The neuroactive steroid pregnanolone glutamate (Pg glu), a synthetic analogue of the naturally occurring pregnanolone sulfate (3alpha5betaS), has neuroprotective properties and a minimum of adverse effects. The subject of my thesis is the influence of selected structural modifications of the molecule Pg glu on biological effects. The first modification involves an increase of lipophilicity, the second involves the attachment of a positively charged group to C3. All these neuroactive steroids are use-dependent inhibitors of NMDA receptors. The first aim of this thesis was to determine the neuroprotective effectiveness of the neuroactive steroids chosen. The second aim was to explore the influence of selected neuroactive steroids on motor coordination, reflexes, anxiety and locomotor activity, as well as the effect of their high doses. The third aim was to create a battery of behavioural tests for screening the biological effects of analogues of Pg glu in laboratory rodents. The neuroprotective effects were evaluated in a model of excitotoxic damage of hippocampus in the rat on the basis of its behavioural consequences. The neuroprotective efficacy of androstane glutamate (And glu) and Pg glu was demonstrated. In the case of positively charged molecules, neuroprotective efficacy was not demonstrated....

Time and spatial information are always two inseparable entities because if anyone moves in space it also moves in time. However, spatial orientation is much more investigated than interval timing. Time perception is for survival of the individual also very important and it probably works together with spatial perception. Despite this, only a few researches have been focused on this topic and therefore we aimed on evolving a new task which would test use of both of these informations and interaction between them. This new version of AAPA task was tested on Carousel Maze where we usually test only spatial orientation and memory. However, we added also a timing part to our version of the task because we assume that in this task when we turn off the light the rats have to use more interval timing than spatial information. Next part of the task included application of drugs which should compromise timing strategies. We have demonstrated use of different strategies when animals are in darkness and light whereby parts in light depend on spatial orientation and parts in darkness depend more on timing strategies. The drugs didn't disrupt rat's abilities which can be caused by very complex design or by inappropriately chosen doses. Key words time perception, spatial navigation, cognitive function

The aim of the thesis is to find out clinical usability of tablet application Cognitive for training of memory and attention of patients after stroke, in occupational therapist's view. Occupational therapists train cognitive functions (for instance memory and attention) of patients in various ways. Therapy using modern technologies, particularly tablet, is involved. Whereas in foreign countries tablets are used in occupational therapy in many means, in the Czech Republic their use is still minimal. The theoretical part contains a summary about this area. The application Cognitive, which is currently being developed, might help change the situation in the Czech Republic. Cognitive application contains two games, one for memory and the other one for attention. Is this application usable in occupational therapist's practice, though? Within the practical part, a study has been created, that found out the usability of new application Cognitive in practice with six patients after stroke. Occupational therapist trained memory and attention with them for 3 weeks, every weekday, each for 30 minutes. Data was processed in a form of a case study and using statistical methods. The study has found out that the application has a major drawback in poor variability of game elements, which is necessary for...

Title: Relationship between physical activities and memory in older adults Objectives: Estimating the effect of physical activity on memory in seniors older than 60 years. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The data for the elaboration of the diploma thesis were obtained from the pan-European project Survey of Health Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). In this study, all probands were divided according to gender and further into three groups according to their level of education using the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED - 97). In the data analysis, means and standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. Non-parametric statistical methods were used to test the hypotheses. For more than three categories, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used, followed by post-hoc analysis. The Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferoni correction was used for post-hoc analysis. Testing of memory functions was performed using a ten-word memorization test with immediate and delayed recall. Results: Data from of 47,169 probands older than 60 years were used in the study. A total of 26,034 women and 21,135 men participated. The investigation demonstrated a positive effect of physical and sports activities on the memory...

Although, it is well established that regular exercise has a positive effect on various domains of cognitive functions, effects of a single session (acute) exercise on cognitive functions of an young adult is under debate. While a numbers of research have found positive associations between acute exercise and cognitive performance, multiple research have found no effect of acute exercise on the cognitive functions. There are also evidences that suggest that acute exercise reduces brain function of healthy young adults. This thesis took on a meta-analytical approach to determine the effect of a single session exercise on the cognitive functions of healthy young adults, and metaregression analyses were performed to identify the moderators that may influence the effect of acute exercise on cognitive functions of healthy young adults. After a comprehensive electronic search 59 experimental studies were found to be eligible for inclusions based on the pre-specified criteria. Results indicated that acute exercise has a small but significant effect on the cognitive functions of healthy young adults. However, larger effects are possible for particular cognitive outcomes (reaction time), when specific exercise parameters are used (5 minutes of exercise duration, moderate intensity exercise), and when specific assessment task is used (visual span board task, and serial subtraction of 7). The overall findings of this study is consistent with previous research. However, more research is needed to get a clear understanding of the acute exercise effect moderators.

Title: The influence of alcohol on memory in the elderly Objectives: To estimate association between alcohol consumption and memory in the elderly above 60 years of age. Methods: The master's thesis is a cross-sectional study. All data were acquired from the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project. For the purpose of this research, the participants were divided into four categories according to the highest acquired level of their education. For data analysis, Kruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferoni's correction for post - hoc analysis were employed. The testing of participants involved immediate and delayed recall of 10 words. Results: In this research, a total of 36 534 participants were used. Out of this, 20 389 were females and 16 145 were males. In most categories, there were statistically significant differences in both tests, surprisingly preferring alcohol consumption (p<0.001). In males, who had problems with alcohol abuse during their life, the results of both tests were significantly worse (p<0.001). Conclusions: Results indicate statistically significant association between memory and alcohol consumption. Keywords: memory, cognitive functions, alcohol consumption, elderly, SHARE

Title: Estimation of normative values for the semantic verbal fluency test in older adults over 50 Objective: The aim of the diploma thesis was to create normative values for the semantic verbal fluency test (animal category) for older adults over 50 years, depending on the level of education achieved. Methods: The diploma thesis is constructed as a cross-sectional study. All data were obtained from the international project Survey of Health Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The descriptive statistics of participants were produced with calculated means and standard deviation for continuous variables and percentage for categorical variables. The median and interquartile range for age and semantic verbal fluency test (animal category), and 2nd , 7th , and 16th percentile as the cut-off points for verbal fluency test (animal category) were calculated for participants divided into ISCED - 97 education levels and for each country separately. Results: Data from 64,242 participants aged 66.4 were analyzed, and the female ratio was 55.8 %. All respondents were older adults over 50 years old from 20 European countries. Figures and tables show that all percentiles as cut-off points increased linearly with levels of education. Other result is that the performance in the test gradually decreased with...

Диссертационное исследование посвящено выявлению эффективности дистанционных занятий по модифицированной системе пилатес и их влиянию на коррекцию когнитивных функций людей пожилого возраста. В ходе исследования была выявлена положительная динамика большинства когнитивных функций. Также была доказана возможность проведения дистанционных занятий по оздоровительной физической культуре с людьми пожилого возраста. / The dissertation research is devoted to the identification of the effectiveness of distance learning on the modified Pilates system and their impact on the correction of cognitive functions of elderly people. The study revealed positive dynamics of most cognitive functions. The possibility of conducting distance classes on health-improving physical culture with elderly people was also proved.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Las funciones cognitivas incluyen todos los procesos a través de los cuales un individuo percibe, registra, mantiene, manipula, usa y expresa información que está involucrada en cualquier actividad cotidiana. Las principales herramientas estandarizadas se pueden dividir en tres grupos principales: escalas cortas de pruebas de seguimiento cognitivo: cuestionarios, baterías neuropsicológicas generales y pruebas específicas. Estas herramientas están bien validadas y son confiables, pero, en la última década, varias investigaciones han demostrado que algunos pacientes pueden realizar bien estas pruebas neuropsicológicas, incluso cuando tienen dificultades significativas para adaptar sus comportamientos a las actividades de la vida diaria. De acuerdo con esto, más recientemente, un nuevo enfoque ha aumentado sustancialmente, lo que podría proporcionar una mayor validez ecológica en la evaluación de las capacidades cognitivas funcionales que el enfoque estandarizado: el uso de sistemas tecnológicos avanzados para la evaluación neuropsicológica (STAEN). STAEN se refiere a un conjunto de dispositivos y aplicaciones de software tales como pruebas computarizadas, juegos divertidos e interactivos de fantasía (JS) y / o sistemas de realidad virtual simulada (RV) y / o aumentada (RA) que van más allá de las pruebas de evaluación tradicionales y que Brindar la posibilidad de entregar estímulos controlados y dinámicos, en entornos ecológicamente válidos y seguros. Partiendo de estas premisas, el objetivo principal de la tesis era diseñar, desarrollar y validar un SG 2D no inmersivo versus un JS 3D inmersivo y una actividad de la vida diaria en un entorno 3D RV inmersivo versus un RA para la evaluación de funciones cognitivas, comparando la eficacia y efectividad de ellos. El primer estudio 2D incluyó 354 sujetos sanos y se encontraron correlaciones entre el juego y los métodos tradicionales, lo que sugiere que el juego podría ser una herramienta válida para evaluar las funciones cognitivas en adultos. El segundo estudio, comparó la versión 2D versus una versión 3D STAEN, involucró a 94 sujetos sanos y mostró que la versión 3D fue capaz de generar tiempos más bajos y respuestas correctas más altas que la 2D, lo que sugiere evidencia inicial de la eficacia de un sistema más inmersivo en comparación con un sistema no-inmersivo. Aunque este resultado destaca una posible limitación en el uso de diferentes sistemas tecnológicos debido a las diferencias en los dos métodos de interacción (el sistema 2D aplicó el mouse y el teclado; los controladores de dos manos virtuales 3D) y el registro de datos de latencia de hardware y software. Con respecto a la variabilidad individual en edad, género y educación, los hallazgos mostraron consistencia con la literatura de referencia. Específicamente, los más jóvenes mostraron un mayor rendimiento que los mayores; niveles educativos más altos reflejados en una mejor puntuación y sobre género, los resultados mostraron un panorama más compuesto. Además, para mejorar la validez ecológica de la evaluación, el último estudio de esta tesis comparó el rendimiento conductual y las respuestas fisiológicas, durante una tarea de cocina ecológica, entre un sistema virtual y un sistema aumentado en 50 sujetos sanos. La tarea de cocinar consistió en 4 niveles que aumentaron en dificultad. A medida que el nivel aumentó, aparecieron actividades adicionales. Los resultados de comportamiento mostraron que los tiempos son siempre más bajos en realidad virtual que en RA, aumentando constantemente de acuerdo con la dificultad de las tareas. Con respecto a las respuestas fisiológicas, los hallazgos mostraron que la condición RA produjo más excitación y activación individual que la realidad virtual. Para concluir, STAEN está demostrando ser herramientas confiables y efectivas para la evaluación de las funciones cognitivas en adultos, proporcionando más validez ec / [CA] Les funcions cognitives inclouen tots els processos a través dels quals un individu percep, registra, manté, manipula, usa i expressa informació que està involucrada en qualsevol activitat quotidiana. Les principals ferramentes estandarditzades es poden dividir en tres grups principals: escales curtes de proves de seguiment cognitiu: qüestionaris, bateries neuropsicológiques generals i proves específiques. Estes ferramentes estan ben validades i són confiables, però, en l'última dècada, diverses investigacions han demostrat que alguns pacients poden realitzar bé estes proves neuropsicológiques, inclús quan tenen dificultats significatives per a adaptar els seus comportaments a les activitats de la vida diària. D'acord amb açò, més recentment, un nou enfocament ha augmentat substancialment, la qual cosa podria proporcionar una major validesa ecològica en l'avaluació de les capacitats cognitives funcionals que l'enfocament estandarditzat: l'ús de sistemes tecnològics avançats per a l'avaluació neuropsicológica (STAEN). STAEN es referix a un conjunt de dispositius i aplicacions de software com ara proves computaritzades, jocs divertits i interactius de fantasia (JS) i / o sistemes de realitat virtual simulada (RV) i / o augmentada (RA) que van més enllà de les proves d'avaluació tradicionals i que brinden la possibilitat de presentar estímuls controlats i dinàmics, en entorns ecològicament vàlids i segurs. Partint d'estes premisses, l'objectiu principal de la tesi era dissenyar, desenrotllar i validar un SG 2D no inmersiu versus un JS 3D inmersiu i una activitat de la vida diària en un entorn 3D RV inmersiu versus un RA per a l'avaluació de funcions cognitives, comparant l'eficàcia i efectivitat d'ells. El primer estudi 2D va incloure 354 subjectes sans i es van trobar correlacions entre el joc i els mètodes tradicionals, la qual cosa suggerix que el joc podria ser una ferramenta vàlida per a avaluar les funcions cognitives en adults. El segon estudi, va comparar la versió 2D versus una versió 3D STAEN, va involucrar a 94 subjectes sans i va mostrar que la versió 3D va ser capaç de generar temps més baixos i respostes correctes més altes que la 2D, la qual cosa suggerix evidència inicial de l'eficàcia d'un sistema més inmersiu en comparació amb un sistema no-inmersiu. Encara que este resultat destaca una possible limitació en l'ús de diferents sistemes tecnològics a causa de les diferències en els dos mètodes d'interacció (el sistema 2D va aplicar el ratolí i el teclat; els controladors de dos mans virtuals 3D) i el registre de dades de latència de hardware i software. Respecte a la variabilitat individual en edat, gènere i educació, les troballes van mostrar consistència amb la literatura de referència. Específicament, els més jóvens van mostrar un major rendiment que els majors; nivells educatius més alts reflectits en una millor puntuació i sobre gènere, els resultats van mostrar un panorama més compost. A més, per a millorar la validesa ecològica de l'avaluació, l'últim estudi d'esta tesi va comparar el rendiment conductual i les respostes fisiològiques, durant una tasca de cuina ecològica, entre un sistema virtual i un sistema augmentat en 50 subjectes sans. La tasca de cuinar va consistir en 4 nivells que van augmentar en dificultat. A mesura que el nivell va augmentar, van aparéixer activitats addicionals. Els resultats de comportament van mostrar que els temps són sempre més baixos en realitat virtual que en RA, augmentant constantment d'acord amb la dificultat de les tasques. Respecte a les respostes fisiològiques, les troballes van mostrar que la condició RA va produir més excitació i activació individual que la realitat virtual. Per a concloure, STAEN està demostrant ser ferramentes confiables i efectives per a l'avaluació de les funcions cognitives en adults, proporcionant més validesa ecològica i objectivitat que els mètodes tradicio / [EN] Cognitive functions include all the processes through which an individual perceives, records, maintains, manipulates, uses and expresses information that are involved in any everyday activity. The main standardized tools can be divided in three main groups: short scales of cognitive tracking tests - questionnaires, general neuropsychological batteries, and specific tests. These tools are well-validated and reliable but, in the last decade, several research have shown that some patients can perform these neuropsychological tests well, even when they have significant difficulties in adapting their behaviours to daily life activities. According to this, more recently, a new approach has substantially increased, potentially providing a higher ecological validity in functional cognitive abilities assessment than standardized approach: the use of advanced technological systems for neuropsychological assessment (ATSNA). ATSNA refer to a set of devices and software applications such as computerized tests, fun and interactive fantasy serious games (SG), and/or simulated virtual (VR) and/or augmented (AR) reality systems that go beyond traditional assessment tests and that supply the possibility to deliver controlled and dynamic stimuli, in ecologically valid, and secure environments. Starting from these premises, the main objective of the thesis was to design, develop, and validate a non-immersive 2D SG versus an immersive 3D SG and a daily life activity in an immersive 3D VR environment versus an AR for the assessment of cognitive functions, comparing the efficacy and effectiveness of them. The first 2D study involved 354 healthy subjects and correlations were found between the game and traditional methods, suggesting that the game could be a valid tool for assessing cognitive functions in adults. The second study, compared 2D versus a 3D ATSNA version, it involved 94 healthy subjects and showed that 3D version was able to generate lower times and higher correct answers that the 2D, suggesting initial evidence of efficacy of a more immersive system compared to a non-immersive system. Although this result highlights a potential limitation on using different technological systems due to the differences on the two interaction methods (the 2D system applied mouse and keyboard; the 3D two virtual hands' controllers) and hardware and software latency data recording. Regarding individual variability on age, gender, and education, the findings showed consistency with the reference literature. Specifically, younger showed higher performance that older; higher educational levels reflected on a better score and about gender, results showed a more composite panorama. Furthermore, to enhance the ecological validity of assessment, the last study of this thesis compared the behavioural performance and physiological responses, during an ecological cooking task, between a virtual and an augmented system on 50 healthy subjects. The cooking task consisted of 4 levels that increased in difficulty. As the level increased, additional activities appeared. The behavioural results showed that times are always lower in VR than in AR, increasing constantly in accordance with the difficulty of the tasks. Regarding physiological responses, the findings showed that AR condition produced more individual excitement and activation than VR. To conclude, ATSNA are proving to be reliable and effective tools for the assessment of cognitive functions in adults, providing more ecological validity and objectivity than traditional methods of assessment. / Chicchi Giglioli, IAM. (2020). Novel supports to the assessment of cognitive functions through the combined use of technologies and subjective and objective measurements [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/139075 / Compendio

The instrumental enrichment is a worldwide extended method of cognitive functions development, which has been used in the Czech Republic since 2000. Its author, Reuven Feuerstein, is strongly convinced that human being is able to modify oneself and to develop one's abilities. This method is based on elaborated theoretical concepts - especially on the theory of structural cognitive modifiability and mediated learning. This Diploma Thesis brings essentials information about the concepts related to the cognitive modifiability and considers tools of its application. In the qualitative study, we focus on Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment. In the course of ten moths we observed six clients of the DYS-Centrum Praha we attempted to map changes (or their manifestations) which might have appeared during the intervention. We acquired data by the process of observation (participative observation and video-analysis) and via semistructured interviews. We were interested in changes of cognitive functions manifestations, quality of language, quality of autonomous work and ability to process with the information efficiently. We registered changes in each of these areas. Some of them, were notable only during the FIE lessons, others also displayed at home or at school environment. Key words: cognitive...