Unapređenje kognitivnog postignuća putem kognitivnog treninga kod zdravih ispitanika

The aim of the study was to explore whether application of cognitive stimulation in young healthy subjects may improve their cognitive efficiency. The study included 12 healthy young subjects divided into two groups, experimental group and control group. Prior to cognitive stimulation treatment, both groups underwent baseline measurements with selected neuropsychological tests. The groups were matched with regard to the achievement on the baseline test. Only the experimental group underwent daily application of different computer-based cognitive tasks lasting for an hour a day for two weeks. After the treatment, both groups were tested with the same neuropsychological battery used at the baseline measurement. The experimental group showed a statistically significant difference between the measurements on the variables assessing immediate retention of visual material and recognition of verbal material. In addition, qualitative analysis showed that the experimental group also had better performance on the variables assessing delayed recall of visual material, visual and verbal range of attention, and delayed recall of verbal material. In conclusion, two-week cognitive stimulation in healthy subjects improves cognitive performance, expressed as higher average values of certain neuropsychological variables.Cilj istraživanja je bio ispitati može li primjena stimulacije kognitivnih funkcija među zdravim mladim ispitanicima dovesti do porasta kognitivne učinkovitosti. Uistraživanju je sudjelovalo 12 ispitanika podijeljenih u dvije skupine, eksperimentalnu i kontrolnu. Prije primjene tretmana kognitivne stimulacije obje skupine su u okviru početnog mjerenja ispitane odabranim neuropsihološkim testovima. Skupine su bile ujednačene po postignuću na početnom mjerenju. Nakon toga je eksperimentalna skupina bila podvrgnuta tretmanu kognitivne stimulacije, što je podrazumijevalo svakodnevnu primjenu računalne verzije različitih kognitivnih zadataka u trajanju od jednog sata na dan tijekom dva tjedna. Kontrolna skupina nije bila podvrgnuta tretmanu. Nakon tretmana izvršeno je konačno mjerenje u obje skupine, koje je podrazumijevalo ponovnu primjenu neuropsihološke baterije, iste kao i na početku tretmana. Cilj ponovnog mjerenja u kontrolnoj skupini je bio utvrditi učinak učenja testa između dva mjerenja. Eksperimentalna skupina je zabilježila statistički značajnu razliku između mjerenja na varijablama za procjenu neposrednog upamćivanja vizualnog materijala i prisjećanja verbalnog materijala. Kvalitativnom analizom je ustanovljeno da eksperimentalna skupina ima bolje postignuće i na testovima odloženog prisjećanja vizualnog i verbalnog materijala, kao i vizualnog i verbalnog opsega pažnje. Spoznajna stimulacija u dvotjednom razdoblju u skupini zdravih ispitanika doprinosi poboljšanju kognitivnog postignuća izraženog kroz prosječne vrijednosti na određenim neuropsihološkim varijablama

Depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Vojvodina

© 2021 The Authors. Published by Sestre Milosrdnice University hospital and Institute of Clinical Medical Research. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2021.60.04.03The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with chronic hepatitis C and how depression and anxiety correlate with re-spective health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domains, sociodemographic factors, and clinico-epi-demiological characteristics. This prospective study involved 150 patients with chronic hepatitis C awaiting interferon treatment for hepatitis C and 150 healthy subjects. All individuals enrolled in the study completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. The symptoms showed greater severity/score among patients with chronic hepatitis C for both depression (t=3.37; p<0.01) and anxiety (t=2.35; p<0.05). Regression analysis was used for estimating the relationship between depression and the set of predictors (domains of the SF-36 questionnaire). Three HRQoL domains (Physical Functioning, Vitality, and Mental Health) were found to have the stron-gest predictive contribution to the occurrence of depression. A series of Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests showed a significant difference in depression level between marital status categories (χ2(2)=7.86, p<0.05). Divorced participants had significantly higher scores compared to married participants (Z=-2.40, p<0.05) and single participants (Z=-2.75, p<0.01). Unemployment was associated with a higher degree of depression and anxiety. There was no association identified between duration of the disease, route of hepatitis C virus transmission, existence of cirrhosis, and depression or anxiety. The findings of this study can assist in developing a standard protocol for the management of chronic hepatitis C that will include psychological assessment and support.Published versio

Serbian cognitive reserve index questionnaire: Adaptation and validation

Cognitive reserve (CR) is defined as the ability to optimize or maximize usage of neural networks when facing tasks with greater cognitive load serving as a protective factor from cognitive decline. In clinical population, it is assumed that CR has the role of minimizing effects of brain pathology on cognitive functioning through more flexible alterations between engaged neural networks. In the earliest stages of construct development, it was predominately expressed via levels of education or verbal intelligence. However, accumulated research evidence suggested that CR is a multidimensional construct and that various lifelong activities should be taken into account when assessed. Following this line of studies, Cognitive Reserve !ndex questionnaire (CR!q) was developed providing a standardized procedure for measuring CR that includes years of formal and informal education, professional occupational background and engaging in various cognitively stimulating activities. The goal of this study was exploring the utility of Serbian translation and adaptation of CR!q using a sample of 117 (61% female) healthy adult participants with age ranged from 19 to 86 (M = 41.37, SD = 21.91). Study results suggested the same pattern of age differences as reported in previous studies, while gender differences were not detected. Testing correlations between CR!q scores and measures of cognitive functioning such as intelligence, verbal fluency, categorical fluency, and executive functions yielded significant results only for Education subscale and !ntelligence and executive functions (CTT Form A). Future implications for CR assessment and practical utility of CR!q were offered

Differences in MB-COMT DNA methylation in monozygotic twins on phenotypic indicators of impulsivity

Epigenetic modifications of the membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT) gene may affect the enzymatic degradation of dopamine, and consequently, human behavior. This study investigated the association between membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNA methylation (DNAm) differences in 92 monozygotic (MZ) twins with phenotypic manifestations of cognitive, behavioral, and personality indicators associated with reward-related behaviors and lack of control. We used pyrosequencing to determine DNAm of the regulatory region of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase in saliva DNA. Results of intrapair differences in the percentage of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm at each of five CpG sites show that there are associations between phenotypic indicators of lack of control and membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm differences on CpG1, CpG2 and CpG4, suggesting the common epigenetic patterns for personality traits, cognitive functions, and risk behaviors

Differences in MB-COMT DNA methylation in monozygotic twins on phenotypic indicators of impulsivity

Epigenetic modifications of the membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT) gene may affect the enzymatic degradation of dopamine, and consequently, human behavior. This study investigated the association between membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNA methylation (DNAm) differences in 92 monozygotic (MZ) twins with phenotypic manifestations of cognitive, behavioral, and personality indicators associated with reward-related behaviors and lack of control. We used pyrosequencing to determine DNAm of the regulatory region of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase in saliva DNA. Results of intrapair differences in the percentage of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm at each of five CpG sites show that there are associations between phenotypic indicators of lack of control and membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm differences on CpG1, CpG2 and CpG4, suggesting the common epigenetic patterns for personality traits, cognitive functions, and risk behaviors

Diskriminativna validnost Strukturiranog inventara simuliranih simptoma (Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology – SIMS) u uslovima simuliranja simptoma

Background/Aim. The Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS) is a self-report measure to be used with adults, which may be utilized to assess the potential malingering of psychosis, neurologic impairment, amnesia, low intelligence, or affective disorder. The aim of the study was to examine the discriminant validity of SIMS under conditions of simulating symptoms of neurological and memory disorders, in response to a hypothetical situation, after watching a recording of an actual car accident in which a motorcycle rider sustained head injuries. Methods. The study involved 94 students (35 men and 59 women) from the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies in Belgrade and the Faculty of Medicine – Special Education and Rehabilitation in Novi Sad, aged 20–26 [arithmetic mean = 20.69; standard deviation (SD) = 0.80], divided into two groups (n = 47), malingerer and control. The malingerer group was instructed to identify with the motorcycle rider hit by the car and malinger symptoms related to neurological difficulties and amnesia in order to obtain greater reimbursement from the insurance company. The control group had instructions to honestly assess the probability of occurrence of the symptoms. Results. The results of the multivariate one-way analysis of variance suggested that the effect of experimental manipulation was statistically significant [F (88, 5) = 91.21, p < 0.001; η2p = 0.838]. Univariate effects were also statistically significant for all five scales. Participants in the malingerer group scored higher on all five scales than participants in the control group. The magnitudes of the effects support the largest differences between the malingerer and control groups on the scales of Memory Disorders and Neurological Disorders, which was also the basic instruction for simulating symptoms given to the participants in the malingerer group. Conclusion. The obtained results support the discriminant validity of the SIMS questionnaire in the situation of simulating symptoms of neurological disorders and memory disorders.Uvod/Cilj. Strukturisani inventar simuliranih simptoma – Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS) je mera samoprocene koja se koristi kod odraslih osoba, a može biti korišćena za procenu potencijalnog razvoja psihoze, neurološkog oštećenja, amnezije, niske inteligencije ili afektivnog poremećaja. Cilj rada bio je da se ispita diskriminativna validnost SIMS-a u uslovima simuliranja simptoma neuroloških oštećenja i poremećaja pamćenja u odgovoru na hipotetičku situaciju, nakon gledanja snimka realne saobraćajne nezgode u kojoj je vozač motocikla zadobio povrede glave. Metode. U istraživanju su učestvovala 94 studenta (35 muškaraca i 59 žena) Kriminalističkopolicijskog univerziteta u Beogradu i Medicinskog fakulteta – smer Specijalna edukacija i rehabilitacija u Novom Sadu, starosti od 20–26 godina [aritmetička sredina = 20.69; standardna devijacija (SD) = 0.80)], koji su bili podeljeni u dve grupe (n = 47), kontrolnu grupu i grupu ispitanika koji su simulirali simptome. Grupa ispitanika koji su simulirali simptome imala je zadatak da se poistoveti sa motociklistom kojeg je udario automobil i da simulira neurološke simptome i amneziju, sa ciljem da dobiju više novca od osiguravajuće kompanije. Kontrolna grupa imala je zadatak da iskreno proceni koji simptomi bi mogli nastati nakon saobraćajne nesreće. Rezultati. Rezultati multivarijatne jednosmerne analize varijanse su pokazali da je efekat eksperimentalne manipulacije bio statistički značajan [F(88, 5) = 91.21, p < 0.001; η2p = 0.838]. Univarijatni efekti su takođe bili statistički značajni za svih pet skala. Ispitanici iz kontrolne grupe postizali su niže skorove na svih pet skala u odnosu na ispitanike iz grupe koja je simulirala simptome. Veličine efekata govore u prilog najvećih razlika između grupe koja je simulirala simptome i kontrolne grupe na skalama Poremećaji pamćenja i Neurološka oštećenja, što je ujedno i bila osnovna instrukcija za simuliranje simptoma kod te grupe ispitanika. Zaključak. Dobijeni rezultati idu u prilog diskriminativne validnosti upitnika SIMS u situaciji simuliranja simptoma neuroloških oštećenja i poremećaja pamćenja

The stigma of obesity in adolescence

Introduction/Objective. Obese children and adolescents are exposed to stigma and discrimination from peers, teachers and family which can lead to numerous health problems, including psychosocial problems. The aim of this study is to determine whether obese adolescents in Serbia are exposed to stigmatization and which are the most common forms of stigmatization they face. Methods. The study included 335 adolescents who were hospitalized for a treatment of obesity. During hospitalization weight and height were measured, and body mass index was calculated. Participants completed independently Questionnaire about weightbased stigmatization made for the purpose of this research. Questionnaire also included questions about sex, age of respondents, and about obesity of other family members. Results. Fifty-nine percent of participants experienced offence, 19% were teased, 47.5% were subject of a gossip, and 25% were excluded from peer group; 45% reported that other people had prejudice against them. Male adolescents significantly more often faced overt forms of stigmatization/discrimination compared to female adolescents. Nineteen percent of participants were stigmatized by health workers and 6% stated that their family is ashamed of their obesity. Conclusion. A significant percent of obese adolescents is exposed to a stigma due to their weight, most often to insults, gossip and social exclusion. Obese adolescents are most often exposed to stigmatization by peers, but there are a significant proportion of adolescents who are exposed to stigma from health workers

Improvement of Cognitive Efficiency Through Cognitive Training in Healthy Subjects

The aim of the study was to explore whether application of cognitive stimulation in young healthy subjects may improve their cognitive efficiency. The study included 12 healthy young subjects divided into two groups, experimental group and control group. Prior to cognitive stimulation treatment, both groups underwent baseline measurements with selected neuropsychological tests. The groups were matched with regard to the achievement on the baseline test. Only the experimental group underwent daily application of different computer-based cognitive tasks lasting for an hour a day for two weeks. After the treatment, both groups were tested with the same neuropsychological battery used at the baseline measurement. The experimental group showed a statistically significant difference between the measurements on the variables assessing immediate retention of visual material and recognition of verbal material. In addition, qualitative analysis showed that the experimental group also had better performance on the variables assessing delayed recall of visual material, visual and verbal range of attention, and delayed recall of verbal material. In conclusion, two-week cognitive stimulation in healthy subjects improves cognitive performance, expressed as higher average values of certain neuropsychological variables

Depresija, anksioznost i kvaliteta života u bolesnika s kroničnom infekcijom virusom hepatitisa C u Vojvodini

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with chronic hepatitis C and how depression and anxiety correlate with respective health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domains, sociodemographic factors, and clinico-epidemiological characteristics. This prospective study involved 150 patients with chronic hepatitis C awaiting interferon treatment for hepatitis C and 150 healthy subjects. All individuals enrolled in the study completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. The symptoms showed greater severity/score among patients with chronic hepatitis C for both depression (t=3.37; p<0.01) and anxiety (t=2.35; p<0.05). Regression analysis was used for estimating the relationship between depression and the set of predictors (domains of the SF-36 questionnaire). Three HRQoL domains (Physical Functioning, Vitality, and Mental Health) were found to have the strongest predictive contribution to the occurrence of depression. A series of Kruskal-Wallis and Mann- Whitney tests showed a significant difference in depression level between marital status categories (χ2(2)=7.86, p<0.05). Divorced participants had significantly higher scores compared to married participants (Z=-2.40, p<0.05) and single participants (Z=-2.75, p<0.01). Unemployment was associated with a higher degree of depression and anxiety. There was no association identified between duration of the disease, route of hepatitis C virus transmission, existence of cirrhosis, and depression or anxiety. The findings of this study can assist in developing a standard protocol for the management of chronic hepatitis C that will include psychological assessment and support.Cilj studije je bio utvrditi učestalost depresije i anksioznosti među bolesnicima s kroničnim hepatitisom C i povezanost depresije i anksioznosti s odgovarajućim domenama kvalitete života vezane za zdravlje (HRQoL), sociodemografskim čimbenicima i kliničko-epidemiološkim značajkama. Ova prospektivna studija uključila je 150 bolesnika s kroničnim hepatitisom C koji su čekali interferonsku terapiju za hepatitis C i 150 zdravih ispitanika u kontrolnoj skupini. Svi sudionici istraživanja popunili su upitnik SF-36 i Bolničku ljestvicu za procjenu anksioznosti i depresije. Bolesnici s kroničnim hepatitisom C imali su statistički značajno izraženiju depresiju (t=3,37, p<0,01) i anksioznost (t=2,35, p<0,05). Analizom višestrukih regresija visok postotak depresije objašnjen je skupom prediktora koji su činili domene upitnika SF-36. Tri domene (Fizičko funkcioniranje, Vitalnost i Mentalno zdravlje) imale su najjači prediktivni doprinos pojavi depresije. Serija Kruskal-Wallisovih i Mann-Whitneyevih testova pokazala je značajnu razliku u razini depresije između kategorija bračnog statusa (χ2(2)=7,86, p<0,05). Razvedeni sudionici imali su značajnije viši stupanj depresivnosti u usporedbi s onima koji su u braku (Z=-2,40, p<0,05) i neoženjenima (Z=-2,75, p<0,01). Nezaposlenost je bila povezana s višim stupnjem depresije i anksioznosti. Nije nađena veza između trajanja bolesti, načina prijenosa virusa hepatitisa C, postojanja ciroze i depresije ili anksioznosti. Rezultati ove studije mogu pomoći u razvijanju standardnog protokola za liječenje kroničnog hepatitisa C koji će uključivati psihološku procjenu i potporu

Neurocognitive profile of HIV-positive adults on combined antiretroviral therapy: A single-centre study in Serbia

<p>The advent of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has prolonged the life expectancy of HIV + individuals and decreased the incidence of HIV-associated dementia. However, milder forms of neurocognitive impairment remain common and are often associated with poor daily functioning and lower medication adherence. This paper presents a research aimed at exploring the cognitive status differences between HIV + subjects (<i>N</i> = 39) on cART therapy and a group of demographically comparable healthy subjects (<i>N</i> = 39) in Serbia. The significance of differences between the HIV + group and the healthy control group in performance in six cognitive domains was tested using the multivariate analysis of variance. Results showed a lower performance of the HIV + group in the domains of attention/working memory, and learning. HIV-related clinical variables were not significantly associated with cognitive performance. An older age in HIV + patients was significantly related to a lower performance in all six cognitive domains, as opposed to healthy subjects, implying a synergistic interaction between HIV and aging, resulting in accentuated cognitive difficulties. Our findings suggest that even with the absence of a subjective experience of cognitive deficits and with a good basic control of the illness, a certain degree of cognitive deficit can be observed in the tested group.</p