bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
68 Preliminary Evidence of a Therapeutic Effect of Electrical Neuromodulation on Cognitive Deficits in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: LoBue Christian , Nyaz Didehbani , Chiang Hsueh-Sheng , Hart John , Helphrey Jessica , Conley Michael , Smernoff Eric , Lacritz Laura , Reese Caitlin , Cullum C M , Marshall Cindy , Nguyen Trung , Kelley Brendan J , Khera Alka , Frolov Alex , Martinez Natalie , Logan Rebecca 
Published: December 2023

Objective:Episodic memory functioning is distributed across two brain circuits, one of which courses through the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Thus, delivering non-invasive neuromodulation technology to the dACC may improve episodic memory functioning in patients with memory problems such as in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). This preliminary study is a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial to examine if high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) can be a viable treatment in aMCI.Participants and Methods:Eleven aMCI participants, of whom 9 had multidomain deficits, were randomized to receive 1 mA HD-tDCS (N=7) or sham (N=4) stimulation. HD-tDCS was applied over ten 20-minute sessions targeting the dACC. Neuropsychological measures of episodic memory, verbal fluency, and executive function were completed at baseline and after the last HD-tDCS session. Changes in composite scores for memory and language/executive function tests were compared between groups (one-tailed t-tests with a = 0.10 for significance). Clinically significant change, defined as > 1 SD improvement on at least one test in the memory and non-memory domains, was compared between active and sham stimulation based on the frequency of participants in each.Results:No statistical or clinically significant change (N-1 X2; p = 0.62) was seen in episodic memory for the active HD-tDCS (MDiff = 4.4; SD = 17.1) or sham groups (MDiff = -0.5; SD = 9.7). However, the language and executive function composite showed statistically significant improvement (p = 0.04; MDiff = -15.3; SD = 18.4) for the active HD-tDCS group only (Sham MDiff = -5.8; SD = 10.7). Multiple participants (N=4) in the active group had clinically significant enhancement in language and executive functioning tests, while nobody in the sham group did (p = 0.04).Conclusions:HD-tDCS targeting the dACC had no direct benefit for episodic memory deficits in aMCI based on preliminary findings for this ongoing clinical trial. However, significant improvement in language and executive function skills occurred in response to HD-tDCS, suggesting HD-tDCS in this configuration has promising potential as an intervention for language and executive function deficits in MCI.
75 Mood and Quality of Life after Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) in Epilepsy Patients
Authors: Mejias Stephanie Santiago , Haneef Zulfi , Strutt Adriana M. , York Michele K. , McCauley Stephen R. , Henry Samantha K. , Stinson Jennifer M. 
Published: December 2023

Objective:Poor mood and quality of life is common among patients with medically intractable seizures. Many of these patients are not candidates for seizure focus resection and continue to receive standard medical care. Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) has been an effective approach to reduce seizure frequency for nonsurgical candidates. Previous research using RNS clinical trial participants has demonstrated improved mood and quality of life when patients received RNS-implantation earlier in their medically resistant epilepsy work-up (Loring et al., 2021). We aimed to describe the level of depression and quality of life in adults with medical resistant epilepsy, treated with RNS, presenting to an outpatient clinic.Participants and Methods:This pilot study was conducted among 11 adult epilepsy patients treated with RNS at the epilepsy specialty clinic at Baylor College of Medicine. Ages of participants ranged from 18-56 (M=32.01, SD=12.37) with a mean education of 12.43 (SD=0.85). The majority of the participants identified as White (White=72.2%; Hispanic/Latino/a=14.3%, Other=7.1%). We also present pre- and post-RNS preliminary results of a subset of 4 patients for whom pre and post implantation data was available. Depression symptoms were assessed through the Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd Edition (BDI-II) and quality of life was determined using the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QoLiE-31).Results:Patients reported minimal symptoms of depression (M=5.45, SD=4.03) and good overall quality of life (M=71.18, SD=14.83) after RNS. Participants’ scores on their overall quality of life ranged from 50 to 95 (100=better quality of life). The QoLiE-31 showed high scores on emotional wellbeing (M=69.45, SD=14.56) and cognitive functioning (M=65.36, SD=16.66) domains. Post-hoc analysis revealed a significant difference in the cognitive functioning domain of QoLiE-31 before (M=44.75, SD=12.58) and after (M=51.0, SD=11.58) RNS implantation(t(3)=-3.78, p=0.016. Additionally, overall QoLiE score approached statistical significance when comparing pre-RNS (M=44.75 SD=9.29) to post-RNS (M=49.75 SD=11.62; t(3)=-2.01, p = 0.069). No significant differences were evident on seizure worry, energy/fatigue, medication effects, and social functioning domains of QoLiE-31 before and after RNS treatment.Conclusions:These pilot study results suggest low levels of depression with this population post-RNS implantation. Additionally, there is preliminary evidence to suggest improved patient-rated cognitive functioning and overall quality of life. While this is a small study population, the results have important implications for patients with intractable epilepsy, even with those form who surgical resection may not be possible. Future studies with large enough samples to examine moderating and mediating factors to mood and quality of life changes post-RNS will be important.
Plenary B: The Pons is a Significant Neural Correlate of Affective Processing
Authors: Lee Tatia M.C. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract & Learning Objectives:Research on the role of the Pons in affective processing has been scarce. Recent animal work has shown that the direct projection from the eyes to the dorsal raphe nucleus modulates affective behaviours. Our previous human work has confirmed a functionally analogous pathway between the optic chiasm and the Pons, which facilitates the processing of negative affective information. Our other studies have further identified that the Pons (1) works with the distributed corticolimbic system to shape an individual's affective states and reactivity and (2) responds to short-term meditation training to modulate affective processing. These findings offer significant insight into the role of the Pons in affective processing and regulatory mechanisms.Upon conclusion of this course, learners will be able to:
1.Discuss the functional roles of the pons in affective processing2.Recognize that the pons is a significant neural correlate of affective processing3.List major neural correlates of the affective processing network
CE Workshop 09: Cast Aside Traditional Notions of Statistical Significance, and Focus Instead on Characterizing the Magnitude of Effects that are Clinically or Scientifically Relevant
Authors: Ploutz-Snyder Robert 
Published: December 2023

Abstract & Learning ObjectivesThere is an ongoing debate among statisticians and discipline scientists about the consequences of our persistent, dogmatic reliance on evaluating all statistical results as meaningful if and only if "p<0.05," regardless of context. This was never the intended goal of Ronald Fisher, nevertheless scientists have adopted it as a convenience, and the decades long dependence on "p<0.05" has had important negative consequences. In this presentation, I review common misconceptions about interpreting p-values, why we should consider de-emphasizing p-values, and why scientists should rely more on practical, clinical, or scientifically meaningful differences over arbitrary cut-offs. I will present several different metrics for evaluating and reporting effect magnitude, and whether or not data support the null vs. alternative hypothesis, under the frequentist paradigm, how Bayesian methods can augment or replace frequentist analyses, and a few options that help to clarify how important a finding may be. Throughout this talk, I advocate that discipline scientists take charge of sharing scientific results that are not based merely on arbitrary p-value cutoffs and other default logic, but instead based on their content expertise, in light of all of the specific relevant aspects of experimental design and experimental data, balancing the consequences of Type I vs Type II errors appropriately, and focusing on characterizing effects, rather than dichotomizing research into only two categories of importance (significant vs. not).Upon conclusion of this course, learners will be able to:
1.Discuss what p-values mean and how they are commonly misinterpreted.2.Explain the leading arguments promoted by the American Statistical Association with regard to why science should carefully reconsider if and how p-values should continue to dominate our decisions about what research should be published, and how scientists should be evaluating its worth.3.Apply new practices in how to evaluate and publish their own research, as well as how to evaluate research appearing in peer-reviewed journals, whether as consumers, reviewers, or editors.
4 Advancing the science of recruitment and retention in ADRD clinical research among Hispanics/Latinos
Authors: Diaz-Santos Mirella 
Published: December 2023

Objective:Inequity in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) clinical research is severely hindering our progress towards a cure for all, while inflating national costs. ADRD alone is currently costing United States 321 billion dollars in 2022, projected to increase to 1 trillion by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately impacts Black, Hispanic, Asian or Native Americans. Yet, ADRD clinical research to date has not included equitable number of participants from communities of color to be representative of the U.S. population. Hispanic/Latinos currently represent 1% of ADRD clinical trials’ samples despite representing 18% of the US population.Participants and Methods:In our previous outreach and recruitment study with the Human Connectome Project - Aging, we attained a 11.35% recruitment success rate of Hispanics/Latinos living in Los Angeles County Districts. We implemented a comprehensive Spanish-English bilingual, multi-method, multi-setting community-academic engagement, outreach, and recruitment protocol with a focus on brain health literary and ADRD biomarker research literacy.Results:Whereas community educational engagement and outreach was the most efficient and highest interest turn-out recruitment strategy, 61% of engaged and interested Hispanic/Latinos (50 years old and older) were automatically excluded during the telephone screening due to English-language proficiency/fluency. Highest enrollment success rate was from UCLA mailing list, clinical registries, and referrals. Hispanics/Latinos successfully recruited were bilingual or multilingual, 83% identified white as their racial background, 85% attained higher education, and 70% resided in middle-to-high income levels areas.Conclusions:Our results captured institutional barriers leading to a recruitment bias towards affluent Hispanics/Latinos with access to healthcare systems. Our applied science of recruitment and retention requires significant improvements in study design and methodology, tailored and targeted to communities’ socio-ecological context. It also requires the extrapolation of generalizable theoretically informed mechanisms of successful engagement, recruitment, and retention strategies for replication and/or modification in other settings/locations, and countries.
15 The Role of Race and Adverse Childhood Experiences on Predicting Cognitive Ability on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
Authors: Koralewski Veronica , Phillips Matthew S. , Arora Ayesha , Song Woojin , Pliskin Neil , Soble Jason R. , Resch Zachary J. , Jennette Kyle 
Published: December 2023

Objective:Awareness of risk factors associated with any form of impairment is critical for formulating optimal prevention and treatment planning. Millions worldwide suffer from some form of cognitive impairment, with the highest rates amongst Black and Hispanic populations. The latter have also been found to achieve lower scores on standardized neurocognitive testing than other racial/ethnic groups. Understanding the socio-demographic risk factors that lead to this discrepancy in neurocognitive functioning across racial groups is crucial. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are one aspect of social determinants of health. ACES have been linked to a greater risk of future memory impairment, such as dementia. Moreover, higher instances of ACEs have been found amongst racial minorities. Considering the current literature, the purpose of this exploratory research is to better understand how social determinants, more specifically, ACEs, may play a role in the development of cognitive impairment.Participants and Methods:This cross-sectional study included data from an urban, public Midwestern academic medical center. There was a total of 64 adult clinical patients that were referred for a neuropsychological evaluation. All patients were administered a standardized neurocognitive battery that included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as well as a 10-item ACE questionnaire, which measures levels of adverse childhood experiences. The sample was 73% Black and 27% White. The average age was 66 (SD=8.6) and average education was 12.6 years (SD=3.4). A two-way ANOVA was conducted to evaluate the interaction of racial identity (White; Black) and ACE score on MoCA total score. An ACE score >4 was categorized as “high”; ACE <4 was categorized as “low.”Results:There was not a significant interaction of race and ACE group on MoCA score (p=.929) nor a significant main effect of ACE score (p=.541). Interestingly, there was a significant main effect of Race on MoCA (p=.029). White patients had an average MoCA score of 21.82 (sd=4.77). Black patients had an average MoCA score of 17.54 (sd=5.91).Conclusions:Overall, Black patients demonstrated statistically lower scores on the MoCA than White patients. There was no significant difference on MoCA score between races when also accounting for ACE scores. Given this study’s findings, one’s level of adverse childhood experiences does not appear to impact one’s cognitive ability later in life. There is a significant difference in cognitive ability between races, specifically Black and White people, which suggests there may be social determinants other than childhood experiences to be explored that influence cognitive impairment.
25 Delayed Cerebrovascular Response in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Ryman Sephira G. , Nitschke Stephanie , Shaff Nicholas , Julio Kayla , Wertz Christopher , Mayer Andrew R. , Vakhtin Andrei A. , Cedeno Gerson Suarez , Deligtisch Amanda , Richardson Sarah Pirio 
Published: December 2023

Objective:Cardiovascular risk factors and white matter hyperintensities predict the progression and severity of cognitive symptoms in PD. While controversial, emerging evidence suggests that cerebrovascular dysfunction is an etiological driver of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting a need to understand how cerebrovascular function impacts cognitive function in PD. MRI cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) paradigms provide an opportunity to measure the ability of the cerebral vessels to dilate or constrict in response to challenges. The current study evaluates whether whole brain CVR measures, degree of response (fit) and delay differ in PD with normal cognition (PD-NC) and PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) relative to healthy controls (HC). Additionally, we evaluate if these metrics are associated with cognitive performance.Participants and Methods:8 PD-NC, 11 PD-MCI and 11 age and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) participated in the study. PD participants were diagnosed with MCI based on the Movement Disorders Society Task force, Level II assessment (comprehensive assessment). Participants were asked to inhale gas enriched in CO2 to elicit a vasodilatory response while undergoing bold oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance image (MRI). Whole brain fit to an end-tidal CO2 regressor and delay were used to quantify CVR in each participant. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate group differences between HC, PD-NC, and PD-MCI in the whole brain fit and delay CVR measures accounting for age, sex, and education. Multiple regressions were conducted for each cognitive variable with whole brain fit and delay as the dependent variables adjusting for age, sex, and education.Results:A significant main effect of group was observed for whole brain CVR latency (F(2, 23) = 4.227; p = 0.027). Post hoc tests were not significant, though indicated a trend that PD-NC (18.14 ±1.94) and PD-MCI (18.15 ± 1.55) patients exhibited longer delays relative to HC (15.84 ± 2.37). Regression results indicated limited relationships between CVR measures and cognitive functioning.Conclusions:PD patients (PD-NC and PD-MCI) exhibited longer CVR delays relative to HC, suggesting a delayed vasodilatory response in PD. Examination of the association between CVR metrics and cognition were not significant, though these results should be interpreted with caution given the small sample size.
31 Finding the Link Between Inflammatory Biomarkers and Cognitive Functioning in People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Ward Katherine , Collette Christopher , Norling Amani M. , Freeman Hyun , Myers Terina , Bashir Khurram , Lazar Ronald M. , Lazar Ronald M. , Gerstenecker Adam 
Published: December 2023

Objective:To investigate the relationship between systematic inflammatory biomarkers and cognition in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).Participants and Methods:We recruited 36 patients diagnosed with MS (31 with relapsing-remitting and 5 with progressive) who presented for treatment at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Patients underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and serum blood samples were collected. Cognitive data was divided into an overall Cognitive Composite score and seven cognitive domains (i.e., Attention, Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visuospatial Ability, Language, Processing Speed, and Executive Function) using z-score averages. Pearson's product-moment correlations were conducted to determine the relationship between cognitive performance and 14 inflammatory biomarkers specifically chosen for their potential role in MS.Results:Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) was significantly correlated with Executive Function (r= -.355; p=.039) and Processing Speed (r= -.528; p= .001) scores. Additionally, Interleukin-10 (IL-10) was significantly correlated with Visual Memory (r= -.346; p= .041) scores. Finally, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-a) was significantly correlated with Visual Memory (r= -.347; p= .041).Conclusions:Studies investigating associations between inflammation and cognition in MS are lacking. In our sample of persons with Multiple Sclerosis, G-CSF biomarkers were negatively correlated with Executive Function as well as Processing Speed. In addition, IL-10 and TNF-a biomarkers were negatively correlated with Visual Memory scores. These findings in a representative sample of patients with MS highlight the need for further research exploring the relationship between systematic inflammatory biomarkers and cognition in MS.
50 Effects of Cerebrovascular Risk Factors and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology on Executive Function and Memory Changes: Analysis of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center Cohort
Authors: Chatterjee Ankita , Lee Shannon , Diaz Valentina , Casaletto Kaitlin B , Staffaroni Adam M , Kramer Joel H 
Published: December 2023

Objective:A common assumption in clinical neuropsychology is that cerebrovascular risk is adversely associated with executive function, while Alzheimer’s disease (AD) primarily targets episodic memory. The goal of the present study was to determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal validity of these assumptions using validated markers of cerebrovascular and AD burden.Participants and Methods:19271 longitudinally-followed participants from the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center (NACC) database (Mean age= 72.25; SD age= 10.42; 58% women; 51.6% CDR= 0, 33.7% CDR= 0.5, 14.7% CDR> 1) were included. Cognitive outcomes were a composite memory score and an executive function composite score (UDS3-EF; Staffaroni et al., 2020). Baseline presence of cerebrovascular disease was indexed by the presence of moderate to severe white matter hyperintensities or lacunar infarct on brain MRI (yes/no), while baseline AD pathology was indexed by the presence of a positive amyloid PET scan or elevated CSF AD biomarkers (yes/no). We used linear mixed effect models to assess the effects of baseline cerebrovascular disease, baseline AD pathology, and their interactions with time in study (years post baseline) controlling for baseline age, sex, education, and baseline MoCA score.Results:Baseline cerebrovascular disease was significantly associated with a lower intercept on executive functioning (between-person effect) (p < -0.001, 95% CI -0.37, -0.14) but not memory, while presence of AD biomarkers was associated with a lower memory intercept (p < -0.001, 95% CI -0.52, -0.39) but not executive function. However, only presence of AD pathology at baseline was associated with faster longitudinal decline on both memory and executive functioning over time. Baseline cerebrovascular disease did not independently relate to rate of cognitive decline.Conclusions:Consistent with widely held assumptions, our between-person analyses showed that MRI evidence of cerebrovascular disease was associated with worse executive functioning but not memory, while biomarker evidence of AD pathology was associated with worse memory but not executive function. Longitudinally, however, AD is the primary driver of decline in both executive and memory function. These results extend our understanding of how pathology impacts cognition in aging cohorts and highlight the importance of using longitudinal models.