Inference comprehension from reading in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Inference comprehension is a complex ability that recruits distinct cognitive domains, such as language, memory, attention, and executive functions. Therefore, it might be sensitive to identify early deficits in subjects with MCI. To compare the performance of subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in an inference reading comprehension task, and to analyze the correlations between inferential comprehension and other cognitive functions. We studied 100 individuals aged 60 and over, divided into MCI (50) [aMCI (35), naMCI (15)], and cognitively healthy individuals [controls (50)]. The Implicit Management Test (IMT) was used to assess inference in reading comprehension in five categories: explicit, logical, distractor, pragmatic, and "others". MCI group performed worse than controls in logical, pragmatic, distractor, and "others" questions (p < 0.01). The aMCI and naMCI subgroups presented a similar performance in all types of questions (p > 0.05). We observed significant correlations between the total IMT score and the TMT-A in the naMCI group (r = - 0.562, p = 0.036), and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and RAVLT tasks in the aMCI group (r = 0.474, p = 0.010 and r = 0.593, p = 0.0001, respectively). The MCI group as a whole performed worse than controls on the logical, pragmatic, other and distractor questions, and consequently on the total score. There were no differences in explicit questions, which impose lower inferential demands. The aMCI group suffered a significant impact from memory on inference comprehension, and difficulties in executive functions impacted naMCI performance. The IMT was useful to differentiate MCI patients from cognitively healthy individuals, but not MCI subgroups among themselves.

Correction to: Brain PET amyloid and neurodegeneration biomarkers in the context of the 2018 NIA-AA research framework: an individual approach exploring clinical-biomarker mismatches and sociodemographic parameters.

In the last paragraph of the subsession "Recruitment of the study population and clinical Evaluation" (Material and methods session).

Brain PET amyloid and neurodegeneration biomarkers in the context of the 2018 NIA-AA research framework: an individual approach exploring clinical-biomarker mismatches and sociodemographic parameters.

PURPOSE: [18F]FDG-PET and [11C]PIB-PET are validated as neurodegeneration and amyloid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used a PET staging system based on the 2018 NIA-AA research framework to compare the proportion of amyloid positivity (A+) and hypometabolism ((N)+) in cases of mild probable AD, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and healthy controls, incorporating an additional classification of abnormal [18F]FDG-PET patterns and investigating the co-occurrence of such with A+, exploring [18F]FDG-PET to generate hypotheses in cases presenting with clinical-biomarker "mismatches." METHODS: Elderly individuals (N = 108) clinically classified as controls (N = 27), aMCI (N = 43) or mild probable AD (N = 38) were included. Authors assessed their A(N) profiles and classified [18F]FDG-PET neurodegenerative patterns as typical or non-typical of AD, performing re-assessments of images whenever clinical classification was in disagreement with the PET staging (clinical-biomarker "mismatches"). We also investigated associations between "mismatches" and sociodemographic and educational characteristics. RESULTS: AD presented with higher rates of A+ and (N)+. There was also a higher proportion of A+ and (N)+ individuals in the aMCI group in comparison to controls, however without statistical significance regarding the A staging. There was a significant association between amyloid positivity and AD (N)+ hypometabolic patterns typical of AD. Non-AD (N)+ hypometabolism was seen in all A- (N)+ cases in the mild probable AD and control groups and [18F]FDG-PET patterns classified such individuals as "SNAP" and one as probable frontotemporal lobar degeneration. All A- (N)- cases in the probable AD group had less than 4 years of formal education and lower socioeconomic status (SES). CONCLUSION: The PET-based staging system unveiled significant A(N) differences between AD and the other groups, whereas aMCI and controls had different (N) staging, explaining the cognitive impairment in aMCI. [18F]FDG-PET could be used beyond simple (N) staging, since it provided alternative hypotheses to cases with clinical-biomarker "mismatches." An AD hypometabolic pattern correlated with amyloid positivity. Low education and SES were related to dementia in the absence of biomarker changes.

Analysis of macrolinguistic aspects of narratives from individuals with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and no cognitive impairment.

INTRODUCTION: The depiction of features in discourse production promotes accurate diagnosis and helps to establish the therapeutic intervention in cognitive impairment and dementia. We aimed to identify alterations in the macrolinguistic aspects of discourse using a new computational tool. METHODS: Sixty individuals, aged 60 years and older, were distributed in three different groups: mild Alzheimer's disease (mAD), amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and healthy controls. A narrative created by individuals was analyzed through the Coh-Metrix-Dementia program, extracting the features of interest automatically. RESULTS: mAD showed worse overall performance compared to the other groups: less informative discourse, greater impairment in global coherence, greater modalization, and inferior narrative structure. It was not possible to discriminate between amnestic mild cognitive impairment and healthy controls. DISCUSSION: Our results are in line with the literature, verifying a pathological change in the macrostructure of discourse in mAD.

Visuospatial processing: a review from basic to current concepts / Processamento visuoespacial: uma revisão de conceitos básicos a atuais

INTRODUCTION: Visuospatial processing is a fundamental aspect in human cognition, belonging to a complex and intricate network. It is, in other words, one of the building blocks of an individual's identity and behavior. OBJECTIVE: To allow an overall and updated review of visuospatial processing and its related events, in light of new techniques and evidence, focusing on basic concepts of higher cortical functions, its pathways and associated systems. METHODS: The study was conducted based on the national and international databases LILACS, MEDLINE, ScieLo and Pubmed; using the search word "visuospatial" in combination with "pathway", "processing", "function", "fMRI" and "attention". RESULTS: A total of 77 references deemed relevant for its historical, conceptual or updated relevance were selected out of 1222 retrieved; including English, Spanish and Portuguese languages. A critical review was carried out and many new aspects discussed. CONCLUSION: A new functioning and construction of sight processing is being shaped, culminating now in a model based on dynamic and integrated interactions between pathways and systems.

INTRODUÇÃO. O processamento visuoespacial é um aspecto fundamental da cognição humana, pertencendo a uma complexa e intricada rede. É, em outras palavras, uma das pedras fundamentais da identidade e comportamento de um indivíduo. OBJETIVO: Permitir uma revisão geral e atualizada do processamento visuoespacial e seus eventos relacionados, à luz de novas técnicas e evidências, com foco em conceitos básicos da organização das funções corticais superiores, suas principais vias e sistemas envolvidos. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi conduzido em bases de dados nacionais e internacionais LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO e PubMed; utilizando a palavra "visuoespacial" em combinação com "via", "processamento", "função", "fMRI" e "atenção". RESULTADOS: Um total de 77 referências consideradas relevantes por sua importância histórica, conceitual e atual foram selecionadas à partir de 1222, incluindo as línguas inglesa, espanhola e portuguesa. CONCLUSÃO: Uma nova construção e funcionamento do processamento visual estão sendo criados, culminando em um modelo baseado em interações dinâmicas e integradas entre vias e sistemas.

Visuospatial processing: A review from basic to current concepts.

INTRODUCTION: Visuospatial processing is a fundamental aspect in human cognition, belonging to a complex and intricate network. It is, in other words, one of the building blocks of an individual's identity and behavior. OBJECTIVE: To allow an overall and updated review of visuospatial processing and its related events, in light of new techniques and evidence, focusing on basic concepts of higher cortical functions, its pathways and associated systems. METHODS: The study was conducted based on the national and international databases LILACS, MEDLINE, ScieLo and Pubmed; using the search word "visuospatial" in combination with "pathway", "processing", "function", "fMRI" and "attention". RESULTS: A total of 77 references deemed relevant for its historical, conceptual or updated relevance were selected out of 1222 retrieved; including English, Spanish and Portuguese languages. A critical review was carried out and many new aspects discussed. CONCLUSION: A new functioning and construction of sight processing is being shaped, culminating now in a model based on dynamic and integrated interactions between pathways and systems.

INTRODUÇÃO: O processamento visuoespacial é um aspecto fundamental da cognição humana, pertencendo a uma complexa e intricada rede. É, em outras palavras, uma das pedras fundamentais da identidade e comportamento de um indivíduo. OBJETIVO: Permitir uma revisão geral e atualizada do processamento visuoespacial e seus eventos relacionados, à luz de novas técnicas e evidências, com foco em conceitos básicos da organização das funções corticais superiores, suas principais vias e sistemas envolvidos. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi conduzido em bases de dados nacionais e internacionais LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO e PubMed; utilizando a palavra "visuoespacial" em combinação com "via", "processamento", "função", "fMRI" e "atenção". RESULTADOS: Um total de 77 referências consideradas relevantes por sua importância histórica, conceitual e atual foram selecionadas à partir de 1222, incluindo as línguas inglesa, espanhola e portuguesa. CONCLUSÃO: Uma nova construção e funcionamento do processamento visual estão sendo criados, culminando em um modelo baseado em interações dinâmicas e integradas entre vias e sistemas.

[Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy after treatment with pegylated interferon alpha 2b in a patient with HIV/HCV coinfection: case report]. / Polineuropatia desmielinizante inflamatória crônica pós-tratamento com interferon peguilado alfa 2b em um paciente co-infectado HIV/HCV: relato de caso.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy has a strong association with HIV and HCV infection. A rare association between chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and hepatitis C treatment with pegylated interferon alpha was described recently. We described the first case of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with pegylated interferon alpha 2b in a white man infected with HIV and HCV. The patient recovered completely with the use of intravenous hyperimmune immunoglobulin. Infectologists and hepatologists should be alert regarding this rare and serious association, which requires immediately drug discontinuation and early treatment.

Polineuropatia desmielinizante inflamatória crônica pós-tratamento com interferon peguilado alfa 2b em um paciente co-infectado HIV/HCV: relato de caso / Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy after treatment with pegylated interferon alpha 2b in a patient with HIV/HCV coinfection: case report

A polineuropatia desmielinizante inflamatória cônica possui forte associação com a infecção pelo HIV e HCV. Uma rara associação entre PDIC e o tratamento da hepatite C com interferon peguilado alfa foi descrita recentemente. Nós descrevemos o primeiro caso de polineuropatia desmielinizante inflamatória crônica em um paciente branco, sexo masculino infectado por HIV e HCV associado a interferon peguilado alfa 2b. O paciente recuperou-se completamente após o uso de imunoglobulina hiperimune endovenosa. Infectologistas e hapatologistas devem estar atentos à esta rara e grave associação, que exige imediata descontinuação da droga e tratamento precoce.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy has a strong association with HIV and HCV infection. A rare association between chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and hepatitis C treatment with pegylated interferon alpha was described recently. We described the first case of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with pegylated interferon alpha 2b in a white man infected with HIV and HCV. The patient recovered completely with the use of intravenous hyperimmune immunoglobulin. Infectologists and hepatologists should be alert regarding this rare and serious association, which requires immediately drug discontinuation and early treatment.