NeuCogA-Aging

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10347/34374

O Grupo de Neurociencia Cognitiva Aplicada e Psicoxerontoloxía da USC aborda o estudio dos correlatos condutuais, neuropsicolóxicos e psicofisiolóxicos dos procesos cognitivos e afectivos en poboacións sas e clínicas, ao longo do ciclo vital; así como os efectos da intervención psicolóxica, neuropsicolóxica e neuromodulatoria na mellora dos citados procesos. É un grupo interdisciplinar, que integra profesores e investigadores dos Departamentos de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía e de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación.

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Cognitive reserve and working memory in cognitive performance of adults with subjective cognitive complaints: longitudinal structural equation modeling
(Elsevier, 2019-09-24) Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Facal Mayo, David; Guàrdia-Olmos, Joan; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Campos Magdaleno, María; Mallo López, Sabela Carme; Juncos Rabadán, Onésimo; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación
Objective To study the influence of cognitive reserve (CR) on cognitive performance of individuals with subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) within a period of 36 months. Design We used a general linear model repeated measures procedure to analyze the differences in performance between three assessments. We used a longitudinal structural equation modeling to analyze the relationship between CR and cognitive performance at baseline and at two follow-up assessments. Setting Participants with SCCs were recruited and assessed in primary care health centers. Participants A total of 212 participants older than 50 years with SCCs. Measurements Cognitive reserve data were collected with an ad hoc questionnaire administered to the subjects in an interview. General cognitive performance (GCP), episodic memory (EM), and working memory (WM) have been evaluated. The Mini-Mental State Examination and the total score of Spanish version of the Cambridge Cognitive Examination evaluated the GCP. Episodic memory was assessed with the Spanish version of the California Verbal Learning. Working memory was evaluated by the counting span task and the listening span task. Results The satisfactory fit of the proposed model confirmed the direct effects of CR on WM and GCP at baseline, as well as indirect effects on EM and WM at first and second follow-up. Indirect effects of CR on other cognitive constructs via WM were observed over time. Conclusion The proposed model is useful for measuring the influence of CR on cognitive performance over time. Cognitive response acquired throughout life may influence cognitive performance in old age and prevent cognitive deterioration, thus increasing processing resources via WM.
Neurofunctional correlates of the tip-of-the-tongue state
(Cambridge University Press, 2016-10) Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Lindín Novo, Mónica; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Buján Mera, Ana; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS); Schwartz, Bennett L.; Brown, Alan S.
The Simon effect modulates N2cc and LRP but not the N2pc component
(Elsevier, 2012-05) Cespón, Jesús; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Previous studies have reported that the horizontal arrangement of the stimuli in Simon tasks elicits three different components: LRP, N2pc and N2cc. Although N2cc may play a key role in Simon tasks, as it is involved in preventing responses based on stimulus position, modulation of the N2cc component according to the experimental conditions has not previously been investigated because of N2cc/LRP overlap in similar regions and temporal window. The aim of the present study was to investigate how the Simon effect modulates N2pc, N2cc and LRP components. For this purpose, participants were asked to respond to an arrow according to its colour. Three conditions, which depended on the congruency between stimulus position and the required response, were analysed: compatible position (CP), incompatible position (IP), and neutral position (NP). The LRP peak latency was delayed in IP with respect to CP and NP conditions. Lateralized minus neutral position (L – NP) subtractions were carried out to remove the common motor activity and isolate the N2cc and N2pc components in the lateralized conditions. The N2cc amplitude in L − NP waveforms was larger in IP than in CP, in accordance with the greater effort required to monitor selection of the correct response in the first condition. eLORETA analysis also revealed greater premotor activity at 150–200 ms in IP and CP, than in NP, which was attributed to the N2cc component present in IP/CP conditions. Evidence of functional dissociation between N2pc and N2cc components was obtained, because N2cc, but not N2pc, was affected by the experimental conditions
N2pc is modulated by stimulus-stimulus, but not by stimulus-response incompatibilities
(Elsevier, 2013-04) Cespón, Jesús; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Studies of the N2pc in Simon-type tasks have revealed inconsistent results. That is, N2pc was only modulated when a stimulus–stimulus (S-S) overlap covaries with the stimulus–response (S-R) overlap. The present study aimed to establish whether N2pc is modulated by the S-R or by the S-S overlap. Therefore, we designed a Simon task requiring response to a colour stimulus (an arrow) with two irrelevant dimensions (position and direction). The following conditions were thus generated: compatible direction–compatible position (CDCP); incompatible direction–compatible position (IDCP); compatible direction–incompatible position (CDIP); and incompatible direction–incompatible position (IDIP). In IDCP and CDIP, both irrelevant dimensions conveyed contradictory spatial information (S-S incompatibility), while compatibility between both irrelevant dimensions occurred in CDCP and IDIP (the direction indicated was compatible with stimulus position). The N2pc amplitude was smaller in IDCP and CDIP than in CDCP and IDIP, what suggests that N2pc was modulated by S-S incompatibility and not by S-R incompatibilities
Similarities and differences between interference from stimulus position and from direction of the arrow: Behavioral and event-related potential measures
(Elsevier, 2013-11) Cespón, Jesús; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Studies with stimulus–response compatibility (SRC) tasks used the stimulus position (SRC-p) and/or the direction indicated by a central arrow (SRC-d) as irrelevant dimensions. Despite behavioral differences revealed by the distributional analysis (DA), both interferences were established at similar loci on the basis of modulations in the lateralized readiness potential (LRP) and P3b components. Consequently, similar underlying mechanisms were proposed for both interferences. However, comparison of motor processes associated with each task is problematical because each involves different components. In addition, previous studies have frequently used different proportions of trials between conditions, which complicate interpretation of the results because the stimulus probability may modulate P3b. Taking these problems into account, the present study investigated the effects of interference in SRC-p and SRC-d tasks, in which the participants responded to the color of a stimulus while ignoring the position and the direction indicated by a central arrow, respectively. The interference was greater in the SRC-p than in the SRC-d task. The DA showed that stimulus position affected the performance more quickly than the direction of the arrow. The P3b latency was longer and the P3b amplitude was smaller when stimulus position was incompatible. However, no differences in P3b were found in the SRC-d task. Moreover, both types of interference affected response-related processes (LRP-r) similarly. Therefore, the stimulus position and the direction indicated by the stimulus may share a common locus of interference (response execution), but only stimulus position affects P3b component, which constitutes a link between stimulus evaluation and the response selection
Age-related changes in ERP correlates of visuospatial and motor processes
(Wiley Online Library, 2013-08) Cespón, Jesús; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Although previous ERP studies have demonstrated slowing of visuospatial and motor processes with age, such studies frequently included only young and elderly participants, and lacked information about age-related changes across the adult lifespan. The present research used a Simon task with two irrelevant dimensions (position and direction of an arrow) to study visuospatial (N2 posterior contralateral, N2pc) and motor (response-locked lateralized readiness potential, LRP-r) processes in young, middle-aged, and elderly adults. The reaction time and motor execution stage (LRP-r) increased gradually with age, while visuospatial processes (N2pc latency) were similarly delayed in the older groups. No age-related increase in interference was observed, probably related to a delay in processing the symbolic meaning of the direction in older groups, which was consistent with age-related differences in distributional analyses and N2pc amplitude modulations
Validation of the Spanish version of the cerebellar cognitive-affective syndrome scale
(Taylor & Francis, 2025-04-22) Serrano Munuera, Carmen; Martínez Regueiro, Rocío; Martínez Fernández, Eva María; Alemany Perna, Berta; López Domínguez, Daniel; Rojas Bartolomé, Laura; Adarmes Gómez, Astrid; Pérez Torre, Paula; Abenza Abildúia. María Jesús; Rouco Axpe, Idoia; Feria Villar, Inmaculada; Pérez Pérez, Jesús; Schmahmann, Jeremy D.; García-Sánchez, Carmen; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Objective: To validate the Spanish version of the Cerebellar Cognitive-Affective Syndrome scale (CCAS-S), originally published in 2018, in patients with cerebellar ataxia and healthy subjects, as an adapted Spanish version based on normative data has not yet been published or validated. Methods: Spanish CCAS-S was administered prospectively to 158 patients with cerebellar ataxia and 164 matched healthy subjects from different regions of Spain. Discriminant validity and reliability were evaluated. A subgroup of 30 patients underwent detailed neuropsychological examinations to confirm the construct validity. The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS) were used to assess motor performance. Results: This Spanish instrument demonstrates reliability and exhibits statistically significant differences in performance between patients and healthy subjects. Our analysis revealed lower values for specificity in detecting possible, probable, or definite CCAS compared to those reported in the US validation study when utilizing the original cutoff values. Upon application of the appropriate correction factor for education, the specificity values approximated those reported for probable and definite CCAS diagnostics in the original investigation. Conclusions: The adapted Spanish CCAS-S has demonstrated validity and good reliability in this cohort. Discriminant validity was satisfactory for probable and definite CCAS when the correction for education was applied, and modified template and instructions have been developed. Further research is necessary to investigate the significance of the possible CCAS category, as diagnosed using the Spanish version, as well as to assess the performance of the corrected scale in other Spanish-speaking countries.
Comparison between an empirically derived and a standard classification of amnestic mild cognitive impairment from a sample of adults with subjective cognitive complaints
(Sage Journals, 2016-01-10) Campos Magdaleno, María; Facal Mayo, David; Juncos Rabadán, Onésimo; Picón Prado, Eduardo; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Objective: The aim of this study is to compare an empirically derived classification of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) from a sample of adults with subjective cognitive complaints by using cluster analysis of their performance on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) with a classification of aMCI based on standard clinical criteria. Method: Three hundred ninety-one individuals aged 48 years and older were diagnosed as aMCI or healthy controls. Cluster analysis of the CVLT performance was conducted, followed by logistic regression analysis. Results: A two-cluster solution performed on the CVLT measures correctly classified 98.0% of the aMCI patients and 73.4% of the healthy controls diagnosed by using standard aMCI criteria. Discussion: The empirically derived classification of aMCI is consistent with the classification based on standard criteria; however, standard criteria should also be considered to prevent false positives
Apathy and agitation in institutionalized older adults: an empirically derived classification
(Wiley, 2021-05) Mouriz Corbelle, Romina; Caamaño Ponte, José; Dosil Díaz, Carlos; Picón Prado, Eduardo; Facal Mayo, David; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Background: Apathy and agitation are often recognized as the most problematic behavioural and psychological symptoms in care settings. In this study, we analyze the relationship between apathy and agitation symptoms other and their relationship with demographic, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric variables and psychotropic medication use. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a gerontological care centre in Láncara, Spain. Participants were 196 residents of the gerontological care centre, including 143 with a diagnosis of dementia. Apathy and agitation were assessed with the Apathy Scale for Institutionalized Patients with Dementia, Nursing Home version, and the Spanish version of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, respectively. Two-stage hierarchical cluster analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis in a first exploratory stage and K-means clustering to obtain the final solution in the second stage) was conducted to assign residents to different groups based on apathy and agitation scores. Results: In cluster 1, a certain level of apathy, the highest levels of agitation, and the most frequent intake of atypical antipsychotics and clomethiazole were observed. The highest levels of apathy and the most frequent intake of memantine were seen in cluster 2. The lowest levels of agitation and apathy and the highest levels of cognitive performance were found in cluster 3. Conclusions: In this study, subjects with dementia were in a state of high agitation and eventual apathy, had low cognitive status, and were very old. Patients with this profile require well-designed non-pharmacological interventions
Using the working with older adults scale with Spanish undergraduate students
(Taylor & Francis, 2025-08-17) Feijóo Quintas, Susana; Picón Prado, Eduardo; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Graham, Kristen L.; Facal Mayo, David; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
The growing population of older adults worldwide has raised concerns about the recruitment and retention of the workforce in age-related care. Based on this concern, the present work studies the intention to work with older adults in a Spanish sample of undergraduate students. An online questionnaire was administered to undergraduate students from different disciplines. A language adapted version of the Working with Older Adults Scale (WOAS) and the Big-Five Inventory 10-Item version were applied. Basic psychometrics were computed, together with EFA, CFA and multivariate statistics in order to know more about the relevance and relationships between the four WOAS subscales and their association with BFI personality domains. Moderate to strong relationships were found between WOAS subscales, in addition to significant correlations between the perceived behavioral control subscale and some personality traits. Nevertheless, only subjective norm and attitudes subscales contributed significantly to the intention to work with older adults. The current results replicate in Spanish students the previous findings about the role of perceived social approval on the intention to work with older adults. More research is needed on the role of intrapersonal factors
Differential associations between distinct components of cognitive and physical function in middle-aged and older adults
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2025-12-27) Facal Mayo, David; Picón Prado, Eduardo; Blumen, Helena M.; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Nieto Vieites, Ana; Stern, Yaakov; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Background: Cognitive and physical functions share certain age-related patterns of change, including slowed processing speed and movement. Both functions are multifaceted, and the association between them can be affected by the type of measurement considered. This study examined one-to-one relationships between cognitive and physical functions, using data from the Compostela Aging Study. Methods: A total of 267 middle-aged and older individuals without cognitive impairment were included in the study (mean age 65.57, 75.7% women). The relationship between cognitive and physical performance was examined using Spearman’s rho, adjusted for age and sex. Results: Standing up, sitting down and total times in the Timed-Up and Go test were significantly correlated with performance on the Trail-Making and phonological fluency tests. Turning time in the Timed-Up and Go test and self-reported physical activity were correlated with performance on the Spanish version of the California Verbal Learning Test. Grip strength was correlated with performance on the Counting Span task. Conclusions: This study adds evidence to the one-to-one relationship between cognitive and physical function in a subclinical cohort of middle-aged and older adults
The Role of Dyads in Subjective Reporting and Prediction of Cognitive Worsening in Cognitively Unimpaired Individuals and Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline: Results of the CompAS Longitudinal Study
(Oxford University Press, 2025-12-15) Pérez Blanco, Lucía; Nieto Vieites, Ana; Felpete López, Alba; Mallo López, Sabela Carme; Arora, Sonali; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Juncos Rabadán, Onésimo; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Objective: The main aim was to examine the value of agreement on subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) reported by study participants and informants in predicting worsening cognitive function over time in cognitively unimpaired (CU) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) participants. Methods: The sample consisted of 175 participants from the CompAS study (CU = 139; SCD = 36), who were followed up three times along a period from 17 to 76 months after the start of the study. Levels of agreement on the "Dyadic SCCs" were categorized according to whether informant and participant scores at baseline on the short version of the "Questionnaire d'Autoevaluation de la Mémoire" were above or below a cut-off point accounting for age-related normative complaints. Two categories of agreement were identified: (a) participant scores above the cut-off and informant scores below the cut-off ("Self-over-reporting"); (b) both participant and informant scores above the cut-off point ("Agreement on presence"). We performed Cox proportional hazards regression model adjusted for sex, age, and years of education. Results: The tested model yielded statistical significant findings and acceptable model fit parameters. "Dyadic SCCs" significantly predicted cognitive worsening over time, with "Self-over-reporting" acting as a better indicator of the risk than "Agreement on presence" in both CU and SCD groups. Conclusions: The data showed that the "Self-overreporting," compared to "Agreement on presence," increases the risk of worsening per time unit. The findings may be explained by greater awareness of one's own difficulties (hypernosognosia) in preclinical stages of cognitive decline.
Moderating effect of the domains of the cognitive reserve index questionnaire (CRIq) on longitudinal change slopes in episodic memory across the cognitive aging continuum
(Nature, 2026-01-19) Arora, Sonali; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Leiva, David; Pérez Blanco, Lucía; Mallo López, Sabela Carme; Nieto Vieites, Ana; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Cognitive reserve (CR) hypothesis predicts reduced impact of aging and neurodegeneration on cognition in adults who have lived in cognitively stimulating environments. Our study tested the moderating role of socio-behavioral CR proxies on longitudinal episodic memory (EM) decline, one of the cognitive domains that has been suggested to be most sensitive to early deterioration in presymptomatic stages of dementia. 323 participants (≥ 50 years old) from CompAS study were classified into four groups based on baseline diagnosis and progression at 18–24 (T1) and 48–70 months (T2): Subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) who remain stable (SCC-stable), Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who remain stable (MCI-stable), SCC who progressed to MCI (Prog-to-MCI), and SCC or MCI who progressed to dementia (Prog-to-Dem). Mixed models analyzed changes across EM measures of immediate and long delay with and without cued recall from the Spanish CVLT to account for the EM processes of encoding and consolidation in the short and long term. Domains from Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire (School, Work and Leisure) were tested as moderators of longitudinal EM trends in progression groups across two nested models. Our results confirm the CR hypothesis:1) steeper memory decline observed in all progression groups compared to SCC-stable, especially at T2 relative to baseline; 2) Higher CRIq-School and CRIq-Work scores moderated changes in EM measures in participants who progress to MCI and who progress to dementia compared to SCC-stable group; 3) CR moderation effect was stronger at T2. Our findings support the validity of CR proxies of Education and Occupation in attenuating memory decline along the continuum of subjective and objective cognitive decline.
Predicting progression of cognitive decline to dementia using dyadic patterns of subjective reporting: evidence from the CompAS longitudinal study
(Frontiers, 2024-02-02) Pérez Blanco, Lucía; Felpete López, Alba; Nieto Vieites, Ana; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Campos Magdaleno, María; Fernández Feijoo, Fátima; Juncos Rabadán, Onésimo; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación
Objective: To analyze the validity of self and informant reports, depressive symptomatology, and some sociodemographic variables to predict the risk of cognitive decline at different follow-up times. Methods: A total of 337 participants over 50 years of age included in the CompAS and classified as Cognitively Unimpaired (CU), Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) groups were assessed at baseline and three follow-ups. A short version of the QAM was administered to assess the severity of subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs), and the GDS-15 was used to evaluate the depressive symptoms. At each follow-up assessment, participants were reclassified according to the stability, regression or progression of their conditions. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict which CU, SCD and MCI participants would remain stable, regress or progress at a 3rd follow-up by using self- and informant-reported complaints, depressive symptomatology, age and education at baseline and 2nd follow-ups as the predictive variables. Results: Overall, self-reported complaints predicted progression between the asymptomatic and presymptomatic stages. As the objective deterioration increased, i.e., when SCD progressed to MCI or dementia, the SCCs reported by informants proved the best predictors of progression. Depressive symptomatology was also a predictor of progression from CU to SCD and from SCD to MCI. Conclusion: A late increase in self-reported complaints make valid estimates to predict subjective decline at asymptomatic stages. However, an early increase in complaints reported by informants was more accurate in predicting objective decline from asymptomatic stages. Both, early and late decrease in self- reported complaints successfully predict dementia from prodromic stage. Only late decrease in self-reported complaints predict reversion from prodromic and pre-symptomatic stages.
Plasma and neurostructural biomarkers in the clinical-biological characterization of early stages of the Alzheimer's disease continuum: findings from the Compostela Aging Study
(Elsevier, 2025) Zurrón Ocio, Montserrat; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Rodríguez Pérez, Ana Isabel; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Ansede, Juan José; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Lindín Novo, Mónica; Facal Mayo, David; Rivas-Fernández, Miguel Ángel; Campos Magdaleno, María; Carracedo Álvarez, Ángel; Labandeira García, José Luis; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Ciencias Morfolóxicas; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS); Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas (CiMUS); Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Recent technical advances in peripheral blood analysis have enabled precise quantification of Alzheimer´s Disease (AD) biomarkers in the early stages of the AD continuum, in an economical, non-invasive and safe manner. The main objective of this study was to contribute to the clinical-biological characterization of the initial stages of cognitive impairment by measurement of blood and neurostructural AD biomarkers in groups of participants classified according to their cognitive clinical phenotype. Plasma concentrations of p-tau217, p-tau181, total tau, neurofilament light chain and amyloid-β 42/40 ratio biomarkers were measured along with APOE gene variants, hippocampal volume and cortical thickness of the AD signature regions. The cohort of 329 participants included Cognitively Unimpaired (CU), Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), single-domain amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (sd-aMCI), multidomain aMCI (md-aMCI), and single-domain non-amnestic MCI (sd-naMCI) groups. P tau217 concentrations were significantly higher in the md-aMCI and sd-aMCI groups than in the CU, SCD and sd-naMCI groups. P-tau181 concentrations were significantly higher in md-aMCI group than in CU, SCD and sd-naMCI groups. Hippocampal volume and AD signature cortical thickness were significantly lower in the md-aMCI group than in the CU, SCD and sd-naMCI groups. No across group differences were found in the distribution of carriers/non-carriers of APOE-ε4. Mediation analysis revealed that hippocampal volume and AD signature cortical thickness mediated the relationship between p-tau217 and p-tau181 levels and cognitive performance. Sd-aMCI and md-aMCI represent two distinct and sequential clinical-biological stages of the AD continuum. Conversely, sd-naMCI does not appear to be associated with AD pathology. Finally, the SCD group does not seem to display a higher risk of progression along the AD continuum than the CU group.
Normative Data for the Spanish Versions of the CVLT, WMS-Logical Memory, and RBMT From a Sample of Middle-Aged and Old Participants
(American Psychological Association, 2023) Campos Magdaleno, María; Nieto Vieites, Ana; Frades Payo, Belén; Montenegro Peña, Mercedes; Facal Mayo, David; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Delgado Losada, María Luísa; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Episodic memory (EM), one of the most commonly assessed cognitive domains in aging, is useful for identifying pathological processes such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia. However, EM tests must be culturally adapted, and the influence of sociodemographic variables analyzed, to provide cut-off points that enable correct diagnosis. The aim of this article is to report updated Spanish normative data for three EM tests: the California Verbal Learning Test, the Logical Memory subtest of theWechsler Memory Test, and the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test. Measures include immediate, short-, and long-delay free recall, intrusions, and global scores. The entire sample is comprised of 1,193 cognitively unimpaired participants aged +50, recruited from three cohort studies within the Spanish Consortium for Ageing Normative Data. Participants who subsequently developed cognitive impairment, detected at follow-up, were removed from the total sample. Data analysis included transformation of percentile ranges into scalar scores, tests for the effects of education level, age, and sex on performance, and linear regression to calculate scalar adjustments. Tables with percentile ranges and scalar scores for each measure are provided, with adjustments for age, education level, and sex, as required. The normative scores provide robust data for assessing EM in Spanish middle-aged and old populations. Effects of sex, age, and education level in each measure are discussedEpisodic memory (EM), one of the most commonly assessed cognitive domains in aging, is useful for identifying pathological processes such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia. However,EMtests must be culturally adapted, and the influence of sociodemographic variables analyzed, to provide cut-off points that enable correct diagnosis. The aim of this article is to report updated Spanish normative data for three EM tests: the California Verbal Learning Test, the Logical Memory subtest of theWechsler Memory Test, and the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test. Measures include immediate, short-, and long-delay free recall, intrusions, and global scores. The entire sample is comprised of 1,193 cognitively unimpaired participants aged +50, recruited from three cohort studies within the Spanish Consortium for Ageing Normative Data. Participants who subsequently developed cognitive impairment, detected at follow-up, were removed from the total sample. Data analysis included transformation of percentile ranges into scalar scores, tests for the effects of education level, age, and sex on performance, and linear regression to calculate scalar adjustments. Tables with percentile ranges and scalar scores for each measure are provided, with adjustments for age, education level, and sex, as required. The normative scores provide robust data for assessing EM in Spanish middle-aged and old populations. Effects of sex, age, and education level in each measure are discussed.
Dual and triple tasks performance in institutionalized prefrail and frail older adults
(Wiley, 2020) Lorenzo López, Laura; Campos Magdaleno, María; López-López, Rocío; Facal Mayo, David; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Maseda, Ana; Blanco-Fandiño, Julia; Millán-Calenti, José Carlos; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate differences on dual- and triple-task performance in institutionalized prefrail and frail older adults. Performance on these tasks is relevant since many activities of daily living involve simultaneous motor and cognitive tasks. Methods: We used a phenotypic description of frailty based on the presence or absence of five criteria related to physical fitness and metabolism (unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, muscle weakness, low gait speed, and low physical activity). Thirty-three institutionalized older adults (≥ 65 years, 78.8% females) were divided according to their frailty status. Participants completed cognitive tasks (a phonemic verbal fluency task and a visuospatial tracking task) while cycling on a stationary cycle (upper- and lower-extremity function was assessed). Cycling (number of arm and foot cycles) and cognitive (number of correct answers) performances were measured during single-, dual-, and triple-task conditions. Performances and costs of dual -and triple- tasking on cycling and cognitive performances were compared between prefrail and frail groups. Results: Prefrail and frail older adults did not differ in their performance in dual-tasks; however, frail older adults showed a poorer performance in the triple-task. Conclusions: Although future studies need to confirm our observations in larger samples, this pilot study suggests that developing new tools based on triple tasking could be useful for the comprehensive assessment of frailty.
Artificial Intelligence for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis through T1-weighted MRI: A systematic review
(Elsevier, 2025-09-05) Basanta Torres, Sara; Rivas Fernández, Miguel Ángel; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia worldwide, characterized by heterogeneous neuropathological changes and progressive cognitive decline. Despite the numerous studies, there are still no effective treatments beyond those that aim to slow progression and compensate the impairment. Neuroimaging techniques provide a comprehensive view of brain changes, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) playing a key role due to its non-invasive nature and wide availability. The T1-weighted MRI sequence is frequently used due to its prevalence in most MRI protocols, generating large datasets, ideal for artificial intelligence (AI) applications. AI, particularly machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques, has been increasingly utilized to model these datasets and classify individuals along the AD continuum. This systematic review evaluates studies using AI to classify more than two stages of AD based on T1-weighted MRI data. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are the most widely applied, achieving an average classification accuracy of 85.93 % (range: 51.80–100 %; median: 87.70 %). These good results are due to CNNs' ability to extract hierarchical features directly from raw imaging data, reducing the need for extensive preprocessing. Non-convolutional neural networks and traditional ML approaches also demonstrated strong performance, with mean accuracies of 82.50 % (range: 57.61–99.38 %; median: 86.67 %) and 84.22 % (range: 33–99.10 %; median: 87.75 %), respectively, underscoring importance of input data selection. Despite promising outcomes, challenges remain, including methodological heterogeneity, overfitting risks, and a reliance on the ADNI database, which limits dataset diversity. Addressing these limitations is critical to advancing AI's clinical application for early detection, improved classification, and enhanced patient outcomes.
Alterations in functional connectivity in individuals with subjective cognitive decline and hippocampal atrophy
(Elsevier, 2025-03-31) Varela-López, Benxamín; Rivas Fernández, Miguel Ángel; Zurrón Ocio, Montserrat; Lindín Novo, Mónica; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), particularly those with a neurostructural marker of risk for AD (SCD+), exhibit differences in the functional connectivity of the Default-Mode Network (DMN) relative to controls, as this network is known to be altered in the AD continuum. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Galicia, Northwest Spain. Participants The sample compromised 133 participants: 69 controls, 51 SCD and 13 SCD+. Measurements Seed-to-voxel analysis was conducted using four DMN ROIs. Dynamic independent component analysis of the DMN was also performed. Results The SCD and SCD+ groups exhibited DMN hyperconnectivity, which was more extensive in the SCD+ group. Increased anti-correlations between DMN and task-positive parietal regions were related to poorer executive scores in SCD+ and a tendency for higher DMN recurrence in SCD+. Conclusions Hippocampal atrophy as a SCD+ biomarker is associated with extensive DMN hyperconnectivity and increased anti-correlations between DMN and task-positive network regions.
A systematic review of quality of life (QoL) studies using the CASP scale in older adults
(Springer Nature, 2024-07-08) Frias-Goytia, Gabriela L.; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Mallo López, Sabela Carme; Nieto Vieites, Ana; Juncos Rabadán, Onésimo; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación
Purpose A systematic review of the use of the CASP Quality of Life (QoL) scale in older adults was carried out. Methods Articles were searched using PsycINFO, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus and Medline databases. Observational or experimental studies using any version of the CASP to analyze QoL in adults aged 50 and over and studies focusing on the psychometric properties of the CASP instrument or identifying factors associated with QoL scores. The quality of the studies was assessed using COSMIN and STROBE. Results A total of 519,339 participants were considered in the 51 studies selected. The 19- and 12-item CASP versions showed high internal consistency and low-to-moderate convergent validity. Best construct validity was reported for the 12-item short version generating a three-factor model (control/autonomy, pleasure & self-realization) and only modest evidence is provided for their cross-cultural validity. Longitudinal and cross-sectional evidence showed (1) a significant decrease in CASP scores at very old ages; (2) an absence of relationship with gender, which, however, may play a moderating role between QoL and health; (3) significant associations between CASP scores and health, psychosocial and socio-economic outcomes. Conclusion The quality of the results was hindered by the lack of relevant information in some studies as well as by the proliferation of versions of the instrument. Nevertheless, we conclude that the CASP scale can capture the complex and multidimensional nature of QoL in older adults by reporting satisfaction of needs that go beyond that go beyond those related to health.

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