Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Research Articles

Does Chronic Subjective Tinnitus Affect Cognitive Performance In Adults with Hearing Thresholds of 25 dB and Less Between 0.5-4 kHz.

In literature, the cognitive performance results of normal hearing individuals with tinnitus are inconsistent. It also differs in the control of other factors that may affect cognition. This study aimed to determine the differences in attention and memory performance between normal hearing individuals with chronic subjective tinnitus and age-sex-education-matched healthy controls. Normal hearing individuals with subjective chronic tinnitus between 18 and 55 years of age, who have normal cognitive abilities (tinnitus group, n = 30) and age-sex-matched normal hearing individuals without tinnitus who have normal cognitive abilities (control group, n = 30) were included in this study. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test measured participants' general cognitive screening, and depressive symptoms were measured by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Tinnitus Handicap Inventory was used to determine the tinnitus handicap levels. Attention performance was evaluated with Stroop Test-TBAG Form, and short-term and working memory performances were evaluated with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R)-Digit Span Test. The tinnitus and control groups' depressive symptom scores were similar concerning the BDI (p = 0.90). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups according to the completion time of the five sections of the Stroop Test, the number of errors and corrections of the Stroop 5 test, and the (WAIS-R)-Digit Span Test scores (p > 0.05). In our study, the Stroop Test and Digit Span Test performances of individuals with tinnitus and normal hearing were similar to the control group. Despite previous studies claiming an effect of tinnitus on cognition, our contrary findings are discussed in the light of other demographic, audiological, and psychological measurement variables, especially hearing loss.

Circulating miR-323–3p as a novel potential plasma biomarker for multimorbidity burden and cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults: Results from the national institute for longevity sciences–longitudinal study of aging in Japan

BackgroundSeveral circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in the blood are indicators of chronic diseases, but their association with multimorbidity burden is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the association of plasma levels of circulating miR-323–3p and miR-135–3p with age, cognitive performance, and number of comorbidities in middle-aged and older individuals. MethodsData from 295 community dwellers (≥40 years) who participated in the second wave (2000‒2002) of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging in Japan were analyzed. miRNAs were isolated from the plasma, and miR-323–3p and miR-135–3p levels were measured using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and normalized, with miR-16 as an endogenous reference gene. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Information and Similarities subtests and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Short Form (WAIS-R-SF). Correlation tests and multivariate general linear regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship among circulating miRNA levels, burden of multimorbidity, and cognitive performance. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 59.15 ± 10.26 years. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the miR-323–3p level positively correlated with age and number of comorbidities but negatively correlated with WAIS-R-SF subtest performance. In men, miR-323–3p level negatively correlated with the performance of all three WAIS-R-SF subtests. The general linear regression analysis showed that the miR-323–3p level increased in participants with four comorbidities compared with those with one comorbidity. ConclusionCirculating miR-323–3p level is associated with the burden of multimorbidity and decreased cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults.

Link of Serum Esterase Enzymes with Cognitive Impairment in Diabetic Patients

Cognitive impairment is one of the main complications of diabetes and patients with cognitive impairment are considered to be in an intermediate stage of decreased cognition with higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This study aimed at evaluating serum activity of two esterase enzymes including cholinesterase and paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) in diabetic patients and association with cognitive performance and metabolic parameters. In this crosssectional study, 128 diabetic patients were enrolled. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Body mass index, fasting blood glucose, fasting blood insulin, insulin resistance, serum cholinesterase and paraoxonase 1 activity were measured. Prevalence of cognitive impairment was found to be 77% in the study population. Serum cholinesterase activity was found to be higher in diabetic patients with cognitive impairment than the patients with normal cognitive performance (p < 0.04). Further, a negative correlation was found between cognitive performance and cholinesterase activity, albeit statistically non-significant. Alteration in the activity of cholinesterase enzyme was shown to be associated with cognitive impairment in diabetic patients and future studies are required to find the pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic cognitive dysfunction.

Cognitive Abilities in Schizoid Personality Disorder with and without Borderline Intellectual Functioning: The Burden in Psychopathology

Background: Borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) and schizoid personality disorder (Schizoid PD) are clinical conditions under-researched and poorly understood. The principal aim of this retrospective study was to investigate cognitive abilities in people with BIF and Schizoid PD. Clinical, demographic, and neuropsychological data of forty-seven Schizoid PD participants, with an average age of 35, were analyzed. The sample split into two groups: Schizoid PD with BIF (BIF+: n = 24; intelligence quotient – IQ range: 71-84) and Schizoid PD without BIF (BIF-: n = 23; IQ range: 89-121). A descriptive analysis of the clinical and demographic characteristics of the two groups was performed.
 Methods: Neuropsychological measures (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised – WAIS-R IQ, factor index, subtest scores) and cognitive performance deficits in the two groups were compared using parametric and non-parametric tests, as necessary. Correlation coefficients were calculated for relationships between variables. Regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors associated with negative outcomes, such as substance use behavior.
 Results: The results revealed that the cognitive profile of BIF+ deviated significantly from that observed in BIF-. Peculiar BIF+ dysfunctions were found in the domains of verbal and perceptual reasoning, attention, memory, processing speed, planning, and problem-solving. The verbal IQ had the highest discriminative value for the presence of BIF in patients with Schizoid PD.
 Conclusions: The BIF condition and the verbal comprehension index were the predictors most associated with substance use behavior. Early identification of BIF should be relevant to planning targeted intervention strategies to improve daily life skills and outcomes.

An Association Study Between Educational Attainment-related Genes and Cognitive Functions in Japanese Patients with Schizophrenia Based on Full Pleiotropy.

This study presents the multifaceted effects of candidate loci identified by genome-wide association studies on parameters such as educational background and the clinical symptoms of Japanese patients with schizophrenia along with detailed psychological measurements. This study aimed to investigate whether gene mutations that affect cognitive dysfunction are (1) related to the onset of schizophrenia and (2) also affect cognitive dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. Case-control study. This study evaluated 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs10189857, rs2175263, rs9398171, rs12670234, rs6466056, rs11156875, rs2018916, rs11663602, rs11885093, rs9404453, rs2473938, and rs4275659) that are common in Japanese individuals and demonstrated a relationship with schizophrenia and educational attainment in a previous genome-wide study. We included 640 Japanese patients (schizophrenia group) and 640 healthy participants (control group). Both groups were investigated for the relationship between the SNPs and educational attainment as well as psychometric evaluations of cognitive function. The 12 SNPs were not identified as genetic risk factors for schizophrenia. However, rs9404453 was associated with a decline in educational achievement, educational performance, Japanese Adult Reading Test (JART100) score, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) (full-scale intelligence quotient [FSIQ]) score in patients with schizophrenia, SNP rs6466056 was associated with a decline in the WAIS-R (FSIQ) score, and SNP rs11663602 was associated with a decline in the JART100 score. The SNPs rs9404453, rs6466056, and rs11663602 may be associated with academic performance or cognitive decline in patients with schizophrenia, although the overall findings from psychological tests did not show the expected consistency.

Cognitive Benefits of Folic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, and a Combination of Both Nutrients in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Possible Alterations through Mitochondrial Function and DNA Damage.

It is uncertain whether folic acid (FA) combined with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) could improve cognitive performance. This study evaluated the effects of a 12-month FA and DHA supplementation, in combination or alone, on cognitive function, DNA oxidative damage, and mitochondrial function in participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial recruited MCI participants aged 60 years and older. Two hundred and eighty participants were randomly divided in equal proportion into four groups: FA + DHA (FA 800 μg/d + DHA 800 mg/d), FA (800 μg/d), DHA (800 mg/d), and placebo groups daily orally for 12 months. The primary outcome was cognitive function evaluated by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-RC). Cognitive tests and blood mechanism-related biomarkers were determined at baseline and 12 months. During the 12-month follow-up, scores of full intelligence quotient (βDHA: 1.302, 95% CI: 0.615, 1.990, p < 0.001; βFA: 1.992, 95% CI: 1.304, 2.679, p < 0.001; βFA+DHA: 2.777, 95% CI: 2.090, 3.465, p < 0.001), verbal intelligence quotient, and some subtests of the WAIS-RC were significantly improved in FA + DHA and single intervention groups compared to the placebo group. Moreover, the FA and DHA intervention combination was superior to either intervention alone (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, FA, DHA, and their combined use significantly decreased 8-OHdG level and increased mitochondrial DNA copy number compared to the placebo (p < 0.05). Supplementation of FA and DHA, alone or combined, for 12 months can improve cognitive function in MCI participants, possibly through mitigating DNA oxidative damage and enhancing mitochondrial function. Combined supplementation may provide more cognitive benefit than supplementation alone.

Effectiveness of propofol in anesthetic management and cognitive function in schizophrenic patients undergoing convulsion-free modified electroconvulsive therapy.

To investigate the effects of propofol on anesthetic effectiveness and cognitive functioning in schizophrenic patients undergoing convulsion-free modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT). A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 80 schizophrenia patients treated with MECT at the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2021 to December 2023. Patients were divided into a control group (39 patients) receiving etomidate and an observation group (41 patients) receiving a combination of etomidate and propofol for general anesthesia induction. Parameters compared between the groups included systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), time to spontaneous respiration recovery, wakefulness time, cognitive function (assessed by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in China, WAIS-RC), symptom severity (measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS), and adverse reactions. No significant differences were observed in SBP, DBP, HR, and SaO2 between the groups over time, nor was there any interaction between group and time on these parameters (all P>0.05). However, the observation group showed significantly shorter times to spontaneous respiration recovery and wakefulness (both P<0.05). Post-treatment, the observation group also had higher WAIS-RC scores and lower PANSS scores, along with a reduced total incidence of adverse reactions (all P<0.05). Propofol for the induction of general anesthesia in MECT, enhances clinical anesthetic outcomes, diminishes the impact on cognitive functions, and reduces the incidence of adverse reactions, thereby suggesting its high safety and efficacy.

Efficacy of levetiracetam combined with oxcarbazepine in the treatment of adults with temporal lobe epilepsy and its impact on memory and cognitive function.

To explore the effect of levetiracetam combined with oxcarbazepine on the memory and cognitive function of adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. This retrospective analysis included 91 adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy treated at Xianyang Hospital from June 2020 to December 2022. Based on their medication regimen, patients were categorized into an observation group (n=51) receiving levetiracetam plus oxcarbazepine and a control group (n=40) receiving only levetiracetam. Both groups underwent 3 months of continuous treatment. Therapeutic efficacy, pre- and post-treatment memory function (assessed using the Clinical Memory Scale, CMS), cognitive function (evaluated with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in China, WAISRC), anxiety and depression levels (measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, HAMA, and Hamilton Depression Scale, HAMD), as well as adverse reactions, were compared between the two groups. Independent factors influencing treatment efficacy were also analyzed. CMS and WAISRC scores significantly increased in both groups after treatment (both P=0.001), with the observation group showing more significant improvements than the control group (P=0.001). The improvements in HAMA and HAMD scores in the observation group were significantly better than the control group (all P<0.001). Adverse reaction occurrence showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Prognostic analysis identified seizure frequency and treatment regimen as independent factors influencing efficacy. Levetiracetam combined with oxcarbazepine effectively improves cognitive dysfunction in adults with temporal lobe epilepsy, with superior efficacy to levetiracetam alone, and good safety.

Assessment of neurocognitive function in patients with Behçet's disease.

There is limited knowledge on cognitive performance in Behçet's disease (BD), the majority of which come from patients with neuro-Behçet's disease. However, the influence of BD on cognitive function in patients without neurological involvement is still not well understood.The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of cognitive involvement in BD patients without evident neuropsychiatric symptoms and to identify associated clinical variables in those patients. Forty BD patients who fulfilled the diagnostic International Criteria for Behçet 's Disease (ICBD) without obvious neuropsychiatric manifestations were studied and compared with forty healthy controls matched for age, sex, and education. A comprehensive medical history, rheumatological, neurological, psychiatric, and psychometric assessment were applied for all patients. Behçet's disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) was used to assess disease activity. For patients as well as controls, validated Arabic versions of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised were used for assessment of cognitive function. Anxiety and depression were additionally assessed for both groups using the anxiety and depression subdivisions of the Arabic Version of Symptom Checklist 90 Revised. Cognitive impairment was identified in 37.5% of BD patients compared to none of the controls. Memory represents the cognitive domain most frequently affected. Cognitive involvement was significantly associated with current corticosteroid use and depression as measured by SCL-90-R. On the other hand, neither the activity of the disease nor the level of anxiety was associated with cognitive involvement. Cognitive dysfunction is reported in BD patients distinctly and independently of clinically overt neurologic involvement. Prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with BD is strikingly high at 37.5%, whereas the control group exhibited no such signs. Psychological assessment should be performed for every BD patient to reveal any cognitive involvement. It is highly recommended to encourage psychological intervention to prevent any further deterioration, especially in patients who are experiencing depression or currently using corticosteroids.

The Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Changes in Cognitive Functions in Chinese Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Along with the problem of population aging, the prevalence of dementia is gradually increasing. Associations between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and cognitive functions remain unclear. We aimed to determine the relationship between VDD and changes in cognitive performance in community-dwelling older adults. In this longitudinal cohort study, participants aged ≥65 years were enrolled in March, 2016. The serum level of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D was analyzed by liquid-chromatography-tandem-- mass-spectrometry at baseline. VDD was defined as less than 20 ng/mL. All participants completed a health status questionnaire. Cognitive functions were evaluated by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in China at baseline and each visit. The linear mixed-effects model was utilized to examine the association between baseline VDD and changes in cognitive functions. In total, 866 participants were included in our study, with a mean duration of 3 years. VDD was markedly associated with lower full intelligence quotient (FIQ) (β: -3.355, 95% confidence interval [CI]:-4.165,-2.545), verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) (β: -3.420, 95%CI: -4.193,-2.647), performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) (β: -2.610, 95%CI: -3.683,-1.537), comprehension (β: -0.630, 95%CI: -1.022,-0.238), information (β: -0.354, 95%CI: -0.699,-0.008), arithmetic (β: -1.065, 95%CI: -1.228,-0.902), digit span (β: -0.370, 95%CI: -0.547,-0.192), vocabulary (β: -0.789, 95%CI: -1.084,-0.493), picture completion (β: -0.391, 95%CI: -0.761,-0.022), block design (β: -0.412, 95%CI: -0.697,-0.127), picture arrangement (β: -0.542, 95%CI: -0.909,-0.174), and object assembly (β: -0.492, 95%CI: -0.818,-0.165) than those with adequacy. A higher frequency of VDD was associated with lower scores of FIQ, VIQ, PIQ and subtests on memory and executive function. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to further verify the conclusions.

Characteristics of cognition impairment in patients after stroke based on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in China

We aimed to explore the cognitive characteristics of patients with post-stroke cognition impairment (PSCI) on the basis of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in China (WAIS-RC) and the individual contribution of the subtests to WAIS score. We included 227 patients with PSCI who were assessed using the WAIS-RC. We described the characteristics and score distribution of the scale and subtests individually and compared them with those of the normal group to measure the damage degree of these patients. We performed item response theory analysis to explore the best criterion score for all dimensions that allowed ideal discrimination and difficulty for reflecting cognitive level. Finally, we analyzed the contribution of each dimension to the overall cognitive function. Patients with PSCI showed worse cognition levels than healthy individuals in terms of overall intelligence quotient (73.26–100, −1.78 SD), with a difference of 4.54–7.96 points in each dimension (–0.68 to −1.82 SD), and a range of 5–7 points is the appropriate range for reflecting cognitive ability in patients with PSCI. The average cognitive level of patients with PSCI was significantly inferior to normal people (–1.78 SD, 96.25%). Vocabulary contributes most to WAIS score.

Positive impact of cognitive reserve on the dynamics of selected cognitive functions in a 3-month follow-up of adult Poles

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3383-0353 Introduction: David Snowden’s 25-year longitudinal Nun Study has contributed to the ongoing interest in the relationship between cognitive reserve and cognitive performance in adults. The term “cognitive reserve” refers to the capital of knowledge and skills. Greater cognitive reserve accounts for good baseline cognitive status of adults and may translate into successful aging. Therefore, research was undertaken to assess the role of cognitive reserve and age in shaping the results of tests assessing cognitive functions and self-report methods. Methods: The study was conducted among adult Poles (N = 80) and involved two measurements (at baseline and after 3 months). The cognitive reserve index included self-report data on past and present involvement in various areas of life, years of occupational activity, level of formal education and occupational status. Each of these categories was scored. Cognitive functions were assessed twice using verbal fluency tests, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Revised (WAIS-R) subtests, the Zoo Map subtest, the Trail Making Test (TMT), self-report tools such as the Dysexecutive Questionnaire – Self (DEX-S) and the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), as well as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Results: Age was negatively correlated with test results, while greater cognitive reserve contributed to better outcomes, which was observed both at baseline and follow-up. The same assessments performed separately for the group of younger (≤55 years of age) and older (≥56 years) adults revealed the negative effect of age in the older group, with less pronounced positive effect of cognitive reserve. Discussion: The results correspond to previous findings. Attention, cognitive flexibility, working memory and planning abilities deteriorate with age. High levels of cognitive reserve account for improvement of these functions both at baseline and at 3 months. However, age, the negative role of which is particularly evident in individuals aged ≥56 years, is the strongest determinant of task performance. Conclusions: The relationship between deteriorated cognitive functions and the protective role of cognitive reserve may vary at different stages of adulthood. Adverse effects of age on cognitive abilities are more pronounced, while the protective effects of cognitive reserve cease in individuals aged ≥56 years. This may indicate that in the presence of other unfavourable factors, such as multimorbidity, cognitive reserve has no significant impact on the ageing trajectory.

Longitudinal changes in physical and cognitive functions among participants with and without rheumatoid arthritis in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.

This study evaluated the chronological changes in physical and cognitive functions in middle-aged and older adults with and without rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This population-based case-control longitudinal study included individuals aged 40-79 years at baseline who agreed to participate. We identified 42 participants with RA and randomly selected 84 age- and sex-matched controls. Physical function was assessed according to gait speed, grip strength, and skeletal muscle mass. Cognitive function was assessed based on the information, similarities, picture completion, and digit symbol substitution test scores of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Short Form. The general linear mixed models comprised the fixed effects of the intercept, case, age, time in years since baseline, and case × time interaction, which were used to examine longitudinal changes in physical and cognitive functions. Regardless of RA status, grip strength decreased and the picture completion score increased in the group aged <65 years, while skeletal muscle mass index and gait speed decreased in the group aged ≥65 years. The interaction of case × follow-up years for grip strength in the group aged ≥65 years was significant (p = 0.03). The decline in grip strength in the control group (slope = -0.45) was greater than that in the RA group (slope = -0.19). Chronological changes in physical and cognitive functions were comparable between participants with and without RA; however, the decline in grip strength in the control group was greater among older adults.

Assessment of intelligence quotient in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease and multiple sclerosis.

Cognitive impairment is common in people living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there is little published data on intelligence quotient (IQ) in NMOSD patients. Therefore, we performed the present study to compare IQ scores across NMOSD, MS, and control groups. In this cross-sectional study, 49 NMOSD (30 with positive aquaporin4 antibody), 41 MS, and 20 control individuals were recruited. The IQ score for each person was measured using Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Participants were reported on eleven scores of subsets, verbal IQ (VIQ), performance IQ (PIQ), and full score IQ (FSIQ). The scores of FSIQ, VIQ, PIQ, vocabulary, similarities, and digit-symbol in NMOSD and MS individuals were lower than the control group. Relative to control, NMOSD patients reported a lower score of information. We found no difference between NMOSD and MS groups, except in vocabulary and similarities. No significant difference between seropositive and seronegative NMOSD groups was observed except for the information and block design. In NMOSD group, a greater EDSS score was associated with decreased scores of FSIQ, VIQ, and PIQ. Being employed and being married were associated with greater scores of VIQ and PIQ, respectively. In both NMOSD and MS groups, advanced education was associated with increased scores of FSIQ and VIQ. Our study showed decreased IQ scores in NMOSD and MS. Further studies are required to examine intellectual quotient in people with NMOSD and MS.

Can the Virtual Reality-Based Spatial Memory Test Better Discriminate Mild Cognitive Impairment than Neuropsychological Assessment?

Neuropsychological screening tools for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have been widely used. However, to date, their sensitivity and specificity still remain unsatisfied. This study aims to investigate whether spatial memory can discriminate MCI better than neuropsychological screening tools. A total of 56 healthy older adults and 36 older adults with MCI participated in this study; they performed a spatial cognitive task based on virtual reality (SCT-VR), the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K), and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Block Design Test (WAIS-BDT). The discriminant power was compared between the SCT-VR and the MoCA-K, and the reliability and validity of the SCT-VR were analyzed. The spatial memory, assessed by the SCT-VR, showed better sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity: 0.944; specificity: 0.964) than the MoCA-K (sensitivity: 0.857; specificity: 0.746). The test-retest reliability of the SCT-VR was relatively high (ICCs: 0.982, p < 0.001) and the concurrent validity of the SCT-VR with the MoCA-K (r = −0.587, p < 0.001) and the WAIS-BDT (r = −0.594, p < 0.001) was statistically significant. These findings shed light on the importance of spatial memory as a behavioral marker of MCI. The ecologically validated spatial memory tasks based on VR need to be investigated by neuroscientific studies in the future.

Prediction of Iranian EFL Learners' Reading Comprehension Ability by Critical Thinking, Intelligence, and Language Aptitude

Critical thinking, intelligence, and language aptitude are three cognitive factors, each, in its own way, influencing our lives. They are important in successful reasoning, problem-solving, and foreign language learning, and thus are worth studying regarding their influence on individuals’ language-related skills, in particular, foreign language-related skills. This study used a correlational design to investigate how well the set of variables of critical thinking, intelligence, and language aptitude can predict Iranian EFL learners' reading comprehension ability, and to see which variable in this set was the best predictor. Additionally, the study explored whether the set could predict these learners' reading comprehension ability differently depending on their language proficiency. Fifty-seven university students majoring in English took part in this study. They were 6th and 7th-semester undergraduate students at the University of Sistan and Baluchestan, and Farhangian University of Zahedan, Iran. The data were collected through an Oxford Placement Test, a Watson-Glaser Appraisal, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, The Colleges of Oxford University Classics Language Aptitude Test, and the reading comprehension section of a Michigan language proficiency test. Statistical analysis revealed that critical thinking, intelligence, and language aptitude allowed us to predict the participants’ reading comprehension ability by as much as 83%. Language aptitude, with a unique contribution of 63% was the best predictor of the three. The results also showed that the predictive difference between the participants with high language proficiency and that of participants with low language proficiency was not statistically significant. The study suggests some pedagogical implications related to activities that can be incorporated into EFL reading comprehension-related materials and when determining the difficulty of EFL reading comprehension tests.

One-year neuropsychological outcome after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery in large Czech sample: Search for factors contributing to memory decline.

Background: Assessment of cognitive functions is an integral part of the evaluation the efficacy of temporal resections. We studied postoperative neuropsychological changes and factors contributing to worse memory outcomes in patients who experienced a significant decline using reliable change indices.Methods: We prospectively studied 110 patients in whom we indicated anteromesial temporal resection (AMTR) and 46 patients who underwent selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAHE). We administrated Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, and the Verbal Fluency Test before and 1 year after the operation.Results: At a group level, we did not observe any statistically significant changes in global, verbal, and visual MQ in either the AMTR or the SAHE group. At an individual level, we found a mean decrease of verbal MQ after left-sided AMTR by −4.43 points (P = 0.01). We detected no significant differences between the left and right side of surgery in the SAHE group. In patients with significant postoperative memory decline, we found either pre-existing extrahippocampal deficits/postoperative complications or incomplete hippocampal resection or a combination of these factors.Conclusion: In addition to the side of surgery, structural integrity and functional adequacy of resected hippocampus and volume of resected tissue and preoperative extrahippocampal lesions/postoperative complications also contribute to postoperative memory decline after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery.

Evaluation of Brain Functions in Conversion Disorder with PET/MRI

IntroductionSince there is no objective criteria, unique clinical symptom or laboratory test to make the diagnosis of conversion disorder; its diagnosis and treatment is challenging which leads to a poor prognosis.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to investigate the brain metabolic activity of patients with conversion disorder with PET/MRI.Methods12 conversion disorder patients were included. Somatosensory Amplification Scale, Somatoform Dissociation Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Toronto Alexithymia Scale were filled in by the participants. Neurological, mental status examinations, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Form (WAIS-R) and brain F18-FDG-PET/MRI were performed. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales were administered.Results83% of the patients were female, the mean age was 33 years and average education period was 10,2 years. WAIS-R total scores were consistent with low avarage intelligence level.Cerebral hypermetabolism was detected in the primary visual cortex. Average regional brain metabolic activity had a tendency to increase in bilateral prefrontal, right sensorimotor (SM),cingulate,right inferior parietal,occipital lateral,right temporal lateral cortices and cerebellum. Each region was metabolically correlated with the homologous contralateral regions. Significant correlations in the same direction was found between frontal and occipital lateral &amp; primary visual cortices; cerebellum and left sensorimotor cortex; anterior cingulate cortex(ACC) and superior parietal cortex &amp; cerebellum. No correlations were found between ACC and left SM cortex.ConclusionsFindings of our study indicate that there are moderate changes in regional brain metabolic activities and inter-regional correlations in patients with conversion disorder. In order to confirm these findings, furter functional neuroimaging studies are needed.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Memory and executive functioning outcomes of selective amygdalohippocampectomy in patients with hippocampal sclerosis: A preliminary study in a developing country.

Background: Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SA) is an effective treatment for drug-resistant cases of epilepsy due to hippocampal sclerosis (HS). However, its neurocognitive outcomes are inconsistent across the previous studies, pointing to potential location-specific confounders. Here, we investigated the neurocognitive outcomes of SA in an Iranian center recently adopting this approach.Methods: Thirty adults (53.3% of females, age 31.4 ± 6.2 years) with drug-resistant epilepsy due to HS were included in the study. Patients were stratified into surgical (n = 15) and medical (n = 15) treatment groups based on their preferences. Neurocognitive function was assessed before and 6 months after intervention using Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, and Wechsler Memory Scale- Third Edition (WMS-III). Postintervention performance changes were compared between the two groups, and predictors of worse postoperative outcomes were investigated.Results: Longitudinal changes of performance in WMS-III and WCST were significantly different between the surgically and medically treated patients. Postoperative WMS-III performance showed an average 25% decline (mean ∆T2-T1 = –25.1%, T = –6.6, P < 0.001), and WCST performance improved by an average of 49% (mean ∆T2-T1 = +49.1%, T = 4.6, P < 0.001). The decline in memory performance was more severe in the left-sided surgery and in patients with higher baseline education (mean ∆T2-T1 = –31.1%, T = –8.9, P < 0.001).Conclusion: In our center, executive functioning improved or remained stable after SA, but memory functions declined moderately. The left-sided SA and higher education were associated with more severe decline in memory functions, highlighting the need for special considerations for these groups.

Longitudinal associations between hearing aid usage and cognition in community-dwelling Japanese older adults with moderate hearing loss.

We investigated the associations between hearing aids (HA) and the maintenance of cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults with moderate hearing loss. A total of 407 participants aged 60 years or older with moderate hearing loss were recruited from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study for Aging (NILS-LSA). Moderate hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone average of 40-69 dB at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz of the better ear, according to the definition proposed by the Japan Audiological Society. Cognitive function was evaluated using the four subtests of the Japanese version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Short Forms (WAIS-R-SF): Information, Similarities, Picture completion, and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSST). A longitudinal analysis of 1192 observations with a mean follow-up period of 4.5 ± 3.9 years was performed. The HA use rate at any time during the follow-up period was 31.4%, and HA users were significantly younger (t-test, p = 0.001), had worse hearing (p < .0001) and higher education (p = 0.001), participated more frequently in the survey (p < .0001), and were less depressed (χ2 test, p = 0.003) than the older adults not using HA. General linear mixed models consisted of the fixed effects of HA use, follow-up time, and an HA use × time interaction term adjusted for age and pure-tone average thresholds at baseline, sex, education, and other possible confounders. HA use showed significant main effects on the scores for Picture completion and DSST after adjustment; scores were better in the HA use group than in the no HA use group. The HA use × time interaction was significant for the Information score (p = 0.040). The model-predicted 12-year slope with centralizing age indicated that the no HA use group showed greater decline over time on Information scores than did HA use group. The slopes did not differ between HA users and non-users for the Similarities, Picture completion and DSST. In conclusion, HA use may have a protective effect on the decline in general knowledge in older adults with moderate hearing loss.