Physical fitness components in relation to attention capacity in Latin American youth with overweight and obesity.

The aim of the study was twofold: (a) to examine the association between health-related physical fitness and attention capacity in Latin American children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and (b) to test whether body composition outcomes are moderators of this association. A cross-sectional design was used to study 201 overweight/obese participants (12.1 ± 2.1 years of age; 34.3% girls) from Chile (Active-Start study) and Colombia (HEPAFIT study). Body composition, muscular fitness, speed-agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness were evaluated using two similar test batteries (ALPHA and FUPRECOL). Attention capacity was measured by the d2 Test. Linear regression and moderation analyses were conducted. Linear regression analysis revealed an association between muscular fitness (ß = 0.245, P = .015), speed-agility (ß = -0.16, P = .027), cardiorespiratory fitness (ß = 0.331, P < .001) and overall fitness score (ß = 0.210; P = .004) and attention capacity (all analyses were controlled for age, sex, peak height velocity, maternal education, and study setting). Moderation analysis using the Johnson-Neyman technique revealed that the effect of the relationship between muscular fitness score and speed-agility and attention capacity was stronger as fat mass and fat mass index increased. In conclusion, physical fitness components are associated with higher attention capacity in youth with overweight/obesity, but body composition seems to moderate these relationships. Randomized controlled trials in this population would help to better understand whether improvements in different components of physical fitness lead to better attention capacity, especially in youth with excess adiposity.

Differential Methylation in APOE (Chr19; Exon Four; from 44,909,188 to 44,909,373/hg38) and Increased Apolipoprotein E Plasma Levels in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers are essential for identification of individuals at high risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for potential prevention of dementia. We investigated DNA methylation in the APOE gene and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) plasma levels as MCI biomarkers in Colombian subjects with MCI and controls. METHODS: In total, 100 participants were included (71% women; average age, 70 years; range, 43⁻91 years). MCI was diagnosed by neuropsychological testing, medical and social history, activities of daily living, cognitive symptoms and neuroimaging. Using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted by age and gender, we examined the risk association of MCI with plasma ApoE and APOE methylation. RESULTS: MCI was diagnosed in 41 subjects (average age, 66.5 ± 9.6 years) and compared with 59 controls. Elevated plasma ApoE and APOE methylation of CpGs 165, 190, and 198 were risk factors for MCI (p < 0.05). Higher CpG-227 methylation correlated with lower risk for MCI (p = 0.002). Only CpG-227 was significantly correlated with plasma ApoE levels (correlation coefficient = -0.665; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Differential APOE methylation and increased plasma ApoE levels were correlated with MCI. These epigenetic patterns require confirmation in larger samples but could potentially be used as biomarkers to identify early stages of MCI.

Cognitive Assessment Test: Validation of a Short Cognitive Test for the Detection of Mild Cognitive Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive disorders are a clinical and research challenge; in particular, the mild cognitive disorder (MiCD) requires diagnostic suspicion and tools with adequate performance for its detection. The objective of this study was the validation of a short cognitive test (CATest) for the detection of MiCD in population of 50 years or more. METHODS: A diagnostic accuracy study was assembled and performed in a prospective cohort. A consecutive sample of 200 Colombian subjects who represented the whole spectrum of the condition of interest allowed us to reach the objective. Validity was determined by concurrent criteria. The cut points were determined by the ROC curves considering the best overall performance and accuracy of the test. RESULTS: CATest was validated to detection of MiCD at a cut-off point of 18. As a result, scores lower than 18 classified the participants as MiCD. At this cut-off point, CATest showed sensitivity of 84.3% (CI 76 to 90.16), specificity of 71.4% (CI 95% 61.8 to 79.43), positive predictive value of 75% ( 95% CI 66.79 to 82.42), and area under curve AUC 0.8518 (standard error SE 0.0265). DISCUSSION: CATest has an adequate performance as a short cognitive test for the detection of MiCD. Its performance is superior to MiniMental and similar to Montreal Cognitive test (MoCA) according to the data reported in the literature. The advantages over other tests are the evaluation of all cognitive domains, time of application, and easy interpretation of results. CATest is a free use alternative for MiCD detection.

Acute effect of three different exercise training modalities on executive function in overweight inactive men: A secondary analysis of the BrainFit study.

There is currently a consensus about the positive effects of physical exercise on cognition. However, the exercise intensity-dependent effect on executive function remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of high-intensity aerobic interval training (HIIT), progressive resistance training (PRT), or combined training (PRT + HIIT) on executive function indicators in overweight inactive adult men (aged 18-30 years old). The participants were screened and excluded for medical conditions known to impact cognitive functioning, which was measured with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) screening cognitive test. A randomised, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted among 36 adults who were randomly assigned to a HIIT (n = 12), PRT (n = 7), PRT + HIIT (n = 7), or control group (n = 10) until the energy expenditure of 400-500 kcal. Cognitive inhibition and attention capacity were examined using the Stroop test and d2 test of attention, respectively, and were obtained pre-exercise for baseline measurement and 1 min post-exercise for each exercise training modality. Cognitive inhibition measured by the Stroop test was improved after the HIIT protocol for the domains of reading by +5.89 (η2 = 0.33), colour naming +9.0 (η2 = 0.60), interference +10.1 (η2 = 0.39), and index interference +6.0 (η2 = 0.20). Additionally, the PRT + HIIT group had an increase for the reading condition of +7.1 (η2 = 0.40), colour naming +7.5 (η2 = 0.80), and interference +5.8 (η2 = 0.39). In regard to attentional capacity, the HIIT group elicited small to medium improvements in the concentration level domain of +21.7 (η2 = 0.44), total performance domain +56.6 (η2 = 0.50), and consistency domain -3.0 (η2 = 0.27). These results were similar in the PRT and PRT + HIIT groups in the concentration level and items-processed domains (P < 0.05). In conclusion, acute HIIT and PRT + HIIT sessions reported important effect sizes than PRT alone for cognitive inhibition and attention capacity. Taken together, the results suggest that even short-term exercise interventions can enhance overweight adults' executive functions.

Beyond prosody: foreign accent syndrome in a spanish-speaking patient. case report

ABSTRACT Introduction: Foreign accent syndrome (FAS) is a rare speech disorder. It is becoming increasingly common to find reports of cases about alterations different from the suprasegmental aspects of speech, although these reports are not frequent in Spanish-speaking patients. Case presentation: 48-year-old female patient from Colombia diagnosed with FAS, segmental and suprasegmental speech alterations, and changes in cognitive domains (executive functions and language). The woman also presented with motor and affective changes. Brain imaging studies ruled out structural involvement and follow-up at one year did not show significant changes in speech. Discussion: This case presents the neurological, neuropsychological and speech features of a Spanish-speaking patient with FAS. Greater alteration in vowels than in consonants, alteration in pronunciation time, variation in rhythm and intonation of words and phrases, decrease of time between syllables, and insertion of vowels are common elements between this patient and other cases of FAS in non-Spanish speaking subjects. Conclusions: FAS is essentially a speech alteration; however, it can be accompanied by other physical and psychological signs. This case report allows recognizing the essential components for the definition, diagnosis and intervention of this syndrome.

RESUMEN Introducción. El síndrome de acento extranjero (FAS por su sigla en inglés) es un trastorno infrecuente del habla. Cada vez es más usual encontrar reportes de casos con alteraciones diferentes a los aspectos suprasegmentales del habla; estos no son frecuentes para pacientes hispanohablantes. Presentación del caso. Paciente femenino, colombiana, de 48 años de edad, con FAS y alteraciones segmentales y suprasegmentales del habla y en dominios cognoscitivos (funciones ejecutivas y lenguaje). La mujer también presentó cambios motores y afectivos. Las imágenes cerebrales descartaron compromiso estructural y el seguimiento a un año no evidenció cambios significativos en el habla. Discusión. El caso presenta las características neurológicas, neuropsicológicas y del habla de una paciente hispanohablante con FAS. La mayor alteración en vocales, la alteración en el tiempo de pronunciación, la variación en el ritmo y entonación en palabras y frases, la disminución en el tiempo entre sílaba y sílaba y la inserción de vocales son elementos que esta paciente comparte con otros casos de FAS en sujetos no hispanohablantes. Conclusiones. El FAS se constituye esencialmente por alteración del habla; sin embargo, puede acompañarse de otros signos físicos y psicológicos. El presente reporte de caso permite reconocer los componentes esenciales para la definición, diagnóstico e intervención de este síndrome.