Cognitive P300 Research Articles

Low frequency-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture improves post-stroke cognitive impairment and has better clinical efficacy.

Enhancing post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a key aspect of prognosis for stroke patients. Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) is currently a widely utilised method for treating PSCI. With the increasing promotion of traditional Chinese medicine, Xingnao Kaiqiao (XNKQ) acupuncture has been progressively incorporated into clinical treatment. This paper observes the effect of LF-rTMS with XNKQ acupuncture on patients with PSCI. Totally, 192 patients with PSCI were consecutively recruited and treated either with LF-rTMS and XNKQ acupuncture (observation group) or LF-rTMS only (control group) for 4 weeks. The pre- and post-treatment Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, P300 latency and amplitude, inflammatory factor levels were compared and clinical efficacy was assessed. Both groups exhibited increased MMSE/MoCA scores, and P300 amplitude, and shortened P300 latency, and the observation group had higher scores and P300 amplitude, and shorter P300 latency than the control group. Both groups displayed decreased inflammatory factor levels (Tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1β) after treatment, which were lower in the observation group than the control group. Inflammatory factor levels in PSCI patients were negatively interrelated with MMSE, MoCA score and P300 amplitude, and positively with P300 latency. The observation group showed an increased number of patients showing cured and significantly effective results, a decreased number of patients showing effective and invalid results, and an observably elevated total effective rate. LF-rTMS with XNKQ acupuncture can improve cognitive function and reduce inflammatory immune response, and has better clinical efficacy in PSCI patients.

Cognitive Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Plus Robotic Verticalization in Minimally Conscious State.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive therapeutic method that modulates cortical excitability and shows promising results for treating disorders of consciousness (DoCs). Robotic verticalization training (RVT) has been shown to enhance motor and cognitive recovery. This study evaluates the effects of an innovative approach combining RVT with tDCS in individuals with DoCs. Twenty-four subjects with DoCs, particularly those with chronic minimally conscious state (MCS) due to vascular or traumatic brain injury, participated in a quasi-randomized study at the Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Neurolesi (Messina, Italy). Participants were divided into either a control group (CG) receiving RVT alone or an experimental group (EG) receiving combined tDCS and RVT. Both groups underwent treatments five times weekly for four weeks, with tDCS/sham sessions over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) lasting 20 min before Erigo training sessions, which lasted 45 min. The findings indicate that combining tDCS with Erigo® Pro RTT could lead to greater improvements in cognitive functioning and P300 latency compared to the CG. These results suggest that the integrated approach of tDCS with RVT could offer significant benefits for patients with MCS, highlighting its potential to enhance cognitive recovery, such as reducing P300 latency.

Clinical and diagnostic features of repeated mild traumatic brain injuries

Repeated mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to new changes and exacerbates the existing ones caused by the primary trauma. The pathogenetic mechanisms of repeated TBI are the result of traumatic effects and their cumulation. They cause various morphological and functional changes in the brain. Objective — to improve the diagnosis of pathological changes in patients with repeated mild traumatic brain injury. Materials and methods. The study involved 199 patients with a history of repeated mild TBI. Men predominated among them — 158 (79.40 %). There were 80 (40.20 %) patients of youthful age (17—24 years), 78 (39.20 %) of young age (25—44 years), and 41 (20.60 %) of middle-aged (45—60 years). The number of repeated TBIs per patient ranged from two to five. All patients were examined in the remote period of TBI. The control group consisted of 30 people aged 18 to 50 years (mean age — (33.11 ± 3.09) years) who had no history of TBI. Cognitive impairment (CI) was assessed by neuropsychological examination using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Frontal Area Battery (FAB), and the clock drawing test. Methods of neuropsychological analysis, neuroimaging and neurophysiological methods were used. The data of clinical and neurological examinations and studies of cognitive functions were analyzed, structural changes of the brain and cerebrospinal tract were established on the basis of neuroimaging studies of the brain, and the peculiarities of cerebral hemodynamics in patients with mild repeated TBI were determined. The characteristics of neurophysiological changes in patients are given based on the study of the features of electroencephalographic changes and the study of cognitive evoked potentials of the brain. The immune status was evaluated in patients who had repeated mild TBI. Results. Repeated TBI in our study was observed in the form of mild concussions and brain contusions. Their number in one patient ranged from 1 to 5. Clinical manifestations of repeated mild TBI had peculiarities: cephalalgic, cerebral and cerebrospinal hypertensive syndrome, cognitive impairment, diffuse neurological symptoms, and pyramidal insufficiency prevailed in the clinical picture. Only in the main group were cases of a combination of three to eight neurological syndromes detected. A decrease in cognitive function was found in patients with repeated mild TBI compared to the control group according to neuropsychological testing. The analysis of cognitive evoked potentials revealed an increase in the latent period of the cognitive complex P300 in patients with repeated TBI compared with the control group, indicating a decrease in cognitive function. More frequent CP was detected in the main group. The use of modern neuroimaging methods revealed that patients with repeated TBI had increased width of the lateral ventricles on both sides, ventricle III, and the cavity of the septum compared with the control group, as well as a higher frequency of expansion of the septum and convexity of the subarachnoid spaces. Patients with repeated mild TBI are characterised by an increase in blood flow velocity in the extracranial parts of the carotid basin and a decrease in velocity in the vessels of the vertebrobasilar basin with a change in vascular resistance, in the segments of the intracranial part of the carotid basin — a decrease in blood flow velocity without a change in vascular resistance. Disorders of venous cerebral circulation (increased velocity in the internal jugular vein and Rosenthal veins) were recorded in the majority of the main group. According to the data of the CEG, in patients with repeated TBI against the background of diffuse changes in brain bioelectrical activity, focal changes in the left hemisphere of the brain are more common. Dominant arrhythmia was recorded in 97.78 % of patients in the main group. The amplitude of arrhythmia in patients with repeated TBI is lower compared to the control group, and the frequency of arrhythmic oscillations is higher. Conclusions. The use of clinical and diagnostic control allows to prevent the development of damage and obtain objective information about the state of the brain and its structures.

Multisensory integration deficits in Schizophrenia and Autism evidenced in behaviour but not event related potentials

The process of integrating information from different sensory channels, known as multisensory integration (MSI) was assessed in two disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Schizophrenia (SCZ). 32 healthy controls (HC), 35 SCZ patients, and 23 ASD patients performed an audiovisual (AV) synchronous target detection task while reaction time (RT) and scalp recorded electrophysiological (EEG) activity were measured. MSI in the AV condition resulted in faster and less variable RTs compared to the unimodal conditions. Using our novel bootstrap method, MSI gain was observed in 78 % of HC, 26 % of ASD, and 48 % of SCZ patients. At the neural level, MSI in the AV condition resulted in larger amplitude of sensory evoked responses and cognitive P3 response compared to the corresponding unimodal conditions. These neural effects of MSI were not related to the behavioural MSI gain identified at the individual level and could not explain the deficits in behavioural MSI of patient groups. In conclusion, a robust MSI gain deficit in RT was observed in both patient groups that was not reflected in early perceptual and cognitive electro-cortical responses, suggesting that behavioural MSI deficits in ASD and SCZ may arise at late processing stages such as response selection.

Changes in Auditory Evoked Potentials Increase the Chances of Adults Having Central Auditory Processing Disorder.

Introduction Auditory evoked potentials are widely used in clinical practice to complement the assessment of central auditory processing. However, it is necessary to understand whether these potentials are highly accurate, to assist in the diagnosis of auditory processing disorder. Objective To measure the accuracy of middle and long latency auditory evoked potentials in the diagnosis of auditory processing disorder in adults. Methods This is a case-control study, formed by a control group of 30 individuals with normal auditory processing assessment, and a case group composed of 43 individuals with altered auditory processing assessment. Their sensitivities, specificities, accuracies, positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of alterations were measured and compared between the potentials. Results The accuracies of the middle and long latency potentials were 51% and 67%, respectively. The P1-N1-P2 and N2-P300 complexes had an accuracy of 57.5% and 58.9%, respectively. The cognitive potential P300 showed an accuracy of 55%. There was no significant result for the middle-latency potential (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 0.6-5.4, p > 0.42) and for P300 (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 0.85-8.43, p > 0.11). However, the result was significant for the long-latency potential (OR = 6.3; 95% CI: 2-19.6, p < 0.01). There was a significant result for the P1-N1-P2 complexes (OR = 6.76, 95% CI:1.4-32.5, p = < 0.010) and N2-P300 (OR = 3.60; 95% CI: 10.16-11.20, p < 0.039). Conclusion Individuals with altered long-latency auditory evoked potential are more likely to have auditory processing disorder and, as such, this test can be used as a complementary tool to confirm the diagnosis.

P300 Event-Related Potential Predicts Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients with Vestibular Disorders.

Our aim was to determine the correlation between cognitive impairment and P300 event-related potential (ERP) in older adults with vertigo and imbalance, which further provides a reference for clinical diagnosis and patients' rehabilitation. A total of 79 older adult patients with vertigo and imbalance in our outpatient department from January 2022 to December 2022 were selected and divided into the mild group (n = 20), moderate group (n = 39), and severe group (n = 20) according to the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). The auditory P300 component of event-related potentials (ERPs), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to evaluate depression, anxiety, and cognitive function in these patients, respectively. The P300 latencies of the different severity groups were 292 ± 10 ms, 301 ± 8 ms, and 328 ± 5 ms, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.010). The P300 amplitudes of the different severity groups were 14.4 ± 2.6 μV, 3.9 ± 0.8 μV, and 5.1 ± 1.4 μV, respectively, and the differences were also statistically significant (p = 0.004). There was no statistically significant difference in the DHI evaluation or VAS visual simulation scoring between the two groups (p = 0.625, and 0.878, respectively). Compared with the short-course group, the long-course group showed prolonged P300 latency and decreased amplitude, higher scores in PHQ-9 and GAD-7, and lower scores in MMSE, and all the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.013, 0.021, 0.006, 0.004, and 0.018, respectively). Older patients with more severe symptoms of vertigo and imbalance are at higher risk of developing abnormal cognitive function. The P300 can be used as an objective neurophysiological test for the assessment of cognitive function relevant to elderly patients with vertigo and imbalance.

Impact of Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction on Cognitive Event-Related Potential in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic condition that is responsible for various long-term complications. Cognitive impairment is one of the most common complications, but the underlying mechanisms are still undetermined. The autonomic imbalance is a major cause for CVS morbidity in T2DM which could also potentially affect cognition. But there is sparse data available in the literature to prove the association between autonomic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. We recruited 40 T2DM patients and 40 healthy controls. The assessment of cognitive functions was done by cognitive P300 event-related potential (ERP) and MoCA. Heart rate variability (HRV) was done to assess autonomic function. The P300 ERP latency in Fz, Cz and Pz sites was significantly prolonged in T2DM patients (P < 0.001). We found moderate correlation is present between P300 latency and total power (r = -0.466, P < 0.01) and LFnu (r = -0.423, P < 0.01) in T2DM patients. The total power and HbA1C show independent association with P300 latency after adjustment for confounding factors like age and duration of diabetes (P < 0.05). As the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is rising among T2DM patients increasing their dependency, making necessary lifestyle measures at earliest to improve autonomic balance may prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline and alleviate its consequences and improve the quality of life in T2DM patients.

Early Functional and Cognitive Declines Measured by Auditory-Evoked Cortical Potentials in Mice With Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive loss of memory and cognitive decline. However, the assessment of AD-associated functional and cognitive changes is still a big challenge. Auditory-evoked cortical potential (AECP) is an event-related potential reflecting not only neural activation in the auditory cortex (AC) but also cognitive activity in the brain. In this study, we used the subdermal needle electrodes with the same electrode setting as the auditory brainstem response (ABR) recording and recorded AECP in normal aging CBA/CaJ mice and APP/PS1 AD mice. AECP in mice usually appeared as three positive peaks, i.e., P1, P2, and P3, and three corresponding negative peaks, i.e., N1, N2, and N3. In normal aging CBA mice, the early sensory peaks P1, N1, and P2 were reduced as age increased, whereas the later cognitive peaks N2, P3, and N3 were increased or had no changes with aging. Moreover, the latency of the P1 peak was increased as age increased, although the latencies of later peaks had a significant reduction with aging. In AD mice, peak P1 was significantly reduced in comparison with wild-type (WT) littermates at young ages, proceeding AD phenotype presentation. In particular, the later cognitive peak P3 was diminished after 3 months old, different from the normal aging effect. However, the latencies of AECP peaks in AD mice generally had no significant delay or changes with aging. Finally, consistent with AECP changes, the accumulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) at the AC was visible in AD mice as early as 2 months old. These data suggest that AECP could serve as an early, non-invasive, and objective biomarker for detecting AD and AD-related dementia (ADRD).

VALUE OF P300 AS A SCREENING TOOL OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN EPILEPSY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM INDIA

Objective. Preservation of cognition is essential for good quality life. Epileptic pathological processes and pharmacotherapy are thought to be responsible for the cognitive dysfunction (CDF) in persons with epilepsy (PWE). Regular monitoring of persons on antiepileptic drugs (AED) for CDF is recommended. P300, an attention dependent event related potential (ERP), is known to be abnormal in PWE. The value of P300 in monitoring cognitive functions has not been tested prospectively. Material and methods. PWE not exposed to AED in preceding 6 months were recruited and prescribed one of the three common AEDs i.e. carbamazepine, phenytoin and valproate. Subjective tests of cognition-MoCA, Trail making test, Paragraph memory tests, Stroop test in addition to P300 ERP were administered before initiating AED and repeated after three months on the prescribed AED. The significance of the change in the scores of cognitive tools and P300 latency was ascertained by paired t-test. Outcome. Thirty eight PWE (females 18, mean age mean = 22.89±9.39 yr) qualified the inclusion criterion. The values of P300 latency and deployed subjective tests of cognition at two data collection points were compared with the clinical profile of the patients. Performance of the patients deteriorated on all the cognitive batteries after exposure to AED (mean 107.84±19.2 days). The deterioration was independent of education level, type of AED and seizures. Prolongation of P300 latency from baseline was seen in 30 of 38 patients (78.94%). The sensitivity of P300 for picking cognitive dysfunction was 80.64% taking MoCA scores as a reference. Conclusions. Attention along with several other domains of cognition is affected adversely with AED exposure. The P300 could be useful for monitoring cognitive adverse effects of AED in PWE.

Acupuncture for comorbid mild-moderate depression and chronic musculoskeletal pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDepression and chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) are the leading causes of years lived with disabling diseases worldwide. Moreover, they often commonly coexist, which makes diagnosis and treatment difficult. A safe and effective treatment is urgently needed. Previous studies have shown that acupuncture is a cost-effective treatment for simple depression or CMSP. However, there is limited evidence that acupuncture is effective for depression comorbid with CMSP.MethodsThis is a randomized, sham acupuncture-controlled trial with three arms: real acupuncture (RA), sham acupuncture (SA), and healthy control (HC). Forty-eight depression combined CMSP participants and 12 healthy people will be recruited from GDTCM hospital and randomized 2:2:1 to the RA, SA, and HC groups. The patients will receive RA or SA intervention for 8 weeks, and HC will not receive any intervention. Upon completion of the intervention, there will be a 4-week follow-up. The primary outcome measures will be the severity of depression and pain, which will be assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), respectively. The secondary outcome measures will be cognitive function and quality of life, which will be measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), P300, and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). In addition, the correlation between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and symptoms will also be determined.DiscussionThe aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and underlying mechanism of acupuncture in depression comorbid with CMSP. This study could provide evidence for a convenient and cost-effective means of future prevention and treatment of combined depression and CMSP.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800014754. Preregistered on 2 February 2018. The study is currently recruiting.

Ten-year resistance training background modulates somatosensory P3 cognitive brain resonse in older men: A magnetoencephalograpy study.

The brain electrophysiological component P3, associated with good cognitive abilities, deteriorates during healthy aging. Both cognitive functions and P3 component amplitude respond positively to exercise, but the effects of resistance training on P3 are much less studied. Short-term resistance training interventions in older adults indicate modulation towards larger P3 amplitude, but this association has not been studied with a longitudinal study design. We investigated magnetoencephalographically recorded P3 (P3m) in a unique study design of nine aged men (mean age 77.7 y) with quasi-supervised resistance training background over a 10-year period and eight controls of similar age (mean age 77.5 y) with no training background. We elicited P3m utilizing lower limb electrical stimulation, as the resistance training program was mostly directed to lower limbs. Somatosensory oddball paradigm was performed with the right foot's fourth toe as standard (90%) and hallux as deviant (10%). Participants were asked to respond to deviants with a button press using their left index finger. Topographic maps showed bilateral temporoparietal activation for P3m in both groups. No amplitude differences were found in active P3m regions between groups. However, the groups differed in hemispheric activity of P3m. The exercise group showed stronger activation in the right frontotemporal and parietal sensor-groups compared to the left sensor-groups, and the control group showed stronger activation in right frontotemporal sensor-group compared to left. The control group showed shorter P3m latency in the right temporal sensor-group than the exercise group, but the latencies in other sensor-groups were similar. In aging, the brain utilizes compensatory areas to perform cognitive tasks. Our results suggest modulation in topographic distribution of P3m activity in aging men with long-term resistance training background compared to their controls. This might arise from a difference in age-related compensatory mechanisms in P3m generation.

Event-related potentials accompanying performance of computer mouse pointing task in the long-term dry immersion model of microgravity

Ten healthy volunteers participated in the ground imitation of a microgravity condition. For three weeks they stayed in the water filled tub without bodily support in supine position while isolated by waterproof material (this procedure is known as dry immersion - DI). During this period, they performed computer mouse pointing task and corresponding brain activity was evaluated by means of EEG: movement related and cognitive event-related potentials as well as resting state electroencephalogram were registered). Pointing task was performed before DI and at the time after initial period of adaptation – at the 5th and 17th days of DI. No deterioration of pointing task performance was found. Movement related potentials were not changed as well as cognitive peak P3, and only N1 peak significantly decreased at the 17th day of DI. Occipital alpha EEG also became significantly more pronounced at the 17th day of DI. Dry immersion procedure is thought to reproduce space flight physiological effects quite well, due to the DI specific feature – support withdrawal. Thus, results obtained indicate that support withdrawal also affects brain functioning in a specific way: increased alpha EEG is accompanied by altered visual processing (as indexed by diminished N1). Although these alterations are not sufficient to disrupt well learned mouse pointing task.

Cognitive dysfunction in ulcerative colitis patients in remission and its comparison with patients with irritable bowel syndrome and healthy controls.

There is a paucity of research concerning cognitive impairments in Inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis (IBD-UC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies on cognitive dysfunction in patients with IBD-UC have either been small or have shown conflicting results. This study is conducted to examine the evidence of cognitive dysfunction in IBD-UC patients in remission and compare the evident cognitive deficit with IBS patients and healthy controls. This single-centre cross-sectional observational study enrolled a total of 90 participants, 29 in ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission group, 31 in IBS group and 30 in healthy control group. Assessment of cognition with the help of cognitive function tests mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test and p300 was performed in all participants. A statistically significant number of the participants in IBD-UC in remission group had MMSE and MoCA score below the lower limit of normal, in comparison to the healthy control and IBS groups. The mean peak latency of the p300 wave was statistically significantly increased in people in the IBD-UC group, in comparison to the healthy control and IBS groups. Patients with IBD-UC in remission show impairments in cognitive functioning compared to the IBS and healthy control groups as assessed on cognitive function testing on MMSE, MoCA and mean peak latency of the p300 wave. This impairment in cognitive function isunlikely to be due to premorbid levels of intellectual functioning and is likely to have impact on health-related quality of life.

Odor-Induced Saltiness Enhancement: Insights Into The Brain Chronometry Of Flavor Perception

Flavor perception results from the integration of at least odor and taste. Evidence for such integration is that odors can have taste properties (odor-induced taste). Most brain areas involved in flavor perception are high-level areas; however, primary gustatory and olfactory areas also show activations in response to a combination of odor and taste. While the regions involved in flavor perception are now quite well identified, the network's organization is not yet understood. Using a close to real salty soup model with electroencephalography brain recording, we evaluated whether odor-induced saltiness enhancement would result in differences of amplitude and/or latency in late cognitive P3 peak mostly and/or in P1 early sensory peak. Three target solutions were created from the same base of green-pea soup: i) with a “usual” salt concentration (PPS2), ii) with “reduced” salt (PPS1: −50%), and iii) with reduced salt and a “beef stock” odor (PPS1B). Sensory data showed that the beef odor produced saltiness enhancement in PPS1B in comparison to PPS1. As the main EEG result, the late cognitive P3 peak was delayed by 25 ms in the odor-added solution PPS1B compared to PPS1. The odor alone did not explain this peak amplitude and higher latency in the P3 peak. These results support the classical view that high-level integratory areas process odor–taste interactions with potential top-down effects on primary sensory regions.

Associations between cognitive impairment and P300 mean amplitudes in individuals with bipolar disorder in remission

Cognitive functions are often affected during the euthymic state of bipolar disorder (BD). In this study, we investigated the associations among cognitive complaints, objective cognitive functions, and the mean amplitudes of the P300 event-related potential (ERP) wave in individuals with BD. The study population comprised 33 individuals with BD who were in remission and was conducted at Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan. Cognitive complaints were assessed using the Japanese version of the tool named “cognitive complaints in bipolar disorder rating assessment (COBRA)”, whereas objective cognitive functions were measured by neuropsychological tests. P300 mean amplitudes were investigated during two- and three-stimulus oddball tasks and showed significant correlations with neuropsychological test scores at all electrode locations, confirming that ERPs and objective cognitive tests that assessed attention and memory function tend to coincide; however, neither P300 amplitudes nor neuropsychological test scores were correlated with COBRA scores. ERPs most likely represent the neurophysiological basis for objective rather than subjective cognitive function in euthymic individuals. Thus, our results suggest that objective cognitive function is related more to P300 mean amplitude scores than subjective cognitive function in individuals with BD.

Omega-6/omega-3 ratio and cognition in children with epilepsy

Cognitive impairment is a common consequence of epilepsy in children. This study aimed to assess the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid levels and its impact on cognitive function in children with idiopathic epilepsy. We performed a case-control study in 30 children with idiopathic epilepsy and 20 healthy children. We measured levels of alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6) by means of gas-liquid chromatography. We assessed cognitive function with the Arabic version of the fourth edition of the Stanford-Binet test and the P300 component of event-related potentials. All children had an intelligent quotient greater than 70. Children with epilepsy had lower levels of omega-3 and higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids and an abnormal omega-6/omega-3 ratio compared to non-epileptic children. We found a significant positive correlation of serum omega-3 levels and a significant negative correlation of serum omega-6 levels with cognitive function scores and P300 latency in children with epilepsy. Children with epilepsy have abnormal ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid serum levels, which is associated with impaired cognitive function in these children.

Neurophysiological and behavioral correlates of alertness impairment and compensatory processes in ADHD evidenced by the Attention Network Test.

In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), fMRI studies show asymmetric alterations: widespread hypoactivation in anterior cortical areas and hyperactivation in some posterior regions, and the latter is considered to be related to compensatory processes. In Posner’s attentional networks, an important role is attributed to functional interhemispheric asymmetries. The psychophysiological Attention Network Test (ANT), which measures the efficiency of the alerting, orienting, and executive networks, seems particularly informative for ADHD. Potentials related to ANT stimuli (ANT-RPs) have revealed reduced cognitive potential P3 in ADHD. However, there are no studies associated with asymmetry of ANT-RPs. In the present study, conducted with 20 typically developing boys and 19 boys with ADHD, aged 11–13 years, the efficiency of the three Posner’s networks regarding performance and amplitude asymmetries in ANT-RPs was evaluated according to the arithmetic difference of these parameters between different cue and target presentation conditions. The results were correlated to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) scores. Regarding accuracy and intraindividual variation in reaction time, ADHD subjects showed lower efficiency of executive and alerting network, and this effect was correlated with DSM. Regarding alerting network, ANT-RPs in ADHD did not have the right-side amplitude prevalence in the temporal regions, which was observed in controls. In all ANT conditions, significantly higher asymmetries were observed in ADHD than in controls in the occipital regions 40–200 ms after target onset. Their amplitude in ADHD subjects was inversely proportional to DSM scores of inattentiveness and directly proportional to accuracy and efficiency of the executive network. The results suggest impaired alerting and executive networks in ADHD and compensatory occipital mechanisms.

Omega-6/omega-3 ratio and cognition in children with epilepsy

IntroductionCognitive impairment is a common consequence of epilepsy in children. This study aimed to assess the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid levels and its impact on cognitive function in children with idiopathic epilepsy. Patients and methodsWe performed a case-control study in 30 children with idiopathic epilepsy and 20 healthy children. We measured levels of alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6) by means of gas-liquid chromatography. We assessed cognitive function with the Arabic version of the fourth edition of the Stanford-Binet test and the P300 component of event-related potentials. All children had an intelligent quotient greater than 70. ResultsChildren with epilepsy had lower levels of omega-3 and higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids and an abnormal omega-6/omega-3 ratio compared to non-epileptic children. We found a significant positive correlation of serum omega-3 levels and a significant negative correlation of serum omega-6 levels with cognitive function scores and P300 latency in children with epilepsy. ConclusionChildren with epilepsy have abnormal ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid serum levels, which is associated with impaired cognitive function in these children.

Cognitive responses and cortical oscillatory processing at various stereoscopic depths- asimultaneous EEG/MEG study.

Due to the recent explosion in various forms of 3D content, the evaluation of such content from a neuroscience perspective is quite interesting. However, existing investigations of cortical oscillatory responses in stereoscopic depth perception are quite rare. Therefore, we investigated spatiotemporal and spatio-temporo-spectral features at four different stereoscopic depths within the comfort zone. We adopted a simultaneous EEG/MEG acquisition technique to collect the oscillatory responses of eight participants. We defined subject-specific retinal disparities and designed a single trial-based stereoscopic viewing experimental paradigm. In the group analysis, we observed that, as the depth increased from Level 1 to Level 3, there was a time-locked increase in the N200 component in MEG and the P300 component in EEG in the occipital and parietal areas, respectively. In addition, initial alpha and beta event-related desynchronizations (ERD) were observed at approximately 500 to 1000msec, while theta, alpha, and beta event-related synchronizations (ERS) appeared at approximately 1000 to 2000ms. Interestingly, there was a saturation point in the increase in cognitive responses, including N200, P300, and alpha ERD, even when the depth increased only within the comfort zone. Meanwhile, the magnitude of low beta ERD decreased in the dorsal pathway as depth increased. From these findings, we concluded that cognitive responses are likely to become saturated in the visual comfort zone, while perceptual load may increase with depth.

Post-stroke rehabilitation training with a brain-computer interface: a clinical and neuropsychological study

To evaluate the efficacy of cytoflavin in the treatment of patients with chronic cerebral ischemia and mild cognitive impairment predominantly of vascular origin. Treatment results of 140 patients, aged 60-74, with chronic cerebral ischemia were analyzed. The main group included 77 patients (35 men and 42 women of average age 66.38±4.64 years) who received cytoflavin throughout the observation period: 2 tablets twice a day 30 minutes before meals. The comparison group included 63 patients (26 men and 37 women of average age 67.48±5.22 years) who during the whole period of observation received ethyl methyl hydroxypyridine succinate: 2 tablets (250 mg) twice a day, according to the same scheme as in the main group. Treatment efficacy was assessed by neuropsychological testing and P300 evoked potentials. During treatment, there was an improvement in neurophysiological parameters in both groups, which was more pronounced in patients treated with cytoflavin: their P300 amplitude increased by1.3 times in the left hemisphere (from 9.21 (8.36, 10.11) to 12.41 (10.23, 13.37 μV) and 1,7 times in the right hemisphere (from 6.48 (5.26, 7.35) to 11.04 (9.29, 12.18) μV). Our study confirms the advisability of using drugs that have complex cytoprotective and energy-correcting mechanism in patients with cognitive impairment. Cytoflavin has shown the high efficacy and safety and can be recommended as part of complex therapy for cognitive disorders. Using simple and inexpensive instrumental methods (assessment of cognitive P300 evoked potential) along with diagnostic scales in patients with cognitive impairment can significantly objectify the assessment of treatment dynamics.