scholarly journals Processing speed impairment in schizophrenia is mediated by white matter integrity

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-120 ◽  
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.

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

2015 ◽  
Vol 100 (9) ◽  
pp. 838-844 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Basic and complex cognitive functions in Adult ADHD

PLoS ONE ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Neurocognitive Development in Perinatally Human Immunodeficiency Virus–infected Adolescents on Long-term Treatment, Compared to Healthy Matched Controls: A Longitudinal Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malon Van den Hof ◽  
Anne Marleen ter Haar ◽  
Henriette J Scherpbier ◽  
Johanna H van der Lee ◽  
Peter Reiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Group Time ◽  
Visual Motor ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background A cross-sectional analysis of the Neurological, cOgnitive and VIsual performance in hiv-infected Children cohort showed significant cognitive impairment in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-treated, perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adolescents (PHIV+) compared to age-, sex-, ethnicity- and socioeconomic status (SES)-matched HIV-negative controls (HIV−). In this longitudinal study, we compared cognitive development in the same adolescents over time. Methods We repeated the standardized cognitive test battery after a mean of 4.6 years (standard deviation 0.3). In participants who completed both assessments, we compared cognitive trajectories between groups in the domains of intelligence quotient (IQ), processing speed, working memory, executive functioning, learning ability, and visual-motor function, using linear mixed models. We explored associations with disease- and treatment-related factors and used multivariate normative comparison (MNC) to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment. Results There were 21 PHIV+ and 23 HIV− participants that completed 2 assessments and were similar concerning age, sex, ethnicity, and SES. Compared to HIV− participants, in PHIV+ participants the IQ score increased significantly more over time (group*time 6.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–10.50; P = .012), whereas executive functioning decreased significantly more (group*time −1.43 z score, 95% CI −2.12 to −0.75; P < .001), resulting in the disappearance and appearance of significant differences. Processing speed, working memory, learning ability, and visual-motor function trajectories were not statistically different between groups. Univariately, those who had started cART at an older age deviated more in executive functioning (−0.13 z score, 95% CI −0.24 to −0.02; P = .043). The prevalence of cognitive impairments by MNC was similar in both groups, at both time points. Conclusions The cART-treated PHIV+ adolescents appeared to have similar global cognitive development, compared to their healthy peers. Executive functioning trajectory appears to deviate, potentially explained by earlier brain damage.

scholarly journals COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AMONG BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS AND NON-CANCER PARTICIPANTS: EVIDENCE FOR SIMILARITIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S649-S650
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Pasquini ◽  
Brent J Small ◽  
Jacqueline Mogle ◽  
Martin Sliwinski ◽  
Stacey B Scott
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer History ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Cancer

Abstract Breast cancer survivors may experience accelerated decline in cognitive functioning compared to same-aged peers with no cancer history (Small et al., 2015). Survivors may show important differences in mean-level performance or variability in cognitive functioning compared to those without a history of cancer (Yao et al., 2016). This study compared ambulatory cognitive functioning in a sample of breast cancer survivors and an age-matched community sample without a history of cancer (n_cancer=47, n_non-cancer=105, age range: 40-64 years, M=52.13 years). Participants completed three cognitive tasks measuring working memory, executive functioning, and processing speed up to five times per day for 14 days. Results indicated no mean-level differences in cognitive performance on the three tasks between cancer survivors and those without cancer history (p’s&gt;.05). Unexpectedly, women without cancer history showed more variability than survivors on working memory but not on the other two tasks. Across both groups, those without a college education performed worse on executive functioning (B=-0.05, SE=0.03, p&lt;.05) and working memory (B=0.94, SE=0.36, p&lt;.05) compared to those that completed college. Additionally, older age was associated with slower processing speed (B=31.67, SE=7.44, p&lt;.001). In sum, this study did not find mean-level group differences in cognitive functioning between cancer survivors and age-matched women without a history of cancer. Contrary to hypotheses, those without a history of cancer were more variable on working memory. Results suggested similarities in cognitive functioning in the two samples and that education and age are important predictors of cognitive functioning independent of cancer history.

scholarly journals The Reliability and Validity of the Action Fluency Test in Healthy College Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1175-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P Ross ◽  
Sydne O’Connor ◽  
Graham Holmes ◽  
Brittany Fuller ◽  
Megan Henrich
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Perceptual Reasoning ◽  
Fluency Test

Abstract Objective This study examined the test–retest reliability and construct validity of the Action Fluency Test (AFT) as a measure of executive functioning. Method Using a correlational design, 128 healthy college students (M Age = 19.24, SD = 2.01; M education = 13.29 years, SD = 0.81) completed the AFT, and measures of verbal and figural fluency, executive functioning and other relevant constructs (e.g., vocabulary, working memory, and attention). Results Coefficients of stability were acceptable for AFT correct words (r = .76; p &lt; .01), but not for errors (r = .41) or perseverations (r = .14). No practice effects were observed upon repeat testing (M interval = 39.21 days). Divergent validity evidence was mixed. AFT scores were unrelated to working memory and perceptual-reasoning abilities; however, correlations with vocabulary (r = .32; p &lt; .01) and information-processing speed (r = .30; p &lt; .01) were greater than associations between AFT scores and executive measures. Regarding convergent validity, AFT scores correlated with other fluency tasks (r = .4 range), but correlations with measures of executive functioning were absent or small. Action and letter fluency correlated with measures of attentional control and inhibition; however, these associations were no longer significant after controlling for shared variance with information-processing speed. Conclusions Findings are consistent with previous research suggesting vocabulary and information-processing speed underlie effective fluency performance to a greater extent than executive functioning. The AFT measures unique variance not accounted for by semantic and letter fluency tasks, and therefore may be used for a variety of research and clinical purposes.

White Matter Integrity and Core Cognitive Function in Children Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2589-2589
Author(s):  
Nadia Scantlebury ◽  
Donald Mabbott ◽  
Garland Jones ◽  
Laura Janzen ◽  
Isaac Odame
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Visual Attention ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Normal Appearing White Matter

Abstract Abstract 2589 Poster Board II-565 Introduction: Cerebral damage to white matter by overt or silent stroke presents as regions of high intensity on a diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) image. Evidence is mounting that such damage is directly linked to decreased cognitive function in children diagnosed with Sickle Cell (SC) Disease. While insult caused by infarct is visible on a DW MR scan, the degree to which normal-appearing white matter is compromised in SC patients remains unclear. Furthermore, the extent of correlation between damage in normal-appearing white matter and cognitive function has yet to be investigated. Patients and Methods: 16 children diagnosed with SC and 10 control patients were included in this retrospective study. DW MR scans were clinically acquired from all participants. Post-processing of DW images yielded measures of relative water diffusion within the brain, represented by voxels of varying intensity on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. A template of anatomically divided white matter was registered to each ADC map to collect regional measures of diffusion. Specifically, increased diffusion (measured as increased ADC relative to controls) suggested white matter damage. Within 6 months of the scan, children from each cohort underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests. Processing speed and working memory were assessed by administering the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and sustained visual attention was assessed by administering Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Measures of regional ADC were correlated with neuropsychological test scores. Results: Approximately half of the SC patients presented with at least one lesion embedded within normal-appearing white matter. Average ADC in the frontal, parietal, temporal and cerebellar lobes was significantly higher in children with SC Disease than in control subjects (p < 0.05) when examining ADC across regions carrying both normal-appearing and infarct-containing white matter. For example, average ADC in the left frontal lobes was 1014.67 × 10−6 mm2/s in SC patients and 895.18 × 10−6 mm2/s in control subjects. Findings to date show that excluding the lesions (measuring only diffusion in normal-appearing white matter) does not substantially change average ADC. Moreover, scores from Letter/Number Sequencing and Symbol Search tests (derived from the WISC) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in SC patients as compared to control scores. For example, while controls obtained a mean scaled score of 12.8 on the Symbol Search task, SC patients obtained a mean scaled score of 7.1. After performing multiple correlations, a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) was detected between ADC of the frontal, parietal and cerebellar lobes, and tests of processing speed. Interestingly, SC patients showed a significantly higher standard error for Reaction Time (p < 0.05) during the CPT than did the control children. Conclusions: In this study, we present an imaging approach to identify compromised white matter earlier in SC patients. We show that while some damage is visible as focal lesions on a DW image, changes to tissue architecture exist in what otherwise appears as normal white matter. We also show that children diagnosed with SC exhibit deficits in working memory and processing speed, and are less consistent with respect to tests requiring sustained visual attention than are control children. Furthermore, as damage to normal-appearing white matter increases, proficiency in processing speed decreases. This approach can be used to detect compromised white matter prior to the appearance of lesions, and in turn, will help to pinpoint and address potential cognitive impairments in this population sooner. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Symptomatic remission and neurocognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (10) ◽  
pp. 2131-2139 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hofer ◽  
T. Bodner ◽  
A. Kaufmann ◽  
G. Kemmler ◽  
U. Mattarei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Neurocognitive Functioning ◽  
Remission Status ◽  
Symptomatic Remission

BackgroundA cross-sectional study was conducted in participants with schizophrenia to explore a potential association between the patients' remission status and neurocognitive functioning and to examine whether these factors have an impact on functional outcome.MethodPsychopathological symptoms were rated by means of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale with symptom remission being assessed by applying the severity component of the recently proposed remission criteria. Tests for the cognitive battery were selected to cover domains known to be impaired in patients with schizophrenia. Next to pre-morbid intelligence, attention performance, executive functioning, verbal fluency, verbal learning and memory, working memory and visual memory were assessed. The joint effect of remission status and neurocognitive functioning on treatment outcome was investigated by logistic regression analysis.ResultsOut of 140 patients included in the study, 62 were symptomatically remitted. Mean age, education and sex distribution were comparable in remitted and non-remitted patients. Remitted patients showed significantly higher values on tests of verbal fluency, alertness and optical vigilance. Both symptomatic remission as well as performance on tests of working memory and verbal memory had a significant effect on the patients' employment status.ConclusionsIn the present study neuropsychological measures of frontal lobe functioning were associated with symptomatic remission from schizophrenia. In addition, both symptomatic remission and performance on tests of working memory and verbal memory had a significant effect on the patients' employment status. Longitudinal follow-up data are needed to determine how the associations of these determinants of functional outcome interact and change over time.

scholarly journals Cannabis and cognitive performance in psychosis: a cross-sectional study in patients with non-affective psychotic illness and their unaffected siblings

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Meijer ◽  
N. Dekker ◽  
M. W. Koeter ◽  
P. J. Quee ◽  
N. J. M. van Beveren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Knowledge Reasoning

BackgroundThe relationship between cannabis use and cognitive functioning in patients with psychosis has yielded contradictory findings. In individuals at genetic high risk for psychosis, information is sparse. The aim of this study was to assess the association between recency and frequency of cannabis use and cognitive functioning in patients with psychosis and their unaffected siblings.MethodWe conducted a cross-sectional study in 956 patients with non-affective psychosis, 953 unaffected siblings, and 554 control subjects. Participants completed a cognitive test battery including assessments of verbal learning, set shifting, sustained attention, processing speed, working memory, acquired knowledge, reasoning and problem solving and social cognition. Cannabis use was assessed by urinalysis and by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Using random-effect regression models the main effects of cannabis (recency and frequency) and the interaction with status (patient, sibling, control) on cognitive functioning were assessed.ResultsCurrent cannabis use was associated with poorer performance on immediate verbal learning, processing speed and working memory (Cohen's d −0.20 to −0.33, p<0.005). Lifetime cannabis use was associated with better performance on acquired knowledge, facial affect recognition and face identity recognition (Cohen's d+0.17 to +0.33, p<0.005). There was no significant interaction between cannabis and status on cognitive functioning.ConclusionsLifetime cannabis-using individuals might constitute a subgroup with a higher cognitive potential. The residual effects of cannabis may impair short-term memory and processing speed.

scholarly journals Transdiagnostic neurocognitive endophenotypes in major psychiatric illness

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharath Holla ◽  
Pavithra Dayal ◽  
Aswathy Das ◽  
Mahashweta Bhattacharya ◽  
V Manjula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Psychiatric Illness ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Multiplex Family ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Neurocognitive Functions

AbstractWe aimed to characterize potential transdiagnostic neurocognitive endophenotypes in a large cohort of multiplex families affected with two or more individuals having a major psychiatric illness(MPI) i.e., schizophrenia(SCZ), bipolar disorder(BPAD), substance use disorders(SUD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD). We recruited 640 individuals that included 256 affected individuals with MPI, 227 of their unaffected first-degree relatives(FDR) and 157 population healthy-controls(PHC). Neurocognitive battery included assessments of executive function, working memory, social cognition, verbal learning and recall. Linear mixed effects models were applied to the neurocognitive components to examine their transdiagnostic and endophenotype status after accounting for demographic and family variables. We also examined the relationship of cognitive domains with diagnosis-specific Family History Density score(FHD).The deficits in cognitive flexibility, working memory and social cognition were transdiagnostic; processing speed was impaired in SCZ and BPAD groups while verbal learning and recall in SCZ, BPAD and SUD groups. These deficits with the exception of social cognition, worsened with age and parental education had protective effect. The unaffected FDRs had deficits in all the domains except processing speed in comparison to PHC; social cognition deficits were comparable to affected individuals. The diagnosis-specific FHD analysis showed that deficits in cognitive flexibility, working memory and social cognition were endophenotypes across disorders.Evaluation of neurocognitive functions across multiple affected individuals in a large multiplex family-based cross-disorder cohort, has the potential to elucidate transdiagnostic as well as endophenotype vulnerabilities to psychiatric illness. This study adds to the emerging conceptualization of psychiatric illness as a combination of both diagnosis-specific and transdiagnostic markers.

scholarly journals An Auditory Stroop Test to Implement in Cognitive Hearing Sciences: Development and Normative Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-51
Author(s):  
Katrien Kestens ◽  
Sofie Degeest ◽  
Marijke Miatton ◽  
Hannah Keppler
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Verbal Working Memory ◽  
Stroop Test ◽  
Good Test ◽  
Interference Score ◽  
Effect Of Age

Objective: This study developed and gained insight in an auditory Stroop test, implementable in cognitive hearing sciences. Methods: An auditory Stroop test was developed and performed in 178 participants, aged between 18 and 69 years. This Auditory Stroop test consisted of two tests: Stroop-tones and Stroop-words whereby the pitch of pure-tones and spoken words (i.e., the words high and low) had to be identified by high or low, respectively. An interference score was calculated as a measure of verbal executive functioning. Regression models were conducted to examine the effect of age, sex, education, awakeness, hearing, as well as visual and verbal working memory, and processing speed on the auditory Stroop scores. Normative data were obtained per age decade. Results: Compared to the visual counterparts, the auditory Stroop outcomes were better predicted by verbal working memory and processing speed. A trend was observed showing a decrease in performances with increasing age. No other participant-related variables had a significant relationship with the auditory Stroop test. Conclusion: This auditory Stroop test was considered a good test for measuring executive functioning using auditory stimuli. Implementing this auditory Stroop test within cognitive hearing sciences will contribute to unravel the auditory-cognitive perspective of speech understanding.

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