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Memory-related subjective cognitive symptoms in the adult population: prevalence and associated factors – results of the LIFE-Adult-Study
(BioMed Central Ltd, 2018-05-21) Luck T; Roehr S; Rodriguez FS; Schroeter ML; Witte AV; Hinz A; Mehnert A; Engel C; Loeffler M; Thiery J; Villringer A; Riedel-Heller SG
Background Subjectively perceived memory problems (memory-related Subjective Cognitive Symptoms/SCS) can be an indicator of a pre-prodromal or prodromal stage of a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. We therefore sought to provide detailed empirical information on memory-related SCS in the dementia-free adult population including information on prevalence rates, associated factors and others. Methods We studied 8834 participants (40–79 years) of the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study. Weighted prevalence rates with confidence intervals (95%-CI) were calculated. Associations of memory-related SCS with participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, physical and mental comorbidity, and cognitive performance (Verbal Fluency Test Animals, Trail-Making-Test, CERAD Wordlist tests) were analyzed. Results Prevalence of total memory-related SCS was 53.0% (95%-CI = 51.9–54.0): 26.0% (95%-CI = 25.1–27.0) of the population had a subtype without related concerns, 23.6% (95%-CI = 22.7–24.5) a subtype with some related concerns, and 3.3% (95%-CI = 2.9–3.7) a subtype with strong related concerns. Report of memory-related SCS was unrelated to participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, physical comorbidity (except history of stroke), depressive symptomatology, and anxiety. Adults with and without memory-related SCS showed no significant difference in cognitive performance. About one fifth (18.1%) of the participants with memory-related SCS stated that they did consult/want to consult a physician because of their experienced memory problems. Conclusions Memory-related SCS are very common and unspecific in the non-demented adult population aged 40–79 years. Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of this population has concerns related to experienced memory problems and/or seeks help. Already available information on additional features associated with a higher likelihood of developing dementia in people with SCS may help clinicians to decide who should be monitored more closely.
Kiwifruit and guar gum modulation of postprandial blood glucose and its cognitive effects : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 2015) Edwards, `Haley
Glucose is the main source of energy for the brain, and blood glucose levels have been shown to have a significant impact on cognitive performance. This thesis research examined the effects of kiwifruit and guar gum (a soluble fiber) on the postprandial blood glucose response, and to what extent glucose manipulation can influence cognitive performance. Twenty healthy participants took part in a within subjects trial, with each individual consuming one of four breakfast diets per week (Weet-Bix, Weet-Bix + Kiwifruit, Weet-Bix + Guar Gum, and Weet- Bix + Kiwifruit + Guar gum). Each breakfast was separated by at least a 1-week washout period. It has been shown that kiwifruit and its interaction with guar gum decreases blood glucose peaks during the postprandial phase, and maintains a glucose level above fasting baseline measures over a 3-hour time period. In the present study there were no main effects of Breakfast Type across the cognitive tasks, or for interactions between Breakfast Type and Testing Time. However, there was a significant effect for time for each task, collapsed across each breakfast. (Time refers to the three points the cognitive tests were administered, one pre-breakfast, and two post-breakfast at 90 and 180 mins). Trends in the blood glucose response data indicated that when blood glucose levels were controlled and maintained (by the kiwifruit and guar gum), performance on some cognitive tasks improved and was largely sustained across the 3-hour time period, although the effects of practice could not be ruled out.
The effects, in healthy adults, of 'morningness-eveningness' on information processing speeds for visual and auditory input : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2011) Pope, Denyse Rosemary
The study attempted to determine whether information processing speed was influenced by morningness-eveningness preference. Prior studies have not found any ‘synchrony effect’ between a person’s chronotype and time of testing on information processing speed despite other aspects of cognition exhibiting synchrony effects. Thirty five university students aged 18 to 25 years participated in the study. Morningness-eveningness preference was determined by the Horne and Ostberg (1976) ‘Morningness-Eveningness’ Questionnaire, and information processing speed for visual and auditory stimuli was assessed by the Computerised Auditory and Visual Test of Information Processing (CAVTIP) which was developed for the present study. Participants undertook testing at two time periods, one deemed optimal and one deemed non-optimal according to chronotype (9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.). Results indicated that there was an overall synchrony effect for the most complex task but not the least complex, however post-hoc analyses indicated that the synchrony effect was modality specific. For visually presented stimuli there was no advantage in the morning for any chronotype, but there was a disadvantage for morning types in the evening. For the auditory stimuli, evening types experienced an advantage in the evening. Possible implications arising from the findings are suggested. Keywords: circadian rhythms, morningness-eveningness, chronotype, information processing speed

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