scholarly journals Allium sativumL. Improves Visual Memory and Attention in Healthy Human Volunteers

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Tasnim ◽  
Parsa Sanjana Haque ◽  
Md. Sazzadul Bari ◽  
Md. Monir Hossain ◽  
Sardar Mohd. Ashraful Islam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Human Volunteers ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Significant Difference

Studies have shown thatAllium sativumL. (AS) protects amyloid-beta peptide-induced apoptosis, prevents oxidative insults to neurons and synapses, and thus prevent Alzheimer’s disease progression in experimental animals. However, there is no experimental evidence in human regarding its putative role in memory and cognition. We have studied the effect of AS consumption by healthy human volunteers on visual memory, verbal memory, attention, and executive function in comparison to control subjects taking placebo. The study was conducted over five weeks and twenty volunteers of both genders were recruited and divided randomly into two groups: A (AS) and B (placebo). Both groups participated in the 6 computerized neuropsychological tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) twice: at the beginning and after five weeks of the study. We found statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in several parameters of visual memory and attention due to AS ingestion. We also found statistically nonsignificant (p>0.05) beneficial effects on verbal memory and executive function within a short period of time among the volunteers. Study for a longer period of time with patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases might yield more relevant results regarding the potential therapeutic role of AS.

scholarly journals The Relation between Inflammation and Neuropsychological Test Performance

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie H. Balldin ◽  
James R. Hall ◽  
Robert C. Barber ◽  
Linda Hynan ◽  
Ramon Diaz-Arrastia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Differential Relation ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Background. Considerable research documents an association between pro- and anti-inflammatory markers and Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the differential relation between these markers and neuropsychological functioning in AD and nondemented controls has received less attention. The current study sought to evaluate the relationship between peripheral markers of inflammation (both pro- and anti-inflammatory) and neuropsychological functioning through the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) cohort.Methods. There were 320 participants (Probable ADn=124, Controlsn=196) in the TARCC Longitudinal Research Cohort available for analysis. Regression analyses were utilized to examine the relation between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers and neuropsychological functioning. Follow-up analyses were conducted separately by case versus control status.Results. Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers were found to be associated with neuropsychological testing. Third tertile proinflammatory markers were negatively associated with measures of attention and language, and anti-inflammatory markers were positively associated with measures of immediate verbal memory and delayed verbal and visual memory.Conclusions. These findings support the link between peripheral inflammatory markers and neuropsychological functioning and suggest the utility of examining profiles of inflammatory markers in the future.

scholarly journals Flipping the Script: Measuring Both Performance Validity and Cognitive Ability with the Forced Choice Recognition Trial of the RCFT

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110197
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn Abeare ◽  
Kristoffer Romero ◽  
Laura Cutler ◽  
Christina D. Sirianni ◽  
Laszlo A. Erdodi
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Forced Choice ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Two Samples

In this study we attempted to replicate the classification accuracy of the newly introduced Forced Choice Recognition trial (FCR) of the Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) in a clinical sample. We administered the RCFT FCR and the earlier Yes/No Recognition trial from the RCFT to 52 clinically referred patients as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and incentivized a separate control group of 83 university students to perform well on these measures. We then computed the classification accuracies of both measures against criterion performance validity tests (PVTs) and compared results between the two samples. At previously published validity cutoffs (≤16 & ≤17), the RCFT FCR remained specific (.84–1.00) to psychometrically defined non-credible responding. Simultaneously, the RCFT FCR was more sensitive to examinees’ natural variability in visual-perceptual and verbal memory skills than the Yes/No Recognition trial. Even after being reduced to a seven-point scale (18-24) by the validity cutoffs, both RCFT recognition scores continued to provide clinically useful information on visual memory. This is the first study to validate the RCFT FCR as a PVT in a clinical sample. Our data also support its use for measuring cognitive ability. Replication studies with more diverse samples and different criterion measures are still needed before large-scale clinical application of this scale.

Memory Characteristics of College Students Who Volunteer for Research

1997 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 515-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Kreiner ◽  
Matilda Alvarado ◽  
Shawna R. Shockley
Keyword(s):  
College Student ◽  
General Population ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Wechsler Memory Scale ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Student Volunteers ◽  
Research Volunteers ◽  
Memory Characteristics

Volunteers for psychological research can differ in important ways from nonvolunteers and from the general population. The memory abilities of a sample of 80 college student research volunteers were measured using the Wechsler Memory Scale–Revised. Compared to general population norms, the sample scored significantly higher on General Memory and Visual Memory compared to those with more than 12 years of education, the sample scored significantly lower on General Memory, Verbal Memory, and Attention but significantly higher on Visual Memory. Although results may vary at different universities, researchers should be cautious in assuming that the memory abilities of samples of college student volunteers accurately represent the population.

scholarly journals The in vivo use of the stable isotope-labelled biomarkers lactose-[15N]ureide and [2H4]tyrosine to assess the effects of pro- and prebiotics on the intestinal flora of healthy human volunteers

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. De Preter ◽  
K. Geboes ◽  
K. Verbrugghe ◽  
L. De Vuyst ◽  
T. Vanhoutte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Lactobacillus Casei ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Intestinal Flora ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Human Volunteers

Amongst the various claimed beneficial effects of pro- and prebiotics for the human host, it has been hypothesised that functional foods are able to suppress the generation and accumulation of toxic fermentation metabolites (NH3, p-cresol). Direct evidence supporting this hypothesis is lacking mainly because of the unavailability of reliable biomarkers. Preliminary data indicate that lactose-[15N]ureide and [2H4]tyrosine may be potential biomarker candidates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of pro- and prebiotics on the colonic fate of these biomarkers in a randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with nineteen healthy volunteers. At the start of the study and at the end of each 2-week study period, during which they were administered either a probiotic (n 10; 6·5×109Lactobacillus casei Shirota cells twice daily) or a prebiotic (n 9; lactulose 10 g twice daily), the volunteers consumed a test meal containing the two biomarkers. Urine was collected during 48 h. Results were expressed as percentage of the administered dose. As compared with the placebo, the decrease in the percentage dose of p-[2H4]cresol in the 24–48 h urine fraction was significantly higher after probiotic intake (P=0·042). Similar changes were observed for the 15N tracer (P=0·016). After prebiotic intake, a significantly higher decrease in the percentage dose of p-[2H4]cresol (P=0·005) and 15N tracer (P=0·029) was found in the 0–24 h urine collection. The present results demonstrate that suppression of the generation and accumulation of potentially toxic fermentation metabolites by pro- and prebiotics can reliably be monitored in vivo by the use of stable isotope-labelled biomarkers.

scholarly journals The Effect of Chronic Alprazolam Intake on Memory, Attention, and Psychomotor Performance in Healthy Human Male Volunteers

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahid Sadek Chowdhury ◽  
Mohammed Monzur Morshed ◽  
Mohammad Shahriar ◽  
Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan ◽  
Sardar Mohd. Ashraful Islam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychomotor Performance ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Anterograde Amnesia ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Paired Associates ◽  
Male Volunteers ◽  
Significant Impairment

Alprazolam is used as an anxiolytic drug for generalized anxiety disorder and it has been reported to produce sedation and anterograde amnesia. In the current study, we randomly divided 26 healthy male volunteers into two groups: one group taking alprazolam 0.5 mg and the other taking placebo daily for two weeks. We utilized the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) software to assess the chronic effect of alprazolam. We selected Paired Associates Learning (PAL) and Delayed Matching to Sample (DMS) tests for memory, Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVP) for attention, and Choice Reaction Time (CRT) for psychomotor performance twice: before starting the treatment and after the completion of the treatment. We found statistically significant impairment of visual memory in one parameter of PAL and three parameters of DMS in alprazolam group. The PAL mean trial to success and total correct matching in 0-second delay, 4-second delay, and all delay situation of DMS were impaired in alprazolam group. RVP total hits after two weeks of alprazolam treatment were improved in alprazolam group. But such differences were not observed in placebo group. In our study, we found that chronic administration of alprazolam affects memory but attentive and psychomotor performance remained unaffected.

scholarly journals The maintenance of modified electroconvulsive therapy combined with risperidone is better than risperidone alone in preventing relapse of schizophrenia and improving cognitive function

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 823-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Yang ◽  
Xiaojing Cheng ◽  
Qingzhi Xu ◽  
Renjun Li ◽  
Zengxun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Relapse Rate ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Experimental Group

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effect of maintenance modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) on schizophrenic patients. Methods From June 2012 to June 2014, 62 patients with schizophrenia, who had recovered from a successful course of acute MECT, were recruited. Thirty-one patients received maintenance MECT and risperidone, as the experimental group. Another 31 patients were enrolled in the control group, and received risperidone only. The effects on cognitive functions, clinical symptoms and relapse rate were determined. Results Patients in the experimental group had a lower relapse rate and longer relapse-free survival time than the controls. Relative to the baseline evaluation, patients showed statistically significant improvement in verbal memory and visual memory. At the final assessment, the scores of verbal and visual memory were remarkably lower in the experimental group than the controls but there was no significant difference in other tests. Conclusion Maintenance MECT plus medication is superior to medication alone in preventing relapse and improving cognitive function.

scholarly journals Cognitive impairment in depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 2029-2040 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Rock ◽  
J. P. Roiser ◽  
W. J. Riedel ◽  
A. D. Blackwell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Low Mood ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Core Feature

BackgroundThis review aimed to address the question of whether cognitive impairment should be considered a core feature of depression that may be a valuable target for treatment.MethodWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive function, assessed with a single neuropsychological test battery, the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), in patients with depression during symptomatic and remitted states. Inclusion of studies comparing patients remitted from depression and controls enabled us to investigate whether cognitive impairment persists beyond episodes of low mood in depression.ResultsOur meta-analysis revealed significant moderate cognitive deficits in executive function, memory and attention in patients with depression relative to controls (Cohen's d effect sizes ranging from −0.34 to −0.65). Significant moderate deficits in executive function and attention (Cohen's d ranging from −0.52 to −0.61) and non-significant small/moderate deficits in memory (Cohen's d ranging from −0.22 to −0.54) were found to persist in patients whose depressive symptoms had remitted, indicating that cognitive impairment occurs separately from episodes of low mood in depression.ConclusionsBoth low mood and cognitive impairment are associated with poor psychosocial functioning. Therefore, we argue that remediation of cognitive impairment and alleviation of depressive symptoms each play an important role in improving outcome for patients with depression. In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that cognitive impairment represents a core feature of depression that cannot be considered an epiphenomenon that is entirely secondary to symptoms of low mood and that may be a valuable target for future interventions.

The effects of long-term interferon-beta-1b treatment on cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis: a 16-year longitudinal study

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (13) ◽  
pp. 1765-1772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen Lacy ◽  
Meagan Hauser ◽  
Neil Pliskin ◽  
Stephanie Assuras ◽  
Mildred O Valentine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Interferon Beta ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system that affects cognition. Short-term treatment with interferon-beta-1b (IFN-b-1b) has been shown to have beneficial effects on cognition. Objective: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effects of IFN-b-1b on cognitive functioning in patients with MS over the course of 16 years. Methods: Sixteen subjects with relapsing–remitting MS participated in the study. Nine of these subjects received IFN-b-1b, while seven received placebo treatment in the pivotal MS trial. After five years, all subjects were switched to IFN-b-1b treatment. At two and four years into the study, all subjects underwent a brief neuropsychological test battery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neurologic ratings; measures were repeated at 16 years. Results: Across the total cohort, cognitive functioning remained relatively stable over the course of 16 years. The placebo/IFN-b-b group exhibited increased visual memory performance relative to the IFN-b-1b treatment group, but had a greater decline in verbal memory. Initial MRI lesion load demonstrated a significant, negative correlation with overall cognitive performance at 16 years ( p = 0.00). Conclusion: We conclude that IFN-b-1b has beneficial effects on long-term cognition outcomes in MS.

Effect of silymarin pretreatment on the bioavailability of domperidone in healthy human volunteers

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shravan Kumar Yamsani ◽  
Madhusudan Rao Yamsani
Keyword(s):  
Oral Bioavailability ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Parameters ◽  
Rat Intestine ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
P Glycoprotein ◽  
Human Volunteers ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of silymarin pretreatment on domperidone oral bioavailability in humans.The rats were pretreated with silymarin for 7 days. The transport of domperidone across the rat intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon) was studied by usingIn the everted sac and non-everted sac study with silymarin pretreatment, domperidone transport increased from the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon. The silymarin pretreatment increased the bioavailability of domperidone. There was a statistically significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters CThe significant difference in absorption of domperidone on pretreatment with silymarin is due to the inhibition of P-glycoprotein and CYP3A. Silymarin, which inhibits CYP3A4, should be contraindicated for domperidone.

scholarly journals Postoperative Neuropsychological Outcome in Patients with Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Argentina

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Oddo ◽  
Patricia Solis ◽  
Damian Consalvo ◽  
Eduardo Seoane ◽  
Brenda Giagante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Memory Deficit ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Neuropsychological Outcome ◽  
Mesial Temporal Lobe

The aim of the present study is to compare pre- and postsurgical neuropsychological outcome in individuals suffering from mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE), in order to evaluate prognosis. The selected thirty-five patients had medically mTLE and had undergone an anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL). Neuropsychological evaluation was performed in three different stages: before ATL, 6 months after resection, and a year afterwards. Neuropsychological protocol evaluated attention, verbal memory, visual memory, executive function, language, intelligence, and handedness. There was a significant improvement () in the group with visual memory deficit after surgery, whereas no changes were observed across patients with verbal memory deficit. No changes were observed in language after surgery. Executive function showed significant improvement 6 months after surgery (). Postoperative outcome of cognitive impairments depends on baseline neuropsychological status of the patients with TLE. In our case series, deficits found in patients with mTLE after ATL did not result in a subjective complaint.

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