جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه "cognitive impairments" در نشریات گروه "پزشکی"

One of the most common psychological problems among people who use drugs (PWUD) is cognitive impairments (CIs). Several studies show that the prevalence of cognitive impairments in PWUD is higher than in the general population.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of CI and its related factors among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iran.

A cross-sectional study was designed among PWID in 2023. About 410 PWID were recruited using snowball and convenience sampling in four provinces in Iran. Demographic and clinical data, as well as the status of cognitive impairments, were collected using bio-behavioral and Montreal Cognitive Assessment questionnaires, respectively. We examined the relationship between all independent variables and CIs status using bivariate logistic regression.

The prevalence of CI among participants was 28% (95% confidence interval (CI): 22% - 32%). Behaviors associated with an increased risk of CIs included the length of injecting drug use [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) = 2.7, P = 0.01], methamphetamine use (aOR = 2.8, P < 0.05), and alcohol use (aOR = 2.8, P < 0.05).

Methamphetamine and alcohol use were identified as the main predictors of cognitive impairments among PWID. It also seems necessary to consider new interventions in harm reduction programs to address cognitive impairments.

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) was first identified in China in December 2019 and is rapidly spreading worldwide as a pandemic. Since COVID-19 causes mild to severe acute respiratory syndrome, most studies in this context have focused on pathogenesis primarily in the respiratory system. However, evidence shows that the central nervous system (CNS) may also be affected by COVID-19. Since COVID-19 is spreading, it is necessary to study its possible cognitive effects on COVID-19 patients and their recovery.

The articles used in this study were searched by keywords, such as cytokine storm and COVID-19, COVID-19 and executive dysfunction, cognitive disorder, and COVID-19, central nervous system (CNS) and COVID-19, coronavirus, neuroinvasion in Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) checklist. The study evaluates all observational studies published between December 2019 and April 2021 in peer-reviewed journals, including cross-sectional, cohort, case-control studies, case reports, and case series. The search result was 106 articles, of which 73 articles related to COVID-19, the stages of infection by this virus, its effect on the nervous system and neurological symptoms, the cytokine storm caused by this infection, and the possible cognitive consequences caused by this virus in patients, has been reviewed. Other articles were not checked due to their limited relevance to the topic under discussion.

Studies showed that neurons may be directly affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, various studies indicated that systemic inflammation (so-called “cytokine storm”) is also responsible for brain damage induced by infection with SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. 
In such a way that these patients showed elevated levels of interleukin (IL-), 6, 8, and 10 and of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in their blood. 

Various cognitive defects have been observed following an increased level of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6, 8. Therefore, due to the increased level of these pro-inflammatory factors in the brains of these patients, cognitive deficits can be expected, which need further investigation.

Ovariectomies rats were used to assess the preventive effects of almond and primrose oils on their lipid and neurochemical profiles.

The experimental groups were as follows: Group 1: A negative control group. Group 2: Rats given an oral dose of almond oil (800 mg/kg/d) for 30 days. Group 3: Rats given an oral dose of primrose oil (500 mg/kg/d) for 30 days. Group 4: Untreated ovariectomized rats. Group 5: Ovariectomized rats given an oral dose of almond oil (800 mg/kg/d) for 30 days. Group 6: Ovariectomized rats given an oral dose (500 mg/kg/d) of primrose oil daily for 30 days.

Oral administration of almond and primrose oils significantly decreased mean (P < 0.05) serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) concentrations and raised high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the ovariectomized groups compared to group 4 (P < 0.05). They also increased leptin and estradiol (E2) concentrations in groups 5 and 6. Administration of oils showed a marked increase in noradrenalin, dopamine, and 5-hydroxytyramin levels and a marked decrease in PGE2 and COX-2 levels (P < 0.05). Rats given almond and primrose oils revealed minor capillary congestion in the hippocampus in brain sections.

Administration of almond or primrose oils may improve central nervous system functions and decrease the risk of cardiovascular illnesses. They also might be effective against atherosclerosis, inflammation, endocrine disorders, and cognitive impairments for women who undergo surgical menopause prior to their natural menopause.

Toxoplasma gondii is a neurotropic parasite with lifelong persistence in the host brain. Many researchers suggested toxoplasmosis as a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the link between them has not been fully elucidated.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic toxoplasmosis infection with Types I (RH), II (PRU), and III (VEG) strains alone and in combination on cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's rat model.

Seven months after the inoculation of the strains, AD was induced bilaterally in rats by injecting human amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42) peptide into the brain hippocampus. Behavioral tests, including the elevated plus maze (EPM) and Morris water maze (MWM) were conducted 10 days after the AD induction.

Our findings showed that chronic infection with RH strain increased anxiety-like behavior in the Alzheimer's rats in the EPM. In agreement with EPM findings, rats infected with the RH strain exacerbated spatial learning disorders in the MWM test; however, it did not affect the spatial memory. Conversely, infection with the PRU strain significantly enhanced spatial learning without being able to improve memory impairments in the Alzheimer's rat model. Improvement in spatial learning and memory impairments were also observed in rats infected with PRU and VEG strains in combination.

Taken together, our findings suggest that chronic infection with PRU strain, as well as PRU and VEG strains in combination, can significantly improve cognitive deficits induced by Aβ1-42 in Alzheimer's rats, while RH strain plays a detrimental role in AD pathogenesis.

The present work aims to assess if insulin combined with phenolic fraction concentrates (PFCs) prevents diabetes-related cognitive impairments by controlling neuroinflammation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS).

Directly after confirming the hyperglycemia, diabetic animals were treated with insulin combined with PFC and were exposed to 2 stressors/day for 12 weeks. Then, four cognitive tests were carried out to assess learning and memory performances. Finally, the rats were anesthetized, blood samples were collected for corticosterone and Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) analysis, and the brain regions viz. striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal-cortex of each hemisphere were dissected out for TNF-α analysis.

Both diabetes and stress could induce learning and memory impairments, which were more prominent in stressed diabetic animals, and significantly reversed by insulin treatment supplemented with PFC compared to the insulin monotherapy. Moreover, diabetic rats exposed to CMS displayed disturbances in glucose homeostasis as well as corticosterone secretion. These dysfunctions were linked to the significant increase of TNF-α in the blood as well as in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. Insulin significantly ameliorated this inflammatory abnormality, while the supplemented treatment showed a significant effect, by stabilizing TNF-α to its normal levels in the hippocampus and in the blood when compared to insulin monotherapy.

Insulin supplemented with PFC has a favorable effect over insulin alone on inflammatory aberrations linked with type 1 diabetes and stress in animals, confirming the preference of the combined treatment over insulin for the management of cognitive impairment in stressed diabetic subjects.

Coumestrol is well-known as a natural estrogen receptor-beta modulator. Since the role of estrogen receptors in controlling stressful situations has already been reported and their cognitive functions in hippocampus seem to be independent of sexual tasks, the aim of this study was to investigate the improving effects of this phytoestrogen on negative consequences of exposing male mice to chronic restraint stress.

This study was divided into two separate but consecutive phases. In the first phase, the possible effects of coumestrol (30, 60, 120 µg.kg-1.day-1, i.p.) and its vehicle (sesame oil) on restraint stress-induced cognitive impairments, oxidative stress and apoptosis were evaluated. During the second phase, a selective estrogen receptor-beta antagonist was used to investigate the possible involvement of beta-type estrogen receptors in these processes. Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were performed to evaluate memory while elevated plus maze and open field tests were used to measure the level of anxiety. Spectroscopy and western blotting methods were also employed to evaluate oxidative and apoptotic status in hippocampal tissues. Furthermore, serum level of corticosterone was measured for each group.

Behavioral tests indicated memory enhancing and anxiolytic effects of coumestrol. Biochemical evaluations also proved its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic potential. On the other hand, the mentioned behavioral and biochemical improvements were reversed in the group treated with estrogen receptor-beta antagonist.

Coumestrol may ameliorate negative consequences of exposure to chronic stress such as oxidative stress, apoptosis and cognitive impairments, via the modulation of beta-type estrogen receptors in hippocampus.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for severe refractory mental diseases. Widespread cognitive complications have affected the acceptance of this treatment. Despite current evidence of short-term cognitive impairment, long-term cognition consequences are less determined.

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical approach of psychiatrists, psychiatry residents, and nurses in psychiatric hospitals to the necessity, method, and frequency of cognitive assessment in candidate patients for ECT.

In this descriptive study, 89 professional members of Roozbeh and Razi hospitals, Tehran, Iran, including nurses, residents, and faculty members of psychiatry, were selected using the purposive sampling method. The research questionnaires were sent, and 58 fulfilled questionnaires were sent back. The data were analyzed using central indicators and statistical dispersion. The designed questionnaire included the items related to the specialists’ views on the necessity of post-ECT cognitive evaluations, best batteries, frequency of performing the tests, and other related domains.

After close follow-up, 58 out of 89 participants completed the questionnaires, including 17 psychiatrists (29.3%), 20 nurses (34.5%), and 21 psychiatry residents (36.2%). The results were analyzed and interpreted in detail. The average work experience of respondents in the psychiatry field was 6.89 years (range: 1 - 25 years). Additionally, 97% of the specialists did not have any project in the ECT field and cognitive disorders. More than 80% of the participants believed that cognition evaluation is necessary for ECT-candidate patients; however, only 15% of the specialists referred patients for the assessment. Moreover, 43% of the experts recommended the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised; nevertheless, nearly 26% of the experts recommended the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System for the cognitive assessment of these patients. The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test was recommended by 20% of the experts. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents believed that a proper assessment should be carried out in about 30 minutes. More than 60% of the experts believed that patients should be evaluated before receiving the first session of ECT, and nearly one-third of the experts recommended only a post-ECT evaluation. More than half of the experts believed that ECT should be discontinued in case of severe cognitive impairment after ECT. Alternatively, less than 30% of the experts believed that it is necessary to make changes in the treatment dose and the interval between sessions. Furthermore, 80% of the experts recommended cognitive rehabilitation for patients with significant cognitive impairment after ECT; nonetheless, less than 20% of the experts recommended treatment with a cholinesterase inhibitor.

A large percentage of patients do not undergo a comprehensive cognitive assessment before ECT, which is an important challenge in the estimation of post-ECT cognitive decline. There is a need to design inexpensive and sensitive tests for cognitive assessment. The test could measure different cognitive domains and be acceptable in terms of time. Due to the limited number of specialists working in this field, the frequency of assessment and treatment methods after the identification of cognitive disorders are heterogeneous. Therefore, it is required to design a native and practical guideline. These results could help the researchers design future studies to determine the best method of cognitive evaluation after ECT, appropriate batteries, recommended intervals, and treatment decisions after cognitive decline detection.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of kidney failure with high mortality, leading to brain dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of Ischemic Postconditioning (IPo) against brain dysfunction induced by Bilateral Renal Ischemia (BRI).

Male Wistar rats underwent BRI, sham, or IPo surgery 24h and 1w after reperfusion. The rats’ explorative behaviors and motor function were evaluated by an open field, rotarod, and wire grip tests. The cognitive function was assessed by passive avoidance learning and Morris water maze tests. Western blotting was performed to evaluate hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) expression.

The impairment of balance function induced by BRI was not reversed; however, passive avoidance learning impairment was reversed by postconditioning 24h after reperfusion. IPo increased muscle strength compared to the BRI group; however, explorative behaviors and balance function had no difference 1w after reperfusion. BRI significantly decreased the BDNF protein expression in the hippocampus, and postconditioning increased 24h after reperfusion.

The obtained results demonstrated the deleterious effect of BRI on cognitive and balance function 24h after reperfusion. IPo indicated a curative effect against cognitive dysfunction probably by enhancing BDNF protein expression in the hippocampus.

Water, as one of the most essential nutrients, is involved in almost all biochemical processes of the human body. Although different degrees of dehydration have various symptoms such as physical and mental decline, severe dehydration is associated with decreased survival capacity in the physiological environment of the body that can put individuals, especially the elderly, at the risk of death. The present study aimed to determine the status of fluid intake and its association with cognitive impairments in the elderly people of Naein City in 2018.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 225 randomly selected elderlies in Naein City. Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire, Mini–Mental State Examination, and 24-hour food recall questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test and chi-square via SPSS software.

The mean of total fluid intake was 2637.05 ± 772.35 ml / day. Among 225 participants, 36.4%, 37.3%, and 26.2% had normal, mild, and moderate cognitive impairment, respectively. Cognitive impairment had a significant relationship with gender, occupational status, level of education, marital status, and place of residence (p < 0.05). No significant relationship was observed between the mean of water consumption and cognitive impairment (p = 0.6).

The amount of fluid intake in elderly people living in Naein City was at a satisfactory level. Since no significant relationship was observed between the amount of fluid intake and cognitive impairments and more than half of the participants had cognitive impairments, we hypothesize that other factors are  involved in  prevalent of cognitive impairment.

Acute and chronic failure in liver function may give rise to cognitive and non-cognitive impairments in the brain, namely hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Liver diseases may cause cholestasis, which is defined as the impaired secretion of bile. It is characterized by the accumulation of substances in plasma that are normally excreted in bile such as bile acids. Cholestasis can lead to hepatic encephalopathy. Several investigations have indicated that HE induces several symptoms, such as the impairment of learning and memory, anxiolytic-like behaviors, alterations in sleep pattern, and tremors. It has been reported that after HE, all classical neurotransmitter systems such as opioidergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic, GABAergic, adrenergic, serotonergic, and glutamatergic systems can be altered. This review focuses on cholestasis, hepatic encephalopathy, and behavioral disorders.

Breast cancer is a chronic disease in which cells in breast tissue multiply uncontrolled, typically resulting in a lump. India has a predominant young population, and women in the age group of 30–50 being diagnosed with breast cancer is on the rise. Their survival rates are also rising, owing to the treatment regimens which commonly include chemotherapy. Breast cancer survivors have the challenge of dealing with side effects of treatmentsuch as cognitive impairment, along with alterationsin the appearance – breast asymmetry, changesin skin texture and sensitivity, impacting self‑esteem and body image.

The present study aims to explore the cognitive functioning, self esteem, and body image of women with a history of breast cancer. Settings and Design: The present study is a cross‑sectional, comparative study conducted on breast cancersurvivorsin an urban area of Kolkata, who were selected using purposive sampling method. Subjects and

Atotal ofsixty females – thirty breast cancer survivors and thirty normal counterparts, aged 30–50 years, were included. Neuropsychological tests, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, and Body Image Scale were administered. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive and inferential statics were computed using SPSS 20 software.

The results of the study show the presence ofsignificant difference between the two groups.

Thus, with a rise in the number of breast cancer survivors, it becomes imperative to understand the negative impact of the various treatments and provide timely interventions, thereby ensuring better quality of life and adequate psychological and emotional support for them.