Criminal behaviors: A theory of mind problem?

Theory of mind (ToM) has been addressed in relation to functional alterations of certain brain regions and their connections. The objective is to evaluate ToM in imprisoned criminal offenders and to analyze their relationship with the functions linked to the prefrontal cortex according to their expression in neuropsychological tests. The sample was composed of 52 subjects. 27 committed instrumental homicides and 25 crimes of sale and/or possession of narcotics. A control group was taken, 19 healthy subjects at liberty. The Faux-Pas (FP) and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes tests were used. A neuropsychological battery of executive functions and functions related to the frontal lobes and Hare's Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) was also applied. The criminal groups have comparable performances in all measures. The control group (in freedom) showed higher performance, with statistical significance, in the Faux-Pas test. Moderate negative correlations were found between the FP and the PCL-R. A distinction between affective and cognitive ToM could be affirmed, with people deprived of liberty presenting deficient functioning in the cognitive ToM test. This difference in performance could be linked to the disruptive event with the social norm and not so much with the violent homicide act itself.

Biomarkers for dementia in Latin American countries: Gaps and opportunities.

Limited knowledge on dementia biomarkers in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries remains a serious barrier. Here, we reported a survey to explore the ongoing work, needs, interests, potential barriers, and opportunities for future studies related to biomarkers. The results show that neuroimaging is the most used biomarker (73%), followed by genetic studies (40%), peripheral fluids biomarkers (31%), and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (29%). Regarding barriers in LAC, lack of funding appears to undermine the implementation of biomarkers in clinical or research settings, followed by insufficient infrastructure and training. The survey revealed that despite the above barriers, the region holds a great potential to advance dementia biomarkers research. Considering the unique contributions that LAC could make to this growing field, we highlight the urgent need to expand biomarker research. These insights allowed us to propose an action plan that addresses the recommendations for a biomarker framework recently proposed by regional experts.

Dissociation between function and manipulation in semantic representations of motor impaired subjects: A new test.

A fundamental problem in semantic cognition is the representation of human concepts in the brain. Much of the knowledge acquired in the last decades comes from the study of dissociations found in patients with acquired difficulties in language, perception, and action. In particular, some deficits involve loss of knowledge about tools. The dissociation between two relevant aspects of tools, function and manipulation, has been the focus of several studies. In this paper, a new test designed to study the dissociation between function and manipulation is proposed and normative values for a control population are provided. This novel test was additionally administered to and evaluated in a group of Parkinson's disease patients. The Graded-Controlled Hub-and-Spoke model of Lambon Ralph, Jefferies, Patterson and Rogers was used as a theoretical guide to interpret the results.

Working Group Recommendations for the Practice of Teleneuropsychology in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: Teleneuropsychology (teleNP) could potentially expand access to services for patients who are confined, have limited personal access to healthcare, or live in remote areas. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the use of teleNP for cognitive assessments. The main objective of these recommendations is to identify which procedures can be potentially best adapted to the practice of teleNP in Latin America, and thereby facilitate professional decision-making in the region. METHOD: Steps taken to develop these recommendations included (1) formation of an international working group with representatives from 12 Latin American countries; (2) assessment of rationale, scope, and objectives; (3) formulation of clinical questions; (4) evidence search and selection; (5) evaluation of existing evidence and summary; and (6) formulation of recommendations. Levels of evidence were graded following the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine system. Databases examined included PubMed, WHO-IRIS, WHO and PAHO-IRIS, Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud (IBCS), and LILACS. RESULTS: Working group members reviewed 18,400 titles and 422 abstracts and identified 19 articles meeting the criteria for level of evidence, categorization, and elaboration of recommendations. The vast majority of the literature included teleNP tests in the English language. The working group proposed a series of recommendations that can be potentially best adapted to the practice of teleNP in Latin America. CONCLUSIONS: There is currently sufficient evidence to support the use of videoconferencing technology for remote neuropsychological assessments. These recommendations will likely contribute to the advancement of teleNP research and practice in the region.

Trastornos neurocognitivos en pacientes VIH positivos: datos preliminares de una cohorte prospectiva uruguaya / Neurocognitive disorders in positive HIV patients: preliminary data of a Uruguayan prospective cohort

Introducción: la incidencia de formas leves y moderadas de trastornos neurocognitivos (TNC) en pacientes con VIH (virus de inmunodeficiencia humana) permanece en ascenso a pesar del uso de terapia antirretroviral (TARV). En la región existen escasos trabajos que estudiaron los TNC en VIH. Objetivos: describir características de pacientes con TNC, identificar posibles etiologías y si se realiza su búsqueda. Material y método: estudio transversal de recolección prospectiva. Se reclutaron en forma consecutiva pacientes de 18 a 60 años VIH positivos sin patología estructural del sistema nervioso central. Se aplicaron exámenes de laboratorio, preguntas para tamizaje de TNC, escala instrumental de actividades de la vida diaria (EIAVD) e internacional de demencia por VIH (EIDV), Adenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revisado (ACE-R). ACE-R fue elegida como prueba de referencia de desempeño neurocognitivo. Se utilizó inventario de Beck para pesquisa de trastorno depresivo. Análisis estadístico con sistema SPSS. Resultados y discusión: se reclutaron 20 pacientes, se diagnosticó TNC en 9/20 (45%). Los médicos tratantes plantearon TNC en 2/9 pacientes. El análisis multivariado encontró asociación entre desempleo (p=0,012) y menor escolarización (p=0,035) en pacientes con TNC. Etiología de TNC en 9/9 fue multifactorial. Refirieron TNC en el tamizaje 8/9 pacientes. EIDV fue adecuada para detección de TNC severo, pero no para leve. EIAVD tampoco logró detectar algunos casos de TNC. Conclusiones: casi la mitad de pacientes presentaron TNC de causa multifactorial con asociación a desempleo y menor escolarización. Los médicos tratantes no plantearon este diagnóstico, lo que marca la importancia de la evaluación neuropsicológica sistemática en pacientes VIH.

Introduction: the incidence of mild and moderate neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) in HIV patients continues to increase in spite of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Only a few studies in the region focused on HIV associated NCDs. Objective: to describe the characteristics of NCDs patients, identify posible etiologies and decide whether to start the search. Method: transversal study with a prospective collection of data. HIV positive patients between 18 and 60 years old with no structural defects of the central nervous system (CNS) were consecutively recruited. Laboratory tests were applied as well as screening for CNS, the Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) scale, the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS), and the Adenbrooke's Cognitive Examination revised exam (ACE-R). The latter was chosen as the reference test for neurocognitive performance. The Beck Depression inventory (BDI) was used to identify drepression. Statistical analysis was conducted with the SPSS system. Results and discussion: 20 patients were recruited, NCD was diagnosed in 9 out of 20 patients (45%). Treating physicians spoke about NCD in 2 of the 9 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between unemployment (p=0.012) and a lower schooling rate (p=0.035) in patients with NCDs. Etiology of NCD was multifactorial in all 9 patients. 8 out of 9 patients were referred as NCDs in the screening. IHDS was appropriate to identify severe NCDs, although it failed in mild cases. Also, IADLs failed to identify a few cases of NCDs. Conclusions: almost half of the patients presented multifactorial NCDs, associated to unemployment and a lower rate of schooling. Treating physicians did not consider this diagnosis, what reflects the importance of a systematic neuropsychological assessment in HIV patients.

Introdução: a incidência de formas leves e moderadas de transtornos neurocognitivos (TNC) em pacientes com VIH (vírus de imunodeficiência humana) continua crescendo apesar do uso da terapia antirretroviral (TARV). Poucos trabalhos estudaram TNC em pacientes VIH positivos na regiao. Objetivos: descrever as características dos pacientes com TNC, identificar possíveis etiologias e se são pesquisados no paciente. Método: estudo transversal com coleta de dados prospectiva. Foram incluídos de forma consecutiva pacientes com idades entre 18 e 60 anos VIH positivos sem patologia estrutural do sistema nervoso central (SNC). Foram realizados exames de laboratório, um questionário para triagem dos TNC, e foram aplicadas as escalas Instrumental de Atividades da Vida Diária (EIAVD), Internacional de Demência por VIH (EIDV) e Adenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revisado (ACE-R). Esta última foi escolhida como prova de referencia de desempenho neurocognitivo. O inventário de Beck foi utilizado para pesquisa de transtorno depressivo. A análise estatística foi realizada com o pacote SPSS. Resultados e discussão: foram incluídos 20 pacientes sendo que os TNC foram diagnosticados em 9/20 (45%). Os médicos que atenderam esses pacientes diagnosticaram TNC em 2/9 pacientes. A análise multivariada mostrou uma associação entre desemprego (p=0,012) e menor escolarização (p=0,035) em pacientes com TNC. A etiologia dos TNC em 9/9 foi multifatorial. A triagem mostrou TNC em 8/9 pacientes. O teste EIDV foi adequado para a detecção dos TNC severos porém não para leves, e também não pode detectar alguns casos de TNC. Conclusões: quase a metade dos pacientes apresentou TNC de causa multifatorial associados a desemprego e menor escolarização. Os médicos que atenderam os pacientes não diagnosticaram esses transtornos o que mostra a importância da avaliação neuropsicológica sistemática em pacientes VIH.

[Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test, executive function development and the relationship with the Tower of London]. / Test de anticipacion visual de Brixton, desarrollo de las funciones ejecutivas y relacion con la torre de Londres.

INTRODUCTION: Rule induction and shifting abilities are among executive functions. The Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test (BSAT) was designed for the evaluation of this dimension in adult populations. There are no papers that explore its implementation during development, or its relations to other executive tasks and fluid intelligence. AIM: To study the behavior in the BSAT of a primary school population (6 to 11 years), comparing it with the performance on a well-known executive task and a fluid intelligence test level. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Trough a descriptive-correlational, transversal design, the Tower of London (TOL), the BSAT and the Progressive Matrix Raven's Test (PMRT) were applied in 44 children of both sexes, from 1st to 6th grade (primary school), medium to high socio-economical stratum, from Montevideo. The BSAT is applied for the first time in normal children, so it's relevant for its knowledge. RESULTS: A similar progressive and ascending performance was observed for both BSAT and TOL. Positive and significative correlations were found between BSAT and PMRT, specially with AB and B series. Positive but non significative correlations were observed between BSAT and TOL. CONCLUSIONS: Executive functions follow a progressive and ascending pattern trough development in children, with light differences in relation to the executive component evaluated by each task. The factor 'g' of fluid intelligence, could be an important predictor of executive components taped by BSAT but not TOL.

Constructional functions and figure copying in illiterates or low-schooled Hispanics.

Figure copying and constructional abilities were examined in 15 healthy adult participants qualifying for illiteracy, following UNESCO criteria. A set of 14 figures was used for copying, 3 of them in perspective. Four figures of the same protocol were used to reproduce with sticks. Mean age of the sample was of 63.86 years old. They were matched for age and gender to schooled (6-7 years) controls. Illiteracy was due to social, cultural or economic factors. The most frequent and relevant findings were an inability to reproduce the perspective (13/15), unfolding (4/15) and unstructured copying (3/15). No errors were made on the stick construction task. None of these findings appeared in control subjects. The pattern is similar to that reported mostly in left-hemisphere lesion patients. Neglecting the cultural or academic background may, then, bias interpretation in these tasks.