Neuropsychological performances and brain perfusion patterns in patients with first episode psychosis.

Abnormalities in cognition are a pronounced feature in primary psychotic disorders and may appear long before the manifestation of the first-episode psychosis (FEP). Although brain functional changes may precede structural alterations, brain perfusion patterns in FEP and most importantly their correlations with cognition remain poorly understood. In the present study we assessed neurocognitive functions and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 53 patients with a diagnosis of FEP.

Development of a self-administered online battery for remote assessment of executive functions and verbal memory: equivalence with face-to-face administration, preliminary norms, and acceptance.

Objectives: Interest in teleneuropsychology services increased considerably after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the utility of unsupervised administration of computerized tests remains largely unexplored. In the present study, we developed a brief computerized battery that assesses self-reported cognitive abilities and performances on executive functioning and verbal memory.

Sleep Quality and Cognitive Abilities in the Greek Cohort of Epirus Health Study.

Purpose: Sleep is essential to all human body functions as well as brain functions. Inadequate sleep quantity and poor sleep quality have been shown to directly affect cognitive functioning and especially memory. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the association of sleep quality with cognitive abilities cross-sectionally in a middle-aged Greek population and secondarily to examine this association prospectively in a smaller group of these participants.

Screening for Executive Impairment in Patients with Frontotemporal Dementia: Evidence from the Greek Version of the Frontier Executive Screen.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to adjust the frontier executive screen (FES) for the Greek population, to develop normative data, and to investigate its ability to discriminate patients diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia from healthy individuals.

Methods: The FES was administered to 142 community-dwelling healthy adults (age: M = 65.9, SD = 8.

Correlates of Functional Impairment in Patients with the Behavioral Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review.

The behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) has a devastating effect on multiple domains of daily living. The purpose of this PRISMA-compliant systematic review is to summarize the most important factors associated with functional impairment in this clinical group by critically analyzing the existing literature spanning the period from 2000 to 2023. To be included in the review, a study had to investigate any kind of correlates of functional status in bvFTD patients, using a previously validated instrument of functional assessment.

Neuropsychological Profile of Hospitalized Patients Due to COVID-19: Clinical and Inflammatory Correlates.

Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the pattern of cognitive difficulties in hospitalized patients due to COVID-19 and its relation with the clinical features of the disease.

Method: Forty hospitalized patients with COVID-19 [mean age: 46.98 years (SD = 9.

Metabolic syndrome and cognitive deficits in the Greek cohort of Epirus Health Study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is considered an important risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. However, the evidence in middle-aged individuals is still conflicting. The aim of the study was to explore the association between metabolic syndrome and its individual components with cognitive function and to investigate possible interaction between sex, age and genetic predisposition for metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer's disease in a middle-aged Greek cohort.

The cognitive and behavioral correlates of functional status in patients with frontotemporal dementia: A pilot study.

: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) impinges significantly on cognition, behavior, and everyday functioning. Goal of the present study is the detailed description of behavioral disturbances and functional limitations, as well as the investigation of associations between cognition, behavior, and functional impairment among FTD patients. Given the importance of maintaining a satisfying functional status as long as possible, this study also aims to identify the cognitive correlates of compensatory strategy use in this clinical group.

Mediterranean diet related metabolite profiles and cognitive performance.

Background & Aims: Evidence suggests that adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) affects human metabolism and may contribute to better cognitive performance. However, the underlying mechanisms are not clear.

Objective: We generated a metabolite profile for adherence to MedDiet and evaluated its cross-sectional association with aspects of cognitive performance.

Metabolic syndrome and cognition: A systematic review across cognitive domains and a bibliometric analysis.

The aim of this review is to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cognitive decline in distinct cognitive domains, and to perform a complementary study description through the bibliometric analysis. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched from inception to 15 December 2021 to identify longitudinal studies that examined the association of MetS with incident decline, in order to prevent reverse causality. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis checklist was used to conduct the present systematic review.

Parental Hesitancy towards the Established Childhood Vaccination Programmes in the COVID-19 Era: Assessing the Drivers of a Challenging Public Health Concern.

(1) Background: Vaccine hesitancy remains a major public health concern. The reasons behind this attitude are complex and warrant careful consideration, especially in the context of the COVID-19 era. The purpose of this study was to estimate vaccine hesitancy towards the established childhood immunization programmes in a non-random sample of Greek parents and explore possible links with important drivers of this phenomenon.

Neuropsychological correlates of cerebellar volumes in multiple sclerosis: an MRI volumetric analysis study.

The hallmark of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathophysiology is the damage to the myelin sheath around axons. The cerebellum is a predilection site for demyelination with a well-recognized role in motor and a rather understudied contribution to cognitive functions. The aim of this study is to investigate patterns of cerebellar grey and white matter pathology, expressed as reduced volume, as well as cortical thickness and their potential contribution to cognitive performance and disability status of patients with MS.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Cognitive Abilities in the Greek Cohort of Epirus Health Study.

The Mediterranean diet is commonly proposed as a major modifiable protective factor that may delay cognitive impairment in the elderly. The aim of the study was to investigate the cross-sectional association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet with cognitive abilities in a younger Greek population. A total of 1201 healthy adults aged 21-77 years (mean: 47.

The Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale: Greek Normative Data, Clinical Utility and Cultural Considerations.

Background: The Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) is a comprehensive screening procedure for the evaluation of cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objectives: In the present study we adjusted the PD-CRS for the Greek population, developed normative data and examined its clinical utility for the assessment of cognitive functioning in Greek PD patients. In addition, the correlation of clinical characteristics with cognitive performance in PD patients was examined.

Selective executive impairments as neuroimmunological manifestations of the human immunodeficiency virus.

Executive processes that predominantly effect people living with human immunodeficiency virus remain to be understood. In the present case-control study, components summarizing executive functions were empirically determined to clarify the nature of executive difficulties observed in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus. One hundred and five seropositive and 62 seronegative healthy adults without comorbidities underwent a comprehensive executive function assessment.

Prevalence and Determinants of Sex-Specific Dietary Supplement Use in a Greek Cohort.

We describe the profile of dietary supplement use and its correlates in the Epirus Health Study cohort, which consists of 1237 adults (60.5% women) residing in urban north-west Greece. The association between dietary supplement use and demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, personal medical history and clinical measurements was assessed using logistic regression models, separately for women and men.

Awareness, knowledge and trust in the Greek authorities towards COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Epirus Health Study cohort.

Background: To assess the level of knowledge and trust in the policy decisions taken regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic among Epirus Health Study (EHS) participants.

Methods: The EHS is an ongoing and deeply-phenotyped prospective cohort study that has recruited 667 participants in northwest Greece until August 31st, 2020. Level of knowledge on coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and COVID-19 severity was labeled as poor, moderate or good.

Inhibitory control is associated with medication adherence in young HIV patients without comorbidities.

Objective: In the present study we evaluated the incremental contribution of executive cognition (EC) subprocesses to antiretroviral medication adherence.

Method: A comprehensive EC test battery assessing updating/working memory, mental flexibility, and inhibitory control, along with measures assessing non-executive cognitive functions were completed by 100 individuals with HIV. Medication adherence was determined via a visual analogue self-report scale and the Medication Adherence Questionnaire.

Comparing eating behaviours, and symptoms of depression and anxiety between Spain and Greece during the COVID-19 outbreak: Cross-sectional analysis of two different confinement strategies.

Objective: We compared eating behaviours, and depressive and anxiety symptoms in two countries with different confinement strictness strategies and different levels of COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: A web-based cross-sectional survey was administered during and shortly after the COVID-19 related lockdown in Spain and Greece. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify country differences associated with eating behaviour, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Computerized cognitive rehabilitation for treatment of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: an explorative study.

In this explorative study, forty-seven patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were randomized to a custom 6-week cognitive rehabilitation intervention (n = 23) using the BrainHQ web-based platform and to a control group condition (n = 24). Cognitive rehabilitation intervention consisted of two 40-minute sessions per week. All patients were tested with the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis battery, the Stroop Color-Word Test, and the trail making test, while the Beck Depression Inventory - Fast Screen questionnaire was used as a measure of mood and the cognitive reserve index as a measure of cognitive reserve.

Beneficial effect of computer-based multidomain cognitive training in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

The purpose of the present study was to explore the effects of computer-based multidomain cognitive training program on Greek patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Forty-six patients with MCI were randomly divided into two groups; (a) the training group, which received a computer-based multidomain cognitive training program with the use of the RehaCom software and (b) the control group, which underwent standard-clinical care. The duration of the computer-based training program was 15 weeks, administered twice a week for approximately one hour per session.

Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch): Greek Normative Data and Discriminative Validity for Children with Combined Type of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder.

We examined the utility of the Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch) for Greek children. Discrete and regression-based norms, controlling for demographic characteristics and intelligence, were derived from the performance of 172 children. We also assessed the ability of the TEA-Ch to differentiate children with ADHD-Combined Type (ADHD-C) from healthy matched peers.

Beneficial Effect of Multidomain Cognitive Training on the Neuropsychological Performance of Patients with Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease.

Background And Purpose: There is an increasing interest in the effect of nonpharmacological interventions on the course of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The objective of the present study is to determine the benefits of a structured, multidomain, mostly computer-based, cognitive training (MCT) οn the cognitive performance of patients with early-stage AD.

Method: Fifty patients with early-stage AD participated in the study.

How neuropsychology can inform our understanding of preschool ADHD: Clinical and research implications.

Neuropsychological assessments in preschoolers have not received as much attention as in older children and adults. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder that occurs in early childhood associated with poor academic and personal outcomes, such as learning and social difficulties. Preschoolers with ADHD may present cognitive deficits that are related with the ADHD symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, but may also interfere, beyond and above the ADHD symptoms, with everyday functioning.