scholarly journals Effect of acute eye fatigue on cognition for young females: a pilot study

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7978
Author(s):  
Ryota Akagi ◽  
Miki Tonotsuka ◽  
Ryota Horie ◽  
Kosuke Hirata ◽  
Soichi Ando
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Young Females ◽  
Eye Fatigue ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Memory Recognition

The number of people suffering from eye fatigue induced by visual display terminal (VDT) viewing is expected to increase in the modern world. Eye dysfunction is suggested to induce a decrease in cognitive function, at least in the long term. Furthermore, considering other previous findings, it may be reasonable to think that acute or relatively short-term eye dysfunction attenuates cognitive function for not only older but also young individuals. Hence, clarification of the effect of eye fatigue induced by VDT viewing on cognitive performance is essential in order to maintain and/or improve our quality of life in the modern world regardless of age. The present study investigated the effect of eye fatigue induced by 1-h VDT viewing on cognitive performance, to test the hypothesis that such eye fatigue impairs cognitive performance in young individuals. A total of 19 healthy female university students voluntarily participated in this study. Before and after the 1-h VDT viewing or resting, the degree of eye fatigue and cognitive performance were evaluated. Refractive error measurement was performed to assess the degree of eye fatigue using a binocular auto refractometer, and a memory recognition task and Go/NoGo task were used to estimate cognitive performance. Response accuracy and reaction time were evaluated in the two tasks. Due to difficulty in interpreting the data of refractive error for one participant from the perspective of eye fatigue, the data for 18 participants were used for further analysis. The refractive error was significantly lower after than before the VDT viewing, but a corresponding change was not found before and after resting. Regarding cognitive performance, only the reaction time in the memory recognition task varied with the VDT viewing or resting. The reaction time was significantly longer after than before resting, without a corresponding difference before and after the VDT viewing. Thus, the 1-h VDT viewing induced eye fatigue, but relatively improved rather than attenuated reaction time in the memory recognition task. These results suggest that the effect of the increase in arousal level induced by the present VDT viewing on memory recognition compensated for the negative effect of 1-h resting of the eyes. We conclude that the acute eye fatigue induced by the 1-h VDT viewing does not have detrimental effects on cognition in young females at least under the present conditions.

Effect of Bhramari pranayama practice on simple reaction time in healthy adolescents – a randomized control trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maheshkumar Kuppusamy ◽  
Dilara Kamaldeen ◽  
Ravishankar Pitani ◽  
Julius Amaldas ◽  
Padmavathi Ramasamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Simple Reaction Time ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visual Reaction Time ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Visual Reaction ◽  
Auditory Reaction Time ◽  
Randomized Control ◽  
Apparently Healthy

AbstractObjectivesThe improvement in the/reaction time is important, as it is an indicator of cognitive function. Therefore, there is a need, especially for adolescents in the form of techniques or courses that can improve the reaction time. Yoga was found to cause a better improvement in the health of the individuals. The present study intended to show the effects of Bhramari pranayama (Bhr.P) on reaction time in the healthy adolescents.MethodsOf the 730 potential subjects screened, 520 apparently healthy adolescents randomly assigned to either the Bhr.P group (n-260) or control group (n-260). Bhr.P group practiced the bhramari pranayama for 3 days in a week for 6 months. The Auditory Reaction Time (ART) and the Visual Reaction Time (VRT) were assessed before and after Bhr.P pranayama practice.ResultsBhr.P group shows significant shortening of response time in both VRT (from 267.13 ± 52.65 to 249.87 ± 39.41 ms) and ART (from 237.42 ± 48.12 to 227.91 ± 34.60 ms) after 6 months of Bhr.P practice. In control group subjects, no such significant changes were found (p > 0.05).ConclusionsShortening of RT implies an improvement in the information processing and reflexes. This beneficial effect of Bhr.P on reaction time can be used for improving cognitive function in the adolescents for their academic performances.

Abstract 028: Biomarkers Of Kidney Function And Cognitive Ability: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Richard ◽  
Linda McEvoy ◽  
Steven Cao ◽  
Andrea Z Lacroix ◽  
Rany Salem
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Glomerular Filtration Rate ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Kidney Function ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate ◽  
Mendelian Randomization ◽  
Numeric Reasoning

Background: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria and serum uric acid (SUA) are markers of kidney function that have been associated with cognitive ability. However, whether these associations are causal is unclear. Methods: We performed one-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to estimate the effects of kidney function markers on cognitive performance using data from 357,590 participants from the UK Biobank. Polygenic scores for serum uric acid (SUA), urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR), estimated glomerular filtration rate based on serum creatinine (eGFRcre) and serum cystatin-c (eGFRcys) were used as instruments, and cognitive function outcomes included a test of verbal-numeric reasoning and reaction time. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to address potential pleiotropy using MR-Egger and weighted median regression. Results: We found no evidence of a causal effect of genetically determined SUA, eGFRcre or eGFRcys on either cognitive function outcomes. There was no association between a polygenic score for ACR and verbal-numeric reasoning. However, there was suggestive evidence of a relationship between genetically increased ACR and slower reaction time (β (95% confidence interval [CI])) for 1 standard deviation log ACR = 4.93 (1.60 to 8.26), p=0.004). Pleiotropy adjusted estimates were directionally consistent with those of the principal analysis but overlapped with the null. Conclusions: This MR study does not support causal effects of SUA, eGFRcre or eGFRcys on cognitive performance. Genetically-increased ACR was associated with lower processing speed, but results need confirmation in independent samples.

Acute Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Cognitive Performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Chen ◽  
T Essader ◽  
J Jang ◽  
K Kaundinya
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Pressure Pulse ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Temporal Order Judgement

The beneficial effects of mindfulness meditation on higher-order cognitive performance as well as physiological parameters, such as decreased cortisol levels, blood pressure, pulse rate, and reaction time, have been studied extensively. However, most of these studies have been conducted over a relatively long term, comparing subjects who meditate on a regular basis with those who have never meditated. In this study, the acute effects of mindfulness meditation are investigated by examining the differences between tactile reaction time and temporal-order judgement (TOJ) obtained before and after a 10-minute meditation session in several case studies. Additionally, the participants reported their mood and stress levels in a survey before and after the meditation session. The results demonstrate that mindfulness meditation improves performance on the tactile reaction time and TOJ tasks, and it also promotes a peaceful state of mind.

scholarly journals Thyroid Function and Cognition during Aging

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Bégin ◽  
M. F. Langlois ◽  
D. Lorrain ◽  
S. C. Cunnane
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Adults ◽  
Normal Functioning ◽  
Normal Limits

We summarize here the studies examining the association between thyroid function and cognitive performance from an aging perspective. The available data suggest that there may be a continuum in which cognitive dysfunction can result from increased or decreased concentrations of thyroid hormones. Clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism as well as hyperthyroidism in middle-aged and elderly adults are both associated with decreased cognitive functioning, especially memory, visuospatial organization, attention, and reaction time. Mild variations of thyroid function, even within normal limits, can have significant consequences for cognitive function in the elderly. Different cognitive deficits possibly related to thyroid failure do not necessarily follow a consistent pattern, and L-thyroxine treatment may not always completely restore normal functioning in patients with hypothyroidism. There is little or no consensus in the literature regarding how thyroid function is associated with cognitive performance in the elderly.

Acute Severe Isovolemic Anemia Impairs Cognitive Function and Memory in Humans

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 1646-1652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B. Weiskopf ◽  
Joel H. Kramer ◽  
Maurene Viele ◽  
Mireille Neumann ◽  
John R. Feiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Error Rate ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Oxygen Delivery ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Acute Anemia ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Human Function

Background Erythrocytes are transfused to prevent or treat inadequate oxygen delivery resulting from insufficient hemoglobin concentration. Previous studies failed to find evidence of inadequate systemic oxygen delivery at a hemoglobin concentration of 5 g/dl. However, in those studies, sensitive, specific measures of critical organ function were not used. This study tested the hypothesis that acute severe decreases of hemoglobin concentration alters human cognitive function. Methods Nine healthy volunteers, age 29 +/- 5 yr (mean +/- SD), were tested with verbal memory and standard, computerized neuropsychologic tests before and after acute isovolemic reduction of their hemoglobin to 7, 6, and 5 g/dl and again after transfusion of their autologous erythrocytes to return their hemoglobin concentration to 7 g/dl. To control for duration of the experiment, each volunteer also completed the same tests on a separate day, without alteration of hemoglobin, at times of the day approximately equivalent to those on the experimental day. Results No test showed any change in reaction time or error rate at hemoglobin concentration of 7 g/dl compared with the data at the baseline hemoglobin concentration of 14 g/dl. Reaction time, but not error rate, for horizontal addition and digit-symbol substitution test (DSST) increased at hemoglobin 6 g/dl (mean horizontal addition, 19%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4-34%; mean DSST, 10%; 95% CI, 4-17%) and further at 5 g/dl (mean horizontal addition, 43%; 95% CI, 6-79%; mean DSST, 18%; 95% CI, 4-31%). Immediate and delayed memory was degraded at hemoglobin 5 g/dl but not at 6 g/dl. Return of hemoglobin to 7 g/dl returned all tests to baseline, except for the DSST, which significantly improved, and returned to baseline the following morning after transfusion of all autologous erythrocytes. Conclusion Acute reduction of hemoglobin concentration to 7 g/dl does not produce detectable changes in human cognitive function. Further reduction of hemoglobin level to 6 and 5 g/dl produces subtle, reversible increases in reaction time and impaired immediate and delayed memory. These are the first prospective data to demonstrate subtle degraded human function with acute anemia of hemoglobin concentrations of 6 and 5 g/dl. This reversibility of these decrements with erythrocyte transfusion suggests that our model can be used to test the efficacy of erythrocytes, oxygen therapeutics, or other treatments for acute anemia.

scholarly journals 0106 The Effects of Caffeine on Blood Pressure and Cognitive Performance in Hypoxic Conditions on the Slopes of Mt. Everest

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A42-A42
Author(s):  
K Sparks ◽  
R R Wehling ◽  
S Acharya ◽  
T Musliu ◽  
S Baniya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Acute Mountain Sickness ◽  
Study Drug ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Hypoxic Conditions ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Introduction 140 million people live above 2,400m worldwide. High altitude (HA) exposure can lead to sleep disruption, impaired cognitive performance, acute mountain sickness (AMS), elevated blood pressure (BP) and an increase in cardiovascular events in healthy people. Because caffeine can also increase BP, caffeine might need to be avoided at HA. Caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world but has yet to be studied extensively in hypoxic conditions. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine the effects of caffeine on cardiovascular variables and cognitive function at HA. Methods We conducted a non-randomized, single-blind, mixed model design at 4,300m on Mt. Everest. Thirty-three trekkers (nine females), aged 29.5±10.4 (mean±SD), ingested the study drug (placebo or 200 mg of caffeine) 1.5 hours after awakening. To control for withdrawal effects of caffeine, participants that self-reported consuming less than 47 mg of caffeine per day received the placebo while those that consumed more than that received caffeine. Cognitive function was tested using the Stroop task before and after the pill administration. BP was measured by a trained clinician using auscultatory method prior to and 30, 60 and 90 min after the pill administration. Results Caffeine improved cognitive performance when compared to the pretreatment measurement but was worse in the caffeine group prior to the pill administration when compared to the pretreatment placebo group. Additionally, caffeine did not have any major effect on BP when compared to pretreatment measures or the placebo group. Conclusion Caffeine does not seem to have an additive effect on increasing BP with HA. Additionally, because cognitive performance was worse in the chronic caffeine users prior to the pill administration, caffeine users might be more dependent on caffeine to perform optimally at HA. Based off of these data, caffeine seems to be a safe and beneficial drug at HA. Support NIH BUILD EXITO, University of Alaska Faculty Development Grant

scholarly journals Cognitive Impairment among Young Motorcyclists: A controlled study

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
pp. 321
Author(s):  
Anila Ali ◽  
Roslinah Mohamad Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Neuropsychological Battery ◽  
High Noise

The cognitive assessment of young motorcyclists under high-noise exposure has not been investigated previously. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of noise-induced cognitive function and reaction time among undergraduate motorcyclists (aged: 19-25). The study design consisted of experimental (ExG; n=30) and controlled group (CoG; n=30). The ExG performed neuropsychological battery test under motorcycle noise (85-90 dBA) and CoG under controlled laboratory noise (<65 dBA). The result revealed that the CoG had significantly better cognitive performance (p < 0.05) and reaction-time as compared to ExG. The results demonstrated the significant effect of motorcycle noise on decreased cognitive performance and increased reaction time.

Explaining Upper or Lower Extremity Crossover Effects of Visuomotor Choice Reaction Time Training

2019 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Engeroff ◽  
Florian Giesche ◽  
Daniel Niederer ◽  
Sina Gerten ◽  
Jan Wilke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Choice Reaction Time ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Crossover Effects ◽  
Before And After

Current evidence indicates a strong relation between improved visuomotor choice reaction time (VMRT) and a reduced risk of lower extremity injury, making both lower- and upper extremity VMRT training paradigms valuable to athletes. This investigation studied as yet unconfirmed crossover effects of upper extremity training on lower extremity performance; and we evaluated underlying relevant perceptual and cognitive adaptations. In this three-armed, randomized, controlled intervention, we used a computerized training device to compare participants receiving four weeks of upper ( n = 12) and lower ( n = 12) extremity VMRT training with a control group ( n = 13) of healthy participants. Collectively, our participants had a mean age of 24.6 years ( SD = 2.2), a mean height of 173 cm ( SD = 10), and a mean weight of 69.6 kg ( SD = 12.1); 57% ( n = 21) were female and 43% ( n = 16) were male. We assessed participants’ upper and lower extremity VMRT performance and domain-specific perceptual and cognitive abilities before and after intervention and analyzed differences between their before and after performances. Lower extremity training enhanced VMRT performances for both lower extremity and crossover upper extremity. Upper extremity training improved VMRT for upper extremity and increased cognitive choice reaction performance but yielded no crossover effects to lower extremity. We found no effects of VMRT training on other domain-specific cognitive performance markers (attention, executive function, memory, or working memory). VMRT training modulated only task-specific cognitive performance and induced crossover effects from lower extremity training to upper extremity performance but not vice versa.

scholarly journals M14. BDNF IS CORRELATE TO LOW EMOTION RECOGNITION IN UHR WOMEN: RESULTS FROM THE SSAPP POPULATIONAL UHR COHORT

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S138-S138
Author(s):  
Marcel Tavares Camilo Pinto ◽  
Alexandre Andrade Loch
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Compensatory Mechanism ◽  
Bdnf Expression ◽  
Ultra High Risk

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a disorder with prevalence rates of 1% in the general population. Science turned its efforts towards researching prodromal states, named “Ultra-high Risk” (UHR), in the hopes of impeding conversion to psychosis. Cognitive impairments are recognized among core features of schizophrenia and it is noted that they are already present at early stages of psychosis, such as ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR). Schizophrenia in women has a more favorable outcome than in men with the disease in part mediated by cognitive performance. Neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), play crucial roles in the expression of synaptic plasticity underpinning cognitive function, particularly expression of learning and memory. Previous studies showed conflicting results regarding neurotrophin levels in patients with psychosis. We hypothesized that UHR individuals would also show altered BDNF and cognitive performance levels. Methods A sample of over 2500 individuals aged between 18 and 30 years old, from the city of São Paulo, Brazil, was drawn and screened with the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ). 236 subjects with high scores (18+ points in the positive PQ subscale) where selected for psychiatric assessment with the SIPS (Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes), and 98 individuals were classified as UHR. Whole blood sample was collected and BDNF levels were analyzed with ELISA kits (Thermo-Fisher). Cognitive performance was measured by the emotion recognition task available via the UPenn Computerized neuropsychological testing (). Data was available for 93 UHR individuals (95%) and for 62 (46%) controls. IBM SPSS Statistics v23 for Mac was used to analyze data. Results BDNF levels and performance on emotion recognition task did not differ between control and UHR individuals. Differences were also not found if sample was analyzed according to sex. However, in UHR women (63% of UHR sample), worse performance was significantly associated with a higher BDNF level (Pearson correlation coefficient=-0.288, p=0.031). Discussion In our study, we found a correlation of worse emotion recognition task and higher BDNF levels in UHR women. This might be due a compensatory mechanism in which patients more severely impaired at baseline show higher BDNF levels. Estrogen might play a role in this difference as it induces BDNF expression. Several studies with psychotic patients shows higher BDNF levels in affected individuals as well as one study with UHR individual show higher BDNF levels within this group, but none showed differences between sexes. One study showed that treatment with selective estrogen receptor raloxifene increased activation in the right hippocampus and left inferior frontal gyrus areas, which are involved in facial recognition. Overall, literature suggests that women outperform men regarding overall cognitive function, including emotion recognition. Our findings might be related to a before homeostasis state has been reached in which baseline measures for emotion recognition in UHR women could be worse than in men but along time ameliorated via estrogen-induced BDNF expression.

Notification alert! Effects of auditory text alerts on attention and heart rate variability across three developmental periods

2021 ◽  
pp. 174702182110418
Author(s):  
Wythe L Whiting ◽  
Karla Klein Murdock
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Adolescent Group ◽  
Developmental Variations ◽  
Math Problems

In a modern world saturated with cellphone-related stimuli, surprisingly little is known about their psychological effects. A small number of previous studies have found global distracting effects of cellphone rings on cognitive performance in undergraduate students. However, moment-to-moment reactions to cellphone sounds have not been investigated, nor have physiological changes that might accompany the cognitive effects. Developmental variations also remain unexamined. Thus, two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of cellphone notification sounds on cognitive performance (i.e., reaction time and accuracy on math problems) and heart rate variability in three age groups: adolescents (mean age: 15 years); young adults (mean age: 20 years); and mid-life adults (mean age: 48 years). Effects were most pronounced in the adolescent group, whose math problem accuracy and reaction time was compromised in response to notification sounds. These compromises were accompanied by increases in heart rate variability.

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