ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations as a correlate of cardiopulmonary fitness and as a predictor of cognitive performance in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Serum BDNF concentrations were assayed by ELISA and fitness was assessed using a standardized exercise stress test. The Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), California Verbal Learning Test 2nd Ed., Stroop, Trail Making Test B and the Digit Symbol-Coding task were administered. The val66met BDNF genotype and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations were determined as potential confounders. RESULTS: In subjects with CAD (n=88; 85.2% male, mean age 62.8±10.5 yr), cardiopulmonary fitness was associated with higher serum BDNF concentrations (ß=.305, p=.013). Higher serum BDNF concentrations were associated with higher MMSE scores (F(1,87)=15.406, p<.0005) and better performance on the Digit Symbol-Coding task (F(1,87)=9.620, p=.003). IL-6, TNF-α and the val66met genotype did not influence these results. CONCLUSION: Serum BDNF concentrations were associated with cardiopulmonary fitness, psychomotor processing speed and overall cognition in subjects with CAD.
Subject(s)
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/blood , Cognition/physiology , Coronary Disease/blood , Physical Fitness/physiology , Aged , Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/genetics , C-Reactive Protein/analysis , Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic , Coronary Disease/physiopathology , Coronary Disease/psychology , Coronary Disease/rehabilitation , Coronary Disease/therapy , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Exercise Test , Female , Genotype , Humans , Interleukin-6/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Psychomotor Performance , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Humour occupies a special place in human social interactions. The brain regions and the potential psychological processes underlying humour appreciation were investigated by testing patients who had focal damage in various areas of the brain. A specific brain region, the right frontal lobe, most disrupted the ability to appreciate humour. The individuals with damage in this brain region also reacted less, with diminished physical or emotional responses (laughter, smiling). Performance on the humour appreciation tests used were correlated in a distinct pattern with tests assessing cognitive processes. The ability to hold information in mind (working memory) was related to both verbal (jokes) and non-verbal (cartoon) tests of humour appreciation. In addition, the demands of the specific type of humour test were related in a logical manner to cognitive processes, verbal humour being associated with verbal abstraction ability and mental shifting and cartoon humour being related to the abilities to focus attention to details and to visually search the environment. The ability of the right frontal lobe may be unique in integrating cognitive and affective information, an integration relevant for other complex human abilities, such as episodic memory and self-awareness.
