Neuropsychology Review最新文献

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is defined as self-experienced cognitive decline without objective impairment on standardised tests. Research suggests SCD may show subtle impairment on detailed neuropsychological assessment and might therefore indicate the earliest stage of neurodegeneration. This review (PROSPERO: CRD42023382096) seeks to determine whether group differences in memory task performance between people with and without SCD exist. The review included studies since 2014 comparing episodic memory performance between people with and without SCD; where people with SCD were recruited exclusively from community or medical settings. Studies providing data for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were included in a separate meta-analysis comparing SCD and MCI. A systematic search was conducted (PsycINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed on 11th August 2023). Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool. 1,815 records were identified, of which 45 met inclusion criteria and were included in a random-effects meta-analysis (SCD N = 5,948, Non-SCD N = 8,468). Twenty-one studies additionally provided data for an MCI group (SCD N = 1,034, MCI N = 2,119). Results indicated people with SCD performed significantly worse than people without SCD (Hedges' g = -0.19, 95% CI = -0.26, -0.11) and significantly better than MCI participants (Hedges' g = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.94, 1.46). For both meta-analyses there was significant between-study heterogeneity. There was a significant risk of publication bias for the meta-analysis comparing SCD to Non-SCD. These results suggest detailed memory assessment may be sensitive to reduced objective memory performance in SCD. However, it is unclear whether the small effect size has clinical significance. Higher quality and larger studies are needed to rule out the influence of moderating factors on memory performance.

A common hallmark of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is deficits in cognitive functions during an episode and in remission. These cognitive deficits interfere with daily living and are significant predictors of MDD relapse. To address the role cognitive functioning plays in MDD, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to estimate the comparative efficacy of psychological and pharmacological depression treatments on objective cognitive functioning. We conducted a systematic literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus. The review included commonly prescribed psychological and pharmacological therapies for depression, and our primary outcome was a pre-post change in cognition. We conducted a random-effects frequentist network meta-analysis to estimate the relative efficacy of included treatments. The review included 40 randomized trials, with 32 studies evaluating antidepressants, six psychotherapies and two, a combination of psychotherapies and antidepressants. Vortioxetine was the only antidepressant showing a small significant effect compared with placebo on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Trial Making Test Part B, Stroop test, Congruent condition and word list learning tests (g = -0.23 to -0.29). Common antidepressants, including escitalopram, citalopram, paroxetine and fluoxetine were not significantly different from placebo in improving cognition. The preliminary findings from psychotherapies indicate that cognitive behavioral therapy might improve recognition memory but not spontaneous recall. The findings suggest that, among antidepressants, vortioxetine is the sole treatment improving cognition in depression. The effects were however small, highlighting the need for the development of MDD interventions targeting cognition.

Chemotherapy, a standard treatment for breast cancer (BC), is known to exert neurotoxic effects on the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to identify consistent patterns of brain structural and functional alterations linked to chemotherapy in patients with BC and explore potential clinical correlates, such as age, education, and treatment characteristics. Data from 29 neuroimaging investigations, including structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging, and resting-state functional MRI, were analyzed using a coordinate-based meta-analysis. The results revealed significant gray matter reductions in regions including the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, insula, cerebellum, and rolandic operculum, alongside functional hypoactivation in the rolandic operculum and insula, when comparing chemotherapy-treated patients to chemotherapy-naive controls. These findings suggest that chemotherapy primarily affects regions involved in cognitive and emotional regulation. A higher education level may serve as a protective factor, possibly reflecting greater gray matter structural integrity, that mitigates chemotherapy-related neurotoxic effects. This study may offer insights into the underlying neural mechanisms of chemotherapy-related cognitive changes. Further research should investigate treatment-specific effects and long-term outcomes.

This meta-analysis estimated academic achievement differences between children and adolescents with and without Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and explored potential moderators. Systematic literature searches from inception to March 2025 identified 2,531 unique articles, with 39 studies (146 effect sizes) met inclusion criteria. These studies encompassed data from 3,681 individuals with NF1 (43.95% female; M_age = 10.50 years, SD = 2.53) and 15,153 without NF1 (48.92% female; M_age = 9.85 years, SD = 3.03). Group differences in academic achievement (Hedges' g) were synthesized using robust standard error estimation and random effect models. Individuals with NF1 exhibited lower achievement in reading (g = -0.79, 95% CI [-0.95, -0.64]), writing (g = -0.82, 95% CI [-0.95, -0.68]), and math (g = -0.77, 95% CI [-0.90, -0.65]). Group disparities were present across reading subskills with greater differences in pseudoword reading (g = -1.43, 95% CI [-1.98, -0.89]) and word reading (g = -0.96, 95% CI [-1.26, -0.67]) than reading fluency (g = -0.62, 95% CI [-1.00, -0.23]). Lower full-scale IQ and verbal IQ were linked to greater group disparities in writing, but not in reading or math. Disparities were greater when unaffected siblings were used as controls (vs. normative data) in reading and writing. These findings underscore the need for targeted support and educational interventions for individuals with NF1.

This systematic review aimed to identify preserved and impaired memory processes in Huntington's disease (HD), with consideration of disease stage and the specific memory subsystems assessed. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar up to March 11, 2025. Eligible studies had to be peer-reviewed, had to involve participants aged 18 or older, had to include patients with genetically or clinically confirmed HD, and had to be published in English or French. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. A structured narrative synthesis was performed across seven memory subsystems and clinical stages (pre-manifest vs. manifest), and findings were summarized using tables and figures. A total of 136 studies were included. Verbal episodic memory impairments were consistently observed from early stages, particularly in free recall, while recognition was initially preserved. Visual episodic memory showed progressive deficits. Olfactory memory, though rarely examined, appeared to be impaired early. Autobiographical memory was underinvestigated but showed signs of disruption, seemingly independent of executive dysfunction. Semantic memory was generally preserved but showed reduced access without cues. Early-stage impairments were also reported in working memory. Priming was preserved, while complex procedural learning tasks showed variable deficits. Many studies presented methodological limitations, including confounding and lack of blinding. Memory profiles in HD appear heterogeneous and subsystem-specific. Autobiographical memory may constitute a distinct cognitive marker. Improved characterization of memory deficits is crucial to guide the development of targeted cognitive interventions.

Executive functions and self-regulation, which are the control processes relevant for learning and adaptation, are frequently impaired in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Research on the role of early executive functions and self-regulation in the diagnosis and developmental trajectories of NDDs has grown rapidly in recent years, necessitating a synthesis of the evidence strength and the methodologies used to investigate the relationship between executive functions/self-regulation and the functional profiles of NDDs. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined 32 studies that used longitudinal designs to investigate the relationship between executive functions and self-regulation in the first 6 years of life and NDDs symptoms from ages 3 to 18. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for the statistical methods used, as well as for ADHD and ASD diagnoses, types of executive function and self-regulation measures, and the developmental periods during which they were assessed. The results highlight a significant longitudinal association between early executive and self-regulation difficulties and later impairments in attention, socio-communication, and adaptive functioning in NDDs. The findings also support the predictive value of these early difficulties and the need to consider the methodological characteristics of the studies. Although these findings predominantly concern specific diagnostic categories, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, they could have important implications for several conditions of atypical neurodevelopment, especially for the prevention of symptoms and associated psychopathological exacerbation. Given the methodological variability of the studies, the results of this review can also help in defining more appropriate tools and statistical methodologies for future research.

Evidence exists that cocaine impacts cognition and behaviour. Yet, uncertainty remains as to what extent cognitive inhibition efficiency decreases in cocaine users. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA 2020 checklist. Our search yielded 1725 articles from Scopus, PubMed and WOS, from which twenty-four studies were finally identified as meeting the inclusion criteria for the systematic review and twenty (providing twenty-three effect sizes) for the meta-analysis. A multi-level random-effects meta-analysis was conducted, and moderation analysis was implemented to examine the potential moderating effects of sex, age, years of regular cocaine use, days of cocaine abstinence, and sample type (clinical vs. community) in the estimated effects. Results showed worse inhibition in cocaine users compared to controls (g = 0.65; 95% CI [0.28, 1.03], p < .001), but none of the moderators significantly impacted this effect. Findings highlight the link between impaired cognitive inhibition and cocaine use disorder and suggest that inhibitory control training approaches would be promising. Future clinical studies are needed to elucidate on the efficacy of neuropsychological approaches for improving inhibitory control and augment the effectiveness of first-line interventions for cocaine use disorder.

This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of neuropsychological interventions in enhancing cognition in patients with epilepsy. The systematic review was conducted under PRISMA guidelines. Of 1363 articles, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses assessing pre-post changes in experimental interventions (i.e., without comparison to control groups) revealed moderate effects on cognition in adults (g = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.18, 0.40; p < 0.0001), with significant effects for attention (g = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.43; p = 0.0098), immediate memory (g = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.47; p < 0.0001), delayed memory (g = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.18, 0.57; p < 0.0001), and language (g = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.59; p = 0.0159). In pediatric samples, moderate effects were found on overall cognition (g = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.89; p = 0.0012), with gains in attention (g = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.15, 1.17; p = 0.01) and working memory (g = 0.80; 95% CI = -0.05, 1.65; p = 0.06). Comparisons with control groups (i.e., patients without intervention) showed a trend towards positive effects in adults (g = 0.35; 95% CI = -0.00, 0.71; p = 0.053), with brain training games associated with poorer outcomes (B = -1.03; SE = 0.52; 95% CI = -2.05, -0.00; p = 0.049). No significant differences were found in pediatric samples (g = 0.34; 95% CI = -0.22, 0.89; p = 0.24). The findings support the implementation of targeted cognitive interventions in clinical practice, offering evidence-based recommendations.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate stage between typical aging and early cognitive decline. As such, an early and accurate diagnosis is essential in making timely interventions. Digital tools, including mobile applications, web platforms, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence-driven systems, have been developed and validated to capture multidimensional data, offering innovative screening solutions. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of digital tools for MCI detection in different populations and settings, with a particular focus on three key issues: (i) the overall diagnostic performance of digital tools, (ii) the influence of methodological quality of studies, and (iii) the impact of demographic factors and familiarity with technologies on diagnostic accuracy. This meta-analysis assessed diagnostic accuracy across 32 studies, reporting pooled sensitivity (0.808, 95% CI: 0.775-0.838) and specificity (0.795, 95% CI: 0.757-0.828), but with considerable heterogeneity (I² = 71.5% sensitivity; 84.0% specificity). The HSROC analysis revealed significant intrinsic variability (τₐ = 0.807) and minimal threshold variability (τθ = 0.291). Meta-regression indicated that applicability concerns significantly reduced specificity (p = 0.037), with older age also predicting lower specificity (p = 0.029). Thus, implementing standardized protocols, rigorous validation processes, and targeted adaptations are crucial steps for enhancing the effectiveness of digital tools in detecting MCI.

The autobiographical functioning of memory allows the grouping of all personal knowledge. Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit autobiographical recall disorders due to difficulties in retrieving contextual elements associated with personal memories. This impairment leads to a reduction in the subjective experience of recall as well as a disturbance of self-awareness. Within an innovative approach, this article aims to reconsider the autobiographical recall deficits observed in AD according to the embodied approach to cognition, in order to promote the development of embodied interventions aimed at reducing the difficulties of patients with AD. To this end, we propose two preliminary models: the first concerning autobiographical recall disorders in AD according to the embodied approach to cognition, and the second concerning the management of autobiographical recall disorders in AD according to the embodied approach to cognition. We thus propose avenues for reflection and a reference framework for clinicians and researchers wishing to develop embodied methods intended for AD patients.