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Background: Bilateral symmetrical simultaneous thalamic hemorrhages are extremely rare. Case presentation: A 52-year-old female patient with a history of untreated hypertension, ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus was admitted with somnolence, disorientation, 3/5 right-sided hemiparesis and blood pressure of 200/110 mmHg. Cranial CT scan showed bilateral thalamic hemorrhages, with bilateral intraventricular propagation and subarachnoid component along the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes. CT angiography did not show any source of bleeding or cerebral vein or sinus thrombosis. Coagulation laboratory parameters were in normal range.The patient was treated with a combination of intravenous and oral antihypertensive medication; five days later she become normotensive with improving motor function but was still somnolent.Six weeks later she was fully alert, motor functions continued to improve, but had severe cognitive deficit. Repeated neuropsychological assessment showed a slow and moderate improvement of a major neurocognitive impairment. At discharge her Mini Mental State Examination score was 13/30 and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III score was 42/100.Cranial MRI scan eight weeks later depicted subacute-chronic stages of the bilateral hemorrhages, regression of perifocal edema, cerebral microbleeds in the left external capsule and the pons.At discharge after 2 months, she was alert, had no focal neurological signs, but was unable to care for herself due to lack of motivation, spatial and temporal disorientation and severe cognitive deficit. Conclusion: Simultaneous bilateral thalamic hemorrhages are extremely rare, the most commonly observed symptom is cognitive impairment. Our case was caused by hypertensive crisis, but in the differential diagnosis, sinus thrombosis, hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke and various hemophilias should be considered.

Imperata cylindrica is a globally distributed plant known for its antiepileptic attributes, but there is a scarcity of robust evidence for its efficacy. The study investigated neuroprotective attributes of Imperata cylindrica root extract on neuropathological features of epilepsy in a Drosophila melanogaster mutant model of epilepsy. It was conducted on 10-day-old (at the initiation of study) male post-eclosion bang-senseless paralytic Drosophila (parabss1) involved acute (1-3 h) and chronic (6-18 days) experiments; n = 50 flies per group (convulsions tests); n = 100 flies per group (learning/memory tests and histological examination). Administrations were done in 1 g standard fly food, per os. The mutant flies of study (parabss1) showed marked age-dependent progressive brain neurodegeneration and axonal degeneration, significant (P < 0.05) bang sensitivity and convulsions, and cognitive deficits due to up-regulation of the paralytic gene in our mutants. The neuropathological findings were significantly (P < 0.05) alleviated in dose and duration-dependent fashions to near normal/normal after acute and chronic treatment with extract similar to sodium valproate. Therefore, para is expressed in neurons of brain tissues in our mutant flies to bring about epilepsy phenotypes and behaviors of the current juvenile and old-adult mutant D. melanogaster models of epilepsy. The herb exerts neuroprotection by anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic mechanisms in mutant D. melanogaster due to plant flavonoids, polyphenols, and chromones (1 and 2) which exert antioxidative and receptor or voltage-gated sodium ion channels' inhibitory properties, and thus causing reduced inflammation and apoptosis, increased tissue repair, and improved cell biology in the brain of mutant flies. The methanol root extract provides anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic medicinal values which protect epileptic D. melanogaster. Therefore, the herb should be advanced for more experimental and clinical studies to confirm its efficacy in treating epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose : This study examined the effects of an integrated management program on physical function, cognitive function, and depression in patients with subacute stroke. Methods: A nonequivalent control group design was adopted. The participants were assigned to either the experimental group (n=20) or control group (n=23). The experimental group received an 8-week integrated management program and standard rehabilitation service (i.e., physical therapy and occupational therapy), while the control group received the standard rehabilitation service only. Physical function was measured as gait speed and balance ability using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Cognitive function was measured with neuro-behavioral cognitive status examination (NCSE), and depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine changes in physical function, cognitive function, and depression over 8-weeks. Results: The interaction between group and time was significant, indicating that the experimental group showed improvement in gait speed, balance ability, cognitive function (linguistic ability, linguistic memory, reasoning), and a decrease in depression compared to the control group. Conclusion : These results indicate that the integrated management program developed herein was beneficial in restoring physical function, cognitive function, and depression in subacute stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim. Recently, the problem of endothelial dysfunction is in high interest. It was proved that microcirculatory disorders play main role in development and progression of target organ damage in essential arterial hypertension (EAH). Microcirculatory bed itself should be the target of EAH. Modern antihypertension drugs, despite of normalization of blood pressure (BP), should fulfill the prevention of target organ damage. In our study, the influence was evaluated, of treatment with the fixed combination of perindopril A and amlodipine (Prestans®, “Les Laboratoires Servier”, France) on structural and functional parameters of the heart and vessels.Material and methods. In the study, 30 patients with grade II-III EAH included, mean age 54,12±9,15 y.o., duration of EAH — 12,6 (4;21) years. For the assessment of endothelial function and structural and functional condition of capillary net of a finger skin, photopletysmography were applied and videocapillroscopy, respectively.Results. Therapy with Prestans® led to improvement of functioning of the middle sized vessels and microcirculatory vessels (MC) (increase of occlusion index on MC level from 1,5 to 1,8, p

Background: Excessive manganese exposure can lead to neurotoxicity with detrimental effects on the brain. Neuroinflammatory responses and redox regulation play pivotal roles in this process. Exploring the impact of hyperoside in a Wistar rat model offers insights into potential neuroprotective strategies against manganese-induced neurotoxicity., Objective: The study investigated the neuroprotective efficacy of hyperoside isolated from the ethanol leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium (HELEGL), in the brain tissue of Wistar rats following 15 consecutive days of exposure to 30 mg/L of MnCl2., Methods: Control animals in Group 1 had access to regular drinking water, while animals in groups 2-4 were exposed to MnCl 2 in their drinking water. Groups 3 and 4 also received additional HELEGL at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. In Group 5, HELEGL at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight was administered alone. Treatment with HELEGL commenced on day 8 via oral administration., Results: HELEGL effectively mitigated MnCl 2 -induced memory impairment, organ-body weight discrepancies, and fluid intake deficits. Exposure to MnCl 2 increased the activities or levels of various markers such as acyl peptide hydrolase, tumour necrosis factor-α, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, nitric oxide, IL-1β, prolyl oligopeptidase, caspase-3, myeloperoxidase, H 2 O 2 , and malondialdehyde, while it decreased the activities or levels of others, including AChE, BChE, DOPA, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, GST, GPx, CAT, SOD, GSH, and T-SH (p < 0.05). In contrast, HELEGL effectively counteracted the adverse effects of MnCl 2 by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, cognitive deficits, and bolstering the antioxidant status. Moreover, HELEGL restored the normal histoarchitecture of the brain, which had been distorted by MnCl 2 ., Conclusion: In summary, HELEGL reversed the causative factors of neurodegenerative diseases induced by MnCl 2 exposure, suggesting its potential for further exploration as a prospective therapeutic agent in the management of Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

OBJECTIVE: To describe the neuropsychological profile of mild cognitive impairment subtypes (amnestic, non-amnestic and multiple-domain) of a clinical sample. We further address the diagnostic properties of the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Cambridge Cognitive Examination for the identification of the different mild cognitive impairment subtypes in clinical practice. METHOD: Cross-sectional clinical and neuropsychological evaluation of 249 elderly patients attending a memory clinic at a university hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: The performance of patients with mild cognitive impairment was heterogeneous across the different subtests of the neuropsychological battery, with a trend towards an overall worse performance for amnestic (particularly multiple domain) mild cognitive impairment as compared to non-amnestic subtypes. Screening tests for dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination and Cambridge Cognitive Examination) adequately discriminated cases of mild Alzheimer's disease from controls, but they were not accurate to discriminate patients with mild cognitive impairment (all subtypes) from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The discrimination of mild cognitive impairment subtypes was possible only with the aid of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. It is necessary to develop new strategies for mild cognitive impairment screening in clinical practice.OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil neuropsicológico dos subtipos de comprometimento cognitivo leve, amnéstico, não-amnéstico e múltiplos domínios, de uma amostra clínica. Além disto, avaliou-se as propriedades diagnósticas do Mini-exame do Estado Mental e do Cambridge Cognitive Examination na identificação dos diferentes subtipos de comprometimento cognitivo leve na prática clínica. MÉTODO: Avaliação clínica e neuropsicológica transversal de 249 idosos em uma clínica de memória de um hospital universitário em São Paulo, Brasil. RESULTADOS: Testes de rastreio para demência (Mini-exame do Estado Mental e Cambridge Cognitive Examination) identificam corretamente casos de doença de Alzheimer leve, mas não apresentam boa acurácia para diferenciar os diversos subtipos de comprometimento cognitivo leve. A performance dos sujeitos portadores de comprometimento cognitivo leve foi heterogênea nos diferentes testes da bateria neuropsicológica, com uma tendência a uma pior performance global nos pacientes com o subtipo amnéstico (especialmente os com envolvimento de múltiplos domínios cognitivos) em relação ao comprometimento cognitivo leve não-amnéstico. CONCLUSÕES: A discriminação dos diferentes subtipos de comprometimento cognitivo leve foi possível somente a partir de uma avaliação neuropsicológica detalhada. Desta maneira, é necessário o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias de rastreio para esta condição na prática clínica.

Background and objective Delirium is an important predictor of negative clinical outcomes in intensive care unit ( ICU), including prolonged mechanical ventilation ( MV). However, delirium has not yet proven to be directly linked to weaning difficulties. The objective of this cohort study was to evaluate the association between delirium, as observed on the day of the weaning trial, and subsequent weaning outcomes in medical patients. Methods This is a retrospective analysis with prospectively collected data on weaning from mechanical ventilation ( MV) and delirium, as assessed by bedside ICU nurses using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU ( CAM-ICU) between October 2011 and September 2013. Results During the study period, a total of 393 patients with MV support underwent a spontaneous breathing trial ( SBT) according to the standardized protocol. Of these patients, 160 (40.7%) were diagnosed with delirium on the day of the first SBT. Patients without delirium were more successfully extubated than those with delirium (81.5% vs 69.4%, P = 0.005). Delirium was found to be associated with final weaning outcomes, including difficult ( OR 1.962, 95% CI 1.201-3.205) and prolonged weaning ( OR 2.318, 95% CI 1.272-4.226) when simple weaning was used as a reference category. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, delirium was still significantly associated with difficult weaning (adjusted OR 2.073, 95% CI 1.124-3.822), but not with prolonged weaning (adjusted OR 2.001, 95% CI 0.875-4.575). Conclusion Delirium, as assessed by the CAM-ICU at the time of first weaning trial, was significantly associated with weaning difficulties in medical patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study that examines the effectiveness of galvanic cutaneous stimulation provided during curves or intermittently during the whole circuit in mitigating simulator syndrome. Topics include the use of drivers in the study, comparison of scores of the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) across different stimulation conditions, screening of drivers for motion sickness, and application of stimulation through electrodes placed on the sternocleidomastoid muscles of neck.

Objective To observe the effect of a variety dosage of dexmedetomidine on circulatory and cognitive functions in elderly patients who underwent hip orthopedic surgery. Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent hip orthopedic surgery, with age over 65 years old were recruited from 06/2013 to 09/2014 and were administered intravenously dexmedetomidine after epidural anesthesia. Based on the dosage of dexmedetomidine, patients were randomly divided into 3 groups with 40 cases in each group: Group A were given 0.2 μg·h-1·kg-1 dexmedetomidine; Group B were given dexmedetomidine 0.4 μg·h-1·kg-1, and group C were given 0.6 μg·h-1·kg-1. The heart rate (HR)，mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded at 6 time points, including the time entering operating room (T0), 10 min (T1), 20 min (T2) after drug administration, the time of drug withdrawal (T3), 10 min after drug withdrawal (T4) and the terminal time of surgery (T5) respectively. Cognitive function was evaluated by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) at the time points of 24 hours before surgery (t1), 12 hours (t2), 24 hours (t3), and 72 hours (t4) after surgery. Results All 3 groups of patients show no significant differenceof MAP, HR and SpO2 at T0 (P > 0. 05)．A significant decrease in MAP and HR were observed in Group C at T2 and T3 time points compared to those in Group A or Group B (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in MMSE at time point T1 among all three groups (P > 0.05). However, compared to that in group A or group C, MMSE increased significantly at time point T2, T3 in group B (P < 0.05). In addition, compared to group A or group C, the patients in group B exhibited lower incidence of postoperative cognitive function disorder (P < 0.05). Conclusion Continuous intravenous infusion of Dexmedetomidine can be used in elderly patient who underwent hip orthopedic surgery at the dose of 0.4 μg·h-1·kg-1 safely with little interference to circulatory and cognitive function in perioperative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: We hypothesized that valerian root might prevent cognitive dysfunction in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients through stimulating serotonin receptors and anti-inflammatory activity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Valeriana officinalis root extract on prevention of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after on-pump CABG surgery. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 61 patients, aged between 30 and 70 years, scheduled for elective CABG surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), were recruited into the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups who received either one valerian capsule containing 530 mg of valerian root extract (1,060 mg/daily) or placebo capsule each 12 h for 8 weeks, respectively. For all patients, cognitive brain function was evaluated before the surgery and at 10-day and 2-month follow-up by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test. Results: Mean MMSE score decreased from 27.03 ± 2.02 in the preoperative period to 26.52 ± 1.82 at the 10th day and then increased to 27.45 ± 1.36 at the 60th day in the valerian group. Conversely, its variation was reduced significantly after 60 days in the placebo group, 27.37 ± 1.87 at the baseline to 24 ± 1.91 at the 10th day, and consequently slightly increased to 24.83 ± 1.66 at the 60th day. Valerian prophylaxis reduced odds of cognitive dysfunction compared to placebo group (OR = 0.108, 95 % CI 0.022-0.545). Conclusion: We concluded that, based on this study, the cognitive state of patients in the valerian group was better than that in the placebo group after CABG; therefore, it seems that the use of V. officinalis root extract may prevent early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after on-pump CABG surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and serum ACE activity, as well as amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), was investigated. The study recruited 90 aMCI patients and 90 matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent an extensive assessment of cognitive function. The ACE gene I/D genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Serum ACE activity was measured using a spectrophotometric technique. The scores obtained by the aMCI patients on the neuropsychological tests were significantly lower than those of the control subjects (all p <0.01). The genotype (χ 2 =11.510) and allele (χ 2 =6.945) frequencies of the ACE gene were significantly different between the aMCI and the control groups (all p <0.01). The DD genotype (23%) and D-allele (57%) frequencies in the aMCI patients were higher than those in the controls (16% vs. 43%). ACE genotype was correlated with delayed recall in Auditory Verbal Memory Test, delayed recall in Complex Figure Test, Category Fluency Test, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test in all subjects, in which the carriers of the DD and DI genotypes obtained lower scores than those of the II genotype (p <0.05). A significant difference in the serum ACE level was observed among the three genotypes (DD>DI>II) in both the aMCI and the control groups (all p <0.01). D-allele may be a genetic risk factor for the development of aMCI to Alzheimer''s disease. A high serum ACE level possibly plays an important role in the incidence of aMCI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previous studies on the association between poststroke cognitive impairment and quality of life (QoL) have shown divergent results. In this study, we investigated the relationships between cognitive functioning and various QoL domains at 1 year poststroke. This was a cross-sectional study, examining 92 patients at 1 year poststroke. Cognitive functioning was measured with a neuropsychological test battery covering language, attention and psychomotor function, memory, visuoperception, and neglect. QoL domains were functional independence (Barthel Index), social participation (Frenchay Activities Index), depressive mood (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale), and life satisfaction (Life Satisfaction Questionnaire). Bivariate and multivariate relationships between cognitive and QoL variables were analyzed, the latter both with and without controlling for demographic variables and motor impairment. The prevalence of cognitive impairments varied between 19.3% (neglect) and 72% (attention and psychomotor function). Correlations between cognitive functioning and QoL were strongest for social participation (0.41-0.60, P < .01) and functional independence (0.13-0.58, P < .05). The percentages of variance explained by the total cognition score were 19% for functional independence, 40% for participation, 8% for life satisfaction, and 5% for depression. Controlling for demographic factors and motor impairments resulted in negligible percentages of variance additionally explained by cognitive functioning. The percentages of explained variance were somewhat lower in the analyses with the separate cognitive domains and not significant for depression. Poor cognitive functioning was associated with reduced functional independence, social participation, depressive mood, and life satisfaction 1 year post; however, motor impairment was a stronger determinant of long-term QoL than cognitive functioning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: After minor head injury (MHI), post-concussive symptoms commonly occur. The purpose of this study was to correlate the severity of post-concussive symptoms in MHI patients with MRI measures of microstructural brain injury, namely mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA), as well as the presence of microhaemorrhages. Methods: Twenty MHI patients and 12 healthy controls were scanned at 3 T using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and high-resolution gradient recalled echo (HRGRE) T2*-weighted sequences. One patient was excluded from the analysis because of bilateral subdural haematomas. DTI data were preprocessed using Tract Based Spatial Statistics. The resulting MD and FA images were correlated with the severity of post-concussive symptoms evaluated with the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire. The number and location of microhaemorrhages were assessed on the HRGRE T2*-weighted images. Results: Comparing patients with controls, there were no differences in MD. FA was decreased in the right temporal subcortical white matter. MD was increased in association with the severity of post-concussive symptoms in the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFO), the inferior longitudinal fasciculus and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. FA was reduced in association with the severity of post-concussive symptoms in the uncinate fasciculus, the IFO, the internal capsule and the corpus callosum, as well as in the parietal and frontal subcortical white matter. Microhaemorrhages were observed in one patient only. Conclusions: The severity of post-concussive symptoms after MHI was significantly correlated with a reduction of white matter integrity, providing evidence of microstructural brain injury as a neuropathological substrate of the post-concussion syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measures of fear of falling have not yet been validated in patients with dementia, leaving a methodological gap that limits research in a population at high risk of falling and fall-related consequences. Objective: The objectives of this study are to determine: (1) the validity of the 7-item Short Falls Efficacy Scale International (Short FES-I) in geriatric patients with and without cognitive impairment, and (2) the sensitivity to change of the 10-item Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), the 16-item FES-I and the 7-item Short FES-I in geriatric patients with dementia. Methods: Cross-sectional data of community-dwelling older adults and geriatric rehabilitation patients (n = 284) collected during face-to-face interviews were used to determine construct and discriminant validity by testing for differences within variables related to fear of falling. Sensitivity to change was studied in an intervention study including patients with mild to moderate dementia (n = 130) as determined by standard response means (SRMs). Results: The Short FES-I showed excellent construct and discriminant validity in the total group and subsamples according to cognitive status. Sensitivity to change was adequate to good in the FES (range SRM: 0.18-0.77) and FES-I (range SRM: 0.21-0.74), with the Short FES-I showing the highest peak sensitivity to change (range SRM: 0.18-0.91). Conclusions: The Short FES-I is a valid measure to assess fear of falling in frail older adults with and without cognitive impairment, yet it may show floor effects in higher functioning older people. All scales, including the Short FES-I, were sensitive to detecting intervention-induced changes in concerns about falling in geriatric patients with dementia. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blast-related head injuries are one of the most prevalent injuries among military personnel deployed in service of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Although several studies have evaluated symptoms after blast injury in military personnel, few studies compared them to nonblast injuries or measured symptoms within the acute stage after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Knowledge of acute symptoms will help deployed clinicians make important decisions regarding recommendations for treatment and return to duty. Furthermore, differences more apparent during the acute stage might suggest important predictors of the long-term trajectory of recovery. This study evaluated concussive, psychological, and cognitive symptoms in military personnel and civilian contractors (N = 82) diagnosed with mild TBI (mTBI) at a combat support hospital in Iraq. Participants completed a clinical interview, the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric (ANAM), PTSD Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M), Behavioral Health Measure (BHM), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) within 72 hr of injury. Results suggest that there are few differences in concussive symptoms, psychological symptoms, and neurocognitive performance between blast and nonblast mTBIs, although clinically significant impairment in cognitive reaction time for both blast and nonblast groups is observed. Reductions in ANAM accuracy were related to duration of loss of consciousness, not injury mechanism. (JINS, 2011, 17, 000–000) [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Blast-related head injuries are one of the most prevalent injuries among military personnel deployed in service of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Although several studies have evaluated symptoms after blast injury in military personnel, few studies compared them to nonblast injuries or measured symptoms within the acute stage after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Knowledge of acute symptoms will help deployed clinicians make important decisions regarding recommendations for treatment and return to duty. Furthermore, differences more apparent during the acute stage might suggest important predictors of the long-term trajectory of recovery. This study evaluated concussive, psychological, and cognitive symptoms in military personnel and civilian contractors (N = 82) diagnosed with mild TBI (mTBI) at a combat support hospital in Iraq. Participants completed a clinical interview, the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric (ANAM), PTSD Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M), Behavioral Health Measure (BHM), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) within 72 hr of injury. Results suggest that there are few differences in concussive symptoms, psychological symptoms, and neurocognitive performance between blast and nonblast mTBIs, although clinically significant impairment in cognitive reaction time for both blast and nonblast groups is observed. Reductions in ANAM accuracy were related to duration of loss of consciousness, not injury mechanism. (JINS, 2011, 17, 000–000) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cognitive deficits are common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and may be observed early in the course of the disease. Current knowledge about the association between cognitive impairment and health-related quality of life (HQOL) in patients with early MS is limited. We used a well-established battery of cognitive tests and standardized HQOL measures to examine the associations between overall and domain-specific cognitive performance and quality of life in patients with early MS. Ninety-two patients with CIS or MS diagnosed in the previous three years participating in the CLIMB Natural History Study underwent a neurologic examination, neuropsychological evaluation and quality of life assessment. Associations between cognitive scores and HQOL measures were examined. There were no differences between cognitively impaired versus unimpaired subjects on any of the HQOL measures. After controlling for depression, scores on tests of information processing speed were significantly associated with several measures of HQOL including physical well-being, fatigue, and social support. In all cases, correlations between HQOL and cognitive measures were mild. These findings were observed in patients with limited cognitive impairment and minimal physical disability. Our results suggest that cognitive remediation programs aimed at improving cognitive skills may also improve quality of life for patients with early MS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cognitive dysfunction is common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and has been associated with MRI measures of lesion burden and atrophy. Little is known about the prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with early MS. The associations between cognitive impairment and MRI measures of disease severity early in the disease course are also unclear. This study used a brief battery of cognitive tests to determine the prevalence and pattern of cognitive impairment in patients with clinically isolated syndromes or newly diagnosed MS. The associations between cognitive impairment and MRI measures of disease severity early in the disease course were also examined. Ninety-two patients with clinically isolated syndromes or the diagnosis of MS within the last 3 years participating in the CLIMB study underwent a neurologic examination, neuropsychological evaluation and MRI at 1.5T. Forty-nine percent of patients were impaired on one or more cognitive measures. There were no significant correlations between cognitive scores and MRI measures of disease severity including total T2 lesion volume, normal appearing white matter volume, grey matter volume, and brain parenchymal fraction. These findings suggest that cognitive impairment may predate the appearance of gross structural abnormalities on MRI and serve as an early marker of disease activity in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The event-related potential (ERP) evoked by the auditory oddball paradigm has been investigated mainly in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and in patients with different causes of subcortical dementia. Subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD) seems to be an important cause of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) frequently not fulfilling the criteria for dementia. Recognition of VCI is needed in order to provide adequate care and therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the different elements of this response (N1, N2 complex and P3 latencies) in a group of elderly patients with VCI caused by SIVD. Methods: The study population consisted of patients with a clinical and neuropsychological diagnosis of VCI caused by SIVD (n = 38) and healthy control subjects (n = 53) aged 60 years or older. The mean Mini Mental State Examination score of both groups was 27.6, and the mean HIV Dementia Scale score was 6.1 in the patient group and 12.3 in the control group. In all subjects, the ERP was recorded under standardized conditions, and the latencies and amplitudes of N1, N2 and P3 were analyzed by two clinical neurophysiologists in consensus. Both were blinded to the diagnosis. Results: The N2 latency was significantly longer in patients with VCI than in age-matched controls, whereas the latencies of the P3 and N1 were not significantly different. The peak-to-peak amplitude of the N2 complex to the P3 wave was significantly lower in the patient group. White matter abnormalities on MRI were not significantly correlated with the N2 latency. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the latency of the N2 complex is prolonged and the peak-to-peak amplitude of the N2 complex to the P3 wave is lowered in patients with VCI caused by SIVD. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether the probabilistic reasoning bias referred to as a “jumping-to-conclusions” (JTC) style of reasoning, which, according to previous research, is associated with particular psychotic symptoms such as delusions, represents a trait that can also be detected in nonpsychotic relatives of patients with schizophrenia and in nonpsychotic individuals with a high level of psychotic experiences. Participants were, in order of level of psychosis liability, 40 patients with schizophrenia or a schizoaffective disorder, 40 first-degree nonpsychotic relatives, 41 participants from the general population with above average expression of psychotic experiences, and 53 participants from the general population with an average level of psychotic experiences. A “jumping-to-conclusions” bias was assessed using the beads task. A dose-response relationship was found in the association between level of psychosis liability and JTC (defined as needing only a single bead to complete the beads task) (odds ratio [OR] linear trend = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.13–2.24), and, independently, alinear association was apparent between JTC and level of delusional ideation (OR linear trend = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.18–5.69). In addition, the association between psychosis liability and JTC was generally much stronger as the level of delusional ideation was higher. JTC is associated with liability to psychosis (trait), in particular if the psychosis phenotype is characterized by delusional ideation (state). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was designed to determine whether there is a lateralized pattern of cognitive dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Fifty right-handed patients with SLE, but no history of cerebrovascular disease participated in the study. Thirty right-handed healthy subjects matched for age and education served as controls. SLE and healthy control subjects underwent a three-hour neuropsychological evaluation designed to measure attention, memory, visual spatial skills, verbal skills reasoning, psychomotor speed, and motor function. A cognitive disability index was created to identify cognitive impairment. Percentile tables based on the performance of all subjects were constructed for 20 component scores. Any subject with five or more component scores below the 25th percentile was designated impaired. Using this criterion, cognitive impairment was identified in 50% of patients with SLE and 20% of healthy controls. Patients with SLE were impaired on measures of psychomotor speed/fluency, verbal speed/fluency and verbal memory. This pattern of performance on neuropsycholgical testing was consistent with left hemisphere brain dysfunction. The observed deficits were not clearly attributable to vascular lesions and suggest immune-mediated effects on specific brain regions in a subgroup of patients with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to determine the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and effects on cognitive function of GTS-21 in healthy, male volunteers. A total of 18 subjects were randomized to GTS-21 (25, 75 and 150 mg) or placebo administered three times daily (first 4 days, once on Day 5) for three, 5-day sessions. GTS-21 was well tolerated up to doses of 450 mg/day, with no clinically significant safety findings. Cmax and the area under the plasma concentration of GTS-21 and the metabolite 4-OH-GTS-21 increased in a dose-related fashion; although considerable intersubject variability occurred, it decreased with continued dosing. GTS-21 showed statistically significant enhancement of three measures of cognitive function (attention, working memory, episodic secondary memory) compared to placebo. A relationship between exposure to GTS-21 and the magnitude of the cognitive response was apparent, with maximal effect approached for doses between 75 and 150 mg three times a day. These data indicate that GTS-21 may represent a novel treatment for dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To describe normative data for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in a UK African–Caribbean population and compare these with norms for white UK-born elders. Design A comparison of MMSE data from two cross-sectional surveys. Method The MMSE had been administered to a community UK African–Caribbean population and scores were compared to norms from the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (CFAS). MMSE data were analysed for 248 African–Caribbean participants aged 55–75 and 5379 CFAS participants aged 65–74, without visual or auditory problems. Distributions of scores were tabulated and error rates for individual items compared. Results Median MMSE scores were 25 (interquartile range 22–27) for the whole African–Caribbean sample, 24 (22–27) for those aged 65–75 in the African–Caribbean sample, and 27 (25–29) for CFAS. Differences in error rates were specific to particular items: naming the season, serial seven subtraction, phrase repetition, three-stage command, and copying intersecting pentagons. These differences persisted when both samples were restricted to those with statutory duration of education, who were literate and who had worked in non-manual occupations. Normative data are displayed for MMSE scores in both groups. Conclusion Different distributions of MMSE scores between UK African–Caribbean and Caucasian groups can be principally explained by cultural bias in certain items. If the MMSE is to be administered to older African–Caribbean people, specific normative data should be referred to or else a culturally modified version of the instrument should be used. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many ‘first generation’ African Caribbean residents in the UK have now reached ages where risk of cognitive impairment and dementia starts to increase. In addition, conditions which may impair cognitive function, such as hypertension, diabetes and stroke, have high prevalence rates in African Caribbean populations. However, there is a lack of normative data for cognitive tests in this ethnic group. Cognitive assessment was carried out in a south London community population of 285 African Caribbean participants aged 55–75 years. Tests were drawn principally from the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD) battery (Boston Naming Test, verbal fluency, word list recall, and Trailmaking Tests A and B) and also included orientation items from the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Clock Drawing Test. Independent effects of age, sex, education and occupation were identified on scores for most but not all cognitive tests. Compared with normative data for African American populations, lower scores on verbal fluency and the Boston Naming Test were observed but scores on memory tests were comparable. Normative data for the tests are presented, stratified by level of education. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Researchers have observed a clear increase in the incidence and prevalence of neurocognitive disorders associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection due to early involvement of the central nervous system. Objectives It was find predictors of cognitive deterioration of a set of variables related to sociodemographic, lifestyle, comorbid depression and disease progression. Methods One hundred and thirty (130) HIV-positive outpatients, asymptomatic, with undetectable viral load, CD4 count>200 cells/mm3, treated with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). In addition to the structured interview and clinical global assessment, they were administered the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center Battery, consisting of 16 neuropsychological tests. Results A positive relation between cognitive impairment and depression was found, although it has not shown determinant of the overall neurocognitive damage. The negative impact of infection on neurocognition was confirmed, globally and in all areas evaluated. The main predictors of cognitive functioning were: (1) education, professional status and social class; (2) infection pathway, protective measures and lifestyles; (3) psychotropic drugs and coffee intake; (4) disease stage and nadir CD4 count. Conclusions Strategies for prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment should take into account several levels of intervention, leading to an earlier treatment with cART.

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