Monitoring cognitive brain function before and after spaceflight: Feasibility of brain vital signs

Cognitive Impairment in Dialysis Patients: Focus on the Blood Vessels?

Neuropsychological studies have demonstrated that meningioma patients frequently exhibit cognitive deficits before surgery and show only limited improvement after surgery. Combining neuropsychological with functional imaging measurements can shed more light on the impact of surgery on cognitive brain function. We aimed to evaluate whether surgery affects cognitive brain activity in such a manner that it may mask possible changes in cognitive functioning measured by neuropsychological tests. Twenty-three meningioma patients participated in a fMRI measurement using a verbal working memory task as well as three neuropsychological tests focused on working memory, just before and 3 months after surgery. A region of interest based fMRI analysis was used to examine cognitive brain activity at these timepoints within the central executive network and default mode network. Neuropsychological assessment showed impaired cognitive functioning before as well as 3 months after surgery. Neuropsychological test scores, in-scanner task performance as well as brain activity within the central executive and default mode network were not significantly different between both timepoints. Our results indicate that surgery does not significantly affect cognitive brain activity in meningioma patients the first few months after surgery. Therefore, the lack of cognitive improvement after surgery is not likely the result of compensatory processes in the brain. Cognitive deficits that are already present before surgery appear to be persistent after surgery and a considerable recovery period. Our study shows potential leads that comprehensive cognitive evaluation can be of added value so that cognitive functioning may become a more prominent factor in clinical decision making.

BackgroundAging is associated with an increased likelihood of developing dementia, but a growing body of evidence suggests that certain modifiable risk factors may help prevent or delay dementia onset. Among these, physical activity (PA) has been linked to better cognitive performance and brain functions in healthy older adults and may contribute to preventing dementia. The current pilot study investigated changes in behavioral and brain activation patterns over a 1-year period in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy controls taking part in regular PA.MethodsFrontal cortical response during a dual-task walking paradigm was investigated at baseline, at 6 months (T6), and at 12 months (T12) by means of a portable functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) system. The dual-task paradigm included a single cognitive task (2-back), a single motor task (walking), and a dual-task condition (2-back whilst walking).ResultsBoth groups showed progressive improvement in cognitive performance at follow-up visits compared to baseline. Gait speed remained stable throughout the duration of the study in the control group and increased at T6 for those with MCI. A significant decrease in cortical activity was observed in both groups during the cognitive component of the dual-task at follow-up visits compared to baseline, with MCI individuals showing the greatest improvement.ConclusionsThe observations of this pilot study suggest that taking part in regular PA may be especially beneficial for both cognitive performance and brain functions in older adulthood and, especially, in individuals with MCI. Our findings may serve as preliminary evidence for the use of PA as a potential intervention to prevent cognitive decline in individuals at greater risk of dementia.

Research investigating the contribution of bilingualism to cognitive reserve has produced mixed findings. Previous reviews and commentaries have explored potential reasons for the inconsistent findings across studies, including language status, participant characteristics, and immigration-related variables. This chapter addresses several questions that have received relatively less attention. Specifically, in this chapter we aim to clarify the relationship between brain function and structure within a reserve framework (including data from our lab examining regional cortical thickness in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease). We also review the impact of bilingualism on memory functioning, and examine theoretical and practical issues (such as trajectory of change in cognitive function) surrounding the cognitive reserve hypothesis. We end by discussing the potential for -and practicalities of- using Big Data initiatives to contribute insight into the role of bilingualism in cognitive reserve and brain function.

Background: Āyurveda explains the diversity of physical, physiological, and behavioral attributes of individuals through the concept of Prakṛti, or body temperament. This variability extends to different cognitive brain functions, which are influenced by an individual’s Prakṛti. Key cognitive functions such as attention, processing speed, executive function, language, and verbal skills are crucial for academic performance. Aims and Objective: To understand the relationship of Prakṛti with cognitive brain functions and academic performance. Materials and Methods: Various Āyurveda compendiums and research articles were reviewed to gather the data on cognition, Prakṛti and its significance on academic performance. Results and Conclusion: There are only limited empirical research works available that are systematically exploring the connection between these variables. If interdisciplinary scientific approaches can systematically prove the connections between Prakṛti and cognitive brain functions, personalized educational strategies can be implemented that can foster student’s unique cognitive strengths and address weaknesses, thus enhancing learning outcomes and supporting individual academic growth.

During the last decades, the interest displayed in neurocognitive and brain science research is relatively high. In this chapter, the cognitive neuroscience field approach focuses in the aspect of the way that cognitive functions are produced by neural circuits in the brain. Within this frame, the effects of impairment to the brain and subsequent changes in the thought processes due to changes in neural circuitry resulting from the ensued damage are analyzed and evaluated. All cognitive functions result from the integration of many simple processing mechanisms, distributed throughout the brain. Brain cortex structures, linked with cognitive disorders, are located in several parts like the frontal, the parietal, the temporal, the occipital lobe and more are analyzed and specified. A critical topic of this chapter in the evaluation of brain operations is mapping regions that control cognitive and mathematical concepts functions. Dyscalculia, in this chapter, is described as a specific disorder of managing and conceiving mathematical concepts. Dyscalculia could be identified by difficulties in visual perception, in spatial number organization, in basic mathematical operations and in mathematical induction logic. Moreover, people who deal with dyscalculia present problems, in Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry concepts perception, in Calculus aspects as well as in solving algorithmic problems where the design, the description and the application of algorithmic steps are required. In order to enhance cognitive brain functions perception, the use of EEG brain imaging is proposed measuring cerebral activity and event-related potentials. The procedure described in this chapter is about the comparison and contrasts EEG brain imaging patterns of healthy volunteers to EEG samples taken of adults considered being at risk of mathematics learning disabilities such as Dyscalculia and algorithmic thinking difficulties. EEG interpretation analysis is to follow where the deviation of a normal and an abnormal range of wave's frequency are defined. Several visualized EEG patterns in relevance with specific abnormalities are presented while several neurocognitive generated disorders could be identified with the use of EEG Brain-imaging technique. The electroencephalogram EEG brain imaging procedure, in order to evaluate problems associated with brain function, is to be further analyzed in this chapter as well. The EEG is the depiction of the electrical activity occurring at the surface of the brain. The recorded waveforms reflect the cortical electrical activity and they are generally classified according to their frequency (Delta, Theta, Beta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma) amplitude, and shape. EEG Implementation with the use of 10/20 system of the standardized position of scalp electrodes placement for a classical EEG recording is described as well. The EEG implementation objective is to identify, classify and evaluate those frequencies and regions in the brain that best characterize brain activity associated with mathematical learning disabilities. Mapping the brain with non-invasive techniques based on trigger and sensing/evaluation experimental multimedia methods similar to those used in computer games and applications are expected to provide relevant results in order to enhance and confirm theoretical cognitive aspects. At that point, a cognitive and mathematical perception evaluation is to follow and specifically the assessment of the relation of difficulties in mathematics with particular parts of the human brain. EEG wave data visualization is contacted with the use of Acknowledge an interactive, intuitive program which provides data analysis instantly. At the end of this chapter EEG computational evaluation with the use of pattern recognition methods as well as the intuition of author's future work in relevance with the use of experimental multimedia technologies to enhance the dynamic recognition and evaluation of user cognitive responses during EEG implementation are noted.

Sustained cognitive benefit 5 years after carotid endarterectomy

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common single cause of dementia in our ageing society. Traditionally thought of as an untreatable degenerative condition, recent advances in drug therapy have challenged this view. The disease is characterised by an insidious decline in cognitive and non-cognitive function. Classically, short and long-term memory is impaired while language skills, concentration and attention are often affected. This results in impaired ability to learn and retain new skills as well as the loss of existing ones. Non-cognitive function is the global term used to describe problems such as depression, agitation, personality changes, delusions and hallucinations. These factors have a significant impact on patient behaviour and a very real impact on the quality of life for both patients and caregivers. Diagnosis of AD is clinically based, and using the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria (Table 1) [1], a diagnosis of probable or possible AD can be made. Definitive diagnosis relies on pathological confirmation, which in the majority of cases is rarely completed. With the development of AD specific treatments, definition of AD from other types of dementia is very important. Table 1 NINCDS-ADRDA Criteria for clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Pathogenesis The pathogenesis of AD has not yet been elucidated. It is widely accepted that a combination of genetic susceptibility factors and environmental triggers are responsible for late onset sporadic AD, the most common form of the disease. An understanding of the disease mechanism remains elusive, and is the key to developing a disease modifying agent. Currently, it is proposed that beta amyloid protein, abnormal tau protein or possibly both play key factors in the development of disease. It has been widely postulated that oxidative damage and a slow inflammatory process are two possible mechanisms involved. As yet, no product with proven disease modifying properties is available, and current treatments offer symptomatic benefit only. The development of acetylcholinesterase (AChe) inhibitor drugs has followed the finding that cholinergic pathways in the cerebral cortex and basal forebrain are compromised in AD [2] and the resultant cholinergic deficit contributes to the cognitive impairment of these patients [3]. Although many believe this ‘cholinergic hypothesis’ to be important, others feel it represents a less significant component of the disease process [4]. Many other neurotransmitters are affected in AD, and the relative importance of each in relation to clinical findings has not been fully elucidated. Initial work focused on the use of acetylcholine precursors, using a similar rationale to dopamine therapy in Parkinson’s disease. A series of small trials using precursors such as choline and phosphatidylcholine showed no reliable improvement in cognitive function, with only 10 out of 43 trials reporting any positive effect [5]. There has been renewed interest in muscarinic agonists drugs, which when first introduced, had major problems with adverse cholinergic effects. Better understanding of the molecular pathology of muscarinic receptors and their subtypes has led to the development of more specific agonists. Drugs such as xanomeline, milameline, and civimeline have reached clinical trials, and the improvements seen in cognitive function are reviewed by Avery et al. [6]. There are also claims that these drugs have disease modifying properties, with effects on APP processing and tau phosphorylation. Muscarinic agonists remain in trial, but have yet to fulfil their potential in AD treatment. The only group of drugs currently licensed for AD treatment is the AChe inhibitors, which act through inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChe), responsible for the breakdown of ACh in the neural synapse. A meta-analysis of the early AChe inhibitor treatments was encouraging [7] and these proceeded to larger placebo controlled double-blind trials.

Objective: To investigate the effect of carotid artery stenting(CAS) on cognitive function and brain function based on changes of a battery of neuropsychological tests and magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Thirty-three patients were included with 17 in the stent-placement group and 16 in the control group (receiving medical treatment), among whom, the unilateral or bilateral severe internal carotid artery stenosis was confirmed by cerebral vascular angiography in the department of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery of Zhongda Hospital Southeast University from June 2015 to September 2016.Neuropsychological tests and rest-state blood oxygenation level dependent fMRI were performed at the baseline and six months follow-up.The baseline characteristics and follow-up changes were compared in each group. Results: The overall cognitive function of the stent-placement group was statistically significantly improved (P<0.05) compared with control group, mainly in the executive function, memory, attention and other aspects.The value of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation(ALFF) showed statistically significant increase (P<0.05, Alphasim correction) in left prefrontal cortex (t=5.861 3, P<0.05), the somatosensory association cortex in left superior parietal lobe(t=5.601 2, P<0.05) and bilateral motor cortical area in posterior frontal lobe (t=5.288 5, P<0.05). The ALFF showed statistically significant decrease (P<0.05, Alphasim correction) in left retrosplenial cingulate cortex(t=-5.590 4, P<0.05), left insular cortex (t=-6.340 8, P<0.05), right insular cortex (t=-8.129 9, P<0.05) and left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (t=-5.584 8, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05, Alphasim correction)between baseline and follow-up results in control group.Besides, the ALFF changes of the left insular cortex (r=-0.591, P=0.033) and bilateral motor cortical area (r=-0.659, P=0.014) were negatively correlated with auditory verb learning test (AVLT) score changes.The ALFF change of bilateral motor cortical area was negatively correlated with the AVLT-delay score change (r=-0.588, P=0.034). And the ALFF change on right insular cortex and the frontal assessment battery (FAB) score change was positively correlated (r=0.638, P=0.025). Conclusions: The overall cognitive function of patients with carotid artery stenosis significantly improve after CAS compared with medical treatment.The change of ALFF value in related brain area is also statistically significant.ALFF Change most in area of Default Mode Network may suggest a mechanism of postoperative neurological recovery in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Neurocognitive Impairment as One Facet of Cancer-Related Sickness Behavior Symptoms.

Study ObjectivesTo examine the association of objective and subjective sleep parameters with cognitive functioning and markers of brain morphology.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 3360 participants (mean age: 59.5 ± 8.5 years; 51.1% female) from The Maastricht Study. Time in bed (TIB) and sleep breaks were objectively estimated using a thigh-worn accelerometer. Subjective sleep continuity was assessed via a single-item, and excessive daytime sleepiness was evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Cognitive testing was administered across three domains—memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning and attention. Markers of brain morphology (e.g. hippocampal volume, gray matter (GM) volume, and white matter volume) were assessed with 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. Linear and logistic regression analyses modeled the associations.ResultsA longer TIB (h/night) was associated with worse executive functioning and attention (Blinear = −0.052, 95% CI = −0.084 to −0.019). Categorical analyses showed that a longer TIB (≥9 h/night) was associated with worse executive functioning and attention (B = −0.088, 95% CI = −0.166 to −0.010) compared to a mid-range TIB (≥7 to <9 h/night). A curvilinear association was found between TIB and lower GM volume (Bquadratic = −0.013, 95% CI = −0.025 to −0.001). Sleep breaks (≥2/night) were associated with worse overall cognition (B = −0.069, 95% CI = −0.124 to −0.013), information processing speed (B = −0.125, 95% CI = −0.212 to −0.039), and reduced GM volume (B = −0.068, 95% CI = −0.118 to −0.018). No significant associations were found for memory or other markers of brain morphology. Subjective sleep parameters showed no associations with cognitive functioning or markers of brain morphology.ConclusionsAdequate and uninterrupted TIB was associated with better cognitive functioning and brain morphology.Statement of SignificanceWith the growing prevalence of dementia, the importance of reducing dementia risk is increasingly acknowledged. Sleep has been identified as a potential risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, yet studies using objective measures of sleep remain limited. This study explores subjective and objective sleep parameters in relation to cognitive function and brain morphology in a large cohort. The findings show that a long time in bed (TIB) is negatively associated with executive functioning and attention, alongside a curvilinear relationship between TIB and gray matter volume. Additionally, sleep breaks (≥2/night) are linked to lower brain volume and poorer cognition. Future research should investigate longitudinal associations and other sleep aspects, including regularity and sleep disorders, to further our understanding and guide dementia prevention strategies.

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease leading to physical, emotional and cognitive disability. High body mass index (BMI) may impact cognitive function and brain volume in MS. Yet, there is paucity of evidence addressing the impact of BMI on cognitive function and brain volume in MS.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the effects of BMI on normal appearing brain volume and cognitive function in patients with relapsing–remitting MS.MethodsA secondary data analysis of the NIH CombiRx study was conducted. Multivariate regression and mixed model analyses were executed to analyze the effect of BMI on brain volume and cognitive function.ResultsThe mean baseline age of the 768 participants was 38.2(SD = 9.4) years. 73% were female and 88.8% were Caucasian. The mean BMI was 28.8 kg/m2(SD = 6.7). The multivariate regression and mixed model analyses failed to show a clinical effect of BMI on brain volume and cognitive function.ConclusionBMI did not show an effect on cognitive function and brain volume among MS patients. Although there is increased interest in the effects of modifiable factors on the course of MS, the effects of BMI on brain volume and cognitive function are debatable and warrant further research.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00211887

Background“Western” style dietary patterns are characterized by a high proportion of highly processed foods rich in fat and low in fiber. This diet pattern is associated with a myriad of metabolic dysfunctions, including neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. β-glucan, the major soluble fiber in oat and barley grains, is fermented in the lower gastrointestinal tract, potentially impacting the microbial ecosystem and thus may improve elements of cognition and brain function via the gut-brain axis. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of β-glucan on the microbiota gut-brain axis and cognitive function in an obese mouse model induced by a high-fat and fiber-deficient diet (HFFD).ResultsAfter long-term supplementation for 15 weeks, β-glucan prevented HFFD-induced cognitive impairment assessed behaviorally by object location, novel object recognition, and nesting building tests. In the hippocampus, β-glucan countered the HFFD-induced microglia activation and its engulfment of synaptic puncta, and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) mRNA expression. Also, in the hippocampus, β-glucan significantly promoted PTP1B-IRS-pAKT-pGSK3β-pTau signaling for synaptogenesis, improved the synaptic ultrastructure examined by transmission electron microscopy, and increased both pre- and postsynaptic protein levels compared to the HFFD-treated group. In the colon, β-glucan reversed HFFD-induced gut barrier dysfunction increased the thickness of colonic mucus (Alcian blue and mucin-2 glycoprotein immunofluorescence staining), increased the levels of tight junction proteins occludin and zonula occludens-1, and attenuated bacterial endotoxin translocation. The HFFD resulted in microbiota alteration, effects abrogated by long-term β-glucan supplementation, with the β-glucan effects on Bacteroidetes and its lower taxa particularly striking. Importantly, the study of short-term β-glucan supplementation for 7 days demonstrated pronounced, rapid differentiating microbiota changes before the cognitive improvement, suggesting the possible causality of gut microbiota profile on cognition. In support, broad-spectrum antibiotic intervention abrogated β-glucan’s effects on improving cognition, highlighting the role of gut microbiota to mediate cognitive behavior.ConclusionThis study provides the first evidence that β-glucan improves indices of cognition and brain function with major beneficial effects all along the gut microbiota-brain axis. Our data suggest that elevating consumption of β-glucan-rich foods is an easily implementable nutritional strategy to alleviate detrimental features of gut-brain dysregulation and prevent neurodegenerative diseases associated with Westernized dietary patterns.Ajj4hQzaw2wK1LZwmZvEcmVideo

Effect of macular pigment carotenoids on cognitive functions: A systematic review

Recently, the exploration of human brain function was examined in cognitive neuroscience and brain science. Along with the development of engineering technology, such as measurement technology, information technology, and artificial intelligence, we can record the brain activity on the timeframe of milliseconds or at the level of a single neuron to examine basic visual function or high level brain function (e.g., memory, language, or attention). In this chapter, we introduce a new research field that combines engineering and cognitive neuroscience, which was named Neuromedical Engineering. We focused our research on five topics: 1. tactile perception and neurology (Yang et al., 2011a, 2011b, 2011c, 2010a, 2011; Wu et al., 2010a, 2011); 2. attention and cognitive brain function (Wu & Li, 2009) and multisensory integration (Li et al, 2009a, 2010a, 2010b; Touge et al., 2008; Wu & Kakura, 2010; Wu et al., 2009); 3. basic visual cognition (Li et al., 2009b; Wu et al., 2011; Yan et al., 2011); 4. language (Cai et al., 2007; Li et al., 2011a, 2011b; Wu et al., 2007); and 5. tactile perception and rehabilitation (Bai et al., 2010). Focusing on these five topics, we provide information on human brain function and neurology. Furthermore, using these cognitive and neurological methods, we are challenging the topic of “Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease with Cognitive Neuroscience Methods”. The earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves learning, memory or planning problems. Currently, no medical tests are available to diagnose AD conclusively premortem. However, several studies have used cognitive tasks (i.e., visuospatial tasks and language tasks) to discover preclinical cognitive markers of AD. These studies demonstrated that the cognitive deficits of AD can possibly be detected during a preclinical period that spans several years. In addition, numerous neuropathological, electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies support the hypothesis that cognitive deficits in AD are related to a possible disconnection between cortical areas. In this chapter, we describe current studies and possible future experiments on the early diagnosis method using cognitive and functional imaging testing to help with the clinical diagnosis of AD. People with AD die an average of four to six years after diagnosis, but the duration of the disease can vary from three to 20 years. As shown in Fig. 1, the rate of cognitive decline in patients with AD was faster than healthy subjects after a specific point (before diagnosis). This specific point may be detectable using memory and planning tasks, such as visuospatial and language tasks. Recent studies have demonstrated that the cognitive deficits of AD can be detected using some simplex cognitive tests.