Cognitive flexibility deficits in a mouse model for the absence of full‐length dystrophin

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle‐wasting disorder, caused by mutations in the DMD gene and the resulting lack of dystrophin. The DMD gene has seven promoters, giving rise to multiple full‐length and shorter isoforms. Besides the expression of dystrophin in muscles, the majority of dystrophin isoforms is expressed in brain and dystrophinopathy can lead to cognitive deficits, including intellectual impairments and deficits in executive function. In contrast to the muscle pathology, the impact of the lack of dystrophin on the brain is not very well studied. Here, we study the behavioral consequences of a lack of full‐length dystrophin isoforms in mdx mice, particularly with regard to domains of executive functions and anxiety. We observed a deficit in cognitive flexibility in mdx mice in the absence of motor dysfunction or general learning impairments using two independent behavioral tests. In addition, increased anxiety was observed, but its expression depended on the context. Overall, these results suggest that the absence of full‐length dystrophin in mice has specific behavioral effects that compare well to deficits observed in DMD patients.     

Circadian variations in self-monitoring,a component of executive functions

The objective of this study was to identify circadian rhythms in self-monitoring, a component of executive functions. Participants were 10 undergraduate students, age: 18.5 ± 2.68 years, two male and eight female. They were recorded on a 30-h constant routine protocol; rectal temperature was recorded every minute and performance on a tracking task was assessed every 100 min. Self-monitoring indicators were adjustments of responses to random changes of speed and trajectory of a circle moving on the computer screen. Participants showed better accuracy during the afternoon, with decreases in the morning (06:20 and 08:00 h). These variations showed a phase delay of 2:29 ± 2:19 h with respect to the circadian rhythm of body temperature. In conclusion, there are circadian variations in self-monitoring. The decline in this component of executive functions could cause serious accidents among people working or studying during a morning shift, as well as commuting to and from work or school.     

Sleep pressure and time perception in university students

Here we aimed to investigate the association between poor quality of sleep, sleep debt during weekdays and the performance on an interval timing task, using the method of production of time and consisting on five sessions a day for nine days. The sleep of our volunteers was particularly restricted on weekdays. Moreover, later chronotype was associated with the need for compensation on weekends. Regarding the production of time, produced durations were consistently over-produced and there was an evident increase in the mean coefficient of variation (CV) from the wake-up morning to afternoon sessions, followed by a sharp decrease in the evening sessions. Importantly, CV was mainly determined by the interaction between MSFdiff, sleep duration on weekdays and age. In conclusion, our results indicate that when university students are under the effects of social jet lag and reduced sleep duration during weekdays, their performance in interval timing tasks may be compromised.     

When mental fatigue maybe characterized by Event Related Potential (P300) during virtual wheelchair navigation

The goal of this study is to investigate the influence of mental fatigue on the event related potential P300 features (maximum pick, minimum amplitude, latency and period) during virtual wheelchair navigation. For this purpose, an experimental environment was set up based on customizable environmental parameters (luminosity, number of obstacles and obstacles velocities). A correlation study between P300 and fatigue ratings was conducted. Finally, the best correlated features supplied three classification algorithms which are MLP (Multi Layer Perceptron), Linear Discriminate Analysis and Support Vector Machine. The results showed that the maximum feature over visual and temporal regions as well as period feature over frontal, fronto-central and visual regions were correlated with mental fatigue levels. In the other hand, minimum amplitude and latency features didn’t show any correlation. Among classification techniques, MLP showed the best performance although the differences between classification techniques are minimal. Those findings can help us in order to design suitable mental fatigue based wheelchair control.     

文化线路视野下的米仓道（巴中段）遗产认知框架分析

在中国文物保护体系下,古道等遗产线路类的文物保护工作尚未能完全对接国际文化线路的保护理念,文化线路的国内文物保护体系和国际保护视野面临无法衔接的困境。以国际文化线路“物质线路”和“衍生要素”的分析视野,将具有申遗背景同时需要对接文物保护工作的米仓道（巴中段）作为对象,通过梳理其时空范畴和价值认知,分别辨析作为国内文物保护体系的交通遗产构成框架,以及对接申遗工作的文化线路衍生遗产要素。基于此,遗产线路衔接国内文物保护体系和“文化线路”申遗保护要求的工作框架得以厘清,可为国内面临类似研究需求的文化线路类遗产提供借鉴。     

OSAHS风险对患者静脉麻醉术后认知功能障碍的影响

目的:探讨OSAHS风险与静脉麻醉手术患者术后发生认知功能障碍的关系。方法:采用No SAS评分对55例静脉麻醉手术患者进行OSAHS风险评估,并将其分为对照组23例(NoSAS 8分)和OSAHS组32例(No SAS≥8分),以蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)对两组患者在术前和术后第一天进行认知功能评估,计算每位患者手术前后Mo CA评分的差值△Mo CA(术前MoCA-术后MoCA),比较两组患者手术前后的MoCA评分及△MoCA。结果:OSAHS组术前MoCA评分(25.83±1.80)明显低于对照组术前MoCA评分(28.05±1.31)(P0.05)。OSAHS组术后MoCA评分(25.13±1.64)较术前无明显变化(P0.05),对照组术后Mo CA评分(26.73±1.17)明显低于术前(P0.05)。OSAHS组△MoCA(0.39±1.03)明显低于对照组(1.32±1.08),主要表现为视空间与执行功能[(0.09±0.29) vs.(0.30±0.32)]、注意力[(0.09±0.60) vs.(0.47±0.70)]和延时回忆力[(0.17±0.39) vs.(0.47±0.51)]两方面(P0.05)。结论:OSAHS高风险患者静脉麻醉术后认知功能障碍的程度较OSAHS低风险人群显著降低。     

Accelerated bio‐cognitive aging in Down syndrome: State of the art and possible deceleration strategies

Down syndrome (DS) has been proposed by George Martin as a segmental progeroid syndrome since 1978. In fact, DS persons suffer from several age‐associated disorders much earlier than euploid persons. Furthermore, a series of recent studies have found that DS persons display elevated levels of age biomarkers, thus supporting the notion that DS is a progeroid trait. Nowadays, due to the progressive advancements in social inclusion processes and medical assistance, DS persons live much longer than in the past; therefore, the early‐onset health problems of these persons are becoming an urgent and largely unmet social and medical burden. In particular, the most important ailment of DS persons is the accelerated cognitive decline that starts when they reach about 40 years of age. This decline can be at least in part counteracted by multi‐systemic approaches including early‐onset cognitive training, physical activity, and psychosocial assistance. However, no pharmacological treatment is approved to counteract this decline. According to the most advanced conceptualization of Geroscience, tackling the molecular mechanisms underpinning the aging process should be a smart/feasible strategy to combat and/or delay the great majority of age‐related diseases, including cognitive decline. We think that a debate is needed urgently on if (and how) this strategy could be integrated in protocols to face DS‐associated dementia and overall unhealthy aging. In particular we propose that, on the basis of data obtained in different clinical settings, metformin is a promising candidate that could be exploited to counteract cognitive decline in DS.     

老年人认知训练的神经机制研究

伴随老化,老年人的认知和脑功能会表现出一定的下降趋势.尽管如此,人类的大脑到老年期都会保有一定的可塑性,认知训练的方式是延缓认知和脑功能衰退的有效手段.本文回顾了以往针对老年人不同类型的认知训练研究,探讨了认知训练的理论基础(包括放大观和补偿观),深入分析了老年人认知训练的神经机制,并在此基础上指出以往研究中理论基础冲突的不足和对未来研究老年人训练任务适配性的展望.     

Human Hippocampal Neurogenesis Persists in Aged Adults and Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

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