scholarly journals Cognitive effects of adjunctive N-acetyl cysteine in psychosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 866-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rapado-Castro ◽  
S. Dodd ◽  
A. I. Bush ◽  
G. S. Malhi ◽  
D. R. Skvarc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Cognitive Effects ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
End Point

BackgroundCognitive deficits are predictors of functional outcome in patients with psychosis. While conventional antipsychotics are relatively effective on positive symptoms, their impact on negative and cognitive symptoms is limited. Recent studies have established a link between oxidative stress and neurocognitive deficits in psychosis. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor with glutamatergic properties, has shown efficacy on negative symptoms and functioning in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, respectively. However, there are few evidence-based approaches for managing cognitive impairment in psychosis. The present study aims to examine the cognitive effects of adjunctive NAC treatment in a pooled subgroup of participants with psychosis who completed neuropsychological assessment in two trials of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.MethodA sample of 58 participants were randomized in a double fashion to receive 2 g/day of NAC (n = 27) or placebo (n = 31) for 24 weeks. Attention, working memory and executive function domains were assessed. Differences between cognitive performance at baseline and end point were examined using Wilcoxon's test. The Mann–Whitney test was used to examine the differences between the NAC and placebo groups at the end point.ResultsParticipants treated with NAC had significantly higher working memory performance at week 24 compared with placebo (U = 98.5, p = 0.027).ConclusionsNAC may have an impact on cognitive performance in psychosis, as a significant improvement in working memory was observed in the NAC-treated group compared with placebo; however, these preliminary data require replication. Glutamatergic compounds such as NAC may constitute a step towards the development of useful therapies for cognitive impairment in psychosis.

scholarly journals Memory-Related Frontal Brainwaves Predict Transition to Mild Cognitive Impairment in Healthy Older Individuals Five Years Before Diagnosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yang Jiang ◽  
Juan Li ◽  
Frederick A. Schmitt ◽  
Gregory A. Jicha ◽  
Nancy B. Munro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Differentiation Pattern

Background: Early prognosis of high-risk older adults for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), using noninvasive and sensitive neuromarkers, is key for early prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. We have developed individualized measures in electrophysiological brain signals during working memory that distinguish patients with aMCI from age-matched cognitively intact older individuals. Objective: Here we test longitudinally the prognosis of the baseline neuromarkers for aMCI risk. We hypothesized that the older individuals diagnosed with incident aMCI already have aMCI-like brain signatures years before diagnosis. Methods: Electroencephalogram (EEG) and memory performance were recorded during a working memory task at baseline. The individualized baseline neuromarkers, annual cognitive status, and longitudinal changes in memory recall scores up to 10 years were analyzed. Results: Seven of the 19 cognitively normal older adults were diagnosed with incident aMCI for a median 5.2 years later. The seven converters’ frontal brainwaves were statistically identical to those patients with diagnosed aMCI (n = 14) at baseline. Importantly, the converters’ baseline memory-related brainwaves (reduced mean frontal responses to memory targets) were significantly different from those who remained normal. Furthermore, differentiation pattern of left frontal memory-related responses (targets versus nontargets) was associated with an increased risk hazard of aMCI (HR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.03, 2.08). Conclusion: The memory-related neuromarkers detect MCI-like brain signatures about five years before diagnosis. The individualized frontal neuromarkers index increased MCI risk at baseline. These noninvasive neuromarkers during our Bluegrass memory task have great potential to be used repeatedly for individualized prognosis of MCI risk and progression before clinical diagnosis.

scholarly journals Cognitive impairment in a Brazilian sample of patients with bipolar disorder

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlia J Schneider ◽  
Rafael H Candiago ◽  
Adriane R Rosa ◽  
Keila M Ceresér ◽  
Flávio Kapczinski
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Brazilian Sample ◽  
Bipolar Mood Disorder ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sample Method

OBJECTIVE: Persistent neurocognitive deficits have been described in bipolar mood disorder. As far as we are aware, no study have examined whether the cognitive impairment is presented in the same way in a Brazilian sample. METHOD: Cognitive function of 66 patients with bipolar disorder (32 with depressive symptoms and 34 euthymic) and 28 healthy subjects was examined using a complete cognitive battery. RESULTS: Patients with bipolar disorder presented a significantly poorer performance in eight of the 12 subtests when compared to healthy subjects. There was no significant difference between the subgroups of patients. These patients showed impairment in both verbal and non-verbal cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Cognitive impairment was found in both groups of patients with bipolar disorder. The findings described here suggest an overall impairment of cognitive function, independent of mood symptoms. This is in line with data showing that cognitive deficits may be a persistent characteristic of bipolar disorder.

Short-Term Cognitive Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral ECT

1985 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Alan Taylor ◽  
Richard Abrams
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Endogenous Depression ◽  
Cognitive Effects ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Significant Clinical Improvement ◽  
Neuropsychological Tasks

SummaryWe administered an extensive battery of primarily non-memory neuropsychological tasks to 37 patients with endogenous depression, randomly assigned to either bilateral (B/ECT) or unilateral (U/ECT) electroconvulsive therapy. Testing was done prior to therapy and again shortly after the sixth induced seizure. The two groups did not significantly differ in cognitive impairment, either before or after treatment, and within-group cognitive changes following treatment were small. We conclude that neither B/ECT nor U/ECT substantially worsen non-memory cognitive performance in depressed patients, yet both result in significant clinical improvement.

scholarly journals Goal Setting Improves Cognitive Performance in a Randomized Trial of Chronic Stroke Survivors

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-470
Author(s):  
Keera N. Fishman ◽  
Andrea R. Ashbaugh ◽  
Richard H. Swartz
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Verbal Recall

Background and Purpose: Cognitive impairment after stroke, especially executive and attention dysfunction, is common, negatively affects daily functioning, and has limited treatment options. A single-blind, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial was used to examine the impact of goal setting on poststroke cognitive performance. Methods: Stroke survivors (n=72; mean age, 68.38 [SD=11.84] years; 69.4% men) in the chronic phase (≥3 months) after stroke from an academic stroke prevention clinic were randomly assigned to receive goal-setting instructions (n=36) or standard instructions (n=36) after completing baseline cognitive measures of executive function (primary outcome), attention/working memory, verbal learning, and verbal recall. Results: A one-way mixed multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) found a group by instructional manipulation interaction effect for executive function (Wilks λ=0.66; F [3,66]=11.30; P ≤0.001; η 2 p =0.34), after adjusting for age and years of education. After similar adjustment, attention/working memory (Wilks λ=0.86; F [5,63]=2.10; P =0.043; η 2 p =0.16) and verbal learning ( F [1,60]=5.81; P =0.019; η 2 p =0.09) also showed improvement after instruction but not verbal recall (Wilks λ=0.95; F [1,56]=2.82; P =0.099; η 2 p =0.05). There were no adverse events. Conclusions: Goal setting improved executive function, attention/working memory, and learning in a heterogeneous sample in the chronic phase after stroke. This suggests that >3 months after stroke, vascular cognitive impairment is not a fixed deficit; there is a motivational contributor. Brief treatments targeting goal-oriented behavior and motivation may serve as a novel approach or adjunct treatment to improve cognitive outcomes after stroke. Future research should investigate the use of goal setting on functional outcomes (eg, instrumental activities of daily living and vocational function) in this population, highlighting new potential avenues for treatment for vascular cognitive impairment. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT03511300.

scholarly journals Do Cognitive Performance and Physical Function Differ between Individuals with Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang-Yu Cheng ◽  
Yuanmay Chang ◽  
Shih-Jung Cheng ◽  
Jin-Siang Shaw ◽  
Chuo-Yu Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Assessment Scale ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Cognitive Risk ◽  
Cognitive Complaint

Abstract Background Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is defined by slow gait speed combined with subjective cognitive complaint. MCR is a predementia syndrome, similar to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, there is currently no study comparing the differences in cognitive performance and physical function between these two types of cognitive impairment. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare cognitive performance and physical function in individuals with MCR versus MCI. Methods A total of 77 participants, free of dementia, were recruited from the neurological outpatient clinic of a medical center in Taiwan. Participants were separated into two groups, MCR (n=33) and MCI (n=44) groups, based on definition criteria from previous studies. The priority was to assign a diagnosis of MCR first, followed by MCI. Hence, “pure” MCI had no overlap with MCR syndrome. Cognitive performance, including executive function, attention, working memory, episode memory, visuospatial function, and language, were measured. Physical functions such as activities in daily living, the Tinetti Assessment Scale, and the Timed Up and Go test were also measured. Results Executive function, attention, working memory, episodic memory and language were all significantly lower in the MCR group than the MCI group. Abilities related to physical function, including those measured by the Tinetti Assessment Scale and the Timed Up and Go test, were significantly lower in the MCR group than the MCI group. Conclusions We noted that cognitive performance and physical function were lower in MCR individuals than MCI but without MCR syndrome. However, the conclusions were based on the enrollment procedure of participants prioritizes the MCR syndrome. Because of the overlap of MCR and MCI, future studies should use different enrollment strategies to further clarify the status of these two populations.

NCOG-13. TUMOR-RELATED MOLECULAR DETERMINANTS OF NEUROCOGNITIVE DEFICITS IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFUSE GLIOMA

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi154-vi154
Author(s):  
Emma van Kessel ◽  
Sharon Berendsen ◽  
Anniek Baumfalk ◽  
Hema Venugopal ◽  
Eva Krijnen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Diffuse Glioma ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Psychomotor Speed

Abstract BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is a common and debilitating symptom in patients with diffuse glioma and is the result of multiple factors. We hypothesized that molecular tumor characteristics influence neurocognitive functioning (NCF), and we aimed to identify tumor-related markers of NCF in diffuse glioma patients. METHODS We examined the relation between cognitive performance (executive function, memory and psychomotor speed) and intratumoral expression level of molecular markers, in treatment-naive patients with diffuse glioma. We performed a single-center study in a prospectively collected cohort, through a two-step design: (1) differential expression and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to identify candidate oncogenetic markers for cognitive impairment in a hypothesis-free manner. Nineteen molecular markers of interest were derived from this set of genes as well as from prior knowledge; (2) correlation of cognitive performance (executive function, memory and psychomotor speed) to intratumoral expression level of these nineteen molecular markers, measured with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS After correcting for tumor volume and location, we found significant associations, between expression level of CD3 and IDH on the one hand with psychomotor speed on the other; between IDH, ATRX, BDNF, CSNK2B, EAAT1, GAT-3, SRF and memory performance; and between IDH, P-STAT5b, CSNK2B and executive functioning. P-STAT5b, CD163, CD3 and SEMA3 were independently associated after further correction for histopathological grade. CONCLUSION Several molecular characteristics of gliomas are independent determinants of patients’ cognitive functioning. This suggests that besides tumor volume, location and histological grade, variations in glioma biology influence cognitive performance through mechanisms that include perturbation of neuronal communication. These results pave the way towards targeted cognition improving therapies in neuro-oncology.

scholarly journals Do Cognitive Performance and Physical Function Differ between Individuals with Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang-Yu Cheng ◽  
Yuanmay Chang ◽  
Shih-Jung Cheng ◽  
Jin-Siang Shaw ◽  
Chuo-Yu Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Assessment Scale ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Cognitive Risk ◽  
Cognitive Complaint

Abstract Background Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is defined by slow gait speed combined with subjective cognitive complaint. MCR is a predementia syndrome, similar to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, there is currently no study comparing the differences in cognitive performance and physical function between these two types of cognitive impairment. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare cognitive performance and physical function in individuals with MCR versus MCI. Methods A total of 77 participants, free of dementia, were recruited from the neurological outpatient clinic of a medical center in Taiwan. Participants were separated into two groups, MCR (n = 33) and MCI (n = 44) groups, based on definition criteria from previous studies. Cognitive performance, including executive function, attention, working memory, episode memory, visuospatial function, and language, were measured. Physical functions such as activities in daily living, the Tinetti Assessment Scale, and the Timed Up and Go test were also measured. Results Executive function, attention, working memory, episodic memory and language were all significantly lower in the MCR group than the MCI group. Abilities related to physical function, including those measured by the Tinetti Assessment Scale and the Timed Up and Go test, were significantly lower in the MCR group than the MCI group. Conclusions We noted that cognitive performance and physical function were lower in MCR individuals than MCI individuals. The significant differences between those two groups may provide insight that MCR might lead to more severe overall functional deterioration in older adults than MCI patients.

scholarly journals Do Cognitive Performance and Physical Function Differ between Individuals with Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang-Yu Cheng ◽  
Yuanmay Chang ◽  
Shih-Jung Cheng ◽  
Jin-Siang Shaw ◽  
Chuo-Yu Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Assessment Scale ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Cognitive Risk ◽  
Cognitive Complaint

Abstract Background Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is defined by slow gait speed combined with subjective cognitive complaint. MCR is a predementia syndrome, similar to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, there is currently no study comparing the differences in cognitive performance and physical function between these two types of cognitive impairment. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare cognitive performance and physical function in individuals with MCR versus MCI. Methods A total of 77 participants, free of dementia, were recruited from the neurological outpatient clinic of a medical center in Taiwan. Participants were separated into two groups, MCR (n=33) and MCI (n=44) groups, based on definition criteria from previous studies. The priority was to assign a diagnosis of MCR first, followed by MCI. Hence, “pure” MCI has no overlap with MCR syndrome. Cognitive performance, including executive function, attention, working memory, episode memory, visuospatial function, and language, were measured. Physical functions such as activities in daily living, the Tinetti Assessment Scale, and the Timed Up and Go test were also measured. Results Executive function, attention, working memory, episodic memory and language were all significantly lower in the MCR group than the MCI group. Abilities related to physical function, including those measured by the Tinetti Assessment Scale and the Timed Up and Go test, were significantly lower in the MCR group than the MCI group. Conclusions We noted that cognitive performance and physical function were lower in MCR individuals than MCI but without MCR syndrome. However, the conclusions were based on the enrollment procedure of participants prioritizes the MCR syndrome. Because of the overlap of MCR and MCI, future studies should use different enrollment strategies to further clarify the status of these two populations.

scholarly journals Common default mode network dysfunction across psychopathologies: A neuroimaging meta-analysis of the n-back working memory paradigm

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C Farruggia ◽  
Angela R Laird ◽  
Aaron T Mattfeld
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Research Domain Criteria ◽  
Default Mode ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Research Domain

ABSTRACTThe National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) classifies disorders based on shared aspects of behavioral and neurobiological dysfunction. One common behavioral deficit observed in various psychopathologies, namely ADHD, addiction, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia, is a deficit in working memory performance. However, it is not known to what extent, if any, these disorders share common neurobiological abnormalities that contribute to decrements in performance. The goal of the present study was to examine convergence and divergence of working memory networks across psychopathologies. We used the Activation Likelihood Estimate (ALE) meta-analytic technique to collapse prior data obtained from published studies using the n-back working memory paradigm in individuals with a DSM-criteria diagnosis of the aforementioned disorders. These studies examined areas in the brain that showed increases in activity as a function of working memory-related load compared to a baseline condition, both within subjects and between healthy individuals and those with psychiatric disorder. A meta-analysis of 281 foci covering 81 experiments and 2,629 participants found significant convergence of hyperactivity in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) for DSM-diagnosed individuals compared to healthy controls. Foci from ADHD, addiction, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression studies contributed to the formation of this cluster. These results provide evidence that default-mode intrusion may constitute a shared seed of dysregulation across multiple psychopathologies, ultimately resulting in poorer working memory performance.

Effects of Ganglioside on Working Memory and the Default Mode Network in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (03) ◽  
pp. 489-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujin Jeon ◽  
Binna Kim ◽  
Jieun E. Kim ◽  
Bori R. Kim ◽  
Soonhyun Ban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Gray Matter Volume ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Matter Volume

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined whether the administration of ganglioside, an active ingredient of deer bone extract, can improve working memory performance by increasing gray matter volume and functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) in individuals with subjective cognitive impairment. Seventy-five individuals with subjective cognitive impairment were chosen to receive either ganglioside (330[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/day or 660[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/day) or a placebo for 8 weeks. Changes in working memory performance with treatment of either ganglioside or placebo were assessed as cognitive outcome measures. Using voxel-based morphometry and functional connectivity analyses, changes in gray matter volume and functional connectivity in the DMN were also assessed as brain outcome measures. Improvement in working memory performance was greater in the ganglioside group than in the placebo group. The ganglioside group, relative to the placebo group, showed greater increases in gray matter volume and functional connectivity in the DMN. A significant relationship between increased functional connectivity of the precuneus and improved working memory performance was observed in the ganglioside group. The current findings suggest that ganglioside has cognitive-enhancing effects in individuals with subjective cognitive impairment. Ganglioside-induced increases in gray matter volume and functional connectivity in the DMN may partly be responsible for the potential nootropic effects of ganglioside. The clinical trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02379481).

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