Psychometric Properties of the Greek Version of the Claustrophobia Questionnaire.

: Claustrophobia is defined as the fear of enclosed spaces, and it is a rather common specific phobia. Although the Claustrophobia Questionnaire (CLQ) is a valid questionnaire to measure claustrophobia, there have been no studies validating this tool in Greek. Thus, our aim was to translate and validate the CLQ in Greek.

Beyond Physical Disability: The Social Cognition Challenges in Quality of Life Among Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Background/objectives: Social cognition impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and could implicate the well-being of patients by promoting difficulties in social interactions. This study investigated the relationship between social cognition and quality of life (QoL) in patients with MS (PwMSs).

Methods: In total, 100 PwMSs, enrolled as per distinct criteria, underwent neuropsychological assessment using validated questionnaires and scales.

Neurocognitive Impairment After COVID-19: Mechanisms, Phenotypes, and Links to Alzheimer's Disease.

Background/objectives: SARS-CoV-2 can affect the central nervous system directly or indirectly. AD shares several similarities with long COVID cognitive impairment on a molecular and imaging level, as well as common risk factors. The objective of this review is to evaluate the incidence of post-acute COVID-19 cognitive impairment.

Explainable Machine Learning in the Prediction of Depression.

Depression constitutes a major public health issue, being one of the leading causes of the burden of disease worldwide. The risk of depression is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. While genetic factors cannot be altered, the identification of potentially reversible environmental factors is crucial in order to try and limit the prevalence of depression.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Neurocognitive Disorders: Determinants and Clinical Implications for Health Promotion.

: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) are the key indicators of the autonomy and functional ability in older adults with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). However, the specific predictors of IADL performance across the NCD spectrum remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to identify the cognitive, motor, and caregiver-related determinants of the IADL in individuals with minor and major NCDs.

Effects of a 12-Week Moderate-to-High Intensity Strength Training Program on the Gait Parameters and Their Variability of Stroke Survivors.

Background/objectives: Chronic stroke survivors often regain walking speed but continue to exhibit heightened gait variability, increasing fall risk. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week moderate-to-high intensity muscle strengthening program on gait parameters and their variability in stroke survivors, without incorporating gait-specific training.

Methods: Stroke survivors participated in a twice-weekly, 45-60 min strengthening program using Pilates equipment.

Artificial Intelligence in the Diagnosis of Neurological Diseases Using Biomechanical and Gait Analysis Data: A Scopus-Based Bibliometric Analysis.

Neurological diseases are increasingly diverse and prevalent, presenting significant challenges for their timely and accurate diagnosis. The aim of the present study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis and literature review in the field of neurology to explore advancements in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL). Using VOSviewer software (version 1.

Ιnnovative Health Promotion Strategies: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study on Computerized Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Minor Neurocognitive Disorders.

Minor neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) represent a transitional phase between normal cognitive aging and dementia, highlighting the importance of early interventions. This study assessed the efficacy of a structured 6-month computerized cognitive training (CCT) program in stabilizing cognitive decline among older adults with minor NCDs. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a non-intervention group.

A Scoping Review on Cognition in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Advances and Challenges.

Background/objectives: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and a risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Cognitive impairments, including deficits in memory, attention, and executive function, are frequently reported in MDS patients. These impairments are linked to systemic inflammation, neurotoxic treatment effects, and the psychological burden of chronic disease.

Predictive Markers of Post-Stroke Cognitive Recovery and Depression in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study.

The growing number of stroke survivors face physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impairments, making stroke a significant contributor to global disability. Various factors have been identified as key predictors of post-stroke outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop a standardized predictive model that integrates various demographic and clinical factors to better predict post-stroke cognitive recovery and depression in patients with ischemic stroke (IS).

Mediterranean diet and brain functional connectivity in a population without dementia.

Introduction: Adjustable lifestyle factors, such as diet, are associated with cognitive functions, structural and functional brain measures, but the association between the functional connectivity (FC) and the Mediterranean Diet (Medicine) in population without dementia is yet to be explored.

Methods: The association between MeDi and brain FC in 105 individuals without dementia aged 63 (SD ± 8.72) years old who underwent brain MRI including resting-state (rs) functional MRI (fMRI) was examined.

The mediating role of processing speed on the relationship between executive functions and social cognition in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

This study examined the mediating role of processing speed between executive functions and social cognition in 67 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Executive functions were assessed using the Trail Making Test-Part B (TMT-B) and the Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test (SNST); social cognition with the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET); and processing speed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Mediated effects were explored using a series of regression analyses and were further confirmed through bootstrapping procedures.

Physical Therapy in Neurorehabilitation with an Emphasis on Sports: A Bibliometric Analysis and Narrative Review.

The increasing interest in physical therapy in sports neurorehabilitation stems from the high incidence of neurological injuries among athletes and the crucial role of rehabilitation in facilitating their safe return to sports. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of research trends in physical therapy and neurorehabilitation in athletes. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of 103 documents from the Scopus database, followed by a narrative review of the identified thematic areas.

Unraveling Childhood Obesity: A Grounded Theory Approach to Psychological, Social, Parental, and Biological Factors.

Childhood obesity is a major medical and public health issue of global interest, which is influenced by a diverse array of factors and carries significant medical and psychosocial implications. Despite the extensive studies that have been conducted to explore the specific issue, the impact of several factors that influence, generate, worsen, and make chronic the phenomenon needs further exploration. This study aimed to construct a grounded theory that includes and connects the psychological, social, parental, and biological factors affecting childhood obesity.

Objective Sleep Function is Associated with Hippocampal Subfield Volumes in Community-Dwelling Adults.

Background: Sleep patterns often shift as people age, a phenomenon frequently associated with the onset of neurodegenerative conditions. Additionally, distinct alterations occur in brain structure as individuals grow older, particularly within the hippocampus, a region known for its role in cognition and sleep regulation. Yet, how exactly do changes in sleep relate to specific subfields within the hippocampus is still unclear.

The Association between Individual Food Groups, Limbic System White Matter Tracts, and Episodic Memory: Initial Data from the Aiginition Longitudinal Biomarker Investigation of Neurodegeneration (ALBION) Study.

(1) Background: Many studies link food intake with clinical cognitive outcomes, but evidence for brain biomarkers, such as memory-related limbic white matter (WM) tracts, is limited. We examined the association between food groups, limbic WM tracts integrity, and memory performance in community-dwelling individuals. (2) Methods: We included 117 non-demented individuals (ALBION study).

Clinical, Cortical, Subcortical, and White Matter Features of Right Temporal Variant FTD.

Unlabelled: The distinct clinical and radiological characteristics of right temporal variant FTD have only been recently recognized.

Methods: Eight patients with right temporal variant FTD were prospectively recruited and underwent a standardised neuropsychological assessment, clinical MRI, and quantitative neuroimaging.

Results: Our voxelwise grey analyses captured bilateral anterior and mesial temporal grey matter atrophy with a clear right-sided predominance.

Predictive Models for the Transition from Mild Neurocognitive Disorder to Major Neurocognitive Disorder: Insights from Clinical, Demographic, and Neuropsychological Data.

Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) are progressive conditions that severely impact cognitive function and daily living. Understanding the transition from mild to major NCD is crucial for personalized early intervention and effective management. Predictive models incorporating demographic variables, clinical data, and scores on neuropsychological and emotional tests can significantly enhance early detection and intervention strategies in primary healthcare settings.

A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study on Polarity Subphenotypes in Bipolar Disorder.

Although magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has provided in vivo measurements of brain chemical profiles in bipolar disorder (BD), there are no data on clinically and therapeutically important onset polarity (OP) and predominant polarity (PP). We conducted a proton MRS study in BD polarity subphenotypes, focusing on emotion regulation brain regions. Forty-one euthymic BD patients stratified according to OP and PP and sixteen healthy controls (HC) were compared.

A Holistic Approach to Expressing the Burden of Caregivers for Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review explores the multifaceted challenges faced by caregivers of stroke survivors, addressing the global impact of strokes and the anticipated rise in survivors over the coming decades. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a thorough literature search identified 34 relevant studies published between 2018 and 2023. The review categorizes caregiver burden into four domains: physical health, social functioning, financial issues, and psychological health.

The testamentary capacity in acute stroke. A cross-sectional study.

Succession law, which governs the creation and validity of wills, is closely tied to testamentary capacity (TC), the cognitive competence required for a valid will. This study explores TC in acute stroke patients and its connections to demographic and clinical characteristics. The research included first-time stroke patients admitted within 24 hours of symptom onset, meeting specific criteria.

Probiotics' Effects in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression: A Comprehensive Review of 2014-2023 Clinical Trials.

Changes in the gut microbiome can affect cognitive and psychological functions via the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. Probiotic supplements are thought to have largely positive effects on mental health when taken in sufficient amounts; however, despite extensive research having been conducted, there is a lack of consistent findings on the effects of probiotics on anxiety and depression and the associated microbiome alterations. The aim of our study is to systematically review the most recent literature of the last 10 years in order to clarify whether probiotics could actually improve depression and anxiety symptoms.

Processing Speed and Attentional Shift/Mental Flexibility in Patients with Stroke: A Comprehensive Review on the Trail Making Test in Stroke Studies.

The Trail Making Test (TMT) is one of the most commonly administered tests in clinical and research neuropsychological settings. The two parts of the test (part A (TMT-A) and part B (TMT-B)) enable the evaluation of visuoperceptual tracking and processing speed (TMT-A), as well as divided attention, set-shifting and cognitive flexibility (TMT-B). The main cognitive processes that are assessed using TMT, i.