Comparison of the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in detection of cognitive impairment in Chinese elderly from the geriatric department

Comprehensive geriatric assessment of older patients with renal disease: a cross-sectional survey

Multidimensional health function impairments are common in older patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this study was to explore whether the risk or severity of geriatric syndrome increased with a decline in renal function. This survey was conducted for CKD patients aged  ≥ 60 years and hospitalized at West China Hospital of Sichuan University (Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Nephrology, and Endocrinology) and Chengdu Kangfu Kidney Disease Hospital from September 01, 2013 to June 30, 2014. Patients underwent multidimensional individualized assessments by trained doctors. Logistic regression analysis found that the risk of assisted walking (P = 0.001) and urinary incontinence (P = 0.039) increased with a decline in renal function. Regression analysis revealed that the scores of activities of daily living (P = 0.024), nutritional status (P = 0.000), total social support (P = 0.014), and objective support (P = 0.000) decreased with a decline in renal function.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Cognitive Impairment and Atria Score Systems in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the main arrhythmia associated with thromboembolic complications and cognitive impairment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between cognitive impairment and different scoring systems developed for AF to improve the medical follow-up of cognitive impairment.

Methods

Between January 2019 and December 2020, 124 patients between the age of 30 and 80 years, diagnosed with AF for at least 5 years and complaining about memory impairment during cardiological follow-up, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups based on their cognitive status as assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination group 1 consisted of 52 patients with cognitive impairment and group 2 comprised 72 patients without cognitive impairment.

Results

The ATRIA bleeding score had a positive moderate correlation (r = 0.454, P < 0.001), the ATRIA stroke score had a strong correlation (r = 0.738, P < 0.001), and the SAMe-TT2R2 score had a strong correlation (r = 0.688, P < 0.001) with cognitive impairment. However, CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc scores were not statistically correlated with cognitive impairment. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the curve (AUC) of the ATRIA bleeding score was 0.761 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.678-0.844 and P < 0.001; also, for the ATRIA stroke score, AUC was 0.930 with a 95% CI of 0.886-0.974 and P < 0.001. In addition, for the SAMe-TT2R2 score, AUC was 0.895 with a 95% CI of 0.838-0.952 and P < 0.001. In the pairwise comparison of AUC on ROC curves, the ATRIA stroke score and the SAMe-TT2R2 score were statistically similar (P = 0.324). ATRIA bleeding, ATRIA stroke, and SAMe-TT2R2 scores were greater than CHADS2 stroke score (P: 0.0004, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0001, respectively), but CHA2DS2-VASc and CHADS2 stroke scores were statistically similar (P: 0.402).

Conclusion

Both ATRIA stroke and SAMe-TT2R2 scoring systems can provide a better correlation than CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with AF to evaluate their cognitive status. These two scores can be more useful to monitor the patients with AF for medical follow-up of cognitive status.

Associations among multidomain lifestyles, chronic diseases, and dementia in older adults: a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study

Background

Unhealthy lifestyles and chronic diseases are commonly seen and treatable factors in older adults and are both associated with dementia. However, the synergistic effect of the interaction of lifestyles and chronic diseases on dementia is unknown.

Methods

We determined independent associations of multidomain lifestyles and chronic diseases (cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension) with dementia and examined their synergistic impact on dementia among older adults. The data were drawn from the Hubei Memory and Aging Cohort Study. We created a summary score of six factors for multidomain lifestyles. Dementia was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV. Logistic regression and multiple correspondence analyses were used to explore the relationships among multidomain lifestyles, chronic diseases, and dementia. A sensitivity analysis was performed to minimize the interference of reverse causality and potential confounders.

Results

Independent associations with dementia were found in unhealthy (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.38-2.61) and intermediate healthy lifestyles (OR, 3.29, 2.32-4.68), hypertension (OR, 1.21, 1.01-1.46), diabetes (OR, 1.30, 1.04-1.63), and cerebrovascular disease (OR, 1.39, 1.12-1.72). Interactions of diabetes (p = 0.004), hypertension (p = 0.004), and lifestyles were significant, suggesting a combined impact on dementia. Sensitivity analysis supported the strong association among multidomain lifestyles, chronic diseases, and dementia prevalence.

Conclusion

An unhealthy lifestyle was associated with a higher prevalence of dementia, regardless of whether the participants had chronic diseases; however, this association was stronger in individuals with chronic diseases. Multidomain lifestyles and chronic diseases may have an enhanced impact on dementia.

Correlation between serum lipid profiles and cognitive impairment in old age: a cross-sectional study

Background

The correlation between cognitive function and lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides, is inconsistent.

Aims

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between serum lipid levels and the prevalence of cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults and explored this difference in association by gender and urban-rural residency.

Methods

Participants aged 65 and above in urban and rural areas were recruited between 2018 and 2020, selected from the Hubei Memory and Aging Cohort Study. Detailed neuropsychological evaluations, clinical examinations and laboratory tests were conducted in community health service centres. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the correlation between serum lipid profiles and the prevalence of cognitive impairment.

Results

We identified 1 336 cognitively impaired adults (≥65 years)-1 066 with mild cognitive impairment and 270 with dementia-from 4 746 participants. Triglycerides level was correlated with cognitive impairment in the total sample (χ²=6.420, p=0.011). In gender-stratified multivariate analysis, high triglycerides in males reduced the risk of cognitive impairment (OR: 0.785, 95% CI: 0.623 to 0.989, p=0.040), and high LDL-C in females increased the risk of cognitive impairment (OR: 1.282, 95% CI: 1.040 to 1.581, p=0.020). In both gender-stratified and urban-rural stratified multivariate analyses, high triglycerides reduced the risk of cognitive impairment in older urban men (OR: 0.734, 95% CI: 0.551 to 0.977, p=0.034), and high LDL-C increased the risk of cognitive impairment in older rural women (OR: 1.830, 95% CI: 1.119 to 2.991, p=0.016).

Conclusions

There are gender and urban-rural differences in the correlation of serum lipids with cognitive impairment. High triglycerides levels may be a protective factor for cognitive function in older urban men, while high LDL-C levels may be a risk factor for cognitive function in older rural women.

Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Cognitive impairment and dementia affect dozens of millions of people worldwide and cause significant distress to patients and caregivers and a financial burden to families and health care systems. Careful history-taking, cognitive and physical examination, and supplemental neuroimaging and fluid-based biomarkers can accurately diagnose neurocognitive disorders. Management includes non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments tailored to the etiology and to the individual.

Consistency analysis and conversion model establishment of mini-mental state examination and montreal cognitive assessment in Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease

Background

The Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-C) and the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-BJ) are the most commonly used scales to screen for Alzheimer's disease (AD) among Chinese patients; however, their consistency varies according to populations and languages. Equivalent conversion of MMSE-C and MoCA-BJ scores is important for meta-analysis.

Materials and methods

MMSE-C and MoCA-BJ scoring were performed on the enrolled patients with AD (n = 332). Consistency analysis of MMSE-C and MoCA-BJ scores of patients in the conversion groups was performed. The circle-arc method was used to convert the MMSE-C scores of the conversion groups into MoCA-BJ scores, and the conversion formula was generated. The MMSE-C data of the verification group was converted to MoCA-BJ according to the formula, and the consistency analysis of the original MoCA-BJ of the verification group and the converted MoCA-BJ was performed to verify the conversion model.

Results

The results of the consistency analysis of MMSE-C and MoCA-BJ in group A showed that the correlation coefficients of the total group, high education years subgroup, medium education years subgroup, and low education years subgroup were 0.905 (P < 0.001), 0.874 (P < 0.001), 0.949 (P < 0.001), and 0.874 (P < 0.001), respectively, with high consistency and statistical significance. After applying the circle-arc method for equivalent conversion, the consistency analysis results of the original and the converted MoCA-BJ of the patients in group B of the total group, high education years subgroup, medium education years subgroup, and low education years subgroup were 0.891 (P < 0.001), 0.894 (P < 0.001), 0.781 (P < 0.001), 0.909 (P < 0.001), respectively, with high consistency and statistical significance.

Conclusion

We established and validated a model of MMSE-C and MoCA-BJ score conversion for Chinese patients with AD using the circle-arc method. This model could be useful for multi-centers clinical trials and meta-analysis.

Beneficial Effect of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Verbal Memory and Default Mode Network in Healthy Older Adults

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a non-invasive effective treatment for cognitive disorder, but its underlying mechanism of action remains unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a 2-week high-frequency (HF) active or sham 10 Hz rTMS on verbal memory in 40 healthy older adults. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was used to measure functional connectivity (FC) within the default mode network (DMN). Verbal memory performance was evaluated using an auditory verbal learning test (AVLT). Additionally, we evaluated the relationship between memory improvement and FC changes within the DMN. The results revealed that HF-rTMS can enhance immediate recall and delayed recall of verbal memory and increased the FC of the bilateral precuneus (PCUN) within the DMN. The positive correlations between the immediate recall memory and the FC of the left PCUN after a 2-week intervention of HF-rTMS were detected. In conclusion, HF-rTMS may have the potential to improve verbal memory performance in older adults, which relation to FC changes in the DMN. The current findings are useful for increasing the understanding of the mechanisms of HF-rTMS, as well as guiding HF-rTMS treatment of cognitive disorders.

Practice effect and test-retest reliability of the Mini-Mental State Examination-2 in people with dementia

Background

The Mini-Mental State Examination-Second Edition (MMSE-2) consists of three visions: a brief version (MMSE-2:BV), a standard version (MMSE-2:SV), and an expanded version (MMSE-2: EV). Each version was equipped with alternate forms (blue and red). There was a lack of evidence on the practice effect and test-retest reliability of the three versions of the MMSE-2, limiting its utility in both clinical and research settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the practice effect and test-retest reliability of the MMSE-2 in people with dementia.

Methods

One hundred and twenty participants were enrolled, of which 60 were administered with the blue form twice (i.e., the same-form group, [SF group]) and 60 were administered with the blue form first and then the red form (alternate-form group, [AF group]). The practice effect was evaluated using a paired t-test and Cohen’s d. The test-retest reliability was examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

For the practice effects, in the SF group, no statistically significant differences were found for the MMSE-2:BV and MMSE-2: EV total scores and eight subtests (p = 0.061–1.000), except for the MMSE-2:SV total score (p = 0.029). In the AF group, no statistically significant differences were found for all three versions of the total scores and subtests (p = 0.106–1.000), except for the visual-constructional ability subtest (p = 0.010). Cohen’s d of all three versions’ total scores and subtests were 0.00–0.20 and 0.00–0.26 for SF group and AF group, respectively. For the test-retest reliability, ICC values for all three versions and eight subtests in SF and AF groups were 0.60–0.93 and 0.56–0.93, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that the practice effect could be minimized when alternate forms of the MMSE-2 were used. The MMSE-2 had good to excellent test-retest reliability, except for three subtests (i.e., visual-constructional ability, registration, and recall). Caution should be taken when interpreting the results of visual-constructional ability, registration, and recall subtests of the MMSE-2.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02732-7.

Associations of TFEB Gene Polymorphisms With Cognitive Function in Rural Chinese Population

Background: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between transcription factor EB (TFEB) gene polymorphisms, including their haplotypes, and the cognitive functions of a selected population in Gongcheng County, Guangxi. Methods: A case-control study approach was used. The case group comprised 339 individuals with cognitive impairment, as assessed by their Mini-Mental State Examination scores; the control population also comprised 339 individuals who were matched by sex and age (± 5 years) in a 1:1 ratio. TFEB gene polymorphisms were genotyped in 678 participants (190 men and 488 women, aged 30-91 years) by using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Results: Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that in the dominant model, the risk of developing cognitive impairment was 1.547 times higher in cases with the TFEB rs14063A allele (AG + AA) than in those with the GG genotype (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.547, Bonferroni correction confidence interval = 1.021-2.345). Meanwhile, the presence of the TFEB rs1062966T allele (CT + TT) was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment in comparison with the presence of the CC genotype (adjusted OR = 0.636, Bonferroni correction confidence interval = 0.405-0.998). In the co-dominant model, the risk of developing cognitive impairment was 1.553 times higher in carriers of the TFEB rs14063AG genotype than in carriers of the GG genotype (adjusted OR = 1.553, Bonferroni correction confidence interval = 1.007-2.397). After the Bonferroni correction and adjustment for confounding factors, the association of TFEB rs1062966 with cognitive function persisted in the analyses stratified by education level. Ethnically stratified analysis showed a significant association between TFEB rs1062966 and cognitive function in the Yao population. The multilocus linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated that the identified single nucleotide polymorphisms were not inherited independently. The haplotype analysis suggested that the rs14063A-rs1062966C-rs2278068C-rs1015149T haplotype of the TFEB gene increased the risk of cognitive impairment (P < 0.05) and that the rs14063G-rs1062966T-rs2278068C-rs1015149C haplotype was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: TFEB rs1062966 polymorphisms and their rs14063A-rs1062966C-rs2278068C-rs1015149T and rs14063G-rs1062966T-rs2278068C-rs1015149C haplotypes are genetic factors that may affect cognitive function among the rural Chinese population.

A comparison of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for mild cognitive impairment screening in Chinese middle-aged and older population: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) are the most commonly used scales to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in population-based epidemiologic studies. However, their comparison on which is best suited to assess cognition is scarce in samples from multiple regions of China.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 4923 adults aged ≥55 years from the Community-based Cohort Study on Nervous System Diseases. Objective cognition was assessed by Chinese versions of MMSE and MoCA, and total score and subscores of cognitive domains were calculated for each. Education-specific cutoffs of total score were used to diagnose MCI. Demographic and health-related characteristics were collected by questionnaires. Correlation and agreement for MCI between MMSE and MoCA were analyzed; group differences in cognition were evaluated; and multiple logistic regression model was used to clarify risk factors for MCI.

RESULTS

The overall MCI prevalence was 28.6% for MMSE and 36.2% for MoCA. MMSE had good correlation with MoCA (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.8374, p < 0.0001) and moderate agreement for detecting MCI with Kappa value of 0.5973 (p < 0.0001). Ceiling effect for MCI was less frequent using MoCA versus MMSE according to the distribution of total score. Percentage of relative standard deviation, the measure of inter-individual variance, for MoCA (26.9%) was greater than for MMSE (19.0%) overall (p < 0.0001). Increasing age (MMSE: OR = 2.073 for ≥75 years; MoCA: OR = 1.869 for≥75 years), female (OR = 1.280 for MMSE; OR = 1.163 for MoCA), living in county town (OR = 1.386 and 1.862 for MMSE and MoCA, respectively) or village (OR = 2.579 and 2.721 for MMSE and MoCA, respectively), smoking (OR = 1.373 and 1.288 for MMSE and MoCA, respectively), hypertension (MMSE: OR = 1.278; MoCA: OR = 1.208) and depression (MMSE: OR = 1.465; MoCA: OR = 1.350) were independently associated with greater likelihood of MCI compared to corresponding reference group in both scales (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MoCA is a better measure of cognitive function due to lack of ceiling effect and with good detection of cognitive heterogeneity. MCI prevalence is higher using MoCA compared to MMSE. Both tools identify concordantly modifiable factors for MCI, which provide important evidence for establishing intervention measures.

A comparison of test-retest reliability of four cognitive screening tools in people with dementia

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Saint Louis University Status Examination (SLUMS) in a single sample of people with dementia.

METHODS

Sixty people with dementia were assessed twice two weeks apart, and the test-retest reliability was examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for four screening tools. The MDC₉₅ value was calculated based on the standard error of measurement to estimate the random measurement error.

RESULTS

The ICC values for screening tools were 0.86-0.90. The MDC₉₅ values (MDC₉₅%) were 5.0 (17.2%), 2.74 (27%), 4.71(20%), and 6.26 (24%) for the MMSE, SPMSQ, MoCA, and SLUMS, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the four screening tools were similar in test-retest reliability which imply that the MMSE, MoCA, SPMSQ, and SLUMS were reliable in monitoring cognitive function in people with dementia. The results of the direct comparisons of test-retest reliability of the four screening tools provide useful information for both clinicians and researchers to select an appropriate cognitive screening tool.Implications for RehabilitationThe MMSE, MoCA, SPMSQ, and SLUMS are equally reliable and thus they could be used to monitor the cognitive function in people with dementia.The MDC values are useful in determining whether a real change has occurred between repeated assessments for people with dementia.

Sensitivity and Specificity of the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Chinese Population

INTRODUCTION

The Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) examination is a common screening instrument to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Western countries. However, further work is needed to identify optimal SLUMS cutoff scores for screening MCI and dementia in Chinese populations.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility and diagnostic accuracy of the SLUMS examination in the diagnosis of dementia and MCI in Chinese population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional multicenter design was conducted. Patients were recruited from the outpatient department of our neurology and psychiatric clinics. The establishment of the gold standard for the SLUMS-Chinese version (SLUMS-C) to detect MCI and dementia was based on the clinical criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) and related neuropsychological testing conducted by 3 certified dementia specialists. The consistency of the diagnosis process and administering SLUMS-C were established prior to the beginning of the study. Data were analyzed, and sensitivity, specificity, and areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 367 subjects were recruited. The SLUMS-C did not show satisfactory AUCs for the preliminary detection of normal cognitive status and MCI by different educational levels (all AUC 0.32-0.54). However, the SLUMS-C showed acceptable AUCs for the preliminary detection of dementia by different educational levels (all AUC 0.78-0.81). An educational level of senior high school showed the best cutoff, sensitivity, and specificity. The SLUMS-C scores to detect dementia for individuals with at least high school education and less than high school education were <24 and 22, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the SLUMS-C could be a beneficial and convenient screening instrument to detect dementia in Chinese population. After community screening, a comprehensive clinical evaluation including cognitive assessment, functional status, corroborative history, and imaging confirmation is needed.

Prevalence and risk factors of the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment in Chinese community-dwelling older adults

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment and to identify its associated demographic, psychosocial and behavioural factors. Participants were recruited from 32 neighbourhoods using multistage sampling method in Xuhui District, Shanghai, China. A total of 1585 older adults were included who lived in community, were 75 years or older and without a clinical diagnosis of dementia. Based on the presences of frailty (using the modified frailty phenotype criteria) and/or cognitive impairment (using Chinese version Mini-Mental Status Examination stratified by educational level), the participants were classified into four groups: normal, cognitive impairment alone, frailty alone and co-occurrence. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the demographic, psychosocial (depression, social participation and social support) and behavioural (sedentary lifestyle and sleep problems) characteristics associated with the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment. The prevalence of frailty alone, cognitive impairment alone and the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment in the study sample were 7%, 26.94% and 7.19% respectively. The results of multinomial logistic regression show the following characteristics significantly associated with the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment: advanced age (81-85 years old, Odds Ratio, OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.10-3.59; 86 years or older, OR = 6.43, 95% CI = 3.66-11.29), number of co-morbidities (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.01-1.77), depression (OR = 3.88, 95% CI = 2.39-6.29), social participation (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.39-0.96), sedentary lifestyle (OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.66-4.34) and sleep problems (insomnia occasionally, OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.07-3.17; insomnia every day, OR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.33-4.26). The co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment is a prevalent health issue in oldest old community-dwelling older adults. Advanced age, co-morbidity, depression, sedentary lifestyle and sleep problems are risk factors for cognitive frailty while good social participation may have a protective effect on it.

Clinical Characteristics of Cognitive Impairment and 1-Year Outcome in Patients With Anti-LGI1 Antibody Encephalitis

Introduction: Anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 antibody (anti-LGI1) encephalitis is one of the most common autoimmune encephalitis. Anti-LGI1 encephalitis presented with subacute or acute onset of cognitive impairment, psychiatric disturbances, faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDSs), convulsions, and hyponatremia. The common sequela of anti-LGI1 encephalitis is cognitive disorder, but there are few studies on the recovery of cognitive function after immunotherapy. This study aimed to explore clinical characteristics of cognitive impairment and 1-year outcome in patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis.

Methods: The clinical data and characteristics of cognitive impairment of 21 patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis from 2016 to 2019 in Nanjing Brain Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. At the time of onset of hospitalization and 1 year after discharge, the cognitive functions in these patients were assessed using two cognitive screening scales—Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B).

Results: Among the 21 patients, 13 were male and 8 were female, aged 51.10 ± 14.69 (age range 20–72) years. Nineteen patients, comprising 90.48%, had recent memory deterioration. Routine electroencephalography (EEG) results of 13 cases were abnormal. EEG results were epileptic or slow-wave activity involving the temporal lobes. Eleven cases of brain MRI were abnormal, and the focus involved the hippocampus and mediotemporal lobe. The decrease of short-term memory [recall scores: 0.57 ± 0.81 (MMSE), 0.76 ± 1.34 (MoCA-B)] is the most obvious at the time of admission. After intravenous (IV) injection of methylprednisolone and/or immunoglobulin, the clinical symptoms of the patients improved obviously. Total MMSE and MoCA-B scores of patients were significant increased after 1 year (21.19 ± 3.54 vs. 26.10 ± 3.02, P < 0.001; and 19.00 ± 4.38 vs. 25.19 ± 4.25, P < 0.001, respectively). Recall scores and orientation scores of MoCA-B were significantly improved after 1 year (0.76 ± 1.34 vs. 3.24 ± 1.48, P < 0.001; and 3.10 ± 1.26 vs. 5.00 ± 1.22, P < 0.001, respectively). However, 3/21 (14.29%) patients still have obvious short-term memory impairment (recall scores ≤ 1).

Conclusion: Cognitive impairment is one of the most common manifestations of anti-LGI1 encephalitis, with the main prominent being acute or subacute short-term memory loss. Although most patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis respond well to immunotherapy, a small number of patients still have cognitive disorders, mainly recent memory impairment, after 1 year.

Validity, reliability, and psychometric properties of a computerized, cognitive assessment test (Cognivue®)

BACKGROUND

Cognitive issues such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias confer a substantial negative impact. Problems relating to sensitivity, subjectivity, and inherent bias can limit the usefulness of many traditional methods of assessing cognitive impairment.

AIM

To determine cut-off scores for classification of cognitive impairment, and assess Cognivue^® safety and efficacy in a large validation study.

METHODS

Adults (age 55-95 years) at risk for age-related cognitive decline or dementia were invited via posters and email to participate in two cohort studies conducted at various outpatient clinics and assisted- and independent-living facilities. In the cut-off score determination study (n = 92), optimization analyses by positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA), and by accuracy and error bias were conducted. In the clinical validation study (n = 401), regression, rank linear regression, and factor analyses were conducted. Participants in the clinical validation study also completed other neuropsychological tests.

RESULTS

For the cut-off score determination study, 92 participants completed St. Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS, reference standard) and Cognivue^® tests. Analyses showed that SLUMS cut-off scores of < 21 (impairment) and > 26 (no impairment) corresponded to Cognivue^® scores of 54.5 (NPA = 0.92; PPA = 0.64) and 78.5 (NPA = 0.5; PPA = 0.79), respectively. Therefore, conservatively, Cognivue^® scores of 55-64 corresponded to impairment, and 74-79 to no impairment. For the clinical validation study, 401 participants completed ≥ 1 testing session, and 358 completed 2 sessions 1-2 wk apart. Cognivue^® classification scores were validated, demonstrating good agreement with SLUMS scores (weighted κ 0.57; 95%CI: 0.50-0.63). Reliability analyses showed similar scores across repeated testing for Cognivue^® (R² = 0.81; r = 0.90) and SLUMS (R² = 0.67; r = 0.82). Psychometric validity of Cognivue^® was demonstrated vs. traditional neuropsychological tests. Scores were most closely correlated with measures of verbal processing, manual dexterity/speed, visual contrast sensitivity, visuospatial/executive function, and speed/sequencing.

CONCLUSION

Cognivue^® scores ≤ 50 avoid misclassification of impairment, and scores ≥ 75 avoid misclassification of unimpairment. The validation study demonstrates good agreement between Cognivue^® and SLUMS; superior reliability; and good psychometric validity.

Impaired Cognitive Abilities in Siblings of Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

PURPOSE

Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) are at high risk of cognitive impairment. In addition to persistent seizures and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), genetic factors also play an important role in the progression of cognitive deficits in TLE patients. Defining a cognitive endophenotype for TLE can provide information on the risk of cognitive impairment in patients. This study investigated the cognitive endophenotype of TLE by comparing neuropsychological function between patients with TLE, their unaffected siblings, and healthy control subjects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 46 patients with TLE, 26 siblings, and 33 control subjects were recruited. Cognitive function (ie, general cognition, short- and long-term memory, attention, visuospatial and executive functions, and working memory) was assessed with a battery of neuropsychological tests. Differences between groups were evaluated by analysis of covariance, with age and years of education as covariates. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate data that did not satisfy the homogeneity of variance assumption. Pairwise comparisons were adjusted by Bonferroni correction, with a significance threshold of P<0.05.

RESULTS

Patients with TLE showed deficits in the information test (P<0.001), arithmetic test (P=0.003), digit symbol substitution test (P=0.001), block design test (BDT; P=0.005), and backward digit span test (P=0.001) and took a longer time to complete the Hayling test Part A (P=0.011) compared to controls. Left TLE patients tended to have worse executive function test scores than right TLE patients. The siblings of TLE patients showed deficits in the BDT (P=0.006, Bonferroni-corrected) relative to controls.

CONCLUSION

Patients with TLE exhibit cognitive impairment. Executive function is worse in patients with left TLE than in those with right TLE. Siblings show impaired visuospatial function relative to controls. Thus, cognitive deficits in TLE patients have a genetic component and are independent of seizures or AED use.

The Role of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as an Early Detector of Cognitive Impairment

Background:

Along with the increase of the health and prosperity level will affect the life expectancy in Indonesia, there has also been an increase in degenerative disease cases. One of the problems arises is cognitive impairment. The mild version of this impairment is often associated with the increase risk that will eventually lead to dementia. Therefore, early detection of this impairment is necessary.

Objective:

This study is aimed at proving the correlation between Fazekas scale on brain MRI and MoCA-Ina score in defining the degree of cognitive impairment.

Methods:

This study employed observational analytic design and cross sectional study for its data collection method. The Fazekas scale on brain MRI of 32 patients was read by 3 radiologist, while the MoCA-Ina scoring was done by a competent neurologist. Both tests were done double blindly. Later on, the correlation between Fazekas scale and MoCA-Ina score would be assessed using Spearman Correlation.

Results:

Statistical calculation conducted using Spearman Correlation reveals that the coefficient is -0.519 with significant score (P) 0.002, which is smaller than α: 0.05. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a strong negative correlation between Fazekas scale and MoCA-Ina score.

Conclusion:

Fazekas scale evaluation on brain MRI is necessary to be performed as it helps predicting the decline of one's cognitive function, so that an early therapy can be acted upon to prevent dementia in the future.

Neurocognitive Disorders: Importance of Early/Timely Detection in Daily Clinical Practice

Neurocognitive disorders create important challenges for patients, their families, and clinicians who provide their health care. Early/timely detection in daily clinical practice allows for diagnosis and adequate treatment, psychosocial support, education, and engagement in shared decision-making related to health care, life planning, involvement in research, and financial matters. However, neurocognitive disorders, when present, are not detected or not diagnosed and not documented, in more than half of patients seen by primary care physicians. The aim of this paper is to highlight the strategies and the perspectives to improve the early/timely detection of neurocognitive disorders in daily clinical practice.

Validity and Reliability of Rapid Cognitive Screening Test for Turkish Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

Practical cognitive screening tests, brief and easy-to-administer are needed for primary care. The Rapid Cognitive Screen (RCS) is one of the cognitive screening tests used. The present study aimed to establish the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of RCS (RCS-T) in patients with impaired cognitive status.

DESIGN

Prospective validation study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Total 323 outpatients aged 60 or older, who were performed comprehensive geriatric assessment, were included in the study.

MEASUREMENTS

Patients were screened by RCS-T, Turkish version of Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS-T), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and clock drawing test for cognitive impairment (CI).

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 72.2±7.4. Out of the patients, 217 were considered as cognitively intact, 54 as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 52 as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cronbach's alpha value of the RCS-T was 0.674 for AD and 0.713 for CI. The total RCS-T scores were positively correlated with MMSE and SLUMS-T scores (r = 0.647 and r = 0.864, respectively) (p < .001, for each). The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (95% confidence interval) was 0.96 for AD, 0.92 for CI and 0.856 for MCI. The sensitivity and specificity for RCS-T for cut-off point of 6 and 4 were 85.85 (%) and 87.56 (%) for CI and 84.62 (%) and 91.14 (%) for AD, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In a bedside consultation and primary care practice, RCS-T, a simple, quick and sensitive tool for screening CI, seems to be a useful screening test for older patients with CI.

Associated and predictive factors of quality of life in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

Identifying the factors that are correlated with and predictive of reduced quality of life (QOL) is essential to optimize the treatment of epilepsy and the management of comorbidities.

METHODS

We analyzed the independent associations between the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31) inventory and the demographic, clinical, psychiatric, and cognitive variables of 47 consecutive patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Predictors of the correlated variables were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The QOLIE-31 total score was positively correlated with occupational status and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (r = 0.290 and 0.295, respectively; P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the duration of seizures, adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores (r = -0.357, 0.321, 0.328, -0.672, and -0.565, respectively; P < 0.05; P < 0.01 for the SAS and SDS). In the final multivariate regression model, anxiety, long durations of seizures, adverse effects of AEDs, and depression explained approximately 60.6% (adjusted R² = 0.606, R coefficient = 0.800) of the QOLIE-31 overall score variance.

CONCLUSION

Anxiety, long durations of seizures, adverse effects of AEDs, and depression were significant predictors of QOL, and these variables had relatively high prediction capacities for the overall QOLIE-31 in the regression model. Comorbid anxiety is the most powerful negative determinant of the QOLIE-31.

Evaluating PROMIS(®) applied cognition items in a sample of older adults at risk for cognitive decline

PROMIS(®) Applied Cognition is a short self-assessment of cognitive abilities and concerns that eliminates the need for a trained rater and provides online question banks that can be uniformly used across health care providers. This 12-month prospective study of 281 elderly individuals evaluates self-perceptions of cognitive functioning in relation to objective cognition, or assessment by an external rater, and compares PROMIS® Applied Cognition Abilities and Concerns subsets with commonly used "legacy" instruments. PROMIS® correlated with objective legacy measures (the Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Saint Louis University Mental Status [SLUMS] examination), depression (measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS]), anxiety, and activities of daily living. PROMIS® and MMSE correlations remained after controlling for depression and anxiety. PROMIS® associated more strongly than MMSE with depression, highlighting the relationship between subjective cognitive deficit and depression. One-year changes in PROMIS® correlated with one-year changes in MMSE and GDS. The PROMIS® Abilities subset more strongly correlated with objective cognition, whereas the Concerns subset more strongly correlated with depression and activities of daily living. PROMIS® seems to be a reasonable prescreening tool to identify patients with cognitive decline or psychological distress.

The Utility of Brief Cognitive Tests for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk for mild cognitive impairment and dementia in both middle-aged and older individuals. Brief cognitive tests can potentially serve as a reliable and cost effective approach to detect for cognitive decrements in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review examined the utility of brief cognitive tests in studies with patients with T2DM.

METHOD

This systematic review was conducted according to guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. "PubMed," "PsychINFO," "ScienceDirect," and "ProQuest" electronic databases were searched to identify articles published from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2015.

RESULTS

The search yielded 22 studies, with only 8 using brief tests as a cognitive screening tool, whereas the majority using these tests as a measure of global cognitive functions. In regard to cognitive screening studies, most had failed to fulfil the standard reporting of diagnostic test accuracy criteria such as Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy for dementia and cognitive impairment. Moreover, few studies reported discriminant indices such as sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of brief cognitive tests in detecting cognitive impairment in patients with T2DM. Among studies which used brief cognitive tests as a measure of global cognitive function, patients with diabetes tended to perform worse than patients without diabetes. Processing speed appeared to be particularly impaired among patients with diabetes, therefore, measures of processing speed such as the Digit Symbol Substitution Test may add value to brief cognitive tests such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment supplemented by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test indicate initial promise in screening for cognitive impairment in T2DM.

Detecting Change over Time: A Comparison of the SLUMS Examination and the MMSE in Older Adults at Risk for Cognitive Decline

AIMS

To directly compare the 1-year stability of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) examination score and correlate score changes with demographic variables, clinical factors, and functional domains.

METHODS

A sample of 304 study participants was recruited from residential and clinical settings in Ohio. Follow-up assessments were administered after 1 year with a retention rate of 92% (n = 281). Functional domains included the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale.

RESULTS

MMSE and SLUMS scores correlated with each other (r = 0.65, P < 0.001) and with two functional measures, including the IADL (r = 0.27, r = 0.24, P < 0.001). However, the MMSE and SLUMS frequently placed the same subject into different categories. Rates of reversion and conversion varied between the two tests. The 1-year changes in MMSE raw score correlated with changes in three functional domains as well as age (P < 0.05), while SLUMS raw score changes did not correlate with any functional measures.

CONCLUSION

Our large, longitudinal data set allowed us to compare the tests' stability, which differed between the SLUMS and MMSE. The MMSE may be more sensitive than the SLUMS to 1-year cognitive changes influencing functional abilities.

The China longitudinal ageing study: overview of the demographic, psychosocial and cognitive data of the Shanghai sample

BACKGROUND

China's ageing population will lead to increased neurodegenerative illness and age-related mental health problems.

AIMS

The Chinese Longitudinal Ageing Study has been developed to better understand the impact of ageing on cognition and mental health. An overview of the sample, major diagnoses and results of the first wave of data collection is presented.

METHOD

One thousand and sixty-eight elderly Chinese (42.2% male), mean age of 72.8 years (SD = 8.5) completed a comprehensive cognitive, psychosocial and mental health assessment.

RESULTS

Mean MMSE score was 24.73 (SD = 6.17). Primary generalised anxiety was detected in 0.4% of the sample. Sub-clinical depression and depressive disorder were diagnosed in 1.7% and 2.4% of the sample, respectively. Most (84.5%) reported subjective memory decline, however 66.5% had no cognitive impairment. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) was detected in 25%, Alzheimer's disease (AD) in 4.7%, vascular dementia in 2.5%, and mixed dementia in 1.3%. Cognition was worse in those 85+ years, but affective disorder rates were not.

CONCLUSION

Higher rates of dementia were detected than previously reported in China. Normative data is presented for common cognitive and mental health assessment and screening tasks in a Chinese population. This suggests that the true incidence of dementia has been underestimated, and requires further investigation.

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for the detection of dementia in clinically unevaluated people aged 65 and over in community and primary care populations

BACKGROUND

The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a cognitive test that is commonly used as part of the evaluation for possible dementia.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at various cut points for dementia in people aged 65 years and over in community and primary care settings who had not undergone prior testing for dementia.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the specialised register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group, MEDLINE (OvidSP), EMBASE (OvidSP), PsycINFO (OvidSP), LILACS (BIREME), ALOIS, BIOSIS previews (Thomson Reuters Web of Science), and Web of Science Core Collection, including the Science Citation Index and the Conference Proceedings Citation Index (Thomson Reuters Web of Science). We also searched specialised sources of diagnostic test accuracy studies and reviews: MEDION (Universities of Maastricht and Leuven, www.mediondatabase.nl), DARE (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, via the Cochrane Library), HTA Database (Health Technology Assessment Database, via the Cochrane Library), and ARIF (University of Birmingham, UK, www.arif.bham.ac.uk). We attempted to locate possibly relevant but unpublished data by contacting researchers in this field. We first performed the searches in November 2012 and then fully updated them in May 2014. We did not apply any language or date restrictions to the electronic searches, and we did not use any methodological filters as a method to restrict the search overall.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included studies that compared the 11-item (maximum score 30) MMSE test (at any cut point) in people who had not undergone prior testing versus a commonly accepted clinical reference standard for all-cause dementia and subtypes (Alzheimer disease dementia, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia). Clinical diagnosis included all-cause (unspecified) dementia, as defined by any version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM); International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Clinical Dementia Rating.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

At least three authors screened all citations.Two authors handled data extraction and quality assessment. We performed meta-analysis using the hierarchical summary receiver-operator curves (HSROC) method and the bivariate method.

MAIN RESULTS

We retrieved 24,310 citations after removal of duplicates. We reviewed the full text of 317 full-text articles and finally included 70 records, referring to 48 studies, in our synthesis. We were able to perform meta-analysis on 28 studies in the community setting (44 articles) and on 6 studies in primary care (8 articles), but we could not extract usable 2 x 2 data for the remaining 14 community studies, which we did not include in the meta-analysis. All of the studies in the community were in asymptomatic people, whereas two of the six studies in primary care were conducted in people who had symptoms of possible dementia. We judged two studies to be at high risk of bias in the patient selection domain, three studies to be at high risk of bias in the index test domain and nine studies to be at high risk of bias regarding flow and timing. We assessed most studies as being applicable to the review question though we had concerns about selection of participants in six studies and target condition in one study.The accuracy of the MMSE for diagnosing dementia was reported at 18 cut points in the community (MMSE score 10, 14-30 inclusive) and 10 cut points in primary care (MMSE score 17-26 inclusive). The total number of participants in studies included in the meta-analyses ranged from 37 to 2727, median 314 (interquartile range (IQR) 160 to 647). In the community, the pooled accuracy at a cut point of 24 (15 studies) was sensitivity 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74 to 0.92), specificity 0.90 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.95); at a cut point of 25 (10 studies), sensitivity 0.87 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.93), specificity 0.82 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.92); and in seven studies that adjusted accuracy estimates for level of education, sensitivity 0.97 (95% CI 0.83 to 1.00), specificity 0.70 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.85). There was insufficient data to evaluate the accuracy of the MMSE for diagnosing dementia subtypes.We could not estimate summary diagnostic accuracy in primary care due to insufficient data.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The MMSE contributes to a diagnosis of dementia in low prevalence settings, but should not be used in isolation to confirm or exclude disease. We recommend that future work evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of tests in the context of the diagnostic pathway experienced by the patient and that investigators report how undergoing the MMSE changes patient-relevant outcomes.

Comparing Patient-Reported Outcomes Measure Information System Depression Scale with Legacy Depression Measures in a Community Sample of Older Adults with Varying Levels of Cognitive Functioning

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the utility of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measure Information System Depression Scale (PROMIS-8a) compared with selected "Legacy" depression scales, including the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and GDS-Short Form (GDS-SF). Additionally, the measures' properties were assessed across levels of cognitive functioning.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis was extracted from a prospective cohort study. PROMIS-8a and Legacy depression measures were administered to individuals aged at least 70 years grouped by cognitive status based on the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination. McNemar tests were run to determine if measures categorized the absence or presence of depression differently and item analysis evaluated classification discrepancies.

RESULTS

Sample mean age was 78, and most participants were women (71%), white (79%), with at least a high school education (89%). The percentage of individuals with at least mild depression was similar across measures (20.7% PROMIS-8a, 19.0% MADRS, 17.9% GDS, 13.9% GDS-SF). PROMIS-8a total score correlated moderately with MADRS (r = 0.56, df = 295, p <0.01), GDS (r = 0.68, df = 291, p <0.01), and GDS-SF (r = 0.60, df = 291, p <0.01), and predictive validity of the measures was similar. There were no significant mean differences on depression measures by cognitive status.

CONCLUSION

Although all measures identified a similar percent of depressed individuals, the classification differed by measure. Item analysis showed that PROMIS-8a was more likely to identify feelings of dysphoria while the MADRS and GDS were more likely to identify physiologic aspects of depression. Given the brevity and ease of administration of the PROMIS-8a, it appears to be a useful depression screen for community-dwelling older adults.

The Rapid Cognitive Screen (RCS): A Point-of-Care Screening for Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment

OBJECTIVES

There is a need for a rapid screening test for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia to be used by primary care physicians. The Rapid Cognitive Screen (RCS) is a brief screening tool (< 3 min) for cognitive dysfunction. RCS includes 3-items from the Veterans Affairs Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) exam: recall, clock drawing, and insight. Study objectives were to: 1) examine the RCS sensitivity and specificity for MCI and dementia, 2) evaluate the RCS predictive validity for nursing home placement and mortality, and 3) compare the RCS to the clock drawing test (CDT) plus recall.

METHODS

Patients were recruited from the St. Louis, MO Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) hospitals (study 1) or the Saint Louis University Geriatric Medicine and Psychiatry outpatient clinics (study 2). Study 1 participants (N=702; ages 65-92) completed cognitive evaluations and 76% (n=533/706) were followed up to 7.5 years for nursing home placement and mortality. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were computed to determine sensitivity and specificity for MCI (n=180) and dementia (n=82). Logistic regressions were computed for nursing home placement (n=31) and mortality (n=176). Study 2 participants (N=168; ages 60-90) completed the RCS and SLUMS exam. ROC curves were computed to determine sensitivity and specificity for MCI (n=61) and dementia (n=74).

RESULTS

RCS predicted dementia and MCI in study 1 with optimal cutoff scores of ≤ 5 for dementia (sensitivity=0.89, specificity=0.94) and ≤ 7 for MCI (sensitivity=0.87, specificity=0.70). The CDT plus recall predicted dementia and MCI in study 1 with optimal cutoff scores of ≤ 2 for dementia (sensitivity=0.87, specificity=0.85) and ≤ 3 for MCI (sensitivity=0.62, specificity=0.62). Higher RCS scores were protective against nursing home placement and mortality. The RCS predicted dementia and MCI in study 2.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3-item RCS exhibits good sensitivity and specificity for the detection of MCI and dementia, and higher cognitive function on the RCS is protective against nursing home placement and mortality. The RCS may be a useful screening instrument for the detection of cognitive dysfunction in the primary care setting.

Psychometric properties of Chinese language Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale 2.0 (LSSS 2.0) and status and determinants of seizure severity for patients with epilepsy in China

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to translate and validate the Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale (LSSS) in Chinese-speaking patients with epilepsy and explore the determinants of seizure severity in China.

METHODS

Accepted procedures were followed to translate the LSSS. Each participant was interviewed to complete the LSSS, Seizure Severity Index, Quality of Well-being Scale Self-Administered (QWB-SA), EuroQol (EQ-5D), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Construct validity and internal consistency were assessed. The determinants of seizure severity were explored.

RESULTS

The construct validity of the LSSS was demonstrated by good convergent and discriminant validities. Cronbach's alpha and the intraclass correlation coefficient were 0.886, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, seizure types (p=0.001), seizure frequency (p=0.001), and numbers of antiepileptic drugs (p=0.042) predicted the scores on the LSSS. Types of antiepileptic drugs also contributed to the variation in the LSSS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese LSSS is a valid, reliable, and sensitive seizure severity scale. Seizure frequency, seizure types, and quantities and types of AEDs predict seizure severity.

Cognition and nutrition

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Aging is associated with a decline in cognition. This review examines the available data on the effects of nutrition on cognitive impairment. It also explores the mechanism(s) by which food may enhance memory.

RECENT FINDINGS

An increasing body of evidence has supported the role of the Mediterranean diet and extra-virgin olive oil in protecting cognition. A number of nutritional formulations to improve deteriorating memory are being studied. Undernutrition is associated with cognitive decline. Hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia cause cognitive impairment.

SUMMARY

There are increasing data to support the role of nutrition in maintaining cognition.