Memory Quotient Research Articles

Stereotactic radiofrequency amygdalohippocampectomy: Two years of good neuropsychological outcomes

To provide two-year seizure and neuropsychological outcomes in patients treated by stereotactic radiofrequency amygdalohippocampectomy (SAHE), an alternative, minimally invasive method for the treatment of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Thirty-seven MTLE patients treated by SAHE (26 left-sided, 11 right-sided) were included. Patients underwent neuropsychological evaluation by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised preoperatively, 1 year and 2 years after SAHE. Two years after SAHE twenty-eight (75.5%) patients were assessed as Engel Class I and seven (18.9%) patients as Engel Class II. In two patients (5.4%) treatment failed, one of them was classified as Class III and one as Class IV. Irrespective of the laterality of the procedure, the group improved significantly in Global and Verbal Memory Quotients, Attention, Delayed Recall, Semantic Long-term memory subtest and Working Memory. Additionally, increases in Full-scale, Verbal and Visual Intelligence Quotients were detected on the group level. In the present study we report good seizure control and neuropsychological outcomes after SAHE in our patients. We hypothesize that good neuropsychological results were achieved by the incomplete destruction of target structures, sparing the lateral temporal neocortex, and also partially by practice effect. Treatment failures in seizure control may be attributed to larger epileptogenic zones.

Correlation of neurochemical metabolism with memory function in young adult patients with first-episode depression studied with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

To investigate the correlation of neurochemical metabolism in hippocampus with memory function in young adult patients with first-episode depression. Twenty patients with first-episode depression (patient group) and fifteen health subjects (control group) were enrolled in the study. The neurochemical metabolism, including the levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), Choline (Cho), Creatine (Cr), Myoinositol (mI) were measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscope (1H-MRS) in bilateral hippocampus. Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) were used to examine the memory function in both groups. The memory quotient (89.15 ±6.62) of patient group was significantly lower than that of controls (P <0.01),the scores of long-term memory,short-term memory and immediate memory in patients were also lower than those of controls (P<0.05 or 0.01). In patient group, the ratio of NAA/Cr (1.34 ±0.08) in the left hippocampus was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.01); and the ratio of mI/Cr in the bilateral hippocampus [(0.63 ±0.13) in left and (0.6 ±0.1) in right] was significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). In patient group,the ratio of NAA/Cr in the left hippocampus was positively correlated with WMS scores (P<0.01), and the ratio of mI/Cr in the left hippocampus was negatively correlated with WMS scores (P<0.05). The memory deficit and abnormal metabolism function of neuron cell in hippocampus coexist in young adult patients with first-episode depression, and the lower NAA/Cr and higher mI/Cr ratio in the left hippocampus may result in the memory deficit.

Benign Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes: To Treat or Not to Treat

Background and Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits and risks of oxcarbazepine (OXC) monotherapy in children with newly diagnosed, benign partial epilepsy based on clinico-electrical and neuropsychological evaluation over time.Methods:The study was open label, prospective, multicenter based. A total of 39 children with BRE were involved in the study. They were randomized into two groups (T; treatment with OXC, NT; No treatment) to compare the effectiveness of OXC treatment. All children underwent EEGs with quantification and a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests at the first visit and follow up visit at 6 months.Results:The subjects made a slight progress in general intelligence measures over time in both groups (95.4±10.5 to 97.6±7.5 for T, 107.6±17.3 to 111.4±18.6 for NT). Memory and frontal executive functions did not change over time in both groups in terms of the memory quotient (MQ) (106.7±27.5 to 103.4± 19.3 for T, 105.8±13.2 to 104.9±17.2 for NT) and executive intelligence quotient (EIQ) (114.7±18.3 to 108.9±12.5 for T, 100.6±25.1 to 101.2±13.9 for NT). However, when sub-domain scores were compared between the two groups, the treatment group got significantly worse over time in the verbal fluency test (11.5±3.8 to 8.0±1.4 for T, 10.3±3.9 to 11.5±2.1 for NT; p<0.05) and level 1 of Stroop test (9.3±3.0 to 7.5±1.3 for T, 11.0±3.7 to 11.2±2.6 for NT; p<0.05). The subjects might have cognitive and behavioral difficulties in association with frontal lobe dysfunctions, but these difficulties did not seem to be dependent on the number of seizures, the abundance of subclinical epileptiform discharges, or the anti-epileptic treatment.Conclusions:We think that OXC monotherapy is effective for children with BRE, but is to be given to the selected patients such as patients with prolonged or frequent seizures. However, further studies are needed to have a better understanding in this matter.

Improvement of working memory after stenting for cervicocerebral artery stenosis

ObjectiveTo investigate the working memory of patients with cervicocerebral artery stenosis and its change after stenting.Methods35 patients with cervicocerebral artery stenosis (≥50% with related symptoms of cerebral ischemia, or ≥70%...

A distinct pattern of memory and attention deficiency in patients with depression

Background Depression related cognitive deficits are frequently considered as simple epiphenomena of the disorder. However, whether or not the depression might directly bring about cognitive deficits is still under investigation. This study was to investigate the distinctpattern of cognitive deficits in patients with depression by comparing the cognitive function before and after anti-depressive drug therapy. Methods Sixty cases of patients, first-time diagnosed with depression, were assessed by 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD17scale). The memory ability was tested by quantitatively clinical memory scale, while the attention ability by modified Ruff 2&amp;7 Selective Attention Test. Forty-two healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. The depressive patients were treated with Venlafaxine (75-300 mg/d), Fluoxetine (20-40 mg/d), Paroxetine (20-40 mg/d), and Sertraline (50-150 mg/d). After 12 weeks treatment, patients were tested again by HAMD17scale, quantitatively clinical memory scale, and modified Ruff 2&amp;7 selective attention test to assess the effect of anti-depressive drugs on cognitive deficits. Results The memory quotient (MQ) was significantly lowered in depressive patients. The selection speed was also significantly decreased and the number of missing and error hits increased in the depression group as compared to control. However, there was no significant difference in clinical memory scale and Ruff 2&amp;7 selective attention test between mild-to-moderate and severe depression group. Importantly, after anti-depressive drug therapy, the HAMD17 scale scores in depressive patients were significantly decreased, but the MQ, directional memory (DM), free recall (FR), associative learning (AL), and face recognition were comparable with those before the treatment. Furthermore, the selection speed and the number of missing and error hits were also not significantly different after anti-depressive drugs treatment. Conclusions Depressive patients suffer from short-term memory deficits, and attention extent, stability and rearrangement deficiency. Even though anti-depressive drugs sufficiently relieve the cardinal presentation of depression, they could not successfully alleviate the accompanying cognitive deficits. This might indicate a distinct pattern of cognitive deficits in patients with depression.

An open clinical trial assessing a novel training program for social cognitive impairment in schizophrenia

Social cognition is profoundly impaired in patients with schizophrenia. This study describes 'Mental-State Reasoning Training for Social Cognitive Impairment' (SoCog-MSRT), a 5-week program developed to improve social cognition in patients with schizophrenia. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing SoCog-MSRT in a rehabilitation setting and to evaluate whether our training methods produced improvements. METHOD The feasibility and benefits of SoCog-MSRT were evaluated in an open clinical trial with 14 participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Training comprised 10 twice-weekly sessions, for 5 weeks, with a pre- and post-training assessment. There were significant improvements on: (a) a classic false-belief test of Theory of Mind (ToM); (b) inferring complex mental states from the eyes; and (c) a self-reported measure of social understanding. Some of these improvements were associated with baseline levels of working memory and premorbid Intelligence Quotient (IQ). CONCLUSIONS SoCog-MSRT can improve ToM abilities and social understanding, but individuals with poorer working memory and lower premorbid IQ may be less able to benefit from this type of training.

Long-term therapeutic effects of corticoamygdalohippocampectomy for bilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Background:Some cases of paradoxical mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) are shown to be bilateral MTLE (BMTLE) by intracranial electrodes. The treatment for BMTLE is difficult, which poses several questions. Can corticoamygdalohippocampectomy (CAH) be applied to treat BMTLE? What are the long-term therapeutic effects if CAH is performed in BMTLE patients?Methods:Four patients were shown to have BMTLE through bilateral intracranial electrode implantation. CAH was performed on the side with relatively more seizure originations. These patients were followed-up at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and longer, in some cases, after the CAH. The postoperative seizure frequency was recorded. Preoperative and postoperative clinical memory tests and a postoperative 4-hour video electroencephalography (EEG) were conducted in the hospital at different follow-up times. The average seizure frequencies and memory quotient scores were analyzed.Results:The average seizure frequency significantly decreased by 80.8%, 83.5%, and 84.3% at different postoperative times. Although no patient was seizure free, the intensity of the seizures was reduced in all cases. The postoperative average memory quotient score was moderately decreased by 15.8%, 11.7%, and 16.6% at different postoperative times. Both the average values of the postoperative seizure frequency (5.5, 4.75, and 4.5 per month) and the average values of the postoperative memory quotient (73.7, 77.3, and 73) at different postoperative times were approximately the same.Conclusions:CAH reduced the seizure frequency and intensity in these BMTLE patients. Mild hypomnesis occurred in every case. We observed the long-term treatment effects at 6 months after the CAH and showed that the effects did not change at that time or over the next few years.

2833 – A six year follow-up study of cognitive change in first onset depressive patients

Introduction The debates about depressive disorder and cognition impairment are supported by controversial data. Objective We launched the study to investigate cognitive change in first onset depressive patients over a 6 year period. Methods A prospective cohort was performed. Participants included 206 cases of first onset depressive Chinese outpatient aged from 17 to 60 year old and followed from Apr. 2003-Feb. 2004 to Apr. 2009-Feb. 2010 in Shanghai. During the first 48 weeks, case management service was delivered. Participants were assessed by 17-HAMD and HAMA scale at baseline, week 12, week 32, week 48, and year 6. Cognitive changes were assessed using the WMS-RC, WAIS-RC, and WCST at baseline (n = 116), week 12 (n = 80) and year 6 (n = 24), 41 normal participants as control. Results (1) During the first depressive onset, cognitive performance deteriorated comparing with those of control group (P (2) At week 12,effective medication could relieve symptom and improve cognition function (P 0.05). While patient group had a significantly larger proportion (whose Memory Quotient below 85) than control group did (χ2 = 5.66, P (3) Using a general linear mixed model to estimate cognitive change,patients with more severe depressive retardation and lower education had a worse short-term memory over 6 years (estimate = -1.65, SE = 0.80, P Conclusion The first onset depressive patient has cognitive defects. Memory does not full recovery after symptom relief. Short-term memory impairment persists over 6 years with relative factors.

Long-Term Outcomes of Epilepsy Surgery in School-Aged Children With Partial Epilepsy

The pediatric epileptic spectrum and seizure control in surgical patients have been defined in developed countries. However, corresponding data on school-aged children from developing countries are insufficient. We summarized epileptic surgical data from four centers in China, to compare surgical outcomes of school-aged children with intractable partial epilepsy from China and those from developed countries, and introduce surgical candidate criteria. Data from 206 children (aged 6-14 years) undergoing surgical resection for epilepsy between September 2001 and January 2007 were selected. Postoperative freedom from seizures was achieved in 173 cases (84.0%) at 1 year, 149 (72.3%) at 3 years, and 139 (67.5%) at 5 years. Patients with focal magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities and a short history of seizure were most likely to become seizure-free postoperatively. Those with preoperative low intelligence quotients who became seizure-free postoperatively achieved improvements in full memory quotients, intelligence quotients, and overall quality of life at 2 years. Significant differences were evident in mean changes of full intelligence quotient, full memory quotient, and overall quality of life between patients with preoperative low intelligence quotients who received corpus callosotomies and those with a normal preoperative intelligence quotient, and between seizure-free children and those with continual seizures.

Spatial working memory dysfunction in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: An ethology and BOLD-fMRI study

The term “minimal hepatic encephalopathy” (MHE) refers to a population of individuals who have no recognizable clinical symptoms but perform abnormally on neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests. Research shows that MHE patients have impairments in cognition affecting their daily lives that should be treated. This study explored the neural basis of spatial working memory impairment in MHE patients using behavioral test and BOLD-fMRI. Twelve normal controls, twelve cirrhosis patients without MHE and twelve MHE patients took part. The memory quotient of the MHE group (Wechsler Memory Scale—Chinese revised: WMS-CR) was lower than the normal control group and the cirrhosis-without-MHE group, and primarily concerned short-term memory and transient memory. Performance accuracy was lower for the MHE group than the control group and the cirrhosis-without-MHE group, and mean reaction time was prolonged. The fMRI data highlighted a neural network consisting of: bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), bilateral premotor area (PreMA), supplementary motor area (SMA) and bilateral parietal areas (PA), which was activated in the n-back task. The load effect of BOLD–fMRI response appeared in all regions of interest (ROI) for the normal control group, but only appeared in PreMA and PA, and did not vary with n-back load in PFC or SMA for the MHE group. Activation intensities for all ROIs were higher for the normal control group than the MHE group, especially in 2-back load. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that MHE patients have debilitated spatial working memory, and that impairments of bilateral PFC, PMA, SMA, and PA commonly lead to spatial working memory dysfunction. Furthermore, PFC impairment may form the neural basis of spatial working memory impairment.

Changes of subtests of Wechsler Memory Scale and cognitive function in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism following treatment with levothyroxine

IntroductionSubclinical hypothyroidism has been reported to be associated with disturbed cognitive function. In this study, changes of subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale and memory quotient were investigated in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism following treatment with levothyroxine. The aim of the study was a randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.Material and methodsSixty subjects (51 females and 9 males) with subclinical hypothyroidism were enrolled. Memory quotient was evaluated at the beginning of the study and three months after enrollment, using Wechsler's memory test. Subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as serum TSH level between 4.5 mU/l and 10 mU/l in the presence of normal free-T4 (0.8-2 ng/dl) and positive anti-TPO-Ab. The intervention and control groups received levothyroxine and placebo respectively for 3 months. Re-evaluation was done using the Wechsler Memory Scale at the end of the study.ResultsThe mean age was 34 ±10 years, mean TSH level was 8.25 ±3.64 muIU/l. Memory quotient was similar in both groups at the beginning of the study: 105.70 ±2.1 in intervention group vs. 105.87 ±2.1 in control group (p = 0.89). At the end of the study, the memory quotient rose by 9.3 points in the intervention group and by 3.23 in the controls (p = 0.002). Analysis of the scores of Wechsler Memory subtests in the intervention group indicated significant improvement of mental control (p = 0.002), logical memory (p < 0.001), associate learning (p = 0.014), age corrected score (p = 0.002), and memory quotient (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study showed the efficacy of levothyroxine for cognitive function of subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Cognitive Impairments in Patients with Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

MethodsZZParticipants were adults between the ages of 18 and 65, and included 40 healthy control subjects, 40 outpatients diagnosed with depressive disorder, and 35 outpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Full-Scale Intelligence Quotients (FIQ) were measured using the Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The levels of Memory Quotients (MQ) were yielded on a Rey-Kim Memory Test, and executive functions were assessed using Kim’s Frontal-Executive Function Test. Scores of each scale were compared among the three groups using ANOVA.

Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides and IQ in 7-Year-Old Children

Context: Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are neurotoxic at high doses. Few studies have examined whether chronic exposure at lower levels could adversely affect children’s cognitive development.Objective: We examined associations between prenatal and postnatal exposure to OP pesticides and cognitive abilities in school-age children.Methods: We conducted a birth cohort study (Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas study) among predominantly Latino farmworker families from an agricultural community in California. We assessed exposure to OP pesticides by measuring dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites in urine collected during pregnancy and from children at 6 months and 1, 2, 3.5, and 5 years of age. We administered the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th edition, to 329 children 7 years of age. Analyses were adjusted for maternal education and intelligence, Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment score, and language of cognitive assessment.Results: Urinary DAP concentrations measured during the first and second half of pregnancy had similar relations to cognitive scores, so we used the average of concentrations measured during pregnancy in further analyses. Averaged maternal DAP concentrations were associated with poorer scores for Working Memory, Processing Speed, Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, and Full-Scale intelligence quotient (IQ). Children in the highest quintile of maternal DAP concentrations had an average deficit of 7.0 IQ points compared with those in the lowest quintile. However, children’s urinary DAP concentrations were not consistently associated with cognitive scores.Conclusions: Prenatal but not postnatal urinary DAP concentrations were associated with poorer intellectual development in 7-year-old children. Maternal urinary DAP concentrations in the present study were higher but nonetheless within the range of levels measured in the general U.S. population.

Precuneus hypoperfusion plays an important role in memory impairment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The present study was designed to identify regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with memory impairments. Nineteen SLE patients (mean age 36.1 ± 8.6years, range 17-47) with subjective memory complaints underwent brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS) and the Rey-Kim Memory Test (RKMT) were used objectively to evaluate cognitive functions in these patients. On the basis of the Intelligence Quotient-Memory Quotient (IQ-MQ) difference score, patients were classified into two groups: those with below one standard deviation (SD) from the mean for normal subjects of comparable age and education (memory impairment, n = 6) and those with without memory impairment (non-memory impairment, n = 13). Their brain SPECT images were analyzed by statistical parametric mapping (SPM) for group comparisons. The group of SLE patients with memory impairment showed significant hypoperfusion in the right precuneus compared with those with non-memory impairment (p < 0.001). Hypoperfusion of the precuneus may play a significant role in the memory function of SLE patients. SPM analysis of brain SPECT images could be a useful and objective tool for identifying abnormal rCBF in SLE patients with memory impairment.

Silent central nervous system involvement in Egyptian Behçet's disease patients: clinical, psychiatric, and neuroimaging evaluation

Behçet's disease (BD) is an idiopathic multisystem disorder. Involvement of CNS occurs in 4-48% of cases. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical neuropsychiatric affection in asymptomatic Egyptian BD patients using psychometric tests and brain imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), also to assess possibly associated clinical predictive variables. Twenty-five BD patients without overt CNS involvement and ten healthy controls matched for age, education, and sex completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including Hamilton scales for anxiety and depression and Wechsler memory scale-revised. Disease activity was assessed using Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). SPECT was done for all subjects, and 12 patients underwent brain MRI. Compared to controls, 23 (92%) and 24 (96%) patients had anxiety and depression scores respectively above normal range; also, BD patients had significantly lower memory quotient (MQ). SPECT revealed abnormalities in 16/25 (64%), while in 3/12 patients (25%), MRI was abnormal. Subjects with abnormal SPECT had significantly higher ages than those with normal SPECT (P = 0.02) and were more frequently males (P = 0.03). No statistically significant differences between cases with normal or abnormal SPECT were found regarding disease duration, frequency of headache, BDCAF, frequency of active eye disease, major vascular involvement, mean Hamilton anxiety and depression scores, and mean MQ. Early diagnosis of neurological involvement in BD is important in reducing or preventing complications. Neuropsychiatric evaluation and HMPAO brain SPECT were found to be useful for detecting subclinical neurological abnormalities in BD patients.

A Combination of Green Tea Extract andl-Theanine Improves Memory and Attention in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

A combination of green tea extract and l-theanine (LGNC-07) has been reported to have beneficial effects on cognition in animal studies. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the effect of LGNC-07 on memory and attention in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was investigated. Ninety-one MCI subjects whose Mini Mental State Examination-K (MMSE-K) scores were between 21 and 26 and who were in either stage 2 or 3 on the Global Deterioration Scale were enrolled in this study. The treatment group (13 men, 32 women; 57.58 ± 9.45 years) took 1,680 mg of LGNC-07, and the placebo group (12 men, 34 women; 56.28 ± 9.92 years) received an equivalent amount of maltodextrin and lactose for 16 weeks. Neuropsychological tests (Rey-Kim memory test and Stroop color-word test) and electroencephalography were conducted to evaluate the effect of LGNC-07 on memory and attention. Further analyses were stratified by baseline severity to evaluate treatment response on the degree of impairment (MMSE-K 21-23 and 24-26). LGNC-07 led to improvements in memory by marginally increasing delayed recognition in the Rey-Kim memory test (P = .0572). Stratified analyses showed that LGNC-07 improved memory and selective attention by significantly increasing the Rey-Kim memory quotient and word reading in the subjects with MMSE-K scores of 21-23 (LGNC-07, n = 11; placebo, n = 9). Electroencephalograms were recorded in 24 randomly selected subjects hourly for 3 hours in eye-open, eye-closed, and reading states after a single dose of LGNC-07 (LGNC-07, n = 12; placebo, n = 12). Brain theta waves, an indicator of cognitive alertness, were increased significantly in the temporal, frontal, parietal, and occipital areas after 3 hours in the eye-open and reading states. Therefore, this study suggests that LGNC-07 has potential as an intervention for cognitive improvement.

Event-related potentials P₃₀₀ with memory function and psychopathology in first-episode paranoid schizophrenia

To investigate the variability of event-related potentials P(300) and the relationship with memory function/psychopathology in patients with first-episode paranoid schizophrenia. Thirty patients with first-episode paranoid schizophrenia (patient group) and twenty health subjects (control group) were enrolled in the study. The auditory event-related potentials P₃₀₀ at the scalp electrodes Cz, Pz and Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) were examined in both groups, Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was evaluated in patient group. In comparison with control group, patients had longer latency of P₃₀₀ [(390.6 ± 47.6)ms at Cz and (393.3 ± 50.1)ms at Pz] (P<0.01), lower amplitude of P₃₀₀ [(7.7 ± 3.4) μV at Cz and (8.5 ± 3.9)μV at Pz] (P<0.05-0.01). The memory quotient (88.1 ± 10.0) scores and short-term memory, immediate memory in patient group were damaged significantly (P<0.05-0.01). In patient group, the latency of P300 was correlated positively with PANSS scores and negatively with WMS scores (P<0.05-0.01). First-episode paranoid schizophrenia has memory deficit, which can be evaluated comprehensively by P₃₀₀ and WMS. The longer latency of P₃₀₀ might be associated with the increased severity of first-episode paranoid schizophrenia.

The relationship of long-term school milk consumption and their attention, cognitive ability among children

To evaluate the status of attention and cognitive ability among children who consumed school milk for relative long-term period. From July to August 2009, a cluster of 435 children aged 10-12 year-old (including 188 boys and 247 girls) were sampled in Changsha, Hunan Province and divided into two groups, which were long-term milk-consumption group (the children drank school milk four times per week and continued for over one year or one to three times per week and continued for over three years, 220 cases) and seldom milk-consumption group (the others, 215 cases). Children's growth and anemia status were evaluated, the mental work ability index (IMC) was evaluated by Alimov searching table and both the attention and memory function of children were evaluated by clinical memory scale. The average height, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and anemia rate in long term milk-consumed group were (147.6 ± 8.1) cm, (40.1 ± 9.0) g/L and 7.1% (15/212), and the indexes of the seldom milk-consumed group were (145.9 ± 8.3) cm, (38.7 ± 10.0) g/L and 13.3% (27/203). There were significant statistical differences (t = 2.124, 2.621; χ(2) = 4.418, all P values < 0.05). The scores of the third IMC in the long term milk-consumed group (233.6 ± 44.1) were higher than the seldom milk-consumed group (222.8 ± 42.3), (t = 2.505, P < 0.05). The scores of picture free recall (14.7 ± 5.0) and memory quotient (86.7 ± 17.2) were higher than that in the seldom milk-consumed group (13.4 ± 4.8 and 82.7 ± 16.1 respectively) (t = 2.539, 2.433; all P values < 0.05). Drinking milk for long-term can help increasing attention and memory of children.

Control study of Ziprasidone and Risperidone on Efficacy and Cognitive Function in First-episode Schizophrenia

Objective To compare the effect of ziprasidone and risperidone on the efficacy and cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia.Methods 86 first-episode inpatients who met CCMD-3 diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia were randomly divided into study group(n = 42) and control group(n=44) for an 8-week observation.The study group received ziprasidone,while the control group was treated with risperidone.The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS) and Treatment Emergent Symptoms Scale(TESS) were used to evaluate the efficacy and side effects respectively before and after 2,4,6,8 week's treatment.WAIS-R,WMS,WCST were adopted to evaluate the cognitive function before and after treatment.Results There were significant difference in the total scores of PANSS of the two group after treatment than before(P＜0.01).The effective rate of ziprasidone group was 92.5%,in which 80% were improved remarkably.The effective rate of risperidone group was 90%,in which 80% were improved remarkably.There were significant difference in curative effect between the two groups(P＞0.05).The scores of TESS of study group were significantly lower than those of control group at 6,8 weekend(P＜0.01).The scores of WAIS-R language scale,operation scale,total scale,memory quotient(MQ),total trials,persistent errors and random errors of W CST were improved significantly in two group compared with before treatment(P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).After the treatment,there was remarkable difference on the scores of MQ and persistent errors in study group compared with those in control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Ziprasidone is a safe and effective atypical antipsychotics,and it's curative effect is similar to risperidone.However,ziprasidone has few and slight side effects as well as the improvement of the cognitive function of first-episode schizophrenia obviously,it can be used as choice drug for first-episode schizophrenia. Key words: Ziprasidone; Risperidone; Schizophrenia; Cognitive function

Subtle Cognitive Impairments in Patients with Long-Term Cure of Cushing’s Disease

Active Cushing's disease is associated with cognitive impairments. We hypothesized that previous hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing's disease results in irreversible impairments in cognitive functioning. Therefore, our aim was to assess cognitive functioning after long-term cure of Cushing's disease. Cognitive assessment consisted of 11 tests, which evaluated global cognitive functioning, memory, and executive functioning. We included 74 patients cured of Cushing's disease and 74 controls matched for age, gender, and education. Furthermore, we included 54 patients previously treated for nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFMA) and 54 controls matched for age, gender, and education. Compared with NFMA patients, patients cured from Cushing's disease had lower scores on the Mini Mental State Examination (P = 0.001), and on the memory quotient of the Wechsler Memory Scale (P = 0.050). Furthermore, patients cured from Cushing's disease tended to recall fewer words on the imprinting (P = 0.013), immediate recall (P = 0.012), and delayed recall (P = 0.003) trials of the Verbal Learning Test of Rey. On the Rey Complex Figure Test, patients cured from Cushing's disease had lower scores on both trials (P = 0.002 and P = 0.007) compared with NFMA patients. Patients cured from Cushing's disease also made fewer correct substitutions on the Letter-Digit Substitution Test (P = 0.039) and came up with fewer correct patterns on the Figure Fluency Test (P = 0.003) compared with treated NFMA patients. Cognitive function, reflecting memory and executive functions, is impaired in patients despite long-term cure of Cushing's disease. These observations indicate irreversible effects of previous hypercortisolism on cognitive function and, thus, on the central nervous system. These observations may also be of relevance for patients treated with high-dose exogenous glucocorticoids.