Bateria Psicológica para Avaliação da Atenção (BPA): desempenho de diferentes faixas etárias

The effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism on adolescent activity and rest rhythms, circadian preferences and attentional performance

BACKGROUND

Variations in circadian regulating mechanisms generate different individual preferences in respect of sleep and activity timing, which are known as chronotypes. In this sense, specifically during adolescence, there is a greater tendency for an eveningness chronotype. One factor that has been shown to have an impact on circadian rhythm patterns, as well as on some aspects of cognitive function, is the relatively common Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism in the human brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on the performance of adolescents in attentional tests, circadian preferences and activity-rest rhythm.

METHODS

85 healthy high school students completed the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire to assess their circadian preferences; were evaluated using the Psychological Battery for Attention Assessment; and were categorized as carriers and non-carriers of the rs6265 polymorphism using the TaqMan rt-PCR technique. A subsample of 42 students had their activity/rest rhythm recorded by actigraphy for nine days from which sleep parameters were estimated.

RESULTS

Circadian preference did not affect attentional performance (p > 0.1), but the time that the students attended school had an impact on all types of attention with morning shift students scoring higher, regardless of chronotype (p < 0.05). The presence of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was associated only with alternate attention performance (p < 0.05). Regarding actigraphy evaluation, the carriers of the polymorphism demonstrated significantly higher total time in bed, total sleep time, social jetlag, and earlier sleep onset.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate some degree of adaptation in the students' attentional performance, according to their school schedules. The presence of BDNF polymorphism demonstrated a counterintuitive impact on attentional performance, comparing to previous findings. The findings reinforce the effect of genetic traits on sleep-wake rhythm parameters, when objectively evaluated.

Salivary Cortisol and Sustained Auditory Attention in Children with and without Cleft Lip and Palate

Introduction Cortisol is a hormone involved in the response to stress. Attention is a function that can change due to exposure to stress.

Objectives To verify the correlation between the level of salivary cortisol and sustained auditory attention in children with cleft lip and palate, as well as to compare the results of the variables analyzed between female and male patients.

Methods In total, 103 children aged 6 to 11 years, were divided into 2 groups: those with cleft lip and palate (experimental group, EG; n = 69) and the control group (CG; n = 34). The Sustained Auditory Attention Ability Test (SAAAT) and salivary cortisol levels, measured by an enzyme immunoassay kit (Salimetrics, Stage College, PA, US), were calculated and compared regarding the two groups. The statistical tests used were the Mann-Whitney test and the Spearman correlation.

Results The median level of salivary cortisol was of 0.03615 µl/dL and 0.18000 µl/dL respectively for the EG and CG, with a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.000). Absence of statistical significance (total error score = 0.656; vigilance decrement = 0.051) was observed the for SAAAT among the EG (median total error score = 12.00; 25th percentile [25%] = 7.00; 75th percentile [75%] = 21.00; and vigilance decrement = 1.00; 25% = 0.00; 75% = 2.50) and the CG (median total error score = 12.00; 25% = 6.00; 75% = 24.00; and vigilance decrement = 0.00; 25% = -1.00; 75% = 2.00).

Conclusion All children had median levels of salivary cortisol and scores for sustained auditory attention within normal parameters. A significant correlation between the level of salivary cortisol and the ability to sustain auditory attention was observed in children without cleft lip and palate. There were no differences regarding the SAAAT and salivary cortisol between female and male patients.

Preliminary Study of the Applicability of Software in the investigation of Sustained Auditory Attention

Introduction The use of auditory behavioral tests, which specifically assess sustained attention, is necessary, due to its relationship with learning, language production, cognitive development and school performance.

Objective To evaluate how children performed using software developed to investigate the ability of sustained auditory attention, and to compare the scores obtained in this format with those of the original, non-computerized test.

Methods This cross-sectional study included 52 children of both genders, aged 6 to 11 years, with normal hearing and no history of complaints regarding inattention and/or hyperactivity. The computerized test was administered to all 52 children. The total error score (inattention and impulsivity) and the vigilance decrement were used to define the children's performance when using the software. The scores obtained in the two formats (computer software and original on compact disc) were then compared.

Results Statistically significant differences were found in the scores for innattention, impulsivity, and total error score (inattention and impulsivity) when comparing genders, and a negative correlation coefficient was found when comparing ages. Increased scores were found for all variables of the sustained auditory attention ability test (SAAAT) compared with the original format.

Conclusion Females performed worse than males in all aspects except for vigilance decrement when using the SAAAT software developed to evaluate the ability of SAAAT vigilance; younger children made more errors when using the SAAAT software; inattention errors were more frequent than impulsivity. Overall, higher values were obtained using the SAAAT software, when compared with the original version.

Verbal Learning as a predictor of risks of accidents in elderly drivers

BACKGROUND

Age-related cognitive decline impacts cognitive abilities essential for driving.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to measure main cognitive functions associated with a high number of traffic violations in different driving settings.

METHODS

Thirty-four elderly individuals, aged between 65 and 90 years, were evaluated with a driving simulator in four different settings (Intersection, Overtaking, Rain, and Malfunction tasks) and underwent a battery of cognitive tests, including memory, attention, visuospatial, and cognitive screening tests. Individuals were divided into two groups: High-risk driving (HR, top 20% of penalty points) and normal-risk driving (NR). Non-parametric group comparison and regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The HR group showed higher total driving penalty score compared to the NR group (median=29, range= 9-44 vs. median=61, range= 47-97, p<0.001). The HR group showed higher penalty scores in the Intersection task (p<0.001) and the Overtaking and Rain tasks (p<0.05 both). The verbal learning score was significantly lower in the HR group (median=33, range=12-57) compared with the NR group (median=38, range=23-57, p<0.05), and it was observed that this score had the best predictive value for worse driving performance in the regression model. General cognitive screening tests (Mini-Mental State Examination and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Evaluation) were similar between the groups (p>0.05), with a small effect size (Cohen's d=0.3 both).

CONCLUSION

The verbal learning score may be a better predictor of driving risk than cognitive screening tests. High-risk drivers also showed significantly higher traffic driving penalty scores in the Intersection, Overtaking, and Rain tests.

Cognition, oxidative stress and vitamin B12 levels evaluation on patients under long-term omeprazole use

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the differences concerning cognitive performance, oxidative stress and vitamin B12 levels in omeprazole users under treatment for longer than six months.

METHODS

A case-control study was developed with 44 omeprazole users (OU; 81.8 % female, 66 ± 8.7 years old) and 35 nonusers (NOU; 88.6 % female, 62 ± 8.7 years old). The cognitive ability was assessed through tests approaching attention, memory and executive functions. The vitamin B12 was dosage using a chemiluminescent immunoassay and oxidative stress analysis, based on the evaluation of malondialdehyde, enzymatic activity of extracellular superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and the ferric reducing antioxidant power in plasma.

KEY FINDINGS

A significant increase of the ferric reducing antioxidant power [omeprazole users (OU) group = 1690 µM ± 441 and nonusers (NOU) group = 1308 ± 616; P value=0.002] and a decrease on glutathione peroxidase levels [OU group = 0.534 (0.27-10.63) and NOU group = 71.86 (14.36-173.1); P value=0.006] were found on omeprazole users group, as well as differences on cognitive performance, with impairments on executive functions, automatic and attentional processing.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term use of omeprazole is suggested to induce an oxidative stress condition, which causes neurotoxicity and cognitive decline.

Association between the level of attention and dual-task costs on postural sway and cognitive yield in children, adolescents, and young adults

BACKGROUND

Postural stability requires attentional resources. Dual-task paradigms are used to investigate the attentional demand of the studied tasks. However, no studies have been conducted on the subjects' level of attention, analyzing its association with dual-task costs (DTC).

RESEARCH QUESTION

To evaluate the attentional level and DTC on postural sway and cognitive yield in children, adolescents, and young adults, investigating age-related differences, and to analyze if the participants' attention level is associated with DTC.

METHODS

Postural sway and cognitive-yield of 30 children, 24 adolescents, and 32 young adults were assessed in a dual-task paradigm. We calculated DTC on postural sway and cognitive yield. Attention level was tested using Psychological Battery for Attention Assessment. We tested the association between DTC and attention level.

RESULTS

Young adults showed higher DTC on area and velocity of postural sway than children and adolescents. No differences in DTC on cognitive yield were found between the groups. Children showed lower attention levels than adolescents and young adults. Attention level was negatively associated with DTC on cognitive yield in young adults. Focused Attention is responsible for 24.4% of the variance in DTC on cognitive yield.

CONCLUSION

Age impacts DTC on postural stability, but not on cognitive performance. The smaller changes in sway found in children/adolescents when dual-tasking, potentially reflect less developed attentional levels and postural control, which make them performing postural tasks closed to their stability boundaries, and, therefore, make them prioritize stability protection more than adults. Similar DTC on cognition between groups may reflect an equalization of the chosen cognitive task at everyone's difficulty level. The lower attention levels of children may reflect an attentional system in development, with prioritization o postural tasks when dual-tasking to maintain stability. Although attention level increases throughout age, attention only predicted DTC on cognition. Better Focused Attention's levels predicted lower DTC on cognitive yield for young adults.

Evidência de Validade da Medida de Atenção Plena pela Relação com Outras Variáveis

Resumo Atenção plena é uma qualidade da consciência que surge ao prestar atenção às experiências percebidas no momento presente. Este artigo objetiva buscar evidências de validade da Medida de Atenção Plena (MAP) pela sua relação com outros construtos. Participaram 553 brasileiros adultos, a maioria universitários e com média de idades de 23,15 anos (DP = 7,34), os quais responderam às MAP, Bateria Fatorial de Personalidade, Escala de Afetos Positivos e Afetos Negativos, Escala de Satisfação de Vida, Bateria Psicológica da Atenção e à Medida de Inteligência Emocional. Foram efetuadas correlações entre os escores da MAP e os demais instrumentos. Encontraram-se correlações significativas entre mindfulness e os traços abertura e realização, afeto negativo e satisfação de vida. Atenção alternada, concentrada e geral e inteligência emocional mostraram-se associadas ao fator mindfulness. Conclui-se que a MAP possui evidências favoráveis de validade pela relação com outras variáveis, entretanto, novos estudos são demandados com o instrumento.