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Schlosser L, Naef N, Ehrler M, Wehrle F, Greutmann M, Oxenius A, Tuura R, Latal B, Brugger P. Counting on random number generation: Uncovering mild executive dysfunction in congenital heart disease. Brain Cogn 2023; 166:105955. [PMID: 36709638 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2023.105955] [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: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with various neurocognitive deficits, particularly targeting executive functions (EFs), of which random number generation (RNG) is one indicator. RNG has, however, never been investigated in CHD. We administered the Mental Dice Task (MDT) to 67 young adults with CHD and 55 healthy controls. This 1-minute-task requires the generation of numbers 1 to 6 in a random sequence. RNG performance was correlated with a global EF score. Participants underwent MRI to examine structural-volumetric correlates of RNG. Compared to controls, CHD patients showed increased backward counting, reflecting deficient inhibition of automatized behavior. They also lacked a small-number bias (higher frequency of small relative to large numbers). RNG performance was associated with global EF scores in both groups. In CHD patients, MRI revealed an inverse association of counting bias with most of the volumetric measurements and the amount of small numbers was positively associated with corpus callosum volume, suggesting callosal involvement in the "pseudoneglect in number space". In conclusion, we found an impaired RNG performance in CHD patients, which is associated with brain volumetric measures. RNG, reportedly resistant to learning effects, may be an ideal task for the longitudinal assessment of EFs in patients with CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladina Schlosser
- Child Development Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; University Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Nadja Naef
- Child Development Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Ehrler
- Child Development Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Flavia Wehrle
- Child Development Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Neonatology and Intensive Care, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Greutmann
- University Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Oxenius
- University Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruth Tuura
- Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Latal
- Child Development Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Brugger
- Psychiatric University Clinic PUK, University Hospital Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, PO Box 1931, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; Neuropsychology Unit, Valens Rehabilitation Centre, Taminaplatz 1, 7317 Valens, Switzerland
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Saoud H, Aflouk Y, Ben Afia A, Gaha L, Bel Hadj Jrad B. Association of VEGF-A and KDR polymorphisms with the development of schizophrenia. Hum Immunol 2022; 83:528-537. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Rodríguez-Lorenzana A, Ramos-Usuga D, Díaz LA, Mascialino G, Yacelga Ponce T, Rivera D, Arango-Lasprilla JC. Normative data of neuropsychological tests of attention and executive functions in Ecuadorian adult population. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2020; 28:508-527. [PMID: 32666879 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2020.1790493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to generate normative data for five tests of attention and executive functions (M-WCST, Stroop test, TMT, BTA, and SDMT), in a group of 322 Ecuadorian adults from Quito between the ages of 18 and 85. METHOD Multiple regression analyzes taking into account age, education, and gender were used to generate the normative data. RESULTS Age and education were significantly related to test performance such that scores decreased with age and improved as a function of education. An online calculator is provided to generate normative test scores. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study that presents normative data for tests of executive functions and attention in an Ecuadorian adult population. This data will improve the clinical practice of neuropsychology and help to develop the field in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Ramos-Usuga
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute , Barakaldo, Spain.,Biomedical Research Doctorate Program, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa, Spain
| | - Lila Adana Díaz
- Escuela De Psicología, Universidad De Las Américas , Quito, Ecuador
| | - Guido Mascialino
- Escuela De Psicología, Universidad De Las Américas , Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Diego Rivera
- Departamento De Ciencias De La Salud, Universidad Pública De Navarra , Navarra, España
| | - Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute , Barakaldo, Spain.,IKERBASQUE. Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa, Spain
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Vicente SG, Rivera D, Barbosa F, Gaspar N, Dores AR, Mascialino G, Arango-Lasprilla JC. Normative data for tests of attention and executive functions in a sample of European Portuguese adult population. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2020; 28:418-437. [PMID: 32654600 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2020.1781768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The main goal of this study was to produce normative data for the Portuguese population on five neuropsychological tests frequently used to assess executive functions and attention: the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST), the Stroop Color and Word Test, the Trail Making Test (TMT), the Brief Test of Attention (BTA), and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). METHOD The study included 300 individuals aged between 18 and 93 years, who had educational backgrounds ranging from 3 to 25 years. RESULTS The influence of age, education, and sex was explored for each measure, as well as their contribution to explain the performance variance. CONCLUSIONS The normative data are presented as regression-based algorithms to adjust direct and derived test scores for sex, age, and education. This study provides a calculator of normative data, derived from the results of the regression models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene G Vicente
- Centre for Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal
| | - Diego Rivera
- Departamento De Ciencias De La Salud, Universidad Pública De Navarra , Navarra, España
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto , Porto Portugal
| | - Nuno Gaspar
- Centre for Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal
| | - Artemisa R Dores
- Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto , Porto Portugal.,School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto , Porto, Portugal
| | - Guido Mascialino
- School of Psychology, Universidad De Las Américas , Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla
- IKERBASQUE. Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao, Spain.,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute , Barakaldo, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Leioa, Spain
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Analyzing Human Random Generation: an Approach Based on the Zener Card Test. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s41465-018-0097-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Gibbons A, Udawela M, Dean B. Non-Coding RNA as Novel Players in the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia. Noncoding RNA 2018; 4:E11. [PMID: 29657307 PMCID: PMC6027250 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna4020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with diverse changes in the brain's transcriptome and proteome. Underlying these changes is the complex dysregulation of gene expression and protein production that varies both spatially across brain regions and temporally with the progression of the illness. The growing body of literature showing changes in non-coding RNA in individuals with schizophrenia offers new insights into the mechanisms causing this dysregulation. A large number of studies have reported that the expression of microRNA (miRNA) is altered in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia. This evidence is complemented by findings that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA host gene sequences can confer an increased risk of developing the disorder. Additionally, recent evidence suggests the expression of other non-coding RNAs, such as small nucleolar RNA and long non-coding RNA, may also be affected in schizophrenia. Understanding how these changes in non-coding RNAs contribute to the development and progression of schizophrenia offers potential avenues for the better treatment and diagnosis of the disorder. This review will focus on the evidence supporting the involvement of non-coding RNA in schizophrenia and its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbons
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
- The Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Brian Dean
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
- The Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia.
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Chu WL, Huang MW, Jian BL, Cheng KS. Analysis of EEG entropy during visual evocation of emotion in schizophrenia. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2017; 16:34. [PMID: 29021815 PMCID: PMC5613505 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-017-0157-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this study, the international affective picture system was used to evoke emotion, and then the corresponding signals were collected. The features from different points of brainwaves, frequency, and entropy were used to identify normal, moderately, and markedly ill schizophrenic patients. METHODS The signals were collected and preprocessed. Then, the signals were separated according to three types of emotions and five frequency bands. Finally, the features were calculated using three different methods of entropy. For classification, the features were divided into different sections and classification using support vector machine (principal components analysis on 95%). Finally, simple regression and correlation analysis between the total scores of positive and negative syndrome scale and features were used. RESULTS At first, we observed that to classify normal and markedly ill schizophrenic patients, the identification result was as high as 81.5%, and therefore, we further explored moderately and markedly ill schizophrenic patients. Second, the identification rate in both moderately and markedly ill schizophrenic patient was as high as 79.5%, which at the Fz point signal in high valence low arousal fragments was calculated using the ApEn methods. Finally, the total scores of positive and negative syndrome scale were used to analyze the correlation with the features that were the five frequency bands at the Fz point signal. The results show that the p value was less than .001 at the beta wave in the 15-18 Hz frequency range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Lin Chu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701 Taiwan
| | - Min-Wei Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701 Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Chiayi Branch, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Chia-Yi, 600 Taiwan
| | - Bo-Lin Jian
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701 Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Sheng Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701 Taiwan
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Yu Y, Zhao Y, Si Y, Ren Q, Ren W, Jing C, Zhang H. Estimation of the cool executive function using frontal electroencephalogram signals in first-episode schizophrenia patients. Biomed Eng Online 2016; 15:131. [PMID: 27884145 PMCID: PMC5123362 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-016-0282-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In schizophrenia, executive dysfunction is the most critical cognitive impairment, and is associated with abnormal neural activities, especially in the frontal lobes. Complexity estimation using electroencephalogram (EEG) recording based on nonlinear dynamics and task performance tests have been widely used to estimate executive dysfunction in schizophrenia. Methods The present study estimated the cool executive function based on fractal dimension (FD) values of EEG data recorded from first-episode schizophrenia patients and healthy controls during the performance of three cool executive function tasks, namely, the Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A), Trail Making Test-B (TMT-B), and Tower of Hanoi tasks. Results The results show that the complexity of the frontal EEG signals that were measured using FD was different in first-episode schizophrenia patients during the manipulation of executive function. However, no differences between patients and controls were found in the FD values of the EEG data that was recorded during the performance of the Tower of Hanoi task. Conclusions These results suggest that cool executive function exhibits little impairment in first-episode schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajing Si
- Department of Psychology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiongqiong Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wu Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Changqin Jing
- Department of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, People's Republic of China.
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Association of serum VEGF levels with prefrontal cortex volume in schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:686-92. [PMID: 26169975 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A large body of evidence indicates alterations in brain regional cellular energy metabolism and blood flow in schizophrenia. Among the different molecules regulating blood flow, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is generally accepted as the major factor involved in the process of angiogenesis. In the present study, we examined whether peripheral VEGF levels correlate with changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) volume in patients with schizophrenia and in healthy controls. Whole-blood samples were obtained from 96 people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 83 healthy controls. Serum VEGF protein levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas quantitative PCR was performed to measure interleukin-6 (IL-6, a pro-inflammatory marker implicated in schizophrenia) mRNA levels in the blood samples. Structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained using a 3T Achieva scanner on a subset of 59 people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 65 healthy controls, and prefrontal volumes were obtained using FreeSurfer software. As compared with healthy controls, individuals with schizophrenia had a significant increase in log-transformed mean serum VEGF levels (t(177)=2.9, P=0.005). A significant inverse correlation (r=-0.40, P=0.002) between serum VEGF and total frontal pole volume was found in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. Moreover, we observed a significant positive association (r=0.24, P=0.03) between serum VEGF and IL-6 mRNA levels in patients with schizophrenia. These findings suggest an association between serum VEGF and inflammation, and that serum VEGF levels are related to structural abnormalities in the PFC of people with schizophrenia.
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