Preserved semantic categorical organization in mild cognitive impairment: A network analysis of verbal fluency.

The decline in semantic verbal fluency as we age may originate from both semantic memory degradation and executive function deficits. We investigated to what extent semantic memory is organized into categories in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (n = 81) and healthy controls (n = 83). We obtained the semantic networks automatically from the probability of co-occurrence of words in a verbal fluency test and characterized them with graph-theory tools. We found that the degree of categorical organization was similar for both diagnostic groups, but there was a higher tendency to transition to other categories during word production in the patient group. These results suggest that the semantic network is preserved in mild cognitive impairment, but also that the existing associations are exploited less efficiently during long-term memory search, possibly because of deficits in executive function.

Factors Explaining Language Performance After Training in Elders With and Without Subjective Cognitive Decline.

The present study explores if cognitive reserve, executive functions, and working memory capacity are predictive of performance in the language domain (specifically in sentence comprehension and naming) after a cognitive training intervention. Sixty-six Spanish older adults voluntarily participated in the study, classified either as older adults with subjective cognitive decline according to Jessen et al.'s (2014) criteria (n = 35; 70.94 ± 4.16 years old) or cognitively intact (n = 31; 71.34 ± 4.96 years old). Written sentence comprehension and visual confrontation naming were assessed both immediately after recruitment (at the baseline), and then 6 months later, once each participant had completed his/her cognitive training (a well-known program in Spain, called UMAM; English translation: Madrid City Council Memory Unit Program). Cognitive reserve, executive functions (cognitive flexibility and controlled interference efficiency), and working memory capacity were measured for all participants at the baseline. Results pointed out that the subjective cognitive decline group presented greater benefits in the language domain than cognitively intact participants. We also observed that lower executive functioning and working memory capacity at the baseline predicted larger benefits in language performance after training, but only in the group of cognitively intact older adults. However, selected predictors hardly explained subjective cognitive decline participants' results in language performance after training.

Efficacy of Cognitive Training in Older Adults with and without Subjective Cognitive Decline Is Associated with Inhibition Efficiency and Working Memory Span, Not with Cognitive Reserve.

The present study explores the role of cognitive reserve, executive functions, and working memory (WM) span, as factors that might explain training outcomes in cognitive status. Eighty-one older adults voluntarily participated in the study, classified either as older adults with subjective cognitive decline or cognitively intact. Each participant underwent a neuropsychological assessment that was conducted both at baseline (entailing cognitive reserve, executive functions, WM span and depressive symptomatology measures, as well as the Mini-Mental State Exam regarding initial cognitive status), and then 6 months later, once each participant had completed the training program (Mini-Mental State Exam at the endpoint). With respect to cognitive status the training program was most beneficial for subjective cognitive decline participants with low efficiency in inhibition at baseline (explaining a 33% of Mini-Mental State Exam total variance), whereas for cognitively intact participants training gains were observed for those who presented lower WM span.

APOE ε4 Modulation of Training Outcomes in Several Cognitive Domains in a Sample of Cognitively Intact Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Most research points to the ɛ4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene as the most recognizable genetic risk factor associated with Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. It has been also suggested that the APOEɛ4 allele has a negative influence on cognitive functioning, which begins long before cognitive impairment becomes manifest. However, still, little is known about the APOEɛ4 interaction with cognitive intervention programs. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this study was to explore whether there was a differential APOE genotype modulation effect after cognitive training in different domains, such as language comprehension, executive functions, and memory. Contrary to other studies, hippocampal volume was controlled for. METHODS: Fifty older adults (65+ years; 30 women and 20 men) participated in a multi-domain cognitive training that involved 30 sessions taking place over 12 weeks. Half of the participants were APOEɛ4 carriers. The control group was matched in age, gender, normalized hippocampal volume, cognitive reserve, Mini-Mental State Examination score, and Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Version. RESULTS: The study revealed that there were consistent treatment benefits in complex sentence comprehension (noncanonical sentences and sentences with two propositions), a domain that was not directly trained, but only in the A POEɛ4 noncarrier group. CONCLUSION: Genetic profile modulates training outcomes in sentence comprehension.

Executive functions and linguistic performance in SCD older adults and healthy controls.

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) might represent the preclinical phase of Alzheimer's disease. Given the interest to characterize it, the present study explores (1) if there are differences in lexical retrieval (LexR) and sentence comprehension (SComp) between SCD and matched controls, and (2) the predictive value of demographic variables and executive functions in relation to LexR and SComp in each group. A sample of 135 participants voluntarily took part in this study (66 with SCD). They all completed the Trail Making, the Stroop, the Boston Naming, and the ECCO-Senior tests, as well as verbal fluency tasks (VF). Results show that (1) groups differ in LexR and in inhibition efficiency, and (2) VF is explained by years of formal education, particularly in the control group; SComp in the most complex items seems to rely in different strategies, related to flexibility in controls and to inhibition efficiency in SCD patients.

Fluidez verbal semántica de animales en el deterioro cognitivo leve de tipo amnésico / Semantic verbal fluency of animals in amnesia-type mild cognitive impairment

Introducción y objetivo. El análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de la tarea de fluidez verbal semántica ha permitido observar que las personas con demencia producen menos palabras y en grupos más pequeños que las personas sin demencia. Sin embargo, en personas con deterioro cognitivo leve de tipo amnésico (DCLa) la investigación ha mostrado resultados contradictorios respecto a la cantidad y el número de los agrupamientos semánticos que se realizan. El objetivo de este estudio consistió en aportar nuevos datos para intentar solventar dicha controversia. Sujetos y métodos. Participaron en el estudio 22 personas mayores con diagnóstico de DCLa (8 varones y 14 mujeres) y 43 adultos mayores (7 varones y 36 mujeres) con funcionamiento cognitivo normal que sirvieron de grupo control. Todos fueron evaluados en el Centro de Prevención del Deterioro Cognitivo del Ayuntamiento de Madrid, tras completar la prueba de fluidez verbal de animales además de otras pruebas neuropsicólogicas. Resultados. Como se esperaba, la producción de animales fue menor en el grupo DCLa que en el grupo control, pero no se observaron diferencias ni en el tamaño medio de las agrupaciones semánticas ni en el número de cambios entre dichas agrupaciones. Conclusiones. Los resultados son coherentes con investigaciones previas que sugieren que en el DCLa no sólo concurren déficits en la memoria episódica y la memoria operativa, sino también en la memoria semántica. Sin embargo, los datos no aclaran el papel de los procesos ejecutivos estratégicos, como parece suceder en la enfermedad de Alzheimer (AU)

Introduction and aim. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the semantic verbal fluency task has revealed that people with dementia produced fewer words and smaller semantic clustering than people without dementia. However, in people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), research has shown conflicting results regarding the amount and number of semantic clusters that are made. The aim of this study was to provide new data to this controversial issue. Subjects and methods. Twenty-two older adults diagnosed with aMCI (8 men and 14 women) and 43 older adults (7 men and 36 women) with normal cognitive functioning that served as control group, participated in this study. All patients were evaluated at the Center for Prevention of Cognitive Decline of Madrid (Spain), completing the verbal fluency test (animals) besides other neuropsychological tests. Results. As expected, animal production was lower in the aMCI group than in the control group, but no differences were observed either in the average size of the semantic clusters or the number of switches between them. Conclusions. The results are consistent with previous research suggesting aMCI is not only characterized by episodic memory and working memory deficits. Semantic memory decline is also present. However, the data do not clarify how strategic executive processes are involved, as seems to be in Alzheimer’s disease (AU)

[Semantic verbal fluency of animals in amnesia-type mild cognitive impairment]. / Fluidez verbal semantica de animales en el deterioro cognitivo leve de tipo amnesico.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the semantic verbal fluency task has revealed that people with dementia produced fewer words and smaller semantic clustering than people without dementia. However, in people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), research has shown conflicting results regarding the amount and number of semantic clusters that are made. The aim of this study was to provide new data to this controversial issue. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two older adults diagnosed with aMCI (8 men and 14 women) and 43 older adults (7 men and 36 women) with normal cognitive functioning that served as control group, participated in this study. All patients were evaluated at the Center for Prevention of Cognitive Decline of Madrid (Spain), completing the verbal fluency test (animals) besides other neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: As expected, animal production was lower in the aMCI group than in the control group, but no differences were observed either in the average size of the semantic clusters or the number of switches between them. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with previous research suggesting aMCI is not only characterized by episodic memory and working memory deficits. Semantic memory decline is also present. However, the data do not clarify how strategic executive processes are involved, as seems to be in Alzheimer's disease.

TITLE: Fluidez verbal semantica de animales en el deterioro cognitivo leve de tipo amnesico.Introduccion y objetivo. El analisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de la tarea de fluidez verbal semantica ha permitido observar que las personas con demencia producen menos palabras y en grupos mas pequeños que las personas sin demencia. Sin embargo, en personas con deterioro cognitivo leve de tipo amnesico (DCLa) la investigacion ha mostrado resultados contradictorios respecto a la cantidad y el numero de los agrupamientos semanticos que se realizan. El objetivo de este estudio consistio en aportar nuevos datos para intentar solventar dicha controversia. Sujetos y metodos. Participaron en el estudio 22 personas mayores con diagnostico de DCLa (8 varones y 14 mujeres) y 43 adultos mayores (7 varones y 36 mujeres) con funcionamiento cognitivo normal que sirvieron de grupo control. Todos fueron evaluados en el Centro de Prevencion del Deterioro Cognitivo del Ayuntamiento de Madrid, tras completar la prueba de fluidez verbal de animales ademas de otras pruebas neuropsicologicas. Resultados. Como se esperaba, la produccion de animales fue menor en el grupo DCLa que en el grupo control, pero no se observaron diferencias ni en el tamaño medio de las agrupaciones semanticas ni en el numero de cambios entre dichas agrupaciones. Conclusiones. Los resultados son coherentes con investigaciones previas que sugieren que en el DCLa no solo concurren deficits en la memoria episodica y la memoria operativa, sino tambien en la memoria semantica. Sin embargo, los datos no aclaran el papel de los procesos ejecutivos estrategicos, como parece suceder en la enfermedad de Alzheimer.

[Cognitive reserve and linguistic skills in healthy elderly persons]. / Reserva cognitiva y habilidades linguisticas en mayores sanos.

INTRODUCTION: One research strategy that can be used with the cognitive reserve is to establish groups of elderly persons who differ in key variables that affect the cognitive reserve and then compare their performance in cognitive tests. AIMS: To determine which of the variables that have an influence on the cognitive reserve (measured by means of the cognitive reserve questionnaire) are related with performance in the Boston Naming Test, and in the vocabulary and grammar comprehension tests from the ECCO_Senior battery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 83 elderly persons aged between 60 and 75 years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Schooling, parents' schooling, job and reading habits are closely related to the performance of the elderly in naming, grammar comprehension and vocabulary. Schooling affects the comprehension of sentences with a higher propositional density, and reading habits seem to be closely related with the comprehension of sentences that are more complex in terms of their syntax. Schooling and job affect the performance obtained when dealing with verbs in the vocabulary test.

TITLE: Reserva cognitiva y habilidades linguisticas en mayores sanos.Introduccion. Una estrategia de investigacion en relacion con la reserva cognitiva supone establecer grupos de mayores que difieren en variables clave que afectan a la reserva cognitiva y comparar su rendimiento en pruebas de caracter cognitivo. Objetivo. Determinar que variables de las que influyen en la reserva cognitiva (medidas mediante el cuestionario de reserva cognitiva) se relacionan con el rendimiento en el test de denominacion de Boston, y en las pruebas de vocabulario y comprension gramatical de la bateria ECCO_Senior. Sujetos y metodos. Participaron en el estudio 83 mayores de edades comprendidas entre los 60 y los 75 años. Resultados y conclusiones. La escolaridad, la escolaridad de los padres, la ocupacion laboral y la actividad lectora se relacionan estrechamente con el rendimiento de los mayores en denominacion, comprension gramatical y vocabulario. La escolaridad afecta a la comprension de las oraciones con mayor densidad proposicional, y los habitos de lectura parecen estar estrechamente relacionados con la comprension de oraciones de mayor complejidad sintactica. La escolaridad y la ocupacion laboral afectan al rendimiento obtenido ante los verbos en la prueba de vocabulario.

Metacognitive beliefs and psychological well-being in paranoia and depression.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the growing interest in the effects of metacognitive beliefs and psychological well-being on psychiatric conditions, little is known about how these two variables interact in clinical samples. The central aim of this study was to investigate the role of some metacognitive beliefs in the relationship between psychological well-being dimensions and psychopathology. METHODS: Fifty-five participants with persecutory delusions diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, 38 participants with a major depressive episode, and 44 healthy controls completed the 30-item short form of the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30) and the 54-item form of the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being (PWB). RESULTS: MANCOVA analyses revealed group differences on four subscales of PWB (self-acceptance, autonomy, personal growth, and environmental mastery), as well as on three subscales of MCQ-30 (uncontrollability of worry, need to control thoughts, and lack of memory confidence). Moderation analyses showed the interaction between persecutory thinking and cognitive self-consciousness to be a predictor of psychological well-being. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that psychological well-being is particularly compromised in participants with a high level of persecutory thinking when they have low levels of cognitive self-consciousness.

Do beliefs about the utility of worry facilitate worry?

Various theoretical models have pointed out the role of positive beliefs in the worry process (Dugas, Gagnon, Ladouceur, & Freeston, 1998; Wells, 1995). Two studies were conducted to search for experimental support for this possibility. After trait worry was controlled, a persuasion procedure was used to induce diverse beliefs about worry (positive, negative, or neutral). It was hypothesized that participants persuaded of the usefulness of worry would be more worried and more anxious after listening to a worrisome message. In the first study, 90 participants (62 females and 28 males) were exposed to a novel worrisome message, and in the second study, 60 participants (34 females and 26 males) were exposed to a more personally relevant worry. Results indicate that persuasion about the utility of worry does not trigger worry, and when prior positive beliefs about worry were controlled, they do not correlate with the change in anxiety after worrisome induction.