High Prevalence Of Cognitive Dysfunction Research Articles

Cognition and saccadic eye movement performance are impaired in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can experience cognitive dysfunction. The literature on this topic mostly reflects patient-reported measurements. Our goal was to assess cognitive function in patients with CRS using objective measures, including saccadic eye movements-a behavioral response reflecting cognitive and sensory information integration that is often compromised in conditions with impaired cognition. Participants (N=24 with CRS, N=23 non-CRS healthy controls) enrolled from rhinology clinic underwent sinonasal evaluation, quality of life assessment (Sino-nasal Outcome Test 22 [SNOT-22]), and cognitive assessment with the Neuro-QOL Cognitive Function-Short Form, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and recording of eye movements using video-oculography. Participants with CRS were more likely to report cognitive dysfunction (Neuro-QOL; 45.8%vs. 8.7%; p=0.005) and demonstrate mild or greater cognitive impairment (MoCA; 41.7%vs. 8.7%; p=0.005) than controls. Additionally, participants with CRS performed worse on the MoCA overall and within the executive functioning and memory domains (all p<0.05) and on the anti-saccade (p=0.014) and delay saccade (p=0.044) eye movement tasks. Poorer performance on the MoCA (r=-0.422; p=0.003) and the anti-saccade (r=-0.347; p=0.017) and delay saccade (r=-0.419; p=0.004) eye movement tasks correlated with worse CRS severity according to SNOT-22 scores. This study is the first to utilize objective eye movement assessments in addition to researcher-administered cognitive testing in patients with CRS. These patients demonstrated a high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction, most notably within executive functioning and memory domains, with the degree of dysfunction correlating with the severity of CRS.

Gastrodin ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in diabetes by inhibiting PAK2 phosphorylation.

Diabetes is associated with higher prevalence of cognitive dysfunction, while the underlying mechanism is still elusive. In this study, we aim to explore the potential mechanism of diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction and assess the therapeutic effects of Gastrodin on cognitive dysfunction. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin. The Morris Water Maze Test was employed to assess the functions of spatial learning and memory. Transcriptome was used to identify the potential factors involved. Western blot and immunofluorescence were applied to detect the protein expression. Our results have shown that spatial learning was impaired in diabetic rats, coupled with damaged hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Gastrodin intervention ameliorated the spatial learning impairments and neuronal damages. Transcriptomics analysis identified differential expression genes critical for diabetes-induced hippocampal damage and Gastrodin treatment, which were further confirmed by qPCR and western blot. Moreover, p21 activated kinase 2 (PAK2) was found to be important for diabetes-induced hippocampal injury and its inhibitor could promote the survival of primary hippocampal neurons. It suggested that PAK2 pathway may be involved in cognitive dysfunction in diabetes and could be a therapeutic target for Gastrodin intervention.

Association between serum homocysteine levels and the frequency of epilepsy-related cognitive dysfunction: a cross sectional study in patients with epilepsy in Mataram, Indonesia

Background: In patients with epilepsy (PWE), cognitive dysfunction becomes an important comorbidity. In PWE, cognitive dysfunction is thought to be linked to the processes of neurodegeneration that are triggered by the rise in homocysteine levels. Objective: To determine whether PWE in Mataram, Indonesia, have a higher prevalence of cognitive dysfunction and higher serum homocysteine levels. Methods: 81 PWE were recruited for this cross-sectional study from Mataram's three primary referral hospitals. The patients' serum homocysteine levels were measured by ELISA using five milliliters of fasting blood. The patients' sociodemographic (age, gender, and educational level) and clinical (etiology of epilepsy and treatment duration) characteristics were also gathered. Indonesian version of The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-Ina) was used to evaluate the cognitive status. The association between homocysteine, clinical, and socio-demographic data, as well as the cognitive dysfunction frequency in PWE was determined with final logistic regression model. Results: The patients’ age was 33 years old on average. PWE had a cognitive dysfunction prevalence of 76.5 percent. PWE's high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction was not associated with serum homocysteine levels in the final logistic regression model (p &gt; 0.05). Patients' clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were also not associated with a high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: In Mataram, Indonesia, the high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction among PWE was not linked to serum homocysteine levels.

Cognitive Impairment in Children with BetaThalassaemia Major at a Tertiary Care Centre, Rajasthan, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Thalassaemia is one of the most common genetic disorders. Iron overload due to repeated blood transfusions and chelating therapy leads to oxidative stress and possible irreversible brain tissue damage, causing cognitive impairment in these children. Aim: To study cognitive impairment in children with beta thalassaemia major in a tertiary care centre in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based crosssectional observational study conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India from September 2019 to August 2020. Sixty-five children with thalassaemia and 65 children without thalassaemia (as controls) were recruited and assessed using modified MiniMental State Examination (MMSE) for cognitive impairment. Results: Majority of children belonged to age group 6-11 years (67.7% in cases and 68.8% in controls). The mean MMSE scores were significantly lower among children with thalassaemia (26.82±6.45) compared to the controls (29.08±5.71). There was a significantly higher prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in thalassaemia children (72.3%) as compared to controls (33.8%). Children who were compliant with chelation medications (n=30) were found to have a lesser prevalence of cognitive dysfunction (60%) than those who were not compliant (n=35) with medications (82.86%) (p-value=0.013). Among cases, the mean ferritin levels were higher in children with cognitive dysfunction (3399.00±1489.18) compared to those with normal cognitive function (2412.38±1117.26) (p-value=0.046). There was moderate positive correlation between thalassaemia child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and modified MMSE score. Conclusion: This study highlights the higher prevalence of cognitive impairment in children with thalassaemia (72.3%). The key contributing factors were- lack of compliance to chelation therapy, higher serum ferritin levels and low BMI.

Cognitive impairment in asymptomatic cerebral arterial stenosis: a P300 study

BackgroundCerebral arterial stenosis (CAS), in the absence of a structural lesion, can result in cognitive impairment that represents an ongoing contention among studies. Accordingly, we investigated cognitive functions in asymptomatic patients with CAS, using P300 which is a neurophysiological tool. We also compared cognition in intracranial stenosis (ICS) and extracranial stenosis (ECS).MethodsAsymptomatic patients with CAS (≥ 70%) in the absence of structural brain lesions were categorized into ICS and ECS groups of 15 patients each, in addition to 15 normal controls. MRI, MRA, CT angiography, P300 analysis, Mini-Mental State examination (MMSE), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and Wechsler Memory Scale Test-Revised (WMST) were performed to all patients.ResultsImpairment on all cognitive scales ranged from 70 up to 100% among CAS group. Prolonged p300 latency and reaction time correlated with worse performance on WMST (p = 0.02), while lower amplitude and decreased accuracy correlated with more errors on WCST (p = 0.01). ICS scores on WCTS were lower than those of ECS group (p = 0.001), while ECS had a longer reaction time (p = 0.02) and lower scores on MMS and WMST than those of ICS group (p = 0.03).ConclusionPatients with asymptomatic CAS had a high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction which places them at risk of higher morbidity. ICS group showed impairment on executive functions, while the ECS group showed predilection to memory and information processing dysfunction.

Cognitive Dysfunction among U.S. High School Students and Its Association with Time Spent on Digital Devices: A Population-Based Study

Introduction: Cognitive dysfunction is a hallmark feature of many psychiatric disorders. We aimed to study the prevalence and predictors of cognitive dysfunction (CD) among U.S. high school students and its association with time spent on digital devices. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey study using YRBSS 2019 data of U.S. high school students in grades 9–12. Cognitive dysfunction was defined by difficulties with remembering, concentrating, and making decisions due to emotional, physical, or mental problems. Digital screen time was described by daily time spent on TV, computers, tablets, and phone. We performed univariate and multivariable survey logistic regression analysis to identify the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction and its association with time spent on digital devices. Results: Out of 10,317 total participants, 3914 (37.9%) reported CD. The prevalence of CD was higher in females compared to males (46.0% vs. 29.9%). Compared to participants with no CD, participants with CD reported substance abuse, such as alcohol (35.8% vs. 26.6%), marijuana (28.3% vs. 17.6%), cigarette (8.1% vs. 4.7%), and illicit drugs (18.9% vs. 9.0%) and they reported a higher prevalence (p &lt; 0.0001 for all substances). Participants who felt sad and hopeless (62.8 vs. 22.1%) reported a high prevalence of CD, whereas participants with adequate sleep reported low prevalence (15.7% vs. 25.6%). In a regression, daily video game/internet use for non-work-related activities for 4 h (aOR:1.27; p = 0.03) and ≥5 h (aOR:1.70; p &lt; 0.0001) demonstrated higher odds of CD, compared to participants with no daily use. Female sex, substance use, and depressed mood were additional predictors of CD. Conclusion: The prevalence of CD is high in U.S. high-school students. Female sex, substance abuse, depressed mood, and excessive VG/PC use is associated with high odds of cognitive dysfunction. Further research is needed to explore the complex relationship between screen time and cognitive dysfunction.

Management of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients with Respiratory Diseases.

Management of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients with Respiratory Diseases.

Cognitive dysfunction in older prisoners in Germany: a cross-sectional pilot study

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to collect the first empirical data on the cognitive state of elderly prisoners in Germany and to examine associations between cognitive function and sociodemographic, clinical and incarceration characteristics.Design/methodology/approachAll prisoners aged 60 years and older of five prisons in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, were asked to participate. The cognitive screening instruments mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the DemTect were used to assess global cognition. Executive functions were tested with the trail making test and the frontal-assessment-battery. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess participants’ affective state.FindingsThe sample of this study consisted of 58 prisoners with a mean age of 65.52 years (standard deviation = 6.03); 82.8% are male. Using the MMSE with age- and education-corrected z-scores, 36.9% of the prisoners showed marginal or impaired global cognition scores. Using the DemTect, 41.4% of the prisoners were classified as being cognitively impaired. Up to 40% of the prisoners showed deficits in executive functioning and around 60% of the prisoners showed depressive symptoms. The correlation analysis revealed significant associations between cognitive scores and age (rho = –0.335, p = 0.014), education (rho = 0.309, p = 0.020), sentence duration (rho = 0.409, p = 0.007) and duration of current incarceration (rho = 0.302, p = 0.043). The DemTect total score was significantly associated with the PHQ-9 (rho = –0.335, p = 0.016).Practical implicationsA large group of the prisoners showed a higher prevalence of cognitive dysfunction than that observed in same-age people who are not incarcerated. Taken together, there is an urgent need for an adequate management of older cognitively impaired prisoners including routine cognitive testing and guidelines-oriented treatment of cognitive symptoms.Originality/valueThis study has several strengths. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study examining the cognitive and affective state in a German prison population. The authors considered female and male prisoners, as well as different prison settings, representing a realistic prison sample. The authors used several neuropsychological instruments to get a more detailed insight into the older prisoners’ cognitive status while trying to consider the economy of time and possible attention deficits to prevent dropouts during testing.

Influence of physiological and psychological factors on cognitive dysfunction in heart failure patients

AimOur study aimed to examine factors that contribute to cognitive dysfunction in patients with heart failure (HF). BackgroundAlthough a majority of patients with HF have mild to moderate cognitive impairment, little is known about factors that influence progressive cognitive decline in this population. MethodsWe examined the influence of physiological factors (NYHA functional class II – IV, ejection fraction, co-morbidity burden, polypharmacy), psychosocial factors (anxiety, depression, evaluation for advanced therapy), and associated toxicities (anticholinergic drug burden), on cognitive dysfunction. Data were analyzed using mean (SE) for continuous variables and frequency and percent for categorical variables. Differences between NYHA functional classification (Class II vs. Class III/IV) were examined using Chi Square. Linear regression models were used to assess associations among model variables. ResultsOf the 113 participants with HF, Class III-IV HF were more cognitively impaired than those with NYHA Class II (p < 0.0001), had higher anxiety (p = 0.002), and depression (p = 0.003), and lower EF (p = 0.041). A majority of participants had a moderate anticholinergic drug burden, and NYHA Class III/IV participants had significantly higher medication counts than Class II participants (p = 0.034). Regression analysis found that NYHA Class III/IV, anxiety, depression and evaluation for advanced therapy significantly influenced cognitive dysfunction. ConclusionsFindings support a high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, and depression in NYHA class II-IV with a greater level of cognitive dysfunction in class III/IV patients.

High prevalence of cognitive dysfunction and vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes over 50 years

High prevalence of cognitive dysfunction and vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes over 50 years

P1419U- SHAPED ASSOCIATION OF SERUM PARATHYROID HORMONE AND COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN MAINTENANCE HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract Background and Aims Primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is linked with several cognitive and affective disorders in the general population that tend to improve following parathyroidectomy. Most end- stage renal disease (ESRD) patients treated with maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) have 2ry/3ry HPT encompassing a broad range of serum intact parathyroid hormone (S. iPTH) values. They commonly suffer some degree of cognitive dysfunction (CODY) that impairs medication adherence and quality of life. This CODY results from the interplay of multiple factors, including HPT. However, relative hypoparathyroidism may as well cause CODY in the setting of adynamic bone disease and increased cerebrovascular calcification. Therefore, the relationship between S. iPTH and CODY in MHD patients needs to be clearly characterized across the whole spectrum of iPTH values. Method Seventy two stable ESRD patients (39 males, median age 50y) treated with thrice weekly low flux MHD for &amp;gt; 6 months underwent Montreal cognitive assessment- basic version (MoCA-B) and pre-dialysis assessment of S. iPTH, vitamin D3, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus and haemoglobin (Hb). Results CODY, defined by a MoCA-B score &amp;lt; 24/30, occurred in 37/72 (51%) patients. MoCA-B score had a statistically significant positive correlation with Hb level. A quadratic inverted U-shaped curve provided the best estimate for the relation between S. iPTH and MoCA-B score (P = 0.019, Figure). Among patients in the highest S. iPTH tertile, S. iPTH has a statistically significant negative linear correlation with MoCA-B score (r = - 0.565, P = 0.004). This correlation was attenuated but persisted after controlling for Hb level (r = - 0.516, P = 0.012). Conclusion Anaemia and HPT are important contributors to the high prevalence of CODY in MHD patients. Both markedly high and relatively low (still above normal) S. iPTH levels are associated with lower MoCA-B scores, indicating a U- shaped relation between S. iPTH and CODY. Contrary to other populations, some degree of mild (permissible) HPT is most compatible with near normal cognitive function in MHD patients. Our results emphasize the recommendation of avoiding overzealous suppression of PTH secretion in these patients.

1121 Nonmotor Symptoms Affect Sleep Quality in Early-Stage Parkinson’s Disease Patients With or Without Cognitive Dysfunction

Abstract Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients frequently present with sleep disorders. This study was designed to assess the impact of nonmotor symptoms (NMSs) on subjective sleep quality in early-stage PD patients with and without cognitive dysfunction. Methods A sample of 389 early-stage PD patients (Hoehn and Yahr score ≤2.5, duration ≤5 years) was recruited for the present study. The Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMS-Quest) was used to screen for global NMSs. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). PD motor symptoms were measured with the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), part III. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate global cognitive status, and the PD Sleep Scale (PDSS) was used to quantify sleep quality. Logistic regression models were built to identify factors associated with sleep disturbances. Results In our sample, approximately one-quarter of the PD patients suffered from sleep disturbances (23.7%). Our results also confirmed the high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in patients with PD (39.8%). In total, the patients who suffered from NMSs, such as depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, urinary tract symptoms and hallucinations/delusions, had poorer sleep quality. Better cognition may protect against sleep disorders. In patients with cognitive dysfunction, the NMS-Hallucinations/delusions score was the most important risk factor for sleep disorders. In patients without cognitive dysfunction, NMSs such as anxiety and cognition and medication were related to sleep disorder. Conclusion NMSs in early-stage PD are highly associated with and are determinants of subjective sleep quality. Future studies should focus on elucidating the pathophysiology of these symptoms. Support Special Funds of the Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Projects (grant No. BE2018610)

Nonmotor Symptoms Affect Sleep Quality in Early-Stage Parkinson's Disease Patients With or Without Cognitive Dysfunction

Purpose: Parkinson's disease (PD) patients frequently present with sleep disorders. This study was designed to assess the impact of nonmotor symptoms (NMSs) on sleep quality in early-stage PD patients with and without cognitive dysfunction.Materials and Methods: A sample of 389 early-stage PD patients (modified Hoehn and Yahr score ≤ 2.5, duration ≤ 5 years) was recruited for the present study. The Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMS-Quest) was used to screen for global NMSs. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). PD motor symptoms were measured with the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), part III. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate global cognitive status, and the PD Sleep Scale (PDSS) was used to quantify sleep quality. Polysomnography (PSG) was used for objective assessment of sleep.Results: In our sample, approximately one-quarter of the PD patients suffered from sleep disturbances (23.7%). Our results also confirmed the high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in patients with PD (39.8%). In patients with cognitive dysfunction, higher percentage of sleep disorders (34.8 vs. 16.2%, P < 0.01) was observed. They also with lower PDSS score, sleep efficiency (SE) and longer sleep lantency (SL) and wake after sleep onset (WASO) (All P < 0.05). In total, the patients who suffered from NMSs, such as depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, urinary tract symptoms and hallucinations/delusions, had poorer sleep quality. Better cognition may predict better sleep quality. In patients with cognitive dysfunction, the NMS-Hallucinations/delusions score was the most important risk factor for sleep disorders. In patients without cognitive dysfunction, NMSs such as anxiety and cognition and medication were related to sleep disorder.Conclusions: NMSs in early-stage PD are highly associated with and are determinants of subjective sleep quality. Future studies should focus on elucidating the pathophysiology of these symptoms.

Mathematical processing is affected by daily but not cumulative glucocorticoid dose in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The impact of glucocorticoids on neurocognitive performance in patients with SLE is not fully addressed. We aimed to study the effect of daily and cumulative glucocorticoid dose on neurocognitive performance in SLE patients. Consecutive SLE patients and gender- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent the computer-based Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Matric (ANAM), which evaluates eight neurocognitive domains including learning, recall, visual perception, mental rotation, short-term memory, attention, sustained attention and working memory. The total and individual-domain throughput scores (TPSs) and the presence of cognitive dysfunction (total TPS <1.5 s.d. below the mean TPS of HCs) were compared between SLE patients and HCs. Within the SLE group, univariate and independent associations between prednisolone dose (daily and cumulative) and individual-domain TPS were studied by univariate and multivariable linear regression, respectively. A total of 96 SLE patients and 96 HCs were studied. SLE patients scored significantly worse across all the neurocognitive domains and had a significantly lower mean total TPS (P < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of cognitive dysfunction compared with HCs (25.0 vs 7.3%, P = 0.001). In SLE patients, daily prednisolone dose was significantly and negatively correlated with mathematical-processing TPS, which probes working memory (P = 0.018). No significant correlation between cumulative prednisolone dose and any of the individual-domain TPSs was found. In multivariable regression, higher daily prednisolone dose and doses >9 mg daily remained independently associated with lower mathematical-processing TPSs (P = 0.031). Daily prednisolone dose ≥9 mg, but not cumulative glucocorticoid dose, had an independent negative impact on mathematical processing in SLE patients.

Cognitive Development Trajectories in Preterm Children With Very Low Birth Weight Longitudinally Followed Until 11 Years of Age.

Background: There is a high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in very low birthweight (500–1250 g) infants (VLBW). Understanding long-term risk factors associated with cognitive development in preterm children requires longitudinal characterization. Thus, follow-up evaluations, including identification of risks and resilience influences–are important to promote health and cognitive abilities of children born preterm.Aim: To examine changes in cognitive development from birth until 11 years of age in preterm children with very low birthweight.Methods: 24 VLBW infants, at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, were assessed with regards to cognitive functioning at three times during development at 18 months, 5 and 11 years of age using standardized tests. Longitudinal data were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) univariate and multivariate models.Results: The follow-up rate was 100%. Level of cognitive functioning at 18 months and at 11 years was similar. Females had higher cognitive scores than males at all three timepoints. We found that intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and prolonged invasive ventilatory support (>7 days) had a negative effect on cognitive functioning. Higher levels of parental education had a favorable influence on cognitive functioning over time.Conclusion: Level of cognitive development at 18 months was highly predictive of level of cognitive function at 11 years of age and differences in assessment scores between male and female VLBW infants persisted. Additional longitudinal studies, performed before school entry and across childhood, are needed to further elucidate the cognitive trajectories of preterm children.

The effect of acute exercise on the performance of verbal fluency in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome: a pilot study.

The high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction is well documented in individuals with Down syndrome. However, only a few studies have focused on the effect of exercise on cognitive performance in this population. In particular, verbal fluency has been shown to be relevant to the early onset of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with Down syndrome. Thus, this study was aimed at investigating the relationship between acute exercise and verbal fluency in this population. It was a pre-post design. Twenty-eight participants (aged 14-31) were assigned to high-intensity exercise (i.e. 70-85% of predicted maximum heart rate) (N=8), moderate-intensity exercise (i.e. 50-69% of predicted maximum heart rate) (N=10) or attentional control (N=10) groups. Two exercise groups walked on a treadmill using an incremental walking protocol, and the attentional control group watched a video for 20min. Measures of verbal fluency (i.e. semantic fluency and phonetic fluency) were tested pre-intervention and post-intervention. The result showed a quadric trend between semantic fluency and intensity of exercise. The improvement in cognitive performance on semantic fluency test was observed in the moderate-intensity exercise. However, neither a linear trend nor a quadric trend was seen in phonetic fluency. The result showed an inverted-U relationship between exercise intensity and semantic fluency. A larger sample size, testing time and more reliable psychophysiological measures (e.g. VO2 max and neuroimaging technology), should be considered to explore the underlying mechanisms in this population.

POSTOPERATIVE COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION

An evaluation of the incidence of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (PDCD) in patients after various operations performed under conditions of general anesthesia was implemented. To assess cognitive abilities, the Montreal Cognitive Evaluation Scale (MoCA) and the 10-word test, was used. A study was made of the state of cognitive functions in the postoperative period after various operations under conditions of general anesthesia in 112 patients (40 women and 72 men) with a neurological and psychosomatic history. It was found that general anesthesia causes a decrease in cognitive parameters from 3 to 7 days and within 1-3 months after surgery in 55.3% of patients. The conducted study confirms the high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in anaesthesiological practice in the postoperative period. The practical significance of the PDCD concept is the possibility of prevention, early diagnosis of cognitive disorders and the initiation of neuroprotective treatment in the postoperative period.

What is the prevalence of cognitive impairment in lupus and which instruments are used to measure it? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To systematically review the literature on the prevalence of Cognitive Dysfunction (CD) in SLE patients in studies that used a specified neuropsychological instrument. This review was prepared with a protocol following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis-Protocols statement. Literature search in Ovid Medline, Embase, and Psyc INFO for articles on CD in adult SLE patients was conducted. Included studies were critically appraised (Newcastle-Ottawa Evaluation Scale) and the Pooled Prevalence (PP) of CD was studied for all instruments. The association between demographics and CD, the risk of CD in SLE compared to healthy subjects and patients with RA, and the course of CD over time were studied narratively whenever sufficient information was available. Of 8054 references, 670 were selected for detailed review and 78 were included in the final analysis. Comprehensive Battery (CB) was utilized in 35 studies in 2463 SLE patients and PP was 38% (95%; CI: 33-43%). The CD prevalence was higher in NPSLE [PP 39% (95% CI: 24-55%]. Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric (ANAM) was utilized in 7 studies in 438 patients (PP of CD 26% (95% CI: 12-42%). Other less frequently utilized tools were the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) and The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) and subjective tools and others. The relative risk for CD in SLE was greater when compared to RA and to healthy individuals; RR being 1.80 and 2.80, respectively. Information on demographics and its association with CD was very heterogeneous among studies. Patients with lupus have a high prevalence of CD. The delay in diagnosis of CD is complex; although caregivers and patients express concerns about cognitive function, testing for CD often imposes administrative and cost burdens. There is an unmet need to identify the best screening, diagnostic metrics of CD. The assessment of cognitive function over time, and the association of demographics with CD, will require further research.

The state of cognitive function in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction depending on the main clinical, demographic and hemodynamic parameters

The aim – to investigate clinical and other factors associated with cognitive dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Material and methods. 124 patients with stable CHF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (&lt; 40 %), NYHA II–IV not older than 75 years were examined. Vital signs, routine laboratory tests, glomerular filtration rate by CKD-EPI, electrocardiography and ehocardiography parameters were studied. Cognitive function was evaluated by standard neuropsychological tests – MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination), Shulte and HADS. Cognitive dysfunction was defined as MMSE ≤ 26 points. Apart from routine examination, quality of life evaluation by The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (The MLHFQ); evaluation of functional capacity by Duke Activity Status Index, endothelium-dependent vasodilation test were performed.Results. Cognitive dysfunction (abnormal MMSE) was observed in 85 (68.6 %) patients. There was no significant differences of MMSE and Schulte test results in men and women, groups of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and sinus rhythm. Instead, a significantly worse MMSE and Schulte tests were observed in groups of patients with higher NYHA class (Р&lt;0.001 for both tests), arterial hypertension (P=0.04 and P=0.012, respectively), coronary heart disease (Р&lt;0.001 for both tests) and after myocardial infarction (Р&lt;0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). The group of elderly patients had significantly worse MMSE and Schulte scores (Р&lt;0.001 for both tests). Levels of systolic blood pressure, heart rate and left ventricular ejection fraction did not significantly affect cognitive function, while lower glomerular filtration rate was associated with presence of the cognitive dysfunction.There was a significantly higher prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in patients with diabetes (P=0.049). At the same time, MMSE and Schulte tests were significantly worse in patients with anemia (P=0.02 and Р&lt;0.001, respectively) and renal dysfunction (GFR &lt; 60 ml/(min • 1,73 m2)) (P=0.003 and Р&lt;0.001, respectively).Conclusion. Cognitive dysfunction was observed in 68.6 % of stable CHF patients. There was no significant influence of heart rate, systolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation and COPD on cognitive tests. Cognitive dysfunction in patients with CHF is associated with older age, coronary heart disease, history of hypertension and myocardial infarction, anemia and renal dysfunction.

Withania somnifera leaf alleviates cognitive dysfunction by enhancing hippocampal plasticity in high fat diet induced obesity model

BackgroundSedentary lifestyle, psychological stress and labor saving devices in this current society often disrupts the energy gain and expenditure balance leading to obesity. High caloric diet is associated with the high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction and neuropsychiatric disorders in addition to cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities. The present study was aimed to elucidate the potential beneficial effect of dry leaf powder of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in preventing the cognitive decline associated with diet induced obesity.MethodsExperiments were performed on four groups of young adult female rats: [Low fat diet (LFD) rats fed on regular low fat chow, High fat diet (HFD) rats on feed containing 30% fat by weight, Low fat diet extract (LFDE) rats given regular chow and dry leaf powder of Ashwagandha 1 mg/g of body weight (ASH) and high fat diet extract (HFDE) rats fed on diet containing high fat and dry leaf powder of ASH. All the rats were kept on their respective diet regimen for 12 weeks.ResultsASH treated rats showed significant improvement in their working memory and locomotor coordination during behavioral studies as compared to HFD rats. At the molecular level, ASH treatment was observed to restore the levels of BDNF and its receptor TRKB as well as the expression of other synaptic regulators, which are highly implicated in synaptic plasticity. Further, ASH triggered the activation of PI3/AKT pathway of cell survival and plasticity by enhancing the levels of phosphorylated Akt-1 and immediate early genes viz. c-Jun and c-fos.ConclusionsASH could be a key regulator in maintaining the synaptic plasticity in HFD induced obesity and can serve as a nootropic candidate against obesity induced cognitive impairments.