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Aziz JR, Eskes GA. Investigating premotor reaching biases after prism adaptation. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2023:1-25. [PMID: 37599401 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2023.2247153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Prism adaptation (PA) is both a visuomotor learning task and potential treatment for spatial neglect after stroke. While PA's aftereffects can improve neglect symptoms, therapeutic benefits vary across individuals, possibly due to differences in neglect subtypes. Neglect symptoms can be described along an information processing pathway, yielding perceptual (input) and premotor (output) neglect subtypes. There is some evidence that PA mainly benefits persons with premotor neglect. We investigated whether PA modulates the premotor stage of information processing by examining whether PA could induce a premotor bias in healthy adults. We measured perceptual and premotor biases using a speeded reach task that compares the initiation time of leftward and rightward reaches to lateralized targets from different hand start positions. Using a randomized mixed experimental design, 30 right-handed healthy adults completed this speeded reach task before and after either left-shifting (n = 15) or right-shifting (n = 15) PA. As hypothesized, left-shifting PA speeded initiation time specifically for reaches in the rightward direction, regardless of target location (p = .02, ηp2 = .18), suggesting that PA induced a premotor bias in the direction of the prism aftereffect. These findings have implications for PA's underlying mechanisms, which can inform visuomotor learning theories and PA's use as a treatment for spatial neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine R Aziz
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
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2
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Snow C, Guadagni V, Eskes GA, Poulin MJ, Longman RS. Internal consistency and reliability of the lifetime and modified current cognitive activity questionnaires and their association with cognitive performance: a six-year follow up of the Brain in Motion study. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2023; 45:579-596. [PMID: 38146770 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2272979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cognitive activity questionnaires could provide insight into neurocognitive reserve. The Lifetime Cognitive Activities Questionnaire (LCAQ) assesses cognitive activities at four stages of life. The Modified Current Cognitive Activities Questionnaire (CCAQ) assesses current cognitive activities. We examined the construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and stability of these questionnaires throughout the Brain in Motion (BIM) study and their relationship with cognitive performance. METHODS The LCAQ, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and neuropsychological battery were administered at the initial pre-intervention and six-year follow-up. The CCAQ was administered at five timepoints. Construct validity of the CCAQ/LCAQ was assessed using proxies of cognitive engagement (educational attainment and the North American Adult Reading Test [NAART]). Cronbach alpha analysis determined internal consistency. LCAQ reliability was established by comparing the pre-intervention and six-year follow-up. CCAQ reliability was determined by comparing both pre-intervention assessments, correlations throughout BIM determined stability. A multiple linear regression investigated the associations between cognitive engagement and cognitive domains derived from a principal component analysis. RESULTS MoCA scores at the initial pre-intervention (27.49 ± 1.46) and six-year follow up (26.53 ± 2.08). The LCAQ and CCAQ correlated with educational attainment and the NAART. The LCAQ (n = 266) produced an alpha of 0.90 (20 items). The CCAQ (n = 261) resulted in an alpha of 0.71 (25 items). LCAQ scores (n = 94) at the initial pre-intervention and six-year follow-up were correlated. CCAQ (n = 94) scores at the initial pre-intervention correlated with scores at all five other timepoints. The multiple linear regression revealed associations between the CCAQ and verbal memory/attention. The NAART was associated with processing speed, concept formation, and verbal memory/attention. CONCLUSIONS In the absence of cognitive decline, these questionnaires exhibit significant construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and the CCAQ displayed stability. The NAART and CCAQ were associated with neuropsychological performance. Our findings support future use of these questionnaires and exemplify the neuroprotective role of cognitive engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Snow
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Veronica Guadagni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Marc J Poulin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - R Stewart Longman
- Psychology Service, Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Rochon E, Eskes GA, Skidmore ER, Winstein CJ. Editorial: Combined Therapeutic Approaches to Neurological Rehabilitation. Front Rehabilit Sci 2022; 3:918005. [PMID: 36189051 PMCID: PMC9397659 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.918005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Rochon
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The KITE Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Elizabeth Rochon
| | - Gail A. Eskes
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Elizabeth R. Skidmore
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Carolee J. Winstein
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Simic T, Laird L, Brisson N, Moretti K, Théorêt JL, Black SE, Eskes GA, Leonard C, Rochon E. Cognitive Training to Enhance Aphasia Therapy (Co-TrEAT): A Feasibility Study. Front Rehabilit Sci 2022; 3:815780. [PMID: 36188983 PMCID: PMC9397805 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.815780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Persons with aphasia (PWA) often have deficits in cognitive domains such as working memory (WM), which are negatively correlated with recovery, and studies have targeted WM deficits in aphasia therapy. To our knowledge, however, no study has examined the efficacy of multi-modal training which includes both WM training and targeted language therapy. This pilot project examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of combining WM training and naming therapy to treat post-stroke PWA. Chronic PWA were randomly assigned to either the a) Phonological Components Analysis (PCA) and WM intervention (WMI) condition (i.e., a computerized adaptive dual n-back task), or b) PCA and active control condition (WMC). Participants received face-to-face PCA therapy 3 times/week for 5 weeks, and simultaneously engaged in WM training or the active control condition five times/week, independently at home. Six PWA were enrolled, 3 in each condition. Feasibility metrics were excellent for protocol compliance, retention rate and lack of adverse events. Recruitment was less successful, with insufficient participants for group analyses. Participants in the WMI (but not the WMC) condition demonstrated a clinically significant (i.e., > 5 points) improvement on the Western Aphasia Battery- Aphasia Quotient (WAB-R AQ) and Boston Naming Test after therapy. Given the small sample size, the performance of two individuals, matched on age, education, naming accuracy pre-treatment, WAB-R AQ and WM abilities was compared. Participant WMI-3 demonstrated a notable increase in WM training performance over the course of therapy; WMC-2 was the matched control. After therapy, WMI-3's naming accuracy for the treated words improved from 30 to 90% (compared to 30–50% for WMC-2) with a 7-point WAB-R AQ increase (compared to 3 for WMC-2). Improvements were also found for WMI-3 but not for WMC-2 on ratings of communicative effectiveness, confidence and some conversation parameters in discourse. This feasibility study demonstrated excellent results for most aspects of Co-TrEAT. Recruitment rate, hampered by limited resources, must be addressed in future trials; remotely delivered aphasia therapy may be a possible solution. Although no firm conclusions can be drawn, the case studies suggest that WM training has the potential to improve language and communication outcomes when combined with aphasia therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tijana Simic
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Tijana Simic
| | - Laura Laird
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nadia Brisson
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kathy Moretti
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jean-Luc Théorêt
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sandra E. Black
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehab, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gail A. Eskes
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Carol Leonard
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Rochon
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehab, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Wyatt LE, Champod AS, Haidar GM, Eskes GA. Can prism adaptation effects generalize to wheelchair maneuvering? NeuroRehabilitation 2021; 49:119-128. [PMID: 33998553 DOI: 10.3233/nre-210028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While prism adaptation (PA) has been recognized as a promising tool for treating spatial neglect, implementation as a standard treatment in clinical care has been lagging. Limited evidence for the generalization of after-effects to everyday activities has been a barrier towards implementation. OBJECTIVES This study examined whether a home-friendly standardized PA protocol (Peg-the-Mole, PTM) induces after-effects that can transfer to wheelchair maneuvering. We also examined the impact of using constant (1 starting hand position) or variable (3 starting hand positions) training conditions on the transfer of after-effects to wheelchair maneuvering. METHODS Sixty participants were randomly assigned to one of four PTM conditions: 1) prisms/constant training; 2) prisms/variable training; 3) sham goggles/constant training; 4) sham goggles/variable training. RESULTS The use of PTM with rightward shifting prisms induced after-effects on proprioceptive and visual pointing outcome tasks. Groups using PTM with prism goggles showed a leftward shift in their position within a wheelchair course and a reduction in the number of right-sided collisions. The training condition did not have an impact on the transfer of after-effects to wheelchair driving. CONCLUSION PTM is a clinically appealing PA protocol that induces after-effects that can transfer to an everyday activity relevant to patients with neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay E Wyatt
- Department of Psychology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Anne Sophie Champod
- Department of Psychology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Gabrielle M Haidar
- Department of Psychology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.,School of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Aziz JR, Good SR, Klein RM, Eskes GA. Role of aging and working memory in performance on a naturalistic visual search task. Cortex 2020; 136:28-40. [PMID: 33453649 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Studying age-related changes in working memory (WM) and visual search can provide insights into mechanisms of visuospatial attention. In visual search, WM is used to remember previously inspected objects/locations and to maintain a mental representation of the target to guide the search. We sought to extend this work, using aging as a case of reduced WM capacity. The present study tested whether various domains of WM would predict visual search performance in both young (n = 47; aged 18-35 yrs) and older (n = 48; aged 55-78) adults. Participants completed executive and domain-specific WM measures, and a naturalistic visual search task with (single) feature and triple-conjunction (three-feature) search conditions. We also varied the WM load requirements of the search task by manipulating whether a reference picture of the target (i.e., target template) was displayed during the search, or whether participants needed to search from memory. In both age groups, participants with better visuospatial executive WM were faster to locate complex search targets. Working memory storage capacity predicted search performance regardless of target complexity; however, visuospatial storage capacity was more predictive for young adults, whereas verbal storage capacity was more predictive for older adults. Displaying a target template during search diminished the involvement of WM in search performance, but this effect was primarily observed in young adults. Age-specific interactions between WM and visual search abilities are discussed in the context of mechanisms of visuospatial attention and how they may vary across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine R Aziz
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Samantha R Good
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Raymond M Klein
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Tyndall AV, Longman RS, Sajobi TT, Parboosingh JS, Drogos LL, Davenport MH, Eskes GA, Hogan DB, Hill MD, Poulin MJ. Genetic Risk, Vascular Function, and Subjective Cognitive Complaints Predict Objective Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults: Results From the Brain in Motion Study. Front Integr Neurosci 2020; 14:571683. [PMID: 33224030 PMCID: PMC7669615 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2020.571683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with subjective memory complaints. Approximately half of those with subjective memory complaints have objective cognitive impairment. Previous studies have provided evidence of an association between genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia progression. Also, aging is a significant risk factor for vascular pathology that may underlie at least some of the cognitive changes. This study investigates the relative contribution of subjective cognitive complaints (SCC), vascular function, and genetic risk for dementia in predicting objective cognitive performance. Multiple regression and relative importance analysis were used to investigate the relative contribution of vascular function, self-reported SCC, and dementia genetic risk, in predicting objective cognition in a sample of 238 healthy community-dwelling older adults. Age, sex, premorbid cognitive abilities, subjective verbal memory complaints, higher cerebrovascular blood flow during submaximal exercise, and certain dementia risk alleles were significant predictors of worse objective verbal memory performance (p < 0.001, R2 = 35.2–36.4%). Using relative importance analysis, subjective verbal memory complaints, and certain dementia risk alleles contributed more variance than cerebrovascular measures. These results suggest that age-related changes in memory in healthy older adults can be predicted by subjective memory complaints, genetic risk, and to a lesser extent, cerebrovascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda V Tyndall
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - R Stewart Longman
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Psychology Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tolulope T Sajobi
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jillian S Parboosingh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute for Child and Maternal Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lauren L Drogos
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Margie H Davenport
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - David B Hogan
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Michael D Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Marc J Poulin
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Drake R, Parker K, Clifton KL, Allen S, Adderson J, Mountain A, Eskes GA. Ankle-foot orthoses improve walking but do not reduce dual-task costs after stroke. Top Stroke Rehabil 2020; 28:463-473. [PMID: 33063635 DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2020.1834271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive-motor interference, as measured by dual-task walking (performing a mental task while walking), affects many clinical populations. Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are lower-leg splints prescribed to provide stability to the foot and ankle, as well as prevent foot drop, a gait deficit common after stroke. AFO use has been shown to improve gait parameters such as speed and step time, which are often negatively impacted by dual-task walking. OBJECTIVES Our objective was to establish whether AFOs could protect against cognitive-motor interference, as measured by dual-task walking, following post-stroke hemiplegia. METHODS A total of 21 individuals with post-stroke hemiplegia that use an AFO completed a dual-task walking paradigm in the form of a 2 (walking with vs. without a concurrent cognitive task) by 2 (walking with vs. without an AFO) repeated-measures design. Changes to both motor and cognitive performance were analyzed. RESULTS The results suggest that the use of an AFO improves gait overall in both single- and dual-task walking, particularly with respect to stride regularity, but there were no interactions to suggest that AFOs reduce the cognitive-motor dual-task costs themselves. A lack of differences in cognitive performance during dual-task walking with and without the AFO suggests that the AFO's benefit to motor performance cannot be attributed to task prioritization. CONCLUSIONS These data support the use of AFOs to improve certain gait parameters for post-stroke hemiplegia, but AFOs do not appear to protect against cognitive-motor interference during dual-task walking. Future research should pursue alternate therapeutics for ameliorating task-specific declines under cognitively demanding circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Drake
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Kim Parker
- Assistive Technology, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Canada.,Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | | | - Stefan Allen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - James Adderson
- Assistive Technology, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Canada
| | - Anita Mountain
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
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Checketts M, Mancuso M, Fordell H, Chen P, Hreha K, Eskes GA, Vuilleumier P, Vail A, Bowen A. Current clinical practice in the screening and diagnosis of spatial neglect post-stroke: Findings from a multidisciplinary international survey. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2020; 31:1495-1526. [PMID: 32691688 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2020.1782946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Spatial neglect has profound implications for quality of life after stroke, yet we lack consensus for screening/diagnosing this heterogeneous syndrome. Our first step in a multi-stage research programme aimed to determine which neglect tests are used (within four categories: cognitive, functional, neurological and neuroimaging/neuromodulation), by which stroke clinicians, in which countries, and whether choice is by professional autonomy or institutional policy. 454 clinicians responded to an online survey: 12 professions (e.g., 39% were occupational therapists) from 33 countries (e.g., 38% from the UK). Multifactorial logistic regression suggested inter-professional differences but fewer differences between countries (Italy was an outlier). Cognitive tests were used by 82% (particularly by psychologists, cancellation and drawing were most popular); 80% used functional assessments (physiotherapists were most likely). 20% (mainly physicians, from Italy) used neuroimaging/ neuromodulation. Professionals largely reported clinical autonomy in their choices. Respondents agreed on the need for a combined approach to screening and further training. This study raises awareness of the translation gap between theory and practice. These findings lay an important foundation to subsequent collaborative action between clinicians, researchers and stroke survivors to reach consensus on screening and diagnostic measures. The immediate next step is a review of the measures' psychometric properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Checketts
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, MAHSC, Manchester, UK
| | - Mauro Mancuso
- Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine Unit, National Health Service, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Helena Fordell
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Peii Chen
- Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, NJ, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Kimberly Hreha
- Division for Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Professions, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience & Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Patrik Vuilleumier
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, Department of Fundamental Neurosciences & Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andy Vail
- Centre for Biostatistics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, MAHSC, Manchester, UK
| | - Audrey Bowen
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, MAHSC, Manchester, UK
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10
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Guadagni V, Drogos LL, Tyndall AV, Davenport MH, Anderson TJ, Eskes GA, Longman RS, Hill MD, Hogan DB, Poulin MJ. Aerobic exercise improves cognition and cerebrovascular regulation in older adults. Neurology 2020; 94:e2245-e2257. [PMID: 32404355 PMCID: PMC7357295 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000009478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that aerobic exercise is associated with improvements in cognition and cerebrovascular regulation, we enrolled 206 healthy low-active middle-aged and older adults (mean ± SD age 65.9 ± 6.4 years) in a supervised 6-month aerobic exercise intervention and assessed them before and after the intervention. METHODS The study is a quasi-experimental single group pre/postintervention study. Neuropsychological tests were used to assess cognition before and after the intervention. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to measure cerebral blood flow velocity. Cerebrovascular regulation was assessed at rest, during euoxic hypercapnia, and in response to submaximal exercise. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between changes in cognition and changes in cerebrovascular function. RESULTS The intervention was associated with improvements in some cognitive domains, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cerebrovascular regulation. Changes in executive functions were negatively associated with changes in cerebrovascular resistance index (CVRi) during submaximal exercise (β = -0.205, p = 0.013), while fluency improvements were positively associated with changes in CVRi during hypercapnia (β = 0.106, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION The 6-month aerobic exercise intervention was associated with improvements in some cognitive domains and cerebrovascular regulation. Secondary analyses showed a novel association between changes in cognition and changes in cerebrovascular regulation during euoxic hypercapnia and in response to submaximal exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Guadagni
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Lauren L Drogos
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Amanda V Tyndall
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Margie H Davenport
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Todd J Anderson
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - R Stewart Longman
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Michael D Hill
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - David B Hogan
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Marc J Poulin
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., G.A.E., M.J.P.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., R.S.L., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Division of Geriatric Medicine (D.B.H.), Department of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (V.G., L.L.D., A.V.T., M.D.H., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (T.J.A., M.J.P.), O'Brien Institute for Public Health (V.G., D.B.H., M.J.P.), Department of Cardiac Sciences (T.J.A.), Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, and Department of Community Health Sciences (M.D.H.), Cumming School of Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology (M.J.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.S.L.), University of Calgary; Psychology Service (R.S.L.), Alberta Health Service, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary; Department of Psychiatry (G.A.E.), Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (G.A.E.), Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory (M.H.D.), Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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11
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Aziz JR, MacLean SJ, Krigolson OE, Eskes GA. Visual Feedback Modulates Aftereffects and Electrophysiological Markers of Prism Adaptation. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:138. [PMID: 32362818 PMCID: PMC7182100 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prism adaptation (PA) is both a model for visuomotor learning and a promising treatment for visuospatial neglect after stroke. The task involves reaching for targets while prism glasses horizontally displace the visual field. Adaptation is hypothesized to occur through two processes: strategic recalibration, a rapid self-correction of pointing errors; and spatial realignment, a more gradual adjustment of visuomotor reference frames that produce prism aftereffects (i.e., reaching errors upon glasses removal in the direction opposite to the visual shift). While aftereffects can ameliorate neglect, not all patients respond to PA, and the neural mechanisms underlying successful adaptation are unclear. We investigated the feedback-related negativity (FRN) and the P300 event-related potential (ERP) components as candidate markers of strategic recalibration and spatial realignment, respectively. Healthy young adults wore prism glasses and performed memory-guided reaching toward vertical-line targets. ERPs were recorded in response to three different between-subject error feedback conditions at screen-touch: view of hand and target (Experiment 1), view of hand only (Experiment 2), or view of lines to mark target and hand position (view of hand occluded; Experiment 3). Conditions involving a direct view of the hand-produced stronger aftereffects than indirect hand feedback, and also evoked a P300 that decreased in amplitude as adaptation proceeded. Conversely, the FRN was only seen in conditions involving target feedback, even when aftereffects were smaller. Since conditions producing stronger aftereffects were associated with a phase-sensitive P300, this component may index a “context-updating” realignment process critical for strong aftereffects, whereas the FRN may reflect an error monitoring process related to strategic recalibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine R Aziz
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Lab, Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stephane J MacLean
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Lab, Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Olave E Krigolson
- Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Lab, Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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12
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Whitehouse CE, Green J, Giles SM, Rahman R, Coolican J, Eskes GA. Development of the Halifax Visual Scanning Test: A New Measure of Visual-Spatial Neglect for Personal, Peripersonal, and Extrapersonal Space. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2019; 25:1-11. [PMID: 30990154 DOI: 10.1017/s135561771900002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Visual-spatial neglect is a common attentional disorder after right-hemisphere stroke and is associated with poor rehabilitation outcomes. The presence of neglect symptoms has been reported to vary across personal, peripersonal, and extrapersonal space. Currently, no measure is available to assess neglect severity equally across these spatial regions and may be missing subsets of symptoms or patients with neglect entirely. We sought to provide initial construct validity for a novel assessment tool that measures neglect symptoms equally for these spatial regions: the Halifax Visual Scanning Test (HVST). METHODS In Study I, the HVST was compared to conventional measures of neglect and functional outcome scores (wheelchair navigation) in 15 stroke inpatients and 14 healthy controls. In Study II, 19 additional controls were combined with the control data from Study I to establish cutoffs for impairment. Patterns of neglect in the stroke group were examined. RESULTS In Study I, performance on all HVST subtests were correlated with the majority of conventional subtests and wheelchair navigation outcomes. In Study II, neglect-related deficits in visual scanning showed dissociations across spatial regions. Four inpatients exhibited symptoms of neglect on the HVST that were not detected on conventional measures, one of which showed symptoms in personal and extrapersonal space exclusively. CONCLUSIONS The HVST appears a useful measure of neglect symptoms in different spatial regions that may not be detected with conventional measures and that correlates with functional wheelchair performance. Preliminary control data are presented and further research to add to this normative database appears warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janet Green
- 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience,Dalhousie University,Nova Scotia
| | - Sarah M Giles
- 2Department of Family Medicine,University of Ottawa,Ottawa,Canada
| | - Rosanna Rahman
- 3Capital and Coast District Health Board,Wellington Regional Hospital,New Zealand
| | | | - Gail A Eskes
- 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience,Dalhousie University,Nova Scotia
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13
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Ploughman M, Eskes GA, Kelly LP, Kirkland MC, Devasahayam AJ, Wallack EM, Abraha B, Hasan SMM, Downer MB, Keeler L, Wilson G, Skene E, Sharma I, Chaves AR, Curtis ME, Bedford E, Robertson GS, Moore CS, McCarthy J, Mackay-Lyons M. Synergistic Benefits of Combined Aerobic and Cognitive Training on Fluid Intelligence and the Role of IGF-1 in Chronic Stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2019; 33:199-212. [PMID: 30816066 DOI: 10.1177/1545968319832605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paired exercise and cognitive training have the potential to enhance cognition by "priming" the brain and upregulating neurotrophins. METHODS Two-site randomized controlled trial. Fifty-two patients >6 months poststroke with concerns about cognitive impairment trained 50 to 70 minutes, 3× week for 10 weeks with 12-week follow-up. Participants were randomized to 1 of 2 physical interventions: Aerobic (>60% VO2peak using <10% body weight-supported treadmill) or Activity (range of movement and functional tasks). Exercise was paired with 1 of 2 cognitive interventions (computerized dual working memory training [COG] or control computer games [Games]). The primary outcome for the 4 groups (Aerobic + COG, Aerobic + Games, Activity + COG, and Activity + Games) was fluid intelligence measured using Raven's Progressive Matrices Test administered at baseline, posttraining, and 3-month follow-up. Serum neurotrophins collected at one site (N = 30) included brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) at rest (BDNFresting) and after a graded exercise test (BDNFresponse) and insulin-like growth factor-1 at the same timepoints (IGF-1rest, IGF-1response). RESULTS At follow-up, fluid intelligence scores significantly improved compared to baseline in the Aerobic + COG and Activity + COG groups; however, only the Aerobic + COG group was significantly different (+47.8%) from control (Activity + Games -8.5%). Greater IGF-1response at baseline predicted 40% of the variance in cognitive improvement. There was no effect of the interventions on BDNFresting or BDNFresponse; nor was BDNF predictive of the outcome. CONCLUSIONS Aerobic exercise combined with cognitive training improved fluid intelligence by almost 50% in patients >6 months poststroke. Participants with more robust improvements in cognition were able to upregulate higher levels of serum IGF-1 suggesting that this neurotrophin may be involved in behaviorally induced plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Ploughman
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- 2 Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NL, Canada
| | - Liam P Kelly
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Megan C Kirkland
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | | | - Elizabeth M Wallack
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Beraki Abraha
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - S M Mahmudul Hasan
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Matthew B Downer
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Laura Keeler
- 2 Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NL, Canada
| | - Graham Wilson
- 2 Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NL, Canada
| | - Elaine Skene
- 2 Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NL, Canada
| | - Ishika Sharma
- 2 Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NL, Canada
| | - Arthur R Chaves
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Marie E Curtis
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Emily Bedford
- 2 Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NL, Canada
| | | | - Craig S Moore
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Jason McCarthy
- 1 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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14
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Champod AS, Gubitz GJ, Phillips SJ, Christian C, Reidy Y, Radu LM, Darvesh S, Reid JM, Kintzel F, Eskes GA. Clock Drawing Test in acute stroke and its relationship with long-term functional and cognitive outcomes. Clin Neuropsychol 2018; 33:817-830. [PMID: 29985104 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2018.1494307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is commonly used as a screening tool for the assessment of dementia. The association between the CDT in acute stroke and long-term functional and cognitive outcomes in this population is unknown. The present prospective study is the first to examine if CDT scores in the acute stage after stroke are related to long-term outcomes and to compare the predictive ability of two scoring systems in a large sample of stroke patients. Method: A total of 340 patients admitted to an acute stroke unit were included in the present study. Separate stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were performed with eight independent variables (demographic/pre-stroke variables - age, sex, premorbid functioning; stroke-related variables - stroke severity, localization; cognitive variables - Orientation Test, CDT [2 scoring systems]), and four dependent variables administered one year post-stroke (Barthel Index, modified Rankin Scale, Reintegration to Normal Living index, Global Deterioration Scale). Results: Although both CDT scoring methods were related to all long-term outcome measures, the more comprehensive scoring system was the only baseline variable that significantly explained the variance in outcome measures in all four multiple regression models. Conclusion: Performance on the CDT in acute stroke is related to long-term outcomes including patients' degree of independence in performing activities of daily living, the degree to which they achieved reintegration into daily occupations, and the degree of cognitive decline observed one-year post-stroke. Future studies are needed to clarify the nature of the relationship between different CDT scoring systems and post-stroke outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Sophie Champod
- a Department of Psychology , Acadia University , Wolfville , Canada.,b Department of Psychiatry , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada
| | - Gord J Gubitz
- c Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and Faculty of Medicine , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada
| | - Stephen J Phillips
- c Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and Faculty of Medicine , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada
| | - Christine Christian
- c Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and Faculty of Medicine , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada
| | - Yvette Reidy
- c Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and Faculty of Medicine , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada
| | - Luiza M Radu
- d Department of Psychology & Neuroscience , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada
| | - Sultan Darvesh
- e Department of Medicine , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada
| | - John M Reid
- f Department of Neurology , Aberdeen Royal Infirmary , Aberdeen , UK
| | - Franziska Kintzel
- g Werklund School of Education , University of Calgary , Calgary , Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- b Department of Psychiatry , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada.,d Department of Psychology & Neuroscience , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada.,e Department of Medicine , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada
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15
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Abstract
Inadequate nightly sleep duration can impair daytime functioning, including interfering with attentional and other cognitive processes. Current models posit that attention is a complex function regulated by several separate, but interacting, neural systems responsible for vigilance, orienting, and executive control. However, it is not clear to what extent each of these underlying component processes is affected by sleep loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute sleep restriction on these attentional components using the Dalhousie Computerized Attention Battery (DalCAB). DalCAB tasks were administered to healthy women (aged 19-25 years) on two consecutive mornings: once after a night with 9 h time in bed (TIB), and once again after either another night with 9 h TIB (control condition, n = 19) or after a night with 3 h TIB (sleep restriction condition, n = 20). Self-ratings of sleepiness and mood were also obtained following each sleep condition. Participants showed increases in self-reported sleepiness and fatigue after the second night only in the sleep restriction group. Sleep restriction primarily affected processing speed on tasks measuring vigilance; however, performance deficits were also observed on some measures of executive function (e.g., go/no-go task, flanker task, working memory). Tasks assessing orienting of attention were largely unaffected. These results indicate that acute sleep restriction has differential effects on distinct components of attention, which should be considered in modeling the impacts of sleep loss on the underlying attentional networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmyn E A Cunningham
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Benjamin Rusak
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Chronobiology and Sleep Program, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
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16
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McAllindon DP, Tibbo PG, Eskes GA. Is performance on probed serial recall tasks in schizophrenia related to duration of Attentional Blink? Schizophr Res Cogn 2017; 7:8-12. [PMID: 28740823 PMCID: PMC5514299 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with a deficit in working memory, with the degree of working memory impairment related to the level of social and occupational functioning. This study tests the hypothesis that the working memory deficits in individuals with schizophrenia can be explained by slow processing of visual stimuli, as measured by the attentional blink (AB) task. Individuals with schizophrenia (SC) and controls (HC) were recruited from an early intervention service for psychosis and the local community. Data from 16 SC (11M/5F, mean = 26.4 yo) and 20 age-matched HC (11M/9F, mean = 25.8 yo) were analyzed. Each subject performed an AB task to determine their AB duration, defined as the lag to reach their plateau performance (ltpp). As expected, mean AB duration in the SC group (575 ms) was significantly slower than HC (460 ms; p = 0.007). Recall accuracy of the SC group on a working memory task, a 6-item probed serial recall task (PSR), was reduced compared to the HC group at a standard interstimulus interval (ISI) (p = 0.002). When the individual's AB duration was then used to adjust the ISI on the PSR task to three relative ISI rates (Slow (2 × ltpp), Medium (ltpp) and Fast (1/2 × ltpp)), performance on the PSR task was affected by group, position and ISI and qualified by an ISI ∗ position (p = 0.001) and a trend to a triple interaction (p = 0.054). There was main effect of group at all ISIs, but group ∗ position interaction only at Slow ISI (p = 0.01). Our interpretation of the results is that absolute ISI, rather than ISI relative to AB duration, affected performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P McAllindon
- Dalhousie University, Department of Psychiatry, 8 Floor, Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2, Canada.,Biomedical Translational Imaging Center, IWK Health Center, Suite 3900, 1796 Summer Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3A7, Canada.,Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program, 3 Floor, Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2, Canada
| | - Philip G Tibbo
- Dalhousie University, Department of Psychiatry, 8 Floor, Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2, Canada.,Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program, 3 Floor, Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Dalhousie University, Department of Psychiatry, 8 Floor, Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2, Canada.,Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, 1355 Oxford St., Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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17
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Abstract
Determining the speed at which a task is performed (i.e., reaction time) can be a valuable tool in both research and clinical assessments. However, standard computer hardware employed for measuring reaction times (e.g., computer monitor, keyboard, or mouse) can add nonrepresentative noise to the data, potentially compromising the accuracy of measurements and the conclusions drawn from the data. Therefore, an assessment of the accuracy and precision of measurement should be included along with the development of computerized tests and assessment batteries that rely on reaction times as the dependent variable. This manuscript outlines three methods for assessing the temporal accuracy of reaction time data (one employing external chronometry). Using example data collected from the Dalhousie Computerized Attention Battery (DalCAB) we discuss the detection, measurement, and correction of nonrepresentative noise in reaction time measurement. The details presented in this manuscript should act as a cautionary tale to any researchers or clinicians gathering reaction time data, but who have not yet considered methods for verifying the internal chronometry of the software and or hardware being used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P Salmon
- a Department of Psychiatry , Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada
| | | | - Chris P Wright
- b Department of Psychology and Neuroscience , Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada
| | - Beverly C Butler
- a Department of Psychiatry , Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada.,c Research Services, Capital District Health Authority , Halifax , NS , Canada
| | - Raymond M Klein
- b Department of Psychology and Neuroscience , Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- a Department of Psychiatry , Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada.,b Department of Psychology and Neuroscience , Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada
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18
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Jones SAH, Butler BC, Kintzel F, Johnson A, Klein RM, Eskes GA. Measuring the Performance of Attention Networks with the Dalhousie Computerized Attention Battery (DalCAB): Methodology and Reliability in Healthy Adults. Front Psychol 2016; 7:823. [PMID: 27375517 PMCID: PMC4894888 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention is an important, multifaceted cognitive domain that has been linked to three distinct, yet interacting, networks: alerting, orienting, and executive control. The measurement of attention and deficits of attention within these networks is critical to the assessment of many neurological and psychiatric conditions in both research and clinical settings. The Dalhousie Computerized Attention Battery (DalCAB) was created to assess attentional functions related to the three attention networks using a range of tasks including: simple reaction time, go/no-go, choice reaction time, dual task, flanker, item and location working memory, and visual search. The current study provides preliminary normative data, test-retest reliability (intraclass correlations) and practice effects in DalCAB performance 24-h after baseline for healthy young adults (n = 96, 18-31 years). Performance on the DalCAB tasks demonstrated Good to Very Good test-retest reliability for mean reaction time, while accuracy and difference measures (e.g., switch costs, interference effects, and working memory load effects) were most reliable for tasks that require more extensive cognitive processing (e.g., choice reaction time, flanker, dual task, and conjunction search). Practice effects were common and pronounced at the 24-h interval. In addition, performance related to specific within-task parameters of the DalCAB sub-tests provides preliminary support for future formal assessment of the convergent validity of our interpretation of the DalCAB as a potential clinical and research assessment tool for measuring aspects of attention related to the alerting, orienting, and executive control networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A H Jones
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Beverly C Butler
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS, Canada; Research Services, Nova Scotia Health AuthorityHalifax, NS, Canada
| | - Franziska Kintzel
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Anne Johnson
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Raymond M Klein
- Cognitive Science Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS, Canada; Affiliated Scientist, Medical Staff, Nova Scotia Health AuthorityHalifax, NS, Canada
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19
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Champod AS, Frank RC, Taylor K, Eskes GA. The effects of prism adaptation on daily life activities in patients with visuospatial neglect: a systematic review. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2016; 28:491-514. [DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2016.1182032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Sophie Champod
- Department of Psychology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Rachel C. Frank
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Kristina Taylor
- School of Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Gail A. Eskes
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc J Poulin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michael D Hill
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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21
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Jackson PA, Pialoux V, Corbett D, Drogos L, Erickson KI, Eskes GA, Poulin MJ. Promoting brain health through exercise and diet in older adults: a physiological perspective. J Physiol 2016; 594:4485-98. [PMID: 27524792 DOI: 10.1113/jp271270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise in incidence of age-related cognitive impairment is a global health concern. Ageing is associated with a number of changes in the brain that, collectively, contribute to the declines in cognitive function observed in older adults. Structurally, the ageing brain atrophies as white and grey matter volumes decrease. Oxidative stress and inflammation promote endothelial dysfunction thereby hampering cerebral perfusion and thus delivery of energy substrates and nutrients. Further, the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles contributes to neuronal loss. Of interest, there are substantial inter-individual differences in the degree to which these physical and functional changes impact upon cognitive function as we grow older. This review describes how engaging in physical activity and cognitive activities and adhering to a Mediterranean style diet promote 'brain health'. From a physiological perspective, we discuss the effects of these modifiable lifestyle behaviours on the brain, and how some recent human trials are beginning to show some promise as to the effectiveness of lifestyle behaviours in combating cognitive impairment. Moreover, we propose that these lifestyle behaviours, through numerous mechanisms, serve to increase brain, cerebrovascular and cognitive reserve, thereby preserving and enhancing cognitive function for longer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa A Jackson
- Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Vincent Pialoux
- Centre de Recherche et d'Innovation sur le Sport, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Dale Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Drogos
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kirk I Erickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Marc J Poulin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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22
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Spencer MD, Tyndall AV, Davenport MH, Argourd L, Anderson TJ, Eskes GA, Friedenreich CM, Hogan DB, Leigh R, Meshi B, Smith EE, Wilson BJ, Wilton SB, Poulin MJ. Cerebrovascular Responsiveness to Hypercapnia Is Stable over Six Months in Older Adults. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143059. [PMID: 26599343 PMCID: PMC4658173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary purpose of this Brain in Motion (BIM) sub-study was to determine the 6-month stability of resting blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular responsiveness to a euoxic hypercapnic challenge in a group of physically inactive community dwelling men and men aged ≥55 yrs (range 55–92 yrs). At baseline and 6 months later 88 women (65±6 yr) and 78 men (67±7 yr) completed a hypercapnic challenge (step changes from resting end-tidal PCO2 ((PETCO2) to +1, +5 and +8 mmHg above rest) while cerebral blood flow velocity was assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Peak velocity of the middle cerebral artery (MCAv) was increased (p<0.05) at the second visit during rest (51±2 vs. 52±4); however, these differences were abolished (p>0.05) when MCAv was normalized to PETCO2. During hypercapnia, MCAv tended to be increased at follow-up, but this finding was absent when MCAv/PETCO2 was compared across time. Cerebrovascular reactivity (i.e., ΔMCAv/ΔPETCO2) was similar (p>0.05) between testing occasions regardless of the approach taken (i.e., considering only the lower step [from +1 to +5 mmHg]; the upper step [+5 to +8 mmHg]; or the complete test taken together). In conclusion, this study has shown that cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular responsiveness to acute euoxic hypercapnia are stable in older, healthy adults over a 6-month period. Modest changes in MCAv over time must be viewed in the context of underlying differences in PETCO2, an important finding with implications for future studies considering cerebral blood flow velocity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Spencer
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Amanda V. Tyndall
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Margie H. Davenport
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Laurie Argourd
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Todd J. Anderson
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Cardiac Science, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Gail A. Eskes
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2E2 Canada
| | - Christine M. Friedenreich
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Alberta Health Services, Cancer Control Alberta, Calgary, Alberta, T2S 3C3 Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - David B. Hogan
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Richard Leigh
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Bernard Meshi
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Eric E. Smith
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Ben J. Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Stephen B. Wilton
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Marc J. Poulin
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4 Canada
- * E-mail:
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23
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Eskes GA, Lanctôt KL, Herrmann N, Lindsay P, Bayley M, Bouvier L, Dawson D, Egi S, Gilchrist E, Green T, Gubitz G, Hill MD, Hopper T, Khan A, King A, Kirton A, Moorhouse P, Smith EE, Green J, Foley N, Salter K, Swartz RH. Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Mood, Cognition and Fatigue following Stroke Practice Guidelines, Update 2015. Int J Stroke 2015; 10:1130-40. [DOI: 10.1111/ijs.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Every year, approximately 62 000 people with stroke and transient ischemic attack are treated in Canadian hospitals, and the evidence suggests one-third or more will experience vascular-cognitive impairment, and/or intractable fatigue, either alone or in combination. The 2015 update of the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Mood, Cognition and Fatigue Module guideline is a comprehensive summary of current evidence-based recommendations for clinicians in a range of settings, who provide care to patients following stroke. The three consequences of stroke that are the focus of the this guideline (poststroke depression, vascular cognitive impairment, and fatigue) have high incidence rates and significant impact on the lives of people who have had a stroke, impede recovery, and result in worse long-term outcomes. Significant practice variations and gaps in the research evidence have been reported for initial screening and in-depth assessment of stroke patients for these conditions. Also of concern, an increased number of family members and informal caregivers may also experience depressive symptoms in the poststroke recovery phase which further impact patient recovery. These factors emphasize the need for a system of care that ensures screening occurs as a standard and consistent component of clinical practice across settings as stroke patients transition from acute care to active rehabilitation and reintegration into their community. Additionally, building system capacity to ensure access to appropriate specialists for treatment and ongoing management of stroke survivors with these conditions is another great challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail A. Eskes
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Krista L. Lanctôt
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Patrice Lindsay
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Heart and Stroke Foundation, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Mark Bayley
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Laurie Bouvier
- Moncton Hospital/Miramichi Regional Hospital, Miramichi, Canada
| | - Deirdre Dawson
- Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, & Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sandra Egi
- Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Gilchrist
- Department of Psychology, Glenrose Hospital Stroke Program, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Theresa Green
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Gord Gubitz
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Michael D. Hill
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Calgary Stroke Program, University of Calgary, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Canada
| | - Tammy Hopper
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Aisha Khan
- Stroke Department, Richardson Hospital and Montreal University Health Center, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Andrea King
- Stroke Program Department, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Capital District Health Authority, Halifax, Canada
| | - Adam Kirton
- Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Canada
| | - Paige Moorhouse
- Stroke Program Department, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Capital District Health Authority, Halifax, Canada
| | - Eric E. Smith
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Calgary Stroke Program, University of Calgary, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Canada
| | - Janet Green
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | | | | | - Richard H. Swartz
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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24
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MacLean SJ, Hassall CD, Ishigami Y, Krigolson OE, Eskes GA. Using brain potentials to understand prism adaptation: the error-related negativity and the P300. Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:335. [PMID: 26124715 PMCID: PMC4464183 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Prism adaptation (PA) is both a perceptual-motor learning task as well as a promising rehabilitation tool for visuo-spatial neglect (VSN)—a spatial attention disorder often experienced after stroke resulting in slowed and/or inaccurate motor responses to contralesional targets. During PA, individuals are exposed to prism-induced shifts of the visual-field while performing a visuo-guided reaching task. After adaptation, with goggles removed, visuomotor responding is shifted to the opposite direction of that initially induced by the prisms. This visuomotor aftereffect has been used to study visuomotor learning and adaptation and has been applied clinically to reduce VSN severity by improving motor responding to stimuli in contralesional (usually left-sided) space. In order to optimize PA's use for VSN patients, it is important to elucidate the neural and cognitive processes that alter visuomotor function during PA. In the present study, healthy young adults underwent PA while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded at the termination of each reach (screen-touch), then binned according to accuracy (hit vs. miss) and phase of exposure block (early, middle, late). Results show that two ERP components were evoked by screen-touch: an error-related negativity (ERN), and a P300. The ERN was consistently evoked on miss trials during adaptation, while the P300 amplitude was largest during the early phase of adaptation for both hit and miss trials. This study provides evidence of two neural signals sensitive to visual feedback during PA that may sub-serve changes in visuomotor responding. Prior ERP research suggests that the ERN reflects an error processing system in medial-frontal cortex, while the P300 is suggested to reflect a system for context updating and learning. Future research is needed to elucidate the role of these ERP components in improving visuomotor responses among individuals with VSN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane J MacLean
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Lab, Departments of Psychiatry, and Psychology & Neuroscience, Brain Repair Centre, Life Sciences Research Institute, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Cameron D Hassall
- Neuroeconomics Lab, School of Exercise Science, Physical, and Health Education, University of Victoria Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Yoko Ishigami
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Lab, Departments of Psychiatry, and Psychology & Neuroscience, Brain Repair Centre, Life Sciences Research Institute, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Olav E Krigolson
- Neuroeconomics Lab, School of Exercise Science, Physical, and Health Education, University of Victoria Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Cognitive Health and Recovery Research Lab, Departments of Psychiatry, and Psychology & Neuroscience, Brain Repair Centre, Life Sciences Research Institute, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
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25
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Jones SAH, Butler B, Kintzel F, Salmon JP, Klein RM, Eskes GA. Measuring the components of attention using the Dalhousie Computerized Attention Battery (DalCAB). Psychol Assess 2015; 27:1286-300. [PMID: 26011484 DOI: 10.1037/pas0000148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Using experimentally validated tests to measure the vigilance/alerting, orienting and executive control attention networks, we have developed a novel, theoretically driven battery for measuring attentional abilities, called the Dalhousie Computerized Attention Battery (DalCAB). The current study sought to examine the factor structure of the DalCAB as preliminary evidence for its validation as an assessment tool for the above-named attention networks. One hundred young, healthy adult participants (18 to 31 years) completed the DalCAB (simple reaction time, choice reaction time, dual task, go/no-go, visual search, vertical flanker, and item memory tasks). Exploratory factor analysis of task performance with promax rotation highlighted a 9-factor model, accounting for 54.66% of the shared variance. Factors 1, 2, and 5 are associated with measures reflecting the vigilance/alerting network (response speed, maintenance/preparation and consistency, respectively), Factor 3 is associated with the orienting network (searching measures). Factors 4, 6, 7, and 8 are associated with different aspects of the executive control network including: inhibition, working memory, filtering, and switching. The final factor is associated with vigilance/alerting (fatigue) and executive control (proactive interference). Our model provides preliminary evidence for the validation of our interpretation of the DalCAB as a measure of vigilance/alerting, orienting, and executive control attentional abilities, and contributes to the previously reported evidence for the validation of these tasks for measuring different aspects of attention. We also demonstrate the importance of each of the specific measures derived from the DalCAB tasks, and our results provide further behavioral evidence of the existence of multiple attention-related networks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Raymond M Klein
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
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26
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Deurveilher S, Bush JE, Rusak B, Eskes GA, Semba K. Psychomotor vigilance task performance during and following chronic sleep restriction in rats. Sleep 2015; 38:515-28. [PMID: 25515100 DOI: 10.5665/sleep.4562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Chronic sleep restriction (CSR) impairs sustained attention in humans, as commonly assessed with the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT). To further investigate the mechanisms underlying performance deficits during CSR, we examined the effect of CSR on performance on a rat version of PVT (rPVT). DESIGN Adult male rats were trained on a rPVT that required them to press a bar when they detected irregularly presented, brief light stimuli, and were then tested during CSR. CSR consisted of 100 or 148 h of continuous cycles of 3-h sleep deprivation (using slowly rotating wheels) alternating with a 1-h sleep opportunity (3/1 protocol). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS After 28 h of CSR, the latency of correct responses and the percentages of lapses and omissions increased, whereas the percentage of correct responses decreased. Over 52-148 h of CSR, all performance measures showed partial or nearly complete recovery, and were at baseline levels on the first or second day after CSR. There were large interindividual differences in the magnitude of performance impairment during CSR, suggesting differential vulnerability to the effects of sleep loss. Wheel-running controls showed no changes in performance. CONCLUSIONS A 28-h period of the 3/1 chronic sleep restriction (CSR) protocol disrupted performance on a sustained attention task in rats, as sleep deprivation does in humans. Performance improved after longer periods of CSR, suggesting allostatic adaptation, contrary to some reports of progressive deterioration in psychomotor vigilance task performance during CSR in humans. However, as observed in humans, there were individual differences among rats in the vulnerability of their attention performance to CSR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Deurveilher
- Departments of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jacquelyn E Bush
- Departments of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Benjamin Rusak
- Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kazue Semba
- Departments of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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27
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Clouter A, Wilson R, Allen S, Klein RM, Eskes GA. The influence of verbal and spatial working memory load on the time course of the Simon effect. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 2015; 41:342-355. [PMID: 25621577 DOI: 10.1037/a0038715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The Simon effect refers to the relatively poorer response times and accuracy when responding to targets that appear in a task-irrelevant spatial location that is incongruent with the location of the correct response key, compared with targets that appear in spatially congruent locations. Like Stroop and flanker effects, the Simon effect is thought to result from conflict between an irrelevant response tendency and an intended response. Because attentional control has been linked to conflict resolution, the Simon task has been proffered as a possible tool for measuring the efficacy of executive control mechanisms. These mechanisms are also involved in working memory (WM) processes, and are thought to be responsible for maintaining information in the presence of continued processing or distraction. The present study investigated the interface between WM and attention by examining the time course of the Simon effect over the response time distributions under varying WM load conditions. Participants completed verbal 0-back, spatial 0-back, verbal 2-back, and spatial 2-back tasks. Results show that the Simon effect is diminished in high WM load tasks compared with low-load tasks, and that the Simon effect interacts with the spatial task domain such that the effect persists across the distribution of response times. In contrast, the Simon effect peaks and decays in verbal tasks. The results demonstrate that the Simon effect interacts with WM load and task domain. The results suggest that the effect is more modifiable than expected, and support a complex interface between WM and attentional control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Clouter
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
| | - Ryan Wilson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
| | - Stefan Allen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
| | - Raymond M Klein
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
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28
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Butler BC, Eskes GA. Effect of limb movements on orienting of attention in right-hemisphere stroke. Exp Brain Res 2013; 232:89-101. [PMID: 24105596 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-013-3722-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A deficit disengaging attention from the ipsilesional space in order to re-orient toward the contralesional space has been reported after right-hemisphere stroke (disengage deficit) and has been related to the severity of visuospatial neglect. Neglect rehabilitation studies have shown that left limb movements improve leftward orienting; the effect, however, is variable, and the mechanism of improvement is uncertain. Thus, this study examined whether limb movements specifically reduce the underlying disengage deficit of attention after right-hemisphere stroke. The effects of active and passive limb movements (vs. no limb movement) on orienting were examined using a covert exogenously cued orienting task in groups of right-hemisphere stroke patients with and without a significant disengage deficit (DD+, DD-) and healthy older adults. As previously seen, disengage deficit scores of stroke patients were positively correlated with the severity of neglect. The leftward disengage deficit was not affected by either active or passive limb movements, however, although movements did have both alerting and distracting effects on other aspects of orienting. Thus, our results suggest that the benefits of limb movements may not be related to changes in the underlying disengage deficit, but may impact other processes that underlie left-sided orienting (e.g., arousal and voluntary strategies).
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly C Butler
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, 8th Floor Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veteran's Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS, B3H 2E2, Canada,
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29
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Champod AS, Eskes GA, Foster GE, Hanly PJ, Pialoux V, Beaudin AE, Poulin MJ. Effects of acute intermittent hypoxia on working memory in young healthy adults. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013; 187:1148-50. [PMID: 23675727 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201209-1742le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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30
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Cowper-Smith CD, Harris J, Eskes GA, Westwood DA. Spatial interactions between successive eye and arm movements: signal type matters. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58850. [PMID: 23527038 PMCID: PMC3602592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial interactions between consecutive movements are often attributed to inhibition of return (IOR), a phenomenon in which responses to previously signalled locations are slower than responses to unsignalled locations. In two experiments using peripheral target signals offset by 0°, 90°, or 180°, we show that consecutive saccadic (Experiment 1) and reaching (Experiment 3) responses exhibit a monotonic pattern of reaction times consistent with the currently established spatial distribution of IOR. In contrast, in two experiments with central target signals (i.e., arrowheads pointing at target locations), we find a non-monotonic pattern of reaction times for saccades (Experiment 2) and reaching movements (Experiment 4). The difference in the patterns of results observed demonstrates different behavioral effects that depend on signal type. The pattern of results observed for central stimuli are consistent with a model in which neural adaptation is occurring within motor networks encoding movement direction in a distributed manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan Harris
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Gail A. Eskes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - David A. Westwood
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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31
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Tyndall AV, Davenport MH, Wilson BJ, Burek GM, Arsenault-Lapierre G, Haley E, Eskes GA, Friedenreich CM, Hill MD, Hogan DB, Longman RS, Anderson TJ, Leigh R, Smith EE, Poulin MJ. The brain-in-motion study: effect of a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention on cerebrovascular regulation and cognitive function in older adults. BMC Geriatr 2013; 13:21. [PMID: 23448504 PMCID: PMC3598522 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2318-13-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging and physical inactivity are associated with declines in some cognitive domains and cerebrovascular function, as well as an elevated risk of cerebrovascular disease and other morbidities. With the increase in the number of sedentary older Canadians, promoting healthy brain aging is becoming an increasingly important population health issue. Emerging research suggests that higher levels of physical fitness at any age are associated with better cognitive functioning and this may be mediated, at least in part, by improvements in cerebrovascular reserve. We are currently conducting a study to determine: if a structured 6-month aerobic exercise program is associated with improvements or maintenance of both cerebrovascular function and cognitive abilities in older individuals; and, the extent to which any changes seen persist 6 months after the completion of the structured exercise program. METHODS/DESIGN Two hundred and fifty men and women aged 55-80 years are being enrolled into an 18-month combined quasi-experimental and prospective cohort study. Participants are eligible for enrollment into the study if they are inactive (i.e., not participating in regular physical activity), non-smokers, have a body mass index <35.0 kg/m(2), are free of significant cognitive impairment (defined as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 24 or more), and do not have clinically significant cardiovascular, cerebrovascular disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary airway disease. Repeated measurements are done during three sequential six-month phases: 1) pre-intervention; 2) aerobic exercise intervention; and 3) post-intervention. These outcomes include: cardiorespiratory fitness, resting cerebral blood flow, cerebrovascular reserve, and cognitive function. DISCUSSION This is the first study to our knowledge that will examine contemporaneously the effect of an exercise intervention on both cerebrovascular reserve and cognition in an older population. This study will further our understanding of whether cerebrovascular mechanisms might explain how exercise promotes healthy brain aging. In addition our study will address the potential of increasing physical activity to prevent age-associated cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda V Tyndall
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Margie H Davenport
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Ben J Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Grazyna M Burek
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Genevieve Arsenault-Lapierre
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Eryka Haley
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2E2, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3A7, Canada
| | - Christine M Friedenreich
- Department of Population Health Research, Alberta Health Services-Cancer Care, Calgary, Alberta, T2S 3C3, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Michael D Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - David B Hogan
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Brenda Stafford Foundation Chair in Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - R Stewart Longman
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Psychology Service, Alberta Health Services, Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2T9, Canada
| | - Todd J Anderson
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Cardiac Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Richard Leigh
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Airway Inflammation Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Eric E Smith
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Marc J Poulin
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
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Dukewich KR, Eskes GA, Lawrence MA, Macisaac MB, Phillips SJ, Klein RM. Speed impairs attending on the left: comparing attentional asymmetries for neglect patients in speeded and unspeeded cueing tasks. Front Hum Neurosci 2012; 6:232. [PMID: 22936904 PMCID: PMC3424598 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 07/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Visuospatial neglect after stroke is often characterized by a disengage deficit on a cued orienting task, in which individuals are disproportionately slower to respond to targets presented on the contralesional side of space following an ispilesional cue as compared to the reverse. The purpose of this study was to investigate the generality of the finding of a disengage deficit on another measure of cued attention, the temporal order judgment (TOJ) task, that does not depend upon speeded manual responses. Individuals with right hemisphere stroke with and without spatial neglect and older healthy controls (OHC) were tested with both a speeded RT cueing task and an unspeeded TOJ-with-cuing task. All stroke patients evidenced a disengage deficit on the speeded RT cueing task, although the size and direction of the bias was not associated with the severity of neglect. In contrast, few neglect patients showed a disengage deficit on the TOJ task. This discrepancy suggests that the disengage deficit may be related to task demands, rather than solely due to impaired attentional mechanisms per se. Further, the results of our study show that the disengage deficit is neither necessary nor sufficient for neglect to manifest.
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Cowper-Smith CD, Lau EYY, Helmick CA, Eskes GA, Westwood DA. Neural coding of movement direction in the healthy human brain. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13330. [PMID: 20967197 PMCID: PMC2954155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2010] [Accepted: 09/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurophysiological studies in monkeys show that activity of neurons in primary cortex (M1), pre-motor cortex (PMC), and cerebellum varies systematically with the direction of reaching movements. These neurons exhibit preferred direction tuning, where the level of neural activity is highest when movements are made in the preferred direction (PD), and gets progressively lower as movements are made at increasing degrees of offset from the PD. Using a functional magnetic resonance imaging adaptation (fMRI-A) paradigm, we show that PD coding does exist in regions of the human motor system that are homologous to those observed in non-human primates. Consistent with predictions of the PD model, we show adaptation (i.e., a lower level) of the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) time-course signal in M1, PMC, SMA, and cerebellum when consecutive wrist movements were made in the same direction (0° offset) relative to movements offset by 90° or 180°. The BOLD signal in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex adapted equally in all movement offset conditions, mitigating against the possibility that the present results are the consequence of differential task complexity or attention to action in each movement offset condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Esther Y. Y. Lau
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Carl A. Helmick
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Gail A. Eskes
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - David A. Westwood
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Eskes GA, Longman S, Brown AD, McMorris CA, Langdon KD, Hogan DB, Poulin M. Contribution of physical fitness, cerebrovascular reserve and cognitive stimulation to cognitive function in post-menopausal women. Front Aging Neurosci 2010; 2:137. [PMID: 21048898 PMCID: PMC2967376 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2010.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2010] [Accepted: 08/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Studies of the effects of physical fitness on cognition suggest that exercise can improve cognitive abilities in healthy older adults, as well as delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline. The mechanisms for the positive benefit of exercise and how these effects interact with other variables known to influence cognitive function (e.g., involvement in cognitive activities) are less well understood. The current study examined the associations between the physical fitness, cerebrovascular blood flow regulation and involvement in cognitive activities with neuropsychological function in healthy post-menopausal women. METHODS Forty-two healthy women between the ages of 55 and 90 were recruited. Physical fitness (V˙O2 max), cerebrovascular reserve (cerebral blood flow during rest and response to an increase in end-tidal (i.e., arterial) PCO2), and cognitive activity (self-reported number and hours of involvement in cognitive activities) were assessed. The association of these variables with neuropsychological performance was examined through linear regression. RESULTS Physical fitness, cerebrovascular reserve and total number of cognitive activities (but not total hours) were independent predictors of cognitive function, particularly measures of overall cognitive performance, attention and executive function. In addition, prediction of neuropsychological performance was better with multiple variables than each alone. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive function in older adults is associated with multiple factors, including physical fitness, cerebrovascular health and cognitive stimulation. Interestingly, cognitive stimulation effects appear related more to the diversity of activities, rather than the duration of activity. Further examination of these relationships is ongoing in a prospective cohort study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
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Mountain AD, Kirby RL, Eskes GA, Smith C, Duncan H, MacLeod DA, Thompson K. Ability of People With Stroke to Learn Powered Wheelchair Skills: A Pilot Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2010; 91:596-601. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2009.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2009] [Revised: 12/04/2009] [Accepted: 12/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Macleod JW, Lawrence MA, McConnell MM, Eskes GA, Klein RM, Shore DI. Appraising the ANT: Psychometric and theoretical considerations of the Attention Network Test. Neuropsychology 2010; 24:637-51. [PMID: 20804252 DOI: 10.1037/a0019803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Macleod
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University
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Butler BC, Lawrence M, Eskes GA, Klein R. Visual search patterns in neglect: comparison of peripersonal and extrapersonal space. Neuropsychologia 2008; 47:869-78. [PMID: 19154749 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2008.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2008] [Revised: 12/01/2008] [Accepted: 12/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies of visual search patterns in visuospatial neglect have analyzed shifts of attention during search tasks using eye tracking technology and verbal reports. The purpose of the present study was to replicate and extend upon reported parameters of visual scanning patterns of neglect patients in peripersonal space (within arms reach) and to examine whether similar patterns of visual search are also apparent in extrapersonal space (beyond arms reach). Using a simple verbal visual search and target detection paradigm right-hemisphere stroke participants, with and without neglect, and healthy older volunteers named targets on scanning sheets placed in peripersonal and extrapersonal space. The healthy controls and right-hemisphere stroke group without neglect showed similar 'reading' type strategies, while the neglect group displayed an unsystematic search pattern, during search in both peripersonal and extrapersonal space. Group comparisons of search parameters support the presence of multiple cognitive deficits affecting the complex visual search patterns of neglect patients, including a rightward attentional bias, a reduced spatial scale of attention (local processing bias), and a deficit of working memory affecting both near and far space search. Ventral visual stream damage and neglect, however, were related to slower target report rate and more misidentification errors in extrapersonal space. The ease of administration of this verbal target detection task in both peripersonal and extrapersonal space, and the relationship of the measures produced to theorized attentional and executive deficits in neglect, provide impetus for further research on the severity and independence of individual scanning deficits in neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly C Butler
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Coolican J, Eskes GA, McMullen PA, Lecky E. Perceptual biases in processing facial identity and emotion. Brain Cogn 2008; 66:176-87. [PMID: 17720290 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2007.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2005] [Revised: 05/30/2007] [Accepted: 07/09/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Normal observers demonstrate a bias to process the left sides of faces during perceptual judgments about identity or emotion. This effect suggests a right cerebral hemisphere processing bias. To test the role of the right hemisphere and the involvement of configural processing underlying this effect, young and older control observers and patients with right hemisphere damage completed two chimeric faces tasks (emotion judgment and face identity matching) with both upright and inverted faces. For control observers, the emotion judgment task elicited a strong left-sided perceptual bias that was reduced in young controls and eliminated in older controls by face inversion. Right hemisphere damage reversed the bias, suggesting the right hemisphere was dominant for this task, but that the left hemisphere could be flexibly recruited when right hemisphere mechanisms are not available or dominant. In contrast, face identity judgments were associated most clearly with a vertical bias favouring the uppermost stimuli that was eliminated by face inversion and right hemisphere lesions. The results suggest these tasks involve different neurocognitive mechanisms. The role of the right hemisphere and ventral cortical stream involvement with configural processes in face processing is discussed.
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Eskes GA, Klein RM, Dove MB, Coolican J, Shore DI. Comparing temporal order judgments and choice reaction time tasks as indices of exogenous spatial cuing. J Neurosci Methods 2007; 166:259-65. [PMID: 17889372 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2007.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2007] [Revised: 07/06/2007] [Accepted: 07/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Attentional disorders are common in individuals with neurological or psychiatric conditions and impact on recovery and outcome. Thus, it is critical to develop theory-based measures of attentional function to understand potential mechanisms underlying the disorder and to evaluate the effect of intervention. The present study compared two alternative methods to measure the effects of attentional cuing that could be used in populations of individuals who may not be able to make manual responses normally or may show overall slowing in responses. Spatial attention was measured with speeded and unspeeded methods using either manual or voice responses in two standard attention paradigms: the cued target discrimination reaction time (RT) paradigm and the unspeeded temporal order judgment (TOJ) task. The comparison of speeded and unspeeded tasks specifically addresses the concern about interpreting RT differences between cued and uncued trials (taken as a proxy for attention) in the context of drastically different baseline RTs. We found significant cuing effects for both tasks (speeded RT and untimed TOJ) and both response types (vocal and manual) giving clinicians and researchers alternative methods with which to measure the effects of attention in different populations who may not be able to perform the standard speeded RT task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, 5909 Veterans Memorial Lane, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2E2, Canada.
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Ingles JL, Eskes GA. Temporal processing deficits in letter-by-letter reading. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2007; 13:110-9; discussion 108-9. [PMID: 17166310 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617707070142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2006] [Revised: 06/26/2006] [Accepted: 08/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Theories of the cognitive impairment underlying letter-by-letter reading vary widely, including prelexical and lexical level deficits. One prominent prelexical account proposes that the disorder results from difficulty in processing multiple letters simultaneously. We investigated whether this deficit extends to letters presented in rapid temporal succession. A letter-by-letter reader, G.M., was administered a rapid serial visual presentation task that has been used widely to study the temporal processing characteristics of the normal visual system. Comparisons were made to a control group of 6 brain-damaged individuals without reading deficits. Two target letters were embedded at varying temporal positions in a stream of rapidly presented single digits. After each stream, the identities of the two letters were reported. G.M. required an extended period of time after he had processed one letter before he was able to reliably identify a second letter, relative to the controls. In addition, G.M.'s report of the second letter was most impaired when it immediately followed the first letter, a pattern not seen in the controls, indicating that G.M. had difficulty processing the two items together. These data suggest that a letter-by-letter reading strategy may be adopted to help compensate for a deficit in the temporal processing of letters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet L Ingles
- School of Human Communication Disorders, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
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Eskes GA, Butler B. Using limb movements to improve spatial neglect: the role of functional electrical stimulation. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2006; 24:385-98. [PMID: 17119312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Spatial neglect is common after right-hemisphere stroke and has proven resilient to a number of therapeutic interventions. Both active and experimenter-induced passive movements of the left limb in left hemispace have been shown to ameliorate neglect in subsets of patients by improving performance on tasks requiring attention to the left side of space. However, the high incidence of contralesional hemiparesis and poor motor recovery in neglect makes active limb movement therapies applicable to only a small subset of patients. The purpose of our studies was to investigate the effects of passive movements of the left hand by functional electrical stimulation (FES), a common and portable motor rehabilitation technique, on performance in a visual scanning task. METHODS The effect of FES-induced passive movement on target detection in a visual scanning task was compared to no movement and active movement conditions and also investigated in scanning tasks in both near and far space. RESULTS Passive limb movement effects in neglect were variable across and within studies, reference spaces, and individuals, with a subset of positive responders differing from non-responders in regard to constructional deficits and lesion location. CONCLUSIONS The potential viability of FES as a therapy for neglect deserves further investigation and directions for future research in this area are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Abstract
The Simon effect refers to the performance advantage for responding to the nonspatial identity of the target when the target's irrelevant location corresponds with the relative location of the response. The present study is a parametric examination of the magnitude of the Simon effect across visual space. Response keys were arranged along vertical, horizontal, and two diagonal axes, and stimuli were arranged in two concentric circles (near and far from fixation) along the same axes. The results show that the Simon effect is of similar magnitude regardless of stimulus-response axis. In contrast to findings from stimulus-response compatibility paradigms, there was no evidence in this study for the presence of an orthogonal compatibility effect or left-right prevalence effect, suggesting that these effects only arise when response location is relevant. The results demonstrate the robust generalizability of the Simon effect under different spatial conditions and thus broaden the relevance of the Simon effect to a variety of applications.
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Lefebvre CD, Marchand Y, Eskes GA, Connolly JF. Assessment of working memory abilities using an event-related brain potential (ERP)-compatible digit span backward task. Clin Neurophysiol 2005; 116:1665-80. [PMID: 15908268 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2005.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2004] [Revised: 03/20/2005] [Accepted: 03/23/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effectiveness of an ERP-compatible Digit Span Backward (ERP-DB) task to determine working memory abilities in healthy participants. METHODS Participants were administered both the standard digit span backward and ERP-DB tasks. The ERP-DB task was divided into two sections, consisting of 2, 4, 6 and 8 (Group 1) and 3, 5, and 7 (Group 2) set sizes. A set of digits was aurally presented, followed by a second set that either corresponded to the reverse order of the first set (correct condition) or had one digit in the sequence replaced by an incorrect digit (incorrect condition). RESULTS Two posterior positive components were found to distinguish the two conditions; an earlier positive component (P200/P300) was elicited in the correct condition, whereas a comparatively robust and prolonged positive slow wave (PSW) was elicited in the incorrect condition. Furthermore, the PSW and the difference in PSW amplitude between incorrect and correct conditions (dPSW) dissipated as working memory load increased and were related to working memory capacity. CONCLUSIONS The PSW, dPSW and P200/P300 components were found to be associated with working memory abilities and may have the potential to act as neurophysiological markers for the assessment of working memory capacity. SIGNIFICANCE This research lends support for the utility of the ERP-DB task as a means of assessing working memory abilities, which may have implications for testing patients with expressive communication impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste D Lefebvre
- Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Centre, Halifax NS, Canada B3H 4J1.
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Kirby RL, Adams CD, MacPhee AH, Coolen AL, Harrison ER, Eskes GA, Smith C, Macleod DA, Dupuis DJ. Wheelchair-skill performance: Controlled comparison between people with hemiplegia and able-bodied people simulating hemiplegia. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2005; 86:387-93. [PMID: 15759216 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2004.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that able-bodied people simulating hemiplegia (using the hemiplegic-propulsion pattern [1 arm and 1 leg]) have as much difficulty performing wheelchair skills as people with hemiplegia. DESIGN Single-blind, controlled comparison of 2 groups. SETTING Kinesiologic laboratory in a rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS Twenty wheelchair users with hemiplegia (HP group) (median age, 68y; 80% men) and 20 able-bodied participants (AB group) (median age, 67y; 75% men). INTERVENTIONS The participants in the AB group simulated hemiplegia and received a brief period of wheelchair skills training. Participants in both groups were asked to attempt the 50 skills of the Wheelchair Skills Test, version 2.4 (WST 2.4). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Total and subtotal percentage scores on the WST 2.4 and success rates for the 50 individual skills. RESULTS The mean percentage WST scores for the AB group were significantly greater than those for the HP group for the total WST scores ( P <.001), the indoor skill level ( P <.001), and the community skill level ( P <.001), but the advanced skill level scores were 0% for both groups. On the individual skills, the AB group had success rates at least 25% higher than the HP group for 13 (26%) of the skills. Both groups were generally successful (>/=75% success rate) on 21 skills (42%). Both groups experienced difficulties (</=50% success rate) on 13 skills (26%), notably those in which there was high rolling resistance (eg, incline ascent) or high balance demands (the wheelie skills). CONCLUSIONS Both people with hemiplegia and able-bodied people who are simulating hemiplegia experience similar difficulties when performing some wheelchair skills. This suggests that there are difficulties inherent in these tasks, a finding that holds promise for solutions based on new techniques and technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lee Kirby
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS Canada.
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Abstract
Previous studies of target-cancellation performance in visuospatial neglect patients have reported lateral (left-right) and radial (near-far) gradients of attentional ability. The purpose of the present study was to replicate the reported attentional gradients in peripersonal space (within arms reach) and to examine whether lateral gradients of detection also appear in extrapersonal space (beyond arms reach), using equivalent tasks with no manual requirement. The relationship between radial gradients in peripersonal space and neglect severity (degree of lateral gradient) in extrapersonal space was also of interest. Right-hemisphere stroke subjects, with and without neglect, and healthy control subjects named visual targets on scanning sheets placed in peripersonal and extrapersonal space. The neglect group showed lateral gradients of increasing target detection from left to right in both peripersonal and extrapersonal space, which were not evident in the performance of either of the control groups. Double dissociations of neglect severity in peripersonal and extrapersonal space were also found in analyses of individual performance. Lesion analyses showed that peripersonal neglect was related to dorsal stream damage and extrapersonal neglect was related to ventral stream damage. Group analyses showed no significant radial gradients in peripersonal space in the three groups. In addition, while analyses of some individuals found significant near-far and far-near radial gradients, there was no correlation between radial gradients in peripersonal space and neglect severity in extrapersonal space. These results are discussed in terms of theorised hemispheric mechanisms of spatial attention and the relationship of neglect in the two co-ordinate spaces to the extent and location of damaged neurons in the right hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly C Butler
- Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 2E2
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the general phenomenon of fatigue in stroke and other neurologic disorders and to review what is currently known about its occurrence, including its frequency, duration, severity, and associated factors, to develop a strategy for treatment. DATA SOURCES Computerized databases (eg, PubMed, PsycInfo, Science Citation Index, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE) searched from inception to May 2002. Additional references were identified from bibliographies of pertinent articles and books. STUDY SELECTION Over 1000 articles were identified as relevant to fatigue experienced by patients with neurologic or nonneurologic disorders. Articles on fatigue in stroke and neurologic disorders, mechanisms, and/or treatment were selected for inclusion. DATA EXTRACTION Authors reviewed the articles and assessed the purpose, study design, and conclusions for validity and relevance to the topic of fatigue in stroke. DATA SYNTHESIS Fatigue is a common complaint among patients with neurologic disorders including stroke. Few studies have documented the high frequency of fatigue in poststroke patients and its negative impact on daily functioning and quality of life. Little is known about associated factors or about therapeutic strategies that may be used to alleviate it. Examination of fatigue in other neurologic populations suggests common characteristics and associated factors that may be useful in the development of potential therapeutic strategies. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapeutic interventions, such as stimulants, amantadine, or sleep and stress-management education, have been used with some success in neurologic and other patient populations (eg, multiple sclerosis, human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, cancer), but evidence of effectiveness based on randomized clinical trials is rare. CONCLUSIONS Poststroke fatigue is common. Therapeutic strategies have been used to treat fatigue in other patient populations, but it is unclear whether these will be beneficial to poststroke patients. Frequency, severity, duration, impact, predisposing factors, and causes of poststroke fatigue, as well as the development of effective treatment, require further research. Criteria for assessment of fatigue and potential therapeutic interventions are outlined as a first step for stimulating further research.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of passive and active limb movement to improve visual scanning in patients with hemispatial neglect. DESIGN Before-after trial: behavioral analyses of a case series. SETTING Stroke rehabilitation unit in a tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS Nine individuals with right-hemisphere stroke (mean time poststroke, 19.5 mo) and left-sided neglect, as assessed by the Sunnybrook Bedside Neglect Battery. INTERVENTION Active left limb movement (button push; n=3) or passive left limb movement (n=8) with functional electric stimulation (FES) administered during visual scanning testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Performance on visual scanning tests involving naming of letters and numbers. RESULTS Both active and passive movement significantly improved target detection on the left side, but not on the right side, on the visual scanning task. Positive results were seen in 2 of 3 active movement patients and 6 of 8 passive movement patients. CONCLUSIONS Both active and FES-stimulated passive movements are potential techniques for the treatment of hemispatial neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail A Eskes
- Department of Physiotherapy, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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Abstract
While the role of the frontal lobes in explicit retrieval tasks is well supported, the findings for implicit tasks are less conclusive. We investigated the role of the frontal lobes in perceptual and conceptual implicit priming. Three memory paradigms were given under both implicit and explicit retrieval instructions, using word fragment completion, picture fragment completion and category exemplar generation. Three groups of individuals with frontal lesions were compared to normal controls: Left dorsolateral lesions (n = 5), right dorsolateral lesions (n = 4), and medial lesions (n = 9). Word fragment completion priming was impaired by left dorsolateral lesions, with other priming tests unaffected by any lesion. Explicit performance showed a different pattern, with category exemplar cued recall impaired by left dorsolateral and medial lesions. These findings support the role of the frontal lobes in both implicit and explicit retrieval mechanisms under certain conditions requiring strategy application or lexical retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
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Phillips SJ, Eskes GA, Gubitz GJ. Description and evaluation of an acute stroke unit. CMAJ 2002; 167:655-60. [PMID: 12358201 PMCID: PMC122030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials have demonstrated the superiority of coordinated interdisciplinary stroke unit care over conventional treatment of stroke patients on general medical wards. The evidence is so strong that several national bodies have recommended that stroke unit care be widely implemented. Translation of these research findings and care guidelines into clinical practice, however, represents a challenge for health care systems unaccustomed to managing stroke in a coordinated manner. This report describes the organization, operation and outcomes of the Acute Stroke Unit at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. By replicating and adapting the core characteristics identified in the randomized trials, we have been able to demonstrate the effectiveness of stroke unit care in a routine clinical setting. Our experience may help facilitate the development of organized stroke care in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Phillips
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS.
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Abstract
Evidence is presented for the efficacy of a new method of assessing reading comprehension using a standardized reading test that was formatted for computer presentation with simultaneous event-related brain potential (ERP) recordings. Reading comprehension abilities of 23 healthy undergraduate students were evaluated using ERPs. The results revealed a differential ERP response pattern for correct and incorrect test items. These response patterns were observed at individual participant levels. The findings provided further support for the use of ERPs in the neuropsychological assessment of patients who are difficult or impossible to assess using behavioral responses because of concomitant motoric and/or communicative limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C D'Arcy
- Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. or
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