scholarly journals Neural Timing Deficits Prevalent in Developmental Disorders, Aging, and Concussions Remediated Rapidly By Movement Discrimination Exercises

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teri Lawton ◽  
John Shelley-Tremblay ◽  
Ming-Xiong Huang
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Visual Motion ◽  
Source Imaging ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Before And After ◽  
High Level ◽  
Movement Discrimination

(1) Background: Substantial evidence that neural timing deficits are prevalent in developmental disorders, aging, and concussions resulting from a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is presented. We show that if timing deficits are remediated using low-level movement discrimination training, then high-level cognitive skills, including reading, attention, processing speed, and working memory improve substantially. (2) Methods: Two case studies are presented using MEG source imaging on an adult dyslexic, and a healthy older adult observed before and after training on movement discrimination two times/week for 8 weeks for adult dyslexic. (3) Results: We found improvements in reading, attention, processing speed, and working memory on neuropsychological tests. Substantial MEG signal increases in visual Motion Networks (V1, V3, MT, MST), Attention Networks (ACC, dlPFC, vlPFC and precuneous/ PCC areas) and Memory Networks (dlPFC). (4) Conclusions: Improving neural timing deficits before cognitive exercises to improve specific cognitive skills provides a rapid and effective method to improve cognitive skills. Improving the timing and sensitivity of low-level dorsal pathways, improving feedforward and feedback pathways, is essential to improve high-level cognitive skills. This adaptive training with substantial feedback shows cognitive transfer to tasks not trained on, significantly improving a person’s quality of life rapidly and effectively.

Triggering of transient LES relaxations in ferrets: role of sympathetic pathways and effects of baclofen

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (1) ◽  
pp. G157-G162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Staunton ◽  
Scott D. Smid ◽  
John Dent ◽  
L. Ashley Blackshaw
Keyword(s):  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Lower Esophageal Sphincter ◽  
Glucose Infusion ◽  
Gastric Distention ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Esophageal Sphincter ◽  
Splanchnic Mechanoreceptors ◽  
High Level

Activation of gastric vagal mechanoreceptors by distention is thought to be the trigger for transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESR), which lead to gastroesophageal reflux. The contribution of higher-threshold gastric splanchnic mechanoreceptors is uninvestigated. GABABreceptor agonists, including baclofen, potently reduce triggering of TLESR by low-level gastric distention. We aimed to determine first whether this effect of baclofen is maintained at high-level distention and second the role of splanchnic pathways in triggering TLESR. Micromanometric/pH studies in conscious ferrets showed that intragastric glucose infusion (25 ml) increased triggering of TLESR and reflux. Both were significantly reduced by baclofen (7 μmol/kg ip) ( P < 0.05). When 40 ml of air was added to the glucose infusion, more TLESR occurred than with glucose alone ( P < 0.01). These were also reduced by baclofen ( P < 0.001). TLESR after glucose/air infusion were assessed before and after splanchnectomy (2–4, 9–11, and 23–25 days), which revealed no change. Baclofen inhibits TLESR after both low- and high-level gastric distention. Splanchnic pathways do not contribute to increased triggering of TLESR by high-level gastric distention.

scholarly journals Contribuições do cuidado de enfermagem na redução da dor em clientes com dermatoses imunobolhosas: avaliação pela lógica fuzzi

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Euzeli Da Silva Brandão ◽  
Iraci Dos Santos ◽  
Regina Serrão Lanzillotti
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Pain Reduction ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Reduction Of Pain ◽  
High Level

Aim: to evaluate the intensity of the client’s pain with autoimmune bullous  dermatoses,  before  and  after the  protocol  of  nursing  care  is  applied to  a  client with autoimmune bullous dermatoses. Method: the data were treated using fuzzy logic. Results: when associating the implementation of the protocol with pain reduction in the 14 study subjects the following stand out: in T0, seven subjects presented high levels of pain, with a pertinence of 1.0; in T1, 24 hours after intervention, eight presented a low level of pain, with pertinences ranging from 1.0 and 0.75, and only one with high level of pain;  in  T2,  only  one  remained  with  a  high  level  of  pain.  Discussion:  the  use  of analgesics prior to application of the protocol demonstrates that change in pain intensity was  not  influenced  by  use  of  medication,  but  rather  by  the  implemented  care. Conclusion: based on the classifications of fuzzy logic, there was a significant reduction of pain levels, especially in the first 24 hours.

High level estradiol impairs and low level estradiol facilitates non-spatial working memory

2004 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer K. Wide ◽  
Katherine Hanratty ◽  
Julia Ting ◽  
Liisa A.M. Galea
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Low Level ◽  
High Level

Relaxation, Stress, and Palmar Skin Potential Level in Smokers and Non-Smokers

1980 ◽  
Vol 46 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1187-1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verner J. Knott
Keyword(s):  
Skin Potential ◽  
High Arousal ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Relaxation Stress ◽  
High Level ◽  
Palmar Skin ◽  
Potential Level

Palmar skin potential level was examined as an index of speed of relaxation in 8 non-smokers, 8 smokers low in arousal, and 8 high in arousal during resting periods before and after an interpolated stressor. The former were smokers who experienced their strongest need to smoke in low-arousal situations characterized by, e.g., monotony and low-level stimulation, while the latter experienced their strongest need to smoke in high-arousal situations characterized by, e.g., anxiety and high-level stimulation. The rate and the amount of reduction in negativity of pre-stressor palmar skin potential level was significantly greater in non-smokers. No significant differences were observed between the groups of smokers. Stress significantly retarded relaxation in nonsmokers to a level comparable to the two groups of smokers.

scholarly journals Failure of VITEK2 to reliably detect vanB- mediated vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecium

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah V. Walker ◽  
Martina Wolke ◽  
Georg Plum ◽  
Robert E. Weber ◽  
Guido Werner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecium ◽  
Vancomycin Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Suspension ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
High Level ◽  
Level Resistance

AbstractObjectivesThe increasing prevalence of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) necessitates a reliable detection of VRE especially for low level resistance mediated by vanB in Enterococcus faecium. In this prospective study we analyzed if vanB mediated vancomycin resistance can be reliably detected by Vitek2.Methods1344 enterococcal isolates from routine clinical specimens were tested by Vitek2 (bioMérieux, Nürtingen, Germany). Additionally, a bacterial suspension (0.5 McFarland) was inoculated on a chromID VRE screening agar (bioMérieux) and incubated for 48 hours. If vancomycin was tested susceptible by Vitek2 but growth was detected on the screening agar a PCR for vanA/vanB was performed (GeneXpert vanA/B test kit, Cepheid, Frankfurt, Germany). MICs of vancomycin susceptible by Vitek but vanA/B positive isolates were determined before and after cultivation in a broth with increasing concentration of vancomycin.Results156/492 of E. faecium were VRE, predominantly vanB (87.0%) of which 14 were not identified as VRE by Vitek2 (sensitivity 91.0%). The majority (9/14) demonstrated high-level MICs by broth dilution. Even after exposure to increasing vancomycin concentrations MICs remained nearly identical. Three of the undetected isolates demonstrated initial growth on chromID VRE, after the vancomycin exposure additional 7 isolates demonstrated growth on chromID VRE.ConclusionsVitek2 fails to detect vanB mediated vancomycin resistance consistently, especially but not limited to low-level resistance. As this may lead to treatment failure and further dissemination of vanB VRE, additional methods (e.g. culture on VRE screening agar or PCR) are necessary to reliably identify vanB-positive enterococci in clinical routine.

scholarly journals Improvement of Working Memory and Processing Speed in Patients over 70 with Bilateral Hearing Impairment Following Unilateral Cochlear Implantation

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3421
Author(s):  
Steffen Knopke ◽  
Arvid Schubert ◽  
Sophia Marie Häussler ◽  
Stefan Gräbel ◽  
Agnieszka J. Szczepek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cochlear Implantation ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Research Question ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

Several studies demonstrated the association of hearing disorders with neurocognitive deficits and dementia disorders, but little is known about the effects of auditory rehabilitation on the cognitive performance of the elderly. Therefore, the research question of the present study was whether cochlear implantation, performed in 21 patients over 70 with bilateral severe hearing impairment, could influence their cognitive skills. The measuring points were before implantation and 12 months after the first cochlear implant (CI) fitting. Evaluation of the working memory (WMI) and processing speed (PSI) was performed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 4th edition (WAIS-IV). The audiological assessment included speech perception (SP) in quiet (Freiburg monosyllabic test; FMT), noise (Oldenburg sentence test; OLSA), and self-assessment inventory (Oldenburg Inventory; OI). Twelve months after the first CI fitting, not only the auditory parameters (SP and OI), but also the WMI and PSI, improved significantly (p < 0.05) in the cohort. The presented results imply that cochlear implantation of bilaterally hearing-impaired patients over 70 positively influences their cognitive skills.

scholarly journals Foreign Language Training to Stimulate Cognitive Functions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1315
Author(s):  
Sol Herrera Naranjo ◽  
Mercedes Suárez de la Torre ◽  
Francia Restrepo de Mejía ◽  
David Facal
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Adult Development ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Language Training ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Experimental Group

Adult development throughout a lifetime implies a series of changes in systems, including cognitive and linguistic functioning. The aim of this article is to study the effect of foreign language training on linguistic processing, particularly the frequency of the tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon and on other cognitive processes such as processing speed and working memory in adults aged 40 to 60 years. Sixty-six healthy Colombian teachers were enrolled in this study. They were then randomly divided into an experimental group (33 healthy adults who underwent a four-week training period) and a passive control group (33 healthy adults who did not undergo any training). All participants performed induction tasks for the TOT phenomenon, working memory and processing speed before and after the four weeks. Results showed more of an effect in the semantic access, phonological access and processing speed measures with a better performance in the experimental group than in the control group. In Colombia, this type of training is still new and little is known to date about programs to prevent cognitive impairments. The need to conduct more studies confirming or refuting these findings is discussed, thus raising awareness about the extent of this type of training to increase the linguistic and cognitive performance of adults.

scholarly journals Distraction biases working memory for faces

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remington Mallett ◽  
Anurima Mummaneni ◽  
Jarrod Lewis-Peacock
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Irrelevant Information ◽  
Visual Features ◽  
Maintenance Period ◽  
Stimulus Space ◽  
Estimation Task ◽  
Low Level ◽  
The Face ◽  
High Level ◽  
Task Irrelevant

Working memory persists in the face of distraction, yet not without consequence. Previous research has shown that memory for low-level visual features is systematically influenced by the maintenance or presentation of a similar distractor stimulus. Responses are frequently biased in stimulus space towards a perceptual distractor, though this has yet to be determined for high-level stimuli. We investigated whether these influences are shared for complex visual stimuli such as faces. To quantify response accuracies for these stimuli, we used a delayed-estimation task with a computer-generated “face space” consisting of eighty faces that varied continuously as a function of age and sex. In a set of three experiments, we found that responses for a target face held in working memory were biased towards a distractor face presented during the maintenance period. The amount of response bias did not vary as a function of distance between target and distractor. Our data suggest that, similar to low-level visual features, high-level face representations in working memory are biased by the processing of related but task-irrelevant information.

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