Neuropsychological Deficits Research Articles

The impact of resective epilepsy surgery on the brain network: evidence from post-surgical imaging.

Resective epilepsy surgery can be an effective treatment for patients with medication-resistant focal epilepsy. Epilepsy resection consists of the surgical removal of an epileptic focus to stop seizure generation and disrupt the epileptic network. However, even focal surgical resections for epilepsy lead to widespread brain network changes. Understanding the impact of epilepsy surgery on the brain is crucial to improve surgical outcomes for patients. Here we provide a summary of studies imaging the postsurgical effects of epilepsy resection on the brain. We focus on MRI and PET studies of temporal lobe and pediatric epilepsy, reflecting the current literature. We discuss three potential mechanisms for surgery-induced brain changes: damage and degeneration, recovery, and reorganization. We additionally review the postsurgical brain correlates of surgical outcomes as well as the potential to predict the impact of surgery on an individual patient's brain. A comprehensive characterization of the impact of surgery on the brain and precise methods to predict these brain network changes could lead to more personalized surgeries that improve seizure outcomes and reduce neuropsychological deficits after surgery.

Oxytocin levels in response to CRH administration in hypopituitarism and hypothalamic damage: a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial

Increasing evidence supports the presence of oxytocin deficiency (OXT-D) in patients with hypopituitarism and hypothalamic damage (HHD), that might be associated with neuropsychological deficits and sexual dysfunction, leading to worse quality of life (QoL). Therefore, identifying a provocative test to diagnose an OXT-D will be important. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a candidate for such a test as it increases oxytocin secretion in animal models. This study aimed to examine the effects of CRH on oxytocin release in HHD compared to healthy controls (HC) and to describe the psychopathology, sexual function and QoL and their associations with oxytocin. This is a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept study (NCT 04902235) with crossover assignment (CRH vs. placebo). Nineteen HHD patients (10 females) and 20 HC (11 females) completed two visits, receiving CRH or placebo in random order and completed validated questionnaires to assess psychopathology, sexual function and QoL. Samples were collected over 120 min to assess oxytocin. Linear mixed-effects regression model evaluated the change in oxytocin after CRH/placebo in HHD vs. HC. CRH administration did not impact oxytocin concentrations across groups over time (p = 0.97). HHD had greater psychopathology (most ps < 0.05), sexual dysfunction (p < 0.03) and worse QoL (p < 0.001) compared to HC, nevertheless, baseline oxytocin concentrations and area under the curve of oxytocin were not significantly associated with psychopathology, sexual function or QoL, neither in HHD or HC. In conclusion, CRH administration does not appear to be a suitable provocative test for diagnosing OXT-D in HHD. Identifying a reliable diagnostic test for OXT-D remains crucial. Alternative provocative tests or biomarkers should be explored.

Neuropsychological outcome of indoor rehabilitation in post-COVID-19 condition-results of the PoCoRe study.

Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) is increasingly recognized as a debilitating condition characterized by persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Neuropsychological deficits, including cognitive impairments and fatigue, are prevalent in individuals with PCC. The PoCoRe study aimed to evaluate the burden of neuropsychological deficits in PCC patients undergoing multidisciplinary indoor rehabilitation and to describe possible changes in this symptomatology. The PoCoRe study, a prospective, non-randomized, controlled longitudinal study, recruited PCC patients from six German indoor rehabilitation centers. Eligible participants underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessments at admission and discharge. Various measures were employed, including the fatigue scale for motor functioning and cognition (FSMC), the Test Battery for Attention (TAP) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Out of the 1,086 recruited participants, a total of N = 701 participants were included in the main data analysis. The prevalence of fatigue on admission was high (84.6%) and decreased significantly by discharge (77.4%), with a mild effect size. Reaction times on the alertness subtest were abnormal in 70% of patients on admission and 50% on discharge. Sustained attention was abnormal in 55% of patients on admission, decreasing to 43% on discharge. These differences were significant with mild effect sizes. Furthermore, of the 27% of participants with pathological MoCA scores at admission, 63% improved to normative levels during rehabilitation, indicating a significant treatment effect (p ≤ 0.001). However, the MoCA demonstrated limited sensitivity in detecting attention deficits. The PoCoRe study highlights the high prevalence of neuropsychological deficits and fatigue in PCC patients, with notable improvements observed following multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Challenges remain in accurately identifying and addressing these deficits, underscoring the importance of comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and tailored rehabilitation interventions. Further research is warranted to optimize screening tools and enhance neuropsychological care for PCC patients in both rehabilitation and outpatient settings.

The Cognitive Profile in Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa and the Relationship With Autism and ADHD: APilot Study.

We aimed to examine the cognitive profile in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and its association with traits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. In addition, resemblance in the cognitive profile between youths with AN and their parents was explored. Adolescent females with acute AN (n=20) and a healthy comparison group (n=28) completed neuropsychological tasks of set-shifting (Trail making test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) and central coherence (Rey Complex Figures Task, Group Embedded Figures Test, object assembly subtest). In the AN group, mothers and fathers (n=31) also completed the neuropsychological tasks. Traits of ASD and ADHD were assessed. The AN group was reassessed after weight gain. Weight-restored AN adolescents scored higher on the Group Embedded Figures Test than a comparison group (p<0.001). No other set-shifting and central coherence differences were found across groups. A father-child correlation emerged in the object assembly subtest (r=0.53, p=0.035). ASD and ADHD traits were common in the AN group and not only related to starvation. No associations were found between neuropsychological deficits and traits of ASD and ADHD. Scant support was found for weaker central coherence in weight-recovered adolescents with AN. Set-shifting impairments could not be observed in young females with acute AN or after weight recovery.

Effects of Sedation Medications on Postoperative Delirium and Cognitive Dysfunction in Cardiac Surgery Patients with Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Network Meta-Analysis

Background: Neuropsychological deficits, such as delirium and cognitive dysfunction, are common consequences of cardiac surgery. The effectiveness of sedative drugs remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to collect and summarize the current evidence on the application of sedatives in randomized trials to prevent delirium and cognitive dysfunction in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: We searched for relevant studies in the databases from inception to September 1, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of sedatives and comparators on postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in adults undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were included in this research. Frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA) was utilized for comparing various interventions. Results: Forty-five RCTs were included in the analysis. For POD, there were statistically significant differences between the dexmedetomidine group and the control group (odds ratio [OR]: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.98; p = 0.038), which was mainly dependent on the effect of the postoperative application. Ketamine (92%) and esketamine (91%) also showed higher surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) ranks, and trial sequential analysis also indicated their potential effectiveness. For the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) outcome, the results indicated that dexmedetomidine (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 3.14; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.16; p = 0.002) and remifentanil (SMD: 4.24; 95% CI: 0.28, 8.20; p = 0.036) resulted in significantly higher MMSE scores than the control group. Conclusions: Postoperative dexmedetomidine significantly outperformed the control in terms of POD risk and MMSE score. Esketamine/ketamine also demonstrated potential efficacy in preventing POD. Further research is required to validate these findings.

Protocol for measuring the benefits of exergames on executive functions under depression through a randomized multi-arm controlled experiment

Depression is characterized by affective symptoms and neuropsychological deficits. After treatment, affective symptoms frequently remit, but cognitive alterations may remain affecting the lives of people and having an impact on health, economy, and societies. The present work describes the methods, procedures, and equipment for a randomized three-arm controlled experiment designed to measure the effects of exergames on executive functions (EFs) under depression. EFs are complex cognitive functions that are essential for organizing information, planning an action, reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Literature shows that EFs are compromised in depression, affecting daily-life activities and other cognitive domains. To conduct the experiment, depressed middle-aged adults will be randomly distributed into three experimental groups: an intervention group training with exergames, an active control group training only with cognitive video games, and a passive control group or wait-list. EFs are evaluated at three different time points: pre-post intervention, and three months follow-up, using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Researchers will collect cognitive-behavioral and neural information [event-related potentials (ERPs)]. Results will be explored by performing analysis of variance to compare the outcomes of the diverse groups at the three different time points, understanding the benefits of exergames in terms of EFs under depression. The study of simultaneous multidomain interventions in depression holds promise for the development of novel approaches, to implementing psychological and neuropsychological health [this experiment is part of a registered clinical trial entitled “MUDgame” (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT06536530). Registered on August 2024, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06536530].

Transient global amnesia – current state of knowledge

Introduction and purpose Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a sudden, short-lasting episode of anterograde and retrograde memory loss not caused by stroke or epileptic seizure. It affects 3.4-10.4 per 100,000 people per year, especially those in their 70s. There are several hypotheses regarding the etiopathology of this disorder, none of which have been unequivocally confirmed. This study aims to review the current knowledge about TGA, and to show its essence to the wider community. Description TGA is mainly manifested by a sudden, up to 24-hour loss of anterograde and retrograde memory, which may be accompanied by mild neuropsychological deficits. Diagnosis is based on a neurological examination and exclusion of numerous possible differential diagnoses, including laboratory and imaging tests. There is no specific treatment for this condition, and patient care is based primarily on patient education and risk factor control. They rarely recur and do not cause long-term complications. Summary Although TGA is considered a benign condition, its sudden onset and the temporary nature of memory loss can cause significant anxiety for both patients and their families. Increased awareness and prompt diagnosis are essential to provide reassurance and to rule out more serious conditions such as stroke or epilepsy. Expanding research on TGA is crucial to uncover potential preventive strategies and enhance our understanding of transient memory dysfunctions.

Postural imbalance without visual input is associated with specific neuropsychological deficits in older adults - results from the LIFE-adult study.

Modifiable risk factors play an important role in preventing dementia and reducing its progression. Regular physical activity already in midlife, which relies on intact multisensory balance control, can help to decrease the risk of dementia. However, our understanding of the relationship between postural balance and cognitive functions remains limited. The objective of our study was to investigate the association of postural balance during different sensory conditions with specific cognitive domains in older adults. Participants were from the population-based prospective "Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases" (LIFE-Adult) cohort in Leipzig, Germany. Executive, memory and processing speed functions were tested by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD) plus battery. Assessment of visuospatial abilities was based on the short form of the Judgment of Line Orientation Test (JLO). Postural sway was recorded on a force plate with eyes open and closed. Romberg's ratios were calculated for sway path and sway area as a proxy for balance without visual control and tested in generalized linear regression models with the summary scores of executive function, memory, processing speed and visuospatial function as dependent variables. All models were adjusted for sex, age, ApoE status, socioeconomic status, anamnestic stroke, and diabetes. In total, we analyzed 460 participants with a mean age of 68.6 years, range 60 to 80, 47.6% female. A higher Romberg's ratio for sway area was a significant indicator for impaired visuospatial abilities as measured by the dichotomized JLO (Odds Ratio = 1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.07 to 1.88). Romberg's ratios were not significantly associated with executive functions, procedural speed or memory functions. It may be worthwhile to examine in the future whether inclusion of balance testing enhances the value of screening programs for cognitive impairment. Inversely, it may be appropriate to apply routine cognitive tests when balance problems are detected in older patients.

Aphasia profiles and trajectories in acute ischemic stroke: An observational study

BackgroundIn acute ischemic stroke (AIS), neuropsychological deficits and their long-term impact are insufficiently studied. We studied pure aphasic AIS patients, their short-term aphasiological course, predictors of persisting aphasia, and their outcome. MethodsIn the ASTRAL Registry, we assessed all pure aphasic AIS patients from 2003-2019, and reviewed their neuropsychological examination performed after 3-10 days. We identified factors associated with persistent significant aphasia in the subacute phase, and predictors of unfavourable functional outcome at 3 months (mRS≥ 2), using multivariate analyses (MVA). ResultsAmong 4513 consecutive AISs, 131 (2.9 %) had pure aphasia at admission. Eighty-one had a good quality neuropsychological examination and were analysed further (median age 76.3yrs; 44.4 % female; 6.2 % left-handed; 27.2 % treated by acute revascularization). Of these, 28.4 % still had significant aphasia in the subacute phase. Persistent aphasia was independently associated with cardioembolic (OR 13.6, 95 %CI 2.6-70.8) or atheromatous (OR 16.0, 95 %CI 1.9-132.1) stroke mechanisms, and with an executive function deficit on neuropsychological examination (OR 10.5, 95 %CI 2.0-54.4). At 3 months, female gender (OR 4.2, 95 %CI 1.2-15.3) and significant aphasia in the subacute phase (OR 12.0, 95 %CI 3.3-43.6) predicted an mRS≥2. ConclusionPure aphasia was present in 2.9 % of all AIS patients and resolved in three-quarters in the subacute phase. Persistent aphasia was associated with embolic stroke mechanisms and concomitant executive function impairment, and poor 3 months outcome, with female gender and enduring subacute aphasia. These data may help with prognostication, management and rehabilitation planning. Key messagePure aphasic ischemic stroke is rare and most recover spontaneously within days, and persistent subacute aphasia is associated with defined embolic stroke mechanisms, and concomitant executive dysfunction. Unfavourable functional outcome at 3 months is present in women and if there is persistent subacute aphasia.

Neuropsychological profile in young girls at high risk of developing anorexia nervosa.

Previous research has shown anorexia nervosa (AN) to be associated with a specific neuropsychological profile, including set-shifting and central coherence deviances. A similar profile has been shown in adult unaffected relatives. The aim of this study was to examine whether poor set-shifting and central coherence abilities could be detected in children at high risk of developing AN. Twenty-eight biological healthy daughters of women with previous or current AN and 42 biological daughters of healthy women, all between six and 12 years of age, participated in the study. A neuropsychological test battery (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Trail Making Test and Rey Complex Figure Test) was used to assess set-shifting and central coherence abilities. No differences in set-shifting or central coherence performance were detected between the high-risk group and the comparison group. Adjustments for age and intelligence quotient (IQ) did not affect the results. Our results did not support the notion of preexisting neuropsychological deficits in AN-related cognitive domains among high-risk girls.

Optimal functioning after early mild traumatic brain injury: Evolution and predictors.

Early mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI or concussion sustained between 0 and 5 years old) can lead to post-concussive symptoms, behavioral changes, and cognitive difficulties. Although school-age children (6-17 years old) experience similar consequences, severe neuropsychological deficits are not common, and the majority have no persisting symptoms after one month. Thus, there may be value in focusing on what characterizes optimal functioning (or wellness) after mTBI, but this has not been explored in young children. This study documents the evolution and predictors of optimal functioning after early mTBI. Participants were 190 children aged 18 - 60 months with mTBI (n = 69), orthopedic injury (OI; n = 50), or typical development (TDC; n = 71). Optimal functioning was defined as: (1) no clinically significant behavioral problems; (2) no cognitive difficulties; (3) no persisting post-concussive symptoms; (4) average quality of life or better. Predictors related to sociodemographic, injury, child, and caregiver characteristics included number of acute symptoms, child sex, age, temperament, maternal education, parent-child attachment and interaction quality, and parenting stress. Fewer children with mTBI had optimal functioning over 6 and 18-months post-injury compared to those with OI and TDC. Higher parent-child interaction quality and lower child negative affectivity temperament independently predicted optimal functioning. Children who sustain early mTBI are less likely to exhibit optimal functioning thantheir peers in the long-term. Parent-child interaction quality could be a potential intervention target for promoting optimal function.

The utility of Moffitt’s developmental taxonomy in predicting being processed through the criminal justice system

ABSTRACT Moffitt’s (1993) developmental taxonomy has guided a great deal of research and has had a profound impact on the field of criminology. Much of this research has focused on her explanation of life-course-persistent offenders, wherein she argued that a combination of being reared in an adverse environment and having neuropsychological deficits would lead to lifelong offending. The current study used this explanation to extend tests of Moffitt’s theory by examining whether the combination of childhood maltreatment and neuropsychological deficits would have application that moves beyond the prediction of life-course-persistent offending and was able to account for participants being processed through the criminal justice system. Analysis of data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) revealed that childhood maltreatment and neuropsychological deficits were both independently associated with being arrested, being convicted, and being incarcerated, but that the interaction between these two measures was largely null in the prediction of the outcomes.

Effects of urinary organophosphate flame retardants in susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in school-age children

Our previous studies have revealed a correlation between urinary phthalates (PAE) metabolites and parabens and PM2.5 exposure and susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school-age children. Our goal was to examine the relationships between urinary organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and their metabolites and the susceptibility to ADHD in the same cohort of children. We recruited 186 school children, including 132 with ADHD and 54 normal controls, living in southern Taiwan to investigate five OPFRs (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl phosphate (TDCPP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP)) and five OPFR metabolites (bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DNBP), bis(2-chloroethyl) hydrogen phosphate (BCEP), di-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (DBEP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP)) in urine. ADHD patients’ behavioral symptoms and neuropsychological function were assessed using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Version IV Scale (SNAP-IV) and the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test 3rd Edition (Conners CPT3), respectively. BCEP was predominant among urinary OPFRs and the metabolites in both the ADHD and control groups. ADHD children had significantly higher levels of urinary BDCPP, BCEP, DBEP, DPHP, TCEP, TBEP, TNBP, TPHP, and Σ10OPFR compared to the controls. After controlling for age, gender, body mass index, PM2.5 exposure scenarios, and urinary phthalate metabolites, parabens, bisphenol-A and creatinine, levels of urinary BDCPP, TDCPP, and TBEP in ADHD children showed significant and dose-dependent effects on core behavioral symptoms of inattention. DNBP levels were positively correlated with neuropsychological deficits (CPT detectability, omission, and commission), while urinary DPHP in ADHD children were negatively related to CPT detectability and commission. Hyperactivity and impulsivity were not correlated with urinary OPFRs and their metabolites in ADHD children. In conclusion, the ADHD symptom of inattention and CPT performance may be closely associated with certain urinary OPFRs and their metabolites, independent of urinary PAE metabolites, parabens, and bisphenol-A in school-age-ADHD children.

Unraveling the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on Dementia: A Comprehensive Study

Since late 2019, a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, a highly contagious coronavirus, has jeopardized human and public health. Neurodegeneration and structural brain diseases produce dementia, which is developing rapidly. Strong evidence of COVID-19 brain abnormalities as neurotrophic viruses impair neurological systems. Neuron and glial cell degeneration can affect nerve transmission and brain function. Damage to these brain components raises dementia risk. Multiple studies linked SARS-CoV-2 to dementia. This manuscript contains selective data. This study aims to review the findings and suggest strategies to improve SARS-Covid dementia management. The study makes use of medical research databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, and Embase. Furthermore, information is also collected by recognized health organizations and government agencies. COVID-19 can produce neuropsychological deficits, agitation, confusion, inattention, and disorientation. Thus, SARS can worsen dementia and neurodegeneration. This article summarizes COVID-19's effects on dementia patients from several sources. The focus on existing treatments for affected patients ties the two.

Self-other voice discrimination task: A potential neuropsychological tool for clinical assessment of self-related deficits

BackgroundDeficits in self are commonly described through different neuro-pathologies, based on clinical evaluations and experimental paradigms. However, currently available approaches lack appropriate clinical validation, making objective evaluation and discrimination of self-related deficits challenging. MethodsWe applied a statistical standardized method to assess the clinical discriminatory capacity of a Self-Other Voice Discrimination (SOVD) task. This task, validated experimentally as a marker for self-related deficits, was administered to 17 patients eligible for neurosurgery due to focal hemispheric brain tumors or epileptic lesions. ResultsThe clinical discriminatory capacity of the SOVD task was evident in three patients who exhibited impairments for self-voice perception that could not be predicted by other neuropsychological deficits. Impairments in other-voice perception were linked to inhibitory neuropsychological deficits, suggesting a potential association with executive deficits in voice recognition. ConclusionsThis exploratory study highlights the clinical discriminatory potential of the SOVD task and suggests that it could complement the standard neuropsychological assessment, paving the way for enhanced diagnoses and tailored treatments for self-related deficits.

Concussion in Female Athletes of Contact Sports: A Scoping Review.

Recent studies have described higher incidences of concussion, with more severe symptoms and worse outcomes in female athletes compared with male athletes. To compile current knowledge about sex-specific differences in incidence, biomechanics, biomarkers, imaging, and outcomes of concussion in athletes participating in contact sports to better understand which fields should be explored in more detail. Scoping review; Level of evidence, 3. The PubMed database was searched for articles published between January 2000 and November 2020 using the Medical Subject Headings terms "craniocerebral trauma" and "brain concussion" combined with the contact sports "football,""soccer,""hockey," and "boxing." Eligibility criteria were based on the recommendations of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. It focused on sex-specific differences within 5 major topics: (1) epidemiology, (2) biomechanics, (3) biomarkers, (4) imaging, and (5) specific concussion outcome variables, including neurocognitive performance, injury severity, and behavioral and psychological symptoms. A total of 22 studies were included. Eight studies investigated the incidence of concussion, with 4 of the 8 finding a significantly higher incidence rate for female versus male athletes. Six studies that focused on biomechanics found that female athletes received fewer impacts with lower magnitudes. One study addressed biomarkers, showing that S100 calcium-binding protein B and neuron-specific enolase were increased after a game in female athletes, and the level of increase was similar to the changes found in male athletes. Based on the 3 imaging studies, affected brain tissue was greatest in areas associated with tau pathology in chronic traumatic encephalopathy. One study showed a lower hypointensity burden index after a season of ice hockey for female athletes, while another study showed more regions with white matter alterations. Seven studies examined concussion outcomes, with 4 studies showing more severe neuropsychological deficits; in addition, female athletes reported more and worse symptoms than male athletes. The results of this review indicated that female athletes had a higher risk of sustaining a concussion, although they received fewer impacts with lower magnitudes than male athletes. Biomarkers were able to be used equally for both sexes. Female athletes also had a higher neuropsychological deficit and increasingly worse symptoms after a concussion.

A novel mouse model reproducing frontal alterations related to the prodromal stage of dementia with LEWY bodies

BackgroundDementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common age-related neurocognitive pathology after Alzheimer's disease. Animal models characterizing this disease are lacking and their development would ameliorate both the understanding of neuropathological mechanisms underlying DLB as well as the efficacy of pre-clinical studies tackling this disease. MethodsWe performed extensive phenotypic characterization of a transgenic mouse model overexpressing, most prominently in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) and frontal cortex (FC), wild-type form of the human α-synuclein gene (mThy1-hSNCA, 12 to 14-month-old males). Moreover, we drew a comparison of our mouse model results to DH- and FC- dependent neuropsychological and neuropathological deficits observed in a cohort of patients including 34 healthy control subjects and 55 prodromal-DLB patients (males and females). ResultsOur study revealed an increase of pathological form of soluble α-synuclein, mainly in the FC and DH of the mThy1-hSNCA model. However, functional impairment as well as increase in transcripts of inflammatory markers and decrease in plasticity-relevant protein level were exclusive to the FC. Furthermore, we did not observe pathophysiological or Tyrosine Hydroxylase alterations in the striatum or substantia nigra, nor motor deficits in our model. Interestingly, the results stemming from the cohort of prodromal DLB patients also demonstrated functional deficits emanating from FC alterations, along with preservation of those usually related to DH dysfunctions. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that pathophysiological impairment of the FC with concomitant DH preservation is observed at an early stage of DLB, and that the mThy1-hSNCA mouse model parallels some markers of this pathology.

B - 101 Associations between Oxygen Saturation and Neurocognitive Performance in Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract Objective Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for neuropsychological deficits. Studies have documented that peripheral oxygen saturation is associated with neurocognitive performance, but the results are inconsistent. Our objective was to examine the associations between oxygen saturation and neurocognitive performance in SCD using several different measurement techniques. Methods A lifetime cohort study of 413 patients ranging from 8–25 years of age (Mean = 14.18, Standard Deviation = 4.81) diagnosed with SCD (60% HbSS) received a neuropsychological evaluation including measures of intelligence, processing speed, and working memory. Analyses were conducted separately based on SCD genotype (HbSS/Sβ0 vs. HbSC/SB+). Oxygen saturation values were examined as predictors of neurocognitive performance based on 1) mean lifetime value, 2) lifetime standard deviation, 3) most recent value (within 3 months from neuropsychological assessment), and 4) change over time. Measurement types were entered into separate multivariable models covarying for age, sex, socioeconomic status and hydroxyurea usage. Results Among patients diagnosed with HbSS/Sβ0genotypes, the lifetime standard deviation in oxygen saturation was associated with working memory (pFDR = 0.004) and the change over time in oxygen saturation was associated with processing speed (pFDR &amp;lt;0.001). There were no associations between oxygen saturation and neurocognitive performance among patients with the SC/SB+ genotypes. Conclusions Associations between oxygen saturation and neurocognitive performance in SCD differ based on when the values are collected and how they are analyzed. Our analyses suggest that the change over time and variability in oxygen saturation is most predictive of neurocognitive performance.

Regression-based normative data for Corsi Span and Supraspan learning and recall among Italian adults

IntroductionThe Corsi Block Tapping Test, or Corsi Span (CS), is a widely used task to measure visuospatial short-term and working memory. The same setup can be used to administer the Corsi SupraSpan Learning (CSSL) and Recall (CSSR), tests assessing visuospatial long-term memory. While the CS has relatively recent normative data, those of the CSSL are outdated For CSSR, no normative data are available. Given this critical lack, our study aimed to provide updated norms for CS, CSSL, and specifically for the recall delayed phase (CSSR).Materials and methodsA sample of 340 healthy participants, aged between 20 and 89, took part in the study. Norms were developed using a regression approach and defined using rank equivalent scores and percentiles.ResultsAge and education influenced Corsi’s Span, while SupraSpan Learning and Recall were influenced by age, education, and span. The comparison with previous norms for Span and SupraSpan Learning shows a high level of agreement.ConclusionsThis study provides integrated norms to evaluate visuospatial memory in all aspects of immediate recall, long-term learning and delayed recall. Its use is needed to assess specific neuropsychological deficits, dissociate visuospatial versus verbal memory deficits and allow the evaluation of memory in patients with limited verbal abilities.

Neuropsychological performance in women at risk of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis

PurposeWhile neuropsychological deficits are commonly observed in affective and psychotic disorders, this remains unexplored in these disorders when they occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period.MethodsA neuropsychological test battery was administered to women defined at risk of postpartum depression (PD, N = 53) because having either a current or past diagnosis of major depressive disorder, women at risk of postpartum psychosis (PP, N = 43) because of a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder and/or a previous episode of PP and women not at risk (NR, N = 48) in the third trimester of pregnancy. Generalized and specific cognitive abilities were compared between groups.ResultsWomen at risk of PP presented worse executive functions and processing speed compared to NR and worse performance compared to women at risk of PD across all cognitive domains. In addition, women at risk of PP who developed a psychiatric relapse in the first four weeks post-partum showed worse verbal learning and memory, visual memory, executive functions and processing speed in pregnancy compared to NR, whereas women at risk of PP who remained well presented neuropsychological performance that was intermediate between that of the women NR and those at risk of PP who developed symptoms. There were no differences in performance between women at risk of PD and the NR women, even if 31 women at risk of PD presented depressive symptoms at the time of cognitive assessment.ConclusionsOur findings in women at risk of PP align with neuropsychological findings in individuals with, or at risk of psychosis unrelated to pregnancy. In addition, initial evidence that women at risk of PP who develop a psychiatric relapse in the postpartum show a particularly poor neuropsychological performance in pregnancy suggests that this could be considered part of a phenotype for the disease and help guiding future preventive strategies in this clinical population. In women at risk of PD, the presence of depressive symptoms did not influence cognitive performance.