Application of the Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen and its relation to functioning in schizophrenia

ObjectiveThis study investigated the ability of the Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen (ARCS) to detect cognitive deficit in individuals with schizophrenia, relative to the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and explored the associations between the ARCS and functional outcomes. We hypothesised that the ARCS would be able to better discriminate between individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls than the MMSE, and that ARCS performance would be correlated with measures of social and vocational functioning.MethodsThe participants were 19 community-dwelling individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 19 healthy controls recruited from the Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank (ASRB). Participants completed the ARCS, MMSE, and self-report measures of social and vocational functioning. Clinical and diagnostic data stored by the ASRB were also utilised.ResultsThe schizophrenia group performed worse than the control group on the ARCS, with memory, t(36)=2.49, p=0.02, 95% CI [−1.84, −18.79] and fluency, t(36)=2.40, p=0.02, 95% CI [−1.87, −22.24] domains being the main discriminating measures. The RBANS also discriminated between the two groups, and ARCS and RBANS total scores were moderately to strongly correlated. There was no difference between the two groups on the MMSE after controlling for demographic variables. ARCS performance was associated with employment status [χ2(1)=7.16, p=0.007].ConclusionThe ARCS may be sensitive to the cognitive deficits in outpatients with schizophrenia and an indicator of functional outcomes in this population.

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Perceived stress in the time of COVID-19: the association with brooding and COVID-related rumination in adults with and without migraine

BMC Psychology ◽

10.1186/s40359-021-00549-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lilla Nóra Kovács ◽

Dániel Baksa ◽

Dóra Dobos ◽

Nóra Eszlári ◽

Kinga Gecse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perceived Stress ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Similar Degree ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Group Status ◽

Depressive Rumination ◽

The Times ◽

Brooding And Reflection

Abstract Background The main goal of this research was to explore whether migraineurs had a higher level of perceived stress than healthy controls during the times of the coronavirus and related restrictive measures, and to examine the relationship between different subtypes of rumination and perceived stress in these groups. We measured two facets of depressive rumination, brooding and reflection, along with rumination about the current COVID-19 situation to see whether these different subtypes of rumination explained perceived stress among migraineurs and healthy controls. Methods Healthy adults (n = 64) and migraine patients (n = 73) filled out self-report questionnaires online. A multiple linear regression model was used to test whether depressive rumination (i.e. brooding and reflection) and COVID-related rumination explained perceived stress among adults with and without migraine during the times of COVID-19, after controlling for gender, age, migraine/control group status and migraine disability. Results Although we did not find any difference in the level of perceived stress among migraineurs and the control group, perceived stress was more strongly associated with brooding as well as COVID-related rumination among migraineurs than healthy controls. COVID-related rumination and brooding (but not reflection) explained the level of perceived stress after controlling for gender, age, migraine/control group status and migraine disability. Conclusions The similar degree of perceived stress among migraineurs and the control group may imply that there is great variation in the personal experience of people regarding the pandemic, that may be determined by numerous other factors. Our results demonstrate that ruminating about the pandemic and related difficulties, as well as brooding (but not reflection) appear to be associated with higher level of perceived stress during the times of the coronavirus. This association was slightly stronger among migraineurs, hinting at the increased vulnerability of this patient group in stressful situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results also suggest that ruminating about the pandemic and its consequences is weakly associated with trait-level depressive rumination, thus may be more contingent on specific factors.

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Temporomandibular disorders in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and at-risk individuals in the Dutch population: a cross-sectional study

RMD Open ◽

10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001485 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e001485

Author(s):

Johanna M Kroese ◽

Catherine M C Volgenant ◽

Wim Crielaard ◽

Bruno Loos ◽

Dirkjan van Schaardenburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

At Risk ◽

Early Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Temporomandibular Disorders ◽

Self Report ◽

Joint Disease ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pain Diagnosis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) and individuals at-risk of RA.Methods150 participants were recruited in three groups (50 per group): (1) patients with ERA (2010 EULAR criteria) (2) at-risk individuals and (3) healthy controls. All participants were tested for seropositivity of rheumatoid factor and anticitrullinated protein antibodies. A possible TMD diagnosis was determined according to the standardised and validated diagnostic criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) in five categories: myalgia, arthralgia, articular disc displacement, degenerative joint disease and headache attributed to TMD. Results were tested for the prevalence of TMD (all categories combined) and TMD pain (myalgia and/or arthralgia). To investigate a possible role for bruxism, a probable sleep and/or awake bruxism diagnosis was determined based on self-report and several clinical features.ResultsThe prevalence of any TMD diagnosis did not differ between the three groups. However, at-risk individuals more often had a TMD-pain diagnosis than healthy controls (p=0.046). No such difference was found between the ERA group and the control group. However, within the ERA group, seronegative patients had a TMD-pain diagnosis more often than seropositive patients (4/12 (33%) vs 3/38 (8%), p=0.048). Participants with a TMD-pain diagnosis were more often diagnosed with probable sleep bruxism than those without a TMD-pain diagnosis.ConclusionThe prevalence of TMD pain is increased in individuals at-risk of RA and seronegative ERA patients, and is associated with bruxism signs and symptoms. These results suggest that health professionals should be alert to TMD pain in these groups.

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Physical Health Profile and Associated Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.759694 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jon Dyg Sperling ◽

Nina Dalkner ◽

Christina Berndt ◽

Eva Fleischmann ◽

Michaela Ratzenhofer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Health ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Brief Symptom Inventory ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Mental And Physical Health

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased psychological strain on public mental health and may impact behavioral, mental, and physical health, presumably with effects on patients with severe mental disorders. This study examines pandemic-related physical and mental health and (compensatory) behavioral changes, in patients with BD as compared to healthy control individuals.Method: Physical and mental health and self-reported changes in daily structure and behavior due to the pandemic were assessed using a self-constructed questionnaire and the brief symptom inventory (BSI) in Germany, Austria, and Denmark in individuals with BD and a healthy control group.Results: The present study included 118 individuals with BD and 215 healthy controls. Individuals with BD reported statistically significant higher physical risk burden, increased weight gain, more physical comorbidities, and a decrease in physical activity and they further reported higher rates of COVID-19 testing, had more worries concerning health, and experienced more anxiety but less social distancing.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have a greater impact on physical health in individuals with BD than in healthy controls. Individuals with BD appear to be having more difficulties compensating their behavior due to the pandemic which could amplify the effect of risk factors associated with poorer physical health. This highlights the necessity for optimizing and targeting the overall treatment of both mental and physical health in patients with BD during periods with far-reaching changes such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Limitations: Sampling issues and self-report forms, selectivity (missing elderly, and those lacking access or knowledge of technology).

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CAN AN INTERVENTION WITH TESTOSTERONE AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT IMPROVE THE FRAILTY LEVEL OF UNDER-NOURISHED OLDER PEOPLE?

Journal of Frailty & Aging ◽

10.14283/jfa.2016.108 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

O. THEOU ◽

L. WIJEYARATNE ◽

C. PIANTADOSI ◽

K. LANGE ◽

V. NAGANATHAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Frailty Index ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Nutritional Supplement ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Testosterone Undecanoate ◽

High Calorie

Objective: To examine whether a testosterone and a high calorie nutritional supplement intervention can reduce frailty scores in undernourished older people using multiple frailty tools. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting/Participants: 53 community-dwelling, undernourished men and women aged >65 years from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Intervention: Intervention group received oral testosterone undecanoate and a high calorie supplement (2108-2416 kJ/day) whereas the control group received placebo testosterone and low calorie supplement (142-191 kJ/day). Measurements: Frailty was operationalized using three frailty indices (FI-lab, FI-self-report, FI-combined) and the frailty phenotype. Results: There were no significant differences in changes in frailty scores at either 6 or 12 months follow up between the two treatment groups for all scales. Participants at the intervention group were 4.8 times more likely to improve their FI-combined score at both time points compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: A testosterone and a high calorie nutritional supplement intervention did not improve the frailty levels of under-nourished older people. Even so, when frailty was measured using a frailty index combining self-reported and lab data we found that participants who received the intervention were more likely to show persistent improvement in their frailty scores.

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Metacognition in Individuals Aging with Traumatic Brain Injury

10.31234/osf.io/967zj ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Emily Grossner ◽

Einat Brenner ◽

Rachel Bernier ◽

Amanda Rabinowitz ◽

Frank Hillary

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Community Participation ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Significant Interaction ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Self Report ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Awareness Of Deficit ◽

Post Hoc

OBJECTIVE: To measure metacognition in adults aging with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) through objective (task-based) and subjective (self-report) measures to determine association between measures, and ability to predict executive functioning (EF), emotional functioning, and functional outcome.METHOD: 130 individuals (TBI n = 102; healthy controls (HC) n = 28) were included. Participants completed objective tasks of metacognition and EF, and self-reported measures of metacognition (MCQ-30), psychiatric symptoms (BSI-18), and community participation (PART-O). The objective metacognitive task and MCQ-30 subscales were used as predictors of EF, anxiety, and community participation. Post-hoc analyses examined the association between objective and subjective metacognitive measures in TBI subgroups (overconfident, metacognitively accurate). RESULTS: The objective metacognitive task and one self-report subscale predicted EF [F(2) = 9.69, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.17]. Two self-report subscales predicted anxiety [F(2) = 19.15, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.28]. No variables predicted community participation. There was a significant interaction between the metacognitive groups (overconfident, accurate) and MCQ-30 on objective metacognitive performance [R2 = 0.23, p = 0.037].CONCLUSION: Individuals aging with TBI demonstrated metacognitive deficit 45% of the time and when they did, ~90% over-estimated their ability. Both objective and subjective metacognitive measures predicted aspects of functional outcomes. However, self-report and objective metacognitive measures are related only when objective metacognitive performance is high, confirming long-standing concerns that self-report may be unreliable when awareness of deficit is present. These findings challenge the predictive validity of self-report measures of metacognition.

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New Contemplation Upon Subjective Memory Complaints as a Self-Report Criterion for MCI Diagnosis

Current Alzheimer Research ◽

10.2174/1567205018666210416095437 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Merav Papirovitz ◽

Ariela Gigi

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Semantic Memory ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Subjective Memory Complaints ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Memory Complaints ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Subjective memory complaints are a key component in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis. However, studies that examined memory awareness among MCI participants have published contradictory results. One possible explanation for the inconsistent findings could be the disregard from the multidimensional structure of subjective memory. Objectives: The present study is directed at assessing subjective memory among healthy and MCI participants, referring to three main types of memory: episodic, semantic, and working memory. Method: Participants were 123 adults (aged 50-90). They were divided into two groups, the MCI group, and the control group, according to their objective cognitive performance in RAVL or Mo- CA tests. All participants filled a subjective memory questionnaire, assessing their awareness of episodic, semantic, and working memory. Results: MCI participants estimated their semantic memory as significantly lower in comparison to the estimation of the healthy controls. By contrast, MCI participants showed an overestimation of their episodic memory capabilities compared to the control group. No significant difference was found between groups (MCI and healthy controls) in evaluating their working memory. In addi- tion, for both groups, Pearson’s correlation revealed a significant negative correlation between age and semantic memory evaluation. Such correlation was not found for subjective episodic memory. Discussion: Findings suggest that while people with MCI exhibit poor awareness of their episodic and working memory capabilities, their awareness of their decrease in semantic memory is appar- ently intact. Therefore, it is suggested that when using the self-report criterion for MCI diagnosis, clinicians should consider the patient’s’ semantic memory complaints.

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Working Memory Depletion Affects Intertemporal Choice Among Internet Addicts and Healthy Controls

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.675059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Hongxia Li

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Delay Discounting ◽

Intertemporal Choice ◽

Response Times ◽

Memory Task ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Self Report ◽

The Internet ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls

Addiction to the Internet has emerged as a new kind of addictive behavior. Although previous studies have revealed that impairments in working memory led to suboptimal decision making (e.g., a greater willingness to choose smaller, more immediate rewards), little is known about how working memory affects intertemporal choice in Internet addicts and normal users. Thus, this study’s aim was to investigate the effect of working memory task on intertemporal choice in 33 participants addicted to internet and 25 healthy controls. Participants were administered (a) a test for Internet Addiction, (b) a single delay discounting self-report questionnaire (c) a working memory task. Differences between the Internet addicts and the control group were observed in terms of delay discounting rates, reaction times, and in memory accuracy rates. We observed significantly higher delay discounting rates among individuals addicted to the Internet. Moreover, it was documented that reaction times follow the 4-level working memory condition were significantly longer than follow the 2-level condition, in both the Internet addicts and the control group. The current findings suggest that Internet addicts are more likely to make short-sighted decisions than normal Internet users. The higher the level of working memory, the more likely an individual is to choose the present smaller reward, thus making short-sighted decisions, and have longer response times.

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Family Functioning in Adolescents with Perinatal HIV Infection

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC) ◽

10.1177/2325958218774782 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 232595821877478

Author(s):

Orawan Louthrenoo ◽

Linda Aurpibul ◽

Peninnah Oberdorfer ◽

Virat Sirisanthana

Keyword(s):

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Family Functioning ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Infected Group ◽

The Self ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Perinatal Hiv ◽

The Family

This study aimed to assess family functioning in adolescents with perinatal HIV infection receiving antiretroviral therapy compared with healthy controls. Correlations between self-reported and caregiver-reported family functions were also evaluated. A sample of 195 participants including 65 perinatally HIV-infected adolescents and 130 healthy controls were enrolled. The total family functioning score in HIV-infected adolescents was significantly lower than that in healthy controls by self-report (105.86 vs 115.41; P ≤ .001). Caregivers of HIV-infected adolescents also reported lower scores of family functioning than those of controls (109.91 vs 114.98; P ≤ .001). Among the HIV-infected group, there was no or minimal correlation between the self-reported and caregiver-reported total scores of family functioning. However, there were moderate correlations between self-reported and caregiver-reported family functioning total scores in the control group. Overall, HIV-infected adolescents reported lower family functioning than healthy controls. Improved functioning in the family may help with better adjustment in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents.

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Identification of Serum Biomarkers in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease by 2D-DIGE Proteomics

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000520961 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Xuezhi Zhang ◽

Wenwen Yu ◽

Xuelei Cao ◽

Yongbin Wang ◽

Chao Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Western Blot ◽

Mini Mental State Examination ◽

Serum Biomarkers ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

State Examination ◽

Normal Controls

Aim: The aim of this study is to identify potential serum biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for early diagnosis and to evaluate these markers on a large cohort. Methods: We performed two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis to compare the serum of AD patients and normal controls. Western blot or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to identify the expression levels of proteins. Results: In this study, a total of 13 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Among them, 2 proteins (inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 [ITI-H4], Apolipoprotein A-IV) were validated by Western blot and 4 proteins (Cofilin 2, Tetranectin, Zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein [AZGP1], Alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor [AMBP]) were validated by ELISA, respectively. Western blot results showed that the full size of the ITI-H4 protein was increased, while a fragment of ITI-H4 was decreased in AD patients. In contrast, 1 fragment of Apo A-IV was mainly found in control group and rare to be detected in AD patients. On the other hand, ELISA results showed that Cofilin 2, Tetranectin, AZGP1, and AMBP were significantly increased in AD patients, and Cofilin 2 is strongly correlated with the Mini-Mental State Examination scores of the AD patients. Serum Cofilin 2 was unchanged in Parkinson disease patients as compared to the control group, indicating a specific correlation of serum Cofilin 2 with AD. Moreover, Cofilin 2 was increased in both the serum and brain tissue in the APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Conclusion: Our study identified several potential serum biomarkers of AD, including: ITI-H4, ApoA-IV, Cofilin 2, Tetranectin, AZGP1, and AMBP. Cofilin 2 was upregulated in different AD animal models and might play important roles in AD pathology.

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Sex Differences on Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination Scores and the Value of Self-Report of Memory Problems among Community Dwelling People 70 Years and above: The HUNT Study

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders ◽

10.1159/000516341 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Knut Engedal ◽

Linda Gjøra ◽

Thea Bredholt ◽

Pernille Thingstad ◽

Gro Gujord Tangen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental State ◽

Cognitive Assessment ◽

Mini Mental State Examination ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Self Report ◽

Montreal Cognitive Assessment ◽

Memory Problems ◽

Hunt Study ◽

Item Scores ◽

State Examination

Introduction: The aims were to examine if the total and item scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and self-reported memory problems differed between older women and men, and if self-reported memory problems were associated with scores on the 2 tests. Methods: We included 309 home-dwelling people aged 70 years and older, 155 women, mean age 75.6 (SD 4.1) years, and 154 men, mean age 76.0 (SD 4.6) years. They were examined with MoCA and MMSE, and they answered 2 questions: “have you experienced any memory problems” and “have you experienced significant memory problems the last 5 years?” Results: The participants scored significantly higher on the MMSE (women 28.0 [1.8], men 28.4 [1.4]) than on MoCA (women 24.6 [3.3], men 24.3 [3.1]). Spearman’s rho was 0.36 between the tests. Women scored significantly higher than men on delayed recall of MoCA (3.0 [1.6] vs. 2.4 [1.6]), whereas men scored significantly higher on visuoconstruction (3.8 [1.2] vs. 3.5 [1.0]) and serial subtraction on MoCA (2.7 [0.6] vs. 2.5 [0.8]) and serial sevens on MMSE (4.5 [0.8] vs. 4.1 [1.1]). Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that female sex, younger age, and higher education were associated with a higher score on MoCA, whereas age and education were associated with a higher score on MMSE. About half of the participants (no sex difference) had experienced significant memory problems the last 5 years, and they had significantly lower scores on both tests. Conclusions: The MoCA score was associated with sex, age, and education, whereas sex did not influence the MMSE score. The question “have you experienced significant memory problems the last 5 years?” may be useful to evaluate older people’s cognition.

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