Memory Scores Research Articles

Abstract TP40: Identification of Domain-Specific Cognitive Phenotypes of Post Stroke Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Introduction: Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) are variably expressed following stroke. The purpose of this investigation is to identify the domain-specific cognitive phenotypes of VCID in the acute and sub-acute post-stroke interval measured using the Mark VCID battery. Methods: Mark VCID neurocognitive test battery was administered to 33 patients with incident ischemic stroke in the left (n=15), right (n=17), and bilateral (n=1) hemispheres including the anterior and middle cerebral artery territory, and 39 age and sex matched healthy controls (HC). Participants ranged in age from 42 to 88 years (Patient M=65.64 yrs, Control M=64.97 yrs). Patient group consisted of 17 males and 22 females, and the control group had 20 males and 13 females. Mean post stroke interval was 8 weeks (Range: 2.5 to 19 weeks). The test battery assessed: language (naming, fluency), perception (facial recognition, spatial orientation), psychomotor speed (digit symbol substitution), memory (word list, story recall), and attention (trails, number span). Normative test scores were converted to z-scores for assessment of between group differences using independent t-tests. Results: Patients with stroke performed significantly worse (p<0.05) than HCs on measures of language (semantic and phonemic fluency), perception (facial recognition and spatial orientation), and psychomotor speed (symbol digit modalities test) (Figure 1). There were no significant group differences in the scores of memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning, Craft Story) and attention tracking (Oral Trails A, Number Span). Conclusion: Cognitive abnormalities in these acute stoke patients represent impairments in diverse dominant (language) and non-dominant (perceptual/spatial) hemisphere cortical and subcortical (psychomotor speed) abilities. At the group level, the findings suggest a phenotype of VCID in patients with acute middle and anterior cerebral artery ischemic stroke.

Five-year effects of cognitive training in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

In a 5-year follow-up study, we investigated the enduring effects of cognitive training on older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A randomized controlled single-blind trial involved 145 older adults with MCI, assigned to cognitive training (MEMO+), an active control psychosocial intervention, or a no-contact condition. Five-year effects were measured on immediate and delayed memory recall, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment screening test (MoCA), self-reported strategy use, and daily living difficulties. At follow-up, participants who received cognitive training showed a smaller decline in delayed memory and maintained MoCA scores, contrasting with greater declines in the control groups. Cognitive training participants outperformed controls in both delayed memory and MoCA scores at the 5-year time point. No significant group differences were observed in self-reported strategy use or difficulties in daily living. Cognitive training provides long-term benefits by mitigating memory decline and slowing clinical symptom progression in older adults with MCI. Cognitive training reduced the 5-year memory decline of persons with MCI.Cognitive training also reduced decline on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).No intervention effect was found on strategy use or activities of daily living.

Toddler's memory and media-Picture book reading and watching video content are associated with memory at 2years of age.

Memory develops across the course of the first years of life and is influenced by daily experiences, such as exposure to media like books and television. Memory as tapped by Deferred imitation (DI) requires that toddlers form a representation of the target actions that they can later use to reproduce the actions and in addition to measuring memory for real live events, it can also be used to measure memory for events viewed through media. Toddlers are frequently exposed to multiple forms of digital media in addition to more traditional forms of picture book reading. In a within-subjects design, memory was assessed with a DI task in 2-year-olds (n=89) using the Frankfurt Imitation Test. Deferred imitation was assessed after live and video demonstrations. Parents completed a survey about children's media use. Picture book reading for less than 30min a day predicted lower memory scores for actions demonstrated live. Watching video content for more than 1h a day predicted lower memory scores for actions demonstrated on video. Results are interpreted in terms of individual differences in experiences of traditional and digital media and the development of symbolic understanding.

Abstract 72: Association Between Stroke Subtype and Post-Stroke Cognitive Decline: A Pooled Cohort Analysis of Four Cohorts

Introduction: Associations between stroke subtype and post-stroke cognitive decline are unclear. We determined if post-stroke cognitive trajectories differed between 1) hemorrhagic vs. ischemic stroke and 2) ischemic stroke subtypes. Methods: We identified 1,150 eligible dementia-free individuals with incident stroke (93% ischemic, 7% hemorrhagic, 50% women, 31% Black, median age, 65) from 4 cohort studies from 1971-2019: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Cardiovascular Health Study, Framingham Offspring Study, and Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke. Of the ischemic strokes, 22% were small-vessel occlusion, 8% large artery atherosclerosis, 21% cardioembolic, and 49% cryptogenic/other determined etiology. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate longitudinal changes in cognition after incident stroke. Global cognition (primary outcome), executive function, and memory were harmonized across studies and standardized as T-scores (mean [SD], 50 [10]); a 1-point difference represents a 0.1-SD difference in cognition. Median (IQR) follow-up was 5.9 (3.2, 9.2) years. Results: Survivors of ischemic stroke had significant declines in global cognition, executive function, and memory (Table). For example, global cognition declined -0.35 points/year (95%CI, -0.43, -0.26); P <0.001. Initial post-stroke cognitive scores and post-stroke cognitive trajectories did not differ between hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, except for lower initial post-stroke memory scores (adjusted difference, -1.39 points; 95% CI, -2.77, -0.01; P =0.049). Survivors of small-vessel occlusions had significant declines in global cognition, executive function, and memory (Table). Initial post-stroke cognitive scores and post-stroke cognitive trajectories did not differ by ischemic stroke subtype. Conclusions: Our results suggest that stroke survivors experience long-term post-stroke cognitive decline regardless of subtype.

Alcohol consumption's effects on working memory: Examining familial confounding.

The purpose of our study was to provide a more rigorous test of the causal hypothesis that chronic alcohol use impairs working memory performance. We measured linear associations between a latent factor representing alcohol consumption and accuracy across four working memory tasks before and after accounting for familial confounding using a cotwin control design. Specifically, this study examined accuracy through a latent working memory score, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox List Sorting, NIH Toolbox Picture Sequence, Penn Word Memory, and 2-back tasks. The study included data from 158 dizygotic and 278 monozygotic twins (Mage = 29 ± 3 years). In our initial sample-wide analysis, we did not detect any statistically significant associations between alcohol use and working memory accuracy. However, our cotwin control analyses showed that twins with greater levels of alcohol use exhibited worse scores on the latent working memory composite measure (B = -.25, CI [-.43, -.08], p < .01), Picture Sequence (B = -.31, CI [-.55, -.08], p < .01), and List Sorting (B = -.28, CI [-.51, -.06 ], p = .01) tasks than did their cotwins. These results are consistent with a potentially causal relationship between alcohol use and working memory performance that can be detected only after accounting for confounding familial factors. This highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms that may underlie negative associations between alcohol use and cognitive performance, as well as the potential factors that influence both alcohol behaviors and cognition. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Cross-sectional associations between 24-hour time-use composition, grey matter volume and cognitive function in healthy older adults

BackgroundIncreasing physical activity (PA) is an effective strategy to slow reductions in cortical volume and maintain cognitive function in older adulthood. However, PA does not exist in isolation, but coexists with sleep and sedentary behaviour to make up the 24-hour day. We investigated how the balance of all three behaviours (24-hour time-use composition) is associated with grey matter volume in healthy older adults, and whether grey matter volume influences the relationship between 24-hour time-use composition and cognitive function.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 378 older adults (65.6 ± 3.0 years old, 123 male) from the ACTIVate study across two Australian sites (Adelaide and Newcastle). Time-use composition was captured using 7-day accelerometry, and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure grey matter volume both globally and across regions of interest (ROI: frontal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampi, and lateral ventricles). Pairwise correlations were used to explore univariate associations between time-use variables, grey matter volumes and cognitive outcomes. Compositional data analysis linear regression models were used to quantify associations between ROI volumes and time-use composition, and explore potential associations between the interaction between ROI volumes and time-use composition with cognitive outcomes.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates (age, sex, education), there were no significant associations between time-use composition and any volumetric outcomes. There were significant interactions between time-use composition and frontal lobe volume for long-term memory (p = 0.018) and executive function (p = 0.018), and between time-use composition and total grey matter volume for executive function (p = 0.028). Spending more time in moderate-vigorous PA was associated with better long-term memory scores, but only for those with smaller frontal lobe volume (below the sample mean). Conversely, spending more time in sleep and less time in sedentary behaviour was associated with better executive function in those with smaller total grey matter volume.ConclusionsAlthough 24-hour time use was not associated with total or regional grey matter independently, total grey matter and frontal lobe grey matter volume moderated the relationship between time-use composition and several cognitive outcomes. Future studies should investigate these relationships longitudinally to assess whether changes in time-use composition correspond to changes in grey matter volume and cognition.

The effect of age on baseline neurocognitive performance

ABSTRACT Objective Evaluate the independent effect of age on baseline neurocognitive performance. Study Design Baseline ImPACT scores from tests taken by 7454 athletes aged 12–22 from 2009 to 2019 were split into three age cohorts: 12–14 years (3244), 15–17 years (3732), and 18–22 years (477). Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the effect of age on ImPACT composite scores while controlling for demographic differences, medication-use, and symptom burden. Significance values have been set at p < 0.05. Results Linear regression analyses demonstrated that increased age does not significantly affect symptom score (β = 0.06, p = 0.54) but does improve impulse control (β = −0.45, p < 0.0001), verbal memory (β = 0.23, p = 0.03), visualmotor (β = 0.77, p < 0.0001), and reaction time (β = −0.008, p < 0.0001) scores. However, age did not have an effect on visual memory scores (β = −0.25, p = 0.07). Conclusions Age was shown to be an independent modifier of impulse control, verbal memory, visual motor, and reaction time scores but not visual memory or symptom scores. This underscores the previous literature showing developmental differences as age increases among the adolescent athlete population. This data also indicates the need for repeat neurocognitive baseline testing every other year as baseline scoring is likely to change as athletes become older.

Association between telomere length and neuropsychological function at 4–5 years in children from the INMA project: a cross-sectional study

Shortened telomere length (TL) has been associated with lower cognitive performance, different neurological diseases in adults, and certain neurodevelopmental disorders in children. However, the evidence about the association between TL and neuropsychological developmental outcomes in children from the general population is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between TL and neuropsychological function in children 4–5 years of age. We included 686 children from the INMA Project, a population-based birth cohort in Spain. Leucocyte TL was determined by quantitative PCR method, and neuropsychological outcomes were measured using the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities (MCSA). Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate associations adjusted for potential confounding variables. Main findings showed that a longer TL was associated with a higher mean working memory score (β = 4.55; 95% CI = 0.39, 8.71). In addition, longer TL was associated with a higher mean global quantitative score (β = 3.85; 95% CI = −0.19, 7.89), although the association was marginally significant. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows a positive association between TL and better neuropsychological outcomes in children. Although further research is required to confirm these results, this study supports the hypothesis that TL is essential in protecting and maintaining a child’s health, including cognitive functions such as working memory.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation improves memory in first-diagnosed, drug-naïve patients with depression: Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionCognitive impairments are found in most patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). It is believed that low Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) level raise the risk of anxiety, depressive symptoms and cognition dysfunction. Since our previous research has found n-3 PUFAs supplementation improves anxiety in MDD, this study was to further explore the effectiveness on cognitive impairment among depressed patients. MethodsA total of 72 venlafaxine treated outpatients with first-diagnosed, drug-naïve depression were enrolled. Daily n-3 PUFAs supplementation (2.4 g/d of fish oil, including 1440 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 960 mg of docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo was used for 12 weeks. Cognitive function, measure by repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status ([RBANS]) scores, was compared over time. ResultsImmediate memory, delayed memory and RBANS total scores were significant higher in both groups at week 4 and week 12 compared with baseline. Both groups exhibited improvement on attention scores at week 12. No significant differences were observed comparing n-3 PUFAs with placebo groups in the improvement of total RBANS scores and other subscales except in the change of immediate memory at both week 4 and week 12 (p < 0.05). LimitationsSample size was relatively low. Moreover, multiple ethnic populations and the income of patients should be considered. Lastly, we used raw scores instead of the standardized scores of RBANS. ConclusionN-3 PUFAs supplementation yielded a small but statistically significant improvement on immediate memory in first-diagnosed, drug-naïve depressed patients. While, antidepressant treatment resulted in significant improvement of cognitive function.

Concussion Symptoms and Neurocognitive Performance of Children and Adolescents on Antidepressants.

There is a well-established association between preexisting depression/anxiety and greater postconcussion symptom burden, but the potential impact of antidepressant medications has not been fully explored. The primary objective of this study was to compare preinjury/baseline and postinjury concussion symptom scores and neurocognitive performance of athletes on antidepressant medications, both with healthy controls and with those with depression/anxiety not on antidepressants. This is a cross-sectional study using data collected from 49,270 junior and high school athletes from computerized neurocognitive assessments (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test [ImPACT]) administered between 2009 and 2018 held by the Massachusetts Concussion Management Coalition. The main outcome measures were symptom scores and neurocognitive performance measures, all of which were assessed both at baseline and postinjury. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and Tukey pairwise comparisons for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Multivariate regression models were used to adjust for potential confounding variables. Both at baseline and postinjury, athletes with depression/anxiety had mean total symptom scores that were more than double that of healthy controls regardless of antidepressant use. Although there were no significant differences in neurocognitive performance at baseline, depression/anxiety was associated with small but significant decreases in postinjury visual memory and visual motor scores. Both at baseline and after sustaining a concussion, young athletes with depression/anxiety experience significantly greater symptom burden compared with healthy controls regardless of antidepressant use.

The association of sun-cured tobacco and cigarette use with global cognitive function, verbal fluency and memory in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross-sectional study.

Some elderly people in China prefer sun-cured tobacco to cigarettes, and the composition of sun-cured tobacco and cigarettes is inconsistent. The influence of cigarettes on the cognitive function of COPD patients has been widely reported, but the research on sun-cured tobacco is relatively rare. Our study explored the association of sun-cured tobacco and cigarette use with cognitive decline in COPD patients. This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 401 COPD patients were included, and 190, 103, and 108 participants were included in non-smoking, cigarette-smoking, and sun-cured tobacco groups, respectively. We evaluated the global cognitive function using the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, verbal fluency function using an animal fluency test, and memory function using ten unrelated words. The participants of both cigarette-smoking (AOR=11.18; 95% CI: 1.28- 97.5) and sun-cured tobacco (AOR=10.46; 95% CI: 1.14-96.4) groups were more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment compared to the non-smoking group. The mean z scores of global cognitive function, verbal fluency, and memory were lower in cigarette-smoking and sun-cured tobacco groups than those in a non-smoking group; Multivariable linear regression showed that global cognitive function (β= -0.61; 95% CI: -1.04 - -0.18; and β= -0.48; 95% CI: -0.91 - -0.05) and verbal fluency (β= -0.79; 95% CI: -1.33 - -0.26; and β= -0.69; 95% CI: -1.23 - -0.16) of the sun-cured tobacco group and the cigarette-smoking group were significantly lower than those of the non-smoking group when adjusting for demographic and disease-related characteristics. However, there was no significant difference between the cigarette-smoking and sun-cured tobacco groups in global cognitive function, verbal fluency, and memory. Compared with non-smokers, the use of cigarettes and sun-cured tobacco may damage the cognitive function of COPD patients, especially in global cognitive function and verbal fluency.

Empowerment-based cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in persons with mild cognitive impairment: A sequential explanatory mixed-method pilot study.

Insomnia is an emerging risk factor for the onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and its progression to dementia. Impaired cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms create challenges for persons with MCI to participate actively in non-pharmacological interventions. This study examined the feasibility and preliminary effects of empowerment-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on sleep, cognitive function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons with MCI and sleep problems. Sixty participants were randomly allocated to the intervention or control group to receive empowerment-based CBT-I or usual care, respectively. The 12 week intervention comprised all core CBT-I techniques delivered through a group and individualised face-to-face approach. An empowerment approach with interactive teaching methods, goal setting, and action planning was used to deliver the intervention. Outcome measures included subjective and objective sleep quality and pattern, and a battery of neuropsychological tests and the 12-item Short Form Survey were administered 3 months (T1) and 6 months post-randomisation (T2). This intervention is feasible and highly acceptable for persons with MCI. The intervention group showed significant improvements in subjective and objective sleep-related outcomes compared with the control group. Moreover, the intervention group showed greater improvements in global cognition, processing speed, attention, and mental flexibility than the control group at T1 and/or T2. No significant between-group differences were observed in memory or HRQoL scores. The qualitative data converged with the quantitative data. In conclusion, empowerment-based CBT-I was well received by persons with MCI and had potential positive effects on improving sleep and cognition in this cohort.

Sleep quality and executive function in a diverse sample of healthy young adults

Few studies examine the relationship between sleep and executive function in diverse samples of young adults. Our research aims to fill this gap by analyzing how self-reported sleep quality is related to informant-rated executive function as a whole and its working memory component in a diverse sample of 29 healthy college students. Using the self-report measure, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), we divided our sample into two groups based on cutoff criteria (score ≥5: poor sleep): good sleep quality (n = 11) and poor sleep quality (n = 18). Participants were on average 20.86 years old. Informants rated participants’ executive functioning and working memory using the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe) and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Individuals in the poor sleep quality group were reported as having significantly worse executive function and working memory scores. Young adult college students who report less than 7 hours of sleep per night have lower scores on informant measures of working memory and executive function. This study raises awareness about how self-reported sleep experiences are related to other’s observation of cognitive abilities in everyday life in a diverse young adult sample.

Cortical Gray Matter Thickness and Volume Changes and Their Association with Memory Functions in Hyperthyroid Patients

Introduction: Hyperthyroidism, characterized by excessive thyroid hormone production, is a common endocrine disorder that affects various physiological processes, including brain function. Recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques have enabled researchers to investigate structural alterations in the brain associated with hyperthyroidism. This study aimed to examine regional cortical thickness and cortical volume differences across the brain between hyperthyroid patients and control subjects. Methods: We examined localized cortical thicknesses and volumes in 34 hyperthyroid patients and 35 control subjects with high-resolution T1-weighted images using FreeSurfer software and assessed group differences with analysis of covariance (covariates: age, sex, education, and total intracranial volume). Spearman and partial correlations were performed between clinical variables and cortical thicknesses/volumes and between neuropsychological scores and cortical thicknesses/volumes, respectively. Results: Hyperthyroid patients exhibited significantly increased cortical thickness in bilateral superior temporal and superior frontal gyri, along with higher cortical volumes in various regions, including the right superior temporal gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, right rostral and caudal middle frontal gyrus, and left superior frontal gyrus. Notably, thyroid hormones (fT3, fT4) correlated positively with cortical thicknesses and volumes in the superior temporal gyrus and superior frontal gyrus. Additionally, recognition memory scores negatively correlated with the right superior temporal gyrus and right superior frontal gyrus cortical thickness. Conclusion: The observed cortical thickening and increased cortical volume in specific brain areas provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanism associated with brain impairment in hyperthyroidism.

Evaluation of relationship between memory and temperament in 18-28 years old students.

Mizaj (Temperament) is a concept to express individual differences in Persian medicine and according to this theory, there is a relationship between Mizaj type and the abilities of different body organs. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between the type of Mizaj and the memory score (Quotient). The target population was the 18 to 38 years old students of Babol University of Medical Sciences. Mojahedi's Mizaj questionnaire (MMQ) was used for determining the whole Mizaj. The physical Persian version of Wechsler Memory Scale III (WMS III) was used to assess memory score. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS Version 22 and the chi square (x2) and t-test were run and p- value 0.05 was considered as significant difference. Forty-two of participants were females and 18 were males. The average age of them was 23.6 (21-27). The average of Memory Quotient (MQ) was 122.1 ± 5.7. The average of MQ in warm Mizaj was 125.46 ± 1.2 and in cold Mizaj was 118.79 ± 6.5. The difference between two groups is statistically significant (p< 0.001). The average of MQ in dry Mizaj was 124.16 ± 2.67 and in wet Mizaj was 118.40 ± 7.64. The difference between two groups is statistically significant (P= 0.005). The results showed there are significant relationship between memory score and warm/cold Mizaj and dry /wet Mizaj. It means students with warm or dry Mizaj had better memory score than students with cold or wet Mizaj. This relation was also detected between subtypes of memory and Mizaj expect between working memory and dry/wet Mizaj. These results are in accordance with theories in PM which indicate people with warm Mizaj and dry Mizaj have better memory and people with cold Mizaj and wet Mizaj have weaker memory and are more at risk of memory dysfunction.

The Effects of Cognitive-Enhancing Activities in Senior Canine Patients

Aging process in dogs seem to be like aging in people. Human Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative condition very similar to the disorder in dogs, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). CCD affects several areas of the brain, mainly ones responsible for regulating locomotion, problem-solving, navigation, and long-term memory. The onset of the disease occurs when neurotoxins are released into the brain. The presence of these toxins is manifested through symptoms including restlessness or lack of movement, disorientation, decreased ability to recognize family members, changes in patterns of interaction, sleep pattern alterations, and loss of house training. Treatment for this disorder is multimodal, including behavioral modification intended to stimulate the brain. In the present study, the canine cognition program, Dognition® was tested for its possibility to aid as a behavioral modification treatment plan to ameliorate symptoms of CCD assessed by a validated scale. We found that after the Dognition® activities, over half of the participants in the trial improved their scores for memory and communication. Additionally, before and after treatment, we found that that over half of the participants also improved their cognition scores. Implementation of diagnostic methods and behavioral modification programs is necessary to recognize and treat CCD in dogs.

Bridging Reduced Grip Strength and Altered Executive Function: Specific Brain White Matter Structural Changes in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

To investigate the correlation between specific fiber tracts and grip strength and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) by fixel-based analysis (FBA). AD patients were divided into AD with low grip strength (AD-LGS, n=29) and AD without low grip strength (AD-nLGS, n=25), along with 31 normal controls (NC). General data, neuropsychological tests, grip strength and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were collected. FBA evaluated white matter (WM) fiber metrics, including fiber density (FD), fiber cross-sectional (FC), and fiber density and cross-sectional area (FDC). The mean fiber indicators of the fiber tracts of interest (TOI) were extracted in cerebral region of significant statistical differences in FBA to further compare the differences between groups and analyze the correlation between fiber properties and neuropsychological test scores. Compared to AD-nLGS group, AD-LGS group showed significant reductions in FDC in several cerebral regions. In AD patients, FDC values of bilateral uncinate fasciculus and left superior longitudinal fasciculus were positively correlated with Clock Drawing Test scores, while FDC of splenium of corpus callosum, bilateral anterior cingulate tracts, forceps major, and bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus were positively correlated with the Executive Factor Score of Memory and Executive Screening scale scores. Reduced grip strength in AD patients is associated with extensive impairment of WM structural integrity. Changes in FDC of specific WM fiber tracts related to executive function play a significant mediating role in the reduction of grip strength in AD patients.

Recovery Is Similar Between Black and White College Athletes Following Sport-Related Concussion.

Racial identity may associate with clinical outcomes following sport-related concussion (SRC). This study compared clinical outcome scores before and after recovery from a SRC between Black or White college athletes. Prospective cohort. Participants were self-reported White (n = 61, 18.5 [1.1]y of age) and Black (n = 24, 18.3 [1.1]y of age) NCAA Division 1 college athletes. The revised Head Injury Scale (HIS-r), the Immediate Postconcussion and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) battery, and the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) at baseline (T1), upon symptom resolution (T2) following a diagnosed SRC, and upon establishing a new baseline assessment (T3). Race was collected from paper and electronic medical records. The revised Head Injury Scale total symptom severity, ImPACT's Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed (VMS), and Reaction Time, and the SOT Equilibrium Score, were compared between groups at each time point. Multivariate analyses of variance (2 [group] × 3 [time]) were used to compare revised Head Injury Scale, ImPACT, and SOT outcome scores. Post hoc analyses consisted of independent and paired sample t tests. A significant main effect for time (λ = 0.66, F2,82 = 21.55, P < .001, ηp2=.34) was observed for the SOT. White athletes significantly improved on the Equilibrium Score between all time points (all P < .006). Similarly, Black athletes significantly improved on the Equilibrium Score between T1-T2 and T1-T3 (all P < .001). A significant main effect of time was observed for ImPACT's Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, and VMS outcome scores (all P < .001). VMS improved for White athletes between T1-T2 (P = .02) and T3 (P = .006). Black athletes had improved VMS scores between T1-T3 (P = .015) and T2-T3 (P = .005). A between-group difference was observed for VMS at T2 (P = .004). There was 1 small and not clinically significant difference between groups for the VMS score at T2. Overall, groups performed consistently or improved upon their baseline balance, cognition, and symptom outcome scores at clinically relevant time points following a SRC.

Choroid Plexus Volume, Amyloid Burden, and Cognition in the Alzheimer's Disease Continuum.

As a part of the glymphatic system, the choroid plexus (CP) is involved in the clearance of harmful metabolites from the brain. We investigated the association between CP volume (CPV), amyloid-β (Aβ) burden, and cognition in patients on the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 203 patients on the AD continuum and 82 healthy controls who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and 18F-florbetaben positron emission tomography. Automatic segmentation was performed, and the CPV was calculated. Cognitive function was assessed using detailed neuropsychological tests, and patients on the AD continuum were categorized into the non-dementia and dementia groups. The relationships between CPV, Aβ burden, and cognitive function were assessed using multivariate linear regression and linear mixed model. CPV was greater in the AD group than in the healthy control group (1.50 vs. 1.30, P < 0.001), but was comparable between the AD non-dementia and dementia groups (1.50 vs. 1.48, P = 0.585). After adjusting for age and sex, a larger CPV was significantly associated with greater global Aβ deposition (β = 0.20, P = 0.002). Larger CPV was also associated with worse general cognitive function assessed using the sum of boxes of the clinical dementia rating scale (β = 0.85, P = 0.034) and lower composite scores for memory (β = -0.68, P = 0.002) and frontal/executive function domains (β = -0.65, P < 0.001). In addition, a larger CPV was associated with a more rapid decline in Mini-Mental State Examination scores in the AD dementia group (β = -0.58, P = 0.004). The present study demonstrated that CP enlargement was associated with increased Aβ deposition and impaired memory and frontal/executive function in patients on the AD continuum.

Sex Differences in Sleep Architecture After Traumatic Brain Injury: Potential Implications on Short-Term Episodic Memory and Recovery.

Sleep-wake disturbances (SWDs) are common after TBI and often extend into the chronic phase of recovery. Such disturbances in sleep can lead to deficits in executive functioning, attention, and memory consolidation, which may ultimately impact the recovery process. We examined whether SWDs post-TBI were associated with morbidity during the post-acute period. Particular attention was placed on the impact of sleep architecture on learning and memory. Because women are more likely to report SWDs, we examined sex as a biological variable. We also examined subjective quality of life, depression, and disability levels. Data were retrospectively analyzed for 57 TBI patients who underwent an overnight polysomnography. Medical records were reviewed to determine cognitive and functional status during the period of the sleep evaluation. Consideration was given to medications, owing to the fact that a high number of these are likely to have secondary influences on sleep characteristics. Women showed higher levels of disability and reported more depression and lower quality of life. A sex-dependent disruption in sleep architecture was observed, with women having lower percent time in REM sleep. An association between percent time in REM and better episodic memory scores was found. Melatonin utilization had a positive impact on REM duration. Improvements in understanding the impact of sleep-wake disturbances on post-TBI outcome will aid in defining targeted interventions for this population. Findings from this study support the hypothesis that decreases in REM sleep may contribute to chronic disability and underlie the importance of considering sex differences when addressing sleep.