Brief instrument for direct complex functionality assessment: a new ecological tool.

Background: The Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS) is the only instrument validated in Brazil that assesses functionality directly with the patient. However, this clinical tool takes a long time to be administered. This limits its use in hospitals and outpatient clinics that require brief assessment instruments. Additionally, we need to count with a direct assessment because the number of older adults living alone is increasing and we thus lack reliable informants. Objective: This study aimed to present the development and content validity evidence of a direct complex functionality test for older adults, the Brief Instrument for Direct Functionality Assessment (BIDFA). Method: A total sample of 30 older adults and eight expert judges took part in the study stages. The BIDFA construction stages were: (1) literature review of functionality instruments; (2) development of seven ecological tasks to evaluate the performance of daily complex activities with the older adults; (3) content analysis by eight expert judges; (4) pilot study with 30 older adults; (5) the ecological analysis of items; (6) focus group analysis; and (7) final version of the BIDFA. Results: The BIDFA had evidence of content validity with an agreement index of 96.5%. The final version of BIDFA was left with six domains of complex functionality divided into semantic memory and time orientation; shopping skills; executive attention, math and finance skills; organization; planning and procedural memory; and problem-solving. The complex functionality score by BIDFA ranges from 0 to 100 points. Conclusion: The BIDFA was found to have good content validity by the expert judges and by the ecological analysis of the items by the older adults. The new instrument is expected to help assess the functional status of older adults, in an abbreviated context including complex functionality demands, with a wider range of total and subdomain scores.

Dissociation of Arousal Index Between REM and NREM Sleep in Elderly Adults with Cognitive Impairment, No Dementia: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disruption in elderly has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and its transition into Alzheimer's disease (AD). High arousal indices (AIs) during sleep may serve as an early-stage biomarker of cognitive impairment non-dementia (CIND). OBJECTIVE: Using full-night polysomnography (PSG), we investigated whether CIND is related to different AIs between NREM and REM sleep stages. METHODS: Fourteen older adults voluntarily participated in this population-based study that included Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuropsi battery, Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, and single-night PSG. Subjects were divided into two groups (n = 7 each) according to their results in Neuropsi memory and attention subtests: cognitively unimpaired (CU), with normal results; and CIND, with -2.5 standard deviations in memory and/or attention subtests. AIs per hour of sleep during N1, N2, N3, and REM stages were obtained and correlated with Neuropsi total score (NTS). RESULTS: AI (REM)  was significantly higher in CU group than in CIND group. For the total sample, a positive correlation between AI (REM)  and NTS was found (r = 0.68, p = 0.006), which remained significant when controlling for the effect of age and education. In CIND group, the AI (N2)  was significantly higher than the AI (REM) . CONCLUSION: In CIND older adults, this attenuation of normal arousal mechanisms in REM sleep are dissociated from the relative excess of arousals observed in stage N2. We propose as probable etiology an early hypoactivity at the locus coeruleus noradrenergic system, associated to its early pathological damage, present in the AD continuum.

Electroconvulsive Therapy Impact on Memory Performance in Patients With Depression.

INTRODUCTION: The safety of electroconvulsive therapy has improved greatly over the last decades, making the potentially adverse effects on memory and other neurocognitive functions the main clinical aspect of concern in the present. In Colombia, the general population and healthcare professionals (even some psychiatrists) seem to have mostly negative opinions towards electroconvulsive therapy treatment, but maybe this could be reconsidered if more information is provided; therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in memory and the severity of the symptoms in a group of patients with severe depression before and after electroconvulsive therapy. METHODS: Twenty-three patients ranging in age from 23 to 70 years from the electroconvulsive therapy service at the San Juan de Dios Clinic (Manizales, Colombia) were recruited in order to assess the effect of electroconvulsive therapy on memory in patients with severe depression. Depressive symptoms and memory were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), respectively. The assessment was administered to participants before the initial treatment of electroconvulsive therapy series (0-1 day) and 2 days after their last treatment. RESULTS: Electroconvulsive therapy resulted in significant improvement in the rating of depression. There were no significant differences in the five learning trials, delayed recall, learning and forgetting scores from pre-treatment to post-treatment. Significant pre-treatment/post-treatment differences were found in the delayed recognition trial. CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and post- electroconvulsive therapy cognitive assessment is a feasible and useful procedure. In general, memory performance does not worsen after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depression. Only delayed recognition is affected a few days following electroconvulsive therapy, particularly in patients with low educational level and bitemporal (BT) electrode placement.

Impacto de la Terapia Electroconvulsiva en el Funcionamiento de la Memoria en Pacientes con Depresión

Introducción: La seguridad de la terapia electroconvulsiva ha mejorado mucho en las últimas décadas, lo que hace que los efectos potencialmente adversos en la memoria y otras funciones neurocognitivas sean el principal aspecto clínico de preocupación en el presente. En Colombia, la población general y los profesionales de la salud (incluso algunos psiquiatras) parecen tener opiniones mayoritariamente negativas sobre el tratamiento electroconvulsivo, pero quizá esto podría reconsiderarse si se brinda más información; por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar los cambios en la memoria y la gravedad de los síntomas en un grupo de pacientes con depresión grave antes y después de la terapia electroconvulsiva. Métodos: Se incluyó a 23 pacientes con edades comprendidas entre los 23 y los 70 anos del Servicio de Terapia Electroconvulsiva de la Clínica San Juan de Dios (Manizales, Colombia) para evaluar el efecto de esta terapia en la memoria de pacientes con depresión grave. Los síntomas depresivos y la memoria se evaluaron con la escala de depresión de Hamilton (HAMD) y la prueba de aprendizaje auditivo verbal de Rey (RAVLT) respectivamente. Se evaluó a los participantes antes de la sesión inicial de la serie de terapia electroconvulsiva (0-1 día) y 2 días después de su último tratamiento. Resultados: La terapia electroconvulsiva resultó en una mejora significativa en la puntuación de depresión. No hubo diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones de las 5 pruebas de aprendizaje, recuerdo retardado, aprendizaje y olvido desde antes del tratamiento hasta después de este. Se encontraron diferencias significativas antes y después del tratamiento en la prueba de reconocimiento retardado. Conclusiones: Los problemas de memoria pueden evaluarse y caracterizarse de manera práctica tras la terapia electroconvulsiva. La evaluación cognitiva antes y después de la terapia electroconvulsiva es un procedimiento viable y útil. En general, el rendimiento de la memoria no empeora después de la terapia electroconvulsiva en pacientes con depresión. Solo el reconocimiento retardado se ve afectado unos días después, particularmente en pacientes con bajo nivel educativo y colocación de electrodos bitemporales (BT).

Introduction: The safety of electroconvulsive therapy has improved greatly over the last decades, making the potentially adverse effects on memory and other neurocognitive functions the main clinical aspect of concern in the present. In Colombia, the general population and healthcare professionals (even some psychiatrists) seem to have mostly negative opinions towards electroconvulsive therapy treatment, but maybe this could be reconsidered if more information is provided; therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in memory and the severity of the symptoms in a group of patients with severe depression before and after electroconvulsive therapy. Methods: Twenty-three patients ranging in age from 23 to 70 years from the electroconvulsive therapy service at the San Juan de Dios Clinic (Manizales, Colombia) were recruited in order to assess the effect of electroconvulsive therapy on memory in patients with severe depression. Depressive symptoms and memory were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), respectively. The assessment was administered to participants before the initial treatment of electroconvulsive therapy series (0-1 day) and 2 days after their last treatment. Results: Electroconvulsive therapy resulted in significant improvement in the rating of depression. There were no significant differences in the five learning trials, delayed recall, learning and forgetting scores from pre-treatment to post-treatment. Significant pre-treatment/post-treatment differences were found in the delayed recognition trial. Conclusions: Pre- and post- electroconvulsive therapy cognitive assessment is a feasible and useful procedure. In general, memory performance does not worsen after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depression. Only delayed recognition is affected a few days following electroconvulsive therapy, particularly in patients with low educational level and bitemporal (BT) electrode placement.

The Trail Making Test (part B) is associated with working memory: A concurrent validity study.

The Test Making Test (TMT) was originally created as a distributed attention test. Part B (TMT-B) has been proposed as representative of executive functions as effective problem solving and working memory. This study aimed to explore the validity of the TMT-B as an indicator of working memory in adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted by using linear correlation coefficients between the TMT-B and neuropsychological and electrophysiological tests of working memory. Fifty-six individuals participated, all of which had normal cognitive functioning and were aged between 19 and 55 years old. Results show a significant correlation among the TMT-B scores with all subtests, the overall score of the Corsi Block-Tapping Test, the Working Memory Index of the WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) (p ≤ .05) and the auditory Event Related Potentials (p < .01) with the N200 and P300 latencies and amplitudes. These findings are preliminary evidence of the validity of the TMT-B for the evaluation of working memory in adults. Additional studies are required to assess the differential validity of the TMT-B in the evaluation of working memory, through comparative correlational analyzes with the results of various neuropsychological tests that assess other cognitive functions.

Association Between Visual Memory and In Vivo Amyloid and Tau Pathology in Preclinical Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Visual memory (ViM) declines early in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is unclear whether ViM impairment is evident in the preclinical stage and relates to markers of AD pathology. We examined the relationship between ViM performance and in vivo markers of brain pathology in individuals with autosomal dominant AD (ADAD). METHODS: Forty-five cognitively unimpaired individuals from a Colombian kindred with the Presenilin 1 (PSEN1) E280A ADAD mutation (19 carriers and 26 noncarriers) completed the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure immediate recall test, a measure of ViM. Cortical amyloid burden and regional tau deposition in the entorhinal cortex (EC) and inferior temporal cortex (IT) were measured using 11C-Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography (PET) and 11F-flortaucipir PET, respectively. RESULTS: Cognitively unimpaired carriers and noncarriers did not differ on ViM performance. Compared to noncarriers, carriers had higher levels of cortical amyloid and regional tau in both the EC and IT. In cognitively unimpaired carriers, greater cortical amyloid burden, higher levels of regional tau, and greater age were associated with worse ViM performance. Only a moderate correlation between regional tau and ViM performance remained after adjusting for verbal memory scores. None of these correlations were observed in noncarriers. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that AD pathology and greater age are associated with worse ViM performance in ADAD before the onset of clinical symptoms. Further investigation with larger samples and longitudinal follow-up is needed to examine the utility of ViM measures for identifying individuals at high risk of developing dementia later in life.

Isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum and normal general intelligence development during postnatal life: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Agenesis of the corpus callosum can occur isolated or as part of a complex congenital syndrome. Patients with isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum may present with severe intellectual disability, although a proportion of affected individuals develop normal intelligence. However, even in patients with no apparent deficits, subtle neuropsychological alterations may occur as the cognitive demand increases with age. Hence, patients with this deffect require a strict follow-up during their postnatal life. Thus, physicians require a better knowledge of the cognitive features of agenesis of the corpus callosum to improve their approach to this cerebral malformation. Here, we report an illustrative case of a school-age child with isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum and normal intelligence. We also provide a literature review about the postnatal screening of neurocognitive deficits in patients with agenesis of the corpus callosum. CASE PRESENTATION: An 8-year-old Hispanic boy with total agenesis of the corpus callosum attended for medical follow-up. The defect was identified during the neonatal period by cranial ultrasonography and brain computed tomography scan. However, he did not present any craniofacial or non-cerebral malformation suggestive of a congenital syndrome. Furthermore, he showed no neuropsychiatric disorder or intellectual disability during his early childhood. At the age of 4, he was subjected to a control brain magnetic resonance imaging that showed total agenesis of the corpus callosum and colpocephaly. At his arrival, a neurological examination was normal with no signs of intracranial hypertension. His intelligence quotient was unaltered and he scored normal in the Mini-Mental State Examination test. The literature reviewed here suggested that patients with agenesis of the corpus callosum require a strict neurocognitive follow-up during postnatal life, as they may present neuropsychological deficits during adolescence, when development of the corpus callosum is completed and there is maximum reliance on this structure. Thus, our patient was scheduled for future annual neurocognitive testing. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum is not innocuous, and patients with this defect require a strict neurocognitive follow-up. We provide an informative reference tool useful for the postnatal neuropsychological screening of patients with isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum.

Reliable change indices for the 37-item version of the MMSE in Spanish older adults.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish reliable change and regression-based change score norms on the 37-item version of MMSE in older Spanish adults at the three-year follow-up. METHOD: All subjects of this research were selected from the Neurological Disorders in Central Spain (NEDICES), a prospective population-based cohort study of older adults (65 years and over). Of the 4208 individuals free from neurological disorders in this cohort, 2073 participants completed the MMSE-37 at baseline and at the three-year follow-up. Reliable Change Indices were computed for the 80, 90% and 95 confidence intervals (CIs). Multiple regression analyses were used to derive equations for predicting MMSE-37 post-test scores taking into account baseline scores, time to follow-up and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: The MMSE-37 obtained a marginal test-retest reliability (.70). The results showed significant effects of education, age, and sex on the MMSE-37 change scores. After correcting for regression to the mean, at least a 6-point change on MMSE-37 (three-years follow-up) is required to be classified as reliable (90% CI). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that the MMSE-37 is a reliable test-retest measure whose change scores are significantly influenced by sociodemographic factors. Importantly, small changes on this measure require a cautious interpretation.

Specificity rates for non-clinical, bilingual, Mexican Americans with California Verbal Learning Test3, verbal fluency, and Rey 15-IR performance validity measures.

Objective: To measure failure rates among non-clinical, Mexican American, bilinguals on embedded performance validity measures from the California Verbal Learning Test3 and verbal fluency and the stand-alone Rey 15-item test plus recognition (Rey 15-IR) using valid/invalid performance cut scores developed for monolingual, English-speakers. Method: Participants were 60 consecutive recruits, aged between 18 and 75 years, with ≤16 years of education who self-identified as bilingual (confirmed via formal assessment) and chose the language of assessment, Spanish or English, for the performance validity tests. Results: The only performance validity measure studied with a higher failure rate (19%) than that for monolingual, English-speakers (9%) was semantic fluency administered in Spanish. Conclusions: Valid/invalid performance cut scores derived for monolingual English-speakers generated comparable or lower failure rates among Mexican American bilinguals on CVLT3 forced-choice recognition, CVLT3 yes-no recognition hits, letter fluency, semantic fluency in English, and the Rey 15-IR.

Neurocognitive Function in Children with Primary Hypertension after Initiation of Antihypertensive Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the change in neurocognitive test performance in children with primary hypertension after initiation of antihypertensive therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Subjects with hypertension and normotensive control subjects had neurocognitive testing at baseline and again after 1 year, during which time the subjects with hypertension received antihypertensive therapy. Subjects completed tests of general intelligence, attention, memory, executive function, and processing speed, and parents completed rating scales of executive function. RESULTS: Fifty-five subjects with hypertension and 66 normotensive control subjects underwent both baseline and 1-year assessments. Overall, the blood pressure (BP) of subjects with hypertension improved (24-hour systolic BP load: mean baseline vs 1 year, 58% vs 38%, P < .001). Primary multivariable analyses showed that the hypertension group improved in scores of subtests of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Grooved Pegboard, and Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Tower Test (P < .05). However, the control group also improved in the same measures with similar effects sizes. Secondary analyses by effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy showed that subjects with persistent ambulatory hypertension at 1 year (n = 17) did not improve in subtests of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and had limited improvement in Grooved Pegboard. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, children with hypertension did not improve in neurocognitive test performance after 1 year of antihypertensive therapy, beyond that also seen in normotensive controls, suggesting improvements with age or practice effects because of repeated neurocognitive testing. However, the degree to which antihypertensive therapy improves BP may affect its impact upon neurocognitive function.

Adapting a memory fMRI research protocol in clinical routine: Feasibility and results.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the reliability of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) evaluation of memory function in clinical practice to predict postoperative memory decline in patients with refractory medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) candidate to surgery. METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive patients with MTLE who underwent a complete presurgical evaluation were included. All patients underwent fMRI memory study and complete neuropsychological assessment. Lesions consisted in hippocampal sclerosis in 18 patients (12 right and 6 left), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET) in 5 cases (4 right, 1 left), epidermoid cyst in one patient (right). Two patients had no lesion (2 left). RESULTS: Nineteen patients (73%) underwent surgery. The other seven patients (27%) declined surgery, mainly because of the risk of memory deficit. The fMRI procedure correctly predicted both verbal and nonverbal memory postoperative outcome in 13 of the patients (72%), failed to predict a postoperative memory worsening in only two patients (12%), and predicted worsening in three patients (17%) that remained stable (versus 44%, 39%, and 17% with the sole neuropsychological testing). The reliability of the fMRI procedure was not influenced by the type of lesion, the side of the epileptic focus, or the type of preoperative memory profile (typical or atypical). SIGNIFICANCE: Appearing as a valuable clinical tool to predict postoperative memory outcome, fMRI may add information over and above other available tests.

Specificity rates for non-clinical, bilingual, Mexican Americans on three popular performance validity measures.

OBJECTIVE: To measure specificity as failure rates for non-clinical, bilingual, Mexican Americans on three popular performance validity measures: (a) the language format Reliable Digit Span; (b) visual-perceptual format Test of Memory Malingering; and (c) visual-perceptual format Dot Counting, using optimal/suboptimal effort cut scores developed for monolingual, English-speakers. METHODS: Participants were 61 consecutive referrals, aged between 18 and 65 years, with <16 years of education who were subjectively bilingual (confirmed via formal assessment) and chose the language of assessment, Spanish or English, for the performance validity tests. RESULTS: Failure rates were 38% for Reliable Digit Span, 3% for the Test of Memory Malingering, and 7% for Dot Counting. For Reliable Digit Span, the failure rates for Spanish (46%) and English (31%) languages of administration did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal/suboptimal effort cut scores derived for monolingual English-speakers can be used with Spanish/English bilinguals when using the visual-perceptual format Test of Memory Malingering and Dot Counting. The high failure rate for Reliable Digit Span suggests it should not be used as a performance validity measure with Spanish/English bilinguals, irrespective of the language of test administration, Spanish or English.

Neurocognitive Function in Children with Primary Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To compare neurocognitive test performance of children with primary hypertension with that of normotensive controls. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-five children (10-18 years of age) with newly diagnosed, untreated hypertension and 75 frequency-matched normotensive controls had baseline neurocognitive testing as part of a prospective multicenter study of cognition in primary hypertension. Subjects completed tests of general intelligence, attention, memory, executive function, and processing speed. Parents completed rating scales of executive function and the Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder scale of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ-SRBD). RESULTS: Hypertension and control groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, maternal education, income, race, ethnicity, obesity, anxiety, depression, cholesterol, glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein. Subjects with hypertension had greater PSQ-SRBD scores (P = .04) and triglycerides (P = .037). Multivariate analyses showed that hypertension was independently associated with worse performance on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (List A Trial 1, P = .034; List A Total, P = .009; Short delay recall, P = .013), CogState Groton Maze Learning Test delayed recall (P = .002), Grooved Pegboard dominant hand (P = .045), and Wechsler Abbreviated Scales of Intelligence Vocabulary (P = .016). Results indicated a significant interaction between disordered sleep (PSQ-SRBD score) and hypertension on ratings of executive function (P = .04), such that hypertension heightened the association between increased disordered sleep and worse executive function. CONCLUSIONS: Youth with primary hypertension demonstrated significantly lower performance on neurocognitive testing compared with normotensive controls, in particular, on measures of memory, attention, and executive functions.

Cognitive profiles of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and depression in children and adolescents.

Background/Objective: Several diagnostic criteria of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are remarkably similar to symptoms reported by individuals with depression, particularly as they manifest as cognitive processing deficits in children. Because of this overlap in profile and the high rate of comorbidity of PTSD and depression (48% to 69%), pinpointing similarities/differences in cognitive processes related to each of these disorders is essential to accurate diagnosis. This study aims to examine cognitive performance profiles of 23 children who have been victims of PTSD and to compare their results with 23 children with depression and 24 controls. Method: Empirical study, observational and descriptive methodologies were performed using several neuropsychological tests to assess IQ, attention, memory and executive function. Statistical comparisons between groups were made using the non-parametric Kruskall-Wallis test and post-hoc analyses were conducted using a Mann Whitney U test, as well as Quade's co-variance analysis. Results: Data show different profiles of cognitive performance in those with PTSD compared to those with depression and controls. Conclusions: The findings suggests that PTSD and depressed children differ somewhat in their cognitive profiles, and the differences in IQ found between those with PTSD and those without are not necessarily a confounding variable, but may rather be a consequence of their traumatic experience.

Antecedentes/Objetivo: Varios criterios diagnósticos del trastorno de estrés post-traumático (PTSD, por sus siglas en inglés) son similares a los síntomas de la depresión, particularmente relacionados con aspectos cognitivos de niños afectados por estas condiciones. Debido a esta superposición del perfil cognitivo y dada la alta comorbilidad entre PTSD y depresión (48% y 69%), identificar las características en los perfiles cognitivos de cada trastorno pudiera ser útil para hacer diagnósticos más precisos. El objetivo fue examinar el rendimiento cognitivo en 23 niños con PTSD y comparar sus resultados con 23 niños con depresión y 24 controles. Método: Estudio empírico, observacional y descriptivo mediante aplicación de una batería neuropsicológica que evaluó inteligencia, atención, memoria y función ejecutiva. Las comparaciones estadísticas se realizaron mediante la prueba no paramétrica Kruskal-Wallis. Los análisis post-hoc se realizaron utilizando U de Mann Whitney y el análisis de covarianza de Quade. Resultados: Los datos muestran diferentes perfiles cognitivos del grupo con PTSD en comparación con los grupos de depresión y controles. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos sugieren que el grupo de PTSD y el grupo de depresión difieren en sus perfiles cognitivos y que las diferencias en el nivel intelectual encontradas en los niños con PTSD pudieran no ser una variable de confusión sino una consecuencia de la experiencia traumática.

Triagem infantil neuropsicológica computadorizada para indicação do TDAH em crianças e adolescentes / Neuropsychological computerized screening to ADHD indication in children and adolescents

Objetivo: Verificar a sensibilidade da TINC - Triagem Infantil Neuropsicológica Computadorizada na seleção de suspeitos de Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH) por meio de análise estatística comparativa do desempenho de crianças e adolescentes com TDAH e controles devidamente matriculados no sistema público e particular de Curitiba-PR e região metropolitana. Método: Grupo clínico composto por 38 participantes (20 do sexo masculino e 18 do sexo feminino) com diagnóstico médico de TDAH sem comorbidades e grupo controle formado por 170 sujeitos (67 do sexo masculino e 103 do sexo feminino) sem histórico de comprometimento neurológico submetidos à TINC – Triagem Infantil Neuropsicológica Computadorizada. Resultados: O grupo TDAH obteve resultados inferiores no total geral da TINC e em 8 dos 10 subtestes avaliados (Organização Acústico-Motora, Habilidade Tátil-Cinestésica, Habilidade Visual, Linguagem Oral Expressiva, Escrita, Leitura, Raciocínio Matemático e Memória Imediata). Além disso, o grupo TDAH também necessitou de mais tempo para realizar o teste. Conclusão: A TINC permitiu discriminar crianças e adolescentes suspeitos de TDAH.

Objective: Check the sensibility of TINC – Neuropsychological Computadorized Screening for Children in selection of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) suspects by comparative statistical analysis among children and adolescents with ADHD and controls from Curitiba-PR and metropolitan area. Methods: Clinical group of 38 participants (20 males and 18 females) with a diagnosis of ADHD without comorbidities and control group of 170 subjects (67 males and 103 females) with no history of neurological impairment underwent to TINC - Children´s Neuropsychological Screening Computed.TINC - Children´s Neuropsychological Screening Computed. Results: The ADHD group had poor results in the total score of TINC and in 8 of the 10 analyzed subtests (Organization Acoustic-Motor, Tactile-Kinesthetic Ability, Visual Skills, Oral Expressive Language, Writing, Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Immediate Memory). Furthermore, ADHD group also required more time to perform the test. Conclusion: TINC discriminate children and adolescents suspected ADHD.

Cross-cultural Adaptation, Reliability, and Validity of the BICAMS in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability and validity of a Brazilian-Portuguese adaptation of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS). METHOD: A Brazilian sample of 58 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 58 healthy controls (HC) were administered the Brazilian-Portuguese BICAMS test battery, comprising the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), California Verbal Learning Test Second Edition (CVLT2), and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test Revised (BVMTR). Mean differences between groups on BICAMS tests were assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for age, gender, education, anxiety, and depression. Test-retest data were obtained from 49 of the MS patients, two weeks after the initial assessment. RESULTS: The MS patient group scored significantly lower on all BICAMS tests (CVLT2 F1,110 = 28.99, p < .001; BVMTR F1,110 = 7.77, p < .01; SDMT F1,110 = 21.09, p < .001). Mixed-factor ANCOVAs tested differences in learning curves across trials for CVLT2 and BVMTR. HCs had significantly steeper learning curves on both CVLT2 (F1,111 = 10.82, p < .01) and BVMTR (F1,110 = 7.816, p < .01). These findings support diagnostic validity of the Brazilian-Portuguese adaptation. Test-retest reliability was satisfactory for SDMT, CVLT2, and BVMTR (.86, .84, and .77, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that this Brazilian version of the BICAMS will be a valid and reliable measure once complete normative data become available.

Association Between Cognitive Impairment and Chronic Kidney Disease in Mexican Americans.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Mexican Americans and to determine whether there is a blood-based proteomic profile linking CKD to MCI. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of cohort study. SETTING: Health and Aging Brain among Latino Elders study. PARTICIPANTS: Mexican Americans (N = 437, 105 men, 332 women). MEASUREMENTS: Data were analyzed to examine the link between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and detailed neuropsychological functioning. Serum proteomic markers were also examined. RESULTS: Lower eGFR levels were associated with significantly poorer neuropsychological functioning across multiple domains. After adjusting for age, sex, education, and diabetes mellitus, participants with an eGFR less than 45 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) performed significantly worse than those with an eGFR from 45 to 59 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) or 60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) and higher in processing speed (F = 14.1, P < .001), executive functioning (F = 4.5, P = .01), visuospatial skills (F = 4.8, P = .009), and global cognitive functioning (F = 6.2, P = .002). Participants with an eGFR less than 45 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) also performed significantly worse than those with an eGFR of 60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) or greater on delayed memory (F = 3.8, P = .02). There was a trend toward lower eGFR levels being associated with greater risk of MCI (odds ratio (OR) = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.91-6.1, P = .07), which was stronger for men (OR = 9.6, 95% CI = 1.3-74.3, P = .03). A serum proteomic profile consisting of Factor VII, interleukin-10, C-reactive protein, and fatty acid binding protein was 93% accurate in detecting CKD-related MCI. CONCLUSION: Lower eGFR was associated with significantly poorer neuropsychological functioning in Mexican Americans. A blood-based profile was generated that was highly accurate in detecting CKD-related MCI. A blood profile capable of predicting CKD-related cognitive impairment would be of benefit for the design of clinical interventions.

Frontotemporal dementia: clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging description.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the relationships between the clinical, neuropsychological, and imaging findings from a group of patients diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). METHODS: The clinical histories, cognitive tests, and structural and perfusion brain images of 21 patients of the Psychiatric Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia, were reviewed. RESULTS: The average age was 59.8 years; the average time for the evolution of disease symptoms was 2.7 years; the most common variant was the behavioral variant; the most common alteration shown through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was frontotemporal atrophy, while the most common alteration shown through single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was frontotemporal hypoperfusion. The most significant result was the normal performance of 61.9% of patients in praxis exams, which was associated with alterations in temporoparietal perfusion in the SPECT images (p <0.02). Neither the mini-mental state evaluation nor the Clock Drawing Executive Test (CLOX) served as screening tests.

OBJETIVO: Describir la relación entre los hallazgos clínicos, neuropsicológicos e imagenológicos en un grupo de pacientes con el diagnóstico de DFT. MÉTODOS: Se revisaron las historias clínicas, pruebas cognitivas e imágenes cerebrales estructurales y de perfusión de 21 pacientes del Hospital Psiquiátrico Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia. RESULTADOS: El promedio de edad fue de 59.8 años, el tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad fue de 2.7 años, la variante más frecuente fue la comportamental, la alteración más frecuente en la RMN fue la atrofia frontotemporal y en el SPECT fue la hipoperfusión frontotemporal. El hallazgo más importante fue el rendimiento normal del 61.9% de los pacientes en pruebas de praxis, la cual se relacionó con alteración en la perfusión temporo parietal en el SPECT (p <0.02). El minimental ni el clox sirvieron como pruebas de tamizaje.

Frontotemporal dementia: clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging description / Demencia frontotemporal: descripción clínica, neuropsicológica e imaginológica

Objetivo: To describe the relation between the clinical, neuropsychological, and brain imaging findings in a group of patients with fronto temporal dementia. Methods: A sample of 21 patients was collected, and their charts, cognitive profiles, and brain imagines were reviewed; all patients were evaluated as outpatients at the Hospital Psiquiátrico Universitario del Valle, in Cali, Colombia. Results: The mean age was 59.8 years old, the time elapsed between the beginning of the symptoms and the diagnosis was 2.7 years, the more frequent variant was the behavioral one, the main alteration at the magnetic resonance imaging was the frontotemporal atrophy, and the more frequent alteration on the brain SPECT was the frontotemporal hypo perfusion. On the cognitive evaluation the main finding was the normal scoring in praxis, which was related to a temporo parietal hypo perfusion at the brain SPECT (p <0.02). Mimnimental either CLOX were useful as screening tests.

Objetivo: Describir la relación entre los hallazgos clínicos, neuropsicológicos e imagenológicos en un grupo de pacientes con el diagnóstico de DFT. Métodos: Se revisaron las historias clínicas, pruebas cognitivas e imágenes cerebrales estructurales y de perfusión de 21 pacientes del Hospital Psiquiátrico Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 59.8 años, el tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad fue de 2.7 años, la variante más frecuente fue la comportamental, la alteración más frecuente en la RMN fue la atrofia frontotemporal y en el SPECT fue la hipoperfusión frontotemporal. El hallazgo más importante fue el rendimiento normal del 61.9% de los pacientes en pruebas de praxis, la cual se relacionó con alteración en la perfusión temporo parietal en el SPECT (p <0.02). El minimental ni el clox sirvieron como pruebas de tamizaje.

Hippocampal atrophy and memory dysfunction in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a well-defined idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) syndrome, being the most common IGE in adults and accounting for 5-11% of patients with epilepsy. While neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies have discussed the thalamofrontal dysfunction as the major pathophysiologic mechanism of JME, investigation on memory is scarce in patients with JME, with lack of objective assessments addressing common complaints and daily difficulties such as recalling telephone numbers, messages to pass on, and taking antiepileptic drugs regularly. The aim of this study was to objectively assess memory deficits in a group of patients with JME using neuropsychological examination combined with structural MRI of the hippocampi. After informed consent, a cohort of 56 consecutive patients with JME (29 males; mean age ± SD = 26.5 ± 9.01 years; range = 14.0-55.0 years) was included. The control group consisted of 42 healthy volunteers (18 males; mean age ± SD = 31.0 ± 8.54 years; range=20.0-56.0 years) without a family history of neuropsychiatric disorders. Patients and controls were submitted to a MRI and to a neuropsychological assessment, and comparisons between groups were performed, as well as a correlation study between hippocampal atrophy and neuropsychological performance in a group of patients with JME. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Significant hippocampal atrophy among patients with JME was observed, which was correlated with memory dysfunctions. The present findings reinforce the existence of functional-anatomic ictogenic networks that are not limited to frontal lobes, providing further support towards the concept of 'system epilepsies' in JME.