Differences in Conceptual Flexibility with Age as Measured by a Modified Version of the Visual Verbal Test

1994 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Collins ◽  
Andrée Tellier
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perseverative Errors ◽  
Verbal Test ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Conceptual Flexibility

ABSTRACTAge-related changes in the capacity for cognitive flexibility should be considered in social planning for the expanding elderly population and in the functional assessment of the individual geriatric patient. Current means for assessing conceptual flexibility are not particularly appropriate for use with the elderly. In the current study, a briefer and more tolerable measure of conceptual flexibility was derived from the Visual Verbal Test (VVT). This index correlated significantly with the number of perseverative errors but not the number of nonperseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), attesting to its validity as a specific measure of the ability to shift mental set. A significant relationship between age and both this VVT measure of conceptual shift and the number of perseverative errors on the WCST was observed in a sample of 60 healthy elderly volunteers between the ages of 55 and 84, suggesting that cognitive flexibility is indeed negatively associated with age.

scholarly journals Does cognitive flexibility predict treatment gains in Internet-delivered psychological treatment of social anxiety disorder, depression, or tinnitus?

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Lindner ◽  
Per Carlbring ◽  
Erik Flodman ◽  
Amanda Hebert ◽  
Stephanie Poysti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Social Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Psychological Treatments ◽  
Perseverative Errors ◽  
Treatment Gains

Little is known about the individual factors that predict outcomes in Internet-administered psychological treatments. We hypothesized that greater cognitive flexibility (i.e. the ability to simultaneously consider several concepts and tasks and switch effortlessly between them in response to changes in environmental contingencies) would provide a better foundation for learning and employing the cognitive restructuring techniques taught and exercised in therapy, leading to greater treatment gains. Participants in three trials featuring Internet-administered psychological treatments for depression (n = 36), social anxiety disorder (n = 115) and tinnitus (n = 53) completed the 64-card Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) prior to treatment. We found no significant associations between perseverative errors on the WCST and treatment gains in any group. We also found low accuracy in the classification of treatment responders. We conclude that lower cognitive flexibility, as captured by perseverative errors on the WCST, should not impede successful outcomes in Internet-delivered psychological treatments.

Dopaminergic Genes Polymorphisms and Prefrontal Cortex Efficiency Among Obese People - Whether Gender is a Differentiating Factor?

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 405-418
Author(s):  
Maciej Bieliński ◽  
Natalia Lesiewska ◽  
Roman Junik ◽  
Anna Kamińska ◽  
Andrzej Tretyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Obese People ◽  
Perseverative Errors ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting ◽  
Sorting Test

Background:Obesity is a chronic condition associated with poorer cognitive functioning. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) is a useful tool for evaluating executive functions. In this study, we assessed the association between dopaminergic gene polymorphisms: DAT1 (SLC6A3), COMTVal158Met, DRD4 (48-bp variable number of tandem repeats - VNTR) and WCST parameters to investigate the functions of the frontal lobes in obese individuals.Objective:To find the significant correlations between polymorphisms of DAT1, COMTVal158Met, DRD4 and executive functions in obese subjects.Methods:The analysis of the frequency of individual alleles was performed in 248 obese patients (179 women, 69 men). Evaluation of the prefrontal cortex function (operating memory and executive functions) was measured with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Separate analyzes were performed in age subgroups to determine different activities and regulation of genes in younger and older participants.Results:Scores of WCST parameters were different in the subgroups of women and men and in the age subgroups. Regarding the COMT gene, patients with A/A and G/A polymorphisms showed significantly better WCST results in WCST_P, WCST_CC and WCST_1st. Regarding DAT1 men with L/L and L/S made less non-perseverative errors, which was statistically significant. In DRD4, significantly better WCST_1st results were found only in older women with S allele.Conclusion:Obtained results indicate the involvement of dopaminergic transmission in the regulation of prefrontal cortex function. Data analysis indicates that prefrontal cortex function may ensue, from different elements such as genetic factors, metabolic aspects of obesity, and hormonal activity (estrogen).

Associations of Regular Marijuana Use by Adolescent Boys With Verbal Memory and Perseveration

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412198899
Author(s):  
Robert I. Block ◽  
Gerry Jager ◽  
Maartje Luijten ◽  
Nick F. Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Perseverative Errors ◽  
Selective Reminding Test

Many American and Dutch adolescents use marijuana regularly. There is concern that such use may impair cognitive function more in adolescents than adults. We examined effects of regular marijuana use on long-term memory and perseveration among American and Dutch adolescents. We administered Buschke's Selective Reminding Test (BSRT) to assess long-term memory and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) to assess perseveration in male teenagers. Usable test data were obtained for 12 American marijuana users, 13 American controls, 9 Dutch marijuana users, and 12 Dutch controls. In BSRT, users showed lower overall long-term storage than controls (adjusted means ± SE's for numbers of words per trial of 9.4 ± 0.2, 13.4 ± 0.3, 11.7 ± 0.2, and 12.4 ± 0.2 for American users, Dutch users, American controls, and Dutch controls, respectively). Marijuana was associated with memory effects only in American, not Dutch, users. Bivariate Pearson correlations for American and Dutch users combined showed associations of lower total recall with more uses in the previous year and lifetime (r = –0.61 and r = –0.53, respectively); and more perseverative errors with more uses in the previous year (r = 0.55). Some findings were consistent with the possibility that regular adolescent marijuana use causes deficits in cognition, especially memory. However, a causal interpretation cannot be inferred from our findings and is challenging to reconcile with the observation of memory deficits only in American users. Our study was novel in examining the influence of nationality on marijuana's cognitive effects. More studies of this topic should compare effects across nationalities or cultures.

The Future Profile of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Japan

2005 ◽  
Vol 44 (02) ◽  
pp. 342-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Doba ◽  
S. Hinohara
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Health Evaluation ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Apparently Healthy

Summary Objectives: One of the serious challenges for Japanese healthcare is the aging population. Analysis of health evaluation data, especially of the elderly over 75 years, is considered very important. In view of this prolonged life expectancy in Japan, our government started the new campaign of Healthy Japan 21, of which details are described, and also we will demonstrate the general profile of our perspective cohort study program concerning the new elder citizens in Japan. Methods and Results: Our group has started a health evaluation program for those apparently healthy new elder citizens over the age of 75. A ten-year cohort study is in progress, which is designed to accumulate health check-up data annually. The study collects information on physical well being, as well as information on the individual’s lifestyle, and social, emotional and spiritual environment. Such health appraisal is of primary importance. Preliminary results will be demonstrated with their special implications in clinical and epidemiological significance. The degree of frailty of the individual was also carefully evaluated, so that we can learn about the QOL of the seniors in Japan. Conclusions: At the present stage, we can only report a part of our study including the mental and spiritual environments of the individual. This kind of outcome study will give us some insights concerning the natural progress of frailty in the apparently healthy elderly.

scholarly journals Age and oral health: current considerations

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (spe) ◽  
pp. 29-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Tawse-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Periodontal Disease ◽  
Dental Plaque ◽  
Alveolar Bone ◽  
Periodontal Diseases ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Preventive Program ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Complex Scenario

Dental plaque is still considered the main etiological factor for periodontal diseases. Our understanding of periodontal disease has advanced from the previous concepts where gingivitis slowly progressed to periodontitis to a more complex scenario that correlates several risk factors in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Among these factors, age has been associated with increased rates of periodontal disease as the population gets older. Although the loss of alveolar bone and periodontal attachment is common in the elderly population, and there is evident age-related changes in the periodontium, severe periodontitis is not a natural consequence of ageing. The importance of identifying the risk factors that participate in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease at an early phase, both of the individual and the disease, as well as evaluating the capacity of the individual to control dental plaque will enable the implementation of an adequate preventive program, where the needs and limitations of the individual are considered to specifically tailor the oral hygiene procedures and the mouthwashes to be used.

scholarly journals Differences in Executive Function Among Patients With Schizophrenia, Their Unaffected First-Degree Relatives, and Healthy Participants

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 731-737
Author(s):  
Yuzuru Kataoka ◽  
Takamitsu Shimada ◽  
Yoko Koide ◽  
Hiroaki Okubo ◽  
Takashi Uehara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Intermediate Phenotype ◽  
Clinical Variable ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
First Degree Relatives ◽  
Duration Of Illness ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Perseverative Errors

Abstract Background Patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) display impaired executive functions compared with healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, unaffected first-degree relatives (FRs) of patients with SCZ independently perform worse executive functions than do HCs. However, few studies have investigated the differences in executive functions assessed among patients with SCZ, FRs, and HCs, and the findings are inconsistent. Methods We investigated diagnostic differences in executive functions, namely (1) numbers of categories achieved (CA), (2) total errors (TE), and (3) percentage of perseverative errors of Nelson types (%PEN), using the Wisconsin card sorting test among patients with SCZ (n = 116), unaffected FRs (n = 62), and HCs (n = 146) at a single institute. Correlations between these executive functions and clinical variables were investigated. Results Significant differences existed in all executive functions among diagnostic groups (CA, F2,319 = 15.5, P = 3.71 × 10–7; TE, F2,319 = 16.2, P = 2.06 × 10–7; and %PEN, F2,319 = 21.3, P = 2.15 × 10–9). Patients with SCZ had fewer CA and more TE and %PEN than those of HCs (CA, Cohen’s d = −0.70, P = 5.49 × 10–8; TE, d = 0.70, P = 5.62 × 10–8; and %PEN, d = 0.82, P = 2.85 × 10−10) and FRs (TE, d = 0.46, P = 3.73 × 10–3 and %PEN, d = 0.38, P = .017). Of the 3 executive functions, CA and %PEN of FRs were intermediately impaired between patients with SCZ and HCs (CA, d = −0.41, P = .011 and %PEN, d = 0.41, P = .012). In contrast, no significant difference in TE existed between FRs and HCs (d = 0.22, P = .18). Although CA and TE were affected by the duration of illness (P < .017), %PEN was not affected by any clinical variable in patients with SCZ (P > .017). Conclusions Executive function, particularly %PEN, could be a useful intermediate phenotype for understanding the genetic mechanisms implicated in SCZ pathophysiology.

Effect of ‘Autonomic Blockade’ on Cardiac β-Adrenergic Chronotropic Responsiveness in Healthy Young, Healthy Elderly and Endurance-Trained Elderly Subjects

1994 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Ford ◽  
O. F. W. James
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Autonomic Blockade ◽  
Young Subjects

1. Cardiac chronotropic responses to isoprenaline are reduced with ageing in man. It is unclear whether this is due to reduced cardiac β-adrenergic sensitivity or to age-associated differences in reflex cardiovascular responses to the vasodilatory effects of isoprenaline. Age-associated changes in physical activity are also reported to influence β-adrenergic sensitivity. 2. The aim of the present study was to determine the contribution of alterations in reflex changes in parasympathetic and sympathetic influences and physical fitness to the age-associated reduction in cardiac chronotropic responses to β-adrenergic agonists. 3. The effect of ‘autonomic blockade’ with atropine (40 μg/kg intravenously) and clonidine (4 μg/kg intravenously) on blood pressure, heart rate and chronotropic responses to intravenous bolus isoprenaline doses was determined in eight healthy young (mean age 21 years), nine healthy elderly (72 years) and 10 endurance-trained elderly (69 years) subjects. 4. Elderly subjects had a reduced increase in heart rate after atropine (young, 49 ± 9 beats/min; elderly, 36 ± 5 beats/min; endurance-trained elderly, 34 ± 12 beats/min; P < 0.01) and did not demonstrate the transient increase in systolic blood pressure after clonidine observed in young subjects (young, 11 ± 10 mmHg; elderly, −12 ± 16 mmHg; endurance-trained elderly, −18 ± 11 mmHg; P < 0.01). 5. Cardiac chronotropic sensitivity to isoprenaline after ‘autonomic blockade’ increased in the young but decreased in the elderly subjects. The isoprenaline dose that increased heart rate by 25 beats/min before and after autonomic blockade' was: young, before 1.6 μg, after 2.8 μg, P < 0.01 (geometric mean, paired test); elderly, before 6.9 μg, after 3.6 μg, P < 0.05; endurance-trained elderly, before 5.9 μg, after 4.0 μg, P < 0.05. Cardiac chronotropic sensitivity to isoprenaline was significantly reduced in elderly compared with young subjects before (P < 0.01) but was similar after (P = 0.09) ‘autonomic blockade’. Chronotropic sensitivity did not differ between healthy and endurance-trained elderly subjects before or after ‘autonomic blockade’. 6. The age-associated reduction in cardiac chronotropic responses to bolus isoprenaline is primarily due to an age-related reduction in the influence of reflex cardiovascular responses on heart rate and not to an age-related reduction in cardiac β-adrenergic sensitivity. Endurance training is not associated with altered β-adrenergic chronotropic sensitivity in the elderly. The transient pressor response to intravenously administered clonidine may be lost in ageing man.

scholarly journals Cerebellar GABA Levels and Cognitive Interference in Parkinson’s disease and Healthy Comparators

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Federica Piras ◽  
Daniela Vecchio ◽  
Francesca Assogna ◽  
Clelia Pellicano ◽  
Valentina Ciullo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Interference Effects ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Color Test ◽  
Perseverative Errors ◽  
Molecular Substrates ◽  
Task Irrelevant

The neuroanatomical and molecular substrates for cognitive impairment in Parkinson Disease (PD) are far from clear. Evidence suggests a non-dopaminergic basis, and a crucial role for cerebellum in cognitive control in PD. We investigated whether a PD cognitive marker (response inhibition) was differently controlled by g-amino butyric acid (GABA) and/or by glutamate-glutamine (Glx) levels in the cerebellum of idiopathic PD patients, and healthy comparators (HC). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of GABA/Glx (MEGA-PRESS acquisition sequence) was performed at 3 Tesla, and response inhibition assessed by the Stroop Word-Color Test (SWCT) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Linear correlations between cerebellar GABA/Glx levels, SWCT time/error interference effects and WCST perseverative errors were performed to test differences between correlation coefficients in PD and HC. Results showed that higher levels of mean cerebellar GABA were associated to SWCT increased time and error interference effects in PD, and the contrary in HC. Such effect dissociated by hemisphere, while correlation coefficients differences were significant in both right and left cerebellum. We conclude that MRS measured levels of cerebellar GABA are related in PD patients with decreased efficiency in filtering task-irrelevant information. This is crucial for developing pharmacological treatments for PD to potentially preserve cognitive functioning.

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