A-114 Neurocognitive Correlates of Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome in Youth

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1163-1164
Author(s):  
Christopher Anzalone ◽  
Rachel M Bridges ◽  
Jessica C Luedke ◽  
Scott L Decker
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Post Concussion Syndrome ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Future Work

Abstract Objective In the U.S., youths account for most annual mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) cases. Often mTBI patients experience impairing symptoms that affect several domains of functioning, typically these symptoms remit within a month though many patients will experience impairing symptoms that persist for greater than three months. Due to the current difficulties in diagnosing this condition in a standardized way, the current study aims to clarify the cognitive profiles of persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS) in youth patients. Method 30 youths between the ages of 8 and 18 years participated. 15 youths with mTBI symptoms for greater than three months were recruited from a mTBI treatment clinic. An additional 15 youths without a mTBI history were recruited as a control group. All participants underwent cognitive testing using the standard Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities battery. Logistic regression analyses explored the importance of cognitive processing speed and working memory for identifying youth patients with PPCS. Further exploratory analyses were conducted to clarify additional cognitive domains that may be impacted by PPCS. Results Findings suggest processing speed and working memory abilities alone are not adequate for identifying patients with PPCS and measures of processing speed, fluid reasoning, working memory, and long-term retrieval may be important to consider when differentially diagnosing PPCS. Conclusions More research is needed to appropriately identify and validate diagnostic practices for PPCS in youth. Our findings provide a basis for future work and suggests neuropsychological batteries that include measures for these four cognitive domains may be valuable for identifying PPCS in youth patients.

scholarly journals Validation of the Batería III Woodcock-Munoz Pruebas de Habilidades Cognitivas for assessment of cognitive ability among children living in the Peruvian Amazon

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Reuben ◽  
Helena Frischtak ◽  
Rick H. Hoyle ◽  
Pooja Mehta ◽  
Jasmin Wertz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Intellectual Ability ◽  
Peruvian Amazon ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Verbal Comprehension ◽  
Language Version ◽  
Wj Iii Cog

This study examined the structural validity of scores from the Batería III Woodcock-Munoz Pruebas de Habilidades Cognitivas (Batería III COG), the Spanish-language version of the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ III COG) among 164 children ages 5-12 living in the Peruvian Amazon. Exploratory factor analyses were used in the preliminary investigations. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis was utilized in the main analysis. The findings supported both a 4-correlated-factors structure, involving the cognitive domains of Verbal Comprehension, Working Memory, Processing Speed, and Fluid Reasoning, and a bi-factor structure, involving the cognitive domains of Verbal Comprehension, Working Memory, and Processing Speed and one General Intellectual Ability (GIA) factor. Findings from the bi-factor model support the use of the Batería III COG as a measure of GIA in this region but not necessarily as a measure of all hypothesized cognitive subdomains, which were largely subsumed into the GIA factor. Results confirm previous findings that g predominates in the factor structure of scores produced by WJ III COG tests. Further implications for use of the Batería III COG in the Amazon region are discussed.

scholarly journals Validation of Cognitive Rehabilitation as a Balance Rehabilitation Strategy in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 314
Author(s):  
Aida Arroyo-Ferrer ◽  
Francisco José Sánchez-Cuesta ◽  
Yeray González-Zamorano ◽  
María Dolores del Castillo ◽  
Carolina Sastre-Barrios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Motor Symptoms ◽  
The Impact

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. This disease is characterized by motor symptoms, such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Although balance impairment is characteristic of advanced stages, it can be present with less intensity since the beginning of the disease. Approximately 60% of PD patients fall once a year and 40% recurrently. On the other hand, cognitive symptoms affect up to 20% of patients with PD in early stages and can even precede the onset of motor symptoms. There are cognitive requirements for balance and can be challenged when attention is diverted or reduced, linking a worse balance and a higher probability of falls with a slower cognitive processing speed and attentional problems. Cognitive rehabilitation of attention and processing speed can lead to an improvement in postural stability in patients with Parkinson’s. Methods: We present a parallel and controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT) to assess the impact on balance of a protocol based on cognitive rehabilitation focused on sustained attention through the NeuronUP platform (Neuronup SI, La Rioja, Spain) in patients with PD. For 4 weeks, patients in the experimental group will receive cognitive therapy three days a week while the control group will not receive any therapy. The protocol has been registered at trials.gov NCT04730466. Conclusions: Cognitive therapy efficacy on balance improvement may open the possibility of new rehabilitation strategies for prevention of falls in PD, reducing morbidity, and saving costs to the health care system.

scholarly journals No Spearman’s Law of Diminishing Returns for the working memory and intelligence relationship

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-80
Author(s):  
Bartłomiej Kroczek ◽  
Michał Ociepka ◽  
Adam Chuderski
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Large Data ◽  
Memory Storage ◽  
High Ability ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Crystallized Intelligence ◽  
Diminishing Returns

AbstractSpearman’s Law of Diminishing Returns (SLODR) holds that correlation between general (g)/fluid (Gf) intelligence factor and other cognitive abilities weakens with increasing ability level. Thus, cognitive processing in low ability people is most strongly saturated by g/Gf, whereas processing in high ability people depends less on g/Gf. Numerous studies demonstrated that low g is more strongly correlated with crystallized intelligence/creativity/processing speed than is high g, however no study tested an analogous effect in the case of working memory (WM). Our aim was to investigate SLODR for the relationship between Gf and WM capacity, using a large data set from our own previous studies. We tested alternative regression models separately for three types of WM tasks that tapped short-term memory storage, attention control, and relational integration, respectively. No significant SLODR effect was found for any of these tasks. Each task shared with Gf virtually the same amount of variance in the case of low- and high-ability people. This result suggests that Gf and WM rely on one and the same (neuro)cognitive mechanism.

scholarly journals Interactive effects of age and inflammation on change in ecologically-assessed cognitive functioning

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 705-706
Author(s):  
Christopher Engeland ◽  
Erik Knight ◽  
Martin Sliwinski ◽  
Jennifer Graham-Engeland
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Test Accuracy ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Inflammation has been implicated as a precursor to steeper declines in age-associated cognitive decline. Here we investigated biomarkers of peripheral inflammation [basal cytokines, stimulated cytokines (ex vivo), C-reactive protein (CRP)] as moderators of age-related changes in cognitive functioning. As part of the Effects of Stress on Cognitive Aging, Physiology, and Emotion (ESCAPE) study, participants (N = 233; 65% female; 63% Black, 25% Hispanic; 25-65 years of age) completed up to four instances of ambulatory cognitive testing per day across two weeks, over three waves of annual assessments. After each 2-week ecological momentary assessment (EMA) burst, blood was collected and assayed for inflammatory biomarkers. Performance on spatial working memory (mean Euclidean distance errors), processing speed (mean symbol search reaction time), and working memory (n-back test accuracy) tasks were averaged across all instances within an EMA burst. CRP and age interactively predicted change in spatial working memory (B = 0.003, [0.000, 0.005], t(133.60) = 2.350, p = 0.020) such that higher CRP at older ages (~60 years) was associated with a loss of the expected practice effects across waves; at younger ages, CRP did not relate to change in spatial working memory. In a similar fashion, basal (B = -0.002, [-0.004, -0.000], t(103.26) = -2.399, p = 0.018) and stimulated cytokine levels (B = -0.002, [-0.004, -0.000], t(126.65) = -2.183, p = 0.031) interacted with age to predict change in processing speed across waves. These results indicate that inflammation may be critically associated with changes in cognitive functioning in older mid-life adults.

The Impact of Working Memory Training on Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults: The Role of Cognitive Reserve

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-61
Author(s):  
Sara Mičič ◽  
Marina Horvat ◽  
Karin Bakracevic
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine whether Working Memory (WM) training improves the cognitive functioning of older adults and to determine the role of cognitive reserve in WM training. Method: Twenty-one older adults, aged between 65 and 91 years were included in the study. Ten of them were in the experimental group and 11 in the passive control group. The experimental group underwent 15 training sessions of n-back training over a period of five weeks, whereas the control group remained passive. All participants (from the experimental and control group) were tested before the training, one week after the training, and three months after the training with Rey– Osterrieth/Taylor Complex Figure test (ROCF), Digit span, and TMT (part A and part B). Results and Conclusion: Results of our study suggest that although the experimental group slightly improved their performance on the trained task, the progress was not statistically significant. There was also no statistically significant transfer of training effects onto tasks of visual-spatial and verbal memory, as well as those related to executive functioning. However, the study did identify a statistically significant correlation between cognitive reserve and certain tests performed at the final testing: tasks measuring executive functioning and spatial ability. Results also revealed that the group that showed improvement in the training task was significantly better in the ROCF test in comparison with the group that had not improved their performance on the N-back task. Thus, visual-spatial abilities (visual perception, construction, and memory) were more connected with success in WM training, than other measured cognitive abilities (e.g. verbal and numerical memory).

scholarly journals Physical frailty and decline in general and specific cognitive abilities: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catharine Gale ◽  
Stuart J Ritchie ◽  
John M Starr ◽  
Ian J Deary
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
General Cognitive Ability ◽  
Visuospatial Ability ◽  
Physical Frailty ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Memory Processing ◽  
Lothian Birth Cohort

BackgroundPhysical frailty is associated with many adverse outcomes including disability, chronic disease, hospitalisation, institutionalisation and death. It is unclear what impact it might have on the rate of normal cognitive ageing. We investigated whether physical frailty was related to initial level of, and change in, cognitive abilities from age 70 to 79 years.MethodParticipants were 950 members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Physical frailty was assessed at age 70 years using the Fried criteria. Cognitive function was assessed at ages 70, 73, 76 and 79 years. We used linear regression to examine cross-sectional and prospective associations between physical frailty status at age 70 years and factor score estimates for baseline level of and change in four cognitive domains (visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed and crystallised ability) and in general cognitive ability.ResultsPhysical frailty, but not prefrailty, was associated with lower baseline levels of visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed and general cognitive ability after control for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, smoking and number of chronic illnesses. Physical frailty was associated with greater decline in each cognitive domain: age-adjusted and sex-adjusted standardised regression coefficients (95% CIs) were: −0.45 (−0.70 to –0.20) for visuospatial ability, −0.32 (−0.56 to –0.07) for memory, −0.47 (−0.72 to −0.22) for processing speed, −0.43 (−0.68 to –0.18) for crystallised ability and −0.45 (−0.70 to –0.21) for general cognitive ability. These associations were only slightly attenuated after additional control for other covariates.ConclusionPhysical frailty may be an important indicator of age-related decline across multiple cognitive domains.

Heterogeneity of late-life depression: relationship with cognitive functioning

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 953-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole C. M. Korten ◽  
Brenda W. J. H. Penninx ◽  
Rob M. Kok ◽  
Max L. Stek ◽  
Richard C. Oude Voshaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Psychotropic Medication ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Symptom Dimensions ◽  
Cognitive Domains

ABSTRACTBackground:Late-life depression is a heterogeneous disorder, whereby cognitive impairments are often observed. This study examines which clinical characteristics and symptom dimensions of late-life depression are especially impacting on specific cognitive domains.Methods:Cross-sectional data of 378 depressed and 132 non-depressed older adults between 60–93 years, from the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older adults (NESDO) were used. Depressed older adults were recruited from both inpatient and outpatient mental healthcare institutes and general practices, and diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Multivariable associations were examined with depression characteristics (severity, onset, comorbidity, psychotropic medication) and symptom dimensions as independent variables and cognitive domains (episodic memory, processing speed, interference control, working memory) as dependent variables.Results:Late-life depression was associated with poorer cognitive functioning. Within depressed participants, higher severity of psychopathology and having a first depressive episode was associated with poorer cognitive functioning. The use of tricyclic antidepressants, serotonergic and noradrenergic working antidepressants, and benzodiazepines was associated with worse cognitive functioning. Higher scores on the mood dimension were associated with poorer working memory and processing speed, whereas higher scores on a motivational and apathy dimension were associated with poorer episodic memory and processing speed.Conclusions:Heterogeneity in late-life depression may lead to differences in cognitive functioning. Higher severity and having a first depressive episode was associated with worse cognitive performance. Additionally, different domains of cognitive functioning were associated with specific symptom dimensions. Our findings on the use of psychotropic medication suggest that close monitoring on cognitive side effects is needed.

scholarly journals Effect of Preschool Working Memory, Language, and Narrative Abilities on Inferential Comprehension at School-Age in Children with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and Typically Developing Children

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith Pike ◽  
Paul Swank ◽  
Heather Taylor ◽  
Susan Landry ◽  
Marcia A. Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Spina Bifida ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Achievement Data ◽  
Comprehension Development ◽  
Bridging Inference

AbstractChildren with spina bifida myelomeningocele (SBM) are more likely to display a pattern of good-decoding/poor comprehension than their neurologically intact peers. The goals of the current study were to (1) examine the cognitive origins of one of the component skills of comprehension, bridging inferences, from a developmental perspective and (2) to test the effects of those relations on reading comprehension achievement. Data from a sample of children with SBM and a control group (n = 78) who participated in a longitudinal study were taken from age 36-month and 9.5-year time points. A multiple mediation model provided evidence that three preschool cognitive abilities (working memory/inhibitory control, oral comprehension, narrative recall), could partially explain the relation between group and bridging inference skill. A second mediation model supported that each of the 36-month abilities had an indirect effect on reading comprehension through bridging inference skill. Findings contribute to an understanding of both typical and atypical comprehension development, blending theories from the developmental, cognitive, and neuropsychological literature. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–10)

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