Nonverbal Semantics Test (NVST)—A Novel Diagnostic Tool to Assess Semantic Processing Deficits: Application to Persons with Aphasia after Cerebrovascular Accident

Assessment of semantic processing capacities often relies on verbal tasks which are, however, sensitive to impairments at several language processing levels. Especially for persons with aphasia there is a strong need for a tool that measures semantic processing skills independent of verbal abilities. Furthermore, in order to assess a patient’s potential for using alternative means of communication in cases of severe aphasia, semantic processing should be assessed in different nonverbal conditions. The Nonverbal Semantics Test (NVST) is a tool that captures semantic processing capacities through three tasks—Semantic Sorting, Drawing, and Pantomime. The main aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between the NVST and measures of standard neurolinguistic assessment. Fifty-one persons with aphasia caused by left hemisphere brain damage were administered the NVST as well as the Aachen Aphasia Test (AAT). A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted across all AAT and NVST subtests. The analysis resulted in a two-factor model that captured 69% of the variance of the original data, with all linguistic tasks loading high on one factor and the NVST subtests loading high on the other. These findings suggest that nonverbal tasks assessing semantic processing capacities should be administered alongside standard neurolinguistic aphasia tests. View Full-Tex

Use of Biological Motion based Cues and Ecological Sounds in the Neurorehabilitation of Apraxia

Technological progress in the area of informatics and human interface platforms create a window of opportunities for the neurorehablitation of patients with motor impairments. The CogWatch project (www.cogwatch.eu) aims to create an intelligent assistance system to improve motor planning and execution in patients with apraxia during their daily activities. Due to the brain damage caused by cardiovascular incident these patients suffer from impairments in the ability to use tools, and to sequence actions during daily tasks (such as making breakfast). Based on the common coding theory (Hommel et al., 2001) and mirror neuron primate research (Rizzolatti et al., 2001) we aim to explore use of cues, which incorporate aspects of biological motion from healthy adults performing everyday tasks requiring tool use and ecological sounds linked to the action goal. We hypothesize that patients with apraxia will benefit from supplementary sensory information relevant to the task, which will reinforce the selection of the appropriate motor plan. Findings from this study determine the type of sensory guidance in the CogWatch interface. Rationale for the experimental design is presented and the relevant literature is discussed

Revisiting a study of callosal apraxia: The right hemisphere can imitate the orientation but not the position of the hand

Callosal disconnection can reveal asymmetrical contributions of the two brain hemispheres to praxis. In this paper, we revisit a study of a patient with callosal disconnection (Goldenberg et al., 2001, Neuropsychologia, 39:1432–1443), who perfectly imitated meaningless gestures when imitation was controlled only by the left hemisphere, but was severely impaired when the right hemisphere was in charge of motor control. We decomposed the gestures into a set of geometric variables that were to be reproduced, such as the orientation of the hand and the position of contact between the hand and the face. Whereas orientation of the hand in extrinsic coordinates was replicated correctly by both hemispheres, only the left hemisphere reproduced correctly the position of contact between the hand and the face. This goal-dissociation as well as several partial perseveration errors speak against the hypothesis of a direct route from perception to motor replication of gestures, as interruption of a direct route would probably impair all the features of the gesture. We speculate that incorrect coordination between the reproductions of multiple goals may be the core deficit underlying callosal apraxia

Разработка 8-канальной системы считывания и анализа данных нейтронного флюэнса для мониторинга PSDв эксперименте CBM

Объектом исследования и разработок являются PIN-фотодиод BPW34 и автоматическая 8-канальная система сбора и анализа данных. Цель работы – Разработать 8-канальную систему считывания и анализа данных нейтронного флюенса, обеспечивающую контроль заданных параметров в реальном времени. В процессе выполнения работы проводилось аналитическое и экспериментальное исследование параметров PIN-фотодиода BPW34, и влияние на него нейтронного флюенса. Для создания системы считывания параметров была разработана функциональная схема устройства, был осуществлен выбор элементной базы, разработана принципиальная электрическая схема прототипа. Прототип измерительной части разработанного устройства был собран на макетной плате и протестирован в лабораторных условиях.The object of research and development is the 8-channel readout and data analysis system of neutron fluence monitoring for PSD in CBM experiment. Main goal is to develop 8-channel readout and data analysis system of neutron fluence monitoring, providing control of the set parameters in real time. In carrying out the work carried out analytical and experimental study of PIN-photodiode parameters BPW34, and the influence on him of the neutron fluence. To create a parameter reading system was developed by the functional diagram of the device was made choice of the element base, designed electric circuit of the prototype. The prototype of measuring part of the systep has been assembled on the breadboard and tested in the laboratory

Neuroimaging the consciousness of self: Review, and conceptual-methodological framework

We review neuroimaging research investigating self-referential processing (SRP), that is, how we respond to stimuli that reference ourselves, prefaced by a lexical-thematic analysis of words indicative of “self-feelings”. We consider SRP as occurring verbally (V-SRP) and non-verbally (NV-SRP), both in the controlled, “top-down” form of introspective and interoceptive tasks, respectively, as well as in the “bottom-up” spontaneous or automatic form of “mind wandering” and “body wandering” that occurs during resting state. Our review leads us to outline a conceptual and methodological framework for future SRP research that we briefly apply toward understanding certain psychological and neurological disorders symptomatically associated with abnormal SRP. Our discussion is partly guided by William James’ original writings on the consciousness of self

Canagliflozin and Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease in Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention Groups

Background: Canagliflozin reduces the risk of kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, but effects on specific cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain, as are effects in people without previous cardiovascular disease (primary prevention). Methods: In CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation), 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were randomly assigned to canagliflozin or placebo on a background of optimized standard of care. Results: Primary prevention participants (n=2181, 49.6%) were younger (61 versus 65 years), were more often female (37% versus 31%), and had shorter duration of diabetes mellitus (15 years versus 16 years) compared with secondary prevention participants (n=2220, 50.4%). Canagliflozin reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events overall (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80 [95% CI, 0.67-0.95]; P=0.01), with consistent reductions in both the primary (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.49-0.94]) and secondary (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.69-1.06]) prevention groups (P for interaction=0.25). Effects were also similar for the components of the composite including cardiovascular death (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.61-1.00]), nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.59-1.10]), and nonfatal stroke (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.56-1.15]). The risk of the primary composite renal outcome and the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure were also consistently reduced in both the primary and secondary prevention groups (P for interaction >0.5 for each outcome). Conclusions: Canagliflozin significantly reduced major cardiovascular events and kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, including in participants who did not have previous cardiovascular disease