Fluency Test Research Articles

Association between whole egg consumption and cognitive function in older adults: Birjand longitudinal aging study

OBJECTIVE: Egg consumption could reduce the chance of cognitive decline. We aimed to assess this possible protective effect using data from the Birjand longitudinal aging study (BLAS). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the association between number of whole eggs consumed per week and cognitive impairment was assessed on 1352 participants in the context of the first wave of BLAS conducted on September 2018 to April 2019. Six Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and abbreviated mental test (AMT) questionnaires were used to assess the cognitive function. Analyses have been conducted using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Participants ate an average of 2.4 eggs per week. Older adults with moderate and high egg consumption (2–3 eggs/week and ≥4 eggs/week, respectively) performed better at 6-CIT (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.46; 0.80; and 0.58, 95% CI: 0.41; 0.82), AMT (0.67, 95% CI: 0.52; 0.87; and 0.56, 95% CI: 0.39; 0.80) and all 4 cognitive tests combined (0.47, 95% CI: 0.30; 0.73; and 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24; 0.78). VFT was not associated, and MMSE score was only associated with high egg intake (0.53, 95% CI: 0.38; 0.74). High egg intake was more protective of cognitive decline (≥40%) than the moderate intake (30–40%). The significance of most associations disappeared after adjustment for confounders and covariates. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the findings of this study suggest a potential inverse relationship, displaying an ascending trend, between weekly egg consumption and cognitive function among elderly Iranians.

Exploring the Effect of Single-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Attention, Verbal Fluency, and Working Memory in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementia.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among the elderly. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applies low-intensity currents to the brain, resulting in short-term neurocognitive effects and long-term neuroplasticity enhancement. Limited research reported on the impact of tDCS on cognitive functions in dementia due to AD. This study aims to compare changes in verbal fluency and working memory following a single tDCS application to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in AD patients. Patients with mild dementia due to AD underwent cognitive assessment using the Standardized Mini-Mental Test, Clock Drawing Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Functional Activities Questionnaire, Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. A single-session tDCS was administered by applying anodal tDCS to the left DLPFC for a duration of 30 minutes. Verbal fluency and working memory were evaluated before and after tDCS using the WAIS-R Digit Span Test forward and backward subscales, Trail Making Test (TMT) A and B, and Verbal Fluency Test. Regarding cognitive test scores before and after tDCS application, there were statistically significant reductions in the durations of TMT-A and TMT-B. However, there were no significant differences observed for TMT B-A, VFT, DST-forward, and DST-backward performances. The findings indicate that a single anodal tDCS targeting the left DLPFC enhances attention and processing speed in AD patients but has no effect on working memory or verbal fluency.

Quantitative assessments of white matter hyperintensities and plasma biomarkers can predict cognitive impairment and cerebral microbleeds in cerebral small vessel disease patients

The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and peripheral blood biomarkers in assessing cognitive function in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). A total of 58 CSVD patients were recruited. Six features of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) were derived from MRI scans. Additionally, five neurodegenerative biomarkers (Aβ40, Aβ42, t-tau, p-tau181, NfL) and 13 serum inflammatory cytokines (VILIP-1, CCL2, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, CX3CL, sTREM-1/2, VEGF, s-RAGE, BNDF, TGF-β1, β-NGF) were quantified. Cognitive assessments were conducted using standardized neuropsychological scales. Spearman analysis revealed that the volumetric characteristics (absolute area, upper area, bottom area, absolute area percentage, upper percentage, and bottom percentage) of WMHs were negatively correlated with performance on all cognitive scale measures except the verbal fluency test (VFT) (r < -0.3, p > 0.05), while they were positively correlated with plasma neurofilament light (NFL) levels (r > 0.4, p < 0.05). Additionally, serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (s-RAGE) showed significant correlations with scales of speech function. An integrated model incorporating WMHs features, neurodegenerative biomarkers, and neuroinflammatory markers was developed, demonstrating high predictive accuracy for cognitive impairment with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95 (accuracy 0.88, sensitivity 0.87, specificity 0.89). Another integrated model that includes features of WMHs and inflammatory cytokines for predicting cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) achieved an AUC of 0.95 (accuracy 0.88, sensitivity 0.82, specificity 0.92). Our findings suggest that these markers have the potential to be used for the early detection of cognitive decline and CMBs in patients with CSVD.

Association between social networks and cognition among middle-aged and older adults in rural India.

Prior studies using global cognitive measures have shown that social connectedness is linked with cognitive performance. We investigate the role of different social network dimensions on performance across distinct cognitive domains among dementia-free middle-aged and older rural Indians. We utilized baseline assessment data of 2,525 participants (≥45 years) of an ongoing, prospective, aging cohort in rural India (Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence, and COGnition) for this study. We evaluated social networks using Cohen's Social Network Index on three dimensions: network diversity, network size, and network embeddedness. We measured cognitive performance on memory (narrative recall), visuospatial ability (geometric figure spatial recognition, visuospatial span), language (verbal fluency, semantic association, word comprehension, reading comprehension), and attention domains of a culturally adapted, computerized, neurocognitive test battery. Linear regression models, adjusted for age and sex, were used for statistical analysis. In the linear regression model adjusted for age and sex, we found that greater network diversity was significantly associated with better performance in narrative recall, geometric figure spatial recognition, reading comprehension, semantic association, and attention tests. Participants with a larger network size had significantly better performance in verbal fluency and semantic association tests. Further, participants with greater network embeddedness had better visuospatial span and verbal fluency. Individuals having a greater network diversity, larger network size, and greater network embeddedness had better cognitive performance in multiple distinct cognitive domains. Following up these participants with serial cognitive monitoring can help understand if social networks play a role in delaying cognitive decline and protecting against dementia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Results from a randomized controlled trial of zonisamide in the treatment of alcohol use disorder

There is preliminary evidence that the anticonvulsant medication Zonisamide (ZON) may be an effective, well-tolerated treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, further evaluation of its efficacy for treating patients with AUD is needed, and much remains unknown about ZON’s therapeutic mechanisms. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of ZON in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Eighty-one adults (ages 21-65) diagnosed with AUD were randomly assigned to receive either ZON (at a target dose of 400 mg/d) or a pill placebo over 12 weeks, followed by a two-week taper. All participants also received a computerized alcohol reduction program, Take Control (TC). Primary drinking outcomes were average daily drinks, percentage drinking days, and percentage heavy drinking days. Further, we evaluated changes in AUD clinical severity and performance on neuropsychological measures. For both groups, drinking outcomes generally decreased, as did AUD clinical severity, though group differences were not statistically significant. Neuropsychological testing performance was similar for both groups at baseline; however, at post-treatment, participants in the ZON group demonstrated poorer working memory and lower performance on verbal fluency tests compared to the placebo group, and these differences were statistically significant with moderate-large effect sizes. One serious adverse event was reported among individuals receiving ZON. Study findings indicate that ZON combined with TC does not demonstrate superior effectiveness for reducing average daily drinks in this clinical sample with principal AUD compared to placebo and TC, and treatment with ZON may be associated with reduced neurocognitive performance over time.

Can total electrical energy (TEED) after subthalamic DBS alter verbal fluency in Parkinson's disease patients? A preliminary evidence.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) improves motor outcomes in Parkinson's disease (PD) but may have adverse long-term effects on specific cognitive domains. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between total electrical energy (TEED) delivered by DBS and postoperative changes in verbal fluency. Seventeen PD patients undergoing bilateral STN-DBS were assessed with the Alternate Verbal Fluency Battery (AVFB), which includes phonemic (PVF), semantic (SVF), and alternate verbal fluency (AVF) tests, before surgery (T0) and after 6 (T1) and 12 months (T2). Bilateral TEED and average TEEDM were recorded at T1 and T2. For each AVFB measurement, changes from T0 to T1 (Δ-01) and from T0 to T2 (Δ-02) were calculated. At T1, PVF (p = 0.007) and SVF scores (p = 0.003) decreased significantly. TEED measures at T1 and T2 were unrelated to Δ-01 and Δ-02 scores, respectively. However, an inverse, marginally significant association was detected between the TEEDM and Δ-01 scores for the AVF (p = 0.041, against an αadjusted = 0.025). In conclusion, the present reports provide preliminary evidence that TEED may not be responsible or only slightly responsible for the decline in VF performance after STN-DBS in PD.

Piloting the Coffs Harbour Executive Functioning Screen (CHEFS): An off-road tool to predict fitness to drive

Mental processes responsible for goal-oriented behavior – executive functioning (EF) – include working memory, flexible thinking, and cognitive control. A reliable and valid assessment of EF can inform appropriate interventions and decisions to drive. We investigated the feasibility and validity of a short, iPad-administered EF screening tool in a non-clinical sample: the Coffs Harbour Executive Functioning Screen (CHEFS). Participants (N = 55) completed the CHEFS alongside a neuropsychological assessment of EF used to assess fitness to drive. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) showed that the CHEFS correctly classified 87% of participants to normative clinical ranges on the Verbal Fluency Test. The results suggest that CHEFS is a novel, easily administered tool for assessing EF in a non-clinical sample. DFA is an appropriate within-tool analysis to support the widespread administration of a screening tool to determine fitness to drive and classify patient referral needs. Further assessment is required to determine CHEFS reliability and validity with a broader range of participants varying in neuropsychological functioning, age, ethnicity, test experience, and compared to on-road driving performance.

The impact of rehabilitation on the recovery of executive functions in stroke patients with different location of the ischemic focus.

Cognitive dysfunction is part of the clinical picture of stroke. Most of the executive dysfunctions are diagnosed in the early stage of rehabilitation, a few weeks after the vascular incident. Coexistence of executive dysfunctions with other disorders in stroke patients may hinder patient's functions, slow down the rehabilitation process, and disrupt self-awareness, interpersonal communication, and professional activity in everyday life. Ninety patients after ischemic stroke were examined (right hemisphere stroke: N = 33, left hemisphere stroke: N = 57). The study group (N = 45) consisted of patients rehabilitated in the Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine of the University Teaching Hospital of the Military Medical Academy in Lodz, Łódź, Poland, in whom a comprehensive neurorehabilitation program was implemented, consisting of motor and neuropsychological rehabilitation. The control group (N = 45) consisted of patients awaiting admission to the department, who were covered by comprehensive environmental rehabilitation including exercise therapy and neuropsychological therapy. Executive function was measured with 3 popular diagnostic tools: the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Trail Making Test (TMT part A, TMT part B), and the letter test and category test with the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). The tests were carried out twice: the first time before the start of rehabilitation and 5 weeks later after its completion. Although patients with right-hemispheric stroke showed better improvement in executive functions, stroke location did not prove to have significant impact on how effective the rehabilitation was. Right hemisphere stroke patients showed greater improvement in restoring executive functions after rehabilitation compared to left hemisphere stroke patients. The location of the stroke did not significantly correlate with the efficiency of the rehabilitation setting. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(4).

Exploring the Role of Mind Mapping Tools in Scaffolding Narrative Writing in English for Middle-School EFL Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of scaffolded English writing instruction using mind mapping tools on English narrative writing proficiency among Chinese middle-school EFL students. Specifically, we examined its effects on four subcomponents of narrative writing compositions: lexical complexity, grammatical complexity, accuracy, and fluency. Non-equivalent group pre-test–post-test design was employed in this study. The participants were 55 eighth-grade students in an English class. The data were collected through two writing tests administered before and after a two-month intervention. The results showed that students’ writing demonstrated significant improvements in lexical complexity, grammatical complexity, accuracy, and fluency. These findings suggest that scaffolded writing instruction with mind mapping can effectively enhance multiple dimensions of writing skills in adolescent EFL learners. This study provides insights into the application of using mind mapping to scaffold EFL learners’ narrative writing proficiency.

Clinical usefulness of the Verbal Fluency Index (VFI) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

This study aimed at assessing the clinical utility of the Verbal Fluency Index (VFI) over a classical phonemic verbal fluency test in Italian-speaking amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. N = 343 non-demented ALS patients and N = 226 healthy controls (HCs) were administered the Verbal fluency - S task from the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS). The associations between the number of words produced (NoW), the time to read words aloud (TRW) and the VFI (computed as [(60"-TRW)/NoW]) on one hand and both bulbar/respiratory scores from the ALS Functional Rating Scale - Revised (ALSFRS-R) and the ECAS-Executive on the other were tested. Italian norms for the NoW and the VFI were derived in HCs via the Equivalent Score method. Patients were classified based on their impaired/unimpaired performances on the NoW and the VFI (NoW-VFI-; NoW-VFI+; NoW + VFI-; NoW + VFI+), with these groups being compared on ECAS-Executive scores. The VFI, but neither the NoW nor the TRW, were related to ALSFRS-Bulbar/-Respiratory scores; VFI and NoW measures, but not the TRW, were related to the ECAS-Executive (p < .001). The NoW slightly overestimated the number of executively impaired patients when compared to the VFI (31.1% vs. 26.8%, respectively). Patients with a defective VFI score - regardless of whether they presented or not with a below-cutoff NoW - reported worse ECAS-Executive scores than NoW + VFI + ones. The present reports support the use of the Italian VFI as a mean to validly assess ALS patients' executive status by limiting the effect of motor disabilities that might undermine their speech rate.

Self-Concept in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia due to Alzheimer's Disease Is Affected on Tests of Self-Generated Statements.

Several studies show that Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurocognitive disorders have a negative impact on the self and identity formation. Most studies have included persons with mild to moderate dementia, but how AD patients in the earliest phases retrieve information about themselves has only been studied scarcely. The aim of this study was to investigate if persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild AD would generate fewer self-related statements than healthy controls. From a memory clinic, we included 17 aMCI patients, 17 patients with mild dementia (AD; MMSE ≥ 24), and 30 healthy controls. Three Events Test and Twenty Statements Test (TST) were applied to all participants. The persons with mild dementia gave significantly fewer statements compared to the controls (p < 0.001) and the aMCI patients (p < 0.01) on TST. Fewer statements were also produced by the aMCI patients compared to the control participants (p < 0.05). Persons from both patient groups produced significantly fewer contextual details compared to the controls on the Three Events Tests. There were significant associations to lexical fluency for both the TST and Three Events Test, but only a limited amount of variance was explained, and the results cannot be explained solely by a fluency effect. The results from this study are in accordance with findings from previous studies demonstrating that mild AD leads to a decline in both autobiographical memories and a diminished sense of self. Further, this study shows that changes in self-concept may occur even in the earliest clinical stages of AD.

The potential trade-off between L3 Chinese proficiency and L1 Thai verbal fluency

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the potential trade-off between acquiring proficiency in a new language and maintaining verbal fluency in a previously learned language. Sixty-two imbalanced multilingual participants, whose first language (L1) was Thai, second language (L2) was English, and third language (L3) was Chinese, underwent proficiency tests in English and Chinese, and they completed verbal fluency tests in Thai and English. The results revealed that L3 proficiency was negatively correlated with L1 verbal fluency, suggesting the presence of a trade-off between languages. This interaction could manifest among individuals who are not fully proficient in languages other than their L1. By expanding upon existing research, this study contributes valuable insights to language learning and multilingualism research.

Selecting a Brief Cognitive Screening Test Based on Patient Profile: It Is Never Too Early to Start

Introduction: Cognitive impairment, marked by a decline in memory and attention, is frequently underdiagnosed, complicating effective management. Cardiovascular risk factors (CVR) and anticholinergic burden (ACB) are significant contributors to dementia risk, with ACB often stemming from medications prescribed for neuropsychiatric disorders. This study evaluates cognitive profiles through three brief cognitive tests, analyzing the impact of CVR and ACB presence. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed between 2019 and 2023 in community pharmacies and an outpatient clinic in Valencia, Spain. Eligible participants were patients with subjective memory complaints 50 years or older with clinical records of cardiovascular factors. Patients with conflicting information regarding diabetes diagnosis or not taking concomitant medications were excluded. Three brief cognitive tests (Memory Impairment Screening (MIS), Semantic Verbal Fluency Test, and SPMSQ) were assessed. CVR was calculated using the European SCORE2 table, and ACB was assessed using the CALS scale. Results: Among 172 patients with memory complaints and CVR factors, 60% failed at least one cognitive test. These patients were on significantly more medications and had higher blood pressure and HbA1c levels. An increase in CVR and ACB was associated with more failed tests. Additionally, elevated SCORE2 scores were associated with a greater failure rate on the MIS test, while patients with elevated ACB more frequently failed the SPMSQ test. Conclusions: Selecting an adequate brief cognitive test according to patients’ characteristics offers an opportunity to screen patients who are probably cognitively impaired. Whereas the MIS test may be helpful for patients with cardiovascular risk, SPMSQ stands out among patients with significant ACB.

Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults With and Without Cognitive Impairment: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives1) To develop and test the validity of the Psychosocial Pandemic Impact Scale (PPIS); 2) test associations between PPIS scores and demographics/cognitive performance in older adults; 3) answer whether the PPIS scores would differ between cognitively healthy (HOA) or mildly impaired older adults (MCI), and between those assessed before and after vaccines were available in Brazil. DesignCross-sectional study. SettingCommunity-dwelling older adults registered to participate in a remote randomized clinical trial of computerized cognitive training were assessed online during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. ParticipantsA sample of 181 older adults (>60 years) was used for the PPIS psychometric analysis, from which 120 who completed baseline cognitive, quality of life, and mood assessments were included in the group comparisons and correlational analysis. MeasurementsThe psychosocial pandemic impact scale (PPIS); The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; used as a brief screening tool); The verbal fluency test (to assess executive function) and the Verbal memory and learning with the Portuguese version of the rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT); The geriatric anxiety inventory (GAI); The Geriatric Depression Scale - Short Form (GDS); The WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD quality of life questionnaires; The Katz and Lawton scales and the Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ) to measure daily function. ResultsThe PPIS demonstrated good internal consistency (α = .84) and sampling adequacy (MSA= .85) and was significantly associated with validated measures of anxiety and depression (GAI: ρ = 0.49, p< 0.001; GDS: ρ = 0.48, p = 0.006) and quality of life (WHOQOL-Bref: ρ = -0.46, p< 0.001; WHOQOL-Old: ρ = -0.24, p = 0.03), confirming construct validity and scale reliability. HOA who were female and had more years of education and those with MCI who were younger and had better memory reported higher PPIS scores. One-way ANOVAs including age and education as covariates revealed that people with MCI reported higher PPIS scores than HOA before vaccination (p = 0.01), but not after. While HOA assessed before and after vaccines were available showed similar PPIS scores, those with MCI assessed after had a trend towards lower scores than those assessed before (p = 0.06). ConclusionsOur study provides a reliable instrument for assessing older adults' psychosocial pandemic impact and shows that people with MCI might be more vulnerable to such effects—which are mediated by memory performance, age, education, and gender. This data can help clinicians to identify and propose interventions targeting vulnerable populations during public health emergencies.

Impact of Disciplinary Variations on Second Language Mental Lexicon

This study investigates how academic disciplines impact second language (L2) lexical competencies. Prior L2 research has often overlooked the broader effects of disciplinary backgrounds on lexical development. To address this gap, this study utilized lexical decision, memory, and semantic fluency tasks to examine lexicon recognition, memory, and storage processes among L2 Chinese learners from various academic fields. The study participants comprised 16 students from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) disciplines and 11 from the Science and Engineering (S&amp;E) disciplines, all having passed HSK level 4. The tasks were conducted using E-Prime 2.0. The findings revealed distinct cognitive strategies and thinking patterns among the participants from different disciplines . These strategies and patterns affected lexical task performance in terms of accuracy and response times. Although lexical memory exhibited no significant variation among the groups, discipline-specific tendencies were observed in the formation of semantic networks. Learners from S&amp;E disciplines preferred mastering field-relevant Chinese terminology, whereas HSS learners tended to acquire words outside their specific disciplines. This observation highlights how learners’ disciplinary backgrounds influence their vocabulary acquisition and the organization of semantic networks in L2.

Automated remote speech-based testing of individuals with cognitive decline: Bayesian agreement of transcription accuracy.

We investigated the agreement between automated and gold-standard manual transcriptions of telephone chatbot-based semantic verbal fluency testing. We examined 78 cases from the Screening over Speech in Unselected Populations for Clinical Trials in AD (PROSPECT-AD) study, including cognitively normal individuals and individuals with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. We used Bayesian Bland-Altman analysis of word count and the qualitative features of semantic cluster size, cluster switches, and word frequencies. We found high levels of agreement for word count, with a 93% probability of a newly observed difference being below the minimally important difference. The qualitative features had fair levels of agreement. Word count reached high levels of discrimination between cognitively impaired and unimpaired individuals, regardless of transcription mode. Our results support the use of automated speech recognition particularly for the assessment of quantitative speech features, even when using data from telephone calls with cognitively impaired individuals in their homes. High levels of agreement were found between automated and gold-standard manual transcriptions of telephone chatbot-based semantic verbal fluency testing, particularly for word count.The qualitative features had fair levels of agreement.Word count reached high levels of discrimination between cognitively impaired and unimpaired individuals, regardless of transcription mode.Automated speech recognition for the assessment of quantitative and qualitative speech features, even when using data from telephone calls with cognitively impaired individuals in their homes, seems feasible and reliable.

Telomere length and 4-year changes in cognitive function in an older Mediterranean population at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cognitive decline, a common process of brain ageing, has been associated with telomere length (TL). Delving into the identification of reliable biomarkers of brain ageing is essential to prevent accelerated cognitive impairment. We selected 317 non-smoking 'Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea-Plus' (PREDIMED-Plus) participants (mean age, 65.8 ± 5.0years) with metabolic syndrome from two trial centres who were following a lifestyle intervention. We measured TL and cognitive function at baseline and after 3 and 4years of follow-up, respectively. Associations between baseline or 3-year changes in TL and baseline or 4-year changes in cognitive function were analysed using multivariable regression models. Baseline TL was not associated with baseline cognitive performance. Nevertheless, longer baseline TL was associated with improved 4-year changes in the Executive Function domain (β: 0.29; 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.44; P < 0.001) and the Global Cognitive Function domain (β: 0.19; 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.34; P =0.010). Besides, a positive association was found between longer baseline TL and improved 4-year changes in the animal version of the Verbal Fluency Test (β: 0.33; 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.52; P =0.002). By contrast, 3-year changes in TL were not associated with changes in cognitive function after 4years. Longer baseline TL could protect from cognitive decline and be used as a useful biomarker of brain ageing function in an older Mediterranean population at risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment.

Monitorowanie procesu pisania w języku obcym. Analiza przerw z perspektywy Teorii Systemów Dynamicznych

The paper investigates the dynamic character of pausing behaviour in foreign language writing. In a longitudinal study on Polish learners of Swedish, pause length and frequency, as well as the interplay between pause length and the development of lexical diversity, syntactic complexity, accuracy, and fluency, were investigated. According to the assumptions of Dynamic Systems Theory, intra- and inter-subject variability were analysed. The study has shown that the mean length of pauses did not change during the three-year period of second language learning; however, the frequency of pauses significantly decreased, as demonstrated by the increasing number of words written between pauses. There was a considerable variation within subjects during the entire period, and even moderate inter-subject variability was noticed. The occurrence of longer pauses was almost always interconnected with a higher level of accuracy, syntactic complexity, and fluency. This interplay, however, could only be confirmed at the individual level, showing the necessity of following the development of a second language in individuals rather than for the entire group.

Association between Multi-Domain Lifestyle and Objective Cognitive Impairment in Elderly People with SCD and MCI in Chinese Communities.

Controlling the lifestyle associated with dementia risk can delay the process of cognitive decline. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are early states in the development of dementia and are also the window period for early intervention in dementia. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between multi-domain lifestyle and objective cognitive impairment in elderly people with SCD and MCI in Chinese communities and to provide reference for effective implementation of precise health management measures to reduce the risk of dementia. A total of 265 middle-aged and elderly volunteers recruited from the community were divided into SCD group (107 cases), MCI group (80 cases), and healthy control (HC) group (78 cases). All participants received clinical interview, examination, and cognitive assessments. The total Dementia Risk Reduction Lifestyle Scale (DRRLS) scores in the HC, SCD, and MCI groups [110.00 (11.25) vs. 101.00 (10.00) vs. 79.50 (20.75)] exhibited statistically significant differences among them. The total score of the DRRLS showed a significant negative correlation with the Trail-Making Test (TMT), and significant positive correlations with both the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) scores (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, such as age and years of education, multiple linear regression analysis revealed several points. In the SCD group, brain-strengthening exercise and interpersonal relationship scores were negatively correlated with TMT scores (β = -11.257, -15.077; all p < 0.05), while health responsibility, smoking control behavior, and interpersonal relationship scores were positively correlated with AVLT scores (β = 0.485, 0.344, and 0.406; all p < 0.05). In the MCI Group, brain-strengthening exercise, brain-healthy diet, and interpersonal relationship were negatively correlated with TMT (β = -22.011, -16.206, -11.696; all p < 0.01), whereas health responsibility, mental activity, smoking control behavior, interpersonal relationship, and stress management were positively correlated with AVLT (β = 0.450, 0.435, 0.308, 0.256, 0.607; all p < 0.05). In Chinese communities, the unhealthy lifestyle of elderly individuals with SCD and MCI is significantly associated with cognitive function impairment. The greater their unhealthy lifestyle habits, the more pronounced the scope and severity of cognitive function impairment becomes. Furthermore, different dimensions of lifestyle have varying impacts on cognitive domains.

Predictors of Verbal Fluency Decline in People with Cognitive Dysfunctions

Background: Verbal fluency impairment is a prospective risk for dementia and conversion from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to dementia. In elderly may be related to the deficits in other cognitive domains and also with age and duration of cognitive decline. The AIM: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of Verbal Fluency Tests (VFT) in people with cognitive decline in relation to age, duration of the cognitive decline and the level of cognitive dysfunction. Methods: 279 (177 females and 102 males) people with cognitive decline (MCI and dementia), aged 50-91 years were included in the study. For the evaluation of general cognitive abilities Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and for assessment of verbal fluency– Verbal Fluency Test (phonological and categorical) was applied. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric tests. Factor analysis of the main components of Verbal Fluency Test and MMSE were used and one-way ANOVA test in the prediction analysis was applied. Results: All dimensions of verbal fluency subscales and MMSE are explained by one factor, which indicate their similar etiological mechanism. The longer duration of the cognitive impairment the worse results in VFT and MMSE. Worse results of MMSE were associated with worse performance on VFT, the most important critical moment of deterioration was associated with scores in the range of 25-23 and 17-18 MMSE points, however there are some differences between verbal fluency categories. The most significant periods of duration of the disease for VFT performance were months 6 and 9, and for the category of categorical fluency months 6,9, as well as 26, 31-32 and 36. No significant associations between the age and VFT and MMSE results were observed. Conclusions: Verbal fluency decline is related to global cognitive functioning. Longer duration time of the disease was associated with the level of verbal fluency and cognitive decline, while the age of patients is not an important factor. The verbal fluency deterioration occurs in leaps and bounds, the critical moments for verbal fluency decline may be established based on the duration of the illness and global functioning measured by MMSE.