scholarly journals IMPROVEMENT IN FINE MOTOR CONTROL IN DEMENTIA ELDERLY FROM A COMPUTERIZED TOUCHSCREEN TRAINING PROGRAM

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S910-S910
Author(s):  
W Quin Yow ◽  
Hui-Ching Chen ◽  
Tharshini Lokanathan
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Cognitive Intervention ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Motor Movement ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Moderate Dementia

Abstract Dementia, a prevalent ageing disease, affects both the higher brain function and motor function, particularly finger movements (Chan, Haber, Drew, & Park, 2014). Task-based finger-tapping speed on a touchscreen device has been used as an assessment criterion to identify patients with deteriorating cognitive abilities (Gualtieri & Johnson, 2005; Cipriani, Bianchetti, & Trabucchi, 2006). As part of a larger project, we designed a computerized cognition intervention program and examined whether the intervention program would improve the finger-tapping speed of the dementia vis-à-vis the cognitively-healthy elderly. Ten mild-to-moderate dementia elderly (aged 83± 5.6) and 8 cognitively healthy elderly (aged 78±6.1) participated in a computerized intervention program where they played cognitive games on touch-screen tablet for about 30-45 minutes per session over two weeks. Participants’ touch interaction data over six sessions were collected and analyzed. Using a linear mixed-effect model for analysis, we found that in the 1st session, the touch performance of the dementia elderly was significantly worse than that of the cognitively-healthy elderly (b=-0.172, Z=-2.311, p<.05). By the 6th session, the dementia elderly had significantly improved their touch performance (b=-0.171, Z= -8.042, p<.001) such that their touch performance was now comparable to the cognitively-healthy elderly (b=-0.064, Z=-0.874, p=.393). Overall, our preliminary results suggested that after participating in 6 sessions of our computerized cognitive intervention program, the dementia elderly showed significant improvement in their fine motor movement as measured by their finger-tapping speed. The improved finger-tapping speed serves as a first step toward slowing down the cognitive decline of the dementia elderly.

UPAYA PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN MOTORIK KASAR ANAK DOWN SYNDROME DENGAN OLAHRAGA BOLA KAKI DI GOLDEN KIDS

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-151
Author(s):  
Sinto Robindo ◽  
Melda Rumia Rosmeri Simorangkir
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Educational Goals ◽  
Motor Movement ◽  
Brain And Spinal Cord ◽  
Syndrome Child

ABSTRACT All aspects of development are very important in a person's life where the development of cognition, affection and psychomotor is well developed in accordance with its development, these three aspects can be said to be good and successful if the three aspects develop well. Like wise with the psychomotor aspect where between gross motor and fine motor are also balanced. Motoric is the development of coordinated body movement control between nerves, brain, and spinal cord (spinal cord or spinal cord). Child's gross motorization can be optimized by improving his motor movement coordination skills through physical activity in the form of coordination of body movements. Like throwing, catching, kicking, running, melopat, and maintaining balance. The condition of a Down Syndrome child who experiences weakness in the ability to think will affect in all aspects of his life. Down syndrome children have problems in cognitive abilities, effective and self-care abilities. This results in them needing special education. Basically, the educational goals that children with Down Syndrome want to achieve are not different from those of education in general. Because Down Syndrome children themselves are born in the midst of society. Keywords: football sports, gross motoric, down syndrome

scholarly journals Boosting Psychological Well-Being through a Social Mindfulness-Based Intervention in the General Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8404
Author(s):  
Teresa Fazia ◽  
Francesco Bubbico ◽  
Gerardo Salvato ◽  
Giovanni Berzuini ◽  
Salvatore Bruno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
General Population ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
Mixed Effect

The benefits of mindfulness meditation among clinical and non-clinical populations have been largely reported in literature. Existing mindfulness-based programs are particularly useful in targeting specific populations while researchers have pointed out the possibility of developing programs adapted to the audience and the context. In this two-groups pre-post experimental design we developed a mindfulness-based social intervention program to target individuals from the general population. Here we present a two-groups pre-post experimental design to investigate its effectiveness on participants’ psychological functioning assessed by eight self-reported questionnaires (CORE-OM, FFMQ, SWLS, PANAS, PSS, SCS, WEMWBS, SHS) which encompass different domains of well-being, mindfulness and emotional functioning. Participants, recruited on voluntary basis, were randomly allocated to treated or passive control groups and were aware of group allocation. The intervention comprises a 12-week meditation training in a big group that represents the social aspect of meditation. Data were analysed via a linear mixed effect model and intention to treat. Statistically significant results were obtained for global score of CORE-OM (β = −0.20 [−0.30; −0.10], p = 0.0002), FFMQ (β = 0.20 [0.12; −0.28], p < 0.0001), SWLS (β = 1.43 [0.42; 2.45], p = 0.006), positive PANAS (β = 1.99 [0.95; 3.04], p = 0.0002), negative PANAS (β = −1.67 [−2.92; −0.43], p = 0.009), PSS (β = −2.98 [−4.25; −1.71], p < 0.0001), WEMWBS (β = 4.38 [2.93; 5.83], p < 0.0001) and SHS (β = 1.43 [0.42; 2.45], p = 0.006). Our intervention is causally associated with an improvement of the psychological functioning and hence can be considered as a preventive measure that may potentially reduce the risk of developing psychological problems and improve the subject’s general well-being. Given the voluntary recruitment, our inference only applies to those individuals who have decided to experience meditation as a way to well-being and not to a random person from the general population.

scholarly journals Virtual reality video game improves high-fidelity memory in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E. Wais ◽  
Melissa Arioli ◽  
Roger Anguera-Singla ◽  
Adam Gazzaley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Cognitive Intervention ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
High Fidelity

AbstractTherapeutic interventions have not yet been shown to demonstrate restorative effects for declining long-term memory (LTM) that affects many healthy older adults. We developed a virtual reality (VR) spatial wayfinding game (Labyrinth-VR) as a cognitive intervention with the hypothesis that it could improve detailed, high-fidelity LTM capability. Spatial navigation tasks have been used as a means to achieve environmental enrichment via exposure to and learning about novel and complex information. Engagement has been shown to enhance learning and has been linked to the vitality of the LTM system in the brain. In the current study, 48 older adults (mean age 68.7 ± 6.4 years) with average cognitive abilities for their age were randomly assigned to 12 h of computer game play over four weeks in either the Labyrinth-VR or placebo control game arms. Promptly before and after each participant’s treatment regimen, high-fidelity LTM outcome measures were tested to assess mnemonic discrimination and other memory measures. The results showed a post-treatment gain in high-fidelity LTM capability for the Labyrinth-VR arm, relative to placebo, which reached the levels attained by younger adults in another experiment. This novel finding demonstrates generalization of benefits from the VR wayfinding game to important, and untrained, LTM capabilities. These cognitive results are discussed in the light of relevant research for hippocampal-dependent memory functions.

scholarly journals Multi-Component Intervention Program on Habitual Physical Activity Parameters and Cognitive Function in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6240
Author(s):  
Min-Ki Jeong ◽  
Kyung-Won Park ◽  
Je-Kwang Ryu ◽  
Gwon-Min Kim ◽  
Hyun-Hun Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Intervention ◽  
Habitual Physical Activity ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test

Age-related dementia refers to a state in which someone experiences multiple cognitive function impairment due to degenerative brain disease, and which causes difficulties in their daily life or social life. Dementia is the most common and serious obstacle in later life. Early intervention in the case of patients who are in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage among the high-risk group can maintain and improve their cognitive function. The purpose of the current trial is aimed at investigating the association between a multi-component (exercise with cognitive) intervention program and habitual physical activity parameters on cognitive functions in MCI patients. Neuropsychological cognitive and depression assessments were performed by neuropsychologists according to normalized methods, including the Korean mini-mental State examination (K-MMSE) and modified Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) and cognitive assessment tool (attention, processing speed), and the Korean version of the geriatric depression scale (SGDS-K), both at baseline and at a 12 weeks follow-up. The 12-week multi-component intervention improved cognitive function and habitual physical activity parameters in patients with MCI relative to controls. A multi-component intervention program for patients with MCI is considered to be an effective method of dementia prevention by improving global (ADAS-Cog) and frontal (trail-making test, digit symbol substitution test) cognition and habitual physical activity parameters such as moderate to vigorous physical activity and step count. In addition, it is important to encourage habitual physical activities to ensure that exercise intervention strategies are carried out at the duration and intensity required for improving physical and cognitive wellbeing and obtaining health benefits.

scholarly journals MegaLMM: Mega-scale linear mixed models for genomic predictions with thousands of traits

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Runcie ◽  
Jiayi Qu ◽  
Hao Cheng ◽  
Lorin Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Prediction ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Human Genetics ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Statistical Framework ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Plant Data ◽  
Genetic Value

AbstractLarge-scale phenotype data can enhance the power of genomic prediction in plant and animal breeding, as well as human genetics. However, the statistical foundation of multi-trait genomic prediction is based on the multivariate linear mixed effect model, a tool notorious for its fragility when applied to more than a handful of traits. We present , a statistical framework and associated software package for mixed model analyses of a virtually unlimited number of traits. Using three examples with real plant data, we show that can leverage thousands of traits at once to significantly improve genetic value prediction accuracy.

scholarly journals Sept8/SEPTIN8 involvement in cellular structure and kidney damage is identified by genetic mapping and a novel human tubule hypoxic model

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory R. Keele ◽  
Jeremy W. Prokop ◽  
Hong He ◽  
Katie Holl ◽  
John Littrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Traits ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Tubulointerstitial Injury ◽  
Heritable Variation ◽  
Mixed Effect

AbstractChronic kidney disease (CKD), which can ultimately progress to kidney failure, is influenced by genetics and the environment. Genes identified in human genome wide association studies (GWAS) explain only a small proportion of the heritable variation and lack functional validation, indicating the need for additional model systems. Outbred heterogeneous stock (HS) rats have been used for genetic fine-mapping of complex traits, but have not previously been used for CKD traits. We performed GWAS for urinary protein excretion (UPE) and CKD related serum biochemistries in 245 male HS rats. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified using a linear mixed effect model that tested for association with imputed genotypes. Candidate genes were identified using bioinformatics tools and targeted RNAseq followed by testing in a novel in vitro model of human tubule, hypoxia-induced damage. We identified two QTL for UPE and five for serum biochemistries. Protein modeling identified a missense variant within Septin 8 (Sept8) as a candidate for UPE. Sept8/SEPTIN8 expression increased in HS rats with elevated UPE and tubulointerstitial injury and in the in vitro hypoxia model. SEPTIN8 is detected within proximal tubule cells in human kidney samples and localizes with acetyl-alpha tubulin in the culture system. After hypoxia, SEPTIN8 staining becomes diffuse and appears to relocalize with actin. These data suggest a role of SEPTIN8 in cellular organization and structure in response to environmental stress. This study demonstrates that integration of a rat genetic model with an environmentally induced tubule damage system identifies Sept8/SEPTIN8 and informs novel aspects of the complex gene by environmental interactions contributing to CKD risk.

scholarly journals Limited not lazy: a quasi-experimental secondary analysis of evidence quality evaluations by those who hold implausible beliefs

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy A. Martire ◽  
Bethany Growns ◽  
Agnes S. Bali ◽  
Bronte Montgomery-Farrer ◽  
Stephanie Summersby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
High Quality Evidence ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Evidence Quality ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Quality Evidence

AbstractPast research suggests that an uncritical or ‘lazy’ style of evaluating evidence may play a role in the development and maintenance of implausible beliefs. We examine this possibility by using a quasi-experimental design to compare how low- and high-quality evidence is evaluated by those who do and do not endorse implausible claims. Seven studies conducted during 2019–2020 provided the data for this analysis (N = 746). Each of the seven primary studies presented participants with high- and/or low-quality evidence and measured implausible claim endorsement and evaluations of evidence persuasiveness (via credibility, value, and/or weight). A linear mixed-effect model was used to predict persuasiveness from the interaction between implausible claim endorsement and evidence quality. Our results showed that endorsers were significantly more persuaded by the evidence than non-endorsers, but both groups were significantly more persuaded by high-quality than low-quality evidence. The interaction between endorsement and evidence quality was not significant. These results suggest that the formation and maintenance of implausible beliefs by endorsers may result from less critical evidence evaluations rather than a failure to analyse. This is consistent with a limited rather than a lazy approach and suggests that interventions to develop analytical skill may be useful for minimising the effects of implausible claims.

scholarly journals Associations between the Bovine Myostatin Gene and Milk Fatty Acid Composition in New Zealand Holstein-Friesian × Jersey-Cross Cows

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1447
Author(s):  
Ishaku L. Haruna ◽  
Yunhai Li ◽  
Ugonna J. Ekegbu ◽  
Hamed Amirpour-Najafabadi ◽  
Huitong Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Polymorphism Analysis ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Myostatin Gene ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Nucleotide Sequence Variation

The myostatin gene (MSTN), which encodes the protein myostatin, is pleiotropic, and its expression has been associated with both increased and decreased adipogenesis and increased skeletal muscle mass in animals. In this study, the polymerase chain reaction, coupled with single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, was utilized to reveal nucleotide sequence variation in bovine MSTN in 410 New Zealand (NZ) Holstein-Friesian × Jersey (HF × J)-cross cows. These cows ranged from 3 to 9 years of age and over the time studied, produced an average 22.53 ± 2.18 L of milk per day, with an average milk fat content of 4.94 ± 0.17% and average milk protein content of 4.03 ± 0.10%. Analysis of a 406-bp amplicon from the intron 1 region, revealed five nucleotide sequence variants (A–E) that contained seven nucleotide substitutions. Using general linear mixed-effect model analyses the AD genotype was associated with reduced C10:0, C12:0, and C12:1 levels when compared to levels in cows with the AA genotype. These associations in NZ HF × J cross cows are novel, and they suggest that this variation in bovine MSTN could be explored for increasing the amount of milk unsaturated fatty acid and decreasing the amount of saturated fatty acid.

scholarly journals Dynamic Regional Brain Atrophy Rates in the First Year After Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Brodtmann ◽  
Mohamed Salah Khlif ◽  
Natalia Egorova ◽  
Michele Veldsman ◽  
Laura J. Bird ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Brain Atrophy ◽  
Brain Volume ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
First Year ◽  
Intracranial Volume ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Regional Brain

Background and Purpose: Brain atrophy can be regarded as an end-organ effect of cumulative cardiovascular risk factors. Accelerated brain atrophy is described following ischemic stroke, but it is not known whether atrophy rates vary over the poststroke period. Examining rates of brain atrophy allows the identification of potential therapeutic windows for interventions to prevent poststroke brain atrophy. Methods: We charted total and regional brain volume and cortical thickness trajectories, comparing atrophy rates over 2 time periods in the first year after ischemic stroke: within 3 months (early period) and between 3 and 12 months (later period). Patients with first-ever or recurrent ischemic stroke were recruited from 3 Melbourne hospitals at 1 of 2 poststroke time points: within 6 weeks (baseline) or 3 months. Whole-brain 3T magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 3 time points: baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. Eighty-six stroke participants completed testing at baseline; 125 at 3 months (76 baseline follow-up plus 49 delayed recruitment); and 113 participants at 12 months. Their data were compared with 40 healthy control participants with identical testing. We examined 5 brain measures: hippocampal volume, thalamic volume, total brain and hemispheric brain volume, and cortical thickness. We tested whether brain atrophy rates differed between time points and groups. A linear mixed-effect model was used to compare brain structural changes, including age, sex, years of education, a composite cerebrovascular risk factor score, and total intracranial volume as covariates. Results: Atrophy rates were greater in stroke than control participants. Ipsilesional hemispheric, hippocampal, and thalamic atrophy rates were 2 to 4 times greater in the early versus later period. Conclusions: Regional atrophy rates vary over the first year after stroke. Rapid brain volume loss in the first 3 months after stroke may represent a potential window for intervention. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02205424.

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