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AbstractOver the past three years, conflicting evidence has emerged regarding the impact of COVID-19 on executive functions and the frontal lobe. In this study, we evaluated executive functions in individuals from the state of Jalisco who had contracted COVID-19. Sixty individuals with a history of mild COVID-19 were included and compared to historical controls from the Mexican population, who had been assessed prior to the pandemic during the validation of the Trail Making Test Form B, the Stroop Color and Word Test, and the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST). The post-infection group exhibited lower scores only on the M-WCST. Therefore, we concluded that individuals who have recovered from mild COVID-19 do not display widespread impairments in executive functions, with the exception of deficits observed on the M-WCST. This suggests possible neurophysiological alterations in the prefrontal cortex during SARS-CoV-2 infection, given that cognitive flexibility is primarily mediated in this region. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence indicating that even non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients can experience executive function deficits, providing a foundation for further neurophysiological research into the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article comprehensively reviews existing literature about the consequences of social isolation after the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and cognition. The objective is to provide useful information that will help to identify the lack of data on some side effects post-pandemic. In addition, the aim is to advocate for research, which leads to evidence of these abnormalities. A search was performed in the databases Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science, from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the present. The terms used were COVID-19, isolation, cognition, remote care, mental health, age, and technology. Finally, 51 articles were selected that coincided with the terms, objectives that were relevant to the work. In addition, the articles met the methodological and validity criteria provided by the databases. Some studies were found that report various degrees of affectation in brain functions in subjects who remained isolated during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 pandemic, whether they have been infected or not. From the analysis of the distinct studies, notable differences between countries according to their economic resources, housing conditions, age, the existence of comorbidities, and emerging intervention tools such as remote care, were some of the main factors that influenced the coping strategies of individuals who were confined. Furthermore, it is evident that there remains a critical need for research employing standardized and specialized neuropsychological tests to measure cognition accurately. In the same way, investigating the effectiveness of current intervention strategies and designing those that are appropriate for each population, given the specific characteristics of the comorbidity caused by the extraordinary situation experienced by the COVID-19 pandemic. El presente artículo revisa lo descrito hasta la fecha acerca de las consecuencias del aislamiento social tras la pandemia por COVID-19 en la salud mental y la cognición, con la finalidad de proporcionar un bagaje de información útil en el encauce de acciones para la identificación de los posibles huecos en la información y la elaboración de investigaciones que ayuden a esclarecer las interrogantes aún existentes. Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, del inicio de la pandemia por COVID-19 a la actualidad, utilizando los términos COVID-19, aislamiento, cognición, atención remota, salud mental, edad y tecnologia. Finalmente se seleccionaron 51 artículos que coincidían con los términos, objetivo y resultaban relevantes para nuestra revisión. Los hallazgos demuestran que el daño cerebral posterior a síndrome respiratorio agudo por coronavirus tipo 2, las implicaciones en la anatomía del SN por el aislamiento, la edad, diferencias entre países, los recursos económicos, las condiciones en la vivienda y las herramientas emergentes de intervención como la atención remota, son algunos de los factores que se destacaron en los estudios. Todavía falta la implementación de investigaciones que midan la cognición con pruebas neuropsicológicas estandarizadas y especializadas. Así mismo, falta por analizar exhaustivamente la aplicabilidad de estrategias de intervención ya existentes y diseñar intervenciones adecuadas a cada población dadas las características específicas de los daños causados por la situación extraordinaria vivida por la pandemia por COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognition is a set of brain processes that allow the individual to interact with their environment. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the cerebral white matter of the brain cortex and spinal cord, leading to cognitive impairment (CI) in 40–60% of the patients. Many studies have determined that CI is linked to genetic risk factors. We aimed to evaluate the association between BDNF gene rs6265 polymorphism and cognitive impairment in Mexican patients with MS by performing a case–control study. Mestizo-Mexican patients diagnosed with MS based on McDonald's criteria were enrolled. Cases were MS patients with CI (n = 31) while controls were MS patients without CI (n = 31). To measure cognitive functioning in MS patients, a neuropsychological screening battery for MS (NSB-MS) was used. Genotyping of the rs6265 gene variant was performed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) with TaqMan probes. The results showed no statistically significant differences in sociodemographic and disease variables between case and control groups. qPCR analysis showed that there were 68% Val/Val wild-type homozygotes, 29% Val/Met polymorphic heterozygotes, and 3% Met/Met polymorphic homozygotes. The presence of BDNF gene rs6265 polymorphism showed an increased probability (3.6 times) of global cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, more than 700 thousand people die from this cause. Therefore, suicide is a public health issue. The complex interaction between different factors causes suicide; however, depression is one of the most frequent factors in people who have attempted suicide. Several studies have reported that vitamin D deficiency may be a relevant risk factor for depression, and vitamin D supplementation has shown promising effects in the adjunctive treatment of this mood disorder. Among the beneficial mechanisms of vitamin D, it has been proposed that it may enhance serotonin synthesis and modulate proinflammatory cytokines since low serotonin levels and systemic inflammation have been associated with depression and suicide. The present narrative review shows the potential pathogenic role of vitamin D deficiency in depression and suicide and the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation to reduce their risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at high rates, even bidirectionally, yet no studies to date have investigated IPV among LGBT individuals in Latin America. Thus, this study explored discrimination and IPV victimization and perpetration among LGBT individuals in Latin America. Participants (N = 99) were recruited for this online, cross-sectional survey via convenience sampling and completed measures of LGBT discrimination and lifetime IPV victimization and perpetration. Results indicated that 60.61% of the sample reported at least one form of IPV victimization at some point in their life, and 56.57% reported at least one form of perpetration. Psychological aggression was the most common type of IPV victimization and perpetration. Physical assault victimization was positively correlated with work/school heterosexism. Perpetration and victimization of physical assault, psychological aggression, and sexual coercion were correlated with the "other" heterosexism subscale. Cluster analysis revealed a three-cluster solution: participants in Cluster 1 were high in IPV victimization and perpetration; Cluster 2 participants were low in IPV victimization and perpetration; and Cluster 3 participants were moderate on psychological aggression perpetration and victimization, but low on the other three forms of IPV. Cluster 1 participants had a higher score for the "other" heterosexism subscale than Cluster 2. This study highlights the need to address certain aspects of IPV, such as bidirectionality, in clinical encounters such as safety planning. Future research should examine the role of Latinx identity in LGBT individuals' experiences of discrimination and IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research from high-income countries on substance use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults is growing; however, limited empirical research exists on LGBT adults in Mexico. Filling this gap is critical as LGBT adults experience unique stressors that may place them at risk for substance use-related health outcomes. Objectives: This study sought to characterize substance use prevalence and magnitude among a convenience sample of Mexican LGBT adults. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a sample of Spanish-speaking, self-identified LGBT adults (n = 92) residing in Mexico who were recruited through online forums of LGBT-focused organizations. Descriptive and frequency analyses were conducted. Results: Participants predominantly identified as cisgender men (n = 44) and gay/lesbian (n = 68). Participants reported high rates of past 90-day legal substance use (>93% for alcohol and >57% for tobacco). The most commonly reported illicit drug used in the past 90 days was marijuana (>29%). Conclusions: While the sample reported lower prevalence and magnitude of substance use relative to other Mexican or United States LGBT samples, the findings highlight that legal and illicit substance use presents health risks for Mexican LGBT individuals. LGBT identity-affirming substance use treatment may reduce substance use-related health burden among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is an information processing speed test. The aim of this study was to compare the SDMT across three samples: the USA, Mexico, and Argentina. The hypothesis is that performance will vary based on native language and cultural differences between these countries. The SDMT was administered to 129 healthy volunteers. Participants from the USA performed better than participants from Argentina and Mexico (p < .01), and no differences were observed between the latter groups (p = .15). Processing speed differs between the studied populations of Latin America and Anglo-America. Possible interpretations of this result are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of low scores for two neuropsychological tests with five total scores that evaluate learning and memory functions. Method: N = 5402 healthy adults from 11 countries in Latin America and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico were administered the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT-R). Two-thirds of the participants were women, and the average age was 53.5 ± 20.0 years. Z -scores were calculated for ROCF Copy and Memory scores and HVLT-R Total Recall, Delayed Recall, and Recognition scores, adjusting for age, age2, sex, education, and interaction variables if significant for the given country. Each Z -score was converted to a percentile for each of the five subtest scores. Each participant was categorized based on his/her number of low scoring tests in specific percentile cutoff groups (25th, 16th, 10th, 5th, and 2nd). Results: Between 57.3% (El Salvador) and 64.6% (Bolivia) of the sample scored below the 25th percentile on at least one of the five scores. Between 27.1% (El Salvador) and 33.9% (Puerto Rico) scored below the 10th percentile on at least one of the five subtests. Between 5.9% (Chile, El Salvador, Peru) and 10.3% (Argentina) scored below the 2nd percentile on at least one of the five scores. Conclusions: Results are consistent with other studies that found that low scores are common when multiple neuropsychological outcomes are evaluated in healthy individuals. Clinicians should consider the higher probability of low scores when evaluating learning and memory using various sets of scores to reduce false-positive diagnoses of cognitive deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Memory impairments commonly afflict individuals with MS. While evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation treatments are available in English, the lack of such interventions in Spanish is an important barrier to care for Hispanics with MS. There is class I evidence that the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) improves learning in English. This intervention has been translated and adapted into Spanish. OBJECTIVE: To examine the preliminary efficacy of the Spanish mSMT to improve learning in Mexicans with MS. METHODS: Twenty individuals with relapsing-remitting MS were randomized to treatment (n = 10) or placebo control (n = 10) groups. The Spanish mSMT is a 10-session intervention that teaches imagery and context to facilitate learning. The control condition was matched to the treatment condition in treatment duration, and stimulus content and presentation. Participants completed baseline and post-treatment neuropsychological assessments. RESULTS: Individuals who received the Spanish mSMT showed significant improvements in learning and life satisfaction relative to the control group. Also observed were a near-moderate effect size on perceived memory complaints and a moderate-to-large effect size on the family's perception of the patient's competency. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish mSMT showed preliminary efficacy in improving learning deficits in Mexicans with MS, and such improvements may extend to other domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) rates are increasing in Latin America, and caregiving for an individual with MS is associated with poorer mental and physical health outcomes. No existing research has examined the relation between mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in MS caregivers in Latin America. Methods: The present study examined the association between mental health (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and HRQOL (36-item Short Form Health Status Survey) in 81 Mexican MS caregivers. Results: A canonical correlation analysis uncovered a large, significant overall association between mental health and HRQOL, with 52.7% of the variance shared between the two sets of constructs. When individual canonical loadings were examined in this analysis, the most substantial pattern that emerged was between depression and general health. Four regressions controlling for demographic variables found that HRQOL uniquely accounted for 19.0% of the variance in caregiver anxiety, 32.5% in depression, 13.5% in satisfaction with life, and 14.3% in self-esteem. Conclusions: These findings demonstrated a strong association between HRQOL and mental health, which points to directions for future studies on interventions for MS caregivers, particularly in Mexican and other Latino populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of perceived ethical misconduct in the practice of neuropsychology in Mexico. Method: One hundred fourteen psychologists answered a survey which assessed perceptions of ethical misconduct in four areas of professional practice in the field of neuropsychology. Results: The area of professional training contained the highest percentage of perception of ethical misconduct, followed by research and publications, clinical care, and professional relationships. Conclusion: The high frequency of ethical misconduct perceived by neuropsychology professionals in Mexico is a cause for concern. The results suggest the need to create and implement a system to make sure that professionals follow the ethics standards required by the profession, and to provide consequences for those who fail to do so. The profession of neuropsychology and training of professionals in the field must be regularized in the country, to reduce the frequency of future ethical misconducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]