Memory Test Research Articles

Better face-name recall is associated with better face recognition ability.

Face recognition is a highly developed and specialised human ability, distinct from other cognitive abilities. Previous studies examining individual differences in face recognition have focused on face perception and specialised perceptual mechanisms such as holistic face processing. However, the contribution of specific face memory processes to face recognition ability remains unclear. In 99 neurotypical individuals, we administered validated face perception assessments, three face memory tasks (old/new task, face-scene task, face-name/occupation task), and the Cambridge Face Memory Test (CFMT) to assess face recognition ability. We found that after accounting for face perception ability (which significantly predicted face recognition ability), face-name recall and recollection of faces in the face-scene task predicted unique variance in face recognition ability, with face-name recall being the strongest predictor. This highlights that associative memory mechanisms contribute to face recognition abilities and suggests that the ability to learn and recall proper names is particularly important to face recognition.

Associations between major depressive disorder and performance-based and self-reported music cognition

BackgroundThere is evidence that major depressive disorder (MDD) comes with multiple cognitive impairments including deficits in perception and memory. Music cognition is one of the least explored cognitive functions in relation to MDD, with some studies pointing to mild amusic deficits. These findings, however, are derived only from performance-based tests. Our objectives were to explore differences in music perception and memory between individuals with MDD and a control group, in both performance test and self-report of amusic dysfunction, and to assess the correlation between these measures.MethodWe recruited 62 participants, including MDD individuals (n = 34) diagnosed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and controls (n = 18). All the participants were evaluated with the Montreal Battery for Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA) and the Amusic Dysfunction Inventory (ADI).ResultsNone of the assessed dimensions from the MBEA or the ADI showed statistical differences between groups. Some significant associations were found between ADI's Vocal Production and the MBEA's three tests of the melodic dimension (Scale, Contour and Interval) and between MBEA's Scale and Memory, Meter and ADI's Melodic Perception, and tests of Memory from each respective instrument.ConclusionResults suggest that perception and memory of basic music stimuli are not among the cognitive deficits within MDD, however, they may be indirectly affected by other cognitive phenomena common to this psychopathology, such as poor sustained concentration due to mental fatigue.

Comparing visio-spatial intelligence in amateur rugby and netball players using hand-eye coordination tests

Background: Research investigating the differences in visio-spatial skills (VSS) between athletes and non-athletes, as well as variations across sports, presents conflicting findings.Aim: The objective of this study was to determine if there exist significant differences in visio-spatial intelligence (VSI) skills between rugby players and netball players, and whether such disparities are present when comparing both groups to non-athletes.Setting: All participants, including the control group (non-athletes), rugby players and netball players, were recruited from the Zululand region of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, specifically from all premier league rugby and netball teams in the area.Methods: Participants underwent an optometric assessment, followed by an evaluation of VSS using six established tests: The Hart Near Far Rock, saccadic eye movement, evasion, accumulator, flash memory and ball wall toss tests.Results: The results revealed that rugby players significantly outperformed netball players in speed of recognition, peripheral awareness and hand-eye coordination (P = 0.000). Moreover, both rugby players and netball players performed significantly better than non-athletes in five of the six tests (P = 0.000), with the exception being the visual memory test (P = 0.809).Conclusion: This discrepancy in performance suggests that certain VSS are superior in athletes compared to non-athletes, highlighting potential implications for theories of vision, test selection and the development of sport-specific VSS testing batteries. Furthermore, the use of a hand-eye coordination-specific VSS test battery effectively differentiated between different sports.Contribution: The identified pattern was not consistent across all VSS tests, indicating that further research should explore the training methods employed by both sports, as these factors may contribute to the observed differences.

The effects of deception on memory: a comparative study of actors and eyewitnesses accounts

Deception is a common occurrence in daily life and has been shown to impair memory. This study investigated the memory-undermining effects of deception in a simulated daily life scenario, focusing on the potential moderating effect of the liars’ role (i.e., actor vs. eyewitness). In a 2 × 2 between-subjects design, 128 participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: actors who told the truth, actors who lied, eyewitnesses who told the truth, and eyewitnesses who lied. Participants engaged in a simulated shopping task, followed by an interview where they either provided truthful or deceptive responses about the items they bought (actors) or observed (eyewitnesses). Two days later, participants completed a series of memory tests assessing item memory, source memory, destination memory, and non-believed memories. Results showed that deception impaired source memory, with a greater impairment observed for actors than eyewitnesses. Deception also led to more non-believed memories and impaired item and destination memory, regardless of the liars’ role. These findings suggest that the role of liars moderates the effects of deception on memory, with self-related deception (actors) leading to greater memory impairments than other-related deception (eyewitnesses).

Effect of Chronic Consumption of Fluoridated Water on Sciatic Nerve Conduction Velocity in Male Wistar Rats.

The long-term effect of fluoridated water consumption during development on the velocity of nerve impulse conduction in the sciatic nerve of rats was assessed. Thirty male Wistar rats, 21 days old, were randomly assigned to five groups. Three groups were given fluoridated water ad libitum (as the only source) at different concentrations (10, 100, and 150 ppm), designated as groups F10, F100, and F150, respectively. The study included a control group (C) that received fluoridated water at the maximum level established by the World Health Organization (1.5 ppm of fluorides) and another group that received deionized water (DW). The animals were treated until they reached 90 days of age. Electrophysiological recordings were performed on the rats' sciatic nerves to determine nerve conduction velocity, and blood plasma was extracted for fluoride concentration analysis. The study found that the F150 group had a lower nerve impulse conduction velocity in the sciatic nerve compared to the C group (P = 0.0015). Additionally, there was a negative correlation between the concentration of fluorides in plasma and the nerve conduction velocity (r = -0.5132, P = 0.0037). These findings indicate that chronic consumption of high concentrations of fluoride leads to a decrease in nerve conduction velocity. This, in conjunction with potential alterations in the central nervous system, may explain the deficits in learning and memory tests that have been documented in numerous studies evaluating individuals exposed to fluoride consumption. These results provide valuable information for understanding the effects and action mechanisms of fluoride in exposed individuals.

The temporal relation of physical function with cognition and the influence of brain health in the oldest-old.

Introduction Physical function and cognition seem to be interrelated, especially in the oldest-old. However, the temporal order in which they are related and the role of brain health remain uncertain. Methods We included 338 participants (mean age 93.1 years) from two longitudinal cohorts: The UCI 90+ Study and EMIF-AD 90+ Study. We tested the association between physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery, gait speed and handgrip strength) at baseline with cognitive decline (MMSE, memory tests, Animal fluency, Trail Making Test (TMT) A and Digit Span Backward), and the association between cognition at baseline with physical decline (mean follow-up 3.3 years). We also tested whether measures for brain health (hippocampal, white matter lesion and gray matter volume) were related to physical function and cognition, and whether brain health was a common driver of the association between physical function and cognition by adding it as confounder (if applicable). Results Better performance on all physical tests at baseline was associated with less decline on MMSE, memory and TMT A. Conversely, fewer associations were significant but better scores on memory, TMT A and Digit Span Backward were associated with less physical decline. When adding measures for brain health as confounder, all associations stayed significant except for memory with gait speed decline. Discussion In the oldest-old, physical function and cognition are strongly related, independently of brain health. Also, the association between physical function and cognitive decline is more pronounced than the other way around, suggesting a potential for slowing cognitive decline by optimizing physical function.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms After Sustained Virological Response to Interferon-Free and Interferon-Based Hepatitis C Virus Treatment.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can be associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms like fatigue and cognitive impairment, independent of the liver status. The present study aims to assess changes in the pattern and extent of neuropsychological symptoms after successful treatment with interferon (IFN)-based and IFN-free therapy. HCV-infected patients who underwent neuropsychological assessment in previous studies were invited to a follow-up examination. Patients were grouped according to the treatment status: Sustained virological response (SVR) after IFN treatment (IFN SVR, n = 14) or after therapy with direct acting antivirals (DAA SVR, n = 28) or ongoing HCV infection (HCV RNA+, n = 11). A group of 33 healthy controls served as reference. Patients completed self-report questionnaires addressing health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mood and sleep quality and a neuropsychological test battery including tests of memory and attention (Luria's list of words, PSE test, cancelling "d" test, Word-Figure-Memory Test and computer-based test battery for the assessment of attention [TAP]). At baseline, all three patient groups had worse fatigue, depression, anxiety and HRQoL scores compared to healthy controls. Longitudinal analysis revealed that fatigue and mood slightly improved in all patient groups over time, while HRQoL improved in SVR patients but not in HCV RNA+ patients. Memory test results improved significantly in all patient groups, irrespective of their virological status. In contrast, the attention test results showed no clear change from baseline to follow-up. Our data can be considered as a hint that HCV eradication-independent of therapy regimen-does not substantially ameliorate neuropsychiatric symptoms in HCV-afflicted patients.

Exploring cognitive functions and brain structure in Hereditary Transthyretin amyloidosis using brain MRI and neuropsychological assessment.

Central nervous system symptoms, such as cognitive dysfunction, have been reported in Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis (ATTRv). However, there is a lack of neuroimaging studies investigating structural alterations in the brain related to cognition in ATTRv amyloidosis. This study aimed to investigate cognition and cortical morphology in a cohort of ATTRv patients. 29 ATTRv patients and 26 healthy controls completed neuropsychological assessment. 21 of these patients underwent 3T brain MRI, and 23 healthy subjects constituted the control group for MRI. Cortical measures of volume, thickness, fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD) were obtained for both groups. Correlation analyses between brain and cognitive measurements were performed. Patients displayed worse performance than controls in executive functions, verbal and visual memory, visuospatial domains, and language tests. Our study indicated cortical thinning in ATTRv patients in the temporal, occipital, frontal, and parietal areas. The inferior temporal gyrus correlated with verbal memory. Insula and, pars opercularis correlated with both verbal memory and executive function. Cortical thickness in the inferior temporal gyrus, pars opercularis, and insula were linked to memory and executive function. We observed no correlations between cortical volume measures and cognition. Further investigations are imperative to confirm these findings across different populations.

Test of memory Malingering 2nd Edition: Normative data from cognitively intact adults living in Spain.

This study evaluated the universality of the TOMM 2 and provided a reference sample of cognitively intact adults living in Spain whose native language was Spanish. A total of 203 adults completed the TOMM 2 from June 2019 to January 2020. When using the original TOMM cutoff scores derived from English speakers, all participants scored in a range that would suggest that they passed the TOMM. When using a cut score less than 40 on Trial 1, only one participant in this study would be mistakenly classified as providing an invalid performance. Spanish-speaking adults in Spain from this study achieved a perfect score on Trial 1 at a rate more than double that of English-speaking individuals on the original TOMM. At the item level, all but one item met the minimum standard for performance validity; this item fell only marginally below the standard at 89%. This study found a very low failure rate for the TOMM 2, suggesting that the second edition has at least as high specificity as the original in Spanish adults.

Sensitive written hedgehog PICture Naming and Immediate Recall (PICNIR) as a valid and brief test of semantic and short-term episodic memory for very mild cognitive impairment.

Semantic and short-term episodic memory are impaired in some brain disorders including Alzheimer's disease. Development and validation of an almost self-administered, but cognitively demanding four-minute test identifying very mild cognitive impairment (vMCI). The innovative hedgehog PICture Naming and Immediate Recall (PICNIR) consisted of two parts. The first task was to write down the names of 20 black-and-white pictures to evaluate long-term semantic memory and language. The second task involves immediate recall and writing the names of as many previously named pictures as possible in one minute. The PICNIR is assessed using the number of naming errors (NE) and correctly recalled picture names (PICR). The PICNIR and a neuropsychological battery were administered to 190 elderly individuals living independently in the community. They were divided into those with vMCI (n = 43 with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) 24 ± 3 points) and sociodemographically matched cognitively normal (CN) individuals (n = 147 with MoCA 26 ± 3). Both subgroups had predicted mean Mini-Mental State Examination scores of 28-29 points. Compared to CN, vMCI participants made more NE (0.3 ± 0.6 versus 0.6 ± 0.9; p = 0.02) and recalled fewer PICR (8.9 ± 2.2 versus 6.8 ± 2.2; p < 0.000001). Discriminative validity was satisfactory using the area under the ROC curve (AUC): 0.76 for PICR, 0.74 for MoCA, 0.67 for MoCA-five-word recall, and 0.59 for NE. The AUCs of PICR and MoCA were comparable and larger than those of MoCA five-point recall or NE. Logical Memory scores, RAVLT scores, Digit symbol, and animal fluency correlated with PICR. The picture-based PICNIR is an ultra-brief, sensitive cognitive test valid for assessing very mild cognitive impairment. Its effectiveness should be validated for other languages and cultures.

Sociodemographic predictors and cross-cultural comparisons in tests performance from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery (CANTAB) among children aged 6-8 years from Montevideo, Uruguay.

Cross-culturally comparative data on measures of executive function (EF) are essential, but the 6-8-year group remains insufficiently described. This study examined the sociodemographic predictors of EF test performance employing the Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery (CANTAB). It also compared developmental trends in EF among children from Uruguay, the United States, and Mexico. EFs were assessed with the Intra-dimensional/Extra-dimensional shift, Spatial Span (SSP), and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) tests from the CANTAB. The study sample consisted of 6-8-year-old children from the Salud Ambiental Montevideo (SAM) cohort in Uruguay. Differences between cohorts were examined, and we performed generalized linear regressions to assess the association between sociodemographic factors, and each EF domain. The final sample consisted of 525 participants (mean age in months 82.5 ± 6.0). Across all ages, SAM children had significantly lower performance in the SSP and SOC tasks compared to U.S. and Mexican children. On the Intra-dimensional/Extra-dimensional shift task, SAM children had similar scores to U.S. and Mexican children. Mother's intelligence quotient (IQ; β = 0.01; 95% CI [0.005, 0.02]), child's IQ (0.02 [0.02, 0.03]), the HOME total score (0.02 [0.01, 0.03]), as well as HOME subscales of accompaniment (0.13 [0.07, 0.20]), enrichment (0.11 [0.06,0.16]), and physical environment (0.07 [0.03, 0.10]) were positively associated with the span length (SSP task). Child's IQ (0.02 [0.01,0.03]) was positively associated with the number of problems solved on the SOC test. Uruguayan children perform lower in working memory and planning tests than U.S. children but similarly to Mexican children, while cognitive flexibility is consistent across all groups. Further, mother and child IQ, as well as the home environment, are important predictors of EF. These differences should be examined in the context of diverse cultural values and sociodemographic factors affecting CANTAB construct validity in this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Does concomitant diazepam and ethanol use modulate age-related cognitive decline in mice?

BackgroundConcomitant use of alcohol and benzodiazepines are described among elderly, raising concerns about their combined impact on memory. We aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of chronic diazepam use associated with ethanol intoxication on memory in aging mice. MethodsTwelve-month-old male C57BL6 mice were assigned into 4 groups: ethanol (OH), diazepam (DIA), diazepam + ethanol (DOH) and control (CTL). For 16 weeks, ethanol was available ad libitum and diazepam was mixed with food. Behavioral testing, performed during and after treatment cessation included working memory and visual recognition memory assessment. The second session was implemented with spatial reference learning and memory assessment in the Barnes maze test. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) acquisitions were performed to quantify hippocampal metabolites during and after cessation treatment. ResultsDuring treatment, visual recognition memory was significantly different between groups with the DIA group exhibiting the worst performance. MRS acquisition highlighted higher glutamate and choline levels in OH and DOH groups in comparison to CTL and DIA groups. After treatment wash-out, there was no difference between in the different memories evaluated. Only the learning phase of the spatial reference memory test differed significantly with worst performance in OH groups. Three months after treatment cessation, there was no remanent effect of diazepam + ethanol on hippocampal metabolites changes. ConclusionsWe did not evidence additive effect of ethanol and diazepam on memory and hippocampal metabolite levels. The disturbances observed during treatment were no remanent, highlighting the benefits of discontinuing these substances.

Riluzole attenuates acute neural injury and reactive gliosis, hippocampal-dependent cognitive impairments and spontaneous recurrent generalized seizures in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy

BackgroundRiluzole exhibits neuroprotective and therapeutic effects in several neurological disease models associated with excessive synaptic glutamate (Glu) release. We recently showed riluzole prevents acute excitotoxic hippocampal neural injury at 3 days in the kainic acid (KA) model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Currently, it is unknown if preventing acute neural injury and the neuroinflammatory response is sufficient to suppress epileptogenesis.MethodsThe KA rat model of TLE was used to determine if riluzole attenuates acute hippocampal neural injury and reactive gliosis. KA was administered to adult male Sprague-Dawley (250 g) rats at 5 mg/kg/hr until status epilepticus (SE) was observed, and riluzole was administered at 10 mg/kg 1 h and 4 h after SE and once per day for the next 2 days. Immunostaining was used to assess neural injury (FJC and NeuN), microglial activation (Iba1 and ED-1/CD68) and astrogliosis (GFAP and vimentin) at day 7 and day 14 after KA-induced SE. Learning and memory tests (Y-maze, Novel object recognition test, Barnes maze), behavioral hyperexcitability tests, and spontaneous generalized recurrent seizure (SRS) activity (24-hour video monitoring) were assessed at 11–15 weeks.ResultsHere we show that KA-induced hippocampal neural injury precedes the neuroimmune response and that riluzole attenuates acute neural injury, microglial activation, and astrogliosis at 7 and 14 days. We find that reducing acute hippocampal injury and the associated neuroimmune response following KA-induced SE by riluzole attenuates hippocampal-dependent cognitive impairment, behavioral hyperexcitability, and tonic/clonic generalized SRS activity after 3 months. We also show that riluzole attenuates SE-associated body weight loss during the first week after KA-induced SE.DiscussionRiluzole acts on multiple targets that are involved to prevent excessive synaptic Glu transmission and excitotoxic neuronal injury. Attenuating KA-induced neural injury and subsequent microglia/astrocyte activation in the hippocampus and extralimbic regions with riluzole reduces TLE-associated cognitive deficits and generalized SRS and suggests that riluzole could be a potential antiepileptogenic drug.

Depression Symptoms Moderate Associations between Daily Functioning and Neuropsychological Performance in Mexican American Adults.

The influence of depression on the relationship between cognition and daily living in aging Mexican American adults requires further investigation, given projected trends in general growth as well as prevalence of depression and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in this population. In the present study, we examined the extent to which depression (assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale - 15 item version) moderated the association between reported daily functioning (assessed using the Functional Activities Questionnaire [FAQ]) and objective neuropsychological performance in aging Mexican American adults in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center cohort. Worse reported daily functioning (higher FAQ scores) was associated with worse memory and language performance among participants without elevated depression symptoms (ps < .05), but no associations were observed among those with elevated symptoms (ps > .05). Moreover, depression did not moderate associations of reported daily functioning with performance in attention and working memory or executive functioning and processing speed (ps > .05). Aging Mexican American adults with elevated depression symptoms may have subjective informant reports of daily functioning that are discrepant from their objective performance on formal tests of memory and language. Within the context of neuropsychological evaluations for ADRD, failure to adequately assess mood to inform the nature of cognitive and/or functional changes could result in misdiagnosis and lead to delayed, premature, and/or improper intervention with this population.

Retelling of Stories with Common Phrasal Expressions by High-Proficiency Learners: Implications for Learning and High-Stakes Testing

The goal of this research was to investigate how well L2 English speakers of different proficiency levels were able to perform on a test of auditory memory like that used in the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). In this test, participants must retell heard stories. While the validity of elicited imitation tests is well established in second-language acquisition research, the effectiveness of using retelling as a neuropsychological measurement when a language other than the test taker’s L1 is used is unclear. Further, due to their importance in memory function, this study also analyzed the role of common phrasal expressions in how well participants retold stories in three groups of different proficiency. The results indicated that the increase in scores in the retelling of stories aligned with the proficiency level of the non-native participants. Higher-proficiency NNSs were also able to use more of the commonly used spoken phrases in their retelling. Further, there was no difference in this measure between the higher-proficiency Second-Language English and First-Language English participants. While the effectiveness of this test method as a neuropsychological tool when a language other than the test taker’s L1 is used is unclear, these results indicate significant progress by the higher-proficiency participants. Nevertheless, given that this test is often used in this context with immigrants and minority language patients, doubts remain about its suitability for less proficient individuals.

Impact of Neuropsychological Assessment on Subjective Memory Complaints in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), namely at an initial stage like amnestic cognitive impairment (aMCI), typically present with memory complaints. They also have difficulties regarding self-knowledge about their cognitive deficits. In clinical practice, a formal neuropsychological assessment is often done. The present study aimed to understand whether patients with aMCI retain the ability to monitor the success or failure in their performance during the neuropsychological assessment and adjust the report of memory complaints accordingly, as compared to healthy controls. Participants were patients with aMCI and healthy controls who were questioned about their own memory abilities using the Subjective Memory Complaints (SMC) scale, applied before and after the neuropsychological assessment protocol. A repeated measures General Linear Model was performed to analyze changes in SMC (within-subjects effects) after the neuropsychological assessment, in patients with aMCI and healthy controls (between-subjects effects). Eighty volunteers, 40 patients with aMCI and 40 healthy controls, participated in the study. Patients with aMCI showed lower MMSE scores, more depressive symptoms, and deficits in memory and learning, language and executive domains. Patients with aMCI had higher SMC scores [9.4(3.6)] than healthy controls [4.4(2.3)] before the neuropsychological assessment. A statistically significant interaction was found between the SMC and the diagnostic group, meaning that healthy controls decreased SMC [3.4(1.9)] after the neuropsychological assessment, whereas patients with aMCI kept high levels of SMC [9.6(3.9)]. In patients with aMCI, an inverse correlation between logical memory and the change in SMC was found, so that patients with lower scores in the logical memory test tended to increase their memory complaints after the assessment. Both patients with aMCI and healthy controls can monitor and update the impression about their memory abilities following a formal neuropsychological assessment. Patients with aMCI maintain a high SMC level, which is inversely associated with their memory performance. In practical terms, SMC should be measured consistently at a particular moment in time, preferably preceding the objective neuropsychological assessment.

Social-semantic knowledge in frontotemporal dementia and after anterior temporal lobe resection

Abstract Degraded semantic memory is a prominent feature of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It is classically associated with semantic dementia and anterior temporal lobe (ATL) atrophy, but semantic knowledge can also be compromised in behavioural-variant FTD (bvFTD). Motivated by understanding behavioural change in FTD, recent research has focused selectively on social-semantic knowledge, with proposals that the right ATL is specialised for social concepts. Previous studies have assessed very different types of social concepts and have not compared performance to that on matched non-social concepts. Consequently, it remains unclear to what extent various social concepts are (i) concurrently impaired in FTD, (ii) distinct from general semantic memory and (iii) differentially supported by the left and right ATL. This study assessed multiple aspects of social-semantic knowledge and general conceptual knowledge across cohorts with ATL-damage arising from either neurodegeneration or resection. We assembled a test battery measuring knowledge of multiple types of social concept. Performance was compared to non-social general conceptual knowledge, measured using the Cambridge Semantic Memory Test Battery and other matched non-social-semantic tests. Our transdiagnostic approach included bvFTD, semantic dementia and “mixed” intermediate cases to capture the FTD clinical spectrum, as well as age-matched healthy controls. People with unilateral left or right ATL resection for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) were also recruited to assess how selective damage to the left or right ATL impacts social- and non-social-semantic knowledge. Social- and non-social-semantic deficits were severe and highly correlated in FTD. Much milder impairments were found after unilateral ATL resection, with no left vs. right differences in social-semantic knowledge or general semantic processing, and with only naming showing a greater deficit following left vs. right damage. A principal component analysis of all behavioural measures in the FTD cohort extracted three components, interpreted as capturing: (1) FTD severity, (2) semantic memory and (3) executive function. Social and non-social measures both loaded heavily on the same semantic memory component, and scores on this factor were uniquely associated with bilateral ATL grey matter volume but not with the degree of ATL asymmetry. Together, these findings demonstrate that both social- and non-social-semantic knowledge degrade in FTD (semantic dementia and bvFTD) following bilateral ATL atrophy. We propose that social-semantic knowledge is part of a broader conceptual system underpinned by a bilaterally-implemented, functionally-unitary semantic hub in the ATLs. Our results also highlight the value of a transdiagnostic approach for investigating the neuroanatomical underpinnings of cognitive deficits in FTD.

Decoding episodic autobiographical memory in naturalistic virtual reality

Episodic autobiographical memory (EAM) is a long-term memory system of personally experienced events with their context – what, where, when – and subjective elements, e.g., emotions, thoughts, or self-reference. EAM formation has rarely been studied in a controlled, real-life-like paradigm, and there is no predictive model of long-term retrieval from self-rated subjective experience at encoding. The present longitudinal study, with three surprise free recall memory tests immediately, one-week and one-month after encoding, investigated incidental encoding of EAM in an immersive virtual environment where 30 participants either interacted with or observed specific events of varying emotional valences with simultaneous physiological recordings. The predictive analyses highlight the temporal dynamics of the predictors of EAM from subjective ratings at encoding: common characteristics related to sense of remembering and infrequency of real-life encounter of the event were identified over time, but different variables become relevant at different time points, such as the emotion and mental imagery or prospective aspects. This dynamic and time-dependent role of memory predictors challenges traditional views of a uniform influence of encoding factors over time. Current evidence for the multiphasic nature of memory formation points to the role of different mechanisms at play during encoding but also consolidation and subsequent retrieval.

Single Strength Training Session Improves Short-Term Memory in Cognitively Preserved Older Adults.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the acute effect of a single aerobic or strength training session on memory of cognitively preserved older adults. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, in the first visit the participants (52.2% men, aged 68.65 ± 2.81years-old, BMI 26.94 ± 4.09), were randomly allocated in one of three groups: AG (aerobic exercise group), SG (strength exercise group, submitted to five exercises with 15 repetitions each), and CG (control group). Participants had a short-term memory assessment (word list memory test) followed by a single exercise session, and were retested immediately after. 24h later, participants were submitted to a long-term memory assessment about the story that was presented in the previous day. Results showed that the SG group had a significant improvement in the word list test, when comparing pre- and post-intervention scores, suggesting that a single strength training session significantly enhances short-term memory in this population.

Ghrelin for Neuroprotection in Post-Cardiac Arrest Coma: a one-year follow-up of cognitive and psychosocial outcomes.

Effective treatments to improve brain recovery after cardiac arrest are needed. Ghrelin showed efficacy in experimental models and was associated with lower neuron specific enolase levels in the clinical Ghrelin in Coma (GRECO) trial. Here we present cognitive and psychosocial outcomes at one-year follow-up. GRECO was a phase 2 multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in comatose patients after cardiac arrest. The intervention was intravenous acyl-ghrelin 600 μg twice daily or placebo for one week, starting within 12 hours after the arrest. Patients were assessed after one year using cognitive tests and questionnaires measuring participation, health-related quality of life, mood, and caregiver strain. Composite z-scores of the cognitive tests were computed by comparing the scores to those of a norm-population and averaging the tests for memory, attention and executive functioning separately. Groups were compared based on composite z-scores and cutoff scores for psychosocial outcomes. Of the 160 participants originally included, 66 of the 85 participants who survived to one year after OHCA completed the psychosocial and cognitive follow-up. The intervention group scored numerically higher across all cognitive domains compared to the control group, but the differences were not statistically significant (memory median = -.850 vs. -1.385, U = 424.5, p = .587; attention median = -.733 vs. -.717, U = 420.5, p = .548; executive functioning median = -.311 vs. -.369, U = 408.5, p = .323). There were significantly fewer signs of depression in the intervention group, U = 322.5, p = .014. This predefined secondary analysis found that ghrelin treatment was associated with non-significantly but consistently better cognitive outcomes and significantly fewer signs of depression. This is in line with the primary outcomes. Clinicaltrialsregister.eu: EUCTR2018-000005-23-NL.