scholarly journals Does Ramadan Fasting Adversely Affect Cognitive Function in Young Females?

Scientifica ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi ◽  
Laya Rahbar Nikoukar ◽  
Amir Memari ◽  
Hamed Ekhtiari ◽  
Sara Beygi
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Color Test ◽  
Ramadan Fasting ◽  
Young Females ◽  
Time Point

We examined the effects of Ramadan fasting on cognitive function in 17 female athletes. Data were obtained from participants of two fasting (n=9) and nonfasting (n=8) groups at three periods of the study (before Ramadan, at the third week in Ramadan, and after Ramadan). Digit span test (DST) and Stroop color test were employed to assess short-term memory and inhibition/cognitive flexibility at each time point. There were no significant changes for DST and Stroop task 1 in both groups, whereas Stroop task 2 and task 3 showed significant improvements in Ramadan condition (p<0.05). Interference indices did not change significantly across the study except in post-Ramadan period of fasting group (p<0.05). Group × week interaction was significant only for error numbers (p<0.05). Athletes in nonfasting showed a significant decrease in number of errors in Ramadan compared to baseline (p<0.05). The results suggest that Ramadan fasting may not adversely affect cognitive function in female athletes.

Effect of modafinil on cognitive functions in alcohol dependent patients: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 998-1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leen Joos ◽  
Anna E Goudriaan ◽  
Lianne Schmaal ◽  
Wim van den Brink ◽  
Bernard GC Sabbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Alcohol Dependent

Cognitive deficits are highly prevalent in alcohol-dependent (AD) patients and may have a detrimental impact on treatment response and treatment outcome. Enhancing cognitive functions may improve treatment success. Modafinil is a promising compound in this respect. Therefore, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted with modafinil (300 mg/d) or placebo in 83 AD patients for 10 weeks. Various cognitive functions (digit span task, Tower of London task, Stroop task) were measured at baseline, during and after treatment. Compared to placebo, modafinil improved verbal short-term memory (number of forward digit spans) ( p=0.030), but modafinil exerted a negative effect on the working memory score of the digit span task ( p=0.003). However, subgroup analyses revealed that modafinil did improve both working memory and verbal short-term memory in AD patients with a poor working memory ability at baseline (25% worst performers), whereas no significant treatment effect of modafinil was found on these two dependent variables in patients with good working memory skills at baseline (25% best performers). No effect of modafinil was found on measures of planning (Tower of London task) and selective attention (Stroop task). Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between cognitive remediation and treatment outcome in order to design targeted treatments.

scholarly journals Acute Effects of Salvia Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Athletes During a Fatiguing Cycling Exercise: A Randomized Cross-Over, Placebo-Controlled, and Double-Blind Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Babault ◽  
Ahmad Noureddine ◽  
Nicolas Amiez ◽  
Damien Guillemet ◽  
Carole Cometti
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Fatiguing Exercise

Background:Salvia (sage) supplementation has been shown to improve the cognition function in healthy individuals or patients (e.g., attention, memory). To date, no study has explored its relevancy in the context of sporting performance. The aim of this study was to explore the acute effects of a combination of Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulaefolia on cognitive function in athletes performing a fatiguing cycling task.Methods: Twenty-six volunteers were included in this cross-over, randomized, double-bind vs. placebo trial. Two hours before the two experimental sessions (here called SAGE and PLACEBO), volunteers randomly received a supplementation of sage or placebo. During each experimental session, participants were tested at four occasions while cycling during a warm-up, in the middle and at the end of a fatiguing task and after a short 5-min recovery. Tests included a Stroop task, a simple reaction time task, and a backward digit span memory task. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were also measured at the beginning of the four test sessions.Results: Heart rate was significantly greater during the fatiguing exercise than during warm-up and recovery (P &lt; 0.001) without any supplementation effect. RPE was greater during the fatiguing exercise than during warm-up and recovery (P &lt; 0.001). Moreover, RPE was significantly lower during the SAGE session as compared to PLACEBO (P = 0.002). Reaction time was not altered during the exercise but was significantly shorter with SAGE as compared to PLACEBO (P = 0.023). The Stroop task only revealed significantly longer reaction time during warm-up as compared to recovery (P = 0.02) independently of the supplementation. The digit span memory test revealed a significant greater span score with SAGE as compared to PLACEBO (P = 0.044).Conclusion: The combination of Salvia improved the cognitive functions (perceived exertion, working memory, and reaction time). The positive effects were obtained in fresh condition and were maintained with fatigue.

scholarly journals Effects of Dehydration and Rehydration on Cognitive Performance and Mood among Male College Students in Cangzhou, China: A Self-Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Zhang ◽  
Song M. Du ◽  
Jian F. Zhang ◽  
Guan S. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Mental Work ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Baseline Test

Water accounts for 75% of brain mass. Associations may exist between hydration and cognitive performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dehydration and rehydration on cognitive performance and mood. In this self-control trial, 12 men were recruited from a medical college in Cangzhou, China. After 12 h of overnight fasting, the participants took baseline tests at 8:00 AM on day 2. First morning urine and blood osmolality were analyzed to determine hydration state. Height, weight, and blood pressure were measured following standardized procedures. A visual analog scale for the subjective sensation of thirst was applied, and a profile of mood states questionnaire was applied. Tests were conducted for cognitive performance, including a test of digit span forward and backward, digit-symbol substitutions, dose-work, and stroop effects. Participants were required not to drink water for 36 h but were given three meals on day 3. On day 4, the same indexes were tested as a baseline test. At 8:30 AM, participants drank 1500 mL of purified water over 15 min. After a 1 h interval, the same measurements were performed. Compared with baseline test results, during the dehydration test, participants had lower scores of vigor (11.9 vs. 8.8, %, p = 0.007) and esteem-related affect (8.2 vs. 5.7, %, p = 0.006), lower total scores of digit span (14.3 vs. 13.3, %, p = 0.004), and higher error rates for dose-work (0.01 vs. 0.16, %, p = 0.005). Compared with the dehydration test scores, rehydration test scores showed that fatigue (4.3 vs. 2.1, %, p = 0.005) and total mood disturbance (TMD) (99.0 vs. 90.2, %, p = 0.008) improved, and scores of forward, backward, and total digit span increased (7.7 vs. 8.6, p = 0.014; 5.7 vs. 1.2, p = 0.019; 13.3 vs. 15.4, p = 0.001). Increases were also noted in correct number of digit symbol substitutions, reading speed, and mental work ability (70.8 vs. 75.4, p < 0.001; 339.3 vs. 486.4, n/min, p < 0.001; 356.1 vs. 450.2, p < 0.001), and reaction time decreased (30.2 vs. 28.7, s, p = 0.002). As a conclusion, dehydration had negative effects on vigor, esteem-related affect, short-term memory, and attention. Rehydration after water supplementation alleviated fatigue and improved TMD, short-term memory, attention, and reaction.

Phonological and visual similarity effects in Chinese and English language users: Implications for the use of cognitive resources in short-term memory

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
RACHEL L. COLE ◽  
SUSAN J. PICKERING
Keyword(s):  
Visual Memory ◽  
English Language ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Visual Similarity ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Articulation Rate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Chinese And English

This study investigated the encoding strategies employed by Chinese and English language users when recalling sequences of pictured objects. The working memory performance of native English participants (n = 14) and Chinese speakers of English as a second language (Chinese ESL; n = 14) was compared using serial recall of visually-presented pictures of familiar objects with three conditions: (i) phonologically and visually distinct, (ii) phonologically similar and visually distinct, and (iii) phonologically distinct and visually similar. Digit span, visual pattern span and articulation rate were also measured. Results indicated that whilst English participants were affected by the phonological but not the visual similarity of items, the performance of Chinese ESL participants was comparable across all three conditions. No significant differences in digit span, visual memory or articulation rate were found between groups. These results are discussed in the light of our understanding of the use of cognitive resources in short-term memory in users of diverse orthographies.

The effect of beverages varying in glycaemic load on postprandial glucose responses, appetite and cognition in 10–12-year-old school children

2012 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Brindal ◽  
Danielle Baird ◽  
Amy Slater ◽  
Vanessa Danthiir ◽  
Carlene Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Postprandial Glucose ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Glycaemic Load

Reducing glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) inconsistently improves aspects of cognitive function and appetite in children. Whether altering the GL by lowering carbohydrate relative to protein and fat has a role in these effects is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the differential effects of beverages varying in GL and dairy composition on appetite, energy intake and cognitive function in children. A total of forty children (10–12 years) completed a double-blind, randomised, crossover trial, receiving three isoenergetic drinks (approximately 1100 kJ): a glucose beverage (GI 100, GL 65), a full milk beverage (GI 27, GL 5) and a half milk/glucose beverage (GI 84, GL 35). For 3 h post-consumption, subjective appetite and cognitive performance (speed of processing, memory, attention and perceptual speed) were measured hourly. At completion, each child was provided a buffet-style lunch and energy intake was calculated. Blood glucose was objectively measured using the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. Blood glucose AUC values were significantly different between the drinks (P< 0·001), but did not sustain above the baseline for 3 h for any drink. Mixed modelling revealed no effect of beverage on subjective appetite or energy intake. Participant sex and drink GL significantly interacted for short-term memory (P< 0·001). When girls consumed either milk-containing beverage, they recalled 0·7–0·8 more words compared with 0·5 less words after the glucose drink (P≤ 0·014). Altering GL of drinks by reducing carbohydrate and increasing protein did not affect appetite or cognition in children. Girls may demonstrate improved short-term memory after consuming beverages with higher protein and lower GL.

The Immediate and Delayed Effects of an Acute Bout of Exercise on Cognitive Performance of Healthy Older Adults

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Barella ◽  
Jennifer L. Etnier ◽  
Yu-Kai Chang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Color Test ◽  
Acute Bout ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Delayed Effects

Research on the acute effects of exercise on cognitive performance by older adults is limited by a focus on nonhealthy populations. Furthermore, the duration of cognitive improvements after exercise has not been examined. Thus, this study was designed to test the immediate and delayed effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance of healthy older adults. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Stroop task. Participants were randomly assigned to an exercise (20 min of walking) or control (sitting quietly) condition. The Stroop task was administered at baseline and at 12 time points after treatment. Acute exercise resulted in better Stroop test performance immediately postexercise; however, the effects were limited to the color test. No effects of exercise on performance were observed for the Stroop interference or inhibition tests. Findings suggest that acute exercise performed by healthy older adults has short-term benefits for speed of processing but does not affect other types of cognitive functioning.

Self-Pluralism, Number of Subselves, and Short-Term Memory

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 888-888
Author(s):  
Hubert Suszek
Keyword(s):  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory

In a sample of 55 students, self-pluralism and the number of subselves were positively correlated ( rs = .33 and .28, respectively) with WAIS–R Digit Span scores as an index of short-term memory.

scholarly journals Vitamin B12 Status of Pregnant Indian Women and Cognitive Function in their 9-year-old Children

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidya Bhate ◽  
Swapna Deshpande ◽  
Dattatray Bhat ◽  
Niranjan Joshi ◽  
Rasika Ladkat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Maternal Vitamin ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background Recent research has highlighted the influence of maternal factors on the health of the offspring. Intrauterine experiences may program metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychiatric disorders. We have shown that maternal vitamin B12 status affects adiposity and insulin resistance in the child. Vitamin B12 is important for brain development and function. Objective We investigated the relationship between maternal plasma vitamin B12 status during pregnancy and the child's cognitive function at 9 years of age. Methods We studied children born in the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study. Two groups of children were selected on the basis of maternal plasma vitamin B12 concentration at 28 weeks of gestation: group 1 ( n = 49) included children of mothers with low plasma vitamin B12 (lowest decile, < 77 pM) and group 2 ( n = 59) children of mothers with high plasma vitamin B12 (highest decile, > 224 pM). Results Children from group 1 performed more slowly than those from group 2 on the Color Trail A test (sustained attention, 182 vs. 159 seconds; p < .05) and the Digit Span Backward test (short-term memory, p <.05), after appropriate adjustment for confounders. There were no differences between group 1 and group 2 on other tests of cognitive function (intelligence, visual agnosia). Conclusions Maternal vitamin B12 status in pregnancy influences cognitive function in offspring.

scholarly journals Frontal Phonological Agraphia and Acalculia with Impaired Verbal Short-Term Memory due to Left Inferior Precentral Gyrus Lesion

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhisa Sakurai ◽  
Emi Furukawa ◽  
Masanori Kurihara ◽  
Izumi Sugimoto
Keyword(s):  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Mental Arithmetic ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Postcentral Gyrus ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Selective Impairment

We report a patient with phonological agraphia (selective impairment of kana [Japanese phonetic writing] nonwords) and acalculia (mental arithmetic difficulties) with impaired verbal short-term memory after a cerebral hemorrhage in the opercular part of the left precentral gyrus (Brodmann area 6) and the adjacent postcentral gyrus. The patient showed phonemic paragraphia in five-character kana nonword writing, minimal acalculia, and reduced digit and letter span. Mental arithmetic normalized after 8 months and agraphia recovered to the normal range at 1 year after onset, in parallel with an improvement of the auditory letter span score from 4 to 6 over a period of 14 months and in the digit span score from 6 to 7 over 24 months. These results suggest a close relationship between the recovery of agraphia and acalculia and the improvement of verbal short-term memory. The present case also suggests that the opercular part of the precentral gyrus constitutes the phonological route in writing that conveys phonological information of syllable sequences, and its damage causes phonological agraphia and acalculia with reduced verbal short-term memory.

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