Neurología Cognitiva.artículos

Can Yerba Mate Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Impairment? A pilot study

2025-12-23T00:00:00Z

Can Yerba Mate Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Impairment? A pilot study Gilbert, Afra; Gatto, Emilia M.; Chocobar, Nicolas; Seguí, Josefina; Crotti, Beatriz; Cubas Guillen, Jonathan Fernando; Merchan del Hierro, Xavier; Bacigalupe, Lucia; Persi, Gabriel; Melcon, Carlos Mario; O'Neill, Santiago; Múnera Martínez, Claudia Patricia; Sierra Sanjurjo, Natalia; Rojas, Galeno J.; Tribbia,Teresita Liliana; Taravini, Irene Background: Yerba mate (YM), an infusion made from Ilex paraguariensis, is widely consumed in Argentina and other South American countries. Experimental studies have shown that YM enhances antioxidant defenses, increases chaperonin expression, and reduces AChE activity and Aβ expression. Our objective is to evaluate the potential association between YM consumption and the risk of developing cognitive impairment (CI). Method: This study was conducted at the Trinidad Mitre Hospital and Favaloro Foundation in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from January 2023 to December 2024. A structured survey was administered to individuals aged ≥50 years who underwent neurocognitive testing. Demographic, epidemiological, and lifestyle data were collected, focusing on YM consumption habits. The control group consisted of individuals with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) 0, while the case group included those with CDR ≥0.5 and amnestic profile. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the outcome and exposure, adjusted for age and gender. Result: 39 controls‐C‐, mean age 68.9 ±8.5 y.o. and 43 patients‐ P‐, mean age 73.2± 9.87 y.o. were included, (p = NS). The mean years of education are similar in both groups C 14.8±3.24 vs. P: 14.1 ±3.54. This suggest a possible association between regular consumption of YM and a lower risk of CI (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.20 ‐ 2.73). Regular YM consumers showed better cognitive performance in logical memory (immediate and delayed recall) and serial word learning. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests a possible association between YM consumption and reduced CI risk, consistent with previous research. Larger studies are needed to validate this association and explore underlying mechanisms.

Baseline Results Investigate APOE‐Memory Connection in Latin‐American Population at Risk for Dementia ‐ LatAm‐FINGERS Initial Insights

2025-12-21T00:00:00Z

Baseline Results Investigate APOE‐Memory Connection in Latin‐American Population at Risk for Dementia ‐ LatAm‐FINGERS Initial Insights Vasconcelos Friedlaender, Clarisse; Cruz de Souza, Leonardo; Tonidandel Barbosa, Maira; Braga Gomes, Karina; Gonçalves Tosatti, Jéssica Abdo; de Faria Rocha, João Victor; Melillo Cardoso, Davi; Machado Prates, Marcelo; Lopes, Andre Luis; Silva Vieira, Vitoria; Ribeiro Jeunon, Vinicius; Ferreira de Souza, Letícia Maria; Soares Figueiredo, Lais; Andrades, Andreia; Crivelli, Lucía; Calandri, Ismael Luis; Martin, Maria Eugenia; Allegri, Ricardo Francisco; Sevlever, Gustavo Emilio; Surace, Ezequiel Ignacio Background: Latin America (LA) faces heightened vulnerability to modifiable dementia risk factors. Early identification of at‐risk individuals is crucial for implementing effective preventive strategies. The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test with Immediate Recall (FCSRT‐IR) is promising in early detection of mnemonic impairment, with high sensitivity and specificity for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) risk. While sociodemographic and genetic factors, including APOE ε4 genotype, are associated with elevated dementia risk, their influence on cognitive performance in LA populations remains unclear. We aim to investigate sociodemographic factors and APOE ε4 genotype influence on mnemonic performance in high‐risk LA individuals. Method: Cross‐sectional analysis of LatAm‐FINGERS baseline data, a randomized, multicenter trial evaluating non‐pharmacological interventions for cognitive decline prevention in LA. Inclusion criteria: age 60‐77 years; CAIDE ≥ 6; ‐1.5 ≤ z score ≤ 0 on MMSE or CERAD word list. Exclusion criteria: MMSE < 20; dementia; illiteracy. Participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay were included. Memory assessment used FCSRT‐IR and SOMI (Stages of Objective Memory Impairment) classification. APOE genotyping was performed on blood samples using PCR‐RFLP analysis. Jamovi software (v2.3) analyzed correlations and associations (p < 0.05). Result: Sample (N = 358 participants): age 67.75 ± 4.86 years; education 13.41 ± 3.14 years; 72.3% female; 61.2% white; 22.3% APOE ε4 carriers. FCSRT‐IR scores correlated significantly with sociodemographics (p < .001) and varied among countries (p < .001). SOMI distribution: 58% SOMI‐0 (preserved memory), 27.6% SOMI‐1/2 (mild impairment). Argentina showed 36% in SOMI‐3/4 (severe impairment); Uruguay 75% in SOMI‐0. No significant sociodemographic differences were found between APOE ε4 carriers/non‐carriers. Non‐carriers performed better on FCSRT‐IR, significant only for identification score (p = .017). No significant APOE ε4‐SOMI association. Conclusion: Sociodemographic profile significantly influences memory performance, while APOE ε4 genotype shows limited association. This suggests environmental and social factors may play a more central role in cognitive performance than genetic predisposition in LA populations.

Cognitive Effects of Cannabis Use: A Comprehensive Review Across Domains

2025-07-15T00:00:00Z

Cognitive Effects of Cannabis Use: A Comprehensive Review Across Domains Pucinelli de Souza Queiroz, Andréia; Pozzolo Pedro, Maria Olivia; Waisman Campos, Marcela; Torales, Julio; Ventriglio, Antonio; Castaldelli-Maia, João Mauricio Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit substance worldwide, with rising use particularly among adolescents and young adults. Accumulating evidence indicates that chronic cannabis use may negatively impact several domains of cognition, yet findings across studies remain varied and fragmented. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the long-term cognitive consequences of cannabis use, focusing on attention, executive functioning, learning, memory, language, motor coordination, and social cognition. Consistent impairments have been observed in domains such as attention, executive function, memory, and learning; however, most evidence derives from studies of acute or residual effects. Evidence of long-lasting deficits after extended abstinence remains more limited and methodologically heterogeneous. Acute motor coordination deficits are well established, but persistent impairments in this domain lack conclusive evidence. Effects on language remain inconclusive, and findings regarding social cognition, though limited, suggest potential deficits in emotion recognition and mental state inference. Early onset and high-frequency use are critical risk factors for more severe and enduring cognitive effects. Some deficits may partially reverse with abstinence, although many persist long after cessation. Overall, cannabis use is associated with widespread and lasting cognitive impairments. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies, especially among youth, and point to future longitudinal and mechanistic research to better understand the nature, persistence, and potential reversibility of these cognitive effects.

Temporal dynamics of white matter hyperintensities related to Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome

2026-02-01T00:00:00Z

Temporal dynamics of white matter hyperintensities related to Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome Morcillo Nieto, Alejandra O.; Rozalem Aranha, Mateus; Maure Blesa, Lucia; Rodríguez-Baz, Íñigo; Arriola-Infante, José Enrique; Franquesa Mullerat, Maria; Zsadanyi, Sara E.; Vaqué Alcázar, Lídia; Allende Parra, José; Zhao, Zili; Arranz, Javier; Videla, Laura; Barroeta, Isabel; Del Hoyo Soriano, Laura; Benejam, Bessy; Fernández, Susana; Sanjuan Hernandez, Aida; Pertierra, Lucía; Giménez, Sandra; Alcolea, Daniel Introduction: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are common in Down syndrome (DS), yet their longitudinal evolution and associations with Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain unclear. Methods: Longitudinal MRI study, including 80 DS adults and 53 euploid controls. WMH were segmented on serial FLAIR using a longitudinal pipeline. We assessed the effects of demographic, genetic factors, AD clinical stage, AD-related fluid, and cerebrovascular biomarkers on annual WMH volume changes. Results: In DS, annual WMH changes were relatively stable until age 40, and then exhibited fluctuations, with a significant decrease at the group level. Declines were larger in symptomatic cases, particularly in periventricular and fronto-parieto-occipital regions. Higher baseline WMH and microbleeds presence related to greater WMH reduction. Visual ratings and adjustment for white matter volume supported the robustness of the results. Discussion: WMH trajectories were heterogeneous in DS and declined over time with AD symptoms. This unexpected reduction may reflect different underlying pathological processes, including neurodegeneration or neuroinflammation.