Non-competitive antagonists of NMDA receptors can induce psychomimetic effects - they can cause schizophrenia-like behavior in healthy volunteers. MK-801 is such an agent. It is often used to model schizophrenia-like behavior in experimental animals. On the other hand, non-competitive antagonists of NMDA receptors show antidepressant effects both in patients suffering from depression and in animal models. Currently, cognitive deficit is considered to be a crucial symptom of the schizophrenia. Cognitive coordination is a process distinguishing irrelevant and relevant stimuli. A disruption of this process could play a pivotal role in cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. Active Allothetic Place Avoidance task (AAPA) could be a useful tool to study this phenomenon. In this task an animal has to distinguish between two spatial (reference) frames, whereas one of them is irrelevant and the other is relevant. The aims of my diploma thesis were: to study 1) behavioral strategies of laboratory rats in AAPA task and 2) effect of MK-801 on behavioral strategies and cognitive efficiency of rats in this task. The rats demonstrated two different strategies in the AAPA task. The first strategy was an active avoidance of an aversive sector; the second one was "freezing" with minimal active movement on the arena. Application...

INTRODUCTION: By the age of 65, every driver holding a valid driving license is required to undergo a compulsory medical examination according to Act 361/2000 Coll. The purpose of the examination should be to examine not only physical, but also psychosocial and cognitive factors that can affect the ability to drive safely. However, the extension of the validity of a driving license may have a considerable impact on the preservation of the existing self-sufficiency. GOALS: To determine the relationship of anamnestic data on the state of driving a motor vehicle with the state of cognitive functions. As a secondary goal, the work asks whether there is a correlation between the results of the Montreal cognitive test (MoCA-CZ1) with newly created memory screening tests (POBAV, ALBA and DOZNAT). METHODOLOGY: The research was based on a qualitative examination of the 39 drivers older than 65 years. Drivers were assessed by the state of cognitive function according to the Montreal Cognitive Test, and were then examined by "new short cognitive tests" targeting different types of memory. Finally, the participants filled out the questionnaire on subjective evaluation of driving skills. RESULTS: Dependence was found between the driving frequency and the groups of drivers with cognitive impairment and...

This Master thesis focuses on the neuropsychological test called Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test and its diagnostic value in the clinical assesment of schizophrenic patients. Deficiency of cognitive functioning is a dominating feature in the clinical picture of schizophrenic patients. Attention is brought especially to the specific aspects of the ROCF performance in the clinical group of schizophrenic patients. Theoretical part is based on the realized investigative studies focused on the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test and its value in cognitive assesment in psychodiagnostic praxis. The diagnostic method ROCF is presented in its complexity, the way of administration, assesment and interpretation are described and attention is also brought to the specific features of ROCF performance in healthy, neurological and psychiatric patients with focus on schizophrenic individuals. Empirical part of the thesis in the first section compares the ROCF performance of Czech healthy individuals and schizophrenic patients. The influence of demografic and other factors on the ROCF performance was analyzed and isolated elements of the figure and their difficultness was evaluated in both surveyed groups. Outcomes of this master thesis could contribute to the present knowledge of the diagnostic possibilities of...

This diploma thesis aims to compare the results in the field of cognitive functions obtained by static and dynamic assessment of children with attachment disorder at preschool age. The ACFS-cz assessment battery was used for the dynamic assessment, specifically four subtests: Categorisation, Short-term auditory memory (Story Retelling), Short-term visual memory, Sequential Pattern Completion. The method of static assessment was Woodcock- Johnson IV COG, specifically four subtests: Visualization, Verbal Attention, Picture Recognition, Analysis-Synthesis. The research sample consisted of 16 preschool children (3 to 6 respectively 8 years) placed in institutional care. The results showed that there were no differences between the of the ACFS-cz pretest scores and the Woodcock-Johnson IV COG scores. While the comparison of the results of the ACFS-cz posttest with Woodcock- Johnson IV COG showed significant differences in the three examined areas (Categorisation, Short-term auditory memory, Short-term visual memory). The outcomes of the dynamic assessment lead to suitable interventions for the cognitive development of children in institutional care. Keywords ACFS, Woodcock-Johnson IV COG, cognitive functions, attachment disorder, preschool age.

Cognitive impairment is considered as essential feature of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). It is a result of underlying pathological processes in the brain of PD patients and it leads to decreased quality of life. In this thesis an analysis of the structure and profile of cognitive impairment is presented with special emphasis on executive functions and memory. We take diagnostic entities developed for the description of PD cognitive spectrum such as mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and dementia (PD-D) as examples of heterogeneity and different severity of cognitive impairment in PD. However, neuropsychological methods in Czech version that would measure these diagnotic units were not adequatly validated. In the experimental part we test a hypothesis, if gait disorder with falls in PD is interconnected with cognitive impairment, and if PD-fallers have more severe cognitive deficit than PD-non-fallers. On the basis of nine validity or normative data studies we show psychometric properties and clinical utility of several basic neuropsychological methods in the Czech population for memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition, Memory For Intentions Screening Test and Enhanced Cued Recall Test), sustained attention and executive functions...

Human aging is associated with structural and functional brain deteriorations and a corresponding cognitive decline. Exergaming (i.e., physically active video-gaming) has been supposed to attenuate age-related brain deteriorations and may even improve cognitive functions in healthy older adults. Effects of exergaming, however, vary largely across studies. Moreover, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms by which exergaming may affect cognitive and brain function are still poorly understood. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the effects of exergame interventions on cognitive outcomes and neurophysiological correlates in healthy older adults (>60 years). After screening 2709 studies (Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Pubmed, Scopus), we found 15 eligible studies, four of which comprised neurophysiological measures. Most studies reported within group improvements in exergamers and favorable interaction effects compared to passive controls. Fewer studies found superior effects of exergaming over physically active control groups and, if so, solely for executive functions. Regarding individual cognitive domains, results showed no consistence. Positive effects on neurophysiological outcomes were present in all respective studies. In summary, exergaming seems to be equally or slightly more effective than other physical interventions on cognitive functions in healthy older adults. Tailored interventions using well-considered exergames and intervention designs, however, may result in more distinct effects on cognitive functions.

Cardiovascular disease has been a leading cause of death worldwide over the last decades (Roth et al., 2015; WHO, 2021a). In countries with middle or elevated gross domestic product indices, stroke and myocardial infarction represent the prevalent causes of death. Over the years, the scientific community has identified significant cognitive and emotional impacts on survivors of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. We know that ageing populations and high-stress levels associated with contemporary lifestyles play a crucial role in the prognosis and recovery of individuals with myocardial infarction. These factors are associated with an increased societal burden related to survivors’ care. As they age, a higher proportion of women than men are affected by coronary heart disease, including myocardial infarction. Nonetheless, women remain under-represented in studies addressing trajectories of recovery associated with myocardial infarction. The arching goal of this thesis is to expand the knowledge on the association of various environmental and physical factors with a history of myocardial infarction in a sample of Canadian women. The accomplished research is presented in the form of two empirical studies carried out on samples of Canadian women with and without a history of myocardial infarction, as well as two systematic reviews of the literature. The first study established the state of knowledge on the Trier Social Stress Test paradigm, a tool that we later used in our laboratory study. Through an in-depth examination of the protocols used by different research groups, this systematic review identified essential elements for valid conclusions and proposed a set of recommendations for standardizing the use of the Trier Social Stress Test in research. The second systematic review updated the current scientific knowledge concerning the cognitive consequences of women with a history of coronary heart disease. Despite cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, remainsunderstudied in women, the last decade has seen an emergence of research supporting cognition to be affected. Our findings support subtle cognitive impairments in women with a history of coronary heart disease. Our literature review was conducted to facilitate interpreting the results obtained in a sample of women with a history of MI in this thesis’ fourth study. Regarding data collection, an online questionnaire validated the presence of specific risk factors and symptoms associated with myocardial infarction in a sample of middle-aged Canadian women (N = 366). Finally, a laboratory study measured alterations in the physiological responses (i.e., heart rate variability and salivary cortisol secretion) associated with exposure to a social stressor (i.e., Trier Social Stress Test) in women with a history of myocardial infarction and age-matched controls (N = 29). This body of data and analytic reviews contribute to expanding the knowledge of physiological and cognitive impairments in women with a MI history. Our research also helps improve testing paradigms to examine deficits and identify areas where further research is needed. Our findings support women experiencing different symptoms than those described in men, and it pleads for these to be no longer described as "atypical." Our work highlights a similar prevalence of certain factors (e.g., hypertension) in Canadian women and women from other parts of the world. In terms of the laboratory study, our results indicate subjective/perceived levels of stress intensity to be comparable between the myocardial infarction and non-myocardial infarction women groups. However, we only found tendencies in changes related to measured physiological variables.

Le projet de thèse porte sur la consommation de substances psychoactives chez les adolescents et le lien séquentiel entre la consommation de drogues, la performance cognitive, et la santé mentale des jeunes. Les objectifs de la thèse sont : 1) de tester la relation entre la prise de cannabis, ou d’alcool, et la performance cognitive, et d’en observer la séquence, 2) de vérifier si la relation entre la consommation et la performance cognitive permet, en partie, de comprendre l’apparition de symptômes de psychopathologie chez les jeunes, et 3) de définir les pratiques les mieux fondées empiriquement pour prévenir la consommation de substances chez les adolescents. Le premier chapitre de la thèse évalue la relation et la séquence entre les habitudes de consommation d’environ 4000 jeunes de la région métropolitaine de Montréal (Qc, Canada) et la trajectoire de leur développement cognitif sur une période de quatre ans. Dans un deuxième chapitre, la thèse évalue comment la relation entre la consommation et la performance cognitive de ces mêmes jeunes peut expliquer, sur une période de cinq ans, une partie de la relation observée entre la consommation et l’apparition de symptômes de psychopathologie. Dans un dernier chapitre, la thèse fait la revue des données portant sur trois types d’interventions préventives afin d’identifier comment la recherche empirique peut bonifier les efforts de prévention de la toxicomanie chez les adolescents. Les données ont été extraites d’une cohorte d’adolescents issus de la population générale, suivis longitudinalement, dans le cadre de l’étude Co-Venture (n = 3826, âgés de 12 ans à l’admission dans l’étude, suivis annuellement pendant 5 ans). Les résultats ont démontré que, bien que certains facteurs semblent prédisposer un sous-groupe de jeunes à une consommation hâtive ainsi que des difficultés neuropsychologiques, la consommation de drogues, notamment de cannabis, semble liée, de façon à la fois ponctuelle et durable, à un délai du développement cognitif, plus particulièrement des fonctions exécutives. Cette association avec le cannabis semble, en faible partie, jouer un rôle médiateur dans la relation qui unit cette consommation et l’émergence de symptômes de psychopathologie chez les adolescents. Toutefois, des facteurs prédisposants semblent contribuer à l’association entre ces trois variables. Bien que la recherche identifie que plusieurs programmes de prévention peuvent être efficaces, la majorité d’entre eux présentent des effets modestes et ponctuels. Les programmes les plus probants semblent s’inscrire dans le registre des approches de prévention ciblées. Pour bonifier nos méthodes de prévention de la toxicomanie chez les adolescents, nous pourrions tenir compte de certains facteurs prédisposants et les utiliser comme cible d’intervention; par exemple, le fonctionnement cognitif basal pourrait constituer une piste intéressante. De plus, le tempérament ou la personnalité semblent mieux établis pour prévenir la consommation de façon durable et pour aborder les enjeux cognitifs et psychologiques associés à la consommation abusive de substances. Mots-clés : Alcool, cannabis, adolescence, fonctions cognitives, symptômes de psychopathologie, devis longitudinaux, médiation, prévention / This thesis project addresses adolescents’ substance misuse and the sequential link between drug use, cognitive performance, and mental health outcomes in youth. The objectives of this thesis are: 1) to test the relation and sequence between cannabis or alcohol use and cognitive outcomes, 2) to verify if the relation between substance use and cognitive outcomes could help understand, in part, why young substance users report psychopathology symptoms, and 3) to review evidence-based interventions to prevent adolescent substance misuse and to assess what contribution could stem from the collected empirical data. The first chapter of this thesis assesses the relation and sequence between substance use behaviour of nearly 4000 youth from the Montreal metropolitan area (QC, Canada) and their cognitive development over four years. In a second chapter, this thesis analyzes how the association between substance use and cognitive outcomes could partially explain, over five years, the link observed between substance use and the appearance of psychopathology symptoms. In a final chapter, this thesis reviews data surrounding three types of preventative interventions to identify how empirical research could improve addiction prevention strategies. The data was extracted from a group of adolescents issued from the general population followed longitudinally in the scope of the Co-Venture study (n = 3826, from 12 years of age upon admission to the study, followed up annually for a period of five years). The results demonstrated that, although certain factors seem to predispose a sub-group of young people to early consumption and neuropsychological difficulties, drug consumption, especially cannabis consumption, seem to reliably predict a delay in the development of cognitive faculties, particularly the executive functions of the brain. This association with cannabis appears, to a small extent, to partially mediate the link already observed between said consumption and the emergence of psychopathology symptoms in adolescents. Still, predisposing factors seem to contribute to the association between these three variables. Although research would appear to show that several prevention strategies could be effective, most of them present modest and punctual results. The best-substantiated programs appeared to be those that adhered to a targeted prevention approach. To improve our methods of substance use prevention, one could take predisposing factors into account and use them to inform specialized intervention. Baseline cognitive functioning could constitute a particularly promising avenue. All the same, certain predisposing factors such as temperament or personality seem better equipped to prevent early-onset substance misuse and to address the psychological and cognitive issues associated with adolescent substance intake. To improve addiction prevention methods in adolescents, one could factor into account predisposing factors and use them to inform specialized intervention; for example, baseline cognitive functioning could constitute a promising avenue. In addition, temperament or personality traits seem better established to prevent early-onset substance use and to address the psychological and cognitive issues associated with adolescents’ substance misuse. Key words: Alcohol, cannabis, adolescence, cognitive functions, psychopathology symptoms, longitudinal data, mediation, prevention

Master dissertation consists of theoretical and empirical parts. Theoretical part observes medical and psychological issues of HIV infection, development scheme of cognitive function in teenage, development points of cognitive functions of children and teenagers with positive HIV status. Empirical part observes comparative results of HIV positive and negative status teenager’s cognitive functions research. The research showed that HIV-positive teenagers' cognitive functions are developed worse, than healthy. / Магистерская диссертация содержит теоретическую и эмпирическую часть. В теоретической части представлен обзор медико-психологических особенностей ВИЧ-инфекции, закономерностей развития когнитивных функций в подростковом возрасте, особенностей развития когнитивных функций у ВИЧ-инфицированных детей и подростков. В эмпирической части описываются сравнительные результаты исследования когнитивных функций у подростков с положительным и отрицательным ВИЧ-статусом. Исследование показало, что у ВИЧ-инфицированных подростков когнитивные функции развиты хуже, чем у здоровых.

Магистерская диссертация состоит из введения, двух глав, заключения, списка литературы (57 источников) и приложения, включающего в себя таблицы с результатами диагностики и примеры организации образовательной деятельности в ДОУ с использованием ИКТ. Объем магистерской диссертации 72 страницы. Во введении раскрывается актуальность темы исследования, разработанность проблематики, ставятся цель и задачи исследования, определяются его объект и предмет, формулируется гипотеза, указываются методы и эмпирическая база. Первая глава посвящена теоретическим аспектам проблемы развития когнитивных функций детей дошкольного возраста с использованием информационно-коммуникационных технологий. В ней рассматриваются такие вопросы как особенности когнитивных функций детей дошкольного возраста, информационно-коммуникационные технологии и их использование в образовательном процессе, использование ИКТ в период пандемии, работа психолога по психологическому сопровождению внедрения ИКТ в ДОУ. Выводы по первой главе представляют собой итоги изучения теоретического материала. Вторая глава посвящена эмпирической части исследования. В ней представлено описание организации и методов проведенного исследования и результатов, полученных по всем использованным методикам: изучение непроизвольного и произвольного запоминания (методики Л.А. Головей и Е.Ф. Рыбалко), изучение оперативной слуховой памяти (методика Л.А. Головей и Е.Ф. Рыбалко), изучение наглядно-образной памяти (тест «Телевизор», авторы М.В. Луткина, Е.К. Лютова), исследование устойчивости внимания (методика «Лабиринт», которая является субтестом из детского варианта теста Дж. Векслера), исследование концентрации внимания (методика Л.А. Головей и Е.Ф. Рыбалко), исследование вербального мышления (методика Я. Йерасика). В качестве методов статистической обработки данных использованы Т-критерий Вилкоксона и U-критерий Манна-Уитни. Представлены результаты сравнительного анализа показателей респондентов экспериментальной и контрольной групп до и после проведения формирующего эксперимента. Выводы по главе 2 включают в себя основные результаты эмпирического исследования. По результатам исследования подтвердилась гипотеза о том, что уровень когнитивных функций (памяти, внимания, мышления) у детей, при обучении которых применялись ИКТ, выше, чем у детей, при обучении которых ИКТ не использовались. В заключении в обобщенном виде изложены результаты исследования; дана характеристика авторского проекта «Развиваемся, играя», в рамках которого занятия с детьми проводились с использованием ИКТ; обоснована практическая значимость полученных результатов; описаны возможные перспективы дальнейшего исследования данной проблематики. / The master's thesis consists of an introduction, two chapters, a conclusion, a list of references (57 sources) and an annex. The latter includes diagnostic results tables and examples of educational activities organization in pre-school institutions involving ICT. The volume of the master's thesis is 72 pages. The introduction reveals the relevance of the research topic as well as the depth of the research in the given field. It sets the purpose and objectives of the research, identifies its object and subject. A hypothesis is formulated and methods of the research in together with its empirical base are indicated in the introduction of the thesis. The first chapter is devoted to the theoretical aspects of cognitive functions development by preschool children with the help of information and communication technologies. It explores the features of the cognitive functions in preschool children, information and communication technologies and their use in the educational process and discusses the reliance on ICTs during the pandemic. The first chapter deals with the work of a psychologist providing psychological support during the introduction of ICTs to pre-school education. The conclusions made in the first chapter are backed up by comprehensive analysis of the existing theoretical material. The second chapter is the empirical part of the research. The methods used are the following: a study of involuntary and voluntary memorizing (Golovei L. A. and E. F. Rybalko’s method), the study of auditory operative memory (L. A. Golovey and E. F. Rybalko’s method), the study clearly-shaped memory test (so called "TV" method designed by M. V. Lytkina, Lyutova E. K.), the study of attention stability (the method of "Labyrinth", which is a subtest from the children's version of the test by John. Wexler), the study of the attention span (Golovei L. A. and E. F. Rybalko’s method), the study of verbal thinking (I. Jersika’s method). The Wilcoxon T-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical data processing. Besides, comparative analysis of the indicators of respondents in the experimental and control groups prior to and after the formative experiment are described in the second chapter. The conclusion of Chapter 2 discusses main results of the empirical study. The results of the study confirmed the hypothesis that the level of cognitive functions (memory, attention, thinking) in children who were taught using ICT is higher than in children who were not taught with the help of ICT. Conclusion contains summarized results of the research; detailed analysis of the author's project “Developing by playing", in which classes with children were conducted with the usage of ICT, justification of the practical significance of the obtained results and description of possible prospects for further research of this problem.