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Prabhu NM, Lehmann N, Kaminski E, Müller N, Taubert M. Online stimulation of the prefrontal cortex during practice increases motor variability and modulates later cognitive transfer: a randomized, double-blinded and sham-controlled tDCS study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20162. [PMID: 39215020 PMCID: PMC11364672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70857-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The benefits of learning a motor skill extend to improved task-specific cognitive abilities. The mechanistic underpinnings of this motor-cognition relationship potentially rely on overlapping neural resources involved in both processes, an assumption lacking causal evidence. We hypothesize that interfering with prefrontal networks would inhibit concurrent motor skill performance, long-term learning and associated cognitive functions dependent on similar networks (transfer). We conducted a randomised, double-blinded, sham-controlled brain stimulation study using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in young adults spanning over three weeks to assess the role of the prefrontal regions in learning a complex balance task and long-term cognitive performance. Balance training combined with active tDCS led to higher performance variability in the trained task as compared to the sham group, impacting the process of learning a complex task without affecting the learning rate. Furthermore, active tDCS also positively influenced performance in untrained motor and cognitive tasks. The findings of this study help ascertaining the networks directly involved in learning a complex motor task and its implications on cognitive function. Hence, opening up the possibility of harnessing the observed frontal networks involved in resource mobilization in instances of aging, brain lesion/injury or dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Maria Prabhu
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Sport Science, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University, Zschokkestraße 32, 39104, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Nico Lehmann
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Sport Science, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University, Zschokkestraße 32, 39104, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstraße 1a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kaminski
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstraße 1a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Movement Neuroscience, Faculty of Sport Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Notger Müller
- Center for Behavioral and Brain Science (CBBS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Am Mühlenberg 9, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Neuroprotection Lab, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marco Taubert
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Sport Science, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University, Zschokkestraße 32, 39104, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Center for Behavioral and Brain Science (CBBS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Zamarian L, Rass V, Goettfried E, Mayr V, Carbone F, Kindl P, Delazer M, Djamshidian A, Fanciulli A, Mahlknecht P, Heim B, Peball M, Schiefecker AJ, Seppi K, Löffler-Ragg J, Beer R, Pfausler B, Kiechl S, Helbok R. Objective and subjective cognitive outcomes one year after COVID-19. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024. [PMID: 39031013 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.52149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate subjective cognitive, physical, and mental health symptoms as well as objective cognitive deficits in COVID-19 patients 1 year after infection. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study. Seventy-four patients, who contracted a SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2020, underwent an in-person neuropsychological assessment in 2021. This included standardized tests of memory, attention, and executive functions. In addition, participants also responded to scales on subjective attention deficits, mental health symptoms, and fatigue. Patients' scores were compared to published norms. RESULTS Patients (N = 74) had a median age of 56 years (42% female). According to the initial disease severity, they were classified as mild (outpatients, 32%), moderate (hospitalized, non-ICU-admitted, 45%), or severe (ICU-admitted, 23%). Hospitalized patients were more often affected than outpatients. In general, deficits were most common in attention (23%), followed by memory (15%) and executive functions (3%). Patients reported increased levels of fatigue (51%), anxiety (30%), distractibility in everyday situations (20%), and depression (15%). An additional analysis suggested an association between lower scores in an attention task and hyperferritinemia. As indicated by a hierarchical regression analysis, subjective distractibility was significantly predicted by current anxiety and fatigue symptoms but not by objective attention performance (final model, adj-R2 = 0.588, P < 0.001). INTERPRETATION One year after infection, COVID-19 patients can have frequent attention deficits and can complain about symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and distractibility. Anxiety and fatigue, more than objective cognitive deficits, have an impact on the patients' experienced impairments in everyday life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Zamarian
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Rass
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Valentina Mayr
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Federico Carbone
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Philipp Kindl
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Margarete Delazer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Atbin Djamshidian
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Philipp Mahlknecht
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Beatrice Heim
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marina Peball
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Klaus Seppi
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Provincial Hospital of Kufstein, Kufstein, Austria
| | - Judith Löffler-Ragg
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Pneumology, State Hospital of Hochzirl-Natters, Natters, Austria
| | - Ronny Beer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bettina Pfausler
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stefan Kiechl
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Raimund Helbok
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
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Belger J, Blume M, Akbal M, Chojecki P, de Mooij J, Gaebler M, Klotzsche F, Krohn S, Lafci MT, Quinque E, Tromp J, Villringer A, Finke C, Thöne-Otto A. The immersive virtual memory task: Assessing object-location memory in neurological patients using immersive virtual reality. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2024; 34:870-898. [PMID: 37728961 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2023.2256957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00024005.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Belger
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marie Blume
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mert Akbal
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paul Chojecki
- Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jeroen de Mooij
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Gaebler
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felix Klotzsche
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Krohn
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mustafa Tevfik Lafci
- Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Quinque
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johanne Tromp
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Finke
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika Thöne-Otto
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Faustmann LL, Altgassen M. Practice is the best of all instructors-Effects of enactment encoding and episodic future thinking on prospective memory performance in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2024; 17:1258-1275. [PMID: 38800974 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Prospective memory (PM) is the ability to remember to carry out intended actions in the future. The present study investigated the effects of episodic future thinking (EFT) and enactment encoding (EE) on PM performance in autistic adults (ASD). A total of 72 autistic individuals and 70 controls matched for age, gender, and cognitive abilities completed a computerized version of the Dresden breakfast Task, which required participants to prepare breakfast following a set of rules and time restrictions. A two (group: ASD vs. controls) by three (encoding condition: EFT vs. EE vs. standard) between-subjects design was applied. Participants were either instructed to engage in EFT or EE to prepare to the different tasks prior to performing the Dresden breakfast or received standard instructions. Analyses of variance were conducted. Autism-spectrum-disorders (ASD) participants did not differ from control participants in their PM performance, regardless of which strategy they used. Compared to the standard condition, EE but not EFT improved time-based PM performance in all participants. This is the first study to find spared time-based PM performance in autistic individuals. The results confirm earlier results of beneficial effects of EE on PM performance. Findings are discussed with regards to the methodology used, sample composition as well as autistic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa L Faustmann
- Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mareike Altgassen
- Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Fritze S, Brandt GA, Benedyk A, Moldavski A, Geiger-Primo LS, Andoh J, Volkmer S, Braun U, Kubera KM, Wolf RC, von der Goltz C, Schwarz E, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Tost H, Hirjak D. Psychomotor slowing in schizophrenia is associated with cortical thinning of primary motor cortex: A three cohort structural magnetic resonance imaging study. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 77:53-66. [PMID: 37717350 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.08.499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Psychomotor slowing (PS) is characterized by slowed movements and lower activity levels. PS is frequently observed in schizophrenia (SZ) and distressing because it impairs performance of everyday tasks and social activities. Studying brain topography contributing to PS in SZ can help to understand the underlying neurobiological mechanisms as well as help to develop more effective treatments that specifically target affected brain areas. Here, we conducted structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) of three independent cohorts of right-handed SZ patients (SZ#1: n = 72, SZ#2: n = 37, SZ#3: n = 25) and age, gender and education matched healthy controls (HC) (HC#1: n = 40, HC#2: n = 37, HC#3: n = 38). PS severity in the three SZ cohorts was determined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) item #G7 (motor retardation) and Trail-Making-Test B (TMT-B). FreeSurfer v7.2 was used for automated parcellation and segmentation of cortical and subcortical regions. SZ#1 patients showed reduced cortical thickness in right precentral gyrus (M1; p = 0.04; Benjamini-Hochberg [BH] corr.). In SZ#1, cortical thinning in right M1 was associated with PANSS item #G7 (p = 0.04; BH corr.) and TMT-B performance (p = 0.002; BH corr.). In SZ#1, we found a significant correlation between PANSS item #G7 and TMT-B (p = 0.005, ρ=0.326). In conclusion, PANSS G#7 and TMT-B might have a surrogate value for predicting PS in SZ. Cortical thinning of M1 rather than alterations of subcortical structures may point towards cortical pathomechanism underlying PS in SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Fritze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Geva A Brandt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anastasia Benedyk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Alexander Moldavski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Lena S Geiger-Primo
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Jamila Andoh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Sebastian Volkmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Hector Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Urs Braun
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Katharina M Kubera
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert C Wolf
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Emanuel Schwarz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Hector Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Heike Tost
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Dusan Hirjak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
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Schmidt J, Fritz M, Weisbrod M. Relevance of neurocognition in chronic pain syndrome: a systematic and methodical approach. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2023; 45:874-889. [PMID: 38406973 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2024.2314732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Subjective and objective deficits in neurocognitive domains are well-documented in patients with chronic pain. However, neurocognitive deficits have not been investigated consistently. The main objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of self-rated and objectively assessed cognitive differences between patients with chronic pain (CP) and healthy controls (HC). METHOD The cognitive functioning of 40 CP and 41 HC was assessed using a standardized computer-based test battery, enabling a comparison of subjective and objective neurocognitive factors. To achieve this, the Vienna Test System (VTS) was utilized, incorporating standardized tests from the Cognitive Basic Assessment Battery (COGBAT) with the advantage of objectivity, reliability, validity, efficiency, utility, and standardization. This approach enables the evaluation of cognitive functioning across all pertinent domains. RESULTS CP reported cognitive deficits in overall performance as well as specific functions, such as attention, memory, and executive functions. Across all neurocognitive domains, CP showed a poorer performance. Affected subdomains of attention were intensity and selectivity of attention. Lower performance was found also in concentration performance, obtaining and overview, visual orientation performance and reactive stress tolerance. Regarding memory, CP performed worse in figural episodic memory and recognition tasks. In addition, CP exhibited poorer performance in mental flexibility, working memory, planning ability, and inhibition as components of executive functioning, when compared to HC. CONCLUSIONS CP expressed subjective cognitive deficits and demonstrated impaired neurocognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Fritz
- Department of Neurology, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
| | - Matthias Weisbrod
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Scheffels JF, Ballasch I, Scheichel N, Voracek M, Kalbe E, Kessler J. The Influence of Age, Gender and Education on Neuropsychological Test Scores: Updated Clinical Norms for Five Widely Used Cognitive Assessments. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5170. [PMID: 37629212 PMCID: PMC10455991 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12165170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sociodemographic effects (i.e., age, gender, education) have been shown to influence neuropsychological test scores. The current retrospective, quasi-epidemiological work provides age-, gender- and education-corrected clinical norms for five common cognitive assessments. METHODS In total, test scores of 4968 patients from the University Hospital of Cologne (Department of Neurology), recruited between 2009 and 2020, were analyzed retrospectively. Conducted tests were the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), F-A-S Test (FAS), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT) and Trail Making Test, Part A and B (TMT-A/-B). Using multiple linear regression analyses, test scores were analyzed for sociodemographic influences (age, gender, education). Based on these analyses, norms were generated by first separating patients into different age groups stratified by educational level and (if necessary) gender. Subsequently, percentile ranks and z-scores for a subsample including only individuals without dementia were calculated. RESULTS Lower age and higher educational level predicted better test scores (MMSE, FAS, ROCFT) and completion times (TMT-A/-B). Additionally, produced words on the FAS and remembered drawings from the ROCFT were influenced by gender, with females having better FAS but lower ROCFT (delayed recall) scores than males. Considering these effects, clinical norms were provided for the five cognitive assessments. CONCLUSIONS We found influences of age, gender and education on test scores, although they are frequently not or only partially considered for test score interpretation. With the provided norms, neuropsychologists can make more profound evaluations of cognitive performance. A user-friendly Microsoft Excel file is offered to assist this process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isabell Ballasch
- Department of Medical Psychology, Neuropsychology & Gender Studies, Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nadine Scheichel
- Department of Medical Psychology, Neuropsychology & Gender Studies, Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Voracek
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elke Kalbe
- Department of Medical Psychology, Neuropsychology & Gender Studies, Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Josef Kessler
- Department of Medical Psychology, Neuropsychology & Gender Studies, Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
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8
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Lier J, Stoll K, Obrig H, Baum P, Deterding L, Bernsdorff N, Hermsdorf F, Kunis I, Bräsecke A, Herzig S, Schroeter ML, Thöne-Otto A, Riedel-Heller SG, Laufs U, Wirtz H, Classen J, Saur D. Neuropsychiatric phenotype of post COVID-19 syndrome in non-hospitalized patients. Front Neurol 2022; 13:988359. [PMID: 36237627 PMCID: PMC9552839 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.988359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The post COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is an emerging phenomenon worldwide with enormous socioeconomic impact. While many patients describe neuropsychiatric deficits, the symptoms are yet to be assessed and defined systematically. In this prospective cohort study, we report on the results of a neuropsychiatric consultation implemented in May 2021. A cohort of 105 consecutive patients with merely mild acute course of disease was identified by its high symptom load 6 months post infection using a standardized neurocognitive and psychiatric-psychosomatic assessment. In this cohort, we found a strong correlation between higher scores in questionnaires for fatigue (MFI-20), somatization (PHQ15) and depression (PHQ9) and worse functional outcome as measured by the post COVID functional scale (PCFS). In contrast, neurocognitive scales correlated with age, but not with PCFS. Standard laboratory and cardiopulmonary biomarkers did not differ between the group of patients with predominant neuropsychiatric symptoms and a control group of neuropsychiatrically unaffected PCS patients. Our study delineates a phenotype of PCS dominated by symptoms of fatigue, somatisation and depression. The strong association of psychiatric and psychosomatic symptoms with the PCFS warrants a systematic evaluation of psychosocial side effects of the pandemic itself and psychiatric comorbidities on the long-term outcome of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lier
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Julia Lier
| | - Kristin Stoll
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hellmuth Obrig
- Max-Planck-Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences & Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paul Baum
- Department for Cardiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lea Deterding
- Department of Pneumology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nora Bernsdorff
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franz Hermsdorf
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ines Kunis
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andrea Bräsecke
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabine Herzig
- Max-Planck-Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences & Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias L. Schroeter
- Max-Planck-Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences & Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Angelika Thöne-Otto
- Max-Planck-Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences & Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Laufs
- Department for Cardiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hubert Wirtz
- Department of Pneumology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joseph Classen
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dorothee Saur
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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9
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Wiebking C, Lin CI, Wippert PM. Training intervention effects on cognitive performance and neuronal plasticity—A pilot study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:773813. [PMID: 36003302 PMCID: PMC9393784 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.773813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies suggest that people suffering from chronic pain may have altered brain plasticity, along with altered functional connectivity between pain-processing brain regions. These may be related to decreased mood and cognitive performance. There is some debate as to whether physical activity combined with behavioral therapy (e.g. cognitive distraction, body scan) may counteract these changes. However, underlying neuronal mechanisms are unclear. The aim of the current pilot study with a 3-armed randomized controlled trial design was to examine the effects of sensorimotor training for nonspecific chronic low back pain on (1) cognitive performance; (2) fMRI activity co-fluctuations (functional connectivity) between pain-related brain regions; and (3) the relationship between functional connectivity and subjective variables (pain and depression). Six hundred and sixty two volunteers with non-specific chronic low back pain were randomly allocated to a unimodal (sensorimotor training), multidisciplinary (sensorimotor training and behavioral therapy) intervention, or to a control group within a multicenter study. A subsample of patients (n = 21) from one study center participated in the pilot study presented here. Measurements were at baseline, during (3 weeks, M2) and after intervention (12 weeks, M4 and 24 weeks, M5). Cognitive performance was measured by the Trail Making Test and functional connectivity by MRI. Pain perception and depression were assessed by the Von Korff questionnaire and the Hospital and Anxiety. Group differences were calculated by univariate and repeated ANOVA measures and Bayesian statistics; correlations by Pearson's r. Change and correlation of functional connection were analyzed within a pooled intervention group (uni-, multidisciplinary group). Results revealed that participants with increased pain intensity at baseline showed higher functional connectivity between pain-related brain areas used as ROIs in this study. Though small sample sizes limit generalization, cognitive performance increased in the multimodal group. Increased functional connectivity was observed in participants with increased pain ratings. Pain ratings and connectivity in pain-related brain regions decreased after the intervention. The results provide preliminary indication that intervention effects can potentially be achieved on the cognitive and neuronal level. The intervention may be suitable for therapy and prevention of non-specific chronic low back pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Wiebking
- Medical Sociology and Psychobiology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christine Wiebking
| | - Chiao-I Lin
- Medical Sociology and Psychobiology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Pia-Maria Wippert
- Medical Sociology and Psychobiology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg (Joint Faculty of the University of Potsdam, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg), Cottbus, Germany
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10
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Peters M, Schulz H. Theory-of-mind abilities in older patients with common mental disorders - a cross-sectional study. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:1661-1668. [PMID: 34180279 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1935461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Theory-of-mind (ToM) abilities are a basic competence for social interactions and relationships. Numerous findings demonstrate ToM deficits in old age, but such findings are missing in clinical samples of older adults. METHOD In the present study, patients treated in two clinics for common mental disorders (N = 150, distributed among the age groups 40-54, 55-69 and ≥70) were compared with a sample of people of the same age without mental disorders. The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) was used, in which the task is to detect mental states in the eyes, which are presented in 36 pictures. RESULTS The two groups differed significantly from each other: the clinical samples achieved worse results than the nonclinical samples, and the older samples achieved worse results than the younger samples. In the multiple regression analysis significant beta-weights were found for executive functions, physical diseases (especially vascular diseases, in the clinical sample) and higher education. CONCLUSION Older patients show clinically significant deficits in ToM abilities, which should be taken into account in interventions promoting ToM abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meinolf Peters
- Institute for Psychotherapy for the Elderly, Department of Education, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Holger Schulz
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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11
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Effects of aging on functional connectivity in a neurodegenerative risk cohort: resting state versus task measurement using near-infrared spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11262. [PMID: 35788629 PMCID: PMC9253312 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13326-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in functional brain organization are considered to be particularly sensitive to age-related effects and may precede structural cognitive decline. Recent research focuses on aging processes determined by resting state (RS) functional connectivity (FC), but little is known about differences in FC during RS and cognitive task conditions in elderly participants. The purpose of this study is to compare FC within and between the cognitive control (CCN) and dorsal attention network (DAN) at RS and during a cognitive task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). In a matched, neurodegenerative high-risk cohort comprising early (n = 98; 50–65 y) and late (n = 98; 65–85 y) elder subjects, FC was measured at RS and during performance of the Trail Making Test (TMT) via fNIRS. Both, under RS and task conditions our results revealed a main effect for age, characterized by reduced FC for late elder subjects within the left inferior frontal gyrus. During performance of the TMT, negative correlations of age and FC were confirmed in various regions of the CCN and DAN. For the whole sample, FC of within-region connections was elevated, while FC between regions was decreased at RS. The results confirm a reorganization of functional brain connectivity with increasing age and cognitive demands.
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12
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Müller K, Zwingmann K, Auerswald T, Berger I, Thomas A, Schultz AL, Wilhelm E, Weber RC, Kolb F, Wastlhuber A, Meder S, Stegbauer M. Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work of Patients Acquiring COVID-19 in the Workplace: A Study Protocol for an Observational Cohort Study. FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2022; 2:754468. [PMID: 36188830 PMCID: PMC9397694 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2021.754468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background In 2020, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) developed into a worldwide pandemic. The course of COVID-19 is diverse, non-specific, and variable: Affected persons suffer from physical, cognitive, and psychological acute and long-term consequences. The symptoms influence everyday life activities, as well as work ability in the short or long-term. Healthcare professionals are considered particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 compared to the general population. In Germany, COVID-19 is recognized as an occupational disease or a work-related accident under certain conditions. Disease-specific rehabilitation is recommended for patients following acute COVID-19 to recover physical and neuropsychological performance and to improve work ability. Currently, there are limited findings on the short-term or long-term impact of COVID-19 as a recognized occupational disease or work-related accident, as well as on rehabilitation programs and associated influencing factors. Thus, the present research project will investigate these questions. Methods For this observational cohort study, post-acute patients with COVID-19 as a recognized occupational disease or work-related accident according to the insurance regulations for COVID-19 will be recruited at the BG Hospital for Occupational Disease in Bad Reichenhall, Germany. All participants will complete a comprehensive multimodal and interdisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation program for a duration of at least 3 weeks, beginning after their acute COVID-19 infection and depending on their individual indication and severity of disease. Participants will complete medical, functional, motor, psychological, and cognitive measurements at four time points (at the beginning (T1) and end (T2) of inpatient rehabilitation; 6 (T3) and 12 (T4) months after the beginning of inpatient rehabilitation). Discussion The present research project will help to assess and describe long-term effects of COVID-19 as a recognized occupational disease or work-related accident on physical and neuropsychological health, as well as on everyday activities and work ability of affected insured persons. In addition, this study will investigate influencing factors on severity and course of COVID-19. Furthermore, we will examine rehabilitation needs, measures, occurring specifics, and the feasibility of the rehabilitation procedure and disease development in the patients. The results of the intended study will further advance common recommendations for targeted and tailored rehabilitation management and participation in inpatient rehabilitation. Clinical Trial Registration www.drks.de, identifier: DRKS00022928.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Müller
- Department of Social Science of Physical Activity and Health, Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Katharina Zwingmann
- Department of Social Science of Physical Activity and Health, Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Tina Auerswald
- Department of Social Science of Physical Activity and Health, Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Ivo Berger
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Andreas Thomas
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Schultz
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Eva Wilhelm
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | | | - Franziska Kolb
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Alois Wastlhuber
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Sylvia Meder
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Michael Stegbauer
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, Bad Reichenhall, Germany
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13
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Pretscher A, Kauzner S, Rohleder N, Becker L. Associations between social burden, perceived stress, and diurnal cortisol profiles in older adults: implications for cognitive aging. Eur J Ageing 2021; 18:575-590. [PMID: 34786017 PMCID: PMC8563879 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-021-00616-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress can be a risk factor for mental and physical health. We investigated the role of social burden as a potential stressor in older age and its associations with cognitive aging (i.e., within the domains inhibition and cognitive flexibility of executive functioning). Eighty-three older adults (N = 38 male, mean age = 74.0 ± 5.7 years, body-mass index = 25.5 ± 4.1 kg/m2) aged 64 years or older participated. Cognitive flexibility and inhibition were assessed by means of a Trail-Making Test (TMT) and a Stroop task. Perceived levels of social burden and perceived stress in general were assessed via standardized questionnaires. Furthermore, diurnal cortisol profiles were assessed. Overall, older participants showed lower cognitive performance than the younger (both inhibition and cognitive flexibility; p < .044). However, this association did not remain significant when adjusting for multiple comparisons. Social burden was highly correlated with perceived stress, highlighting its importance as a stressor (p < .001). Furthermore, participants who reported higher levels of perceived stress showed lower performance in the TMT as a measure for cognitive flexibility (p < .001). Moreover, social burden was associated with cognitive flexibility, which was assessed by means of the TMT (p = .031). However, this association did not remain significant when using the adjusted α-level. Furthermore, we found that total diurnal cortisol output was a mediator for the relationship between age and inhibition, which was assessed by means of a Stroop task. At last, we found that the mediating role of cortisol interacts with social burden in the way that especially in younger age, high levels of social burden are associated with higher cortisol levels and, therefore, with lower cognitive performance. We conclude that it is important to consider social burden as an additional stressor in older age which is associated with cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pretscher
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Health Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nägelsbachstr. 49a, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Saskia Kauzner
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Health Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nägelsbachstr. 49a, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Rohleder
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Health Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nägelsbachstr. 49a, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Linda Becker
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Health Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nägelsbachstr. 49a, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
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14
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Steinert T, Götzl S, Flammer E. [Participation in Road Traffic and Mobility in People with Alcohol Dependency and Mental Disability]. PSYCHIATRISCHE PRAXIS 2021; 48:324-327. [PMID: 34015849 DOI: 10.1055/a-1490-8027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inclusion in terms of personal mobility (§ 20 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) should be investigated in a sample of people with alcohol dependency and additional mental disability. METHODS Interviews with N = 153 individuals, recruited from specific community services for people with alcohol-related disorders and co-morbidity of mental disorders, patients in in-patient treatment, day clinics, and in out-patient treatment. RESULTS 54.1 % reported loss of their driver's licence due to alcohol, 43.3 % indicated to own a motor vehicle. Personal mobility was realized much more frequently by bicycle or on foot than in the general population. CONCLUSION The expansion of public transport and the bicycle network is desirable not only on the background of climate change but also in favour of the inclusion of people with mental disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman Steinert
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie I der Universität Ulm (Weissenau)
| | - Stefan Götzl
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie I der Universität Ulm (Weissenau)
| | - Erich Flammer
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie I der Universität Ulm (Weissenau)
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15
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Is value-based choice repetition susceptible to medial frontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)? A preregistered study. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2021; 21:747-762. [PMID: 33796986 PMCID: PMC8354960 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-021-00889-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In value-based decision making, people have to weigh different options based on their subjective value. This process, however, also is influenced by choice biases, such as choice repetition: in a series of choices, people are more likely to repeat their decision than to switch to a different choice. Previously, it was shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can affect such choice biases. We applied tDCS over the medial prefrontal cortex to investigate whether tDCS can alter choice repetition in value-based decision making. In a preregistered study, we applied anodal, cathodal, and sham tDCS stimulation to 52 participants. While we found robust choice repetition effects, we did not find support for an effect of tDCS stimulation. We discuss these findings within the larger scope of the tDCS literature and highlight the potential roles of interindividual variability and current density strength.
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16
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Blum L, Rosenbaum D, Röben B, Dehnen K, Maetzler W, Suenkel U, Fallgatter AJ, Ehlis AC, Metzger FG. Age-related deterioration of performance and increase of cortex activity comparing time- versus item-controlled fNIRS measurement. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6766. [PMID: 33762595 PMCID: PMC7991654 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85762-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In our aging society, research into neurodegenerative processes is of great interest. Thereby, cortical activation under different neurocognitive conditions is considered to be a promising predictor. Against this background, the executive functions of a total of 250 healthy older adults (53–84 years) have been investigated using the Trail Making Test (TMT) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy in a block design. We investigated effects of age on the performance and cortical blood oxygenation during the TMT. Since it is assumed that older people may compensate for cognitive deficits by slowing their processing speed, we additionally analyzed the cortical blood oxygenation per solved item. Our results showed a significant decrease in processing speed in older participants compared to middle-aged individuals, however, also lower error rates during TMT part A. On a neurophysiological level, we observed increased cortical blood oxygenation in the older participants when completing the TMT. Finally, with respect to the combined measurement (O2Hb/item), no significantly higher hemodynamic cortical response per item was found within the older participants. The results confirm a deterioration of cognitive performance and an increase of cortical activity with increasing age. The findings are discussed in the light of current research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonore Blum
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - David Rosenbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Röben
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Katja Dehnen
- Institute for General Medicine, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Walter Maetzler
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, ,Kiel, Germany
| | - Ulrike Suenkel
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Andreas J Fallgatter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ann-Christine Ehlis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Florian G Metzger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Geriatric Center, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Vitos Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Haina, Haina, Germany
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17
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Butzbach M, Fuermaier ABM, Aschenbrenner S, Weisbrod M, Tucha L, Tucha O. Metacognition in adult ADHD: subjective and objective perspectives on self-awareness of cognitive functioning. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:939-955. [PMID: 33464422 PMCID: PMC8295131 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-020-02293-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood is associated with marked cognitive impairment, research on metacognition in adult ADHD is scarce. Deficits in metacognition may have a negative impact on treatment adherence, functional outcomes, and everyday life. This study explores metacognition, specifically self-awareness of cognitive performance, in adults with ADHD by combining objective and subjective assessments. Forty-seven patients with ADHD and 47 control individuals completed a neuropsychological assessment battery including tests for attention, executive functions and memory (objective assessment), as well as questionnaires for cognitive functioning and symptom severity (subjective assessment; self- and informant-report). Participants evaluated their test performance of the objective assessment after test completion by selecting a percentile rank which was subtracted from their normed test result, yielding a discrepancy score. Compared to controls, adults with ADHD showed impairments in attention (medium effects) and memory (small and medium effects), but not in executive functions. The discrepancy scores between self-evaluation and cognitive performance revealed deficits in self-awareness of attentional functions (small effects), but not in executive functions and memory in patients with ADHD compared to controls. Discrepancy scores between self- and informant-reports of cognitive functioning revealed no significant differences. Adults with ADHD show impairments in metacognition in attentional functions, but may have intact metacognitive abilities in other domains. Patients with ADHD tend to overestimate their abilities, especially in attentional functions. Subjective and objective measures of metacognition may not correspond, highlighting the need for clinicians to not solely rely on patients' self-report in their assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marah Butzbach
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Anselm B M Fuermaier
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Steffen Aschenbrenner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Germany.,Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Germany
| | - Matthias Weisbrod
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Germany.,Department of General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lara Tucha
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Oliver Tucha
- Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, Groningen, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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18
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Lulé DE, Müller HP, Finsel J, Weydt P, Knehr A, Winroth I, Andersen P, Weishaupt J, Uttner I, Kassubek J, Ludolph AC. Deficits in verbal fluency in presymptomatic C9orf72 mutation gene carriers-a developmental disorder. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:1195-1200. [PMID: 32855285 PMCID: PMC7569387 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A mutation in C9orf72 constitute a cross-link between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal dementia (FTD). At clinical manifestation, both patient groups may present with either cognitive impairment of predominantly behaviour or language (in FTD) or motor dysfunctions (in ALS). METHODS In total, 36 non-symptomatic mutation carriers from ALS or FTD families were examined, including 21 subjects with C9orf72 and 15 with SOD1 mutations. Data were compared with 91 age-matched, education-matched and gender-matched healthy subjects (56 were first-degree relatives from ALS or FTD families, 35 with no known family history of ALS/FTD). MRI scanning for diffusion tensor imaging was performed to map fractional anisotropy (FA). Subjects performed an extensive neuropsychological assessment to address verbal fluency, language, executive, memory and visuospatial function. Measurements were repeated after 12 months. RESULTS C9orf72 expansion carriers performed significantly worse in verbal fluency and non-verbal memory and presented with distinct alterations in structural white matter integrity indicated by lower FA values in inferior and orbitofrontal cortical areas compared with carriers of SOD1 mutations or healthy subjects. Loss of structural integrity was associated with decreased verbal fluency performance. White matter alterations and cognitive performance showed no changes over 12 months in all subjects. DISCUSSION Reduced verbal fluency performance seems to be a distinct clinical feature of C9orf72 carriers before symptomatic disease onset without evidence for change over time in our cohort. The results support the emerging hypothesis of a general disorder in development in addition to neurodegeneration in C9orf72 carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothée E Lulé
- Department of Neurology, Neuropsychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Julia Finsel
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick Weydt
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Gerontopsychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Antje Knehr
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Ingo Uttner
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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19
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Behfar Q, Behfar SK, von Reutern B, Richter N, Dronse J, Fassbender R, Fink GR, Onur OA. Graph Theory Analysis Reveals Resting-State Compensatory Mechanisms in Healthy Aging and Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:576627. [PMID: 33192468 PMCID: PMC7642892 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.576627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Several theories of cognitive compensation have been suggested to explain sustained cognitive abilities in healthy brain aging and early neurodegenerative processes. The growing number of studies investigating various aspects of task-based compensation in these conditions is contrasted by the shortage of data about resting-state compensatory mechanisms. Using our proposed criterion-based framework for compensation, we investigated 45 participants in three groups: (i) patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and positive biomarkers indicative of Alzheimer's disease (AD); (ii) cognitively normal young adults; (iii) cognitively normal older adults. To increase reliability, three sessions of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging for each participant were performed on different days (135 scans in total). To elucidate the dimensions and dynamics of resting-state compensatory mechanisms, we used graph theory analysis along with volumetric analysis. Graph theory analysis was applied based on the Brainnetome atlas, which provides a connectivity-based parcellation framework. Comprehensive neuropsychological examinations including the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and the Trail Making Test (TMT) were performed, to relate graph measures of compensatory nodes to cognition. To avoid false-positive findings, results were corrected for multiple comparisons. First, we observed an increase of degree centrality in cognition related brain regions of the middle frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus and superior parietal lobe despite local atrophy in MCI and healthy aging, indicating a resting-state connectivity increase with positive biomarkers. When relating the degree centrality measures to cognitive performance, we observed that greater connectivity led to better RAVLT and TMT scores in MCI and, hence, might constitute a compensatory mechanism. The detection and improved understanding of the compensatory dynamics in healthy aging and prodromal AD is mandatory for implementing and tailoring preventive interventions aiming at preserved overall cognitive functioning and delayed clinical onset of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qumars Behfar
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience, Research Centre Jülich, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich, Germany
| | - Stefan Kambiz Behfar
- Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard (LISH), Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Boris von Reutern
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nils Richter
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience, Research Centre Jülich, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich, Germany
| | - Julian Dronse
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience, Research Centre Jülich, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich, Germany
| | - Ronja Fassbender
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gereon R Fink
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience, Research Centre Jülich, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich, Germany
| | - Oezguer A Onur
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience, Research Centre Jülich, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Jülich, Germany
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20
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Schroeter ML, Eickhoff SB, Engel A. From correlational approaches to meta-analytical symptom reading in individual patients: Bilateral lesions in the inferior frontal junction specifically cause dysexecutive syndrome. Cortex 2020; 128:73-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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21
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Giese H, Haenig B, Haenig A, Unterberg A, Zweckberger K. Neurological and neuropsychological outcome after resection of craniopharyngiomas. J Neurosurg 2020; 132:1425-1434. [PMID: 31003210 DOI: 10.3171/2018.10.jns181557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Craniopharyngiomas are rare and benign tumors of the sellar and/or parasellar region. Primary treatment involves resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. While the grade of resection was frequently analyzed following surgery, the neurological outcome and especially neuropsychological deficits and quality of life have been neglected for many decades. Therefore, the authors retrospectively analyzed their patient series and prospectively assessed neuropsychological outcome and quality of life following resection of craniopharyngiomas in adults. METHODS In total, 71 patients (39 men and 32 women) with a mean age of 49 years were enrolled in the retrospective analysis. In addition, 36 of the 71 patients were included in the prospective arm of the study and underwent neurological and neuropsychological testing as well as quality of life (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey; SF-36) assessment. Factors influencing outcome were identified and correlations calculated. RESULTS Resection was performed mostly using a pterional (41.6%, 47/113 surgical procedures) or bifrontal translamina terminalis (30.1%, 34/113 surgical procedures) approach. Following surgery, visual acuity was significantly improved (> 0.2 diopters) in 32.4% (23/71) of patients, or remained stable in 45.1% (32/71) of patients. During long-term follow up, 80.3% (57/71) of patients developed pituitary insufficiency, particularly involving the corticotropic and thyrotrophic axes. In total, 75% (27/36) of patients showed neuropsychological deviations in at least 1 test item. In particular, attentiveness, cognitive speed, and short-term memory were affected. Referring to the SF-36 score, quality of life was affected in both the mental and physical score in 19.4% (7/36) and 33.3% (12/36), respectively. The risk factors that were identified were a tumor volume larger than 9 cm3, tumor extension toward/into the third ventricle or the brainstem, and resection using a bifrontal translamina terminalis or left-sided approach. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that resection of craniopharyngiomas is frequently associated with postoperative neuropsychological deficits and hence an impaired quality of life. In addition to tumor size and extension toward/into the third ventricle or the brainstem, selection of the surgical approach may play a crucial role in the patient's neuropsychological outcome and quality of life.
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Krkovic K, Moritz S, Lincoln TM. Neurocognitive deficits or stress overload: Why do individuals with schizophrenia show poor performance in neurocognitive tests? Schizophr Res 2017; 183:151-156. [PMID: 27838097 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Poor performance in neurocognitive tasks is consistently found across studies in all stages of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and is interpreted as an underlying, brain function-related, neurocognitive deficit. However, neurocognitive test performance in schizophrenia might be compromised by patients' increased stress level. We investigated group-differences in neurocognitive performance while accounting for psychophysiological (salivary cortisol, heart rate, skin conductance level) and self-reported stress. We included 35 patients with schizophrenia, 29 participants with attenuated psychotic symptoms, 26 first-degree relatives of individuals with schizophrenia and 28 healthy controls. Participants completed a neurocognitive test battery that assessed processing speed, task switching, attention, working memory, verbal episodic memory, and verbal comprehension. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) were calculated to test for main effects of group on neurocognitive performance thereby not accounting versus accounting for confounding effects of stress. As expected, patients with schizophrenia scored lower than the other groups in all neurocognitive domains. Participants with attenuated psychotic symptoms, first-degree relatives and healthy individuals did not differ from each other in their performance. After accounting for heart rate and self-reported stress, the multivariate effect of group on neurocognition remained significant, but was rendered non-significant for specific domains - working memory capacity, episodic memory, and long-term memory. The findings imply that stress is relevant to neurocognitive performance and this should be taken into account when interpreting the origin of performance deficits in schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Krkovic
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Steffen Moritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Tania M Lincoln
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Hamburg, Germany
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Tülü S, Mulino M, Pinggera D, Luger M, Würtinger P, Grams A, Bodner T, Beer R, Helbok R, Matteucci-Gothe R, Unterhofer C, Gizewski E, Schmutzhard E, Thomé C, Ortler M. Remote ischemic preconditioning in the prevention of ischemic brain damage during intracranial aneurysm treatment (RIPAT): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2015; 16:594. [PMID: 26714784 PMCID: PMC4696326 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-015-1102-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of intracranial aneurysms may be associated with cerebral ischemia. We hypothesize that pre-interventional remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) reduces ischemic cerebral tissue damage in patients undergoing elective intracranial aneurysm treatment. METHODS/DESIGN This study is a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind explorative trial. Patients with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm admitted to Innsbruck Medical University Hospital for coiling or clipping will be consecutively randomized to either the intervention group (= RIPC by inflating an upper extremity blood-pressure cuff for 3 x 5 min to 200 mmHg) or the control group after induction of anesthesia. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the preconditioning group or the sham group using a random allocation sequence and block randomization. The precalculated sample size is n = 24 per group. The primary endpoint is the area-under-the-curve concentration of serum biomarkers (S100B, NSE, GFAP, MMP9, MBP, and cellular microparticles) in the first five days after treatment. Secondary endpoints are the number and volume of new ischemic lesions in magnetic resonance imaging and clinical outcome evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, the modified Rankin Scale, and neuropsychological tests at six and twelve months. All outcome variables will be determined by observers blinded to group allocation. This study was approved by the local institutional Ethics Committee (UN5164), version 3.0 of the study protocol, dated 20 October 2013. DISCUSSION This study uses the elective treatment of intracranial aneurysms as a paradigmatic situation to explore the neuroprotective effects of RIPC. If effects are demonstrable in this pilot trial, a larger, prospective phase III trial will be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Tülü
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 35, Anichstrasse, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Miriam Mulino
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 35, Anichstrasse, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Daniel Pinggera
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 35, Anichstrasse, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Markus Luger
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Philipp Würtinger
- Central Institute for Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Astrid Grams
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Thomas Bodner
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Ronny Beer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Raimund Helbok
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Raffaella Matteucci-Gothe
- Department of Public Health and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT Health and Life Sciences University, Hall in Tirol, Austria.
| | - Claudia Unterhofer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 35, Anichstrasse, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Elke Gizewski
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Erich Schmutzhard
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Claudius Thomé
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 35, Anichstrasse, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
| | - Martin Ortler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 35, Anichstrasse, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
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