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Results for “Cognitive function”

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PubMed2000

The nature of the effect of female gonadal hormone replacement therapy on cognitive function in post-menopausal women: a meta-analysis.

We reviewed epidemiological and experimental studies of female gonadal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on cognitive function in post-menopausal women and carried out meta-analyses. In healthy ageing women, HRT has small and inconsistent effects that include enhancement of verbal memory, abstract reasoning and information processing. Epidemiological studies show larger effects than experimental studies, which is not related to sample size. Important confounds may be that women who start using HRT are healthier than women who do not. Also, controlling for socio-economic status diminishes the effect of HRT. The effects of HRT may depend on the age and type of menopause and the therapeutic intervention used, with the most widely used drug, Premarin, having least effect. However, the effects are independent of mood and climacteric symptom alleviation. There is a paucity of experimental studies that include healthy elderly women. The evidence for an estrogen deficiency in women with dementia and cognitive dysfunction is inconsistent. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies suggest that HRT protects against the development of clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease. However, poor recall of HRT use by patients and altered physician behaviour may have confounded the effects. Surprisingly, both healthy and demented women with low education seem to benefit most from HRT. Three recent controlled experimental studies using Premarin showed no effects of HRT in preventing further cognitive decline in women who already have Alzheimer's disease. Duration of treatment seems to play an important role, with beneficial effects declining-and even reversing-with longer treatment in women with Alzheimer's disease.Future research should further investigate the cognitive effect of different HRT preparations, serum estrogen levels, and the interactions of HRT with age, menopausal status and existing protective (e.g. education) and risk factors (e.g. smoking and apolipoprotein E genotype) for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1997

Psychological aspects of systemic lupus erythematosus: cognitive function, mood, and self-report.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic relapsing/remitting autoimmune disorder with both primary and secondary effects on nervous system integrity and psychological functioning. In addition to the occurrence of clinical psychiatric syndromes such as psychosis, depression, and anxiety, other psychological problems documented with increased frequency in SLE include cognitive deficits and emotional distress. We examine issues related to cognitive function, including its assessment and prevalence, and confounding factors in interpreting cognitive problems as reflecting primary central nervous system involvement in SLE. Cognitive data in relation to other facets of the disease such as pain and fatigue, and subjective cognitive complaints are also discussed. Finally, we propose a potential role for cognitive assessment in the identification of SLE related depression.

Affect↗

PubMed2006

Older males, cognitive function, and alcohol consumption.

We investigated the question, how do older men who drink alcohol differ from those who do not drink on measures of cognitive function, memory, affect, and health? Of the nonprobability sample of male participants (N = 60), 35 (58%) of the males reported some degree of alcohol consumption. Eleven men had one or more drinks per day, 14 had one or more drinks per week, and 9 were occasional drinkers. The drinkers reported significantly less depression, had higher self-reported general health and vitality, and had higher cognitive performance, cognitive flexibility, and verbal memory, and greater knowledge of memory processes.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Attrition and bias in the MRC cognitive function and ageing study: an epidemiological investigation.

BACKGROUND: Any hypothesis in longitudinal studies may be affected by attrition and poor response rates. The MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing study (MRC CFAS) is a population based longitudinal study in five centres with identical methodology in England and Wales each recruiting approximately 2,500 individuals. This paper aims to identify potential biases in the two-year follow-up interviews. METHODS: Initial non-response: Those not in the baseline interviews were compared in terms of mortality to those who were in the baseline interviews at the time of the second wave interviews (1993-1996). Longitudinal attrition: Logistic regression analysis was used to examine baseline differences between individuals who took part in the two-year longitudinal wave compared with those who did not. RESULTS: Initial non-response: Individuals who moved away after sampling but before baseline interview were 1.8 times more likely to die by two years (95% Confidence interval(CI) 1.3-2.4) compared to respondents, after adjusting for age. The refusers had a slightly higher, but similar mortality pattern to responders (Odds ratio 1.2, 95%CI 1.1-1.4). Longitudinal attrition: Predictors for drop out due to death were being older, male, having impaired activities of daily living, poor self-perceived health, poor cognitive ability and smoking. Similarly individuals who refused were more likely to have poor cognitive ability, but had less years of full-time education and were more often living in their own home though less likely to be living alone. There was a higher refusal rate in the rural centres. Individuals who moved away or were uncontactable were more likely to be single, smokers, demented or depressed and were less likely to have moved if in warden-controlled accommodation at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal estimation of factors mentioned above could be biased, particularly cognitive ability and estimates of movements from own home to residential homes. However, these differences could also affect other investigations, particularly the estimates of incidence and longitudinal effects of health and psychiatric diseases, where the factors shown here to be associated with attrition are risk factors for the diseases. All longitudinal studies should investigate attrition and this may help with aspects of design and with the analysis of specific hypotheses.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed2000

Cognitive function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of unknown etiology. Although there was a widely held belief that ALS does not cause cognitive impairment, cognitive function in patients with ALS has received more attention recently. In this paper, we discuss the clinical, neuroanatomical and neuropathological basis for cognitive dysfunction in ALS.

Brain↗

PubMed2002

Silent cerebral infarction and cognitive function in middle-aged neurologically healthy subjects.

We sought to clarify whether apparently silent cerebral infarcts and periventricular hyperintensities are associated with depressed cognitive function in middle-aged subjects. Subjects were 84 middle-aged neurologically normal adults who wished to undergo a screening examination of the brain. We performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and neuropsychologic tests in all subjects. Silent cerebral infarcts and periventricular hyperintensities, respectively, were detected in 21 and 14 of 84 subjects. Mini-mental state (MMS) and Raven's colored progressive matrices (RCPM) scores were significantly lower in subjects with than without silent cerebral infarcts. By two-factor analysis of variance, MMS score was affected by silent cerebral infarcts or periventricular hyperintensities, with interactions between the two lesion types (P < 0.05). Silent cerebral infarcts may be an independent factor in the pathogenesis of intellectual dysfunction, but truly independent analysis is difficult because many subjects with silent cerebral infarcts also have periventricular hyperintensities.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Visual evoked potentials: relation to adult speechreading and cognitive function.

This study investigated the putative relationship between visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and specific aspects of speechreading. The nature and constraints of the relationship between VEPs and cognitive functioning was also examined. The original finding of Shepherd, DeLavergne, Frueh, and Clobridge (1977) that visual-neural speed (VN 130) predicts speechreading skill was not replicated. However, the picture is rather complex in that we find significant correlations for some context-free word discrimination and sign-alphabet testing conditions. These correlations occur only for the VN 130/P 200 peak-to-peak amplitude measure, not for neural speed. Nevertheless, visual-neural speed (VN 130 and P 200) was relevant to certain aspects of long-term memory access (i.e., letter matching, Posner & Mitchell, 1967) and to complex short-term memory function (i.e., reading span, Baddeley, Logie, Nimmo-Smith, & Brereton, 1985).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Acute alcohol effects on cognitive function in social drinkers: their relationship to drinking habits.

RATIONALE: Several studies suggest that cognitive deficits seen in late stages of alcoholism are related to executive function. However, little is known about the acute effects of alcohol on cognitive executive functions. AIMS: The present investigation examined the acute effects of a moderate alcohol dose on tests of planning and spatial working memory as well as on tests of spatial and pattern recognition. The relationship between the acute alcohol effects on performance in these tasks and extreme drinking patterns were also studied. METHODS: Alcohol (0.8 g/kg) or placebo was administered to 95 social drinkers. In the planning task, alcohol decreased the number of solutions with the minimum moves. Alcohol also decreased the thinking time before initiating a response, while it increased the subsequent thinking time in the same task. Under alcohol, participants recognised fewer items in the spatial recognition task; however no effect of alcohol was found in a spatial working memory task and in a pattern recognition task. Among the participants with moderate to heavy use of alcohol, those who were 'bingers' performed worse in the spatial working memory and in the pattern recognition task than 'non-bingers'; no interaction between treatment and drinking pattern was found. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that alcohol given acutely impairs executive-type cognitive functions and that binge drinking may be associated with impaired cognitive function in a working memory and a pattern recognition task.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of exercise duration and hydration status on cognitive function during prolonged cycling exercise.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of submaximal aerobic exercise duration on simple and complex cognitive performance. Eight well-trained male subjects agreed to participate in this study (trial group). A control group of eight regularly trained male subjects was included for comparative purposes. For the trial group, the experiment involved a critical flicker fusion test (CFF) and a map recognition task performed before, every 20 min during, and immediately after, a 3-h cycling task at an intensity corresponding to approximately 60 % of VO2max. Data were obtained over two experimental sessions with fluid ingestion (F) or no fluid (NF) ingestion. For the control group the experiment was the same but without exercise and fluid ingestion. In the trial group, a significant effect of hydration status was observed on physiological parameters (p <0.05). No effect was found on cognitive performance. A significant decrease in CFF performance was observed after 120 min of exercise when compared with the first 20 min (respectively for CFFmdi: 2.6 vs. 3.8 Hz), irrespective of experimental condition. A significant improvement in speed of response (respectively: 3291 vs. 3062 msec for 20 and 120 min, respectively) and a decrease in error number (21.5 % vs. 6.0 % for 20 and 120 min, respectively) during the map recognition task were recorded between 80 min and 120 min when compared with the first 20 min of exercise. After 120 min the number of recorded errors was significantly greater indicating a shift in the accuracy-speed trade-off (6.0 % vs. 14.1 % for 120 and 180 min, respectively). These results provide some evidence for exercise-induced facilitation of cognitive function. However this positive effect disappears during prolonged exercise--as evidenced within our study by an increase in errors during the complex task and an alteration in perceptual response (i.e. the appearance of symptoms of central fatigue).

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Effect of apomorphine on motor and cognitive function in melancholic patients: a preliminary report.

Given the many clinical parallels between melancholia and disorders associated with impaired dopaminergic function such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), it has been hypothesised that major depressive disorder, and in particular the psychomotor features of melancholic depression, may also be associated with a hypodopaminergic state. If this is the case, then the use of a dopamine agonist might lead to reversal of both the cognitive and motor impairments seen in these patients. A double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design was used to test the effect of apomorphine on motor and cognitive function in seven melancholic subjects (as defined by the CORE instrument) and five control subjects. The testing battery included the following items: finger tapping, rapid alternating movements, verbal fluency, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task, digit symbol substitution task and simple and complex reaction times. The independent t-test, after covarying for age, revealed significant impairment in melancholic subjects for the walking task and digit symbol substitution at baseline. Results of the ANCOVA revealed no impact of time or drug condition, either alone or in combination, upon task performance in either group whether assessed separately or jointly. Results of a MANCOVA revealed that apomorphine impaired performance on some cognitive tasks, and that this was seen to a lesser extent in melancholics than control subjects. There was no evidence that the dopamine agonist apomorphine improved cognitive or motor function in subjects with strictly defined melancholia, suggesting that psychomotor retardation is not associated with a hypodopaminergic state. Our conclusions, however, were limited by small sample size; minimal baseline task impairment in depressed compared to control subjects; mild sedation in many subjects during task performance; and lack of serum apomorphine levels.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Schistosoma mansoni infection and cognitive functions of primary school children, in Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt.

There is growing concern that parasitic infection may detrimentally affect children's mental function. In this study our main objective was to investigate the effects of schistosoma mansoni infection on cognitive functions of school children aged 9-12 years in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate. Out of 2601 children screened parasitologically, 60.7% were S. mansoni positive. Children recruited for the case-control study were 40 with light S. mansoni infection (<100 epg), 40 with heavy infection (>400 epg) and 40 parasite-free served as control. All children were subjected to the Arabic Version of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and the Verbal Fluency Test. Though, the general IQ scores of infected children were insignificantly lower than their controls, yet they recorded a significantly lower performance IQ as well as, poorer performance on comprehension, vocabulary and picture completion subtests. Implications for preventive measures will be discussed.

Absenteeism↗

PubMed2005

Effects of tibolone on the quality of life, anxiety-depression levels and cognitive functions in natural menopause: an observational follow-up study.

The effects of tibolone on the quality of life (QoL), depression-anxiety levels and cognitive functions were investigated. Seventeen women received tibolone and 25 women did not receive any medication. At the end of the 6-month follow-up period, the QoL was better in the tibolone group in the area of mental health. Disability, anxiety symptoms, menopausal symptoms were significantly reduced in this group.

Anxiety↗

PubMed1998

Relationship between cognitive function, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I plasma levels in aged subjects.

Basal growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) as well as GH responses to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) were studied in 22 subjects (7 females, 15 males), aged between 65 and 86 years. The study was aimed at investigating the possible correlations between the age-dependent GH-IGF-I axis decline and the cognitive function - assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The relationship between hormonal data, cognition and age, body weight, body mass index (BMI), some nutritional indices (triceps skinfolds, TSF, mid-arm circumference, MAC), and physical activity - quantified by the physical functioning index (PFI)--were also analyzed. GH basal levels were within the normal range, while GH responses to GHRH were blunted in most cases. GH peaks after GHRH were directly correlated with GH basal values. IGF-I serum levels were found to be in the lower part of the reference range for adult subjects or below it. GH responses to GHRH, but not GH and IGF-I basal levels, were inversely correlated with subject age. GH secretion areas after GHRH were inversely correlated with BMI, but no further correlations between GH data and clinical or nutritional parameters were found. MMSE values directly correlated with MAC and PFI values. IGF-I levels were directly correlated with MMSE scores, being lowered in patients with more advanced cognitive deterioration, and with MAC values--the decrease of which is thought to reflect protein caloric malnutrition--but not with body weight, BMI, TSF and PFI. MMSE-related protein caloric malnutrition and decreased physical activity possibly take part in affecting IGF- I function in subjects with mild cognitive impairment and, reciprocally, IGF-I decrement might affect neuronal function.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Does migraine headache affect cognitive function in the elderly? Report from the Maastricht Aging Study (MAAS).

The aim of this study was to examine two aspects of cognitive functioning-information processing speed and memory-in both young/middle-aged and older subjects with and without migraine, using data from a large population-based sample. We found that, although age had a large effect on processing speed and memory, migraine did not influence cognitive performance. In addition, there was no significant interaction between age and migraine on processing speed and memory. Our results suggest that, in the general population, migraine does not seriously affect cognitive functioning in young/middle-aged or older adults.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effect of carotid endarterectomy on patient evaluations of cognitive functioning and mental and physical health.

The prophylactic effect of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) against stroke has been well established. As a consequence of the restoration of cerebral blood supply and reduced risk of stroke, cognitive functioning and perceived health may improve. Fifty-one patients with severe atherosclerotic disease of the carotid artery but without history of major stroke completed the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire and the Short Form 36 Health Survey before CEA and 3 and 12 months thereafter. Before CEA, patients reported significant but small deviations from the norm in physical function, general health, and vitality. Small improvements after CEA were observed in the perception of physical role function, general health, vitality, and mental health. Patients also retrospectively noted a slight worsening of health in the year before surgery and some improvement after surgery. Evaluation of cognitive failures in daily life did not change. Demographic or medical characteristics, such as a history of temporary ischemic symptoms, occlusion of the contralateral artery, and shunt use during surgery, did not affect outcome. In conclusion, no negative outcomes and even some limited positive effects in the perception of mental and physical health are to be expected after CEA.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Evidence of transient enhancement to cognitive functioning in healthy young adults through environmental enrichment: implications for rehabilitation after brain injury.

We examined preliminarily whether intensive mental activity can transiently enhance higher cognitive functioning in healthy adults. Ten healthy participants performed intensive mental activity for 2 weeks. The intervention entailed daily memorization of multiple prose passages and performance of demanding, speeded mental arithmetic.Neuropsychological testing was conducted before and after the intervention, using alternate forms. (The intervention and neuropsychological tests were different.) Findings in the intervention group were compared to those of a convenience control sample who had performed a near-identical neuropsychological assessment and follow-up in a different study, but who did not perform the intervention. The purpose was to rule out practice effects as the cause of any observed improvement in the intervention group. The intervention group showed improvement on six/eight measures. The non-intervention group showed improvement on only two. Results suggest cognitive capacity can be enhanced in healthy individuals after a period of intensive cognitive stimulation. Implications for rehabilitation are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Enhancing brain and cognitive function of older adults through fitness training.

The present article provides a brief review of the human and animal literature that has investigated the relationship between fitness training and brain and cognitive function. The animal research clearly suggests that improvements in fitness can lead to both morphological and functional changes in the brains of older animals. Results of a recent meta-analysis suggest that fitness training can also have beneficial effects on human cognition, particularly on tasks requiring executive control processing. These effects are also moderated by a number of factors, including the proportion of men and women in the intervention studies, the length of training sessions, the age of the participants, and the combination of fitness training regimes. The article also discusses preliminary results that link, for the first time, fitness training and differences in human brain structure and function. Finally, we discuss the important issue of participant adherence to fitness training programs and the factors that influence fitness participation.

Aging↗

PubMed2005

Modality-specific cognitive function of medial and lateral human Brodmann area 6.

Despite the fact that human Brodmann area 6 (BA6), a traditional "motor" area, is active during higher motor control involving various cognitive operations, the functional specialization within BA6 in the cognitive domain is essentially unknown. Furthermore, its functional relevance in cognition has been questioned because brain activity in BA6 during cognitive tasks has often been explained away as a concomitant, latent motor process. Therefore, we examined the structural-functional relationship of human BA6 in nonmotor cognitive functions and its functional relevance using both functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Subjects performed mental-operation (MO) tasks in which they serially updated verbal and spatial mental representations (MO-v and MO-s). In the fMRI experiments, activity in the medial BA6 was more increased in MO-v, whereas the activity in the lateral BA6 in both hemispheres was more in MO-s. Low-frequency rTMS to the medial BA6 disrupted only the performance of MO-v, whereas rTMS to the lateral BA6 in both hemispheres disrupted only MO-s. Hence the converging results demonstrate a functional double dissociation in which medial BA6 has a critical role in updating verbal information and lateral BA6 has a role in updating spatial information. The present study provides direct physiological evidence of modality-specific cognitive function within human BA6.

Adult↗