Basal Ganglia Cerebral Microbleeds and Global Cognitive Function: The Kashima Scan Study

The amount of knowledge on human consciousness has created a multitude of viewpoints and it is difficult to compare and synthesize all the recent scientific perspectives. Indeed, there are many definitions of consciousness and multiple approaches to study the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC). Therefore, the main aim of this article is to collect data on the various theories of consciousness published between 2007–2017 and to synthesize them to provide a general overview of this topic. To describe each theory, we developed a thematic grid called the dimensional model, which qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes how each article, related to one specific theory, debates/analyzes a specific issue. Among the 1130 articles assessed, 85 full texts were included in the prefinal step. Finally, this scoping review analyzed 68 articles that described 29 theories of consciousness. We found heterogeneous perspectives in the theories analyzed. Those with the highest grade of variability are as follows: subjectivity, NCC, and the consciousness/cognitive function. Among sub-cortical structures, thalamus, basal ganglia, and the hippocampus were the most indicated, whereas the cingulate, prefrontal, and temporal areas were the most reported for cortical ones also including the thalamo-cortical system. Moreover, we found several definitions of consciousness and 21 new sub-classifications.

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The Association between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Functional Activity Questionnaire in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acy094 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 814-824

Author(s):

Carolyn H Still ◽

Nicholas M Pajewski ◽

Gordon J Chelune ◽

Stephen R Rapp ◽

Kaycee M Sink ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Systolic Blood Pressure ◽

Functional Activity ◽

Cognitive Assessment ◽

Intervention Trial ◽

Functional Difficulties ◽

Global Cognitive Function ◽

Functional Activity Questionnaire ◽

Activity Questionnaire

Abstract Objective To examine the association of global cognitive function assessed via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and deficiencies in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) on the Functional Activity Questionnaire (FAQ) in hypertensive older adults in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). Methods In cross-sectional analysis, 9,296 SPRINT participants completed the MoCA at baseline. The FAQ was obtained from 2,705 informants for SPRINT participants scoring <21 or <22 on the MoCA, depending on education. FAQ severity ranged from no dysfunction (Score = 0) to moderate/severe dysfunction (Score = 5+). Results Participants who triggered FAQ administration were older, less educated, and more likely to be Black or Hispanic (p < 0.001). Sixty-one percent (n = 1,661) of participants’ informants reported no functional difficulties in IADLs. An informant report, however, of any difficulty on the FAQ was associated with lower MoCA scores after controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education (p < 0.05). Partial proportional odds regression indicates that participants scoring lower on the MoCA (in the 10th to <25th, fifth to <10th, and <fifth percentiles) had higher adjusted odds of their informant indicating dysfunction on the FAQ, relative to participants scoring at or above the 25th percentile on the MoCA (p < 0.001). Conclusions While lower global cognitive function was strongly associated with IADL deficits on FAQ, informants indicated no functional difficulties for the majority of SPRINT participants, despite low MoCA scores. These findings can help with designing future studies which aim to detect mild cognitive impairment and/or dementia in large, community-dwelling populations.

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Acute cerebral microbleeds at the edge of lacunar strokes: cause or result

The Neuroradiology Journal ◽

10.1177/19714009211042878 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 197140092110428

Author(s):

Keisuke Koizumi ◽

Hiromasa Sato ◽

Masahiro Ebitani ◽

Kikuko Kaneko ◽

Kazuhiro Oguchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Basal Ganglia ◽

Cerebral Microbleeds ◽

Lacunar Infarction ◽

Cerebral Microbleed ◽

Over Time ◽

Arterial Branch

We investigated the pathogenic relationship between cerebral microbleeds and lacunar strokes. Two cases of lacunar strokes in the region of the basal ganglia, a 72-year-old man and a 67-year-old man, were studied; both cases showed cerebral microbleeds in the stroke areas. The cerebral microbleeds were surrounded by oedema, and the oedema faded out over time, suggesting the cerebral microbleeds had developed acutely. The cerebral microbleeds were located at the ventrolateral edge of the lacunar infarctions, and the locations appeared to be at or near the sites of occlusion of the lenticulostriatal branches. Although a cerebral microbleed and a lacunar infarction may be two unrelated events on juxtapositioned vessels, or a cerebral microbleed may be haemorrhagic conversion of an infarction, a cerebral microbleed could cause an occlusion of the arterial branch, leading to lacunar infarction of its supplying territories.

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Associating Gait Phase and Physical Fitness with Global Cognitive Function in the Aged

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17134786 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (13) ◽

pp. 4786

Author(s):

Byungjoo Noh ◽

Changhong Youm ◽

Myeounggon Lee ◽

Hwayoung Park

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Stance Phase ◽

Strong Dependence ◽

Sit To Stand ◽

Global Cognitive Function ◽

Age Related ◽

Type Data

This study aimed to identify classifier variables by considering both gait and physical fitness for identifying adults aged over 75 years and global cognitive function declines in older adults. The participants included 735 adults aged 65–89 years who were asked to walk at three different speeds (slower, preferred, and faster) while wearing inertial measurement units embedded in shoe-type data loggers and to perform nine physical fitness tests. The variability in the stance phase as well as the strength, balance, and functional endurance showed a strong dependence on the age being over 75 years. The cognitive function was evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination; a longer stance phase at a slower walking speed and decreased grip strength and five times sit-to-stand were associated with cognitive function. These findings may be useful for determining the decline in physical performance of older adults. A longer stance phase and decreased grip strength and five times sit-to-stand may be factors that help distinguish declines in cognitive function from normal age-related declines.

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Recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis and cognitive function among older adults with type 1 diabetes: findings from the Study of Longevity in Diabetes

BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care ◽

10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001173 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e001173 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mary E Lacy ◽

Paola Gilsanz ◽

Chloe W Eng ◽

Michal S Beeri ◽

Andrew J Karter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Diabetic Ketoacidosis ◽

Brain Health ◽

Psychomotor Speed ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Global Cognitive Function

IntroductionDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes. DKA is associated with poorer cognition in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but whether this is the case in older adults with T1D is unknown. Given the increasing life expectancy in T1D, understanding the role of DKA on brain health in older adults is crucial.Research design and methodsWe examined the association of DKA with cognitive function in 714 older adults with T1D from the Study of Longevity in Diabetes. Participants self-reported lifetime exposure to DKA resulting in hospitalization; DKA was categorized into 0 hospitalization, 1 hospitalization or ≥2 hospitalizations (recurrent DKA). Global and domain-specific cognition (language, executive function/psychomotor speed, episodic memory and simple attention) were assessed. The association of DKA with cognitive function was evaluated via linear and logistic regression models.ResultsTwenty-eight percent of participants (mean age=67 years; mean age at diagnosis=28 years; average duration of diabetes=39 years) reported a lifetime history of DKA resulting in hospitalization (18.5% single DKA; 9.7% recurrent DKA). In fully adjusted models, those with recurrent DKA had lower global cognitive function (β=−0.13; 95% CI −0.22 to 0.02) and lower scores on the executive function/psychomotor speed domain (β=−0.34; 95% CI −0.51 to 0.17). Individuals with recurrent DKA were also more likely to have the lowest level of cognitive function on the executive function/psychomotor speed domain (defined as 1.5 SD below the population mean; OR=3.26, 95% CI 1.43 to 7.42).ConclusionsAmong 714 older adults with T1D, recurrent DKA was associated with lower global cognitive function, lower scores on the executive function/psychomotor speed domain and 3.3 times greater risk of having the lowest level of cognitive function in our sample on the executive function/psychomotor speed domain. These findings suggest that recurrent DKA may negatively impact the brain health of older patients with T1D and highlight the importance of DKA prevention.

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Effects of dance on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afaa270 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Patricia Hewston ◽

Courtney Clare Kennedy ◽

Sayem Borhan ◽

Dafna Merom ◽

Pasqualina Santaguida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Learning And Memory ◽

Optimal Dose ◽

Future Research ◽

Trail Making Test ◽

Global Cognitive Function ◽

Trail Making ◽

Complex Attention

Abstract Background dance is a mind–body activity that stimulates neuroplasticity. We explored the effect of dance on cognitive function in older adults. Methods we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and PsycInfo databases from inception to August 2020 (PROSPERO:CRD42017057138). Inclusion criteria were (i) randomised controlled trials (ii) older adults (aged ≥ 55 years), (iii) intervention—dance and (iv) outcome—cognitive function. Cognitive domains were classified with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 Neurocognitive Framework. Meta-analyses were performed in RevMan5.3 and certainty of evidence with GradePro. Results we reviewed 3,997 records and included 11 studies (N = 1,412 participants). Seven studies included only healthy older adults and four included those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Dance interventions varied in frequency (1–3×/week), time (35–60 minutes), duration (3–12 months) and type. We found a mean difference (MD) = 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI) = 0.21–2.95) on the Mini Mental State Examination for global cognitive function (moderate-certainty evidence), and the Wechsler Memory Test for learning and memory had an MD = 3.02 (95% CI = 1.38–4.65; low-certainty evidence). On the Trail Making Test-A for complex attention, MD = 3.07 (95% CI = −0.81 to 6.95; high-certainty evidence) and on the Trail Making Test-B for executive function, MD = −4.12 (95% CI = −21.28 to 13.03; moderate-certainty evidence). Subgroup analyses did not suggest consistently greater effects in older adults with MCI. Evidence is uncertain for language, and no studies evaluated social cognition or perceptual–motor function. Conclusions dance probably improves global cognitive function and executive function. However, there is little difference in complex attention, and evidence also suggests little effect on learning and memory. Future research is needed to determine the optimal dose and if dance results in greater cognitive benefits than other types of physical activity and exercise.

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Effect of cumulative exposure to psychosocial stressors at work on global cognitive function: A 25‐year longitudinal study

Alzheimer s & Dementia ◽

10.1002/alz.036792 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (S10) ◽

Author(s):

Caroline S Duchaine ◽

Chantal Brisson ◽

Denis Talbot ◽

Mahée Gilbert‐Ouimet ◽

Xavier Trudel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cumulative Exposure ◽

Psychosocial Stressors ◽

Global Cognitive Function

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Impact of secondhand smoke exposure on cognitive function among middle-aged and older women in China: findings from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039824 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e039824

Author(s):

Anying Bai ◽

Yinzi Jin ◽

Yangmu Huang

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Secondhand Smoke ◽

Chinese Women ◽

Memory Function ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Visuospatial Ability ◽

Global Cognitive Function ◽

Normal Cognitive Function

ObjectivesTo examine the association between secondhand smoke (SSH) and women’s global cognitive function and cognitive subdomains.DesignCohort study.ParticipantsData for this study were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011-2013-2015), and pooled analysis was applied to wave 1 and wave 2 (2011–2013), wave 2 and wave 3 (2013–2015) and wave 1 and wave 3 (2011–2015). Data from a total of 6875 Chinese women with normal cognitive function at baseline were selected for analysis, including 2981 who were interviewed in 2011, 2471 in 2013, and 1894 in 2015.Main outcome measures and methodsSHS was classified based on the number of exposed years (<25 years, ≥25 years to <30 years, ≥30 years to <40 years, ≥40 years). Global cognitive function, visuospatial ability, orientation and attention, and episodic memory function were used as measures of cognitive function. Three waves of data were pooled using a dummy variable to differentiate between 2-year and 4-year groups. LDV models were used to examine independent associations between SHS and cognitive function. Demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, baseline cognitive functioning and health conditions were controlled for in our models.ResultsSSH was found to be inversely and significantly associated with cognitive function. Compared with those who had not been exposed to household SSH, women who had lived with a smoking husband had a significantly faster cognition decline, especially in global cognitive function (β=−0.33, 95% CI=−0.66 to −0.01, p<0.01), visuospatial ability (β=−0.04, 95% CI=−0.08 to −0.01, p<0.05) and episodic memory function (β=−0.16, 95% CI=−0.31 to −0.01, p=0.031).ConclusionsHousehold SSH exposure for more than 40 years was associated with a more significant decline in global cognitive function, visuospatial ability and episodic memory function, but not in orientation and attention function among older Chinese women.

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Perceived Racial/Ethnic Discrimination Predicts Worse Global Cognition in a Diverse Sample

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acz029.33 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (7) ◽

pp. 1266-1266

Author(s):

E Morris ◽

V Guzman ◽

E Tell ◽

A C Summers ◽

U S Clark ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Ethnic Discrimination ◽

Hiv Status ◽

Structural Racism ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Global Cognitive Function ◽

Persons Living With Hiv ◽

Racial Ethnic

Abstract Objective While perceived racial/ethnic discrimination (PD) and HIV can be independently detrimental to cognitive function, it is unclear whether persons living with HIV (PLWH) who experience PD may be at risk for greater cognitive dysfunction than HIV- persons. In a diverse sample, we hypothesized that PD would be related to worse cognition and that this effect would be moderated by HIV status. Participants and Method This cross-sectional study included 53 participants (57% PLWH; 77% African American and 23% Latinx; 45% male; M Age = 54.5 ± 6.1 years; M Education = 12.4 ± 2.2 years) who completed the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire (PEDQ) and a neurocognitive (NC) battery. Variables included education (years); HIV status; PEDQ Total Score and global NC T-score (averaged, demographically-corrected T-scores for all tests). A general linear model examined main and interaction effects of HIV status and PD on global cognitive function. Covariates included depression and urine toxicology status for cocaine and marijuana. Results Greater PD was associated with higher education and greater depression. The model showed that greater PD (β = -.48, p < .05) and lower education (β = -19.0, p < .01) were related to worse global cognitive function. This relationship was moderated by education (β = .59, p < .01), such that the relationship between PD and global cognitive function was stronger in those with higher education. There was no main effect of HIV or HIV*PD interaction on global cognitive function. Conclusions This study demonstrated that greater PD is related to worse global cognitive function and this relationship is stronger in those with more education. While no causal factors can be attributed, racial/ethnic minorities with higher education may be granted greater access to areas with greater structural racism and/or microagressions (i.e., predominantly white workplaces). Future studies should evaluate the role of socioeconomic and workplace diversity when considering discrimination.

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