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Stanzani-Maserati M, De Matteis M, Bosco L, Baccari F, Zenesini C, Mitolo M, La Morgia C, Gallassi R, Capellari S. "Build Your Village"-Conducting the Village Test on Cognitively Impaired Patients: A First Journey into Alzheimerland. Brain Sci 2024; 14:523. [PMID: 38928524 PMCID: PMC11201916 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This work aimed to study the Village Test (VT) in a group of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and compare the results with those of a group of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and controls. METHODS A total of 50 patients with AD, 28 patients with MCI, and 38 controls were evaluated. All participants underwent the VT and an extensive neuropsychological evaluation. RESULTS The mean ages of the participants were 74.4 years for those with AD, 74 for those with MCI, and 70.2 for the controls. The AD group built smaller and essential villages with a scarce use of pieces, a poor use of dynamic pieces, and scarce use of human figures. All constructions were often concentrated in the center of the table. CONCLUSIONS The villages built by the AD group represent a cognitive and affective coarctation and indicate a sense of existential disorientation and isolation. The VT is a useful aid for getting in touch with the inner emotional and existential states of patients with AD, and it could represent a complementary screening tool for orienting cognitive impairment diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelangelo Stanzani-Maserati
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (M.D.M.); (F.B.); (C.Z.); (M.M.); (C.L.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Maddalena De Matteis
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (M.D.M.); (F.B.); (C.Z.); (M.M.); (C.L.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Luca Bosco
- Istituto di Psicologia Individuale “Alfred Adler”, 10125 Torino, Italy;
| | - Flavia Baccari
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (M.D.M.); (F.B.); (C.Z.); (M.M.); (C.L.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Corrado Zenesini
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (M.D.M.); (F.B.); (C.Z.); (M.M.); (C.L.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Micaela Mitolo
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (M.D.M.); (F.B.); (C.Z.); (M.M.); (C.L.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Chiara La Morgia
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (M.D.M.); (F.B.); (C.Z.); (M.M.); (C.L.M.); (S.C.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e NeuroMotorie, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Roberto Gallassi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e NeuroMotorie, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Sabina Capellari
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (M.D.M.); (F.B.); (C.Z.); (M.M.); (C.L.M.); (S.C.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e NeuroMotorie, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
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Negative emotions influence EEG correlates of inference formation during analogical reasoning. Int J Psychophysiol 2021; 162:49-59. [PMID: 33549608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Previous research indicates that negative emotions influence cognitive resource utilization during analogical reasoning. However, no research has yet demonstrated an influence of negative emotions on inference formation during analogical reasoning. For this reason, we used evoked response potentials to investigate how negatively valenced content affects inference formation during analogical reasoning. Participants generated inferences about the missing term of 256 four-term analogies consisting of a first pair (A is to B), a second incomplete pair (as C is to?), and a probe term (D). We manipulated the affective valence of the terms (negative/neutral) forming the first two pairs and the soundness of the analogies. In Experiment 1, the terms were words and the relations were semantic in nature. We recorded the N400 event-related component time-locked to the probe term. The effect of analogy soundness on N400 amplitude was weaker when both pairs of terms were negative than when one or both pairs were neutral. In Experiment 2, we used analogies with negatively or neutrally conditioned symbols as terms, and visuospatial transformations as relations. We recorded the P3b event-related component time-locked to the final term of the analogy. The effect of analogy soundness on P3b amplitude was weaker when the first pair of terms was negatively conditioned than when they were neutrally conditioned. Results of both experiments suggested that negatively valenced content impairs the formation of inferences during analogical reasoning, as indicated by reduced effects of analogy soundness on N400 and P3b in the presence of negatively valenced content.
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Sambati L, Calandra-Buonaura G, Giannini G, Cani I, Provini F, Poda R, Oppi F, Stanzani Maserati M, Cortelli P. Cognitive Profile and Its Evolution in a Cohort of Multiple System Atrophy Patients. Front Neurol 2020; 11:537360. [PMID: 33329297 PMCID: PMC7719742 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.537360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cognitive decline is not a characteristic feature of multiple system atrophy (MSA), but recent evidence suggests cognitive impairment as an integral part of the disease. We aim to describe the cognitive profile and its progression in a cohort of patients with MSA. Methods: We retrospectively selected patients referred to our department with a clinical diagnosis of MSA who were evaluated at least once a year during the course of the disease and underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Results: At the first evaluation (T0), 37 out of 60 patients (62%) were cognitively impaired, mainly (76%) in attention and executive functioning. Thirteen patients were impaired in one cognitive domain and 24 in more than one cognitive domain. Six out of the 24 had dementia. Twenty patients underwent a follow-up evaluation (T1) after a mean of 16.6 ± 9.3 months from the first evaluation (T0). Eight out of 20 patients were cognitively normal at both T0 and T1. Seven out of 12 patients presented with stable cognitive impairment at T1, while cognitive decline progressed in five patients. Patients with progression in cognitive decline performed significantly worse at T0 than cognitively stable patients. Education was significantly different between patients with and without cognitive impairment. No other differences in demographic and clinical variables and autonomic or sleep disturbances were found. Patients with dementia were older at disease onset and at T0 and had lower education and disease duration at T0 compared to those in other groups. Conclusions: In patients with MSA, we observed three different cognitive profiles: normal cognition, stable selective attention-executive deficits, and progressive cognitive deficits evolving to dementia. The detection of cognitive impairment in patients with suspected MSA suggests the need for comprehensive and longitudinal neuropsychological evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Sambati
- IRCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e NeuroMotorie (DIBINEM), Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna Calandra-Buonaura
- IRCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e NeuroMotorie (DIBINEM), Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Giannini
- IRCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e NeuroMotorie (DIBINEM), Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e NeuroMotorie (DIBINEM), Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Provini
- IRCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e NeuroMotorie (DIBINEM), Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Poda
- IRCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Oppi
- IRCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Cortelli
- IRCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e NeuroMotorie (DIBINEM), Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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4
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Calandra-Buonaura G, Sambati L, Baschieri F, Vitiello M, Contin M, Tonon C, Capellari S, Provini F, Cortelli P. The Bologna motor and non-motor prospective study on parkinsonism at onset (BoProPark): study design and population. Neurol Sci 2020; 41:2531-2537. [PMID: 32219591 PMCID: PMC7419369 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04305-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective The Bologna motor and non-motor prospective study on parkinsonism at onset (BoProPark) was designed to prospectively characterize motor and non-motor features in patients with a progressive neurodegenerative disease starting with parkinsonism since early disease stage and to investigate their diagnostic and prognostic role in the differential diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease from atypical parkinsonisms. The aim of this paper is to describe the method and population of the BoProPark study. Methods Patients referred to our Department with parkinsonism within 3 years from motor onset were recruited. Secondary causes of parkinsonism were excluded. Each patient underwent a comprehensive evaluation of motor and non-motor symptoms, assessed by means of quantitative, objective instrumental tests in addition to scales and questionnaires. The evaluations were performed at enrolment (T0), after 16 months (T1) and after 5 years (T2). Diagnoses were made according to consensus criteria. Results We recruited 150 patients, with mean age 61.5 ± 9.8 years and mean disease duration 20 ± 9 months. H&Y stage was 1 in 47.3% and 2 in 46.7% of cases. Mean UPDRS-III was 17.7 ± 9.2. Fifty-four patients were on dopaminergic treatment with median levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) of 200 mg. Conclusions We expect that the prospective nature of the BoProPark study as well as the comprehensive, instrumental evaluation of motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with parkinsonism will provide important new insights for both clinical practice and research. Our data could be used for comparison with other cohorts and shared with national and international collaborators to develop new innovative projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Calandra-Buonaura
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luisa Sambati
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Baschieri
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Vitiello
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Contin
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Caterina Tonon
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Diagnostica Funzionale Neuroradiologica, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabina Capellari
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Provini
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pietro Cortelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy. .,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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5
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Fileccia E, Di Stasi V, Poda R, Rizzo G, Stanzani-Maserati M, Oppi F, Avoni P, Capellari S, Liguori R. Effects on cognition of 20-day anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in patients affected by mild cognitive impairment: a case-control study. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:1865-1872. [PMID: 31062189 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-03903-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common disorder affecting as much as 15% of the elderly population. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive technique of neuromodulation that has proven to influence performance in different cognitive domains. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS We investigated the effects on cognition of 20-day anodal tDCS in 17 MCI patients compared with 17 matched MCI patients. METHODS Patients underwent neuropsychological evaluation at baseline and then were randomly assigned to the anodal or sham group. The tDCS protocol consisted in 20 min, 5 days per week (up to a total of 20 days), of 2-mA anodal stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The location of anodal electrode was chosen in accordance with previous reports which relate anodal stimulation of this site with cognitive enhancement. At the end of the last day of stimulation, a second neuropsychological evaluation was performed. We compared baseline and post-stimulation neuropsychological results in the anodal vs sham group using repeated measures ANOVA as a statistical analysis test. RESULTS At follow-up, patients exposed to anodal stimulation showed improvement in episodic verbal memory (p < 0.001) and figure naming test (p < 0.01), in a general index of cognitive function (Brief Mental Deterioration Battery) (p < 0.0001) and in a mood measurement test (Beck Depression Inventory) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Anodal tDCS could be a useful tool to improve cognitive symptoms in MCI although more evidence is needed to understand the exact underlying mechanisms. Confirmation of its potential benefits in MCI would be significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Fileccia
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - Roberto Poda
- Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rizzo
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Federico Oppi
- Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Avoni
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabina Capellari
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rocco Liguori
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Gifford KA, Liu D, Neal JE, Babicz MA, Thompson JL, Walljasper LE, Wiggins ME, Turchan M, Pechman KR, Osborn KE, Acosta LMY, Bell SP, Hohman TJ, Libon DJ, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Jefferson AL. The 12-Word Philadelphia Verbal Learning Test Performances in Older Adults: Brain MRI and Cerebrospinal Fluid Correlates and Regression-Based Normative Data. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra 2018; 8:476-491. [PMID: 30631339 PMCID: PMC6323369 DOI: 10.1159/000494209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims This study evaluated neuroimaging and biological correlates, psychometric properties, and regression-based normative data of the 12-word Philadelphia Verbal Learning Test (PVLT), a list-learning test. Methods Vanderbilt Memory and Aging Project participants free of clinical dementia and stroke (n = 230, aged 73 ± 7 years) completed a neuropsychological protocol and brain MRI. A subset (n = 111) underwent lumbar puncture for analysis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and axonal integrity cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. Regression models related PVLT indices to MRI and CSF biomarkers adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, APOE-ε4 carrier status, cognitive status, and intracranial volume (MRI models). Secondary analyses were restricted to participants with normal cognition (NC; n = 127), from which regression-based normative data were generated. Results Lower PVLT performances were associated with smaller medial temporal lobe volumes (p < 0.05) and higher CSF tau concentrations (p < 0.04). Among NC, PVLT indices were associated with white matter hyperintensities on MRI and an axonal injury biomarker (CSF neurofilament light; p < 0.03). Conclusion The PVLT appears sensitive to markers of neurodegeneration, including temporal regions affected by AD. Conversely, in cognitively normal older adults, PVLT performance seems to relate to white matter disease and axonal injury, perhaps reflecting non-AD pathways to cognitive change. Enhanced normative data enrich the clinical utility of this tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Gifford
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Dandan Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jacquelyn E Neal
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michelle A Babicz
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer L Thompson
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lily E Walljasper
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Margaret E Wiggins
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Maxim Turchan
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kimberly R Pechman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Katie E Osborn
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lealani Mae Y Acosta
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Susan P Bell
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Divisions of Cardiovascular and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Timothy J Hohman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - David J Libon
- Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology and Psychology, New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Angela L Jefferson
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Gifford KA, Liu D, Neal JE, Acosta LMY, Bell SP, Wiggins ME, Wisniewski KM, Godfrey M, Logan LA, Hohman TJ, Pechman KR, Libon DJ, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Jefferson AL. Validity and Normative Data for the Biber Figure Learning Test: A Visual Supraspan Memory Measure. Assessment 2018; 27:1320-1334. [PMID: 29809069 DOI: 10.1177/1073191118773870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The Biber Figure Learning Test (BFLT), a visuospatial serial figure learning test, was evaluated for biological correlates and psychometric properties, and normative data were generated. Nondemented individuals (n = 332, 73 ± 7, 41% female) from the Vanderbilt Memory & Aging Project completed a comprehensive neuropsychological protocol. Adjusted regression models related BFLT indices to structural brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of brain health. Regression-based normative data were generated. Lower BFLT performances (Total Learning, Delayed Recall, Recognition) related to smaller medial temporal lobe volumes and higher CSF tau concentrations but not CSF amyloid. BFLT indices were most strongly correlated with other measures of verbal and nonverbal memory and visuospatial skills. The BFLT provides a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of visuospatial learning and memory and is sensitive to biomarkers of unhealthy brain aging. Enhanced normative data enriches the clinical utility of this visual serial figure learning test for use with older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dandan Liu
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Susan P Bell
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Laura A Logan
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kaj Blennow
- University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.,UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
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8
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Zanigni S, Terlizzi R, Tonon C, Testa C, Manners DN, Capellari S, Gallassi R, Poda R, Gramegna LL, Calandra-Buonaura G, Sambati L, Cortelli P, Lodi R. Brain magnetic resonance metabolic and microstructural changes in adult-onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy. Brain Res Bull 2015; 117:24-31. [PMID: 26189928 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION adult-onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD) is a rare inherited disorder due to a duplication of lamin-B1 (LMNB1) gene. The aim of this study was to investigate brain metabolic and microstructural alterations by using advanced MR techniques. METHODS we performed brain MR scans including single-voxel proton-MR Spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) of the lateral ventricles and parietal white matter and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in 4 subjects with LMNB1 gene duplication, 6 non-mutated relatives and 7 unrelated healthy controls. Cervical and thoracic spinal cord MR was performed in three symptomatic subjects with LMNB1 mutation. All participants underwent clinical and neuropsychological evaluation. RESULTS all subjects with LMNB1 gene duplication presented pathological accumulation of lactate in lateral ventricles CSF and no alterations of brain white matter absolute metabolites concentrations or metabolites/Cr ratios. We found increased white matter intra- and extracellular water transverse relaxation times. Tract-based spatial statistics analysis detected a significantly reduced fractional anisotropy in the genu of the corpus callosum in mutated cases compared to unrelated healthy controls and non-mutated relatives. Moreover, we detected different degrees of the typical white matter signal intensity alterations and brain and spinal atrophy at conventional MRI in symptomatic subjects with LMNB1 mutation. A mild impairment of executive functions was found in subjects with LMNB1 gene mutation. CONCLUSION in subjects with LMNB1 gene duplication, we found a pathological increase in CSF lactate, likely due to active demyelination along with glial activation, and microstructural changes in the genu of the corpus callosum possibly underpinning the mild neuropsychological deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Zanigni
- Functional MR Unit, Policlinico S. Orsola - Malpighi, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rossana Terlizzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Caterina Tonon
- Functional MR Unit, Policlinico S. Orsola - Malpighi, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Claudia Testa
- Functional MR Unit, Policlinico S. Orsola - Malpighi, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - David Neil Manners
- Functional MR Unit, Policlinico S. Orsola - Malpighi, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabina Capellari
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Gallassi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Poda
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Ludovica Gramegna
- Functional MR Unit, Policlinico S. Orsola - Malpighi, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna Calandra-Buonaura
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luisa Sambati
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pietro Cortelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Raffaele Lodi
- Functional MR Unit, Policlinico S. Orsola - Malpighi, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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