Caspian Journal of Neurological Sciences
Volume:6 Issue: 22, Jul 2020

Various studies have documented age-related changes in cognitive abilities and neural basis.

To investigate the role of neuropsychological function tests in predicting amnestic mild cognitive impairment in the elderly.

In this cross-sectional study with a correlational design, the study population included elderly people over 60 years old residing in Bojnord City, Iran, in the spring of 2019. The participants were selected by cluster sampling method (n=128). The study instruments included the Bender-Gestalt test, Wechsler memory scale-revised, Wechsler adult intelligence scale third edition, and behavior rating inventory of executive functions. According to the scores of the elderly in the Wechsler memory scale (cut-off score=70), the participants were divided into two groups with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and no MCI. For analyzing data, the discriminant analysis was performed using SPSS v. 23.

Discriminant analysis showed that the obtained discriminant function had a significant diagnostic power (χ2 =166.001, P<0.0001) and 70% of the difference between the two groups with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and no mild cognitive impairment was explained by scores of fluid intelligence, visual-motor coordination, and executive functions. The predictor variables correctly classified 96.9% of the elderly in the groups of amnestic MCI and no MCI. Visual-motor coordination (coefficient=0.53) and fluid intelligence (coefficient=-0.54) were strong variables in predicting amnestic MCI.

Neuropsychological function tests can help predict amnestic MCI in the elderly

Tension and migraine headaches are the most prevalent types of headaches. Some emotional and psychological factors are associated with these headaches.

To elucidate the nature of individual differences in emotion regulation and repetitive negative thinking among patients with tension headaches and migraine and compare it with normal subjects.

In this cross-sectional, comparative study, the participants consisted of patients with tension headaches and migraine referring to the two neurology clinics in Isfahan City, Iran from 2019 to 2020. A diverse sample of patients (n =240) completed the difficulties in emotional regulation scale and perseverative thinking questionnaire. The Chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact test, GLM (generalized linear model), Tukey post hoc test, and LSD (least significant difference) test were used to analyze the obtained data in SPSS V. 21.

The results indicated that patients with a high level of repetitive negative thinking reported increased difficulties in emotional regulation and impulse control, limited access to emotion regulation strategies, and lack of emotional clarity (P<0.05). Moreover, the tension headaches group showed a higher level of difficulties in emotional regulation and repetitive negative thinking than the migraine and control groups (P<0.001).

Weak emotional regulation and repetitive negative thinking are associated with migraine and, especially tension headaches. Therefore, therapeutic plans based on emotion regulation and thinking problems should be considered as a complementary and necessary treatment for these types of headaches.

Quality of life is one of the pivotal notions of the World Health Organization’s perspective. Regarding the complications of Phenylketonuria (PKU) disease in children, it seems that this disease affects the quality of life of these mothers.

Investigating the quality of life of mothers with PKU children and to compare it with that of mothers of normal children.

This case-control study was conducted on 65 mothers with PKU children and 122 mothers with normal children in Hamadan City, Iran, in 2018 (selected randomly from the general population). For data collection, mothers filled a demographic profile questionnaire and the Iranian version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief. The obtained data were analyzed using the independent t test and univariate analysis of variance (α=0.05) in SPSS V. 16.

The Mean±SD total scores of quality of life of mothers with PKU children and mothers with normal children were 11.74±1.91 and 14.37±1.58, respectively and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). There was also a significant relationship between the quality of life of mothers with PKU children and the age of the child at the onset of treatment (P<0.05).

According to the current study results that indicated the low quality of life of the mothers of PKU children, it is recommended that rehabilitation and psychological interventions be included in pediatric treatment programs to improve the quality of life of mothers.

Depression is a common mood disorder that in the long-term impairs thoughts, behavior, feelings, and health. Chronic unpredictable stress is one of the factors that can cause depression.

To investigate the effect of voluntary exercise training on immobility behavior (caused by chronic unpredictable stress) and serum corticosterone concentration.

A total of 24 male rats were randomly and equally assigned to four groups of healthy-control, healthy-exercise, depressed-control, and depressed-exercise. Depressed-control and depressed-exercise groups were first exposed to three weeks of chronic unpredictable stress. After this period, the exercise groups performed four weeks of voluntary exercise training. Twentyfour hours after the last training session, a forced swim test was taken from the rats and their blood samples were taken 24 hours later. The obtained data were analyzed using a 2-way analysis of variance (significance level: P<0.05). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between study variables. All statistical analyses were performed in SPSS v. 22.

Chronic stress increased immobility behavior (P=0.001) and serum corticosterone concentration (P=0.001). In contrast, exercise training reduced immobility behavior (P=0.001) and serum corticosterone (P=0.001). The immobility time (P=0.001) and serum corticosterone concentration in the depressed-exercise group were higher than those in the healthy-exercise group (P=0.001). There was a positive correlation between immobility behavior and serum corticosterone concentration (r=0.85 and P=0.001).

While the chronic stress increases the immobility behavior and serum corticosterone concentration, voluntary exercise training can reduce immobility behavior and serum corticosterone and adjust some depression symptoms.

Higher levels of resiliency and hardiness are associated with greater life satisfaction. However, there is limited information on the mediating role of married people responses to stressful life situations.

This study was carried out to determine the mediating role of stress-coping strategies in the association of resiliency and hardiness with the life satisfaction of married people.

In this cross-sectional study, the statistical population included all married students of the Islamic Azad University of Rasht City (north of Iran) in the 2018-2019 academic year. They were selected using a purposive sampling method. A total of 282 students were selected as a sample. To measure the variables, Billings and Moos’s coping responses inventory, the satisfaction with life scale, the Connor-Davidson resilience scale, and Ahvaz hardiness inventory were used. SPSS AMOS software, 24 full version was used for data processing.

According to the results of path analysis, resiliency has a significant effect on life satisfaction only through problem-focused and cognitive reappraisal-based coping responses (P<0.01) and it can explain 11% of the variance. Also, the indirect effect of hardiness on life satisfaction was not significant and this variable was deleted from the path, and the modified model was re-fitted.

In dealing with stressful situations in life, the resilient actions of people who use problem-focused and cognitive reappraisal-based strategies lead to life satisfaction with more confidence.

A wide array of Socioeconomic Status (SES) indicators show differential effects for the members of diverse social groups. Researchers know a little about the ethnic variation and the effects of family income on delay discounting which is the predictor of risk behaviors.

This study examined the effect of family income and its differences on delayed gratification between Latino and non-Latino children.

In this cross-sectional analytical study, data came from wave one of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study which included 3903 non-Latino or Latino Black or White American children who are between 9 and 10 years old. The predictor was family income. Data were collected from 21 sites in the US, in 2018. The outcome was the children’s delay discounting. We measured delay discounting, which reflected individuals’ tendency to assign less value to remote outcomes and rewards (inversely correlated with delayed gratification). Data analysis was done by linear regression in SPSS V. 22.

According to our pooled sample regression, higher family income was associated with lower children delay discounting (Beta=-0.05, P=0.021). We found a significant interaction between family income and ethnicity, suggesting that the association between family income and delay discounting is stronger for Latino compared with non-Latino children (Beta=-0.09, P=0.043).

Not all ethnic disparities are due to socioeconomic status gaps. Across diverse social groups, differential returns of socioeconomic status indicators, such as family income, also contribute to ethnic disparities in health.

Inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) are a class of genetic disorders. Each metabolic disorder may have different forms with different age of onset, clinical manifestations, severity, and even type of inheritance. Ideally, a group of different specialists, including ophthalmologists, pediatricians, biochemists, and medical geneticists are needed for the final diagnosis and management of IMDs. Because of the importance of the aforementioned issue, we investigated the effect of IMDs on the eye in this review. Metabolic disorders can induce abnormalities in conjunctiva, cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, and eye motility.  In this study, the authors aimed to address the effect of metabolic diseases of amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids on eye metabolism. Because of the direct toxic mechanisms of abnormal metabolites on the eyes and regarding the effect of eye monitoring on follow-up, management, and treatment of IMDs, a detailed ophthalmological assessment is essential.