Working memory and its relation to interference and facilitation effects on a Stroop task in persons with mild cognitive impairments and normal elderly adults

The current study investigated working memory(WM) and its relation to interference and facilitation effects using a Stroop-like token task in persons with mild cognitive impairments(MCI) and normal elderly adults(NEA). Both groups demonstrated interference effects. MCI group showed greater interference effects than NEA in the accuracy analysis. The results are consistent with the previous findings (Belleville et al., 2010). Both groups showed no facilitation effects in the accuracy rate. However, they showed longer response times in 75%Congruent than neutral condition. Among WM measures, subtract-2 span task was most highly correlated with the incongruent trials of 75%Congruent condition with the highest cognitive demands

Working Memory Capacity and its Relation to Passive Sentence Comprehension in Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment

The purpose of the study was to investigate working memory capacity (WMC) and its relation to Korean passive sentence (PS) comprehension in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Results revealed that persons with MCI performed significantly more poorly than normal elderly individuals (NEI) in PS compared to active sentences with intransitive verbs. However, the group differences were not significant between PS and active sentences with transitive verbs. WMC significantly predicted performance on PS for both groups. The current study indicated that Korean-speaking persons with MCI could use information of case markers and WMC was related to PS comprehension abilities

Deficits of case marker processing in persons with mild cognitive impairment

The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) showed deficits in processing case markers compared to normal elderly adults (NEA). Results revealed that individuals with MCI presented significantly lower accuracy than the NEA group on a case marker processing (CMP) task. Both groups showed greater difficulties in the passive sentences than sentences with the transitive verbs. The current results suggested that individuals with early stage of dementia started presenting deficits in case marker processing compared to the control group

The diameter of the world wide web

Despite its increasing role in communication, the world wide web remains the least controlled medium: any individual or institution can create websites with unrestricted number of documents and links. While great efforts are made to map and characterize the Internet's infrastructure, little is known about the topology of the web. Here we take a first step to fill this gap: we use local connectivity measurements to construct a topological model of the world wide web, allowing us to explore and characterize its large scale properties.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, updated with most recent results on the size of the ww

Multiple Sclerosis and Peripheral Multifocal Demyelinating Neuropathies Occurring in a Same Patient

The co-occurrence of multiple sclerosis and peripheral demyelinating neuropathy is rare. It has been disputed whether these are pathologically related or coincidental findings. We report a 36-year-old woman who presented with diplopia, right facial palsy and left-sided weakness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion indicative of central demyelinating disease. Nerve conduction studies revealed peripheral multifocal demyelinating neuropathies. We suggest that the central and the peripheral lesions may be continua of a demyelinating process

Relationships between 24-Hour Blood Pressures, Subcortical Ischemic Lesions, and Cognitive Impairment

Background and Purpose The most important treatment for subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) is controlling the blood pressure (BP). However, the few studies that have investigated the relationships between diurnal BP rhythm and subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment have produced inconclusive results. In the study presented here, the 24-hour BP values of three groups of subjects-patients with subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (SvMCI), patients with SVaD, and normal controls-were compared using working criteria and 24-hour ambulatory BP (ABP) monitoring. Methods The subjects (42 patients with SVaD, 37 patients with SvMCI, and 30 controls) were selected according to the Study`s inclusion/exclusion criteria. All subjects underwent brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography, detailed neuropsychological testing, and 24-hour ABP monitoring. Results The prevalence of nondippers differed markedly between the control group and both the SVaD and SvMCI groups. Loss of nocturnal dipping was significantly associated with SVaD [odds ratio (OR), 4.827; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-12.05]. Conclusions It was found that SVaD is associated with loss of nocturnal BP dipping combined with increased pulse pressure and systolic BP (SBP) variability. Correction of these factors could therefore be important in the prevention of SVaD, independent of measures used to reduce BP. J Clin Neurol 2009;5:139-145Ohmine T, 2008, HYPERTENS RES, V31, P75van Boxtel MPJ, 2006, J HUM HYPERTENS, V20, P5, DOI 10.1038/sj.jhh.1001934van der Flier WM, 2005, STROKE, V36, P2116Birns J, 2005, STROKE, V36, P1308, DOI 10.1161/01.STR.0000165901.38039.5fYamamoto Y, 2005, CEREBROVASC DIS, V19, P302, DOI 10.1159/000084498BOWLER JV, 2005, J NEUROL NEUROSUR S5, V76, P35KU HM, 2004, J KOREAN NEUROPSYCHI, V43, P189O`Brien E, 2003, J HYPERTENS, V21, P821, DOI 10.1097/01.hjh.0000059016.82022.caKANG Y, 2003, INCHEON HUMAN BRAINOhkubo T, 2002, J HYPERTENS, V20, P2183de Leeuw FE, 2002, BRAIN, V125, P765O`Brien JT, 2002, ANN NY ACAD SCI, V977, P436Kario K, 2001, HYPERTENSION, V38, P852Wahlund LO, 2001, STROKE, V32, P1318Dufouil C, 2001, NEUROLOGY, V56, P921Puisieux F, 2001, EUR NEUROL, V46, P115Staessen JA, 1999, JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC, V282, P539Swan GE, 1998, NEUROLOGY, V51, P986Blacher J, 1998, HYPERTENSION, V32, P570Cummings JL, 1998, J PSYCHOSOM RES, V44, P627Kilander L, 1998, HYPERTENSION, V31, P780Guo ZC, 1997, AM J EPIDEMIOL, V145, P1106Liao DP, 1996, STROKE, V27, P2262LAUNER LJ, 1995, JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC, V274, P1846YAMAMOTO Y, 1995, STROKE, V26, P829VERDECCHIA P, 1994, HYPERTENSION, V24, P793KUUSISTO J, 1993, HYPERTENSION, V22, P771SHIMADA K, 1992, J HYPERTENS, V10, P875SCHERR PA, 1991, AM J EPIDEMIOL, V134, P1303TOHGI H, 1991, STROKE, V22, P603OBRIEN E, 1988, LANCET, V2, P397PARATI G, 1987, J HYPERTENS, V5, P93HACHINSKI VC, 1975, ARCH NEUROL-CHICAGO, V32, P632

Saccadic Palsy after Cardiac Surgery: Serial Neuroimaging Findings during a 6-Year Follow-Up

Background Patients who develop horizontal and vertical saccadic palsy after cardiac surgery have rarely been described. Although most such patients exhibit distinct neurological deficits, their brain MRI findings are almost normal. In addition, functional neuroimaging of such patients has never been reported.Case Report A 43-year-old woman with dysarthria, dysphagia, and horizontal and vertical saccadic palsy after cardiac surgery was followed up for about 6 years; serial brain MRIs has been performed during this period, including susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and [[F-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). Multiple microbleeds in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brainstem, and glucose hypometabolism in the brainstem, cerebellum, and multiple cortical areas.Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of saccadic palsy after cardiac surgery with serial SWI and [F-18]-FDG-PET performed to explore the possible cerebral lesions.Background Patients who develop horizontal and vertical saccadic palsy after cardiac surgery have rarely been described. Although most such patients exhibit distinct neurological deficits, their brain MRI findings are almost normal. In addition, functional neuroimaging of such patients has never been reported. Case Report A 43-year-old woman with dysarthria, dysphagia, and horizontal and vertical saccadic palsy after cardiac surgery was followed up for about 6 years; serial brain MRIs has been performed during this period, including susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). Multiple microbleeds in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brainstem, and glucose hypometabolism in the brainstem, cerebellum, and multiple cortical areas. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of saccadic palsy after cardiac surgery with serial SWI and [18F]-FDG-PET performed to explore the possible cerebral lesions.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2014-01/102/0000004487/28SEQ:28PERF_CD:SNU2014-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000004487ADJUST_YN:YEMP_ID:A075641DEPT_CD:801CITE_RATE:1.807FILENAME:kimej-saccadic palsy after cardiac surgery-j clin neurol-2014-10(4)367.pdfDEPT_NM:의학과SCOPUS_YN:YCONFIRM:

Maternal Psychosocial Factors that Affect Breastfeeding Adaptation and Immune Substances in Human Milk

PURPOSE: This study was to identify relationships of maternal psychosocial factors including mother's mood state, childcare stress, social support and sleep satisfaction with breastfeeding adaptation and immune substances in breast milk, especially secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta2). METHODS: Data were collected from 84 mothers who delivered full-term infants by natural childbirth. Structured questionnaires and breast milk were collected at 2~4 days and 6 weeks postpartum. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, multiple linear regression, and generalized estimating equation (GEE). RESULTS: Scores for the breastfeeding adaptation scale were significantly related with child care stress, mood state and social support. Mother's anger was positively correlated with the level of sIgA in colostrum (p<.01). Immune substances of breastmilk was significantly influenced by time for milk collection (p<.001) and the type of breastfeeding (sIgA, p<.001, TGF-beta2, p=.003). Regression analysis showed that breastfeeding adaptation could be explained 59.1% by the type of breastfeeding, childcare stress, the Profile of Mood States, emotional support and sleep quality (F=16.67, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The findings from this study provide important concepts of breastfeeding adaptation program and explanation of psychosocial factors by immune substances in breast milk. Future research, specially, bio-maker research on breast milk should focus on the ways to improve breastfeeding adaptation

Multiplex Analysis of Cytokines in the Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease by Color-Coded Bead Technology

Background and purpose: The availability and promise of effective treatments for neurodegenerative disorders are increasing the importance of early diagnosis. Having molecular and biochemical markers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) would complement clinical approaches, and further the goals of early and accurate diagnosis. Combining multiple biomarkers in evaluations significantly increases the sensitivity and specificity of the biochemical tests. Methods: In this study, we used color-coded bead-based Luminex technology to test the potential of using chemokines and cytokines as biochemical markers of AD. We measured the levels of 22 chemokines and cytokines in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 32 de novo patients (13 controls, 11 AD, and 8 Parkinson’s disease [PD]). Results: MCP-1 was the only cytokine detectable in CSF, and its levels did not differ between control and disease groups. However, the serum concentration of eotaxin was significantly higher in AD patients than in the control group. Conclusions: The analysis of multiple inflammatory mediators revealed marginal differences in their CSF and serum concentrations for the differential diagnosis of AD and PD. These results provide evidence that immunologica