Visuospatial Skills Research Articles

The Impact of Virtual Interactive Three-Dimensional Model in the Conceptualization of the Anatomy of the Sacrum: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction Virtual interactive three-dimensional model (VI3DM) is an emerging technology with promising futures in medical education. It allows learners to view and interact with the three-dimensional (3D) object in an isolated virtual environment, as well as on screen-based platforms. This technology seems more helpful in understanding the learning objectives that demand high cognitive and visuospatial skills. The sacrum, part of the posterior wall of the bony pelvis, is a structure of interest to medical professionalsand forensic experts. Understanding the anatomy and relations of the sacrum demands good spatial understanding. Hypothetically, virtual 3D models should help in learning the anatomy of the sacrum along with its relations and attachments. This study was conducted to find out the effect of low-cost digital 3D models on the anatomical knowledge of the study. Aims and objectives The goal of the work was to identify the role of virtual 3D models in the conceptualization of the anatomy of the sacrum. The study's objectives were to identify the impact of virtual 3D models on students'knowledge of the external features, relations, attachments, and joints formed by the sacrum. Material and methods Two hundred first-year medical students (168 males and 32 females) who participated in the study after providing informed consentwere divided into two equal groups, a control group (n=100) and an experimental group (n=100), after matching the age, gender, and anatomical knowledge of the sacrum. We used two-dimensional (2D) images and virtual interactive 3D models of the sacrum as control and intervention, respectively, in this randomized controlled study. We conducted a post-test quiz after the 30-minute session of self-directed learning. Results The mean difference between the post-test score and the pre-test score of the experimental group (4.1±1.6 ) was significantly higher than the difference between the post-test and pre-test scores of the control group (2.5±1.2). The virtual interactive 3D model of the sacrum was significantly effective in the conceptualization of the sacrum anatomy. Conclusion A virtual interactive 3D model is an effective tool to conceptualize the anatomy of the sacrum and can be explored for its use in further complex anatomical structures. Digital 3D models can become a platform for the application of various virtual realities (VR) and artificial intelligences in medical education.

Neuropsychological domains and fitness to drive in mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease

Cognitive deficits associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can impact driving. This integrative review investigated which cognitive domains were associated with poor driving performance or unfitness to drive in studies with outcomes measured in simulator or on-road driving in patients with MCI or AD. The review was conducted by searching for articles published between 2001 and 2020 in the MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases. Studies addressing patients with other dementias (e.g., vascular or mixed dementia, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease) were excluded. Of 404 articles initially selected, 17 met the eligibility criteria for this review. Based on the findings of this integrative review, attentional capacity, processing speed, executive functions and visuospatial skills were the functions whose declines were most frequently reported in a context of unsafe driving by older adults with MCI or AD. Reports were remarkably heterogeneous in methodological aspects whereas quite limited in cross-cultural coverage and in sample recruited, what prompts for further trials in the field.

Subjective cognition and memory lapses in the daily lives of breast cancer survivors: Examining associations with objective cognitive performance, fatigue, and depressed mood.

Subjective reports of cancer-related cognitive impairment often far exceed that documented using in-person neuropsychological assessment. This study evaluated whether subjective cognition was associated with real-time objective cognitive performance in daily life versus performance on an in-person neuropsychological battery, as well as fatigue and depressed mood. Participants were 47 women (M age=53.3years) who completed adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer 6-36months previously. During an in-person assessment, participants completed a neuropsychological battery and questionnaires on subjective cognition, fatigue, and depressed mood. Over 14days, participants responded to up to 5 prompts that assessed real-time processing speed and memory and self-reported ratings of depressed mood and fatigue. In the evenings, participants rated their subjective cognition that day and reported on memory lapses (e.g., forgetting a word). During the in-person assessment, participants who rated their cognition worse reported worse depressed mood, but did not exhibit poorer objective cognitive performance. Women with worse rated daily subjective cognition reported more daily fatigue but did not demonstrate worse real-time objective cognition. Finally, women who reported memory lapses at the end of the day reported more fatigue and depressed mood, demonstrated better real-time performance on processing speed (p=0.001), and worse in-person processing speed and visuospatial skills (p's≤0.02). Subjective cognition was consistently associated with self-reported fatigue and depressed mood. Specific memory lapses were related to in-person and daily objective cognitive performance. This suggests that incorporating reports of memory lapses may help clinicians identify those with objectively measured cancer-related cognitive impairment.

Possible cognition changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a narrative review.

Nowadays, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and cognitive dysfunction are major health problems among female. This narrative review aimed to investigate cognitive dysfunction in female with PCOS. English and Persian articles published in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Scientific Information Database, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews until May 2022 were searched. Sixteen studies involving 850 female with PCOS and 974 controls were assessed. In these studies, the association between biochemical factors and symptoms of PCOS and memory, attention, executive functioning, information processing speed, and visuospatial skills was evaluated. The literature review revealed the possible cognitive changes in female with PCOS. This study summarized the different aspects of cognitive function in female with PCOS due to medication, psychological problems (mood disorders caused by disease symptoms and complications), and biochemical markers, such as metabolic and sex hormone abnormalities. Considering the existing scientific gap regarding the possibility of cognitive complications in female with PCOS, further biological studies should be conducted to evaluate the potential mechanisms involved.

Individual Differences in Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills Among 3- to 5-Year-Old Preschoolers

The aim of this study was to investigate individual differences in mathematical problem-solving among 3- to 5-year-old children (N = 328; n3-year-olds = 115, n4-year-olds = 167, n5-year-olds = 46). First, we examined the extent to which children in this age group were able to solve open and closed non-routine mathematical problems representing a variety of mathematical domains. Second, we investigated the extent to which underlying academic and cognitive skills (i.e., expressive and receptive language, visuospatial, and early numeracy skills) were associated with individual differences in mathematical problem-solving concurrently and longitudinally (i.e., one year later). The results showed that 4- to 5-year-olds were able to solve a variety of non-routine mathematical problems. However, though 3-year-olds were also able to solve a variety of problems, the mathematical problem-solving measure did not meet the reliability criteria, resulting in excluding 3-year-olds from further analyses. Expressive and receptive language, visuospatial, and early numeracy skills were associated with mathematical problem-solving concurrently among 4-year-olds. Among 5-year-olds, only visuospatial and early numeracy skills were associated with mathematical problem-solving. Furthermore, only prior mathematical problem-solving skills and early numeracy skills predicted mathematical problem-solving skills longitudinally. These findings indicate that preschoolers are able to solve open and closed non-routine mathematical problems representing a variety of mathematical domains. Additionally, individual differences may stem not only from differences in mathematical problem-solving skills but also from early numeracy.

Exploring profiles of hormone exposure: Associations with cognition in a population-based cohort of early adolescents

Testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and estradiol are the main hormonal markers of puberty. Previous research has explored links between these hormones and cognition with little consideration of how hormonal patterns may co-occur and together, influence cognitive processes. The current study uses a novel approach to capture this heterogeneity, using latent profile analysis (LPA) to generate empirically-derived hormone profiles in a population-level dataset of adolescents. We analyzed basal salivary testosterone, DHEA, and estradiol data from 10,816 youth (48.1% female, Mage = 9.91, SDage =.63) using LPA in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study and examined whether hormone profiles differentially predicted cognition assessed two years later. Eight profiles were identified, primarily representing differences in hormone levels (e.g., Low Hormones, High Hormones), but also discordance (e.g., High Estradiol). There were limited sociodemographic differences, but youth in higher hormone profiles had better inhibitory control, visuospatial processing, and decision-making skills, even after adjusting for age, income, race/ethnicity, and pubertal status. For example, girls in the High Estradiol profile had better visuospatial processing skills compared to all other girls and girls in the High DHEA profile as well as boys in the High Hormone profile made significantly fewer risky decisions than youth in the Low Hormone profiles. Higher hormone levels may predict better cognition over time in early adolescence. Further, this work suggests that pubertal hormone profiles likely reflect distinct physiological phenomena with unique cognitive consequences that may not be observed by studying individual hormone levels or subjective pubertal status.

To each their own: The different mechanisms underlying the effect of sex hormones on visuospatial and verbal abilities

As they easily access the brain, sex hormones are associated with cognitive functions such as visuospatial and verbal abilities. As oral contraceptive (OC) users, naturally cycling women (NC women; not using OC), and men exhibit distinct sex hormone profiles, between-group differences in visuospatial and verbal performance have been observed. To date, the mechanisms underlying these differences remain unknown. Acute levels of sex hormones are thought to have either a fostering or impairing effect on performance on these tasks (e.g., acute levels of testosterone and estradiol enhance and impair visuospatial skills, respectively). Moreover, preliminary results suggest a positive correlation between the duration of OC use and visuospatial performance. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the temporality of the effects of sex hormones on cognition (i.e., through rapid mechanisms, long-term mechanisms, or both). To do so, 201 healthy participants (70 OC, 86 NC, and 45 men) completed tests measuring their visuospatial and verbal fluency abilities. Analyses revealed that men outperformed both groups of women and that OC users outperformed NC women on the visuospatial task. Estradiol levels in men were associated with lower performance, whereas testosterone levels in OC users were related to better performance. Regarding verbal fluency, we found no between-group differences in performance or correlations with acute hormone levels. Interestingly, longer OC use was associated with better verbal fluency in OC users. In sum, acute hormone concentrations appear to modulate visuospatial performance, whereas long-term hormonal changes (i.e., OC use over years) seem to modulate verbal fluency abilities.

Longitudinal changes in white matter as measured with diffusion tensor imaging in adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is characterized by neuromuscular degeneration. Our objective was to compare change in white matter microstructure (fractional anisotropy, radial and axial diffusivity), and functional/clinical measures. Participants underwent yearly neuroimaging and neurocognitive assessments over three-years. Assessments encompassed full-scale intelligence, memory, language, visuospatial skills, attention, processing speed, and executive function, as well as clinical symptoms of muscle/motor function, apathy, and hypersomnolence. Mixed effects models were used to examine differences. 69 healthy adults (66.2% women) and 41 DM1 patients (70.7% women) provided 156 and 90 observations, respectively. There was a group by elapsed time interaction for cerebral white matter, where DM1 patients exhibited declines in white matter (all p<0.05). Likewise, DM1 patients either declined (motor), improved more slowly (intelligence), or remained stable (executive function) for functional outcomes. White matter was associated with functional performance; intelligence was predicted by axial (r = 0.832; p<0.01) and radial diffusivity (r = 0.291, p<0.05), and executive function was associated with anisotropy (r = 0.416, p<0.001), and diffusivity (axial: r = 0.237, p = 0.05 and radial: r = 0.300, p<0.05). Indices of white matter health are sensitive to progression in DM1. These results are important for clinical trial design, which utilize short intervals to establish treatment efficacy.

Associations between hippocampal subfield volume and cognitive performance

AbstractBackgroundIt is well demonstrated that hippocampal atrophy is associated with cognitive impairment. Existing studies have associated smaller hippocampal volumes with dementia, and hippocampal volume reduction has been established as a biomarker for the conversion of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s Disease. Although some studies have examined correlations between hippocampal subfield volumes and cognitive domains such as memory, further research is needed to clarify the associations between the volume of each subfield and the various cognitive domains. So far a few studies have been conducted among Asian populations. A more specific understanding of these relationships is crucial given the functional and histological differences in the subfields and their distinct patterns of atrophy, which imply that the hippocampal subfields may affect cognition differentially. This study aimed to investigate the associations between the volumes of 12 hippocampal subfields on cognitive performance in a Singaporean sample.Method448 patients at a memory clinic in Singapore (97 with no cognitive impairment, 177 with CIND, and 174 with dementia) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a neuropsychological assessment. MRI was processed through free surfer (v.6.1) to extract volumes of 12 hippocampal subfields—the tail, subiculum, presubiculum, parasubiculum, CA1, CA3, CA4, fimbria, fissure, molecular layer, the molecular and granule cell layers of the of the dentate gyrus (GCMLDG), and the hippocampus‐amygdala transition area (HATA). Cognition was assessed using NINDS–Canadian Stroke Network harmonization neuropsychological battery.ResultGlobal cognition was associated with the subiculum, presubiculum, CA1, CA3, CA4, molecular layer, and GCMLDG (all p‐values &lt; .0005). Except for the fissure, all hippocampal subfields were associated with visuospatial skills (all p‐values &lt; .05) and memory (all p‐values &lt; .035). The fimbria was associated with the most cognitive domains, including executive dysfunction (p = .011), language (p = .006), visuomotor function (p = .003), visuospatial skills (p &lt; .001), and memory (p &lt; .001).ConclusionThe current study builds on existing research on the associations between hippocampal subfield volumes and cognitive dysfunction. Longitudinal studies are required to investigate the volumetric reduction of hippocampal subfields as a biomarker of cognitive decline.

Association of tamoxifen and raloxifene therapy with cognitive performance, odds of mild cognitive impairment, and neuroimaging markers of neurodegeneration

AbstractBackgroundTamoxifen is used as a selective estrogen receptor modifier (SERM) to treat hormone receptor‐positive breast cancer. Raloxifene, another SERM, has been used for the treatment of osteoporosis in post‐menopausal women. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to examine whether a history of tamoxifen or raloxifene use was associated with cognitive performance, odds of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or structural neurodegenerative MRI markers.MethodThe study included women with and without a personal history of breast cancer enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA). A history of breast cancer and use of SERMs before the MCSA enrollment visit was abstracted using the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical‐linkage system. Participants had a diagnosis of MCI (prevalent) at the time of enrollment into the MCSA. Logistic regression was used to examine associations of SERMs with odds of MCI. Linear regression models were used to examine associations of SERMs with cognitive measures z‐scores (Memory, Executive Function, Language, Visuospatial Skills, Global Cognition), hippocampal volume, and Alzheimer’s disease signature cortical thickness.ResultAmong the women aged ≥ 50 at enrollment in the MCSA, 151 had a history of breast cancer, and 2235 had no prior history of any cancer. Of the 151 women with a history of breast cancer, 42 (28%) had taken tamoxifen and 109 (72%) had not at enrollment in the MCSA; 54 had neuroimaging data (tamoxifen = 16; no tamoxifen = 38). Among the women without prior history of cancer at enrollment in the MCSA, 76 (3%) had taken raloxifene and 2159 (97%) had not; 755 had neuroimaging data (raloxifene = 25; no raloxifene = 730). No significant associations between tamoxifen with global or domain‐specific cognition or odds of MCI were observed among women with a history of breast cancer after adjusting for confounders (Table 1). Likewise raloxifene was not significantly associated with global or domain‐specific cognition or odds of MCI in women without a history of cancer after adjusting for confounders (Table 2). We did not find significant associations between SERMs and any neuroimaging outcome (Table 3).ConclusionOur results suggest use of tamoxifen or raloxifene is not significantly associated with cognition in postmenopausal women.

Feasibility of remote assessment of language and cognition in healthy subjects with heterogeneous educational levels

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic is accelerating the use of telemedicine in the management of chronic neurological diseases. However, studies on the feasibility of assessing language and cognition are still scarce, especially in developing countries in which education is very heterogeneous. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of using telemedicine for linguistic‐cognitive assessment, by comparing the performance of healthy adults in face‐to‐face and online assessments in a Brazilian sample. We also verified the influence of age and education on the two assessment forms.MethodThe sample consisted of 15 cognitively healthy subjects, aged between 57‐70 years (M = 63.2; SD = 4.6) and between 8‐22 years of education (M = 14.7; SD = 4.3). The Western Aphasia Battery‐Revised (WAB‐R) (Kertesz, 2007; Neves et al., 2014) was used for language assessment, with subtests for spontaneous speech, auditory verbal comprehension, repetition, naming, reading, and writing. The Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination‐revised version (ACE‐R) (Mioshi et al., 2006; Carvalho e Caramelli, 2007) was used for a brief cognitive screening and is composed of five subscales assessing attention and orientation, memory, fluency, language, and visuospatial skills. Subjects were randomly evaluated both face‐to face and online, with an interval of 1‐6 months.ResultNo differences were found in both WAB‐R and ACE‐R scores obtained in a face‐to‐face versus online environment. However, performance was associated with different sociodemographic variables in the two different evaluation contexts. In face‐to‐face assessment, there was a positive correlation between education and writing subtests (Spearman r = 0.878; p = 0.004). In the remote form of evaluation, there was a negative correlation between age and auditory verbal comprehension (Spearman r = ‐0.722; p = 0.043), and a positive correlation between education and spontaneous speech (Spearman r = 0.871; p = 0.004), auditory verbal comprehension (Spearman r = 0,768; p = 0,025), writing (Spearman r = 0.727; p = 0.040) and Aphasia Coefficient score (Spearman r = 0.736; p = 0.037).ConclusionThe absence of statistical difference between the two forms of evaluation demonstrated the viability of remote assessment of language and cognition in healthy subjects, despite the more significant influence of education in this evaluation form. Further studies will be conduct to verify the feasibility of remote assessment in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

PENSA study for the prevention of cognitive decline in APOE‐ɛ4 carriers with subjective cognitive decline: Description of baseline demographic and neuropsychological data of the study population

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder likely caused by a complex interplay of different pathological processes that are influenced by internal and external determinants. In the absence of effective treatments to reverse cognitive deterioration related to AD, there is a need to develop novel non‐pharmacological prevention interventions that may delay or prevent these pathological processes at early preclinical stages of AD. The PENSA study, framed within the WW‐FINGERS consortium, is a randomized clinical trial involving cognitively normal elderly individuals with an increased risk of developing AD (meeting subjective cognitive decline, SCD‐plus criteria and being APOE‐ɛ4 carriers). The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of a multimodal personalized lifestyle intervention (dietary and physical activity counseling and cognitive training) combined with a dietary supplement, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in slowing down cognitive decline.MethodBaseline sociodemographic, mood and cognitive characteristics of the entire study sample participants is presented. Cognitive function was measured with the Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (ADCS‐PACC) and adding to this original version the interference score from the Stroop Color and Word Test and the Five Digit Test (ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe). Additionally, the Digit Span, the Boston Naming Test and the Animal Fluency Test were administered. Psychological distress was measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.ResultOn Desember 2021 the study had enrolled 128 individuals (64.8% women) with a mean (SD) age of 67.3 (4.73) years and the following APOE genotype: 87% ɛ3/ɛ4, 7% ɛ4/ɛ4 and 6% ɛ2/ɛ4. Most had higher education (44.1%) and 81.9% were retired (Table 1). 11% of participants exhibited relevant anxiety and depressive symptoms measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. According to an ad‐hoc SCD questionnaire, 65.8% of participants referred memory centered complaints. Considering the different domains, participants reported alterations on memory (97.6%), concentration (62.6%), language (69.9%) and visuospatial skills (10.6%). Table 2 shows the ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe scoresConclusionThe PENSA study will help shed light on the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions supplemented with EGCG to prevent cognitive decline in people at risk of developing AD.

Mobile memory gas station: A valid phone screen for cognitive impairment

AbstractBackgroundConventional neuropsychological assessments for cognitive impairment are burdensome. We developed a novel Wechat applet for detecting cognitive impairment. The Mobile Memory Gas Station is an assessment tool for rapid screening of cognitive functions, covering 7 important cognitive domains (memory, attention, executive function, language, visuospatial skills, social cognition, and computing).Method102 patients were recruited (Normal control: 51; mild cognitive impairment: 32, dementia: 19) to detect the diagnostic ability of this applet.ResultCompared to conventional neuropsychological assessments, Mobile Memory Gas Station results in faster evaluations (10 min) and generates higher accuracy at detecting abnormal cognition. Our Results showed that this applet had good correlation with MMSE (P &lt; 0.01), MoCA (P&lt; 0.01) and moderate agreement for detecting MCI and dementia.ConclusionThis applet demonstrated sufficient psychometric properties to be useful for screening of MCI, especially when clinic visits are not feasible. These findings are instrumental for patient screening, monitoring and management.

Role of glycemic status and insulin resistance indices on cognition

Introduction and Aim: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is presently the commonest and most prevalent disorder of metabolism which, if unmanaged, can lead to macro and micro-vascular disorders as complications. The preventive and therapeutic options for the same have been drastically improved than before and the life expectancy of the affected population has risen, but with the emergence of few other new complications like cognitive impairment and dementia. Insulin Resistance (IR) is a preclinical stage during diabetes and can potentially affect cognition. Cognition is the capability of an individual to process the given information through perception. Cognition is a broad spectrum including different cognitive domains like learning, attention, memory, language, reasoning, decision making, visuospatial skills etc., which forms the basis of intellectual development. Our present aim is to study the relationship between the glycemic profile and cognition status in diabetics. Materials and Methods: The study population included a total of 232 subjects with the age of 40-70 years of both genders. They were recruited after obtaining the informed written consent. Fasting blood glucose, Insulin levels, HbA1C were analyzed. The insulin resistance indices such as The HOmeostasis Model of IR (HOMA-IR), QUantitative Insulin-sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) and HOMA percent beta-cell function (HOMA-beta) were derived. Cognition status was assessed and scored using the Modified Mini Mental Status (3MS) test. Results: HbA1c score and the 3MS score showed an association where both were negatively correlated. Insulin resistance induces too were negatively correlated with cognitive function. Conclusion: Thus, our study suggests that unmanaged diabetes mellitus type 2 may affect the cognition. Accordingly, early diagnosis of the condition and its management is crucial to bring down the incidence of cognitive impairment, further dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Frequency and characterization of cognitive impairments in patients diagnosed with paediatric central nervous system tumours: a systematic review.

This systematic review has been conducted with the aim of characterizing cognitive deficits and analyzing their frequency in survivors of paediatric Central Nervous System tumours. All literature published up to January 2023 was retrieved searching the databases "PubMed", "Cochrane", "APA PsycInfo" and "CINAHL". The following set of pre-defined inclusion criteria were then individually applied to the selected articles in their full-text version: i) Retrospective/prospective longitudinal observational studies including only patients diagnosed with primary cerebral tumours at ≤ 21 years (range 0-21); ii) Studies including patients evaluated for neuro-cognitive and neuro-psychological deficits from their diagnosis and/or from anti-tumoral therapies; iii) Studies reporting standardized tests evaluating patients' neuro-cognitive and neuro-psychological performances; iv) Patients with follow-ups ≥ 2 years from the end of their anti-tumoral therapies; v) Studies reporting frequencies of cognitive deficits. 39 studies were included in the analysis. Of these, 35 assessed intellectual functioning, 30 examined memory domains, 24 assessed executive functions, 22 assessed attention, 16 examined visuo-spatial skills, and 15 explored language. A total of 34 studies assessed more than one cognitive function, only 5 studies limited their analysis on a single cognitive domain. Attention impairments were the most recurrent in this population, with a mean frequency of 52.3% after a median period post-treatment of 11.5 years. The other cognitive functions investigated in the studies showed a similar frequency of impairments, with executive functions, language, visuospatial skills and memory deficits occurring in about 40% of survivors after a similar post-treatment period. Longitudinal studies included in the systematic review showed a frequent decline over time of intellectual functioning. Survivors of paediatric Central Nervous System tumours experience cognitive sequelae characterized by significant impairments in the attention domain (52.3%), but also in the other cognitive functions. Future studies in this research field need to implement more cognitive interventions and effective, but less neurotoxic, tumour therapies to preserve or improve neurocognitive functioning and quality of life of this population.

Effect of Attentional Bias on the 3D Rotated Objects Recognition Ability of Dogs.

The ability to recognize rotated objects has been widely reported in the animal kingdom. Studies on animal and human spatial cognition highlighted the importance of visuo-spatial cognitive capability for surviving in a dynamic world. Although domestic animals are frequently involved in activities requiring a high level of visuo-spatial ability, currently, little is known about their visuo-spatial skills. To investigate this issue, we trained six dogs to discriminate between 3D objects (using a modified version of the Shepard-Metzler task) that were then reproduced digitally on a computer. We found that the dogs recognized three-dimensional objects and their rotated versions (45° and 180°) more easily when presented on the left side of the screen, suggesting right hemisphere superiority in the control of visuo-spatial functions. Moreover, we report inter-individual variability in their performance in the visuo-spatial task. Our preliminary results suggest that dogs could use a rotational invariance process for the discrimination of 3D rotated shapes that deserves further investigation.

Beyond the conservative hypothesis: a meta-analysis of lexical-semantic processing in Williams syndrome

AbstractWilliams syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder, characterised at the cognitive level by a phenotypic pattern of relative weaknesses (e.g., visuospatial skills) and strengths (e.g., some linguistic and nonverbal reasoning skills). In this study, we performed a systematic search and meta-analysis on lexical-semantic processing in WS, an area of knowledge in which contradictory results have been obtained. We found 42 studies matching our criteria, and, in total, 78 effect sizes were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that individuals with WS have worse lexical-semantic skills than individuals with typical development, whether matched by chronological or mental age. However, people with WS have better lexical-semantic skills than people diagnosed with other cognitive disabilities. Finally, vocabulary skills seem to be relatively spared in WS, although they present some difficulties in semantic processing/integration, semantic memory organisation and verbal working memory skills. Taken together, these results support a neuroconstructivist approach, according to which the cognitive mechanisms involved in lexical-semantic processing may be modulated, even when performance in some tasks (i.e., vocabulary tasks) might be optimal.

Advances in the Study of APOE and Innate Immunity in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative disease of the nervous system (CNS) with an insidious onset. Clinically, it is characterized by a full range of dementia manifestations including memory impairment, aphasia, loss of speech, loss of use, loss of recognition, impairment of visuospatial skills, and impairment of executive function, as well as changes in personality and behavior. The exact cause of AD has not yet been identified. Nevertheless, modern research indicates that genetic factors contribute to 70% of human's risk of AD. Apolipoprotein (APOE) accounts for up to 90% of the genetic predisposition. APOE is a crucial gene that cannot be overstated. In addition, innate immunity plays a significant role in the etiology and treatment of AD. Understanding the different subtypes of APOE and their interconnections is of paramount importance. APOE and innate immunity, along with their relationship to AD, are primary research motivators for in-depth research and clinical trials. The exploration of novel technologies has led to an increasing trend in the study of AD at the cellular and molecular levels and continues to make more breakthroughs and progress. As of today, there is no effective treatment available for AD around the world. This paper aims to summarize and analyze the role of APOE and innate immunity, as well as development trends in recent years. It is anticipated that APOE and innate immunity will provide a breakthrough for humans to hinder AD progression in the near future.

Linking self-perceived cognitive functioning questionnaires using item response theory: The subjective cognitive decline initiative.

Self-perceived cognitive functioning, considered highly relevant in the context of aging and dementia, is assessed in numerous ways-hindering the comparison of findings across studies and settings. Therefore, the present study aimed to link item-level self-report questionnaire data from international aging studies. We harmonized secondary data from 24 studies and 40 different questionnaires with item response theory (IRT) techniques using a graded response model with a Bayesian estimator. We compared item information curves to identify items with high measurement precision at different levels of the self-perceived cognitive functioning latent trait. Data from 53,030 neuropsychologically intact older adults were included, from 13 English language and 11 non-English (or mixed) language studies. We successfully linked all questionnaires and demonstrated that a single-factor structure was reasonable for the latent trait. Items that made the greatest contribution to measurement precision (i.e., "top items") assessed general and specific memory problems and aspects of executive functioning, attention, language, calculation, and visuospatial skills. These top items originated from distinct questionnaires and varied in format, range, time frames, response options, and whether they captured ability and/or change. This was the first study to calibrate self-perceived cognitive functioning data of geographically diverse older adults. The resulting item scores are on the same metric, facilitating joint or pooled analyses across international studies. Results may lead to the development of new self-perceived cognitive functioning questionnaires guided by psychometric properties, content, and other important features of items in our item bank. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Association of Neighborhood Deprivation With Cognitive and Mood Outcomes in Adults With Pharmacoresistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common adult form of epilepsy and is associated with a high risk of cognitive deficits and depressed mood. However, little is known about the role of environmental factors on cognition and mood in TLE. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between neighborhood deprivation and neuropsychological function in adults with TLE. Neuropsychological data were obtained from a clinical registry of patients with TLE and included measures of intelligence, attention, processing speed, language, executive function, visuospatial skills, verbal/visual memory, depression, and anxiety. Home addresses were used to calculate the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) for each individual, which were separated into quintiles (i.e., quintile 1 = least disadvantaged and quintile 5 = most disadvantaged). Kruskal-Wallis tests compared quintile groups on cognitive domain scores and mood and anxiety scores. Multivariable regression models, with and without ADI, were estimated for overall cognitive phenotype and for mood and anxiety scores. A total of 800 patients (median age 38 years; 58% female) met all inclusion criteria. Effects of disadvantage (increasing ADI) were observed across nearly all measured cognitive domains and with significant increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, patients in more disadvantaged ADI quintiles had increased odds of a worse cognitive phenotype (p = 0.013). Patients who self-identified as members of minoritized groups were overrepresented in the most disadvantaged ADI quintiles and were 2.91 (95% CI 1.87-4.54) times more likely to be in a severe cognitive phenotype than non-Hispanic White individuals (p < 0.001). However, accounting for ADI attenuated this relationship, suggesting neighborhood deprivation may account for some of the relationship between race/ethnicity and cognitive phenotype (ADI-adjusted proportional odds ratio 1.82, 95% CI 1.37-2.42). These findings highlight the importance of environmental factors and regional characteristics in neuropsychological studies of epilepsy. There are many potential mechanisms by which neighborhood disadvantage can adversely affect cognition (e.g., fewer educational opportunities, limited access to health care, food insecurity/poor nutrition, and greater medical comorbidities). Future research will seek to investigate these potential mechanisms and determine whether structural and functional alterations in the brain moderate the relationship between ADI and cognition.