Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 488 in total

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  1. Asmuje NF, Mat S, Myint PK, Tan MP
    Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord, 2022;51(5):396-404.
    PMID: 36446343 DOI: 10.1159/000526904
    INTRODUCTION: Despite cognitive impairment being a major health issue within the older population, limited information is available on factors associated with cognitive function among Asian ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to identify ethnic-specific sociodemographic risk factors which are associated with cognitive performance.

    METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study involving community-dwelling individuals aged >55 years was conducted. Information on sociodemographic factors, medical history, and lifestyle were obtained by computer-assisted interviews in participants' homes. Cognitive performance was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool during subsequent hospital-based health checks. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted with continuous MoCA scores as the dependent variable.

    RESULTS: Data were available for 1,140 participants, mean (standard deviation [SD]) = 68.48 (7.23) years, comprising 377 (33.1%) ethnic Malays, 414 (36.3%) Chinese, and 349 (30.6%) Indians. Mean (SD) MoCA scores were 20.44 (4.92), 23.97 (4.03), and 22.04 (4.83) for Malays, Chinese, and Indians, respectively (p = 0.01). Age >75 years, <12 years of education, and low functional ability were common risk factors for low cognitive performance across all three ethnic groups. Cognitive performance was positively associated with social engagement among the ethnic Chinese (β [95% CI] = 0.06 [0.01, 0.11]) and Indians (β [95% CI] = 0.16 [0.09, 0.23]) and with lower depression scores (β [(95% CI] = -0.08 [-0.15, -0.01]) among the ethnic Indians.

    CONCLUSION: Common factors associated with cognitive performance include age, education, and functional ability, and ethnic-specific factors were social engagement and depression. Interethnic comparisons of risk factors may form the basis for identification of ethnic-specific modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and provision of culturally acceptable prevention measures.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  2. Atari M, Afhami R, Swami V
    PLoS One, 2019;14(4):e0215202.
    PMID: 30998716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215202
    Several self-report measures of conspiracist beliefs have been developed in Western populations, but examination of their psychometric properties outside Europe and North America is limited. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of three widely-used measures of conspiracist beliefs in Iran. We translated the Belief in Conspiracy Theory Inventory (BCTI), Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire (CMQ), and Generic Conspiracist Belief Scale (GCBS) into Persian. Factorial validity was examined using principal-axis factor analysis in a community sample from Tehran, Iran (N = 544). Further, the relationships between scores on these measures and hypothesized antecedents (i.e., education, schizotypal personality, information processing style, superstitious beliefs, religiosity, and political orientation) were examined. Overall, we failed to find support for the parent factor structures of two of the three scales (BCTI and GCBS) and evidence of construct validity for all three scales was limited. These results highlight the necessity of further psychometric work on existing measures of conspiracy theories in diverse culturo-linguistic groups and the development of context-specific measures of conspiracist beliefs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition*
  3. Awis Qarni F, Tai E, Wh WH, Husin A
    Cureus, 2018 May 29;10(5):e2708.
    PMID: 30062082 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.2708
    Neurolymphomatosis is an atypical complication of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukaemia involving infiltration of neurotropic neoplastic cells in the central or peripheral nervous system. A 28-year-old Malay lady with background diffuse large B-cell lymphoma stage IV presented with left homonymous hemianopia associated with cognitive function deterioration. Her best corrected visual acuity was 6/9 in both eyes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a lesion suggestive of secondary lymphomatous infiltration of the splenium of corpus callosum. The patient underwent chemotherapy, after which repeated MRI showed a reduction in the lesion size. Homonymous hemianopia is a rare presentation of secondary central nervous system neurolymphomatosis. A comprehensive history, physical examination, and radiological imaging are essential to establish the diagnosis in patients presenting with visual field defects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  4. Azhar ZM, Zubaidah JO, Norjan KO, Zhuang CY, Tsang F
    Nutr J, 2013;12:121.
    PMID: 23945213 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-121
    It has long been postulated that the relative abundance of specific nutrients can affect cognitive processes and emotions. Newly described influences of dietary factors on neuronal function and synaptic plasticity have revealed some of the vital mechanisms that could be responsible for the action of diet on brain health and cognitive function. Here, through a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we asked if the newly discovered chicken meat ingredient-168 (CMI-168) could be beneficial to the cognitive function in healthy adults.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition*; Cognition Disorders/prevention & control
  5. Aziz MNM, Kumar J, Muhammad Nawawi KN, Raja Ali RA, Mokhtar NM
    Nutrients, 2021 Aug 31;13(9).
    PMID: 34578939 DOI: 10.3390/nu13093061
    Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are increasingly presenting with a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as deterioration in gastroenteric physiology, including visceral hypersensitivity, altered intestinal membrane permeability, and gastrointestinal motor dysfunction. Functional imaging of IBS patients has revealed several abnormalities in various brain regions, such as significant activation of amygdala, thinning of insular and anterior cingulate cortex, and increase in hypothalamic gray matter, which results in poor psychiatric and cognitive outcomes. Interrelations between the enteric and central events in IBS-related gastrointestinal, neurological, and psychiatric pathologies have compelled researchers to study the gut-brain axis-a bidirectional communication that maintains the homeostasis of the gastrointestinal and central nervous system with gut microbiota as the protagonist. Thus, it can be disrupted by any alteration owing to the gut dysbiosis or loss of diversity in microbial composition. Available evidence indicates that the use of probiotics as a part of a balanced diet is effective in the management of IBS and IBS-associated neurodegenerative and psychiatric comorbidities. In this review, we delineate the pathogenesis and complications of IBS from gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric standpoints while also discussing the neurodegenerative events in enteric and central nervous systems of IBS patients and the therapeutic potential of gut microbiota-based therapy established on clinical and preclinical data.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  6. Azlina Wati Nikmat, Syed Hassan Almashoor
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(1):84-94.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Transition of people with cognitive impairment to nursing home is often an option when their disease progresses and their needs become too complex. The aim of this study was to identify the needs of people with cognitive impairment living in nursing homes and factors associated with higher level of needs.
    Methods: A cross sectional survey involving 110 respondents with cognitive impairment aged ≥60 was carried out. Respondents were assessed using the Short Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Camberwell Assessment of Needs for Elderly (CANE), Barthel Index (BI), Friendship Scale (FS), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
    Results: Respondents with cognitive impairment had a mean of 2.81 (SD=3.72) for unmet needs and 11.95 (SD=3.14) for the met needs, with higher mean suggesting a better outcome measure. The most frequent unmet needs were intimate relationships (66.40%), company (40.00%), and daytime activity (34.50%). Unmet needs were significantly associated with depression, social isolation, and cognitive impairment.
    Conclusion: Most of the needs of people with cognitive impairment in nursing homes were fulfilled, except in social area. Therefore, attention should be given in improving the care system, which emphasizes collaboration between people with cognitive impairment, family members, community, and government in helping to reduce the risk of loneliness in those with cognitive impairment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition Disorders
  7. Azlina Wati Nikmat, Nurul Azreen Hashim, Siti Aminah Omar, Salmi Razali
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(2):222-231.
    MyJurnal
    The evaluation of mental health among older adults has become increasingly important in health and social science. Although this has been studied in developed countries, there are also issues for emerging countries, which have aging populations. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of loneliness/social isolation and late-life depression among older adults with cognitive impairment living in institutional care. Methods: A cross sectional survey involving residents of four government nursing homes in West Malaysia was carried out. All residents aged 60 years old and above with cognitive impairment were included in the study. Participants were assessed by the Short Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Friendship Scale (FS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results: The prevalence of depression and loneliness/social isolation were 85.5% and 95.5% respectively. Depression was strongly associated with age, education attainment, financial conditions, health, cognitive impairment and loneliness/social isolation. Loneliness/social isolation was strongly associated to depression and relationship satisfaction with children. Conclusion: There was high prevalence of depression and loneliness/social isolation among older adults with cognitive impairment living in institutional care. Depression and loneliness/social isolation are interrelated and influence each other and these problems need to be addressed to improve their quality of life.
    Device, Questionnaire & Scale: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE-12); Friendship Scale (FS); Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition Disorders
  8. Azman KF, Zakaria R
    Iran J Basic Med Sci, 2019 Dec;22(12):1368-1377.
    PMID: 32133053 DOI: 10.22038/IJBMS.2019.14027
    This paper reviews the potential role of honey as a therapeutic antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress and improve cognitive ageing. All articles indexed to PubMed Central (PMC) were searched using the following key words: honey, antioxidant, memory and ageing. Honey is a natural insect-derived product with therapeutic, medicinal and nutritional values. Antioxidant properties of honey quench biologically-circulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and counter oxidative stress while restoring the cellular antioxidant defense system. Antioxidant properties of honey may complement its nootropic effects to reduce cognitive ageing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  9. Azzubaidi MS, Saxena AK, Talib NA, Ahmed QU, Dogarai BB
    Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars), 2012;72(2):154-65.
    PMID: 22810217
    The fixed oil of black cumin seeds, Nigella sativa L. (NSO), has shown considerable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion has been linked to neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its subsequent cognitive impairment in which oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are the principal culprits. Cerebrovascular hypoperfusion was experimentally achieved by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (2VO) in rats. Morris water maze (MWM) test was employed to assess the effects of NSO on spatial cognitive function before and after 2VO intervention. Rats were divided into long-term memory (LTM) and short-term memory (STM) groups, each was further subdivided into 3 subgroups: sham control, untreated 2VO and NSO treated 2VO group. All subgroups were tested with MWM at the tenth postoperative week. Working memory test results for both sham control and NSO treated groups showed significantly lower escape latency time and total distance travelled than untreated 2VO group. Similarly, LTM and STM MWM tests for sham control and NSO treated groups revealed significantly better maze test performance as compared to untreated 2VO group. Sham control and NSO treated 2VO groups demonstrated superior probe memory test performance as compared to untreated 2VO group. The fixed oil of Nigella sativa seeds has demonstrated noticeable spatial cognitive preservation in rats challenged with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion which indicates a promising prospective neuroprotective effect.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition/drug effects*
  10. Backhaus I, Varela AR, Khoo S, Siefken K, Crozier A, Begotaraj E, et al.
    Front Psychol, 2020;11:644.
    PMID: 32411038 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00644
    Introduction: A mental health crisis has hit university campuses across the world. This study sought to determine the prevalence and social determinants of depressive symptoms among university students in twelve countries. Particular focus was placed on the association between social capital and depressive symptoms.

    Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students at their first year at university in Europe, Asia, the Western Pacific, and Latin and North America. Data were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire, including questions on sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, and social capital. The simplified Beck's Depression Inventory was used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms. Social capital was assessed using items drawn from the World Bank Integrated Questionnaire to Measure Social Capital. Multilevel analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between social capital and depressive symptoms, adjusting for individual covariates (e.g., perceived stress) and country-level characteristics (e.g., economic development).

    Results: Among 4228 students, 48% presented clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Lower levels of cognitive (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.44-2.29) and behavioral social capital (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.29-1.76) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. The likelihood of having depressive symptoms was also significantly higher among those living in regions with lower levels of social capital.

    Conclusion: The study demonstrates that lower levels of individual and macro-level social capital contribute to clinically relevant depressive symptoms among university students. Increasing social capital may mitigate depressive symptoms in college students.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  11. Badrasawi M, Shahar S, Zahara AM, Nor Fadilah R, Singh DK
    Clin Interv Aging, 2016;11:1675-1686.
    PMID: 27895474
    BACKGROUND: Frailty is a biological syndrome of decreased reserve and resistance to stressors due to decline in multiple physiological systems. Amino acid deficiency, including L-carnitine, has been proposed to be associated with its pathophysiology. Nevertheless, the efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on frailty status has not been documented. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of 10-week L-carnitine supplement (1.5 g/day) on frailty status and its biomarkers and also physical function, cognition, and nutritional status among prefrail older adults in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

    METHODOLOGY: This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted among 50 prefrail subjects randomized into two groups (26 in L-carnitine group and 24 in placebo group). Outcome measures include frailty status using Fried criteria and Frailty Index accumulation of deficit, selected frailty biomarkers (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and insulin-like growth factor-1), physical function, cognitive function, nutritional status and biochemical profile.

    RESULTS: The results indicated that the mean scores of Frailty Index score and hand grip test were significantly improved in subjects supplemented with L-carnitine (P<0.05 for both parameters) as compared to no change in the placebo group. Based on Fried criteria, four subjects (three from the L-carnitine group and one from the control group) transited from prefrail status to robust after the intervention.

    CONCLUSION: L-carnitine supplementation has a favorable effect on the functional status and fatigue in prefrail older adults.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition*
  12. Baess P, Ecker UKH, Janssen SMJ, Jin Z, Bermeitinger C
    Mem Cognit, 2023 Apr;51(3):526-542.
    PMID: 36180770 DOI: 10.3758/s13421-022-01360-9
    Previous research has suggested that culture influences perception and attention. These studies have typically involved comparisons of Westerners with East Asians, motivated by assumed differences in the cultures' self-concept or position on the individualism-collectivism spectrum. However, other potentially important sources of cultural variance have been neglected, such as differences in traffic directionality shaped by the urban spatial environment (i.e., left-hand vs. right-hand traffic). Thus, existing research may potentially place too much emphasis on self-concepts or the individualism-collectivism dimension in explaining observed cultural differences in cognition. The present study investigated spatial cognition using a Simon task and tested participants from four nations (Australia, China, Germany, and Malaysia) that differ in both cultural orientation (collectivistic vs. individualistic) and traffic directionality (left-hand vs. right-hand traffic). The task used two possible reference frames underlying the Simon effect: a body-centered one based on global stimulus position relative to the screen's center versus an object-centered one based on local stimulus position relative to a context object. As expected, all groups showed a reliable Simon effect for both spatial reference frames. However, the global Simon effect was larger in participants from countries with left-hand traffic. In contrast, the local Simon effect was modulated by differences in cultural orientation, with larger effects in participants from collectivistic cultures. This pattern suggests that both sources of cultural variation, viz. cultural orientation and traffic directionality, contribute to differences in spatial cognition in distinct ways.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition*
  13. Barron D, Furnham A, Weis L, Morgan KD, Towell T, Swami V
    Psychiatry Res, 2018 01;259:15-20.
    PMID: 29024855 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.10.001
    This study sought to replicate previous work showing relationships between components of schizotypy and conspiracist beliefs, and extend it by examining the mediating role of cognitive processes. An international online sample of 411 women and men (mean age = 35.41 years) completed measures of the schizotypal facets of Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and Ideas of Reference, conspiracist beliefs, and cognitive processes related to need for cognition, analytic thinking, and cognitive insight. Path analysis confirmed the associations between both schizotypal facets and conspiracist beliefs in the present sample. Confirmatory evidence was found for the association between analytic thinking and conspiracist beliefs, and results also suggested an association between cognitive insight and conspiracist beliefs. Cognitive insight also mediated the link between Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and Ideas of Reference with conspiracist beliefs. However, analytic thinking provided a mediating link to conspiracy ideation for Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and not Ideas of Reference. Finally, there was an association between Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and need for cognition, but this path did not extend to conspiracist beliefs. These results suggest possible mediating roles for analytic thinking and self-certainty between schizotypy and conspiracist beliefs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition*
  14. Basnight-Brown D, Janssen SMJ, Thomas AK
    Mem Cognit, 2023 Apr;51(3):505-508.
    PMID: 36859524 DOI: 10.3758/s13421-023-01410-w
    In this editorial, the editors briefly introduce the aims of the Special Issue. If the goal of the scientific field of Cognitive Psychology is to improve our understanding of human cognition, then research needs to be conducted on a much broader slice of humanity than it has mostly been doing. The first aim of this Special Issue was to examine cognitive processes in populations that are different from the typical Western young adult samples often used in previously published studies. Studies in this issue therefore included both non-WEIRD participants as well as WEIRD participants who process information using different sensory experiences (e.g., individuals who are deaf). The second aim was to amplify - where possible - the research of scholars from less well-represented regions. The authors of the studies were affiliated with a diverse range of academic institutes and frequently included partnerships between Western and non-Western investigators.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition*
  15. Beng TS, Guan NC, Seang LK, Pathmawathi S, Ming MF, Jane LE, et al.
    Am J Hosp Palliat Care, 2014 Feb;31(1):45-56.
    PMID: 22956340 DOI: 10.1177/1049909112458721
    A qualitative study was conducted with semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences of suffering in 20 adult palliative care inpatients of University Malaya Medical Centre. The results were thematically analyzed. Ten basic themes were generated (1) loss and change → differential suffering, (2) care dependence → dependent suffering, (3) family stress → empathic suffering, (4) disease and dying → terminal suffering, (5) health care staff encounters → interactional suffering, (6) hospital environment → environmental suffering, (7) physical symptoms → sensory suffering, (8) emotional reactions → emotional suffering, (9) cognitive reactions → cognitive suffering, and (10) spiritual reactions → spiritual suffering. An existential-experiential model of suffering was conceptualized from the analysis. This model may inform the development of interventions in the prevention and management of suffering.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  16. Benton D, Winichagoon P, Ng TP, Tee ES, Isabelle M
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2012;21(1):104-24.
    PMID: 22374567
    A SYMPOSIUM ON NUTRITION AND COGNITION: Towards research and application for different life stages was held on October 2010 in Malaysia. The influence of diet and nutrition on the cognitive development of the child and on cognitive decline in later life was reviewed. Central to the study of such topics is the assessment of cognitive functioning. Cognitive functioning falls into six main areas: executive functioning, memory, attention, perception, psychomotor and language skills, although each domain can be further subdivided. As it is in the nature of human functioning that the performance on any cognitive test can reflect aspects of many of these domains, ideally a battery of tests should be used to establish the basis of any difference in performance. In intervention studies, frequently there has been a failure to demonstrate a beneficial influence of changes in diet. A possible reason is that studies have failed to acknowledge the time scale and critical ages over which diet has an impact. Diet may have a slow and progressive influence making it difficult for short-term studies to show an improvement. In addition, as many factors influence human behaviour, dietary interventions should only be one part of a coordinated approach; the effect of diet will depend on the social and psychological context in which an individual lives. Placing diet into a broader social and psychological context greatly increases the chance of generating significant findings. This report highlights and reviews presentations and discussions at the symposium.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition*; Cognition Disorders
  17. Bharti K, Majeed AB, Prakash A
    Biometals, 2016 Jun;29(3):399-409.
    PMID: 26923568 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-016-9922-8
    Metal ionophores are considered as potential anti-dementia agents, and some are currently undergoing clinical trials. Many metals are known to accumulate and distribute abnormally in the aging brain. Alterations in zinc metal homeostasis in the glutaminergic synapse could contribute to ageing and the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study was designed to investigate the effect of metal ionophores on long term administration of zinc in D-galactose induced senescent mice. The ageing model was established by combined administration of zinc and D-galactose to mice for 6 weeks. A novel metal ionophore, PBT-2 was given daily to zinc-induced d-galactose senescent mice. The cognitive behaviour of mice was monitored using the Morris Water Maze. The anti-oxidant status and amyloidogenic activity in the ageing mouse was measured by determining mito-oxidative parameters and deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain. Systemic administration of both zinc and D-galactose significantly produced memory deficits, mito-oxidative damage, heightened acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity and deposition of amyloid-β. Treatment with PBT-2 significantly improved behavioural deficits, biochemical profiles, cellular damage, and curbed the deposition of APP in zinc-induced senescent mice. These findings suggest that PBT-2, acting as a metal protein attenuating compound, may be helpful in the prevention of AD or alleviation of ageing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition Disorders/chemically induced*; Cognition Disorders/metabolism; Cognition Disorders/prevention & control*
  18. Bhatt S, Anitha K, Chellappan DK, Mukherjee D, Shilpi S, Suttee A, et al.
    Metab Brain Dis, 2024 Feb;39(2):335-346.
    PMID: 37950815 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01314-3
    Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder. Approximately, around 2% to 3% percent of the general population experience symptoms of OCD over the course of their lifetime. OCD can lead to economic burden, poor quality of life, and disability. The characteristic features exhibited generally in OCD are continuous intrusive thoughts and periodic ritualized behaviours. Variations in genes, pathological function of Cortico-Striato-Thalamo-Cortical (CSTC) circuits and dysregulation in the synaptic conduction have been the major factors involved in the pathological progression of OCD. However, the basic mechanisms still largely unknown. Current therapies for OCD largely target monoaminergic neurotransmitters (NTs) in specific dopaminergic and serotonergic circuits. However, such therapies have limited efficacy and tolerability. Drug resistance has been one of the important reasons reported to critically influence the effectiveness of the available drugs. Inflammation has been a crucial factor which is believed to have a significant importance in OCD progression. A significant number of proinflammatory cytokines have been reportedly amplified in patients with OCD. Mechanisms of drug treatment involve attenuation of the symptoms via modulation of inflammatory signalling pathways, modification in brain structure, and synaptic plasticity. Hence, targeting inflammatory signaling may be considered as a suitable approach in the treatment of OCD. The present review focuses mainly on the significant findings from the animal and human studies conducted in this area, that targets inflammatory signaling in neurological conditions. In addition, it also focusses on the therapeutic approaches that target OCD via modification of the inflammatory signaling pathways.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  19. Black W, Arumugasamy N
    Med J Malaya, 1971 Jun;25(4):241-9.
    PMID: 4261293
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition Disorders/etiology
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