Stress and Cognition in Humans

The effects of a chalcone derivative on memory, hippocampal corticosterone and BDNF levels in adult rats

Purpose/Aim of the study: Since chalcones belong to the flavonoid family, the effects of a new synthetic chalcone derivative on memory, chronic stress, and expression of hippocampal BDNF gene were studied.Materials and methods: In this experiment, the male wistar rats were placed under restraint stress (6 h/day) for 21 days and then treated with a newly synthesized chalcone, containing methoxy on the aromatic rings or vehicles (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, IP). After the behavioral Passive avoidance, Open field, and Morris water maze tests, the levels of serum corticosterone (CORT) and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed.Results: Results of these tests presented significant differences between the Stress (St) and Chalcone (Ch) groups. Chronic stress led to high CORT levels and impaired memory functions. Moreover, a single dose of synthetic chalcone in the St group could postpone memory impairments. Furthermore, a 20 mg/kg IP injection of chalcone markedly attenuated the decrease of hippocampal BDNF.Conclusions: It has been already proposed that flavonoids have beneficial effects on different types of memory. According to these results, further investigations are required to explore other factors besides BDNF that could be acutely modulated by chalcones.

Doživljanje neizvedene zdravstvene nege pri medicinskih sestrah

Uvod: Stiske zaradi zdravstvene nege, ki ostaja zaradi različnih razlogov neizvedena, so pri medicinskih sestrah pogosto spregledane in neprepoznane. Namen integrativnega pregleda literature je pregledati najnovejše raziskave, ki opisujejo, kako se neizvedena zdravstvena nega izraža na duševnem počutju medicinskih sester.Metode: Uporabili smo integrativni pregled literature, izveden v skladu s PRISMA smernicami v podatkovnih bazah PubMed, CINAHL, Wiley, COBISS.SI in Google Učenjak. Potek iskanja in analize literature je prikazan s pomočjo PRISMA diagrama. Zadetke smo razvrstili glede na raven dokazov. Uporabili smo tematsko analizo vsebine.Rezultati: Skupaj je bilo identificiranih 175 in v končno analizo vključenih 11 virov. Identificirano je bilo 96 kod združenih v 4 kategorije: (1) Telesno, duševno in čustveno počutje, (2) Moralno etične dileme, (3) Sprejemanje odločitev pri delu – prilagajanje, (4) Poklicne in osebne vrednote.Diskusija in zaključek: Neizvedena zdravstvena nega je za medicinske sestre pomemben izvor stisk in stresa, saj zaradi neizvajanja vseh potrebnih aktivnosti v zdravstveni negi prihajajo v neskladje s svojimi osebnimi in poklicnimi vrednotami. Naši rezultati dodajajo vsebinski kontekst in boljše razumevanje posledic neizvedene zdravstvene nege pri medicinskih sestrah. Vsakodnevno odločanje, katere aktivnosti bo potrebno izpustiti, vpliva ne samo na slabše počutje, nezadovoljstvo in izgorelost, ampak celo na zapuščanje delovnih mest in poklica.

Students' intelligence test results after six and sixteen months of irregular schooling due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected schooling worldwide. In many places, schools closed for weeks or months, only part of the student body could be educated at any one time, or students were taught online. Previous research discloses the relevance of schooling for the development of cognitive abilities. We therefore compared the intelligence test performance of 424 German secondary school students in Grades 7 to 9 (42% female) tested after the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., 2020 sample) to the results of two highly comparable student samples tested in 2002 (n = 1506) and 2012 (n = 197). The results revealed substantially and significantly lower intelligence test scores in the 2020 sample than in both the 2002 and 2012 samples. We retested the 2020 sample after another full school year of COVID-19-affected schooling in 2021. We found mean-level changes of typical magnitude, with no signs of catching up to previous cohorts or further declines in cognitive performance. Perceived stress during the pandemic did not affect changes in intelligence test results between the two measurements.

Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Cognitive Functions in Healthy, Stressed Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Background

The global prevalence of stress is increasing. Stress adversely affects cognitive ability, sleep quality, and overall psychological well-being. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal), an essential medicine in Ayurveda, is reportedly beneficial in reducing stress and improving memory. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study evaluated the effect of Ashwagandha root extract sustained-release capsule 300 mg (Prolanza™; hereafter Ashwagandha SR) on cognitive functions, stress levels, sleep quality, overall well-being, and safety in stressed subjects.

Methods

Subjects (130 healthy cognitively sound adults [20–55 years, body mass index:18–29 kg/m²]) having a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score of 14–24 were randomized to receive either Ashwagandha SR or placebo. Subjects took one capsule of Ashwagandha SR or placebo daily for 90 consecutive days. This study was registered on Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) on 13/11/2019 [number: CTRI/2019/11/021990]. The primary endpoint was the change in cognitive function as measured by CANTAB from baseline to the end of the study period (90 ± 7 days). The secondary outcomes included the change in PSS-10 score, serum cortisol level (9–11 am), the OHQ score, the PSQI, and serum BDNF levels.

Results

Only 125 completed the study and were evaluated. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) reported significantly improved recall memory, and the total error rate in recalling patterns significantly decreased at visit 4 in the Ashwagandha SR group vs. the placebo group (first attempt memory score:12.9 ± 6.7 vs. 10.1 ± 6.3; total errors:17.5 ± 23.3 vs. 27.7 ± 23.6). At visit 4, lower PSS-10 score (13.0 ± 5.0 vs. 18.7 ± 4.6; p < .0001), serum cortisol levels (p=0.0443), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score (p < .0001) but higher Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) scores (p < .0001) were seen in Ashwagandha SR vs. the placebo group, suggesting significantly lower stress levels and significantly better psychological well-being and sleep quality in the former. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

This is the first clinical study assessing Ashwagandha SR for its safety and efficacy. Treatment with one Ashwagandha SR capsule once daily for 90 days improved memory and focus, psychological well-being, and sleep quality, reduced stress levels, and was safe and well-tolerated.