5,140 research outputs found
Visuo-spatial working memory and ageing: behavioural, psychophysiological and hemodynamic correlates
No full textWorking memory is a fundamental function that allows one to perform everyday actions, being involved in academics, professional and social lives. It is negatively influenced by aging. But despite large number of studies, less is know about the visuo-spatial store. In order to better understand this change three studies were carried out, two with healthy participants and one with Parkinson’s disease patients. The participants performed a visuo-spatial n back task with low and high cognitive load conditions as well as a control one. In the first one the behavioural data of participants aged from 20 to 80 years was collected in order to better understand the aging process, in particular to see when it starts to become visible and to observe if the cognitive reserve had a positive influence on it. In the second one behavioural, hemodynamic and electrophysiological data was collected from adult and elderly participants, with the same educational level and cognitive reserve. In the last one, behavioural data from a Parkinson’s group on medication was collected and they were paired with control participants; the groups had high educational level and cognitive reserve in order to see if these prevent cognitive decline. The results of the first study showed that reaction time started to decrease before accuracy (34 vs 57) and that ageing has a negative effect on both; in reaction time ageing showed an interaction with the high cognitive load condition. Cognitive reserve due to educational level had positive effects on both and the total cognitive reserve score was a positive factor on accuracy results. In the second study, healthy aging impaired both the selection of response and the working memory processes: inhibition, updating and maintenance. On the other hand, in the elderly group compensation was found in the attention process. Those changes were visible in behavioural, hemodynamic and electrophysiological correlates. In the last one, the patients showed no difference in behavioural results from the control group, showing that total cognitive reserve and cognitive reserve due to work had a positive effect on this. Visuo-spatial working memory is negatively affected by aging, but cognitive reserve and educational level can prevent this effect
sj-tif-1-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 – Supplemental material for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment
No full textSupplemental material, sj-tif-1-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment by Alberto Biscontin, Lisa Zarantonello, Antonella Russo, Rodolfo Costa and Sara Montagnese in Journal of Biological Rhythms</p
sj-xlsx-6-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 – Supplemental material for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment
No full textSupplemental material, sj-xlsx-6-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment by Alberto Biscontin, Lisa Zarantonello, Antonella Russo, Rodolfo Costa and Sara Montagnese in Journal of Biological Rhythms</p
sj-xlsx-3-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 – Supplemental material for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment
No full textSupplemental material, sj-xlsx-3-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment by Alberto Biscontin, Lisa Zarantonello, Antonella Russo, Rodolfo Costa and Sara Montagnese in Journal of Biological Rhythms</p
sj-tif-2-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 – Supplemental material for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment
No full textSupplemental material, sj-tif-2-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment by Alberto Biscontin, Lisa Zarantonello, Antonella Russo, Rodolfo Costa and Sara Montagnese in Journal of Biological Rhythms</p
sj-xlsx-5-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 – Supplemental material for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment
No full textSupplemental material, sj-xlsx-5-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment by Alberto Biscontin, Lisa Zarantonello, Antonella Russo, Rodolfo Costa and Sara Montagnese in Journal of Biological Rhythms</p
sj-xlsx-4-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 – Supplemental material for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment
No full textSupplemental material, sj-xlsx-4-jbr-10.1177_07487304221099365 for Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment by Alberto Biscontin, Lisa Zarantonello, Antonella Russo, Rodolfo Costa and Sara Montagnese in Journal of Biological Rhythms</p
Driving simulator performance worsens after the Spring transition to Daylight Saving Time
No full textCircadian desynchrony and sleep deprivation related to the Spring transition to Daylight Saving Time (DST) have been associated with several unfavorable outcomes, including an increase in road traffic accidents. As previous work has mainly focused on analyzing historical crash/hospitalization data, there is virtually no literature investigating the effects of DST on specific driving performance indicators. Here, the effect of the Spring transition to DST on driving performance was investigated by means of a driving simulator experiment, in which participants completed two trials (one week distance, same time and day of the week) on exactly the same simulated route, the second trial taking place in the week after the transition to DST. Results were compared to those of a control group (who also underwent two trials, both before the DST transition), and documented significant worsening of driving performance after DST, as measured by a comprehensive set of simulator-derived indices
Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy: More Than Meets the Eye
No full textIntroduction: We aimed to assess the reliability of a qualitative approach to overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) diagnosis compared with the semiquantitative, and recommended one. Methods: The above 2 methods were compared in 411 outpatients (71% males, 60 ± 10 years, model for end-stage liver disease 13.5 ± 5.0). Results: Of the 73 patients with OHE on quantitative assessment, 19 (26%) were missed on qualitative assessment, with no difference in the likelihood of the physician missing grades II or III. Sixty-eight (20%) of the 270 patients with no OHE on quantitative assessment were wrongly qualified as having OHE. Discussion: Qualitative clinical evaluation of OHE is not reliable, and recommendations should be followed
Toward a Molecular Approach to Chronotype Assessment
No full text: The aim of the present study was to develop a Polygenic Score-based model for molecular chronotype assessment. Questionnaire-based phenotypical chronotype assessment was used as a reference. In total, 54 extremely morning/morning (MM/M; 35 females, 39.7 ± 3.8 years) and 44 extremely evening/evening (EE/E; 20 females, 27.3 ± 7.7 years) individuals donated a buccal DNA sample for genotyping by sequencing of the entire genetic variability of 19 target genes known to be involved in circadian rhythmicity and/or sleep duration. Targeted genotyping was performed using the single primer enrichment technology and a specifically designed panel of 5526 primers. Among 2868 high-quality polymorphisms, a cross-validation approach lead to the identification of 83 chronotype predictive variants, including previously known and also novel chronotype-associated polymorphisms. A large (35 single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) and also a small (13 SNPs) panel were obtained, both with an estimated predictive validity of approximately 80%. Potential mechanistic hypotheses for the role of some of the newly identified variants in modulating chronotype are formulated. Once validated in independent populations encompassing the whole range of chronotypes, the identified panels might become useful within the setting of both circadian public health initiatives and precision medicine
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