Color-Word Test Research Articles

Effects of Daily Intake of Almonds on Cardiac Autonomic Functions Measured by Heart Rate Variability in Response to Acute Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objectives Stress is inversely associated with heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of cardiac autonomic function and a predictor of risk of sudden cardiac death. At times of stress, people tend to favor high sugar and fatty foods, often as snacks, with potential adverse effects on cardiometabolic health. Dietary recommendations for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention emphasize fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and nuts. There is evidence that consumption of nuts can reduce LDL cholesterol and blood pressure and help with weight management, however the impact of nuts on HRV in response to stress is unknown. The ATTIS dietary intervention study investigated the HRV response to acute stress following 6-week substitution of almonds for typical snacks high in refined starch, free sugars and saturated fats, and low in fibre. The study population comprised adults aged 30–70 y, who were habitual snack consumers, and at moderate risk of developing CVD. It was hypothesized that snacking on almonds would increase HRV during stress tasks, when HRV is expected to be reduced due to increased sympathetic activity. Methods A 6-week randomized controlled parallel trial was conducted. Participants were randomized to 1) control snacks (mini-muffins formulated to follow the average UK snack nutrient profile), or 2) dry-roasted whole almonds, both providing 20% estimated energy requirement. Supine HRV was measured (Mega Electronics Emotion Faros 180°, 2-leads wearable ECG-HRV monitor) during resting (5 min), physical stress (blood pressure monitor cuff inflation 200 mmHg, 5 min) and mental stress (Stroop colour-word test, 5 min) tasks pre- and post-intervention. A total of 105 participants (73 females and 32 males; mean age 56.2 y, SD 10.4) completed the trial. Results Almonds significantly increased the beat-to-beat HRV parameter, high-frequency power, during the mental stress test (mean difference 124 ms2; 95% CI 11, 237; P = 0.031) relative to control, indicating increased parasympathetic regulation. There were no treatment effects during resting and the physical stress task. Conclusions Snacking on whole almonds as a replacement for typical snacks increases HRV during mental stress, indicating an increased resilience in cardiac autonomic function and a novel mechanism whereby nuts may be cardioprotective. Funding Sources Almond Board of California.

Identifying the cognitive underpinnings of voice-hearing by comparing never, past and current voice-hearers.

The current study aimed to compare specific cognitive profiles corresponding to auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) status and elucidate which pattern of cognitive deficits may predict voice-hearing status. Clinical participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were partitioned into: (i) current voice-hearers (n=46), (ii) past voice-hearers (n=37) and (iii) never voice-hearers (n=40), and compared with 319 non-clinical controls. Cognitive assessment employed the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), supplemented by the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Colour-Word Interference Test (Stroop) as a robust measure of executive function. On the Visual Learning domain, current and past voice-hearers had significantly poorer performance relative to never voice-hearers, who in turn had significantly poorer performance than non-clinical controls. Current and never voice-hearers had significantly poorer performance on the Social Cognition domain relative to non-clinical controls. Current voice-hearers also had significantly poorer performance on the Inhibition domain relative to non-clinical controls. Binary logistic regression revealed that Visual Learning was the only significant cognitive predictor of AVH presence. Visual learning, and potentially inhibition, may be viable therapeutic targets when addressing cognitive mechanisms associated with AVHs. Future research should focus on investigating additional cognitive mechanisms, employing diverse voice-hearing populations and embarking on related longitudinal studies.

Sex differences in the effects of exercise on cognition post-stroke: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

To determine whether there are differences in exercise-associated changes in cognitive func-tion between males and females living with stroke. Secondary analysis of data from a prospective assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Fifty participants (50-80 years, > 1 year post-stroke, able to walk ≥ 5 m). Participants were allocated into a 6-month aerobic exercise programme (14 males, 11 females) or balance and flexibility programme (15 males, 10 females). Working memory (Verbal Digit Span Backwards Test), selective attention and conflict resolution (Stroop Colour-Word Test), and set shifting/cognitive flexibility (Trail-Making Test B) were assessed before and after the programmes. There was a group × time interaction in females (effect size 0.28, p = 0.03), which was not observed in males (effect size 0.01, p = 0.62). Females demonstrated a Stroop Colour-Word Interference test change of -2.3 s, whereas males demonstrated a change of +5.5 s following aerobic exercise. There were no differences between exercise groups in either sex for any of the other outcomes (working memory and set-shifting/cognitive flexibility). Females living with stroke may demonstrate a greater response to exercise on selective attention and conflict resolution compared with males with stroke. These findings suggest that there may be sex-specific effects of exercise on cognitive func-tion in individuals with stroke.

Accelerated magnetic seizure therapy (aMST) for treatment of major depressive disorder: A pilot study

Background: Magnetic Seizure therapy (MST) is an emerging treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) that is associated with fewer cognitive side effects compared to electroconvulsive therapy. The present pilot study sought to investigate whether daily MST treatments were associated to antidepressant effect and assess cognitive side effects associated with an accelerated MST (aMST) treatment schedule. Methods: Fifteen MDD patients underwent a six-day course of MST treatment to the vertex following assessment of symptom severity and neuropsychological testing. The primary outcome was severity on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression 17-item (HRSD-17). Patient also underwent neuropsychological assessment with the RBANS and Stroop Colour-Word test. Results: There were no instances of delirium or disturbance of consciousness following aMST sessions. Patients showed significant decreases on indices of depression and anxiety symptoms, with 9 (60%) patients showing a clinical response and 7 (47%) patients experiencing remission. Significant improvements were reported in RBANS total score, as well as indices of immediate memory and delayed memory. No changes at follow-up were reported for visuospatial/constructional, language, and attention RBANS indices, nor for Stroop Colour/Word performance. Limitations: The results should be interpreted with caution as they are part of a non-randomized, open-label pilot study. Further, the short duration of the study does not provide longitudinal follow-up to determine whether treatment response lasts a meaningful duration of time. Conclusions: aMST well tolerated without significant evidence of cognitive side effects and rapid improvement in symptoms. Further research is required to fully characterize these changes and replicate them in independent samples.

Emotional Stroop Task Recognition by Band-Localize Fractal Dimension Method

This study aims to investigate the association between bipolar dimension emotional model (based on band-localize fractal dimension (BLFD) feature) and Stroop colour-word test (STW). Twelve healthy participants are voluntarily took part in this study. Participants’ emotion during STW test was measured using a wireless electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor. Three STW sessions were introduced in this study based on different stress level induced. Alpha and beta frequency band were extracted from EEG signals using six-level wavelet decomposition. Then, BLFD features was computed based on Higuchi method. Lastly, valence and arousal levels were calculated and mapped to bipolar dimension model in estimating participant emotional states. Results showed that valence level was decreased at beginning of each session and increase towards the end of the session. On the other hand, decreasing trend was observed for arousal level at each session.

Difference of olfactory deficit in patients with acute episode of schizophrenia and major depressive episode

AimOlfactory deficits are potential markers of early diagnosis, monitoring progress and predicting outcome in patients with schizophrenia and depression. We aimed to investigate differences in patterns and influencing factors of olfactory deficits between patients with acute episode of schizophrenia and major depressive episode (MDE). MethodsFifty-two patients with acute episode of schizophrenia, 75 patients with unipolar MDE and 199 healthy controls were included in this retrospective study. Following a structured interview, participants underwent olfactory tests (Sniffin' Sticks), assessment of psychiatric symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale), and cognitive function (color-word test and word generation test). ResultsBoth patients with schizophrenia and MDE exhibited significant olfactory deficits, and MDE patients have poorer olfactory sensitivity than schizophrenia. Patients with MDE had a higher proportion of olfactory deficits (45.3% and 28%, respectively) but a better self-awareness (21.3% and 9.6%, respectively) than patients with schizophrenia. In patients with schizophrenia, PANSS scores was positively associated with olfactory sensitivity but negatively associated with olfactory identification, and olfactory discrimination was associated with word generation. In patients with MDE, olfactory discrimination was associated with word generation and age, but not disease severity. First-episode schizophrenia group showed significantly lower threshold scores than recurrent schizophrenia group, and first-episode MDE group had significantly lower threshold scores and higher discrimination scores than the recurrent MDE group. ConclusionsPatterns and modulating factors of olfactory deficits in acute episode of schizophrenia and MDE are different, their differences should be considered when using olfactory deficits as marker in clinical practice.

Head over heels but I forget why: Disruptive functional connectivity in older adult fallers with mild cognitive impairment

Disrupted functional connectivity has been highlighted as a neural mechanism by which impaired cognitive function and mobility co-exist in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).The objective of this study was to determine the independent and combined effects of MCI and faller status on functional connectivity of three functional networks: default mode network (DMN), fronto-parietal network (FPN) and sensorimotor network (SMN) between 4 groups of older adults: 1) Healthy; 2) MCI without Falls; 3) Fallers without MCI; and 4) Fallers with MCI. MethodsSixty-six adults aged 70–80 years old were included. Cognition was assessed using: 1) cognitive dual task; 2) Stroop Colour-Word Test; 3) Trail Making Tests (TMT); and 4) Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Postural sway was assessed with eyes opened and standing on the floor. Functional connectivity was measured using fMRI while performing a finger-tapping task. ResultsDifferences in DMN-SMN connectivity were found for Fallers with MCI vs Fallers without MCI (p = .001). Fallers with MCI had significantly greater postural sway than the other groups. Both DMN-SMN connectivity (p = .03) and postural sway (p = .001) increased in a significantly linear fashion from Fallers without MCI, to MCI without Falls, to Fallers with MCI. Participants with MCI performed significantly worse on the DSST (p = .003) and TMT (p = .007) than those without MCI. ConclusionAberrant DMN-SMN connectivity may underlie reduced postural stability. Having both impaired cognition and mobility is associated with a greater level of disruptive DMN-SMN connectivity and increased postural sway than singular impairment.

Interaction of BDNF and cytokines in executive dysfunction in patients with chronic schizophrenia

Multiple lines of evidence indicate that patients with chronic schizophrenia (SCZ) display executive dysfunction across the illness course. However, the potential molecular pathophysiologic mechanisms remain poorly elucidated. Neurodevelopmental changes caused by alterations of inflammatory mediators and neurotrophins have been shown to occur in the earliest stages of SCZ, and be associated with executive dysfunction (ED) in SCZ. Therefore, the current study was to investigate whether the interplay between BDNF and inflammatory mediators was involved in the disruption of executive function of long-term hospitalized patients with chronic SCZ. Serum cytokines and BDNF levels were measured in 112 long-term hospitalized patients with chronic SCZ and 44 healthy normal controls. Executive functions were assessed by verbal fluency tests (VFT), the Stroop word-color test (Stroop), and the Wisconsin card sorting tests (WCST).The results showed that the patients had higher IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, but lower TNF-α and BDNF compared to control subjects. In the patient group, BDNF was positively associated with IL-2 and IL-8 levels, while lower BDNF levels were correlated with ED measured by VFT and WCST tests. Multiple stepwise regression analyses confirmed that BDNF × IL-8 and BDNF × TNF-α were factors influencing the total score of VFT, while BDNF × IL-8 and BDNF × TNF-α were recognized as influencing factors for WCST scores. Our results suggest complex interactions between BDNF and cytokines were involved in the pathophysiology of executive function impairments in patients with SCZ.

Dual Tasking Using a Treadmill Desk Affects Middle-Aged but Not Young Adults

PURPOSE: Young adults have the capacity to manage dual task conditions with minimal impairment to either the cognitive or the motor task; however, this ability decreases with age. Previous research on dual tasking has primarily examined over ground walking and minimal information is available on dual tasking on a treadmill. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of dual tasking using a treadmill desk on changes in cognitive performance and gait parameters in young adults (YA) and middle-aged adults (MA). METHODS: YA (n=24; mean age 21.1±1.6 yrs) and MA (n=25; mean age 53.0±5.3 yrs) were recruited to participate in this study. Participants completed five cognitive tests (Stroop Word Color Test, phoneme monitoring, typing test, Sternberg working memory test, and serial 7 subtractions) in a single task (ST) and dual task (DT) condition in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Participants were seated at a desk for ST and walked on a treadmill desk at self-selected speed (mean speed YA=1.5±0.4 mph; MA=1.4±0.5 mph) during DT. An OptoGait system recorded gait parameters of step length, stride length, and coefficient of variation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in gait parameters or test scores in YA when comparing DT and ST conditions (p>0.05). MA performed worse on word recall score (89.7±11.3 vs 96.6±7.5%, p=0.03), typing speed (44.9±11.2 vs 49.9±13.3 wpm, p=0.00), and Sternberg reaction time (1.5±2.0 vs 1.0±1.9 s, p=0.00) during the DT compared to the ST condition. MA stride length decreased during DT in the Sternberg test (37.7±5.9 vs 36.5±5.3 in, p=0.01) and serial 7 subtractions (37.2±5.7 vs 36.5±5.3 in, p=0.00). MA showed detriments in reaction times on the Stroop test (0.8±1.2 vs 0.6±0.9 s, p=0.00) and Sternberg test (1.5±2.0 vs 0.9±1.5 s, p=0.02) and decreased word recall score (89.7±11.3 vs 97.5±7.0%, p=0.04) compared to YA during the DT condition. CONCLUSION: The impairments in gait and cognitive test scores in MA but not YA suggest that the ability to simultaneously process cognitive demands and treadmill walking requirements decreases with age. Using a treadmill desk might affect work-related performance or gait parameters in middle-aged adults.

English

This research is aimed to determine the effects of piano education on the attention skills of 7-12-year-old children. In the research, pretest-posttest control group design is used, and attention skills of both of the groups are measured before and after the experiment. Unlike the control group (n=53), the experimental group (n=46) had private piano education an hour a week for 14 weeks with a tutor, and as a result of the cooperation with the parents, the students practised the piano on their own at home. For collecting data, 4 stage Stroop Colour-Word Test is used. In analysing the data, SPSS 23.0 packaged software and 2x2 mixed ANOVA’s are used. Independent factors are determined as group (piano lesson group and control group) and time (pretest-posttest). Dependent variables are reading black and white (RBW), name the colour of the square patches (NCS), reading the coloured words (RCW) and saying the colours of the coloured words (SCCW). Different ANOVA’s are used for each dependent variable. In the study, in all the applied sections, it was seen that the reading time of the children who have been having piano education has shortened and their attention skills have been improved. Nevertheless, especially in ‘Name the Colour of Square Patches’ and ‘Reading the Coloured Word’ tests results it was seen that, children having piano education have improved their attention skills statistically more than the children who are not having piano education. Children having piano education are considered to be more careful about the aliasing effect and their perception to be improved. Key words: Piano education, attention skills, Stroop colour-word test.

Age, executive functioning, and decision-making styles in adults: a moderated mediation model

ABSTRACT The current study aimed to assess: i) whether executive functioning (EF) mediates the association of age with different decision-making (DM) styles in adults, and ii) whether these mediational associations change with age in adulthood. Our sample included 195 adults (110 young adults and 85 middle-aged adults; 95 males) selected from different government, semi-government, and private sector organizations. They were assessed on a self-report measure of General Decision-making Styles and on two EF tests: the Design Fluency Test and the Color-Word Interference Test from the Delis–Kaplan Executive Functions System. Results indicated that EF mediated the association of age with three decision-making styles including dependent, avoidant, and spontaneous DM. However, a conditional indirect effect of EF was significant only for spontaneous DM, indicating stronger indirect effects for middle-aged adults than for young adults. The findings highlight the idea that EF is an important factor in DM, particularly during middle adulthood.

Progression of Parkinson's disease patients' subtypes based on cortical thinning: 4-year follow-up

BackgroundThree cortical atrophy patterns were previously identified in non-demented Parkinson's disease patients using a data-driven approach based on cortical thickness data: i) parieto-temporal pattern of atrophy with worse cognitive performance (pattern 1), ii) occipital and frontal cortical atrophy with younger disease onset (pattern 2), and iii) non-detectable cortical atrophy (pattern 3). We aimed to investigate the evolution of these three patterns over time. MethodsMagnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological assessment were obtained at baseline and follow-up (3.8 ± 0.4 year apart) in a group of 45 Parkinson's disease patients and 22 healthy controls. FreeSurfer was used for cortical thickness analysis and global atrophy measures. ResultsTemporo-parietal cortical thinning occurred in pattern 2, 3 and controls groups, and patients showed decline in processing speed (as measured by the Stroop Word-Color test, the Symbol Digits Modalities test and the Trail Making Test Part B) and in semantic fluency (animals). Pattern 3 patients showed more progressive cortical thinning in the left prefrontal cortex than controls and more right occipital thinning than pattern 2 patients over time. Pattern 1 patients had greater compromise in activities of the daily living and suffered higher attrition rate. ConclusionThe Parkinson's disease phenotypes identified using cluster analysis of cortical thickness data showed different progression over time. The presence of prefrontal thinning and younger disease onset at baseline was associated to less cortical degeneration, while non-atrophic patients progressed showing a temporo-parietal cortical thinning.

Cardiovascular reactivity and oxidative stress in young and older adults: the African-PREDICT and SABPA studies

Background: Oxidative stress and increased cardiovascular reactivity are associated with endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease development. These factors along with early vascular compromise are more pronounced in black populations. We aimed to compare cardiovascular reactivity and investigate associations thereof with oxidative stress in two bi-ethnic cohorts (younger: 25.0 ± 3.19yrs; older: 44.7 ± 9.61yrs).Methods: Cardiovascular reactivity using the color-word conflict test was measured with the Finometer device. Oxidative stress markers included superoxide dismutase (SOD), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).Results: Black groups displayed greater cardiovascular responses to stress than white groups. In younger white participants, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (β = 0.31; p = 0.001) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (β = 0.28; p = 0.002) associated with ROS. In older black participants, DBP (β = 0.23; p = 0.009), MAP (β = 0.18; p = 0.033), stroke volume (β = −0.20; p = 0.023) and arterial compliance (β = −0.25; p = 0.005) associated with γ-GT. In older white participants, systolic blood pressure (β = −0.20; p = 0.006) and MAP (β = −0.19; p = 0.009) associated with SOD.Conclusions: In the older black group, cardiovascular reactivity associated with markers of glutathione metabolism, suggesting a possible compensatory up-regulation thereof in order to correct their heightened responses to stress. Independent of age, findings in the white groups support a regulatory role of ROS to maintain vascular tone during stress.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03292094.

Inhibition, shifting and updating in relation to psychometric intelligence across ability groups in the psychiatric population.

BackgroundAssessment of intelligence and executive function (EF) is common in complex neuropsychiatric practice. Although previous studies have shown that EF and intelligence are related, it is unknown whether these constructs relate to one another in a similar manner across different ability groups (mild intellectual disability, borderline intellectual disability and normal/high intelligence). This study therefore examines the relation between three EFs (inhibition, shifting and updating) and intelligence in a heterogeneous psychiatric sample. It is hypothesised that the strength of the relation between intelligence and the three EFs decreases when the level of intelligence increases, in accordance with Spearman's Law of Diminishing Returns.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional, between and within subject design, one of the three intelligence tests (Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – third and fourth editions) and several EF tests (Stroop Colour–Word Test, Trail Making Test and Spatial Working Memory task) were administered to 250 neuropsychiatric inpatients and outpatients (Mage = 39.8, standard deviation = 14.3, 52.8% male). Based upon their full‐scale IQ score, patients were divided into three ability groups (mild intellectual disability, borderline intellectual disability or normal/high intelligence). The relation between EF and intelligence was assessed through analyses of the correlation pattern; groups were compared using analysis of covariance.ResultsAnalyses showed significant correlations between the constructs of EF and intelligence. A significant interaction effect was found for shifting, with highest correlations in the normal to high intelligence group, but not for inhibition and updating.ConclusionsResults support a specific role for shifting in this EF–intelligence relation. The correlational pattern of updating and intelligence, as well as the differential relation of shifting and intelligence across ability groups, suggests that EF tasks may not measure distinct EFs in lower intellectual ability but rely on cognitive primitives such as processing speed. EF tasks can be considered less valid indicators of EF ability. Implications in terms of the need for development of specific tasks to measure cognition in low intellectual ability are discussed.

Effect of a simulated tactical occupation task on physiological strain index, stress and inflammation

Background. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological strain index (PSI) along with specific immune system markers in response to a simulated firefighting occupation workload. Methods. Ten healthy male adults completed a 6-min simulated fire stair climb (SFSC) at 60 steps/min. The protocol consisted of four conditions, some including wearing a 34.04-kg vest to simulate personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or inclusion of a color-word interference test (CWIT) as a distracting mechanism. The PSI was evaluated by continuously monitoring the heart rate and core temperature. Salivary cortisol (CORT) was measured at baseline, mid SFSC and post SFSC. C-reactive protein (CRP) was evaluated at baseline and 1 h post SFSC. Results. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a significantly different PSI across conditions (p = 0.001). A significantly elevated PSI was exhibited during all 6 min of SFSC for both PPE and PPE + CWIT conditions. Neither CORT (p = 0.116) nor CRP (p = 0.700) was significantly different across conditions or from baseline. Conclusion. These findings suggest that firefighters are potentially at a substantial degree of physiological stress from exercise and the weight of gear alone. Further work should be conducted to further evaluate the usefulness of the PSI as a means to monitor firefighters during fire suppression.

10-YEAR STABLE BLOOD PRESSURE AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Hypertension is a highly prevalent cardiovascular risk factor. Although it is well known that hypertension has an impact on brain structure and function, the direct association with cognitive performance remains controversial. Recent findings suggest that variability of monthly or yearly blood pressure measurements predict the risk of stroke, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and cognitive functioning. Long-term hypertension (for several years) is not well examined. Thus, we investigated the association of 10-year-stable blood pressure and cognitive function. We included 832 participants from the third examination of the population-based, longitudinal Heinz Nixdorf Recall study (T0: 2000-2003, n=4814; T1: 2006-2008, n=4175; T2: 2011-2015, n=3087) who had stable hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90mmHg, or intake of antihypertensive medication, age: 70.8±7.1 years) and 335 participants with normal/prehypertensive (<140mmHg or <90mmHg, age: 65.3±6.6 years) blood pressure at every examination (10 years). Cognitive function was measured at T2 with a neuropsychological assessment consisting of eight tests (immediate and delayed verbal recall, Labyrinthtest, verbal fluency test, Clock-drawing test, Trail Making Test A/B, Color-word test). Participants with dementia diagnosis and/or history of stroke were excluded. Multivariate analyses of (co)variance (MAN(C)OVA) were used to investigate the association of blood pressure category over ten years and cognitive function with the following covariates: age, education, gender, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c. Analyses revealed a main effect of blood pressure category (unadjusted: F(8, 1158)=14.40, p<.001; fully adjusted: F(8, 1127)=2.60, p=.008). In the unadjusted model, participants with stable hypertension showed worse performance in all cognitive subtests (except for the Clock-drawing test) in comparison to normotensive participants (for mean, standard deviation and parameter estimates see table 1). In the fully adjusted model, the results attenuated partially: Participants with hypertension showed lower performance in the immediate verbal recall, the Labyrinthtest and the Trail Making Test A (see table 1). Increased stable blood pressure was associated with performance in memory, speed of processing and executive functioning. These results are consistent with previous studies suggesting that stable blood pressure may have a severe impact on cognitive functioning in older adults.

The association of duration and severity of disease with executive function: Differences between drug-naïve patients with bipolar and unipolar depression

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to investigate the differences in executive function and the relationship with clinical factors between drug-naïve patients with bipolar depression (BDD) and unipolar depression (UPD). MethodsDrug-naïve patients with BDD, UPD and healthy controls (HC) were recruited (30 cases in each group). All patients were assessed with Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-17 (HAM-D), and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Executive function was evaluated by Stroop color-word test (CWT) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). ResultsIn the BDD group, only the CWT number of missing was higher than HCs (P = 0.047). In the UDP group, CWT number of correct was lower, CWT number of missing was higher, and the WCST indices were worse than the HC group (P < 0.05). The WCST percentage of errors (PE) and percentage of conceptual level responses (PCLR) in the UPD group were worse than the BDD group (P < 0.05). In the BDD group, no correlations between CWT and WCST indices and clinical features were detected after correcting for multiple comparisons (P > 0.05). In the UDP group, the WCST PE, PCLR, number of categories completed (CC), and the percentage of perseverative responses (PPR) were correlated to the number of mood episodes (P < 0.01). LimitationThis was a small-sample cross-sectional study. The possibility of UPD transforming to bipolar disorder (BD) in future could not be ruled out. ConclusionOur results suggested only small differences in executive function between drug-naïve patients with BDD and UPD, but in this sample only the UPD group showed differences with HCs. The executive function of drug-naïve BDD patients may be associated with duration of current depressive episode, while for UDP patients executive function indices were significantly correlated with number of mood episodes.

Effect of a novel workstation device on promoting non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT).

Strategies to increase non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) through promotion of movement and energy expenditure at desk stations are needed to help overcome ill effects of prolonged sitting. Examine the metabolic rate during three stages of a workstation: sitting, standing, and use of a device (HOVR®) that promotes leg movement while seated. Participants (n = 16; mean ±standard deviation: age 26.1±6.0 years; BMI 24.7±4.3 kg/m2) were tested for VO2 and VCO2 for 15 min at each stage in this order: sitting only, sitting using the HOVR, and standing. Participants performed the same desk work to keep fine-motor activity consistent for the stages. Data collected during the final 5 min of a stage were averaged and analyzed as steady-state data. To evaluate the effect of each stage on cognitive function, the Stroop word-color test was administered after metabolic assessment as the stage continued. One-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to compare stages for VO2 (L/min), metabolic equivalents (METs), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and heart rate (p < 0.05). The ANOVA revealed significant differences between the mean values for each stage for each dependent variable (p < 0.05). Post hoc tests indicated VO2 differed for each stage (mean±SD in mL/kg/min: sitting, 4.13±0.56; sitting with HOVR, 4.82±0.74; standing, 4.50±0.53; p < 0.05). METs followed a similar pattern (sitting, 1.19±0.16; sitting with HOVR, 1.39±0.20; standing, 1.29±0.16; p < 0.05). An increase in Stroop Test scores was found as the stages progressed (p < 0.05). Modest movement while seated, i.e., use of HOVR, elevated metabolic rate by 17.6% compared to sitting and by 7% compared to standing and might be a reasonable strategy to help elevate NEAT during the workday.

The relationship between salivary C-reactive protein and cognitive function in children aged 11–14 years: Does psychopathology have a moderating effect?

Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), a non-specific biomarker of systemic bodily inflammation, has been associated with more pronounced cognitive impairments in adults with psychiatric disorders, particularly in the domains of memory and executive function. Whether this association is present in early life (i.e., the time at which the cognitive impairments that characterise these disorders become evident), and is specific to those with emerging psychiatric disorders, has yet to be investigated. To this end, we examined the association between salivary CRP and cognitive function in children aged 11–14years and explored the moderating effect of psychopathology. The study utilised data from an established longitudinal investigation of children recruited from the community (N=107) that had purposively over-sampled individuals experiencing psychopathology (determined using questionnaires). CRP was measured in saliva samples and participants completed assessments of cognition (memory and executive function) and psychopathology (internalising and externalising symptoms and psychotic-like experiences). Linear regression models indicated that higher salivary CRP was associated with poorer letter fluency (β=−0.24, p=0.006) and scores on the inhibition (β=−0.28, p=0.004) and inhibition/switching (β=−0.36, p<0.001) subtests of the colour-word interference test, but not with performance on any of the memory tasks (working, visual, and verbal memory tasks). Results were largely unchanged after adjustment for psychopathology and no significant interactions between CRP and psychopathology were observed on any cognitive measure. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that elevated salivary CRP is associated with poorer cognitive function in early life, but that this association is not moderated by concurrent psychopathology. These findings have implications for early intervention strategies that attempt to ameliorate cognitive deficits associated with emerging psychiatric disorders. Further research is needed to determine whether salivary CRP levels can be used as a valid marker of peripheral inflammation among healthy adolescents.

Competency to Sort Information and Selectively React To This Information as a Function of Cognitive Style

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the competency of the individual to sort information from his or her environment and selectively react to this information is influenced by such important variables as cognitive style. For the investigation Purposive randomized sampling technique will be employed to select the adults. Effective sample will be consist of 240 adult, in which 120 adults will be male, and another 120 adults will be female, male adults and female adults will equally classify in urban and rural, again both group from male adults (urban and rural) and female adults (urban and rural) will equally classify in high level of cognitive style and low level of cognitive style. To determine Pattern of cognitive style, Cognitive Style inventory (CSI) developed by Dr. Praveen Kumar Jha, will be used, and To determine competency of the individual to separate the word and colour naming stimuli Stroop Colour and Word test standardized by Charles J. Golden will be use. For the each subject, initially data of each group will be separately scrutinized by employing descriptive statistics i.e. mean and S.D. The statistical analysis will be mainly consisted of inferential statistics i.e. Two Way ANOVA with the help of SPSS. Outcome of result shows that the Competency to sort information and selectively react to this information as a Function of cognitive style.