Neurocognitive Tests Research Articles

Neurocognitive dysfunction in adolescents with recent onset major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional comparative study.

The aim of this study was to examine the neurocognitive deficits associated with the first episode of major depressive disorder (recent onset depression, ROD) in adolescents as compared to adult patients. Cross-sectional neurocognitive data from the baseline assessments of the PRONIA study with N = 650 (55.31% females) were analyzed. Based on a principal component analysis of eleven neurocognitive tests, we constructed an overall neurocognitive performance (NP) score. We examined mean score differences in NP between the groups of healthy controls (HC) and ROD and between adolescents (15-21years) and adults (22-40years) within a GLM approach. This accounts for unbalanced data with focus on interaction effects while controlling for effects of medication and educational years. Our results show lower NP for the ROD as compared to the HC group (d = -0.29, p = .046) and lower NP for the adolescent group as compared to the adult group (d = -0.29; p < .039). There was no interaction between these two group effects (F = 1.11; p = .29). Our findings suggest that the detrimental effect of ROD on neurocognitive functioning is comparable in adolescent and adult patients, since lower scores in adolescent patients are explained by effects of age and education. Neurocognitive impairment is an under addressed issue in clinical treatment guidelines for adolescent MDD. We suggest efficient monitoring in clinical practice by using an aggregate of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and the Trail Making Test B, which highly correlated with the overall score of NP (r = 0.82).

Identifying Factors that Increase False-Positive Rates on Embedded Performance Validity Testing in ADHD Evaluations.

This study investigated why certain embedded performance validity indicators (EVIs) are prone to higher false-positive rates (FPRs) in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) evaluations. The first aim was to establish the relationship between FPRs and 15 EVIs derived from six cognitive tests when used independently and together among adults with ADHD who have valid test performance. The second aim was to determine which specific EVIs increase the FPRs in this population. Participants were 517 adult ADHD referrals with valid neurocognitive test performance as determined by multiple performance validity tests and established empirical criteria. FPRs were defined by the proportion of participants who scored below an empirically established EVI cutoff with ≥0.90 specificity. EVIs derived from two of the six tests exhibited unacceptably high FPRs (>10%) when used independently, but the total FPR decreased to 8.1% when the EVIs were aggregated. Several EVIs within a sustained attention test were associated with FPRs around 11%. EVIs that did not include demographically adjusted cutoffs, specifically for race, were associated with higher FPRs around 14%. Conversely, FPRs did not significantly differ based on whether EVIs included timed versus untimed, verbal versus nonverbal, or graphomotor versus non-graphomotor components, nor whether they had raw versus standardized cut scores. Findings suggest that practitioners should consider both the type of test from which an EVI is derived and the aggregate number of EVIs employed to minimize the FPRs in ADHD evaluations. Findings also indicate that more nuanced approaches to validity test selection and development are needed.

Immune Activation Is Associated With Neurocognitive Performance in Ugandan Adolescents Living With HIV.

We examined relationships between neurocognition and immune activation in Ugandan adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV). Eighty-nine adolescents in Kampala, Uganda (32 virally suppressed [<400 copies/mL] PHIV and 57 sociodemographically matched HIV-negative controls), completed a tablet-based neurocognitive test battery. Control-derived z-scores for 12 individual tests and a global/overall z-score were calculated. We measured plasma (soluble CD14 and CD163), monocyte (proportions of monocyte subsets), and T-cell (expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on CD4 + and CD8 + ) activation and gut markers. Spearman rank correlations and median regressions examined associations between test performance and immune activation. The median [IQR] age was 15 [13-16] years, and 40% were girls. The median time on antiretroviral therapy was 10 years [7-11] for PHIV; 87% had viral load <50 copies/mL. Compared with controls, global z-scores were lower among PHIV ( P = 0.05) and significantly worse on tests of executive functioning and delayed recall ( P 's ≤ 0.05). Overall, monocyte activation significantly correlated with worse test performance on global z-score (r = 0.21, P = 0.04), attention, processing speed, and motor speed (r = 0.2-0.3, P ≤ 0.01). T-cell activation was significantly correlated with worse performance on tests of learning, executive functioning, and working memory (r = 0.2-0.4, P ≤ 0.04). In PHIV, after adjusting for age, sex, and antiretroviral therapy duration, activated CD4 T cells remained associated with worse memory (β-0.3, 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.07, P = 0.01). PHIV with virologic suppression on antiretroviral therapy shows evidence of worse neurocognitive test performance compared with controls. Monocyte and T-cell activation is correlated with worse neurocognition in Ugandan youth with and without HIV, which has not been previously investigated in this setting.

Association between social networks and cognition among middle-aged and older adults in rural India.

Prior studies using global cognitive measures have shown that social connectedness is linked with cognitive performance. We investigate the role of different social network dimensions on performance across distinct cognitive domains among dementia-free middle-aged and older rural Indians. We utilized baseline assessment data of 2,525 participants (≥45 years) of an ongoing, prospective, aging cohort in rural India (Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence, and COGnition) for this study. We evaluated social networks using Cohen's Social Network Index on three dimensions: network diversity, network size, and network embeddedness. We measured cognitive performance on memory (narrative recall), visuospatial ability (geometric figure spatial recognition, visuospatial span), language (verbal fluency, semantic association, word comprehension, reading comprehension), and attention domains of a culturally adapted, computerized, neurocognitive test battery. Linear regression models, adjusted for age and sex, were used for statistical analysis. In the linear regression model adjusted for age and sex, we found that greater network diversity was significantly associated with better performance in narrative recall, geometric figure spatial recognition, reading comprehension, semantic association, and attention tests. Participants with a larger network size had significantly better performance in verbal fluency and semantic association tests. Further, participants with greater network embeddedness had better visuospatial span and verbal fluency. Individuals having a greater network diversity, larger network size, and greater network embeddedness had better cognitive performance in multiple distinct cognitive domains. Following up these participants with serial cognitive monitoring can help understand if social networks play a role in delaying cognitive decline and protecting against dementia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Factors Contributing to Variability in Neurocognitive Performance Before Glioma Neurosurgery

Abstract Background Cognitive impairment following anti-tumor treatment is a common concern for brain tumor patients. However, growing evidence indicates that significant impairments can be present even before treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that explain variability in pre-treatment test performance, beyond that of tumor burden. Methods Using multi-step linear regression, we retrospectively probed the contribution of clinical-, tumor-, patient-, and self-reported factors to variance in performance among 96 treatment-naïve brain tumor patients across 13 objective neurocognitive tests. Agreement between subjective and objective reports of cognitive impairment was also examined. Results Clinically significant pre-operative impairments were observed in both objective and subjective domains. Estimated premorbid intelligence quotient (IQ), tumor volume, diagnosis of an astrocytoma, self-reported Depression and perceived Cognitive Functioning Scores were the most common predictors of objective neurocognitive performance prior to treatment, explaining 12.3%-58.3% of the variance. No association was identified between objective and subjective reports of cognitive impairment. Conclusions Glioma patients frequently exhibit objective and subjective impairments prior to treatment. Both tumor- and self-reported factors were identified as predictors of performance, after correcting for estimated premorbid IQ. Nevertheless, more than 41.7% of the variance in cognitive performance remained unexplained, indicating a substantial role for additional, as yet unaccounted for, clinical factors. Notable disparity between objective- and subjective cognitive impairment status re-emphasizes the importance of assessing both domains to ascertain a patient’s overall functioning in the context of treatment outcomes.

Sleep disturbances and psychomotor retardation in the prediction of cognitive impairments in patients with major depressive disorder.

Symptoms of depression and comorbid anxiety are known risk factors for cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder (MDD). Understanding their relationships is crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate cognitive impairments in MDD patients. We expect that the severity of sleep disturbances and other depressive symptoms will be positively correlated with the degree of cognitive impairments. We also hypothesize that anxiety symptoms, especially psychic anxiety, is a key factor in predicting cognitive performance in MDD patients and may indirectly contribute to cognitive impairment by affecting sleep disturbances and other potential factors. To determine which dimension of the depressive and anxiety symptoms predicts cognitive impairment during a depressive episode. A comprehensive neurocognitive test battery assessed executive function, attention, processing speed, and memory in 162 medication-free MDD patients and 142 matched healthy controls. The 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms, and the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Scale was used to assess anxiety symptoms. Linear regression analyses and mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as their interactions, on cognitive impairments. Among the depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances were associated with poorer executive function (P = 0.004), lower processing speed (P = 0.047), and memory impairments (P < 0.001), and psychomotor retardation (PR) was associated with lower processing speed in patients with MDD (P = 0.019). Notably, PR was found to mediate the impact of sleep disturbances on the processing speed. Regarding anxiety symptoms, psychic anxiety, rather than somatic anxiety, was associated with cognitive impairments in all aspects. Sleep disturbances mediated the effect of psychic anxiety on executive function [β = -0.013, BC CI (-0.027, -0.001)] and memory [β = -0.149, BC CI (-0.237, -0.063)], while PR mediated its effect on processing speed (β = -0.023, BC CI (-0.045, -0.004)]. Sleep disturbances may be a key predictor of poorer executive function, lower processing speed, and memory loss, while PR is crucial for lower processing speed during a depressive episode. Psychic anxiety contributes to all aspects of cognitive impairments, mediated by sleep disturbances and PR.

Childhood maltreatment and adult aggression: The moderating role of neurocognitive ability and substance use

BackgroundAchieving positive intervention outcomes for aggressive behaviour in adulthood is challenging. This difficulty is enhanced by the complex presentations of those engaging in such behaviours and the impact this has on their engagement with interventions. ObjectiveThis study assessed the cumulative impact of childhood maltreatment, substance use, and neurocognitive ability (working memory, cognitive flexibility, decision making, response inhibition, and cognitive control) on aggressive behaviour in adulthood. Participants and settingAdult participants (N = 179; 69 % female) recruited from the community, and clinical and forensic services, aged 18 to 81 (M = 40.5, SD = 15.9). MethodsParticipants completed an online Qualtrics survey and remote neurocognitive testing via Inquisit. ResultsWe implemented an a priori approach, assessing three-way interactions between childhood maltreatment, substance use, neurocognitive ability, and aggression. No three-way interactions were significant. We then utilised a data-driven modelling approach, using automatic linear forward stepwise modelling to identify the most important variables for predicting aggression. Four were significant: physical maltreatment (b = 0.053, p < .001), drug use risk level (b = 0.015, p < .001), poorer response inhibition (b = 0.001, p = .016), and the interaction between poorer response inhibition and physical maltreatment (b = 0.205, p = .017). ConclusionsPhysical maltreatment in childhood, drug use risk level, and response inhibition impact significantly on adult aggression, indicating a need for early intervention for children who have experienced maltreatment. Consideration should be given to how maltreatment in childhood may impact on ability to engage with interventions as an adult, particularly response inhibition difficulties that may hinder skill implementation.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Neurocognitive and Executive Functions to Discriminate Women With and Without Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Secondary Analysis.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine the capability of neurocognitive variables and executive functions to differentiate women with and without fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods: A secondary diagnostic accuracy analysis was conducted. A battery of neurocognitive and executive function tests (the D2 Attention test, the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure for visual perception, "Digits D/R/I" tests of the WAIS-IV battery for working memory, the 5-Digit test for mental inhibition, the Symbol Search for processing speed, and the Zoo Test for planning/decision-making) were collected in 129 women with FMS and 111 without FMS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, optimal cut-off point, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) for each variable were calculated. Results: Between-group differences were identified in ROCF_Copy (p = 0.043), ROCF_Recall (p = 0.004), d2_TR (p = 0.019), d2_TA (p = 0.007), d2_TOT (p = 0.005), d2_CON (p = 0.004), d2_C (p = 0.042), Symbol Search (p = 0.008), Decoding _FDT (p = 0.001), Retrieving_FDT (p = 0.001), and Inhibiting_FDT (p = 0.024). The result showed that FDT-based outcomes (Retrieving_FDT: ROC 0.739, sensitivity 85.3%, specificity 48.6%; Decoding_FDT: ROC 0.724, sensitivity 50.4%, specificity 16.2%; Inhibiting_FDT: ROC 0.708, sensitivity 56.6%, specificity 22.5%) were the variables able to differentiate between women with and without FMS. Conclusions: Although women with FMS exhibited deficits in attention, long-term visual memory, processing speed, and mental inhibition when compared with women without FMS, only mental inhibition scores showed moderate diagnostic accuracy to discriminate between women with and without FMS. Future studies investigating these results in clinical settings are needed to identify the clinical relevance of these findings.

Association between gray matter regional structural-functional connectivity couplings and visual memory in major depressive disorder.

Alterations in structural-functional (SC-FC) coupling have been linked to major depressive disorder (MDD). A newly developed algorithm for regional-specific SC-FC coupling analysis shows potential in advancing psychiatric research. In this study, we calculated the gray matter regional-specific SC-FC coupling of 114 MDD patients and 131 healthy controls (HCs). The delayed matching to sample (DMS) and Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM) subtests of the computerized Cambridge Neurocognitive Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were used to evaluate visual memory. We found that the Xgboost model exhibited robust discriminative performance (Area under the ROC curve [95% CI]: 0.75 [0.65 to 0.85], Accuracy [95% CI]: 0.73 [0.63 to 0.84], Sensitivity [95% CI]: 0.65 [0.53 to 0.76], Specificity [95% CI]: 0.82 [0.77 to 0.87]). MDD patients showed lower SC-FC coupling in the left inferior frontal orbital gyrus (IFGorb_L) and the right inferior occipital gyrus (IOG_R) and higher SC-FC coupling in the left superior temporal pole (TPOsup_L) and the right middle temporal pole (TPOmid_R) than HCs. SC-FC coupling of IFGorb_L negatively correlated with current duration of illness (r = -0.26, P = 0.007), IOG_R negatively correlated with HAMD-17 cognitive factor score (r = -0.24, P = 0.011), while TPOsup_L positively correlated with percent correct in PRM delayed task among MDD patients (r = 0.31, P = 0.003). In conclusion, the study suggested that altered regional SC-FC coupling may be involved in MDD pathophysiology and associated with visual memory impairment.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of school-age children conceived after hysterosalpingography with oil-based or water-based iodinated contrast: long-term follow-up of a nationwide randomized controlled trial.

Does preconceptional exposure to oil-based iodinated contrast media during hysterosalpingography (HSG) impact children's neurodevelopment compared with exposure to water-based alternatives? Our study found no large-sized effects for neurodevelopment in children with preconceptional exposure to oil-based iodinated contrast media during HSG compared with water-based alternatives. HSG is widely used as a diagnostic tool in the female fertility work-up. Tubal flushing with oil-based iodinated contrast has been shown to enhance fertility outcomes in couples with unexplained infertility, increasing the chances of pregnancy and live birth compared with water-based alternatives. However, oil-based contrast contains higher doses of iodine and has a longer half-life, and concerns exist that iodinated contrast media can affect women's iodine status and cause temporary (sub)clinical hypothyroidism in mothers and/or foetuses. Considering that thyroid hormones are vital to embryonal and foetal brain development, oil-based contrast media use could increase the risk of impaired neurodevelopment in children conceived shortly after HSG. Here we examine neurodevelopmental outcomes in school-aged children conceived after HSG. This is a long-term follow-up of the H2Oil trial in which oil-based or water-based contrast was used during HSG (Netherlands; 2012-2014; NTR3270). Of 369 children born <6 months after HSG in the study, we contacted the mothers of 140 children who gave consent to be contacted for follow-up. The follow-up study took place from January to July 2022 (NCT05168228). The study included 69 children aged 6-9 years who were conceived after HSG with oil-based (n = 42) or water-based contrast (n = 27). The assessments targeted intelligence (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children), neurocognitive outcomes (computerized neurocognitive tests), behavioural functioning (parent and teacher questionnaires), and academic performance. Linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex, and parental educational attainment were employed to compare groups. School-aged children born to mothers after oil-based contrast HSG did not significantly differ from children born to mothers after water-based contrast HSG, in regards to intelligence, neurocognitive functioning, behavioural functioning, or academic performance, with the exception of better performance for visuomotor integration functions in children exposed to oil-based contrast preconception. After exploratory correction for multiple comparisons, none of the group differences was statistically significant. The small sample size of this follow-up study limited statistical power. This study provides evidence for the absence of large-sized differences between preconceptional exposure to the two contrast media types but does not rule out more subtle effects on neurodevelopment compared to naturally conceived children without preconceptional exposure to HSG. This study contributes to our knowledge about the long-term effects of different types of iodinated contrast media used in fertility work-up, indicating that choosing oil-based over water-based iodinated contrast media is unlikely to have major effect on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of children conceived shortly after HSG. However, further research should focus on the overall safety of iodine exposure during HSG, comparing children conceived after HSG to those conceived naturally as both types of contrast contain high amounts of iodine. The original H2Oil randomized controlled trial was an investigator-initiated study that was funded by the two academic hospitals now merged into the Amsterdam University Medical Centre. The current follow-up study (Neuro-H2Oil) is funded through a research grant awarded to the authors by the Amsterdam Reproduction & Development (AR&D) research institute. S.K. is funded by a AMC MD/PhD Scholarship from the Amsterdam UMC. S.K. reports holding voluntary roles in the civil society organizations Universities Allied for Essential Medicines and People's Health Movement. V.M. reports receiving travel and speaker fees as well as research grants from Guerbet, Merck and Ferring. K.D. reports receiving travel and speaker fees as well as research grants from Guerbet. BWM is supported by a NHMRC Investigator grant (GNT1176437) and reports consultancy, travel support and research funding from Merck, consultancy for Organon and Norgine, and holding stock from ObsEva. The other authors report no conflict of interest. NCT05168228.

Relationship between 25-OH-D3 levels and cognitive functions in children with obesity

Aims: The inconsistent results about neurocognitive functions in children with obesity may be suggestive of factors like vitamin deficiencies rather than the disorder itself. So we aimed to investigate the 25(OH)D3 levels and cognitive functions in obese children in the present study. Methods: Seventy-two children were included to this study. Forty-one of them were obese children and 31 children were with normal weight. The patients were diagnosed as obese according to body mass index &gt;95 percentile, considering the sex and age-specific growth curves for Turkish children. The participants completed the battery tests of the central nervous system vital signs (CNSVS), a neurocognitive test battery, via computer. The battery calculates seven domain scores (Memory, Psychomotor speed, Processing speed, Reaction time, Complex attention, Executive function, Cognitive flexibility) and a summary score (Neurocognition Index). 25(OH)D3 levels were measured in residual samples using a Shimadzu HPLC system with the aid of a 25(OH)D3 kit. The scores were compared by using commercial software (IBM SPSS Statistics 18). Results: The mean 25-OH-vitamin D levels were 13.41±7.91 µg/L in obese children and 20.31±5.92µg/L in controls. Vitamin D3 levels were significantly lower in obese children than in control group (p

Gender differences in neurocognitive assessments: insights from apilot study with the International Neurocognitive Test Profile (INCP) digital battery.

The aging global population has led to an increase in the number of dementia diagnoses, with projections indicating acontinued upward trend. This demographic change presents profound challenges for patients, their families, and healthcare systems worldwide. Consequently, the demand for reliable and user-friendly screening tools that can detect dementia at early stages and monitor its progression is more critical than ever. The International Neurocognitive Test Profile (INCP), developed at the Medical University of Vienna, aims to address this need by offering adigital test battery for the early detection of dementia. This study forms apart of the INCP's ongoing development and evaluation, specifically investigating the influence of gender on test outcomes. Seventy participants, recruited through flyers at the Vienna General Hospital, completed the INCP assessment using tablets as part of the study. The effect of gender on performance across various INCP subtests was analyzed using Mann-WhitneyU tests. For further exploratory analysis, acorrelation matrix was calculated encompassing demographic variables (age and education), screening data, and all INCP subtests. The analysis revealed significant gender differences in two INCP subtests related to executive functions. Males outperformed females on the Figure Fluency Test (r = 0.30, indicating amoderate effect) and the Dice 2‑n Back Test (r = 0.29, indicating asmall effect). However, when correcting for multiple comparisons, no significant gender disparities were observed in the scores of the subtests. The identification of possible gender differences in specific subtests underscores the importance of considering gender as avariable in the further development and evaluation of the INCP. These findings offer valuable insights for the design and planning of future studies involving the INCP.

A Comprehensive Multi-Functional Approach for Measuring Parkinson's Disease Severity.

This research study aims to advance the staging of Parkinson's disease (PD) by incorporating machine learning to assess and include a broader multi-functional spectrum of neurocognitive symptoms in the staging schemes beyond motor-centric assessments. Specifically, we provide a novel framework to modernize and personalize PD staging more objectively by proposing a hybrid feature scoring approach. We recruited thirty-seven individuals diagnosed with PD, each of whom completed a series of tablet-based neurocognitive tests assessing motor, memory, speech, executive functions, and tasks ranging in complexity from single to multi-functional. Then, the collected data was used to develop a hybrid feature scoring system to calculate a weighted vector for each function. We evaluated current PD staging schemes and developed a new approach based on the features selected and extracted using Random Forest and Principal Component Analysis. Our findings indicate a substantial bias in current PD staging systems toward fine-motor skills, i.e., other neurological functions (memory, speech, executive function, etc.) do not map into current PD stages as well as fine-motor skills do. The results demonstrate that a more accurate and personalized assessment of PD severity could be achieved by including a more exhaustive range of neurocognitive functions in the staging systems either by involving multiple functions in a unified staging score or by designing a function-specific staging system. The proposed hybrid feature score approach provides a comprehensive understanding of PD by highlighting the need for a staging system that covers various neurocognitive functions. This approach could potentially lead to more effective, objective, and personalized treatment strategies. Further, this proposed methodology could be adapted to other neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or ALS.

Cognitive performance from childhood to old age and intergenerational correlations in the multigenerational Young Finns Study

Abstract Background Cognitive performance changes during the lifespan, but the information is gathered from studies on separate age cohorts. Computerized neurocognitive testing enables efficient and similar assessments for all ages. We investigated (i) the effect of age at different stages of life and (ii) intergenerational correlations across cognitive domains in the multigenerational Young Finns Study. Methods Participants in three familiarly related generations (n = 6486, aged 7–92 years) performed the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Overall cognitive performance and domains representing learning and memory, working memory, information processing, and reaction time were extracted by common principal component analysis from the cognitive data with several age groups. Linear models were used to study the association of age, sex, and education with overall cognitive performance and in the cognitive domains. Age-adjusted intergenerational correlations were calculated. Results Learning and memory peaked earlier during the lifespan compared to working memory and information processing, and the rate of decline toward old age differed by domain. Weak intergenerational correlations existed between two consecutive generations but were nonsignificant between grandparents and grandchildren. There was no systematic sex-specific transmission in any cognitive domain. Conclusion This study describes the natural course of cognitive performance across the lifespan and proves that cognitive performance changes differently across cognitive domains with weak intergenerational transmission.

The impact of maturation level, not chronological age, on attentional control: implications for sports injury prevention in female adolescents

BackgroundNon-contact injuries are highly prevalent among young athletes and occur particularly in situations that require fast decision making and divided attention. Administering relevant neurocognitive tests could help identify deficiencies in these cognitive abilities and thus potentially mitigate injury risk. However, processes such as selective attention and response inhibition might depend to some extent on the athlete’s maturation stage. We aimed to examine the effect of maturation on selective visual attention and response inhibition among adolescent volleyball players.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 52 female adolescents (age 12.3 ± 2.1 years) performed an Eriksen Flankers task. Participants were divided into subgroups based on their estimated adult stature, using the Khamis & Roche method: Pre-pubertal (PRE; n = 13, age: 9.9 ± 1.3), early-puberty (EPUB; n = 7, age: 10.5 ± 0.6), mid-puberty (MPUB; n = 8, age: 12.6 ± 0.8) and late puberty (LPUB; n = 24, age: 14.1 ± 0.9). Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed on congruent and incongruent reaction times (RT), with corresponding success rates (% correct responses) as covariate. Flanker interference effect was tested using ANOVA. Correlations were further examined between the dependent variables and participants’ chronological age.ResultsThere was a significant group effect, with PRE demonstrating longer RT compared with LPUB (P < 0.001) for both congruent and incongruent RT. Moderate negative correlations were observed between age and RT (Rp = -0.695, Rp = -0.614 for congruent and incongruent RT, respectively) and low positive correlations between age and incongruent success rate (Rs = 0.318). Low to moderate correlations were also observed within the LPUB group for RT (Rp = -0.431–-0.532) and success rate (negative Rs = -574 for congruent and positive Rs = 0.417 for incongruent). There were no group differences nor age associations with interference effect.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that information processing and selective visual attention are superior at late maturation compared with early maturation among female adolescents. The same cannot be said for response inhibition, which did not differ between maturation groups. Similar tendencies were observed with regards to chronological age, but not entirely explained by it. Maturation level, rather than chronological age, should guide practitioners during sport participation and injury prevention programs for young athletes, whose neurocognitive abilities are not yet fully developed, placing them at risk for non-contact injuries.

Association of smoking with neurocognition, inflammatory and myeloid cell activation profiles in people with HIV on ART.

People with HIV (PWH) experience excess comorbidities, including neurocognitive disorders, which are linked to inflammation, particularly monocyte-macrophage activation. Smoking contributes to morbidity and mortality in well-treated PWH. We investigated associations between smoking, neurocognitive function, and inflammation in PWH on ART. We used baseline data on cognition and inflammation from a longitudinal study of virologically-suppressed PWH who do and do not smoke. Participants completed 4 neurocognitive tests (7 measures), with a composite score as the primary measure. Inflammatory markers were plasma sCD14, sCD163, and CCL2/MCP-1; %CD14+ monocytes expressing CD16, CD163, and CCR2; and %CD8+ T cells co-expressing CD38/HLA-DR. Exploratory analyses included a plasma cytokine/chemokine panel, neurofilament light chain (NFL), hsCRP and monocyte transcriptomes by RNAseq. We recruited 58 PWH (26 current smoking [PWH/S], 32 no current smoking [PWH/NS]). Mean composite and individual neurocognitive scores did not differ significantly by smoking status except for the color shape task; PWH/S exhibited worse cognitive flexibility, with adjusted mean times 317.2 (95%CI 1.4, 632.9) msec longer than PWH/NS. PWH/S had higher plasma sCD14 than PWH/NS (median(IQR) 1820(1678, 2105) versus 1551(1284, 1760) ng/ml, p=0.009). Other inflammatory markers were not significantly different between PWH/S and PWH/NS. Monocyte transcriptomes showed several functions, regulators and gene sets that differed by smoking status. sCD14, a marker of monocyte activation, is elevated in PWH who smoke. While neurocognitive measures and other inflammatory markers did not generally differ, these data implicate smoking-related myeloid activation and monocyte gene dysregulation in the HIV/smoking synergy driving HIV-associated comorbidities.

Blood metabolites, neurocognition and psychiatric disorders: a Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate causal pathways

BackgroundNeurocognitive dysfunction is observationally associated with the risk of psychiatric disorders. Blood metabolites, which are readily accessible, may become highly promising biomarkers for brain disorders. However, the causal role of blood metabolites in neurocognitive function, and the biological pathways underlying their association with psychiatric disorders remain unclear.MethodsTo explore their putative causalities, we conducted bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using genetic variants associated with 317 human blood metabolites (nmax = 215,551), g-Factor (an integrated index of multiple neurocognitive tests with nmax = 332,050), and 10 different psychiatric disorders (n = 9,725 to 807,553) from the large-scale genome-wide association studies of European ancestry. Mediation analysis was used to assess the potential causal pathway among the candidate metabolite, neurocognitive trait and corresponding psychiatric disorder.ResultsMR evidence indicated that genetically predicted acetylornithine was positively associated with g-Factor (0.035 standard deviation units increase in g-Factor per one standard deviation increase in acetylornithine level; 95% confidence interval, 0.021 to 0.049; P = 1.15 × 10−6). Genetically predicted butyrylcarnitine was negatively associated with g-Factor (0.028 standard deviation units decrease in g-Factor per one standard deviation increase in genetically proxied butyrylcarnitine; 95% confidence interval, −0.041 to −0.015; P = 1.31 × 10−5). There was no evidence of associations between genetically proxied g-Factor and metabolites. Furthermore, the mediation analysis via two-step MR revealed that the causal pathway from acetylornithine to bipolar disorder was partly mediated by g-Factor, with a mediated proportion of 37.1%. Besides, g-Factor mediated the causal pathway from butyrylcarnitine to schizophrenia, with a mediated proportion of 37.5%. Other neurocognitive traits from different sources provided consistent findings.ConclusionOur results provide genetic evidence that acetylornithine protects against bipolar disorder through neurocognitive abilities, while butyrylcarnitine has an adverse effect on schizophrenia through neurocognition. These findings may provide insight into interventions at the metabolic level for risk of neurocognitive and related disorders.

B - 110 Exploring the Relationship between Subjective Cognitive Complaints, Psychiatric Symptom Reporting, and Neurocognitive Test Performance in a Post-SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Sample

Abstract Objective This study evaluated the relationship between subjective cognitive complaints, objective cognitive performance, and psychological outcomes among clinical patients referred for persisting cognitive concerns following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Method The sample consisted of 49 patients (69.4% female; 38.8% Black, 36.7% White, 18.4% Hispanic, 6.0% Other; Mage = 45.27, SD = 12.08; Meducation = 15.49; SD = 3.0) referred for neuropsychological evaluation to assess for long-term post-SARS-CoV-2 cognitive changes. All patients were administered a uniform neuropsychological test battery that included measures of working memory, processing speed, and verbal learning/memory, as well as measures of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Degree of subjective cognitive concerns was established using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) cognitive subscale. Linear regression models were conducted between the NSI cognitive subscale and each cognitive and psychological outcome. Results NSI cognitive scale predicted all psychological (depression [F = 31.37, p &amp;lt; 0.001(R2 = 0.41)]; anxiety [F = 6.71, p = 0.01(R2 = 0.13); perceived stress [F = 4.40, p = 0.04(R2 = 0.10)]) variables. The NSI cognitive scale also significantly predicted working memory [F = 4.624, p = 0.04(R2 = 0.09)]; however, no individual scores fell below the low average range upon further analysis. Cognitive complaints did not significantly predict any other cognitive (processing speed [F = 0.002, p = 0.97(R2 = 0.00)], total learning [F = 0.14, p = 0.71(R2 = 0.00)], and delayed recall [F = 1.03, p = 0.32(R2 = 0.02)]) variable. Conclusions Subjective cognitive complaints significantly predicted self-reported psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, and perceived stress, while working memory was the only cognitive performance with a similarly meaningful relationship. These preliminary findings suggest that the psychological effects of persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, rather than objective cognitive changes, may better explain subjective cognitive concerns reported by this population.

Blood pressure, brain lesions and cognitive decline in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The influence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and blood pressure (BP) on brain lesions and cognitive function is unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of BP with different types of brain lesions and cognitive decline in patients with AF. Overall, 1,213 AF patients underwent standardized brain magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and after 2 years, as well as yearly neurocognitive testing. BP was measured at baseline and categorized according to guidelines. New lesions were defined as new or enlarged brain lesions after 2 years. We defined cognitive decline using three different neurocognitive tests. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of BP with new brain lesions and cognitive decline. The mean age was 71 ± 8.4 years, 74% were male and mean BP was 135 ± 18/79 ± 12 mmHg. New ischemic lesions and white matter lesions were found in 5.4% and 18.4%, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, BP was not associated with the presence of new brain lesions after 2 years. There was no association between BP and cognitive decline over a median follow-up of 6 years when using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment or Digit Symbol Substitution Test. However, BP categories were inversely associated with cognitive decline using the Semantic Fluency Test, with the strongest association in patients with hypertension grade 1 [Hazard Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) 0.57(0.42 to 0.77)], compared to patients with optimal BP (p for linear trend: 0.025). In a large cohort of AF patients, there was no association between BP and incidence of brain lesions after 2 years. Also, there was no consistent association between BP and cognitive decline over a follow-up of 6 years. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02105844, Identifier (NCT02105844).

3T sodium-MRI as predictor of neurocognition in nondemented older adults: a cross sectional study.

Dementia is a burgeoning global problem. Novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics beyond volumetry may bring new insight and aid clinical trial evaluation of interventions early in the Alzheimer's disease course to complement existing imaging and clinical metrics. To determine whether: (i) normalized regional sodium-MRI values (Na-SI) are better predictors of neurocognitive status than volumetry (ii) cerebral amyloid PET status improves modelling. Nondemented older adult (>60 years) volunteers of known Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog11), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) neurocognitive test scores, ApolipoproteinE (APOE) e4 +/- cerebral amyloid PET status were prospectively recruited for 3T sodium-MRI brain scans. Left and right hippocampal, entorhinal and precuneus volumes and Na-SI (using the proportional intensity scaling normalization method with field inhomogeneity and partial volume corrections) were obtained after segmentation and co-registration of 3D-T1-weighted proton images. Descriptive statistics, correlation and best-subset regression analyses were performed. In our 76 nondemented participants (mean(standard deviation) age 75(5) years; woman 47(62%); cognitively unimpaired 54/76(71%), mildly cognitively impaired 22/76(29%)), left hippocampal Na-SI, not volume, was preferentially in the best models for predicting MMSE (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.19(Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.07,0.53), P-value = 0.001) and ADAS-Cog11 (Beta(B) = 1.2(CI = 0.28,2.1), P-value = 0.01) scores. In the entorhinal analysis, right entorhinal Na-SI, not volume, was preferentially selected in the best model for predicting ADAS-Cog11 (B = 0.94(CI = 0.11,1.8), P-value = 0.03). While right entorhinal Na-SI and volume were both selected for MMSE modelling (Na-SI OR = 0.23(CI = 0.09,0.6), P-value = 0.003; volume OR = 2.6(CI = 1.0,6.6), P-value = 0.04), independently, Na-SI explained more of the variance (Na-SI R 2 = 10.3; volume R 2 = 7.5). No imaging variable was selected in the best CERAD models. Adding cerebral amyloid status improved model fit (Akaike Information Criterion increased 2.0 for all models, P-value < 0.001-0.045). Regional Na-SI were more predictive of MMSE and ADAS-Cog11 scores in our nondemented older adult cohort than volume, hippocampal more robust than entorhinal region of interest. Positive amyloid status slightly further improved model fit.