scholarly journals Cluster profiles of mild traumatic brain injury : neurocognitive and psychological symptoms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J Mainland
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Adjustment Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Abstract Reasoning ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Mental Flexibility ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Wide Range

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) comprise roughly 80% of all brain injuries and represent the majority of TBI patients seen in hospitals. mTBI can result in a wide-range of cognitive deficits and patients often develop co-morbid psychological disorders post-injury. The current study identified whether co-morbid psychological diagnoses are associated with specific patterns of cognitive deficits in 232 mTBI patients, aged 17-78 years, by means of cluster analyses. The presence of a co-morbid adjustment disorder was related to deficits in mental flexibility and attention, and the presence of a pain disorder was associated with deficits in abstract reasoning. Also, the presence of multiple co-morbid diagnoses was related to deficits in visual-spatial construction, abstract reasoning, mental flexibility and attention. Demographic variables, such as greater months since injury and fewer years of education, were also linked to deficits in cognitive functioning. This study highlights the influence of psychological diagnoses on cognitive test performance and provides support for the need to address co-morbid diagnoses during rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Cluster profiles of mild traumatic brain injury : neurocognitive and psychological symptoms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J Mainland
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Adjustment Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Abstract Reasoning ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Mental Flexibility ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Wide Range

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) comprise roughly 80% of all brain injuries and represent the majority of TBI patients seen in hospitals. mTBI can result in a wide-range of cognitive deficits and patients often develop co-morbid psychological disorders post-injury. The current study identified whether co-morbid psychological diagnoses are associated with specific patterns of cognitive deficits in 232 mTBI patients, aged 17-78 years, by means of cluster analyses. The presence of a co-morbid adjustment disorder was related to deficits in mental flexibility and attention, and the presence of a pain disorder was associated with deficits in abstract reasoning. Also, the presence of multiple co-morbid diagnoses was related to deficits in visual-spatial construction, abstract reasoning, mental flexibility and attention. Demographic variables, such as greater months since injury and fewer years of education, were also linked to deficits in cognitive functioning. This study highlights the influence of psychological diagnoses on cognitive test performance and provides support for the need to address co-morbid diagnoses during rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Saliva RNA biomarkers predict concussion duration and detect symptom recovery: a comparison with balance and cognitive testing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Fedorchak ◽  
Aakanksha Rangnekar ◽  
Cayce Onks ◽  
Andrea C. Loeffert ◽  
Jayson Loeffert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Prediction Rule ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Clinical Tool ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Symptom Recovery ◽  
Cognitive Test Performance

Abstract Objective The goals of this study were to assess the ability of salivary non-coding RNA (ncRNA) levels to predict post-concussion symptoms lasting ≥ 21 days, and to examine the ability of ncRNAs to identify recovery compared to cognition and balance. Methods RNA sequencing was performed on 505 saliva samples obtained longitudinally from 112 individuals (8–24-years-old) with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Initial samples were obtained ≤ 14 days post-injury, and follow-up samples were obtained ≥ 21 days post-injury. Computerized balance and cognitive test performance were assessed at initial and follow-up time-points. Machine learning was used to define: (1) a model employing initial ncRNA levels to predict persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) ≥ 21 days post-injury; and (2) a model employing follow-up ncRNA levels to identify symptom recovery. Performance of the models was compared against a validated clinical prediction rule, and balance/cognitive test performance, respectively. Results An algorithm using age and 16 ncRNAs predicted PPCS with greater accuracy than the validated clinical tool and demonstrated additive combined utility (area under the curve (AUC) 0.86; 95% CI 0.84–0.88). Initial balance and cognitive test performance did not differ between PPCS and non-PPCS groups (p > 0.05). Follow-up balance and cognitive test performance identified symptom recovery with similar accuracy to a model using 11 ncRNAs and age. A combined model (ncRNAs, balance, cognition) most accurately identified recovery (AUC 0.86; 95% CI 0.83–0.89). Conclusions ncRNA biomarkers show promise for tracking recovery from mTBI, and for predicting who will have prolonged symptoms. They could provide accurate expectations for recovery, stratify need for intervention, and guide safe return-to-activities.

A-125 The Impact of Bilingualism on Symbol Digit Modalities Test Performance Following Traumatic Brain Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1175-1175
Author(s):  
Raelynn Munoz ◽  
Daniel W Lopez-Hernandez ◽  
Rachel A Rugh-Fraser ◽  
Jasman Sidhu ◽  
Pavel Y Litvin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Oral Performance ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Cognitive Speed ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Larger Sample

Abstract Objective Traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors exhibit cognitive deficits. Research suggests that multilingualism can influence neurocognitive performance. We examined the effects of TBI and bilingualism/monolingualism on a test of attention and cognitive speed (i.e., Symbol Digit Modalities Test; SDMT). Method The sample consisted of 55 healthy comparison (27 Spanish-English bilinguals; 28 English-monolinguals), 34 acute TBI (14 Spanish-English bilinguals; 23 English-monolinguals), and 27 chronic TBI (13 Spanish-English bilinguals; 12 English-monolinguals) participants. Acute TBI participants were tested 6 months post-injury; chronic TBI participants were tested 12 months or more post-injury. A series of 3X2 ANOVAs were conducted to determine the effect of TBI and language on SDMT written and oral performance. Results ANOVAs revealed the healthy comparison group outperformed both TBI groups on SDMT written, p = 0.000, ηp2 = 0.21. Also, the healthy comparison and chronic TBI groups outperformed the acute TBI group on SDMT oral, p = 0.000, ηp2 = 0.13. Interaction effects emerged between TBI and bilingualism/monolingualism. On SDMT written and oral, acute TBI English-monolinguals outperformed acute TBI Spanish-English bilinguals; meanwhile, chronic TBI Spanish-English bilinguals outperformed chronic TBI English-monolinguals, p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.09–0.10. Conclusion The acute TBI group performed worse than healthy comparison adults on both SDMT tasks. Furthermore, the chronic TBI group demonstrated better SDMT oral abilities compared to the acute TBI group. Relative to monolinguals with TBI, our findings suggest better cognitive recovery of attention and cognitive speed in bilingual TBI participants. Future studies with larger sample sizes should examine if learning English first or second impacts Spanish-English bilingual TBI survivors’ SDMT performance compared to English-monolingual TBI survivors.

scholarly journals Assessing individual-level change in dementia research: a review of methodologies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aja Louise Murray ◽  
Marlena Vollmer ◽  
Ian J. Deary ◽  
Graciela Muniz-Terrera ◽  
Tom Booth
Keyword(s):  
Item Response ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Meaningful Change ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Level Change ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dementia Research ◽  
Cognitive Test Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Abstract Background Whether in the context of monitoring disease progression or in assessing the effects of interventions, a major challenge in dementia research is determining when an individual has undergone meaningful change in symptoms and other relevant outcomes such as cognitive test performance. The challenge lies in differentiating genuine improvement or deterioration from change in scores due to random and systematic error. Body In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of available methods for assessing individual-level change in the context of key challenges, including imperfect and differential reliability of scores, and practice effects. We discuss indices of reliable change and the use of composite and item response theory (IRT) scores. Conclusion We conclude that IRT-based approaches hold particular promise because they have the flexibility to accommodate solutions to a wide range of issues that influence the accuracy of judgements of meaningful change. We close by discussing the practical implications of adopting IRT-based approaches.

scholarly journals Different Cognitive Profiles of Patients with Severe Aphasia

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Valeria Marinelli ◽  
Simona Spaccavento ◽  
Angela Craca ◽  
Paola Marangolo ◽  
Paola Angelelli
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cognitive Profiles ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Auditory Recognition ◽  
Extensive Evaluation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Linguistic Skills

Cognitive dysfunction frequently occurs in aphasic patients and primarily compromises linguistic skills. However, patients suffering from severe aphasia show heterogeneous performance in basic cognition. Our aim was to characterize the cognitive profiles of patients with severe aphasia and to determine whether they also differ as to residual linguistic abilities. We examined 189 patients with severe aphasia with standard language tests and with the CoBaGA (Cognitive Test Battery for Global Aphasia), a battery of nonverbal tests that assesses a wide range of cognitive domains such as attention, executive functions, intelligence, memory, visual-auditory recognition, and visual-spatial abilities. Twenty patients were also followed longitudinally in order to assess their improvement in cognitive skills after speech therapy. Three different subgroups of patients with different types and severity of cognitive impairment were evidenced. Subgroups differed as to residual linguistic skills, in particular comprehension and reading-writing abilities. Attention, reasoning, and executive functions improved after language rehabilitation. This study highlights the importance of an extensive evaluation of cognitive functions in patients with severe aphasia.

scholarly journals Reading level attenuates differences in neuropsychological test performance between African American and White elders

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
JENNIFER J. MANLY ◽  
DIANE M. JACOBS ◽  
PEGAH TOURADJI ◽  
SCOTT A. SMALL ◽  
YAAKOV STERN
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Word List ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Quality Of Education ◽  
Wide Range

The current study sought to determine if discrepancies in quality of education could explain differences in cognitive test scores between African American and White elders matched on years of education. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was administered to a sample of African American and non-Hispanic White participants in an epidemiological study of normal aging and dementia in the Northern Manhattan community. All participants were diagnosed as nondemented by a neurologist, and had no history of Parkinson's disease, stroke, mental illness, or head injury. The Reading Recognition subtest from the Wide Range Achievement Test–Version 3 was used as an estimate of quality of education. A MANOVA revealed that African American elders obtained significantly lower scores than Whites on measures of word list learning and memory, figure memory, abstract reasoning, fluency, and visuospatial skill even though the groups were matched on years of education. However, after adjusting the scores for WRAT–3 reading score, the overall effect of race was greatly reduced and racial differences on all tests (except category fluency and a drawing measure) became nonsignificant. These findings suggest that years of education is an inadequate measure of the educational experience among multicultural elders, and that adjusting for quality of education may improve the specificity of certain neuropsychological measures. (JINS, 2002, 8, 341–348.)

Association between Montreal Cognitive Assessment Sub-Item Scores and Corresponding Cognitive Test Performance in Patients with Frontotemporal Dementia and Related Disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 170-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy K.L. Coleman ◽  
Brenda L. Coleman ◽  
Julia D. MacKinley ◽  
Stephen H. Pasternak ◽  
Elizabeth C. Finger
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Montreal Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Neuropsychological Tasks ◽  
Item Scores ◽  
Cognitive Test Performance

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a brief screening test developed to detect patients with mild cognitive impairment, is used in clinical settings across North America [Nasreddine et al.: J Am Geriatr Soc 2005;53:695-699]. The MoCA has been demonstrated to be sensitive to cognitive deficits in frontotemporal dementias (FTD) and related disorders [Coleman et al.: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2016;30:258-263]. Given attentional impairments in patients with FTD, whether and to what extent the abbreviated items on the MoCA may predict performance on corresponding assessments is not known. Testing and demographic data were extracted from a clinical database using a sample of 91 patients with FTD and related disorders. The relationship between MoCA items and corresponding neuropsychological tasks was assessed through McNemar tests and Spearman correlations. While some MoCA items such as letter fluency, orientation, and clock drawing were strongly correlated with the corresponding standard cognitive test, the MoCA trails were insensitive to impairment compared to the full Trail Making B Test (p = 0.01). In contrast, MoCA naming and delayed recall sub-items detected cognitive impairment more frequently than available comparison tests. The MoCA is a sensitive screening measure to detect impairment in patients with FTD and related disorders, but cognitive deficits specific to FTD result in differential performance on MoCA items compared to longer standard cognitive tests.

Structure, Function and Interactions of Tau: Particular Focus on Potential Drug Targets for the Treatment of Tauopathies

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 325-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hojjat Borna ◽  
Kasim Assadoulahei ◽  
Gholamhossein Riazi ◽  
Asghar Beigi Harchegani ◽  
Alireza Shahriary
Keyword(s):  
Tau Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Microtubule Network ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Potential Drug Targets

Background & Objective: Neurodegenrative diseases are among the most widespread lifethreatening disorders around the world in elderly ages. The common feature of a group of neurodegenerative disorders, called tauopathies, is an accumulation of microtubule associated protein tau inside the neurons. The exact mechanism underlying tauopathies is not well-understood but several factors such as traumatic brain injuries and genetics are considered as potential risk factors. Although tau protein is well-known for its key role in stabilizing and organization of axonal microtubule network, it bears a broad range of functions including DNA protection and participation in signaling pathways. Moreover, the flexible unfolded structure of tau facilitates modification of tau by a wide range of intracellular enzymes which in turn broadens tau function and interaction spectrum. The distinctive properties of tau protein concomitant with the crucial role of tau interaction partners in the progression of neurodegeneration suggest tau and its binding partners as potential drug targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusion: This review aims to give a detailed description of structure, functions and interactions of tau protein in order to provide insight into potential therapeutic targets for treatment of tauopathies.

scholarly journals Zebrafish Models to Study New Pathways in Tauopathies

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4626
Author(s):  
Clément Barbereau ◽  
Nicolas Cubedo ◽  
Tangui Maurice ◽  
Mireille Rossel
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Tau Protein ◽  
Common Point ◽  
Transgenic Models ◽  
Synaptic Loss ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
The Common

Tauopathies represent a vast family of neurodegenerative diseases, the most well-known of which is Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms observed in patients include cognitive deficits and locomotor problems and can lead ultimately to dementia. The common point found in all these pathologies is the accumulation in neural and/or glial cells of abnormal forms of Tau protein, leading to its aggregation and neurofibrillary tangles. Zebrafish transgenic models have been generated with different overexpression strategies of human Tau protein. These transgenic lines have made it possible to highlight Tau interacting factors or factors which may limit the neurotoxicity induced by mutations and hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein in neurons. Several studies have tested neuroprotective pharmacological approaches. On few-days-old larvae, modulation of various signaling or degradation pathways reversed the deleterious effects of Tau mutations, mainly hTauP301L and hTauA152T. Live imaging and live tracking techniques as well as behavioral follow-up enable the analysis of the wide range of Tau-related phenotypes from synaptic loss to cognitive functional consequences.

scholarly journals Zebrafish Blunt-Force TBI Induces Heterogenous Injury Pathologies That Mimic Human TBI and Responds with Sonic Hedgehog-Dependent Cell Proliferation across the Neuroaxis

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 861
Author(s):  
James Hentig ◽  
Kaylee Cloghessy ◽  
Manuela Lahne ◽  
Yoo Jin Jung ◽  
Rebecca A. Petersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Proliferative Response ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Granule Cell Layer ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Adult Zebrafish ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Blunt Force ◽  
Shh Pathway ◽  
Wide Range

Blunt-force traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects an increasing number of people worldwide as the range of injury severity and heterogeneity of injury pathologies have been recognized. Most current damage models utilize non-regenerative organisms, less common TBI mechanisms (penetrating, chemical, blast), and are limited in scalability of injury severity. We describe a scalable blunt-force TBI model that exhibits a wide range of human clinical pathologies and allows for the study of both injury pathology/progression and mechanisms of regenerative recovery. We modified the Marmarou weight drop model for adult zebrafish, which delivers a scalable injury spanning mild, moderate, and severe phenotypes. Following injury, zebrafish display a wide range of severity-dependent, injury-induced pathologies, including seizures, blood–brain barrier disruption, neuroinflammation, edema, vascular injury, decreased recovery rate, neuronal cell death, sensorimotor difficulties, and cognitive deficits. Injury-induced pathologies rapidly dissipate 4–7 days post-injury as robust cell proliferation is observed across the neuroaxis. In the cerebellum, proliferating nestin:GFP-positive cells originated from the cerebellar crest by 60 h post-injury, which then infiltrated into the granule cell layer and differentiated into neurons. Shh pathway genes increased in expression shortly following injury. Injection of the Shh agonist purmorphamine in undamaged fish induced a significant proliferative response, while the proliferative response was inhibited in injured fish treated with cyclopamine, a Shh antagonist. Collectively, these data demonstrate that a scalable blunt-force TBI to adult zebrafish results in many pathologies similar to human TBI, followed by recovery, and neuronal regeneration in a Shh-dependent manner.

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