A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cognitive Effects of rTMS in Caucasian Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has received much attention as a non-invasive, effective treatment modality for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Although several meta-analyses have reported that rTMS can improve cognitive abilities, improvements in individual memory domains (speech, language, concentration, and memory) are poorly understood. In addition, stimulation parameters may be flawed in studies of global populations because of ethnic differences between Caucasians and Asians.

The Newly Normed SKT Reveals Differences in Neuropsychological Profiles of Patients with MCI, Mild Dementia and Depression.

The SKT (Syndrom-Kurztest) is a short cognitive performance test assessing deficits of memory and attention in the sense of speed of information processing. The new standardization of the SKT (2015) aimed at improving its sensitivity for early cognitive decline due to dementia in subjects aged 60 or older. The goal of this article is to demonstrate how the neuropsychological test profile of the SKT can be used to provide valuable information for a differential diagnosis between MCI (mild cognitive impairment), dementia and depression.

Prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses in asylum seekers with follow-up.

Background: In the study, the frequency and nature of asylum seekers' psychiatric diagnoses in a German admission center were examined. Additional aims were to identify changes in those diagnoses over time and to investigate health care utilization of mentally ill asylum seekers in the community.

Methods: The sample for the study "Psychiatric Examination of Asylum Seekers" in Bavaria consisted of a total of 283 asylum seekers and included 2 subsamples: help-seeking individuals and a randomly selected group.

[Waiting for Asylum: Psychiatric Diagnosis in Bavarian Admission Center].

Introduction: In 2014, 15% of about 140,000 asylum seekers were distributed to Bavaria. The Bavarian State Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Family and Integration promoted a project under which, first, the frequency and nature of psychiatric diagnoses among asylum seekers in the ZAE Zirndorf should be examined and, secondly, recommendations on psychiatric-psychological care of asylum seekers should be carried out.

Methods: A total 283 asylum seekers were examined.

[The assessment and course of development of cognitive abilities in the elderly].

Background: The assessment of the appropriate level of development in children belongs to the standard duties of physicians in the public health system. Due to a steady increase of dementia in Germany the assessment of cognitive abilities of the elderly is becoming more and more the focus of future activities. Such an assessment of cognitive functioning reveals whether the respective person is aging normally or whether the impaired cognitive functioning is probably based on a pathological process.