Executive functions are a set of cognitive processes that are necessary for the cognitive control of behavior. They play a role in mediating self-control, self-regulation and decision-making. It... Show moreExecutive functions are a set of cognitive processes that are necessary for the cognitive control of behavior. They play a role in mediating self-control, self-regulation and decision-making. It has been suggested that the inability to control eating behavior in binge eating disorder (BED) may indicate deficits in executive functioning. This may be worsened by depressive symptoms. The aim of the present study was to compare executive functioning of patients with BED and no-to-mild depressive symptoms (n = 25), patients with BED and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (n = 66), and healthy controls (Body Mass Index <30) (n = 56), matched on age, educational level and gender. The participants were assessed by means of neuropsychological tests and questionnaires. The neuropsychological tests did not show significant differences in executive functioning between the groups. However, eating disorder psychopathology and depressive symptoms are associated with self-reported difficulties in executive functioning in daily life. A self-report questionnaire which evaluates the functional, real-world impact of executive dysfunction expressed in everyday activities seems to be more useful in this population than neuropsychological tests. This study highlights the importance of taking depressive symptoms into account when studying executive functioning in patients with (binge) eating disorders. Show less
Objectives: To adequately monitor the course of cognitive functioning in persons with moderate to severe dementia, relevant cognitive tests for the advanced dementia stages are needed. We examined... Show moreObjectives: To adequately monitor the course of cognitive functioning in persons with moderate to severe dementia, relevant cognitive tests for the advanced dementia stages are needed. We examined the ability of a test developed for the advanced dementia stages, the Severe Impairment Battery Short version (SIB-S), to measure cognitive change over time. Second, we examined type of memory impairment measured with the SIB-S in different dementia stages. Methods: Participants were institutionalized persons with moderate to severe dementia (N = 217). The SIB-S was administered at 6-month intervals during a 2-year period. Dementia severity at baseline was classified according to Global Deterioration Scale criteria. We used mixed models to evaluate the course of SIB-S total and domain scores, and whether dementia stage at baseline affected these courses. Results: SIB-S total scores declined significantly over time, and the course of decline differed significantly between dementia stages at baseline. Persons with moderately severe dementia declined faster in mean SIB-S total scores than persons with moderate or severe dementia. Between persons with moderate and moderately severe dementia, there was only a difference in the rate of decline of semantic items, but not episodic and non-semantic items. Conclusions: Although modest floor and slight ceiling effects were noted in severe and milder cases, respectively, the SIB-S proved to be one of few available adequate measures of cognitive change in institutionalized persons with moderate to severe dementia. Show less
Dingemans, A.E.; Vanhaelen, C.B.; Aardoom, J.J.; Van Furth, E.F. 2019
Executive functions are a set of cognitive processes that are necessary for the cognitive control of behavior. They play a role in mediating self-control, self-regulation and decision-making. It... Show moreExecutive functions are a set of cognitive processes that are necessary for the cognitive control of behavior. They play a role in mediating self-control, self-regulation and decision-making. It has been suggested that the inability to control eating behavior in binge eating disorder (BED) may indicate deficits in executive functioning. This may be worsened by depressive symptoms. The aim of the present study was to compare executive functioning of patients with BED and no-to-mild depressive symptoms (n = 25), patients with BED and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (n = 66), and healthy controls (Body Mass Index <30) (n = 56), matched on age, educational level and gender. The participants were assessed by means of neuropsychological tests and questionnaires. The neuropsychological tests did not show significant differences in executive functioning between the groups. However, eating disorder psychopathology and depressive symptoms are associated with self-reported difficulties in executive functioning in daily life. A self-report questionnaire which evaluates the functional, real-world impact of executive dysfunction expressed in everyday activities seems to be more useful in this population than neuropsychological tests. This study highlights the importance of taking depressive symptoms into account when studying executive functioning in patients with (binge) eating disorders. Show less
