Delayed Recall Memory Research Articles

Experimental Effects of Acute Moderate-Intensity Exercise on Prioritized Memory

Emerging research demonstrates that acute exercise can improve neutral-based and emotional memory function. The present study extends this emerging line of inquiry by examining the effects of acute exercise on non-emotional prioritized information. A parallel-group, randomized controlled experiment was conducted. The experimental group exercised for 15 minutes, while the control group engaged in a seated, time-matched task. Afterward, participants completed a prioritized memory task, involving an immediate and delayed memory recall. There were no significant main effects for time (F=2.10, p = 0.15, ƞ2p=0.05), main effect for group (F=0.46, p = 0.50, ƞ2p=0.01), time by group interaction (F=0.64, p = 0.42, ƞ2p=0.01), content by group interaction (F=2.07, p = 0.15, ƞ2p=0.05), time by content interaction (F=0.43, p = 0.43, ƞ2p=0.02), or time by content by group interaction (F=0.28, p = 0.59, ƞ2p=0.01). However, there was a main effect for content (F=4.48, p = 0.04, ƞ2p=0.11). That is, collapsed across both the experimental and control conditions, as well as collapsed across immediate and delayed recall, the percent (SD) of content recalled for the highlighted and non-highlighted text, respectively, was 76.7 (15.7) and 69.4 (23.2) (p = 0.04). Our experimental findings demonstrate evidence of a prioritized memory effect. We, however, did not demonstrate any evidence of acute moderate-intensity exercise modulating prioritized memory.

Severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis is associated with robust reductions in homotopic functional connectivity.

Severe (>70% narrowing) asymptomatic carotid stenosis (SACS) is associated with cognitive impairment and future strokes, and connectivity basis for the remote brain consequences is poorly understood. Here we explored homotopic connectivity and parenchymal lesions measured by multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in patients with SACS. Twenty-four patients with SACS (19 males/5 females; 64.25±7.18 years), 24 comorbidities-matched controls (19 males/5 females; 67.16±6.10 years), and an independent sample of elderly healthy controls (39 females/45 males; 57.92±4.94 years) were included. Homotopic functional connectivity (FC) of resting-state functional MRI and structural connectivity (SC) of deterministic tractography were assessed. Arterial spin labeling based cerebral perfusion, susceptibility weighted imaging based microhemorrhagic lesions, and T2-weighted white matter hyperintensities were also quantified. Significant and robust homotopic reductions (validated by the independent dataset and support vector machine-based machine learning) were identified in the Perisylvian fissure in patients with SACS (false discovery rate corrected, voxel p<0.05). These involved regions span across several large-scale brain systems, which include the somatomotor, salience, dorsal attention, and orbitofrontal-limbic networks. This significantly reduced homotopic FC can be partially explained by the corrected white matter hyperintensity size. Further association analyses suggest that the decreased homotopic FC in these brain regions is most closely associated with delayed memory recall, sensorimotor processing, and other simple cognitive functions. Together, these results suggest that SACS predominately affects the lower-order brain systems, while higher-order systems, especially the topographies of default mode network, are least impacted initially, but may serve as a hallmark precursor to vascular dementia. Thus, assessment of homotopic FC may provide a means of noninvasively tracking the progression of downstream brain damage following asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

The structural MRI markers and cognitive decline in prodromal Alzheimer's disease: a 2-year longitudinal study.

Being clinically diagnosed with a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is widely studied. Yet, the clinical and structural neuroimaging characteristics for prodromal AD, which are defined as A+T+MCI based on the AT (N) system are still highly desirable. This study evaluates the differences of the cognitive assessments and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between the early MCI (EMCI) and late MCI (LMCI) participants based on the AT (N) system. The potential clinical value of the structural MRI as a predictor of cognitive decline during follow-up in prodromal AD is further investigated. A total of 406 MCI participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database were chosen and dichotomized into EMCI and LMCI groups according to the Second Edition (Logical Memory II) Wechsler Memory Scale. Multiple markers' data was collected, including age, sex, years of education, ApoE4 status, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, standardized uptake values ratios (SUVR) means of florbetapir-PET-AV45, cognitive measures, and structural MRI. We chose 197 A+T+MCI participants (prodromal AD) with positive biomarkers of Aβ plaques (labeled "A") and fibrillar tau (labeled "T"). We diagnosed Aβ plaques positive by the SUVR means of florbetapir-PET-AV45 (cut-off >1.1) and fibrillar tau positive by CSF phosphorylated-tau at threonine 181 (p-tau) (cut-off >23 pg/mL). The differences of cognitive assessments and regions of interest (ROIs) defined on the MRI template between EMCI and LMCI were compared. Furthermore, the potential clinical utility of the MRI as the predictor of cognitive decline in prodromal AD was evaluated by investigating the relationship between baseline MRI markers and cognition decline at the follow-up period, through a linear regression model. The LMCI participants had a significantly more amyloid burden and CSF levels of total t-tau than the EMCI participants. The LMCI participants scored a lower result than the EMCI group in the global cognition scales and subscales which included tests for memory, delayed recall memory, executive function, language, attention and visuospatial skills. The cognition levels declined faster in the LMCI participants during the 12- and 24-month follow-up. There were significant differences in ROIs on the structural MRI between the two groups, including a bilateral entorhinal, a bilateral hippocampus, a bilateral amygdala, a bilateral lateral ventricle and cingulate, a corpus callosum, and a left temporal. The thickness average of the left entorhinal, the left middle temporal, the left superior temporal, and the right isthmus cingulate was a main contributor to the decreased global cognition levels. The thickness average of the left superior temporal and bilateral entorhinal played a key role in the memory domain decline. The thickness average of the left middle temporal, and the right isthmus cingulate was significantly associated with an executive function decline. Based on the AT (N) system, surely, both the EMCI and LMCI diagnoses presented significant differences in multiple cognition domains. Signature ROIs from the structural MRI tests had correlated a cognitive decline, and could act as one potential predictive marker.

A Population-Based Analysis of the Relationship Between Substance Use and Adolescent Cognitive Development.

Alcohol and cannabis misuse are related to impaired cognition. When inferring causality, four nonexclusive theoretical models can account for this association: 1) a common underlying vulnerability model; 2) a neuroplasticity model in which impairment is concurrent with changes in substance use but temporary because of neuroplastic brain processes that restore function; 3) a neurotoxicity model of long-term impairment consequential to substance use; and 4) a developmental sensitivity hypothesis of age-specific effects. Using a developmentally sensitive design, the authors investigated relationships between year-to-year changes in substance use and cognitive development. A population-based sample of 3,826 seventh-grade students from 31 schools consisting of 5% of all students entering high school in 2012 and 2013 in the Greater Montreal region were assessed annually for 4 years on alcohol and cannabis use, recall memory, perceptual reasoning, inhibition, and working memory, using school-based computerized assessments. Multilevel regression models, performed separately for each substance, were used to simultaneously test vulnerability (between-subject) and concurrent and lagged within-subject effects on each cognitive domain. Common vulnerability effects were detected for cannabis and alcohol on all domains. Cannabis use, but not alcohol consumption, showed lagged (neurotoxic) effects on inhibitory control and working memory and concurrent effects on delayed memory recall and perceptual reasoning (with some evidence of developmental sensitivity). Cannabis effects were independent of any alcohol effects. Beyond the role of cognition in vulnerability to substance use, the concurrent and lasting effects of adolescent cannabis use can be observed on important cognitive functions and appear to be more pronounced than those observed for alcohol.

Association of adiponectin with cognitive function precedes overt diabetes in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health: ELSA

BackgroundAdiponectin is an insulin-sensitizer adipocytokine endowed with neuroprotective actions. Whether adiponectin regulates neuronal functioning toward delaying cognitive decline independently of the glucose metabolism disturbance has been poorly explored. This study evaluated if the performance in cognitive tests was associated with adiponectin levels prior the development of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged individuals.MethodsA sample of 938 non-diabetic participants of ELSA had their cognitive function assessed by the CERAD delayed word recall test, the verbal fluency test and the trail making test. Stepwise multiple linear regression using forward selection had the response to cognitive tests as the dependent variable and adiponectin as the independent variable of main interest, adjusted for glucose tolerance status and confounders.ResultsMean age was 45.7 ± 4.9 years, 54.5% were women, 43.0% had high education level, 59.3% weight excess and 70.0% prediabetes. In crude model, only the delayed recall memory was associated with adiponectin levels. In an initial regression model, delayed recall memory remained independently associated with adiponectin levels and prediabetes. After complete adjustments, adiponectin but not prediabetes maintained independently associated with delayed recall memory (β 0.067; 95% CI 0.006–0.234; p = 0.040). On the other hand, learning memory showed to be associated with prediabetes (β 0.71 95% CI 0.17; 1.24; p = 0.009) but not with adiponectin.ConclusionsThe association of memory with adiponectin in middle-aged individuals, prior overt diabetes, suggests that this adipocytokine could anticipate cognitive impairmentρ detection, when preventive strategies could be more effectively implemented. The usefulness of adiponectin to identify increased risk for cognitive dysfunction before advanced age needs to be prospectively investigated in ELSA cohort.

Memory Performance in Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Using MoCA-Ina in Hasan Sadikin Genneral Hospital Bandung

Background: The involvement of neuropsychiatry is reported in 6% to 91% of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients. It can cause fatal morbidity and mortality. Memory impairment is one of the most common symptoms of neuropsychiatry involvement. This study aims to find out the performance of memory test in SLE patients using Indonesian version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-Ina).Method: This cross sectional study recruited 30 SLE patients. Cognitive abilities and patient’s memory were examined using Indonesian version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-Ina). Cognitive impairment was determined when total MoCA-Ina score was below 26. For memory evaluation, immediate recall or delayed recall impairment was determined when the patient failed in each memory subtests.Results: The mean of total MoCA-Ina score was 24.97 (SD±3.14). Fifty percent of the SLE patients had cognitive impairment, with the domain involved being delayed recall (86.67%), attention (60%), language (56.67%), abstraction (53.33%), and visuo-spatial/ executive function (36.67%). Most patients (86.67%) could completely repeat immediate recall. Whileonly 4 (13.33%) subjects could repeat delayed recall completely without any clue. Of the 26 SLE patients who failed to recall completely, 24 (92.3%) of them succeeded to recall completely after getting clue(s).Conclusion: Memory impairment is the most frequent cognitive impairment in SLE patients, especially in delayed recall. By using the memory subtests of MoCAIna, more than four fifth of patients with SLE was detected having delayed recall memory impairment and almost all of them could recalled completely after getting clue(s). This findings indicated that the finalstep of memory process retrieval in SLE was interrupted while being encoded, but retention pathway were stillintact.Keywords: Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Memory, MoCA-Ina

Effect of depressive symptoms on the evolution of neuropsychological functions over the course of adolescence

IntroductionComprehensive understanding of the association between depression and neuropsychological functioning over the course of adolescence requires developmentally sensitive assessment through longitudinal data. The aim of current study is to examine the concurrent and subsequent effects of depressive symptoms on the initial level and evolution of four neuropsychological functioning domains (i.e., spatial working memory, delayed recall memory, perceptual reasoning, and inhibitory control). MethodDepressive symptoms and neuropsychological functioning were assessed over the course of four years in a sample of 3826 Canadian adolescents. A series of multilevel models estimated the between-person, within-person, and lagged within-person effects of depressive symptoms on each domain of neuropsychological functioning. ResultsFindings suggest that current year and past year depressive symptoms were associated with poorer performance in delayed recall memory and perceptual reasoning tasks. Likewise, past year depressive symptoms were associated with poorer spatial working memory performance. These detrimental effects were stronger in early adolescence. LimitationsThe current study examined the presence of sub-clinical depressive symptoms but not clinical depression. Moreover, although depressive symptoms and neuropsychological functions were assessed using widely used, valid, and reliable computer-based instruments, the results may not match the accuracy of clinician-based assessments. ConclusionsOur results underline the necessity of early intervention for young adolescents to decrease the harms associated with depression. The effect of early-onset depression on the underlying neural substrates of neuropsychological functioning merits further investigation.

Memory loss and decreased executive function are associated with limited functional capacity in patients with heart failure compared to patients with other medical conditions

BackgroundThere is limited evidence on the degree of cognitive impairment and its association with physical functional capacity among patients with heart failure (HF) in Korea. ObjectivesIn this study, we compared cognitive impairment between patients with HF and community-dwelling participants with non-HF medical conditions (medical participants) and its association with physical functional capacity. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional comparative study and assessed the neuropsychological cognitive status (Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery) and physical functional capacity (Duke Activity Status Index) of patients with HF and medical participants using face-to-face interviews. ResultsOne hundred and eighteen patients with HF (age, 65.45 ± 9.38 years; men, 57.6%; left ventricular ejection fraction, 34.93 ± 8.72%) and 83 medical participants (age, 66.02 ± 8.28 years; men, 47.0%) were included. Using seventh-percentile medical participant Z-scores as cutoffs, memory and executive function were worse in patients with HF than in medical participants: immediate (35.0% vs. 6.0%) and delayed recall memory (34.5% vs. 8.4%), and executive function (28.6% vs. 6.0%). Independent of age, sex, education, comorbidity, and HF status, executive function was a significant predictor of physical functional capacity (b = 1.82, p = .021). ConclusionsMore patients with HF had impaired memory and executive function, which were associated with their physical functional capacities.

Evaluation of Cognitive Function Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with procedural-related neurological events and acute cognitive decline. However, data on the effect of TAVR on mid-term cognitive outcome are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to assess the impact of TAVR on mid-term cognitive outcome using different neurocognitive test batteries. Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis scheduled for TAVR were enrolled. Cognitive assessment was performed at baseline and 4 months post-TAVR using an eight-word verbal-learning test ("Immediate Recall Memory Test" [IRMT], "Delayed Recall Memory Test" [DRMT], "Recognition of Verbal Information Test" [RVIT]), global cognitive function ("Mini Mental State Examination" [MMSE]), and executive function ("Trail Making Test" [TMT], "Clock-Drawing Test" [CDT]). A total of 30 patients (age: 81±6years, logistic EuroSCORE: 19±10%) completed the follow-up cognitive assessments. Postoperatively, 17% (n=5) developed delirium, 13% (n=4) received permanent pacemaker, and there were no cerebrovascular events. Mean hospital duration time was 5±2 days. Patients (n=22) who did not complete the follow-up cognitive assessments had comparable baseline, procedural and hospital outcome. At follow-up there was a significant improvement in IRMT (27±5 vs. 30±4, p=0.016), with a trend toward improved DRMT (4±2 vs. 5±2, p=0.079). Moreover, patients with lower baseline MMSE and IRMT improved significantly during the follow-up. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement was associated with an improved IRMT during follow-up. Both MMSE and IRMT were significantly improved among those with lower baseline scores.

Associations between immunological function and memory recall in healthy adults

Studies in clinical and aging populations support associations between immunological function, cognition and mood, although these are not always in line with animal models. Moreover, very little is known about the relationship between immunological measures and cognition in healthy young adults. The present study tested associations between the state of immune system and memory recall in a group of relatively healthy adults. Immediate and delayed memory recall was assessed in 30 participants using the computerised cognitive battery. CD4, CD8 and CD69 subpopulations of lymphocytes, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cortisol were assessed with blood assays. Correlation analysis showed significant negative relationships between CD4 and the short and long delay memory measures. IL-6 showed a significant positive correlation with long-delay recall. Generalized linear models found associations between differences in all recall challenges and CD4. A multivariate generalized linear model including CD4 and IL-6 exhibited a stronger association. Results highlight the interactions between CD4 and IL-6 in relation to memory function. Further study is necessary to determine the underlying mechanisms of the associations between the state of immune system and cognitive performance.

The association of delayed recall memory and hippocampal size is modulated by APOE ε4 status

The association of delayed recall memory and hippocampal size is modulated by APOE ε4 status

The Neighborhood Built Environment and Cognitive Function of Older Persons: Results from the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study

Background: We investigated the association of subjective (perceived) and objective (geographical information system [GIS]-based) measures of the neighborhood built environment (BE) attributes with cognitive function among older persons, and the mediating effect of transportation physical activity (TPA) and leisure time (physical, social and productive) activities (LTA). Method: A cross-sectional study of 402 residents aged 55 years and above in the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study. Perceived neighborhood BE attributes (residential density, street connectivity, land use mix - diversity, land use mix - access, infrastructure for walking or cycling, aesthetics, traffic safety, and crime safety) and objective GIS measures of walkability and accessibility were related to participants' cognitive global and domain-specific performance measured by Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neurocognitive Status (RBANS). Results: Controlling for age, sex, education, race, chronic medical illnesses, self-rated health, Geriatric Depression Scale depression score, POMA measures of balance and gait, and other BE attributes, the subjective measure of land use mix-diversity (standardized coefficient β = 0.161, p = 0.008) and GIS measure of walkability (β = 0.163, p = 0.002) were positively and significantly associated with RBANS global z-score, and immediate and delayed memory recall, visuospatial/ constructional ability and language, except attention. In hierarchical modeling, TPA and LTA attenuated the effect estimates, but the associations remained significant. Conclusion: BE features which increase opportunities and easy access to a diversity of destinations for services and facilities that promote physical, social and cognitively stimulating activities is associated with better cognitive functioning in older people.

152 - Memory Loss and Decreased Executive Function are Associated with Functional Limitation in Patients with Heart Failure

Background: This study examined cognitive domains of memory, attention, and executive function in Korean patients with heart failure (HF) and community-dwelling participants with other non-HF medical conditions (medical participants) and their effects on functional capacity. Method: Using a comparative descriptive design, 118 HF patients and 83 medical participants underwent face-to-face interviews for neuropsychological testing of cognitive status and functional capacity. Results: More HF patients had cognitive impairment in memory and executive function using the 7th percentile Z-scores of medical participants as cutoff scores: immediate (35.0% vs. 6.0%) and delayed recall memory (34.5% vs. 8.4%), and executive function (28.6% vs. 6.0%). Independent of age, education, and the presence of HF, delayed recall memory was a significant predictor (b = 1.35, p = .037), accounting for 1.4% of additional variance in functional capacity. Conclusion: Memory and executive function were worse in HF patients than medical participants, with functional limitation increasing with memory loss. Cognitive screening is recommended in routine clinical practice in patients with HF.

Multi-Kernel Learning with Dartel Improves Combined MRI-PET Classification of Alzheimer's Disease in AIBL Data: Group and Individual Analyses.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are neuroimaging modalities typically used for evaluating brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Due to their complementary nature, their combination can provide more accurate AD diagnosis or prognosis. In this work, we apply a multi-modal imaging machine-learning framework to enhance AD classification and prediction of diagnosis of subject-matched gray matter MRI and Pittsburgh compound B (PiB)-PET data related to 58 AD, 108 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 120 healthy elderly (HE) subjects from the Australian imaging, biomarkers and lifestyle (AIBL) dataset. Specifically, we combined a Dartel algorithm to enhance anatomical registration with multi-kernel learning (MKL) technique, yielding an average of >95% accuracy for three binary classification problems: AD-vs.-HE, MCI-vs.-HE and AD-vs.-MCI, a considerable improvement from individual modality approach. Consistent with t-contrasts, the MKL weight maps revealed known brain regions associated with AD, i.e., (para)hippocampus, posterior cingulate cortex and bilateral temporal gyrus. Importantly, MKL regression analysis provided excellent predictions of diagnosis of individuals by r2 = 0.86. In addition, we found significant correlations between the MKL classification and delayed memory recall scores with r2 = 0.62 (p < 0.01). Interestingly, outliers in the regression model for diagnosis were mainly converter samples with a higher likelihood of converting to the inclined diagnostic category. Overall, our work demonstrates the successful application of MKL with Dartel on combined neuromarkers from different neuroimaging modalities in the AIBL data. This lends further support in favor of machine learning approach in improving the diagnosis and risk prediction of AD.

COGNITIVE REHABILITATION FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE DEMENTIA AND DEMENTIA WITH LEWY BODIES: THE CORD-PD PILOT TRIAL

Within 20 years of Parkinson's disease onset, approximately 80% of people will have developed Parkinson's disease dementia, a condition similar to Dementia with Lewy bodies. This pilot randomised controlled trial is the first to assess the application of goal-orientated cognitive rehabilitation for the management of cognitive difficulties experienced by people in the early stages of one of these dementias. Twenty-nine participants were randomised to either a treatment-as-usual control condition (TAU, n=9), an active control condition, relaxation therapy (RT, n=10), or the experimental condition, cognitive rehabilitation (CR, n=10). All participants identified goals relating to cognitive and social activities, but only those in the CR condition worked with a therapist to devise and practise strategies to attain these goals. Primary outcomes were participant ratings of goal attainment and satisfaction with goal attainment. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, mood, cognition, health status and everyday functioning. Caregivers rated their own quality of life and stress levels, as well as participants’ goal performance. Participants were assessed two months (post-intervention) and six months (follow-up) following randomisation. At the post-intervention assessment, CR was superior to TAU and RT for self-rated goal attainment (TAU d=1.63; RT d=1.81); self-rated satisfaction with goal attainment (TAU d=2.04; RT d=1.84) and the social domain of quality of life (TAU d=1.1; RT d=1.13). CR was also superior to TAU for depression (d=-1.22) and RT for self-efficacy (d=1.07). Caregivers’ ratings of patients’ goal attainment in CR were superior to RT ratings (d=1.19). At follow-up, CR remained superior to TAU (d=1.36) and RT (d=1.8) for self-rated goal attainment. CR was superior to TAU for indices of delayed memory recall (d=1.26); health status (d=-1.74) and quality of life (d=1.43). Also at follow-up, caregiver ratings of participants’ goal attainment in CR were superior to TAU (d=1.89) and RT (d=1.77) ratings. Caregivers in CR reported higher levels of quality of life (d=1.71), greater health status (d=1.41) and lower levels of stress (d=-1.42) than carers in TAU. Cognitive rehabilitation is feasible and potentially effective in managing the impact on everyday life of the cognitive difficulties experienced by people with dementias associated with Parkinson's disease.

The effect of black tea on human cognitive performance in a cognitive test battery

BackgroundBlack Tea is a widely consumed drink in the world. Evidence suggest Black Tea has stimulatory effect on humans. We investigated the effect of Black Tea on cognition using a cognitive test battery.MethodsParticipants (n = 32) were fasted overnight for 10 h and restrained from caffeine and other stimulant drugs for 14 days prior to participation. We randomly assigned participants into either an experimental (n = 16) or a control (n = 16) group. Experimental group consumed 250 ml of Black Tea (BT) while control group was received equal volume of water (W). Participants were tested on the following cognitive tasks: executive function, sustained attention, memory (memory span, immediate, delayed, working memory) and arithmetic calculation task.ResultsWe found that BT group performed significantly (p < 0.05) faster in the executive function task (BT: M = 1671, SD = 319; W: M = 1935, SD = 372); simple reaction time task (BT: M = 333, SD = 87; W: M = 361, SD = 101), identification of target location in the visual search task (BT: M = 925, SD = 50; W: M = 972, SD = 115). We also showed that BT group forgotten significantly (p < 0.05) lower number of words in the delayed memory recall test (BT: M = 1.12, SD = 0.15; W: M = 1.37, SD = 0.33) and made significantly (p < 0.05) fewer errors in the trail making task (BT: M = 0.31, SD = 1.01; W: M = 1.31, SD = 1.66).ConclusionsBT consumption speeded the performance, improved memory, reduced number of errors in the various cognitive tasks. Our results further showed that even in small volume of BT consumption can speed up cognitive processing.

EEG beta 2 power as surrogate marker for memory impairment: a pilot study.

Memory deficits are dominant in dementia and are positively correlated with electroencephalographic (EEG) beta power. EEG beta power can predict the progression of Alzheimer´s (AD) as early as at the stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and could possibly be used as surrogate marker for memory impairment. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between frontal and parietal EEG beta power and memory-test outcome. Frontal and parietal beta power is analyzed for a resting state and an eyes-closed backward counting condition and related to memory impairment parameters. A total of 28 right-handed female geriatric patients (mean age = 80.6) participated voluntarily in this study. Beta 1 (12.9-19.2 Hz) and beta 2 (19.2-32.4 Hz) EEG power at F3, F4, Fz, P3, P4, and Pz are correlated with immediate wordlist recall, delayed wordlist recall, recognition of learned words, and delayed figure recall. For classification between impaired and intact memory, we calculated a binary logistic regression model with memory impairment as a dependent variable and beta 2 power as an independent variable. We found significant positive correlations between frontal and parietal beta power and delayed memory recall. A significant correlation (Bonferroni correction, p < 0.05) was found at F4 beta 2 during backward counting. The binary logistic regression model with F4 beta 2 power during the counting condition as a predictor yielded a sensitivity of 76.9% (95% CI) and a specificity of 73.3% (95% CI) for classifying patients into "verbal-memory impaired" and "intact." EEG beta 2 power recorded during a backward counting condition with eyes closed can be used as surrogate marker for verbal memory impairment in geriatric patients. Antidepressant treatment was correlated with EEG data in resting state but not in counting condition. Further studies are necessary to verify the results of this pilot study.

Amnestic dementia impairment in Parkinson's disease: The role of body composition, ageing and insulin resistance

The risk of cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) is related to ageing. The role of body compartmentalization and associated metabolic dysfunctions, as a risk factor for dementia in PD is still not clear. To investigate body mass distribution, insulin resistance, and other parameters in patients without dementia, and those with dementia classified as compromised delayed memory. We recorded body composition, basal levels of insulin resistance, and other data from 135 patients, who were followed for at least two years. The patients completed a Brief Cognitive Battery test. Patients with delayed recall memory impairment were assessed using the Mattis dementia rating scale. There was a correlation between age and the patient's scores. Age was negatively correlated with scores on all of the screening battery subtests (p≤0.001), while formal education was positively correlated with the test scores. Insulin resistance was higher in non-demented patients compared to patients with impaired memory (p=0.0027). There was no association between body composition and cognitive dysfunction in patients with PD. The results of this study indicate an apparent decrease in insulin resistance associated with cognitive impairment in PD. We found no correlations between body composition and memory dysfunction associated with PD.

Dépression de la personne âgée ou maladie d’Alzheimer prodromique : quels outils pour le diagnostic différentiel ?

IntroductionDepression and Alzheimer's disease are both very frequent in elderly people. Cognitive deficits are the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, but they are also common in depressed elderly people who often present cognitive deficits such as memory, attention and executive function problems. On the other hand, people with early Alzheimer's disease demonstrate emotional and behavioral disorders generally encountered in depression such as loss of energy, apathy, mood disorder, and irritability. Thus, in older adults with depression, the presence of cognitive deficits can make it difficult to distinguish cognitive decline that is associated with a depressive illness and the decline encountered in Alzheimer's disease because the clinical picture of the two disorders are similar. However, early distinction between the two disorders is very important from a prognostic and therapeutical point of view. ObjectiveAfter a brief description of the relationship between depression and early Alzheimer's disease in elderly people, this paper aims to present an updated literature review of data on differential diagnoses between these disorders. MethodWe performed a non-systematical, yet as exhaustive as possible, literature search with Pubmed electronic database, screening studies from 2000 to 2016. ResultsThe majority of the studies concerned cognitive aspects, but only a few studies investigated others markers such as cerebral imaging, electroencephalography, cerebrospinal fluid markers. At the neuropsychological examination, a detailed analysis of the mnesic profile revealed a better benefit of semantic cueing in patients with late life depression in comparison to those with prodromal Alzheimer's disease and better performances in recognition memory. Moreover, longitudinal follow-up of patients with depression indicated that deficits in delayed recall memory, but not in executive functions, were associated with the subsequent development of Alzheimer's disease. Several studies showed that tests of executive functions could not differentiate between patients with late life depression and patients with prodromal Alzheimer's disease. A measure of global cognitive decline does not seem to be helpful in differentiating early Alzheimer's disease and depression, unlike an analysis of the neuropsychological profile on several composite scales, such as the Mini Mental State Examination. Furthermore, recent work has investigated the utility of olfactory or gustative markers with promising results and convenient tools for clinical practice. Concerning morphological brain imaging, only detailed volumetric analysis could show differences between the two diseases, but these techniques are not always available for clinical practice. It is the same for other recent techniques, such as quantitative electroencephalography, Near InfraRed Spectroscopy, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography, or Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography, which have received little attention so far as differential diagnostic tools. Finally, cerebrospinal fluid analysis could be useful, including beta amyloid levels. ConclusionDespite numerous efforts in recent years, differential diagnosis of dementia from depression in the elderly remains difficult. Results of this review highlight the necessity of conducting more research in this area, with multi-method studies, using not only cognitive analysis but also cerebral imaging techniques.

Personality and Performance in Specific Neurocognitive Domains Among Older Persons

Certain Big 5 personality dimensions have been repeatedly linked to global measures of cognitive function and outcome categories. We examined whether the Big 5 or their specific components showed differential evidence of associations with specific neurocognitive domains. Participants were 179 older adults (70+) from a broader study on cognitive aging. The NEO-Five Factor Inventory and a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests were used. Adjusted for age, gender, and years of education, probability values, Bayes Factors, and measures effect size from linear models suggested strong evidence for associations between better delayed recall memory and higher Conscientiousness (principally the facets of Goal-Striving and Dependability) and Openness (specifically the Intellectual Interest component). Better executive function and attention showed moderate to strong evidence of associations with lower Neuroticism (especially the Self-conscious Vulnerability facet) and higher Conscientiousness (mostly the Dependability facet). Better language functioning was linked to higher Openness (specifically, the Intellectual Interests facet). Worse visual-spatial function was strongly associated with higher Neuroticism. Different tests of neurocognitive functioning show varying degrees of evidence for associations with different personality traits. Better understanding of the patterning of neurocognitive-personality linkages may facilitate grasp of underlying mechanisms and/or refine understanding of co-occurring clinical presentation of personality traits and specific cognitive deficits.