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Background: Performing cognitive–motor dual tasks (DTs) may result in reduced walking speed and cognitive performance. The effect in persons with progressive multiple sclerosis (pwPMS) having cognitive dysfunction is unknown. Objective: To profile DT-performance during walking in cognitively impaired pwPMS and examine DT-performance by disability level. Methods: Secondary analyses were conducted on baseline data from the CogEx-study. Participants, enrolled with Symbol Digit Modalities Test 1.282 standard deviations below normative value, performed a cognitive single task ([ST], alternating alphabet), motor ST (walking) and DT (both). Outcomes were number of correct answers on the alternating alphabet task, walking speed, and DT-cost (DTC: decline in performance relative to the ST). Outcomes were compared between EDSS subgroups (≤ 4, 4.5–5.5, ≥ 6). Spearman correlations were conducted between the DTCmotor with clinical measures. Adjusted significance level was 0.01. Results: Overall, participants (n = 307) walked slower and had fewer correct answers on the DT versus ST (both p < 0.001), with a DTCmotor of 15.8% and DTCcognitive of 2.7%. All three subgroups walked slower during the DT versus ST, with DTCmotor different from zero (p’s < 0.001). Only the EDSS ≥ 6 group had fewer correct answers on the DT versus ST (p < 0.001), but the DTCcognitive did not differ from zero for any of the groups (p ≥ 0.039). Conclusion: Dual tasking substantially affects walking performance in cognitively impaired pwPMS, to a similar degree for EDSS subgroups.

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (MS-TBI) commonly causes disruption in aspects of attention due to its diffuse nature and injury to frontotemporal and midbrain reticular activating systems. Attentional impairments are a common focus of cognitive rehabilitation, and increased awareness of evidence is needed to facilitate informed clinical practice.An expert panel of clinicians/researchers (known as INCOG) reviewed evidence published from 2014 and developed updated guidelines for the management of attention in adults, as well as a decision-making algorithm, and an audit tool for review of clinical practice.This update incorporated 27 studies and made 11 recommendations. Two new recommendations regarding transcranial stimulation and an herbal supplement were made. Five were updated from INCOG 2014 and 4 were unchanged. The team recommends screening for and addressing factors contributing to attentional problems, including hearing, vision, fatigue, sleep-wake disturbance, anxiety, depression, pain, substance use, and medication. Metacognitive strategy training focused on everyday activities is recommended for individuals with mild-moderate attentional impairments. Practice on de-contextualized computer-based attentional tasks is not recommended because of lack of evidence of generalization, but direct training on everyday tasks, including dual tasks or dealing with background noise, may lead to gains for performance of those tasks. Potential usefulness of environmental modifications is also discussed. There is insufficient evidence to support mindfulness-based meditation, periodic alerting, or noninvasive brain stimulation for alleviating attentional impairments. Of pharmacological interventions, methylphenidate is recommended to improve information processing speed. Amantadine may facilitate arousal in comatose or vegetative patients but does not enhance performance on attentional measures over the longer term. The antioxidant Chinese herbal supplement MLC901 (NeuroAiD IITM) may enhance selective attention in individuals with mild-moderate TBI.Evidence for interventions to improve attention after TBI is slowly growing. However, more controlled trials are needed, especially evaluating behavioral or nonpharmacological interventions for attention.

Physical exercise is a very promising non-pharmacological approach to prevent or reduce the cognitive decline that occurs in people aged 60 years or older. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a high-intensity intervallic functional training (HIFT) program on cognitive functions in an elderly Colombian population with mild cognitive impairment. A controlled clinical trial was developed with a sample of 132 men and women aged >65 years, linked to geriatric care institutions, which were systematically blind randomized. The intervention group (IG) received a 3-month HIFT program (n = 64) and the control group (CG) (n = 68) received general physical activity recommendations and practiced manual activities. The outcome variables addressed cognition (MoCA), attention (TMTA), executive functions (TMTB), verbal fluency (VFAT test), processing speed (Digit Symbol Substitution Test-DSST), selective attention and concentration (d2 test). After the analysis, improvement was found in the IG with significant differences with respect to the CG in the level of cognitive impairment (MoCA), attention (TMTA), verbal fluency and concentration (p < 0.001). Executive functions (TMTB) showed differences in both groups, being slightly higher in the IG (p = 0.037). However, no statistically significant results were found for selective attention (p = 0.55) or processing speed (p = 0.24). The multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) showed the influence of the education level on all cognition assessments (p = 0.026); when adjusting for sociodemographic variables, the influence of the intervention remained significant (p < 0.001). This study empirically validates that the implementation of a HIFT program has a positive effect on cognitive functions in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. Therefore, professionals specialized in the care of this population could consider including functional training programs as an essential part of their therapeutic approaches. The distinctive features of this program, such as its emphasis on functional training and high intensity, appear to be relevant for stimulating cognitive health in the geriatric population.

Reliable and valid cognitive outcome measures, including examiner-administered and computer-facilitated assessments of processing speed and reaction time, are necessary for future clinical trials that include individuals with Down syndrome (DS). The current study evaluated the score distributions and psychometric properties of four examiner-administered and three computerized processing speed and reaction time measures. Participants included 97 individuals with DS, aged 6 to 17 (M = 12.6, SD = 3.3). Two examiner-administered measures (Differential Ability Scales-II Rapid Naming and Cat/dog Stroop Congruent) met most predetermined psychometric criteria. Other assessments demonstrated good test-retest reliability and had negligible practice effects but lacked adequate feasibility. Recommendations for using processing speed and reaction time assessments in research and suggestions for modifications of measures are discussed.

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to assess the validity of the Ease of Language Understanding (ELU) model through a statistical assessment of the relationships among its main parameters: processing speed, phonology, working memory (WM), and dB Speech Noise Ratio (SNR) for a given Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT) in a sample of hearing aid users from the n200 database.MethodsHearing aid users were assessed on several hearing and cognitive tests. Latent Structural Equation Models (SEMs) were applied to investigate the relationship between the main parameters of the ELU model while controlling for age and PTA. Several competing models were assessed.ResultsAnalyses indicated that a mediating SEM was the best fit for the data. The results showed that (i) phonology independently predicted speech recognition threshold in both easy and adverse listening conditions and (ii) WM was not predictive of dB SNR for a given SRT in the easier listening conditions (iii) processing speed was predictive of dB SNR for a given SRT mediated via WM in the more adverse conditions.ConclusionThe results were in line with the predictions of the ELU model: (i) phonology contributed to dB SNR for a given SRT in all listening conditions, (ii) WM is only invoked when listening conditions are adverse, (iii) better WM capacity aids the understanding of what has been said in adverse listening conditions, and finally (iv) the results highlight the importance and optimization of processing speed in conditions when listening conditions are adverse and WM is activated.

This study investigated the longitudinal relationship between children’s domain-general cognitive constraints underlying phonological and sentence processing development in a big sample of typically developing children. 104 children were tested on non-linguistic processing speed, phonological skills (phonological short term memory, phonological knowledge, phonological working memory), and sentence processing abilities (sentence repetition and receptive grammar) in 1st grade (aged 6 to 6.5) and one year later. A cross-lagged structural equation model showed that non-linguistic processing speed was a concurrent predictor of phonological skills, and that phonology had a powerful effect on the child’s sentence processing abilities concurrently and longitudinally, providing clear evidence for the role of domain-general processes in the developmental pathway of language. These findings support a cascaded cognitive view of language development and pose important challenges for evaluation and intervention strategies in childhood.

Many patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience information processing speed (IPS) deficits, and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) has been recommended as a valid screening test. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has markedly improved the understanding of the mechanisms associated with cognitive deficits in MS. However, which structural MRI markers are the most closely related to cognitive performance is still unclear. We used the multicenter 3T-MRI data set of the Italian Neuroimaging Network Initiative to extract multimodal data (i.e., demographic, clinical, neuropsychological, and structural MRIs) of 540 MS patients. We aimed to assess, through machine learning techniques, the contribution of brain MRI structural volumes in the prediction of IPS deficits when combined with demographic and clinical features. We trained and tested the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model following a rigorous validation scheme to obtain reliable generalization performance. We carried out a classification and a regression task based on SDMT scores feeding each model with different combinations of features. For the classification task, the model trained with thalamus, cortical gray matter, hippocampus, and lesions volumes achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.74. For the regression task, the model trained with cortical gray matter and thalamus volumes, EDSS, nucleus accumbens, lesions, and putamen volumes, and age reached a mean absolute error of 0.95. In conclusion, our results confirmed that damage to cortical gray matter and relevant deep and archaic gray matter structures, such as the thalamus and hippocampus, is among the most relevant predictors of cognitive performance in MS.

Statische Visualisierungen wie beispielsweise Diagramme, Landkarten oder Zeichnungen spielen heutzutage eine immer größere Rolle im täglichen Leben. Daher ist es wichtig herauszufinden, wie hilfreich sie wirklich sind - besonders im Vergleich zu Texten. Diese Diplomarbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, ob Visualisierungen oder Texte schneller von Menschen erfasst werden können, und welche Darstellungsform im Besonderen besser verständlich ist. Zu diesem Zweck führten wir eine explorative Studie durch, in der Verarbeitungszeit und Fehlerrate bei der Interpretation von Texten und Visualisierungen gemessen wurden. Durch eine Vorstudie, bei der die Testpersonen jeweils vier Visualisierungen in ihren eigenen Worten beschreiben mussten, fanden wir heraus, worauf Leute in Visualisierungen am meisten achten. In den beschreibenden Texten der Testpersonen lag der Fokus einerseits auf Extremwerten der Visualisierungen, andererseits aber auch auf interessanten anderen Werten, die keine Extremwerte darstellten. Darüber hinaus wurden in den Texten oft verschiedene Werte verglichen um die Visualisierung zu beschreiben. Durch diese Erkenntnisse aus der ersten Studie konnten wir die Texte für unsere darauffolgende vergleichende Studie bestmöglich verfassen. Für die eigentliche explorative Studie zum Erfassen von Verarbeitungszeit und Fehlerrate im Interpretieren von visuellen Inhalten verwendeten wir 15 Visualisierungen und Texte, die jeweils die gleichen Informationen enthielten. Jede Testperson erhielt mindestens sechs Aufgaben, davon mindestens drei Visualisierungen und drei Texte, zu denen die Testperson jeweils drei Fragen beantworten musste. Während der Bearbeitung der Beispiele wurde die Zeit gemessen. Ein interessantes Ergebnis war, dass die Testpersonen beim Bearbeiten von Aufgaben mit Visualisierungen durchschnittlich um etwa 1,3 mal schneller waren als mit Texten. Dabei handelt es sich um einen statistisch signifikanten Unterschied. Allerdings konnten wir keine signifikanten Unterschiede bei der Fehlerrate zwischen Aufgabenmit Texten und Aufgaben mit Visualisierungen feststellen. Außerdem stellten wir bei den Beispielen mit Texten Korrelationen zwischen Textlänge und Bearbeitungsgeschwindigkeit sowie Textlänge und Fehlerrate fest. Wir konnten keinen Einfluss der Inhalte der Visualisierungen und Texte auf die Geschwindigkeit oder Fehlerrate feststellen. Allerdings fanden wir Fälle, in denen Beispiele mit Visualisierungen um mehr als 50 % schneller bearbeitet wurden als die dazugehörigen Texte. Unsere Ergebnisse bieten nun eine solide Basis zur Definition weiterer Hypothesen hinsichtlich der Lesbarkeit von Visualisierungen im Vergleich zu Text. In dieser Arbeit präsentieren wir die finalen Hypothesen, welche aus unserer explorativen Studie hervorgehen. Wir betrachten diese als äußerst interessant für die Visualisierungsforschung, da viel darauf hindeutet, dass visuelle Informationen schneller verarbeitet werden können als Text. Wobei hier durchaus zu erwähnen ist, dass die tatsächliche Leistungssteigerung weitaus geringer sein dürfte als in den Medien oft behauptet wurde (z.B. `60.000 mal schneller als Text'). Außerdem deuten unsere Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass hinsichtlich der Fehlerquote bei der Beantwortung abschließender Fragen keine wesentlichen Unterschiede zwischen visuellen Informationen und Texten festgestellt werden können., As static visualizations like diagrams, maps, charts, or drawings get more and more important in everyday life, it is crucial to find out how helpful they actually are, especially in comparison to text. This diploma thesis outlines if visualizations or texts are processed faster by humans and which representation is better comprehensible. For this purpose, we conducted an exploratory study in which we measured processing times and error rates when interpreting either texts or visualizations. In a pre-study, in which each participant had to describe four visualizations in their own words, we found out which parts of a visualization are deemed most important by people. The focus of the participants was on extrema, as well as on certain other values. Furthermore, the participants often compared different values in order to describe the visualization. The pre-study gave us valuable insights which we used for writing the texts for our study. For our exploratory study, where we wanted to find out more about whether visualizations or text can be interpreted more easily, we used 15 visualizations and texts that contained the same information. Each participant had to work on at least six topics, thereof at least three by using visualizations and three by using texts, and had to answer three questions per topic at the end. The time was measured while the participants worked on the topics.We could see that the participants solved topics by using visualizations on average about 1.3 times faster as compared to when they used texts. This difference was statistically significant. We could not find significant differences between the error rates for topics, when participants used visualizations or texts. When texts were used, we found correlations between text lengths and processing speeds, as well as text lengths and error rates. The content of visualizations or texts did not seem to play a role for processing speed or error rates. However, we found cases in which topics with visualizations were solved more than 50 % faster as compared to topics with texts. Our results provide a solid basis for defining further hypotheses regarding the readability of visualizations compared to text. In this thesis, we present the final hypotheses that emerge from our exploratory study. We consider these to be extremely interesting for visualization research, as there is much evidence that visual information can be processed faster than text. Whereby it is worth mentioning that the actual increase in performance may be much lower than often claimed in the media (e.g. `60,000 times faster than text'). Furthermore, our results indicate that no significant differences can be found between visual information and text with regard to the error rate in answering final questions.

Background: Deficits in information processing, sustained attention and social cognition have important implications for the daily functioning of people with schizophrenia. The present study analyzed the relationship between processing speed, sustained attention, social cognition, and functioning in clinically stable people with schizophrenia. Method: Ninety people with schizophrenia and 100 healthy controls completed a battery of measures to assess clinical symptoms, processing speed, sustained attention, social cognition, and functioning. GLMMs and SEM were used to assess the relationships between these variables. Results: People with schizophrenia had impaired performance in all cognitive outcomes compared to healthy controls. Processing speed and sustained attention, together in a latent variable, had a strong effect on functioning (Beta = 0.32; p < .05). However, social cognition had also a strong effect on functioning (Beta = 0.29; p

Objectives This study analyzed cognitive differences between hearing-aid (HA) and non-HA users. We hypothesized that HA-use attenuates the auditory-cognitive cascade, thereby, the latter is more conspicuous in non-HA users. Since hearing impairment (HI) shows male predominance, we hypothesized gender differences within the auditory-cognitive relationship. Methods Non-frail community-dwellers >= 80 years were assessed for HI (pure tone audiogram-PTA; speech reception threshold-SRT) and global and domain-specific cognitive impairments (Mini-Mental State Examination-MMSE; Montreal Cognitive Assessment-MOCA; Reaction Time Test-RT1-4). Pearson and partial correlations (correcting for age and PTA) assessed auditory-cognitive associations within gender and HA subgroups. Fisher's z test compared correlations between HA and non-HA users. Results 126 participants (age range 80-91 years) were included. HA-use prevalence was 21%. HA-users were older with worse HI (mean PTA 49.5dBHL). HA-users exhibited no significant auditory (PTA, SRT) and cognitive (MMSE, MOCA, RT1- RT4) correlations. Male non-HA users, displayed a significant association between HI and global cognition, processing speed, selective and alternating attention. Significant differences were noted between MMSE and PTA and SRT (z-score 2.28, 3.33, p = 0.02

BackgroundBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that plays an important role in regulating synaptic activity and plasticity.ObjectiveGiven that type-2 diabetes (T2DM) increases the risk of cognitive decline, and studies have suggested lower BDNF levels may be a risk factor of diabetic neurovascular complications, we sought to investigate total white matter hyperintensities (WMH) as a moderator of the effect of BDNF on hippocampal volume and cognition.MethodsOlder adults without dementia from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (N = 454 including 49 with T2DM and 405 without diabetes) underwent neuropsychological evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging to quantify hippocampal and WMH volumes, and blood draw to assess BDNF.ResultsAdjusting for age, sex, and APOE ɛ4 carrier status, there was a significant interaction between total WMH and BDNF on bilateral hippocampal volume in the non-T2DM group (t = 2.63, p = 0.009). Examination of main effect models with a dichotomous high/low BNDF group revealed a significant main effect for low BDNF (t = -4.98, p

Validity evaluation is fundamental in neuropsychological assessment in adults, with increasing interest among pediatric neuropsychologists. Although some measures exist, given time constraints placed on clinicians, and children's limited sustained attention, development of less time-consuming measures is beneficial. We explored the use of the Temporal Memory Sequence Test (TMST), a new performance validity test, in clinically referred children. One minor adaptation included reading the instructions and labels to non-fluent readers. Participants were 68 consecutive clinically referred children and adolescents, aged 6-18 years, with neurological (

BackgroundPsychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are risk factors for the development of psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, particularly if associated with distress. As PLEs have been related to alterations in both white matter and cognition, we investigated whether cognition (g-factor and processing speed) mediates the relationship between white matter and PLEs.MethodsWe investigated two independent samples (6170 and 19 891) from the UK Biobank, through path analysis. For both samples, measures of whole-brain fractional anisotropy (gFA) and mean diffusivity (gMD), as indications of white matter microstructure, were derived from probabilistic tractography. For the smaller sample, variables whole-brain white matter network efficiency and microstructure were also derived from structural connectome data.ResultsThe mediation of cognition on the relationships between white matter properties and PLEs was non-significant. However, lower gFA was associated with having PLEs in combination with distress in the full available sample (standardized β = −0.053, p = 0.011). Additionally, lower gFA/higher gMD was associated with lower g-factor (standardized β = 0.049, p < 0.001; standardized β = −0.027, p = 0.003), and partially mediated by processing speed with a proportion mediated of 7% (p = < 0.001) for gFA and 11% (p < 0.001) for gMD.ConclusionsWe show that lower global white matter microstructure is associated with having PLEs in combination with distress, which suggests a direction of future research that could help clarify how and why individuals progress from subclinical to clinical psychotic symptoms. Furthermore, we replicated that processing speed mediates the relationship between white matter microstructure and g-factor.

There is a lack of evidence of cognitive involvement in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and, the reports about the involvement of the brain and central nervous system (CNS) are few and controversial. The Five Digit Test (FDT) evaluates processing speed (PS) and executive functions orally. To evaluate the performance on the FDT of CIDP patients with and without CNS (brain/cerebellum) alterations observed on brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, to assess neuropsychiatry symptoms), the Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale (R-ODS; to assess disability), and the FDT (to assess cognition) were applied to 14 CIDP patients and 24 age-matched healthy control subjects. The patients were submitted to routine brain MRI and, according to the results, they were divided into two groups: those with abnormalities on the MRI (CIDPabnl) and those with normal parameters on the MRI (CIDPnl). The FDT data of five CIDPnl patients and nine CIDPabnl subjects were analyzed. Comparisons between the groups were performed for each task of the FDT. We found statistical differences for both groups of CIDP patients in terms of PS, for the patients spent more time performing the PS tasks than the controls. The PS measures were negatively associated with disability scores ( Our data suggested the presence of PS impairment in CIDP patients. Disability was associated with slow PS. Faltam evidências de envolvimento cognitivo na polineuropatia inflamatória desmielinizante crônica (PIDC), e há poucos e controversos estudos que tratam do envolvimento cerebral e do sistema nervoso central (SNC). O Teste dos Cinco Dígitos (Five Digit Test, FDT, em inglês) avalia a velocidade de processamento (VP) e as funções executivas oralmente. Avaliar o desempenho no FDT de pacientes com PIDC com e sem alterações no SNC (cérebro/cerebelo) de acordo com o exame de imagem cerebral por ressonância magnética (RM). MéTODOS: Ao todo, 14 pacientes e 24 controles saudáveis pareados por idade responderam a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (que avalia sintomas neuropsiquiátricos), a Escala de Incapacidade Geral elaborada pelo método Rasch (que avalia a incapacidade) e o FDT (que avalia a cognição). Os pacientes foram submetidos a RM cerebral e, de acordo com os resultados, divididos em dois grupos: aqueles com anormalidades (PIDCabnl) e aqueles sem alterações (PIDCnl) na RM. Cinco pacientes PIDCnl e nove PIDCabnl tiveram os dados analisados. Comparações entre os grupos foram realizadas para cada parte do FDT. Os dois grupos de pacientes foram estatisticamente mais lentos nas tarefas de VP comparados ao grupo controle. As medidas de VP foram negativamente associadas às pontuações de incapacidade (

IntroductionThe present study explored age effects and the coupling of sensorimotor and cognitive functions in a stratified sample of 96 middle-aged and older adults (age 45-86 years) with no indication of mild cognitive decline. In our sensorimotor tasks, we had an emphasis on listening in noise and postural control, but we also assessed functional mobility and tactile sensitivity.MethodsOur cognitive measures comprised processing speed and assessments of core cognitive control processes (executive functions), notably inhibition, task switching, and working memory updating. We explored whether our measures of sensorimotor functioning mediated age differences in cognitive variables and compared their effect to processing speed. Subsequently, we examined whether individuals who had poorer (or better) than median cognitive performance for their age group also performed relatively poorer (or better) on sensorimotor tasks. Moreover, we examined whether the link between cognitive and sensorimotor functions becomes more pronounced in older age groups.ResultsExcept for tactile sensitivity, we observed substantial age-related differences in all sensorimotor and cognitive variables from middle age onward. Processing speed and functional mobility were reliable mediators of age in task switching and inhibitory control. Regarding coupling between sensorimotor and cognition, we observed that individuals with poor cognitive control do not necessarily have poor listening in noise skills or poor postural control.DiscussionAs most conditions do not show an interdependency between sensorimotor and cognitive performance, other domain-specific factors that were not accounted for must also play a role. These need to be researched in order to gain a better understanding of how rehabilitation may impact cognitive functioning in aging persons.

ObjectiveChronic inflammation and vascular dysfunction (e.g., chronic endothelial activation) are related yet dissociable mechanisms of HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (NCI), even among those on antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, how these mechanisms differentially contribute to domain-specific deficits in people with and without HIV (PWH, PWoH) is unclear. We empirically-derived profiles of NCI and examined relationships with peripheral inflammatory and vascular biomarkers.MethodsParticipants were 84 virally-suppressed PWH and 126 PWoH who underwent neuropsychological testing and blood draw. Cluster analysis identified subgroups based on domain deficit scores. ANOVAs examined HIV serostatus and cluster group differences in composite plasma biomarker z-scores of inflammation (IL-6, CXCL10/IP-10, CCL2/MCP-1) and vascular injury (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, uPAR). Confirmatory regressions examined the interaction of HIV and biomarker z-scores on domain-specific T-scores, controlling for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and psychosocial factors.ResultsCluster analysis identified three groups: Unimpaired (n=129), Learning/Recall (n=52, isolated learning/recall deficits), Dysexecutive/Slow (n=29, executive function, working memory, processing speed, and motor deficits). PWH had higher odds of Dysexecutive/Slow membership, which related to CVD risk and higher vascular dysfunction, but not inflammation, in PWH. Vascular biomarkers moderated adverse HIV effects on executive function, processing speed, and working memory such that PWH had lower T-scores only when vascular dysfunction was high.ConclusionsIn PWH with controlled disease, peripheral markers of endothelial dysfunction and vascular permeability are selectively associated with an empirically-derived subgroup that exhibits domain deficits commonly impacted by cerebrovascular disease. Findings support the presence of a vascular NCI subgroup of PWH who may benefit from interventions that directly target the neurovascular unit.

With the aim of solving the problem of coal congestion caused by big coal blocks in underground mine scraper conveyors, in this paper we proposed the use of a YOLO-BS (YOLO-Big Size) algorithm to detect the abnormal phenomenon of coal blocks on scraper conveyors. Given the scale of the big coal block targets, the YOLO-BS algorithm replaces the last layer of the YOLOv4 algorithm feature extraction backbone network with the transform module. The YOLO-BS algorithm also deletes the redundant branch which detects small targets in the PAnet module, which reduces the overall number of parameters in the YOLO-BS algorithm. As the up-sampling and down-sampling operations in the PAnet module of the YOLO algorithm can easily cause feature loss, YOLO-BS improves the problem of feature loss and enhances the convergence performance of the model by adding the SimAM space and channel attention mechanism. In addition, to solve the problem of sample imbalance in big coal block data, in this paper, it was shown that the YOLO-BS algorithm selects focal loss as the loss function. In view of the problem that the same lump coal in different locations on the scraper conveyor led to different congestion rates, we conducted research and proposed a formula to calculate the congestion rate. Finally, we collected 12,000 image datasets of coal blocks on the underground scraper conveyor in Daliuta Coal Mine, China, and verified the performance of the method proposed in this paper. The results show that the processing speed of the proposed method can reach 80 fps, and the correct alarm rate can reach 93%. This method meets the real-time and accuracy requirements for the detection of abnormal phenomena in scraper conveyors.

Objective: Processing speed (PS) deficits are the most common cognitive deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS), followed by learning and memory deficits, and are often an early cognitive problem. It has been argued that impaired PS is a primary consequence of MS, which in turn decreases learning. The current analysis examined the association between PS and learning in a large cohort of individuals with progressive MS. Methods: Baseline data from a randomized clinical trial on rehabilitation taking place at 11 centers across North America and Europe were analyzed. Participants included 275 individuals with clinically definite progressive MS (primary, secondary) consented into the trial. Results: Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) significantly correlated with California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) ( r = 0.21, p = 0.0003) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test–Revised (BVMT-R) ( r = 0.516, p Conclusion: Results indicate little ability beyond chance to predict CVLT-II from SDMT (61%), albeit statistically significant. In contrast, there was a 77% chance that the model could distinguish between impaired and non-impaired BVMT-R. Several potential explanations are discussed.

The neural correlates of subjective cognitive decline (SCD; i.e., without objectifiable deficit) remain to be elucidated. Possible causes of SCD include early neurodegeneration related to Alzheimer's disease or functional and structural changes related to sub-clinical depression. We investigated the relationship between episodic memory performance or memory complaints and structural or functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures in participants with SCD ( n = 18) but without psychiatric disorders and healthy controls ( n = 31). In SCD, memory complaints were not associated with memory performance but with sub-clinical depression and executive functions. SCD-associated memory complaints correlated with higher amygdala and parahippocampal gyrus (specifically subiculum) gray matter density. In controls, but not in SCD, mesiotemporal gray matter density and superior frontal gyrus functional connectivity predicted memory performance. In contrast, in SCD, only a trend toward a correlation between memory performance and gray matter density in the parietooccipital lobes was observed. In our memory-clinic sample of SCD, we did not observe incipient neurodegeneration (limited to structural and functional MRI) but rather sub-clinical depression underlying subjective cognitive complaints. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The subject of the article's research is the improvement of structural methods of image classification in computer vision systems. The goal is to reduce computational costs for classification by implementing a device for decomposing image description components using a system of orthogonal functions and implementing feature space compression models. Applied methods: ORB key point detector, set theory apparatus and vector spaces, metric models for determining relevance to sets of multidimensional vectors, theory of orthogonal decomposition of vectors, elements of probability theory, software modeling. Obtained results: modifications of the image classification method based on the introduction of orthogonal data decomposition in vector space were developed, models were proposed for data compression in the transformed feature space, Tanimoto metric was introduced for image comparison, a threshold selection method was established for determining equivalent description components. The effectiveness of the developed modifications of the classifier depends on the selection of a subset of functions for decomposition, the metric for comparing descriptions, and the method of determining the equivalence threshold. The implementation of the apparatus of orthogonal functions not only reduced computational costs tenfold, but also ensured sufficiently high indicators of classification performance and interference resistance. The practical significance of the work is the construction of new models of the image classifier in the transformed space of features, confirmation of the functionality, speed and immunity of the proposed modifications on examples of images, the creation of a software application for the implementation of the developed classification methods in computer vision systems., Предметом досліджень статті є удосконалення структурних методів класифікації зображень у системах комп’ютерного зору. Метою є скорочення обчислювальних витрат на класифікацію шляхом впровадження апарату розкладання компонентів опису зображення за системою ортогональних функцій та впровадження моделей стиснення простору ознак. Застосовувані методи: детектор ключових точок ORB, апарат теорії множин і векторних просторів, метричні моделі для визначення релевантності щодо множин багатовимірних векторів, теорія ортогонального розкладення векторів, елементи теорії ймовірностей, програмне моделювання. Отримані результати: розроблено модифікації методу класифікації зображень на основі впровадження ортогонального розкладення даних у векторному просторі, запропоновано моделі для стиснення даних у трансформованому просторі ознак, введено метрику Танімото для зіставлення образів, встановлено спосіб вибору порогу для визначення еквівалентних компонентів опису. Результативність розроблених модифікацій класифікатора залежить від вибору підмножини функцій для розкладення, метрики для зіставлення описів, способу визначення порогу еквівалентності. Впровадженням апарату ортогональних функцій вдалося не тільки у десятки разів скоротити обчислювальні витрати, але і забезпечити достатньо високі показники результативності та завадостійкості класифікації. Практична значущість роботи – побудова нових моделей класифікатора зображень у трансформованому просторі ознак, підтвердження працездатності, швидкодії та завадостійкості запропонованих модифікацій на прикладах зображень, створення програмного застосунку для впровадження розроблених методів класифікації у системах комп’ютерного зору.

The environment we live in, and our lifestyle within this environment, can shape our cognitive health. We investigated whether sociodemographic, neighbourhood environment, and lifestyle variables can be used to predict cognitive health status in adults. Cross-sectional data from the AusDiab3 study, an Australian cohort study of adults (34–97 years) (n = 4141) was used. Cognitive function was measured using processing speed and memory tests, which were categorized into distinct classes using latent profile analysis. Sociodemographic variables, measures of the built and natural environment estimated using geographic information system data, and physical activity and sedentary behaviours were used as predictors. Machine learning was performed using gradient boosting machine, support vector machine, artificial neural network, and linear models. Sociodemographic variables predicted processing speed (r2 = 0.43) and memory (r2 = 0.20) with good accuracy. Lifestyle factors also accurately predicted processing speed (r2 = 0.29) but weakly predicted memory (r2 = 0.10). Neighbourhood and built environment factors were weak predictors of cognitive function. Sociodemographic (AUC = 0.84) and lifestyle (AUC = 0.78) factors also accurately classified cognitive classes. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables can predict cognitive function in adults. Machine learning tools are useful for population-level assessment of cognitive health status via readily available and easy-to-collect data.

Psychotic experiences are usually associated with major psychiatric disorders, but they also occur in about 5 % of the general healthy population. Because healthy people who have psychotic-like experiences (PLE) are at heightened risk of developing mental disorders, it is important to understand the cause of these symptoms. The present study aims to find support for the framework that abnormalities in connections of the brain (white matter) cause cognitive deficits, which in turn cause a proneness to PLE. To this end, we will look at the mediating quality of general intelligence and processing speed on the relationship between white matter and PLE (research question 1). The second goal of this study is to find out whether any specific white matter abnormalities are associated with PLE (research question 2). To investigate these questions, we will analyse the structural connectomes of 8185 participants sampled by the UK biobank using a cross-sectional design.

The worst performance rule (WPR) states that when reaction times are ranked from fastest to slowest and then correlated with intelligence test scores, the slowest reaction times predict participants' intelligence better than the mean or best reaction times. Previous research suggests that the size of the WPR effect may be moderated by the difficulty or g-loading of RT tasks. Because there is substantial variation in sample size, sample characteristics and trial numbers across the different studies, we aim to replicate the WPR in a large, heterogenous sample using a variety of RT task. Our main aim is to replicate that the size of the WPR effect varies systematically with the difficulty or g-loading of tasks.

This projects aims to investigating the interrelations between memory span and updating in working memory. It contains the code for the experiment as well as R scripts for data preparation and analysis. A summary of the results will be added later on.

This study aims to examine the underlying mechanism of the survival processing effect by manipulating processing duration.

This is a description and all the materials associated with the experiment comparing speed of language processing in older and younger adults. The manuscript was accepted for publication in Psychology and Aging journal. The experimental design, method, hypothesis, and analysis plan were pre-registered, see the Registrations tab on the top panel.

Both working memory capacity (WMC) and processing speed (PS) have been discussed as important covariates of individual differences in intelligence. Recent results indicated that especially latencies of ERP components associated with higher-order processing (P2, N2, and P3) may share up to 80% of variance with individual differences in intelligence. WMC has a similar predictive power and thus these two processes cannot explain individual differences in intelligence independently. The current study explores in how far individual differences in executive functions (EFs) may bridge the gap between WMC and PS as predictors of intelligence. We recruited 101 participants who completed three EF tasks – one for each of the three executive functions shifting, updating, and inhibition – while an EEG was recorded. Additionally, we assessed participants’ intelligence, WMC, and PS. Results showed that only variance of behavioral RTs consistent across manipulations in the EF tasks was related to WMC, PS, and intelligence. While P3 latencies were not associated with intelligence, they showed significant correlation with WMC and PS, and N1 latencies showed no correlation with any of the three covariates. The variance specific to the manipulations in EF tasks was small for both behavioral RTs and ERP latencies and showed no consistent correlations with each other or with any of the three covariates. We thus concluded that EF tasks capture mostly manipulation unspecific cognitive processes and thus EF related to the specific experimental manipulations cannot explain why WMC and PS are related predictors of individual differences in intelligence.

The ability to solve novel complex problems predicts success in a wide range of areas. Recent research suggests that the ability to cognitively segment complex problems into smaller parts constrains nonverbal reasoning in adults. This study aimed to test whether cognitively segmenting problems improves nonverbal reasoning performance for children as it does for adults. A total of 115 children aged 6–10 years completed two versions of a modified traditional matrix reasoning task in which demands on working memory, integration, and processing speed were minimised, such that the only significant requirement was to break each problem into its constituent parts. In one version of the task, participants were presented with a traditional 2×2 Matrix and asked to draw the missing matrix item into a response box below. In a second version, the problem was broken down into its component features across three separate cells, reducing the need for participants to segment the problem. As with adults, performance was better in the condition in which the problems were separated into component parts. Children with lower fluid intelligence did not benefit more in the separated condition than children with higher fluid intelligence, and there was no evidence that segmenting problems was more beneficial for younger than older children. This study demonstrates that cognitive segmentation is a critical component of complex problem-solving for children, as it is for adults. By forcing children to focus their attention on separate parts of a complex visual problem, their performance can be dramatically improved.

Characteristics of the neighbourhood environment, including the built and natural environment, area-level socio-economic status (SES) and air pollution, have been linked to cognitive health. However, most studies have focused on single neighbourhood characteristics and have not considered the extent to which the effects of environmental factors may interact. We examined the associations of measures of the neighbourhood built and natural environment, area-level SES and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) with two cognitive function domains (memory and processing speed), and the extent to which area-level SES and TRAP moderated the associations. We used cross-sectional data from the AusDiab3 study, an Australian cohort study of adults (mean age: 61 years) in 2011–12 (N = 4141) for which geocoded residential addresses were available. Spatial data were used to create composite indices of built environment complexity (population density, intersection density, non-commercial land use mix, commercial land use) and natural environment (parkland and blue spaces). Area-level SES was obtained from national census indices and TRAP was based on estimates of annual average levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Confounder-adjusted generalised additive mixed models were used to estimate the independent associations of the environmental measures with cognitive function and the moderating effects of area-level SES and TRAP. The positive associations between built environment complexity and memory were stronger in those living in areas with higher SES and lower NO2 concentrations. A positive association between the natural environment and memory was found only in those living in areas with lower NO2 concentrations and average or below-average SES. Built environment complexity and the natural environment were positively related to processing speed. Complex urban environments and access to nature may benefit cognitive health in ageing populations. For higher-order cognitive abilities, such as memory, these positive effects may be stronger in areas with lower levels of TRAP.

Background The management of cognitive impairment is an important goal in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). While cognitive rehabilitation has been proven to be effective in improving cognitive performance in MS, research in the elderly indicates a higher effectiveness of combined cognitive-motor rehabilitation. Here, we present the protocol of a randomised controlled clinical trial to assess whether a combined cognitive-motor telerehabilitation programme is more effective in improving working memory than only cognitive or motor training. Methods/design The CoMoTeMS-trial is a two-centre, randomised, controlled and blinded clinical trial. A total of 90 patients with MS will receive 12 weeks of either a combined cognitive-motor telerehabilitation programme or only cognitive or motor training. The primary outcome is a change in the digit span backwards. Secondary outcomes are other cognitive changes (Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis and Backward Corsi), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 6-Min Walk Test, 25-Foot Walk Test, 9-Hole Peg Test, anxiety and depression, fatigue, quality of life, cognitive and physical activity level, electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Discussion We hypothesise that the improvement in digit span backwards after 12 weeks of treatment will be significantly higher in the group treated with the combined cognitive-motor telerehabilitation programme, compared to the groups receiving only cognitive and only motor training. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05355389. Registered on 2 May 2022.

A lot of studies investigated near and far transfer effects of cognitive training (especially working memory training), but only few were carried out on children with mild intellectual disability. For this reason, we wanted to study the effects of computerised cognitive training (using virtual labyrinth) on cognitive functions of children with mild intellectual disability. We were particularly interested in its effects on executive functions and the related cognitive functions: shifting, verbal fluency, working memory, long-term memory and processing speed. Twenty-one fourth to ninth graders aged 10 to 19 participated, 11 in the experimental and 10 in the control group. The experimental group participated in 12 training sessions, each lasting 35 minutes. Intervention took place in groups, twice a week. The control group was passive and was not involved in any activities. Before and after trainings both groups were tested with selected neuropsychological tests and the CogState computer battery. The results showed that in the second wave, the experimental group considerably improved its results on several measurements of cognitive functions. Compared to the control group, experimental group showed significantly higher total gains on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT; total score and test IV score) and the Trail Making Test, Part A. The training therefore had the largest effect on the speed of processing visual information and verbal memory.

Recently, computer vision technology has become essential for the automatic, accurate, and fast classification of fruits. Actually, there are many challenges in separating the types of fruits that are somewhat similar, such as apples, pears, and peaches. However, the challenges become more difficult if the separation is on different varieties of the same fruit. While the difficulty doubles if the classification takes place with a large number of different varieties of the same fruit. Most of the literature which is presented in this regard, and which is relied on the use of machine learning techniques lacked the following: first; the focus was on certain technologies such as k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM) without looking at many other machine learning techniques. Second; the literature was concerned only with measuring the accuracy of the techniques that are used, without looking at the relationship between the accuracy and processing speed (computation times). This manuscript aims to study and analyze the results of measuring accuracy and computation times for ten machine-learning techniques in order to identify and classify thirteen types of apples. After studying and analyzing the results, many observations were made, which will be referred to in the results section.

ObjectiveThis study examined rates of objective cognitive and functional impairments and associations between cognitive performance and performance-based functional capacity in a well-characterized sample of adults experiencing homelessness.MethodsOne hundred participants completed a brief neuropsychological and functional capacity assessment and self-report questionnaires. Cognitive impairment rates were determined by comparing mean scores with published normative data, as well as by examining frequency of scores >1 SD below the mean. Pearson correlations were used to examine associations between cognitive and functional capacities.ResultsOverall, 65% of the study participants had scores in the cognitively impaired range on a brief cognitive screening test, 30% had impaired processing speed, and 11% met cognitive criteria for intellectual disability. Furthermore, 48% of the sample met functional impairment criteria, and poorer cognitive performance was strongly associated with poorer performance-based functional capacity (p

This research has two interrelated aims. The first aim of the research is to present the relationship between the Speed Based Verbal Reasoning (SBVR) subtest, which calculates reasoning speed by adjusting the Anadolu-Sak Intelligence Scale (ASIS) Verbal Reasoning (VR) subtest, and the CAS 2 intelligence scale and RIAS-2 intelligence scale speed subtests. The second aim of the research is to examine the reliability of the SBVR subtest, the item-total correlations and its relationship to the ASIS index scores. The research employed a correlational survey model and the study sample consisted of 211 students aged 6 to 7. The reliability of the SBVR subtest was found to be high (α =.84). However, we found that there is a small level relationship between SBVR and speed variables (rHDSAM-SPS =-.16, rHDSAM-PNM =.18, rHDSAM-ND =.21 and rHDSAM-SNT =.20), a moderate level (r =.35) relationship with the memory capacity index, and a moderate level (r=.31) and significant relationship with the nonverbal potential index. The research demonstrates the discrepancy between the reasoning speed and the perceptual speed., Bu çalışma birbiri ile bağlantılı iki amaca hizmet etmektedir. Araştırmanın ilk amacı, Anadolu-Sak Zekâ Ölçeği (ASİS) Sözel Analojik Muhakeme (SAM) alt testi puanlama yönteminin değiştirilmesiyle oluşturulan ve muhakeme hızını ölçen HDSAM alt testi ile CAS 2 zekâ ölçeği ve RIAS-2 zekâ ölçeğinin algı hızını ölçen alt testleri arasındaki ilişkiyi ortaya koymaktır. Araştırmanın ikinci amacı, HDSAM alt testinin güvenirliğini, madde-toplam korelasyonunu ve ASİS endeks puanlarıyla olan ilişkisini incelemektir. Araştırma ilişkisel tarama modeliyle desenlenmiş ve araştırmanın örneklemini 6 ile 7 yaş arasındaki 211 öğrenci oluşturmuştur. Araştırma bulgularına göre HDSAM alt testinin güvenirliğinin yüksek (α=.84) olduğu görülmüştür. Diğer taraftan HDSAM ile hız değişkenleri arasında küçük (rHDSAM-SPS=-.16, rHDSAM-PNM=.18, rHDSAM-ND=.21 ve rHDSAM-SNT=.20), bellek kapasitesi endeksi ile orta (r=.35), görsel potansiyel endeksi ile orta (r=.31) düzeyde anlamlı ilişki olduğu bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak araştırma, muhakeme hızıyla algı hızının farklılaştığını literatürdeki korelasyon araştırmaları çerçevesinde desteklemektedir.

We examined the joint effects of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)) and systemic inflammation (plasma C-reactive protein (CRP)) on longitudinal profiles of neurocognition in a cohort of 143 people with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy. Global neurocognition, processing speed, motor skills, and attention/working memory all worsened as CRP increased but only among PWH who, on average, exhibited moderate to severe depressive symptoms (BDI-II>22). Findings suggest that some PWH with chronically elevated depressive symptoms may have an inflammatory subtype of depression and a particular vulnerability to neurocognitive changes that may respond to drugs targeting inflammation or its neural sequelae.

Biomedicines : open acces journal 10(5), 1096 (2022). doi:10.3390/biomedicines10051096 special issue: "Special Issue "Crosstalk between Depression, Anxiety, Dementia, and Chronic Pain: Comorbidity in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry 2.0" / Special Issue Editors: Masaru Tanaka, Guest Editor; Norá Török, Guest Editor", Published by MDPI, Basel

Objective:To further investigate objective measures of cognitive fatigue (CF), defined as the inability to sustain performance over time, in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, by conducting a performance analysis on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) based on the type of errors (omissions vs. incorrect responses) committed.Method:Sixty-two newly diagnosed patients with MS (pwMS) and 41 healthy controls (HC) completed the PASAT. Analysis of the change in performance during the test was performed by comparing the number of correct responses, incorrect responses, and omissions in the 1st versus the 3rd tertile of the PASAT.Results:A significant decline in accuracy over time was observed to be related to an increment in the number of omissions, significantly more pronounced in pwMS than in HC. No change in the number of incorrect responses throughout the PASAT was observed for either group.Conclusions:CF can be detected even in newly diagnosed pwMS and might objectively manifest as a progressive increase in omissions during a sustained highly demanding task (i.e., PASAT). This pattern may reflect slowed processing speed and increased fatigue in pwMS. Focusing on omissions on the PASAT instead of correct responses only may improve its specificity as an objective measure of CF.

IntroductionProcessing speed and executive functioning are often impaired after stroke and in typical aging. However, there are no reliable neurological markers of these cognitive impairments. The trail making test (TMT) is a common index of processing speed and executive function. Here, we tested candidate MRI markers of TMT performance in a cohort of older adults and individuals with chronic stroke.MethodsIn 61 older adults and 32 individuals with chronic stroke, we indexed white matter structure with region-specific lesion load (WMH and stroke lesions) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) from four regions related to TMT performance: the anterior thalamic radiations (ATR), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), forceps minor, and cholinergic pathways. Regression modelling was used to identify the marker(s) that best predicted TMT performance.ResultsDTI metrics of the ATR predicted processing speed in both the older adult (TMT A: β=-3.431, padjustedR2=0.438, pConclusionsIn this comprehensive assessment of candidate imaging markers, we demonstrate an association between ATR microstructure and processing speed and executive function performance. Regional DTI metrics provided better predictors of cognitive performance than whole-brain lesion volumes or regional lesion load, emphasizing the importance of lesion location in understanding cognition. We propose ATR DTI metrics as novel candidate imaging biomarker of post-stroke cognitive impairment.

Bebeklikten yaşlılığa ilerleyen yaşam döngüsünde; bebeklik dönemindeki gelişimde günden güne artan hızlılık, yaşlılık döneminde günden güne artan yavaşlama söz konusudur. Bu, döngünün belirgin özellikleri arasındadır. Normal gelişim gösteren bireylerde beklenen, fiziksel gelişim ile zihinsel gelişim hızının paralel olmasıdır. Gelişimsel olarak süreçlerden birinde ortaya çıkan geri kalma ya da ileri olma bireyin tanılanmasını gerektirmektedir. Bireylerin gelişimsel olarak tanılanması ve değerlendirilmesinde tıbbi tanılama ve eğitsel tanılama devreye girmektedir. Tanılamada birçok değişken birlikte değerlendirilmektedir. Bu değişkenlerden biri olan zihinsel hız da hem tıbbi hem de eğitsel tanılamada incelenen ortak değişkenler arasındadır. Hız, bireyin uyarıcıyı alması ile başlayan süreçte, bilgiyi anlama ve buna tepki verme süresini ifade eder. Hız, sinirsel iletilerdeki tepki hızına bağlı olarak klinik yönden bilgi sunarken, zihinsel performans hızına bağlı değerlendirmelerde eğitsel yönden bilgi sunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada hız ile ilgili çalışmalar tarihsel süreç içerisinde incelenmiş ve karşılaşılan kavramsal çeşitlilik doğrultusunda ayırt edici hususlar üzerinde durulmuştur. Alanyazın taraması hız ile ilgili kullanılan kavramlar çerçevesinde yapılmış ve ilişkili araştırmalar temelinde tartışılmıştır. Çalışmalar, tarihsel olarak iki dönemde incelenmiş ve zekâ ile ilişkilendirildiği süreç bağlamında irdelenmiştir. Yakın dönem çalışmaları, işleme hızı kavramının daha geniş bir kullanım alanına sahip olduğu, zihinsel hız ve bilişsel hız kavramları ile yakın anlamlarda kullanıldığı sonuçlarını ortaya koymuştur. Hız ölçümüne yönelik çalışmalar temelinde ise araştırmacılara hız testlerinin özellikleri doğrultusunda öneriler sunulmuştur. Bu bağlamda çalışmanın, zihinsel performans hızı ölçümüne ilişkin kavramsal farklılıkların ayırt edilmesi bakımından, araştırmacı ve uygulayıcılar için önem taşıdığı söylenebilir., Throughout the lifespan, while development is increasing fast day by day in infancy, there is an increasing slowdown in old ages. This is essentially one of the evident features of the life cycle. Individuals with normal development are expected to be physically and mentally at a parallel developmental rate. In cases of developmental delay or superiority in one of the processes, the identification process of the individual begins. Medical diagnosis and educational diagnosis are necessary in the developmental identification and evaluation of individuals. Many variables are evaluated together in identification. Speed is among the common variables studied in both medical and educational diagnostics. Processing speed refers to the time it takes for the individual to understand the information and react in the process that begins with the receipt of the stimulus. While speed provides clinical information based on reaction time in neural transmissions, it provides educational information in assessments based on mental performance. In this study, the studies related to speed are examined in the historical process and the prominent issues in line with the conceptual diversity encountered are emphasized. The literature review was carried out within the framework of the concepts related to speed and it was discussed based on the relevant research. As a result of the reviews, the studies were examined in two historical periods and examined in the context of the process in which they were associated with intelligence. Recent studies have revealed that the concept of processing speed has a wider usage and is close to the concepts of mental speed and cognitive speed. On the basis of studies about measurement of speed, implications were presented to researchers in line with the characteristics of speed tests. In this context, it can be argued that this study is important for researchers and practitioners in terms of distinguishing conceptual differences related to measurement of mental performance speed.

BackgroundCongenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS) is characterized by central hypoventilation due to abnormal autonomic control of breathing and global dysautonomia. Patients harbour heterozygousPHOX-2Bgene mutations which are polyalanine repeats of various lengths in most of the cases. A few previous studies have reported learning difficulties and neuropsychological disorders in patients with CCHS. The aims of the present study were (1) to explore the intellectual abilities of a group of children with CCHS followed up in the centre of reference for CCHS in France using the Wechsler batteries of tests, (2) and to assess whether there was any association between CCHS characteristics and various domains of the intellectual functioning.ResultsThere were 34 consecutive patients (15 males, 19 females) of mean (SD) age of 7.8 (3.8) years, ranging from 4 to 16 years and 6 months. Mean score of full-scale intelligence quotient was 82 (20), being in the low average range. Indexes of working memory and processing speed were significantly lower as compared to the other Wechsler indexes. There were two important findings: (1) full-scale intelligence quotient as well as indexes of verbal comprehension and processing speed were significantly greater in patients with mask ventilation than in those with tracheostomy ventilation (p = 0.012, 0.032 and 0.042 respectively); (2) most interestingly, in the patients with polyalanine repeats mutations, all intellectual indexes negatively correlated with the number of polyalanine expansion, with statistical significance reached for indexes of fluid reasoning and working memory (R = − 0.449,p = 0.032 andR = − 0.562,p = 0.012 respectively).ConclusionsCCHS increased the risk to develop neurocognitive deficiencies, affecting particularly speed of processing and working memory. Our results suggested that both genetics and ventilation method could be also involved in the physiopathology of neurocognitive impairment. Further investigations were required to untangle the complex underlying processes. Neurocognitive assessments should be performed regularly in children with CCHS in order to plan re-education programs, adapt school integration and improve quality of life.

Visual working memory for features and bindings is susceptible to age-related decline. Two experiments were used to examine whether older adults are able to strategically prioritise more valuable information in working memory and whether this could reduce age-related impairments. Younger (18–33 years) and older (60–90 years) adults were presented with coloured shapes and, following a brief delay, asked to recall the feature that had accompanied the probe item. In Experiment 1, participants were either asked to prioritise a more valuable object in the array (serial position 1, 2, or 3) or to treat them all equally. Older adults exhibited worse overall memory performance but were as able as younger adults to prioritise objects. In both groups, this ability was particularly apparent at the middle serial position. Experiment 2 then explored whether younger and older adults’ prioritisation is affected by presentation time. Replicating Experiment 1, older adults were able to prioritise the more valuable object in working memory, showing equivalent benefits and costs as younger adults. However, processing speed, as indexed by presentation time, was shown not to limit strategic prioritisation in either age group. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that, although older adults have poorer visual working memory overall, the ability to strategically direct attention to more valuable items in working memory is preserved across ageing.

The problems of speed and accuracy are typical in the theory and practice of optimal control, and the requirement for the technology of minimum deviation from a given motion is often more important than speed. The search for controls that ensure the accuracy of reproducing the trajectory of motion for a given time of the transient process is considered. The Pontryagin maximum principle is used as the main method. It is supplemented for the study of special situations without analyzing auxiliary variables by the state commonness conditions (SCC) for nonlinear systems in extended coordinate space, taking into account an object, a criterion nonlinear in coordinate deviations, and an explicit occurrence of time. To expand the control algorithms, the elements of the vectors that affect the execution of the SCC are investigated. The transition time is determined by the parameter introduced into the integral criterion of accuracy, which characterizes the rate of change of coordinates. An example of a transition to the origin of coordinates of an object with two series-connected integrators with a criterion that takes into account the accuracy and time of the transition is considered. With the help of SCC, new control algorithms and structures of closed systems are obtained. Relationships between the regulation time parameter and the initial conditions for coordinates are determined. Taking into account the constraint on the control, the conditions for realizing the continuous special control and / or sliding mode are obtained. Analytical materials are confirmed by the results of system modeling. The results of the work can be used for control, including nonlinear objects, in robotics, thermal processes (furnaces, autoclaves, intermittent heating control in buildings).

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of social network size and loneliness with cognitive performance and -decline in depressed older adults.METHOD: A sample of 378 older adults [70.7 (7.4) years] with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnosis of current depressive disorder were recruited from primary care and specialized mental health care. Cognitive performance was assessed at baseline and 2 years follow-up with the Stroop colored-word test, a modified version of the Auditory Verbal Learning Task and the Digit Span subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, encompassing four cognitive domains; processing speed, interference control, memory, and working memory. Social network size was assessed with the Close Person Inventory and loneliness with the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale at baseline.RESULTS: After adjusting for baseline working memory performance, loneliness was associated with impaired working memory after 2 years [B = -0.08 (-0.17 to 0.00)]. This association was no longer significant after adjusting for age, sex, education level, physical activity, alcohol use and depressive symptom severity [B = -0.07 (-0.16 to 0.03)]. A backward elimination procedure revealed education level to be the only covariable to explain this association. Loneliness was not associated with impairments or decline in other cognitive domains. Social network size was not associated with cognitive impairments or decline.CONCLUSION: Social network size and loneliness do not predict cognitive decline in depressed older adults.

The mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment are incompletely understood but may include arterial stiffness and microvascular dysfunction. In the population-based Maastricht Study, we investigated the association between arterial stiffness and cognitive performance, and whether any such association was mediated by microvascular dysfunction. We included cross-sectional data of 2544 participants (age, 59.7 years; 51.0% men; 26.0% type 2 diabetes mellitus). We used carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and carotid distensibility coefficient as measures of aortic and carotid stiffness, respectively. We calculated a composite score of microvascular dysfunction based on magnetic resonance imaging features of cerebral small vessel disease, flicker light-induced retinal arteriolar and venular dilation response, albuminuria, and plasma biomarkers of microvascular dysfunction (sICAM-1 [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1], sVCAM-1 [soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1], sE-selectin [soluble E-selectin], and vWF [von Willebrand factor]). Cognitive domains assessed were memory, processing speed, and executive function. A cognitive function score was calculated as the average of these domains. Higher aortic stiffness (per m/s) was associated with lower cognitive function (β, −0.018 SD [95% CI, −0.036 to −0.000]) independent of age, sex, education, and cardiovascular risk factors, but higher carotid stiffness was not. Higher aortic stiffness (per m/s) was associated with a higher microvascular dysfunction score (β, 0.034 SD [95% CI, 0.014 to 0.053]), and a higher microvascular dysfunction score (per SD) was associated with lower cognitive function (β, −0.089 SD [95% CI, −0.124 to −0.053]). Microvascular dysfunction significantly explained 16.2% of the total effect of aortic stiffness on cognitive function. The present study showed that aortic stiffness, but not carotid stiffness, is independently associated with worse cognitive performance, and that this association is in part explained by microvascular dysfunction.

Gray matter networks (GMn) provide essential information on the intrinsic organization of the brain and appear to be disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Apolipoprotein E (APOE)-ε4 represents the major genetic risk factor for AD, yet the association between APOE-ε4 and GMn has remained unexplored. Here, we determine the impact of APOE-ε4 on GMn in a large sample of cognitively unimpaired individuals, which was enriched for the genetic risk of AD. We used independent component analysis to retrieve sources of structural covariance and analyzed APOE group differences within and between networks. Analyses were repeated in a subsample of amyloid-negative subjects. Compared with noncarriers and heterozygotes, APOE-ε4 homozygotes showed increased covariance in one network including primarily right-lateralized, parietal, inferior frontal, as well as inferior and middle temporal regions, which mirrored the formerly described AD-signature. This result was confirmed in a subsample of amyloid-negative individuals. APOE-ε4 carriers showed reduced covariance between two networks encompassing frontal and temporal regions, which constitute preferential target of amyloid deposition. Our data indicate that, in asymptomatic individuals, APOE-ε4 shapes the cerebral organization in a way that recapitulates focal morphometric alterations observed in AD patients, even in absence of amyloid pathology. This suggests that structural vulnerability in neuronal networks associated with APOE-ε4 may be an early event in AD pathogenesis, possibly upstream of amyloid deposition.

Background Cognitive impairment is a frequent nonmotor symptom of Parkinson's disease. Depending on severity, patients are considered to have mild cognitive impairment or dementia. However, among the cognitively intact patients, some may have deficits in a less severe range. The early detection of such subtle symptoms may be important for the initiation of care strategies. Objective To identify imaging markers of early cognitive symptoms, potentially before usual signs, such as atrophy, become manifest. Methods A total of 102 patients with Parkinson's disease and 17 age-matched cognitively intact healthy controls underwent extensive neuropsychological assessment and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Parkinson's disease patients were separated into 3 groups according to their cognitive status: intact, with slight slowing, and with mild deficits in executive functions. Texture features as measured by first-order and second-order statistics were computed in the following 6 brain regions: the hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala, putamen, caudate nucleus, and pallidum. They were tested between the groups, and their correlation with cognition was examined. Volumetric measurements were made for comparison. Results Texture analysis showed significant between-group differences for 2 features-skewness and entropy in the hippocampus, the thalamus, and the amygdala-and the volume analysis revealed no between-group difference. These features were significantly correlated with cognitive performance. Conclusion These results support the assumption that signal alterations associated with Parkinson's disease-related cognitive decline can be captured very early by texture analysis. As these changes appear to reflect clinical phenomena, texture analysis may be a promising marker for helping cognitive phenotyping in Parkinson's disease. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Background The ageing process is characterized by declines in physical and cognitive function. However, the relationship between these trajectories remains a topic of investigation. Methods Using four data waves collected triennially between ages 70 and 79, we tested for associations between multiple cognitive ability domains (verbal memory, processing speed, and visuospatial ability) and physical functions (walking speed, grip strength, and lung function). We first tested for associations between linear declines in physical and cognitive functions over the entire 9-year study period, and then, for lead-lag coupling effects between 3-year changes in cognitive and physical functions. Results Steeper linear decline in walking speed was moderately correlated with steeper linear declines in each cognitive domain. Steeper linear decline in grip strength was moderately correlated with steeper linear declines in verbal memory and processing speed. Lead-lag coupling models showed that decline in verbal memory was preceded by declines in walking speed and grip strength. By contrast, decline in grip strength was preceded by declines in processing speed and visuospatial ability, and decline in walking speed was preceded by decline in visuospatial ability. Following additional adjustment for covariates, only coupling effects from earlier decline in processing speed to later decline in grip strength remained significant (β = 0.545, p = .006). Conclusion Our findings provide further evidence of an association between cognitive and physical declines and point to the potential order in which these changes occur. Decline in processing speed in particular may serve as a unique early marker of declining upper body strength.

Background The decline of cognitive processing speed (CPS) is a common dysfunction in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is widely used to formally quantify CPS. We implemented a variant of the SDMT in MS sherpa, a smartphone app for persons with MS. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the construct validity and test-retest reliability of the MS sherpa smartphone variant of the SDMT (sSDMT). Methods We performed a validation study with 25 persons with relapsing-remitting MS and 79 healthy control (HC) subjects. In the HC group, 21 subjects were matched to the persons with MS with regard to age, gender, and education and they followed the same assessment schedule as the persons with MS (the “HC matched” group) and 58 subjects had a less intense assessment schedule to determine reference values (the “HC normative” group). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were determined between the paper-and-pencil SDMT and its smartphone variant (sSDMT) on 2 occasions, 4 weeks apart. Other ICCs were determined for test-retest reliability, which were derived from 10 smartphone tests per study participant, with 3 days in between each test. Seven study participants with MS were interviewed regarding their experiences with the sSDMT. Results The SDMT scores were on average 12.06% higher than the sSDMT scores, with a standard deviation of 10.68%. An ICC of 0.838 was found for the construct validity of the sSDMT in the combined analysis of persons with MS and HC subjects. Average ICCs for test-retest reliability of the sSDMT for persons with MS, the HC matched group, and the HC normative group were 0.874, 0.857, and 0.867, respectively. The practice effect was significant between the first and the second test of the persons with MS and the HC matched group and trivial for all other test-retests. The interviewed study participants expressed a positive attitude toward the sSDMT, but they also discussed the importance of adapting a smartphone cognition test in accordance with the needs of the individual persons with MS. Conclusions The high correlation between sSDMT and the conventional SDMT scores indicates a very good construct validity. Similarly, high correlations underpin a very good test-retest reliability of the sSDMT. We conclude that the sSDMT has the potential to be used as a tool to monitor CPS in persons with MS, both in clinical studies and in clinical practice.

Los procesos cognitivos medidos mediante la prueba WISC-IV que con más frecuencia se han relacionado con el TDAH son la memoria de trabajo y la velocidad de procesamiento. Sin embargo, existe controversia sobre la existencia de un perfil cognitivo para el TDAH según su presentación sea inatenta o combinada. El primer objetivo fue corroborar si existen para nuestra muestra correlaciones entre el perfil cognitivo obtenido a través del WISC-IV. El segundo, discernir entre las diferentes presentaciones clínicas. Para ello se seleccionó un grupo control compuesto por 31 sujetos y otro clínico compuesto por 95 sujetos diagnosticados de TDAH. En comparación con el grupo control, el grupo clínico presentó resultados significativamente más bajos en los índices coeficiente intelectual total, memoria de trabajo y velocidad de procesamiento. Por otra parte, el grupo clínico presentó puntuaciones en el índice de capacidad general significativamente superior a las del índice de competencia cognitiva. Work memory and processing speed evaluated through WISC-IV as keys in the evaluation of ADHD. The cognitive processes that are measured by the scale WISC-IV, which has most often been related to ADHD, Working Memory and Processing Speed. However, there is some controversy concerning the existence of a cognitive profile for ADHD that is related to whether its presentation is of the inattentive type or the combined type. The primary aim of this study was to corroborate whether there are correlations between the cognitive profile obtained through WISC-IV for our sample. The secondary aim of this study was to determine whether that profile allows to discern between the different clinical presentations by using a control group composed of 31 subjects and a clinical group consisting of 95 subjects diagnosed with ADHD. Compared to the control group, the clinical group presented significantly lower results in Intelligence Quotient, Working Memory Index and Processing speed Index. Finally, the clinical group presented scores for the General Capacity Index that were significantly higher than for the Cognitive Competency Index.

En el último tiempo se ha estudiado la relación del trastorno específico de lenguaje con algunas funciones cognitivas como memoria, atención y funcionamiento ejecutivo, pero pocos estudios en español han investigado la relación de variables psicológicas y lingüísticas en su conjunto. El objetivo de este estudio fue observar la relación entre aspectos cognitivos y lingüísticos, abordando los problemas gramaticales del trastorno específico de lenguaje, específicamente la comprensión morfológica de verbos y el tiempo de reacción en el procesamiento de tales tareas. Los participantes fueron niños y niñas hispanohablantes monolingües con diagnóstico de TEL en el periodo preescolar y un grupo control. A través de un diseño experimental se midió el tiempo de respuesta y la cantidad de aciertos go/no go en el procesamiento de aspectos morfológicos verbales. Tales medidas se relacionaron con el uso de algunas covariables como la inhibición conductual en una tarea no verbal, la velocidad de denominación a nivel de producción lingüística y la memoria de trabajo visual, a partir de una evaluación neuropsicológica. Los resultados mostraron que los niños con TEL se demoraron más tiempo en la identificación de verbos irregulares en comparación con los verbos regulares y un mayor tiempo en la identificación de verbos en tiempo pretérito perfecto simple que verbos en tiempo presente, en comparación con el grupo control. En cuanto al control inhibitorio, los niños con TEL obtuvieron una mayor tasa de errores en tareas de inhibición en comparación con el grupo control y mayor tasa de errores en la comprensión de ambos tipos de verbos y ambos tiempos verbales., In recent times the relationship of Specific Language Disorder with some cognitive functions such as memory, attention and executive functioning has been studied, but few studies in Spanish have investigated the relationship of psychological and linguistic variables as a whole The objective of this study was to observe the relationship between cognitive and linguistic aspects, addressing the grammatical problems of Specific Language Disorder, specifically the morphological comprehension of verbs and the reaction time in the processing of such tasks. The participants were monolingual Spanish-speaking boys and girls with a diagnosis of SLI in the preschool period and a control group. Through an experimental design, the response time and the number of hits go / no go in the processing of verbal morphological aspects were measured. Such measures were related to the use other variables such us behavioral inhibition in a non-verbal task, speed of naming at the level of linguistic production and visual working memory from a neuropsychological evaluation. The results showed that children with SLI spent more time in identifying irregular verbs compared to regular verbs and a longer time in the identification of verbs in simple past tense compared to the control group. In terms of inhibitory control, children with SLI had a higher rate of errors in tasks of inhibition compared to the control group and a higher rate of errors in the comprehension of both types of verbs and both verbal tenses.