Level Of Cognitive Functioning Research Articles

Effects of Intravenously Administered Plasma from Exercise-Trained Donors on Microglia and Cytokines in a Transgenic Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: Microglia and inflammation play a significant role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Physical exercise and peripheral signals can influence microglial activity in the brain. Modulating the inflammatory response in the brain may provide therapeutic approaches for AD. Objective: To assess the effects of intravenously administered blood plasma from exercise-trained donor rats on cognitive function, microglia, and cytokine levels in an AD rat model at two different pathological stages; an early pre-plaque stage and a later stage closer to the emergence of extracellular plaques. Methods: Male transgenic McGill-R-Thy1-APP rats aged 2 and 5 months received 14 injections over 6 weeks: 1) plasma from exercise-trained rats (ExPlas), 2) plasma from sedentary rats (SedPlas), or 3) saline. Cognitive function was evaluated in a novel object recognition task. Microglia count and morphology were analyzed in cornu ammonis, dentate gyrus, entorhinal cortex, and subiculum. Amyloid plaque number and size were assessed in the rats with the later treatment start. A multiplex assay was used to measure 23 cytokines in cornu ammonis. Results: In rats treated from 2 months of age, ExPlas and SedPlas increased number and length of microglial branches in cornu ammonis and dentate gyrus compared to saline. Only ExPlas-treated rats exhibited similar changes in subiculum, while entorhinal cortex showed no differences across treatments. Microglia count remained unaffected. In rats treated from 5 months of age, there were no significant differences in microglia count or morphology or the number or size of amyloid plaques in any brain region. Compared to both other treatments in early pre-plaque stage rats, SedPlas increased TNF-α levels. ExPlas upregulated GM-CSF, IL-18, and VEGF, while SedPlas increased IL-10 compared to saline. In later-stage rats, ExPlas upregulated IL-17, and SedPlas upregulated TNF-α compared to saline. There were no effects of treatments on recognition memory. Conclusions: Intravenous injections of blood plasma from exercise-trained and sedentary donors differentially modulated microglial morphology and cytokine levels in the AD rat model at an early pre-plaque stage of pathology. Exercised plasma may reduce proinflammatory TNF-α signaling and promote microglial responses to early Aβ accumulation but the lack of treatment effects in the later-stage rats emphasizes the potential importance of treatment timing.

Machine Learning Model for Mild Cognitive Impairment Stage Based on Gait and MRI Images

In patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a lower level of cognitive function is associated with a higher likelihood of progression to dementia. In addition, gait disturbances and structural changes on brain MRI scans reflect cognitive levels. Therefore, we aimed to classify MCI based on cognitive level using gait parameters and brain MRI data. Eighty patients diagnosed with MCI from three dementia centres in Gangwon-do, Korea, were recruited for this study. We defined MCI as a Clinical Dementia Rating global score of ≥0.5, with a memory domain score of ≥0.5. Patients were classified as early-stage or late-stage MCI based on their mini-mental status examination (MMSE) z-scores. We trained a machine learning model using gait and MRI data parameters. The convolutional neural network (CNN) resulted in the best classifier performance in separating late-stage MCI from early-stage MCI; its performance was maximised when feature patterns that included multimodal features (GAIT + white matter dataset) were used. The single support time was the strongest predictor. Machine learning that incorporated gait and white matter parameters achieved the highest accuracy in distinguishing between late-stage MCI and early-stage MCI.

The Association between Cardiometabolic Risk and Cognitive Function among Older Americans and Chinese.

Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) is associated with cognitive health, but the association can be affected by broader social, economic, and medical contexts. The US and China have very different developmental and epidemiological histories, and thus CMR among older people could be linked to cognitive function differently in the two countries. Cross-sectional and longitudinal OLS regression models were estimated for each country using nationally representative samples of populations over age 50: 7,430/4,474 Americans and 6,108/3,655 Chinese in the cross-sectional/longitudinal samples. In the US, higher CMR is associated with worse cognitive function (b=-0.08, p<0.016). Longitudinally, CMR increase is associated with worse cognitive function at a marginally significant level (b=-0.10, p=0.055). No relationship between CMR level or change and cognitive function is observed in China. Higher education levels are linked to better cognitive function and slower cognitive decline in both countries. Unlike older Americans, relative to those with very low education levels, among older Chinese with the highest education level, a higher CMR links to better cognitive function (b=0.63, p=0.013) and slower cognitive decline (b=0.35, p=0.062); Nevertheless, a rapid increase in CMR is additionally harmful (b=-0.54, p=0.050) for cognitive function and may lead to faster cognitive decline (b=-0.35, p=0.079). The significant relationship between CMR and cognitive function in the US suggests the importance of monitoring and controlling CMR factors at older ages. The insignificant relationship in China may be explained by the high CMR among those with high education levels, highlighting the need for improving cardiometabolic health through education and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Abstract PO2-10-09: Professional Support for Eating and Nutrition among Women Living with Breast Cancer: Implications for Mental Health and Quality of Life

Abstract Background: Within oncology, nutrition and eating behaviors are often tied to cancer prevention, incidence rates, progression, and healthy survivorship, as well as symptom and side effect management. While many nutrition-related resources and guidelines focus on physical health outcomes, support around nutrition and eating behaviors can have critical implications for mental health and quality of life outcomes among breast cancer patients and survivors. Methods: 232 women with breast cancer enrolled in the online Cancer Experience Registry and provided sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, answered questions about their eating and nutrition experiences, including utilization of a Registered Dietitian for professional eating and nutrition support since being diagnosed with cancer, and completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29v2.0 + 2-item Cognitive Function Short Form). Frequencies were calculated and group differences among those who wanted professional support for eating and nutrition but either did or did not receive it were assessed using independent-samples t-tests. Results: The sample was 81% Non-Hispanic (NH) White, 9% NH Black. Participants varied in age (mean=61 yrs; SD=9.2), time since diagnosis (median=7 yrs, range: &amp;lt; 1-39) and socioeconomic status (16% household income &amp;lt; $40K; 32% employer-provided insurance coverage). 44% were currently receiving treatment, with 70% in remission, 12% with metastatic disease, and 21% with history of recurrence. Over one-third (36%) received professional support for eating and nutrition from a Registered Dietitian since being diagnosed with cancer, including 12% receiving that support in the last 6 months. Participants wanted professional support for eating and nutrition during active treatment (51%), after treatment (44%), at initial diagnosis (23%), before treatment (18%), before being diagnosed with cancer (11%) . The most commonly reported eating and nutrition needs driving the desire for professional support included weight-related support (54%; maintenance, gain, or loss), achieving healthy eating patterns (52%), increasing energy level (46%) and physical fitness/strength (45%). However, experiences with professional support for eating and nutrition varied: 54% wanted eating and nutrition support since being diagnosed with cancer, but only 68% of those who wanted this support were able to access care. Irrespective of access to professional eating and nutrition support, participants report changing their eating patterns to manage SSEs (50%) or improve long-term health (57%). Among those who desired professional support for eating and nutrition since being diagnosed with cancer (n=102), those who did not get the desired support (n=34) compared to those who did (n=68) reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and pain, as well as lower levels of physical and cognitive function (all ps &amp;lt; .05). Levels of fatigue and social function were not significantly different between groups. Conclusion: While there is a strong desire for professional support surrounding eating and nutrition among women with breast cancer, when that support is needed and what it aims to address varies greatly. Among those interested in receiving professional support for eating and nutrition, those who accessed professional support reported greater mental health and quality of life. Further research is needed to understand barriers to accessing eating and nutrition support among those who are not able to obtain it. Community-based advocacy organizations that offer access to professional support services for eating and nutrition are critical for addressing unmet needs in this area to improve health and well-being among women with breast cancer. Citation Format: Victoria Morris, Melissa Miller, Susan Weldon, Gail Kelly. Professional Support for Eating and Nutrition among Women Living with Breast Cancer: Implications for Mental Health and Quality of Life [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-10-09.

Coronavirus disease 2019 and its impact on the cognition of older adults: Unraveling the role of inflammation

BackgroundThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted the older adult population globally. This study aimed to investigate cognitive function and its relationship with inflammation in older COVID-19 survivors over a three-month follow-up to address concerns about cognitive impairment and its risk factors. MethodsIn this descriptive-analytical study, 177 hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged >60 were assessed from July 2021 to February 2022. Psychiatric, global cognitive assessments and activities of daily living were conducted at discharge, 1 month, and 3 months post-discharge. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS Version 24. The evolution of cognitive status over time was evaluated using the Repeated Measures Test. The study probed into the association between inflammatory markers and cognitive function through the Pearson correlation test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Additionally, the link between anxiety/depression and cognitive performance was examined using the Pearson correlation. ResultsResults indicated that higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) were correlated to reduced cognitive performance. Conversely, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) did not exhibit a significant relationship with cognitive scores. A positive correlation was observed between improved cognitive function (reflected by higher GPCOG scores) and lower levels of anxiety and depression (indicated by lower scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Over the study period, cognitive function and anxiety scores showed an upward trend, whereas symptoms of depression and challenges in daily activities remained consistent. ConclusionsThe study highlights the enduring effects and detrimental role of inflammation on overall cognitive abilities among older survivors of COVID-19. It underscores the urgent need for specialized interventions and rehabilitative strategies to facilitate sustained cognitive recuperation among these individuals.

Methods and baseline characteristics for a social engagement technology-based randomized controlled trial for older adults

BackgroundGrowing evidence suggests that increasing opportunities for social engagement has the potential to support successful aging. However, many older adults may have limited access to in-person social engagement opportunities due to barriers such as transportation. We outline the development, design, methodology, and baseline characteristics of a randomized controlled trial that assessed the benefits of a social engagement intervention delivered through the OneClick video conferencing platform to older adults with varying levels of cognitive functioning. MethodsCommunity-dwelling older adults with and without cognitive challenges were randomly assigned to a social engagement intervention group or a waitlist control group. Participants were asked to attend twice-weekly social engagement events for 8 weeks via OneClick. Outcomes included social engagement and technology acceptance for both groups at baseline, week-4, and week-8 assessments. As an extension, the waitlist control group had an opportunity to participate in the intervention, with outcomes assessed at weeks 12 and 16. ResultsWe randomly assigned 99 participants (mean age = 74.1 ± 6.7, range: 60-99), with 50 in the immediate intervention group and 49 in the waitlist control group. About half of the participants reported living alone (53.5%), with a third (31%) falling into the cognitively impaired range on global cognitive screening. The groups did not differ at baseline on any of the outcome measures. ConclusionsOutcomes from this study will provide important information regarding the feasibility and efficacy of providing technology-based social engagement interventions to older adults with a range of cognitive abilities.

중⋅고령 만성질환자의 우울궤적 유형과 예측요인

This study was conducted to identify different trajectories of depressive symptoms among older adults transitioning to patients with chronic diseases and to test the associated predictors. Four waves of Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing were used for analyses, and demographic, clinical, and social factors were included as predictors. Among 433 middle-aged and older adults transitioning between 1st and 2nd waves, three distinct depressive symptom trajectories were identified through growth mixture modeling: low and decreasing(17.2%), increasing then persistently moderate(61%), and increasing then persistently high(21.8%) depressive symptoms over time. Results of logistic regression showed that changes in marital status, cognitive function, perceived limitation of activities, frequency of social contact and satisfaction with family relationships distinguished the trajectories. Notably, cognitive function and family relationships emerged as crucial factors across all trajectory classes. Thus, it is highly recommended to exert great effort to reduce depression levels of chronic patients by enhancing their cognitive function levels and family relationship satisfaction.

The Effect of Playing Playing Cards with Mosquito Claps on Cognitive Function and Happiness in Elderly Residents

The study aimed to investigate the impact of playing playing cards with mosquito claps on cognitive function and happiness levels in the elderly living in the Sudagaran Banyumas Elderly Social Service Center. This research used a method of Quasy Experimental Non-Equivalent Control Group Design with pretest-posttest with quantitative data analysis. The research was conducted at the Sudagaran Elderly Social Service Home, as many as 32 subjekts with purposive sampling technique. The analysis used is Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney test and Effect Size. Based on the results of the Mann-Whitney test from the posttest results of cognitive function and happiness of the intervention group and control group, the p-value of cognitive function was 0,005 (p&lt;0,05) and the p-value of happiness was 0,001 (p&lt;0,05), meant that there was a significant effect on cognitive function and happiness of the elderly in the intervention group and control group with an effect size of 0,698 on cognitive function and 0,826 on happiness. The result of this study was that there was a difference between before and after playing cards with mosquito claps on the intervention group and control group and a large effect on cognitive function with an effect size of 0,698 and happiness with an effect size of 0,826. Playing cards is a useful activity for the elderly in improving cognitive function and increasing their happiness. This can help them feel more comfortable and enjoy old times more pleasantly.

Effects of Exercise on Urinary AD7c-NTP (Alzheimer-Associated Neuronal Thread Protein) Levels and Cognitive Function Among Active Korean Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein (AD7c-NTP) has been demonstrated to have high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients from healthy individuals. However, it is yet unclear whether exercise can lower the level of AD7c-NTP in urine among active Korean elderly. To assess the effect of exercise on AD7c-ntp levels in urine and cognitive function among active Korean elderly. In total, 40 Korean elderly (≥65 years) were divided into Active Control group (CG, n = 10), Aerobic exercise group (AG, n = 18), and combined Resistance/Aerobic exercise group (RAG, n = 12). A total of 12 weeks of exercise intervention was implemented. At week 0 and 12, cognitive performance (Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, Korean-Color Word Stroop test), grip strength, and body composition (muscle mass and body fat percentage) were measured. Also, a morning urine sample was obtained from each subject. The level of AD7c-NTP was measured using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After 12 weeks of exercise intervention, there was a significant difference of AD7c-NTP levels between RAG and CG (p = 0.026), AG and CG (p = 0.032), respectively. Furthermore, the AD7c-NTP levels in urine showed negative correlation with K-MMSE scores (r = -0.390, p = 0.013) and grip strength (r = -0.376, p = 0.017), among all participants after exercise intervention. This is the first study to investigate urine biomarker through exercise intervention. In future stuides, participants who have low cognitive function and low activity levels need to be recruited to observe more significant 'Exercise' effect.

Sleep-wake behaviors associated with cognitive performance in middle-aged participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

ObjectivesMany sleep-wake behaviors have been associated with cognition. We examined a panel of sleep-wake/activity characteristics to determine which are most robustly related to having low cognitive performance in midlife. Secondarily, we evaluate the predictive utility of sleep-wake measures to screen for low cognitive performance. MethodsThe outcome was low cognitive performance defined as being >1 standard deviation below average age/sex/education internally normalized composite cognitive performance levels assessed in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Analyses included 1006 individuals who had sufficient sleep-wake measurements about 2years later (mean age=54.9, standard deviation= 5.1; 68.82% female). We evaluated associations of 31 sleep-wake variables with low cognitive performance using separate logistic regressions. ResultsIn individual models, the strongest sleep-wake correlates of low cognitive performance were measures of weaker and unstable 24-hour rhythms; greater 24-hour fragmentation; longer time-in-bed; and lower rhythm amplitude. One standard deviation worse on these sleep-wake factors was associated with ∼20%-30% greater odds of having low cognitive performance. In an internally cross-validated prediction model, the independent correlates of low cognitive performance were: lower Sleep Regularity Index scores; lower pseudo-F statistics (modellability of 24-hour rhythms); lower activity rhythm amplitude; and greater time in bed. Area under the curve was low/moderate (64%) indicating poor predictive utility. ConclusionThe strongest sleep-wake behavioral correlates of low cognitive performance were measures of longer time-in-bed and irregular/weak rhythms. These sleep-wake assessments were not useful to identify previous low cognitive performance. Given their potential modifiability, experimental trials could test if targeting midlife time-in-bed and/or irregular rhythms influences cognition.

Long-term health-related quality of life and mental health in patients with immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder. Treatment advances have lowered morbidity rates, but past acute events can still cause long-term consequences, reducing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and determining cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression. We aimed to investigate these aspects and the role of caplacizumab and rituximab: 39 patients were evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the FACIT-Fatigue, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Functional Assessment in Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function questionnaires. The median age at study inclusion was 50 years (IQR 38-60), and the median follow-up from diagnosis was 97 months (IQR 14-182); 82% of patients were female, and 36% had one or more recurrences. Caplacizumab was administered in 16 patients (41%), as well as rituximab. ITTP patients reported lower physical and mental HRQoL scores than the general population. No differences in physical or mental domains were observed between patients treated or not with caplacizumab, while those who received rituximab reported lower scores in mental health. Neurological impairment at diagnosis correlated with worse fatigue. The majority of patients (72%) reported anxiety or depression (82%). ITTP had a significant impact on the long-term cognitive function, fatigue, depression, and anxiety levels of patients, with a negative effect on their HRQoL. Our findings underscore the need to pay special attention to patients' long-term physical and mental health, regardless of the medical treatments received.

Superoxide Dismutase Modified the Association of Serum Malondialdehyde Levels with Cognitive Decline Among Older Adults: Findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.

Numerous studies have investigated the correlation between malondialdehyde (MDA) and cognitive decline. However, limited research has explored the interplay between superoxide dismutase (SOD), C-reactive protein (CRP), and MDA. This study aims to scrutinize the association between MDA and cognitive function in older adults, while also elucidating the roles of SOD and CRP within this relationship. Utilizing data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) spanning 2008-2009, 2011-2012, and 2014, this study included 2,696 eligible subjects. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Linear mixed-effects models were employed to examine the links between MDA, SOD, CRP, and their interactions with cognitive function. Elevated serum levels of MDA and CRP, as well as decreased serum SOD levels, were related to decreased cognitive function (β= -0.220 and -0.346, 95% CI: -0.399, -0.041 and -0.526, -0.167 for MDA and CRP; β= 0.384, 95% CI: 0.204, 0.564 for SOD). Notably, a significant interaction between MDA and SOD was detected (p = 0.001). An increase per standard deviation in serum MDA levels was significantly associated with a 0.347-point lower MMSE score only in participants with normal cognitive function and high SOD levels (β= -0.347, 95% CI: -0.497, -0.197; p <  0.001). Elevated serum MDA levels in the normal population with high SOD levels suggested diminished cognitive performance. Combining MDA with SOD could be pivotal in identifying older adults at risk of cognitive decline in clinical settings.

Association between disability and cognitive function in older Chinese people: a moderated mediation of social relationships and depressive symptoms.

Many previous studies have found that disability leads to cognitive impairment, and in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms between disability and cognitive impairment, the present study aimed to investigate the moderating role of social relationships, including their role as mediators between disability and cognitive impairment in depressive symptoms. This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 5,699 Chinese older adults from the 2018 China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were included in this study, and PROCESS macro was used to perform simple mediator and moderator mediator analyses, which were used to analyze the relationship between depressive symptoms and social relationships between disability and cognitive impairment. The results of this study showed significant correlations between disability, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, and social relationships, and that depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between disability and cognitive functioning [B = -0.232; 95% CI: (-0.304, -0.164)], and that social relationships mediated disability and cognitive functioning through pathway a (Disability-Depressive Symptoms) [B = 0.190; 95% CI: (0.020, 0.036)], path b (depressive symptoms-cognitive impairment) [B = 0.029; 95% CI: (0.015, 0.042)], and path c' (incapacitation-cognitive impairment) [B = 0.492; 95% CI: (0.298, 0.685)] to modulate the effect of incapacitation on cognitive impairment. In addition, social activities and social networks moderated the mediation model directly or indirectly, whereas social support moderated only the direct effect. This study explains the intrinsic link between incapacitation and cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults, and that social relationships and depressive symptoms can directly or indirectly modulate the effects between them. This provides a basis for healthcare professionals to be able to better develop interventions that can be used to improve the level of cognitive functioning and mental health of older adults.

Compensatory brain activity pattern is not present in older adults during the n-back task performance-Findings based on EEG frequency analysis.

Cognitive ability is one of the most important enablers for successful aging. At the same time, cognitive decline is a well-documented phenomenon accompanying the aging process. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that aging can also be related to positive processes that allow one to compensate for the decline. These processes include the compensatory brain activity of older adults primarily investigated using fMRI and PET. To strengthen the cognitive interpretation of compensatory brain activity in older adults, we searched for its indicators in brain activity measured by EEG. The study sample comprised 110 volunteers, including 50 older adults (60-75 years old) and 60 young adults (20-35 years old) who performed 1-back, 2-back, and 3-back tasks while recording the EEG signal. The study analyzed (1) the level of cognitive performance, including sensitivity index, the percentage of correct answers to the target, and the percentage of false alarm errors; (2) theta and alpha power for electrodes located in the frontal-midline (Fz, AF3, AF4, F3, F4, FC1, and FC2) and the centro-parietal (CP1, CP2, P3, P4, and Pz) areas. Cognitive performance was worse in older adults than in young adults, which manifested in a significantly lower sensitivity index and a significantly higher false alarm error rate at all levels of the n-back task difficulty. Simultaneously, performance worsened with increasing task difficulty regardless of age. Significantly lower theta power in the older participants was observed at all difficulty levels, even at the lowest one, where compensatory activity was expected. At the same time, at this difficulty level, cognitive performance was worse in older adults than in young adults, which could reduce the chances of observing compensatory brain activity. The significant decrease in theta power observed in both age groups with rising task difficulty can reflect a declining capacity for efficient cognitive functioning under increasing demands rather than adapting to this increase. Moreover, in young adults, alpha power decreased to some extent with increasing cognitive demand, reflecting adaptation to them, while in older adults, no analogous pattern was observed. In conclusion, based on the results of the current study, the presence of compensatory activity in older adults cannot be inferred.

Functional significance of posttraumatic growth in U.S. military veterans

BackgroundAlthough many studies indicate that individuals who have experienced a traumatic event can experience posttraumatic growth (PTG), some researchers have questioned the significance of PTG in associations with functioning. The role of PTG in functioning following trauma may be better elucidated by accounting for its joint effects with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. MethodsData were analyzed from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 3847 trauma-exposed U.S. veterans. Participants completed assessments of potentially traumatic events, PTSD symptoms, and PTG, as well as a broad range of sociodemographic, military, trauma, health, personality, and psychosocial characteristics. ResultsPTG was independently and moderately associated with higher mental, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning, but not physical functioning. Results showed a similar pattern of findings when examining relations between subdomains of PTG and these aspects of functioning. Additionally, among veterans who screened positive for PTSD, those who endorsed PTG reported higher levels of mental, cognitive, and/or psychosocial functioning than those who did not endorse PTG. LimitationsFindings may be limited by the use of a cross-sectional design, retrospective self-reports of PTG, and a predominantly older white male veteran sample. ConclusionResults provide support for the functional significance of PTG and highlight the importance of considering PTSD symptoms to better understand the role of PTG in functioning. Clinical interventions to foster PTG may help promote post-trauma functioning.

Sleep Disturbance and Related Factors in the Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Background. Sleep disturbances are commonly reported, although underestimated complaints from people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency and type of sleep disturbances in MS patients and to evaluate their relationships with demographics and clinical data. Methods. The study group consisted of 178 patients with relapsing-remitting MS: 130 females and 48 males. Clinical measures (disease duration, disability level in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and treatment) were acquired from medical records. The questionnaire was applied, containing questions about sleep disturbances, somatic complaints, perception of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and problems at work and in social/family life. Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) were performed to quantify sleep problems and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (Mini-ACE) to assess level of depression and cognitive performance. Electroencephalography was recorded to identify electrophysiological indices of sleep. Results. 109 patients (61%) reported sleep disturbances, most frequently insomnia, snoring, and parasomnias. This subgroup had significantly higher scores in AIS (p&lt;0.0001) and KSS (p=0.010) and slightly higher EDSS score (p=0.048) and more often complained of fatigue (71% vs. 53%, p=0.0148), involuntary limb movement (42% vs. 25, p=0.0170), and breathing disturbances (10% vs. 0%). There was a significant correlation between the results of AIS and HDRS (Rs=0.715, p&lt;0.05). Conclusion. Sleep disturbances, predominantly insomnia, are reported by more than a half of the patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Significant associations were found between sleep problems and MS-related clinical symptoms and psychosocial issues.

Effects of expressive arts therapy on cognitive function and depression among older adults with MCI in Taiwan

ABSTRACT Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at increased risk of progression to dementia. Whether it is feasible to engage this population in expressive arts therapy and yield effects on cognition and depression for older adults with MCI remained unclear. The aim of this study examined the effects of expressive arts therapy on the cognitive function and depression levels of older adults with MCI in day care centers in Taiwan. A quasi-experimental design was conducted in a sample of day care centers older adults with MCI. A total of 88 participants with MCI were assigned to the intervention or comparison group. The intervention groups participated in an expressive arts therapy for 12 weeks in addition to their daily activities. Data were collected at the baseline point and immediately after post-intervention. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the effect of the intervention on the outcomes. At week 12, findings indicated that the intervention group had significant improvement in cognitive function and depression over time than the comparison group. These findings provide evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of expressive arts therapy intervention in older adults with MCI.

Numerosity comparison, cognitive strategies, and general cognitive functioning in older people.

Studies have shown age-related differences in numerical cognition, for example, in the level of numerosity comparison ability. Moreover, some studies point out individual differences in the cognitive strategies employed during the performance of numerosity comparison tasks and reveal that they are related to the aging process. One probable cause of these differences is the level of cognitive functioning. The aim of our study was to determine the relationships among numerosity comparison ability, the cognitive strategies utilized in the performance of numerosity comparison tasks and the general cognitive functioning in older people. Forty-seven elderly people participated in the study. The participants were examined using overall cognitive functioning scales and computerized numerosity comparison task. The results showed many correlations between the participants' level of cognitive functioning and the percent of correct responses (PCR) and response time (RT) during numerosity comparison, as well as with the cognitive strategies applied by the participants. Task correctness was positively related to the level of performance in the attention and executive function tasks. In contrast, the long-term memory resources index and visuospatial skills level were negatively correlated with RT regarding numerosity comparison task performance. The level of long-term memory resources was also positively associated with the frequency of use of more complex cognitive strategies. Series of regression analyses showed that both the level of general cognitive functioning and the cognitive strategies employed by participants in numerosity comparison can explain 9-21 percent of the variance in the obtained results. In summary, these results showed significant relationships between the level of cognitive functioning and proficiency in numerosity comparison measured in older people. Moreover, it has been shown that cognitive resources level is related to the strategies utilized by older people, which indicates the potential application for cognitive strategy examinations in the development of new diagnostic tools.

Cognitive dysfunction, depression and serum level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Aim of the workTo evaluate serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relation with cognitive dysfunction. Patients and methodsThe study was carried out on 60 RA patients; 30 were active (group A) and 30 were non active (group B); and 30 controls (group C). RA disease activity was assessed via DAS28 tool, cognitive function via The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and depression via the PHQ depression scale. Serum BDNF levels were measured. ResultsThe mean age in group A was 37.8 (±9.37) years with 83.3% females, in group B was 39.97 (±8.04) years with 86.7% females and in group C was 33.17 (±3.6) years with 93.3% females. Abnormal cognitive functions test was detected in 66.7% of group A, 66.7% of group B, and in 23.3% of group C. There was a statistically significant difference in BDNF serum level between both groups of patients (1.58±0.9ng/ml for group A, 1.81±1.17ng/ml for group B) compared with the control group (3.01±1.25ng/ml, p<0.001).There was no statistically significant difference between BDNF and both disease duration and cognitive function, also no statistically significant difference regarding cognitive function, depression, and BNDF levels in patients with and without fibromyalgia. At a cut-off value of <2ng/ml, BDNF detected RA patients with cognitive dysfunction with a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 96.67%. ConclusionBDNF can be a potential biomarker of cognitive dysfunction in RA patients.

Investigating Dyslexia through Diffusion Tensor Imaging across Ages: A Systematic Review.

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that presents a deficit in accuracy and/or fluency while reading or spelling that is not expected given the level of cognitive functioning. Research indicates brain structural changes mainly in the left hemisphere, comprising arcuate fasciculus (AF) and corona radiata (CR). The purpose of this systematic review is to better understand the possible methods for analyzing Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data while accounting for the characteristics of dyslexia in the last decade of the literature. Among 124 articles screened from PubMed and Scopus, 49 met inclusion criteria, focusing on dyslexia without neurological or psychiatric comorbidities. Article selection involved paired evaluation, with a third reviewer resolving discrepancies. The selected articles were analyzed using two topics: (1) a demographic and cognitive assessment of the sample and (2) DTI acquisition and analysis. Predominantly, studies centered on English-speaking children with reading difficulties, with preserved non-verbal intelligence, attention, and memory, and deficits in reading tests, rapid automatic naming, and phonological awareness. Structural differences were found mainly in the left AF in all ages and in the bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus for readers-children and adults. A better understanding of structural brain changes of dyslexia and neuroadaptations can be a guide for future interventions.