Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices Scores Research Articles

Comparative analysis of methyl–donor nutrient intakes and RCPM cognitive performance among school-aged children

Evidence shows a link between methyl-donor nutrient intakes and a child's cognitive ability. However, this is less known among Ghanaian children who might be at higher risk of methyl-donor nutrient deficiencies. This study showed comparative analysis of methyl-donor nutrient intakes and Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test performance among 2073 Ghanaian school children aged 9-13 years across four regions of Ghana. Data for the present study were obtained from the Child Nutrition, Fitness, and Cognition project; a cross-sectional survey conducted in four regions of Ghana. Dietary methyl-donor nutrient values were based on repeated 24h recall data collected during the study periods. Cognitive tests were performed on the 2073 children using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test. We found dietary zinc (adjusted: β=0.21, p=0.003) and methionine (adjusted: β=0.60, p=0.044) intakes to be associated with RCPM scores in the linear regression model. School children living in Northern Region (adjusted OR=0.6, p<0.001, 95% CI=0.4-0.7) and Volta Region (adjusted OR=0.7, p=0.006, 95% CI=0.5-0.9) had lower odds of scoring above the 50th percentile on the RCPM test compared with those living in Greater Accra Region. Children who consumed below the RDA for dietary folate (unadjusted OR=0.8, p=0.055, 95% CI=0.7-1.0) and zinc (unadjusted OR=0.8, p=0.049, 95%CI=0.7-1.0) had lower odds of scoring above the 50th percentile on the RCPM test compared with those who consumed above the RDA for dietary folate and zinc respectively. Children who consumed below the EAR for dietary vitamin B12 (unadjusted OR=0.7, p=0.004, 95% CI=0.6-0.9) had reduced odds of scoring above the 50th percentile on the RCPM test compared with those who consumed above the EAR for dietary vitamin B12. Higher dietary methionine intake was strongly associated with higher RCPM scores. Regional differences, and children's dietary consumption below the EAR/RDA for dietary folate, vitamin B12, and zinc were associated with poor RCPM test performance. School children's nutrient intake should be prioritized for improved cognition.

Associations of dietary carbohydrate and fatty acid intakes with cognition among children.

To investigate the cross-sectional associations of dietary carbohydrate and fatty acid intakes with cognition in mid-childhood. Dietary carbohydrate and fatty acid intakes were assessed using 4-d food records, and cognition was evaluated using the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) score. The cross-sectional associations of dietary carbohydrate and fatty acid intakes with cognition were investigated using linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, body fat percentage, household income, parental education and daily energy intake. The baseline examinations of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study. A population-based sample of 487 children (250 boys, 237 girls) aged 6-8 years living in the city of Kuopio, Finland. A higher dietary intake of fructose (standardised regression coefficient, β = 0·24, P < 0·001), total fibre (β = 0·16, P = 0·02) and soluble fibre (β = 0·15, P = 0·02) was associated with a higher RCPM score in boys. Other dietary carbohydrates and fatty acids, including total carbohydrates, glucose, sucrose, starch, insoluble fibre, total fat, SFAs, MUFAs, PUFAs, palmitic acid (C16), stearic acid (C18), linoleic acid (C18:2), α-linoleic acid (C18:3), arachidonic acid (C20:4), EPA (C20:5n-3) and DHA (C22:6n-6), were not associated with the RCPM score in boys. Dietary carbohydrates or fatty acids were not associated with the RCPM score in girls. Higher dietary fructose and fibre intakes were associated with better cognition in boys, but not in girls. Dietary fatty acids were not related to cognition in boys or in girls.

Longitudinal Associations of Fitness, Motor Competence, and Adiposity with Cognition.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), motor competence (MC), and body fat percentage (BF%) with cognition in children. Altogether, 371 children (188 boys and 183 girls) 6-9 yr of age at baseline participated in this 2-yr follow-up study. We assessed CRF by maximal cycle ergometer test, computed the MC score from the z-scores of the 50-m shuttle run, static balance, and box and block test results, measured BF% by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and assessed cognition using the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) score. The associations were studied by linear regression analysis and repeated-measures ANCOVA. In boys, a higher MC score (β = -0.161, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.314 to -0.009), a shorter 50-m shuttle run test duration (β = 0.152, 95% CI = 0.007-0.296), and a higher number of cubes moved in the Box and block test (β = -0.161, 95% CI = -0.309 to -0.013) at baseline were associated with a smaller increase in the RCPM score during follow-up. These associations were largely explained by the RCPM score at baseline. However, boys in the highest third (mean difference = 2.5, 95% CI for difference = 0.66-4.33) and the middle third (mean difference = 2.1, 95% CI for difference = 0.39-3.82) of the MC score at baseline had a higher RCPM score over the 2-yr follow-up than boys in the lowest third. CRF, MC, or adiposity was not associated with the RCPM score in girls. Changes in CRF, MC, or BF% were not associated with changes in cognition. Higher MC at baseline predicted better cognition during the first two school years in boys but not in girls. CRF or adiposity was not associated with cognition in boys or girls.

Parental Education, Children’s Nutritional Status and Non-verbal Intelligence in Rural School-children

To assess non-verbal intelligence and its relationship with nutritional status, nutrient intakes and parents' education in school-children. A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in children between 6-11 years, without any known chronic disorder or intellectual disability. Data were collected regarding parents' education, anthropometry and dietary intakes. Non-verbal intelligence was assessed by Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM). In 323 enrolled children (52.9% boys), a significant positive association was observed between RCPM scores and parents' education (father's rs=0.14, mother's rs=0.22), height Z-scores (rs=0.14) and dietary intakes of zinc (rs=0.14), iron (rs=0.12) and folate (rs=0.14). Height in normal range, higher zinc, iron and folate intakes, and parental higher educational levels were associated with higher non-verbal intelligence scores.

Effect of multi-micronutrient-fortified rice on cognitive performance depends on premix composition and cognitive function tested: results of an effectiveness study in Cambodian schoolchildren.

Even though current policy is strongly focused on the crucial first '1000 days', it might be still possible to enhance cognitive function during the pre-adolescent and adolescent years by improving micronutrient status. In Cambodia, nutritional status is poor. Provision of rice fortified with micronutrients through a school meal programme (SMP) could be a cost-effective strategy to help improve health and school performance. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of three different micronutrient-fortified rice formulations on cognitive function in Cambodian children. Sixteen Cambodian schools receiving SMP. The FORISCA-UltraRice®+NutriRice® study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Four groups of four schools were randomly allocated to receive normal rice, UltraRice®Original, UltraRice®New or NutriRice®. Within each school, 132 children were randomly selected. Data on cognitive performance (picture completion, block design and Raven's coloured progressive matrices (RCPM)), anthropometry, parasite infestation and micronutrient status were collected before the intervention and after 6 months. Cognitive data were available for 1796 children aged 6-16 years. All cognitive scores improved after 6 months (P<0·001). Block design score improvement was significantly higher in children consuming UltraRice®Original (P=0·03) compared with the other fortified rice groups and placebo. No difference among groups was found on RCPM or picture completion scores. Stunting, parasite infestation and inflammation negatively affected the impact of the intervention. Combined with other interventions, using SMP to distribute fortified rice to schoolchildren may be a cost-effective way to increase cognitive performance and thereby improve school performance and educational achievements.

Sleep spindles and intelligence in early childhood-developmental and trait-dependent aspects.

Sleep spindles act as a powerful marker of individual differences in cognitive ability. Sleep spindle parameters correlate with both age-related changes in cognitive abilities and with the age-independent concept of IQ. While some studies have specifically demonstrated the relationship between sleep spindles and intelligence in young children, our previous work in older subjects revealed sex differences in the sleep spindle correlates of IQ, which was never investigated in small children before. We investigated the relationship between age, Raven Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) scores and sleep spindles in 28 young children (age 4-8 years, 15 girls). We specifically investigated sex differences in the psychometric correlates of sleep spindles. We also aimed to separate the correlates of sleep spindles that are because of age-related maturation from other effects that reflect an age-independent relationship between sleep spindles and general intelligence. Our results revealed a modest positive correlation between fast spindle amplitude and age. Raven CPM scores positively correlated with both slow and fast spindle amplitude, but this effect remained a tendency in males and vanished after correcting for the effects of age. Age-corrected correlations between Raven CPM scores and both slow and fast spindle amplitude were only significant in females. Overall, our results show that in male children sleep spindles are a maturational marker, but in female children they indicate trait-like intelligence, in line with previous studies in adolescent and adult subjects. Thalamocortical white matter connectivity may be the underlying mechanism behind both higher spindle amplitude and higher intelligence in female, but not male subjects. (PsycINFO Database Record

Neural basis of visual perception and reasoning ability in Alzheimer's disease: correlation between Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices test and 123 I-IMP SPECT imaging results.

Impairment of visual perception frequently occurs in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and can cause severe constraints in daily activities. The nonverbal Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test consists of sets A, AB, and B and is easily performed in a short time to evaluate both visual perception and reasoning ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neural basis of visual perception and reasoning ability in patients with AD using RCPM and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Fifty patients who fulfilled the National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer's Association criteria for probable AD dementia were examined with RCPM and SPECT. All SPECTs were performed using N-isopropyl-p-[123 I]-iodoamphetamine. A multiple regression model was used to perform multivariate analyses of the relationships between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and RCPM scores. There was a significant positive correlation between RCPM total score and rCBF in the inferior parietal lobes bilaterally, the right inferior temporal gyrus, and the right middle frontal gyrus. Set A was positively correlated with rCBF in the right temporal and right parietal lobes. Set AB was positively correlated with rCBF in the right temporal, right parietal, and right frontal lobes. Set B was positively correlated with rCBF in the right parietal and right frontal lobes. Our findings suggest that deteriorations of specific brain regions are associated with dysfunction of visual perception and reasoning ability in AD. RCPM is another informative assessment scale of cognition for use in patients with AD. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Associations of diet quality with cognition in children - the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study.

Evidence on the associations of dietary patterns with cognition in children is limited. Therefore, we investigated the associations of the Baltic Sea Diet Score (BSDS) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score with cognition in children. The present cross-sectional study sample included 428 children aged 6-8 years (216 boys and 212 girls). The BSDS and the DASH score were calculated using data from 4d food records, higher scores indicating better diet quality. Cognition was assessed by the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) score, a higher score indicating better cognition. Among all children, the BSDS (standardised regression coefficient β=0·122, P=0·012) and the DASH score (β=0·121, P=0·015) were directly associated with the Raven's CPM score. Among boys, a lower BSDS (β=0·244, P<0·001) and a lower DASH score (β=0·202, P=0·003) were related to a lower Raven's CPM score. Boys in the lowest quartile of the BSDS (22·5 v. 25·3, P=0·029) and the DASH score (22·4 v. 25·7, P=0·008) had a lower Raven's CPM score than those in the highest quartile of the corresponding score. Among girls, the BSDS or the DASH score were not associated with cognition. In conclusion, a poorer diet quality was associated with worse cognition in children, and the relationship was stronger in boys than in girls.

Grades of undernutrition and socioeconomic status influence cognitive development in school children of Kolkata.

Cognitive development of children is influenced by different environmental factors like nutritional and socio-economic status. The objectives of the present study were to determine the influence of grades of undernutrition and socio-economic status (SES) on the cognitive development of school children of Kolkata. Five hundred sixty six (566) school children having 5-12 years of age were selected from different schools of Kolkata. The cognitive development was measured by the scores of Raven's colored progressive matrices (RCPM). The chronic and acute nutritional statuses were measured from height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) Z scores respectively with reference to the values of WHO. SES was determined by updated Kuppuswamy scale. The prevalences of undernutrition in the observed children were 57.95% (according to HAZ) and 52.82% (according to WAZ). The age dependent growth curve of RCPM scores of the observed children remains in between the 10th and 25th centile of British children. The children belonging to superior and intellectual deficit IQ classes were 21.55 and 36.40%, respectively of the total subjects. Most of the subjects belong to lower middle (39.93%) and upper middle (36.40%) class of SES. RCPM scores of school children were gradually decreased with the grades of undernutrition and SES. RCPM scores were significantly correlated with HAZ, WAZ, SES, age, and sex (P < 0.001) and strongly associated with HAZ, SES, age, and sex (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). Present study indicates that cognitive development of school children of Kolkata is influenced by the grade of undernutrition and SES.

Problems of "draw-a-person: a quantitative scoring system" (DAP:QSS) as a measure of intelligence.

There has been some ongoing debate on whether the DAP:QSS can be used to measure intelligence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concurrent validity of the DAP:QSS with Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) and the DAP:QSS's accuracy as a predictor of RCPM scores and academic achievement. 184 children from two elementary schools in a region of Southern Italy was evaluated by the DAP:QSS, the RCPM, the Goodenough-Harris Drawing Test (GH), and school marks. Drawings' scores, school marks, and RCPM scores were subjected to a Pearson's correlation. Stepwise regression analyses were carried out to identify significant predictors of RCPM scores and school marks. After controlling for socioeconomic status, the DAP:QSS showed a significant correlation with the RCPM and GH tests and academic achievement. However, the modest correlations with the RCPM, the small amount of variance in RCPM scores accounted for by the DAP:QSS (R(2) = .24), and the errors of the DAP:QSS in correctly classifying participants with borderline/deficient intellectual functioning advise against the use of the DAP:QSS as a measure of intelligence.

Does a Craniotomy for Treatment of Unruptured Aneurysm Affect Cognitive Function?

The surgical procedure used to treat an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) has controversial effects on cognitive function. From January 2010 through December 2012, we enrolled patients who underwent surgical clipping for a UIA. Patients were tested within one week prior to surgery and again postoperatively (6.8 ± 2.3 days) using a neuropsychological battery comprising the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Trail Making Test (TMT), the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Raven's colored progressive matrices (RCPM). Differences between preoperative and postoperative test scores for each examination were analyzed across individuals. In an additional subgroup analysis, patients were grouped according to age (< 65 or ≥ 65 years), the largest dimension of the aneurysm, the location of the aneurysm (i.e., anterior communicating artery, internal carotid artery, or middle cerebral artery) and operation duration. Paired student's t-tests were used to examine potential differences between groups. Two-tailed P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Seventy-one patients were included in the analysis. The surgical procedure used to correct a UIA resulted in significant changes in neuropsychological scores. After the procedure, the TMT-A score declined significantly, whereas the FAB and RCPM scores were significantly improved. In the subgroup analysis, a significant deterioration in TMT-A score was observed in older patients and those with larger aneurysms, anterior communicating artery aneurysms and longer surgeries. Our findings, therefore, indicate that the surgical procedure to correct a UIA affects cognitive function. Older patients and those with large aneurysms, anterior communicating aneurysms, and long operations represent the high-risk groups.

Associations between higher-level competence and general intelligence in community-dwelling older adults

Objectives: Higher-level competence is crucial for healthy and socially independent living, and general intelligence may underlie heath status. The aim of this study was to elucidate associations between general intelligence and higher-level competence in elderly individuals without dementia. Methods: A total of 207 community-dwelling elderly persons, aged 70–74 years, were enrolled. A personal interview was performed to obtain data on socio-demographic and medical factors; higher-level competence was evaluated using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology index of competence (TMIG index). Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test was used to assess general intelligence. Correlations between the TMIG index, its subscale scores and the RCPM score were evaluated by Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Ordinal regression models were conducted with the TMIG index and its subscales as the dependent variables, RCPM as the principal independent variable, and age, sex, type of household, employment status, educational background, chronic medical conditions and number of natural teeth as the potential independent variables. Results: There were significant but weak positive correlations between total score on the TMIG index, scores on the intellectual activity and social role subscales and RCPM score. In ordinal regression models, RCPM and educational background were significantly associated with total score on the TMIG index and the intellectual activity subscale, and only RCPM was associated with the social role subscale score, after adjusting for other potential variables. Conclusion: General intelligence may be significantly associated with higher-level competence, especially with intellectual activity and social role subscales, in community-dwelling older adults.

Clinical profiles of late‐onset semantic dementia, compared with early‐onset semantic dementia and late‐onset Alzheimer's disease

Semantic dementia (SD) has been recognized as a representative of dementia with presenile onset; however, recent epidemiological studies have shown that SD also occurs in the elderly. There have been few studies about the differences of clinical profiles between early-onset SD (EO-SD) and late-onset SD (LO-SD). Age-associated changes in the brain might cause some additional cognitive and behavioural profiles of LO-SD in contrast to the typical EO-SD cases. The aim of the present study was to clarify the characteristics of neuropsychological, and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) profiles of LO-SD patients observed in screening tests in comparison with EO-SD patients and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LO-AD) patients as controls. Study participants were LO-SD (n = 10), EO-SD (n = 15) and LO-AD (n = 47). We examined the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM), the Short-Memory Questionnaire (SMQ), the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Stereotypy Rating Inventory (SRI). Both SD groups scored significantly lower than the LO-AD patients in 'naming' of the MMSE. In the 'construction' score of the MMSE and the RCPM score, however, the LO-SD patients as well as the LO-AD patients were significantly lower than the EO-SD patients. In the SMQ score, 'euphoria' and 'disinhibition' scores of the NPI, the SRI total and subscale scores, both SD groups were significantly higher, whereas in the 'delusion' score of the NPI, both SD groups were significantly lower than the LO-AD patients. Visuospatial and constructive skills of LO-SD patients might be mildly deteriorated compared with EO-SD patients, whereas other cognitive and behavioural profiles of LO-SD are similar to EO-SD. Age-associated changes in the brain should be considered when we diagnose SD in elderly patients.

Nutritional and socioeconomic status in cognitive development of Santal children of Purulia district, India

Background: Cognitive development of children depends on nutritional and socioeconomic factors.Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to assess the cognitive development and to investigate the relationship of nutritional and socioeconomic status (SES) to cognitive development in 5–12 year old Santal children of Purulia district of West Bengal, India.Methods: The nutritional status of each child was assessed by z-score of height-for-age, weight-for-height and weight-for-age parameters. SES was measured using the updated Kuppusswami scale. Cognitive development was measured by Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM).Results: The growth curve of RCPM scores of Santal children remained around the 5th percentile values of British children. The RCPM scores of the adequately nourished children and upper-lower SES were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the children with lower SES and nutritional status. About 42.96% and 27.69% of Santal children were found to be in the intellectually deficient and below average groups, respectively. RCPM scores of Santal children were significantly correlated with nutritional status and socioeconomic factors (p < 0.01).Conclusion: The surveyed children showed poor cognitive functions. The vulnerable nutritional and socioeconomic statuses of Santal children are the major causes for their poor cognitive development.

Prenatal Exposure to Airborne Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Children’s Intelligence at 5 Years of Age in a Prospective Cohort Study in Poland

BackgroundIn this prospective cohort study of Caucasian mothers and children in Krakow, Poland, we evaluated the role of prenatal exposure to urban air pollutants in the pathogenesis of neurobehavioral disorders.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and child intelligence at 5 years of age, controlling for potential confounders suspected to play a role in neurodevelopment.MethodsA cohort of pregnant, healthy, nonsmoking women was enrolled in Krakow, Poland, between 2001 and 2006. During pregnancy, participants were invited to complete a questionnaire and undergo 48-hr personal air monitoring to estimate their babies’ exposure, and to provide a blood sample and/or a cord blood sample at the time of delivery. Two hundred fourteen children were followed through 5 years of age, when their nonverbal reasoning ability was assessed using the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM).ResultsWe found that higher (above the median of 17.96 ng/m3) prenatal exposure to airborne PAHs (range, 1.8–272.2 ng/m3) was associated with decreased RCPM scores at 5 years of age, after adjusting for potential confounding variables (n = 214). Further adjusting for maternal intelligence, lead, or dietary PAHs did not alter this association. The reduction in RCPM score associated with high airborne PAH exposure corresponded to an estimated average decrease of 3.8 IQ points.ConclusionsThese results suggest that prenatal exposure to airborne PAHs adversely affects children’s cognitive development by 5 years of age, with potential implications for school performance. They are consistent with a recent finding in a parallel cohort in New York City.

Neurocognitive Screening of Lead-Exposed Andean Adolescents and Young Adults

This study was designed to assess the utility of two psychometric tests with putative minimal cultural bias for use in field screening of lead (Pb)-exposed Ecuadorian Andean workers. Specifically, the study evaluated the effectiveness in Pb-exposed adolescents and young adults of a nonverbal reasoning test standardized for younger children, and compared the findings with performance on a test of auditory memory. The Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) was used as a test of nonverbal intelligence, and the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler IV intelligence scale was used to assess auditory memory/attention. The participants were 35 chronically Pb-exposed Pb-glazing workers, aged 12–21 yr. Blood lead (PbB) levels for the study group ranged from 3 to 86 μg/dl, with 65.7% of the group at and above 10 μg/dl. Zinc protoporphyrin heme ratios (ZPP/heme) ranged from 38 to 380 μmol/mol, with 57.1% of the participants showing abnormal ZPP/heme (>69 μmol/mol). ZPP/heme was significantly correlated with PbB levels, suggesting chronic Pb exposure. Performance on the RCPM was less than average on the U.S., British, and Puerto Rican norms, but average on the Peruvian norms. Significant inverse associations between PbB/ZPP concentrations and RCPM standard scores using the U.S., Puerto Rican, and Peruvian norms were observed, indicating decreasing RCPM test performance with increasing PbB and ZPP levels. RCPM scores were significantly correlated with performance on the Digit Span test for auditory memory. Mean Digit Span scale score was less than average, suggesting auditory memory/attention deficits. In conclusion, both the RCPM and Digit Span tests were found to be effective instruments for field screening of visual-spatial reasoning and auditory memory abilities, respectively, in Pb-exposed Andean adolescents and young adults.

Neurocognitive Impairment in Lead-Exposed Children of Andean Lead-Glazing Workers

The level of lead (Pb) exposure necessary to induce intellectual impairment has not been firmly established. Some studies using conventional language-based intelligence tests have reported that pediatric blood lead (PbB) levels lower than 10 microg/dL (0.483 micromol/L) are associated with neurocognitive impairment. However, these tests may introduce cultural biases in the assessment of intellectual functioning. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of PbB concentration on nonverbal intelligence in Andean children with chronic environmental Pb exposure using a nonlanguage-based test of cognitive functioning. Using Raven Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) as a measure of nonverbal intelligence, this study investigated the effects of Pb exposure (biomarker: PbB levels) on intellectual functioning in 188 chronically Pb-exposed children (age range: 5.33-11.67 years) of Ecuadorian Andean Pb-glazing workers. The mean PbB level of the 188 children was 29.3 microg/dL (range: 3.5-94.3 microg/dL). Forty-seven children had PbB levels <10 microg/dL (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] I classification), of which 30 had abnormal (ie, < or =25th percentile) RCPM standard scores. Of the 141 children with PbB levels > or =10 microg/dL, 97 had abnormal RCPM scores. A regression analysis revealed a statistically significant negative association (r = -0.331, P < 0.0001) between PbB level and RCPM standard score. Conversion of RCPM standard scores to estimated IQ scores showed an approximate two-point decrease in IQ for each 10-microg/dL increment in PbB level from 10 to >70 microg/dL. Performance on a test of nonverbal intelligence was inversely associated with chronic Pb exposure in Andean children with PbB levels below and above the CDC risk management level of 10 microg/dL, with the decline in test scores suggesting a dose-response relationship.

Relationship between cognitive function and regional cerebral blood flow in different types of dementia

Purpose: We assessed relationships between cognitive impairment and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the different types of dementia.Subjects and Methods: Subjects, who included 27 with Alzheimer's disease (AD), seven with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), six with vascular dementia (VaD), and 12 normal controls, were evaluated using the Mini-mental State (MMS), Kana-hiroi Test, an auditory verbal learning test (AVLT), a word fluency test (WFT) and Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM). The rCBF was measured using a three-dimensional stereotaxic ROI template method (3DSRT).Results: In all dementia types, left superior frontal hypoperfusion was demonstrated. In AD and VaD significant CBF reduction also was seen in both angular, temporal, occipital, and precentral, both hippocampi, thalami, and pericallosal regions, and the left lenticular nucleus. MMS, Kana-hiroi Test, and AVLT scores correlated with CBF in all regions. WFT scores were correlated highly with CBF in the left side in frontal, temporal, and angular regions and right and left lenticular nuclei, thalami, and pericallosal regions. RCPM scores correlated with CBF in posterior regions.Conclusion: Close coupling was evident between reduced rCBF and cognitive dysfunction in patients with dementia. Use of neuropsychologic tests and rCBF determinations in combination should enhance diagnostic accuracy.

Cognitive- and motor-related regions in Parkinson's disease: FDOPA and FDG PET studies

Objective: Using 6-[ 18F]fluoro- l-dopa (FDOPA) and [ 18F]fluorodeoxyglucoce (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the specific brain regions that are related to cognitive and motor symptoms in nondemented patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: Spatially normalized images of FDOPA influx rate constant (Ki) values and relative regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (rrCMRglc) were created. Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) scores and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores were used to determine the patients' cognitive and motor functions, respectively. Multiple correlation analyses between the FDOPA and FDG images and the cognitive and motor scores were performed for each voxel. Results: RCPM score was significantly positively correlated with the FDOPA Ki in the left hippocampus and with the rrCMRglc in the left middle frontal gyrus and right retrosplenial cortex. Motor function was significantly positively correlated with the FDOPA Ki in the bilateral striatum and with the rrCMRglc in association areas and primary visual cortex. The level of motor function was significantly inversely correlated with the FDOPA Ki in the anterior cingulate gyrus and with the rrCMRglc in bilateral primary motor cortex and right putamen. Conclusions: Changes of striatal FDOPA uptake and rrCMRglc in the primary motor cortex likely represent dysfunction in the motor system involving the corticobasal ganglia-thalamocortical loop. Change of FDOPA uptake in the anterior cingulate gyrus may be related to up-regulation of dopamine synthesis in surviving dopamine neurons. The regions where correlation with cognitive function was observed belong to a cognitive frontoparietal–hippocampal network.

Relationship between EEG dimensional complexity and neuropsychological findings in Alzheimer's disease.

The aim of the present study was to examine the region-specific correlations between electroencephalography (EEG) dimensional complexity (DC), a measure of non-linear dynamics, and neuropsychological performance in 25 right-handed patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Electroencephalography recording sites were according to the international 10-20 system. Neuropsychological tests included Wechelor Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) (Full-scale Intelligence Quotient (FIQ), Verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ), Performance Intelligent Quotient (PIQ)); Mini-Mental State Examination; Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM); Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT); seven word pairs-revised Miyake Paired-Associate Word Learning Test; Benton Visual Retention Test; and Rey Complex Figure Test. A partial correlational analysis was carried out, controlling for age and sex (P< 0.005). The FIQ, VIQ and RCPM scores were found to be significantly correlated with DC at the F3, C3 and T3 electrodes. Significant correlations were also found between RAVLT scores and DC at the C3, P3 and T5 electrodes. The study on AD indicated region-specific correlations between DC and neuropsychological performance: one between the DC value in the left frontal, central and mid-temporal areas and intellectual function; and another between the DC value in the left central, parietal and post-temporal areas and verbal memory. Dimensional complexity would therefore seem to be a useful indicator for the assessment of neuropsychological deficits in AD.