cognition

Cognitive impairment (CI) is one of the main features of multiple sclerosis (MS). Cognitive rehabilitation (CR) programs are crucial for improving cognition and computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation is considered as an effective method for cognition rehabilitation. To assess the effects of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation program on cognition in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

We performed a comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases along with gray literature up to September 2021. Randomized clinical trials, articles had been published in the English language. We evaluated the risk of potential bias via the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated.

The preliminary search retrieved 2302 articles by literature search, after deleting duplicates 2248 remained.  Eight articles remained for meta-analysis. Totally, 235 patients in intervention group and 192 in control group were evaluated. Mean age ranged from 43.5-52 years. The SMD of PASAT (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test) (Case-control) test was 0.35 (95%CI:0.1-0.66) (I2:24.4%, P=0.2). The SMD of SDMT (Case-control) test was 0.07 (95%CI:-0.18-0.33). The SMD of PASAT before and after intervention in case group was 0.68 (95%CI:0.45-0.91) (I2:40%, P=0.15). The SMD of SDMT before and after intervention in case group was 0.44 (95%CI:0.21-0.66) (I2:40%, P=0.15).

The results of this systematic and meta-analysis showed that computerized cognitive rehabilitation program is effective in improving PASAT score.

Several circumstances, including the etiology of epilepsy, its early onset, recurrent seizures, and the use of anti-seizure medications (ASMs), can lead to cognitive impairment in people with epilepsy. Studies indicate that the etiology of epilepsy may be more closely associated with cognitive problems than the ASMs. However, considering long-term treatment in pediatrics and their developing nervous systems, it is critical to understand the cognitive effects of each anti-seizure medication. Significant methodological challenges exist in studying the cognitive effects of ASMs. Accordingly, this review aims to give a broad overview of recent studies on cognitive impairment caused by first- and second-generation ASMs

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by qualitative deficits in behavior and social interaction patterns. Recently, cognitive impairments commonly associated with ASD have been well-documented. Neurofeedback (NFB) has been proposed as a potential treatment for individuals with autism, but its effectiveness in improving cognitive issues remains uncertain despite multiple trials. This review aims to summarize the estate of documents regarding the cognitive efficacy of NFB for participants with ASD. 

Materials & Methods:

 Conducting a systematic review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this study scrutinized NFB studies specific to ASD treatment. Its inclusion criteria focused on studies involving individuals with ASD without comorbidities, employing JBI checklists to assess study quality. Utilizing PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus, supplemented by manual paper reviews, we initially identified 474 papers. After deduplication and full-text review, 12 studies were selected for analysis.

Findings revealed that 83% of the chosen studies highlighted a positive impact of NFB on cognition in individuals with ASD. The findings suggest NFB as a promising alternative treatment, demonstrating efficacy in addressing attention, memory, executive function, and speech difficulties. Additionally, six studies indicated sustained long-term effectiveness of NFB in improving cognitive functioning among ASD patients.

This review supports the potential of NFB as a viable intervention for cognitive challenges in ASD. Furthermore, the results hint at broader applications of NFB beyond ASD, suggesting efficacy in addressing conditions like Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), sleep apnea, depression, and epilepsy.

In open-plan office environments, irrelevant speech noise (ISN) is a common complaint among employees, leading to reduced performance. This study aimed to assess the impact of music on the working memory performance of individuals exposed to ISN in simulated open-plan offices. Additionally, we sought to examine any differential effects of music between male and female participants. In this experimental study, participants were selected through convenient sampling. Their working memory performance was evaluated using n-back (n=1, 2) tests conducted with software while they were exposed to irrelevant speech noise (ISN) alone and a combination of ISN and music. Sampling took place over one month during the spring season in the acoustic laboratory of the Faculty of Health in Shiraz, Iran. Thirty students, including 15 females, with an ags range of 18 to 38 (Mean=25.27, Standard Deviation=6.03), participated in the study. The results showed a significant increase in the accuracy of participants’ responses to both simple and difficult tasks of the n-back (n=1, 2) test when music was played compared to the ISNonly condition. However, there was no significant difference between the conditions regarding reaction times in the working memory test. In the present study, the inclusion of music, specifically “For Elise,” emerged as a crucial factor in enhancing working memory amidst the presence of open-plan office noise. This finding underscores the potential of utilizing music as an effective strategy for improving cognitive performance in such environments. Given its cost-effectiveness and simplicity of implementation, incorporating background music like “For Elise” can be recommended as a favorable method for mitigating the negative impacts of noise in open-plan offices.

Recent studies have identified oxidative stress as a potential neurobiological contributor to the development of schizophrenia. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is recognized for its potent antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of NAC in reducing oxidative stress as a treatment for schizophrenia.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study involved 35 patients with schizophrenia. Patients in the case group received 600 mg of NAC once daily in addition to their routine treatment, while the control group continued their routine treatment with a placebo instead of NAC. Assessments were conducted using the Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and the neuropsychiatry unit cognitive assessment tool (NUCOG) at baseline, and 1 and 2 months post-treatment.

N-acetylcysteine treatment resulted in a significant improvement in SAPS and NUCOG indices, as well as an increase in peripheral glutathione (GSH) levels (P < 0.05). Continued NAC use in the second month positively affected NUCOG indices, particularly the Visuo-constructional variable. No significant impact on SANS was observed. The limited side effects of NAC during the study period suggest it is a safe and practical treatment option.

N-acetylcysteine add-on therapy significantly improved positive symptoms and cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia but did not affect negative symptoms.

This study investigated the effects of young plasma therapy (YPT) compared to estrogen therapy (E2T) on motor and cognitive impairments in aged ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Sixty female Wistar rats were divided as follows: 1). 2-3 months control young group. Five 22-24 months old groups: 1) Control, 2) Sham, 3) OVX, 4) OVX.E2, and 5) OVX.YP. Young plasma (1 ml plasma, through the tail vein, 3 days weekly for 4 weeks) and E2 (30 mg/kg, SC, 5 days weekly for 4 weeks) were administrated to OVX rats. The open field, elevated plus maze, and Barne’s maze were used to assess the behaviors. Then, miR-134 and miR-124 (RT- RCR), SIRT1, CREB, and BDNF (western blot), and anti-oxidants/oxidants markers (Photometry) levels were assessed in the rat’s hippocampal tissues.

OVX caused up-regulated hippocampal miR-134 and miR-124 expression levels (P<0.001) while down-regulated SIRT1, CREB, and BDNF protein expressions (P<0.001). Also, ovariectomy Increased TOS, OSI, and MDA (P<0.001) while decreasing TAC (P<0.001) compared to sham. Treatment with both E2T and YPT significantly improved all oxidative stress indexes (P<0.0.001) and increased p-CREB, BDNF, and SIRT1 protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) while decreasing the expression of miR-134 and miR-124 (P<0.001). 

YPT is a non-pharmacological therapeutic as much as or more than E-2T, which can exhibit anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory potential in the hippocampal tissue and improve cognitive deficits in aged OVX rats without unknown side effects.

This systematic review aims to explore the effects of listening to the Quran on the electrophysiological aspects of the human brain, particularly focusing on how this auditory experience influences cognitive function, emotional well-being, and mental health.

We conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as "Quran" and "EEG." Studies included in this review were observational or clinical trials that investigated the effects of Quran listening on brain activity using EEG. Eligibility criteria were assessed according to predefined standards, with a focus on studies published in English. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was employed to evaluate the quality of the selected articles, and data extraction followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

A total of 236 studies were evaluated, leading to the inclusion of 22 eligible studies in this review. Findings indicate that listening to Quranic verses is associated with increased alpha and theta power, which correlates with relaxation and improved emotional states in participants, including non-Muslims. The review identified significant variations in study designs, methodologies, and quality, with many studies displaying a high risk of bias.

Listening to Quranic verses demonstrates potential therapeutic effects by activating brain regions associated with relaxation and emotional regulation. Despite promising findings, the current body of research is limited, particularly regarding nonlinear EEG dynamics and comprehensive study designs. Further neuroimaging and clinical investigations are warranted to validate these results and explore the therapeutic applications of Quranic listening in diverse contexts, such as pain management, psychological health, and rehabilitation.

Domestic violence causes the family institution to turn into a tense, stressful, cold and soulless environment. The current study was handled to the aim of predicting domestic violence according to cognitive emotion regulation (CER) and early maladaptive schemas (EMS) in couples.

The present study was a descriptive correlational Research, which was carried out on couples with domestic violence problems referring to counseling centers in Tehran, 2021. The number of 400 people was selected as samples through convenience sampling among those who were referred to counseling centers. The research tools included the questionnaire of Haj-Yahia violence against women, Garfenski et al.'s cognitive regulation of emotion, and Young's early maladaptive schemas. Data analysis was done using SPSS 21 software, Pearson's correlation coefficient and analysis of regression.

The findings revealed that domestic violence has a significant and inverse correlation with CER, and a direct and significant correlation with EMSs (P < 0.001). Domestic violence was predictable based on CER (B = -0.411, P = 0.001) and EMSs (B =0.372, P = 0.001).

According to the results, CER and EMSs were able to reduce and increase domestic violence in couples, respectively. It is suggested to pay attention to the CER and EMSs of couples and supply the required teaching in this regard.

Adolescence is a critical period marked by increased vulnerability to cyberbullying and emotional challenges. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between cyberbullying and cognitive emotion regulation among adolescents. 

This correlational study included approximately 500 male and female first-grade high school students in Amol City during the 2022-2023 academic years. A sample of 235 students was selected through cluster random sampling. The cyberbullying scale, cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (CERQ), and five facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ) were used for data collection. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with PLS software, version 4, was utilized for data analysis. 

The results indicated that the model of cyberbullying’s effect on cognitive emotion regulation, with the mediating role of mindfulness, fits well (standardized root mean square residual=0.079, goodness-of-fit=0.47). Mindfulness played a significant mediating role in the relationship between cyberbullying and cognitive emotion regulation (P<0.01). Cyberbullying significantly decreased positive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (β=-0.604, P<0.001) and increased negative cognitive emotion regulation strategies (β=0.440, P<0.001) by reducing mindfulness (β=-0.530, P<0.001). The mediating role of mindfulness was significant for both positive (β=-0.130, P=0.001) and negative (β=0.11, P=0.004) cognitive emotion regulation strategies.

This study demonstrated the significant mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between cyberbullying and cognitive emotion regulation among adolescents. These results highlight the importance of mindfulness in the context of adolescents’ online experiences and emotional regulation processes, providing a foundation for understanding the complex interplay between cyberbullying, mindfulness, and cognitive emotion regulation.

Pineal Gland (PG) is a midline brain structure and part of the epithalamus, a dorsal posterior segment of the diencephalon. Most findings on the role of this structure in brain function are relevant to melatonin secretion, and only a few reports are available on its involvement in brain cognition.

Due to some suggestions on the role of the diencephalon areas, including the PG, in the human memory system, we used data from two previous MRI studies on 32 and 295 healthy individuals, in order to identify first, if the PG shows activations in fMRI and during a memory retrieval task as well as showing functional connectivity with other brain structures, and second, if there are any associations between the PG volume and the memory scores of the individuals.

Using a standard PG atlas, our results showed significant activations in PG during memory retrieval, with the strength of these activations increasing with the increment of the cognitive load of the task. Also, PG showed functional connectivity with other brain structures during fMRI, the pattern of which also changed with the cognitive load of the retrieval. Finally, the volume of the PG showed significant associations with the scores of the memory tests.

Our knowledge of the PG still needs improvement, and we hope our findings here could be a help for that as well as a help to better understand the mechanisms of memory storage and retrieval in humans.

Schizophrenia which is a chronic disabling burdensome psychotic disorder has been treated with different antipsychotic medications. Some studies have reported a possible correlation between deficiency in minerals, nutrients and vitamins — mainly group B vitamins — and the development of schizophrenia. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effect of the B vitamin group as an adjuvant treatment to antipsychotics in individuals with chronic schizophrenia.

In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial study, involving two groups of 25 patients with chronic schizophrenia, we compared the effects of a 12-week adjuvant treatment with a combination of B vitamins — B1 (15mg), B2 (15mg), B6 (10mg), B12 (10µg) and nicotinamide (50 mg) — with a placebo. The impact on negative, positive and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia was assessed for both groups before the intervention (T0) and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the intervention (T1, T2, and T3, respectively).

Following the treatment, negative symptoms scores decreased in the treatment group at 12 weeks following the beginning of the treatment (F (4, 45) = 464.7, P < 0.0001). Although a trend toward improvement in positive symptoms and cognitive scores was seen, these changes were not significant.

Our results suggest that selecting the group B vitamins as an adjuvant treatment to the antipsychotics may have beneficial effects on improving negative symptoms of patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Occupational performance occurs in a dynamic interaction between the people, their occupations, and context. Stroke could affect the individual’s occupational performance, which is the basis of social life.
This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting stroke patients’ occupational performance.

In this descriptive-analytic study, 55 people with stroke participated. The patients completed the Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM), Barthel index, Brunnstrom stage, Montreal cognitive assessment, and a demographic questionnaire.

The results showed a significant correlation between occupational satisfaction and performance with cognition, the activities of daily living (ADL), and the severity of impairment in the upper and lower extremities (P <0.01). The results of linear regression show that cognition level could significantly predict occupational performance (R= 0.83, P <0.01) and satisfaction (R= 0.81, P <0.01) after stroke. 

Results show that the cognitive level could predict occupational performance in patients with stroke. Performing daily living activities and lower limb impairment could predict satisfaction with occupational performance. Therefore, it is recommended that therapists consider the cognition in stroke patients through a proper therapeutic plan to prevent participation restrictions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the only evidence-based and method for tinnitus management. To assess a patient’s progress during and after CBT, an assessment tool such as a questionnaire is needed. Since there is no validated tool available in Iran for this purpose, this study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Tinnitus Cognition Questionnaire (P-TCQ).

The TCQ was first translated to Persian based on the international quality of life assessment protocol. participants were 102 tinnitus patients and 7 audiologists. After translation and data collection, psychometric properties (content validity, face validity, construct validity, criterion validity, reliability) of the P-TCQ were evaluated.

The Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Item-Content Validity Index (I-CVI) values were higher than the minimum acceptable values (0.74 and 0.79, respectively). Item-level Face Validity Index (I-FVI) and average of Scale-level Face Validity Indexes (S-FVI) were in a range of 0.8-0.96 and 0.88–0.90, respectively, all of which were higher than the acceptable value of 0.7. Furthermore, fit indices had higher than the acceptable values and showed the good fit of the confirmatory factor abalysis model. There was a positive correlations between the TCQ total scores and the tinnitus handicap inventory (r=0.60) and hospital anxiety and depression scale (r=0.61), indicating acceptaiuoble criterion validity. Furthermore, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient showed that the TCQ has acceptable reliability.

The P-TCQ is a valid and reliable questionnaire to evaluate the cognitive aspects of tinnitus in the Iranian samples.

Drug addiction represents a global crisis with increasing rates, particularly in regions like Iran. The widespread impact of addiction on individuals and societies underscores the need for comprehensive research. Providing further context on the global and national scope of the addiction crisis would strengthen the introduction.

This study aimed to examine the structural relationship between dark personality traits, morbid curiosity, and cognitive abilities, and their influence on vulnerability to addiction among Zanjan University students during the 2020 - 2021 academic year.

A total of 479 students from Zanjan University were selected through a cluster random sampling method during the 2020 - 2021 academic year. The study utilized the Addiction Vulnerability Scale (Zinali), the Dark Personality Traits Scale (Webster and Johnson), the Morbid Curiosity Scale (Scrivener), and a Cognitive Abilities Scale (Nejati). Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were employed, using tools such as Pearson correlation and structural equations through SPSS 25 and AMOS 24 software.

The findings indicated that the model proposed by the researchers demonstrated an acceptable fit. Furthermore, a significant structural relationship was observed between dark personality traits and vulnerability to addiction (P < 0.05) with a path coefficient of 0.37. Additionally, the structural relationship between morbid curiosity and addiction vulnerability was significant (P < 0.05) with a path coefficient of 0.31. Cognitive abilities also had a significant structural relationship with vulnerability to addiction (P < 0.05) with a path coefficient of 0.46.

The results of this study provide important insights for the prevention and early identification of addiction in vulnerable populations. These findings have practical applications for educational institutions, addiction treatment centers, and correctional facilities.

Context:

 Non-alcoholic substance abuse is a major public health concern worldwide, with methamphetamine being the second most widely used non-alcoholic substance globally, and Iran ranks fifth in methamphetamine addiction. To date, no approved pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment by the Food and Drug Administration has been introduced for methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Therefore, various treatment methods are currently utilized. One non-pharmacological approach that has gained attention is transcranial-direct current stimulation (tDCS), with various clinical evaluations focused on it.

The aim of this review is to assess the effectiveness of this method in improving symptoms in individuals with MUD.

Databases were reviewed up to October 10, 2023, in both Persian and English languages, using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Noormags. Keywords were MUD, tDCS, Addiction, Craving, and Cognitive Function. Studies were included based on Population, Intervention, Comparison (sham or active control), Outcomes (craving or cognition), and Study Design (randomized controlled trial). Studies were excluded if they involved brain mapping or neuroimaging. Meta-analysis was conducted based on Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) to compare tDCS to sham intervention (P ≤ 0.05, two-tailed). Random effects models were used for individual MUD data from studies that reported end-of-treatment craving data. The risk of bias was calculated using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool (RoB-2), and meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software.

A total of 870 studies were initially identified; twenty-three studies (mean age 30.13 ± 6.67) were identified that examined the effects of tDCS on MUD outcomes (e.g., craving, cognition). After removing heterogeneous studies, meta-analyses were performed for tDCS vs. sham control studies in the craving domain. We found that tDCS reduced craving, indicated by medium to large effect sizes (Hedges' g: -0.64; SMD -0.58, 95% CI -0.85 to -0.30; I² = 10.71%, Q value: 8.96). Results showed that complementary treatment with tDCS can be useful. The DLPFC (F3, F4) was the most commonly targeted brain region for stimulation or inhibition. However, the number of sessions and their duration varied significantly across studies.

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that tDCS can reduce momentary and cue-induced cravings. However, the studies varied in quality and sample size and used different scales for assessing cravings and cognitive functions, leading to inconsistencies. The review highlighted the importance of targeting the DLPFC due to its role in executive functions and self-control, with right-sided stimulation showing greater effectiveness. Emotional dysregulation in MUD, such as anxiety and depression, was also noted, with tDCS showing limited support for emotion regulation. The review identified the need for larger RCTs, standardized measurement tools, and detailed participant information to improve the understanding and effectiveness of tDCS in treating MUD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelop-mental disorder. According to the DSM-V, this condition has a variety of symptoms including impaired social relationships, and behavioral disorders. Various studies have shown that these children also have balance problems that are rarely investigated in this population. The purpose was to investigate the effect of single- and dual-task exercises on the functional balance of these children.

The study design was a clinical trial research. The participants were 40 children with ASD (9 to 14 years) who were randomly divided into two groups. The single-task exercise group only performed balance exercises, while the dual-task exercises group performed both balance exercises and cognitive tasks at the same time. The sessions consisted of 45-minute sessions (3 times a week for 4 weeks). The functional balance tests were performed before and after the intervention.

There were no significant differences between two groups in the Timed Up and Go test, 10-meter walk test and Mini-BESTest endpoint of the study, but there was a significant difference in Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (p=0.01, effect size=0.82). Dual-task exercises could not cause significant improvements in the functional balance of the participants compared to the single-task group. 

It seems that evidence that dual-task exercises cause significant improvements of functional balance of the participants compared to the single-task group is inconclusive.

It is known that both major abdominal surgeries and opioids used for postoperative pain management affect postoperative cognitive functions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of thoracoabdominal nerve block through the perichondral approach (TAPA block) compared to conventional methods in preventing postoperative pain, reducing opioid consumption and saving cognitive functions in major abdominal surgeries.  

Ninety patients who undergo major abdominal surgery were included in this observational study. Preoperative cognitive functions of the patients were evaluated via the Mini-Mental State Examination test (MMSE). Ultrasound guided TAPA block was applied to the patients in the TAPA group. IV morphine was administered to patients who could not undergo TAPA. All patients received intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia devices (PCA) with morphine. Pain assessment was documented with the numeric rating scale (NRS) at postoperative hours 1, 2, 6, 12, 24. Opioid consumption in the postoperative 24-hour period was recorded. MMSE was performed preoperatively, after recovery, and on postoperative days 1and 3.  

Demographic data, operation durations, pre-, intra-, and postoperative body temperatures, and preoperative MMSE scores of both groups were similar. Total opioid consumption, recovery times, and all postoperative NRS values in the TAPA group were significantly lower. There was no difference between groups in terms of cognitive functions on the postoperative immediate, 1st, and 3rd days.  

In major abdominal surgery, TAPA Block reduced opioid consumption, provided early recovery, and provided effective pain management. However, TAPA block did not make any difference in terms of cognitive function.