Sex differences in cognitive functioning of patients at-risk for psychosis and healthy controls: Results from the European Gene–Environment Interactions study

Abstract Background. Sex differences in cognitive functioning have long been recognized in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls (HC). However, few studies have focused on patients with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate sex differences in neurocognitive performance in ARMS patients compared with HC. Methods. The data analyzed in this study were collected within the multicenter European Gene–Environment Interactions study (11 centers). A total of 343 ARMS patients (158 women) and 67 HC subjects (33 women) were included. All participants completed a comprehensive neurocognitive battery. Linear mixed effects models were used to explore whether sex differences in cognitive functioning were present in the total group (main effect of sex) and whether sex differences were different for HC and ARMS (interaction between sex and group). Results. Women performed better in social cognition, speed of processing, and verbal learning than men regardless of whether they were ARMS or HC. However, only differences in speed of processing and verbal learning remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Additionally, ARMS patients displayed alterations in attention, current IQ, speed of processing, verbal learning, and working memory compared with HC. Conclusions. Findings indicate that sex differences in cognitive functioning in ARMS are similar to those seen between healthy men and women. Thus, it appears that sex differences in cognitive performance may not be specific for ARMS, a finding resembling that in patients with schizophrenic psychoses.

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Neurocognitive performance does not correlate with suicidality in schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients at risk for suicide

Schizophrenia Research ◽

10.1016/s0920-9964(02)00159-7 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 59-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Steven G Potkin ◽

Ravi Anand ◽

Larry Alphs ◽

Kirsten Fleming

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Patients At Risk

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Sex Differences in Cognitive Functioning in At-Risk Mental State for Psychosis, First Episode Psychosis and Healthy Control Subjects

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2014.11.006 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 242-250 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

S. Ittig ◽

E. Studerus ◽

M. Papmeyer ◽

M. Uttinger ◽

S. Koranyi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Learning And Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Memory Task ◽

First Episode ◽

Episode Psychosis ◽

At Risk Mental State

AbstractBackground:Several sex differences in schizophrenia have been reported including differences in cognitive functioning. Studies with schizophrenia patients and healthy controls (HC) indicate that the sex advantage for women in verbal domains is also present in schizophrenia patients. However, findings have been inconsistent. No study focused on sex-related cognitive performance differences in at-risk mental state for psychosis (ARMS) individuals yet. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate sex differences in cognitive functioning in ARMS, first episode psychosis (FEP) and HC subjects. We expected a better verbal learning and memory performance of women in all groups.Methods:The neuropsychological data analysed in this study were collected within the prospective Früherkennung von Psychosen (FePsy) study. In total, 118 ARMS, 88 FEP individuals and 86 HC completed a cognitive test battery covering the domains of executive functions, attention, working memory, verbal learning and memory, IQ and speed of processing.Results:Women performed better in verbal learning and memory regardless of diagnostic group. By contrast, men as compared to women showed a shorter reaction time during the working memory task across all groups.Conclusion:The results provide evidence that women generally perform better in verbal learning and memory, independent of diagnostic group (ARMS, FEP, HC). The finding of a shorter reaction time for men in the working memory task could indicate that men have a superior working memory performance since they responded faster during the target trials, while maintaining a comparable overall working memory performance level.

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Empirical evidence for cognitive subgroups in body dysmorphic disorder

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0004867421998762 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 381-390

Author(s):

Amy Malcolm ◽

Sarah N Brennan ◽

Sally A Grace ◽

Toni D Pikoos ◽

Wei Lin Toh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Small Sample ◽

The Body ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Cognitive Heterogeneity

Objective: Current understanding of cognitive functioning in body dysmorphic disorder is limited, owing to few studies, small sample sizes and assessment across only limited cognitive domains. Existing research has also shown inconsistent findings, with both intact and impaired cognition reported in body dysmorphic disorder, which might point towards cognitive heterogeneity in the disorder. This study aimed to examine the cognitive profile of body dysmorphic disorder in a large sample across eight cognitive domains, and to explore whether cognitive subgroups might be identified within body dysmorphic disorder. Method: Cognitive domains of inhibition/flexibility, working memory, speed of processing, reasoning and problem-solving, visual and verbal learning, attention/vigilance and social cognition were assessed and compared between 65 body dysmorphic disorder patients and 70 healthy controls. Then, hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted on the body dysmorphic disorder group’s cognitive data. Results: Group-average comparisons demonstrated significantly poorer cognitive functioning in body dysmorphic disorder than healthy controls in all domains except for attention/vigilance and social cognition. Cluster analysis identified two divergent cognitive subgroups within our body dysmorphic disorder cohort characterised by (1) broadly intact cognitive function with mild selective impairments (72.3%), and (2) broadly impaired cognitive function (27.7%). However, the clusters did not significantly differ on clinical parameters or most sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate considerable cognitive heterogeneity among persons with body dysmorphic disorder, rather than uniform deficits. Poor performances in the broadly impaired subgroup may have driven group-level differences. However, our findings also suggest a dissociation between cognitive functioning and clinical characteristics in body dysmorphic disorder that has implications for current aetiological models. Additional research is needed to clarify why some people with body dysmorphic disorder demonstrate cognitive deficits while others do not.

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The trajectory of cognitive functioning following first episode mania: A 12-month follow-up study

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0004867415622272 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 50 (12) ◽

pp. 1186-1197 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Rothanthi Daglas ◽

Kelly Allott ◽

Murat Yücel ◽

Christos Pantelis ◽

Craig A. Macneil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Cognitive Change ◽

First Episode ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Significant Group ◽

Time Interaction ◽

Over Time

Objectives: Cognitive deficits are apparent in the early stages of bipolar disorder; however, the timing and trajectory of cognitive functioning following a first episode of mania remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the trajectory of cognitive functioning in people following a first episode of mania over a 12-month period, relative to healthy controls. Method: The cohort included 61 participants who had recently stabilised from a first treated manic episode, and 21 demographically similar healthy controls. These groups were compared on changes observed over time using an extensive cognitive battery, over a 12-month follow-up period. Results: A significant group by time interaction was observed in one measure of processing speed (Trail Making Test – part A,) and immediate verbal memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test – trial 1), with an improved performance in people following a first episode of mania relative to healthy controls. On the contrary, there was a significant group by time interaction observed on another processing speed task pertaining to focussed reaction time (Go/No-Go, missed go responses), with first episode of mania participants performing significantly slower in comparison with healthy controls. Furthermore, a significant group by time interaction was observed in inhibitory effortful control (Stroop effect), in which healthy controls showed an improvement over time relative to first episode of mania participants. There were no other significant interactions of group by time related to other measures of cognition over the 12-month period. Conclusion: Our findings revealed cognitive change in processing speed, immediate memory and one measure of executive functioning over a 12-month period in first episode of mania participants relative to healthy controls. There was no evidence of change over time for all other cognitive domains. Further studies focussed on the at-risk period, subgroup analysis, and the effects of medication on the cognitive trajectory following first episode of mania are needed.

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Can Electric Nose Breath Analysis Identify Abdominal Wall Hernia Recurrence and Aortic Aneurysms? A Proof-of-Concept Study

Surgical Innovation ◽

10.1177/1553350620917898 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 155335062091789

Author(s):

Elwin H. H. Mommers ◽

Lottie van Kooten ◽

Simon W. Nienhuijs ◽

Tammo S. de Vries Reilingh ◽

Tim Lubbers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neural Network ◽

At Risk ◽

Aortic Aneurysm ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Recurrent Hernia ◽

Hernia Recurrence ◽

Aortic Aneurysms ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Patients At Risk

Introduction. This pilot study evaluates if an electronic nose (eNose) can distinguish patients at risk for recurrent hernia formation and aortic aneurysm patients from healthy controls based on volatile organic compound analysis in exhaled air. Both hernia recurrence and aortic aneurysm are linked to impaired collagen metabolism. If patients at risk for hernia recurrence and aortic aneurysms can be identified in a reliable, low-cost, noninvasive manner, it would greatly enhance preventive options such as prophylactic mesh placement after abdominal surgery. Methods. From February to July 2017, a 3-armed proof-of-concept study was conducted at 3 hospitals including 3 groups of patients (recurrent ventral hernia, aortic aneurysm, and healthy controls). Patients were measured once at the outpatient clinic using an eNose with 3 metal-oxide sensors. A total of 64 patients (hernia, n = 29; aneurysm, n = 35) and 37 controls were included. Data were analyzed by an automated neural network, a type of self-learning software to distinguish patients from controls. Results. Receiver operating curves showed that the automated neural network was able to differentiate between recurrent hernia patients and controls (area under the curve 0.74, sensitivity 0.79, and specificity 0.65) as well as between aortic aneurysm patients and healthy controls (area under the curve 0.84, sensitivity 0.83, and specificity of 0.81). Conclusion. This pilot study shows that the eNose can distinguish patients at risk for recurrent hernia and aortic aneurysm formation from healthy controls.

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Numbers and phenotype of non-classical CD14dimCD16+ monocytes are predictors of adverse clinical outcome in patients with coronary artery disease and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection

Cardiovascular Research ◽

10.1093/cvr/cvaa328 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Karin Anne Lydia Mueller ◽

Carolin Langnau ◽

Manina Günter ◽

Simone Pöschel ◽

Sarah Gekeler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

At Risk ◽

Respiratory Failure ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

T Cell Activation ◽

Cell Activation ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Progressive Respiratory Failure ◽

Artery Disease

Abstract Aims To elucidate the prognostic role of monocytes in the immune response of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at risk for life-threatening heart and lung injury as major complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods and results From February to April 2020, we prospectively studied a cohort of 96 participants comprising 47 consecutive patients with CAD and acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (CAD + SARS-CoV-2), 19 CAD patients without infections, and 30 healthy controls. Clinical assessment included blood sampling, echocardiography, and electrocardiography within 12 h of admission. Respiratory failure was stratified by the Horovitz Index (HI) as moderately/severely impaired when HI ≤200 mmHg. The clinical endpoint (EP) was defined as HI ≤200 mmHg with subsequent mechanical ventilation within a follow-up of 30 days. The numbers of CD14dimCD16+ non-classical monocytes in peripheral blood were remarkably low in CAD + SARS-CoV-2 compared with CAD patients without infection and healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Moreover, these CD14dimCD16 monocytes showed decreased expression of established markers of adhesion, migration, and T-cell activation (CD54, CD62L, CX3CR1, CD80, and HLA-DR). Decreased numbers of CD14dimCD16+ monocytes were associated with the occurrence of EP. Kaplan–Meier curves illustrate that CAD + SARS-CoV-2 patients with numbers below the median of CD14dimCD16+ monocytes (median 1443 cells/mL) reached EP significantly more often compared to patients with numbers above the median (log-rank 5.03, P = 0.025). Conclusion Decreased numbers of CD14dimCD16+ monocytes are associated with rapidly progressive respiratory failure in CAD + SARS-CoV-2 patients. Intensified risk assessments comprising monocyte sub- and phenotypes may help to identify patients at risk for respiratory failure.

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Evaluation of Cognitive Dysfunction in a Sample of Patients Affected by Bipolar Disorder

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.2181 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S212-S212

Author(s):

E. Stella ◽

M. La Montagna ◽

L. Borraccino ◽

F. Ricci ◽

A.I. Triggiani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Working Memory ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Visual Learning ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Speed Of Processing ◽

Cognitive Disturbances ◽

Competing Interest

IntroductionCognitive dysfunctions concerning working memory, attention, psychomotor speed, and verbal memory are a disabling feature of the bipolar disorder (BD). According to scientific literature, cognitive disturbances are present not only in depressive and manic phases of BD, but also during the euthymic period, without regard to whether or not drugs are assumed.ObjectiveTo determine the presence of one or more dysfunctions in cognitive domains in a sample of subjects suffering from BD, in euthymic phase, compared with healthy controls.AimsEvaluation of the following cognitive performances in subjects affected by BD: speed of processing, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning and problem solving, and social cognition.MethodsForty-six patients affected by BD in the euthymic phase (mean age: 43.17 years old; 39.13% male), and 58 healthy controls (mean age: 39.21 years old; 51.72% male) were enrolled in the psychiatric unit of Azienda Sanitaria Locale, Foggia. The neuropsychological battery MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was administered by trained psychiatrists.ResultsWe found the presence of cognitive impairment, affecting six out of seven of cognitive functions assessed (P < 0.001): speed of processing, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning and problem solving.ConclusionsThese preliminary results from our case-control study show that cognitive deficits are clearly present also during the euthymic phases of subjects with bipolar disorder (mainly pertaining attention/vigilance domain). These cognitive abnormalities may represent a biomarker of bipolar disorder.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Impact of Inflammatory Immune Dysfunction in Psoriasis Patients at Risk for COVID-19

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9050478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 478

Author(s):

Tatiana Mina Yendo ◽

Maria Notomi Sato ◽

Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo Branco ◽

Anna Julia Pietrobon ◽

Franciane Mouradian Emidio Teixeira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Immune Mediated ◽

Immunological Mechanisms ◽

Cytokine Levels ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Low Levels ◽

Immune Imbalance

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated dermatosis usually associated with comorbidities. Treatment varies from topicals to systemic drugs and data on susceptibility to viral infections in psoriatic patients are scarce. The objectives of this study were to analyze psoriatic patients on different therapies who were at risk for COVID-19 for seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2, pro-inflammatory cytokine profile, comorbidities and outcomes in order to unveil the immunological mechanisms involved in the anti-viral response in patients with psoriasis. Seventy-five patients with psoriasis were divided according to treatment: immunobiologics, methotrexate, topicals and acitretin. Twenty healthy controls were included. Plasma samples were collected for: IgG SARS-COV-2 (ELISA); IL-27, IL-29 and IL-18 (ELISA); and IL-1β, IL-17A, IL-6 and TNF (cytometric array). Seropositivity for SARS-COV-2 was detected in 24 out of 75 psoriasis patients and did not relate to COVID-19 symptoms and/or hospitalization, despite associated comorbidities. Psoriasis patients who were asymptomatic for SARS-COV-2 exhibited immune imbalance with high levels of IL-18, IL-17A and IL-6, and low levels of IL-27 compared to healthy controls. Psoriasis groups showed significant increased cytokine levels only in the group with immunobiologics. Despite immune deviations and lower IL-27, which has a potential antiviral impact, psoriatic patients did not exhibit complications related to COVID-19. An understanding of this kind of proinflammatory profile of psoriatic patients and of the lack of severe outcomes for COVID-19 is essential to establish novel therapeutic approaches and preventive measures, including with regard to the concomitance of viral infections.

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Executive functions and memory in patients at risk of vascular brain pathology

Current Problems of Psychiatry ◽

10.1515/cpp-2018-0005 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 41-49

Author(s):

Ewa Zawadzka ◽

Łucja Domańska

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Task Performance ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

The Elderly ◽

Brain Dysfunction ◽

Verbal Material ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

And Control

Abstract Hypertension is a common problem in the elderly population. It is one of the factors determining the pattern of cognitive functioning of the patients, however the nature and severity of neuropsychological deficits are unclear. The main aim of the study was to assess effectiveness of cognitive task performance and the strategies of verbal material organization in patients with varying levels of productivity and control. The outpatients treated for hypertension (n = 46) were tested with the following neuropsychological tests and the experimental task: Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Semantic Verbal Fluency Task (VF). The level of productivity and control in older hypertensive patients appeared to be important variables differentiating the effectiveness of structured task performance involving the memory and learning of verbal material. Patients with weaker productivity and control show less efficiency in formulating and sustaining a learning plan expressed by the compatibility of responses in subsequent attempts. Weaker productivity and control are associated with high risk of memory problems, especially in situations characterized by a high degree of structure. It is advisable to include an evaluation of certain aspects of executive functions at the initial stage of assessment of patients at risk of brain dysfunction.

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