scholarly journals Restless Legs Syndrome Severity and Cognitive Function in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: An Exploratory Pilot Study

Author(s):  
Katie L.J. Cederberg ◽  
Brianna Mathison ◽  
Morgan L. Schuetz ◽  
Robert W. Motl

Abstract Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder present in as many as 26% of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and can be associated with cognitive function. The present study examined the relationships between RLS symptoms (severity, frequency, occurrence) and cognitive function in adults with MS who have RLS. Methods: Twenty-two participants attended one laboratory session and completed the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS), the Restless Legs Syndrome-6 Scale (RLS-6), and then the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis battery consisting of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test; California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition; and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test–Revised. Results: Nonparametric bivariate correlations indicated that worse IRLS total severity was associated with slower processing speed (ρ = −0.42), worse verbal memory (ρ = −0.63), and worse visual memory (ρ = −0.61); worse RLS severity at falling asleep was associated with worse verbal memory (ρ = −0.45) and worse visual memory (ρ = −0.55); and worse RLS severity during the day while active was associated with slower processing speed (ρ = −0.58), worse verbal memory (ρ = −0.52), and worse visual memory (ρ = −0.60). Conclusions: These results suggest that those with more severe RLS, including worse symptoms at falling asleep and during the day while active, might experience worse cognitive function, particularly processing speed and memory. Future research should evaluate whether treatment of RLS symptoms can offer new opportunities for managing cognitive dysfunction in adults with MS.

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 305-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Seliger ◽  
Carrington R. Wendell ◽  
Shari R. Waldstein ◽  
Luigi Ferrucci ◽  
Alan B. Zonderman

Background: Renal disease has been associated with greater risk of dementia and greater cognitive impairment. However, the relationship of lower renal function with long-term decline in specific domains of cognitive function remains unclear among community-dwelling, non-demented individuals. Methods: Stroke- and dementia-free participants (n = 2,116) were enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, a community-based, prospective, longitudinal study. Renal function was estimated by the inverse of serum creatinine adjusted for age, sex and race and (in sensitivity analyses) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the MDRD formula. Outcome measures were changes in scores on 6 cognitive tests encompassing a range of cognitive functions, measured at 2-year intervals. Mixed-effects regression models examined the longitudinal relations of renal function with cognitive functions after adjusting for demographics, comorbidity and other potential confounders. Results: Mean age at initial testing was 53.9 years (SD 17.1), and 94 participants (4.4%) had an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 18.5% had at least one comorbidity. With increasing age, longitudinal increases in creatinine concentrations were associated with more rapid decline in performance on several cognitive measures, including the learning slope of the California Verbal Learning Test, a test of verbal learning (p < 0.01), and the Benton Visual Retention Test, a test of visual memory (p < 0.01). Associations were similar for changes in eGFRMDRD, which was also associated with the rate of decline in verbal memory. Conclusion: In a community-based adult population, declines in renal function independently associated with greater long-term declines in visual memory and verbal memory and learning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luobing Wu ◽  
Caihong Wang ◽  
Jingchun Liu ◽  
Jun Guo ◽  
Ying Wei ◽  
...  

Recent neuroimaging studies have shown the possibility of cognitive impairment after pontine stroke. In this study, we aimed to use voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) to investigate changes in the cognitive function in chronic pontine stroke. Functional MRI (fMRI) and behavioral assessments of cognitive function were obtained from 56 patients with chronic pontine ischemic stroke [28 patients with left-sided pontine stroke (LP) and 28 patients with right-sided pontine stroke (RP)] and 35 matched healthy controls (HC). The one-way ANOVA test was performed for the three groups after the VMHC analysis. Results showed that there were significant decreases in the bilateral lingual gyrus (Lingual_L and Lingual_R) and the left precuneus (Precuneus_L) in patients with chronic pontine ischemic stroke compared to HCs. However, in a post-hoc multiple comparison test, this difference remained only between the HC and RP groups. Moreover, we explored the relationship between the decreased z-values in VMHC and the behavior-task scores using a Pearson's correlation test and found that both scores of short-term memory and long-term memory in the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test were positively correlated with z-values of the left lingual gyrus (Lingual_L), the right lingual gyrus (Lingual_R), and the left precuneus (Precuneus_L) in VMHC. Besides that, the z-values of Precuneus_L in VMHC were also negatively correlated with the reaction time for correct responses in the Flanker task and the spatial memory task. In conclusion, first, the lingual gyrus played an important role in verbal memory. Second, the precuneus influenced the working memory, both auditory-verbal memory and visual memory. Third, the right-sided stroke played a greater role in the results of this study. This study provides a basis for further elucidation of the characteristics and mechanisms of cognitive impairment after pontine stroke.


Psichologija ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 74-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramunė Grambaitė ◽  
Rūta Sargautytė

Nors susirgus išsėtine skleroze (IS) 40–70% žmonių sutrinka kognityvinis funkcionavimas, o depresija taip pat dažnai lydi IS (nustatoma 27–54% sergančiųjų), duomenys apie jų sąryšį gana prieštaringi. Straipsnyje analizuojamas kognityvinio funkcionavimo ir depresiškumo ryšys sergant išsėtine skleroze ir Trumpo daugiakarčio neuropsichologinių testų rinkinio (BRBNT) taikymo galimybės. Tyrime dalyvavo 41 žmogus, sergantis IS, ir 52 sveiki asmenys. Kognityvinėms funkcijoms vertinti buvo išversta ir naudojama BRBNT B versija (Rao and Peyser, 1986). Depresiškumui vertinti buvo taikomas Becko depresijos inventarijus (BDI-II). Gauti rezultatai rodo, jog sergančiųjų IS verbalinis išmokimas yra neigiamai susijęs su depresiškumu: depresiškumas statistiškai reikšmingai koreliuoja su pastovaus ilgalaikio atgaminimo rodikliais ir su ilgalaikiu atgaminimu po tam tikro uždelsimo laikotarpio, tačiau hipotezė, jog egzistuoja ryšys tarp informacijos apdorojimo greičio ir depresiškumo, nepasitvirtino. Klasifikuojant tiriamuosius į sveikus ir sergančius IS, gautas 100% BRBNT jautrumas, taip pat 100% specifiškumas.Pagrindiniai žodžiai: išsėtinė sklerozė, kognityvinis funkcionavimas, depresiškumas. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND DEPRESSION SEVERITY IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS: APPLICATION OF THE BRIEF REPEATABLE BATTERY OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS (BRBNT) IN LITHUANIARamunė Grambaitė, Rūta Sargautytė SummaryMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder that affects primarily the cerebral white matter, thereby causing both physical and psychological disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between cognitive function and depression severity in MS patients, as well as sensitivity and specificity characteristics of the BRBNT (The Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests). We investigated 41 MS patients and 52 healthy people.Forty-one controls were selected from fifty-two healthy subjects and were individually matched with MS subjects for age, gender and education. BRBNT (Rao and Peyser, 1986) was designed for measuring verbal learning, visuospatial learning, sustained attention and concentration, information processing speed and verbal fluency cognitive functions. The B version of the BRBNT was translated and used in our study. Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) (Beck, 1996) was used for the evaluation of depression severity.Results of our study confirmed that depression severity was associated with verbal learning: Consistent Long Term Retrieval and the Delayed Recall significantly negatively related to depression severity. The relationship between information processing speed and depression severity was also negative, but not statistically significant. The five individual BRBNT tests separately did not significantly discriminate healthy controls from MS patients; however, when all the five BRBNT tests put together we found 100% sensitivity of and 100% specificity.Our findings lead to the conclusion that neuropsychological testing is important in organizing help strategies for MS patients. BRBNT is a sensitive measure of cognitive function in MS, and may assist with differential diagnosis. Similarly, BRBNT could well be applied to other groups of patients, whose illness results in physical and/or cognitive functional limitations.Keywords: multiple sclerosis, cognitive function, depression severity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 150 (6) ◽  
pp. 1478-1487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayra L Estrella ◽  
Ramon A Durazo-Arvizu ◽  
Josiemer Mattei ◽  
Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani ◽  
Krista M Perreira ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Diet quality may be an important area of focus for promoting cognitive health; however, the association between diet quality and cognitive function among Hispanics/Latinos remains largely unexamined. We hypothesized that a healthier diet quality will be associated with better cognitive function in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos. Objective The objective of this study was to examine associations between the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010), a measure of diet quality, and cognitive function in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos. Methods Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Visit 1 (2008–2011) were used (n = 8461; ages 45–74 y). Cognitive function was assessed with tests of verbal learning and memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed; a global cognition score was derived by summing the z scores of individual tests. Dietary intake was assessed via two 24-h recalls. Total AHEI-2010 score was categorized into quintiles (higher quintiles indicating healthier diet). Linear regression models were used to examine associations between AHEI-2010 quintiles and cognitive function adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, daily energy intake, type 2 diabetes, smoking, and depressive symptoms. Results Compared with the lowest quintile, in the second to fourth AHEI-2010 quintiles, global cognition scores were significantly higher by 0.28, 0.52, and 0.48 units (P-trend = 0.042). In the second to fifth AHEI-2010 quintiles, verbal learning scores were significantly higher by 0.60, 0.62, 0.92, and 0.88 units, and verbal memory scores were higher by 0.33, 0.40, 0.52, and 0.46 units (P-trend = 0.020 and 0.007, respectively). No associations were observed between the AHEI-2010 and verbal fluency or processing speed (P-trend = 0.49 and 0.84, respectively). Among AHEI-2010 components, adequate consumption of vegetables, alcohol, and whole fruits were each associated with better cognitive function. Conclusions An overall healthier diet quality was associated with better global cognition, verbal learning, and verbal memory in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14018-e14018
Author(s):  
Alberto Zaniboni ◽  
Federica Andreis ◽  
Marco Ferri ◽  
Maria Mazzocchi ◽  
Fausto Meriggi ◽  
...  

e14018 Background: Chemotherapy improves the survival rate of stage III colon cancer patients. The combination of oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (the FOLFOX4 regimen) has emerged as the standard of care. Cognitive changes and disfunction after cancer chemotherapy are increasingly reported as a disturbing side-effect in cancer survivors. This prospective study evaluates potential alterations in cognitive function in Folfox4-treated patients. Methods: We evaluated 57 consecutive colorectal cancer patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX4. Patients underwent a complete battery of neuropsychological tests at three different times: before (T0), at the end (T1) and six months after treatment (T2). Changes in neuropsychological test scores at T0, T1 and T2 were compared with a two tail t-test (T1-T0, T2-T1, T2-T0), using the repeated measure ANOVA model. Results: We have analyzed cognitive impairment (Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE), visuo-spatial memory, information processing speed (Trial Making Test-A and Trial Making Test-B), verbal memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test), emotional distress (Psychological Distress Inventory), anxiety (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory). We found no cognitive impairment in time considered, as we found a median MMSE score of 27,51 ± 1,21 at T0, 27,63 ± 0,65 at T1 and 27,26 ± 1,17 at T2. We noticed some transient variations in tests evaluating verbal memory and in information processing speed performances. The only significative scores modifications were those related to anxiety and depression. Conclusions: We found no significant effect on cognitive function related to chemotherapy, the only little modification is about some emotional performance during chemotherapy. These findings may be explained by the central role of the psychological adaptation process, which occurs during the period from diagnosis to completion of treatment and is characterized by anxiety and adjustment depression. Our results seem to rule out any significant cognitive impairment due to adjuvant Folfox4 chemotherapy in colon cancer patients.


2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1077-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Strober ◽  
J Englert ◽  
F Munschauer ◽  
B Weinstock-Guttman ◽  
S Rao ◽  
...  

Background Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) affecting roughly 45–60% of patients. Because memory deficits have significant impact on employment, caregiver burden, and social functioning, neuropsychological (NP) assessment is often recommended. Two widely used and validated NP batteries for MS are the Rao Brief Repeatable Neuropsychological Battery (BRNB) and the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS). Although similar, these batteries differ in the specific auditory/verbal and visual/spatial memory tests employed. The relative sensitivity of these memory tests is unknown. Methods The BRNB and MACFIMS have considerable overlap but different memory tests: the former includes the Selective Reminding Test (SRT) and the 10/36 Spatial Recall Test (10/36) and the latter the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT2) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, Revised (BVMTR). In 65 patients with MS and 46 demographically matched controls, we compared the sensitivity of these tests, and secondarily their respective batteries. Results The BRNB and MACFIMS were comparable in their overall sensitivity to disease status. Although the BVMTR showed greater discriminative validity than the 10/36, the CVLT2 and SRT were comparable in sensitivity. The SDMT was the most sensitive NP test across both batteries. Conclusions We conclude that the BRNB and MACFIMS have comparable sensitivity among patients with MS. The sensitivity of the auditory/verbal memory tests from these batteries is similar, but the BVMTR appears to be more sensitive than the 10/36. Clinical implications are discussed.


2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
TUULA KIESEPPÄ ◽  
ANNAMARI TUULIO-HENRIKSSON ◽  
JARI HAUKKA ◽  
THEO VAN ERP ◽  
DAVID GLAHN ◽  
...  

Background. Euthymic bipolar-I disorder (BP I) patients and their siblings have shown impairments in verbal learning and memory functions compared with controls, suggesting that these impairments may be genetic in origin. Reduced information-processing speed has been associated with impaired memory in the elderly, and recently in schizophrenia. The authors compared verbal learning and memory functioning in twins with BP I and co-twins to control twins, and examined whether the observed deficits are related to information-processing speed.Method. Finnish Medical and Population Registers and Twin Cohorts were used to identify the BP I and control twins. Neuropsychological tests assessing verbal learning and memory, working memory, facial recognition, visual memory, and information-processing speed were administered to 26 BP I twins, 19 non-bipolar co-twins, and 114 controls. Group differences were analyzed by generalized estimation equation modeling.Results. BP I patients, but not co-twins, showed impairments in all memory tests compared with controls. Female co-twins showed impairment in verbal learning and memory. Information-processing speed had a significant effect on encoding and learning efficiency.Conclusions. This study showed for the first time that information-processing speed is related to memory functioning and verbal learning in BP I in a population-based, representative and euthymic sample. Furthermore, the data support the view that defects in verbal memory may be related to the genetic factors predisposing to BP I in females.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayra L Estrella ◽  
melissa lamar ◽  
Ramon A Durazo-Arvizu ◽  
Josiemer Mattei ◽  
Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani ◽  
...  

Introduction: A healthy diet may promote healthy cognitive aging; however, little is known about associations between diet quality and cognition in Hispanics/Latinos. Hypothesis: Higher diet quality (2010 Alternative Healthy Eating Index; AHEI-2010) is associated with better global cognition and performance on specific cognitive tests (verbal learning, memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed) in Hispanics/Latinos. Methods: Data from HCHS/SOL Visit 1 (2008-2011; n=8461; ages 45-74 years) were analyzed. The global cognition score was computed as the sum of z-scores for the individual tests. Dietary intake was assessed via two 24-hour recalls. Total AHEI-2010 score was categorized into quintiles (Q); higher Q represents higher diet quality. Cross-sectional associations between AHEI-2010 and each cognitive test were examined using survey-weighted linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, and total daily energy intake (Model 1); and Model 1 plus Hispanic/Latino heritage, annual household income, language preference, type 2 diabetes, smoking, and depressive symptoms (Model 2). Results: In minimally-adjusted models (Table 1), global cognition, verbal learning, verbal memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed scores were significantly higher by 1.32, 2.38, 1.40, 2.33, and 1.34 units for Q5 (vs. Q1). In fully-adjusted models, global cognitive function scores were significantly higher by 0.28, 0.52, and 0.48 units for Q2 through Q4 (vs. Q1; p -trend= 0.042). Verbal learning scores were significantly higher by 0.60, 0.62, 0.92, and 0.88 units for Q2 through Q5 (vs. Q1; p -trend= 0.020). Verbal memory scores were significantly higher by 0.33, 0.40, 0.52, and 0.46 units for Q2 through Q5 (vs. Q1; p -trend= 0.007). AHEI-2010 was not associated with verbal fluency and processing speed in Model 2. Conclusions: Among middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos, higher diet quality was associated with better global cognition, verbal learning, and memory, but not with verbal fluency, or processing speed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie L.J. Cederberg ◽  
Arthur S. Walters ◽  
Amy W. Amara ◽  
Tiffany J. Braley ◽  
Morgan L. Schuetz ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 205-208
Author(s):  
Monica F. Ataide ◽  
Carolina da Cunha-Correia ◽  
Katia C.L. Petribú

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized for an uncomfortable sensation in legs and an irresistible desire to move them. This disorder has been more recently recognized in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and can interfere with the quality of life (QOL). Objectives: The aims of this study are to describe the prevalence of RLS and its severity and influence on the QOL in patients with MG. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from May to June 2016 in Recife, Brazil. A sample of 42 patients was interviewed using a sociodemographic questionnaire, MG QOL questionnaire-15 and The RLS Rating Scale. Results: RLS was present in 47.6% of patients and of these 40.5% met moderate to severe RLS criteria. Patients were 45 years on average (SD ± 14.4) and women represented 57.1% of the study population. Among patients with RSL, the quality-of-life scores were worse (p = 0.010) on average. There was no association of RLS with the duration of MG, use of immunosuppressant or clinical conditions that could mimic the occurrence of RLS. Conclusion: RLS is a prevalent condition in patients with MG, and may be severe enough to negatively impact QOL.


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