scholarly journals Cognitive functioning and predictors thereof in patients with 1–10 brain metastases selected for stereotactic radiosurgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 145 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wietske C. M. Schimmel ◽  
Karin Gehring ◽  
Patrick E. J. Hanssens ◽  
Margriet M. Sitskoorn
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Individual Level

Abstract Purpose Information on predictive factors of cognitive functioning in patients with (multiple) brain metastases (BM) selected for radiosurgery may allow for more individual care and may play a role in predicting cognitive outcome after radiosurgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate cognitive performance, and predictors thereof, in patients with 1–10 BM before radiosurgery. Methods Cognition was measured before radiosurgery using a standardized neuropsychological test battery in patients with 1–10 BM (expected survival > 3 months; KPS ≥ 70; no prior BM treatment). Regression formulae were constructed to calculate sociodemographically corrected z scores. Group and individual cognitive functioning was analyzed. Multivariable regression was used to explore potential predictors. Results Patients (N = 92) performed significantly worse than controls (N = 104) on all 11 test variables (medium-large effect sizes for 8 variables). Percentages of impairment were highest for information processing (55.3%), dexterity (43.2%) and cognitive flexibility (28.7%). 62% and 46% of patients had impairments in at least two, or three test variables, respectively. Models including combinations of clinical and psychological variables were predictive of verbal memory, psychomotor speed, information processing and dexterity. Neither number nor volume of metastases predicted patients’ test performance. Conclusions Already before radiosurgery, almost half of the patients suffered from severe cognitive deficits in at least three test variables. At group and individual level, information processing, cognitive flexibility, and dexterity were most affected. These cognitive impairments may impair daily functioning and patients’ ability to make (shared) treatment decisions. Both clinical (symptomatic BM; timing of BM diagnosis) and psychological (mental fatigue) characteristics influenced cognitive performance. Clinical trial information Cognition and Radiation Study A (CAR-Study A; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02953756; Medical Ethics Committee file number: NL53472.028.15/P1515).

Does Antiretroviral Therapy Improve HIV-Associated Cognitive Impairment? A Quantitative Review of the Literature

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 956-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timour Al-Khindi ◽  
Konstantine K. Zakzanis ◽  
Wilfred G. van Gorp
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Quantitative Review ◽  
Cd4 Cell Count ◽  
System Integrity ◽  
Cd4 Cell

AbstractThe development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically improved survival for those living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but whether ART improves cognitive functioning remains unclear. The aim of the present review was to examine systematically the extent to which ART improves cognition among individuals with HIV using meta-analytic methods. Twenty-three studies were included in the quantitative review. ART was associated with modest improvements in attention (mean d = .17; p < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI], .09/.25), executive function (mean d = .18; p < .001; 95% CI, .10/.26), and motor function (mean d = .24; p < .001; 95% CI, .16/.32). ART did not improve language, verbal memory, visual memory or visuospatial function. The extent to which cognition improved was correlated with the change in CD4 cell count following ART, suggesting a link between cognitive outcome and immune system integrity. Together, the present findings indicate that the neuropsychological test performance of most HIV patients taking ART is comparable to those not taking ART. Development of pharmaceutical treatments and rehabilitation strategies that target the cognitive effects of HIV infection is needed. (JINS, 2011, 17, 956–969)

scholarly journals The Relation between Inflammation and Neuropsychological Test Performance

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie H. Balldin ◽  
James R. Hall ◽  
Robert C. Barber ◽  
Linda Hynan ◽  
Ramon Diaz-Arrastia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Differential Relation ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Background. Considerable research documents an association between pro- and anti-inflammatory markers and Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the differential relation between these markers and neuropsychological functioning in AD and nondemented controls has received less attention. The current study sought to evaluate the relationship between peripheral markers of inflammation (both pro- and anti-inflammatory) and neuropsychological functioning through the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) cohort.Methods. There were 320 participants (Probable ADn=124, Controlsn=196) in the TARCC Longitudinal Research Cohort available for analysis. Regression analyses were utilized to examine the relation between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers and neuropsychological functioning. Follow-up analyses were conducted separately by case versus control status.Results. Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers were found to be associated with neuropsychological testing. Third tertile proinflammatory markers were negatively associated with measures of attention and language, and anti-inflammatory markers were positively associated with measures of immediate verbal memory and delayed verbal and visual memory.Conclusions. These findings support the link between peripheral inflammatory markers and neuropsychological functioning and suggest the utility of examining profiles of inflammatory markers in the future.

scholarly journals B-52 Improvements in Cognitive Functioning in Inactive Professional Fighters

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 998-998
Author(s):  
L Bennett ◽  
C Bernick ◽  
W Ng
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objective Repetitive head injuries common in combat sports have been associated with increased risk for cognitive dysfunction. Interestingly, the Professional Fighter’s Brain Health Study (PFBHS) team has observed improvements in fighters’ cognitive performance following their transition to inactive fighting status. As this phenomenon was explored, it was hypothesized that fighters’ cognitive performance will initially improve following their discontinuation of fighting. Methods Longitudinal demographic, fighting history, and cognitive functioning data from 31 fighters who discontinued fighting during their participation in the PFBHS. Cognitive functioning was assessed via CNS Vital Signs and C3/iComet computerized batteries. Number of professional fights, as well as inactive fighting status, was determined using published professional online records. Fighters were considered inactive if they had gone two or more years without a professional match. Results Paired-samples t test was conducted to evaluate cognitive functioning in fighters at time 1 (actively fighting) and time 2 (inactive fighting status). When comparing cognitive function at across time points, performance on CNS Vital Signs measures of verbal memory, processing speed, psychomotor speed, and reaction time, as well as C3/iComet measures of set-shifting and complex reaction time, significantly improved at time 2 (all p’s < 0.05). Interestingly, performance did not improve across time points on a C3/iComet measure of processing speed (Trailmaking Test Part A). Conclusions Cognitive performance improved on most measures when fighters transitioned to inactive fighting status. Given the limited sample size, future analysis is necessary to evaluate the relationship between fighting status and cognitive performance in a larger sample size.

scholarly journals The Dissociation between Early and Late Selection in Older Adults

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2189-2206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany R. Alperin ◽  
Anna E. Haring ◽  
Tatyana Y. Zhuravleva ◽  
Phillip J. Holcomb ◽  
Dorene M. Rentz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Early Selection ◽  
Attention Task ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Different Color ◽  
Task Irrelevant ◽  
Late Selection

Older adults exhibit a reduced ability to ignore task-irrelevant stimuli; however, it remains to be determined where along the information processing stream the most salient age-associated changes occur. In the current study, ERPs provided an opportunity to determine whether age-related differences in processing task-irrelevant stimuli were uniform across information processing stages or disproportionately affected either early or late selection. ERPs were measured in young and old adults during a color-selective attention task in which participants responded to target letters in a specified color (attend condition) while ignoring letters in a different color (ignore condition). Old participants were matched to two groups of young participants on the basis of neuropsychological test performance: one using age-appropriate norms and the other using test scores not adjusted for age. There were no age-associated differences in the magnitude of early selection (attend–ignore), as indexed by the size of the anterior selection positivity and posterior selection negativity. During late selection, as indexed by P3b amplitude, both groups of young participants generated neural responses to target letters under the attend versus ignore conditions that were highly differentiated. In striking contrast, old participants generated a P3b to target letters with no reliable differences between conditions. Individuals who were slow to initiate early selection appeared to be less successful at executing late selection. Despite relative preservation of the operations of early selection, processing delays may lead older participants to allocate excessive resources to task-irrelevant stimuli during late selection.

scholarly journals Predictors of Neuropsychological Improvement Following Cognitive Rehabilitation in Patients with Gliomas

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Gehring ◽  
Neil K. Aaronson ◽  
Chad M. Gundy ◽  
Martin J.B. Taphoorn ◽  
Margriet M. Sitskoorn
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

AbstractThis study investigated the specific patient factors that predict responsiveness to a cognitive rehabilitation program. The program has previously been demonstrated to be successful at the group level in patients with gliomas, but it is unclear which patient characteristics optimized the effect of the intervention at the individual level. Four categories of possible predictors of improvement were selected for evaluation: sociodemographic and clinical variables, self-reported cognitive symptoms, and objective neuropsychological test performance. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted, beginning with the most accessible (sociodemographic) variables and ending with the most difficult (baseline neuropsychological) to identify in clinical practice. Nearly 60% of the participants of the intervention were classified as reliably improved. Reliable improvement was predicted by age (p = .003) and education (p = .011). Additional results suggested that younger patients were more likely to benefit specifically from the cognitive rehabilitation program (p = .001), and that higher education was also associated with improvement in the control group (p = .024). The findings are discussed in light of brain reserve theory. A practical implication is that cognitive rehabilitation programs should take the patients’ age into account and, if possible, adapt programs to increase the likelihood of improvement among older participants. (JINS, 2011, 17, 256–266)

scholarly journals Neuropsychological Test Performance of Cognitively Healthy Centenarians: Normative data from the Dutch 100-plus Study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Beker ◽  
Sietske A.M. Sikkes ◽  
Marc Hulsman ◽  
Ben Schmand ◽  
Philip Scheltens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Hearing Impairments ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dementia Incidence ◽  
Sensory Impairments ◽  
Linear Regressions

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe population who reaches the extreme age of 100 years is growing. At this age, dementia incidence is high and cognitive functioning is variable and influenced by sensory impairments. Appropriate cognitive testing requires normative data generated specifically for this group. Currently, these are lacking. We set out to generate norms for neuropsychological tests in cognitively healthy centenarians while taking sensory impairments into account.MethodsWe included 235 centenarians (71.5% female) from the 100-plus Study, who self-reported to be cognitively healthy, which was confirmed by an informant and a trained researcher. Normative data were generated for 15 tests that evaluate global cognition, pre-morbid intelligence, attention, language, memory, executive and visuo-spatial functions by multiple linear regressions and/or percentiles. Centenarians with vision and/or hearing impairments were excluded for tests that required these faculties.ResultsSubjects scored on average 25.6±3.1 (range 17-30, interquartile-range 24-28) points on the MMSE. Vision problems and fatigue often complicated the ability to complete tests, and these problems explained 41% and 22% of the missing test scores respectively, whereas hearing problems (4%) and task incomprehension (6%) only rarely did. Sex and age showed a limited association with test performance, whereas educational level was associated with performance on the majority of the tests.ConclusionsNormative data for the centenarian population is provided, while taking age-related sensory impairments into consideration. Results indicate that, next to vision impairments, fatigue and education level should be taken into account when assessing cognitive functioning in centenarians.

The effect of cataract surgery on neuropsychological test performance: A randomized controlled trial

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 632-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
KAARIN J. ANSTEY ◽  
STEPHEN R. LORD ◽  
MICHAEL HENNESSY ◽  
PAUL MITCHELL ◽  
KATHERINE MILL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Visual Function ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional

Recent cross-sectional studies have reported strong associations between visual and cognitive function, and longitudinal studies have shown relationships between visual and cognitive decline in late life. Improvement in cognitive performance after cataract surgery has been reported in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. We investigated whether improving visual function with cataract surgery would improve neuropsychological performance in healthy older adults. A randomized clinical trial of cataract surgery performed at acute hospitals was conducted on 56 patients (mean age 73) with bilateral cataract, after excluding a total of 54 patients at the screening stage, of whom 53 did not meet visual acuity criteria and one did not have cataract. In-home assessments included visual and neuropsychological function, computerized cognitive testing and health questionnaires. Results showed no cognitive benefits of cataract surgery in cognitively normal adults. We conclude that visual improvement following cataract surgery is not strongly associated with an improvement in neuropsychological test performance in otherwise healthy adults. Joint associations between visual and cognitive function in late life are likely to be due to central factors, and unlikely to be strongly related to eye disease. Short-term increased neural stimulation from improved visual function does not appear to affect cognitive performance. (JINS, 2006, 12, 632–639.)

scholarly journals Adolescent Heavy Episodic Drinking: Neurocognitive Functioning during Early Abstinence

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Winward ◽  
Karen L. Hanson ◽  
Nicole M. Bekman ◽  
Susan F. Tapert ◽  
Sandra A. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Heavy Episodic Drinking ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Performance Deficits ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
5Th Grade ◽  
Cognitive Switching

AbstractThe present study investigated the rate and pattern of neuropsychological recovery in heavy episodic drinking teens during the initial days to weeks of abstinence from alcohol. Adolescents (ages, 16–18 years) with histories of heavy episodic drinking (HED; N = 39) and socio-demographically similar control teens (CON; N = 26) were recruited from San Diego area schools. HED and CON were comparable on 5th grade standardized math and language arts test performance to ensure similar functioning before onset of substance use. Participants were administered three neuropsychological test batteries with 2-week intervals during a 4-week monitored abstinence period. HED teens performed worse overall than CON on tests of prospective memory (p = .005), cognitive switching (p = .039), inhibition task accuracy (p = .001), verbal memory (p's < .045), visuospatial construction (p's < .043), and language and achievement (p's < .008). The statistically significant group × time interaction for block design demonstrated normalization within the 4 weeks of abstinence for the HED (p = .009). This study identified cognitive performance deficits associated with heavy episodic drinking in adolescence during early abstinence and with sustained 4-week abstention. These findings suggest alcohol-related influences on several underlying brain systems that may predate the onset of alcohol abuse or dependence or take longer than 4 weeks to recover. (JINS, 2014, 20, 218–229)

scholarly journals A-216 The Relationship Between Cognitive Performance on a Sports-Concussion Assessment Battery and the Motivation Behaviors Checklist (MBC)

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1011-1011
Author(s):  
Guty E ◽  
Riegler K ◽  
Thomas G ◽  
Arnett P
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Sports Concussion ◽  
High Motivation ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Cognitively Intact

Abstract Objective The Motivation Behaviors Checklist (MBC) was designed as an observational rating scale to assess effort during baseline evaluations (Rabinowitz, Merritt, and Arnett, 2016). This study aims to explore the MBC in relation to a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests, including paper-and-pencil tests. Method Participants included 291 (M = 213, F = 78) student-athletes from a Division I University sports concussion program. Seventeen neuropsychological test indices were used to create a neurocognitive composite. The 18-item MBC was scored such that higher values indicate greater motivation/effort. Across test indices, the number of impaired scores (below the 80th percentile) was also calculated. Individuals were placed into impairment groups (Impaired ≥3 impaired scores) and motivation groups based on their MBC scores (High Motivation = score greater than the median of 49). Results Bivariate correlations demonstrated a significant relationship (ρ = .39, p &lt; .001) between cognitive performance and the MBC total score. Chi-square analysis demonstrated that significantly more of the 81 individuals in the Impaired group were also in the Low Motivation group (n = 56, 69%), χ2 (1, N = 291) = 18.53, p &lt; .001, Φ = −.25. Conclusions Higher motivation scores on the MBC are related to better cognitive performance. Compared with cognitively intact individuals, those who were cognitively impaired were significantly more likely to score below the cut off score of 49 on the MBC. Future work will explore different cutoff values that maximize sensitivity and specificity for test performance in order to provide guidelines for clinicians wishing to utilize the MBC.

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