Cortical Thickness Correlates of Go/No-go and Motor Sequencing in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Suspected Alzheimer Disease Dementia.

BACKGROUND: While the cognitive hallmark of typical Alzheimer's disease (AD) is impaired memory consolidation, increasing evidence suggests that the frontal lobes and associated executive functions are also impacted. OBJECTIVE: We examined two neurobehavioral executive function tasks and associations with cortical thickness in patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), suspected AD dementia, and a healthy control group. METHODS: First, we compared group performances on a go/no-go (GNG) task and on Luria's Fist-Edge-Palm (FEP) motor sequencing task. We then examined correlations between neurobehavioral task performance and the thickness of frontal cortical regions, AD signature regions, broader unbiased brain regions, and white matter hyperintensities (WMH). RESULTS: Participants with MCI performed worse than healthy controls, but better than participants with suspected AD dementia on both tasks. Both GNG and FEP (to a slightly greater extent) tasks showed diffuse associations with most AD signature regions and multiple additional regions within the temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices. Similarly, both tasks showed significant associations with all other cognitive tasks examined. Of the frontal regions examined, only the middle frontal gyrus and pars opercularis were associated with performance on these tasks. Interactions between the precuneus and transtemporal gyri were most predictive of GNG task performance, while the interaction between superior temporal and lingual gyri was most predictive of FEP task performance. CONCLUSION: This study replicates difficulties with both GNG and FEP tasks in participants with MCI and AD dementia. Both tasks showed widespread associations with the cortical thickness of various brain structures rather than localizing to frontal regions, consistent with the diffuse nature of AD.

Frequency and perceived effectiveness of mental health providers' coping strategies during COVID-19.

There has been an emphasis on understanding the detrimental effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on individuals' wellbeing. Healthcare workers, including mental health providers, may experience increased emotional and behavioral health concerns to a greater degree than the general public. The objective of the present study was to examine the frequency and the perceived effectiveness of various coping strategies implemented by mental health practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as differences across career stages (i.e., trainees versus licensed practitioners [LPs]). Survey data were collected from mental health practitioners (N = 888) assessing the strategies they used to manage COVID-19-associated anxiety/distress and the perceived effectiveness of these strategies. Bonferroni-adjusted chi-square tests and t-tests were conducted to assess differences by career stage. Overall, respondents used various coping strategies, most commonly behavioral strategies such as distraction/engaging in an enjoyable activity (88.63%), spending time with loved ones (77.82%), and exercise (72.64%). Over one-quarter reported using alcohol to cope (28.27%). Respondents generally perceived their coping strategies as somewhat to very effective; no strategies were generally perceived as ineffective. Compared to LPs, trainees were significantly more likely to manage COVID-19-related anxiety/distress using supervision (p < .001) and substances other than alcohol or tobacco (p < .001). There were no significant differences in how effective trainees and LPs perceived each strategy. U.S. mental health practitioners' use of predominantly behavioral coping strategies, which were generally perceived as effective, during the first months of COVID-19 offers implications for interventions as the pandemic progresses.

More Similar than Different: Memory, Executive Functions, Cortical Thickness, and Glucose Metabolism in Biomarker-Positive Alzheimer's Disease and Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) are typically associated with very different clinical and neuroanatomical presentations; however, there is increasing recognition of similarities. Objective: To examine memory and executive functions, as well as cortical thickness, and glucose metabolism in AD and bvFTD signature brain regions. Methods: We compared differences in a group of biomarker-defined participants with Alzheimer's disease and a group of clinically diagnosed participants with bvFTD. These groups were also contrasted with healthy controls (HC). Results: As expected, memory functions were generally more impaired in AD, followed by bvFTD, and both clinical groups performed more poorly than the HC group. Executive function measures were similar in AD compared to bvFTD for motor sequencing and go/no-go, but bvFTD had more difficulty with a set shifting task. Participants with AD showed thinner cortex and lower glucose metabolism in the angular gyrus compared to bvFTD. Participants with bvFTD had thinner cortex in the insula and temporal pole relative to AD and healthy controls, but otherwise the two clinical groups were similar for other frontal and temporal signature regions. Conclusions: Overall, the results of this study highlight more similarities than differences between AD and bvFTD in terms of cognitive functions, cortical thickness, and glucose metabolism. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms mediating this overlap and how these relationships evolve longitudinally.

Procedural learning and retention relative to explicit learning and retention in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease using a modification of the trail making test.

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia are characterized by pathological changes to the medial temporal lobes, resulting in explicit learning and retention reductions. Studies demonstrate that implicit/procedural memory processes are relatively intact in these populations, supporting different anatomical substrates for differing memory systems. This study examined differences between explicit and procedural learning and retention in individuals with aMCI and AD dementia relative to matched healthy controls. We also examined anatomical substrates using volumetric MRI. Results revealed expected difficulties with explicit learning and retention in individuals with aMCI and AD with relatively preserved procedural memory. Explicit verbal retention was associated with medial temporal cortex volumes. However, procedural retention was not related to medial temporal or basal ganglia volumes. Overall, this study confirms the dissociation between explicit relative to procedural learning and retention in aMCI and AD dementia and supports differing anatomical substrates.

Frontal and temporal lobe correlates of verbal learning and memory in aMCI and suspected Alzheimer's disease dementia.

Alzheimer's disease is primarily known for deficits in learning and retaining new information. This has long been associated with pathological changes in the mesial temporal lobes. The role of the frontal lobes in memory in Alzheimer's disease is less well understood. In this study, we examined the role of the frontal lobes in learning, recognition, and retention of new verbal information, as well as the presence of specific errors (i.e., intrusions and false-positive errors). Participants included one hundred sixty-seven patients clinically diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or suspected Alzheimer's disease dementia who were administered the California Verbal Learning Test and completed high-resolution MRI. We confirmed the role of the mesial temporal lobes in learning and retention, including the volumes of the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and parahippocampal gyrus. In addition, false-positive errors were associated with all volumes of the mesial temporal lobes and widespread areas within the frontal lobes. Errors of intrusion were related to the supplementary motor cortex and hippocampus. Most importantly, the mesial temporal lobes interacted with the frontal lobes for learning, recognition, and memory errors. Lower volumes in both regions explained more performance variance than any single structure. This study supports the interaction of the frontal lobes with the temporal lobes in many aspects of memory in Alzheimer's disease.

Surface-based correlates of cognition along the Alzheimer's continuum in a memory clinic population.

Composite cognitive measures in large-scale studies with biomarker data for amyloid and tau have been widely used to characterize Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known about how the findings from these studies translate to memory clinic populations without biomarker data, using single measures of cognition. Additionally, most studies have utilized voxel-based morphometry or limited surface-based morphometry such as cortical thickness, to measure the neurodegeneration associated with cognitive deficits. In this study, we aimed to replicate and extend the biomarker, composite study relationships using expanded surface-based morphometry and single measures of cognition in a memory clinic population. We examined 271 clinically diagnosed symptomatic individuals with mild cognitive impairment (N = 93) and Alzheimer's disease dementia (N = 178), as well as healthy controls (N = 29). Surface-based morphometry measures included cortical thickness, sulcal depth, and gyrification index within the "signature areas" of Alzheimer's disease. The cognitive variables pertained to hallmark features of Alzheimer's disease including verbal learning, verbal memory retention, and language, as well as executive function. The results demonstrated that verbal learning, language, and executive function correlated with the cortical thickness of the temporal, frontal, and parietal areas. Verbal memory retention was correlated to the thickness of temporal regions and gyrification of the inferior temporal gyrus. Language was related to the temporal regions and the supramarginal gyrus' sulcal depth and gyrification index. Executive function was correlated with the medial temporal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus sulcal depth, and the gyrification index of temporal regions and supramarginal gyrus, but not with the frontal areas. Predictions of each of these cognitive measures were dependent on a combination of structures and each of the morphometry measurements, and often included medial temporal gyrus thickness and sulcal depth. Overall, the results demonstrated that the relationships between cortical thinning and cognition are widespread and can be observed using single measures of cognition in a clinically diagnosed AD population. The utility of sulcal depth and gyrification index measures may be more focal to certain brain areas and cognitive measures. The relative importance of temporal, frontal, and parietal regions in verbal learning, language, and executive function, but not verbal memory retention, was replicated in this clinic cohort.

Assessing Psychometrists' Practices to Inform Neuropsychological Services.

OBJECTIVE: Quality of life (QOL) is a broad-ranging concept affecting an individual's physical health, psychological state, social relationships, and relationship to their environment. Although the role of psychometrists in clinical neuropsychology is integral to the delivery of services, little is known about their QOL. The current study assessed psychometrists' workload and aspects related to work QOL (e.g., physical and emotional exhaustion, social and work satisfaction). METHOD: Psychometrists (N = 164) from 38 states completed a nationally distributed survey. Participants averaged eight years of experience, ~29% completed board certification, and worked primarily in general hospitals (~36%), academic medical centers (~21%), private practice (~15%), veterans/military hospitals (~13%), and rehabilitation hospitals (~12%). RESULTS: Respondents saw 5.6±2.4 (Mean±Standard Deviation) patients and spent 18.8±6.9 and 9.4±4.9 hours administering and scoring, respectively, per week. Although the majority of respondents felt satisfied with their work QOL, approximately 49% experienced emotional exhaustion, 42% experienced burnout, and 62% reported that fatigue interfered with work, family, or social life. Correlational analyses found a significant relationship between QOL variables and professional activities, particularly with time spent scoring. Additionally, patient load, time spent administering/scoring, and QOL factors varied depending on work setting. CONCLUSION: The current study provides a novel characterization of psychometrists' QOL. Specifically, the prevalence of emotional exhaustion and fatigue appears to be higher than in the general working population in the United States. In addition, these findings highlight the current variability of job responsibilities and QOL across work settings. Ongoing advocacy and practice adjustments for this field are indicated.

Mental Health Practitioners' Immediate Practical Response During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Questionnaire Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased psychological distress, signaling the need for increased mental health services in the context of stay-at-home policies. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterize how mental health practitioners have changed their practices during the pandemic. The authors hypothesize that mental health practitioners would increase tele-mental health services and that certain provider types would be better able to adapt to tele-mental health than others. METHODS: The study surveyed 903 practitioners, primarily psychologists/doctoral-level (Psych/DL) providers, social workers/master's-level (SW/ML) providers, and neuropsychologists employed in academic medical centers or private practices. Differences among providers were examined using Bonferroni-adjusted chi-square tests and one-way Bonferroni-adjusted analyses of covariance. RESULTS: The majority of the 903 mental health practitioners surveyed rapidly adjusted their practices, predominantly by shifting to tele-mental health appointments (n=729, 80.82%). Whereas 80.44% (n=625) were not using tele-mental health in December 2019, only 22.07% (n=188) were not by late March or early April 2020. Only 2.11% (n=19) reported no COVID-19-related practice adjustments. Two-thirds (596/888, 67.10%) reported providing additional therapeutic services specifically to treat COVID-19-related concerns. Neuropsychologists were less likely and Psych/DL providers and SW/ML providers were more likely than expected to transition to tele-mental health (P<.001). Trainees saw fewer patients (P=.01) and worked remotely more than licensed practitioners (P=.03). Despite lower rates of information technology service access (P<.001), private practice providers reported less difficulty implementing tele-mental health than providers in other settings (P<.001). Overall, the majority (530/889, 59.62%) were interested in continuing to provide tele-mental health services in the future. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of mental health providers in this study made practice adjustments in response to COVID-19, predominantly by rapidly transitioning to tele-mental health services. Although the majority reported providing additional therapeutic services specifically to treat COVID-19-related concerns, only a small subset endorsed offering such services to medical providers. This has implications for future practical directions, as frontline workers may begin to seek mental health treatment related to the pandemic. Despite differences in tele-mental health uptake based on provider characteristics, the majority were interested in continuing to provide such services in the future. This may help to expand clinical services to those in need via tele-mental health beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

To trust, or not to trust? Individual differences in physiological reactivity predict trust under acute stress.

The stress response represents an evolutionarily ancient array of biological responses to challenge or threat that facilitate survival by promoting adaptive behaviors. 'Adaptive' in the evolutionary sense, however, does not easily translate to explain stress' effect on human decisions. Much research demonstrates that acute stress alters decision-making, but outcomes are obscured by a range of methodological factors. Further, less is known about how stress affects decision-making in social contexts in which people so often act. This is of great importance in today's increasingly complex social environment, replete with potential stressors, where cooperation and trust are critical. Here the aim was to explore acute stress' effect on prosocial decision-making, while also controlling for methodological factors that may contribute to varied research outcomes. Ninety-six participants were exposed between-subjects to acute stressors with or without a significant social evaluative component, or a control procedure, after which they performed a variant of the Trust Game (a social decision-making task requiring cooperation and trust with a 'partner'). Task performance occurred at different times with respect to exposure to examine the roles of temporally distinct biological stress pathways. Overall acute stress was associated with reduced trust, but a more complex pattern emerged when accounting for individual differences in physiological stress responses via multivariate analysis. In keeping with the complexity of stress itself, acute stress may enhance or reduce propensity to trust based on an individual's unique pattern of physiological reactivity.

Association of acute depressive symptoms and functional connectivity of emotional processing regions following sport-related concussion.

Acute mood disturbance following sport-related concussion is common and is known to adversely affect post-concussion symptoms and recovery. The physiological underpinnings of depressive symptoms following concussion, however, are relatively understudied. We hypothesized that functional connectivity of the emotional processing network would be altered in concussed athletes and associated with the severity of depressive symptoms following concussion. Forty-three concussed collegiate athletes were assessed at approximately one day (N = 34), one week (N = 34), and one month post-concussion (N = 30). Fifty-one healthy contact-sport athletes served as controls and completed a single visit. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) was used to measure depressive symptoms. Resting state fMRI data was collected on a 3 T scanner (TR = 2 s) and functional connectivity was calculated in a meta-analytically derived network of regions associated with emotional processing. Concussed athletes had elevated depressive symptoms across the first month post-concussion relative to control athletes, but showed partial recovery by one month relative to more acute visits (ps < 0.05). Concussed athletes had significantly different connectivity in regions associated with emotional processing at one month post-concussion relative to one day post-concussion (p = 0.002) and relative to controls (p = 0.003), with higher connectivity between default mode and attention regions being common across analyses. Additionally, depressive symptoms in concussed athletes at one day (p = 0.003) and one week post-concussion (p = 7 × 10-8) were inversely correlated with connectivity between attention (e.g., right anterior insula) and default mode regions (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex). Finally, the relationships with HAM-D scores were not driven by a general increase in somatic complaints captured by the HAM-D, but were strongly associated with mood-specific HAM-D items. These results suggest that connectivity of emotional processing regions is associated with acute mood disturbance following sport-related concussion. Increased connectivity between attention and default mode regions may reflect compensatory mechanisms.