Stroop Task Research Articles

Temporal dynamics of depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in the oldest old: dynamic time warp analysis of the Leiden 85-plus study.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms and cognitive decline increases with age. We investigated their temporal dynamics in individuals aged 85 and older across a 5-year follow-up period. Participants were selected from the Leiden 85-plus study and were eligible if at least three follow-up measurements were available (325 of 599 participants). Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and at yearly assessments during a follow-up period of up to 5years, using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Cognitive decline was measured through various tests, including the Mini Mental State Exam, Stroop test, Letter Digit Coding test and immediate and delayed recall. A novel method, dynamic time warping analysis, was employed to model their temporal dynamics within individuals, in undirected and directed time-lag analyses, to ascertain whether depressive symptoms precede cognitive decline in group-level aggregated results or vice versa. The 325 participants were all 85years of age at baseline; 68% were female, and 45% received intermediate to higher education. Depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning significantly covaried in time, and directed analyses showed that depressive symptoms preceded most of the constituents of cognitive impairment in the oldest old. Of the GDS-15 symptoms, those with the strongest outstrength, indicating changes in these symptoms preceded subsequent changes in other symptoms, were worthlessness, hopelessness, low happiness, dropping activities/interests, and low satisfaction with life (all P's < 0.01). Depressive symptoms preceded cognitive impairment in a population based sample of the oldest old.

Awake Craniotomy for Astrocytoma in the Left Frontal Lobe Using Augmented Reality Superimposing Tumor and White Matter Tracts: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Augmented reality (AR) is expected to serve as an assistive intraoperative technology in neurosurgery.1 Awake craniotomy (AC) for gliomas benefits the extent of resection, survival, and postoperative neurofunctional outcomes.2 In AC, it is critical to understand the cortical and subcortical anatomy.3 We describe the use of AR superimposing tumor and deep white matter tracts in AC. A 29-year-old right-handed woman presented to a local hospital after an episode of generalized convulsions. MRI of the head revealed a widely spreading tumor in the left middle frontal gyrus. After a left frontal craniotomy while the patient was asleep, AR was used to indicate the tumor boundary with subcortical fibers including the corticospinal tract, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and cingulate fasciculus. We performed AR-assisted removal of the tumor on the surface of the middle frontal gyrus. On subcortical stimulation (SCS) of the frontal aslant tract and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, the patient stopped naming objects in the picture-naming test, while SCS of the left cingulate gyrus caused the patient to mistake colors in the Stroop test. The subcortical fibers identified by AR coincided with the sites of symptom elicitation by SCS. We eventually removed a large part of the tumor. Postoperative MRI confirmed 96.2% resection. The patient was discharged without any new neurological deficits. AC with AR is useful for resection of gliomas in the dominant hemisphere. The patient consented to the procedure and to the publication of her image. The ethics committee of our hospital does not require approval for case reports.

Alpha/Theta Neurofeedback Rehabilitation for Improving Attention and Working Memory in Female Students with Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities (LDs) encompass a range of cognitive challenges that can significantly influence students' educational experiences and overall academic performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of alpha/theta neurofeedback rehabilitation on attention and working memory in female students with learning disabilities. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-tests, post-tests, and a two-month follow-up and included a control group. Convenience sampling was used to select 40 female students with learning disabilities referred to psychological clinics in Tehran during the 2020-2021 academic year. The participants were randomly assigned to the neurofeedback experimental group (n = 20) or the control group (n = 20). Three students from each group withdrew from the study, leaving 17 participants for the final analysis. Attention and working memory were assessed using the n-back task, Stroop test, and Reverse Stroop test. Data analysis involved mixed repeated ANOVA, independent t-tests, and chi-square tests. The findings revealed that alpha/theta neurofeedback rehabilitation improved all aspects of working memory and attention in female students with learning disabilities during the specified period. These improvements remained consistent during the two-month follow-up (p &lt; 0.001). This study demonstrated that alpha/theta neurofeedback rehabilitation can potentially enhance the attention and working memory of female students with learning disabilities.

Long-Term Depressive Symptom Trajectories and Midlife Cognition: The CARDIA Study.

The nature of associations between depressive symptoms and cognition early in the life course remains unclear, and racial differences in these associations are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between trajectories of depressive symptom over 20 years, beginning in young adulthood, and cognitive functions in middle-age among Black and White adults. We used prospective data from participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study. Depressive symptoms were measured at 5 study visits between 1990 and 2010 using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. We used latent class group-based modeling to identify 4 trajectories: "persistently low," "persistently medium," "medium decreasing," and "high increasing" depressive symptoms. In 2015, cognitive function was measured using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Stroop test (reverse coded), and Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT).We excluded participants who missed the cognitive battery or had no depressive symptoms measurements, resulting in a total of 3,117 participants. All cognitive tests were standardized, and linear regression was used to relate depressive trajectories with 2015 cognitive functions. The mean [SD] baseline age was 30.1 [3.6] years, and 57% were female. The associations between depressive symptoms and cognition significantly differed by race (p < 0.05). Among Black individuals, compared with having "persistently low," having "medium decreasing," "persistently medium," or "high increasing" depressive symptoms were associated with worse verbal memory, processing speed, and executive function scores (RAVLT persistently medium vs low: β = -0.30, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.12; and high increasing vs low: β = -0.49, 95% CI -0.70 to -0.27; DSST persistently medium vs low: β = -0.28, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.09; and high increasing vs low: β = -0.64, 95% CI -0.87 to -0.42; Stroop persistently medium vs low: β = -0.46, 95% CI -0.70 to -0.23; and high increasing vs low: β = -0.76, 95% CI -1.04 to -0.47). Associations were slightly weaker among White individuals, but we still found that having 'high increasing' depressive symptoms was associated with worse verbal memory and processing speed scores (high increasing vs low: β = -0.38, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.15; and β = -0.40, 95% CI -0.63 to -0.18, respectively). Prolonged exposure to elevated depressive symptoms beginning in young adulthood may result in worse cognitive function over midlife. This association was stronger among Black adults.

Aquatic Cognitive–Motor Exercise for Cognition, Balance, and Functional Mobility in Older Adults

ABSTRACT Introduction Cognitive declines and mobility challenges in older adults often hinder exercise, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. Addressing both cognitive and physical health is crucial for enhancing overall well-being in older adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of aquatic cognitive–motor exercise on cognition, balance, and functional mobility in older adults. Methods This pilot randomized controlled study included 25 participants from two retirement communities who were randomly assigned to a control (n = 12, 81 ± 8 yr old) or aquatic exercise group (n = 13, 83 ± 7 yr old). The aquatic exercise group received 45 min of moderate-intensity cognitive–motor exercise three times per week for 8 wk. The control group received one fall prevention education class. Results The session attendance rate for the aquatic exercise program was 95%. Between-group comparisons showed that 8 wk of aquatic exercise improved various measures of cognition with a medium effect size, as assessed by the Stroop Color and Word Test (∆ 2.8, d = 0.51) and the Trail Making Test part B (∆ −19.2 s, d = −0.59). Gait speeds while walking forward (∆ 0.04 m·s−1, d = 0.43) and counting backward by serial 7s (∆ 0.05 m·s−1, d = 0.43) were improved with a small effect size in the aquatic exercise intervention. This change was recognized as a clinically meaningful improvement in older adults. The aquatic intervention group had a medium to large effect size improvement in speed with the Four Square Step Test (∆ −0.6 s, d = −0.42), Timed Up and Go test (∆ −1.1 s, d = −0.50), and Timed Up and Go cognitive test (∆ −1.0 s, d = −0.56), whereas only negligible to small changes were noted with single-leg balance measures. Conclusions The aquatic cognitive–motor exercise program is feasible and enhanced cognition and functional mobility in older adults.

Effects of electroacupuncture on cognitive symptoms in major depressive disorder: a pilot study and randomized controlled trial

Objectives To investigate the impact of electroacupuncture on cognitive function, quality of life (QoL), and depression severity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods This double-blinded randomized controlled trial included 60 participants aged 18-55 with cognitive symptoms related to MDD at Thammasat University Hospital. Participants were divided into two groups: the electroacupuncture group combined with standard antidepressant treatment (EG; n=30) and the control group receiving standard care with placebo acupuncture (CG; n=30). The study assessed 1) executive functions using the Trail making test- B and Stroop Color and Word Test, 2) delayed recall, and 3) subjective cognitive complaint and Quality of life (QoL) using WHODAS 2.0. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Thai version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Baseline and post-intervention assessments were conducted over 10 weeks. Mann-Whitney U test analyzed treatment effects by comparing median differences between groups. Results Both groups exhibited similar demographics and cognitive traits. Cognitive improvement was observed in both groups at the endpoint. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed significantly higher median scores for subjective cognitive complaints in the EG compared to the CG (EG: Median = 5.5, CG: Median = 0.0, p=0.049). No serious side effects were identified from either electroacupuncture or placebo acupuncture. Conclusions Electroacupuncture improved subjective complaints in MDD patients with cognitive symptoms, but did not show effects on specific cognitive functions, QoL, or depressive symptoms. This study provides initial evidence supporting the potential of electroacupuncture in MDD patients with cognitive symptoms, suggesting opportunities for further research. Trial registration NCT06239740, February 2, 2024, ClinicalTrials.gov.

Additive effects of depression and obesity on neural correlates of inhibitory control

BackgroundDepression and obesity are associated with impaired inhibitory control. Behavioral evidence indicates an exacerbating additive effect when both conditions co-occur. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. Moreover, systemic inflammation affects neurocognitive performance in both individuals with depression and obesity. Here, we investigate additive effects of depression and obesity on neural correlates of inhibitory control, and examine inflammation as a connecting pathway. MethodsWe assessed inhibitory control processing in 64 individuals with obesity and varying degrees of depressed mood by probing neural activation and connectivity during an fMRI Stroop task. Additionally, we explored associations of altered neural responses with individual differences in systemic inflammation. Data were collected as part of the BARICO (Bariatric surgery Rijnstate and Radboudumc neuroimaging and Cognition in Obesity) study. ResultsConcurrent depression and obesity were linked to increased functional connectivity between the supplementary motor area and precuneus and between the inferior occipital and inferior parietal gyrus. Exploratory analysis revealed that circulating inflammation markers, including plasma leptin, IL-6, IL-8, and CCL-3 correlated with the additive effect of depression and obesity on altered functional connectivity. LimitationsThe observational design limits causal inferences. Future research employing longitudinal or intervention designs is required to validate these findings and elucidate causal pathways. ConclusionThese findings suggest increased neural crosstalk underlying impaired inhibitory control in individuals with concurrent obesity and depressed mood. Our results support a model of an additive detrimental effect of concurrent depression and obesity on neurocognitive functioning, with a possible role of inflammation.

Biomarkers of attention bias during public speaking anxiety

The analysis of brain signals and their properties yields significant insights into the fundamental neural impairments associated with attention bias in individuals suffering from public speaking anxiety (PSA). This study aims to identify electroencephalogram (EEG) and performance biomarkers of attention bias in individuals with public speaking anxiety using the ex-Gaussian modeling technique, frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) and delta-beta correlation (DBC). 12 subjects with high (H) PSA and 12 subjects with low (L) PSA performed the modified emotional stroop task. EEG data were captured using the low-cost 14-channel emotiv Epoc+. Results showed that the ex-Gaussian sigma was higher in the emotional condition in the high public speaking anxiety (HPSA) group, indicating attention bias. The study also found higher right FAA in HPSA compared to LPSA group. There was a negative correlation between σ and alpha power in the left region of the brain in the HPSA group, potentially related to attentional bias. Moreover, there was a notable trend towards significantly heightened DBC in the frontal and central regions of the brain among HPSA subjects. In conclusion, in biomedical engineering, the ex-Gaussian model, FAA and DBC are useful because they can identify EEG and performance biomarkers of attention bias in people with PSA.

Comparing the Stroop Test Scores Between Older Adults With and Without Sleep Problems in Maragheh, Iran

Comparing the Stroop Test Scores Between Older Adults With and Without Sleep Problems in Maragheh, Iran

Changes of attentional bias in patients with alcohol use disorder during abstinence: A longitudinal study

BackgroundAlcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is linked to an attentional bias towards alcohol-related cues (e.g. images, smells), which acquire incentive properties and promote continued consumption. MethodWe investigated how the general and alcohol attentional bias evolved longitudinally in AUD patients along two periods of abstinence: t = 0 (baseline, 1–3 months of abstinence) and t = 1 (follow-up; 6 months of abstinence), as well as their relationship with alcohol-related variables. General and alcohol-specific attentional bias were evaluated by the Classic and the Alcohol Stroop tests (neutral and alcohol conditions) in abstinent AUD patients and controls. ResultsAt t = 0, the AUD group exhibited both general and alcohol-specific attentional biases, with greater effect in the general bias. At t = 1, alcohol-specific attentional bias decreased specifically in the AUD group and reached control levels (with interference index levels increasing from 1-3 months to 6 months). However, general attentional bias showed a trend toward improvement but it did not significantly change through abstinence process (linear mixed models, controlling for age, BMI, sex and education). ConclusionsIn AUD patients, general and alcohol attentional biases exhibit different trajectories during abstinence, with the attentional bias toward alcohol improving significantly throughout this process whereas general attentional bias is maintained.

Cognitive interference of respiratory versus limb muscle dual tasking in healthy adults.

Inspiratory threshold loading (ITL) and associated dyspnoea have been shown to interfere with cognition during cognitive-motor dual tasking. However, ITL has not been compared with another rhythmic muscle activity, such as lower limb pedalling. While ITL has been shown to interfere with cognition, the mechanism of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during ITL or other rhythmical muscle dual tasking, has not been elucidated. Given the cognitive interference that arises during ITL, we hypothesise that ITL cognitive-motor dual tasking will result in greater cognitive decrements and increased PFC activity compared with the pedalling cognitive-motor dual task. 30 healthy participants (16 females; median age 23 (interquartile range 23-24) years) were recruited. They performed five 3-min tasks in a single visit in a random order: single tasks were ITL, pedalling and Stroop task and dual tasks were ITL-Stroop and pedalling-Stroop. Participant's PFC activity was assessed bilaterally using functional near-infrared spectroscopy throughout each task. Single- and dual-task cognitive performance was evaluated by measuring Stroop task reaction time and accuracy. Dyspnoea and rating of perceived exertion were evaluated at the end of each task. ITL-Stroop resulted in greater impairments in reaction time (p<0.001), accuracy (p<0.01) and increased medial/dorsolateral PFC activity (p≤0.006) than pedalling-Stroop. ITL-Stroop elicited greater Borg dyspnoea and rating of perceived exertion than pedalling-Stroop (p<0.001), despite pedalling-Stroop having a greater heart rate response (p<0.001). The heightened cognitive decrements, perceptual response and PFC activity suggest that inspiratory muscle loading and its accompanied dyspnoea results in greater cognitive interference than rhythmic pedalling.

Impact of repetitive home-based galvanic vestibular stimulation on cognitive skills in healthy older adults

The human vestibular system is adversely affected by the aging process. Recent evidence indicates that vestibular information and cognitive functions are related, suggesting that age-related vestibular loss may contribute to cognitive impairment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of repetitive, home-based galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on cognitive functions in healthy older adults. Twenty-one participants (age = 64.66 ± 2.97 years, 12 females) were randomly allocated to either a home-based GVS or an active control group. The GVS intervention lasted 20 min per session, five times a week, for two weeks (10 sessions). Cognitive functions were assessed before and after the intervention using the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test A&B, and Dual-Task (digit recall and paper-pencil tracking test). Our findings revealed a significant group-by-time interaction effect for the tracking accuracy (F(1,18) = 7.713, p = 0.012, η p2 = 0.30), with only the home-based GVS group showing significant improvement (t = −2.544, p = 0.029). The proposed home-based GVS protocol offers a promising non-pharmacological avenue for enhancing visuospatial ability in healthy older adults. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of different GVS protocols on various cognitive functions, particularly in older individuals with different health conditions.

Implicit measures of suicide vulnerability: Investigating suicide-related information-processing biases and a deficit in behavioral impulse control in a high-risk sample and healthy controls

ObjectiveRelevant implicit markers of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) have only been studied in isolation with mixed evidence. This is the first study that investigated a suicide attentional bias, a death-identity bias and a deficit in behavioral impulsivity in a high-risk sample and healthy controls. MethodWe administered the Death Implicit Association Test, the Modified Suicide Stroop Task, and a Go/No-Go Task to inpatient suicide ideators (n = 42), suicide attempters (n = 40), and community controls (n = 61). ResultsSuicide ideators and attempters showed a suicide attentional bias and a death-identity bias compared to healthy controls. Ideators and attempters did not differ in these implicit information-processing biases. Notably, only attempters were more behaviorally impulsive compared to controls; however, ideators and attempters did not significantly differ in behavioral impulsivity. Moreover, implicit scores were positively intercorrelated in the total sample. ConclusionIn line with the Cognitive Model of Suicide, ideators and attempters display suicide-related information processing biases, which can be considered as implicit cognitive markers of suicide vulnerability. Furthermore, attempters have elevated levels of behavioral impulsiveness. These results are highly relevant in the context of crisis intervention strategies and warrant further research.

Proactive reward in conflict tasks: Does it only enhance general performance or also modulate conflict effects?

In the present study, we investigated the influence of performance-contingent reward prospects on task performance across three visual conflict tasks with manual responses (Experiments 1 & 2: Simon and Stroop tasks; Experiment 3: Simon and Eriksen flanker task) using block-wise (Experiment 1) and trial-wise (Experiments 2 & 3) manipulations to signal the possibility of reward. Across all experiments, task performance (in reaction time and/or error rates) generally improved in reward compared with no-reward conditions in each conflict task. However, there was, if any, little evidence that the reward manipulation modulated the size of the mean conflict effects, and there was also no evidence for conflict-specific effects of reward when controlling for time-varying fluctuations in conflict processing via distributional analyses (delta plots). Thus, the results provide no evidence for conflict-specific accounts and instead favor performance-general accounts, where reward anticipation leads to overall performance improvements without affecting conflict effects. We discuss possible implications for how proactive control might modulate the interplay between target- and distractor-processing in conflict tasks.

Neurocognitive effects and electrophysiological findings in ADHD and self-limiting centrotemporal spike wave epilepsy (SeLECTS) − A prospective tertiary care study

ObjectiveThe study aimed to determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients with self-limiting epilepsy with centrotemporal spike wave (SeLECTS), as well as the electroclinical features associated with this comorbid condition and the neurocognitive effects using psychometric tests. Additionally, we analysed the electrophysiological findings and neurocognitive status of patients with ADHD to estimate the prevalence of epilepsy and neurocognitive effects in the ADHD population and evaluate their clinical features. MethodThe study included patients diagnosed with SeLECTS and ADHD who were matched for age and gender. Electrophysiological tests, psychometric tests, demographic and clinical characteristics of SeLECTS patients aged 7–13 years and ADHD patients of similar age were analysed. The study examined electrophysiological and psychometric tests, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics. Both groups underwent testing using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R), Stroop Colour and Word Test (SCWT), and EEG (Electroencephalogram). The SeLECTS group also underwent the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test. ResultsNo significant relationship was found between the SeLECTS and ADHD groups in terms of age and gender. The rate of epileptiform discharge in EEG findings without a diagnosis of epilepsy was 5.6 % (n = 2) in the ADHD group. The rate of ADHD in the SeLECTS group was 28 % (n = 11).Although all subsections of the WISCR test were higher in the ADHD patient group than in the SeLECTS patient group, only verbal IQ and total IQ showed a significant difference. No significant differences were found between the completion times, error rates, and correction averages of the SCWT sections in both groups.There was no significant correlation found between the performance IQ, verbal IQ, and total intelligence scores in either the isolated SeLECTS patient group or the SeLECTS + ADHD patient group (p > 0.05). However, it is worth noting that verbal IQ was below normal in both groups and slightly lower in the SeLECT + ADHD group. Additionally, the mean SCWT completion time was significantly longer in the SeLECT + ADHD group than in the isolated SeLECTS group. However, no significant difference was found in the Bender Gestalt Visual Motor Perception Test.In the psychometric analyses comparing the isolated SeLECTS, SeLECT + ADHD, and ADHD patient groups, the SCWT completion times were significantly longer in the SeLECT + ADHD group than in the other two groups. The verbal IQ score was significantly higher in the ADHD group than in the other two groups. ConclusionIn conclusion, although SeLECTS is commonly considered a benign form of epilepsy, our study found a high rate of comorbidity with ADHD. This condition has a negative impact on verbal intelligence and sustained attention, highlighting the importance of a complete neuropsychological evaluation at the stage of epilepsy diagnosis. It is crucial not to overlook the possibility of an ADHD diagnosis.

Comparing Correlates of Quality of Life in Borderline and Average Intellectual Functioning

Background: Borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) is associated with deficits in cognitive functions and effective communication or interpersonal skills, impacting socio-occupational functioning in adulthood. Aims: The current study compared individuals with BIF and average intellectual functioning (AIF) on executive functioning, emotion dysregulation, and interpersonal communication competence in relation to the quality of life. Settings and Design: The data were collected via a face-to-face interview conducted in the tertiary care hospital in an urban locality. A cross-sectional and comparative matched-group research design using purposive sampling was used. Materials and Methods: An estimated sample size of 80 was split into BIF and AIF groups. The participants were recruited as per the defined criteria. The measures used were Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices, General Health Questionnaire, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Stroop Test (ST), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale (ICCS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life- Brief (Qol). Statistical Analysis: The differences, between BIF and AIF groups as well as males and females within each group, on measures, namely, ST, DERS, ICCS, and QoL were compared using the independent t-test. Further, the relationship among the measures was examined using Pearson correlation and regression analysis. Results: Independent t-test analysis revealed significant differences between groups on execution functioning (t = 11.83, P = 0.000), all domains of emotional dysregulation (P &lt; 0.000), and many domains of interpersonal communication, and quality of life (P &lt; 0.000). Significant correlations were found between domains of DERS and ICCS, DERS and QOL; ICCS and QOL. Conclusions: Emotional dysregulation predicted physical and psychological health and the environment, while interpersonal communication predicted social relations.

Effects of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training on Anxiety Reduction and Brain Activity: a Randomized Active-Controlled Study Using EEG.

Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBF) is a promising anxiety-reducing intervention that increases vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) through slow-paced breathing and feedback of heart rhythm. Several studies have reported the anxiety-reducing effects of HRVBF; however, some studies have reported such training as ineffective. Furthermore, the effects of training and underlying brain activity changes remain unclear. This study examined the anxiety-reducing effects of HRVBF training and related brain activity changes by randomly assigning participants, employing an active control group, and measuring anxiety-related attentional bias using the emotional Stroop task and electroencephalography (EEG). Fifty-five healthy students with anxiety were randomly assigned to the HRVBF or control groups, and 21 in the HRVBF group and 19 in the control group were included in the analysis. Both groups performed 10 training sessions of 20min each within 3 weeks. They were assessed using resting vmHRV, event-related potential (ERP), time-frequency EEG, attentional bias, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-JYZ (STAI-JYZ) before and after training. The results demonstrated increased resting vmHRV in the HRVBF group compared to the control group after training. However, no differences were observed in ERP, time-frequency EEG, attentional bias, and STAI-JYZ. Participants with higher pre-training resting vmHRV achieved higher heart rhythm coherence in HRVBF training and had reduced attentional bias. This study suggests that individuals with higher resting vmHRV are more likely to be proficient in HRVBF training and benefit from its anxiety-reducing effects. The findings contribute to participant selection to benefit from HRVBF training and modification of the training protocols for non-responders.Clinical trial registrationOrganization: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), JapanRegistration number: UMIN000047096Registration date: March 6, 2022.

Investigation of Siblings of Patients Diagnosed with Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder in terms of Cognitive Functions and Clinical High-Risk State for Psychosis

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of familial predisposition on substance-induced psychosis among healthy siblings of patients diagnosed with substance-induced psychotic disorder, who themselves lack any family history of psychotic disorders. Additionally, the study aimed to explore clinical high-risk states for psychosis, schizotypal features, and neurocognitive functions in comparison to a healthy control group. Method: The study compared healthy siblings of 41 patients diagnosed with substance-induced psychotic disorder with 41 healthy volunteers without a family history of psychotic disorders, matching age, gender, and education. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of participants were obtained using data collection forms. The Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS) and the Structured Interview for Schizotypy-Revised Form (SIS-R) scales were utilized to assess clinical high risk for psychosis. Neurocognitive functions were evaluated with digit span test (DST), trail making test part A-B (TMT), verbal fluency test (VFT), and Stroop test (ST). Results: Analysis using the CAARMS scale revealed that 39% of siblings and 7.3% of the control group were at clinically high risk for psychosis, indicating a significant difference in rates of psychotic vulnerability. Comparison between siblings and the control group showed significant differences in mean SIS-R subscale scores, including social behavior, hypersensitivity, referential thinking, suspiciousness, illusions, and overall oddness, as well as in mean neurocognitive function scores, including errors in TMT-A, TMT-B, and VFT out-of-category errors, with siblings exhibiting poorer performance. Conclusion: Our study suggests that healthy siblings of patients with substance-induced psychosis exhibit more schizotypal features and have a higher risk of developing psychosis compared to healthy controls. Additionally, siblings demonstrate greater impairment in attention, response inhibition, and executive functions compared to healthy controls, indicating the potential role of genetic predisposition in the development of substance-induced psychotic disorder.

Psycholinguistics Study on the Interplay of Bilingualism on Selected Cognitive Functions Based on Threshold Hypotheses among Saudi International School Students

This study investigates the threshold hypothesis in Saudi international school students. While this hypothesis has been extensively researched in the West, its application in Arabic-speaking regions, particularly Saudi Arabia, remains unexplored. This paper compares the executive function (metalinguistic awareness, inhibitory control, attentional control, and working memory) differences between the three levels of bilinguals (balanced, dominant, and semi) in male secondary school students in Saudi Arabia. Participants took language tests (TOEFL for English, GCSE for Arabic) and four cognitive tasks (grammatical judgment task, Stroop Task, semantic and phonemic fluency task, and Backward-digit-recall task). A quantitative causal-comparative analysis concluded that there was no significant difference between the performance of balanced, dominant, and semi-bilinguals on executive function tasks, except for the phonemic task. However, the study showed that semi-bilinguals performed poorly in all cognitive tasks. Thus, balanced and dominant bilinguals perform equally in inhibitory control, mental flexibility, and metalinguistic and semantic tasks.

Electroacupuncture improves vascular cognitive impairment no dementia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BackgroundElectroacupuncture (EA) could represent a clinically effective treatment strategy for patients with vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND). This randomized trial aims to explore the underlying mechanism of EA in VCIND patients through cognitive function assessment and neuroimaging assessment. Methods140 eligible patients with VCIND were recruited and randomly divided into EA group (n = 70) and Control group (n = 70). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), the Stroop color-naming task (STROOP), and the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging assessment. The EA group received treatment for 30 min/day, 5 times/week, for 8 weeks. ResultsEA intervention could increase the MoCA score and improve the neutral and consistency response of the STROOP test in VCIND patients (P < 0.05). fMRI functional connectivity analysis showed that, after EA, the default mode network (DMN) function of the posterior cingulate gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left anterior cingulate gyrus, left and right superior temporal gyrus, right insula, left precentral gyrus and other brain regions were significantly higher than that in the control group. The functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate gyrus-left middle frontal gyrus and the posterior cingulate gyrus-right superior temporal gyrus was positively correlated with cognitive function (P < 0.05). Gray Matter Volume increased in VCIND after EA(P < 0.05). ConclusionsEA can increase the functional connectivity between posterior cingulate gyrus-other gyri in VCIND patients. The functional connectivity is positively correlated with cognitive function.