Stroop Color-Word Test Research Articles

Added Inspiratory Resistance Does Not Impair Cognitive Function and Mood State.

This study evaluated cognitive function and mood state with inspiratory resistance before and after maximal exercise in hypoxia. Nine healthy men (age = 25 ± 2 years) performed the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics-4th Edition (ANAM4) of the Stroop color-word test (SCWT) and total mood disturbance (TMD) before and after an incremental cycling exercise until volitional fatigue with four different inspiratory resistances (0, 1.5, 4.5, 7.5 cm H2O·L-1·s-1). There was no significant difference in the interference score of SCWT and TMD at normobaric, hypoxic conditions at four different inspiratory resistances. However, the interference score of SCWT was improved following maximal cycling exercise, whereas TMD was not improved. Inspiratory resistance did not have a deleterious effect on cognitive function and mood state in normobaric hypoxia after maximal cycling exercise. However, following maximal cycling exercise, cognitive function was improved.

Association between uric acid and cognitive dysfunction: A cross-sectional study with newly diagnosed, drug-naïve with bipolar disorder

BackgroundCognitive impairment is one of the major symptoms of individuals with bipolar disorder (BD). Purine system disorders may play an important role in cognitive dysfunction. So far, the relationship between cognitive deficits and purinergic metabolism in BD has been seldom discussed in previous studies. This study aims to explore its relevance and potential biological mechanisms. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 205 first time diagnosed drug-naive individuals with BD and 97 healthy volunteers were recruited. The uric acid(UA) level was measured using automatic biochemical analyzer, and cognitive function was assessed by Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Stroop color-word test. In addition, general information and clinical symptoms were collected and evaluated. ResultsIn this study, the UA level of BD group (U = 8475.000, p = 0.038) was found to be significantly higher than that of the healthy controls, but the scores of RBANS (t = −11.302, p < 0.001) and Stroop color-word test (t = −6.962, p < 0.001) were significantly lower than that of the healthy controls. In gender subgroup analysis, females had lower UA level and higher RBANS scores. In correlation analysis, the cognitive function of individuals with BD was found to present a significant negative correlation with UA level in attention (r = −0.23, p = 0.001) and delayed memory(r = −0.16, p = 0.022). LimitationsThis is a cross-sectional design. ConclusionElevated UA levels may be a potential mechanism of cognitive impairment in BD. This provides a new possible strategy for the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment in BD.

“Ten dollars today or 50 dollars after one month?” Temporal discounting in Korsakoff syndrome

ABSTRACT Objective Little research has investigated decision making in patients with Korsakoff syndrome (KS). Specifically, to our knowledge, there is a lack of research investigating whether patients with KS may tend to prefer immediate over future rewards (i.e., temporal discounting). Further, we investigated the relationship between temporal discounting and inhibition. Methods We, for the first time, invited patients with KS and control participants to perform a temporal discounting task, in which they answered questions probing preferences between an immediate, but smaller amount of money, and a delayed, but larger amount of money (e.g., “would you prefer 10 dollars today or 50 dollars after one month?”). Furthermore, inhibition was measured using the Stroop Colour Word Test. Results Analysis demonstrated higher temporal discounting in patients with KS than in control participants. Temporal discounting in both populations was significantly correlated with inhibition. Conclusions Patients with KS may have difficulties to suppress the temptation of smaller, but immediate, rewards.

Social facilitation and bilingual cognitive advantage: Bridging social psychology and psycholinguistics

This study examined the role of social context in the expression of the bilingual cognitive advantage in 145 bilingual university students. All participants mastered Arabic as their native language (L1), but half were highly proficient in French (high L2 group), whereas half were less proficient (low L2 group). A color-word Stroop test with incongruent, congruent and neutral stimuli was administered in single language blocks (Arabic or French words) or in a mixed block (Arabic and French words), either under social presence, or alone. Stroop interference was analyzed to assess the cost of resolving conflict in incongruent trials and was compared across groups and experimental conditions. If bilingualism comes with a cognitive advantage, a reduction of interference in high (vs. low) L2 proficient subjects is to be expected. Analysis revealed that interference was significantly reduced in high L2 group, but only under the single language condition. Furthermore, whereas social context and sex had no main effects, analysis revealed a significant 4-factor interaction between L2 proficiency, linguistic context, social context, and sex. Social presence further reduced interference (social facilitation) in high L2 proficient females, but not in males. Overall, the results suggest that mastering a second language comes with cognitive advantages which adapt dynamically to social and linguistic contexts in a sex-dependent manner. We argue that advancing bilingualism research requires more attention to the social environment.

Altered intrinsic brain activity and cognitive impairment in euthymic, unmedicated individuals with bipolar disorder.

Cognitive impairment in euthymic bipolar disorder (BD) contributes to poor functional outcomes. Resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)may help us understand the neurobiology of cognitive impairment in BD. Here, forty unmedicated euthymic BD patients and thirty-nine healthy controls were recruited, undergoing MRI scans and neuropsychological measures. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and ALFF-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis was employed to explore the potential alterations of neural activity. Voxel-wised correlation was calculated between clinical and cognitive variables and abnormal brain activity. Compared with healthy controls, euthymic BD patients showed worse cognitive performance in Trail Making Test, Digit Span Test, and Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT). The euthymic BD group had significantly lower ALFF in the left medial frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, and left superior frontal gyrus. Furthermore, we found decreased ALFF values in the right middle frontal gyrus that was negatively correlated with cognitive inhibition, (r=-0.43, P=0.015). ALFF-based FC analysis showed that BD group showed significantly decreased FC between the right middle frontal gyrus (seed) and left middle temporal gyrus and left medial frontal gyrus, (Two-tailed, PFWE < 0.05, TFCE corrected). The findings demonstrated that individuals with BD during the euthymic phase exhibited decreased ALFF and hypoconnectivity of key brain areas within the frontoparietal network. These altered spontaneous brain activity in euthymic BD patients may be involved in the pathophysiology mechanism of cognitive deficits.

The relationship between noise-induced hearing loss and cognitive function

Introduction NIHL may affect some domains of cognitive function. This study was conducted to assess the relationship between NIHL and working memory, attention and response time. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional study on 154 textile workers with exposure to noise higher than 85dBA in a textile factory. The participants were divided into two groups: with and without NIHL and some domains of cognitive function were compared between two groups. Wechsler working memory test and Stroop color-word test were used to measure working memory, selective attention and response time. Data were analyzed by SPSS (ver. 24) using student’s T test, and multiple linear regression model. Results Totally, 154 workers entered the study (77 with NIHL and 77 without NIHL). All participants were males. Working memory score and response time were higher and interference score was lower in NIHL group, although only the difference in working memory was significant. Due to the significant difference of age and work history between case and control groups, cognitive parameters were compared between two groups after adjusting for these two variables, but the significance was not changed. Conclusion This study showed that noised-exposed middle-aged males with NIHL had probably a lower working memory span than their counterparts without NIHL.

Beyond physiology: Acute effects of side-alternating whole-body vibration on well-being, flexibility, balance, and cognition using a light and portable platform A randomized controlled trial.

A good body-balance helps to prevent slips, trips and falls. New body-balance interventions must be explored, because effective methods to implement daily training are sparse. The purpose of the current study was to investigate acute effects of side-alternating whole-body vibration (SS-WBV) training on musculoskeletal well-being, flexibility, body balance, and cognition. In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly allocated into a verum (8.5 Hz, SS-WBV, N = 28) or sham (6 Hz, SS-WBV, N = 27) condition. The training consisted of three SS-WBV series that lasted one-minute each with two one-minute breaks in between. During the SS-WBV series, participants stood in the middle of the platform with slightly bent knees. During the breaks in between, participants could loosen up. Flexibility (modified fingertip-to-floor method), balance (modified Star Excursion Balance Test), and cognitive interference (Stroop Color Word Test) were tested before and after the exercise. Also, musculoskeletal well-being, muscle relaxation, sense of flexibility, sense of balance, and surefootedness were assessed in a questionnaire before and after the exercise. Musculoskeletal well-being was significantly increased only after verum. Also, muscle relaxation was significantly higher only after verum. The Flexibility-Test showed significant improvement after both conditions. Accordingly, sense of flexibility was significantly increased after both conditions. The Balance-Test showed significant improvement after verum, and after sham. Accordingly, increased sense of balance was significant after both conditions. However, surefootedness was significantly higher only after verum. The Stroop-Test showed significant improvement only after verum. The current study shows that one SS-WBV training session increases musculoskeletal well-being, flexibility, body balance and cognition. The abundance of improvements on a light and portable platform has great influence on the practicability of training in daily life, aiming to prevent slip trips and falls at work.

Differentiating people with schizophrenia from healthy controls in a developing Country: An evaluation of portable functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) as an adjunct diagnostic tool.

This study aimed to evaluate portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device as an adjunct diagnostic tool in Vietnam to assess hemodynamics when people with schizophrenia and healthy controls performed cognitive tasks. One hundred fifty-seven participants were divided into schizophrenia (n = 110) and healthy controls group (n = 47), which were recruited by match of age, and gender. Hemodynamic responses in the frontal cortex were monitored with a 48-channel portable device during the Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT) and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). General linear model compared the differences in oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) levels between the two groups. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) graph was generated for each neuroanatomical area. People with schizophrenia did not show significant activation in the frontal lobe during the SCWT and VFT as compared to pre-task. During the VFT, the area under the ROC curve of the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral orbitofrontal cortex, bilateral frontopolar prefrontal cortex, and bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal cortex were greater than 0.7 (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the right orbitofrontal cortex was maximal during the VFT (AUC = 0.802, 95%CI = 0.731-0.872). The Youden's index reached a peak (0.57) at the optimal cut-point value (HbO2 cutoff <0.209 μmol/ml for schizophrenia) in which the sensitivity was 85%; specificity was 72%; positive predictive value (PPV) was 0.88; negative predictive value (NPV) was 0.68 and correct classification rate was 76%. Assessing hemodynamics during VFT by portable fNIRS offers the potential as an adjunct diagnostic tool for schizophrenia in developing countries.

Multiple examinations indicated associations between abnormal regional homogeneity and cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between regional neural activity and multiple related indicators in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Forty-two patients and 42 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Pearson/Spearman correlation analyses were applied to examine the associations between abnormal regional homogeneity (ReHo) and different indicators in the patients. Compared with HCs, patients with MDD had increased ReHo in the left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) and decreased ReHo values in the left putamen, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and precentral gyrus. The ReHo of the left putamen was positively correlated with the PR interval, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status 4A, and Discriminant analysis (D), and negatively correlated with Ae (block) and Ae (total) in the patients. The ReHo value of the left ACC was positively correlated with the severity of depression, Stroop Color Word Test of C - 2B + 100 in reaction time, and negatively correlated with Ce (Missay) and Perseverative Responses in the patients. The ReHo of the left ITG was positively correlated with the Neuroticism scores and negatively correlated with the Lie scores in the patients. These results suggested that the decreased ReHo of the salience network might be the underpinning of cognitive impairments in patients with MDD.

The effect of HIIT on body composition, cardiovascular fitness, psychological well-being, and executive function of overweight/obese female young adults.

To evaluate the effect of a short-term HIIT program on the selected health-related parameters for overweight/obese young adult women in a university context. A total of 48 participants were randomly divided into two groups. The exercise group (HIIT) received a HIIT intervention of aerobics for 4 weeks, while the control group (CON) received no training. Body composition including waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BF %), Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), the score of Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Stroop word-color test (SCWT) results were assessed before and after the intervention along with within- and between-group comparisons. All the indices were significantly improved in HIIT group (p < 0.01) after 4 weeks of intervention. No significant changes were found in CON. There were significant differences between HIIT and CON in cardiovascular fitness (p < 0.01), SDS (p < 0.01) and SCWT (p < 0.05) before and after 4 weeks. In addition, weekly measurements of HIIT effects showed significant changes (p < 0.01) from the second week in the variables of body composition, VO2max, SDS and SCWT when compared with the baseline and maintained the tendency till the end of program. The short-term HIIT aerobics of the campus program conducted in a non-lab setting induced significant improvements in body composition, cardiovascular fitness, psychological well-being and executive function in overweight young female adults.

AT1R blocker prevents mental stress induced retrograde blood flow in overweight/obese men.

The main goal was to determine the impact of mental stress (MS) on blood flow regulation in overweight/obese men. Fourteen overweight/obese men (27 ± 7 years; 29.8 ± 2.6kg/m2 ) participated in two randomized experimental sessions with oral administration of the AT1R blocker Olmesartan (40 mg; AT1RB) or placebo (PL). After 2 h, a 5-min acute MS session (Stroop Color Word Test) was administered. Blood flow was assessed at baseline and during the first 3 min of MS by vascular ultrasound in the brachial artery. Blood was collected before (baseline) and during mental stress (MS) for measurement of nitrite (chemiluminescence) and endothelin-1 (ELISA kit). The AT1R blocker was able to reverse the MS responses observed in the placebo session for retrograde flow (p < 0.01), retrograde SR (p < 0.01) and oscillatory shear index (p=0.01). Regarding vasoactive substances, no differences were observed in ET-1 (p > 0.05) responses to MS between experimental sessions. However, for nitrite responses, the administration of the AT1R blocker was able to increase circulating levels of NO (p=0.03) Blockade of AT1R appears to prevent the decrease in endothelial function by reducing low shear stress and maintaining the vasoactive substances balance after MS in overweight/obese men.

Mental stress induces endothelial dysfunction by AT1R-mediated redox imbalance in overweight/obese men

The main goal of this study was to determine whether oxidative imbalance mediated by AT1 receptor (AT1R) is responsible for deleterious endothelial responses to mental stress (MS) in overweight/obese class I men. Fifteen overweight/obese men (27±7 years old; 29.8±2.6 kg/m2) participated in three randomized experimental sessions with oral administration of the AT1R blocker olmesartan (40 mg; AT1R blockade) or ascorbic acid (AA; 3g) infusion or placebo [both intravenously (0.9% NaCl) and orally]. After two hours, endothelial function was determined by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) before (baseline), 30 min (30MS), and 60 min (60MS) after a five-minute acute MS session (Stroop Color Word Test). Blood was collected before (baseline), during MS, and 60 min after MS for redox homeostasis profiling: lipid peroxidation (TBARS; thiobarbituric acid reactive species), protein carbonylation, and catalase activity by colorimetry and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by an ELISA kit. At the placebo session, FMD significantly decreased 30MS (P=0.05). When compared to baseline, TBARS (P<0.02), protein carbonylation (P<0.01), catalase (P<0.01), and SOD (P<0.01) increased during the placebo session. During AT1R blockade, FMD increased 30 min after MS (P=0.01 vs baseline; P<0.01 vs placebo), while AA infusion increased FMD only 60 min after MS. No differences were observed during MS with the AT1R blockade and AA regarding TBARS, protein carbonylation, catalase, and SOD. AT1R-mediated redox imbalances played an important role in endothelial dysfunction to mental stress.

Effect of interactive multitouch game-based cognitive intervention on cognitive function in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

This study investigated the effects of an interactive multitouch game-based cognitive intervention (ICI) on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. Thirty-two older adults (19 women) between 65 and 84 years of age (mean age, 74.47 ± 4.30 years) without a history of neurological disease participated. They were randomized into two groups: intervention and control. The intervention group took part in ICI sessions using HAPPYTABLE® (Spring Soft Co. Ltd, Seoul, Korea) (ICI group), and the control group underwent a traditional paper-and-pencil-based cognitive intervention (TCI group). Both groups completed 10 intervention sessions over four consecutive weeks. Cognitive function was assessed before (pre-intervention) and after (post-intervention) intervention. Executive function was evaluated through the Color-Word Stroop Test (CWST) and Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT). Memory was assessed through the Verbal Learning Test (VLT) and Rey Complex FigureTest (RCFT). The ICI and TCI groups showed significant improvements in some cognitive functions after the intervention. Both groups showed substantial improvements in VLT and RCFT (P < 0.05), reflecting memory function. Regarding the executive role, the ICI group showed significant post-intervention improvements in the conditions of the CWST incongruent (ICI 76.31 ± 23.82; P = 0.004) compared to the pre-intervention scores. ANCOVA with pre-intervention scores and gender as covariates revealed improved results in the ICI group compared with the VLT delayed (ICI 9.18 ± 1.68, TCI 7.56 ± 2.13; P = 0.015) and VLT recognition task (ICI 22.81 ± 1.22, TCI 21.38 ± 1.09; P = 0.035). These findings revealed that both ICI and TCI helped increase cognitive performance in community-dwelling older persons; nevertheless, ICI showed better improvement in memory function than TCI. Thus, the ICI can be used to improve cognitive performance among older adults living in the community.

Red-letter Reading Days: An eye-tracking perspective on Dr Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham

This article examines eye gaze while a multimodal text with vibrant and colourful images is read and furthermore specifically investigates the effect of the Stroop test on eye gaze. The Stroop colour-word test was designed to test the ability of a reader to suppress a habitual response. This particular variation of the test presented readers with words that refer to colour, but are presented in a different colour. Results indicate images are used when unfamiliar objects are referred to and faces and characters attract attention. The use of incongruent colours definitely causes cognitive dissonance and negatively affect reading.

The Effect of Physical Environment Factors on Human Cognitive Performance Through EEG Signals

Human activities that require cognitive performance is doing cognitive computer-based tasks. One of the important cognitive performances in people when doing some active thinking tasks is attention. This study focuses on measuring cognitive performance through cognitive tasks in the form of a Stroop Color Word Test with a neurophysiological approach, namely EEG, related to the effects of physical environment factors: room temperature. The temperature variations that will be studied refer to the concepts of slightly warm, neutral, and slightly cool with 18 °C representing slightly cool, 24 °C representing neutral, and 30 °C representing slightly warm. This study used an experimental design method and was conducted on 12 subjects. This study showed that room temperature treatment had a significant effect on TRT (sig. 0.00), but not on accuracy which it refers to cognitive performance to do the task correctly. To explain of the beta EEG signal, it was found that the highest power spectrum value occurred when the respondent was subjected to room temperature treatment of 24 °C. While in the ERP P3 measurement, it was found that the amplitude (µV) of P3 was best at 24 °C.

Utility of portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in patients with bipolar and unipolar disorders: A comparison with healthy controls

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device as an adjunct diagnostic tool for bipolar and unipolar disorders while performing cognitive tasks. Methods150 participants were divided into three groups including bipolar, unipolar disorder, and healthy controls (50:50:50), matched by age, gender, and family history of mood disorder. Hemodynamics in the frontal cortex were monitored by fNIRS during the Stroop Color-Word Test and Verbal Fluency Test. The GLM compared the differences in oxy-hemoglobin levels between the two groups. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) graph was generated for each neuroanatomical area. ResultsFor people with BD group, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the left orbitofrontal cortex was maximal during the VFT [AUC = 0.727, 95%CI = 0.617–0.824]. The Youden's index reached a peak (0.40) at the optimal cut-point value (HbO2 cutoff <0.180 μmol/ml for BD) in which the sensitivity was 82 %; specificity was 58 %; PPV was 0.66; NPV was 0.76 and correct classification rate was 70 %. Regarding the UD group, during VFT, the highest value AUC [AUC = 0.822, 95%CI = 0.740–0.903] was recorded in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with the optimal cut-off value (HbO2cutoff ≥0.163 μmol/ml for healthy controls; <0.163 for unipolar disorder), the sensitivity was 72 %; specificity was 82 %; PPV was 0.80; NPV was 0.75, correct classification rate was 77 %, and the Youden's index was 0.54. ConclusionAssessing hemodynamics during VFT using portable fNIRS offers the potential as an adjunct diagnostic tool for mood disorders in low-resource environments.

Effect of the Interactive Multitouch Game-based Cognitive Remediation on Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Elderly

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To investigate effect of the interactive multitouch game-based cognitive remediation (ICR) on cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly. <h3>Design</h3> Randomized controlled trial. <h3>Setting</h3> Clinical experimental study. <h3>Participants</h3> Thirty-two healthy adults (19 females; mean aged 74.47±4.30 years) who were aged between 65 to 84 years without history of neurological diseases. <h3>Interventions</h3> All participants were randomized into two groups; intervention and control. The intervention group received ICR sessions using Happy Table® (Spring Soft Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea), while the control group received traditional paper-and-pencil-based cognitive remediation (TCR). Both groups had ten 40-minute intervention sessions for four weeks. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Executive function was assessed by the Color-word Stroop Test (CWST), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), GO no GO and Trail Making Test (TMT). Memory was assessed by the Verbal Learning Test (VLT) and Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT). The assessments were done before and after the intervention. <h3>Results</h3> Both cognitive remediation methods showed significant improvements in within-group analysis. For executive functions, the ICR showed significant improvements in CSWT incongruent, COWAT phonemic (P < 0.05). The TCR group showed improvements in GO no GO and TMT (P < 0.05). For memory function, both groups showed significant improvements in VLT and RCFT (P < 0.05). In between group comparisons, the ICR group showed better improvements in VLT (delayed and recognition) and RCFT (recognition) than TCR group (P < 0.05, pre-intervention value as a covariate). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Both ICR and TCR were effective in enhancing executive and memory functions. However, the ICR showed better outcome especially for the long-term memory function. The ICR can be used for the purpose of improving memory and executive functions for community-dwelling elderly. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> 1. Department of Medical Device Management & Research, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, SAIHST, Seoul, Republic of Korea 2. Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Prevention and Rehabilitation, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea 3. Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Department of Digital Health, Sungkyunkwan University, SAIHST, Seoul, Republic of Korea

초등학생들의 스포츠리듬트레이닝이 스트룹 인지기능 및 뇌 기능 지수에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sports rhythm training program on the STROOP cognitive function and brain function quotient of elementary school students, and to suggest the effectiveness of cognitive function and brain health through physical activities of child and adolescents. The subjects of this study were 30 male elementary school students, and 15 exercise group and 15 control group participated in sports rhythm training regularly for 12 weeks and 3 days a week. The sports rhythm training program consisted of preparation exercise, main exercise, and arrangement exercise. The cognitive function of the items was measured by the STROOP word test, STROOP color test, and STROOP color-word test. The brain function index was measured and evaluated by the basic rhythm quotient, self-regulation quotient, attention quotient, activation quotient, emotional quotient, anti-stress resistance quotient, left, right brain correlation quotient, and brain quotient. The results of this study showed that the main effect (p.001) and interaction effect (p.001) were shown in the STROOP word examination, STROOP color test, and STROOP color-word test after participating in the sports rhythm training program for 12 weeks. In brain function quotient, main effect(p.001) and interaction effect(p.001) were shown in basic rhythm quotient, self-regulation quotient, attention quotient, activation index, emotion quotient, anti-stress resistance quotient, left and right brain correlation quotient, brain quotient. In conclusion, elementary school students who participated in the sports rhythm training program applied to this study showed significant effects on STROOP cognitive function and brain function. Therefore, it is expected that the sports rhythm training program will contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of adolescents when applied to the growth development program of child and elementary school students.

Alternations of vitamin D and cognitive function in first-diagnosed and drug-naïve BD patients: Physical activity as a moderator

BackgroundThe pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive impairments of bipolar disorder (BD) has not yet been completely revealed. It is well known that Vitamin D and physical activity (PA) are associated with BD. However, specific links between Vitamin D and cognitive deficits in BD are still unclear. MethodThe serum levels of vitamin D were measured. The cognitive performances of 102 first-diagnosed and drug-naïve BD patients were evaluated for analysis. The repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) and the Stroop Color-Word test was used in this study. PA was collected by international physical activity questionnaire. ResultPatients with BD had high levels of serum vitamin D. Furthermore, immediate and delayed memory was negatively associated with vitamin D levels in patients' group. The serum levels of vitamin D in patients with low PA were positively associated with memory. However, increased PA attenuated the protective effect of vitamin D on executive cognition. ConclusionIt is concluded that the increased levels of vitamin D were observed in the serum of patients with BD. Thus, it is found that more PA is less beneficial to cognition of patients with BD than longer resting.

CCRT and aerobic exercise: a randomised controlled study of processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and serum BDNF expression in schizophrenia

Computerised cognitive remediation therapy (CCRT) and aerobic exercise are often used to rehabilitate social functioning in patients with schizophrenia. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the effects of CCRT combined with aerobic exercise on cognitive function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with schizophrenia and cognitive impairment. Ninety-six patients with schizophrenia and cognitive impairment were included in this study and randomly divided into control, aerobic exercise (AE), and CCRT combined with aerobic exercise (CAE) groups. Changes in processing speed and cognitive flexibility at week 8 were evaluated as primary and secondary cognitive outcomes using the Trail Making Test: Part A, the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia: Symbol Coding Test, and the Stroop Colour-Word Test. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores and serum BDNF expression were determined as other secondary outcomes. The CAE group showed significantly better performance in terms of changes in processing speed and cognitive flexibility than the control and AE groups at week 8 (p < 0.05); however, no significant improvements in processing speed and cognitive flexibility were found between the control and AE groups. The CAE group showed significant improvements in the PANSS negative symptoms than the control group at week 8 (p < 0.05), but the AE group showed no significant difference in the changes of PANSS negative symptoms when compared with the other two groups. The CAE group and AE group showed a greater increase in serum BDNF levels than the control group (p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in serum BDNF expression between the CAE group and AE group. In conclusion, 8-week CCRT combined with aerobic exercise may improve some cognitive performance and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Aerobic exercise may have an immediate effect on serum BDNF levels rather than cognitive function.