SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Mild cognitive disorder”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2025

Multiscale dispersion entropy of resting-state EEG in older adults with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and remitted major depressive disorder.

BackgroundMultiscale dispersion entropy (MDEnt) is a nonlinear EEG measure that quantifies brain complexity across time scales, reflecting both local and global brain dynamics. Previous research indicates lower complexity at short time scales in Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy controls (HCs), with MCI also showing lower values than HCs. Major depressive disorder (MDD) has also been preliminarily linked to reduced complexity during acute episodes.ObjectiveTo assess whether MDEnt at short time scales can distinguish AD from MCI and HCs, and to examine complexity differences across additional groups, remitted MDD (rMDD) and rMDD + MCI, while exploring associations with cognitive performance.MethodsThe study included 316 older adults: 44 HCs, 46 with rMDD, 114 with MCI, 71 with rMDD + MCI, and 41 with AD. Resting-state, eyes-closed EEGs were analyzed using MDEnt at 24 ms (short) and 60 ms (long) time scales. Cognitive function was measured with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and a composite cognitive score.ResultsShort time scale complexity was lowest in AD, followed by MCI, and highest in HCs; rMDD presence had no impact. Only AD showed reduced complexity at long time scales. Complexity at both time scales was significantly correlated with cognitive performance.ConclusionsThis study highlights the value of MDEnt to assess complexity at short time scale and differentiate individuals with AD, MCI, or HCs. Reduced complexity in these individuals may underlie their cognitive impairment. In contrast, our study suggests that any MDD impact on complexity is likely related to active depressive symptoms.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Development and Validation of Machine Learning Models for Predicting Early Cognitive Decline Using Home Sensor-Derived Behavioral Data: Sensors in-Home for Elder Wellbeing (SINEW) Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: As the global population continues to age, the prevalence of geriatric conditions, including dementia and frailty, is also increasing. Early identification of individuals at an elevated risk of these conditions, such as those presenting with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or prefrailty, can provide a critical window for prompt intervention aimed at preventing or reversing disease progression. To promote such early identification, there is a burgeoning interest in the use of digital sensor technology and predictive modeling. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to use a continuous, home-based monitoring sensor system for older adults to distinguish those exhibiting normal aging from those with MCI, early dementia, prefrailty, or frailty, and to predict their transition from normal aging to one of these conditions. METHODS: This longitudinal cohort study will recruit 200 community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years with normal cognition or MCI at baseline. A multi-sensor system will be installed in participants' homes, including passive infrared motion sensors, door contact sensors, bed sensors, medication box sensors, wearable activity bands, and Bluetooth proximity beacons. These devices will continuously capture spatiotemporal activity patterns, mobility indicators, sleep behaviors, and medication-taking routines. Annual assessments will include standardized cognitive tests (eg, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test, digit span, Color Trails Test, semantic fluency, Stroop), frailty measures (modified Fried phenotype, gait speed, grip strength), mental health scales, sleep quality, and psychosocial indicators. Sensor-derived features-such as gait variability, activity regularity, sleep fragmentation, and medication adherence patterns-will be integrated with clinical data to develop supervised machine learning models. Planned approaches include logistic regression, random forests, gradient boosting, and deep learning. Model performance will be evaluated using cross-validation and independent test sets. Primary metrics will include area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, precision, recall, and F1-score. Models will be benchmarked against gold-standard clinical diagnoses and validated using temporal subsets of the dataset. RESULTS: Enrollment for this study started in November 2019 and will continue until March 2030. As of June 2025, we have enrolled 138 participants. Full data analysis has yet to begin. CONCLUSIONS: We aim to develop a reliable and effective sensor system for in-home use that will facilitate the early detection of cognitive and physical decline. In so doing, it will add to our current understanding of digital biomarkers. It is common for older adults to seek clinical intervention only when their cognitive impairment has already reached an advanced stage. The implementation of readily deployable sensor systems within community settings presents us with opportunities for prompt intervention, which holds the potential for delaying or reversing disease progression and allowing for a greater number of functional and meaningful years.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Omics signature of new-onset mild cognitive impairment and dementia in a population-based study.

Plasma proteomics and metabolomics snapshots reveal a molecular signature in circulation delineating pathophysiology of major and minor neurocognitive disorder. To identify new cues to disease aetiology and diagnostic approach, we applied plasma proteomics and metabolomics profiling platforms to samples collected in a population-based study of the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Studies Wave 2 (SLAS-2). In this longitudinal study, blood samples were analysed with standard clinical chemistry, plasma proteomics (Sengenics) and metabolomics (Nightingale) panels. Participants were followed up for the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia for 3-5 years. Of the total 1,892 molecules in all assay types, 463 demonstrated significant associations with baseline prevalent MCI and dementia. We trained an automatic linear modelling of predictors for follow-up new-onset MCI and dementia. The best model consists of 10 variables including ZSCAN18, PRKD3, SPANXN4, DDX43, saturated fatty acids, PPP3CA, NFATC4, IL-8, PAK6, and PDGFB. In terms of molecular function, these molecular markers are involved in immunological dysfunction and inflammatory reaction, protein coding, lipids, DNA-binding transcription factor activity, and nervous system development. In conclusion, our current research has identified an omics signature linked to new-onset mild cognitive disorder and dementia, which we hope can help enhance the accuracy of their diagnosis using circulating blood samples.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Cardiovascular risks in psychiatric disorders and psychiatric risks in cardiovascular disorders: implications for prevention and clinical management - a large-scale umbrella review encompassing 76 meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders often co-occur, complicating their assessment and management. No umbrella review(UR) has summarized the meta-analytic evidence on the co-occurrence of psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders and assessed its credibility. METHODS: Meta-analytic systematic reviews of observational studies documenting the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with the co-occurrence of cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders, indexed from inception through March.16.2026, and meeting established diagnostic criteria, were included. Meta-analytic association and prevalence estimates were recalculated and graded based on established or adapted criteria. The AMSTAR-2 assessed the quality of the meta-analyses, while several subgroup analyses and meta-regressions aimed to explain the heterogeneity. RESULTS: We included 76 meta-analyses yielding 131 meta-analytic estimates. Based on pre-existing meta-analytic evidence, 22/24 prevalence estimates (91.7%) met moderate/strong credibility criteria. Strong credibility emerged for: orthostatic hypotension in Lewy body(58%;95%C.I. = 50-66%) and Alzheimer's dementias(28.0% = 95%C.I. = 17.0-40.0%); pericardial effusion in anorexia nervosa(25.0%;95%C.I. = 17.0-34.0%); in heart failure(HF): major depressive disorder(MDD)(41.9%;95%C.I. = 36.7-47.1%), mild cognitive impairment(MCI)(41.4%;95%C.I. = 38.3-45.6%), anxiety(32.0%;95%C.I. = 26.5-37.6%), MDD + anxiety(24.7%;95%C.I. = 17.9-34.3%), and dementia(19.8%;95%C.I. = 12.9-27.8%); in atrial fibrillation(AF): MCI(26.0%;95%C.I. = 21.0-30.0%), anxiety in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation(PVI)(25.0%;95%C.I. = 12.0-46.0%), MDD in PVI patients (20.0%;95%C.I. = 13.0-29.0%); in coronary artery disease: MDD + anxiety(19.8%;95%C.I. = 16.0-24.6%): in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: clozapine-associated-cardiomyopathy(0.6%;95%C.I. = 0.2-2.3%); clozapine-associated-cardiomyopathy absolute death rates (0.0003;95%C.I. = 0.0001-0.0012); clozapine-associated-cardiomyopathy case fatality rate (0.078;95%C.I. = 0.018-0.285). Several additional disorders were multimorbid in>5% of people, yet with a lower credibility rating. No re-pooled risk factors/outcomes reached strong credibility criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides an atlas of cardiovascular and psychiatric multimorbidity across varying levels of credibility, reinforcing the need for an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to patient care and for more research on actionable risk/protective factors and outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness of psychosocial and lifestyle interventions in promoting behaviour change and improving cognitive outcomes in older people with memory concerns: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Older adults with mild cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive decline have a greater dementia risk, particularly those from minority ethnic and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Psychosocial and lifestyle interventions targeting modifiable risk factors offer hope for reducing risk, yet behavioural mechanisms remain unclear. This systematic review examines these mechanisms and associated outcomes. METHOD: We searched PubMed, Embase (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), Web of Science, and Scopus for randomised control trials testing interventions that aimed to improve lifestyle and cognition in older adults with memory concerns. We explored behavioural mechanisms using the COM-B model and synthesised intervention effectiveness, overall and within underserved groups. We prioritised lower risk of bias studies. RESULTS: 26 studies described 23 randomised controlled trials (14 multidomain, 9 single domain interventions). Certainty of evidence that behaviour change was associated with cognition was low. Moderate-certainty evidence indicated that interventions providing a socially supportive environment and combining nutritional education and counselling for 6 + months improved diet. Physical activity improved primarily in interventions incorporating education, structured training, and enablement strategies (e.g., tailored programmes, providing tools). Interventions simultaneously targeting capability, opportunity and motivation showed greater overall effectiveness. Few studies recorded ethnicity (13%) or sociodemographic status (9%), and none explored their impact. CONCLUSIONS: Non-pharmacological interventions can help this population improve their lifestyles if they feel capable, equipped and motivated, highlighting the value of careful design and implementation. There is scarce evidence on how these interventions work for underserved populations. Future research should explore this to inform tailored interventions and develop equitable dementia prevention strategies.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Beyond Rett syndrome: a case series expanding the neurological spectrum associated with pathogenic MECP2 variants.

BACKGROUND: Although pathogenic variants in MECP2 are classically associated with Rett syndrome (RTT), increasing evidence suggests that they can underlie a broader spectrum of neurological phenotypes. Clinical manifestations may vary according to sex, variant type, residual protein function, and pattern of X-chromosome inactivation. METHODS: We describe five unrelated individuals carrying pathogenic MECP2 variants identified through multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, chromosomal microarray analysis, and next-generation sequencing. Clinical, neuroradiological, neurophysiological, and molecular findings were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Two unrelated girls carrying large de novo Xq28 deletions encompassing the entire MECP2 locus presented with mild neurodevelopmental impairment and epilepsy, but no developmental regression or classic RTT features. Both girls showed borderline cognitive functioning and normal brain MRI. A 9-year-old boy carrying a maternally inherited MECP2 frameshift variant presented with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and focal epilepsy, whereas carriers in his family exhibited milder neuropsychiatric manifestations. A 44-year-old man carrying a MECP2 missense variant presented with an early-onset spastic-ataxic syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and cerebellar dysfunction, while a 16-year-old girl patient carrying a distinct de novo MECP2 missense variant displayed isolated mild motor incoordination and subtle cerebellar signs with preserved cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings expand the evidence that pathogenic MECP2 variants can produce neurological phenotypes distinct from classic RTT, including mild neurodevelopmental impairment without regression, and predominantly cerebellar or spastic-ataxic manifestations associated with limited cognitive involvement. Allelic heterogeneity seems to correlate with clinical phenotypes, at least in our small cohort. In conjunction with established diagnostic criteria, these observations support testing MECP2 in a selection of atypical neurodevelopmental and movement disorder presentations.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Remotely Supervised, Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder affects over 280 million people worldwide, and access to effective treatment remains limited. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive option, and portable devices now allow for home-based delivery under varying degrees of remote supervision. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy, safety, feasibility, and acceptability of home-based and remotely supervised tDCS for depressive disorders. METHODS: Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 and PRISMA-S (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses literature search extension) guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane databases, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform up to July 2025, with backward and forward citation searching. Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias (version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies, and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme for qualitative studies) and certainty of evidence (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation; GRADE). RESULTS: This review included 12 distinct studies (16 reports), of which 6 (50%) were randomized sham-controlled trials forming the meta-analytic pool. Active home-based tDCS produced a small, statistically significant improvement over sham (pooled Hedges g=0.36, 95% CI 0.06-0.66; P=.03; I2=34.3%). The effect was not robust to removal of the single largest positive trial (omitting the one study from 2025: g=0.39, 95% CI -0.12 to 0.91), and trial-level results were mixed: the 2 largest trials (one unsupervised [n=210] and one self-administered [n=141]) were negative on their primary depression outcomes, whereas the largest real-time supervised trial (n=174) was positive (between-group 95% CI 0.51-4.01; P=.01). This estimate was concordant in direction with an independent peer-reviewed meta-analysis of overlapping trials, which reported a pooled Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale reduction (weighted mean difference -2.74, 95% CI -4.19 to -1.29) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale reduction (weighted mean difference -2.24, 95% CI -4.16 to -1.49), attenuating to nonsignificance (P>.05) in major depressive disorder without comorbid cognitive impairment. The pooled effect fell at or near the minimal clinically important difference. GRADE certainty was moderate. Adverse events were predominantly mild: one pilot study was terminated early for skin lesions, and one nonfatal suicide attempt occurred in an unsupervised trial. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based and remotely supervised tDCS produces a small, statistically significant but clinically modest antidepressant effect that is sensitive to the inclusion of the largest positive trial, with the 2 largest trials being negative. The available controlled evidence does not establish supervision intensity as a determinant of efficacy. Current data are insufficient to recommend routine clinical adoption; adequately powered trials with standardized supervision and longer follow-up are needed.

Humans↗

PubMed1978

Doxepin versus imipramine in psychoneurotic depressed patients with sleep disturbance: a double-blind study.

This double-blind randomized study compared the effects of imipramine (48 patients) and doxepin (49 patients) in psychoneurotic depressed patients with sleep disturbance symptoms. Mean doses of 112.7 mg/day for doxepin and 116.7 mg/day for imipramine were administered for a mean period of 26 days. While both drugs proved effective, 24 of 27 analyses of covariance showed imipramine to be superior to doxepin. This superiority was statistically significant for the anxiety/depression factor measured on the Hamilton Depression Scale and for the total score, general neurotic feelings factor, cognitive performance difficulty factor and anger-hostility cluster on the Lepman-Rickels Scale. Mild-to-moderate side effects were prevalent to a comparable degree in both treatment groups.

Adjustment Disorders↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influences of hearing impairment on early language development.

It is difficult to determine exactly the effects of chronic otitis media on early language development, in part because we do not know whether hearing loss resulting from otitis media is intermittent or constant, and in part because it is difficult to assess the precise language ability of very young children. This paper focuses on those aspects of language development which one might expect hearing impairment to affect, and presents several hypotheses about the possible effects of mild-to-moderate hearing loss on the earliest stages of language development.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2026

B4GALT5 deficiency impairs glycosphingolipid biosynthesis: a new congenital disorder of glycosylation?

Lactosylceramide is a glycosphingolipid precursor synthesized by two dedicated galactosyltransferases, B4GALT5 and B4GALT6. The specific roles of B4GALT5 and B4GALT6 in humans have not yet been clearly defined. Here, we report the first human case with bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in B4GALT5, suggesting that intact B4GALT5 activity is indispensable for normal glycosphingolipid biosynthesis and human development. We identified bi-allelic variants in the B4GALT5 gene in a child presenting with microcephaly, mild cognitive impairment, and bilateral cataracts. B4GALT5/6 double KO cells transfected with B4GALT5 carrying either of the variants identified in the patient lacked lactosylceramide synthase activity and failed to produce glycosphingolipids. In silico analyses predicted decreased protein stability and impaired UDP-Gal binding for both B4GALT5 variants. Together, these findings indicate that both variants result in deficient B4GALT5 activity, leaving B4GALT6 as the sole source of lactosylceramide synthase activity. Consistent with this, patient plasma and fibroblasts exhibited an approximately 80% reduction in glycosphingolipid levels compared with healthy controls. Unexpectedly, when expressed in model cells human B4GALT6 displayed lower expression and lower catalytic activity, than human B4GALT5, raising questions about its capacity to compensate for B4GALT5 deficiency. In conclusion, we identified a potential new congenital disorder of glycosylation caused by deficient lactosylceramide synthase activity that may be insufficient to support glycosphingolipids synthesis at levels required for normal brain function.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of adjunctive bifrontal tDCS on depressive symptoms and cognitive performance in major depressive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for antidepressant effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in major depressive disorder (MDD) is heterogeneous, and cognitive effects remain uncertain. We compared depressive symptoms and DSST performance during active and sham bifrontal tDCS in medicated outpatients with MDD and baseline HAMD-17 ≥ 15. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover pilot trial, adults with MDD and inadequate response to an adequate antidepressant trial were assigned to active→sham or sham→active tDCS sequences while continuing antidepressants. Each period comprised 10 sessions over 2 weeks. Active stimulation was delivered at 2 mA for 20 min (anode F3, cathode F4); sham used the same montage with brief ramping only. No washout interval was used. No washout interval was used. The primary outcome was HAMD-17; secondary outcomes were DSST and CGI ratings. RESULTS: Of 38 randomized participants, 32 completed both periods and were analyzed per protocol. HAMD-17 scores were lower during active than sham stimulation (mean difference -3.63, 95% CI -5.86 to -1.40; p = 0.002), but the condition-by-sequence interaction was significant (p = 0.026). No condition effect was observed for DSST (p = 0.261) or CGI-Severity (p = 1.000); CGI-Improvement was strongly sequence-dependent (p < 0.001). In an exploratory first-period analysis, adjusted T1 HAMD-17 scores were lower in the active-first group (adjusted difference -4.90, 95% CI -7.92 to -1.87; p = 0.003). Adverse effects were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Active tDCS was associated with lower HAMD-17 scores, but the pooled contrast was order-dependent and cannot be interpreted as a definitive treatment effect. No DSST benefit was observed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Atomoxetine Versus Placebo for Cognitive Deficits in Stimulant Use Disorder: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Stimulant use disorder (StUD), particularly involving cocaine and amphetamines, is associated with significant cognitive impairments that impede recovery and increase relapse risk. Atomoxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, has been proposed as a potential treatment given its role in enhancing executive function and its established efficacy in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy, cognitive, and mood effects of atomoxetine compared with placebo in individuals with StUD. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Embase databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating atomoxetine for StUD. Eligible studies compared atomoxetine with placebo and assessed outcomes related to cognition (attention and response inhibition), stimulant use or abstinence, mood symptoms, and safety. Data were extracted and synthesized qualitatively due to methodological heterogeneity across studies. RESULTS: Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Findings on cognitive outcomes were inconsistent: Some studies reported improvements in attentional bias and inhibitory control, while others showed no significant effects. Atomoxetine did not significantly reduce stimulant use, craving, or sustain abstinence compared with placebo. Limited mood-related benefits were observed, particularly among male participants, although results were variable. Across studies, atomoxetine was well tolerated, with most adverse events mild and transient. CONCLUSION: Despite a compelling neurobiological rationale and evidence of modest cognitive and mood benefits, atomoxetine has not demonstrated consistent efficacy as a monotherapy for StUD. Its favorable safety profile may warrant further investigation in carefully defined populations, such as individuals with comorbid ADHD or in combination with behavioral interventions.

Atomoxetine Hydrochloride↗

PubMed1979

Training sensory awareness and spatial organization in people with right brain damage.

Building on a methodology to improve scanning and academic skill performance behavior in persons with acquired right brain damage due to stroke, this study presents 2 additional treatment methods: training in sensory awareness and spatial organization. The 53 patients studied were divided into two groups, experimental (N = 30) and control (N = 23). The experimental group received a treatment program incorporating the 2 new methods as well as a condensed version of the original program. The controls received standard rehabilitation. Both groups were retested after 1 month. Analyses revealed that the performance of those in the experimental group exceeded that of the controls, that those patients in the experimental group with severe impairments improved more than those with mild impairments, and that combined multiple-treatment produces greater generalization than the original single treatment program.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1977

Alexia without agraphia in a left-handed patient with prosopagnosia.

A left-handed patient was studied who had the acute onset of alexia without agraphia, a left homonymous hemianopia, and prosopagnosia. Neurodiagnostic tests including computerized axial tomography and angiography disclosed bilateral lesions in the posterior cerebral hemispheres involving the splenium of the corpus callosum. Neuropsychologic examination indicated marked impairment of facial discrimination, deficient naming and memory of presented visual material, and mild visual agnosia with relative preservation of other cognitive functions. These findings are consistent with a double disconnection syndrome involving disconnection of the dominant angular gyrus and right inferotemporal cortex from their bilateral visual inputs.

Agnosia↗

PubMed1979

Detection of cognitive deficits by a brief mental status examination: the Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination, a reappraisal and a review.

Results of a brief mental status questionnaire, the Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination (CCSE), were compared with the clinical evaluations of 59 patients on a neurology service. In 71% of the cases, the CCSE scores correctly indicated a cognitive deficit (true-positive) or the absence of one (true-negative); false-negative results were observed in 15% and questionable negative results were found in 10%. Abnormal neurologic physical signs were present in 90% of all patients with cognitive deficits. In this population, although positive CCSE scores were reliable, negative scores were often misleading. Mild diffuse intellectual dysfunction (dementia) and some discrete intellectual deficits (aphasia and anosognosia) went undetected. Cognitive deficits associated with major cerebral disease were unappreciated in nine patients. Caution is recommended in interpreting negative CCSE scores. Abbreviated screening devices are only a preliminary approach to mental status evaluation; this test requires further refinement.

Aged↗

PubMed1977

The use of the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, the Merrill-Palmer Scale of mental tests (non-verbal items) and the Reynell Developmental Language Scales with children in contact with the services for severe mental retardation.

Psychological tests were administered to a complete population of severely retarded children aged 0-14, from one area of south-east London. The fifty-six children selected for the present study included all those who had obtained scores on measures of social maturity, visuo-spatial skills not involving symbolic concepts, and level of language comprehension. The results show very low correlations between the age-related quotients obtained for each measure. This suggests that, in severely retarded children, marked discrepancies can occur between different areas of cognitive and social development. Some children could be classified as moderately or mildly retarded on one type of test but as profoundly retarded on another. The profiles on the tests can be related to diagnosis and behaviour pattern. The findings highlight the problems of assessment and educational placement of retarded children.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2026

Genomic insights into stroke recovery: cross-phenotype associations.

Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability with variable recovery. While clinical factors such as initial severity play a role, genetic factors are increasingly recognized as important contributors to stroke recovery. Genotype studies are generally focused on a single post-stroke behavioural domain, but some genes might relate to broad mechanisms of plasticity. This study therefore aimed to identify cross-phenotypic genetic variants associated across two or more stroke recovery domains. DNA from Stroke, Stress, Rehabilitation, and Genetics study participants was genotyped, resulting in 9 814 610 variants. In order to examine cross-phenotypic results, we first conducted genome-wide association studies on the six recovery domains: motor (grip force), cognition (Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8), stress (Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screen), functional status (Stroke Impact Scale-Activities of Daily Living), and disability (modified Rankin Scale 0-2 versus 3-6), some of which were tested longitudinally, yielding nine phenotypes. Models were adjusted for age, sex, initial severity (NIH Stroke Scale score), and ancestry. Cross-phenotype associations were identified by evaluating single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated (P < 5e-5) with multiple phenotypes. To determine how these genetic variants may relate to biological mechanisms of recovery, we conducted gene enrichment analyses. Participants (n = 565, 59% male) had mild-moderate initial stroke severity (median acute NIH Stroke Scale score = 4). After accounting for the correlation structure among the nine phenotypes, we observed 319 cross-phenotypic SNPs, 3.45 times the expected number. Five of the cross-phenotypic SNPs were linked to genes relevant to neural development, function and plasticity, e.g. ERICH1 (rs11778883-C), FOX3 (rs55726768-G), LIFR-AS1 (rs76401391-T), RPS6KA2 (rs113518460-C) and TUBGCP2 (rs147150392-C), as were enrichments in RAB5-EEA1, CTNNA1-CTNNB1, CIN85-SH3GL2 and ELMO1-DOCK2 complexes. Multiple gene enrichments were found, e.g. Stroke Impact Scale-Activities of Daily Living and Patient Health Questionnaire 8 at 3 months were enriched for CREB phosphorylation, which is important for long-term potentiation. We identified cross-phenotypic SNPs associated with multiple behavioural domains of stroke recovery. Some of these genes encode, or regulate, druggable proteins. These genetic factors are not well captured by clinical or neuroimaging assessments and so provide a unique window into stroke recovery. These findings, if validated, suggest that some genes may be broadly important to stroke recovery.

GWAS↗

PubMed2026

Facilitating Thought Progression via a Gamified Mobile Application for Depression: Possible Mediators of Outcomes.

Mobile health interventions represent a scalable and accessible alternative to traditional therapy, which often is out of reach due to high costs and societal stigma. Rumination is considered a key mechanism of emotional disorders and represents a potential treatment target for digital health interventions. The current study investigated the role of rumination as a mediator of the reduction in depression and anxiety reported after the use of a gamified mobile app based on the Facilitating Thought Progression (FTP) framework. One hundred-one adults with mild to moderate depression were randomized to the FTP intervention or a waitlist control group and completed weekly assessments of depression, anxiety, and rumination over 8 weeks. Multilevel structural equation modeling revealed that reduction in rumination significantly mediated decreases in depression and anxiety in the intervention group but not in the waitlist condition. These findings suggest that the FTP app targeted rumination and further highlights its role as a critical target for interventions for depression and anxiety.

Adult↗