scholarly journals Impact of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia on cognitive function and school achievement of schoolchildren in the Yemen Republic

Parasitology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. AL SEROURI ◽  
S. M. GRANTHAM-McGREGOR ◽  
B. GREENWOOD ◽  
A. COSTELLO
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
School Achievement ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Malaria Parasitaemia ◽  
Picture Memory ◽  
Fine Motor Function ◽  
Motor Tests ◽  
The Relationship

Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia is prevalent among schoolchildren in many countries. The relationship between asymptomatic parasitaemia and children's cognitive functions was examined in a case control study and then in a natural experiment. A group (n = 445) of asymptomatic parasitaemic boys were compared with a group of non-parasitaemic boys (n = 142) matched for grade and school on their performance on a battery of cognitive tests. Two weeks later the parasitaemic children were re-screened and 150 children of those who remained parasitaemic were matched for grade and school with 150 children who were no longer parasitaemic. These children were then re-tested and their cognitive function compared. Initially, after controlling for age, socio-economic background and nutritional status the parasitaemic children performed worse than the non-parasitaemic children in fine motor function tests. There was no difference in change in cognitive test scores between those who became non-parasitaemic and those who remained parasitaemic. However, children who initially had the highest parasite density improved the most in 2 fine motor tests and a picture memory test. We were unable to show a benefit from losing parasitaemia over a 2 week period, but it remains possible that parasitaemia may affect cognition and longer term trials should be conducted.

scholarly journals Neurodevelopmental outcomes after moderate to severe neonatal hypoglycemia

2020 ◽  
Vol 179 (12) ◽  
pp. 1981-1991
Author(s):  
Annett Helleskov Rasmussen ◽  
Sonja Wehberg ◽  
Fani Pørtner ◽  
Anna-Marie Larsen ◽  
Karen Filipsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Child Behavior ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Neonatal Hypoglycemia ◽  
Motor Score ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Fine Motor Function

AbstractThe long-term consequences of transient neonatal hypoglycemia are sparsely studied. We performed a follow-up of a cohort of neonates with blood glucose recordings < 1.7 mmol/L (< 30 mg/dL), treated with > 2.5 mmol/L (> 45 mg/dL), compared with healthy siblings. Exclusion criteria were gestational age < 35 weeks, severe asphyxia, head injury, and other cerebral diseases. In 71 children with neonatal hypoglycemia and 32 control siblings, Wechsler IV cognitive test, Movement ABC-2 test, and Child Behavior Checklist were performed at mean age 7.75 and 9.17 years, respectively. No significant changes were detected for cognitive function by using Wechsler IV or for behavior by using Child Behavior Checklist. In univariate analysis, the hypoglycemia group had lower age-adjusted fine motor scores by using the Movement ABC-2 test compared with control siblings, 42.6 ± 31.2 vs. 57.2 ± 30.8 percentile (p = 0.03). In the sibling-paired analysis, the decrease in total motor score was highly significant, p = 0.009, driven by a decrease in fine motor score, p = 0.008. In the hypoglycemia group, adjusted analysis showed a lower fine motor function for boys, β = − 16.4, p = 0.048.Conclusion: Neonatal hypoglycemia treated with > 2.5 mmol/L was associated with lower fine motor scores within the normal range, particularly in boys. No associations with cognitive function or behavior were detected. What is Known:• Transient neonatal hypoglycemia is associated with acute neurologic dysfunction and long-term neurodevelopment impairment in 18 months of age. What is New:• Neonatal hypoglycemia treated with > 2.5 mmol/L is associated with lower fine motor function within the normal range, particularly in boys, but not to changes in cognitive function or behavior.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels and Manual Dexterity in Adults Over 60 Years Old

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 496-497
Author(s):  
Naomi Kim ◽  
Rachael McGraw ◽  
Katie Thralls
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Manual Dexterity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Gross Motor Function ◽  
Fine Motor Function ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract During aging there is a natural physiological decline that contributes to a loss of function needed for activities of daily living to maintain independence and high quality of life. Physical function needed for independence includes gross motor function (e.g., lower body strength for standing) and fine motor function (e.g., manual dexterity for dressing). Physical activity (PA) has shown to maintain fitness, such as muscular strength, to delay loss in gross motor function. However, there is limited research on the association between PA and fine motor function. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between meeting national Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG; &gt;150 min./wk.) and manual dexterity in older adults (&gt;60 years). Participants (N=45, Mean age = 80.2±8.2 years) completed an interview-assisted self-report of their PA level and an objectively measured manual dexterity assessment (i.e., Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT)). The PPT included four fine motor skill assessments. For all four PPT’s, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tests showed a significant main effect for PA level, a main effect for age, and an interaction effect (PA*age) on manual dexterity for all PPTs (ps&lt;0.05). Follow-up comparisons showed a significant main effect for PA level on manual dexterity for the older group (&gt;80yrs; ps&lt;0.05), and not for the younger group (ps&gt;0.05). Pearson’s r correlations showed significant moderate-positive correlations between activity level (min./wk.) and PPTs scores (r=0.45– 0.50; ps&lt;0.005). These findings suggest that meeting PAG may be a preventative strategy to attenuate aging declines in manual dexterity to maintain hand function and independence.

Relationship Between Insight, Educational Background and Cognition in Schizophrenia

1996 ◽  
Vol 168 (6) ◽  
pp. 718-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Macpherson ◽  
Bill Jerrom ◽  
Anthony Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Mental State ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Intellectual Ability ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundThere is a paucity of research into the relationship between insight and variables including cognitive function, educational background and symptomatology in schizophrenia.MethodSixty-four patients with DSM–III–R diagnosis schizophrenia were assessed with the Schedule for Assessment of Insight, Mini Mental State cognitive test, a new measure of knowledge about treatment (the Understanding of Medication Questionnaire), and educational background and compliance assessments.ResultsInsight scores correlated significantly with a range of variables. In a multiple regression analysis only knowledge about treatment and number of years in education explained a significant proportion of insight.ConclusionEducational background and the intellectual ability required to learn complex concepts, such as models of mental illness, appear to be more important than previously considered. Research is limited by the lack of a generally accepted definition of insight.

scholarly journals Body iron is associated with cognitive executive planning function in college women

2012 ◽  
Vol 109 (5) ◽  
pp. 906-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia A. Blanton ◽  
Michael W. Green ◽  
Mary J. Kretsch
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
College Women ◽  
Central Executive ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Fe Deficiency ◽  
Planning Time ◽  
The Relationship

Evidence of the relationship between altered cognitive function and depleted Fe status is accumulating in women of reproductive age but the degree of Fe deficiency associated with negative neuropsychological outcomes needs to be delineated. Data are limited regarding this relationship in university women in whom optimal cognitive function is critical to academic success. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between body Fe, in the absence of Fe-deficiency anaemia, and neuropsychological function in young college women. Healthy, non-anaemic undergraduate women (n 42) provided a blood sample and completed a standardised cognitive test battery consisting of one manual (Tower of London (TOL), a measure of central executive function) and five computerised (Bakan vigilance task, mental rotation, simple reaction time, immediate word recall and two-finger tapping) tasks. Women's body Fe ranged from − 4·2 to 8·1 mg/kg. General linear model ANOVA revealed a significant effect of body Fe on TOL planning time (P= 0·002). Spearman's correlation coefficients showed a significant inverse relationship between body Fe and TOL planning time for move categories 4 (r − 0·39, P= 0·01) and 5 (r − 0·47, P= 0·002). Performance on the computerised cognitive tasks was not affected by body Fe level. These findings suggest that Fe status in the absence of anaemia is positively associated with central executive function in otherwise healthy college women.

scholarly journals ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND BIOACTIVE FOOD COMPOUNDS IN 100% WATERMELON JUICE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S656-S657
Author(s):  
Amy Ellis ◽  
Ann Bradford Hansen ◽  
Navneet Baidwan ◽  
Vinoth Aryan Nagabooshanam ◽  
Kristi Crowe-White
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Significant Treatment Effect ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Watermelon Juice ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objectives: Decline in cognitive function and increases in inflammation and oxidative stress are part of normal aging. Watermelon contains numerous bioactive compounds including lycopene, arginine, and citrulline that exhibit both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functionality. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of 100% watermelon juice supplementation on cognitive performance. Methods: A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover trial was conducted with postmenopausal women (n = 16, 60 + 4.1y). Participants initiated a low-lycopene diet during a one-week run-in period and adhered to this diet throughout the study. For four weeks, participants were randomized to consume either two 360 mL servings of pasteurized 100% watermelon juice or a placebo beverage. Following a two-week washout period, participants received the opposite beverage for an additional four weeks. Pre/post each intervention arm, fasting blood samples were collected, and cognitive tests were administered to assess various neurocognitive domains. Statistical analyses included mixed models and Spearman correlations. Results: Serum lycopene exhibited a significant treatment effect (p=0.002); however, lycopene was not correlated with any cognitive test. In contrast, no significant treatment effect was observed for serum arginine or citrulline, yet arginine was significantly inversely correlated with Digit Span Forward (p = 0.005, r = -0.547) and Letter Fluency (p = 0.024, r = -0.507). Conclusion: Despite research supporting the relationship between lycopene and enhanced cognition, lycopene was not related to improvements in cognitive performance in this study. Nevertheless, consumption of 100% watermelon juice may be beneficial for increasing circulating levels of this antioxidant.

scholarly journals Cognitive Function in Adults with Enduring Anorexia Nervosa

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 859
Author(s):  
Maria Seidel ◽  
Helen Brooker ◽  
Kamilla Lauenborg ◽  
Keith Wesnes ◽  
Magnus Sjögren
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Attention Tasks ◽  
Inclusion Study ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe and often enduring disorder characterized by restriction of food intake, low body weight, fear of weight gain, and distorted body image. Investigations on cognition performance in AN patients have yielded conflicting results. Using an established and sensitive computerized cognitive test battery, we aimed to assess core aspects of cognitive function, including attention span, information processing, reasoning, working and episodic memory, in AN patients and controls. Patients were recruited from the Danish Prospective Longitudinal all-comer inclusion study in Eating Disorders (PROLED). Included were 26 individuals with AN and 36 healthy volunteers (HV). All were tested with CogTrack (an online cognitive assessment system) at baseline, and AN patients were tested again at a follow-up time point after weight increase (n = 13). At baseline, AN patients showed faster reaction times in the attention tasks, as well as increased accuracy in grammatical reasoning compared to HV. There were no differences in cognitive function between AN patients and HV in the other cognitive domains measured (sustained attention, working and episodic memory, speed of retrieval, and speed of grammatical reasoning). No differences were visible in the AN sample between baseline and follow-up. Performance did not correlate with any clinical variables in the AN sample. These findings supplement results from other studies suggesting increased concentration and reasoning accuracy in patients suffering from AN, who showed increased performance in cognitive tasks despite their illness.

Cognitive profiles of children with autism spectrum disorder with parent-reported extraordinary talents and personal strengths

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110206
Author(s):  
Vanessa H Bal ◽  
Ellen Wilkinson ◽  
Megan Fok
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
General Population ◽  
Standardized Tests ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cognitive Profiles ◽  
Personal Strengths ◽  
Simons Simplex Collection ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

It is essential to recognize the strengths and talents of autistic individuals. Previous studies of extraordinary talents (i.e. skills that stand out relative to the general population) have combined individuals with different skills (e.g. calendrical calculation, drawing) into one group. There has been limited investigation of talents in specific areas and even less consideration of personal strengths (i.e. skills that stand out relative to that person’s other abilities, but not the general population). We extend this literature by examining the relationship between parent-reported talents and strengths and performance on standardized cognitive tests in 1470 children (4–18 years) from the Simons Simplex Collection with autism and IQ above 70. Almost half (46%) had at least one parent-reported talent and an additional 23% without extraordinary talents had at least one personal strength. Children with parent-reported talents and strengths had different cognitive profiles than children with no reported skill in visuospatial, drawing, computation, or music. Those highlighted for their memory abilities had somewhat more even verbal and nonverbal abilities, relative to children whose memory was not emphasized as a special skill. These results emphasize the importance of exploring strengths separately by domain and a need for more research in this area. Lay abstract Previous research has suggested that focusing on impairments can be detrimental to the well-being of autistic individuals, yet little research has focused on strengths and positive qualities in autism. Some studies explored “savant skills” (herein referred to as “extraordinary talents”), that is, skills that stand out compared to the general population. These often group everyone who has a specific talent, rather than exploring subgroups with strengths in specific areas. There has been even less research focused on personal strengths (i.e. skills that stand out relative to the individual’s other abilities, but not the general population). To expand this research, we use a sample of 1470 children (ages 4–18 years) from the Simons Simplex Collection without cognitive impairment to examine the relationship between having a parent-reported skill in a specific area and performance on a standardized cognitive test. Almost half (46%) had at least one parent-reported talent and an additional 23% without extraordinary talents had at least one personal strength. Children with these parent-reported skills had different patterns of performance on these standardized tests than children without skills in that area (i.e. visuospatial, drawing, computation, reading, and memory). Specific skills in computation or reading were associated with higher overall performance on the standardized tests. These results emphasize the importance of considering strengths separately by area, rather than combining individuals with different types of strengths. The high number of children with skills in this study underscores the need for more research in this area, particularly using instruments focused on understanding the nuances of these strengths. It is important for future studies to consider these skills in children with cognitive impairment.

Sleep symptomatology is associated with greater subjective cognitive concerns: Findings from the community-based Healthy Brain Project

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Nicolazzo ◽  
Katharine Xu ◽  
Alexandra Lavale ◽  
Rachel Buckley ◽  
Nawaf Yassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Psychomotor Function ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insomnia Severity

Abstract Study objectives To examine if sleep symptomatology was associated with subjective cognitive concerns or objective cognitive performance in a dementia-free community-based sample. Methods A total of 1421 middle-aged participants (mean±standard deviation = 57±7; 77% female) from the Healthy Brain Project completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to measure sleep quality, insomnia symptom severity, and daytime sleepiness, respectively. Participants were classified as having no sleep symptomatology (normal scores on each sleep measure), moderate sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on one sleep measure), or high sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on at least two sleep measures), using established cut-off values. Analysis of covariance was used to compare objective cognitive function (Cogstate Brief Battery) and subjective cognitive concerns (Modified Cognitive Function Instrument) across groups. Results Following adjustments for age, sex, education, mood, and vascular risk factors, persons classified as having high sleep symptomatology, versus none, displayed more subjective cognitive concerns (d=0.24) but no differences in objective cognitive performance (d=0.00-0.18). Subjective cognitive concerns modified the association between sleep symptomatology and psychomotor function. The strength of the relationship between high sleep symptomatology (versus none) and psychomotor function was significantly greater in persons with high as compared with low cognitive concerns (β±SE =-0.37±0.16; p=0.02). Conclusions More severe sleep symptomatology was associated with greater subjective cognitive concerns. Persons reporting high levels of sleep symptomatology may be more likely to display poorer objective cognitive function in the presence of subjective cognitive concerns.

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