Background: In Vascular Dementia (VaD) patients, the causes of blood vessels were common, and preventable and treatable, so that it is very important to detect and diagnose in the early stages of the disease. Diagnosis of dementia is based on clinical symptoms, and neuropsychological tests are useful tools. Objectives: (1) To evaluate the severity of VaD and Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) after the 1st ischemic stroke in patients over 60 years old. (2) To make observations on the clinical features of post stroke dementia in these patient groups using neuropsychological battery. Subjects: 94 patients with 1st acute ischemic stroke, who were over 60 years old, conscious and literate, and cooperated well with physicians. A standard evaluation protocol was conducted at one month after an ischemic stroke for all the patients. Method: Prospective study. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software version 13.0. Results and conclusions: The rates of VCI and VaD after the first ischemic stroke were 21.3% and 25.5%, respectively. Clinical determinants of dementia were: visuoconstruction (65% patients), visual motor speed (50%), memory disorders (more than 40%, in which visual memory 45.8% and verbal memory 41.6%), executive function (37.5%), and language skill (37.5%). The attention and language functions were less affected (only 25% of the patients). Mini mental state examination score can be used to evaluate and classify clearly 3 groups: VaD, VCI patients and normal people.
Ischemic stroke ; Dementia ; Neuropsychological test

OBJECTIVE: The present study sought to analyze the influence of Levetiracetam (LEV) in cognitive performance by identifying the changes produced by LEV in reaction time, in neuropsychological assessment of attention and memory and in absolute theta power in frontal activity. METHODS: Twelve healthy subjects (5 men and 7 women; mean age, 30.08 years, standard deviation, 4.71) were recruited for this study. The neuropsychological tests: Trail Making Test (A and B), Digit Span (direct and indirect numerical orders/working memory); Stroop test (inhibitory control of attention); Tower of London (planning and decision-making) and a quantitative electroencephalography were applied in 2 different days after and before the participants ingested the capsule of placebo or 500 mg LEV. RESULTS: A two-way-ANOVA was implemented to observe the interaction between conditions (placebo or LEV 500 mg) and moments (pre- and post-ingestion of LEV or placebo). The data were analyzed by the SPSS statistical package (p<0.05). For the neuropsychological parameter, the Trail Making Test (A) was the only test that showed significant difference for condition in the task execution time (p=0.026). Regarding the reaction time in the behavioral parameter, an interaction between both factors (p=0.034) was identified through a two-way-ANOVA (condition versus moment). Electrophysiological measures showed a significant interaction for electrodes: F7, F3, and FZ. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that LEV promotes an important cognitive enhancement in the executive functions.
Electrodes ; Electroencephalography ; Executive Function ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Reaction Time ; Stroop Test ; Trail Making Test

OBJECTIVE: Although the executive function subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) have been used to assess cognitive function in diverse psychiatric illnesses, few studies have verified the validity of this battery for Korean psychiatric patients. Therefore, this preliminary study evaluated the construct and concurrent validity of the executive function subtests of the CANTAB for Korean psychiatric patients by comparing it with subtests of the Computerized Neuropsychological Test (CNT). METHODS: Three subtests of the CANTAB and three subtests of the CNT were administered to 36 patients diagnosed with either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Subtests of the CANTAB included the Intra/Extra-Dimensional Set Shift (IED), Stockings of Cambridge (SOC), and Spatial Working Memory (SWM). Differences between groups on each subtest as well as correlations between the subtests of the CANTAB and the CNT were assessed. RESULTS: The schizophrenia group performed significantly more poorly on the IED and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) compared with the bipolar disorder group. Additionally, correlation analyses revealed a significant correlation between the IED and the WCST; a positive correlation between the SOC and the Trail Making Test, Part B and the Stroop test; and a significant correlation between the SWM and the Stroop test. CONCLUSION: This study verified the construct and concurrent validity of the executive function subtests of the CANTAB for Korean psychiatric patients and suggests that the subtests of this battery would be useful and appropriate for assessing deficits in executive function in Korean clinical settings.
Bipolar Disorder* ; Executive Function* ; Humans ; Memory, Short-Term ; Neuropsychological Tests* ; Schizophrenia* ; Stroop Test ; Trail Making Test ; Wisconsin

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomical correlates of the neuropsychological deficits in patients with the cerebellar stroke. METHODS: We screened patients who were admitted to the National Rehabilitation Center with the cerebellar stroke between October 2012 and November 2016. The patients with the cerebellar stroke who underwent neuropsychological testing for which the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB) or the SNSB-II were enrolled. The neuropsychological function capacities were compared in accordance with the stroke type (hemorrhagic vs. ischemic) and the location (right/left anterior, right/left posterior intermediate, right/left posterior lateral lobe, and vermis). Mean z-scores were computed to compare the patient performances with the population averages. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (15 with ischemic stroke and 11 with hemorrhagic stroke) with a mean age of 54.8±16.6 years were assessed 8.8±9.2 months after the stroke. Differences in the neuropsychological functioning according to the stroke type were not observed. All of the numerical subtests of the stroke patients showed significantly poorer performances compared with the population averages (mean z-score < 0), and some of the subtests revealed abnormal performances in attention-, visuospatial function-, memory-, and frontal/executive function-related tasks (mean z-score <−1). The patients with the presence of a lesion in the right posterior intermediate lobe of the cerebellum showed a poorer performance in the subtests evaluating the executive function including the Korean-version Stroop Test (p=0.04), the Digit Symbol Coding Test (p=0.01), and the Korean-version Trail Making Test (p=0.02) compared with the patients without that lesion. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms that the cerebellar stroke affects the neuropsychological functioning which is associated with the anatomical site of stroke.
Cerebellum ; Clinical Coding ; Cognition ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Rehabilitation Centers ; Seoul ; Stroke* ; Stroop Test ; Trail Making Test

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomical correlates of the neuropsychological deficits in patients with the cerebellar stroke. METHODS: We screened patients who were admitted to the National Rehabilitation Center with the cerebellar stroke between October 2012 and November 2016. The patients with the cerebellar stroke who underwent neuropsychological testing for which the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB) or the SNSB-II were enrolled. The neuropsychological function capacities were compared in accordance with the stroke type (hemorrhagic vs. ischemic) and the location (right/left anterior, right/left posterior intermediate, right/left posterior lateral lobe, and vermis). Mean z-scores were computed to compare the patient performances with the population averages. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (15 with ischemic stroke and 11 with hemorrhagic stroke) with a mean age of 54.8±16.6 years were assessed 8.8±9.2 months after the stroke. Differences in the neuropsychological functioning according to the stroke type were not observed. All of the numerical subtests of the stroke patients showed significantly poorer performances compared with the population averages (mean z-score < 0), and some of the subtests revealed abnormal performances in attention-, visuospatial function-, memory-, and frontal/executive function-related tasks (mean z-score <−1). The patients with the presence of a lesion in the right posterior intermediate lobe of the cerebellum showed a poorer performance in the subtests evaluating the executive function including the Korean-version Stroop Test (p=0.04), the Digit Symbol Coding Test (p=0.01), and the Korean-version Trail Making Test (p=0.02) compared with the patients without that lesion. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms that the cerebellar stroke affects the neuropsychological functioning which is associated with the anatomical site of stroke.
Cerebellum ; Clinical Coding ; Cognition ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Rehabilitation Centers ; Seoul ; Stroke* ; Stroop Test ; Trail Making Test

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of cognitive dysfunction in the stroke patients with basal ganglia and thalamic lesion. METHOD: We studied 24 stroke patients ( <3 months after onset) with thalamus or basal ganglia lesion, retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the brain lesion (group 1, basal ganglia; group 2, thalamus; group 3, both area). Results of cognitive function tests including Mini-Mental State Examination, Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination and detailed test of attention, memory and executive function using Computerized Neuropsychological Test were compared between groups. RESULTS: Most of the patients showed abnormal performancein all domains of cognitive function regardless of location of the lesion. Impairment in stroop test and trail making test was prominent, suggesting executive dysfunction. Attention and verbal memory were impaired, too. Group 3 showed most severe cognitive dysfunction in all domains although statistically not significant. There were no significant differences between group 1 and group 2. CONCLUSION: All domains of cognitive function were impaired in basal ganglia or thalamic stroke, especially in executive function. There were no significant differences in cognitive dysfunction between basal ganglia and thalamic groups in this study.
Basal Ganglia* ; Brain ; Cognition ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; Stroop Test ; Thalamus ; Trail Making Test

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that the effect of aging on memory is mediated by executive function. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty healthy adults (101 male, 129 female) were recruited for the study. We used a promising, newly developed, computerized neuropsychological test for the measurement of executive function and memory. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and path analysis. RESULTS: The full mediation model showed a good fit to the data. However, chi-squared (chi2) tests for model comparison indicated that the partial mediation model better fits our data. Thus, the partial mediation model was used as the final model. In terms of auditory-verbal memory, the effect of aging on memory was fully mediated by executive function. However, visuo-spatial memory was significantly affected both indirectly (through executive function) and directly (by aging). Gender differences were not significant in this model. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the importance of executive function in the memory functioning of normal aging adults. It is noteworthy that modality differences were found between auditory-verbal and visuo-spatial memory. Aging is not the only factor that drives memory decline, and its direct, adverse effect on memory was more prominent in the visuo-spatial memory task than auditory-verbal memory task. Since performance in both modalities is fully or partially mediated by executive function, it is important to train normal aging adults in executive control skills, such as planning, strategy formation, and rapid decision making.
Adult ; Aging ; Decision Making ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Negotiating ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Trail Making Test

Backgrounds: Evaluating quality of life (QoL) in people with dementia has become increasingly valued, especially in assessing the effectiveness of interventions or making treatment decisions. However, limited information exists regarding dementia patients' QoL in Korea. The aim of our investigation was to determine if the severity of dementia could affect the QoL of patients with dementia and the relationship between QoL score and the scores of other cognitive domains, especially, the attention. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty eight subjects with varying degree of cognitive dysfunction underwent assessment of Korean-Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE), digit span, trail making test (TMT), Korean-Instrumental Activity Daily Living (K-IADL), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR), attention and their QoL using standardized neuropsychological tests and questionnaires. We administered the QoL in Alzheimer's disease (QoL-AD) scale and attention questionnaire to the subjects. RESULTS: QoL-AD score had a positive correlation with K-MMSE score (r=0.38, p<0.0001) while it showed a negative correlation with GDS (r=-0.62 p<0.0001). QoL-AD score also showed a significant correlation with attention status of the patients with dementia (r=0.48, p<0.0001). QoL-AD score for patient appeared to be affected by educational factors. CONCLUSIONS: QoL-AD may be used as an effective tool to assess QoL as well as cognitive functions of patients with varying degree of dementia.
Alzheimer Disease ; Dementia ; Depression ; Humans ; Korea ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Trail Making Test

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to examine cognitive dysfunctions in positive and negative schizophrenic patients and investigate the effect of tardive dyskinesia on cognitive dysfunctions in them. METHODS: Thirty two schizophrenic patients with tardive dyskinesia and thirty two schizophrenic patients without tardive dyskinesia as a control group were selected some psychiatric inpatients at a lunatic asylum and the cognitive dysfunctions of these patients were assessd with some neuropsychological tests including KWIS test, Grooved Pegboard test, Trail making test A and B, Wisconsin card sorting test, and Wechsler memory scale test. From these patients, we classified eighteen schizophrenic patients as a positive syndrome group and twenty five patients as a negative syndrome group with positive and negative syndrome scale and compared the results of neuropsychological tests between these two groups. RESULTS: Patients without tardivc dyskinesia showed better performances than those with tardive dyskinesia on picture completion subtest of KWIS. Positive schizophrenic patients showed better performances than negative schizophrenic patients on comprehension subtest of KWIS and trail making test A. CONCLUSION: Negative schizophrenic patients showed frontal lobe dyfunction and more memory impairment than positive schizophrenic patients. In conclusion, negative syndrome of schizophrenia is significantly associated with cognitive dysfunctions although tardive dyskinesia is not.
Comprehension ; Dyskinesias ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Memory ; Movement Disorders* ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Schizophrenia ; Trail Making Test ; Wisconsin

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of estrogen on cognitive functions in schizophrenic patients. METHODS: Neuropsychological tests such as Paired Associate Learning Test, Complex Figure Test, Trail Making B Test, Performance IQ Test Subscales were applied to 15 normal controls, 16 estrogen treated schizophrenic patients and 15 control schizophrenic patients. The schizophrenic patients were retested with the same instruments after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of study period and psychopathology was assessed in the same patients before and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks of study using BPRS and PANSS. RESULTS: Cognitive impairment was found in each measure of memory, attention, executive function in schizophrenic patients as compared with the normal controls. After 8 weeks of estrogen treatment, significant improvement occurred in executive function and probable improvement occurred in memory and attention in schizophrenic patients. CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with estrogen may possibly improve parts cognitive functions of schizophrenic patients and we expect, schizophrenic patients with long term estrogen treatment will be improved in other cognitive fuctions.
Estrogens* ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Paired-Associate Learning ; Psychopathology ; Schizophrenia ; Trail Making Test