Impaired Cognition – A Menace to Aging

Cognition is defined as mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experi-ence and senses. It is an age-related degenerative condition, as the age advances, individuals experience dete-riorative changes in their cognitive abilities. It is estimated that nearly four fifth of the elderly above 60 years of age will be living in developing countries like Africa, Asia by 2050, thereby placing the developing countries to face threat of cognitive impairment among elderly when compared to developed countries. The result of striking increase in aging population of India, it is expected to have a substantial increase in elderly suffering from cognitive impairment. This review involves discussing the various causes, pathophysiology, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with this increasing cognitive deterioration in elderly people, di-agnostic criteria, and preventive methods. This review will help in better understanding of the cognitive im-pairment in elderly people. Better understanding of the disease helps in better treatment modalities.

Does gender influence P300 latency and mini mental state examination score in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients?

Background: P300 event-related potentials (ERPs) is an electrophysiologic marker of cognitive ability which closely reflects cognitive functions. Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causes many complications. Diabetes mellitus-induced damage to the central nervous system is a key focus of research. Latest magnetic resonance imaging evidence suggested that the changes in anatomy of brain is more rapidly seen in males than in females. This study was carried out to study the gender variations in P300 latency and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Aim and Objective: To study the influence of gender on MMSE score as well as P300 ERP. Materials and Methods: 30 diagnosed Type 2 Diabetics aged above 40 years, with more than 2 years duration of diabetes were included in this study. MMSE questionnaire was administered to each diabetic and P300 was recorded using RMS EMG EP MARK 2 machine in all the diabetics. Results: The P300 ERP of male diabetics was prolonged significantly with mean ± standard deviation (SD) of (347.01 ± 31.55) whereas female diabetics had a mean ± SD of (318.26 ± 28.22; P = 0.014) and no significant difference was found between the mean MMSE scores of male diabetics (26.06 ± 1.38) and female diabetics (26.13 ± 1.30). Conclusion: The change in P300 ERP is swifter in males when compared with females in the middle to old age. Compared to MMSE, P300 Latency is a sensitive electrophysiological tool for diagnosing early cognitive deterioration in T2DM.

Medición de reserva cognitiva: estudio en una muestra de adultos chilenos / Cognitive reserve assessment: a study in a sample of chilean adults

Mayor reserva se asocia con resistencia al deterioro en sujetos con enfermedades neurodegenerativas. En personas sanas explica las diferencias interindividuales en el rendimiento de tareas. Medir los factores de reserva cognitiva permite contar con un índice numérico de la ganancia cognitiva acumulada por un sujeto. Este índice puede ser correlacionado con otras funciones cuantificables. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo presentar los índices de reserva obtenidos por una población chilena en la aplicación del Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire (CRIq). Para ello 90 adultos (18-85 años) sin evidencias de trastorno cognitivo, de la región de Valparaíso-Chile, fueron entrevistados sobre actividades de estudio, laborales y de tiempo libre ejecutadas desde los 18 años.Los resultados muestran que los índices de reserva de los sujetos varían en función del tiempo de ejecución de actividades promotoras de reserva y no por su edad. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos etarios. Estos resultados permiten concluir que la ejecución de actividades de estudio, laborales, sociales, entre otras aumenta los índices de reserva cognitiva, que es una variable diferenciadora entre individuos. La medición de dichos índices puede ser útil en un amplio campo de disciplinas (medicina, neurología, neuropsicología, educación, psicología, fonoaudiología, neurociencias y en las ciencias cognitivas en general).

A higher cognitive reserve is linked to higher resistance to deterioration among subjects suffering from neurodegenerative disorders. In healthy persons the cognitive reserve explains inter-individual differences in task performance. Measuring the cognitive reserve factors involves obtaining a numerical index of the cumulative cognitive gain accumulated by a subject. This index can be correlated with other measurable functions.This study was conceived to determine the reserve indexes accumulated by a Chilean sample, by means of the administration of the Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire (CRIq).In order to do so, 90 adults (18-85 years old) without evidence of cognitive disorder, living in Valparaíso region, Chile, were interviewed about their education, their work environment and their and leisure activities carried out since they were 18 years old.Results showed that reserve indexes of the subjects vary as a function of the time of execution of reserve-promoting activities, not age. Statistically significant differences were found among age-groups. These findings allow us to conclude that studying, working and engaging in social activities, among other things, increase the cognitive reserve indexes, which are a differentiating variable among individuals.The measurement of these indexes can be useful in a wide array of disciplines: medicine, neurology, neuropsychology, education, psychology, phonoaudiology, neurosciences and cognitive sciences in general.

Caracterización de las condiciones de salud de los adultos mayores en Centros Geriátricos de la ciudad de Loja. Ecuador, 2017 / Characterization of the health conditions of the elderly in geriatric centers of the city of Loja. Ecuador, 2017

Introducción: Los cambios demográficos que ocurren a nivel mundial no son ajenos a Ecuador, donde la esperanza de vida de la población ha aumentado. Objetivo: Caracterizar las condiciones de salud de los adultos mayores que asistieron a centros geriátricos en la ciudad de Loja en el año 2017. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, donde se utilizaron técnicas cuantitativas, aplicándose diferentes escalas geriátricas a 87 adultos mayores que asistían al Centro Municipal de Atención al Adulto Mayor No.1 y a los centros Daniel Álvarez y San José, de la ciudad de Loja, Ecuador. Resultados: El 59.1% de los adultos mayores estudiados fueron mujeres, el 59,7 por ciento apenas tenían escolaridad básica o primaria, con un promedio de edad de 84,01 años. Se precisó que el 62,1 por ciento de ellos no presentaron comorbilidad. Fue identificado déficit neurosensorial visual (64,4 por ciento y auditivo (50,6 por ciento). Se constató fragilidad en el 54,0 por ciento de los casos e indicadores de dependencia funcional para las actividades básicas (73,5 por ciento) y para las actividades instrumentales (93.1 por ciento). El déficit cognitivo fue evaluado en el 50,6 por ciento y la depresión fue diagnosticada en el 56,3 por ciento de ellos. Conclusiones: Los adultos mayores estudiados fueron predominantemente mujeres, con escolaridad básica o primaria y con un promedio de edad superior a los 80 años. Prevalecieron los sujetos que tenían ausencia de comorbilidad, déficit visual y auditivo, fragilidad física, dependencia funcional para realizar las actividades básicas e instrumentales de la vida diaria, deterioro cognitivo y depresión(AU)

Introduction: The demographic changing on a worldwide scale are not unfamiliar to Ecuador where the life expectancy of the population has increased. Objective: To characterize the health conditions of the elderly who attended geriatric centers in the city of Loja in 2017. Material and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study where quantitative techniques were used applying different geriatric scales to 87 older adults who attended the Municipal Elderly Care Center No. 1, and Daniel Álvarez and San José Centers in the city of Loja, Ecuador. Results: The 59.1 percent of the older adults studied were women; 59.7 percent had just basic or elementary education and the average age was 84.01 years. It was specified that 62.1 percent of them did not present comorbidity. Visual neurosensory (64.4 percent) and auditory (50.6 percent) deficits were identified. Fragility was found in 54.0 percent of the cases as well as indicators of functional dependence on basic activities (73.5 percent) and instrumental activities (93.1 percent). Cognitive deficit was evaluated in 50.6 percent of the cases, and depression was diagnosed in 56.3 percent of them. Conclusions: The older adults included in the study were mainly women with basic or elementary education and an average age of over 80 years. Subjects who did not have comorbidity, those who presented visual and auditory deficit, physical fragility, dependence to perform the basic activities of daily life and the instrumental ones, cognitive deficit, and depression prevailed in the study(AU)

Caracterización de la intervención fonoaudiológica en la demencia tipo Alzheimer en Chile / Characterization of speech therapist's intervention

Actualmente en Chile es necesario determinar la aproximación fonoaudiológica al concepto de Demencia Tipo Alzheimer y las herramientas de evaluación cognitivas y sociales utilizadas por fonoaudiólogos, ya que debido al aumento de la población de adultos mayores, existe un incremento de patologías neurodegenerativas. Por esto, el objetivo del estudio es caracterizar el abordaje fonoaudiológico en la Demencia Tipo Alzheimer. Metodológicamente, la investigación se efectuó desde una perspectiva descriptiva y transversal, por medio de una encuesta aplicada a 26 fonoaudiólogos para conocer su metodología de trabajo. Los resultados generales evidenciaron que el 43 por ciento de los fonoaudiólogos encuestados define la demencia como un síndrome y que la mayoría utiliza protocolos de evaluación de lenguaje y cognición; además, se determinó que utilizan la escala Frontal Assessment Battery, pero no la escala de Tinetti (evaluación de marcha y equilibrio); desde el punto de vista de la terapia, el 79 por ciento utiliza el programa potencializado, el 54 por ciento usa enfoques combinados directo e indirecto, un 88 por ciento utiliza la estrategia de compensación y el 77 por ciento la facilitación. Por último, los encuestados realizan la intervención a través de un equipo multidisciplinario, demostrando la importancia del abordaje en conjunto para esta patología...

Currently, in Chile, it is necessary to determine the speech therapist’s approach towards Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type and cognitive and social evaluation tools used by Speech Therapist. Due to the fact that the number and proportion of older adults have increased, neurodegenerative pathologies are also on the rise. The aim of the present study is to describe the speech therapist approach in Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type. A descriptive and cross-sectional perspective was used. 26 speech therapists were surveyed to find out the procedures they follow when treating patients with this pathology. Data analysis showed that43 percent of speech therapists define dementia as a syndrome and that most of them use language and cognitive assessment protocols. The use of the Frontal Assessment Battery instead of Tinetti’s scale (Patient’s Gait & Balance Assessment) was also observed. Regarding therapeutic approach, 79 percent use a potentiating programme, 54 percent use both a direct and an indirect approach, 88 percent use compensatory strategy, and 77 percent use a facilitation strategy. Finally, therapists treat this type of patients as part of a multidisciplinary team, which shows and highlights the importance of a group approach to this pathology...

Algunas especificidades en torno a la conducta suicida / Some specificities regarding the suicidal behavior

La conducta suicida está determinada por diferentes causas (pobreza, desempleo, humillación, pérdida de seres queridos, ruptura de relaciones amorosas, maltratos durante la infancia, entre otros), además de determinados trastornos mentales como la depresión y la esquizofrenia. A tales efectos se exponen algunos elementos relacionados con el tema y se demuestra que la pronta identificación de la conducta suicida y el tratamiento adecuado a las personas con trastornos mentales constituyen una importante estrategia preventiva.

The suicidal behaviour is determined by different causes (poverty, unemployment, humiliation, lost of beloved relatives, rupture of love relations, abuses during childhood, among other), besides certain mental disturbances such as depression and schizophrenia. Indeed, some elements related to the topic are exposed and it is demonstrated that the quick identification of the suicidal behaviour and the appropriate treatment to people with mental disturbances constitute an important preventive strategy.

Risk factors for early-stage cognitive deterioration after ischemic stroke / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the incidence and risk factors for cognitive deterioration occurred within the first three months after ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 195 patients with acute ischemic stroke were consecutively enrolled in this prospective study. The patients were divided into two groups; cognitive deterioration and noncognitive deterioration group, according to whether the total scores of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) dropped by more than 2 points from the acute phase (first fourteen days) to three months after stroke, and comparison was made between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the risk factors for cognitive deterioration within the first three months after ischemic stroke. Results We found that 117 (60. 0Y) patients were diagnosed with post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) in the acute phase of ischemic stroke and 37 (19. 0Y) suffered cognitive deterioration within the first three months after ischemic stroke. Univariate logistic regression analysis suggested that the deterioration was significantly associated with age, sex, years of education, MMSE in the acute phase, clinical dementia rating scale (CDR) scores in the acute phase and the level of glycosylated hemoglobin at admission (770 years old) (RR=2. 509,7 = 0. 045), illiteracy (RR=3. 038,7 = 0. 011) and the level of glycosylated emoglobin (RR=1. 364,7 = 0. 016) in the acute phase were the risk factors for cognitive deterioration within three months after ischemic stroke, and high score of MMSE was a protective factor for cognitive deterioration within three months after ischemic stroke (RR=0. 852, 7 = 0. 001). Conclusion The risk factors for early-stage cognitive deterioration after ischemic stroke include age (>70 years old), illiteracy, high level of glycosylated hemoglobin and serious cognitive impairment in the acute phase.

Patogenia y tratamientos actuales de la enfermedad de Alzheimer / Pathogenesis and current treatment of Alzheimer's disease

El Alzheimer es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa que se manifiesta como deterioro cognitivo y trastornos conductuales. En Cuba, junto a la demencia, ocupa el lugar número 6 en el cuadro de principales causas de muerte. No hay tratamiento eficaz para detener la progresión del Alzheimer. Sin embargo, algunas terapias detienen o ralentizan temporalmente el deterioro cognitivo, funcional y conductual de la enfermedad. En el trabajo se presenta una revisión actualizada a partir de la base de datos MEDLINE (2008-2013) sobre los mecanismos patológicos y los medicamentos usados en el tratamiento de los pacientes con la referida afección(AU)

Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative illness that manifests as cognitive deterioration and behavioral disorders. It holds the 6th place, like dementia, in the list of main causes of death in Cuba. There is no effective treatment to stop progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, some therapies manage to halt or to slow at least temporarily the cognitive, functional and behavioral deterioration of the disease. This paper presented an updated review on the pathological mechanisms and the drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer patients, using MEDLINE database(AU)

Edad y escolaridad en sujetos con deterioro cognitivo leve / Age and schooling in subjects presenting with a slight cognitive deterioration

Introducción: la edad es una de las variables más estudiadas en los pacientes con trastorno de memoria y demencia. Diversos trabajos muestran el efecto protector de la escolarización. Objetivo: determinar el comportamiento de la edad y la escolaridad en sujetos con deterioro cognitivo leve. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal que incluyó a sujetos con edad ³ 50 años, evaluados por su orden consecutivo en la consulta de demencia del Hospital Militar Central Dr. Carlos J. Finlay. Los 46 incluidos, se distribuyeron en dos grupos: 26 con deterioro cognitivo leve y 20 sin deterioro cognitivo leve. Resultados: el número de pacientes con deterioro cognitivo leve se elevó en la medida que los casos tuvieron mayor edad. Aquellos con escolaridad baja (secundaria concluida o menos) presentaron 16,7 veces más riesgo de tener dicha afección que los que tenían escolaridad alta (media o universitaria). Conclusiones: se determinó la existencia de una relación directa entre la edad y la escolaridad con la presencia de deterioro cognitivo leve

Introduction: age is one of the more studied variables in patients presenting with memory and dementia disorders. Many papers show the protector effect of schooling. Objective: to determine the behavior of age and schooling in subjects presenting with a slight cognitive deterioration. Methods: a cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted including subjects aged ³ 50, assessed by its consecutive order in dementia consultation of Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Central and Military Hospital. The 46 included were distributed into two groups: 26 with slight cognitive deterioration and 20 without such deterioration. Results: the figure of patients with slight cognitive deterioration rose insofar as the cases had a great age. Those with a low schooling level (secondary school concluded or less) had 16.7 times more risk to present such affection than those with a high schooling level(middle or university). Conclusions: the existence of a direct relation between age and the schooling level to the presence of a slight cognitive deterioration

Factores biológicos en la epilepsia que provocan déficit de la inteligencia / Biological factors in epilepsy causing intelligence deficit

Mediante el estudio de un grupo de pacientes adultos con epilepsia, se investigan los niveles bajos de coeficiente de inteligencia (CI) e índice de deterioro cognitivo (ID) y su relación con un conjunto de variables biológicas. El objetivo es identificar las variables biológicas a largo plazo para disminuirlas. Utilizamos el CI y el ID de Wechsler que se aplicó a 200 pacientes diagnosticados de epilepsia, divididos en dos grupos, los que tenían CI < 89 y > 90, y los que tenían ID positivo y los que no. Estas variables se analizaron según factores biológicos. Los datos se procesaron con diferentes estadígrafos. Del total de pacientes estudiados, 109 (54.5 por ciento) tienen un CI < 89 y 50 por ciento un índice de deterioro cognitivo. Los factores relacionados en los pacientes con CI menor de < 89 eran, entre otros, inicio de las crisis por debajo de los 15 años de edad, más de 15 años de evolución de las crisis, elevada frecuencia de las crisis, antecedentes de estado de mal epiléptico y las crisis parciales secundariamente generalizadas. Los enfermos con crisis focales secundariamente generalizadas tienen más deterioro que los que sufren de crisis focales o generalizadas, ANOVA p= 0.0029 muy significativo. La mitad de los pacientes presentan CI normal bajo, así como deterioro. Se considera que, aunque no es evidente el deterioro detectado mediante el WAIS, es importante conocer su existencia para controlar los factores de riesgo biológicos.

n a group of adult patients suffering from epilepsy, low intelligence quotient (IQ) levels, the cognitive deterioration rate as well as its relation to a number of biological variables are studied. The aim of this research is to determine the long term biological vari-ables in order to reduce them. We used the IQ and Wechsler’s Deterioration index (DI) to study 200 patients diagnosed with epi-lepsy. The patients were divided into two groups, a first group included those with IQ <89 and >90 and the second patients with or without a positive DI. These variables were analyzed according to different biological factors. Data was processed using different statistical methods. Out of the total of studied patients, 54.5 percent showed an IQ <89 and 50 percent a cognitive deterioration rate. Factors related to the patients with an IQ lower than 89 were among others the following: The start of the seizures before the age of 15, having suffered from epileptic seizures for more than 15 years, a high frequency of seizures, and personal past history of status epilepticus as well as suffering from secondarily generalized partial epileptic seizures. Patients suffering from generalized secondar-ily focal epileptic seizures show a higher cognitive deterioration than those suffering focal or generalized seizures, ANOVA p=0.0029, which is highly meaningful. Half of the patients show a normal-low IQ, as well as some cognitive deterioration. Although the deterioration detected by using WAIS was not evident, it is important to be aware of the fact that there are biological risk fac-tors in order to be able to control them.

Intervención cognitiva en pacientes con deterioro cognitivo ligero y demencia leve / Cognitive intervention in patients with mild cognitive deterioration and mild dementia

La intervención cognitiva es importante como parte del tratamiento no farmacológico en los pacientes con deterioro cognitivo ligero y demencia leve. Esta investigación ofrece diferentes técnicas, instrumentos y métodos que incluye la referida terapéutica, lo que necesariamente contribuye al quehacer humano del personal médico y paramédico

The cognitive intervention is important as part of the non-pharmacological treatment in patients with mild cognitive deterioration and mild dementia. This investigation provides different techniques, tools and methods including therapy, which necessarily contributes to human activity of the medical and paramedical staff

Deterioro cognitivo y envejecimiento: no hay evidencia de deterioro gradual de la memoria de trabajo, dependiente de la edad, en la rata Wistar / Cognitive deterioration and aging: there is no evidence of working memory progressive deterioration, age dependent, in Wistar rats

La memoria de trabajo es un sistema neuro-conductual en el que participan la memoria a corto y a largo plazo, la orientación espacial, la planeación y la ejecución de tareas espaciales y lingüísticas, la adaptación social, las operaciones cognitivas complejas y los logros académicos, y que se ha utilizado para estudiar los cambios cognitivos asociados al envejecimiento. Objetivo. Explorar en ratas Wistar si existe deterioro progresivo de la memoria de trabajo, dependiente de la edad. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 11 ratas Wistar, hembras, divididas en tres grupos: 3 jóvenes de 7 a 14 meses de edad, 4 adultas de 16 a 20 meses de edad, y 4 viejas de 25 a 30 meses de edad. Se estructuró un diseño bifactorial de medidas repetidas y se utilizó una caja de agujeros, en la que los sujetos debían obtener comida, seleccionando 4 de 16 comederos durante 99 ensayos. Resultados. Los animales viejos mostraron gran variabilidad interindividual en los resultados. No se encontró curva de deterioro dependiente de la edad. Algunos animales viejos obtuvieron mejor puntaje en el aprendizaje y en el desarrollo de la memoria de trabajo. Las ratas jóvenes alcanzaron el criterio de memoria entre la tercera y la cuarta sesión, las adultas, a partir de la decimoquinta, y las ratas viejas, entre la séptima y la novena; las diferencias debidas a la edad fueron estadísticamente significativas, con a £ 0.001, con un tamaño del efecto h2 de 0,403 y una potencia estadística de 1,0 Conclusión. No se encontró evidencia de deterioro progresivo de la memoria de trabajo, dependiente del envejecimiento en la rata Wistar.

Working memory is a neuro-behavioral system in which short- and long-term memory, spatial orientation, some executive functions, social adaptation, complex cognitive tasks, and academic achievements participate. All of these have been utilized in aging cognitive changes studies. Objective: To explore progressive working memory deterioration, depending on aging, in Wistar rats. Materials and methods: There were 11 female Wistar rats divided in 3 groups: 3 young, 4 adults and 4 elder. A bifactorial repeated-measures design was structured. It was used a hole-board, where subjects had to obtain food, selecting always 4 between 16 feeders. throughout 99 trials. Results: There was not any aging dependent progressive working memory deterioration. Youngest subjects reached learning and working memory criteria between the third and the fourth session; the adult subjects reached them at the fifteenth session. Elderly subjects reached working memory between the seventh and the ninth session. Differences due to age were statistically significant with £ = 0.001, an effect strength h2 = 0.403 and a statistical power of 1.0. Conclusion: There is no evidence of spatial working memory progressive deterioration, depending on aging.

Evaluación del estado cognitivo de los adultos mayores de 60 años, en un área de salud del Policlínico Docente Plaza de la Revolución / Cognitive status assessment of adult persons aged over 60 made in a health area from "Plaza de la Revolución" Teaching Polyclinic

Introducción. El envejecimiento poblacional es un fenómeno preocupante de la sociedad cubana actual, la esperanza de vida es de 77 años y el cuadro demográfico de la nación apunta a un sostenido crecimiento del número de personas con 60 años o más y del número de pacientes con enfermedades crónicas asociadas al envejecimiento, en particular trastornos cognitivos y demencias. Objetivos. Conocer el estado cognitivo de la población mayor de 60 años de edad en un área de salud del Políclínico Docente Plaza de la Revolución. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio poblacional "puerta a puerta", descriptivo y prospectivo en el área de salud del Consultorio No. 15 que pertenece al Policlínico Docente Plaza de la Revolución, en el período comprendido desde el 1ro de octubre de 2006 hasta el 31 de enero de 2007. Se aplicaron pruebas neuropsicológicas y, para el análisis de los datos, el cálculo de los porcentajes. Resultados. Se halló deterioro cognitivo leve en 19 personas (9,45 %); en 2 (1,0 %), demencia y en 180 (89,6 %) no se demostró afectación de las funciones cognitivas. El mayor porcentaje de pacientes con deterioro cognitivo correspondió al grupo de 70-79 años de edad, el 66,7 % fue del sexo femenino, el 71,4 % tuvo nivel de escolaridad bajo. La hipertensión arterial (71,4 %) y el hábito de fumar (28,5 %) fueron los principales factores de riesgo identificados. Predominó el grado ligero de severidad del deterioro cognitivo (90,4 %) y el grado de incapacidad funcional (27,4 %). Conclusiones. En la población estudiada, el deterioro cognitivo leve y la demencia fueron poco frecuentes. Los trastornos cognitivos fueron más comunes en el sexo femenino y la hipertensión arterial fue el factor de riesgo principal. El grado de incapacidad funcional se correspondió con el grado de severidad del déficit cognitivo.

Introduction: Aging population is a worrying phenomenon of present Cuban society, life expectation is of 77 years, and the national demographic picture points to a sustained growing of persons aged 60 or more and the patient figure presenting with chronic diseases associated with aging, particularly, the cognitive disorders and dementias. Aims: To know the cognitive status of population aged over 60 in a health area of "Plaza de la Revolución" Teaching Polyclinic. Methods: A descriptive and prospective "door to door" population study was conducted in the health area of # 15 consulting room from the above mentioned polyclinic from October 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007. Neuropsychological tests were applied and for the data analysis, the percentage calculation. Results: The was a light cognitive deterioration in 19 persons (9,45 %) in two persons (1,0 %) dementia was present, and in 180 (89,6 %) there was not a cognitive functions affectation. The great percentage of patients with cognitive deterioration was in group aged 70-79, the 66,7 % corresponded to female sex, the 71,4% had a low schooling level. Arterial high blood pressure (71,4 %) and smoking (28,5 %) were the main risk factors identified. The was predominance of a light severity degree of cognitive deterioration (90,4%) and of the functional disability degree (27,4 %). Conclusions: In study population, the light cognitive deterioration and dementia were infrequent. The cognitive disorders were commonest in female sex and the arterial high blood pressure was the main risk factor. Functional disability degree corresponded with the severity degree of cognitive deficit.

The Priming Effect of the Old Age People with Mild Cognitive Impairment / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the cognitive characteristics, especially priming effect, of above 50 years old age group who had less than 25 points in K-MMSE were investigated. METHODS: In this study, an implicit memory test measuring priming effect was made and adminis-tered to old age people who had less than 25 points in K-MMSE in screening session. To control the effect of age, educational level and intelligence, demographic variables were measured, and the subtests of KWIS, vocabulary and block design were administered. Descriptive statistical analysis of the two priming measures and correlational analysis between variables were done. To test the effect of cognitive functioning on priming effect multiple regression analysis was done. RESULTS: Correlational analysis revealed priming score obtained from correct identification response was positively correlated with K-MMSE and ADAS-Cog. And priming score obtained from mean reaction time was positively correlated with age and negatively correlated with vocabulary substest of KWIS. The regression analysis results indicated general cognitive functioning measured by ADAS-Cog has significant effect on priming score obtained from correct identification response, whereas age has significant effect on priming score obtained from mean reaction time. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that as cognitive deterioration progresses priming effect which identify primed stimulus correctly diminish, and as one grow older within age 50 to 70, priming effect which identifies primed stimulus quickly increase.