Cognitive impairment in long-COVID and its association with persistent dysregulation in inflammatory markers.

Objective: To analyze the potential impact of sociodemographic, clinical and biological factors on the long-term cognitive outcome of patients who survived moderate and severe forms of COVID-19. Methods: We assessed 710 adult participants (Mean age = 55 ± 14; 48.3% were female) 6 to 11 months after hospital discharge with a complete cognitive battery, as well as a psychiatric, clinical and laboratory evaluation. A large set of inferential statistical methods was used to predict potential variables associated with any long-term cognitive impairment, with a focus on a panel of 28 cytokines and other blood inflammatory and disease severity markers. Results: Concerning the subjective assessment of cognitive performance, 36.1% reported a slightly poorer overall cognitive performance, and 14.6% reported being severely impacted, compared to their pre-COVID-19 status. Multivariate analysis found sex, age, ethnicity, education, comorbidity, frailty and physical activity associated with general cognition. A bivariate analysis found that G-CSF, IFN-alfa2, IL13, IL15, IL1.RA, EL1.alfa, IL45, IL5, IL6, IL7, TNF-Beta, VEGF, Follow-up C-Reactive Protein, and Follow-up D-Dimer were significantly (p<.05) associated with general cognition. However, a LASSO regression that included all follow-up variables, inflammatory markers and cytokines did not support these findings. Conclusion: Though we identified several sociodemographic characteristics that might protect against cognitive impairment following SARS-CoV-2 infection, our data do not support a prominent role for clinical status (both during acute and long-stage of COVID-19) or inflammatory background (also during acute and long-stage of COVID-19) to explain the cognitive deficits that can follow COVID-19 infection.

Personality Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorder from a Maternal Perspective: A Brief Report.

The present study assessed the personality characteristics of children and adolescents with anxiety disorder from a maternal perspective. A total of 48 children and adolescents aged between 8 and 17 years participated in this study, which was organized as follows: a clinical group (24 children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and their respective mothers) and a control group (24 children and adolescents without psychiatric diagnosis and their mothers). The participants were submitted to the WASI, CBCL, MASC-2, and EPQ-J tests and their mothers to the SRQ-20 and PIC-2 tests. The results showed higher rates of internalizing symptoms in the clinical group. In addition, patients showed less interest in hobbies, less adherence to social organizations, impairment in social activities, and commitment to school performance compared to the control group. There was a positive correlation between the mothers' symptoms and each of the following PIC-2 domains: somatic concern (p < 0.01) and psychological discomfort (p < 0.01). In conclusion, youths with AD showed a withdrawn and reserved personality profile, involving distrust of impulses and avoidance of interactions with peers. Furthermore, psychoemotional problems of mothers adversely influenced the perception followed by anxiety and adjustment characteristics. More studies are needed to assess the maternal personality in youths with anxiety.

Self-regulation in youth with bipolar disorder

Objectives: To examine the composition of self-regulation in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) through the relationship between executive functions, emotion processing, and family environmental factors. Methods: 58 participants (36 with PBD and 22 controls), ages 12-17, were assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II), Wisconsin Cards Sorting Test (WCST), Computerized Neurocognitive Battery Emotion Recognition Test-Facial Emotion Recognition Test (PENNCNB ER-40), and Expressed Emotion Adjective Checklist Questionnaire (EEAC). Results: Adolescents with PBD displayed significant deficits in all three spheres when compared to the control group. Emotion processing correlated negatively with inhibition and attention, and correlated positively with mental flexibility/working memory. Family environmental factors correlated negatively with mental flexibility/working memory and emotion processing, and positively with attention and inhibition. These correlations indicate that better inhibitory control, attention, and mental flexibility/working memory are associated with greater emotion processing and a fitter family environment. Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate all of the components of self-regulation deficits simultaneously in patients with PBD. Results suggest that self-regulation is essential for a comprehensive perspective of PBD and should be assessed in an integrative and multifaceted way. Understanding that self-regulation is impacted by the abovementioned factors should influence treatment and improve the functional impairments of daily life observed in this population.

Self-regulation in youth with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the composition of self-regulation in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) through the relationship between executive functions, emotion processing, and family environmental factors. METHODS: 58 participants (36 with PBD and 22 controls), ages 12-17, were assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II), Wisconsin Cards Sorting Test (WCST), Computerized Neurocognitive Battery Emotion Recognition Test-Facial Emotion Recognition Test (PENNCNB ER-40), and Expressed Emotion Adjective Checklist Questionnaire (EEAC). RESULTS: Adolescents with PBD displayed significant deficits in all three spheres when compared to the control group. Emotion processing correlated negatively with inhibition and attention, and correlated positively with mental flexibility/working memory. Family environmental factors correlated negatively with mental flexibility/working memory and emotion processing, and positively with attention and inhibition. These correlations indicate that better inhibitory control, attention, and mental flexibility/working memory are associated with greater emotion processing and a fitter family environment. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to investigate all of the components of self-regulation deficits simultaneously in patients with PBD. Results suggest that self-regulation is essential for a comprehensive perspective of PBD and should be assessed in an integrative and multifaceted way. Understanding that self-regulation is impacted by the abovementioned factors should influence treatment and improve the functional impairments of daily life observed in this population.

Post-COVID-19 psychiatric and cognitive morbidity: Preliminary findings from a Brazilian cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the occurrence of psychiatric and cognitive impairments in a cohort of survivors of moderate or severe forms of COVID-19. METHOD: 425 adults were assessed 6 to 9 months after hospital discharge with a structured psychiatric interview, psychometric tests and a cognitive battery. A large, multidisciplinary, set of clinical data depicting the acute phase of the disease, along with relevant psychosocial variables, were used to predict psychiatric and cognitive outcomes using the 'Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator' (LASSO) method. RESULTS: Diagnoses of 'depression', 'generalized anxiety disorder' and 'post-traumatic stress disorder' were established respectively in 8%, 15.5% and 13.6% of the sample. After pandemic onset (i.e., within the previous year), the prevalence of 'depression' and 'generalized anxiety disorder' were 2.56% and 8.14%, respectively. Memory decline was subjectively reported by 51.1% of the patients. Psychiatric or cognitive outcomes were not associated with any clinical variables related to the severity of acute-phase disease, nor by disease-related psychosocial stressors. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to access rates of psychiatric and cognitive morbidity in the long-term outcome after moderate or severe forms of COVID-19 using standardized measures. As a key finding, there was no significant association between clinical severity in the acute-phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the neuropsychiatric impairment 6 to 9 months thereafter.

Psychological demands of health professionals in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent literature emphasizes how the specific stressors of the COVID-19 outbreak affect the general population and frontline professionals, including those conducting support or backup activities in health units, which can lead to vicarious traumatization. Vicarious traumatization has been used to describe negative emotional reactions in mental health professionals who assist or treat victims of traumatic events. Thus, the aim of this article is to report the actions used in the face of the psychological demands of professionals in a hospital, who were not on the frontline of COVID-19. We collected their sociodemographic information and checked the psychological impact using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21), which was followed by a psychoeducational program (topics related to COVID-19 control and prevention), and individual psychological care for the most severe cases. A total of 118 professionals participated in this study; they were between 20 and 67 years old. Mild to moderate anxiety was observed in 36.5% of the medical teams, 83.3% of the administrative staff, and 65.7% of general service workers, while stress symptoms were observed in 80.2%, 83.3%, and 59.9%, respectively. Depressive symptoms (35.3%) were more frequent in general service workers. The medical teams reported the benefits of primary psychological care, while the other professionals demanded more institutional support services related to the prevention and use of personal protective equipment. This study highlights relevant psychological demands that have repercussions on the daily lives of professionals. The psychoeducational program was considered positive regarding clarification actions. However, it was not perceived as effective in reducing fear, which may result from vicarious traumatization and requires other intervention modalities.

Cognitive decline following acute viral infections: literature review and projections for post-COVID-19.

Recently, much attention has been drawn to the importance of the impact of infectious disease on human cognition. Several theories have been proposed, to explain the cognitive decline following an infection as well as to understand better the pathogenesis of human dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. This article aims to review the state of the art regarding the knowledge about the impact of acute viral infections on human cognition, laying a foundation to explore the possible cognitive decline followed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To reach this goal, we conducted a narrative review systematizing six acute viral infections as well as the current knowledge about COVID-19 and its impact on human cognition. Recent findings suggest probable short- and long-term COVID-19 impacts in cognition, even in asymptomatic individuals, which could be accounted for by direct and indirect pathways to brain dysfunction. Understanding this scenario might help clinicians and health leaders to deal better with a wave of neuropsychiatric issues that may arise following COVID-19 pandemic as well as with other acute viral infections, to alleviate the cognitive sequelae of these infections around the world.

Psychological demands of health professionals in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Recent literature emphasizes how the specific stressors of the COVID-19 outbreak affect the general population and frontline professionals, including those conducting support or backup activities in health units, which can lead to vicarious traumatization. Vicarious traumatization has been used to describe negative emotional reactions in mental health professionals who assist or treat victims of traumatic events. Thus, the aim of this article is to report the actions used in the face of the psychological demands of professionals in a hospital, who were not on the frontline of COVID-19. We collected their sociodemographic information and checked the psychological impact using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21), which was followed by a psychoeducational program (topics related to COVID-19 control and prevention), and individual psychological care for the most severe cases. A total of 118 professionals participated in this study; they were between 20 and 67 years old. Mild to moderate anxiety was observed in 36.5% of the medical teams, 83.3% of the administrative staff, and 65.7% of general service workers, while stress symptoms were observed in 80.2%, 83.3%, and 59.9%, respectively. Depressive symptoms (35.3%) were more frequent in general service workers. The medical teams reported the benefits of primary psychological care, while the other professionals demanded more institutional support services related to the prevention and use of personal protective equipment. This study highlights relevant psychological demands that have repercussions on the daily lives of professionals. The psychoeducational program was considered positive regarding clarification actions. However, it was not perceived as effective in reducing fear, which may result from vicarious traumatization and requires other intervention modalities.

Pragmatic Language and Schizophrenia: Interpretation of Metaphors

ABSTRACT Background: Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic psychiatric disorder with significant cognitive deficits, which are considered structural markers for the disease. Language disturbances have an important role in patients' social functioning and interpersonal relationships. Objectives: Evaluate the capacity to understand pragmatic language in schizophrenic patients, through the comprehension of non-literal meaning in metaphors and the ability to use contextual clues to better understand their meanings. Methods: Thirty patients were evaluated using Abbreviated Intelligence Scale (WASI), Interpretation of Metaphors subtest of the Montreal Communication Evaluation Battery (MAC). Results: The linear regression model showed that schizophrenic patients presented below average performance in the interpretation of metaphors task, with tendency to concrete interpretations. Variables such as IQ, WASI Vocabulary subtest and years since onset influenced the patients' pragmatic language skills. This relation was not found for family history. Existence of the metaphor in native colloquial language (Portuguese) and being given alternatives to choose from, enhanced patients' performance. Discussion: Results corroborate findings regarding this population's difficulties in the language cognitive domain. Development of interventions aiming comprehension of pragmatic language could help ease patients' social difficulties, especially if started early at onset. Also, better understanding of this deficit can help create rehabilitation strategies.

Memory training combined with 3D visuospatial stimulus improves cognitive performance in the elderly: pilot study.

Studies suggest that the engagement of aged participants in cognitive stimulation programs can reduce expected cognitive decline associated with age. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of memory training (MT) associated with three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) NeuroTracker (NT) in the elderly. METHODS: Forty-four participants (>60 years of age) were recruited and randomly distributed into two groups: experimental (EG; n=22) and comparative (CG; n=22). Both groups performed 12 one-hour MT sessions, twice a week, consisting of specific computerized stimuli associated with teaching of mnemonic strategies; 10 minutes of NT was part only of the EG's sessions. In pre- and post-training periods, both groups were evaluated using a sociodemographic questionnaire, neuropsychological assessment, as well as a specific measure offered by NT. RESULTS: Both groups benefited from the MT and reported more positive feelings regarding their memory and quality of life. However, the EG obtained better results in tests consistent with the strategies trained and which involved attentional resources, reaction time, visual processing speed, episodic, semantic, subjective and working memory as well as aspects of social cognition. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the combination of MT and 3D-MOT contributed for a better cognitive performance in the EG. Thus, the results of the present study encourage further research and the development of combined cognitive interventions for the elderly population with and without cognitive deficits.

Estudos sugerem que o envolvimento de idosos em programas de estimulação cognitiva pode reduzir o declínio cognitivo esperado associado à idade. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos de um treinamento de memória (TM) associado a um estímulo visuoespacial tridimensional (3D-MOT) NeuroTracker (NT) em idosos. MÉTODO: Quarenta e quatro participantes (>60 anos) foram recrutados e distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: experimental (GE; n=22) e comparativo (GC; n=22). Ambos os grupos realizaram 12 sessões do TM de uma hora, duas vezes por semana, consistindo em estímulos computadorizados específicos associados ao ensino de estratégias mnemônicas; apenas nas sessões do GE foram utilizados 10 minutos com o NT. Nos períodos pré- e pós-treinamento, ambos os grupos foram avaliados por meio de questionário sociodemográfico, avaliação neuropsicológica e medidas cognitivas específicas do NT. RESULTADOS: Ambos os grupos se beneficiaram do TM e relataram sentimentos mais positivos em relação à memória e à qualidade de vida. No entanto, o GE obteve melhores resultados em testes consistentes com as estratégias treinadas e que envolviam recursos atencionais, tempo de reação, velocidade de processamento visual, memória episódica, semântica, subjetiva e de trabalho, além de aspectos da cognição social. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo mostrou que a combinação do TM e 3D-MOT contribuiu para um melhor desempenho cognitivo no GE. Dessa forma, os resultados do presente estudo incentivam novas pesquisas e o desenvolvimento de intervenções cognitivas combinadas para a população idosa com e sem déficits cognitivos.

Memory training combined with 3D visuospatial stimulus improves cognitive performance in the elderly: pilot study / Treinamento de memória combinado com estímulo visuoespacial em 3D melhora o desempenho cognitivo em idosos: estudo piloto

ABSTRACT. Studies suggest that the engagement of aged participants in cognitive stimulation programs can reduce expected cognitive decline associated with age. Objective: To evaluate the effects of memory training (MT) associated with three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) NeuroTracker (NT) in the elderly. Methods: Forty-four participants (>60 years of age) were recruited and randomly distributed into two groups: experimental (EG; n=22) and comparative (CG; n=22). Both groups performed 12 one-hour MT sessions, twice a week, consisting of specific computerized stimuli associated with teaching of mnemonic strategies; 10 minutes of NT was part only of the EG's sessions. In pre- and post-training periods, both groups were evaluated using a sociodemographic questionnaire, neuropsychological assessment, as well as a specific measure offered by NT. Results: Both groups benefited from the MT and reported more positive feelings regarding their memory and quality of life. However, the EG obtained better results in tests consistent with the strategies trained and which involved attentional resources, reaction time, visual processing speed, episodic, semantic, subjective and working memory as well as aspects of social cognition. Conclusions: This study showed that the combination of MT and 3D-MOT contributed for a better cognitive performance in the EG. Thus, the results of the present study encourage further research and the development of combined cognitive interventions for the elderly population with and without cognitive deficits.

RESUMO. Estudos sugerem que o envolvimento de idosos em programas de estimulação cognitiva pode reduzir o declínio cognitivo esperado associado à idade. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um treinamento de memória (TM) associado a um estímulo visuoespacial tridimensional (3D-MOT) NeuroTracker (NT) em idosos. Método: Quarenta e quatro participantes (>60 anos) foram recrutados e distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: experimental (GE; n=22) e comparativo (GC; n=22). Ambos os grupos realizaram 12 sessões do TM de uma hora, duas vezes por semana, consistindo em estímulos computadorizados específicos associados ao ensino de estratégias mnemônicas; apenas nas sessões do GE foram utilizados 10 minutos com o NT. Nos períodos pré- e pós-treinamento, ambos os grupos foram avaliados por meio de questionário sociodemográfico, avaliação neuropsicológica e medidas cognitivas específicas do NT. Resultados: Ambos os grupos se beneficiaram do TM e relataram sentimentos mais positivos em relação à memória e à qualidade de vida. No entanto, o GE obteve melhores resultados em testes consistentes com as estratégias treinadas e que envolviam recursos atencionais, tempo de reação, velocidade de processamento visual, memória episódica, semântica, subjetiva e de trabalho, além de aspectos da cognição social. Conclusões: Este estudo mostrou que a combinação do TM e 3D-MOT contribuiu para um melhor desempenho cognitivo no GE. Dessa forma, os resultados do presente estudo incentivam novas pesquisas e o desenvolvimento de intervenções cognitivas combinadas para a população idosa com e sem déficits cognitivos.

Psychological evaluation of children victims of sexual abuse: development of a protocol.

Sexual abuse (SA) is associated with significant psychological problems in childhood, making it increasingly important to develop evaluation protocols. This study examined clinical aspects and cognitive measures of 49 children (24 with SA history and 25 controls). It employed a SA assessment questionnaire, clinical evaluations of posttraumatic stress disorder, risk indicators and neuropsychological tests in order to elaborate a specific forensic psychological evaluation protocol for this population. Conflicting couples (80%), separated parents (68%) and parents' alcohol/drug abuse (76%) were revealed as major risk factors. Fathers represented the primary perpetrator (24%). The main cognitive complaint was difficulty concentrating. Regarding the association between clinical and cognitive variables, it was observed that children who were anxious or referred to having fear, difficulties with operational memory and difficulty sleeping, had more trouble performing tasks that required attention and memory (operational, immediate and late). Children with SA history demonstrated inferior performance in visual attention/task switching and memory; with an emphasis in the loss of set in the Wisconsin test. The findings suggest the possibility of a primary attention deficit in children with SA history, possibly influencing the performance of other cognitive functions.

Longitudinal Neuropsychological Assessment in Two Elderly Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Case Report.

The neuropsychological deficits in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may present clinical features similar to mild and/or major neurocognitive disorder and may act as a confounding factor, making it difficult to detect cognitive decline. In this paper, we present the results of longitudinal neuropsychological evaluations in two elderly women with ADHD. Three neuropsychological assessments were performed in two women with ADHD (60 and 77 years old) between 2010 and 2013 at intervals varying from 12 to 15 months. We used structural magnetic resonance imaging to rule out significant abnormalities that could account for cognitive impairment. The results showed two different cognitive profiles with fluctuations in performance over these 2 years, sometimes with improvement and sometimes with decline of some functions such as attention, memory, inhibitory control, and reaction time. To minimize confounding aspects of these fluctuations in clinical practice, we used a longer follow-up with the application of a reliable change index and a minimum of three spaced assessments to provide a more consistent baseline cognitive profile. Our findings did not indicate a consistent cognitive decline, suggesting a less pessimistic perspective about cognitive impairments that could be a prodrome of ADHD-related dementia.

Disclosing the diagnosis of schizophrenia: A pilot study of the 'Coming Out Proud' intervention.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is one of the most stigmatized psychiatric disorders, and disclosing it is often a source of stress to individuals with the disorder. The Coming Out Proud (COP) group intervention is designed to reduce the stigma's negative impact and help participants decide if they want to disclose their disorder. AIMS: To assess the effect of the COP intervention in individuals with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. METHODS: A pilot study of 3 2-hour group lessons (6-12 participants) per week. Individuals were selected from three specialized outpatient services in São Paulo, Brazil; 46 people were willing to participate, 11 dropped out during the intervention and 4 were excluded due to low intelligence quotient (IQ), resulting in a final sample of 31 participants. Outcomes were assessed before ( T0/baseline) and after ( T1/directly) after the COP intervention, and at 3-week follow-up ( T2/3 weeks after T1). We applied eight scales, of which four scales are analyzed in this article (Coming Out with Mental Illness Scale (COMIS), Cognitive Appraisal of Stigma as a Stressor (CogApp), Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale-Short Form (SSMIS) and Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Questionnaire (PDDQ)). RESULTS: People who completed the COP intervention showed a significant increase in the decision to disclose their diagnosis (22.5% in T0 vs 67.7% in T2). As to the perception of stigma as a stressor, mean values did not significantly differ after the intervention. Two results had marginal significance: self-stigma was reduced ( T0 = 3.10, SD = 1.70 vs T2 = 2.73, SD = 1.87; p = .063), while perceived discrimination increased ( T0 = 2.68, SD = .55 vs T2 = 2.93, SD = .75; p = .063). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the COP group intervention facilitated participants' disclosure decisions. The results raise questions that require further analysis, taking sociocultural factors into account, as stigma is experienced differently across cultures.

Impairment in planning tasks of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are associated with poor neuropsychological performance in attention and memory. However, little is known about the impact of these difficulties on other cognitive functions, such as planning. The ability to plan, including attention, working memory and set-shifting components, can be assessed by the Tower of Hanoi task (ToH). This study evaluated seventy-one participants, aged from 7-17 years. Thirty-seven subjects met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for at least one anxiety disorder and 34 individuals comprised the controls. The neuropsychological tests used were: the ToH, a problem-solving task, involves planning ability and other executive functions (working memory, attentional control and cognitive flexibility); for the assessment of processing speed and problem-solving, the Vocabulary/Matrix Reasoning subtests of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence was used to measure for estimated-IQ in both groups. The groups were compared with a generalized linear model controlling for age, IQ and ADHD comorbidity. Compared with controls, anxiety disorders subjects made more errors and required more time to complete the ToH. Children and adolescents with anxiety disorders have poorer planning ability compared to subjects without anxiety disorders, and the difficulty in planning is affected by interference from other cognitive functions, such as attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility and problems-solutions.

Cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation vs. treatment as usual for bipolar patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder (BD) is commonly associated with cognitive and functional impairments even during remission periods, and although a growing number of studies have demonstrated the benefits of psychotherapy as an add-on to pharmacological treatment, its effectiveness appears to be less compelling in severe presentations of the disorder. New interventions have attempted to improve cognitive functioning in BD patients, but results have been mixed. METHODS: The study consists of a clinical trial comparing a new structured group intervention, called "Cognitive-Behavioral Rehabilitation," with treatment as usual (TAU) for bipolar patients. The new approach is a combination of cognitive behavioral strategies and cognitive remediation exercises, consisting of 12 weekly group sessions of 90 min each. To be included in the study, patients must be diagnosed with BD type I or II, aged 18-55 years, in full or partial remission, and have an IQ of at least 80. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery, followed by mood, social functioning, and quality of life assessments will occur in three moments: pre and post intervention and 12 months later. The primary outcome of the study is to compare the time, in weeks, that the first full mood episode appears in patients who participated in either group of the study. Secondary outcome will include improvement in cognitive functions. DISCUSSION: This is the first controlled trial assessing the validity and effectiveness of the new "Cognitive-Behavioral Rehabilitation" intervention in preventing new mood episodes and improving cognitive and functional impairments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrial.gov, NCT02766361 . Registered on 2 May 2016.

Cognitive impairments and predominant polarity in bipolar disorder: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder (BD) patients exhibit cognitive impairments during euthymic states. Studies suggest that manic episodes may be correlated to cognitive impairments. The present study investigated the relationship between predominant polarity and the cognitive deficits frequently detected in bipolar patients. We hypothesize that mania predominant polarity (MPP) patients should exhibit greater cognitive impairments in comparison to depressive (DPP) and indefinite predominant polarity (IPP) patients and healthy control (HC) individuals. METHODS: The study evaluated 55 euthymic BD patients, type I and II, and 31 HCs. Patients were divided into 3 groups: MPP (n = 17), DPP (n = 22), and IPP (n = 16), and compared regarding demographic and clinical variables, and performance on a 7-test neuropsychological battery. RESULTS: MPP patients demonstrated greater cognitive impairments in alternating attention, verbal fluency, and delayed memory in comparison to DPP, IPP, and HC. Compared to HC, IPP patients exhibit cognitive deficits in verbal fluency and alternating attention and DPP patients solely in verbal fluency. Furthermore, DPP patients did not exhibit, in none of the seven neuropsychological tests, significant poorer performances than MPP or IPP patients, although having significant more episodes than MPP patients. CONCLUSION: MPP patients exhibit increased cognitive impairments in comparison to DPP, IPP, and HC subjects. Manic episodes may play an important role in the development of cognitive deficits and thus, in potential neuroprogression. Predominant polarity may be an important specifier for predicting future cognitive impairments.

Quality of life in youth with bipolar disorder and unaffected offspring of parents with bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: There have been few studies investigating quality of life (QoL) in pediatric bipolar disorder (BD) patients and none comparing it with that observed in unaffected offspring of parents with BD and healthy controls. METHODS: The self-report Youth Quality of Life Instrument-Research version (YQoL-R) was administered in 26 pediatric BD patients, 17 unaffected offspring of parents with BD, and 24 individuals with no history of DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric disorders. All diagnoses were determined through interviews based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version. RESULTS: There were statistical differences among the groups for all YQoL-R domains. Pairwise comparisons showed that perceived QoL was significantly worse in the BD group than in the unaffected offspring and healthy subjects, a difference that persisted even when only euthymic subjects were analyzed. There were no significant differences between the unaffected offspring and healthy subjects for any YQoL-R domain. LIMITATIONS: Our sample was small. There was no QoL report from subjects parents nor data about family environment or BD parents' mood state. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for studies to investigate in greater detail the relationship between QoL and psychological resilience, particularly in the unaffected offspring of parents with BD.

Memory training and benefits for quality of life in the elderly: A case report / Treino de memória e seus benefícios na qualidade de vida do idoso: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Studies emphasize the training of cognitive functions to decrease losses in the population. Memory training associated with neurotracker was performed by an 80-year-old man with memory complaints. A battery for measuring memory, quality of life and stress was initially applied and showed low scores. The patient underwent a program for stimulating memory and attention comprising 32 sessions (2 weekly sessions of 90 minutes each). The post-test follow-up showed improvements in the process of storage and retrieval of episodic and working memory, greater use of strategies, faster information processing speed, as well as reduction in complaints and positive impact on quality of life. The results suggest that the use of Neurotracker for training cognitive processes is valid for cognitive rehabilitation programs to promote improvements in quality of life in the elderly.

RESUMO Estudos enfatizam o treinamento de funções cognitivas para diminuição de prejuízos na população. Um treino de memória associado ao neurotracker foi realizado com homem, 80 anos, com queixas de memória. Foi usada uma bateria para aferição da memória, qualidade de vida e estresse nos quais apresentou baixos escores. Ingressou em programa de estimulação da memória e atenção por 32 sessões (2 sessões semanais de 90 minutos). No pós-teste apresentou melhoras no processo de armazenamento e evocação da memória episódica e de trabalho, maior uso de estratégias, rapidez de processamento de informações, bem como, redução de queixas e repercutindo positivamente na qualidade de vida. Os resultados sugerem que o uso do neurotracker para o treinamento de processos cognitivos se mostra consistentes como programas de reabilitação cognitiva corroborando a melhora da qualidade de vida em idosos.

Facial emotion recognition in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and their unaffected first-degree relatives.

BACKGROUND: Facial emotion recognition (FER) is an important task associated with social cognition because facial expression is a significant source of non-verbal information that guides interpersonal relationships. Increasing evidence suggests that bipolar disorder (BD) patients present deficits in FER and these deficits may be present in individuals at high genetic risk for BD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of FER deficits in euthymic BD patients, their first-degree relatives, and healthy controls (HC) and to consider if these deficits might be regarded as an endophenotype candidate for BD. METHODS: We studied 23 patients with DSM-IV BD type I, 22 first-degree relatives of these patients, and 27 HC. We used the Penn Emotion Recognition Tests to evaluate tasks of FER, emotion discrimination, and emotional acuity. Patients were recruited from outpatient facilities at the Institute of Psychiatry of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, or from the community through media advertisements, had to be euthymic, with age above 18years old and a diagnosis of DSM-IV BD type I. RESULTS: Euthymic BD patients presented significantly fewer correct responses for fear, and significantly increased time to response to recognize happy faces when compared with HC, but not when compared with first-degree relatives. First-degree relatives did not significantly differ from HC on any of the emotion recognition tasks. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that deficits in FER are present in euthymic patients, but not in subjects at high genetic risk for BD. Thus, we have not found evidence to consider FER as an endophenotype candidate for BD.