Abnormalities of mental rotation of hands associated with speed of information processing and executive function in chronic schizophrenic patients

Objective. Cognitive impairment is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), yet treatment is currently limited. The primary goal of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an at-home, five-week computerized speed of processing (SOP) training intervention for MS patients. In addition, we examined the utility of the intervention to improve speed of information processing, memory, executive function, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Method. Fifteen subjects were assigned five weeks of SOP training, two times per week, for a total of ten sessions. Subjects were trained on five computerized SOP tasks that required processing of increasingly complex visual stimuli in successively shorter presentation times. Subjects were given a neuropsychological test battery that included measures of speed of information processing, verbal memory, visual spatial memory, and executive function. Subjects were also administered patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to assess HRQOL, depression, and work productivity. Neuropsychological and PRO batteries were completed at baseline and after five weeks. Results. Eighty percent of subjects completed the five-week intervention (n = 12). Significant improvements were observed on some, but not all, measures of speed of information processing, verbal memory, and executive function. There were no significant changes in HRQOL. Conclusion. This pilot study supports the feasibility of an at-home SOP training intervention for individuals with MS. SOP training was associated with improvements in several cognitive domains. Larger, randomized controlled trials are warranted.

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The Early Motor Repertoire in Preterm Infancy and Cognition in Young Adulthood: Preliminary Findings

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617721001351 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Sahar Salavati ◽

Anne E. den Heijer ◽

Maraike A. Coenen ◽

Janneke L.M. Bruggink ◽

Christa Einspieler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Information Processing ◽

Executive Function ◽

Young Adulthood ◽

Information Processing Speed ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Speed Of Information Processing ◽

Preterm Born ◽

Cognitive Problems

Abstract Objective: Preterm birth poses a risk to cognition during childhood. The resulting cognitive problems may persist into young adulthood. The early motor repertoire in infancy is predictive of neurocognitive development in childhood. Our present aim was to investigate whether it also predicts neurocognitive status in young adulthood. Method: We conducted an explorative observational follow-up study in 37 young adults born at a gestational age of less than 35 weeks and/or with a birth weight below 1200 g. Between 1992 and 1997, these individuals were videotaped up until 3 months’ corrected age to assess the quality of their early motor repertoire according to Prechtl. The assessment includes general movements, fidgety movements (FMs), and a motor optimality score (MOS). In young adulthood, the following cognitive domains were assessed: memory, speed of information processing, language, attention, and executive function. Results: Participants in whom FMs were absent in infancy obtained lower scores on memory, speed of information processing, and attention than those with normal FMs. Participants with aberrant FMs, that is, absent or abnormal, obtained poorer scores on memory, speed of information processing speed, attention, and executive function compared to peers who had normal FMs. A higher MOS was associated with better executive function. Conclusions: The quality of the early motor repertoire is associated with performance in various cognitive domains in young adulthood. This knowledge may be applied to enable the timely recognition of preterm-born individuals at risk of cognitive dysfunctions.

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The relationship of neurocognition, emotional information processing, and ward behavior of chronic schizophrenic patients

Schizophrenia Research ◽

10.1016/s0920-9964(03)80951-9 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 142-143

Author(s):

W.K. Lee ◽

T.Y. Hwang ◽

S.J. Lee

Keyword(s):

Information Processing ◽

Emotional Information ◽

Chronic Schizophrenic ◽

Schizophrenic Patients ◽

Emotional Information Processing ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

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The use of computerised tomography in mental handicap patients

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.16.10.616 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. 616-618

Author(s):

S. K. Lekh ◽

B. K. Puri ◽

I. Singh

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Research Tool ◽

Clinical Neurology ◽

Computerised Tomography ◽

Chronic Schizophrenic ◽

Mental Handicap ◽

Schizophrenic Patients

Since its inception (Hounsfield, 1973), computerised tomography (CT) has become an invaluable diagnostic and research tool, particularly in clinical neurology and neurosurgery. Clinically, CT has proved useful in differentiating between ‘functional’ and ‘organic’ psychiatric disorders where it is particularly helpful in the diagnosis of potentially treatable organic disorders. For example, Owens et al (1980) found clinically unsuspected intracranial pathology in 12 of 136 chronic schizophrenic patients examined by CT and Roberts & Lishman (1984) found diagnosis, management, and/or prognosis were influenced in approximately 12% of cases referred by psychiatrists for CT imagining.

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