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Dual-Task Stroop Paradigm for Detecting Cognitive Deficits in High-Functioning Stroke Patients
Published on: December 16, 2022
Subjective cognitive impairment: functional MRI during a divided attention task.
J Rodda1, T Dannhauser, D J Cutinha
1Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, Windeyer Building, 46, Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JF, UK. j.rodda@ucl.ac.uk
Summary
Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) may precede Alzheimer's disease (AD). SCI patients showed altered brain activation during attention tasks, suggesting early functional changes. Further research is needed to confirm the link between SCI and AD progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) involves memory complaints with normal cognitive tests.
- SCI may represent an early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Attentional deficits are early indicators in Alzheimer's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain activation changes during attentional processing in individuals with SCI.
- To determine if SCI is associated with functional brain alterations.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used.
- Eleven SCI subjects and 10 healthy controls performed a divided attention task.
- Group activation patterns were compared between SCI and control groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in sociodemographic, neurocognitive, or behavioral measures between groups.
- The SCI group exhibited increased brain activation in the left medial temporal lobe, bilateral thalamus, posterior cingulate, and caudate during the divided attention task.
- This pattern of increased activation contrasts with decreased activation observed in AD.
Conclusions:
- The observed hyperactivation in SCI may represent compensatory mechanisms.
- Findings suggest early functional brain changes in individuals with SCI.
- Longitudinal studies are recommended to clarify the relationship between SCI and Alzheimer's disease progression.
