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Idiopathic epileptic syndromes and cognition.

Epilepsy is frequently associated with cognitive impairments which result from various interacting factors. The present paper deals with the contribution of neuropsychology to the characterization of the type of epilepsy and the possible mechanisms underlying idiopathic epileptic syndromes. The non-lesional, so-called idiopathic epilepsies, constitute an interesting model for assessing the relationship between epileptiform EEG discharges and cognition. Among the idiopathic generalized epilepsies, disorders of social integration and personality have been frequently reported in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Since similar disturbances are observed in frontal-lobe-lesioned patients, impairments in other frontal lobe functions (e.g. executive functions) might be expected in JME. This gives rise to speculation about the possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in JME. With regard to partial idiopathic epilepsies, benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS) may provide a useful model for the study of the relationship between epileptiform EEG discharges in the peri-sylvian region and language functions. Furthermore, the description of mild cognitive dysfunctions in BCECTS, and their persistence into adulthood, can provide information about compensatory mechanisms and may allow for the generation of remedial strategies. Thus, 'lesional' neuropsychology has given way to 'dynamic' neuropsychology based on specific postulates. By using the cognitive profile to specify the mechanism underlying the behavioral disturbances observed in different types of epilepsy, neuropsychology may eventually contribute to a revision of the present classification of epileptic syndromes. In addition, the neuropsychological data may help predict the extent and limits of functional recovery and cerebral plasticity.

Cognition Disorders↗

Teenage outcome after being born at term with moderate neonatal encephalopathy.

The aim of this study was to assess cognitive functions and behavior problems in teenagers who survived moderate neonatal encephalopathy and did not develop cerebral palsy. The study population comprised all 97,468 individuals born in Sweden in 1985. Of these, 684 (0.7%) were born at term and had an Apgar score of <7 at 5 minutes. The obstetric and neonatal records were scrutinized and the individuals were classified according to degree of neonatal encephalopathy. Teenagers with moderate neonatal encephalopathy without cerebral palsy and other major neuro-impairments were subjected to a clinical assessment including interviews, neuropsychological tests, and assessments of data from records. Age at examination was 15-19 years. Fifty-six individuals who had moderate neonatal encephalopathy were identified. Thirteen (23%) had parents who declined participation in the study. Of the remaining 43 subjects, 15 (30%) had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or other major neuro-impairments and 28 had no such impairments. The latter group was examined, 20 of whom (71%) had definite cognitive dysfunctions. Five (18%) had hearing impairments. Only eight teenagers were without impairments. Of those who did not have cerebral palsy, the majority had cognitive/executive problems that interfered with their daily life situation. Clinical follow-up, including assessments of cognitive functions before school start, should be considered for all individuals in this high-risk group.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Altered hemispheric asymmetry and positive symptoms in schizophrenia: equivalent current dipole of auditory mismatch negativity.

The abnormality of mismatch negativity (MMN) in schizophrenia is thought to be associated with perceptional disturbance and cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the change of the normal functional hemispheric lateralization in schizophrenia by employing the equivalent current dipole (ECD) model of auditory MMN with individual MRI and high-density electroencephalography (EEG). The MMNs resulting from auditory stimuli with passive oddball paradigm in a group of schizophrenics (n = 15), and also a group of age-, sex-, and handedness-matched normal controls, were recorded by 128 channel EEG. The location and power of ECD sources at the peak point were calculated. Individual 3-D brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) were used for realistic head modeling and for source localization. For both groups, the MMN source was determined to be located in the superior temporal gyrus (STG). However, the normal functional hemispheric asymmetry of ECD power was significantly altered in the schizophrenics (chi(2) test = 16.13, p < 0.001). Left MMN ECD power and the asymmetry coefficient (AC) were negatively correlated with the positive scores from Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) (r = -0.673, p = 0.008), especially with the hallucinatory behavior subscale (r = -0.677, p = 0.008). These findings support the deficits in preattentive automatic processing of auditory stimuli, especially in the left hemisphere, and indicate the correlation between positive symptoms, especially auditory hallucination, and left temporal lobe dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Adult↗

Recognition memory impairment in Parkinson's disease: power and meta-analyses.

Contrary findings notwithstanding, the prevailing notion is that recognition memory is little affected by Parkinson's disease (PD). Both a power analysis and a meta-analysis were conducted to help clarify the degree of recognition memory deficit associated with PD. The power analysis confirmed that, in general, memory studies of PD participants have been underpowered. This analysis indicated the need to pool study results in a subsequent meta-analysis, the main finding of which was that recognition memory deficits do occur with PD. The largest deficit occurs in PD participants with dementia. Nevertheless, deficits also occur in PD participants without dementia on medication, but nondopaminergic central nervous system abnormalities are more likely to underlie this deficit than PD medication itself. Future development of a theory of cognitive dysfunction in PD should take into account these recognition memory deficits, which may increase with disease progression.

Aged↗

Cognitive impairment and autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) includes a wide array of manifestations some of which have been associated with specific autoantibodies. These include reactivity to surface neuronal and lymphocyte antigens, ribosomal P and cardiolipin. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between cognitive abnormalities and these autoantibodies in an unselected female population of SLE patients. Using a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, cognitive impairment was identified in 15/70 (21%) SLE patients compared to 1/25 (4%) patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 1/23 (4%) healthy subjects (P = 0.04). Circulating antineuronal antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence using human neuroblastoma cell lines IMR-6 and SK-N-SH. Lymphocytotoxic antibodies were measured by microcytotoxicity. Antibodies to ribosomal P and cardiolipin were measured by ELISA. Antineuronal antibodies were detected in 34%, lymphocytotoxic antibodies in 47%, anti-P antibodies in 17% and anticardiolipin antibodies in 24% of patients. In the cognitively impaired and unimpaired SLE patients there was no significant difference in the prevalence of antineuronal antibodies (33 vs 35%), lymphocytotoxic antibodies (40 vs 50%), anti-P antibodies (20 vs 17%) or anticardiolipin antibodies (7 vs 29%). The titre and isotype of autoantibodies were also similar in both groups. These results suggest that autoantibodies which have previously been associated with nervous system manifestations of SLE are not likely to be directly involved in the pathogenesis of cognitive dysfunction.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗

Coronary artery bypass surgery in older patients: psychiatric morbidity.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in older patients usually results in a favorable surgical outcome. To assess whether age confers greater risk for postoperative psychiatric symptoms in these patients, we retrospectively examined 58 cases (mean age 62.5 years) comparing pertinent clinical features of the index patients to matched controls (mean age 51.7 years). Analysis of the data, including scores on preoperative and postoperative scales measuring anxiety, depression, and cognitive function, showed a statistically significant difference in the cognitive performance of the elderly as shown by lower scores on the Mini Mental State examination (chi-square, P less than .025). Our findings support future efforts to address the clinical relevance of cognitive dysfunction in older coronary bypass patients.

Age Factors↗

Time-dependent cognitive deficits associated with first and second generation antipsychotics: cholinergic dysregulation as a potential mechanism.

Although cognitive dysfunction is considered one of the more debilitating symptoms of schizophrenia, there is a fundamental gap in our knowledge of how the primary pharmacologic treatments of this disease, first- and second-generation antipsychotics (FGAs and SGAs, respectively), affect cognition, particularly over extended periods of time. Moreover, it has been known for decades that chronic treatment with FGAs can lead to imbalances in cholinergic function in the striatum that result in movement disorders; however, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that both FGAs and SGAs can lead to cholinergic alterations in brain areas more traditionally considered as memory-related, such as cortical and hippocampal regions. Data from our laboratories in rodents indicate that some SGAs (if administered for sufficient periods of time) can be associated with impairments in memory-related task performance as well as alterations in the cholinergic enzyme choline acetyltransferase, the vesicular acetylcholine transporter, and nicotinic (alpha(7)) and muscarinic (M(2)) acetylcholine receptors. Given the well documented importance of central cholinergic function to information processing and cognitive function, it is important that the mechanisms for such chronic antipsychotic effects be identified. In this review, two potential mechanisms for long-term antipsychotic-related cholinergic alterations in the central nervous system are discussed: 1) antipsychotic antagonist activity at dopaminergic-D(2) receptors on cholinergic neurons and 2) antipsychotic effects on neurotrophins that support cholinergic neurons, such as nerve growth factor and brain derived growth factor. Novel strategies to optimize the therapeutics of schizophrenia and maintain cognitive function via adjunctive cholinergic compounds and antipsychotic crossover approaches are also discussed.

Animals↗

Nonocclusive common carotid artery thrombosis in the rat results in reversible sensorimotor and cognitive behavioral deficits.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Microemboli released during transient ischemic attack, stroke, and cardiac surgery are thought to cause a variety of functional deficits in humans. The purpose of this study was to characterize the type and extent of neurobehavioral deficits present after photochemically induced common carotid artery thrombosis (CCAT), a thromboembolic model of stroke in the rat that results in a platelet emboli shower. METHODS: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups. Groups 1 (n = 8) and 3 (n = 8) were long-term (6-week survival) and short-term (2-week survival) experimental groups subjected to right CCAT with the use of the photochemical technique. Groups 2 (n = 8) and 4 (n = 8) served as sham-operated controls for each experimental group. A battery of behavioral tests was applied daily beginning 24 hours after thrombosis; this consisted of elicited forelimb placing, postural reflex, beam balance, beam walking, and open field activity. Cognitive testing with a water maze task was performed on post-CCAT days 30 to 33 for groups 1 and 2 and on post-CCAT day 2 for groups 3 and 4. Ten-micrometer coronal brain sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and infarct location and frequency were determined. RESULTS: Significant sensorimotor deficits were observed, which recovered within 2 weeks after CCAT. The data that follow are derived by combining the two experimental groups and comparing these with the two sham groups. The following tests showed significant effects after CCAT: contralateral elicited forelimb placing, ipsilateral elicited forelimb placing, beam balance, and beam walking score. Cognitive dysfunction was seen acutely (group 3 animals) at 2 days after CCAT; Morris water maze length and latency to target were significantly greater in the experimental group. No deficits were seen in postural reflex, open field activity, or delayed cognitive testing. Histopathological assessment revealed small infarcts in 11 of 16 thrombosed rats. However, a strong relationship between neurobehavioral deficits and infarct location was not consistently demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: CCAT produces consistent sensorimotor and cognitive behavioral deficits that recover within 2 weeks of injury. Behavioral outcome was not necessarily associated with overt histopathological damage, suggesting that reversible injury mechanisms, both vascular and neuronal, may be partly responsible for the temporary loss of function. These data strengthen the role of CCAT as a clinically relevant model of thromboembolic stroke.

Animals↗

Relationship of normal serum vitamin B12 and folate levels to cognitive test performance in subtypes of geriatric major depression.

This retrospective study evaluated the relationships between normal serum vitamin B12 and folate levels and neuropsychologic measures in a sample of 60 geriatric inpatients with psychotic depression, nonpsychotic depression, bipolar disorder, and dementia--all consecutively referred for cognitive testing. The psychotic depression subgroup demonstrated numerous significant positive correlations between B12 and cognitive subtests not seen in other diagnostic subgroups, especially those of IQ, and verbal and visual memory. Metabolic factors including vitamin B12 may play specific roles in the cognitive dysfunctions of different geropsychiatric disorders.

Aged↗

Cognitive functioning in male polydrug abusers with and without family history of alcoholism.

We investigated the family history of alcoholism as a potential contributor to cognitive dysfunction in polydrug abusers. A sample of 62 male polydrug users whose main drug of use was heroin included no one with which comorbid antisocial behavior varied by family history of alcoholism. They were compared on a battery of cognitive tests. Polydrug users with positive histories tended to perform worse on several cognitive measures than those with negative family histories, but these tendencies were not statistically significant. The current findings support the hypothesis that cognitive deficiencies observed in previous studies of persons with positive family histories of alcoholism may, in part, be attributable to a failure to exclude individuals with diagnoses of antisocial behavior.

Adult↗

MR lesion load and cognitive function in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease most often associated with progressive physical impairment; however, its effects are noted to extend beyond physical disability. Our purpose was to determine the relationship between T2 lesion volume and neurocognitive and physical disability in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. METHODS: We studied a cohort of 19 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Of this group, there were 15 women and four men from varying socioeconomic backgrounds. This volunteer sample was selected from a larger group of 53 patients with MS in our longitudinal MS study because they had been untreated with any beta-interferon medications, had been followed for at least 12 months, and had a clinical status of relapsing-remitting MS. RESULTS: Of 12 neurocognitive parameters tested, two correlated significantly with lesion loads. The correlation of the Symbol-Digit Modalities test, which analyzes information-processing speed, was significant (P = .0204). The correlation of the fifth trial of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning test, which tests verbal long-term memory, was also significant (P = .0348). None of the other 10 neurocognitive examinations, however, showed a significant correlation with total lesion volume (Paced Auditory Serial Addition test-1.6, P = .7381; Paced Auditory Serial Addition test-2.0, P = .4180; Controlled Oral Word Association test, P = .8906; Category Fluency test, P = .4423; Bells test, P = .9097; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning test-delay, P = .9843, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning test-recognition, P = .7467; Word Span test, P = .4939; Road Map test, P = 0.4939). The lesion load also did not correlate with the physical disability scales as rated according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (P = .68) or Ambulation Index (P = .95). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that T2 lesion volume does not seem to be a robust surrogate marker of neuropsychological impairment in patients with MS. We think that global measurements of parameters that are more specific to the disease process may offer more precise correlation with cognitive dysfunction and other disability parameters.

Adult↗

Neuropsychological effects of interferon beta-1a in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Collaborative Research Group.

Cognitive dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet few studies have examined effects of treatment on neuropsychological (NP) performance. To evaluate the effects of interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a, 30 microg administered intramuscularly once weekly [Avonex]) on cognitive function, a Comprehensive NP Battery was administered at baseline and week 104 to relapsing MS patients in the phase III study, 166 of whom completed both assessments. A Brief NP Battery was also administered at 6-month intervals. The primary NP outcome measure was 2-year change on the Comprehensive NP Battery, grouped into domains of information processing and learning/memory (set A), visuospatial abilities and problem solving (set B), and verbal abilities and attention span (set C). NP effects were most pronounced in cognitive domains vulnerable to MS: IFNbeta-1a had a significant beneficial effect on the set A composite, with a favorable trend evident on set B. Secondary outcome analyses revealed significant between-group differences in slopes for Brief NP Battery performance and time to sustained deterioration in a Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test processing rate, favoring the IFNbeta-1a group. These results support and extend previous observations of significant beneficial effects of IFNbeta-1a for relapsing MS.

Adolescent↗

Sneddon's syndrome: a cause of cognitive decline in young adults.

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical, psychometric, laboratory, and radiologic findings of 6 patients with Sneddon's syndrome (SS) who presented with cognitive dysfunction rather than stroke. DESIGN AND METHODS: Case series. All patients fulfilled were diagnosed as SS based on the co-occurrence of livedo racemosa and neurologic disease. Patients presenting with clinical stroke were excluded. RESULTS: Patients presented with cognitive complaints at an early age and all noted skin lesions from 6 months to 10 years before onset of cognitive symptoms. Associated systemic disorders included hypertension and seizures. Laboratory evidence of a hypercoagulable condition was identified in 4 of 6 cases. Brain MRI scans demonstrated atrophy, especially in parieto-occipital regions and cerebral blood flow on brain SPECT scan was reduced in a similar distribution. CONCLUSION: Patients with SS can develop dementia without antecedent clinical stroke. While the specific pathogenic mechanism of dementia in SS remains speculative, the disease predominantly injures brain tissue in vascular "watershed" territories.

Adult↗

Behavioral and learning problems in schoolchildren related to cognitive test data.

AIM: To assess cognitive functions in children who were reported by their teachers and parents to exhibit learning and/or behavioural problems, especially in the field of attention. METHOD: In connection with the scheduled school health examination in grade 4 in one municipality, 591 children were screened through questionnaires and interviews with the parents and teachers. Those with positive rating scores were subjected to further cognitive assessments, including the WISC III. A cluster analysis based on cognitive data was performed. RESULTS: One third (175 children) of the population obtained a positive rating score, indicating significant behavioural and/or learning problems. Of these, 144 children were assessed. Cluster analysis revealed six clusters. Within these clusters, two large groups were identified: one group displayed generally low cognitive abilities and one group was dominated by attention deficit symptoms. CONCLUSION: We found a surprisingly high number of positive rating scores in the cohort (30%). This could be explained, on the one hand, by known developmental disorders, such as mental retardation and learning disabilities, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and pervasive developmental disorders, and, on the other hand, by prevalent milder cognitive dysfunctions that, in combination with inappropriate demands, seemed to lead to overt behavioural problems.

Child↗

Effects of clozapine on cognitive function in schizophrenia.

Cognitive dysfunction may underlie some of the psychopathology of schizophrenia as well as contribute to impaired social and vocational function in this disorder. Chronic treatment with typical neuroleptics has been reported to produce only minimal improvement in and may impair cognitive function in schizophrenia. We have studied the effect of clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug, on cognitive function in 36 patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. In addition, patients with non-treatment-resistant schizophrenia were randomly assigned to clozapine (N = 24) or typical neuroleptics (N = 23). Cognitive function in the treatment-resistant schizophrenia group was studied after 6 weeks and 6 months of treatment, while the non-treatment-resistant patients were also studied at 12 months of treatment. Clozapine treatment improved several domains of cognitive function, especially attention and verbal fluency in both treatment-resistant schizophrenia and non-treatment-resistant schizophrenia. On the other hand, typical neuroleptic treatment produced minimal improvement in cognitive function. The effect of clozapine on some tests of attention and verbal fluency was significantly greater than that of typical neuroleptic treatment in non-treatment-resistant schizophrenia. These data suggest that clozapine treatment was superior to typical neuroleptics in improving cognitive function in schizophrenia. The possibility that this is related to normalization of dopaminergic function by clozapine is discussed.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

Relationship of dysfunctional attitudes and dexamethasone response in endogenous and nonendogenous depression.

Taken as a whole the data presented provide support for Klein's conceptualization of etiologically distinct subtypes of depression. A basic limbic system derangement in endogenous depression is suggested by the higher incidence of DST nonsuppression. Beck's theory that all depressions result from a primary cognitive dysfunction was not supported. However, the data do suggest dysfunctional attitudes, while present in both nonendogenous and endogenous depressions, may play an etiologically more relevant role in the nonendogenous group.

Adult↗

Cognitive impairments in Machado-Joseph disease.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive function of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) patients has not been clarified. OBJECTIVES: To determine the characteristics of cognitive dysfunction in MJD patients and to assess the relationship of dysfunction to age at onset, age at examination, disease duration, education, ataxia, depression, anxiety, and CAG repeat length. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Research-oriented hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen genetically confirmed MJD patients able to complete neuropsychological tests and 20 control subjects matched to patients by age and education. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neuropsychological tests, including general cognition, verbal and visual memory, working memory, visuospatial and constructional ability, language, executive function, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: Machado-Joseph disease patients scored significantly lower than controls in verbal and visual memory, in visuospatial and constructional tasks, and in phonemic and semantic fluency tasks. None of these impairments correlated with CAG repeat length, age at onset, age at examination, disease duration, or education. Verbal fluency (words named in a category) correlated with the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale score. CONCLUSION: Machado-Joseph disease patients have verbal and visual memory deficits, visuospatial and constructional dysfunction, and verbal fluency deficits, all unrelated to CAG repeat length.

Adult↗

Tick-borne encephalitis--pathogenesis, clinical course and long-term follow-up.

The prospective studies available today confirm the experience gained from several retrospective studies that TBE is a disease with a severe acute clinical course and considerable long-term morbidity. A defined post-encephalitic TBE syndrome exists, causing long-lasting morbidity that often affects the quality of life and sometimes also forces the individual to a change in life-style. The sequelae render high costs for individual patients and the society. Three clinical courses may be identified: one with complete recovery within 2 months, occurring in approximately one fourth of patients, one with protracted, mainly cognitive dysfunction, and one with persisting spinal nerve paralysis with or without other post-encephalitic symptoms. Up to 46% of patients are left with permanent sequelae at long-time follow-up, the most commonly reported residuals being various cognitive or neuropsychiatric complaints, balance disorders, headache, dysphasia, hearing defects, and spinal paralysis. This knowledge enhances the need for continued local epidemiological surveillance of TBE to form a basis for vaccination policies. Even though knowledge of the clinical course of TBE has improved in recent years, there are still several aspects of this disease that warrant further studies. These comprise the clinical picture and prognosis in children, an evaluation of different rehabilitation strategies, and an improved understanding of pathogenic mechanisms to permit the development of antiviral or, maybe more probable, immune modulatory treatment strategies.

Encephalitis, Tick-Borne↗