Reserva cognitiva e rendimento cognitivo em adultos maiores saudáveis com história de prática musical reglada

Objective: cognitive reserve (CR) is defined as the brain’s ability to tolerate and support neuropathologies before reaching the threshold that gives rise to clinical manifestations. Due to the increase in life expectancy, this concept arises with the purpose of identifying factors that maintain the functionality and independence of the elderly, thus favoring the quality of life in this population group. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the time of exposure to directed musical practice and the cognitive performance of healthy older adults. Methodology: Observational, descriptive study including 11 healthy, older adults with a history of guided musical practice. The Cognitive Reserve questionnaire was applied and neurocognitive performance was evaluated using the K-BIT intellectual capacity test and the NEURONORMA COLOMBIA battery. Results: in people with musical training, cognitive reserve was associated to better performance in tasks of denomination, visuospatial and verbal working memory, focused and alternating attention, phonological verbal fluency and semantic performance. On the other hand, the time of exposure to directed musical practice was associated to better performance in semantic language and favored working memory and in the long term. Conclusions: time of exposure to directed musical practice, age, and educational level favor cognitive reserve in the linguistic and mnemonic domains.Objetivo: la reserva cognitiva (RC) se define como la capacidad cerebral de tolerar y soportar las neuropatologías antes de alcanzar el umbral que da inicio a las manifestaciones clínicas. Debido al aumento de la esperanza de vida, este concepto surge con el propósito de identificar factores que mantengan la funcionalidad e independencia de los adultos mayores, favoreciendo así la calidad de vida en este grupo poblacional. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación entre el tiempo de exposición a práctica musical dirigida y el rendimiento cognitivo de adultos mayores sanos. Metodología: estudio observacional descriptivo de 11 adultos mayores sanos con historia de práctica musical dirigida. Se aplicó el cuestionario de Reserva Cognitiva, y se evaluó el rendimiento neurocognitivo con el test de capacidad intelectual K-BIT y la batería NEURONORMA COLOMBIA. Resultados: en personas con entrenamiento musical, la reserva cognitiva está relacionada con mejor desempeño en tareas de denominación, memoria de trabajo visoespacial y verbal, atención focalizada y alternante, fluidez verbal fonológica y rendimiento semántico. Por otra parte, el tiempo de exposición a práctica musical dirigida se asoció a mejor desempeño en lenguaje semántico y favorece la memoria de trabajo y a largo plazo. Conclusiones: el tiempo de exposición a la práctica musical dirigida, la edad y el nivel educativo, favorecen la reserva cognitiva en los dominios lingüísticos y mnémicos.Objetivo: a reserva cognitiva (RC) se define como a capacidade cerebral de tolerar e suportar as neuropatologias antes de alcançar o umbral que dá início às manifestações clínicas. Devido ao aumento da esperança de vida, este conceito surge com o propósito de identificar fatores que mantenham a funcionalidade e independência dos adultos maiores, favorecendo assim a qualidade de vida neste grupo populacional. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a relação entre o tempo de exposição a prática musical dirigida e o rendimento cognitivo de adultos maiores saudáveis. Metodologia: estudo observacional descritivo de 11 adultos maiores saudáveis com história de prática musical dirigida. Se aplicou o questionário de Reserva Cognitiva, e se avaliou o rendimento neurocognitivo com o teste de capacidade intelectual K-BIT e a bateria NEURONORMA COLÔMBIA. Resultados: em pessoas com treinamento musical, a reserva cognitiva está relacionada com melhor desempenho em tarefas de denominação, memória de trabalho visoespacial e verbal, atenção focalizada e alternante, fluidez verbal fonológica e rendimento semântico. Por outra parte, o tempo de exposição a prática musical dirigida se associou a melhor desempenho em linguagem semântico e favorece a memória de trabalho e a longo prazo. Conclusões: o tempo de exposição à prática musical dirigida, a idade e o nível educativo, favorecem a reserva cognitiva nos domínios linguísticos e mnêmicos

Impact of the Mitochondrial Genetic Background in Complex III Deficiency

BACKGROUND: In recent years clinical evidence has emphasized the importance of the mtDNA genetic background that hosts a primary pathogenic mutation in the clinical expression of mitochondrial disorders, but little experimental confirmation has been provided. We have analyzed the pathogenic role of a novel homoplasmic mutation (m.15533 A>G) in the cytochrome b (MT-CYB) gene in a patient presenting with lactic acidosis, seizures, mild mental delay, and behaviour abnormalities. METHODOLOGY: Spectrophotometric analyses of the respiratory chain enzyme activities were performed in different tissues, the whole muscle mitochondrial DNA of the patient was sequenced, and the novel mutation was confirmed by PCR-RFLP. Transmitochondrial cybrids were constructed to confirm the pathogenicity of the mutation, and assembly/stability studies were carried out in fibroblasts and cybrids by means of mitochondrial translation inhibition in combination with blue native gel electrophoresis. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Biochemical analyses revealed a decrease in respiratory chain complex III activity in patient's skeletal muscle, and a combined enzyme defect of complexes III and IV in fibroblasts. Mutant transmitochondrial cybrids restored normal enzyme activities and steady-state protein levels, the mutation was mildly conserved along evolution, and the proband's mother and maternal aunt, both clinically unaffected, also harboured the homoplasmic mutation. These data suggested a nuclear genetic origin of the disease. However, by forcing the de novo functioning of the OXPHOS system, a severe delay in the biogenesis of the respiratory chain complexes was observed in the mutants, which demonstrated a direct functional effect of the mitochondrial genetic background. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to possible pitfalls in the detection of pathogenic mitochondrial mutations, and highlight the role of the genetic mtDNA background in the development of mitochondrial disorders

Identification of Plasmodium vivax Proteins with Potential Role in Invasion Using Sequence Redundancy Reduction and Profile Hidden Markov Models

BACKGROUND: This study describes a bioinformatics approach designed to identify Plasmodium vivax proteins potentially involved in reticulocyte invasion. Specifically, different protein training sets were built and tuned based on different biological parameters, such as experimental evidence of secretion and/or involvement in invasion-related processes. A profile-based sequence method supported by hidden Markov models (HMMs) was then used to build classifiers to search for biologically-related proteins. The transcriptional profile of the P. vivax intra-erythrocyte developmental cycle was then screened using these classifiers. RESULTS: A bioinformatics methodology for identifying potentially secreted P. vivax proteins was designed using sequence redundancy reduction and probabilistic profiles. This methodology led to identifying a set of 45 proteins that are potentially secreted during the P. vivax intra-erythrocyte development cycle and could be involved in cell invasion. Thirteen of the 45 proteins have already been described as vaccine candidates; there is experimental evidence of protein expression for 7 of the 32 remaining ones, while no previous studies of expression, function or immunology have been carried out for the additional 25. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the idea that probabilistic techniques like profile HMMs improve similarity searches. Also, different adjustments such as sequence redundancy reduction using Pisces or Cd-Hit allowed data clustering based on rational reproducible measurements. This kind of approach for selecting proteins with specific functions is highly important for supporting large-scale analyses that could aid in the identification of genes encoding potential new target antigens for vaccine development and drug design. The present study has led to targeting 32 proteins for further testing regarding their ability to induce protective immune responses against P. vivax malaria

Características psicoemocionales y adaptativas de niñas entre 7 a 14 años que practican gimnasia rítmica

The objective of this research was to establish the psycho-emotional and adaptive characteristics of girls between 7 and 14 years old who practice rhythmic gymnastics from the project Popular Schools of Sport of the Commune 13, Medellín; A sector that was affected by violence, drug trafficking and groups outside the law. For this purpose, a non-probabilistic sampling was used, in which 41 girls were evaluated through the Multimodal Behavior Scale. Results: self-report showed low levels of self-confidence and report of hostile behavior towards teachers, mainly in girls with short training time. The report of the parents point out high indicators of companionship and adequate social skills, besides informing that the sport practice in the time contributes to not show symptoms of attipicidad, nor behavioral problems. Teachers point out that at an adaptive level, girls with less than one year of training record normal social skills and clinical skills as study indicators, contrary to those of more than one year of trainingEl objetivo de esta investigación fue establecer las características psicoemocionales y adaptativas de niñas entre 7 a 14 años que practican gimnasia rítmica, en la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia, de la comuna 13, en el barrio San Javier, sector afectado por la violencia, el narcotráfico y grupos al margen de la ley, para ello se aplicó la Escala Multimodal de la Conducta a 41 niñas que hacen parte del proyecto Escuelas Populares del Deporte, del Instituto de Deporte y Recreación de Medellín. Resultados: en el autoinforme no se reportó síntomas de ansiedad, ni depresión, ni atipicidad en la mayoría de la población, en la escala adaptativa hay bajos niveles de autoconfianza y en las niñas con poco tiempo de entrenamiento se encontró reporte de  conductas hostiles hacia los profesores, los padres informan que no hay síntomas de hiperactividad, ni problemas atencionales significativos, y si indicadores altos de  compañerismo  y adecuadas habilidades sociales y que la práctica deportiva en el tiempo contribuye a no mostrar síntomas de atipicidad ni problemas conductuales y sin importar el tiempo de entrenamiento reportan síntomas de somatización, los profesores en lo adaptativo reportan que las niñas de menos de un año de entrenamiento, registran como normal las habilidades sociales y como indicador clínico las habilidades de estudio, contrario a las de más de un año de entrenamiento

Programas de intervención para Estudiantes Universitarios con bajo rendimiento académico

Objective: To review research related to intervention programs for college students with low academic performance. Method: For this review were included only scientific papers since 2010 that were in the bases of EBSCO, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, Redalyc, Dialnet and Internet addresses such as https://scholar.google.es/ using data descriptors such as: intervention / training programs in higher education, intervention programs in college students, academic performance, college students, university students. Results: It was found that most programs focus on self-regulation strategies, tutorials and strategies in specific areas such as values and reading comprehension, some with methodological limitations. Conclusion: Most programs proved effective in improving the academic achievement of students. However, there comes the need to continue this line of work.Objetivo: revisar investigações relacionadas com programas de intervenção para estudantes universitários com baixo desempenho acadêmico. Método: Para esta revisão se incluíram só artigos científicos desde o ano 2010 que se encontraram nas bases de dados EBSCO, ScienceDirect, Pubmed, SpringerLink, Redalyc, Dialnet e direções de Internet como https://scholar.google.es/, utilizando os descritores: intervention/training programs in higher education, programas de intervenção em universitários, academic performance, college students, university students. Resultados: se encontrou que a maioria de programas se enfocam em estratégias de auto-regulação, tutorias e estratégias em áreas específicas como valores e compreensão leitora; alguns deles com limitações metodológicas. Conclusão: a maioria dos programas demostraram ser eficazes no melhoramento do rendimento acadêmico dos estudantes; porém, se apresenta a necessidade de continuar com esta linha de trabalho.Objetivo: revisar investigaciones relacionadas con programas de intervención para estudiantes universitarios con bajo desempeño académico. Método: para esta revisión, se incluyeron sólo artículos científicos desde el año 2010 que se encontraron en las bases de datos EBSCO, ScienceDirect, Pubmed, SpringerLink, Redalyc, Dialnet y direcciones de internet como https://scholar.google.es/, utilizando los descriptores: intervention/training programs in higher education, programas de intervención en universitarios, academic performance, college students, university students. Resultados: se encontró que la mayoría de programas se enfocan en estrategias de autorregulación, tutorías y estrategias en áreas específicas como valores y comprensión lectora, algunos de ellos con limitaciones metodológicas. Conclusión: la mayoría de los programas demostraron ser eficaces en el mejoramiento del rendimiento académico de los estudiantes; sin embargo, se presenta la necesidad de continuar con esta línea de trabajo

Executive Functions and High Intellectual Capacity in School-Age: Completely Overlap?

Objective: To analyze the relationship between the dimensions of the executive function and intellectual capacity in children with high academic performance. Method: an analytical, observational, prospective study with a non-random sample of 104 children between 7 and 11 years of age, belonging to educational institutions in Medellín, Colombia, divided into groups according to the measure of Total Intellectual Capacity (TIC): 1. Those with an average TIC of between 85-115. 2. Children with higher IC or those with scores ranging from 116-129 and 3. Children with TIC of ≥ 130, known as exceptional talents. They are provided executive function tests that are in compliance with bioethical conditions. Results and conclusions: The Intellectual Capacity is not a concept analogous or synonymous to executive function. This study demonstrates that the common element among all participants is high academic performance and an absence of alteration of the executive function. Finally, an adequate executive functioning makes high academic performance possible.Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre las dimensiones de la función ejecutiva y capacidad intelectual en niños escolarizados con alto rendimiento académico. Método: investigación de tipo analítica, observacional, prospectiva, con muestra no aleatoria de 104 niños entre los 7 y 11 años de edad pertenecientes a instituciones educativas de Medellín-Colombia, dividida en tres grupos de acuerdo con la medida de Capacidad Intelectual Total (CIT). 1. Aquellos con CIT promedio entre 85-115. 2. Niños con CI superior; puntuaciones entre 116-129 y 3. Niños con un CIT ≥ 130; talentos excepcionales. Se les suministro pruebas de función ejecutiva con cumplimiento de condiciones bioéticas. Resultados y conclusiones: La Capacidad Intelectual no es concepto análogo ni sinónimo de función ejecutiva. Este estudio demostró que el elemento común entre todos los participantes es un alto rendimiento académico y una ausencia de alteración de la función ejecutiva. Finalmente, un adecuado funcionamiento ejecutivo posibilita un alto rendimiento académico

Relationship between depressive symptomatology and cognitive performance in older people

Objective: To analyze the relationship of depressive symptoms with differentiated components of cognitive function in older adults using the Neuronorma.Co protocol. Methodology: We analyzed the cognitive performance of 144 adults, 58.3% women, with an average age of 68.1 ± 11.2 years. A factor analysis of main components was performed to identify independent factors of cognitive function. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the type and strength of association between depressive symptoms and neurocognitive performance components. Results: Seven differentiated components of cognitive performance were identified. In the multivariate analysis, interference control and language were affected by the total score on the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. Conclusions: The presence and intensity of depressive symptoms is associated with a lower performance in tasks dependent on executive control.Objetivo: Analizar la relación de los síntomas depresivos con componentes diferenciados de la función cognitiva de adultos mayores usando el protocolo Neuronorma.Co. Metodología: Se analizó el rendimiento cognitivo de 144 adultos, 58, 3% mujeres, con una edad media de 68, 1 ± 11, 2 años. Se realizó un análisis factorial de componentes principales, para identificar factores independientes de la función cognitiva. Se usó el análisis de regresión lineal múltiple para estimar el tipo y la fuerza de asociación entre síntomas depresivos y los componentes del desempeño neurocognitivo. Resultados: Se identificaron siete componentes diferenciados del rendimiento cognitivo. En el análisis multivariado el control de la interferencia y el lenguaje resultaron afectados por la puntuación total en la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica de Yesavage

Función ejecutiva y entrenamiento computarizado en niños de 7 a 12 años con discapacidad intelectual

A comparative study of executive function (planning and flexibility components) presented by a computerized cognitive training program applied to children with intellectual disabilities. Few studies found on intervention in population with intellectual disabilities involving computer programs about executive functioning, and focused on neuropsychological processes as educational support. In this study, a population sample of 20 boys and girls in Antioquia (Colombia) diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, between 7 and 12 years of age, divided into an experimental group (10) and a control group (10) was used. The study used a pretest-posttest design; the case group had a training process with the computer software Lumosity for 15 sessions, 3 times a week, with an intensity of 40 minutes each (20 for flexibility and 20 for planning) as components of executive function. Comparing these components of executive function (before and after the process), in the case group and the control group are significant results that demonstrate the generation change in the components of planning and flexibility in this population; It is also possible to validate the effectiveness of computerized cognitive training programsSe presenta un estudio comparativo de la función ejecutiva (componentes de planeación y flexibilidad), por medio de un programa de entrenamiento cognitivo computarizado aplicado a niños y niñas con discapacidad intelectual. La discapacidad intelectual es una problemática mundial y local en constante crecimiento, sin embargo, son pocos los estudios encontrados en cuanto a procesos de intervención para población con discapacidad intelectual que involucran programas computarizados en relación con el funcionamiento ejecutivo y que sirvan como referente tanto para procesos de acompañamiento neuropsicológico como pedagógico. En este estudio, se empleó una muestra poblacional de 20 niños y niñas antioqueños (colombianos) con diagnóstico de discapacidad intelectual, entre los 7 y 12 años de edad, divididos en grupo caso (10) y grupo control (10). El estudio empleó un diseño pretest-postest; el grupo caso tuvo un proceso de entrenamiento con el programa computarizado Lumosity durante 15 sesiones, 3 veces por semana, con una intensidad de 40 minutos cada una, 20 minutos para flexibilidad y 20 minutos para planeación, como componentes de la función ejecutiva. Al comparar estos componentes de la función ejecutiva (antes y después del proceso), tanto en el grupo caso como en el grupo control, se encuentran resultados significativos que demuestran la generación de cambio en los componentes de planeación y flexibilidad en esta población; asimismo, se logra validar la efectividad del programa de entrenamiento cognitivo computarizad

Cognitive performance in asymptomatic carriers of mutations R1031C and R141C in CADASIL

CADASIL is the most common hereditary cause of repeated ischemic strokes, and has also been identified as a model of pure vascular dementia.    The objective of this study was to establish the cognitive performance of asymptomatic carriers with the mutations R1031C and R141C. This observational cross-sectional analytical study divided subjects into three groups: asymptomatic carriers of the R1031C mutation (n = 39), asymptomatic carries of the R141C mutation (n = 8) and non-carriers (n = 50). Statistically significant differences were found (p <0.05) between the group of the R1031C mutation and the non-carriers in constructional praxis, executive function and abstract reasoning. For the R141C mutation, scores below expected values in executive function and mental calculation were observed. It is concluded that asymptomatic carriers of the two mutations showed low performance in working memory, mental abstraction and processing speed, which could be associated with preclinical cognitive biomarkers preceding the presentation of the first vascular event.La Arteriopatía Cerebral Autosómica Dominante con Infartos Subcorticales y Leucoencefalopatía (CADASIL), es producida por mutaciones en el gen NOTCH3, es la causa hereditaria más común de accidentes cerebrovasculares isquémicos repetidos. Objetivo: establecer el desempeño cognitivo en portadores asintomáticos con las mutaciones R1031C Y R141C. Método: estudio observacional, analítico transversal. Se dividieron en tres grupos: portadores asintomáticos con mutación R1031C (n=39), asintomáticos con mutación R141C (n=8) y no portadores (n=50). Resultados: se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0.05) entre el grupo de portadores asintomáticos de la mutación R1031C y los no portadores en praxias construccionales, función ejecutiva y razonamiento abstracto. En la mutación R141C, se observaron puntuaciones bajas en función ejecutiva y cálculo mental. Conclusiones: los portadores asintomáticos de las dos mutaciones evidenciaron bajo rendimiento en memoria de trabajo, abstracción mental y velocidad de procesamiento, pudiendo estar asociados como biomarcadores cognitivos preclínicos, antes del primer evento vascular o los primeros síntomas