Changes in the Episodic Memory and Executive Functions of Abstinent and Relapsed Alcoholics Over a 6-Month Period

Background: It is still unclear whether episodic memory and executive functions capacities can return to normal in abstinent patients over a 6‐month period. Furthermore, the role of interim drinking in cognitive recovery is still not well known. Finally, further research is required to specify the predictive value of cognitive abilities at initial testing in the treatment outcome (abstinence or relapse) . The aims of the present study were therefore to measure changes in episodic memory and executive functions over a 6‐month period in abstinent and relapsed alcoholics and to ascertain whether neuropsychological results at treatment entry can predict treatment outcome at follow‐up. Methods: Fifty‐four alcoholic patients and 54 matched control subjects performed baseline neuropsychological tasks assessing episodic memory, executive functions, the slave systems of working memory and attentional abilities. At the follow‐up session (i.e., 6 months later), episodic memory and 3 executive functions (inhibition, flexibility, and updating) were re‐examined in the alcoholic patients. Results: Results showed that over the 6‐month interval, the abstainers’ episodic memory and executive performances had returned to normal, whereas the relapsers performed lower than before in the flexibility task. Episodic memory and executive functions recovery was correlated, in abstainers, with drinking history and age respectively. Finally, there was no significant difference regarding neuropsychological scores at baseline between abstainers and relapsers. Discussion: Over the 6‐month interval, abstainers normalized episodic memory and executive performances whereas relapsers obtained executive results which were more severely impaired, emphasizing the influence of interim drinking on cognitive changes. Episodic memory, executive functions, the slave systems of working memory and attentional abilities did not appear to be reliable predictors of treatment outcome over a 6‐month interval.     

老年2型糖尿病人记忆损伤特点

目的　探讨年轻老年 2型糖尿病病人记忆是否受到损伤。方法　病人和对照各 30人 ,控制年龄 (65～ 85岁 ,平均 73岁 )、教育水平和相关疾病等因素。测试数字符号、数字工作记忆广度、动作记忆和无意义图形再认。结果　病人组一位数和二位数数字工作记忆广度、符号测试成绩无显著差异 ;病人组演练 /高语义关联项目和无演练 /低语义关联项目的自由回忆成绩显著低于对照组 ;线索回忆成绩无显著差异。结论　 65～ 85岁2型糖尿病病人记忆损伤既有加速老化的一面 ,也有特异性损伤的一面 ,记忆损伤在自由回忆条件下容易表现出来 ,并且动作记忆表现出特异性损伤。     

心肌梗死心脏破裂患者血浆C反应蛋白和D-二聚体水平的变化

目的:探讨测定血浆C反应蛋白(CRP)和D-二聚体水平在冠心病急性心肌梗死(AMI)心脏破裂患者中的临床意义。方法:观察50例AMI心脏破裂(心室游离壁破裂)患者血浆CRP和D-二聚体水平,并与50例AMI但未发生心脏破裂的患者进行对照比较。结果:心脏破裂患者组(实验组)CRP和D-二聚体水平较未破裂组(对照组)明显升高,CRP和D-二聚体水平高低与心脏破裂的发生率呈正相关(P<0.05)。从风险比看,高CRP患者的破裂风险是低的4.125倍,高D-二聚体患者的破裂风险是低的2.471倍。结论:AMI患者的血浆CRP和D-二聚体水平,作为一种敏感性指标,对预测心肌梗死患者发生心脏破裂有一定的价值。     

Cognitive function in hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis enrolled in the HALT-C trial

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prior studies have demonstrated neuropsychological abnormalities in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients even with mild fibrosis. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, type, and severity of cognitive impairment in a large group of CHC patients with advanced fibrosis. METHODS: Ten validated neuropsychological tests were administered to 201 CHC patients. Standard scores for individual tests were calculated using normative population data that controlled for age, gender, and/or education. Lifetime psychiatric history, alcohol consumption, and mood status were also determined. RESULTS: 33% of patients met criteria for cognitive impairment (i.e. standard score <40 on at least 4 tests). Mild impairment in verbal recall and working memory were noted with other domains remaining intact. Liver disease severity and lifetime psychiatric/substance abuse history did not correlate with group mean cognitive test results or the presence of cognitive impairment. In contrast, IQ and depression scores were significant and independent predictors of cognitive impairment (ROC = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: 33% of patients entering the HALT-C trial have evidence of a mild, non-focal subcortical processing deficit which was highly correlated with IQ, education, and occupation. Future studies of cognitive function in CHC patients should control for general cognitive ability.     

Systemic markers of inflammation and cognitive decline in old age

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether higher circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) are associated with worse cognitive function and decline in old age. DESIGN: Two independent population-based cohort studies. SETTING: The Rotterdam Study (mean follow-up 4.6 years) and the Leiden 85-plus Study (maximal follow-up 5 years). PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand eight hundred seventy-four individuals, mean age 72, from the Rotterdam Study, and 491 individuals, all aged 85, from the Leiden 85-plus Study. MEASUREMENTS: Both studies assessed global cognition, executive function, and memory. Linear regression analyses were used in the current study to investigate the associations between inflammatory markers and cognitive function and decline. RESULTS: In the Rotterdam Study, higher levels of CRP and IL-6 were cross-sectionally associated with worse global cognition and executive function (P<.05). ACT was not associated with cognitive function. In the Leiden 85-plus Study, estimates were similar for CRP, although not statistically significant. Higher IL-6 levels were related to a steeper annual decline in memory function in the longitudinal analysis in the Leiden 85-plus Study (P<.05). The effect of higher IL-6 levels on global and memory function decline was stronger in apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 carriers (P-interaction=.01) than in those who were not (P-interaction=.05). In the Rotterdam Study, higher IL-6 levels were related to a steeper annual decline in global cognition in APOE epsilon4 carriers only. CONCLUSION: Systemic markers of inflammation are only moderately associated with cognitive function and decline and tend to be stronger in carriers of the APOE epsilon4 allele. Systemic markers of inflammation are not suitable for risk stratification.     

The influence of latent viral infection on rate of cognitive decline over 4 years

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) are associated with cognitive decline over a 4-year period and to assess whether C-reactive protein (CRP) modifies these relationships. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study over a 4-year period. SETTING: Community-dwelling elderly population. PARTICIPANTS: The sample was a subset (1,204/1,789) of participants in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA) aged 60 to 100. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were screened annually over a 4-year period for cognitive function and episodic memory. Cognitive function was assessed using the modified Mini-Mental State Examination, and episodic memory was assessed using a word list-learning test of delayed recall. Baseline serum samples were assayed for levels of immunoglobulin G antibodies to CMV and HSV-1 and for levels of CRP. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher rate of cognitive decline over the 4-year period in subjects with the highest CMV antibody levels at baseline than in individuals with the lowest levels (beta=-0.053, standard error =0.018; P=.003), after controlling for age, sex, education, income, and chronic health conditions. There was no association between HSV-1 antibody levels and cognitive decline. CRP did not modify the relationship between viral antibody levels and cognitive decline. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show that individuals with higher levels of antibody to CMV experience a more-rapid rate of cognitive decline than those with lower levels. Understanding the mechanisms by which CMV influences cognition may aid development of intervention strategies targeting infection, viral reactivation, and immune response over the life course.     

Memory self-assessment and performance in aged diabetics and non-diabetics

Non-insulin dependent diabetes in older adults is associated with elevated depression and a greater decline in certain aspects of cognitive functioning than is found with normal aging. This study sought to determine whether diabetics report more memory complaints in carrying out their daily activities, and if memory self-assessments are reflective of performance on laboratory tasks. Middle-aged (55-64 years) and old (65-74 years) diabetics and non-diabetic control subjects were studied. Results showed that both diabetes and increased age were associated with poorer performance on some cognitive tests as well as with more self-reported memory problems. When depression levels were statistically controlled, the diabetes variable was no longer a significant predictor of memory complaints. The usefulness of self-assessments as an adjunct to more objective cognitive test measures was discussed.     

Gender differences in neurocognitive functioning among alcohol-dependent Russian patients

BACKGROUND: There are a limited number of studies that have examined gender differences in the neurocognitive test performances of alcohol-dependent individuals. Those that have been conducted reported that compared with men, women's visuospatial skills, psychomotor speed, and working memory are more profoundly affected by chronic alcohol abuse despite a shorter duration of drinking and a lesser quantity of alcohol consumed. METHODS: The performances of Russian male and female alcoholic and nonalcoholic control subjects were compared on a series of neurocognitive tasks that assess motor speed, visuoperceptual processing, visuospatial processing, decision making, and cognitive flexibility. RESULTS: Group and gender differences emerged on specific components of each task administered. Female compared with male alcoholic subjects exhibited poorer performances on tests of visual working memory, spatial planning and problem solving, and cognitive flexibility. CONCLUSION: The data support and extend prior research demonstrating a more deleterious impact of alcohol dependence on female alcoholic subjects' cognitive functioning compared with male alcoholic subjects. Several theories are offered to account for gender differences in neurocognitive performance.     

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation and memory impairments in type 2 diabetes

CONTEXT: There is evidence of both hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the exact nature and the associations between these abnormalities remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to characterize the nature of the HPA dysregulation in T2DM and ascertain whether impaired cognition in T2DM could be attributed to these abnormalities. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was performed, contrasting matched groups on HPA axis function and cognition by using the combined dexamethasone (DEX)/CRH test and a neuropsychological battery assessing declarative and working memory, attention, and executive function. SETTING: The study was conducted in a research clinic in an academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were volunteers functioning in the cognitively normal range. We studied 30 middle-aged individuals with T2DM, on average 7.5 yr since diabetes diagnosis, and 30 age-, gender-, and education-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Basal cortisol levels, cortisol levels during the DEX/CRH test, and performance on neuropsychological tests were measured. RESULTS: Individuals with T2DM had elevated basal plasma cortisol levels, higher levels after DEX suppression, and a larger response to CRH (all P 相似文献   

Characteristics of neuropsychological functions in inpatients with poorly‐controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims/Introduction: It has been suggested that type 2 diabetes is associated with cognitive impairment. We investigated the neuropsychological profile of inpatients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and assessed the effects of clinical factors on neuropsychological functions. Materials and Methods: Forty‐two patients with type 2 diabetes and 32 non diabetic control subjects were matched for age, sex ratio, and level of education. Attention & working memory, processing speed, verbal memory, visuospatial memory, visuoconstruction, and executive function were tested. Information about physical function, alcohol use, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and myocardial infarction was retrieved from personal interviews and medical records. Results: Diabetic patients demonstrated mild cognitive deterioration in attention & working memory, processing speed, verbal memory, and executive function. In particular, neuropsychological decline became prominent when tasks related with speed and verbal stimuli became unstructured and complex. Age was significantly associated with the majority of neuropsychological tests, whereas tasks dealing with working memory and executive function were associated with age only in the diabetic group. Duration of diabetes was associated with Backward Digit Span. Conclusions: Accelerated aging had a major influence on cognitive decline in the diabetic group, whereas diminished performance in working memory and executive function might have been more related to diabetes‐related cognitive impairment. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00170.x, 2011)     

Bronchial airflow limitation, smoking, body mass index, and statin use are strongly associated with the C-reactive protein level in the elderly. The Tromsø Study 2001

BACKGROUND: Bronchial airflow limitation is a known predictor of raised C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The aim of this study was to explore this association in an elderly population, as well as the influence of other known and possible predictors of the CRP level, like smoking and the use of statins and inhaled corticosteroids. POPULATION AND METHODS: The study population consists of 3877 Norwegians aged 60 years or more who took part in the fifth Troms? study in 2001, a cross-sectional study. The examinations included questionnaires, spirometry and the measurement of CRP. RESULTS: A geometric mean CRP value of 3.15 mg/L was found in subjects with severe airflow limitation (FEV(1)%<50 predicted and FEV(1)/FVC<70%), compared to 1.64 mg/L in subjects with normal spirometry, (p<0.001), and 19% of the subjects with severe airflow limitation had a CRP value above 10 mg/L compared to 4.9% in those with mild airflow limitation or normal spirometry. Elevated body mass index (BMI), smoking, hormone replacement therapy, and increasing age, were also strong independent predictors of increased CRP. Statin use was a strong predictor of decreased CRP level, while the use of inhaled corticosteroids was not associated with decreased CRP values. CONCLUSION: We found a strong link between bronchial airflow limitation and the circulating CRP level in an elderly population, independent of self-reported diseases, medication, smoking, and elevated BMI. The CRP value increased with increasing age in men, but not in women, which may be partly explained by a greater impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) morbidity on the CRP level in men than in women. Measuring CRP may show to be a useful part of the diagnostic work-up in COPD patients.     

Cognitive impairment among methadone maintenance patients

Aims. To compare the cognitive performance of methadone maintenance patients (MMPs) and a matched sample of non-heroin-using control subjects, and to ascertain risk factors for poorer cognitive performance. Design. Matched control study. Setting. Sydney, Australia. Participants. Thirty MMPs and 30 non-heroin using controls, matched for age, gender and education. Findings. The MMP group had significantly higher rates than controls of alcohol dependence, heroin overdose and head injury. There was no difference between the groups on pre-morbid functioning. The MMP group performed significantly poorer than controls on all of the neuropsychological domains measured: information processing, attention, short-term visual memory, delayed visual memory, short-term verbal memory, long-term verbal memory and problem solving. A life-time diagnosis of alcohol dependence and the number of non-fatal heroin overdoses were independent significant predictors of poorer cognitive performance. Conclusions. In addition to high rates of psychiatric morbidity, MMPs also show cognitive deficits compared to matched controls. A history of alcohol dependence and repeated exposure to overdose increase the likelihood of cognitive impairment. The current study does not rule out the possibility of other factors, that were not measured, that may contribute to cognitive impairment among this MMPs.     

Strong association of C-reactive protein with body mass index and 2-h post-challenge glucose in non-diabetic, non-smoker subjects without hypertension.

AIMS: Increases in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been shown to be associated with cardiovascular diseases as well as asymptomatic atherosclerosis and to be closely related to traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and biochemical characteristics associated with CRP in non-diabetic, non-smoker subjects without hypertension. METHODS: A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed on 305 Japanese subjects aged 40-70 years who were undergoing health examinations. We recruited non-diabetic, non-smoker subjects without hypertension. Subjects with known cardiovascular diseases, chronic or acute inflammation, malignant diseases, or autoimmune disorders were excluded. Plasma high-sensitivity CRP was measured in 125 subjects who satisfied the admission criteria. RESULTS: Plasma CRP levels were significantly higher in the 28 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) than that in the 97 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (median 0.53, range 0.18-1.10 mg/l vs. median 0.32, range 0.17-0.49 mg/l; P = 0.032). There was a positive correlation of CRP with body mass index (BMI), triglycerides, uric acid, fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 1-h glucose, OGTT 2-h glucose, and a negative correlation with HDL cholesterol. Multivariate regression analysis identified BMI (F = 8.57, P = 0.004) and OGTT 2-h glucose (F = 5.96, P = 0.016) as independent predictors for CRP. CONCLUSIONS: BMI and OGTT 2-h glucose are the most important predictors for plasma CRP in non-diabetic, non-smoker subjects without hypertension.     

晚发抑郁患者基线记忆功能与6个月神经认知结局的关系

目的探讨首次发作晚发抑郁(LOD)患者基线记忆功能与6个月神经认知结局的关系。方法选择LOD患者49例,随访6个月,根据认知评分标准,将33例患者分为认知正常组19例和认知障碍组14例。被试基线和随访6个月时,均接受简易智能状态检查量表、认知筛检测验及神经心理成套测验评估。采用3.0 T MRI仪行头颅扫描,液体衰减反转恢复序列采集图像,测量脑白质高密度信号体积;采用聚合酶链反应技术进行载脂蛋白E基因分型。结果与认知正常组比较,认知障碍组患者基线简易智能状态检查量表及认知筛检测验总分、言语记忆和视觉记忆各测验评分、言语流畅性(1 min)、视空间功能评分及定向力均明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。logistic回归分析显示,LOD患者基线物品即刻回忆评分与神经认知结局呈负相关。结论 LOD患者基线即刻回忆能力可预测其认知转归,基线时即刻记忆越差,神经认知恶化的风险越大。     

2型糖尿病发生冠心病相关危险因素的研究

目的探讨2型糖尿病患者发生冠心病的相关危险因素。方法选择2型糖尿病患者150例,根据是否合并冠心病分为2组,单纯2型糖尿病患者组(A组)82例和2型糖尿病合并冠心病患者组(B组)68例。另选择同期健康体检者60例作为对照组,测定各组的同型半胱氨酸、高敏C反应蛋白、凝血酶原时间、活化部分凝血酶时间、纤维蛋白原和D-二聚体。结果与对照组比较,A组和B组患者同型半胱氨酸、高敏C反应蛋白和D-二聚体差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与A组比较,B组同型半胱氨酸、高敏C反应蛋白和D-二聚体差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,同型半胱氨酸、高敏C反应蛋白和D-二聚体均为冠心病的危险因素。3组凝血酶原时间、活化部分凝血酶时间、纤维蛋白原比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论同型半胱氨酸、高敏C反应蛋白和D-二聚体均是2型糖尿病患者发生冠心病的高风险因素。     

A rehabilitation program for mild memory impairments

Eight subjects, 60-75 years of age, with at least 5 years of education and mild memory impairments were recruited for a rehabilitation program. Other 8 subjects, not exposed to the rehabilitative training and with the same neuropsychological profile, represented a control group. In the first day of this program an evaluation of cognitive/behavioral functions was performed. Our program consisted of a neuropsychological rehabilitative intervention along 12 weeks, with a 5-day-period of domiciliary training with a set of home exercises and a 1-day training in our Center with rehabilitative exercises administered with the aid of a personal computer, each week. Rehabilitative training administered in our Center was aimed at stimulating visuo-verbal, verbal and spatial memory and the utilization of "memory strategies". After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of therapeutic program, other evaluations of the cognitive functions with the same battery tests were performed to evaluate possible improvements: the results indicated an improvement of memory test scores that demonstrated the positive effect of neuropsychological training on memory performances. There was no improvement in the control group.     

遗忘型轻度认知障碍和轻度阿尔茨海默病的认知损害特征研究

目的明确遗忘型轻度认知障碍（amnesia-mild cognitive impairment,a-MCI）患者和轻度阿尔茨海默病（alzheimer＇s disease,AD）患者的认知损害特征。方法对13例a-MCI患者、22例轻度AD患者和37例正常对照进行全面的认知测查,除简易精神状态检查（mini-mental state examination,MMSE）外,测验可覆盖4个认知域：记忆力、信息处理速度、执行功能、视空间结构能力,进行组间比较。结果 3组患者在年龄、受教育程度及性别组成上匹配。轻度AD组的所有认知测验成绩都差于正常对照组,而且多数测验较a-MCI组也有减退。a-MCI组的MMSE、记忆相关测验以及多个执行功能相关测验结果都差于正常对照组,信息处理速度和视空间结构能力相关测验与对照组间无统计学差异。结论轻度AD患者表现为全面的认知功能减退。a-MCI患者除存在显著的记忆障碍外,还存在执行功能的异常,信息处理速度和视空间结构能力尚正常。     

Is cognitive change related to hypothyroidism reversible with replacement therapy?

PURPOSE: Although cognitive impairment related to hypothyroidism has been investigated, issues regarding treatment have been less extensively studied. The aim of this study was to assess cognitive function in patients with hypothyroidism just before treatment and after hypothyroidism had resolved. METHODS: Standardized psychometric assessment (including ten tests) was done in 30 outpatients with biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism (TSH = 92.1 mU/L, range: 11.4-400) and in 30 control subjects matched for age and gender with normal thyroid function. These tests were repeated twice before treatment and after hypothyroidism had been cured. Statistical analysis was done using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The baseline characteristic of patients with hypothyroidism showed that attention, motor speed, memory and visual-spatial organization were significantly impaired. Cognitive decline was significantly greater with increasing age. Cognitive impairment significantly decreased after hypothyroidism had been cured, reaching values obtained in age-matched control subjects. CONCLUSION: Attention, motor speed, memory and visual-spatial organization are significantly impaired in hypothyroidism, particularly in the elderly, suggesting that ageing could have potential effects on cognitive functions. Hormone-replacement therapy leads to normalization of the cognitive functions.     

Insulin sensitivity independently influences brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity in non-diabetic subjects.

AIMS: Measurement of pulse-wave velocity (PWV) is a non-invasive technique for assessing arterial stiffness. Although insulin resistance is associated with intimal-medial thickness of the carotid artery evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography, it is not known whether it is related to PWV. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between homeostasis model assessment insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-%S) and PWV in non-diabetic subjects. We also examined the effects of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 2-h glucose and plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) on PWV, as these two parameters are associated with atherosclerosis. METHODS: A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 1934 Japanese subjects who were undergoing health examinations. Of these subjects, we recruited 1541 non-diabetic subjects without chronic or acute inflammation, malignant diseases, autoimmune disorders, elevated serum creatinine levels, and abnormal hepatic function tests. Subjects who had an abnormal ankle/brachial blood pressure index of less than 0.9 were also excluded. Brachial-ankle PWV and plasma high-sensitivity CRP were measured on 1541 subjects who satisfied the admission criteria. RESULTS: PWV was 12.55+/-1.61 (mean+/-sd) m/s and plasma CRP concentration was 0.4 mg/l (median, range, 0.1-5.8 mg/l) in the study subjects. By multivariate regression analysis, HOMA-%S was found to be an independent negative risk factor for PWV, while systolic blood pressure, age and triglycerides were positively associated with PWV. OGTT 2-h glucose was weakly and independently related to PWV in male subjects. Plasma CRP was not independently associated with PWV. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance is independently associated with PWV in non-diabetic subjects.     

Neurocognitive impairment and comorbid depression in patients of diabetes mellitus

This study was conducted to find out the association of diabetes mellitus with cognitive functioning and depressive features. We included 50 diabetic and 30 control subjects who were screened on the basis of various inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, a history of variables under study was taken and respective laboratory investigations were noted. First, the Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) was administrated to the patients. The cognitive function was then assessed using the digit span test, stroop Test, controlled oral word association test, visual target cancellation test, digit symbol substitution test, and visuospatial working memory matrix. The composite score on all tests was used to make cognitive index. The data was compiled and appropriate statistical methods were used. We found that 48% of elderly diabetic patients showed cognitive impairment. Poor metabolic control (hyperglycemia) was associated significantly and negatively with cognitive index in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia was significantly and negatively correlated with immediate memory and attention, verbal memory, psychomotor functioning (DSST), and visuospatial memory. In conclusion, genesis of cognitive deficits in diabetic patients is complex. However, it appears from the study that such deficits do exist and may be associated with chronically poorly controlled diabetes.