scholarly journals Individuals with and without normal tension glaucoma exhibit comparable performance on tests of cognitive function

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 1721-1728
Author(s):  
Qi N. Cui ◽  
◽  
Mohit Jethi ◽  
Todd Driver ◽  
Travis C. Porco ◽  
...  

AIM: To evaluate aspects of cognition impacted by individuals with and without normal tension glaucoma. METHODS: Fifty normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and 50 control patients ≥50y of age were recruited from the UCSF Department of Ophthalmology. Demographic data and glaucoma parameters were extracted from electronic medical records for both groups. Tests of executive function [Executive Abilities: Measures and Instruments for Neurobehavioral Evaluation and Research (EXAMINER)] and learning and memory [California Verbal Learning Test–Second Edition (CVLT-II)] were administered to both NTG and controls. Race, handedness, best-corrected visual acuity, maximum intraocular pressure, optic nerve cup-to-disc ratio, visual field and optic nerve optical coherence tomography parameters, and a measure of general health (Charlson Comorbidity Index) were compared between NTG and controls as well as within NTG subgroups. Multivariate linear regression was used to compare group performances on the EXAMINER battery and CVLT-II while controlling for age, sex, and years of education. RESULTS: NTG and controls were comparable with respect to age, sex, race, education, handedness, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (P>0.05 for all). Performance on the EXAMINER composite score and the CVLT-II did not differ between NTG and controls (P>0.05 for both). CONCLUSION: This is the first prospective study in which the cognitive function of subject with NTG were evaluated using a comprehensive, computerized neurocognitive battery. Subjects with NTG do not perform worse than unaffected controls on tests of executive function, learning, and memory. Results do not support the hypothesis that individuals with NTG are at higher risk for cognitive dysfunction and/or dementia.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi N Cui ◽  
David Green ◽  
Mohit Jethi ◽  
Travis Porco ◽  
Jane Kuo ◽  
...  

Aim: Glaucoma and dementia are both age-related neurodegenerative diseases with significant societal impact. Despite evidence suggesting an association between normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and dementia, lack of consensus remains due to conflicting reports. This cross-sectional cohort study administered a battery of neurocognitive tests targeting executive function, learning, and memory in subjects with NTG and unaffected controls to evaluate aspects of cognition impacted by dementia. Methods: Fifty NTG and 50 control patients ≥ 50 years of age were recruited from the UCSF Department of Ophthalmology. Demographic data and glaucoma parameters were extracted from electronic medical records for both groups. Tests of executive function (Executive Abilities: Measures and Instruments for Neurobehavioral Evaluation and Research [EXAMINER]) and learning and memory (California Verbal Learning Test Second Edition [CVLT II]) were administered to both NTG and Controls. Race, handedness, best-corrected visual acuity, maximum intraocular pressure, optic nerve cup to disc ratio, visual field and optic nerve optical coherence tomography parameters, and a measure of general health (Charlson Comorbidity Index) were compared between NTG and Controls as well as within NTG subgroups. Multivariate linear regression was used to compare group performances on the EXAMINER battery and CVLT II while controlling for age, sex, and years of education. Results: NTG and Controls were comparable with respect to age, sex, race, education, handedness, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (p>0.05 for all). Performance on the EXAMINER composite score and the CVLT II did not differ between NTG and Controls (p>0.05 for both). Conclusions: This is the first prospective study in which the cognitive function of subject with NTG were evaluated using a comprehensive, computerized neurocognitive battery. Subjects with NTG subjects did not perform worse than unaffected controls on tests of executive function, learning, and memory. Results do not support the hypothesis that individuals with NTG are at higher risk for cognitive dysfunction and/or dementia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 215145931880644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Jiang ◽  
Andrew Chia Chen Chou ◽  
Nivedita Nadkarni ◽  
Caris En Qi Ng ◽  
Yun San Chong ◽  
...  

Introduction: This study aims to assess the correlation of the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) with 5-year mortality in a surgically treated hip fracture population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 1057 patients aged 60 years and above who underwent surgery for hip fracture with a minimum of 5-year follow-up (92.2% 5-year follow-up rate) in a tertiary hospital. Manual review of patients’ electronic hospital records was performed to record demographic data, comorbidities, and length of stay. Mortality data were extracted from the hospital’s electronic medical records and corroborated with the National Electronic Health Record. Results: Of the 1057 patients, 283 (26.8%) were male. The majority of patients were 80 years of age and above (42.5%), with the oldest patient operated on age 102 with a mean age of 77.8 (8.6) years. Four hundred eighteen (39.5%) patients sustained extracapsular intertrochanteric fractures. The mean follow-up duration was 8 years and 3 days with an overall survivorship of 37.2%. A multiple regression model constructed with ACCI, age, gender, and fracture pattern demonstrated satisfactory predictive ability with a concordance statistic of 0.68. Patients with a higher ACCI category (≥6) had an increased 5-year mortality rate (41.8%) with an odds ratio of 13.6 (6.7-31.8, P < .001) compared to those with an ACCI category of 3 and below (89.3%). Discussion: The study demonstrates that ACCI correlated with 5-year mortality after surgical treatment of hip fracture. This information is pertinent in the counseling of patients with regard to their midterm survival following hip fracture surgery and may inform policy makers of the varied midterm survival rates in patients with differing ACCI scores and educate the allocation of health-care resources. Conclusion: The ACCI correlates with 5-year mortality after surgical treatment of hip fracture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumiao Zhou ◽  
Yuanyuan Huang ◽  
Yangdong Feng ◽  
Hehua Li ◽  
Kai Wu ◽  
...  

AbstractIt was still unclear how homocysteine (Hcy) levels and cognitive deficits change in patients with schizophrenia of various ages. The present article attempts to assess the relationship between Hcy levels and cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia across age groups, especially in young people. Totals of 103 patients and 122 healthy controls were included. All participants were stratified into four groups according to their age: 18–29 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, and 50–59 years. Clinical data, plasma Hcy levels, and cognitive function score were collected. Cognitive function was evaluated using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery of tests assessing speed of processing, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, working memory, and attention/vigilance. Compared with the healthy group, Hcy levels increased significantly, and all the measured cognitive function score were significantly lower in all age groups of patients with schizophrenia (p < 0.001). Hcy levels were negatively associated with speed of processing (SoP), working memory (WM), and visual learning and memory (Vis Lrng) score in 18–29 years. Further multiple regression analysis showed that SoP were independently associated with Hcy levels in patients with schizophrenia aged 18–29 years (B = 0.74, t = 3.12, p = 0.008). Based on our results, patients with schizophrenia performed worse on cognitive assessments and Hcy levels were more closely related to cognition in young patients.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Hewston ◽  
Courtney Clare Kennedy ◽  
Sayem Borhan ◽  
Dafna Merom ◽  
Pasqualina Santaguida ◽  
...  

Abstract Background dance is a mind–body activity that stimulates neuroplasticity. We explored the effect of dance on cognitive function in older adults. Methods we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and PsycInfo databases from inception to August 2020 (PROSPERO:CRD42017057138). Inclusion criteria were (i) randomised controlled trials (ii) older adults (aged ≥ 55 years), (iii) intervention—dance and (iv) outcome—cognitive function. Cognitive domains were classified with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 Neurocognitive Framework. Meta-analyses were performed in RevMan5.3 and certainty of evidence with GradePro. Results we reviewed 3,997 records and included 11 studies (N = 1,412 participants). Seven studies included only healthy older adults and four included those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Dance interventions varied in frequency (1–3×/week), time (35–60 minutes), duration (3–12 months) and type. We found a mean difference (MD) = 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI) = 0.21–2.95) on the Mini Mental State Examination for global cognitive function (moderate-certainty evidence), and the Wechsler Memory Test for learning and memory had an MD = 3.02 (95% CI = 1.38–4.65; low-certainty evidence). On the Trail Making Test-A for complex attention, MD = 3.07 (95% CI = −0.81 to 6.95; high-certainty evidence) and on the Trail Making Test-B for executive function, MD = −4.12 (95% CI = −21.28 to 13.03; moderate-certainty evidence). Subgroup analyses did not suggest consistently greater effects in older adults with MCI. Evidence is uncertain for language, and no studies evaluated social cognition or perceptual–motor function. Conclusions dance probably improves global cognitive function and executive function. However, there is little difference in complex attention, and evidence also suggests little effect on learning and memory. Future research is needed to determine the optimal dose and if dance results in greater cognitive benefits than other types of physical activity and exercise.


2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 725-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Thomas ◽  
P. Gallagher ◽  
L. J. Robinson ◽  
R. J. Porter ◽  
A. H. Young ◽  
...  

BackgroundNeurocognitive impairment is a well-recognized feature of depression that has been reported in younger and older adults. Similar deficits occur with ageing and it is unclear whether the greater deficits in late-life depression are an ageing-related phenomenon or due to a difference in the nature of late-life depression itself. We hypothesized that ageing alone would not fully explain the increased neurocognitive impairment in late-life depression but that differences in the illness explain the greater decrements in memory and executive function.MethodComparison of the neuropsychological performance of younger (<60 years) and older (⩾60 years) adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy comparison subjects. Scores for each depression group were normalized against their respective age-matched control group and the primary comparisons were on four neurocognitive domains: (i) attention and executive function; (ii) verbal learning and memory; (iii) visuospatial learning and memory; and (iv) motor speed.ResultsWe recruited 75 subjects with MDD [<60 years (n=44), ⩾60 years (n=31)] and 82 psychiatrically healthy comparison subjects [<60 years (n=42), ⩾60 years (n=40)]. The late-life depression group had greater impairment in verbal learning and memory and motor speed but not in executive function. The two depressed groups did not differ in depression severity, global cognitive function, intelligence or education.ConclusionsLate-life depression is associated with more severe impairment in verbal learning and memory and motor speed than depression in earlier adult life and this is not due to ageing alone.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy L. Greer ◽  
Prabha Sunderajan ◽  
Bruce D. Grannemann ◽  
Benji T. Kurian ◽  
Madhukar H. Trivedi

Introduction. Cognitive deficits are commonly reported by patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Duloxetine, a dual serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, may improve cognitive deficits in MDD. It is unclear if cognitive improvements occur independently of antidepressant effects with standard antidepressant medications.Methods. Thirty participants with MDD who endorsed cognitive deficits at screening received 12-week duloxetine treatment. Twenty-one participants completed treatment and baseline and posttreatment cognitive testing. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery was used to assess the following cognitive domains: attention, visual memory, executive function/set shifting and working memory, executive function/spatial planning, decision making and response control, and verbal learning and memory.Results. Completers showed significant cognitive improvements across several domains on tasks assessing psychomotor function and mental processing speed, with additional improvements in visual and verbal learning and memory, and affective decision making and response control. Overall significance tests for executive function tasks were also significant, although individual tasks were not, perhaps due to the small sample size. Most notably, cognitive improvements were observed independently of symptom reduction on all domains except verbal learning and memory.Conclusions. Patients reporting baseline cognitive deficits achieved cognitive improvements with duloxetine treatment, most of which were independent of symptomatic improvement. This trial is registered withNCT00933439.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Chen ◽  
Lena L. N. Wong ◽  
Shaina Shing Chan ◽  
Joannie Yu

Chinese-speaking older adults usually do not perceive a hearing problem until audiometric thresholds exceed 45 dB HL, and the audiometric thresholds of the average hearing-aid (HA) user often exceed 60 dB HL. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between cognitive and hearing functions (measured as audiometric or speech reception thresholds) in older Chinese adults with HAs and with untreated hearing loss (HL). Participants were 49 Chinese older adults who used HAs and had moderate to severe HL (HA group), and 46 older Chinese who had mild to moderately severe HL but did not use HAs (untreated; or UT group). Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to evaluate how well age, education level, audiometric thresholds, and speech perception in noise were related to performance on general cognitive function, working memory, executive function, attention, and verbal learning tests. Results showed that speech perception in noise alone accounted for 13–25% of the variance in general cognitive function, working memory, and executive function in the UT group, and 9–21% of the variance in general cognitive function and verbal learning in the HA group (i.e., medium effect sizes). Audiometric thresholds did not explain any proportion of the variance in cognitive functioning in the HA or UT group. Thus, speech perception in noise accounts for more variance in cognitive performance than audiometric thresholds, and is significantly associated with different cognitive functions in older Chinese adults with HAs and with untreated HL.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii14-ii18
Author(s):  
N Obiechina ◽  
A Michael ◽  
R R A Khan ◽  
M Ali ◽  
M Zainudin ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Higher incidence of COVID-19 and poorer outcomes have been shown to be associated with age, frailty and comorbidity. Older people have more risk of severe COVID 19; hospitalization, ITU admission, ventilation and mortality. Aim To assess the correlation between age, frailty and comorbidity in COVID-19 inpatients 65 years and older. Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was carried out on COVID 19 inpatients 65 and older in a UK district general hospital. Patients with no microbiological evidence of COVID-19 and patients with incomplete data were excluded from the study. Demographic data, frailty score and comorbidity index were extracted from the electronic records of patients. SPSS 27 statistical software was used to perform descriptive analysis and linear regression coefficient. Results 357 COVID-19 patients 65 and over were assessed; 207 males and 150 females. Mean age was 81.9 +/− 9.31. Frailty scores were measured using the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and comorbidity was calculated using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). There was positive correlation between age and Clinical Frailty Scale (r=. 436; p&lt;. 001), between age and Charlson Comorbidity Index (r=. 448; p&lt;. 001, and between frailty and comorbidity (r=. 429; p&lt;. 001). Conclusion In COVID-19 inpatients 65 and older, there was positive correlation between age and Clinical Frailty Scale, between age and Charlson Comorbidity Index and between frailty and comorbidity. More studies are needed to explore the interaction between age, frailty and comorbidity and COVID 19 morbidity and mortality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina S Wright ◽  
Shari R Waldstein ◽  
Marie Fanelli Kuczmarski ◽  
Ryan T Pohlig ◽  
Constance S Gerassimakis ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivePoor diet quality contributes to morbidity, including poor brain health outcomes such as cognitive decline and dementia. African Americans and individuals living in poverty may be at greater risk for cognitive decrements from poor diet quality.DesignCross-sectional.SettingBaltimore, MD, USA.SubjectsParticipants were 2090 African Americans and Whites (57 % female, mean age=47·9 years) who completed two 24 h dietary recalls. We examined cognitive performance and potential interactions of diet quality with race and poverty status using baseline data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study. Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) scores were calculated and interpreted using federal guidelines. A neurocognitive test battery was administered to evaluate cognitive function over several domains.ResultsLinear regression analyses showed that lower HEI-2010 scores were associated with poorer verbal learning and memory (P<0·05) after adjustment for covariates. Diet quality within the sample was poor. Significant interactions of HEI-2010 and poverty status (allP<0·05) indicated that higher diet quality was associated with higher performance on tests of attention and cognitive flexibility, visuospatial ability and perceptual speed among those below the poverty line. No significant race interactions emerged. Higher diet quality was associated with better performance on two measures of verbal learning and memory, irrespective of race and poverty status.ConclusionsFindings suggest that diet quality and cognitive function are likely related at the population level. Future research is needed to determine whether the association is clinically significant.


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