Receded near point of convergence as a predictor of mild cognitive impairment in the general geriatric population:results from a population-based study

AIM:To investigate the relationship between near point of convergence(NPC)and mild cognitive impairment(MCI)in the general elderly population.METHODS:The present report is a part of the Tehran Geriatric Eye Study(TGES):a population-based crosssectional study conducted on individuals 60 years of age and above living in Tehran,Iran using the multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method.Cognitive status was assessed using the Persian version of the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE).All study participants underwent complete ocular examination including measurement of uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity,objective and subjective refraction,cover testing,NPC measurement,and slit-lamp biomicroscopy.RESULTS:The data of 1190 individuals were analyzed for this report.The mean age of the participants analyzed was 66.82±5.42(60-92y)and 728(61.2%)of them were female.Patients with MCI had a significantly more receded NPC compared to subjects with normal cognitive status(10.89±3.58 vs 7.76±2.71 cm,P<0.001).In the multivariable logistic regression model and in the presence of confounding variables,a receded NPC was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of MCI(odds ratio:1.334,95%confidence interval:1.263 to 1.410,P<0.001).According to receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis,a cut point NPC>8.5 cm(area under the curve:0.764,P<0.001)could predict the presence of MCI with a sensitivity and specificity of 70.9%and 69.5%,respectively.CONCLUSION:A receded NPC can be clinically proposed as a predictor of MCI in older adults.It is recommended that elderly with a receded NPC>8.50 cm undergo detailed cognitive screening for a definite diagnosis of MCI.In this case,the necessary interventions can be carried out to slow down MCI progression to dementia.

Cognitive Science,Cold War,and Cultural Imagination:A Case Study of The Body Snatchers

Cognitive cultural studies discuss the connection between culture and mind with insights from different areas of cognitive science and explore the functions of the shared features of human cognition in cultural production of specific historical context.The analysis of the American Sci-Fi The Body Snatchers from this perspective reveals the cognitive logic during the cold war period,and indicates that this science fiction not only records and shapes the American social psychology during the Cold War,but also serves as an effective medium through which the political and cultural symptoms of that period can be observed,interpreted,and reflected.

On Cognitive Study of Synaesthesia

This paper concentrates on two theories of synaesthesia—Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Conceptual Blending Theory from cognitive angle.

P300 change and cognitive behavioral therapy in subjects with Internet addiction disorder A 3-month follow-up study

Event-related potential studies of cognitive function in addiction behaviors have focused on the P300 event-related potential component. The current study investigated the association between P300 component and Internet addiction disorder. We found that individuals with Internet addiction disorder exhibited significantly longer P300 latencies than controls （N2： P = 0.035; P3a： P = 0.031 P3b： P = 0.043） and similar P300 amplitudes compared to control participants. After 3 months of cognitive behavioral therapy, P300 latencies decreased significantly in the P3a and P3b （P3a： P = 0.045; P3b： P = 0.062）. These results suggest that deficits in cognitive function may be involved in Internet addiction disorder, and that clinical psychological treatment may be effective.

Anderson's Cognitive Theory and Learning Strategy Studies in Second Language Acquisition

Second language acquisition can not be understood without addressing the interaction between language and cognition. Cognitive theory can extend to describe learning strategies as complex cognitive skills. Theoretical developments in Anderson’s production systems cover a broader range of behavior than other theories, including comprehension and production of oral and written texts as well as comprehension, problem solving, and verbal learning.Thus Anderson’s cognitive theory can be served as a rationale for learning strategy studies in second language acquisition.

Metabolic syndrome,ApoE genotype,and cognitive dysfunction in an elderly population:A single-center,case-control study

BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome(MetS)is related to poor cognitive function.However,the results of previous studies were inconsistent,and whether the ApoEε4 allele modifies the association remains unclear.AIM To elucidate the relationships among MetS,ApoEε4,and cognitive dysfunction in an elderly population in China.METHODS One hundred elderly patients with MetS and 102 age-and gender-matched controls were included in the study.Baseline clinical characteristics and biochemical index for glucose and lipid metabolism were obtained.The distribution of ApoEε4 was assessed with PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Cognitive function was evaluated by mini-mental status examination at the 1-year follow-up examination.RESULTS Compared with controls,MetS patients had worse cognitive function and decreased ability to participate in activities of daily life(P=0.001 and 0.046,respectively).Patients with cognitive dysfunction had higher prevalence of MetS(62.1%vs 36.4%,P<0.001)and were more likely to carry the ApoEε4 allele(22.3%vs 10.1%,P=0.019).Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that diagnosis with MetS,severe insulin resistance,status as an ApoEε4 carrier,higher systolic blood pressure,and larger waist circumference were risk factors for cognitive dysfunction(P<0.05).Repeated-measures analysis of variance,performed with data collected at the 1-year follow-up,revealed continuous influences of MetS and ApoEε4 on the deterioration of cognitive function(time×team,P<0.001 for both).CONCLUSION Diagnosis of MetS and ApoEε4 carrier status were persistently associated with cognitive dysfunction among an elderly population in China.

Usefulness of the Japanese version of Rapid Dementia Screening Test for mild cognitive impairment in older patients with cardiovascular disease:a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Cognitive decline is common among older patients with cardiovascular disease(CVD) and can decrease their self-management abilities. However, the instruments for identifying mild cognitive impairment(MCI) are not always feasible in clinical practice. Therefore, this study evaluated whether MCI could be detected using the Japanese version of the Rapid Dementia Screening Test(RDST-J), which is a simple screening tool for identifying cognitive decline.METHODS This retrospective single-center study included patients who were ≥ 65 years old and hospitalized because of CVD.Patients with a pre-hospitalization diagnosis of dementia were excluded. Each patient's cognitive function had been measured at discharge using the RDST-J and the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(Mo CA-J), which is a standard tool for MCI screening. The correlation between the two scores was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) analysis was also to evaluate whether the RDST-J could identify MCI, which was defined as a Mo CA-J score of ≤ 25 points.RESULTS The study included 78 patients(mean age: 77.2 ± 8.9 years). The RDST-J and Mo CA-J scores were strongly correlated(r = 0.835, P < 0.001). The ROC analysis revealed that an RDST-J score of ≤ 9 points provided 75.4% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity for identifying MCI, with an area under the curve of 0.899(95% CI: 0.835-0.964). The same cut-off value was identified when excluding patients with a high probability of dementia(RDST-J score of ≤ 4 points).CONCLUSIONS The RDST-J may be a simple and effective tool for identifying MCI in older patients with CVD.

Low selenium and reduced cognitive function in a cohort elderly study

Cognitive function in the elderly is affected by various environmental,social,and individual factors.Studies show that chemical trace elements are closely related to cognitive function.As a protective factor,selenium promotes cognition in the elderly.However,study results into the effects of selenium on cognition have varied.By eliminating unstable environmental and other related factors,the present study selected elderly individuals from rural areas of the Shandong province to verify whether low selenium exposure is a risk factor for decreased cognitive function.Results demonstrated that age,sex,education,occupation,hypertension,stroke,and body selenium levels were factors affecting cognitive function in the elderly,and that selenium was an important protective factor.Moreover,results supported the hypothesis that a lifelong low selenium level is associated with low cognitive function.

Relevance Theory-based Cognitive Study on the Communication Effect of “China's Stories”

Telling the story of China and transmitting the voice of China has become a strategy to promote the national image and cultural soft power of China. Since its implementation in 2013, China has ushered in a significant change in communication ideas and approaches. This strategy also enriches the communication genres of "China's stories" and more importantly enhances its communication effect. In this context, it is necessary to understand and study the significance of this strategic practice, assess the value realization of "China's stories" during the communication process, and thereby establish a basis for future communication of more "China's stories." Based on the factors of relevance theory, this paper analyzes the ideas of and approaches to effective communication of "China's stories" and proposes corresponding strategies.

The Discussion of the Results of an Experimental Study on Meta-Cognitive Strategy with the Perspective of Error Analysis in Listening Training

Though abundant work has been done in both meta-cognitive strategy and error analysis, very little has been done in the exact execution model of applying meta-cognitive strategy with the perspective of error analysis. This study, presuming the construction of an integrative execution model of meta-cognitive strategy with the perspective view of error analysis, focuses on the results and discussion.

Associations between parental adherence to healthy lifestyles and cognitive performance in offspring:A prospective cohort study in China

Background:Previous studies have reported associations of specific maternal and paternal lifestyle factors with offspring’s cognitive development during early childhood.This study aimed to investigate the prospective associations between overall parental lifestyle and offspring’s cognitive performance during adolescence and young adulthood in China.Methods:We included 2531 adolescents aged 10-15 years at baseline in 2010 from the China Family Panel Studies.A healthy parental lifestyle score(ranged 0-5)was constructed based on the following five modifiable lifestyle factors:Smoking,drinking,exercise,sleep,and diet.Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine the association between baseline parental healthy lifestyle scores and offspring’s fluid and crystallized intelligence in subsequent years(2012,2014,2016,and 2018).Results:Offspring in the top tertile of parental healthy lifestyle scores performed better in overall fluid intelligence(multivariable-adjusted β=0.53,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.29-0.77)and overall crystallized intelligence(multivariable-adjusted β=0.35,95%CI:0.16-0.54)than those in the bottom tertile of parental healthy lifestyle scores.The results were similar after further adjustment for the offspring’s healthy lifestyle scores and persisted across the subgroups of parental socioeconomic status.Additionally,maternal and paternal healthy lifestyle scores were independently associated with better offspring’s cognitive performance,with significant contribution observed for paternal never-smoking,weekly exercise,and diversified diet.When both parents and offspring adhered to a healthier lifestyle,we observed the highest level of the offspring’s overall crystallized intelligence.Conclusions:Our study indicates that parental adherence to a healthier lifestyle is associated with significantly better offspring’s cognitive performance during adolescence and early adulthood,regardless of socioeconomic status.These findings highlight the potential cognitive benefits of promoting healthy lifestyles among parents of adolescents.

Clinical efficacy of Qingxin Fupi Jieyu formula in the treatment of 28 cases with digestive tract cancer-related cognitive impairment

Objective:This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of Qingxin Fupi Jieyu formula(the herbal formula has the function of clear away the heart fire,tonify spleen,and relieve depression,QXFPJYF)in treating digestive tract cancer-related cognitive impairment(CRCI).Methods:28 subjects with digestive tract CRCI were treated with QXFPJYF for 6 weeks.The scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination were observed at four-time points(baseline,week 2,week 4,week 6).Besides,anxiety and depression scores and tumor markers were measured.Results:The scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment and various fields were elevated steadily after treatment,such as visuospatial/executive,attention,language,delayed recall,and orientation.The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05)besides language score.The scores of Mini-Mental State Examination and various factors were elevated gradually at week 2,week 4 and week 6,including language and praxis,attention and calculation,recall and orientation,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05)except for recall score.The results also showed the change of tumor markers were not obvious,but anxious and depressed emotions were improved.More importantly,no subjects developed with obvious adverse reactions during the study.Conclusion:The finding indicated that QXFPJYF treated digestive tract CRCI with great efficacy and safety,which improved cognitive function from several fields.Nevertheless,the current study was limited by sample and medical ethics,and which was a self-control trial,some limitations needed to be acknowledged,further high-quality research is required to explore and verify it.

Statin use and cognitive function in middle-aged adults with type 1 diabetes

AIM To test associations between statin use and cognitive impairment in adults with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes(T1D).METHODS In 2010-13, n = 108 middle-aged participants from ongoing observational Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications Study underwent neurocognitive assessment(mean age and T1 D duration of 49 and 41 years, respectively). All were diagnosed with childhoodonset(i.e., prior to age 18) T1 D between 1950 and 1980 and were seen within one year of diagnosis at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Self-reported statin use(yes/no and if yes, name of statin) was collected biennially from parent study baseline(1986-1988) to time of neurocognitive testing. Logistic regression models tested associations between statin use groups and cognitive impairment(defined as having two or more cognitive test scores 1.5SD or worse than published norms) while linear regression models tested associations between statin use groups and cognitive domain z-scores(domains: Verbal IQ, memory, executive function, psychomotor speed, and visuo-construction). All models controlled for education and age. To address confounding by indication, models were repeated using a propensity score for statin use.RESULTS Of the 108 participants, 51 reported never using statins. Median duration of statin use among the 57 ever users was 6 years. These 57 ever statin users were split to create two groups(≤ or > median years of statin use): 1-6 years(n = 25), and 7-12 years(n = 32). Compared with never users, using statins 1-6 years tripled the odds of cognitive impairment(OR = 3.16; 95%CI: 0.93-10.72; P = 0.06) and using statins 7-12 years almost quintupled the odds of cognitive impairment(OR = 4.84; 95%CI: 1.63-14.44; P = 0.005). Compared with never users, using statins 1-6 or 7-12 years was related to worse performance in the memory domain(β =-0.52; P = 0.003, and-0.39; P = 0.014, respectively). Adjusting for coronary artery disease, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and Apo E4 status did not substantially alter results, and none of these covariates were significantly related to cognitive outcomes(all P > 0.05). Propensity score analyses support that associations between poor cognitive outcomes and statin use were not due merely to confounding by indication. CONCLUSION Statin use was associated with cognitive impairment, particularly affecting memory, in these middle-aged adults with childhood-onset T1 D, whom at this age, should not yet manifest age-related memory deficits.

Effect of anesthesia on cognitive status and MMP-2 expression in rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of anesthesia on the cognitive status damage and MMP-2expression in rats.Methods:A total of 120 healthy rats were selected and randomly divided into the control group,CF3-CH(OCH2F)-CF3(Sevoflurane)group and CF3-CH2-O-CHF-CF3group(Sevoflurane)(n=40).After training for 3 d by the Morris water maze,the control group were injected with fentanyl for analgesia,the CF3-CH(OCH2F)-CF3 group and the CF3-CH2-O-CHFCF3 group were anesthesia with CF3-CH(OCH2F)-CF3 and CF3-CH2-O-CHF-CF3 on the basis of fentanyl,then rats in three groups underwent open surgery and suture conventional incision.Morris water maze was used to measure the rats cognitive ability in three groups on the 1st d,3rd d,5th d and 7th d,and the brain tissue MMP-2 expression was detected.Results:After1 d/7 d of the surgery,Morris water maze performance and MMP-2 expression were not significantly different among three groups(P>0.05);After 3 d/5 d of the surgery,compared with the control group,the Morris water maze test result was significantly worsened,MMP-2expression levels were significantly increased(P<0.05);After 3 d/5 d of the surgery,compared with the CF3-CH2-O-CHF-CF3 group,Morris water maze test result of CF3-CH(OCH2F)-CF3group was significantly worsened,MMP-2 expression levels were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusions:Anesthesia can cause some injury on cognitive status,different anesthetic drugs may cause different injury,and the cognitive status injury is related to the MMP-2 expression.

Population Normative Data of the Moroccan Arabic Version of Three Components of the 10/66 Dementia Research Group Cognitive Test Battery;with Moroccan Illiterate and Semi-Illiterate Subjects

The aim of this study was to provide normative data of the Moroccan Arabic version of the 10/66 Dementia Research Group cognitive test battery and to explore the effects of age, education/illiteracy, and gender on the performance of these tests. One hundred healthy subjects (67 illiterates and 33 semi-illiterates) participated in this study. None of the participants had serious medical, psychiatric, or neurological disorders including dementia. The protocol included the administration of three components of the 10/66 Dementia Research Group cognitive test battery;Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI “D”, generating the COGSCORE measure of global function), and the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) verbal fluency (VF), word list memory (WLM, immediate recall) tests. All the test scores were not significantly influenced by sex and age. There was no significant effect of education/illiteracy on the CERAD verbal fluency (VF) and Word List Memory (immediate recall) test scores, but a weakly significant (p < 0.05) effect on the CSI “D” COGSCORE performance. These normative data will be useful for clinical interpretations of the three components of the 10/66 Dementia Research Program protocol in illiterate and semi-illiterate Moroccan subjects with cognitive disorders.

Motor-Cognitive Intervention in Mexican Older Adults

Two motor-cognitive interventions were implemented to evaluate their efficacy in cognitive improvement in Mexican older adults 65 years and more. The intervention group received a dance video games plus a cognitive task (dual-task);the comparison group received only the dance video game, in sessions of 45 minutes, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks. The Barthel Index and Lawton and Brody Index, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised were applied the Digit Span Test, the Stroop Test, and Color Trail Making. Gait parameters were assessed by GAITRite? electronic walkway (CIR Systems). The design was quasi-experimental. Sites were randomly assigned to intervention groups. The intervention group started with 32 participants and finished with 15;the comparison group started with 20 participants and finished with 18. Participants in the intervention group had to mimic the dance movement of a video game and, after the second week to name progressively three objects without stopping dancing. A multivariate repeated measures model (MANO-VA) was fit with four variables. A time-by-group interaction was observed in the Stroop test, and Digits Span Backwards was in favor of the dual task group. The Stroop test, Digit Span Backwards, gait speed, and step length showed effect time. Both groups improved in gait speed and step length by the end of the intervention. Results show it is feasible for Mexican older adults with little schooling to perform dual tasks and improve cognitive tasks and gait speed. Limitations were high attrition due to unforeseen situations and small sample size.

Pro-Inflammatory Substances and Cognition in the Dallas Heart Study

Cognitive decline in late adulthood might be partially mediated by subclinical generalized vascular disease. If so, atherogenic factors such as pro-inflammatory cytokines might be mid-life targets for prevention or treatment. Dallas Heart Study subjects (n = 997;mean age = 42.94 ± 10.2 yrs) underwent blood assays of pro-inflammatory biomarkers associated with atherosclerosis and 8 years later completed a cognitive outcome measure, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Markers included C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-18 (IL-18), Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase (LP-PLA2), and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein (MCP-1), with Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) as a potential modifier. We found weak evidence for LP-PLA2 and CRP as predictors of cognitive scores. No relationship was found between elevated MCP-1, IL-18 and cognition. Presence of the ApoE4 allele did not impact the relationship between biomarkers and cognitive function. Levels of atherogenesis-related pro-inflammatory blood biomarkers did not predict cognitive function in middle-aged adults after an interval of 8 years.