Neurocognitive impairment in unaffected siblings of youth with bipolar disorder

BackgroundThere is growing evidence for the familiality of pediatric bipolar disorder (BPD) and its association with impairments on measures of processing speed, verbal learning and ‘executive’ functions. The current study investigated whether these neurocognitive impairments index the familial risk underlying the diagnosis.MethodSubjects were 170 youth with BPD (mean age 12.3 years), their 118 non-mood-disordered siblings and 79 non-mood-disordered controls. Groups were compared on a battery of neuropsychological tests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, the Stroop Color Word Test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF), an auditory working memory Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the California Verbal Learning Test – Children's Version (CVLT-C). Measures were factor analyzed for data reduction purposes. All analyses controlled for age, sex and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).ResultsPrincipal components analyses with a promax rotation yielded three factors reflecting: (1) processing speed/verbal learning, (2) working memory/interference control and (3) abstract problem solving. The CPT working memory measure with interference filtering demands (WM INT) was only administered to subjects aged ⩾12 years and was therefore analyzed separately. BPD youth showed impairments versus controls and unaffected relatives on all three factors and on the WM INT. Unaffected relatives exhibited impairments versus controls on the abstract problem-solving factor and the WM INT. They also showed a statistical trend (p=0.07) towards worse performance on the working memory/interference control factor.ConclusionsNeurocognitive impairments in executive functions may reflect the familial neurobiological risk mechanisms underlying pediatric BPD and may have utility as endophenotypes in molecular genetic studies of the condition.

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Neurocognitive impairments in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder type II

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.151 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S122-S122

Author(s):

R.S. Ilhan ◽

V. Senturk-Cankorur

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Working Memory ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Neurocognitive Functioning ◽

Type I ◽

Neurocognitive Impairments ◽

Perseverative Errors ◽

Disorder Type

IntroductionMost of the studies have indicated that there have been neurocognitive impairments especially in the domains of executive functions, attention, verbal and working memory among euthymic patients with bipolar disorder type I (BD-I). However, there has been limited research investigating neurocognitive functioning in euthymic patients with BD- II.Objectives/aimsAim of this study was to investigate neurocognitive functions in euthymic BD-II patients. Our hypothesis was that euthymic BD-II patients would have neurocognitive impairments in the domains of executive functions, attention, verbal and working memory.MethodsEuthymic BD-II patients (n = 37) and healthy controls (HC) (n = 35) were compared in terms of their neurocognitive functioning in the domains of executive functions assesed by the number of perseverative errors, non-perseverative errors and category completed on the Wisconsin Cart Sorting Test (WCST); working memory assessed by Auditory Consonant Trigrams (ACT); immediate verbal memory assessed by the Logical Memory subscale of the Wechsler Memory Scale I (WMS I) and attention assesed by Stroop Colour-Word Interference Test (SCWIT). Euthymic state was confirmed by the low scores both on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale.ResultsSignificant differences were found between two groups in terms of WCST non-perseverative errors (Z = 3.8, P < 0.01) and category completed subtests (Z = 3.8, P < 0.01), ACT (t = 2.97, P < 0.01) WMSI (Z = 2.4, P = 0.01), SCWIT (t = 3.52, P < 0.01) performances.ConclusionsOur study indicated that euthymic BD-II patients had poorer performance on the domains of executive functions, attention, working memory and verbal memory than the HC group. But future studies with large samples are needed to support our results.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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M59. THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN THEORY OF MIND AND NEUROCOGNITION IN RECENT ONSET PSYCHOSIS

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa030.371 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S157-S157

Author(s):

Élisabeth Thibaudeau ◽

William Pothier ◽

Andréanne Lavoie ◽

Mélissa Turcotte ◽

Amélie M Achim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Theory Of Mind ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Visual Learning ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Mental States ◽

Speed Of Processing ◽

Recent Onset ◽

Reasoning Problem

Abstract Background Deficits in theory of mind (ToM), the ability to infer the mental states of others, are common in psychotic disorders and are associated with functioning difficulties. While ToM is a social cognitive process, several neurocognitive processes are involved when inferring the mental states of others. A better understanding of the associations between ToM and neurocognitive domains could help better target treatment for ToM in schizophrenia. A recent meta-analysis has revealed that all neurocognitive domains are moderately associated with ToM in schizophrenia, but very few studies have looked at these associations in recent onset psychosis. These studies showed associations between ToM and speed of processing, episodic memory and executive functions although few neurocognitive domains have been assessed in each study. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between ToM and the key neurocognitive domains in recent onset psychosis. Methods These results are part of a larger study that aimed to determine the cognitive predictors of return to work or school in recent onset psychosis. Twenty-seven recent onset psychosis patients were recruited for this study, with a mean age of 24.9 years. The clinical assessment included the Combined Stories Test for ToM and the Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) for neurocognition. The MCCB assesses the key cognitive domains relevant for schizophrenia, including attention/vigilance, speed of processing, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning/problem solving and social cognition. Pearson correlations were conducted between the ToM scores of the Combined Stories Test and each neurocognitive domain of the MCCB. Results Correlations revealed a moderate to strong association between ToM and working memory (r = 0.443, p = 0.021), visual learning (r = 0.493, p = 0.009) and verbal learning (r = 0.443, p = 0.021). The correlations between ToM and attention/vigilance, speed of processing and reasoning/problem solving were not significant (p > 0.05). Discussion This is the first study that has assessed the associations between ToM and the neurocognitive domains of the MCCB in recent onset psychosis. This study did not show association between ToM and speed of processing nor executive functions, but rather with working memory and learning. These contradictory results could be explained by the large heterogeneity of tasks used across studies, particularly ToM tasks that often present with psychometric limitations such as ceiling effect. Learning processes highlighted here should be considered in the understanding of the therapeutic response following a cognitive remediation therapy for ToM in recent onset psychosis.

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Evaluation of Cognitive Dysfunction in a Sample of Patients Affected by Bipolar Disorder

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.2181 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S212-S212

Author(s):

E. Stella ◽

M. La Montagna ◽

L. Borraccino ◽

F. Ricci ◽

A.I. Triggiani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Working Memory ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Visual Learning ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Speed Of Processing ◽

Cognitive Disturbances ◽

Competing Interest

IntroductionCognitive dysfunctions concerning working memory, attention, psychomotor speed, and verbal memory are a disabling feature of the bipolar disorder (BD). According to scientific literature, cognitive disturbances are present not only in depressive and manic phases of BD, but also during the euthymic period, without regard to whether or not drugs are assumed.ObjectiveTo determine the presence of one or more dysfunctions in cognitive domains in a sample of subjects suffering from BD, in euthymic phase, compared with healthy controls.AimsEvaluation of the following cognitive performances in subjects affected by BD: speed of processing, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning and problem solving, and social cognition.MethodsForty-six patients affected by BD in the euthymic phase (mean age: 43.17 years old; 39.13% male), and 58 healthy controls (mean age: 39.21 years old; 51.72% male) were enrolled in the psychiatric unit of Azienda Sanitaria Locale, Foggia. The neuropsychological battery MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was administered by trained psychiatrists.ResultsWe found the presence of cognitive impairment, affecting six out of seven of cognitive functions assessed (P < 0.001): speed of processing, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning and problem solving.ConclusionsThese preliminary results from our case-control study show that cognitive deficits are clearly present also during the euthymic phases of subjects with bipolar disorder (mainly pertaining attention/vigilance domain). These cognitive abnormalities may represent a biomarker of bipolar disorder.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Cognitive dysfunction in adolescents with chronic fatigue: a cross-sectional study

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2014-306764 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 100 (9) ◽

pp. 838-844 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Dag Sulheim ◽

Even Fagermoen ◽

Øyvind Stople Sivertsen ◽

Anette Winger ◽

Vegard Bruun Wyller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Chronic Fatigue ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cognitive Inhibition ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

ObjectiveTo compare cognitive function in adolescents with chronic fatigue with cognitive function in healthy controls (HC).Study designCross-sectional study.SettingPaediatric department at Oslo University Hospital, Norway.Participants120 adolescents with chronic fatigue (average age 15.4 years; range 12–18) and 39 HC (average age 15.2 years; range 12–18).MethodsThe adolescents completed a neurocognitive test battery measuring processing speed, working memory, cognitive inhibition, cognitive flexibility, verbal learning and verbal memory, and questionnaires addressing demographic data, depression symptoms, anxiety traits, fatigue and sleep problems. Parents completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), which measures the everyday executive functions of children.ResultsAdolescents with chronic fatigue had impaired cognitive function compared to HC regarding processing speed (mean difference 3.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.5, p=0.003), working memory (−2.4, −3.7 to −1.1, p<0.001), cognitive inhibition response time (6.2, 0.8 to 11.7, p=0.025) and verbal learning (−1.7, −3.2 to −0.3, p=0.022). The BRIEF results indicated that everyday executive functions were significantly worse in the chronic fatigue group compared to the HC (11.2, 8.2 to 14.3, p<0.001). Group differences remained largely unaffected when adjusted for symptoms of depression, anxiety traits and sleep problems.ConclusionsAdolescents with chronic fatigue had impaired cognitive function of clinical relevance, measured by objective cognitive tests, in comparison to HC. Working memory and processing speed may represent core difficulties.

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Mathematics Skills and Executive Functions Following Preterm Birth: A Longitudinal Study of 5-to 7- Year Old Children

10.31234/osf.io/j42at ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Julia Anna Adrian ◽

Frank Haist ◽

Natacha Akshoomoff

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Spatial Working Memory ◽

Working Memory Capacity ◽

Full Term ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Time Points ◽

Mathematics Skills ◽

Increased Risk

Early mathematics skills are an important predictor of later academic, economic and personal success. Children born preterm, about 10% of the US population, have an increased risk of deficits in mathematics. These deficits may be related to lower levels of executive functions and processing speed. We investigated the development of mathematics skills, working memory, inhibitory control and processing speed of healthy children born very preterm (between 25 and 32 weeks gestational age, n=51) and full-term (n=29). Children were tested annually from ages 5 to 7 years. We found persistent lower overall mathematics skills in the preterm group, driven by differences in more informal skills (e.g. counting) at earlier time points, and by differences in more formal skills (e.g. calculation) at later time points. We did not find significant differences between preterm and full-term born children in spatial working memory capacity or processing speed. However, these cognitive measures were significant predictors of mathematics skills in the preterm but not the full-term group, hinting towards the use of different strategies when solving problems.

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Basic and complex cognitive functions in Adult ADHD

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0256228 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. e0256228

Author(s):

Saleh M. H. Mohamed ◽

Marah Butzbach ◽

Anselm B. M Fuermaier ◽

Matthias Weisbrod ◽

Steffen Aschenbrenner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Selective Attention ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Neuropsychological Tests ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Test Word ◽

Basic Functions

Background Many clinical studies reported deficits in basic and complex cognitive functions in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, the extent in which deficits in basic functions (i.e., processing speed and distractibility) contribute to complex cognitive impairments (i.e., working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, memory functions) in adults with ADHD is not well-studied. So far, literature show only one study, revealing that basic functions explain 27–74% of executive dysfunctions. Yet, the authors reported that findings could be affected by the selection of neuropsychological tests. The goal of the present research is to replicate such a finding using a different sample and a different set of neuropsychological tests. Methods Forty-eight adult patients with ADHD were compared with 48 healthy controls in basic cognitive functions, namely processing speed and distractibility and more complex cognitive functions, namely selective attention, cognitive flexibility, planning, working memory, verbal fluency, and verbal memory. Basic and complex cognitive functions were assessed using the Vigilance and Sustained Attention, Selective Attention, N-Back, Tower of London, Trail Making Test, Word Fluency, and Verbal Learning and Memory. Results and conclusion Logistic regression analyses showed that impairments in complex cognitive functions explained 25% of the variance in ADHD diagnosis. The explained variance dropped from 25% to 9% after considering basic functions of processing speed and distractibility. This 64% reduction highlights the importance of basic functions for impairments in complex functions in patients with ADHD.

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Brain Training Game Boosts Executive Functions, Working Memory and Processing Speed in the Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0055518 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. e55518 ◽

Cited By ~ 96

Author(s):

Rui Nouchi ◽

Yasuyuki Taki ◽

Hikaru Takeuchi ◽

Hiroshi Hashizume ◽

Takayuki Nozawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Young Adults ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Brain Training ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Correlating cognitive functions to symptom domains and insight in Egyptian patients with schizophrenia

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764019897697 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (3) ◽

pp. 240-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Afaf Hamed Khalil ◽

Marwa Abd el-Meguid ◽

Mostafa Bastawy ◽

Samah Rabei ◽

Ramy Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Visual Learning ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

General Psychopathology ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Reasoning Problem ◽

Egyptian Patients

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is one of the fundamental features among patients with schizophrenia. The relationship between schizophrenia symptoms, insight and cognitive domains remains controversial. We aimed to study these relations in a sample of Egyptian patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 109 patients with schizophrenia were assessed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.)) Axis I diagnosis (SCID-I), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Scale to Assess Unawareness of Medical Disorder (SUMD). Cognitive functions were assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). The cognitive functions would be distributed to cover six cognitive domains: attention/vigilance speed of processing, verbal learning, visual learning, working memory and reasoning/problem solving. Results: There was a significant correlation between all cognitive domains (except attention) and PANSS subscales. PANSS negative and general psychopathology subscales were significantly correlated with five cognitive domains: speed of processing, verbal learning, visual learning, working memory and reasoning/problem solving. PANSS negative subscale was significantly correlated with verbal learning (verbal paired association 1) and visual learning (visual paired association 1). There was a significant correlation between all cognitive domains and SUMD, except verbal and visual learning domains assessed by verbal and visual paired association 1 subtests, as well as attention assessed by failure to maintain set subtest. Only visual learning (trials administered), working memory (percentage error), and processing speed (perseverative responses, and trials to complete first category) were significantly negatively correlated to SUMD. Conclusion: Cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia is most likely to underlie negative symptoms, general psychopathology symptoms and poor insight, suggesting that treatment strategies minimizing these symptoms would improve cognitive impairment.

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Association of Sleep Quality on Memory-Related Executive Functions in Middle Age

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617717000637 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 67-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Brinda K. Rana ◽

Matthew S. Panizzon ◽

Carol E. Franz ◽

Kelly M. Spoon ◽

Kristen C. Jacobson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Later Life ◽

Set Shifting ◽

Interference Control ◽

Visual Spatial ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractObjectives: Sleep quality affects memory and executive function in older adults, but little is known about its effects in midlife. If it affects cognition in midlife, it may be a modifiable factor for later-life functioning. Methods: We examined the association between sleep quality and cognition in 1220 middle-aged male twins (age 51–60 years) from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. We interviewed participants with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and tested them for episodic memory as well as executive functions of inhibitory and interference control, updating in working memory, and set shifting. Interference control was assessed during episodic memory, inhibitory control during working memory, and non-memory conditions and set shifting during working memory and non-memory conditions. Results: After adjusting for covariates and correcting for multiple comparisons, sleep quality was positively associated with updating in working memory, set shifting in the context of working memory, and better visual-spatial (but not verbal) episodic memory, and at trend level, with interference control in the context of episodic memory. Conclusions: Sleep quality was associated with visual-spatial recall and possible resistance to proactive/retroactive interference. It was also associated with updating in working memory and with set shifting, but only when working memory demands were relatively high. Thus, effects of sleep quality on midlife cognition appear to be at the intersection of executive function and memory processes. Subtle deficits in these age-susceptible cognitive functions may indicate increased risk for decline in cognitive abilities later in life that might be reduced by improved midlife sleep quality. (JINS, 2018, 24, 67–76)

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Processing speed impairment in schizophrenia is mediated by white matter integrity

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291714001111 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 109-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

H. Karbasforoushan ◽

B. Duffy ◽

J. U. Blackford ◽

N. D. Woodward

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

White Matter ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Group Differences ◽

Neural Basis ◽

Mediation Effects

BackgroundProcessing speed predicts functional outcome and is a potential endophenotype for schizophrenia. Establishing the neural basis of processing speed impairment may inform the treatment and etiology of schizophrenia. Neuroimaging investigations in healthy subjects have linked processing speed to brain anatomical connectivity. However, the relationship between processing speed impairment and white matter (WM) integrity in schizophrenia is unclear.MethodIndividuals with schizophrenia and healthy subjects underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and completed a brief neuropsychological assessment that included measures of processing speed, verbal learning, working memory and executive functioning. Group differences in WM integrity, inferred from fractional anisotropy (FA), were examined throughout the brain and the hypothesis that processing speed impairment in schizophrenia is mediated by diminished WM integrity was tested.ResultsWM integrity of the corpus callosum, cingulum, superior and inferior frontal gyri, and precuneus was reduced in schizophrenia. Average FA in these regions mediated group differences in processing speed but not in other cognitive domains. Diminished WM integrity in schizophrenia was accounted for, in large part, by individual differences in processing speed.ConclusionsCognitive impairment in schizophrenia was mediated by reduced WM integrity. This relationship was strongest for processing speed because deficits in working memory, verbal learning and executive functioning were not mediated by WM integrity. Larger sample sizes may be required to detect more subtle mediation effects in these domains. Interventions that preserve WM integrity or ameliorate WM disruption may enhance processing speed and functional outcome in schizophrenia.

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