Involvement of Nicotinic Receptors in Working Memory Function

Abstract Introduction Pretreatment neurocognitive function may predict the treatment response to low-dose ketamine infusion in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, the association between working memory function at baseline and the antidepressant efficacy of ketamine infusion remains unclear. Methods A total of 71 patients with TRD were randomized to one of three treatment groups: 0.5 mg/kg ketamine, 0.2 mg/kg ketamine, or normal saline. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at baseline and after treatment. Cognitive function was evaluated using working memory and go-no-go tasks at baseline. Results A generalized linear model with adjustments for demographic characteristics, treatment groups, and total HDRS scores at baseline revealed only a significant effect of working memory function (correct responses and omissions) on the changes in depressive symptoms measured by HDRS at baseline (F=12.862, p<0.05). Correlation analysis further showed a negative relationship (r=0.519, p=0.027) between pretreatment working memory function and changes in HDRS scores in the 0.5 mg/kg ketamine group. Discussion An inverse relationship between pretreatment working memory function and treatment response to ketamine infusion may confirm that low-dose ketamine infusion is beneficial and should be reserved for patients with TRD.

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Putting Things into Perspective

Experimental Psychology (formerly Zeitschrift für Experimentelle Psychologie) ◽

10.1027/1618-3169.52.1.21 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 21-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Carrie R. Brumback ◽

Kathy A. Low ◽

Gabriele Gratton ◽

Monica Fabiani

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Memory Span ◽

Memory Function ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Stimulus Sequence ◽

Brain Potentials ◽

Operation Span ◽

Differential Reactivity ◽

Brain Responses ◽

Local Stimulus

Abstract. An important function of working memory is the integration of incoming information into an appropriate model of the contextual situation. We hypothesized that individual variability in working-memory function (estimated using Engle’s operation-span measure) may lead to differential reactivity to a changing context. We recorded event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and reaction-time measures to stimuli embedded in long stimulus series (two auditory discrimination tasks), and examined the participants’ responses in relation to how the current stimuli fit with the context generated by the previous stimuli. In both tasks, participants with low working-memory span scores showed larger brain responses as a function of variations in the local stimulus sequence than participants with high span scores. These data suggest that the low working-memory span group is more affected by the local stimulus sequence than the high span group, possibly because they are more easily swayed by ongoing changes and are therefore less capable of maintaining their attention on the overall sequence.

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Auditory and Visual Working Memory Are Differentially Related to Carotenoid Status in Preadolescent Children

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa041_002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 98-98

Author(s):

Corinne Cannavale ◽

Caitlyn Edwards ◽

Ruyu Liu ◽

Samantha Iwinski ◽

Anne Walk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Visual Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Memory Function ◽

Memory Task ◽

Whole Body ◽

Set Size ◽

Preadolescent Children ◽

Central Illinois ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objectives Carotenoids are plant pigments known to deposit in neural tissues including the hippocampus, a brain substrate that supports several memory forms. However, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding carotenoid status and working memory function in children. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand the relationship between macular and skin carotenoids to visual and auditory working memory (WM) function. Methods Seventy preadolescent children (7–12 years, 32 males) were recruited from the East-Central Illinois area. Auditory working memory was assessed using the story recall subtest of the Woodcock-Johnson IV Test of Cognitive Abilities. A subsample (N = 61, 27 males) completed a visual working memory task and reaction time was quantified to determine speed of memory processing at set sizes of 1 to 4 items. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was assessed using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry. Skin carotenoids were assessed using reflection spectroscopy (Veggie Meter). Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to assess the relationship between carotenoid status and WM function, while controlling for age, sex, income, and whole-body % fat (DXA). Results Auditory WM was positively associated with skin carotenoids (b = 0.263, P = 0.039) but not MPOD (b = −0.044, P = 0.380). In contrast, MPOD was significantly associated with faster visual WM speed at set size 3 (b = −0.253, P = 0.039) and trending at set sizes of 1 (b = −0.225, P = 0.051), 2 (b = −0.171, P = 0.121), and 4 (b = −0.230, P = 0.055). Interestingly, skin carotenoids were not related to visual WM performance at either set size (all P’s > 0.300). Conclusions These results indicate that auditory and visual WM may be differentially related to carotenoids. While skin carotenoids encompass all carotenoids consumed in diet, lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids which deposit in the macula. Given that MPOD was only related to visual WM, this suggests lutein plays a larger role in these neural functions relative to auditory WM. Interestingly, MPOD's relationship with visual WM increased in strength with the more difficult trial type (i.e., increasing set size), indicating MPOD is related at higher levels of WM capacity. Funding Sources This study was funded by the Egg Nutrition Center.

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WS-25-4 Prefrontal and parietal networks of working memory function imaged with 124-channel EEG & MRI

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology/Electromyography and Motor Control ◽

10.1016/0924-980x(95)92597-f ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 97 (4) ◽

pp. S50 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alan Gevins

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Memory Function

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Ecstasy use and higher-level cognitive functions: weak effects of ecstasy after control for potential confounds

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291708002730 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 38 (9) ◽

pp. 1319-1330 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

G. Bedi ◽

J. Redman

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Drug Users ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Memory Function ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cohort Design ◽

Larger Sample

BackgroundAlthough there have been several reports linking ecstasy use with lowered cognitive function, much previous research suffers from substantial methodological limitations. The present study aimed to examine associations between ecstasy use and higher-level cognitive functions, using a larger sample size than most previous research and better controlling for a range of potential confounds.MethodA cross-sectional cohort design assessed 45 currently abstinent ecstasy polydrug users (EP), 48 cannabis polydrug users (CP) and 40 legal drug users (LD). Standardized neuropsychological tests were used to measure attention, verbal, visual and working memory and executive function. Prospective memory function was also assessed.ResultsIt was not possible to discriminate between groups on the basis of the cognitive functions assessed. Regression analyses showed an inverse association between lifetime dose of ecstasy and verbal memory performance. A combination of drug-use variables, including measures of ecstasy use, contributed to prediction of attention/working memory. However, individual associations were small, explaining 1–6% of variance in cognitive scores.ConclusionsAlthough the results suggest that heavy use of ecstasy is associated with some lowering of higher-level cognitive functions, they do not indicate a clinical picture of substantial cognitive dysfunction.

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Controllability, information processing, and learning motivation: Moderation of working memory by perceptions of control

The Australian Educational and Developmental Psychologist ◽

10.1017/s0816512200028534 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 66-87

Author(s):

David A. Yeigh

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Information Processing ◽

Attributional Style ◽

Memory Function ◽

Processing Efficiency ◽

Relevant Feedback ◽

Attributional Model ◽

Low Levels ◽

Affect Processing ◽

The Way

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of perceived controllobility on information processing within the attributional model of learning (Weiner, 1985, 1986). Attributional style was used to identify trait patterns of controllability for 37 university student. Task-relevant feedback was then manipulated to test for differences in working memory function between participants with high versus low levels of trait controllobility. Trait controllability occurred differently for hi-trait and lo-trait types. Results supported the hypothesis that it exerts a moderating effect on the way task-relevant feedback is processed. This selective encoding of information appeared to involve limitations inherent to the working memory system that affect processing efficiency, marking an important consideration for the way in which information is presented during the learning process.

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