scholarly journals Short Neuropsychological Assessment in Schizophrenic Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Antonis Th. Theofilidis ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropsychological Assessment ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neuropsychological Screening ◽  
Fast Screening ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Frontal Lesions

Patients with schizophrenia show deficits in executive functions, resembling patterns also found in frontal lesions. The advent of these findings shows the need for appropriate short neuropsychological screening tests in order to assess cognitive function in schizophrenia. Method: We gathered data from a patient group with schizophrenia, and from a control group. We administered 3 short, fast screening tests: MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), MMSE (Mini Mental State Exam) and FAB (Frontal Assessment Battery). Results: All 3 test were found to be highly correlated with each other, with MOCA being a predictor factor for FAB scores. In measuring the 3 tests’ sensitivity to schizophrenia associated cognitive impairments, we found that FAB was the most sensitive among the three. Conclusions: Our goal was to examine the utility of the FAB test when screening for cognitive deficits in Greek patients with schizophrenia. We found that FAB can be a valuable tool in neuropsychological assessment, but given the varied nature of patients with schizophrenia cognitive profile, it should be accompanied with an extensive battery of tests.

scholarly journals Chronic migraine patients show cognitive impairment in an extended neuropsychological assessment

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 582-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen S. Ferreira ◽  
Caroliny T. Teixeira ◽  
Carolina Cáfaro ◽  
Gabriela Z. Oliver ◽  
Gabriela L. P. Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Migraine ◽  
Neuropsychological Assessment ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Montreal Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Clock Drawing ◽  
Statistical Adjustment

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to assess the presence of cognitive deficits in patients with chronic migraine, and to assess the main factors that trigger cognitive disorders, such as comorbidities or the use of medications. Methods: Chronic migraine and control groups were interviewed in a case-control study. The frequency and intensity of the headache, medication used and associated comorbidities were determined. All patients were submitted to an extended neuropsychological assessment. Results: The chronic migraine group (n = 30) had a worse performance in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (p = 0.00), Verbal Fluency (p = 0.00), Stroop (p = 0.00), Clock Drawing Test (p = 0.00), Digit Span (p = 0.00) and Matrix Reasoning (p = 0.01). After statistical adjustment by linear regression, migraine continued to be the only relevant factor in the poorer performance in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Verbal Fluency, Clock Drawing and Stroop tests. Conclusion: Patients with chronic migraine have cognitive deficits in multiple tasks, regardless of the presence of comorbidities or the use of medications.

Effects of Low-Dose Risperidone and Low-Dose Zuclopenthixol on Cognitive Functions in First-Episode Drug-Naïve Schizophrenic Patients

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 364-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgitte Fagerlund ◽  
Torben Mackeprang ◽  
Anders Gade ◽  
Ralf Hemmingsen ◽  
Birte Y. Glenthøj
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Anticholinergic Medication ◽  
Extrapyramidal Side Effects ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Drug Naïve

AbstractBackground: Studies on the effects of antipsychotics on cognitive deficits in schizophrenia mostly suggest a superior effect of atypical over typical compounds, although findings are inconsistent and effect sizes small. Several methodological issues, such as heterogenous patient samples, incomparable drug doses, effects of prior medication, construct validity, and retest effects on neuropsychological tasks, confound most results and the comparability between studies. Consequently, the conclusion concerning effects of antipsychotics on cognition is still equivocal.Objective: The present randomized clinical trial examined the effects on cognition of comparatively low doses of a typical antipsychotic (zuclopenthixol) and an atypical antipsychotic (risperidone) in a homogenous group of drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenic patients in a longitudinal setting.Methods: First-episode schizophrenic patients who had never previously been exposed to antipsychotic treatment (N-25) were randomly allocated to treatment with flexible doses of zuclopenthixol or risperidone in an open-label design. Cognitive functions were examined both when patients were drug-naïve, and after 13 weeks of treatment. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was used in order to optimize construct validity, and principal components of cognitive functions were extrapolated in order to reduce type I errors. A healthy control group was tested at baseline and after 13 weeks, in order to examine retest effects. The cognitive domains studied were executive functions, selective attention, and reaction time.Results: The patients showed considerable cognitive deficits when drug-naïve. There were few differential effects of risperidone and zuclopenthixol on cognitive deficits, except for a differential significance, respectively, tendency towards improved reaction and movement times in the risperidone group, and a lack of such in the zuclopenthixol group. These differences were no longer significant after covarying for extrapyramidal side effects and anticholinergic medication that were more prevalent in the zuclopenthixol group and the increases after medication were comparable with retest effects in controls.Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of examining impact of factors, such as clinical improvement, extrapyramidal side effects, anticholinergic medication and retest effects in longitudinal efficacy studies. This study does not support efficacy of either risperidone or zuclopenthixol on cognitive functions in drug-naïve schizophrenia patients after 3 months of medication, because neither could be distinguished from retest effects of the healthy control group.

The self and schizophrenia: a cognitive approach

2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Nieznanski
Keyword(s):  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Self Schema ◽  
Persons With Schizophrenia ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Trait Words ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Normal Controls

The aim of the study was to explore the basic features of self-schema in persons with schizophrenia. Thirty two schizophrenic patients and 32 normal controls were asked to select personality trait words from a check-list that described themselves, themselves as they were five years ago, and what most people are like. Compared with the control group, participants from the experimental group chose significantly more adjectives that were common to descriptions of self and others, and significantly less that were common to self and past-self descriptions. These results suggest that schizophrenic patients experience their personality as changing over time much more than do healthy subjects. Moreover, their self-representation seems to be less differentiated from others-representation and less clearly defined than in normal subjects.

The Colorado Cognitive Assessment (CoCA): Development of an Advanced Neuropsychological Screening Tool

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashita S. Gurnani ◽  
Shayne S.-H. Lin ◽  
Brandon E Gavett
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Factor Analysis Model

Objective: The Colorado Cognitive Assessment (CoCA) was designed to improve upon existing screening tests in a number of ways, including enhanced psychometric properties and minimization of bias across diverse groups. This paper describes the initial validation study of the CoCA, which seeks to describe the test; demonstrate its construct validity; measurement invariance to age, education, sex, and mood symptoms; and compare it to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Method: Participants included 151 older adults (MAge = 71.21, SD = 8.05) who were administered the CoCA, MoCA, Judgment test from the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB), 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and 10-item version of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS-10). Results: A single factor confirmatory factor analysis model of the CoCA fit the data well, CFI = 0.955; RMSEA = 0.033. The CoCA’s internal consistency reliability was .84, compared to .74 for the MoCA. The CoCA had stronger disattenuated correlations with the MoCA (r = .79) and NAB Judgment (r = .47) and weaker correlations with the GDS-15 (r = -.36) and GAS-10 (r = -.15), supporting its construct validity. Finally, when analyzed using multiple indicators, multiple causes (MIMIC) modeling, the CoCA showed no evidence of measurement non-invariance, unlike the MoCA. Conclusions: These results provide initial evidence to suggest that the CoCA is a valid cognitive screening tool that offers numerous advantages over the MoCA, including superior psychometric properties and measurement non-invariance. Additional validation and normative studies are warranted.

Gene Frequency of CYP2D6*4 and *10 Variants in Karachi Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamkeen Fatima ◽  
Farah Zeb ◽  
A. Dar Farooq
Keyword(s):  
Antipsychotic Drugs ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Poor Metabolizer ◽  
Cyp2d6 Polymorphism ◽  
Wild Allele ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Intermediate Metabolizer

Background: CYP2D6 is to be considered the most pronounced gene in pharmacegenetic field which is involved in metabolizing ~25% of all clinically used neuroleptic drugs and other antidepressants. We designed a study to evaluate differential expression of CYP2D6*4 and CYP2D6*10 variants which are very prevalent in Asian countries and exhibit variation in drug metabolizing ability that affect therapeutic responses. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the genotypic frequencies of CYP2D6 *1 (normal metabolizer), *4 (poor metabolizer) and *10 (intermediate metabolizer) variants among schizophrenic subjects and compared with control group from a sub-set of Karachi population. Method: Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA ) was extracted and amplified with CYP2D6*4 and *10 primers using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digested by Bacillus stereothermophilus (BstN1) and Hemophilus parahemolyticus (Hph1) restriction enzymes. The digested bands were identified as wild type or mutants and their genotypic frequencies were estimated statistically by Hardy-Weinberg equation (HWE) and analyzed further under non-parametric Chi-square test. Results: The results mentioned the frequencies of CYP2D6*1 wild allele (57%) which produces functional enzyme in normal subjects but CYP2D6*4 variant (9%) that produces non-functional enzyme and CYP2D6*10 allele (70%) produces altered enzyme with reduced activity that was most prevalent in schizophrenic patients. Conclusion : Genotyping of CYP2D6 alleles among schizophrenic patients indicated prevalence of *4 and *10 variants in Karachi population producing non-functional and reduced functional drugs metabolizing enzymes respectively that increases the incurability rate of schizophrenia. Therefore, CYP2D6 gene screening program should be conducted routinely in clinical practice to help clinicians to prescribing appropriate doses according to patient’s genotype and minimize the sufferings of schizophrenia. Discussion: In last, drug response is a complex phenomenon that is dependent on genetic and environmental factors. CYP2D6 polymorphism may un-cured the schizophrenia due to improper drug metabolism and protein-proteins interaction that may alter the antipsychotic drugs metabolism among patients with variable drug resposes. Gene testing system need to establish for analyzing maximum patient’s genotypes predicted with poor metabolizer, intermediate metabolizer and ultrarapid metabolizer for the adjustment of antipsychotic drugs.

Validation of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) in the Russian Population

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Evgeniy Evdoshenko ◽  
Kristina Laskova ◽  
Maria Shumilina ◽  
Ekaterina Nekrashevich ◽  
Maria Andreeva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Russian Population ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Valid Instrument ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Abstract Objective: Cognitive dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery of tests has been suggested as a measure for the evaluation of the cognitive status of MS patients. This study aims to validate the BICAMS battery in the Russian population of MS patients. Methods: Age- and sex-matched MS patients (n = 98) and healthy individuals (n = 86) were included in the study. Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), California Verbal Learning Test, 2nd edition (CVLT-II) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test – Revised (BVMT-R) were administered to all participants. The battery was readministered 1 month later to 44 MS patients to investigate the test–retest reliability. Results: MS patients exhibited a significantly lower performance in testing with BICAMS than the control group in all three neuropsychological tests. Test–retest reliability was good for SDMT and CVLT-II (r = .82 and r = .85, respectively) and adequate for BVMT-R (r = .70). Based on the proposed criterion for impairment as z score below 1.5 SD the mean of the control group, we found that 34/98 (35%) of MS patients were found impaired at least in one cognitive domain. Patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≥3.5 performed significantly worse than controls (SDMT, p < .0001; CVLT–II, p = .03; BVMT-R, p = .0004), while those with ≤3.0 scores did not. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the BICAMS battery is a valid instrument to identify cognitive impairment in MS patients and it can be recommended for routine use in the Russian Federation.

033 The effect of sleep disturbance on cognition in late-life depression

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A15-A15
Author(s):  
Andrea Ricciardiello ◽  
Sharon Naismith ◽  
Angela D’Rozario ◽  
Fiona Kumfor ◽  
Rick Wassing
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Slow Wave ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sleep Spindles ◽  
Late Life Depression

Abstract Introduction Late-life depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in older adults and is associated with cognitive deficits, however, the role of sleep disturbance in cognitive deficits is poorly defined. In the current study we aimed to examine sleep macro and micro-architecture differences between those with late-life depression and controls. Secondly, we sought to determine how sleep changes relate to clinical memory and executive function measures in those with late-life depression and controls. Methods Using prior clinical data, this retrospective study assessed adults &gt;50 years who had completed an overnight PSG study and comprehensive psychiatric, neuropsychological, and medical assessment. Memory performance was measured using the Weschler Memory Scale logical Memory 1 and 2 components, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (Senior) 30-minute recall and Rey Complex Figure 3-minute recall. Executive function was defined by z scores from Trail Making Test, D-KEFS Stroop Test and Controlled Oral Word Association Test. The sample comprised of 71 depressed participants, defined by a Geriatric Depression Scale score ≥6, and 101 non-depressed participants (GDS &lt;6 and no lifetime history of depression using DSM-IV criteria). Results Contrary to our hypothesis no significant macroarchitectural differences were observed between the groups. Less time spent in slow-wave sleep (SWS) was associated with worse delayed memory recall scores in the depression group (z=.342, p=0.008) although this was not seen in the control group. SWS and slow wave activity (SWA) were not related to measures of executive function performance. Depressed participants demonstrated a reduced level of sleep spindles (Dep= 159 ±142.8, con= 213±163, p=.03) although there were no associations with memory outcomes. Conclusion Compared to younger adults with depression, macroarchitectural differences in those with late-life depression are not as pronounced, due to a reduction of SWS and SWA power as a function of ageing. The efficiency of SWS hippocampal dependent memory processes in depression may be reduced, therefore, more time spent in SWS is related to better memory performance. This study assessed the density of sleep spindles but not spindle and slow wave oscillation coupling which may be more important for hippocampal dependent memory. Support (if any):

scholarly journals Autistic traits in offspring of schizophrenic patients in comparison to those of normal population: a case-control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shimaa Ibrahim Amin ◽  
Ghada Mohamed Salah EL-Deen
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Cutoff Point ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Parental History ◽  
Autism Quotient ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract Background Autism is not a discreet condition and those families members with autistic propend are more likely to display autistic symptoms with a wide range of severity, even below the threshold for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. Even with a parental history of schizophrenia, the likelihood of autistic spectrum disorder was found to be 3-fold greater. The aim of this study is to assess autistic traits among offspring of schizophrenic patients in the age group from 4 to 11 years and compare it in the offspring of normal individuals, and its association with the sociodemographic data. To determine whether schizophrenic parents are a risk factor to autistic traits in their children. Results There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05*) increase in Autism Quotient Child scores of the case group where 47.2% had a score equal or more than the cutoff point (76), while only 17 19.4% of the control group had the same score with odds = 3.71 indicating that children of schizophrenic parents 18 were three times likely to have Autism Quotient-Child score greater than or equal to the cutoff point (76) than 19 children of healthy parents. No statistically significant association (P ≥ 0.05) was found between all 20 sociodemographic characteristics and Autism Quotient-Child scores among the case group except for family 21 income and social class where there was a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between insufficient income 22 and low social class and higher Autism Quotient-Child score (≥ 76). Conclusions Children of schizophrenic parents are at high risk to have autistic traits than children of normal parents.

A comparison of cognitive functioning in acute schizophrenia and depression

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 334-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Gooren ◽  
Peter Schlattmann ◽  
Peter Neu
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Acute Schizophrenia ◽  
Wechsler Memory Scale ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Unipolar Major Depression

ObjectiveEven though cognitive deficits are well recognised in schizophrenia and depression, direct comparisons between the disorders are scarce in literature. This study aims to assess specificity and degree of cognitive deficits in inpatients with acute schizophrenia and unipolar major depression.MethodsA neuropsychological test battery was administered to 76 schizophrenic patients, 102 patients with unipolar major depression and 85 healthy controls (HCs), assessing verbal learning [Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT)], processing speed (Trail Making Test), verbal fluency and visual memory (Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised test).ResultsBoth patient groups were significantly impaired compared with HCs with regard to all test outcomes. The schizophrenia group (SG) performed significantly worse in the Wechsler Memory Scale and verbal fluency than the depression group (DG). The DG reached significantly lower scores than the SG in the RAVLT delayed recall subtest. No significant group difference between SG and DG was found for the Trail Making Test and the RAVLT direct recall trails.ConclusionOur results indicate that cognitive impairment is present in both disorders. Schizophrenic patients performed worse than patients with unipolar depression in only two of the administered tests. Differences in cognitive performance between the groups are not as general as often assumed. Therefore, during the acute phase of illness, a diagnostic classification on the grounds of the patients’ neurocognitive performance has to be done with caution.

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