Developing a Persian Verbal Fluency Test and Comparing the Results Between Healthy Persian Speakers and Persian Speakers Patients With Alzheimer Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Objectives: Phonemic and semantic fluency tasks are used for verbal fluency (VF) evaluation. The present study aimed to select the most appropriate semantic categories and the most frequent phonemes of Persian as items for the VF test. Then, we determine the test results in differentiation between cognitively intact people and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer Disease (AD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 people (60 cognitively intact, 30 with AD, and 30 with MCI) in two phases. In phase one, linguists determine the most frequent phonemes at the beginning of Persian words and the most frequent semantic categories based on a survey. In phase two, the verbal fluency test was administered to cognitively intact people and those with cognitive impairment (patients with AD and MCI). One-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: The normal subjects scored significantly higher in all phonemic and semantic fluency tasks than the patients with AD and people with MCI (P<0.05). Regarding the phonemic VF task, the phonemes /sh/, /s/, and then /a/ were better in differentiating the MCI and AD groups from the normal group. Regarding the semantic VF task, the animals’ category was better differentiated the MCI and AD groups from the normal group. Discussion: Comparing frequent phonemes and semantic categories of Persian across three groups of normal, AD, and MCI showed that some phonemes and semantic categories can be more differentiating in the VF task. However, it is a preliminary validation study, and this topic needs more investigation in the future.

Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Survivors of Testicular Cancer More Than 20 Years after Treatment

Background: Impaired cognition can be a late effect after treatment in long-term testicular cancer (TC) survivors, negatively affecting their daily life. However, little data is available beyond 20 years post-treatment. We assessed cognitive impairment in very long-term TC survivors after CT or RT and compared the results with stage I TC survivors and controls. Methods: In this cross-sectional multicenter cohort study, we enrolled TC survivors (treated with orchiectomy followed by CT or RT or orchiectomy only)—with a follow-up duration ≥ 20 years—and age-matched healthy controls. Cognitive testing included the Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Letter Fluency Test, Category Fluency Test, and Trail Making Test. We used fasting blood samples to assess the presence of hypogonadism and measured cardiovascular aging parameters, including carotid pulse wave velocity (c-PWV) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Results: We included 184 TC survivors (66 CT patients, 53 RT patients, and 65 orchiectomy-only patients) and 70 healthy controls. The median follow-up was 26 years (range: 20–42). TC survivors had a lower combined score of the cognitive tests (mean cumulative Z-score −0.85; 95% CI −1.39 to −0.33) compared to controls (mean 0.67; 95% CI −0.21 to 1.57, p < 0.01). In univariate analysis, the presence of hypogonadism (β −1.50, p < 0.01), high c-PWV (β −0.35, p = 0.09), and high AGEs (β −1.27, p = 0.02) were associated with lower cognitive scores, while only AGEs (β −1.17, p = 0.03) remained a significant predictor in multivariate analysis (Model R2 0.31, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Long-term TC survivors performed worse on cognitive tests compared to controls. Physicians and patients should be informed about timely cardiovascular risk management and testosterone supplementation therapy during follow-up to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. Trial Registration: NCT02572934.

Development physics representational fluency instrument test of electrostatic concept

Physics representational fluency instrument test of electrostatic concept have been developed. The instrument’s form of multiple-choice that consist of 20 item electrostatic in physics context to assess pre-service physics teachers’ representational fluency. The test includes four component of representational fluency: constructing single representation, constructing multiple representation, translating between representation and reviewing single representation. Representational fluency test is developed using Design and Development Research (DDR) method with four phases consists of analysis, design, development, and evaluation. Validation the structure of the test is consulted with a member of expert academic staff in the field of physics education. After design test and expert review, the test was implemented with 57 pre-service physics teacher. From 20 item of representational fluency test there was 15 item of the test is valid and reliable.

Towards Constructing an Integrated Model for the Cognitive System: Revisiting Semantic Networks

Towards Constructing an Integrated Model for the Cognitive System: Revisiting Semantic NetworksIntegrative approaches try to relate different constructs in different theories and reinterpret them within a common conceptual framework. In this paper, an integrative framework for cognitive constructs is modelled, proposed and evaluated, using the concept of processing levels. Cognitive processing is divided into feature-based, semantic, and conceptual levels, based on the volume of information used to represent a stimulus. To quantitatively evaluate the structure of this model, 47 participants with impaired valance systems were selected from psychological clinics in Mashhad according to the convenience sampling method. The functioning of the participants’ cognitive networks was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory II, the Semantic Distance Task, the Verbal Fluency Test, the Computerized Dot Probe, the Stroop Test, the Implicit Association Test, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. The proposed structural model was formed by using tests scores as predictor variables and levels of processing as mediating variables. The research data were analysed through the PLS Structural Equation Model and the exploratory approach. The best fitted model with a normative fit index of 0.92 confirmed the three-level data clustering hypothesis. Path coefficients between feature-oriented and semantic levels and for semantic and conceptual levels obtained Φ = 0.38 and Φ = 0.46 respectively. In previous studies, interpretations of both the Implicit Association Test and the Verbal Fluency Test were controversial. Using the notion of processing levels, these variations have been reinterpreted. Konstruowanie zintegrowanego modelu systemu poznawczego:. Rewizja sieci semantycznychPodejścia integracyjne próbują powiązać różne konstrukty w różnych teoriach i zreinterpretować je we wspólnych ramach konceptualnych. W niniejszym artykule modelowane są i oceniane ramy integracyjne dla konstruktów kognitywnych z zastosowaniem koncepcji poziomów przetwarzania. Przetwarzanie poznawcze podzielone jest na poziomy: cechowy, semantyczny i konceptualny, w oparciu o ilość informacji wykorzystywanych do reprezentowania bodźca. Do ilościowej oceny struktury tego modelu wybrano 47 uczestników z zaburzonymi systemami walencyjnymi z poradni psychologicznych w Mashhad, zgodnie z metodą doboru próby losowej. Funkcjonowanie sieci poznawczych uczestników oceniano za pomocą II inwentarza depresji Becka, testu dystansu semantycznego, testu biegłości słownej, komputerowej sondy punktowej, testu Stroopa, testu asocjacji niejawnych oraz testu sortowania kart z Wisconsin. Zaproponowany model strukturalny został utworzony na podstawie wyników testów jako zmiennych predykcyjnych oraz poziomów przetwarzania jako zmiennych pośredniczących. Dane badawcze były analizowane za pomocą modelu równań strukturalnych PLS oraz podejścia eksploracyjnego. Najlepiej dopasowany model o normatywnym wskaźniku dopasowania 0,92 potwierdził hipotezę o trójpoziomowym grupowaniu danych. Współczynniki ścieżek pomiędzy poziomem zorientowanym na cechy a poziomem semantycznym oraz dla poziomu semantycznego i konceptualnego uzyskały odpowiednio Φ = 0,38 i Φ = 0,46. W poprzednich badaniach interpretacje zarówno testu asocjacji niejawnych, jak i testu biegłości słownej budziły kontrowersje. Wykorzystując pojęcie poziomów przetwarzania, dokonano reinterpretacji tych wariantów.

Neurological Impacts of Chronic Methylmercury Exposure in Munduruku Indigenous Adults: Somatosensory, Motor, and Cognitive Abnormalities

There has been increasing evidence about mercury (Hg) contamination in traditional populations from the Amazon Basin due to illegal gold mining. The most concerning health impact is neurotoxicity caused by Hg in its organic form: methylmercury (MeHg). However, the severity and extent of the neurotoxic effects resulting from chronic environmental exposure to MeHg are still unclear. We conducted a clinical-epidemiological study to evaluate the neurological impacts of chronic MeHg exposure in Munduruku indigenous people, focusing on somatosensory, motor, and cognitive abnormalities. All participants were subjected to a systemized neurological exam protocol, including Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB), verbal fluency test, and Stick Design Test. After the examination, hair samples were collected to determine MeHg levels. Data collection took place between 29 October and 9 November 2019, in three villages (Sawré Muybu, Poxo Muybu, and Sawré Aboy) from Sawré Muybu Indigenous Land, Southwest of Pará state. One hundred and ten individuals >12 years old were included, 58 of which were men (52.7%), with an average age of 27.6 years (range from 12 to 72). Participants’ median MeHg level was 7.4 µg/g (average: 8.7; S.D: 4.5; range: 2.0–22.8). In Sawré Aboy village, the median MeHg level was higher (12.5 µg/g) than in the others, showing a significant statistical exposure gradient (Kruskal–Wallis test with p-value < 0.001). Cerebellar ataxia was observed in two participants with MeHg levels of 11.68 and 15.68 µg/g. Individuals with MeHg exposure level ≥10 µg/g presented around two-fold higher chances of cognitive deficits (RP: 2.2; CI 95%: 1.13–4.26) in BCSB, and in the verbal fluency test (RP: 2.0; CI 95%: 1.18–3.35). Furthermore, adolescents of 12 to 19 years presented three-fold higher chances of verbal development deficits, according to the fluency test (RP: 3.2; CI 95%: 1.06–9.42), than individuals of 20 to 24 years. The worsened motor and cognitive functions are suggestive of neurotoxicity due to chronic MeHg exposure. In conclusion, we believe monitoring and follow-up measures are necessary for chronic mercury exposed vulnerable people, and a basic care protocol should be established for contaminated people in the Brazilian Unified Health System.

Validation of the Tactual Span in individuals with congenital and acquired blindness

Neuropsychological assessment tools for individuals with blindness are relatively scarce. In the current study, we assessed the validity of the Tactual Span, a task aimed at evaluating tactile working memory. During the task, the fingers of both hands are touched in specific sequences of ascending difficulty, which participants are asked to repeat in exact and reverse order. Twelve participants with congenital blindness and 13 with acquired blindness were examined alongside 18 sighted controls, matched to the experimental group with respect to age and education. Participants performed the Tactual Span and three additional tasks assessing working memory in the auditory modality, as well as a Semantic Fluency test. Results showed that the Tactual Span was significantly correlated with most of the other working memory measures, in all groups, but not with the Semantic Fluency test. In addition, the congenital and acquired blindness groups performed similarly to one another and better than sighted controls on most working memory tasks, but not on the Semantic Fluency test. Findings suggest that the Tactual Span is a feasible task for measuring tactile working memory in individuals with congenital and acquired blindness. Therefore, it can expand the cognitive assessment toolbox of professionals working with blind individuals and increase the strength of conclusions drawn from cognitive assessments in educational and vocational settings.

Association of Dietary Vitamin D Intake, Serum 25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2 with Cognitive Performance in the Elderly

Background: As life expectancy increases, cognitive performance decline in the elderly has become one of the major global challenges. We aimed to evaluate the association of dietary vitamin D (VD), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25(OH)D2), and total 25-hydroxyvitamin (25(OH)D) concentration with cognitive performance in older Americans. Methods: The data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2011–2014 was used. The cognitive performance was assessed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) Word Learning sub-test, Animal Fluency test, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). A binary logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the association between VD and cognitive performance, and restricted cubic spline model was adopted to evaluate the dose–response relationship. Results: While comparing to the lowest dietary VD intake group, the multivariate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the highest dietary VD intake group were 0.51 (0.36–0.72) for the Animal Fluency test score and 0.45 (0.31–0.66) for DSST score, respectively; and those of serum total 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D3 concentration were 0.68 (0.47–0.97) and 0.62 (0.44–0.86) for DSST score. L-shaped relationships were identified for dietary VD intake, serum total 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D3 concentration with cognition performance. The associations between dietary VD intake, serum total 25(OH)D and cognitive performance were non-significant when stratified by gender. Conclusions: The study indicates that dietary VD intake, serum total 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D3 concentration were positively associated with cognitive performance. Further studies are needed to clarify the possible effects of dietary VD intake and serum 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3 on cognitive performance.