A-126 One Versus Two or More Head Injuries: A Comparison of Cognitive Performance and Emotional Correlates

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1176-1176
Author(s):  
Lauren Frick ◽  
Maggie Bailey ◽  
Bailey Balloun ◽  
Lindsay Wood ◽  
Ben Pyykkonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Test Form ◽  
History Of ◽  
Design Fluency ◽  
Trailmaking Test

Abstract Objective The current study compares performance on measures of executive functioning in individuals with a history of 2 or more mTBI versus those with a single documented mTBI. Specific interaction with emotional distress was explored. Method A database from neuropsychological assessment of individuals noting deficits following head injury including 273 individuals provided a sample of 174 males, 98 females (one case missing data); mean age = 21.82 years; mean education = 10.16 years. Executive functioning was measured using the Trails Making Test Form B (TMT-B), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) Design Fluency, and Semantic Fluency instruments. Emotional distress was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results MANCOVA was employed to determine the effect of multiple head injuries versus one upon cognitive performance after controlling for depression and anxiety. Group differences between those with one versus 2 or more mTBI were present (Wilk’s η = 0.907, F (3, 125) = 4.256, p = 007, Partial η2 = 0.093). Significant differences were not noted with regard to emotional distress (BAI, p = 0.97 l BDI, p = 0.87). Between subject effects identified significant differences between groups in performance on DKEFS Design Fluency (p = 0.05) and Semantic Fluency (P = 0.04), while significant groups differences were not evident Trailmaking Test B performance (P = 0.20). Conclusion Overall, those who had previous concussions performed better on measures of executive functioning. Measures of emotional functioning were not a significant covariate of cognitive performance. Implications and limitations of the current study will be discussed.

scholarly journals Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Donor and Recipient and Their Subsequent Cognitive Functioning in Late Childhood as Juvenile Athletes—A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2545
Author(s):  
Ilona Bidzan-Bluma
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Late Childhood ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Motor Functioning ◽  
Gross Motor Skills ◽  
History Of

Objective: It is estimated that twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) occurs in 10–15% of monochorionic twin pregnancies. One of the fetuses takes on the role of donor and the other of recipient. The treatment administered involves serial amnioreduction and laser photocoagulation of the communicating blood vessels. After TTTS, children may have deficiencies in psychomotor functioning, in particular in cognitive functions, expressive language, and motor skills. Few scientific reports indicate that twins after TTTS do not demonstrate significant differences in tests which measure intellectual functioning. Methods: The cognitive functioning of twins in the late childhood period was compared using the following tools: an analysis of their medical history, an interview with their parents, and neuropsychological tests allowing the evaluation of their whole profile of cognitive functions. Case Study: Cognitive functioning in the late childhood period was analyzed in a pair of 11-year-old male twins (juvenile athletes), a donor and a recipient, who had developed TTTS syndrome in the prenatal period. Results: Comparison of the cognitive functioning profile of the donor and recipient revealed that children with a history of TTTS develop normally in terms of cognitive and motor functioning in late childhood. A comparative analysis of the donor and recipient was more favorable for the recipient, who had a higher level of general intelligence, visual–motor memory, and semantic fluency. Conclusions: The fact that both the donor and the recipient chose to pursue athletics suggests that gross motor skills are their strongest suit. Playing sports as a method of rehabilitation of cognitive function of children born prematurely after TTTS could contribute to the improvement of cognitive functioning.

scholarly journals Thalamic Volume Mediates Associations Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Memory in People With Parkinson’s

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 501-502
Author(s):  
Andrew Petkus ◽  
Megan Gomez ◽  
Dawn Schiehser ◽  
Vincent Filoteo ◽  
Jennifer Hui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Intracranial Volume ◽  
Vo2 Max ◽  
Basal Ganglia Structures

Abstract Cognitive deficits occur in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with both current and future cognitive decline in this disease. The underlying neurobiological factors explaining this relationship, however, are not well known. In this cross-sectional study we examined the associations between CRF and cognitive performance and whether such associations were mediated by grey matter volumes of basal ganglia structures. A total of 33 individuals with PD underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), CRF evaluation (VO2max), and neuropsychological assessment. Composite scores of episodic memory, executive functioning, attention, language, and visuospatial functioning were generated. Brain MRI morphological measurements was performed with the Freesurfer image analysis suite. Structural equation models were constructed to examine whether sMRI volume estimates of basal ganglia structures, specifically the thalamus and pallidum, mediated associations between VO2 max and cognitive performance while adjusting for age, education, PD disease duration, sex, and intracranial volume. Higher VO2max was associated with better episodic memory (Standardized β=0.390; p=0.009), executive functioning (Standardized β=0.263; p=0.021), and visuospatial performance (β=0.408; p=0.004). Higher VO2max was associated with larger thalamic (Standardized β=0.602; p<0.001) and pallidum (Standardized β=0.539; p<0.001) volumes. Thalamic volume significantly mediated the association between higher VO2max and better episodic memory (indirect effect=0.209) and visuospatial ability (indirect effect=0.178) performance (p<.05). The pallidum did not significantly mediate associations between VO2 max and cognitive outcomes. These results suggest the thalamus plays an important role in the association between CRF episodic memory and visuospatial functioning in individuals with PD.

A-11 Investigating Gene–Gene Interactions by Cognitive Domain in Healthy Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1051-1051
Author(s):  
Kendra L Pizzonia ◽  
Andrew M Bryant ◽  
Leatha A Clark ◽  
Brian C Clark ◽  
Julie A Suhr
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Gene Interactions ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Immediate Memory ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Main Effects

Abstract Objective ApoE is a well-known gene carrying risk for Alzheimer’s disease and is associated with memory performance while the COMT gene is associated with executive functioning but is understudied. The present study investigated these gene interactions across cognitive domains. Method A larger study on gait and aging recruited 89 healthy community-dwelling adults over the age of 60. The primary analyses included 82 participants (67% female, mean age = 74.61, SD = 6.71). The analyses on executive functioning included 72 participants (65% female, mean age = 73.02, SD = 4.99) who completed all measures of interest. ApoE status was defined as presence/absence of Ɛ4. The rs4680 gene on the COMT allele was classified into Val/Met, Val/Val, and Met/Met genotypes. Biological sex was included as a binary term (i.e., male/female). Index variables and age corrected standard scores on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, verbal fluency, and Trail Making Test were included. Results Gene–gene interactions were found for overall cognitive functioning, immediate memory, and semantic fluency. There were main effects of sex for overall cognitive functioning, immediate memory, delayed memory, and semantic fluency. There were main effects for COMT for delayed memory and a main effect for both COMT and ApoE for visuospatial functioning, coding, and verbal fluency (all p’s < 0.05). There were no ApoE x COMT x Sex interactions and Trail Making Test B was not related to either gene or sex. Conclusion(s) Our findings suggest that both COMT and ApoE (and their interaction) influence cognition. Future research should investigate gene–gene interactions in larger samples with more comprehensive cognitive batteries.

Delirium, depression, and long-term cognition

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Patricia S. Andrews ◽  
Jennifer Thompson ◽  
Rameela Raman ◽  
Chelsea Rick ◽  
Amy Kiehl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Neuropsychological Status ◽  
Beta Coefficient ◽  
History Of ◽  
Surgical Icu ◽  
Depression History ◽  
History Of Depression

ABSTRACT Objectives: We examined whether preadmission history of depression is associated with less delirium/coma-free (DCF) days, worse 1-year depression severity and cognitive impairment. Design and measurements: A health proxy reported history of depression. Separate models examined the effect of preadmission history of depression on: (a) intensive care unit (ICU) course, measured as DCF days; (b) depression symptom severity at 3 and 12 months, measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II); and (c) cognitive performance at 3 and 12 months, measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) global score. Setting and participants: Patients admitted to the medical/surgical ICU services were eligible. Results: Of 821 subjects eligible at enrollment, 261 (33%) had preadmission history of depression. After adjusting for covariates, preadmission history of depression was not associated with less DCF days (OR 0.78, 95% CI, 0.59–1.03 p = 0.077). A prior history of depression was associated with higher BDI-II scores at 3 and 12 months (3 months OR 2.15, 95% CI, 1.42–3.24 p = <0.001; 12 months OR 1.89, 95% CI, 1.24–2.87 p = 0.003). We did not observe an association between preadmission history of depression and cognitive performance at either 3 or 12 months (3 months beta coefficient −0.04, 95% CI, −2.70–2.62 p = 0.97; 12 months 1.5, 95% CI, −1.26–4.26 p = 0.28). Conclusion: Patients with a depression history prior to ICU stay exhibit a greater severity of depressive symptoms in the year after hospitalization.

scholarly journals Cognition and renal function: findings from a Brazilian population

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviane Bernardes de Oliveira Chaiben ◽  
Thabata Baechtold da Silveira ◽  
Murilo Henrique Guedes ◽  
João Pedro de Almeida Fernandes ◽  
João Henrique Fregadolli Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Word List ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Executive Performance ◽  
Potential Association ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
List Memory

ABSTRACT Introduction: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing, with a potential impact in the risk of acceleration of dementia. The potential association between glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and cognitive performance was scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate cognitive performance levels across different degrees of kidney function. Methods: We analyzed 240 outpatients in a nephrology service, classified according to eGFR: Advanced (≤ 30ml/min/1.73m2), Moderate (30,1ml/min/1.73m2 to ≤ 60ml/min/1.73m2), and Mild CKD (> 60ml/min/1.73m2). Word list memory, Semantic fluency, Mental State Mini Exam and Trail Making Test (TMT) were applied to evaluate cognitive performance. In the TMT, lower scores are associated with better cognition. In linear regression, cognitive function was considered as dependent variables while groups based on eGFR were considered explanatory variables. The group with eGFR > 60ml/min was the reference and models were adjusted for confounding factors. Results: In our population (n = 240) 64 patients (26.7%) were classified as having advanced, 98(40,8%) moderate, and 78(32,5%) mild. There was no statistical difference among them in MMSE or in the verbal fluency test. However, comparing to mild, patients with advanced CKD presented significantly worse cognitive performance measured by TMTA [50,8s ± 31.1s versus 66,6s ± 35,7s (p = 0.016)] and TMTB [92,7s ± 46,2s versus 162,4s ± 35,7s (p < 0.001)]. Significantly lower TMTB scores (CI95%) 33,0s (4,5-61,6s) were observed in patients with mild compared to advanced CKD in the multivariate analysis adjusting for age, education, sex, diabetes, and alcohol use. Conclusion: Advanced CKD is independently associated with poorer cognitive performance measured by an executive performance test compared to mild CKD.

scholarly journals Qualitative Assessment of Verbal Fluency Performance in Frontotemporal Dementia

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther van den Berg ◽  
Lize C. Jiskoot ◽  
Mariëlle J.H. Grosveld ◽  
John C. van Swieten ◽  
Janne M. Papma
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Verbal Ability ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
With Memory

Background/Aims: Verbal fluency is impaired in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). This study explored qualitative differences in verbal fluency (clustering of words, switching between strategies) between FTD and PPA variants. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) and 50 with PPA (13 nonfluent/agrammatic, 14 semantic, and 23 logopenic) performed a semantic and letter fluency task. Clustering (number of multiword strings) and switching (number of transitions between clustered and nonclustered words) were recorded by two independent raters. Between-group differences, associations with memory, language, and executive functioning, and longitudinal change (subsample) in clustering and switching were examined. Results: Interrater reliability was high (median 0.98). PPA patients generated (a) smaller (number of) clusters on semantic and letter fluency than bvFTD patients (p < 0.05). Semantic variant patients used more switches than nonfluent/agrammatic or logopenic variant patients (p < 0.05). Clustering in semantic fluency was significantly associated with memory and language (range standardized regression coefficients 0.24-0.38). Switching in letter fluency was associated with executive functioning (0.32-0.35). Conclusion: Clustering and switching in verbal fluency differed between patients with subtypes of FTD and PPA. Qualitative aspects of verbal fluency provide additional information on verbal ability and executive control which can be used for clinically diagnostic purposes.

scholarly journals The Materiality of English Suicide Letters, c. 1700 – c. 1850

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Ella Sbaraini
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
History Of Emotions ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
Writing Practices ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Press ◽  
History Of ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Scholars have explored eighteenth-century suicide letters from a literary perspective, examining issues of performativity and reception. However, it is fruitful to see these letters as material as well as textual objects, which were utterly embedded in people's social lives. Using thirty manuscript letters, in conjunction with other sources, this article explores the contexts in which suicide letters were written and left for others. It looks at how authors used space and other materials to convey meaning, and argues that these letters were epistolary documents usually meant for specific, known persons, rather than the press. Generally written by members of the ‘lower orders’, these letters also provide insight into the emotional writing practices of the poor, and their experiences of emotional distress. Overall, this article proposes that these neglected documents should be used to investigate the emotional and material contexts for eighteenth- and nineteenth-century suicide. It also argues that, at a time when the history of emotions has reached considerable prominence, historians must be more attentive to the experiences of the suicidal.

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