Tele-Neurobehavior and Computerized Cognitive Tests

Abstract Previous cross-sectional research suggests that age-related decreases in Rapid-Eye Movement (REM) sleep may contribute to poorer cognitive functioning (CF); however, few studies have examined the relationship at the intraindividual level by measuring habitual sleep over multiple days. Applying a 14-day daily diary design, the current study examines the dynamic relationship between REM sleep and CF in 69 healthy older adults (M age=70.8 years, SD=3.37; 73.9% female; 66.6% completed at least an undergraduate degree). A Fitbit device provided actigraphy indices of REM sleep (minutes and percentage of total sleep time), while CF was measured four times daily on a smartphone via ambulatory cognitive tests that captured processing speed and working memory. This research addressed the following questions: At the within-person level, are fluctuations in quantity of REM sleep associated with fluctuations in next day cognitive measures across days? Do individuals who spend more time in REM sleep on average, perform better on cognitive tests than adults who spend less time in REM sleep? A series of multilevel models were fit to examine the extent to which each index of sleep accounted for daily fluctuations in performance on next day cognitive tests. Results indicated that during nights when individuals had more REM sleep minutes than was typical, they performed better on the working memory task the next morning (estimate = -.003, SE = .002, p = .02). These results highlight the impact of REM sleep on CF, and further research may allow for targeted interventions for earlier treatment of sleep-related cognitive impairment.

Download Full-text

Feasibility study of assessing the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) score via videoconferencing

Journal of Neurology ◽

10.1007/s00415-021-10403-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Giulia Seghezzo ◽

Yvonne Van Hoecke ◽

Laura James ◽

Donna Davoren ◽

Elizabeth Williamson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Multiple Linear Regression ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Cognitive Tests ◽

Strong Positive Correlation ◽

Pearson Correlation Coefficient ◽

Face To Face ◽

The Difference

Abstract Background The Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) is a composite score which can detect the first signs of cognitive impairment, which can be of importance for research and clinical practice. It is designed to be administered in person; however, in-person assessments are costly, and are difficult during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Objective To assess the feasibility of performing the PACC assessment with videoconferencing, and to compare the validity of this remote PACC with the in-person PACC obtained previously. Methods Participants from the HEalth and Ageing Data IN the Game of football (HEADING) Study who had already undergone an in-person assessment were re-contacted and re-assessed remotely. The correlation between the two PACC scores was estimated. The difference between the two PACC scores was calculated and used in multiple linear regression to assess which variables were associated with a difference in PACC scores. Findings Of the 43 participants who were invited to this external study, 28 were re-assessed. The median duration in days between the in-person and the remote assessments was 236.5 days (7.9 months) (IQR 62.5). There was a strong positive correlation between the two assessments for the PACC score, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0·82 (95% CI 0·66, 0·98). The multiple linear regression found that the only predictor of the PACC difference was the time between assessments. Interpretation This study provides evidence on the feasibility of performing cognitive tests online, with the PACC tests being successfully administered through videoconferencing. This is relevant, especially during times when face-to-face assessments cannot be performed.

Download Full-text

436 Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment (e.g., CPAP) Differential Effects on Cognitive Performance

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.435 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A172-A173

Author(s):

Ei Hlaing ◽

Stephanie Clancy Dollinger ◽

Terry Brown

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Daytime Sleepiness ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Cognitive Tests ◽

Subjective Sleep Quality ◽

Cognitive Improvement ◽

Cpap Treatment ◽

Integrative Research ◽

Obstructive Sleep

Abstract Introduction The efficacy of CPAP treatment for cognitive improvement among patients with OSA is inconsistent. Naegele et al. (1995) found that short term memory impairment persisted even after 4 to 6 months of CPAP; O’Donoghue et al. (2012) have reported they did not find improvement in vigilance or memory; Felver-Grant (2007) found that working memory improved but not other cognitive tests. Kanbay et al. (2015) found patients improved on the MMSE scores after 3 months of CPAP treatment. Kim et al. (2018) claimed just 3 weeks of CPAP treatment improved attention, sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). CPAP therapy has little effect on the improvement of cognitive deficits associated with OSA if the patients did not complain of daytime sleepiness (Zhou et al,, 2016). Methods Both untreated OSA patients (N=19) and ApneaLinkTM- screened controls (N=16) were administered a battery of cognitive tests before the patients started using CPAP and these two conditions were tested again after 3 months of CPAP treatment. A Fisher’s Exact Chi-Square test was used to determine if there was an association between conditions (OSA patients vs. Controls) and level of performance on cognitive tests (low vs. high scores) at the baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Results Depression scores, subjective sleep quality scores (global PSQI), EDS scores (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and mood disturbance (Profile of Mood States) decreased after 3 months of CPAP treatment just for patients. Controls (individuals without moderate or severe OSA) performed better at the second time on phonemic fluency, immediate recall memory test, and 30 minute delayed memory recall test. Conclusion The fact that patients did not do better at time 2 on any of the cognitive tests may indicate a long term effect of hypoxia on the brain. The cognitive deficits may not reverse within the first 3 months of CPAP although self-reported depressive symptoms and perception of sleep quality and positive mood have improved when patients reported they are compliant with the treatment. Support (if any) A grant from the Center for Integrative Research on Cognitive Neural Science, Southern Illinois University Carbondale was received.

Download Full-text

Combined instruments for the screening of dementia in older people with low Education

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/s0004-282x2009000200003 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 67 (2a) ◽

pp. 185-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Cássio M.C. Bottino ◽

Sonia E. Zevallos-Bustamante ◽

Marcos A. Lopes ◽

Dionisio Azevedo ◽

Sérgio R. Hototian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cognitive Tests ◽

Weighted Sum ◽

Dementia Screening ◽

Moderate Dementia ◽

Icd 10 ◽

Roc Area ◽

Low Educated ◽

State Examination

OBJECTIVE: To determine which combination of cognitive tests and informant reports can improve the diagnostic accuracy of dementia screening in low educated older people. METHOD: Patients with mild to moderate dementia (n=34) according to ICD-10 and DSM-III-R criteria and 59 older controls were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Fuld Object Memory Evaluation (FOME). Informants were assessed using the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly and the Bayer-Activities of Daily Living Scale. RESULTS: The 4 instruments combined with the mixed rule correctly classified 100% and the logistic regression (weighted sum) classified 95.7% of subjects. The weighted sum had a significantly larger ROC area compared to MMSE (p=0.008) and FOME (p=0.023). The specificity of the tested combinations was superior to the MMSE alone (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive tests combined with informant reports can improve the screening of mild to moderate dementia in low educated older people.

Download Full-text