Fabio Giovannelli1, David Simoni2, Gioele Gavazzi3, Fiorenza Giganti3, Iacopo Olivotto4, Massimo Cincotta5, Alessandra Pratesi2, Samuele Baldasseroni2, Maria Pia Viggiano6. 1. Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Unit of Neurology, Florence Health Authority, Florence, Italy. 2. Department of Heart and Vessels, Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine Unit University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy. 3. Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. 4. Referral Center for Cardiomyopathies, AOUC, Florence, Italy. 5. Unit of Neurology, Florence Health Authority, Florence, Italy. 6. Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: mariapia.viggiano@unifi.it.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cognitive performance in patients with coronary artery disease without overt heart failure is still under debate. In this study we combine behavioral measures and event-related potentials (ERPs) to verify whether electrophysiological correlates of recognition memory (old/new effect) are modulated differently as a function of LVEF. METHODS: Twenty-three male patients (12 without [LVEF>55%] and 11 with [LVEF<40%] left ventricular dysfunction), and a Mini Mental State Examination score >25 were enrolled. ERPs were recorded while participants performed an old/new visual word recognition task. RESULTS: A late positive ERP component between 350 and 550ms was differentially modulated in the two groups: a clear old/new effect (enhanced mean amplitude for old respect to new items) was observed in patients without LVEF dysfunction; whereas patients with overt LVEF dysfunction did not show such effect. In contrast, no significant differences emerged for behavioral performance and neuropsychological evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that ERPs may reveal functional brain abnormalities that are not observed at behavioral level. SIGNIFICANCE: Detecting sub-clinical measures of cognitive decline may contribute to set appropriate treatments and to monitor asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with LVEF dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE: The relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cognitive performance in patients with coronary artery disease without overt heart failure is still under debate. In this study we combine behavioral measures and event-related potentials (ERPs) to verify whether electrophysiological correlates of recognition memory (old/new effect) are modulated differently as a function of LVEF. METHODS: Twenty-three male patients (12 without [LVEF>55%] and 11 with [LVEF<40%] left ventricular dysfunction), and a Mini Mental State Examination score >25 were enrolled. ERPs were recorded while participants performed an old/new visual word recognition task. RESULTS: A late positive ERP component between 350 and 550ms was differentially modulated in the two groups: a clear old/new effect (enhanced mean amplitude for old respect to new items) was observed in patients without LVEF dysfunction; whereas patients with overt LVEF dysfunction did not show such effect. In contrast, no significant differences emerged for behavioral performance and neuropsychological evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that ERPs may reveal functional brain abnormalities that are not observed at behavioral level. SIGNIFICANCE: Detecting sub-clinical measures of cognitive decline may contribute to set appropriate treatments and to monitor asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with LVEF dysfunction.
Authors: J Burkauskas; P Lang; A Bunevičius; J Neverauskas; M Bučiūtė-Jankauskienė; N Mickuvienė Journal: J Int Med Res Date: 2018-08-29 Impact factor: 1.671