Cognitive Test Performance Research Articles

The role of education in health policy reform outcomes: evidence from Japan

This study analyzes the role of education in the outcomes of the reform of the Japanese annual health checkup program. In April 2008, the annual checkup was redesigned to address concerns about metabolic syndrome. As the checkup is mandatory only for salaried workers, their participation rate is significantly higher than other workers; thus, they were most affected by the reform. Using institutional information, a difference-in-differences estimation was conducted with salaried workers as the treatment group and self-employed workers as the control group. We found that the reform caused significant changes in health behaviors and outcomes only among university graduates who were at a relatively high risk of metabolic syndrome. This highly educated group increased their physical activity, brought energy intake close to an ideal level, and achieved significant weight loss and BMI reduction to levels that minimize all-cause mortality among middle-aged Japanese. A secondary analysis implies that the difference in cognitive functioning test scores may be a critical factor in explaining the heterogeneous responses to the reform, suggesting that thoroughly well-articulated recommendations for healthy behaviors are needed in order to improve reform uptake.

Stress-Related Exhaustion, Polygenic Cognitive Potential, and Cognitive Test Performance – A General Population Study

BackgroundWe investigated whether stress-related exhaustion (chronic or short-term, and co-occurring with depression or not) is related to cognitive performance and whether polygenic cognitive potential modifies these associations.MethodsThe participants were from the Young Finns Study (N = 541–1273). Stress-related exhaustion was assessed using the Maastricht Questionnaire, depressive symptoms with the Beck Depression Inventory, and cognitive performance with subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, measuring visuospatial learning, reaction time, sustained attention, and executive function. Cognitive performance and depression were assessed in 2011, and exhaustion in 2001, 2007, and 2011. A polygenic score for cognitive potential was calculated based on a GWAS on intelligence.ResultsHigh stress-related exhaustion, especially chronic, was associated with slower reaction time. Only clinical levels of depression were related to slower reaction time. Polygenic cognitive potential did not modify these associations. There were no differences in cognitive performance between individuals with co-occurring exhaustion and depression vs. those with only either condition.ConclusionStress-related exhaustion, especially if chronic, seems to relate to slower reactions. Co-occurring exhaustion and depression may not have additive effects on cognitive performance. High polygenic cognitive potential may not protect from or predispose to harmful effects of exhaustion or depression on reaction time.

Association between olfactory dysfunction and mood disturbances with objective and subjective cognitive deficits in long-COVID.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with olfactory dysfunction. The persistent symptoms of anosmia or hyposmia were associated in previous studies with the development of memory impairment and mood disturbances. We aimed to investigate the association between the chronicity of reported olfactory dysfunction and subjective and objective cognitive performance in long-COVID patients and to explore whether their emotional symptoms are related to their cognition. One hundred twenty-eight long-COVID participants were recruited. Reported symptomatology, subjective memory complaints, anxiety and depression symptomatology, and trait-anxiety were assessed. Subjective memory complaints and mood disturbances were compared among groups of participants with olfactory dysfunction as an acute (AOD), persistent (POD), or nonexistent (NOD) symptom. Seventy-six of the volunteers also participated in a face-to-face session to assess their objective performance on tests of general cognitive function and verbal declarative memory. Objective cognitive performance and mood disturbances were compared among the AOD, POD, and NOD groups. The subjective memory complaints and the anxiety and depression symptoms were similar among the groups, but the score in general cognitive function was lower in the participants with symptoms of acute olfactory dysfunction than in those with no olfactory symptoms at any time. Participants' memory complaints were positively related to their emotional symptoms. The relationship between depressive symptomatology and memory complaints interacted with the olfactory dysfunction, as it only occurred in the participants without symptoms of olfactory dysfunction. Depressive symptomatology and acute olfactory symptoms were negatively associated with general cognitive function and delayed memory performance. The months elapsed from diagnosis to assessment also predicted delayed memory performance. Anxious symptomatology was negatively associated with the immediate ability to recall verbal information in participants who did not present olfactory dysfunction in the acute phase of the infection. Olfactory dysfunction in the acute phase of the infection by COVID-19 is related to cognitive deficits in objective tests, and mood disturbances are associated with self-reported and objective memory. These findings may contribute to further understanding the neuropsychological and emotional aspects of long-COVID.

Effects of intensive vs. standard blood pressure control on cognitive function: Post-hoc analysis of the STEP randomized controlled trial.

The STEP (Strategy of Blood Pressure Intervention in the older Hypertensive Patients) trial showed that intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) control resulted in a lower incidence of cardiovascular events than standard treatment. This study analyzed the effects of intensive SBP lowering on cognitive function. STEP was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial of hypertensive patients aged 60-80 years. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to SBP goals of 110-130 mmHg (intensive treatment) or 130-150 mmHg (standard treatment). Each individual was asked to complete a cognitive function test (Mini-Mental State Examination; MMSE) at baseline and during follow-up. The primary outcome for this study was the annual change in MMSE score. Subjects with a score less than education-specific cutoff point were categorized as cognitive decline. The analysis enrolled 6,501 participants (3,270 participants in the intensive-treatment and 3,231 participants in the standard-treatment groups). Median follow-up was 3.34 years. There was a minor change in MMSE score, with an annual change of -0.001 [95% confidence interval [CI] -0.020, 0.018] and 0.030 (95% CI 0.011, 0.049) in the intensive- and standard-treatment groups, respectively (p = 0.052). Cognitive decline occurred in 46/3,270 patients (1.4%) in the intensive-treatment group and 42/3,231 (1.3%) in the standard-treatment group (hazard ratio 0.005, 95% CI 0.654, 1.543, p = 0.983). Compared with standard treatment, intensive SBP treatment did not result in a significant change in cognitive function test score. The impact of intensive blood pressure lowering was not evident using this global cognitive function test. ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03015311.

Abstract TMP112: CD133+Exosome Treatment Improves Neuro-cognitive And Cardiac Function After Stroke In Female Adult Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Background: Cardiac complications post-stroke are common, and diabetes exacerbates post-stroke cardiac injury. In this study, we tested whether treatment with exosomes harvested from human umbilical cord blood derived CD133+ cells (CD133+Exo) improve neuro-cognitive and cardiac function in female type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice subjected to ischemic stroke. Methods: Female, adult non-DM and T2DM mice were randomized to: 1) Non-DM (n=6), 2) Non-DM-stroke (n=15), 3) T2DM (n=8), 4) T2DM-stroke (n=12) and 5) T2DM-stroke+Exo (n=13). CD133+Exo (20μg/200μl PBS, i.v.) was administered 3 days after stroke. Evaluation of neurological function (mNSS, adhesive removal test), cognitive function (novel object recognition (NOR) test, odor test) and cardiac function (echocardiography) was performed, and mice were sacrificed at 28 days after stroke. Results: Stroke induces severe neurological deficits and significant short-term and long-term memory deficits which were worse in T2DM mice compared to non-DM mice. CD133+Exo treatment in T2DM-stroke mice significantly improves neurological function and cognitive outcome indicated by improved discrimination index in NOR test and odor test compared to control T2DM-stroke mice. T2DM-stroke induces significant cardiac dysfunction indicated by reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and shortening fraction (LVSF) compared to T2DM-control and non-DM-stroke mice. CD133+Exo treatment significantly improves LVEF, LVSF and heart rate and reduces left ventricular dimension compared to T2DM-stroke mice. T2DM-stroke mice exhibit significantly increased cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis and inflammation compared to T2DM-control and non-DM-stroke mice. Treatment of T2DM-stroke with CD133+Exo significantly reduced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis and inflammation compared to T2DM-stroke mice. T2DM-stroke increases while CD133+Exo treatment reduces expression of serum inflammatory factors such as MMP-2, DKK-1, CRP, VCAM, CXCL5 and Cystatin-C. Conclusions: In T2DM-stroke mice, CD133+Exo treatment significantly improves neurological, cognitive, and cardiac function, and reduces cardiac pathological remodeling compared to T2DM-stroke control mice.

Clinical associations of cognitive dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus

ObjectiveCognitive dysfunction in SLE is common, but clinical risk factors are poorly understood. This study aims to explore the associations of cognitive dysfunction in SLE with disease activity, organ damage,...

Abstract WP238: Glymphatic System Dysfunctions Contributes To The Progression Of Cognitive Decline In A Rat Model Of Alzheimer's Disease

Introduction: The aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-dependent glymphatic system mediates β-amyloid (Aβ) clearance. Using TgF344-AD rats that recapitulate clinical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we examined longitudinal alterations of the AQP4-glymphatic system during the progression of Aβ deposition and cognitive decline. Methods: Male and female TgF344-AD rats (n=34, 18 male and 16 female) and wildtype (WT) littermates (n=30, 15 male and 15 female) rats at the ages of 6, 10, and 20 months (M) were subjected to an array of cognitive function tests. Aβ and AQP4 were measured using immunohistochemistry and the glymphatic system was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Compared to age-matched WT rats, TgF344-AD rats showed progressive cognitive deficits measured by odor recognition, social interaction, and Morris water maze tests starting from 10M and declining through 20M with worse cognitive deficit in female rats. Compared to WT rats, a significant reduction of para-arteriole AQP4 started at 6M (21±7%) and progressed to microvessels (55±12%) in the hippocampus and cortex through 20M, while Aβ deposition nearby reduced AQP4 started at 6M (6±2%) and widely expanded during 10M (31±9%) to 20M (42±7%). Aβ deposition was significantly correlated to cognitive deficit with R 2 of 0.95. During 10M to 20M extravascular albumin deposition was detected. MRI analysis revealed that TgF344-AD rats exhibited significantly decreased glymphatic clearance rate of Gd-DTPA starting at 10M, which was further aggravated at 20M. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that female TgF344-AD rats have worse cognitive deficits and increased loss of AQP4 prior to cognitive deficits, Aβ deposition, and dysfunction of the glymphatic system. These data support that the AQP4-dependent glymphatic system plays an important role in mediating the progression of AD pathologies in the rat.

Cognitive stimulation to improve cognitive functioning in people with dementia

Cognitive stimulation to improve cognitive functioning in people with dementia

Diagnostic value and correlation analysis of deregulated oxy-Hb disorder in cognitive impairment in patients with alcohol dependence.

To explore the expression of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in the brain of patients with alcohol dependence. Further, to evaluate the diagnostic value of oxy-Hb in the cognitive impairment of patients with alcohol dependence. Seventy-one alcohol-dependent adults and 70 healthy adults were recruited in the observation and control groups, respectively. The oxy-Hb level and scores of Wisconsin card sorting test, brief visuospatial memory test-revised, digital sequence test, digital span test, and continuous performance test were recorded and compared between the two groups. Further, the sensitivity and specificity of the oxy-Hb level for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in patients with alcohol dependence were evaluated by drawing an ROC curve. Moreover, the correlation between the oxy-Hb level and cognitive function test scores was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis. During cognitive activities, the oxy-Hb levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (p<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of oxy-Hb was 0.930, and the sensitivity and specificity were 89.1% and 84.0%, respectively. The scores of responses administered, trials to compete first category, perseverative responses, and the perseverative response errors in executive function in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (p<0.001), whereas the correct responses score and categories completed score were lower than those in the control group (p<0.001). Similarly, the memory and attention scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (p<0.001). Moreover, the scores of correct responses, categories completed, brief visuospatial memory test-revised, digital sequence test, digital span test, and continuous performance test were positively correlated with the level of oxy-Hb (p<0.05). However, the scores of responses administered, trials to compete first category, and perseverative response errors were negatively correlated with the oxy-Hb level (p<0.001). The oxy-Hb levels are reduced in patients with alcohol dependence and have high diagnostic accuracy for cognitive impairment in such patients.

Are Older Bilinguals' Better in Metaphor Generation?

Metaphor, as widely known, is a figure of speech where a word or phrase is used to describe an object, action, or event to which it cannot be applied exactly. Metaphors are often used figuratively to enable clarity or emphasize the similarities between the two things in a frame. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between cognitive functions and generating metaphor and their associations in older bilingual and monolingual participants. We conducted the experiment with fifty-six (Bilingual and Monolingual) participants in the age group ranging from 50 to 65years. We administered the novel and conventional metaphor generation task based on vision words in perceptual domain in Telugu. Followed by a battery of cognitive function tests: Flanker task to study the attention, Semantic Fluency task, Corsi task to check working memory, LexTALE to measure the vocabulary, and a language questionnaire. These tasks are used to investigate the association and correlation between the old age bilingual and monolingual in generating vision metaphors. The current study's findings demonstrate that bilinguals have a considerable advantage in cognitive function and their ability to generate novel metaphors are better when compared to monolinguals.

A cognitive function test utilizing eye tracking technology in virtual reality

There is a need for a cognitive function test that is less burdensome to perform cognitive function tests used to date and can detect mild changes in the cognitive function and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We developed a cognitive function examination using a virtual reality device (VR-E). The purpose of this study was to verify its usability. Seventy-seven participants (29 males and 48 females, average age 75.1 years old) were classified according to their Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). To estimate the validity of VR-E in measuring cognitive function, we used the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Japanese version (MoCA-J) scores as benchmarks. The MMSE was performed for all subjects, while the MoCA-J was performed for subjects with an MMSE score ≥20. VR-E scores were highest in the CDR 0 group (0.77±0.15, mean±SD), decreasing for subsequent groups (CDR 0.5: 0.65±0.19, CDR 1-3: 0.22±0.21). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that all three methods were able to distinguish CDR groups. For CDR 0 vs. 0.5, the areas under the curve for MMSE/MoCA-J/VR-E were 0.85/0.80/0.70, respectively, and those for CDR 0.5 vs. 1-3 were 0.89/0.92/0.90, respectively. The time required to complete VR-E was approximately 5 minutes. Of the 77 subjects, 12 were difficult to assess using the VR-E due to poor understanding or eye diseases or Meniere's syndrome. The present findings suggested that the VR-E can be used as a cognitive function test that correlates with existing standard assessments for dementia and MCI.

Association between cognition and olfaction-specific parameters in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have reported significantly cognitive and olfactory dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the relationship between cognitive function and olfaction-specific parameters in patients with CRS. A cross-sectional survey method was used to investigate 98 participants, including 75 patients with CRS and 23 healthy controls. Cognitive function and psychophysical olfactory tests were performed. Olfactory cleft endoscopy scale and olfactory cleft computed tomography (CT) scores were obtained. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in patients with CRS. There are significant differences in age, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, number of MCI, Lund-Mackay olfactory cleft (LM-OC) score, and blood eosinophil count between CRS with and without olfactory dysfunction groups (all P < 0.05). Total MoCA scores were positively correlated with thresholds-discrimination-identification (TDI) score (r = 0.541, P < 0.001), olfactory threshold (OT) (r = 0.440, P < 0.001), olfactory discrimination (OD) (r = 0.541, P < 0.001), and olfactory identification (OI) (r = 0.382, P = 0.001) scores. Furthermore, total MoCA scores were negatively correlated with LM-OC scores (r = - 0.351, P = 0.002). After adjusting for patient demographics, only the OD score was an independent risk factor for MCI among patients with CRS (odds ratio = 0.792; P = 0.039). The OD scores less than 11.5 were the best predictor of MCI in patients with CRS. Olfaction-specific clinical parameters were highly correlated with cognitive function in patients with CRS and the OD score was an independent risk factor for MCI in patients with CRS.

The influence of sleep deprivation on the cognitive processes in medical students during exam session

Along with socio-economic pression increase in developed countries, the progressive shortening of night sleep has been observed. Sleep plays a vital role in human organism regeneration, and its deprivation leads to a series of adverse psychosomatic effects, including intellectual performance limitation or reducing body immunity, which increases susceptibility to diseases. Chronic sleep deprivation, quite often affecting medical students, significantly contributes to hypersomnia and leads to chronic fatigue. The results of 60 students were analysed; students were divided into 2 subgroups, depending on the average sleep duration during previous 2-3 nights: IA (2.3±0.8 h on average) and IB (4.9±0.5 h on average). The control group consisted of 50 students, whose night sleep duration in that period was 7.5±0.62 h. In all subjects under analysis visual and auditory evoked potentials were registered, which is a non-invasive method of cognitive performance tests. The obtained results showed that people with average night sleep duration 2.3±0.8 h (subgroup IA) had worse rate and precision of stimulus response, and thereby significantly worse (p < 0.001) sensorimotor performance, then those from subgroup IB. The study of evoked potentials showed significant (from p < 0.04 to p < 0.001) elongation of all latency p-waves connected with the stimulus perception (N75) and attention span (P100, N135). Moreover, significant elongation of visual latency wave P100 and auditory wave V was related to psychophysical fatigue occurring in sleep deprivation. The analysis of this study results, obtained in medical students showed that sleep deprivation occurring during exam session is closely related to cognitive abilities, which in turn adversely affects the academic achievement. These results indicate that night sleep duration is a differentiating factor for cognitive abilities quality. Also, psychosomatic fatigue adversely affects cognitive processes. Med Pr. 2023;74(1):27-40.

Association of Osteoarthritis and Functional Limitations With Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults in the United States.

Objective: Given overlapping pathophysiology, this study sought to assess the association between osteoarthritis (OA), functional impairment, and cognitive impairment in the aging population. Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used to identify participants >60years of age. We analyzed multivariable associations of grouped participants that underwent cognitive function testing using linear and logistic regression, adjusting for sex, age, race, and ethnicity. Results: Of 2776 identified participants representing a population of 50,242,917, 40% did not report OA or functional limitations; 21% had OA but not functional limitations; 15% did not have OA but had functional limitations; 17% had OA and related functional limitations; and 7% had OA and non-arthritic functional limitations. OA was not independently associated with cognitive impairment. Contrarily, functional limitations were associated with cognitive impairment regardless of OA diagnosis. Discussion: Cognitive impairment is not associated with OA, but rather functional limitations, potentially guiding future intervention.

Spontaneous Echo Contrast in the Left Atrium and Aortic-Arch Atheroma, Detected by Transesophageal Echocardiography, Was Negatively Correlated with Cognitive Function.

The relationship between transesophageal echocardiography findings and cognitive function. This study aimed to establish an association between transesophageal echocardiography findings and cognitive function in stroke survivors. A single-center study was conducted between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2022. All subjects that were included had a past history of ischemic stroke and were admitted after >21 days from onset. The participants underwent cognitive function tests including a Mini-Mental State Examination, Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale, Frontal Assessment Battery, and transesophageal echocardiography. The results of 126 participants were analyzed. The cognitive function of participants with a spontaneous echo contrast (+) in the left atrium including appendage or of those with an aorta-arch plaque with a maximum thickness ≥4 mm significantly worse while neither the patent foramen ovale nor the branch extending plaque influenced cognitive function (The median cognitive scores of the spontaneous echo contrast (-) versus (+) were 26 versus 22, p < 0.01**, 26 versus 21, p < 0.001***, and 14 versus 11, p < 0.01**. Those of the aortic-arch plaque max thickness (<4 mm) versus (≥4 mm) were 26 versus 25, p < 0.05*, 27 versus 24, p < 0.05*, and 15 versus 13, p < 0.05*). Our findings show that spontaneous echo contrast in the left atrium and aortic-arch atheroma detected by transesophageal echocardiography, were negatively associated with cognitive function.

Orbitofrontal Cortex Volumes in Patients Diagnosed with Somatic Symptom Disorder

Aim: Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a psychiatric disorder with unknown etiopathogenesis that is still under investigation. The results of neuroimaging studies on SSD have shown that some brain regions may be associated with it. In this connection, this study aims to explore the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) morphometric changes in patients with SSD to better comprehend the etiopathogenesis.Material and Methods: The study enrolled 20 patients and 20 healthy controls. All study participants were administered a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). The volumes of total brain, OFC, total white matter, and total gray matter were measured by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based method in studied patients. Results: Orbitofrontal cortex volume was significantly smaller in the patient group than in healthy controls (p&amp;lt;0.05). No significant difference between the two groups could be observed in total brain, white matter and gray matter volumes (p&amp;gt;0.05).Conclusions: The OFC was markedly smaller in SSD patients than in healthy controls, suggesting that the OFC may be associated with SSD pathophysiology. Future studies examining the functional features of the OFC using imaging and cognitive function tests will likely shed more light on this issue.

Race and Apolipoprotein E-e4 Allele Status Differences in the Association Between Loneliness and Cognitive Decline.

This study aimed to examine race and apolipoprotein E-e4 allele (APOE-e4) status differences in the longitudinal associations between loneliness and cognitive decline. The study sample is composed of participants ( N = 7696, 64% Black participants and 36% White participants) from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, a population-based cohort study. Mixed-effects regression models were conducted to examine the longitudinal associations between loneliness on global cognitive function and individual tests of cognitive function. Models were also stratified by race and APOE-e4. A greater percentage of Black participants (17%) reported loneliness at baseline visit compared with White participants (12%). Black and White participants who were lonely individuals had a similar rate of decline in global cognitive function at 0.075 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.082 to -0.068) standard deviation unit (SDU) per year for Black participants and at 0.075 (95% CI = -0.086 to -0.063) SDU per year for White participants. Lonely participants with APOE-e4 had a higher rate of global cognitive decline at -0.102 (95% CI = -0.115 to -0.088) SDU per year than for lonely participants without APOE-e4 at -0.052 (95% CI = -0.059 to -0.045) SDU per year. The burden of loneliness and its relation to cognitive decline is higher among participants with APOE-e4 compared with those without APOE-e4. Loneliness is associated with cognitive decline in both Black and White participants.

Cognitive function in older patients and their stress challenge using different anesthesia regimes: a single center observational study

BackgroundWith increasing age older patients are at higher risk for cognitive decline after surgery. Even tailored anesthesia procedures in older patients remain a high risk for postoperative cognitive disorder. Additional stress derived from anxiety and anesthesia itself can negatively impact postoperative cognitive outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of general versus regional anesthesia on postoperative cognitive disorder and indicators of perioperative stress in elderly undergoing surgery.MethodsIn this single center prospective study between December 2014 and November 2015, 46 patients aged 50 to 85 years undergoing dermatology surgery were enrolled. Patients were stratified by receiving general versus regional nerve anesthesia. On three consecutive days, saliva cortisol levels were analyzed three times per day. Cognitive function was assessed on the day before and the day after surgery using comprehensive neuropsychological testing of multiple cognitive functions including memory, executive function, attention and processing speed.ResultsComparing the regional anesthesia group (RAG, n = 28) with the general anesthesia group (GAG, n = 18) no significant difference in the postoperative cognitive function was observed. However, patients in the GAG had significantly higher postoperative cortisol levels when compared to patients in the RAG. In both groups, a peak of cortisol value was detected on the day of surgery, which was higher in the GAG in comparison to the RAG.ConclusionsWe did not observe a difference in postoperative cognitive function between patients undergoing regional or general anesthesia for dermatology surgery. However, we found lower cortisol level in the RAG. Based on these findings, future studies should investigate alternatives to reduce stress in a general anesthesia setting.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02505815.

Relationship between engagement with the impossible task, cognitive testing, and cognitive questionnaires in a population of aging dogs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the engagement of aging dogs with a cognitively challenging and potentially frustrating task (the impossible task). Based on previous observations, we predicted that dogs showing signs of cognitive impairment in other cognitive tests and owner-completed questionnaires would show reduced engagement with the task. In this task, dogs were shown a piece of food in a clear container that they could not open; time spent interacting with the container and the experimenter was measured. While the impossible task has not been used as a measure of frustration, the parameters of the test design creates a potential frustrate state, making this assessment appropriate. Thirty-two dogs enrolled in a longitudinal aging study participated in the study. Owners were asked to complete two cognitive dysfunction screening questionnaires (Canine Dementia Scale [CADES] and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating Scale [CCDR]) as well a questionnaire assessing general frustration. Dogs participated in multiple measures of cognitive function as well the impossible task. Latency to disengage from the impossible task was faster for dogs with higher total (more impaired) CADES (p = 0.02) and total CCDR (p = 0.04) scores. Latency to disengage also correlated with decreased performance in cognitive tests observing social cues (p = 0.01), working memory (p ≤ 0.001), spatial reasoning and reversal learning (p = 0.02), and sustained attention (p = 0.02). The high correlation with several cognitive measures and the ease of administration of this test makes it a useful tool in evaluating canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, however it is unclear if increased frustration or other cognitive processes are contributing to the observed changes.

Relationship between objective cognitive functioning and work performance among Japanese workers.

We aimed to explore the relationship between objective cognitive functioning and work performance among Japanese workers. From February to November 2019, this cross-sectional study enrolled workers aged 18-65 years from 10 companies located in a metropolitan area of Japan. We emailed invitations to participate to employees of companies that had agreed to cooperate with the study. We measured work performance with the question, "How would you rate your performance (compared with your optimum performance) over the past 4 weeks?" Responses were made via a visual analog scale (range: 0-100). Cognitive functioning was assessed using the THINC-integrated tool (THINC-it®). THINC-it® is a brief, objective computerized cognitive assessment battery. Associations between work performance and cognitive functioning tests were examined using logistic regression analysis. In total, 353 individuals provided e-consent to participate, of whom 276 were included in the analysis (after omitting those with missing values). The median work performance was used to divide participants into high- (scoring ≥ 80%) and low- (scoring < 80%) performing groups. The P-values for trends indicated that association between cognitive domains, such as attention, executive functioning and working memory was significant (P < .05). Work performance was significantly associated with cognitive function for the two tests that assess attention, executive functioning, and working memory in general workers. Our results suggest that objective cognitive functioning may be related to work performance. Longitudinal investigations may allow for the establishment of causality.