Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test Scores Research Articles

Plasma NfL is associated with mild cognitive decline in patients with diabetes.

Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk for cognitive decline. Thus, biomarkers that can provide early and simple detection of cognitive decline are required. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a cytoskeletal protein that constitutes neural axons. Plasma NfL levels are elevated when neurodegeneration occurs. Here, we investigated whether plasma NfL levels were associated with cognitive decline in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study included 183 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited Osaka University Hospital. All participants were tested for cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT). NfL levels were analysed in the plasma and the relationship between NfL and cognitive function was examined. Lower RBMT-standardized profile scores (SPS) or MMSE scores correlated with higher plasma NfL levels (one-way analysis of variance: MMSE, P=0.0237; RBMT-SPS, P=0.0001). Furthermore, plasma NfL levels (β=-0.34, P=0.0005) and age (β=-0.19, P=0.016) were significantly associated with the RBMT score after multivariable regression adjustment. Plasma NfL levels were correlated with mild cognitive decline which is detected by the RBMT but not the MMSE in patients with type 2 diabetes. This suggests that plasma NfL levels may provide a valuable clinical tool for identifying mild cognitive decline in patients with diabetes.

Ecological assessment of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease using the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test

IntroductionThe Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) is a short, ecologically valid memory test battery that can provide data about a subject's memory function in daily life. We used RBMT to examine daily memory function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer disease (AD), and in healthy controls. We also evaluated differences between the memory profiles of subjects whose MCI remained stable after 1 year and those with conversion to AD. Patients and methodsSample of 91 subjects older than 60 years: 30 controls, 27 MCI subjects and 34 AD patients. Subjects were assessed using MMSE and RBMT. ResultsThe 40 men and 51 women in the sample had a mean age of 74.29±6.71 and 5.87±2.93 years of education. For the total profile, screening RBMT scores (P<.001) and total MMSE scores (P<.05), control subjects scored significantly higher than those with MCI, who in turn scored higher than AD patients. In all subtests, the control group (P<.001) and MCI group (P<.05) were distinguishable from the AD group. Prospective, retrospective, and orientation subtests found differences between the MCI and control groups (P<.05). MCI subjects who progressed to AD scored lower at baseline on the total RBMT and MMSE, and on name recall, belongings recall, story immediate recall, route delayed recall, orientation (P<.05), face recognition, story delayed recall, and messages delayed recall sections (P<.01). ConclusionsRBMT is an ecologically valid episodic memory test that can be used to differentiate between controls, MCI subjects, and AD subjects. It can also be used to detect patients with MCI who will experience progression to AD.

Evaluación ecológica en el deterioro cognitivo leve y enfermedad de Alzheimer mediante el Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test

IntroductionThe Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) is a short, ecologically-valid memory test battery that can provide data about a subject's memory function in daily life. We used RBMT to examine daily memory function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer disease (AD), and in healthy controls. We also evaluated differences between the memory profiles of subjects whose MCI remained stable after 1 year and those with conversion to AD. Patients and methodsSample of 91 subjects older than 60 years: 30 controls, 27 MCI subjects and 34 AD patients. Subjects were assessed using MMSE and RBMT. ResultsThe 40 men and 51 women in the sample had a mean age of 74.29±6.71 and 5.87±2.93 years of education. For the total profile and screening RBMT scores (P<.001) and total MMSE scores (P<.05), control subjects scored significantly higher than those with MCI, who in turn scored higher than AD patients. In all subtests, the control group (P<.001) and MCI group (P<.05) were distinguishable from the AD group. Prospective, retrospective, and orientation subtests found differences between the MCI and control groups (P<.05). MCI subjects who progressed to AD scored lower at baseline on the total RBMT and MMSE, and on name recall, belongings, story−immediate recall, route−delayed recall, orientation (P<.05), face recognition, story−delayed recall, and messages−delayed recall sections (P<.01). ConclusionsRBMT is an ecologically-valid episodic memory test that can be used to differentiate between controls, MCI subjects, and AD subjects. It can also be used to detect patients with MCI who will experience progression to AD.

Comparison of the utility of everyday memory test and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognitive part for evaluation of mild cognitive impairment and very mild Alzheimer's disease

The purpose of this study was to compare the utility of the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive part (ADAS-Cog) for the evaluation of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or very mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The discriminative abilities of RBMT and ADAS-Cog were compared in the very early stage of AD or MCI patients. Furthermore, we evaluated the difference in both RBMT score and ADAS-Cog score between different severities. Evident superiority in the false negative rate was observed in RBMT over ADAS-Cog in MCI or very mild AD. In addition, 86.7% of the subjects overlooked by ADAS-Cog were correctly detected by RBMT profile score. However, the RBMT score falls in the very early stages and the range of the RBMT score is rather narrow. As a result, it is difficult to evaluate status and follow the progression in severer cases. In contrast to RBMT, the ADAS-Cog score has a wide range and can evaluate and follow the severity in more severe cases. RBMT is more useful than ADAS-Cog in evaluating patients with MCI or very mild AD.

Cognitive alteration after carotid revascularization is correlated with cortical GABA B-ergic modulations

The present study evaluates the hypotheses that a GABAergic mechanism underlies neurobehavioral sequelae of carotid stenosis and that it can be reversed by carotid revascularization. We used the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT), short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), long interval intracortical inhibition (LICI), and cortical silent period (CSP) to evaluate cognitive function and cerebral cortical excitability in 16 carotid artery stenosis patients with cognitive impairment before carotid arterial stenting (CAS) and 1 month later. We compared the pre- and post-CAS results and those of 16 healthy controls. CSP was prolonged in patients compared with controls (195.8 ± 18 ms vs. 157.8 ± 13.9 ms; p < 0.0001, unpaired t-test). Patients tended to a have high resting motor threshold and less pronounced SICI and ICF than controls, but differences were not significant. Decreased RBMT score was correlated with hyperperfusion and CSP increase after CAS. RBMT score increase was correlated with CSP normalization. LICI showed positive correlation with CSP. CSP may provide a means of probing the integrity of GABA B-ergic networks in an ischemic human brain. CSP and LICI are potential tools to explore neuronal function for improvement as well as impairment after carotid revascularization.

Memory Complaints in Chronic Stroke Patients Are Predicted by Memory Self-Efficacy rather than Memory Capacity

Background: Memory self-efficacy (MSE) is the belief about one’s mastery of memory functioning. In healthy elderly, memory complaints are related to MSE rather than to objectively measured memory capacity. MSE has scarcely been studied in patients that suffered a stroke. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to examine whether memory capacity and MSE can predict the presence of memory complaints in stroke patients, and (2) to study which variables are the best predictors of MSE. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 136 stroke patients (>18 months after onset) were recruited from April 2008 to November 2009. MSE was measured using the Metamemory in Adulthood questionnaire. Depression, coping and personality were measured using validated questionnaires, and memory performance was measured using the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). Patients were divided into a ‘complaints’ and a ‘no complaints’ group. Results: A lower MSE score was an independent predictor of having memory complaints (adjusted odds ratio: 0.422; p = 0.000), adjusted for age and depression. The RBMT and AVLT scores did not predict the presence of memory complaints (p > 0.263). Presence of memory complaints and depression were the strongest predictors of MSE (B = –1.748, p = 0.000; B = –0.054, p = 0.000), followed by word fluency, not having a partner and side of stroke (B = 0.038, p = 0.012; B = –0.517, p = 0.082; B = –0.479, p = 0.088). Conclusions: Memory complaints are predicted by MSE rather than memory capacity. MSE memory training might be an effective training strategy for reducing memory complaints in selected chronic stroke patients.

The impact of blood pressure on hippocampal glutamate and mnestic function

Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, which is generally regarded as a consequence of advanced cerebral atherosclerosis. Many hypertensive patients, however, suffer from cognitive decline long before they have any signs of cerebrovascular disease. Therefore, this study examines direct effects of blood pressure on neurotransmitter status in the hippocampus, a vulnerable cerebral structure relevant for memory consolidation. Absolute glutamate concentration and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) concentration as an alternative marker of neuronal integrity were determined in the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex (anterior cingulate cortex; ACC) by 3-T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 16 probands without any history of cerebrovascular disease. Memory function was tested by the auditory verbal learning test (AVLT) and the rivermead behavioural memory test (RBMT). Arterial stiffness was assessed by augmentation index (AI). Mean arterial pressure showed a significant negative age-adjusted correlation to absolute glutamate concentrations in the hippocampus (R=-0.655, P=0.011), but not in the ACC. There was no significant correlation of mean arterial pressure and NAA in either hippocampus or ACC. AI did not affect hippocampal glutamate. Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between mean arterial pressure and AVLT (r=-0.558, P=0.025) and RBMT score (r=-0.555, P=0.026). There is an inverse relation between blood pressure and the concentration of hippocampal glutamate. Glutamate is essential for long-term potentiation, the neurobiological correlate for memory formation in the hippocampus. Thus, hypertension-associated cognitive decline may not only be mediated by structural atherosclerotic wall changes, but also by functional changes in neurotransmission.

Clinical study on cognitive dysfunction after spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage: patient profiles and relationship to cholinergic dysfunction

We aimed to explore the cognitive profiles of subarachnoid haemorrhage patients who returned to the community, along with the associated risk factors. We recruited 40 Chinese patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage 7-27 months after the initial presentation. They had all been discharged to their homes or to care homes for the elderly. For cognitive assessment, we employed the Cognitive Subscale of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog) for global cognitive function, the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) for frontal lobe function, and the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) for everyday memory function. An ADAS-cog of more than 21/85 (poor global cognitive function) was noted in 14 (35%) patients. A FAB of less than 12/18 (poor frontal lobe function) was noted in 13 (27.5%) patients. An RBMT score of less than 15/26 (poor everyday memory function) was noted in 17 (43.6%) patients. Poor cognitive function was found to be associated with chronic hydrocephalus (in terms of FAB), with clinical vasospasm (in terms of RBMT), and with cerebral infarction (in terms of RBMT). Poor cognitive function was common and occurred in up to 43.6% of the patients, with the verbal and behavioural memory aspects predominantly affected. We did not find a significant association between cholinergic dysfunction and cognitive dysfunction. Organization of future drug trials and cognitive rehabilitation should take into account the association between frontal lobe dysfunction and chronic hydrocephalus.

Changes in Everyday and Semantic Memory Function After Electroconvulsive Therapy for Unipolar Depression

This long-term prospective study focuses on the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on everyday memory function and on semantic memory function. Results of memory test from 96 consecutive inpatients treated for unipolar depression were analyzed prospectively before ECT, after ECT treatment, and at 3- and 12-month follow-up. Everyday memory function was assessed by means of the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and semantic memory by 2 forms of the word fluency test. In our study, age had a constant and significant negative effect on everyday memory (RBMT score) over time. Bilateral electrode placement mainly influenced everyday memory, which was significantly improved at 3-month follow-up. One year after discharge, the RBMT scores were not significantly different from pretreatment levels, indicating that ECT does not affect everyday memory on the longer term. Scores on both word fluency tests for semantic memory were significantly influenced by age over time. The effect of age changed from a negative influence directly after ECT to a positive effect at follow-up. This advantage of higher age indicates that the semantic memory of older patients receiving ECT for severe mood disorder shows greater improvement at follow-up compared with younger patients. Over time, the scores on only 1 of the word fluency tests were significantly influenced by mainly bilateral electrode placement. A small but reversible decrease in everyday memory occurs after ECT in depressed patients, which is influenced by age and electrode placement. Semantic memory shows a fluctuating but recovering course, which is also influenced by age and electrode placement. During follow-up, the improvement in semantic memory was greater in the older patients.

Prediction of cognitive dysfunction after resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest using serum neuron-specific enolase and protein S-100

Background:More than 50% of patients initially resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die in hospital.Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of serum protein S-100 and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) concentrations for predicting (a)...

Are changes in everyday memory over time in autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease related to changes in reported behaviour?

Performance on an augmented version of the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) was examined in 48 people with autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease and compared with Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and with ratings on a behavioural questionnaire. Highly significant correlations were found between RBMT and MMSE scores but there was little evidence of any systematic relationship between memory deficits and reported behavioural change. Longitudinal analyses of change over time were carried out on the scores of 22 participants who remained in the study for at least three years. Scores above zero were recorded for all but three RBMT items. Significant effects of reported change in two aspects of behaviour (losing one's way around the house; knowing the time of day) were identified on a number of memory test items. These results are interpreted as suggesting general rather than specific relationships between decline in cognition and behavioural change in Alzheimer's disease.

Chronicity of memory impairment in long-term out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors

As a result of out-of-hospital defibrillation initiatives, many cities have an increasing population of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors. We previously identified that one third of these patients suffer memory problems in the months after resuscitation. The pattern of memory impairment (impaired recall memory and intact recognition memory) is suggestive of hippocampal damage. In this study we followed up ten subjects who had previously been found to have memory impairment after their cardiac arrest. To assess the chronicity of this memory impairment, we re-tested memory function approximately 3 years after the index events. These subjects were compared with age and sex matched control subjects with previous myocardial infarction and no cardiac arrest. Memory was assessed using the Rivermead Behavioural Memory test (RBMT). To further assess recall and recognition memory we used the Doors and People test (DPT), which is specifically designed to identify deficits in these functions. RBMT scores declined significantly in both groups compared with the original assessment 8 months after cardiac arrest, possibly an effect of ageing-control group: mean (S.D.) 22.2 (1.4)–18.4 (2.9); cardiac arrest group: 16.1 (2.7)–14.6 (4.4). The inter-group difference in RBMT score remained significant ( P=0.001). DPT scores were poor in the cardiac arrest group (mean (S.D.) total 5.8 (2.8)), compared with the control group (10.8 (3.4)) who scored normally. Both recall and recognition memory were poor in the cardiac arrest group. We conclude that the memory deficits that we previously observed in cardiac arrest victims are persistent. Both recall and recognition memory are affected, implying that non-selective brain injury may be the mechanism.

The effects of chronic psychosis on rivermead behavioral memory test performance

The Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) is an ecologically valid memory battery believed to have direct applicability to everyday functioning. Research with schizophrenic patients has shown that performance on the RBMT is significantly correlated with overall illness severity. However, the relationship between specific psychotic symptoms and the RBMT remains undefined. This study investigates the relationship between the RBMT and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Anchored (BPRS-A). Subjects were 28 chronically hospitalized schizophrenic, and schizoaffective patients. A factor analysis (N-195) suggested a six-factor model, representing conceptually distinct, and cognitively relevant dimensions underlying BPRS-A scores (64.3 % of total BPRS-A variance explained): I) Depression/Anxiety (19% variance explained), 2) Anergia (I 4%), 3) Delusions/Hallocinations (I ! .5%), 4) Hostility/Uncooperativehess (8%), 5) Conceptual Disorganization (6%), and 6) Tension/Mannerism (5.5%). Correlation of resultant factor scores with RBMT total raw score indicated that the conceptual disorganization factor is moderately related to RBMT performance (r--.49, p-.05, Bonferoni corrected). RBMT scores were not influenced by anergia (i.e., negative symptoms) or other BPRS-A factors in this sample. Data presented suggest that certain aspects of chronic psychosis (i.e., conceptual disorganization) are associated with diminished mnesic abilities. The nonsignificant correlation between RBMT performance and the anergia factor may be related to the preponderance of negative symptoms in our sample, thus, reducing the likelihood that this factor could covary with memory performance. Alternative, and perhaps more parsimonious factor models of BPRS-A performance need to be developed, and their relation to specific RBMT items explored.

Assessment of Everyday Memory After Severe Head Injury

This study investigates two everyday memory questionnaires; the Subjective Memory Questionnaire (SMQ) and the Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ). Both self-ratings and relatives' ratings were collected from a severe head injured group and a control group. Head injured subjects were also assessed on the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT). On the SMQ, there was a significant difference between the head injured and control groups for both self and relatives' ratings. On the EMQ only relatives' ratings differed significantly between the two groups. When head injured subjects, which were rated as non-impaired by the RBMT, were excluded from group comparisons, all questionnaire measures showed significant differences between groups. Both EMQ and SMQ scores for relatives and self-ratings correlated significantly with RBMT scores. The utility of the everyday memory measures is discussed.