Poor Cognitive Control Research Articles

B - 73 Neurocognitive Correlates of Impulsivity: Lack of Perseverance Is Associated with Poorer Cognitive Control

Abstract Objective This study investigated associations between cognitive control, specifically proactive and reactive control, and impulsivity. Impulsivity is linked to low cognitive control and has been associated with substance use, self-harm, and dementia. Studies suggest that impulsivity is linked to poorer reactive and proactive control, but the unique facet of impulsivity implicated in this link has not been established. This study aimed to understand how impulsivity subdomains are related to both proactive and reactive control during a continuous performance task. Methods To examine the full spectrum of impulsivity, a premorbid risk-factor, a total of 251 healthy undergraduates were included in the study (106 male, 143 female, and 2 another gender; mean age = 19.51, SD = 2.76). Thirty-seven were excluded due to missing data. Participants completed the Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation-seeking, Positive-urgency (UPPS-P) Scale and the AX-Continuous Performance Task (AX-CPT) for course credit. Results Lack of perseverance was correlated with longer reaction times on proactive control, r = 0.143, p = 0.023, and reactive control trials, r = 0.180, p = 0.004. Lack of perseverance was also found to be a unique and significant predictor of proactive control reaction time, controlling for the other four facets of impulsivity (β = 0.152, p = 0.049). Conclusions We found a positive relationship between lack of perseverance and both proactive and reactive cognitive control, indicating that lower perseverance is linked to poorer cognitive control. Impulsivity is a multi-faceted risk-factor that has also been linked to symptoms of dementia and general disinhibition. These findings contribute to the growing literature on how higher impulsivity increases vulnerability to cognitive control deficits.

Connection of social anxiety to impaired pattern of cognitive control and underlying motivational deficiencies: Evidence from event-related potentials.

Numerous studies have established a correlation between social anxiety and poor cognitive control. However, little is known about the cognitive control pattern of individuals with high social anxiety (HSAs) and the underlying mechanisms. Based on the Dual Mechanisms of Control framework and the Expected Value of Control theory, this study explored whether HSAs have an impaired cognitive control pattern (Experiment 1) and whether motivational deficiencies underlie the impaired control pattern (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, 21 individuals with low social anxiety (LSAs) and 21 HSAs completed an AX-Continuous Performance Task. Results showed that HSAs had a smaller P3b amplitude than LSAs, indicating their weakened proactive control in the cue processing stage, but a larger contingent negative variation (CNV) on cue B as compensation for the negative effects of anxiety in the response preparation stage. No group difference was found in N2 and P3a amplitude on probes, suggesting that reactive control in HSAs was not affected compared to LSAs. In Experiment 2, 21 LSAs and 21 HSAs completed a cued-flanker task, where the likelihood of proactive control engagement was manipulated. The results revealed that HSAs exhibited motivation deficiencies in engaging in proactive control, as evidenced by P3b, CNV amplitude, and response times. These findings shed light on the impaired cognitive control pattern of HSAs and suggest that motivational deficiencies may be the crucial underlying factor.

Listening to Yourself and Watching Your Tongue: Distinct Abilities and Brain Regions for Monitoring Semantic and Phonological Speech Errors.

Despite the many mistakes we make while speaking, people can effectively communicate because we monitor our speech errors. However, the cognitive abilities and brain structures that support speech error monitoring are unclear. There may be different abilities and brain regions that support monitoring phonological speech errors versus monitoring semantic speech errors. We investigated speech, language, and cognitive control abilities that relate to detecting phonological and semantic speech errors in 41 individuals with aphasia who underwent detailed cognitive testing. Then, we used support vector regression lesion symptom mapping to identify brain regions supporting detection of phonological versus semantic errors in a group of 76 individuals with aphasia. The results revealed that motor speech deficits as well as lesions to the ventral motor cortex were related to reduced detection of phonological errors relative to semantic errors. Detection of semantic errors selectively related to auditory word comprehension deficits. Across all error types, poor cognitive control related to reduced detection. We conclude that monitoring of phonological and semantic errors relies on distinct cognitive abilities and brain regions. Furthermore, we identified cognitive control as a shared cognitive basis for monitoring all types of speech errors. These findings refine and expand our understanding of the neurocognitive basis of speech error monitoring.

Multivariate associations between cognition and neighborhood geospatial characteristics in schizophrenia.

Cognitive impairment contributes to functional impairment in schizophrenia. Yet, little is known about how environmental characteristics are related to cognition in schizophrenia. By examining how cognition and the environment are intertwined, it may be possible to identify modifiable risk and protective factors that can improve cognitive outcomes in schizophrenia. We aimed to identify multivariate associations between cognition and three geospatial characteristics (built-space density, habitable green spaces, and public spaces for social interaction) within one's immediate neighborhood among individuals with schizophrenia. We recruited participants with schizophrenia from three sites - an urban metropolitan and two towns in southern India. We administered standard cognitive assessments and performed a principal axis factoring to identify episodic memory, cognitive control, and social inference-making factors for use in further analyses. We estimated geospatial characteristics of an individual's neighborhood, i.e., up to 1km2 around the residence, by sourcing data from Google Earth. We performed unconditional and conditional (to examine the effect of clinical covariates) canonical correlation analyses to understand the multivariate relationship between cognition and geospatial characteristics. We analyzed data from 208 participants; the first canonical cognitive variate (higher social inference-making and poorer cognitive control) shared 24% of the variance (r=0.49; P<0.001) with the first geospatial variate (lower built density and poorer access to public spaces). Years of education, age at onset, and place of residence significantly modulated this relationship. We observe differential associations of the built environment with social and non-social cognition in schizophrenia, and highlight the clinical and demographic characteristics that shape these associations.

The Role of Cognitive Control in Paranormal Beliefs: A Study Based on Performance in Go/No-go Task

Introduction: Cognitive control plays a role in human behavior and mental processes and affects paranormal beliefs. This study aims to investigate the role of cognitive control in paranormal beliefs using the go/no-go task. Methods: A total of 92 people were selected based on low, middle, and high scores in the revised paranormal belief scale (R-PBS) and assigned to 3 groups. The groups included 30 severe paranormal believers (13 females with a mean age of 25.3 years), 31 mild paranormal believers (14 females with a mean age of 26.4 years), and 31 skeptics (16 females with a mean age of 25.8 years). All participants were tested on the go/no-go task. A multivariate analysis of variance was conducted with the given groups (severe paranormal believers, mild paranormal believers, and skeptics) as the independent variable and the go/no-go subscales scores as dependent variables. Results: The findings showed a significant difference between the mean scores in errors of go (F(2, 89)=7.20, P=0.01), errors of no-go (F(2, 89)=11.81, P=0.01), and reaction time (F(2, 89)=21.46, P=0.01) between the groups. Conclusion: The severe and mild paranormal believers had lower accuracy and slower reaction times than the skeptics group. Therefore, severe paranormal believers and mild paranormal believers had a weakness in all go/no-go subscale scores. This finding suggests that paranormal beliefs may be related to poor cognitive control.

Neurobehavioral phenotypes of delay discounting and cognitive control in child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and obesity: Shared or distinct?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity have been independently associated with deficient cognitive control (CC) and heightened preference for immediate reward. We aimed to identify specific shared and distinct neurobehavioral phenotypes of child obesity and ADHD by simultaneously measuring CC and preference for immediate reward in children with and without ADHD who varied in body weight. This case-control study included 323 8-12 year olds (ADHD n=215, typically developing (TD) screened for ADHD symptoms [TD] controls n=108) varying in body weight. Children completed a go/no-go task (assessing CC), as well as a classical money delay discounting (DD) task and novel experiential game time DD task (assessing preference for immediate over delayed rewards). For game time DD, there was a body mass index z-score (BMIz)*ADHD interaction, such that TD children with overweight/obesity showed game time DD levels that were greater than those of TD children without overweight/obesity and similar to those of children with ADHD. Only children with ADHD showed poorer CC compared to TD children, with no effects of body weight. Heightened game time DD with delays and rewards experienced in real-time may represent a neurobehavioral phenotype that is shared between ADHD and overweight/obesity in childhood, whereas deficient CC may be specific to children with ADHD.

Coupling of sensorimotor and cognitive functions in middle- and late adulthood.

The present study explored age effects and the coupling of sensorimotor and cognitive functions in a stratified sample of 96 middle-aged and older adults (age 45-86 years) with no indication of mild cognitive decline. In our sensorimotor tasks, we had an emphasis on listening in noise and postural control, but we also assessed functional mobility and tactile sensitivity. Our cognitive measures comprised processing speed and assessments of core cognitive control processes (executive functions), notably inhibition, task switching, and working memory updating. We explored whether our measures of sensorimotor functioning mediated age differences in cognitive variables and compared their effect to processing speed. Subsequently, we examined whether individuals who had poorer (or better) than median cognitive performance for their age group also performed relatively poorer (or better) on sensorimotor tasks. Moreover, we examined whether the link between cognitive and sensorimotor functions becomes more pronounced in older age groups. Except for tactile sensitivity, we observed substantial age-related differences in all sensorimotor and cognitive variables from middle age onward. Processing speed and functional mobility were reliable mediators of age in task switching and inhibitory control. Regarding coupling between sensorimotor and cognition, we observed that individuals with poor cognitive control do not necessarily have poor listening in noise skills or poor postural control. As most conditions do not show an interdependency between sensorimotor and cognitive performance, other domain-specific factors that were not accounted for must also play a role. These need to be researched in order to gain a better understanding of how rehabilitation may impact cognitive functioning in aging persons.

Role of Cognitive Control in Psychotherapy: An Integrated Review.

Cognitive control (CC), including shifting, updating, and inhibiting functions, may play an integral role in various aspects of psychotherapy; however, research on this is limited. This review aims to link the disparate lines of evidence on CC as they relate to psychotherapy processes, techniques, and outcomes. A systematic search of the literature on neuropsychological domains relating to psychotherapy in adults with anxiety/depression yielded 18 eligible studies. The review also uses a narrative format to explore other potential links between CC and psychotherapy that are underinvestigated, and highlights the need for research and application to evidence-based practice of psychotherapy. Findings suggest that CC may predict psychotherapy outcomes and also improve as a function of psychotherapy. Analog sample studies suggest a possible link between CC and techniques for regulation of cognition and emotion, such as reappraisal, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring. CC may also play an integral role in the regulation of behavior. Study of CC in the context of psychotherapy may potentially explain individual differences in psychotherapy outcomes and mechanisms of action of various psychotherapy techniques and processes. Such an understanding may have possible implications for "best fit" matching clients to therapies and modifying psychological interventions to account for poorer CC abilities. CC may be enhanced through training and further research is warranted on the impact of such training in facilitating better long-term psychotherapy outcomes.

Theta-Burst Stimulation over the pre-Supplementary Motor Area in Schizophrenia and comorbid substance use disorder: Preliminary clinical data

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a debilitating disorder, which tremendously impacts the psychological, social, and financial aspects of a patient’s life. Frequently, SZ patients present with poor insight, which can even worsen the symptomatology. Antipsychotic medications frequently result in suboptimal outcomes, especially the ones concerning negative and cognitive symptoms. Accordingly, new therapeutic options are warranted. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been adopted in SZ with promising results. Continuous Theta burst stimulation (cTBS) is a particular brief and effective form of TMS. It has been successfully applied in patients with poor cognitive control (e.g., gambling disorder patients) targeting the pre-Supplementary Motor Area (pre-SMA). Given that poor cognitive control has been regarded as a core deficit in SZ, 11 patients with SZ were included in this study and treated with cTBS for a total of 10 sessions during a two-week period. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with a diagnosis of SZ in comorbidity with Substance Use Disorder (SZ + SUD) vs SZ. Patients were evaluated before and after treatment, assessing executive functions, awareness, and nicotine craving. Within-group comparisons showed a significant reduction in the Scale to assess Unawareness in Mental Disorders (SUMD) scores (p &lt; 0.05) and in the test of Fagerstrom (to assess nicotine dependence) scores (p &lt; 0.001) before and after treatment in the SZ + SUD group. These results showed the efficacy of cTBS for craving reduction as well as in improving awareness of the illness and of treatment. This can be considered a remarkable result since better insight has been previously associated with an improved quality of life in SZ.

The role of cognitive control in the positive symptoms of psychosis

BackgroundPositive symptoms of psychosis (e.g., hallucinations) often limit everyday functioning and can persist despite adequate antipsychotic treatment. We investigated whether poor cognitive control is a mechanism underlying these symptoms. Methods97 patients with early psychosis (30 with high positive symptoms (HS) and 67 with low positive symptoms (LS)) and 40 healthy controls (HC) underwent fMRI whilst performing a reward learning task with two conditions; low cognitive demand (choosing between neutral faces) and high cognitive demand (choosing between angry and happy faces – shown to induce an emotional bias). Decision and feedback phases were examined. ResultsBoth patient groups showed suboptimal learning behaviour compared to HC and altered activity within a core reward network including occipital/lingual gyrus (decision), rostral Anterior Cingulate Cortex, left pre-central gyrus and Supplementary Motor Cortex (feedback). In the low cognitive demand condition, HS group showed significantly reduced activity in Supplementary Motor Area (SMA)/pre-SMA during the decision phase whilst activity was increased in LS group compared to HC. Recruitment of this region suggests a top-down compensatory mechanism important for control of positive symptoms. With additional cognitive demand (emotional vs. neutral contrast), HS patients showed further alterations within a subcortical network (increased left amygdala activity during decisions and reduced left pallidum and thalamus activity during feedback) compared to LS patients. ConclusionsThe findings suggest a core reward system deficit may be present in both patient groups, but persistent positive symptoms are associated with a specific dysfunction within a network needed to integrate social-emotional information with reward feedback.

Loss of Awareness or Urinary Dysfunction? Investigating Amyloidosis and Urinary Physiology in a Transgenic Mouse

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating disorder primarily affecting older adults and is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the US. More than one in three AD patients experience AD-associated urinary dysfunction (ADUD), which directly contributes to their institutionalization. While ADUD has been clinically regarded as a result of poor cognitive control over urinary function, the physiology underlying loss of urinary control remains unknown. We hypothesize that amyloidosis in the CNS results in pathologic changes in urinary structure and function. Tg-APP/PS1DE9 mice were used before plaque deposition (4-6 months) and after plaque accumulation (8-10 months) and compared to WT littermates. Behavioral assays (open field testing and voiding spot assays) were performed to assess cortical function. Pressure-flow cystometry was conducted under urethane anesthesia to assess autonomic control of urinary function without cortical influence. Pharmacomyography of bladder strips was used to determine tissue-level changes in the absence of CNS input. In Tg-APP/PS1DE9 mice, plaque accumulation resulted in significant cystometric changes to voiding phase parameters, but not storage phase parameters. Pharmacologic studies showed decreased sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation without change in muscarinic sensitivity. Behavioral assays demonstrated significant differences between transgenic animals and WT in locomotion and voiding spot sizes. We interpret our data to support AD-related pathology of Aβ accumulation results in a distinct urinary phenotype in our model, analogous to the ADUD observed in AD patients. Establishing and verifying models of ADUD may improve the efficacy of treating ADUD and increase quality of life for patients and their caregivers.

Dependent Stress Generation Mediates the Relation Between Poor Cognitive Control and Repetitive Negative Thinking in Emerging Adults

Poor cognitive control has been associated with maladaptive thinking, like rumination and worry, that increase risk for internalizing psychopathology. However, little research has investigated how cognitive control is associated with commonalities between rumination and worry (i.e., repetitive negative thinking; RNT). The current study aimed to investigate how cognitive control predicts engagement in a common component of RNT over time via an indirect mechanism of dependent stress generation in a one-semester longitudinal study of emerging adult college students ( N = 224). Executive functioning task performance and self-reported attentional control (not working memory capacity task performance) prospectively predicted RNT, mediated by dependent stress, but did not predict change in stress or RNT from baseline. These findings suggest that aspects of cognitive control relevant for successful goal pursuit may be involved with maintaining levels of stressful life events and subsequent RNT.

Longitudinal changes in network engagement during cognitive control in cocaine use disorder

BackgroundCocaine use disorder (CUD) is characterized by poor cognitive control and has limited empirically supported treatment options. Furthermore, an understanding of brain mechanisms underlying CUD is at a relatively early stage. Thus, this study aimed to investigate longitudinal alterations in functional neural networks associated with cognitive control in cocaine use disorder (CUD). MethodsSecondary analysis was performed on data from 44 individuals who participated in three randomized clinical trials for CUD and completed an fMRI Stroop task both at baseline and post-treatment. Independent component analysis (ICA) was performed to assess changes in functional network engagement and investigate associations with cocaine-use behaviors. Mixed linear models were performed to test for longitudinal effects on network engagement and relationships with baseline patterns of cocaine use (i.e., past-month frequency and lifetime years of use) and periods of abstinence/use between scans (i.e., percent negative urine toxicology and maximum days of contiguous abstinence). ResultsSix functional networks were identified as being related to cognitive control and/or exhibiting changes in engagement following treatment. Results indicated that engagement of amygdala-striatal, middle frontal and right-frontoparietal networks were reduced over time in CUD. Less change in the amygdala-striatal network was associated with greater lifetime years of cocaine use. Additional analyses revealed that negative toxicology results and achievement of continuous abstinence were associated with greater engagement of the right-frontoparietal network. ConclusionsNeural systems that underlie cognitive control may change over time in individuals with CUD. A longer history of cocaine-use may hinder changes in network activity, potentially impeding recovery.

Prenatal environmental tobacco smoke exposure alters children’s cognitive control circuitry: A preliminary study

Background and ObjectivesPrenatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with increased attention problems in children, however, the effects of such exposure on children’s brain structure and function have not been studied. Herein, we probed effects of prenatal ETS on children’s cognitive control circuitry and behavior. MethodsForty-one children (7–9 years) recruited from a prospective longitudinal birth cohort of non-smoking mothers completed structural and task-functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate effects of maternal ETS exposure, measured by maternal prenatal urinary cotinine. Attention problems and externalizing behaviors were measured by parent report on the Child Behavior Checklist. ResultsCompared to non-exposed children, exposed children had smaller left and right thalamic and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) volumes, with large effect sizes (p-FDR < .05, Cohen’s D range from 0.79 to 1.07), and increased activation in IFG during the resolution of cognitive conflict measured with the Simon Spatial Incompatibility Task (38 voxels; peak t(25) = 5.25, p-FWE = .005). Reduced thalamic volume was associated with increased IFG activation and attention problems, reflecting poor cognitive control. Mediation analyses showed a trend toward left thalamic volume mediating the association between exposure and attention problems (p = .05). ConclusionsOur findings suggest that maternal ETS exposure during pregnancy has deleterious effects on the structure and function of cognitive control circuitry which in turn affects attentional capacity in school-age children. These findings are consistent with prior findings documenting the effects of active maternal smoking on chidlren’s neurodevleoment, pointing to the neurotixicity of nicotine regardless of exposure pathway.

Is the impact of high reward sensitivity and poor cognitive control on adolescent risk-taking more visible in rewarding conditions?

Adolescents are expected to take more risks than adults. The presented study was designed to determine whether adolescent risk-taking results from high reward sensitivity and poor cognitive control. In particular, we aimed to examine whether the impact of these variables is more visible in rewarding than non-rewarding conditions. Ninety adolescents (aged 13–16) and 95 young adults (aged 20–28) took part in the study. We used a driving task in rewarded and non-rewarded conditions to measure risk-taking. We also used tasks measuring reward sensitivity, cognitive control and impulsivity. Additionally we used self-report measures of reward sensitivity, self-control and everyday risk-taking to see whether the effects observed for self-reports mimic the effects observed for behavioral tasks. We found that the higher the reward sensitivity, the more adolescents (but not adults) risk in the rewarded condition of a driving task. We found no impact of cognitive control or impulsivity on risk-taking, regardless of age and condition. At the self-report level, we found that the higher the reward sensitivity and the poorer the self-control, the more both adolescents and adults displayed everyday risk-taking behavior.

Attentional Control Moderates the Relations between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Symptoms.

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU), perceived attentional control (AC), and poor cognitive control abilities are risk factors for anxiety; however, few studies have examined their interactive effects in relation to anxiety. A more complete understanding of interplay between IU, perceived AC, and cognitive control could inform intervention efforts. The current study examined the direct and interactive effects of IU and AC on anxiety in a sample of 280 community outpatients (M age = 36.01 years, SD = 16.17). Perceived AC was measured using self-report and cognitive control abilities were measured using a Go/No-Go task. Findings indicated a significant IU by perceived AC interaction predicting worry and GAD diagnoses. There was a positive relation between IU and worry/GAD diagnoses that was strongest among those with high perceived AC. Perceived AC was unrelated to cognitive control abilities, and cognitive control abilities did not interact significantly with IU. Cognitive control abilities were related to worry symptoms but not to GAD diagnoses. These results indicate that at high levels of perceived AC, individuals with elevated IU report higher levels of worry, potentially due to the conscious use of worry as an emotion regulation strategy. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.

Disentangling cognitive processes in externalizing psychopathology using drift diffusion modeling: Antagonism, but not disinhibition, is associated with poor cognitive control.

Although externalizing psychopathology has been linked to deficits in cognitive control, the cognitive processes underlying this association are unclear. Here, we provide a theoretical account of how research on cognitive processes can help to integrate and distinguish personality and psychopathology. We then apply this account to connect the two major subcomponents of externalizing, Antagonism and Disinhibition, with specific control processes using a battery of inhibitory control tasks and corresponding computational modeling. Participants (final N=104) completed the flanker, go/no-go, and recent probes tasks, as well as normal and maladaptive personality inventories and measures of psychological distress. We fit participants' task behavior using a hierarchical drift diffusion model (DDM) to decompose their responses into specific cognitive processes. Using multilevel structural equation models, we found that Antagonism was associated with faster RTs on the flanker task and lower accuracy on flanker and go/no-go tasks. These results were complemented by DDM parameter associations: Antagonism was linked to decreased threshold and drift rate parameter estimates in the flanker task and a decreased drift rate on no-go trials. Altogether, our findings indicate that Antagonism is associated with specific impairments in fast (sub-second) inhibitory control processes involved in withholding prepared/prepotent responses and filtering distracting information. Disinhibition and momentary distress, however, were not associated with task performance.

Investigating cognitive control and cognitive emotion regulation in Iranian depressed women with suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.

This study compared cognitive control (working memory, interference control, perseveration) and cognitive emotion regulation among Iranian women with depression who had attempted suicide, had only suicidal ideation, and healthy controls. Participants (N=75) completed a clinical interview, cognitive control tasks, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Those with suicidal ideation or previous attempts had poorer cognitive control and cognitive emotion regulation than controls. Furthermore, those who had attempted suicide had poorer cognitive control and reported greater use of self-blame, rumination, and catastrophizing, and less use of acceptance, than those with suicidal ideation only. There was an indirect effect of cognitive control deficits on suicidality through cognitive emotion regulation (self-blame, acceptance, rumination, catastrophizing). Exploring these cognitive deficits and difficulties can assist in further understanding the risk factors for suicidality and improve targeted interventions. This is of particular relevance in Iran where the need for policies and interventions targeting the prevention of suicide has been identified.

ERPS AS AN INDEX OF IMPAIRED COGNITIVE CONTROL IN AN ISCHEMIC BRAIN STROKE APHASIC PATIENT

Stroke is a sudden-onset neurological deficit resulting from focal vascular lesions. This is either due to a clot-induced obstruction of a vessel (ischemic stroke) or a rupture of a vessel causing haemorrhage (hemorrhagic stroke). The appropriate diagnosis of brain stroke aphasic patients is a major public health problem one so important for effective rehabilitation. Here an important role is played by the diagnosis of impaired cognitive processes. The aim of the research was to find the index of impaired cognitive control with the use of ERPs in a patient following an ischemic stroke with aphasia. A male patient, aged 69, after an ischemic brain stroke experienced 4 months previously with resulting naming problem, was admitted to the Reintegrative and Teaching Center of the Polish Neuropsychological Society. In the neuropsychological evaluation three neuropsychological tests were employed: (a) the Boston Naming Test-Polish version, to evaluate the naming and word finding problem; (b) the nonverbal Bell test to ascertain a selective, visuospatial and strategic attentional evaluation; (c) the Digit Memory test to evaluate working memory capabilities; (d) ERPs as a neurophys- iological index of impaired cognitive control. Significant changes were observed in testing. All cognitive functions including naming, non- verbal, visuospatial and strategic attention, along with the digit memory deviate substantially from the norm. The patient obtained a lo wer score, compared to the norm (p &lt;0.05). Boston Naming Test (patient = 21&lt; Mean-Norm = 57.29; SD= 0.52). Bell test (patient = 23 &lt; Mean-Norm = 31.29; SD= 2.52). Digit Memory Test scores: Forward digit span (patient = 3 &lt; Mean-Norm = 7.65, SD = 0.49). Backward digit span (patient = 2 &lt;Mean-Norm = 6.51, SD = 0.7). Significant changes were observed also in neurophysiological testing: behavioral parameters (except RT) deviate substantially from the reference. EEG spectra show clear abnormalities on the left side within the left Rolandic fis- sure. The deviations include excessive mu-rhythm and beta activity, which means that this area is inhibited. The ERPs show no difference between GO and NOGO conditions in the patient in comparison to the norm from HBI database indicating poor cognitive control. ERPs could be treated as an index of impaired cognitive control in the ischemic stroke aphasic patient.

Childhood trauma and cardiometabolic risk in severe mental disorders: The mediating role of cognitive control.

Cardiometabolic risk is increased in severe mental disorders (SMDs), and there appears to be a relationship between childhood trauma and cardiometabolic risk, possibly related to adverse health behavior. The current study examined the association between childhood trauma and serum lipids and adiposity in SMDs and the potential mediating role of cognitive and personality characteristics. Participants with schizophrenia and bipolar spectrum disorders (N=819) were included, cardiometabolic risk factors (serum lipids, body mass index, and waist circumference) were measured, and history of childhood trauma was assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Cognitive and personality characteristics were available in subsamples, with assessments of cognitive control, impulsiveness, self-esteem, and affective lability. Linear regressions and mediation analyses with Hayes' PROCESS were performed, adjusting for age, sex, antipsychotic agent propensity of metabolic side-effect, and diagnostic group. Experience of three or more subtypes of childhood trauma was positively associated with waist circumference in patients with SMDs (p=0.014). There were no other significant associations between trauma variables and lipid or adiposity measures in the total sample. Cognitive control was a significant mediator between experience of one or two subtypes of childhood trauma and waist circumference. The results indicate childhood trauma as a predisposing factor for increased waist circumference in individuals with SMDs. Poorer cognitive control, suggestive of adverse health behavior, might be a mediating factor of the association, and the findings indicate the potential importance of increased focus on these factors in prevention and treatment regimens targeting cardiometabolic health.