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: 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: 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: 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

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to assess cognitive functions and their relationship with sleep symptoms in young narcoleptic patients. METHODS: Eighteen young narcolepsy patients and 18 normal controls (age: 17-35 years old) were recruited. All narcolepsy patients had HLA DQB1 *0602 allele and cataplexy. Several important areas of cognition were assessed by a battery of neuropsychological tests consisting of 13 tests: executive functions (e.g. cognitive set shifting, inhibition, and selective attention) through Wisconsin card sorting test, Trail Making A/B, Stroop test, Ruff test, Digit Symbol, Controlled Oral Word Association and Boston Naming Test; alertness and sustained attention through paced auditory serial addition test; verbal/nonverbal short-term memory and working memory through Digit Span and Spatial Span; visuospatial memory through Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test; verbal learning and memory through California verbal learning test; and fine motor activity through grooved pegboard test. Sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients were assessed with Epworth sleepiness scale, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale, multiple sleep latency test, and nocturnal polysomnography. Relationship between cognitive functions and sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients was also explored. RESULTS: Compared with normal controls, narcolepsy patients showed poor performance in paced auditory serial addition (2.0 s and 2.4 s), digit symbol tests, and spatial span (forward) (t=3.86, p< 0.01; t=-2.47, p=0.02; t=-3.95, p< 0.01; t=-2.22, p=0.03, respectively). There were no significant between-group differences in other neuropsychological tests. In addition, results of neuropsychological test in narcolepsy patients were not correlated with Epworth sleepiness scale score, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale score and sleep variables in multiple sleep latency test or nocturnal polysomnography. CONCLUSION: The current findings suggest that young narcolepsy patients have impaired attention. In addition, impairment of attention in narcolepsy might not be solely due to sleep symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness.
Alleles ; California ; Cataplexy ; Cognition ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Memory ; Memory, Short-Term ; Motor Activity ; Narcolepsy* ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Polysomnography ; Stroop Test ; Trail Making Test ; Verbal Learning ; Wisconsin

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

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship of neurochemical changes of brain in SCHE patients and the level of cognitive function, the authors measured hydrogen containing neurochemicals in two brain regions using 1H MRS, and compared those changes with the level of cognitive performances such as attention, visual analysis, or fine motor function. METHODS: A total of patients with liver cirrohosis were defined as SCHE, for they performed poorly(out of 1 SD of normative data) in more than one neuropsychological tests conventionally used(digit symbol and block design tests in KWIS, trail making test A and B). They were further evaluated in attentional ability and efficacy of visual analysis using Cognitrone subtest in Vienna Neurocognitive Test battery. Fine motor coordination were also measured by Grooved Pegboard test. Patients and 20 normal controls underwent proton MRS study. Proton containing neurochemicals, such as myoinositol(mI), N-acetyl-L-aspartate(NAA), creatine(Cr), choline(Cho) were measured from 2*2*2cm3 voxel of basal ganglia and parietal white matter using 1.5 tesla clinical MRI/MRS system. The ratios of above metabolites to Cr were analyzed. RESULTS: 1) Patients with SCHE showed reductions in Cho/Cr and mI/Cr in both basal ganglia and parietal white matter compared to normal subjects. 2) Performance of Grooved Pegboard test were negatively correlated with mI level of basal ganglia and with Cho level of parietal white matter(r=-0.59, p<.05). 3) Mean time of correct responses in Cognitrone test showed negative correlation with NAA level of parietal white matter(r=-0.55, p<.05). CONCLUSION: Certain neurocognitive disturbances in SCHE patients seemed to be related with neurochemical changes in basal ganglia or parietal white matter. To further elucidate the relationship of focal biochemical changes and neurocognitive deficits in SCHE patients, however, follow-up study according to the illness stage must be performed. Studies on other disorders showing similar cognitive deficit patterns would be helpful.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Hepatic Encephalopathy* ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Liver ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Protons* ; Rabeprazole ; Trail Making Test

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study compared the cognitive effects of 1 year of treatment with lamotrigine (LTG) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) in epilepsy patients. METHODS: This retrospective study investigated 60 epilepsy patients undergoing neuropsychological tests who were either newly diagnosed or untreated in the preceding 6 months. The cognitive function in 30 patients receiving LTG monotherapy and 30 age-matched patients receiving OXC monotherapy was compared after 1 year. The neuropsychological scores at baseline and all of the epilepsy-relevant variables except seizure type did not differ between the groups. The mean daily dosages of LTG and OXC at 1 year were 93 mg and 825 mg, respectively. RESULTS: The posttreatment list-learning performance was better in the LTG group than in the OXC group (p<0.05). The incidence of cognitive complaints did not differ between the two groups. The list-learning performance and Trail Making Test scores were better in each group after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: LTG and OXC monotherapies have similar, slightly beneficial effects on cognitive function, and are probably not harmful.
Cognition ; Epilepsy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; 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