Neuroendocrine Modulation of Cognitive Performance in the Patients with Fibromyalgia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ping Qu ◽  
Jin-Xia Yu ◽  
Gui-Hai Chen

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic widespread pain disorder associated with fatigue, tender points, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders. Symptoms associated with FM also include decreased cognitive function in which the neural basis is poorly understood. Neuroendocrine hormones may be correlated with cognitive performance under some ill conditions. However, we are unaware of current evidence on neuroendocrine hormones as factors influencing cognitive function in adults with FM. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of the study was to assess whether neuroendocrine hormones could affect cognition in the patients with FM. <b><i>Study Design:</i></b> This study used a case-control trial design. <b><i>Setting:</i></b> Study patients were recruited from the neurological outpatient clinics in the Second Affiliated Hospital and Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University and met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Forty-six patients with FM were compared with twenty-nine healthy controls (HCs). Several measures of cognitive performance and serum levels of neuroendocrine hormones were used to make these comparisons, and the patients were also asked to complete questionnaires on depression and sleep quality. Partial correlation analysis was performed to control the confounders and linear regression analysis was used to examine the effects of neuroendocrine hormones on cognitive measures. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The FM patients had worse performance in attention, short-term memory, orientation, object working memory and spatial reference memory, higher depression scores, and worse sleep quality than HCs. The raised level of cortisol and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) can protect general cognition, whereas the raised level of cortisol and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) will damage spatial memory. <b><i>Limitations:</i></b> We did not study the sex hormones comprehensively. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The FM patients showed significant cognitive impairment in several domains. The altered levels of cortisol, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH), and GnRH may mediate cognitive changes in FM.

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Nicolazzo ◽  
Katharine Xu ◽  
Alexandra Lavale ◽  
Rachel Buckley ◽  
Nawaf Yassi ◽  
...  

Abstract Study objectives To examine if sleep symptomatology was associated with subjective cognitive concerns or objective cognitive performance in a dementia-free community-based sample. Methods A total of 1421 middle-aged participants (mean±standard deviation = 57±7; 77% female) from the Healthy Brain Project completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to measure sleep quality, insomnia symptom severity, and daytime sleepiness, respectively. Participants were classified as having no sleep symptomatology (normal scores on each sleep measure), moderate sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on one sleep measure), or high sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on at least two sleep measures), using established cut-off values. Analysis of covariance was used to compare objective cognitive function (Cogstate Brief Battery) and subjective cognitive concerns (Modified Cognitive Function Instrument) across groups. Results Following adjustments for age, sex, education, mood, and vascular risk factors, persons classified as having high sleep symptomatology, versus none, displayed more subjective cognitive concerns (d=0.24) but no differences in objective cognitive performance (d=0.00-0.18). Subjective cognitive concerns modified the association between sleep symptomatology and psychomotor function. The strength of the relationship between high sleep symptomatology (versus none) and psychomotor function was significantly greater in persons with high as compared with low cognitive concerns (β±SE =-0.37±0.16; p=0.02). Conclusions More severe sleep symptomatology was associated with greater subjective cognitive concerns. Persons reporting high levels of sleep symptomatology may be more likely to display poorer objective cognitive function in the presence of subjective cognitive concerns.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A140-A141
Author(s):  
Emma Zhao ◽  
Afik Faerman ◽  
David Spiegel

Abstract Introduction Hypnosis-based interventions have been shown to have a positive impact on several dimensions of sleep health. However, current evidence is limited as only a paucity of studies included populations with sleep complaints. Here we present a pilot data set to demonstrate the feasibility of developing a hypnosis-based adjunctive treatment for subjective sleep complaints. Methods Eleven adults (42% female; mean age 45±16.87 years) who sought treatment at the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center or Center for Integrative Medicine for subjective sleep complaints received hypnosis as adjunctive treatment. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess the weekly frequency of subjective sleep disturbances experienced before and after treatment, as well as 5-point Likert scale ratings of perceived qualitative improvement in symptom severity and overall sleep quality. Results Five participants (45%) reported a reduction in symptom frequency and severity after hypnosis treatment. All five participants attributed at least some of the improvement to hypnosis treatment. Most participants (63%) observed post-treatment improvements in their overall sleep quality. No participants reported adverse effects of hypnosis. Conclusion Results suggest hypnosis-based adjunctive treatment may be effective for alleviating subjective sleep disturbances. The findings serve as preliminary support for further randomly controlled trials in larger samples. Support (if any):


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 1338-1352
Author(s):  
Shabina A Hayat ◽  
Robert Luben ◽  
Nick Wareham ◽  
Kay-Tee Khaw ◽  
Carol Brayne

Abstract Background The current evidence for higher physical activity and better cognitive function and lower risk of dementia is strong but not conclusive. More robust evidence is needed to inform public-health policy. We provide further insight into discrepancies observed across studies, reporting on habitual inactivity including that during work. Methods We examined cross-sectional and prospective relationships of physical inactivity during leisure and occupation time, with cognitive performance using a validated physical-activity index in a cohort of 8585 men and women aged 40–79 years at baseline (1993–1997) for different domains using a range of cognitive measures. Cognitive testing was conducted between 2006 and 2011 (including a pilot phase 2004–2006). Associations were examined using multinomial logistic-regression adjusting for socio-demographic and health variables as well total habitual physical activity. Results Inactivity during work was inversely associated with poor cognitive performance (bottom 10th percentile of a composite cognition score): odds ratio (OR) = 0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54, 0.86], P = 0.001. Results were similar cross-sectionally: OR = 0.65 (95% CI 0.45, 0.93), P = 0.02. Manual workers had increased risk of poor performance compared with those with an occupation classified as inactive. Inactivity during leisure time was associated with increased risk of poor performance in the cross-sectional analyses only. Conclusions The relationship between inactivity and cognition is strongly confounded by education, social class and occupation. Physical activity during leisure may be protective for cognition, but work-related physical activity is not protective. A greater understanding of the mechanisms and confounding underlying these paradoxical findings is needed.


Author(s):  
Mohamed Boubekri ◽  
Jaewook Lee ◽  
Piers MacNaughton ◽  
May Woo ◽  
Lauren Schuyler ◽  
...  

A growing awareness has recently emerged on the health benefits of exposure to daylight and views. Daylight exposure is linked to circadian rhythm regulation, which can have significant impacts on sleep quality and cognitive function. Views of nature have also been shown to impact emotional affect and performance. This study explores the impact of optimized daylight and views on the sleep and cognitive performance of office workers. Thirty knowledge workers spent one week working in each of two office environments with identical layouts, furnishings, and orientations; however, one was outfitted with electrochromic glass and the other with traditional blinds, producing lighting conditions of 40.6 and 316 equivalent melanopic lux, respectively. Participants in the optimized daylight and views condition slept 37 min longer as measured by wrist-worn actigraphs and scored 42% higher on cognitive simulations designed to test their higher order decision-making performance. Both sleep and cognitive function were impacted after one day in the space, yet the impacts became more significant over the course of the week. The positive effect of optimized daylight and views on cognitive function was comparable for almost all participants, while increases in sleep duration were significantly greater for those with the lowest baseline sleep duration. This study stresses the significance of designing with daylight in order to optimize the sleep quality and performance of office workers.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marília Baierle ◽  
Sabrina N. Nascimento ◽  
Angela M. Moro ◽  
Natália Brucker ◽  
Fernando Freitas ◽  
...  

Objective. Cognitive impairment reduces quality of life and is related to vascular and neurodegenerative disorders. However, there is also a close relationship between these diseases and oxidative stress. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess whether inflammation and oxidative damage are associated with low cognitive performance in the elderly with different housing conditions.Methods. The study groups consisted of 32 institutionalized and 25 noninstitutionalized Brazilian elderly subjects. Oxidative damage, inflammation markers, and cognitive function were evaluated.Results. The results demonstrated pronounced oxidative stress in the institutionalized elderly group, which also had a lower antioxidant status compared to noninstitutionalized subjects. High levels of proinflammatory cytokines were also observed in the institutionalized elderly. Furthermore, the raised levels of inflammatory markers were correlated with increased oxidative stress, and both were associated with low cognitive performance. However, based on multiple linear regression analysis, oxidative stress appears to be the main factor responsible for the cognitive decline.Conclusions. The findings suggest that individuals with lower antioxidant status are more vulnerable to oxidative stress, which is associated with cognitive function, leading to reduced life quality and expectancy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-352
Author(s):  
Will K. Tanigaki ◽  
Maria A. Rossetti ◽  
Natalia P. Rocha ◽  
Erin Furr Stimming

Background: Despite the abundance of clinical tools, sleep disorders are still not routinely evaluated in patients with Huntington’s disease (HD). Sleep disturbances can exacerbate cognitive impairment and mood disorders and seriously affect the life of the patients and their families. Objective: The current study was designed to investigate sleep quality and its association with clinical symptoms in HD. As an exploratory aim, we also evaluated sleep quality in caregivers of patients with HD. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with HD and 22 caregivers completed a series of self-reported questionnaires about sleep quality and pattern, cognitive function, and depression and anxiety symptoms. Spearman correlation analyses were performed to ascertain the association between sleep quality and severity of self-perceived clinical symptoms. Results: The primary sleep complaints reported by the patients were related to waking up in the middle of the night or early in the morning; and increased sleep latency. Seventeen of 29 HD patients (59%) and 12 of 22 caregivers (55%) were classified as “poor” sleepers. Worse sleep quality among HD patients was associated with greater severity of anxiety and depression symptoms. Importantly, a decline in sleep quality was associated with decreased self-perceived cognitive function for both HD patients and caregivers. Conclusion: Increasing awareness and improving our understanding of sleep dysfunction in HD is imperative for individuals with HD and indirectly, their caregivers. Regularly incorporating sleep assessments when evaluating HD patients should be considered to address this troublesome nonmotor symptom.


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongrong Wang ◽  
Mulalibieke Heizhati ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
Mei Li ◽  
Zhikang Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) plays a significant role in both sleep quality and cognition and whether it has an impact on the relationship between above two factors remains to be clear. The study aimed to explore the association between sleep quality and cognitive performance in general population by considering influence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Methods In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled subjects aged ≥ 18 years using a multi-stage random sampling method. Cognitive status was assessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) questionnaire, sleep quality using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and SDB was assessed using No-SAS scale, respectively. Multi-variable logistic regression was applied to examine the association of sleep quality and cognitive performance. Subgroup analyses were performed in different age groups, and in those with and without SDB. Results Finally, 30,872 participants aged 47.5 ± 13.8 years with 53.5% women were enrolled, of whom 32.4% had poor sleep quality and 18.6% had low cognitive performance. Compared with good sleepers, subjects with poor sleep quality exhibited significantly higher presence of low cognitive performance (23.7% vs 16.2%, P < 0.001). Poor sleepers revealed 1.26 (95%CI: 1.16,1.36), 1.26 (1.08,1.46) and 1.25 (1.14,1.37) fold odds for low cognitive performance in general population and in subjects with and without self-reported SDB respectively. Stratified by age and SDB, the association was observed in young and middle-aged group without SDB (OR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.30,1.59) and in the elderly group with SDB (OR = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.07,1.58). Conclusions Sleep quality is in a negative association with cognitive performance in general population independent of SDB, implying improvement of sleep disturbances is a potential objective of intervention strategies for cognitive protection at population level.


GeroPsych ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina A. Tesky ◽  
Christian Thiel ◽  
Winfried Banzer ◽  
Johannes Pantel

To investigate the effects of leisure activities on cognitive performance of healthy older subjects, an innovative intervention program was developed. Frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., reading, playing chess, or playing music) is associated with reduced risk of dementia. AKTIVA (active cognitive stimulation – prevention in the elderly) is an intervention program designed to enhance cognitive stimulation in everyday life by increasing cognitive stimulating leisure activities. The present study determines the effects of AKTIVA on cognitive function, mood and attitude toward aging in a sample of older participants from the general population. Several measurement instruments were used including the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), the Trail-Making Test (TMT), and the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Initially, the sample consisted of 307 older persons (170 female, 72 ± 7 years). The intervention was evaluated with a randomized, controlled pre-post follow-up design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: AKTIVA intervention (n = 126), AKTIVA intervention plus nutrition and exercise counseling (n = 84), no-intervention control group (n = 97). The AKTIVA intervention consisted of 8 weekly sessions and two booster sessions after a break of 4 months. Participation in the group program resulted in positive effects on cognitive function and attitude toward aging for subassembly groups. Older persons (≥ 75 years) showed enhanced speed of information processing (by TMT Version A) (F = 4.17*, p < .05); younger participants (< 75 years) showed an improvement in subjective memory decline (by MAC-Q) (F = 2.55*, p < .05). Additionally, AKTIVA enhanced the frequency of activities for leisure activities for subassembly groups. The results of this study suggest that the AKTIVA program can be used to increase cognitively stimulating leisure activities in the elderly. Further research is necessary to identify the long-term effects of this intervention particularly with respect to the prevention of dementia.


1974 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gordin ◽  
P. Saarinen ◽  
R. Pelkonen ◽  
B.-A. Lamberg

ABSTRACT Serum thyrotrophin (TSH) was determined by the double-antibody radioimmunoassay in 58 patients with primary hypothyroidism and was found to be elevated in all but 2 patients, one of whom had overt and one clinically borderline hypothyroidism. Six (29%) out of 21 subjects with symptomless autoimmune thyroiditis (SAT) had an elevated serum TSH level. There was little correlation between the severity of the disease and the serum TSH values in individual cases. However, the mean serum TSH value in overt hypothyroidism (93.4 μU/ml) was significantly higher than the mean value both in clinically borderline hypothyroidism (34.4 μU/ml) and in SAT (8.8 μU/ml). The response to the thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) was increased in all 39 patients with overt or borderline hypothyroidism and in 9 (43 %) of the 21 subjects with SAT. The individual TRH response in these two groups showed a marked overlap, but the mean response was significantly higher in overt (149.5 μU/ml) or clinically borderline hypothyroidism (99.9 μU/ml) than in SAT (35.3 μU/ml). Thus a normal basal TSH level in connection with a normal response to TRH excludes primary hypothyroidism, but nevertheless not all patients with elevated TSH values or increased responses to TRH are clinically hypothyroid.


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