Dementia e Neuropsychologia最新文献

The interface between epilepsy and religiosity has been a long-standing matter of debate. Epilepsy has affected several religious leaders throughout history. Hyperreligiosity may be observed in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy as a component of the so-called Gastaut-Geschwind syndrome which involves other behavioral and personality traits such as hyposexuality, viscosity, philosophical concerns, sense of personal destiny, hypergraphy, emotionality, and irritability. Saint Paul, the Apostle, probably had temporal lobe epilepsy. He was a genius man of intellectual excellence and refined culture, whose life and writings exerted a decisive influence on Western history. The current paper investigates the elements of Gastaut-Geschwind syndrome in Saint Paul's life and Epistles and discusses the potential influence of these traits on Pauline theology.

The neuropathological signature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) comprises mainly amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles, resulting in synaptic and neuronal loss. These pathological structures stem from amyloid dysfunctional metabolism according to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, leading to the formation of plaques, and apparently inducing the initiation of the abnormal tau pathway, with phosphorylation and aggregation of these proteins, ultimately causing the formation of tangles. In this narrative review, the existing hypothesis related to the pathophysiology of AD were compiled, and biological pathways were highlighted in order to identify the molecules that could represent biological markers of the disease, necessary to establish early diagnosis, as well as the selection of patients for therapeutical interventional strategies.

Neurological manifestations of nonketotic hyperglycemia are frequently seen, with mainly symptoms of confusion or coma. While hyperglycemia-induced seizures are less common, isolated aphasic status epilepticus is very rare, difficult to diagnose, and may be unrecognized by clinicians. In this case report, a 51-year-old man who presented with confusion and incoherent speech for two weeks is discussed. He was diagnosed with nonketotic hyperglycemia, whose electroencephalography (EEG) findings were suggestive of isolated aphasic status epilepticus. His magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed subcortical T2/FLAIR hypointense lesions with cortical T2/FLAIR hyperintensities and restricted diffusion. Although this condition usually responds well to intensive insulin therapy and fluid replacement, many researchers found some persistent aphasic seizures that did not improve until the addition of anti-seizure medications (ASMs).

Aging is generally associated with a decline in cognition when compared to adulthood. The changes most seen are in attention, perception, working memory, short-term memory, free recall, and processing speed. Certain changes in the Judgment of Line Orientation (JLO) test may be present in elderly people.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the difference among age, sex, schooling, Mini-Mental State (MMS), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) when compared to the JLO test in elderly people. The second is to assess the clinical use of the JLO test in elderly people's cognitive decline in Northeast Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional, randomized study was carried out on 280 elderly people, between 60 and 89 years old, and the mean age was 69.4 (±6.8 years SD); 73.9% of the females lived in Olinda City, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Age was stratified every 5 years between 60 and 89 years old, and schooling was divided into four subgroups between illiterate and more than 8 years of schooling. Each participant was submitted to an analysis of age, sex, schooling, risk factors, MMS, modified MMSE, and a JLO test.

Results: There was no statistical difference between the sexes. However, there was a statistical difference when compared to the JLO test and age (p<0.012), schooling (p<0.001), MMS (p<0.001), and modified MMSE (p<0.001).

Conclusion: We observed that with a cutoff point of 18 points, the JLO test is indicated to assess visuospatial and visuoperceptive changes in elderly people in Northeast Brazil.

Population aging brings about numerous challenges, particularly concerning cognitive health. In this context, socioeconomic factors such as education have received special attention due to their role in brain health.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the performance of executive functions, mental health variables, and quality of life among healthy older adults in relation to their level of education.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with participants aged 60 or older. The assessment protocol included Addenbrooke's cognitive examination and FAS, trail-making tests A and B, Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization, and Pleasure Scale (CASP-19), as well as the depression, anxiety, and stress scale.

Results: Significant differences were found in the performance of executive functions among older adults with higher levels of education. However, mental health and quality of life variables were only related to participants' age.

Conclusion: The study showed that mental health and quality of life are not influenced by participants' level of education but are instead strongly correlated with age.

Novel therapies for Alzheimer's disease, particularly anti-amyloid drugs like lecanemab and donanemab, have shown modest clinical benefits but also significant risks. The present paper highlights the challenges of access to diagnosis, cost-effectiveness, safety, and the need for more representation of diverse populations in clinical trials. Recommendations include careful patient selection, risk-benefit analysis, and the importance of proven amyloid pathology for treatment. Future work involves further research on anti-amyloid therapies in Brazil and the development of more effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease.