Cognitive function. Cognitive function in postural control The cognitive input is crucial to maintain postural stability (Xxxxxx et al., 1996; Xxxxxx et al., 2008). Especially, the role of higher cognitive processes including executive function and attention in postural control and gait have been described in the literature (Xxxxx, 1995; Raz, 2000; Xxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx-Xxxx, 2002; Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxxx et al., 2008). Executive function is often associated with the frontal lobes and related brain networks, especially, the prefrontal lobe (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cingulate cortex) (Xxxxx, 1995; Xxx, 2000; Xxxxxx et al., 2008; Xxxx et al., 2011). However, parietal lobe and subcortical areas, including the limbic areas, have also been attributed to executive function. Executive function is often divided into six major components when examined in relation to postural control and particularly, gait: volition, self-awareness, planning, response inhibition, response monitoring and attention/DT (e.g., divided attention) (Xxxxx- Xxxxxxxxx et al., 2008). Impairment of one or more of these components of executive function may impact one’s ability to maintain postural control especially during walking (Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxxx et al., 2008). Typically, the requirements of cognitive function for postural control depend on the difficulty of the postural task performed as well as the person’s and environmental characteristics (Xxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx-Xxxx, 2002). As the demands for postural stability increase, there is a concurrent increase in attention, used by the postural control systems (Xxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx-Xxxx, 2002; Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxxx et al., 2008). As an example, standing upright and walking require greater cognitive resources compared to sitting position in health adults (Xxxxxx et al., 1993; Xxxxxx et al., 1996). Further, if the base of support is reduced in standing position to narrow stance or single leg stance, the healthy adults, especially the older, require allocating more of their attentional resources for postural control (Xxxxxx et al., 1996; Xxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx-Xxxx, 2002; Xxxxxxxx et al., 2005; Xxxxx et al., 2014). If the task complexity increases, or two tasks are performed concurrently (e.g., DT) and they require more than the total attentional capacity, the performance on either or both tasks deteriorate (Woollacott and Xxxxxxx-Xxxx, 2002). The relative change in performance associated with DT is known as DT interference or DT cost (DTC) (Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx, ...
Cognitive function. Prolonged cannabis use during adolescence may impact cognitive function, in- cluding memory, attention, and learning.
Cognitive function. Mini Mental State Examination-MMSE (Xxxxxxxx et al., 1975) Endocrine protocol Plasma specimen collection Saliva specimen collection Time and duration of collection Instructions for collection Hormone measurements Plasma and saliva measurements of hormonal concentrations Statistical analyses Primary measures Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) Area Under The Curve Mean levels Daily secretion Area Under The Curve Mean levels Other measures Chapter 3 RESULTS Treatment Resistant Unipolar Depression/plasma Design
