Functional and structural MRI correlates of executive functions in multiple sclerosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110331
Author(s):  
Olga Marchesi ◽  
Raffaello Bonacchi ◽  
Paola Valsasina ◽  
Paolo Preziosa ◽  
Elisabetta Pagani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Structural Mri ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Cognitive Networks ◽  
Superior Cerebellar Peduncle ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Cerebellar Peduncle ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Background: Executive dysfunctions, including difficulties in attention, working memory, planning, and inhibition affect 15%–28% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Objectives: To investigate structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities underlying executive function (EF) in MS patients. Methods: A total 116 MS patients and 65 controls underwent resting-state (RS) and diffusion-weighted sequences and neuropsychological examination, including Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) to test EF. Brain RS cognitive networks and fractional anisotropy (FA) from a priori selected white matter tracts were derived. Associations of WCST scores with RS functional connectivity (FC) and FA abnormalities were investigated. Results: In MS patients, predictors of working memory/updating were: lower corpus callosum (CC) FA, lower left working-memory network (WMN), right WMN RS FC for worse performance; lower executive control network (ECN), higher default-mode network (DMN), and salience network (SN) RS FC for better performance ( R2 = 0.35). Predictors of attention were lower CC genu FA, lower left WMN, and DMN RS FC for worse performance; higher left WMN and ECN RS FC for better performance ( R2 = 0.24). Predictors of worse shifting/inhibition were lower CC genu and superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP) FA, lower left WMN RS FC for worse performance; and higher ECN RS FC for better performance ( R2 = 0.24). Conclusions: CC and SCP microstructural damage and RS FC abnormalities in cognitive networks underlie EF frailty in MS.

scholarly journals Contribution to the evaluation of language disturbances in subcortical lesions: a piloty study

2004 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcia Radanovic ◽  
Letícia Lessa Mansur ◽  
Mariana Jardim Azambuja ◽  
Cláudia Sellitto Porto ◽  
Milberto Scaff
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Cognitive Networks ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Subcortical Structures ◽  
Boston Naming Test ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Trail Making

Subcortical structures are in a strategic functional position within the cognitive networks and their lesion can interfere with a great number of functions. In this study, we describe fourteen subjects with exclusively subcortical vascular lesions (eight in the basal ganglia and six in the thalamus) and the interrelation between their language alterations and other cognitive abilities, as attention, memory and frontal executive functions. All patients were evaluated through the following batteries: Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, Boston Naming Test, Token Test, Benton Visual Retention Test, Trail Making, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and a frontal scripts task. All patients underwent MRI and twelve underwent SPECT. Results show that these patients present impairment in several cognitive domains, especially attention and executive functions. These alterations affect language abilities, and this fact must be considered in the rehabilitation efforts.

scholarly journals A comprehensive assessment of cerebellar damage in multiple sclerosis using diffusion tractography and volumetric analysis

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 1079-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
VM Anderson ◽  
CAM Wheeler-Kingshott ◽  
K Abdel-Aziz ◽  
DH Miller ◽  
A Toosy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Volumetric Analysis ◽  
Motor Deficit ◽  
Superior Cerebellar Peduncle ◽  
Radial Diffusivity ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Clinical Scores ◽  
Cerebellar Peduncle

Background: White matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) brain damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) is widespread, but the extent of cerebellar involvement and impact on disability needs to be clarified. Objective: This study aimed to assess cerebellar WM and GM atrophy and the degree of fibre coherence in the main cerebellar connections, and their contribution to disability in relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS). Methods: Fourteen patients with RRMS, 12 patients with PPMS and 16 healthy controls were recruited. Cerebellar WM and GM volumes and tractography-derived measures from the middle and superior cerebellar peduncles, including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and directional diffusivities, were quantified from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients were assessed on clinical scores, including the MS Functional Composite score subtests. Linear regression models were used to compare imaging measures between 12 RRMS, 11 PPMS and 16 controls, and investigate their association with clinical scores. Results: Patients with PPMS showed reduced FA and increased radial diffusivity in the middle cerebellar peduncle compared with controls and patients with RRMS. In PPMS, lower cerebellar WM volume was associated with worse performance on the upper limb test. In the same patient group, we found significant relationships between superior cerebellar peduncle FA and upper limb function, and between superior cerebellar peduncle FA, MD and radial diffusivity and speed of walking. Conclusion: These findings indicate reduced fibre coherence in the main cerebellar connections, and link damage in the whole cerebellar WM, and, in particular, in the superior cerebellar peduncle, to motor deficit in PPMS.

Auditory working memory and the Wisconsin card sorting test

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 117-118
Author(s):  
J. Gold ◽  
C. Carpenter ◽  
C. Randolph ◽  
T. Goldberg ◽  
D. Weinberger
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting ◽  
Sorting Test

Polymorphisms of the cannabinoid 1 receptor gene and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Woolmore ◽  
MJ Stone ◽  
SL Holley ◽  
PM Jenkinson ◽  
A. Ike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Word Association ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Test Sample ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Cnr1 Gene

Cognitive impairment occurs in 45—65% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The cannabinoid system may potentially be neuroprotective in MS. We examined the relationship between polymorphisms of the CNR1 gene and neuropsychological outcome in MS using a test and confirmatory sample of patients. One hundred and ninety-four MS patients were assessed over five key areas of neuropsychological function, which are most commonly impaired in MS. The first 97 patients formed the test sample. A further confirmatory sample of 97 patients was used to test association found in the test sample. The schedule included: Wisconsin card sorting test 64 version, Rey auditory verbal learning task immediate and delayed scores, controlled oral word association task, judgement of line orientation and symbol digit modalities task. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were typed within the CNR1 gene. For the overall neuropsychological assessment score we used a multiple linear regression model with selected covariates to show that subjects with the AA genotype of the SNP RS1049353 were more impaired (mean -2.47, SD 5.75, P = 0.008, Bonferroni corrected P = 0.024) than the other subjects (mean 0.24, SD 4.24). This was not confirmed when the association was retested in the confirmatory sample. No associations were identified between these CNR1 variants and cognitive impairment in MS. Multiple Sclerosis 2008; 14: 177—182. http://msj.sagepub.com

Executive functions disorders in high functioning autism and rehabilitation implications

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S435-S435
Author(s):  
A. Di Santantonio ◽  
M. Manfredini ◽  
N. Varucciu ◽  
M. Fabbri ◽  
M.C. Cutrone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
High Functioning Autism ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
High Functioning

IntroductionThe term executive functions (EFs) includes a set of cognitive processes such as planning, working memory, attention, problem solving, inhibition, mental flexibility, multi-tasking, and initiation and monitoring of actions. EFs are the higher order control processes to guide behaviour.Some studies on the relationship between EFs and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed deficit in the cognitive flexibility and speed processing, particularly with Asperger syndrome. Recently, Merchán-Naranjo et al. [1] supported that children's and adolescents with autism without intellectual disability are insufficient in at least 5 domains: attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control and problem-solving.AimsOur work is aimed at verifying if the presence of a dysexecutive syndrome significantly impacts on the adaptive functioning of people with high functioning autism.MethodsA group of young adults with ASD were administered traditional neuropsychological assessment, specific assessment, focusing on the planning strategies for solving problems (Test Tower of London), abstraction and categorization (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test), and the Dysexecutive Questionnaires.ResultsThe results showed the presence of a specific deficit in the executive functioning in an average cognitive functioning.ConclusionsIntegrate the standard cognitive screening with a specific EFs assessment resulted to be very useful for the clinician to realize neuropsychological and psychotherapeutic individualized treatment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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