BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that personality traits (i.e., openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness) relate to prejudicial attitudes. However, one of the aspects of prejudice is social distance; its association with personality traits was overlooked by previous studies. Therefore, this study examines the connection between the Big Five personality traits and social distance toward certain social groups. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: Participants from the general population were recruited through leaflets, the institutional webpage, Facebook, and through the project recruitment website and assessed via paper-and-pencil or online form. A total of 214 participants were included (of whom 68.2% were women and the mean age was 32.65, SD = 11.27, range 18-72) who completed the Bogardus Social Distance Scale and the 44-item Big Five Inventory questionnaire. RESULTS: The results showed a relationship between social distance, agreeableness, and openness to experience. Agreeableness seems to lower the social distance toward all studied groups. In comparison, openness to experience seems to lower the social distance towards groups that evoke more polarized attitudes in the majority (e.g., migrants). Furthermore, the influence of demographic characteristics (i.e., age, education level, and gender) is also significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that personality is significantly related to social distancing and expression of prejudicial attitudes. In particular, agreeableness and openness to experience have different effects on social distance and attitudes towards different groups. Further implications are discussed.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD) is characterized by acute onset of psychotic symptoms and early recovery. Contrastingly, schizophrenia (SZ) is a chronic mental disorder characterized by impaired functioning including a deficit in cognition. In SZ, the cognitive deficit is among the core symptoms, but in ATPDs, the existing evidence brings mixed results. Our primary aim was to compare three core cognitive domains (executive functioning/abstraction, speed of processing and working memory) of patients diagnosed with ATPD and SZ over a 12-month period. Moreover, we explored how these diagnostic subgroups differed in their clinical characteristics. We recruited 39 patients with a diagnosis of SZ and 31 with ATPD with schizophrenic symptoms. All patients completed clinical and neuropsychological assessments. At baseline, we used a one-way ANCOVA model with a group as the between-subjects factor. Mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVAs with time as the within-subjects factor and group as the between-subjects factor were run to test the overtime differences. At baseline, we did not find any differences in cognition - with sex, education and age as covariates - between ATPDs and SZ. After one year, all patients showed an improvement in all three domains, however, there were no significant overtime changes between ATPDs and SZ. Regarding clinical profiles, ATPDs demonstrated less severe psychopathology and better functioning compared to SZ both at baseline and after 12 months. The medication dosage differed at retest, but not at baseline between the groups. Our findings suggest clinical differences and a similar trajectory of cognitive performance between these diagnostic subgroups.
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- časopisecké články MeSH
Schizophrenia (SCHZ) notably impacts various human perceptual modalities, including vision. Prior research has identified marked abnormalities in perceptual organization in SCHZ, predominantly attributed to deficits in bottom-up processing. Our study introduces a novel paradigm to differentiate the roles of top-down and bottom-up processes in visual perception in SCHZ. We analysed eye-tracking fixation ground truth maps from 28 SCHZ patients and 25 healthy controls (HC), comparing these with two mathematical models of visual saliency: one bottom-up, based on the physical attributes of images, and the other top-down, incorporating machine learning. While the bottom-up (GBVS) model revealed no significant overall differences between groups (beta = 0.01, p = 0.281, with a marginal increase in SCHZ patients), it did show enhanced performance by SCHZ patients with highly salient images. Conversely, the top-down (EML-Net) model indicated no general group difference (beta = -0.03, p = 0.206, lower in SCHZ patients) but highlighted significantly reduced performance in SCHZ patients for images depicting social interactions (beta = -0.06, p < 0.001). Over time, the disparity between the groups diminished for both models. The previously reported bottom-up bias in SCHZ patients was apparent only during the initial stages of visual exploration and corresponded with progressively shorter fixation durations in this group. Our research proposes an innovative approach to understanding early visual information processing in SCHZ patients, shedding light on the interplay between bottom-up perception and top-down cognition.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is one of the most serious side effects of cancer that negatively impacts the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors. There is evidence of CRCI in Hodgkin lymphoma patients (HL); however, there is a lack of studies examining the presence of cognitive deficits before starting any treatment in HL patients. METHODS: Forty adult patients (N = 40) newly diagnosed with HL (with no previous cancer diagnoses) and 40 healthy controls (N = 40) matched for age, sex, education, and premorbid intellect completed the neuropsychological battery and subjective and objective measures of affective distress and quality of life. RESULTS: The results showed impairment in three out of six cognitive domains: verbal memory and learning, speed of processing/psychomotor speed, and abstraction/executive functions in the HL patients before the initiation of any treatment. The speed of processing/psychomotor speed domain is negatively correlated with depression. CONCLUSION: Cognitive deterioration in verbal memory and learning and abstraction/executive functions domains in HL patients seems to occur before the initiation of treatment independently of anxiety, depression, or physical symptoms. This suggests that HL itself may cause cognitive deficits in these cognitive domains. However, the underlying causes of CRCI still remain unclear.
INTRODUCTION: Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) record elevated rates of smoking, which is often attributed to their effort to self-medicate cognitive and attentional symptoms of their illness. Empirical evidence for this hypothesis is conflicting, however. In this study, we aimed to test predictions derived from the cognitive self-medication hypothesis. We predicted that cigarette smoking status and extent would predict the attentional performance of participants with SSDs. Simultaneously, we wished to address methodological gaps in previous research. We measured distinct attentional components and made adjustments for the effects of other, attention-modulation variables. METHODS: Sixty-one smokers (82.0% males, 26.73 ± 6.05 years) and 61 non-smokers (50.8% males, 27.10 ± 7.90 years) with recent-onset SSDs completed an X-type Continuous Performance Test, which was used to derive impulsivity and inattention component scores. Relationships between the two component scores and cigarette smoking status and extent were assessed using hierarchical regression. Effects of estimated premorbid intellectual functioning and antipsychotic medication dosage were held constant. RESULTS: Smokers had significantly higher inattention component scores than non-smokers when covariates were controlled (p = 0.026). Impulsivity remained unaffected by smoking status (p = 0.971). Cigarette smoking extent, i.e., the number of cigarettes smoked per day, was not associated with either inattention (p = 0.414) or impulsivity (p = 0.079). CONCLUSION: Models of smoking-related attentional changes can benefit from the inclusion of sample-specific component scores and attention-modulating covariates. Under these conditions, smokers with SSDs can show a partial attentional benefit. However, the limited scope of this benefit suggests that the cognitive self-medication hypothesis requires further testing or reconsidering.
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- časopisecké články MeSH
Cognitive reserve (CR) has been conceptualized as an individual's ability to optimize or maximize performance through differential recruitment of brain networks. As such, CR may contribute to the heterogeneity of cognitive deficits observed in schizophrenia. This study aimed to assess the relationships between CR, cognition and quality of life in first-episode (FES) patients. A total of 137 patients with either ICD-10 schizophrenia or "acute and transient psychotic disorders" diagnosis, and 62 healthy controls had completed a comprehensive assessment of six cognitive domains: speed of processing, attention, working memory/flexibility, verbal memory, visual memory, and abstraction/executive functioning. CR was calculated from the participants' education, premorbid IQ, and socioeconomic status. The results suggested that in patients, CR was positively related to cognitive performance in all domains, explaining 42.6% of the variance observed in cognition overall. Effects of CR in the control group were limited to three domains: speed of processing, abstraction/executive function and working memory/flexibility. These results suggest that CR largely contributes to cognitive variations present in FES patients. In addition, CR was negatively related to the social construct of patients' quality of life, and positively to symptom severity and general functioning.
- MeSH
- kognice MeSH
- kognitivní rezerva * MeSH
- krátkodobá paměť MeSH
- kvalita života MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- neuropsychologické testy MeSH
- schizofrenie * komplikace diagnóza MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Increased frontal midline theta activity generated by the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is induced by conflict processing in the medial frontal cortex (MFC). There is evidence that theta band transcranial alternating current stimulation (θ-tACS) modulates ACC function and alters inhibitory control performance during neuromodulation. Multi-electric (256 electrodes) high definition θ-tACS (HD θ-tACS) using computational modeling based on individual MRI allows precise neuromodulation targeting of the ACC via the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and optimizes the required current density with a minimum impact on the rest of the brain. We therefore tested whether the individualized electrode montage of HD θ-tACS with the current flow targeted to the mPFC-ACC compared with a fixed montage (non-individualized) induces a higher post-modulatory effect on inhibitory control. Twenty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to a sequence of three HD θ-tACS conditions (individualized mPFC-ACC targeting; non-individualized MFC targeting; and a sham) in a double-blind cross-over study. Changes in the Visual Simon Task, Stop Signal Task, CPT III, and Stroop test were assessed before and after each session. Compared with non-individualized θ-tACS, the individualized HD θ-tACS significantly increased the number of interference words and the interference score in the Stroop test. The changes in the non-verbal cognitive tests did not induce a parallel effect. This is the first study to examine the influence of individualized HD θ-tACS targeted to the ACC on inhibitory control performance. The proposed algorithm represents a well-tolerated method that helps to improve the specificity of neuromodulation targeting of the ACC.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Úvod. Identifikace jedinců ve vysokém riziku rozvoje psychotického onemocnění může pomoci v prevenci vzniku onemocnění. Cíle. Popsat základní psychometrické vlastnosti české verze dotazníku The Prodromal Questionnaire- Brief Version (PQB) a prevalenci výskytu symptomů rizika rozvoje psychózy u českých adolescentů. Soubor a metody. PQB byl předložen studentům pražských škol (gymnázia, střední odborná učiliště-SOU a střední odborné školy–SOŠ) ve věku 15–20 let. PQB se skládá s 21 otázek. Celkový skór ≥ 8 pozitivních položek byl nastaven jako prahový pro pozitivní screening (PQB+), celkový skór ≥ 8 položek, vyvolávajících signifikantní distres pro PQB distres+ a celkový skór ≥ 24 pro PQB celkový distres +. Statistická analýza. Pro testování psychometrických vlastností PQB byl použit Cronbachův koeficient α, položková analýza a explorační faktorová analýza. Rozdíly v PQB mezi skupinami (pohlaví, typ školy, věk) byly exploračně testovány pomocí Fisherova přesného testu, Mann-Whitneyho testu, Pearsonova chí-kvadrát testu a neparametrického Kruskal-Wallisova testu, dle obvyklých zvyklostí. Výsledky. Analyzována byla data 435 studentů (průměrný věk 17,2 ± 1,0 let). Mezi dotazovanými bylo 249 (54 %) chlapců a 216 (56 %) dívek. Mezi školami byl rozdíl distribuce pohlaví (dívky gymnázium 49 % vs. SOU 87 % vs. SOŠ 31 %; p < 0,001), ale ne v průměrném věku respondentů (p = 0,08). Cronbachovo α pro PQB bylo 0,85. U PQB byla nalezena třífaktorová struktura. Faktor 1 byl sycen 7 položkami (faktorová zátěž 0,444–0,729; Cronbachova α = 0,81), faktor 2 tvořilo 6 položek (faktorová zátěž 0,404–0,721; α = 0,73) a faktor 3 se skládal ze 4 položek (faktorová zátěž 0,313 – 0,618; α = 0,65). Z celkového souboru bylo 204 (44 %) studentů PQB+, 44 (9 %) PQB distres + a 174 (37 %) studentů PQB celkový distres+. Záchyt u dívek byl častější než u chlapců. Omezení studie. Ve studovaném souboru jsou pouze studenti středních škol v Praze, což limituje přenositelnost výsledků na celou Českou republiku.
Background. Identification of individuals at high risk of psychotic disorder can help to prevent onset of the disorder. Objectives. To examine both psychometric characteristics of the Czech version of The Prodromal Questionnaire Brief Version (PQB) and prevalence of risk symptoms for psychosis among Czech adolescents. Sample and methods. The PQB was administered to a sample of students in Prague (grammar and secondary vocational schools-SVS and apprentice training centers-ATC) aged 15–20 years. The PQB consists of 21 items. The cut-off score for positive screening (PQB+) was set as ≥ 8 items, the cut-off score ≥ 8 positive symptoms with significant distress was set for PQB distress + and the cut-off score ≥ 24 for total distress for PQB total distress +. Statistical analysis. Cronbach α, item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used for reliability estimation of the PQB. Exploratory analyses using Fisher,s exact test, Mann-Whitney test, Pearson chi square test, and Kruskal- Wallis test were used as appropriate for testing between group differences in the PQB scores. Results. Data from 435 students were analyzed (mean age 17.2 ± 1.0 years). Sample consisted of 249 males (54%) and 216 females (46%). Sex distribution among schools differed (female, grammar schools 49% vs. ATC 87% vs. SVS 31%, p<0.001), but age distribution did not (p=0.08). Cronbach α of the PQB was 0.85, and three-dimensional factor structure was found. Factor 1 was made up of 7 (factor load 0.444–0.729; Cronbach α=0.73), factor 2 of 6 (factor load 0.404–0.721; α=0.73), and factor 3 of 4 items (factor load 0.313– –0.618; α=0.65). 204 subjects in the total sample were PQB+ (44%), 44 were PQB distress+ (9%) and 174 were PQB total distress + (37%). Study limitation. Generalization of study results is limited, since only students from Prague high schools were assessed.
The character of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia is not clear due to the heterogeneity in research results. In heterogeneous conditions, the cluster solution allows the classification of individuals based on profiles. Our aim was to examine the cognitive profiles of first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorder (FES) subjects based on cluster analysis, and to correlate these profiles with clinical variables and resting state brain connectivity, as measured with magnetic resonance imaging. A total of 67 FES subjects were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery and on clinical variables. The results of the cognitive domains were cluster analyzed. In addition, functional connectivity was calculated using ROI-to-ROI analysis with four groups: Three groups were defined based on the cluster analysis of cognitive performance and a control group with a normal cognitive performance. The connectivity was compared between the patient clusters and controls. We found different cognitive profiles based on three clusters: Cluster 1: decline in the attention, working memory/flexibility, and verbal memory domains. Cluster 2: decline in the verbal memory domain and above average performance in the attention domain. Cluster 3: generalized and severe deficit in all of the cognitive domains. FES diagnoses were distributed among all of the clusters. Cluster comparisons in neural connectivity also showed differences between the groups. Cluster 1 showed both hyperconnectivity between the cerebellum and precentral gyrus, the salience network (SN) (insula cortex), and fronto-parietal network (FPN) as well as between the PreCG and SN (insula cortex) and hypoconnectivity between the default mode network (DMN) and seeds of SN [insula and supramarginal gyrus (SMG)]; Cluster 2 showed hyperconnectivity between the DMN and cerebellum, SN (insula) and precentral gyrus, and FPN and IFG; Cluster 3 showed hypoconnectivity between the DMN and SN (insula) and SN (SMG) and pallidum. The cluster solution confirms the prevalence of a cognitive decline with different patterns of cognitive performance, and different levels of severity in FES. Moreover, separate behavioral cognitive subsets can be linked to patterns of brain functional connectivity.
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- časopisecké články MeSH
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- abstrakt z konference MeSH
