βG fed mice to HFrD fed mice. Additionally, AA-2βG exerted neuroprotective effects involving the enrichment of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia, potentially beneficial intestinal bacteria. The present study provided the evidence that AA-2βG could improve indices of cognition and neuroinflammmation via modulating gut dybiosis and preventing leaky gut. As a potential functional food ingredient, AA-2βG may be applied to attenuate neuroinflammation associated with Western-style diets.

Association of Alcohol Consumption with Cognition in Older Population: The A4 Study.

Alcohol use disorders have been categorized as a 'strongly modifiable' risk factor for dementia. To investigate the cross-sectional association between alcohol consumption and cognition in older adults and if it is different across sexes or depends on amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation in the brain. Cognitively unimpaired older adults (N = 4387) with objective and subjective cognitive assessments and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging were classified into four categories based on their average daily alcohol use. Multivariable linear regression was then used to test the main effects and interactions with sex and Aβ levels. Individuals who reported no alcohol consumption had lower scores on the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) compared to those consuming one or two drinks/day. In sex-stratified analysis, the association between alcohol consumption and cognition was more prominent in females. Female participants who consumed two drinks/day had better performance on PACC and Cognitive Function Index (CFI) than those who reported no alcohol consumption. In an Aβ-stratified sample, the association between alcohol consumption and cognition was present only in the Aβ- subgroup. The interaction between Aβ status and alcohol consumption on cognition was not significant. Low or moderate consumption of alcohol was associated with better objective cognitive performance and better subjective report of daily functioning in cognitively unimpaired individuals. The association was present only in Aβ- individuals, suggesting that the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying the effect of alcohol on cognition is independent of Aβ pathology. Further investigation is required with larger samples consuming three or more drinks/day.