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

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.

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Thalamus and language: interface with attention, memory and executive functions

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/s0004-282x2003000100006 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 34-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Marcia Radanovic ◽

Mariana Azambuja ◽

Letícia Lessa Mansur ◽

Cláudia Sellitto Porto ◽

Milberto Scaff

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Cognitive Networks ◽

Vascular Lesions ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Subcortical Structures ◽

Boston Naming Test ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Attention Memory ◽

Functional Interview

Subcortical structures are in a strategic functional position within the cognitive networks. Their lesion can interfere with a great number of functions. We studied six patients with thalamic vascular lesions (three left sided, two right sided and one bilateral), to characterize their repercussion in the communicative abilities and the interface between language alterations and other cognitive abilities, as attention, memory and frontal executive. All patients were evaluated through a functional interview (discourse analysis), and the following batteries: Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, Boston Naming Test, Token Test, Benton Visual Retention Test, Trail Making, Wisconsin Card Sorting and frontal scripts. All patients performed MRI and five underwent SPECT. Results show that these patients present impairment in several cognitive domains, especially attention and executive functions (working memory, planning and self-monitoring); those with right lesions have an additional visuospatial impairment. Such alterations interfere with language abilities, and this fact must be considered in the rehabilitation efforts.

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Relation between executive functions and polymorphisms in COMT, MAO-A, HTTLPR, SLC1A1 and HT2A in a sample of children with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

10.1101/452193 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Jorge Enrique Avila Campos ◽

María Cristina Pinto Dussan ◽

Ángela María Polanco Barreto ◽

Esneyder Manuel Guerrero ◽

Rafael Antonio Vásquez Rojas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Mao A ◽

Trail Making ◽

Sorting Test

AbstractBackgroundObsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has a complex etiology related to multiple neuropsychological factors. OCD is associated with several candidate genes but results are discordant. The objective was to explore the association between five polymorphisms related to neurotransmitters, the risk of an OCD diagnosis and the performance in four executive functions tests done with Colombian patients diagnosed with this condition.Methods63 patients and 65 controls matched by gender and age were genetically analyzed. For the study of the relation between cognitive function and phenotypes, a subsample of 33 patients and 31 controls was used. The Stroop test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Tower of London and Trail Making Test (TMT) for executive function assessment were applied and the SNPs analyzed were: COMT (rs4680), MAO-A (rs6323), HTTLPR (rs25531), HT2A (rs6315) and SLC1A1 (rs301434).ResultsDifferences in the conceptualization of the WCST test (p = 0.023) and Stroop interference score (p = 0.041) between cases and controls were obtained. After analyzing the relationship between genotypes and sub-scores of the tests, associations between the presence of MAO-A, SLAC1A1, HTTLPR and HT2A alleles and tests sub-scores were found.DiscussionThis characterization of children with OCD is a new field of work in Colombia and one of the first works performed in Latin America. The sample size and the number of polymorphisms analyzed in this population should be increased.

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Assessment of executive functions in obese individuals with binge eating disorder

Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1590/s1516-44462010000400011 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 381-388 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Duchesne Monica ◽

Mattos Paulo ◽

José Carlos Appolinário ◽

Silvia Regina de Freitas ◽

Gabriel Coutinho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorder ◽

Binge Eating ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Binge Eating Disorder ◽

Digit Span ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Trail Making ◽

Program Test ◽

Sorting Test

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess executive functions of obese individuals with binge eating disorder. METHOD: Thirty-eight obese individuals with binge eating disorder were compared to thirty-eight obese controls without binge eating disorder in terms of their executive functions. All individuals were assessed using the following instruments: Digit Span, Trail Making Tests A and B, Stroop Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. In addition, four subtests from the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome Battery were also used, namely the Zoo Map Test, the Modified Six Elements Test, the Action Program Test and the Rule Shift Cards Test. RESULTS: When compared to obese controls, obese individuals with binge eating disorder presented significant impairment in the following tests: Digit Span backward, Zoo Map Test, Modified Six Elements Test, and Action Program Test. Subjects with binge eating disorder also showed significant more set shifting and perseverative errors in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. In other measures such as the Digit Span Forward, the Trail Making Test, the Stroop Test and the Rule Shift Cards Test, obese subjects with binge eating disorder did not differ significantly from obese subjects without binge eating disorder. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that, in the present sample, obese individuals with binge eating disorder presented executive deficits, especially impairments relating to problem-solving, cognitive flexibility and working memory.

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Relationship between executive functions and impulsive behavior in adolescents: Comparative study

Salud Mental ◽

10.17711/sm.0185-3325.2020.024 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 175-180

Author(s):

Lizbeth Quintero Reynaga ◽

Gilberto Galindo Aldana ◽

Julieta Bonilla ◽

Brenda Viridiana Rabago Barajas

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Behavioral Flexibility ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Impulsive Behavior ◽

Test Results ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Neuropsychological Dysfunction ◽

Trail Making ◽

Sorting Test

Introduction: Impulsivity can be directly related to maladaptive and disruptive behaviors; specifically, during adolescence, impulsivity is associated with behavioral and social problems, and it has been found that some behavioral difficulties are related to neuropsychological dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for regulating impulse control and executive functions. Objective. To compare the relationships among executive functions, particularly inhibitory control, behavioral planning and behavioral flexibility, in adolescents between 13 and 15 years old with and without impulsivity. Method. This study was developed using an analytical, comparative design. The sample consisted of 62 participants whose impulsivity was measured using the BIS-11-A Impulsiveness Scale and whose data were compared with normative data from the same sample size. Executive functions were evaluated using the Tower of London test, Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST), Trail Making Test (TMT) and Stroop test. Results. Young people between 13 and 15 years old who exhibited impulsive behavior showed impairment in the executive functions studied, such as inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and behavioral planning. Discussion and conclusion. There is a direct correlation between impulsive behaviors and executive functions during adolescence. The results found here support the development of potential intervention protocols based on executive functioning.

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Tests of executive functions in first-degree relatives of schizophrenic patients: a meta-analysis

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291704003460 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 771-782 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

ANDREI SZÖKE ◽

FRANCK SCHÜRHOFF ◽

FLAVIE MATHIEU ◽

ALEXANDRE MEARY ◽

SERBAN IONESCU ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Published Data ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Schizophrenic Patients ◽

Trail Making ◽

Moderate Range ◽

Sorting Test ◽

Executive Dysfunctions

Background. Executive dysfunctions in relatives of schizophrenic patients may be trait markers of genetic liability and thus help us to elucidate the aetiology of schizophrenia. As a large amount of data has been published, a synthesis through a meta-analysis was needed to demonstrate the existence of executive impairments in relatives of schizophrenic patients and to assess their magnitude.Method. We conducted a meta-analysis of articles that compared performances of controls and relatives of schizophrenic patients on the four tests most frequently used to assess executive functions: the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Trail Making Test (TMT), the Stroop Test and the Verbal Fluency (VF) Test. When needed and possible, published data were supplemented with information from the authors. After assessing the homogeneity of the data, effect sizes were estimated and publication bias was tested by use of funnel plots.Results. Relatives of schizophrenic patients performed less well than controls on all executive tests analysed. Effect estimates were in the small to moderate range (from 0·26 to 0·49) for Stroop, WCST and TMT, but were greater for the fluency tests (0·65 for phonological and 0·87 for semantic VF).Conclusion. Relatives of schizophrenic patients appear to have wide, although not severe, executive dysfunctions. As the sensitivity of the different tests for impairments in relatives is not the same, the choice of test and method used should be carefully assessed.

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Neuropsychological Profile of Specific Executive Functions in Patients with Deficit and Non-deficit Schizophrenia

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.112 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S275-S276

Author(s):

J. Pelka-Wysiecka ◽

T. Ernest ◽

M. Monika ◽

S. Jerzy

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Deficit Schizophrenia ◽

Neuropsychological Profile ◽

Stroop Color Word Test ◽

Trail Making ◽

Patient Groups ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Sorting Test

Although it has been shown that there are more profound deficits present in the deficit schizophrenia (DS) patients compared with their non-deficit (NDS) counterparts, there still remain a few matters that require further investigation.Aims(1) Comparison of executive functions between the investigated groups; (2) determining the relationship between their particular aspects within the groups; and (3) drawing up their neuropsychological profile.MethodsOne hundred and forty-eight schizophrenia patients, divided into two groups: patients with DS (n = 70) and NDS (n = 78). Patients were matched for sex, age, number of years of education and their overall cognitive functioning. For the assessment of executive function, we used the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Trail Making Test (TMT), Verbal Fluency Test Phonemic (VFT P), Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT) and Go/No Go task (GNG).ResultsThe DS patients compared with the NDS ones obtained lower scores in WCST and TMT (relative flexibility). We did not observe any inter-group differences in VFT P, SCWT (relative inhibition) or the GNG. In both patient groups, there appeared significant correlations between their WCST and TMT scores. The general neuropsychological profiles were similar in both groups. The DS patients exhibited slightly greater interference within concept formation and non-verbal cognitive flexibility. Such problems may therefore be specific to that particular subset of schizophrenia. Our results may be useful for the development of new rehabilitation activities, which may increase the chance of the patients’ better social functioning.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Dopaminergic Genes Polymorphisms and Prefrontal Cortex Efficiency Among Obese People - Whether Gender is a Differentiating Factor?

Current Molecular Medicine ◽

10.2174/1566524019666190424143653 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 405-418

Author(s):

Maciej Bieliński ◽

Natalia Lesiewska ◽

Roman Junik ◽

Anna Kamińska ◽

Andrzej Tretyn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Tandem Repeats ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Variable Number ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Obese People ◽

Perseverative Errors ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting ◽

Sorting Test

Background:Obesity is a chronic condition associated with poorer cognitive functioning. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) is a useful tool for evaluating executive functions. In this study, we assessed the association between dopaminergic gene polymorphisms: DAT1 (SLC6A3), COMTVal158Met, DRD4 (48-bp variable number of tandem repeats - VNTR) and WCST parameters to investigate the functions of the frontal lobes in obese individuals.Objective:To find the significant correlations between polymorphisms of DAT1, COMTVal158Met, DRD4 and executive functions in obese subjects.Methods:The analysis of the frequency of individual alleles was performed in 248 obese patients (179 women, 69 men). Evaluation of the prefrontal cortex function (operating memory and executive functions) was measured with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Separate analyzes were performed in age subgroups to determine different activities and regulation of genes in younger and older participants.Results:Scores of WCST parameters were different in the subgroups of women and men and in the age subgroups. Regarding the COMT gene, patients with A/A and G/A polymorphisms showed significantly better WCST results in WCST_P, WCST_CC and WCST_1st. Regarding DAT1 men with L/L and L/S made less non-perseverative errors, which was statistically significant. In DRD4, significantly better WCST_1st results were found only in older women with S allele.Conclusion:Obtained results indicate the involvement of dopaminergic transmission in the regulation of prefrontal cortex function. Data analysis indicates that prefrontal cortex function may ensue, from different elements such as genetic factors, metabolic aspects of obesity, and hormonal activity (estrogen).

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Large Neutral Amino Acids (LNAAs) Supplementation Improves Neuropsychological Performances in Adult Patients with Phenylketonuria

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12041092 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 1092 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Iris Scala ◽

Maria Pia Riccio ◽

Maria Marino ◽

Carmela Bravaccio ◽

Giancarlo Parenti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Metabolic Control ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Well Being ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Large Neutral Amino Acids ◽

Neutral Amino Acids ◽

Poor Metabolic Control

Phenylketonuria is an inborn error of phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism diagnosed by newborn screening and treated early with diet. Although diet prevents intellectual disability, patients often show impairment of executive functions, working memory, sustained attention, and cognitive flexibility. Large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) have been proposed as a dietary supplement for PKU adults. Few studies show that LNAAs may help in improving metabolic control as well as cognitive functions. In this study, 10 adult PKU patients with poor metabolic control were treated for 12 months with LNAAs (MovisCom, 0.8–1 g/kg/day) and underwent Phe and Tyrosine (Tyr) monitoring monthly. Neuropsychological assessment was performed at T0, T+3, and T+12 months by using the American Psychological General Well-Being Index, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Test of Attentional Performance, and the 9-Hole Peg Test. No change in plasma Phe levels was observed during LNAAs supplementation, while Tyr levels significantly improved during LNAAs supplementation (p = 0.03). Psychometric tests showed an improvement of distress and well-being rates, of executive functions, attention, and vigilance, whereas no difference was noted regarding hand dexterity. This study adds evidence of the advantage of LNAAs supplementation in improving cognitive functions and well-being in patients with PKU with poor metabolic control.

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Functional and structural MRI correlates of executive functions in multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/13524585211033184 ◽

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.

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Clinical and neuropsychological assessment of executive function in a sample of children and adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/0004-282x20140191 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 72 (12) ◽

pp. 954-959 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Andrea Bandeira de Lima ◽

Fernanda Moreira ◽

Marleide da Mota Gomes ◽

Heber Maia-Filho

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance ◽

Executive Function ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Clinical Data ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Idiopathic Epilepsy ◽

Control Group ◽

Seizure Type ◽

Card Sorting

Objective To compare the executive functions of children and adolescents with idiopathic epilepsy with a control group and to correlate with clinical data, intelligence and academic performance. Method Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study. Thirty-one cases and thirty-five controls were evaluated by the WCST (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test).The results were compared with clinical data (seizure type and frequency, disease duration and number of antiepileptic drugs used), IQ (WISC-III) and academic performance (APT). Results Patients with epilepsy had poorer executive function scores. There was no positive linear correlation between test scores and epilepsy variables. There was a positive association between academic performance and some executive function results. Conclusion Children with well controlled idiopathic epilepsy may show deficits in executive functions in spite of clinical variables. Those deficits may influence academic performance.

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