scholarly journals Quinolinic acid, a kynurenine/tryptophan pathway metabolite, associates with impaired cognitive test performance in systemic lupus erythematosus

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000559
Author(s):  
Erik W Anderson ◽  
Joanna Fishbein ◽  
Joseph Hong ◽  
Julien Roeser ◽  
Richard A Furie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Quinolinic Acid ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Multivariable Modelling

ObjectivesInterferon-alpha, an important contributor to SLE pathogenesis, induces the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in the kynurenine/tryptophan (KYN/TRP) pathway. This leads to a potentially neurotoxic imbalance in the KYN/TRP pathway metabolites, quinolinic acid (QA), an N-methyl D-aspartate glutamatergic receptor (NMDAR) agonist, and kynurenic acid (KA), an NMDAR antagonist. We determined whether QA/KA ratios associate with cognitive dysfunction (CD) and depression in SLE.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 74 subjects with SLE and 74 healthy control (HC) subjects; all without history of neuropsychiatric disorders. Serum metabolite levels (KYN, TRP, QA, KA) were measured concurrently with assessments of cognition (Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM), 2×2 array), mood and pain, and compared between SLE and HC. Multivariable modelling in SLE was used to evaluate associations of metabolites with cognitive performance and depression.ResultsSerum KYN/TRP and QA/KA ratios were elevated in SLE versus HC (p<0.0001). SLE performed worse than HC on four of five ANAM tests (all p≤0.02) and the 2×2 array (p<0.01), and had higher depression scores (p<0.01). In SLE, elevated QA/KA ratios correlated with poor performance on Match to Sample (MTS), a working memory and visuospatial processing task (p<0.05). Subjects with SLE with elevated QA/KA ratios also had slightly higher odds of depression, but this did not reach significance (p=0.09). Multivariable modelling in SLE confirmed an association between QA/KA ratios and poor MTS performance when considering potentially confounding factors (p<0.05).ConclusionsElevated serum KYN/TRP and QA/KA ratios confirm KYN/TRP pathway activation in SLE. The novel association between increased QA/KA ratios and poor cognitive performance supports further study of this pathway as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target for SLE-mediated CD.

scholarly journals Cognitive performance after postoperative pituitary radiotherapy: a dosimetric study of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex

2012 ◽  
Vol 166 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Brummelman ◽  
Margriet G A Sattler ◽  
Linda C Meiners ◽  
Martin F Elderson ◽  
Robin P F Dullaart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Field Technique ◽  
Group A ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Cognitive Test Performance

ObjectiveThe hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) are important for memory and executive functioning and are known to be sensitive to radiotherapy (RT). Radiation dosimetry relates radiation exposure to specific brain areas. The effects of various pituitary RT techniques were studied by relating detailed dosimetry of the hippocampus and PFC to cognitive performance.MethodsIn this cross-sectional design, 75 non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma (NFA) patients (61±10 years) participated and were divided into irradiated (RT+, n=30) and non-irradiated (RT−, n=45) groups. The RT+ group (who all received 25 fractions of 1.8 Gy; total dose: 45 Gy) consisted of three RT technique groups: three-field technique, n=10; four-field technique, n=15; and five-field technique, n=5. Memory and executive functioning were assessed by standardized neuropsychological tests. A reconstruction of the dose distributions for the three RT techniques was made. The RT doses on 30, 50, and 70% of the volume of the left and right hippocampus and PFC were calculated.ResultsCognitive test performance was not different between the four groups, despite differences in radiation doses applied to the hippocampi and PFC. Age at RT, time since RT, and the use of thyroid hormone varied significantly between the groups; however, they were not related to cognitive performance.ConclusionThis study showed that there were no significant differences on cognitive performance between the three-, four-, and five-field RT groups and the non-irradiated patient group. A dose–response relationship could not be established, even with a radiation dose that was higher on most of the volume of the hippocampus and PFC in case of a four-field RT technique compared with the three- and five-field RT techniques.

scholarly journals Cognitively Stimulating Activities: Effects on Cognition across Four Studies with up to 21 Years of Longitudinal Data

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan B. Mitchell ◽  
Cynthia R. Cimino ◽  
Andreana Benitez ◽  
Cassandra L. Brown ◽  
Laura E. Gibbons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Baseline Activity ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

Engagement in cognitively stimulating activities has been considered to maintain or strengthen cognitive skills, thereby minimizing age-related cognitive decline. While the idea that there may be a modifiable behavior that could lower risk for cognitive decline is appealing and potentially empowering for older adults, research findings have not consistently supported the beneficial effects of engaging in cognitively stimulating tasks. Using observational studies of naturalistic cognitive activities, we report a series of mixed effects models that include baseline and change in cognitive activity predicting cognitive outcomes over up to 21 years in four longitudinal studies of aging. Consistent evidence was found for cross-sectional relationships between level of cognitive activity and cognitive test performance. Baseline activity at an earlier age did not, however, predict rate of decline later in life, thus not supporting the concept that engaging in cognitive activity at an earlier point in time increases one's ability to mitigate future age-related cognitive decline. In contrast, change in activity was associated with relative change in cognitive performance. Results therefore suggest that change in cognitive activity from one's previous level has at least a transitory association with cognitive performance measured at the same point in time.

The relationship of antiphospholipid antibodies to cognitive function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUSAN D. DENBURG ◽  
RAMONA M. CARBOTTE ◽  
JEFFREY S. GINSBERG ◽  
JUDAH A. DENBURG
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Lupus Anticoagulant ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Antiphospholipid Antibody ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antibody Positivity ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: To examine the relationship between antiphospholipid antibody positivity (expressed as the lupus anticoagulant) and cognitive dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Cross-sectional comparisons of lupus anticoagulant (LA) positive (N = 39) and negative (N = 79) patients and controls (N = 35) on a cognitive test battery; 22 LA-positive and 53 LA-negative patients who had never experienced neuropsychiatric events (never-NP–SLE) were also compared separately. Results: LA-positive patients were 2 to 3 times more likely than were LA-negative patients to be designated as cognitively impaired. As a group, LA-positive patients, particularly those in the never-NP–SLE group, demonstrated lower performance primarily on tasks of verbal memory, cognitive flexibility, and psychomotor speed. Conclusions: LA positivity is associated with subclinical nervous system compromise, and a pattern of deficits compatible with subcortical involvement, possibly on the basis of ongoing LA-related microthrombotic events or vasculopathy. (JINS, 1997, 3, 377–386.)

scholarly journals Long-term trajectory of cognitive performance in people with bipolar disorder and controls: 6-year longitudinal study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timea Sparding ◽  
Erik Joas ◽  
Caitlin Clements ◽  
Carl M. Sellgren ◽  
Erik Pålsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Interaction

Background Cross-sectional studies have found impaired cognitive functioning in patients with bipolar disorder, but long-term longitudinal studies are scarce. Aims The aims of this study were to examine the 6-year longitudinal course of cognitive functioning in patients with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. Subsets of patients were examined to investigate possible differences in cognitive trajectories. Method Patients with bipolar I disorder (n = 44) or bipolar II disorder (n = 28) and healthy controls (n = 59) were tested with a comprehensive cognitive test battery at baseline and retested after 6 years. We conducted repeated measures ANCOVAs with group as a between-subject factor and tested the significance of group and time interaction. Results By and large, the change in cognitive functioning between baseline and follow-up did not differ significantly between participants with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. Comparing subsets of patients, for example those with bipolar I and II disorder and those with and without manic episodes during follow-up, did not reveal subgroups more vulnerable to cognitive decline. Conclusions Cognitive performance remained stable in patients with bipolar disorder over a 6-year period and evolved similarly to healthy controls. These findings argue against the notion of a general progressive decline in cognitive functioning in bipolar disorder.

scholarly journals Linking ecology and cognition: does ecological specialisation predict cognitive test performance?

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Henke-von der Malsburg ◽  
Peter M. Kappeler ◽  
Claudia Fichtel
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Social Intelligence ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Ecological Processes

AbstractVariation in cognitive abilities is thought to be linked to variation in brain size, which varies across species with either social factors (Social Intelligence Hypothesis) or ecological challenges (Ecological Intelligence Hypothesis). However, the nature of the ecological processes invoked by the Ecological Intelligence Hypothesis, like adaptations to certain habitat characteristics or dietary requirements, remains relatively poorly known. Here, we review comparative studies that experimentally investigated interspecific variation in cognitive performance in relation to a species’ degree of ecological specialisation. Overall, the relevant literature was biased towards studies of mammals and birds as well as studies focusing on ecological challenges related to diet. We separated ecological challenges into those related to searching for food, accessing a food item and memorising food locations. We found interspecific variation in cognitive performance that can be explained by adaptations to different foraging styles. Species-specific adaptations to certain ecological conditions, like food patch distribution, characteristics of food items or seasonality also broadly predicted variation in cognitive abilities. A species’ innovative problem-solving and spatial processing ability, for example, could be explained by its use of specific foraging techniques or search strategies, respectively. Further, habitat generalists were more likely to outperform habitat specialists. Hence, we found evidence that ecological adaptations and cognitive performance are linked and that the classification concept of ecological specialisation can explain variation in cognitive performance only with regard to habitat, but not dietary specialisation.

scholarly journals Mild cognitive impairment: historical development and summary of research

2004 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-367
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Historical Development ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cross Sectional

This review article broadly traces the historical development, diagnostic criteria, clinical and neuropathological characteristics, and treatment strategies related to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), The concept of MCI is considered in the context of other terms that have been developed to characterize the elderly with varying degrees of cognitive impairment Criteria based on clinical global scale ratings, cognitive test performance, and performance on other domains of functioning are discussed. Approaches employing clinical, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, biological, and molecular genetic methodology used in the validation of MCI are considered, including results from cross-sectional, longitudinal, and postmortem investigations. Results of recent drug treatment studies of MCI and related methodological issues are also addressed.

The effect of cataract surgery on neuropsychological test performance: A randomized controlled trial

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 632-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
KAARIN J. ANSTEY ◽  
STEPHEN R. LORD ◽  
MICHAEL HENNESSY ◽  
PAUL MITCHELL ◽  
KATHERINE MILL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Visual Function ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional

Recent cross-sectional studies have reported strong associations between visual and cognitive function, and longitudinal studies have shown relationships between visual and cognitive decline in late life. Improvement in cognitive performance after cataract surgery has been reported in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. We investigated whether improving visual function with cataract surgery would improve neuropsychological performance in healthy older adults. A randomized clinical trial of cataract surgery performed at acute hospitals was conducted on 56 patients (mean age 73) with bilateral cataract, after excluding a total of 54 patients at the screening stage, of whom 53 did not meet visual acuity criteria and one did not have cataract. In-home assessments included visual and neuropsychological function, computerized cognitive testing and health questionnaires. Results showed no cognitive benefits of cataract surgery in cognitively normal adults. We conclude that visual improvement following cataract surgery is not strongly associated with an improvement in neuropsychological test performance in otherwise healthy adults. Joint associations between visual and cognitive function in late life are likely to be due to central factors, and unlikely to be strongly related to eye disease. Short-term increased neural stimulation from improved visual function does not appear to affect cognitive performance. (JINS, 2006, 12, 632–639.)

scholarly journals Cross-sectional and prospective relationship between occupational and leisure-time inactivity and cognitive function in an ageing population: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition in Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) study

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 1338-1352
Author(s):  
Shabina A Hayat ◽  
Robert Luben ◽  
Nick Wareham ◽  
Kay-Tee Khaw ◽  
Carol Brayne
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background The current evidence for higher physical activity and better cognitive function and lower risk of dementia is strong but not conclusive. More robust evidence is needed to inform public-health policy. We provide further insight into discrepancies observed across studies, reporting on habitual inactivity including that during work. Methods We examined cross-sectional and prospective relationships of physical inactivity during leisure and occupation time, with cognitive performance using a validated physical-activity index in a cohort of 8585 men and women aged 40–79 years at baseline (1993–1997) for different domains using a range of cognitive measures. Cognitive testing was conducted between 2006 and 2011 (including a pilot phase 2004–2006). Associations were examined using multinomial logistic-regression adjusting for socio-demographic and health variables as well total habitual physical activity. Results Inactivity during work was inversely associated with poor cognitive performance (bottom 10th percentile of a composite cognition score): odds ratio (OR) = 0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54, 0.86], P = 0.001. Results were similar cross-sectionally: OR = 0.65 (95% CI 0.45, 0.93), P = 0.02. Manual workers had increased risk of poor performance compared with those with an occupation classified as inactive. Inactivity during leisure time was associated with increased risk of poor performance in the cross-sectional analyses only. Conclusions The relationship between inactivity and cognition is strongly confounded by education, social class and occupation. Physical activity during leisure may be protective for cognition, but work-related physical activity is not protective. A greater understanding of the mechanisms and confounding underlying these paradoxical findings is needed.

scholarly journals Increased posterior cingulate cortex efficiency may predict cognitive impairment in asymptomatic HIV patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Ventura ◽  
Linda Douw ◽  
Diogo G Correa ◽  
Tania M Netto ◽  
Rafael F Cabral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Posterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Functional Reorganization ◽  
Posterior Cingulate ◽  
Compensation Technique ◽  
Cognitive Test Performance

Purpose Despite antiretroviral therapy, approximately half of individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) will develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Efficiency of brain networks is of great importance for cognitive functioning, since functional networks may reorganize or compensate to preserve normal cognition. This study aims to compare efficiency of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) between patients with and without HAND and controls. We hypothesize HAND negative (HAND–) patients will show higher PCC efficiency than HAND positive (HAND+) patients. Methods A total of 10 HAND + patients were compared with 9 HAND– patients and 17 gender-, age-, and education-matched controls. Resting-state functional MRI was acquired with a 3 Tesla scanner. Local efficiency, a measure of network functioning, was investigated for PCC. Network differences among HAND + , HAND– patients and controls were tested as well as correlations between network parameters and cognitive test performance in different domains. Results HAND– patients showed significantly increased PCC efficiency compared with healthy controls ( p = 0.015). No differences were observed between HAND + patients and either controls ( p = 0.327) or HAND– patients ( p = 0.152). In HAND– patients, PCC efficiency was positively related with cognitive performance in the attention/working memory domain ( p = 0.003). Conversely, in HAND + patients, PCC efficiency was negatively correlated with performance in the abstraction/executive domain ( p = 0.002). Conclusion HAND– patients showed a higher level of PCC efficiency compared with healthy subjects, and PCC efficiency was positively related to cognitive performance. These results support the functional reorganization hypothesis, that increased PCC efficiency is a compensation technique to maintain cognitive functioning.

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