Comparison of Spatial Neurocognitive Function between Insomnia Disorder Patients and Normal Sleeping Control: Pilot Study / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: Chronic insomnia disorder is a common and one of the most distressing sleep disorders. This pilot study was conducted to compare the spatial function between insomnia disorder patients and good sleeping control. METHODS: We enrolled the 22 patients with chronic insomnia during over one year who met the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria of insomnia disorder and 27 normal sleeping controls. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) has been performed to compare the spatial cognitive function between insomnia disorder patients and good sleeping controls. RESULTS: The CANTAB results showed significant differences in the problems solved in minimum moves of Stockings of Cambridge test (t = −2.499, p = 0.017). The significant difference between two groups remained after controlling age, sex, and Beck Depression Index non-sleep scores (F = 5.631, p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the patients with insomnia disorder have poor spatial planning function.

Influence of schooling and age on cognitive performance in healthy older adults

Few studies have examined the influence of a low level of schooling on age-related cognitive decline in countries with wide social and economic inequalities by using the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB). The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of schooling on age-related cognitive decline using unbiased cognitive tests. CANTAB allows cognitive assessment across cultures and education levels with reduced interference of the examiner during data acquisition. Using two-way ANOVA, we assessed the influences of age and education on test scores of old adults (61–84 years of age). CANTAB tests included: Visual Sustained Attention, Reaction Time, Spatial Working Memory, Learning and Episodic Memory. All subjects had a minimum visual acuity of 20/30 (Snellen Test), no previous or current history of traumatic brain/head trauma, stroke, language impairment, chronic alcoholism, neurological diseases, memory problems or depressive symptoms, and normal scores on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Subjects were grouped according to education level (1 to 7 and ≥8 years of schooling) and age (60–69 and ≥70 years). Low schooling level was associated with significantly lower performance on visual sustained attention, learning and episodic memory, reaction time, and spatial working memory. Although reaction time was influenced by age, no significant results on post hoc analysis were detected. Our findings showed a significantly worse cognitive performance in volunteers with lower levels of schooling and suggested that formal education in early life must be included in the preventive public health agenda. In addition, we suggest that CANTAB may be useful to detect subtle cognitive changes in healthy aging.

Executive function performances in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the executive function profiles in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)in a Chinese sample population. Methods We identified 68 outpatients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV(DSM-IV)and 74 normal adults.All subjects completed clinical interview, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Results ADHD group had higher scores in all factors of BRIEF-A questionnaire compared with normal control (P<0.01). ADHD group had a higher score in SWM strategy score [(30.84±5.58)vs.(28.80±5.85), t=2.056,P=0.042]compared with control group. Compared with control group, ADHD group had a lower score in RVP total hits [37(33,41.75) vs.3(37,48), Z=-3.184,P<0.01]. Total correct rejections[(508(497.5,518)vs. 516(503,529.5),Z=-2.229,P=0.0260)]were significantly lower,while RVP total misses were significantly higher [(17 (12.25,21)vs.12(7,20),Z=2.293,P=0.022)].ADHD-RS-IV attention deficit score was positively correlated with SWM strategy while RVP total misses were negatively correlated with RVP total hits and RVP correct rejections.Working memory score in BRIEF-A was significantly correlated with the SWM strategy,RVP total hits, RVP total correct rejections and RVP probable of hit as well as RVP total misses. Conclusion Adults with ADHD have executive functioning deficits which is correlated with ADHD core symptoms.

A Preliminary Validity Study of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery for the Assessment of Executive Function in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

OBJECTIVE: Although the executive function subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) have been used to assess cognitive function in diverse psychiatric illnesses, few studies have verified the validity of this battery for Korean psychiatric patients. Therefore, this preliminary study evaluated the construct and concurrent validity of the executive function subtests of the CANTAB for Korean psychiatric patients by comparing it with subtests of the Computerized Neuropsychological Test (CNT). METHODS: Three subtests of the CANTAB and three subtests of the CNT were administered to 36 patients diagnosed with either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Subtests of the CANTAB included the Intra/Extra-Dimensional Set Shift (IED), Stockings of Cambridge (SOC), and Spatial Working Memory (SWM). Differences between groups on each subtest as well as correlations between the subtests of the CANTAB and the CNT were assessed. RESULTS: The schizophrenia group performed significantly more poorly on the IED and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) compared with the bipolar disorder group. Additionally, correlation analyses revealed a significant correlation between the IED and the WCST; a positive correlation between the SOC and the Trail Making Test, Part B and the Stroop test; and a significant correlation between the SWM and the Stroop test. CONCLUSION: This study verified the construct and concurrent validity of the executive function subtests of the CANTAB for Korean psychiatric patients and suggests that the subtests of this battery would be useful and appropriate for assessing deficits in executive function in Korean clinical settings.

Spatial working memory in patients with deficit and nondeficit schizophrenia / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To investigate the difference of spatial working memory among first-episode patients with deficit and nondeficit schizophrenia. Methods The study recruited 116 first-episode treatment-naive patients with schizo-phrenia, and 60 normal controls. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess symptoms of patients and Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome (SDS) was used to divide schizophrenia patients into deficit group (28 patients) and nondeficit group (88 patients). Spatial Working Memory (SWM) test from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automat-ed Battery (CANTAB) was used to test the spatial working memory function. Results Adjusted for age, gender and years of education, there were significant differences in the performance of between errors of 4 boxes (P=0.03), between errors of 6 boxes (P=0.01), between errors of 8 boxes (P=0.03), total errors (P=0.01) and strategy (P0.05). Conclusion The impairment of SWM was more severe in deficit schizophrenia patients than in nondeficit patients at early stage of the disease, suggesting they are different subtypes of schizophrenia.

A Preliminary Comparative Study of Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and Computerized Neuropsychological Test in Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the concurrent validity of attention and memory subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) through their correlations with the subtests of the Computerized Neuropsychological Test (CNT). METHODS: Three subtests of the CANTAB and three subtests of the CNT assessing attention and memory functions were administered to 33 inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The subtests of the CANTAB include Rapid Visual information Processing (RVP), Spatial SPan (SSP), and Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM). This study investigated the differences of each subtest score between the two patient groups and the correlations between subtest scores of the CANTAB and CNT that were related to attention and memory functions. RESULTS: Significant difference in the two groups was found only in the Verbal Learning Test (VLT) of the CNT. In both groups, the PRM subtest of the CANTAB showed significant correlation with the VST and the VLT of the CNT. Also, the SSP subtest of the CANTAB and the VST of the CNT showed significant positive correlation. In addition, the RVP subtest of the CANTAB and the visual continuous performance test of the CNT, which measure the sustained attention in common, showed significant correlation. CONCLUSION: The concurrent validity of the attention and memory subtests of the CANTAB for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder was verified. Results of this study suggest that the CANTAB would be widely used for assessment of neuro-cognitive impairments of patients with psychiatric disorders.

Memory span measured by the spatial span tests of the Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery in a group of Brazilian children and adolescents / Capacidade de memória medida por testes de retenção espacial da bateria neuropspicologica computadorizada de Cambridge em um grupo de crianças e adolescentes brasileiros

The neuropsychological tests of spatial span are designed to measure attention and working memory. The version of the spatial span test in the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) evaluates these functions through the recall of sequences of spatial locations presented to the subject. Objective: The present study investigated how age, gender and educational level might affect the performance of the non-verbal system. Methods: A total of 60 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years were assessed (25 males and 35 females). Results: The results showed no gender differences in test performance. Children with six or more years of education showed better performance than children with less than three years of education. Older children had more schooling and thus were able to recall a greater number of items. Span length values proved similar to a previous large normative study which also employed the CANTAB Spatial Span (De Luca et al., 2003). Conclusion: The similarity in performance of the Brazilian children and adolescents studied and the group of Australian participants examined by the cited authors, despite the socio-cultural and economical differences, points to the suitability of the task for the assessment of attention and working memory in Brazilian children.

Testes neuropsicológicos de span visuoespacial são construídos para avaliar amplitude atencional e memória de trabalho. Na versão do teste de span visuoespacial da Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) essa avaliação é feita através de sequências de localização espacial. Objetivo: O presente estudo investiga como a idade, o sexo e a escolaridade podem afetar o desempenho nesse sistema não-verbal. Métodos: Foram avaliadas 60 crianças e adolescentes com idades entre 6 e 18 anos (25 meninos; 35 meninas). Resultados: Os resultados não mostraram diferenças no desempenho do teste entre os sexos. O grupo de crianças com seis ou mais anos de escolaridade foi melhor do que a de crianças menores de três anos de estudo. Nossos resultados sugerem que as crianças mais velhas e, portanto, com maior tempo de escolaridade conseguem se lembrar de um número maior de itens. Os valores de amplitude foram similares aos obtidos em um experimento normativo prévio amplo no qual foi utilizado o teste Spatial Span do CANTAB (De Luca et al., 2003). Conclusão: Estas concordâncias de desempenhos entre crianças e adolescentes brasileiros e o grupo de participantes australianos examinados pelos autores citados nos mostram que apesar das diferenças sócio-culturais e econômicas existentes, a tarefa é adequada para avaliação de atenção e memória de trabalho em crianças brasileiras.

The use of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) in neuropsychological assessment: application in Brazilian research with control children and adults with neurological disorders

Computerized neuropsychological tests can be effective and have many benefits. This paper addresses these issues using the computer-based Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) to assess Brazilian children and adults. Preliminary normative data for Brazilian children obtained in a series of CANTAB subtests are presented together with data from adults (controls) and samples of patients with multiple sclerosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The results obtained in children confirmed the normative values reported for American children (Luciana & Nelson, 2002), indicating high applicability of the CANTAB battery for children in the evaluation of visual memory, working memory, planning, and set shifting. For multiple sclerosis patients, CANTAB revealed differences between the control and multiple sclerosis groups for all subtests employed, including visual memory, working memory, spatial memory, decision making, inhibitory control, and sustained attention. In children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the CANTAB tests revealed specific detriments in attention and memory. These results of the application of CANTAB in different patient groups indicate that the battery is appropriate for assessing several central nervous system diseases.