Accelerated long-term forgetting is not evident in adults with genetic generalized epilepsy irrespective of the paradigm used.

Accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) is a recently discovered memory disorder characterized by intact acquisition and retention over short delays, followed by abnormally fast rates of forgetting. Accelerated long-term forgetting has been repeatedly found in children, but not in adults, with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). It is possible that this discrepancy is due to a difference in paradigms used in these studies. The current study aimed to determine whether adults with GGE displayed ALF using two paradigms, one that required complete learning and another one that did not. In addition, we explored the relationships with everyday memory difficulties, working memory, mood, and epilepsy variables. Fourteen adults with GGE were compared with 16 healthy controls on two verbal memory tests: a modified version of the California Verbal Learning Test learned to a criterion of 100% (complete learning) and Logical Memory from the Wechsler Memory Scale (Fourth Edition) presented only once (incomplete learning). Recall was tested at 2 min, 30 min, and 1 week, and recognition at 1 week only. Working memory, everyday memory, and mood were also assessed. We found no evidence of ALF on either of the two verbal memory paradigms on recall or recognition tests although patients displayed significantly poorer working memory. Moreover, patients with GGE reported significantly more memory difficulties in everyday life, and these were associated with greater mood disturbances but not with memory tests scores. Greater number of antiepileptic drugs and epilepsy severity also related to memory scores on some tests. Our study suggests that a difference in paradigms used to investigate ALF in children and adults with GGE is unlikely to explain the differences in findings. The study tentatively raises a hypothesis that developmental factors may play a role in ALF in patients with GGE; children with GGE may grow out of ALF. Nevertheless, this hypothesis would need to be tested in a longitudinal study that would follow patients from childhood to early adulthood.

The impact of childhood trauma on psychosocial functioning and physical health in a non-clinical community sample of young adults.

OBJECTIVE: Given the fundamental emotional, social and physical development that occurs during the early years of life, childhood experiences are formative in shaping a person's life trajectory. Childhood trauma is a prevalent, multifaceted issue with well-documented long-term adverse health effects in clinical populations however; the impact of childhood trauma in the community is less clear. To address this, this study investigated how childhood trauma may impact physical and psychological health, sleep quality and autonomic function in a non-clinical community sample of adults. METHOD: Participants completed questionnaires, an in-laboratory autonomic assessment (including stress reactivity to mental and physical stressors) and overnight autonomic and sleep monitoring. Overall childhood trauma and its subtypes (e.g. physical abuse, emotional neglect) were defined using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. RESULTS: We identified 22 childhood trauma cases (total score > 36) and, of the 89 non-childhood trauma cases, some individuals also experienced significant levels of trauma in one or more of the childhood trauma subtypes. Childhood trauma and some trauma subtypes were significantly correlated with a myriad of negative physiological and physical health outcomes including elevated psychological distress, increased sleep disturbances, reduced emotional wellbeing and lower perceived social support. Autonomic dysregulation was found in those with high levels of childhood trauma, which was reflected in an increased stress response to laboratory tasks. Notably, the experience of physical abuse in childhood was significantly associated with alterations in nocturnal heart rate and heart rate variability. CONCLUSION: Together, these results highlight that childhood trauma can have lasting detrimental consequences on an individual's emotional and physical health, sleep quality and stress reactivity.

The Invisible Burden of Chronic Fatigue in the Community: a Narrative Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Unexplained fatigue is commonly reported in the general population, with varying severity. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) sits at the extreme of the fatigue continuum, yet more individuals experience unexplained prolonged fatigue (1-6-month duration) or chronic fatigue (> 6 months) that, although debilitating, does not fulfil ME/CFS criteria. This review examines the empirical literature comparing symptoms for those with prolonged fatigue, chronic fatigue and ME/CFS. RECENT FINDINGS: Substantial overlap of self-reported psychological, physical and functional impairments exists between chronic fatigue and ME/CFS. The conversion rate from prolonged or chronic fatigue to ME/CFS is not understood. Current research has failed to uncover factors accounting for differences in fatigue trajectories, nor incorporate comprehensive, longitudinal assessments extending beyond self-reported symptoms. Distinguishing factors between prolonged fatigue, chronic fatigue and ME/CFS remain poorly understood, highlighting a need for longitudinal studies integrating biopsychosocial approaches to inform early management and targeted rehabilitation strategies.

Heart rate variability as a marker of healthy ageing.

BACKGROUND: With population ageing a significant concern, modifiable factors contributing to healthy ageing must be identified. Autonomic responding reflected by heart rate variability (HRV) has well-established links to general health and wellbeing in younger populations; but has yet to be explored in older individuals. METHODS: Forty-five healthy participants (49-82 years old) completed questionnaires about sleep and physical and psychological health. Autonomic activity was measured during rest and whilst completing a computerised battery of cognitive tasks. Participants then wore an ambulatory heart rate monitor overnight, and recorded their sleep and physical activity for one week. HRV parameters reflecting cardiac vagal tone were derived from electrocardiograph recordings. RESULTS: Age and resting HRV were not related; however a positive association was identified between higher HRV in the 2 h prior to sleep and older age. Higher resting HRV, older age, and better sleep quality significantly predicted psychological wellbeing; and fewer somatic and physical health symptoms and older age predicted better average sleep quality ratings. Older age and poorer general health were significant predictors of cognitive performance deficits. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that an age-related decline in HRV is not inevitable. Longitudinal designs exploring within-individual changes in cardiac vagal tone are required to better understand the factors contributing to healthy ageing.