Stroop Color-Word Interference Test Research Articles

Dynamic Cognitive-Motor Training versus Cognitive Computer-Based Training in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial with 2-Month Follow-Up.

Background: Recent studies underscore the intricate relationship between cognitive and motor impairments in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), often exacerbated by CNS damage compromising neural connections. These cognitive-motor deficits contribute to reduced efficiency in daily activities and heightened risks of falls and accidents. The combination of challenging cognitive-motor training in a more ecological setting could improve cognitive functions in people with MS (PwMS). Objective: This study aims to compare the impact of dynamic cognitive-motor training versus computer-based cognitive training on overall cognitive efficiency in PwMS. Methods: Thirty-eight PwMS were recruited through the neurorehabilitation services of an Institute of research and health. Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to the Cognitive-Motor group (CMg) and Cognitive Therapy group (CTg). Participants underwent three training sessions per week for four weeks, each lasting 50 min. The primary outcome was a comprehensive cognitive assessment using the Cognitive Impairment Index (CII), and the secondary outcomes were the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire MSQOL-54 and the Stroop Color Word Interference Test (SCWT). Results: Significant differences in the CII scores across T0, T1, and T2, as indicated by Friedman's test (χ2(2) = 14.558, p = .001), were found in the CMg. A significant difference in the change in health subscale of the MSQOL-54 was observed when comparing the groups across T0, T1, and T2 (χ2(2) = 6.059, p = .048). There were also statistically significant differences for the emotional well-being (χ2(2) = 7.581, p = .023) and health distress (χ2(2) = 11.902, p = .003) subscales. Post hoc analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for the former at T1 vs. T0 (Z = -2.502, p = .012 and for the latter at T2 vs. T0 (Z = -2.670, p = .008), respectively. Conclusions: Our results support the combination of cognitive-motor training to enhance cognitive functional outcomes and quality of life compared to computer-based cognitive training in PwMS.

Home indoor air quality and cognitive function over one year for people working remotely during COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic triggered an increase in remote work-from-home for office workers. Given that many homes now function as offices despite not being designed to support office work, it is critical to research the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) in homes on the cognitive performance of people working from home. In this study, we followed 206 office workers across the U.S. over one year under remote or hybrid-remote settings during 2021–2022. Participants placed two real-time, consumer-grade indoor environmental monitors in their home workstation area and bedroom. Using a custom smartphone application geofenced to their residential address, participants responded to surveys and periodic cognitive function tests, including the Stroop color–word interference test, Arithmetic two-digit addition/subtraction test, and Compound Remote Associates Task (cRAT). Exposures assessed included carbon dioxide (CO2) and thermal conditions (indoor heat index: a combination of temperature and relative humidity) averaged over 30 min prior to each cognitive test. In fully adjusted longitudinal mixed models (n ≤ 121), we found that indoor thermal conditions at home were associated with cognitive function outcomes non-linearly (p < 0.05), with poorer cognitive performance on the Stroop test and poorer creative problem-solving on the cRAT when conditions were either too warm or too cool. Most indoor CO2 levels were <640 ppm, but there was still a slight association between higher CO2 and poorer cognitive performance on Stroop (p = 0.09). Our findings highlight the need to enhance home indoor environmental quality for optimal cognitive function during remote work, with benefits for both employees and employers.

A topical reappreasal on use of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in elderly patients with postischemic stroke statuses - a systematic literature review

Abstract: Introduction: Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease with an impressive potential of disabil-ity, (multi)morbidity, and mortality among elderly patients. After stroke, a series of seque-lae represents a dynamic challenge for rehabilitation, especially for improving motor, cognitive and depressive disorders (1,2). Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive, painless, neuromodulations and neurostimulation method, which uses electromagnetic induction to administer repeated trains of pulses, with thera-peutic, diagnostic and research purposes (3–5). Method: We performed a systematic literature review of the related literature using a widely international accepted method - Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)(6), by searching, filtering, and selecting profile documen-tary material. Combinations/syntaxes of keywords were searched in the following interna-tional databases: Elsevier(7), PubMed(8), PMC(9), PEDro(10), in ISI indexed journals by Web of Knowledge/Science(11) during 1/01/2019-31/12/2021. Besides the 9 articles selected to enhance our related knowledge base we have also used some works freely identified in the literature. Results and discussions: 9 articles satisfied all the previous filtering criteria/ PRISMA steps and were selected for qualitative and detailed analysis. The benefits of rTMS, aiming to bring further insight into the responsiveness of motor deficit, depression, and cognitive impairment of the treatment, and through the favorable dynamic progress of the scores of the quantification scales used: HAMD-17/ HDRS, Hamilton Depression Scale; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; MoCA, Montreal Cognitive Assesment; SCWT, Stroop Color-Word Interference Test; WAIS, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; NIHSS, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; Barthel Index Score; ADL, Activities of Daily Living; mRS, modified Rankin Scale; FIM, Functional Independence Measures. Conclusions: Through this systematic review, we wish to present the perspective of the successful use of rTMS among elderly patients. We also intend for this work to be the start-ing point in the development of a doctoral study, which will include post-stroke sequelae, such as motor deficits, depressive and cognitive disorders, and through which we will strengthen scientific confidence in the tolerability and effectiveness of this type of stimula-tion for this segment of age.

Fast Multilevel Mental Stress Identification From Bispectrum-Based Heart Rate Variability Feature

Fast and accurate identification of mental stress is critical to reducing its risk to human health and the related consequences in industry. This study proposed a bispectrum-based feature to improve the accuracy and reduce the latency of multi-level mental stress identification from heart rate variability (HRV). The performance was evaluated by two stress induction protocols, <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">i.e.</i> , Stroop color-word interference test (SCIT) and mental arithmetic calculation (MAC), and the results demonstrated that the bispectrum-based methods significantly outperformed traditional HRV features with windows as short as 15 s. The high-order components found by an established nonlinear test, and the strong feature correlations detected between short and long windows, further validated the effectiveness and the feasibility of the proposed methods on mental stress identification from super-short windows. The results had the potential to promote the applications of HRV-based mental stress management across industries with the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices.

The Relationship between Executive Functions and Metacognition in College Students.

This study investigated the relationship between executive functions and metacognition. Both constructs have been well-studied, but little research has focused on their connections. The goal of the current investigation was to increase the understanding of the relationship between metacognition and executive functions by assessing the relationships between metacognitive monitoring accuracy and the three component executive functions (updating, inhibition, and shifting) among college students. Metacognitive monitoring accuracy was measured using a knowledge monitoring accuracy (KMA) test. The three components of executive functions, updating, inhibition, and shifting were measured, respectively, using the ABCD updating task, the Stroop color-word interference test, and the letter-number task. The Tower of Hanoi task was used to measure the complex executive functions (inhibition and updating). Correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine the relationships. The results indicate that updating is the only component executive function that significantly correlated with metacognitive monitoring, suggesting that metacognition-specifically, metacognitive monitoring-is associated with at least one component of executive functioning.

Biopsychosocial Variables in Male Schizophrenic Patients: A Comprehensive Comparison with Healthy Controls.

this study aims to comprehensively compare neuropsychological, psychopathological, anthropometric, biochemical, pharmacological, and lifestyle variables between 27 male schizophrenic patients (SZ group) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy male controls (HC group). participants underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests including the Trail Making Test (TMT), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test, and Verbal Fluency Test. Psychopathological symptoms in the SZ group were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Anthropometric measurements such as body weight, height, BMI, and waist circumference were taken. Biochemical markers measured included fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and fasting insulin. Lifestyle factors were assessed through a questionnaire for the study of views and eating habits of people aged 16 to 65. the HC group outperformed the SZ group in the TMT_A test and the Stroop test, but no significant differences were observed in the TMT_B test or in phonemic fluency tests. No correlation was found between age and PANSS scores within the SZ group. Anthropometrically, the SZ group had higher body weight, waist circumference, and BMI, with no difference in height. Biochemically, the HC group had higher HDL cholesterol levels but lower insulin and insulin resistance indices. Pharmacological assessment showed a more significant impact on body weight among SZ patients taking second-generation antipsychotics. Lifestyle factors such as diet and screen time were comparable between groups, but the SZ group reported longer sleep duration and lower leisure time activity. our study highlights distinct neuropsychological, pharmacological, anthropometric, and biochemical differences between male schizophrenic patients and healthy controls. The results underscore the complexity of schizophrenia and point toward the need for a multi-faceted approach to its management and understanding.

28 Factor Structure of Conventional Neuropsychological Tests and NIH-Toolbox in Healthy Older Adults

Objective:The National Institutes of Health-Toolbox cognition battery (NIH-TCB) is widely used in cognitive aging studies and includes measures in cognitive domains evaluated for dimensional structure and psychometric properties in prior research. The present study addresses a current literature gap by demonstrating how NIH-TCB integrates into a battery of traditional clinical neuropsychological measures. The dimensional structure of NIH-TCB measures along with conventional neuropsychological tests is assessed in healthy older adults.Participants and Methods:Baseline cognitive data were obtained from 327 older adults. The following measures were collected: NIH-Toolbox cognitive battery, Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) letter and animals tests, Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT), Letter-Number Sequencing (LNS), Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT), Trail Making Test A&amp;B, Digit Span. Hmisc, psych, and GPARotation packages for R were used to conduct exploratory factor analyses (EFA). A 5-factor solution was conducted followed by a 6-factor solution. Promax rotation was used for both EFA models.Results:The 6-factor EFA solution is reported here. Results indicated the following 6 factors: working memory (Digit Span forward, backward, and sequencing, PASAT trials 1 and 2, NIH-Toolbox List Sorting, LNS), speed/executive function (Stroop color naming, word reading, and color-word interference, NIH-Toolbox Flanker, Dimensional Change, and Pattern Comparison, Trail Making Test A&amp;B), verbal fluency (COWA letters F-A-S), crystallized intelligence (WTAR, NIH-Toolbox Oral Recognition and Picture Vocabulary), visual memory (BVMT immediate and delayed), and verbal memory (HVLT immediate and delayed. COWA animals and NIH-Toolbox Picture Sequencing did not adequately load onto any EFA factor and were excluded from the subsequent CFA.Conclusions:Findings indicate that in a sample of healthy older adults, these collected measures and those obtained through the NIH-Toolbox battery represent 6 domains of cognitive function. Results suggest that in this sample, picture sequencing and COWA animals did not load adequately onto the factors created from the rest of the measures collected. These findings should assist in interpreting future research using combined NIH-TCB and neuropsychological batteries to assess cognition in healthy older adults.

Impact on Psychomotor Functions by Sedative Agents Used During Daycare Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled DoubleBlinded Study of Dexmedetomidine Versus Midazolam Fentanyl

Background: Sedative agents are used during surgeries to reduce stress and anxiety and discomfort of the patient. An ideal sedation agent should provide a rapid onset of action and faster recovery. Almost all commonly used sedative agents in daycare surgeries affect the cognitive and psychomotor functions. The research question of this study was to find out which of the commonly used sedative agents- Dexmedetomidine or Midazolam-Fentanyl combination produces less impact on the psychomotor functions of the patients. Materials and Methods: Seventy two patients who were undergoing tympanoplasty under local anesthesia, were randomly divided into two equal groups - Group D (dexmedetomidine) and Group MF (midazolam and fentanyl) using a computer-based randomization scheme. Group D received dexmedetomidine till an adequate sedation score was achieved (Ramsay sedation scale =3). Group MF patients received midazolam and fentanyl till an adequate sedation score was achieved. Baseline psychomotor assessment and delirium assessment was done 30 minutes prior to the shifting of the patient to operation theatre. All the scores were compared at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours and 8 hours by using MMSE test and stroop color word interference test for psychomotor assessment and short-CAM &amp; Short-CAM severity test for delirium assessment. Statistical analysis was done by applying paired t-test and repeated measure ANOVA for intra-group comparison and for intergroup comparison, independent t-test was applied. Results: There was a significant decline in MMSE score and stroop color word interference score at post-operative period as compared to the baseline values in both the groups up to 4 hours. No such significant difference was seen at 8 hours post-operative period. In both groups, more patients in MF group had mild cognitive dysfunction at 1 hour post-op period, as compared to patient in D group. None of the patients showed severe cognitive impairment. In Group MF, the total number of patients showing signs of delirium was more as compared to group D at Post-op 1 hour. But no signs of delirium were found in any patient in later readings. When presented, the severity of delirium was assessed by Short CAM severity test score. It was observed that all patients who had delirium had CAM severity score of 1 only. Conclusion: The present study concluded that drug dexmedetomidine causes less cognitive decline and less chances of producing post-op delirium as compared to midazolam-fentanyl combination when used for sedation at the time of surgery.

Executive functions in non-suicidal self-injury comorbid first-episode and drug-naïve depression among adolescents

Executive functions(EFs) may be associated with the emergence of non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI) due to their role as behavior controllers. EFs includes three core cognitive processes: inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility(i.e. the ability to selectively alter cognitive strategies to generate appropriate behavior in the changing environment). This study aimed to systematically explore the three core EFs in depressed adolescents with NSSI. The data was obtained from the baseline data of the Chinese adolescent depression Cohort. The adolescents underwent cognitive assessments to yield domain-specific scores in EFs using the Digit Span Backward test(DSB), the Stroop Color-word interference test- color-word condition(Stroop-CW), and the Wisconsin Card Sorting tests(WCST). The significant differences in WCST scores were found between the NSSI group and the non-NSSI group. NSSI frequency was moderately positively correlated with total errors and negatively correlated with the number of categories completed. The number of categories completed in the “≥200″ NSSI frequency group was significantly lower than that in the “≤10″ NSSI group. The current findings suggested that depressed adolescents who had engaged in NSSI have poorer cognitive flexibility performance compared to adolescents without NSSI. As the frequency of NSSI increased, cognitive flexibility might become worse. These results provide evidence of a connection between executive dysfunctions and NSSI in depressed adolescents.

SMARTfit Dual-Task Exercise Improves Cognition and Physical Function in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Results of a Community-Based Pilot Study.

Mild cognitive impairment is an intermediate state between the cognitive decline often experienced in normal aging and dementia that affects 15% of Americans over 65years of age. Our communities have an opportunity to support the development and adoption of evidence-based programs to help older adults preserve cognition and physical function. In partnership with a local urban YMCA in an underserved, predominantly minority neighborhood, we tested the appeal and therapeutic benefits of SMARTfit training among older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The participants reported a positive training experience. After 12weeks of dual-task training, Trail-Making Test and Stroop Color-Word Interference Test scores improved, as did scores on the Short Physical Performance Battery. Results of our SMARTfit dual-task training intervention are encouraging. Larger randomized controlled trials must further investigate the development, implementation, and therapeutic impacts of SMARTfit dual-task training on cognitive and physical function in aging.

Cytochrome P450-soluble epoxide hydrolase derived linoleic acid oxylipins and cognitive performance in type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Disruptions in the cytochrome P450-soluble epoxide hydrolase (CYP450-sEH) pathway have been reported in T2DM, obesity and cognitive impairment. We examine linoleic acid (LA)-derived CYP450-sEH oxylipins and cognition in T2DM and explore potential differences between obese and nonobese individuals. The study included 51 obese and 57 nonobese participants (mean age 63.0 ± 9.9, 49% women) with T2DM. Executive function was assessed using the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test, FAS-Verbal Fluency Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and Trails Making Test-Part B. Verbal memory was assessed using the California Verbal Learning Test, second Edition. Four LA-derived oxylipins were analyzed by ultra-high-pressure–LC/MS, and the 12,13-dihydroxyoctadecamonoenoic acid (12,13-DiHOME) considered the main species of interest. Models controlled for age, sex, BMI, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, diabetes duration, depression, hypertension, and education. The sEH-derived 12,13-DiHOME was associated with poorer executive function scores (F1,98 = 7.513, P = 0.007). The CYP450-derived 12(13)-epoxyoctadecamonoenoic acid (12(13)-EpOME) was associated with poorer executive function and verbal memory scores (F1,98 = 7.222, P = 0.008 and F1,98 = 4.621, P = 0.034, respectively). There were interactions between obesity and the 12,13-DiHOME/12(13)-EpOME ratio (F1,97 = 5.498, P = 0.021) and between obesity and 9(10)-epoxyoctadecamonoenoic acid (9(10)-EpOME) concentrations (F1,97 = 4.126, P = 0.045), predicting executive function such that relationships were stronger in obese individuals. These findings suggest that the CYP450-sEH pathway as a potential therapeutic target for cognitive decline in T2DM. For some markers, relationships may be obesity dependent.

Longitudinal cognitive evaluation before and after delivery among people with preeclampsia

Cognitive impairments related to preeclampsia after pregnancy have been reported; however, it is not known if weaknesses in cognition occur before and shortly after delivery. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of longitudinal cognitive testing before and after delivery, and to investigate whether those with preeclampsia have cognitive weaknesses during the third trimester of pregnancy and at 1and 3 months postpartum. We hypothesized that people with preeclampsia would have lower cognition scores across all time points compared with normotensive people. This longitudinal, prospective, observational study in a single institution enrolled people (N=30) at ≥28 weeks of gestation with preeclampsia (N=16) or normotension (N=14). People with chronic hypertension, neurologic or developmental disabilities, moderate or severe depression or anxiety, or current substance use were excluded. Subjective (Everyday Cognition Scale) and objective assessment of executive function (Stroop Color-Word Interference Test, Trail-Making Test), attention and working memory (Digit Span subtest), and information processing speed (Digit Symbol Substitution Test) was conducted, and Z-scores were calculated. Baseline characteristics (eg, prepregnancy body mass index) were collected from the medical record. Generalized linear models were used to estimate associations. We enrolled 37% (30/81) of eligible people and retained 80% (24/30) and 53% (16/30) at 1 and 3 months postpartum, respectively. People with preeclampsia reported more memory problems (ß=0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-1.31), and scored worse on attention and working memory (ß=-0.94; 95% confidence interval, -1.42 to -0.45) and executive function (Stroop test ß=-0.86; 95% confidence interval, -1.53 to -0.19) domains compared with normotensive people after adjusting for time, age, education, and prepregnancy body mass index. Longitudinal assessment of cognition in pregnant preeclamptic and normotensive people is feasible. People with preeclampsia reported worse subjective memory and had lower scores in attention, working memory, and executive function.

Short-term effects of side-alternating Whole-Body Vibration on cognitive function of young adults.

Recent research in rodents and humans revealed that Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) is beneficial for cognitive functions. However, the optimal WBV conditions are not established: contrary to vertical WBV, side-alternating WBV was not investigated before. The present study investigated the short-term effects of side-alternating WBV in standing and sitting posture on specific cognitive function of young adults. We used a balanced cross-over design. Sixty healthy young adults (mean age 21.7 ± 2.0 years, 72% female) participated. They were exposed to three bouts of two-minute side-alternating WBV (frequency 27 Hz) and three control conditions in two different sessions. In one session a sitting posture was used and in the other session a standing (semi-squat) posture. After each condition selective attention and inhibition was measured with the incongruent condition of the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test. WBV significantly (p = 0.026) improved selective attention and inhibition in the sitting posture, but not in the standing posture. The sitting posture was perceived as more comfortable, joyous and less exhaustive as compared to the standing posture. This study demonstrated that side-alternating WBV in sitting posture improves selective attention and inhibition in healthy young adults. This indicates that posture moderates the cognitive effect of WBV, although the effects are still small. Future studies should focus on the working mechanisms and further optimization of settings, especially in individuals who are unable to perform active exercise.

Neuropsychological performance facilitates emotion recognition in bipolar disorder

Aim of the studyIn bipolar disorder (BD), evidence for both cognitive impairment and deficit in emotion recognition has been found. Several investigations indicate that cognition and face processing can be interrelated. In this study, we assessed the correlations between cognitive functioning and emotion recognition (face expression) in patients with BD during an acute manic and depressive episode as well as in remission using a large battery of neurocognitive tests.Subject or material and methodsTwenty-four manic subjects, 21 with bipolar depression, and 22 euthymics, age-, sex-, and education-matched were included. Cognitive functions were assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Trail Making Test (TMT, Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (SCWT), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Benton Visual Memory Test (BVRT), Rey-Osterreich Complex Figure Test (ROFT), d2 test and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). For emotion recognition, the Penn Emotion Recognition Test and Penn Emotion Discrimination Test were employed.ResultsIn mania, performances on selected measures of the WCST, TMT, SCWT, CVLT, ROFT, d2 test, and VFT, achieved 19 positive correlations with better recognition of happiness. In depression, conducting these tests obtained 20 correlations with finer recognition of sadness. In remission, such performances acquired 18 correlations with greater identification of sadness (10 replicated those obtained in depression).DiscussionBetter emotion recognition in manic patients concerns mostly happiness, while in depression and remission, mainly sadness.ConclusionsBetter neuropsychological performance can facilitate emotion recognition. We hypothesize that the identification of sadness could be considered a biological marker of mood disorders.

Neuropsychological Predictors of Fatigue in Post-COVID Syndrome.

Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms in several neurological disorders and has an important cognitive component. However, the relationship between self-reported cognitive fatigue and objective cognitive assessment results remains elusive. Patients with post-COVID syndrome often report fatigue and cognitive issues several months after the acute infection. We aimed to develop predictive models of fatigue using neuropsychological assessments to evaluate the relationship between cognitive fatigue and objective neuropsychological assessment results. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 113 patients with post-COVID syndrome, assessing them with the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including standardized and computerized cognitive tests. Several machine learning algorithms were developed to predict MFIS scores (total score and cognitive fatigue score) based on neuropsychological test scores. MFIS showed moderate correlations only with the Stroop Color–Word Interference Test. Classification models obtained modest F1-scores for classification between fatigue and non-fatigued or between 3 or 4 degrees of fatigue severity. Regression models to estimate the MFIS score did not achieve adequate R2 metrics. Our study did not find reliable neuropsychological predictors of cognitive fatigue in the post-COVID syndrome. This has important implications for the interpretation of fatigue and cognitive assessment. Specifically, MFIS cognitive domain could not properly capture actual cognitive fatigue. In addition, our findings suggest different pathophysiological mechanisms of fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID syndrome.

Daily mocha coffee intake and psycho-cognitive status in non-demented non-smokers subjects with subcortical ischaemic vascular disease

Coffee intake has been recently associated with better cognition and mood in mild vascular cognitive impairment (mVCI). As tobacco can reduce the caffeine half-life, we excluded smokers from the original sample. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Stroop Colour-Word Interference Test (Stroop), activities of daily living (ADL0) and instrumental ADL were the outcome measures. Significant differences were observed in higher consumption groups (moderate intake for HDRS; high intake for MMSE and Stroop) compared to the other groups, as well as in age and education. With age, education and coffee used as independent predictors, and HDRS, Stroop and MMSE as dependent variables, a correlation was found between age and both MMSE and Stroop, as well as between education and MMSE and between HDRS and Stroop; coffee intake negatively correlated with HDRS and Stroop. Higher coffee consumption was associated with better psycho-cognitive status among non-smokers with mVCI.

Nutrition, Overweight, and Cognition in Euthymic Bipolar Individuals Compared to Healthy Controls.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with impairments in cognitive functions, in which metabolic factors, e.g., overweight, seem to play a significant role. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nutritional factors and cognitive performance in euthymic individuals with BD. A study cohort of 56 euthymic individuals with BD was compared to a sample of 53 mentally healthy controls. To assess cognitive function, the following tests were applied: California Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test A/B, d2 Test of Attention-Revised, and Stroop’s Color-Word Interference Test. Furthermore, a 4-day food record was processed to evaluate dietary intake of macronutrients, specific micronutrients, and food diversity. Body mass index and waist to height ratio were calculated to assess overweight and central obesity. Results showed no nutritional differences between individuals with BD and controls. Individuals with BD performed worse in the d2 test than controls. Hierarchical regression analyses yielded no association between cognitive and nutritional parameters. However, waist to height ratio was negatively correlated with almost all cognitive tests. Central obesity seems to affect cognitive functioning in BD, while the lack of finding differences in nutritional data might be due to problems when collecting data and the small sample size. Consequently, further studies focusing on objectively measuring food intake with adequate sample size are needed.

High-Frequency Cochlear Amplifier Dysfunction: A Dominating Contribution to the Cognitive-Ear Link.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the high-frequency cochlear dysfunction in the cognitive-ear link.Methods: Seventy-four presbycusis patients (PC group) and seventy-one age-, sex-, and education-level matched normal hearing controls (NH group) were recruited in this study. Participants underwent a battery of cognitive tests estimated by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (Stroop), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), and Trail-Making Test (TMT-A and B), as well as auditory tests including distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), pure tone (PT) thresholds, and speech reception thresholds (SRT). Data were analyzed using the factor analysis, partial correlation analysis, multiple linear regression models, and mediation models.Results: Distortion product otoacoustic emission detection amplitudes and PT thresholds performed worse gradually from low to high frequencies in both the NH and PC groups. High-frequency DPOAE (H-DPOAE) was significantly correlated with cognitive domains in the PC group (AVLT: r = 0.30, p = 0.04; SDMT: r = 0.36, p = 0.01; Stroop: r = –0.32, p = 0.03; TMT-A: r = –0.40, p = 0.005; TMT-B: r = –0.34, p = 0.02). Multiple linear regression models showed that H-DPOAE predicted cognitive impairment effectively for aspects of memory (R2 = 0.27, 95% CI, 0.03 to 1.55), attention (R2 = 0.32, 95% CI, –6.18 to –0.40), processing speed (R2 = 0.37, 95% CI, 0.20 to 1.64), and executive function (TMT-A: R2 = 0.34, 95% CI, –5.52 to 1.03; TMT-B: R2 = 0.29, 95% CI, –11.30 to –1.12). H-DPOAE directly affected cognition and fully mediated the relationship between pure tone average (PTA)/SRT and cognitive test scores, excluding MoCA.Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the high-frequency cochlear amplifier dysfunction has a direct predictive effect on the cognitive decline and makes a large contribution to the cognitive-ear link.

Association of Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia Assessed by the BNSS and SNS Scales With Neuropsychological Performance: A Gender Effect.

Objective: The relationship between negative symptoms and neurocognitive performance in schizophrenia is well documented, but the mechanism of these connections remains unclear. The study aims to measure the relationship between the results on the new scales for the assessment of negative symptoms such as Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) and Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS), and the results of some neurocognition tests. The second aim is to assess a possible gender effect on these associations.Methods: The study included 80 patients (40 men, 40 women) with schizophrenia, aged 19–63 (mean 38 years), during the improvement period (total PANSS score <80, unchanged pharmacological treatment in the last 3 weeks). They were assessed using the BNSS, SNS, Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scales, and the tests for neuropsychological performance such as the Trail Making Test (TMT-A, TMT-B), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test, Verbal fluency tests (VFT), Category fluency test (CFT), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).Results: Male patients obtained higher scores than females on some PANSS and BNSS items. No gender differences were observed for the SNS scale. Female patients scored better in the PSP and CFT. In male patients, a significant positive correlation between the intensity of negative symptoms measured by the BNSS and the results of PSP with the Trail Making Test was observed. In female patients, we found a positive correlation between the results of BNSS and PSP with the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test.Conclusion: The obtained results confirm the relationship between negative symptoms and neurocognition in schizophrenia patients. However, in male and female patients such association was observed for different cognitive domains. Further research is needed to explain the nature of these differences.

Significance of the Diagnosis of Executive Functions in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive chronic disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Cognitive decline occurs rather rarely in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) compared to other types. The present study aimed to assess executive functions (EF) in relation to clinical and demographic variables in patients with RRMS. The study involved 22 individuals with RRMS (aged 23 to 49 years) and 22 matching controls. All the individuals with RRMS were in the remission phase. The assessments were carried out using MoCA, BDI-II, Halstead Category Test, Porteus Maze Test, verbal fluency tasks and Stroop Colour-Word Interference Test. The findings show that the two groups differed significantly in all the tests. All patients with RRMS in the remission phase presented at least one cognitive deficit, observed in general cognitive functioning, abstract reasoning or other executive functions, i.e., fluency, interference suppression, planning, or ability to modify activity in response to feedback. The deficits in most cases (except for those measured with the MoCA, Category Tests and phonemic fluency), are not related to intensity of depression and duration of the disease. Findings suggest that the diagnostic process in the case of patients with RRMS may include psychological assessment focusing on potentially existing cognitive, mainly executive, deficits and their severity.