Clin. Transl. Neurosci., Volume 9, Issue 2 (June 2025) – 6 articles

Despite the increasing evidence of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in patients suffering from post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC), the interplay between patient-reported symptoms and objective findings remains poorly characterized. Valid diagnostic tests and sufficient treatment strategies are lacking. We conducted a narrative perspective synthesis of current findings of NCI, standardized assessments (e.g., MoCA, PCCIS), and their association with inflammatory parameters. We highlighted findings on the discrepancy of subjective versus objectively measured neurocognitive impairment. The “subjectivity-objectivity-gap” may contribute to patient stigmatization, impair therapy adherence and be associated with a suboptimal clinical outcome. Although established multimodal interventions, such as cognitive rehabilitation, psychoeducation, group therapy, and pharmacotherapy—show preliminary efficacy, adherence may be compromised when subjective experiences of NCI are invalidated. We summarized the current state of the literature regarding demographic and clinical risk factors such as advanced age, lower education, neuropsychiatric comorbidities and evidence on the possible underlying role of persistent neuroinflammation in NCI in PCC. This perspective emphasizes the need for evidence-based diagnostic algorithms that integrate both subjective and objective NCI, explicitly addressing the risk of stigmatization. Future research should focus on addressing the neurobiological basis of NCI, discrepant NCI findings and associated stigmatization, and incorporate these findings in clinical guidelines. Full article

Exploring cognitive abilities is necessary in educational contexts, where such insights shape decisions about student placement and teaching methods. Traditionally, educational assessments have been leaned on academic performance to guide decisions related to grading and student placement. This study examines the relationships among specific neuropsychological measures, namely the Event Related Potentials (ERPs), P300 waveform, reaction time, and fluid intelligence in children. Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) was utilized to assess intelligence levels. Based on their RSPM scores, participants were grouped into two categories: those with “high mental abilities” and those with “average mental abilities”. It was hypothesized that children with higher RSPM scores might display reduced P300 latencies and quicker reaction times, potentially reflecting greater neural efficiency. Electrophysiological data collected using ERPs, focusing on the P300 component. The results suggest a possible association between higher intelligence scores and shorter P300 latencies and quicker reaction times, which could support the concept of neural efficiency and the significance of cognitive speed in understanding intelligence. This investigation into the neuropsychological foundations of cognitive ability in children is in the same line with studies supporting how brain activity, connectivity, and processing efficiency vary. These differences could help develop educational strategies that are more tailored to individual cognitive processing styles. Full article

Background/Objectives: Social media addiction has increased among adolescents, and this addiction has negatively affected their health. It is necessary to investigate how this addiction brings negative effects to adolescents. This study aimed to examine the relationship between social media addiction and sleepiness in adolescents. Methods: Personal information form, Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents (SMAS), and Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire (CASQ) were used as data collection tools. Prerequisites (correlation, linearity, continuous variable, normal distribution) for regression analysis were tested. The study sample consisted of adolescents between the ages of 10–18. The data were analyzed in the SPSS program. Results: It was determined that 37.9% of the adolescents had sleep problems. The increase in the use of social media significantly affects sleepiness rates (r = 0.61, p < 0.05). The increase in social media use can explain 37.5% of the increase in sleepiness rates (R² = 0.375). It was observed that a 1-unit increase in social media use would increase the sleepiness rate by 0.79 (B = 0.79). Conclusions: A significant relationship was found between adolescents’ social media addiction and sleepiness. Social media addiction was seen as a predictor of sleepiness in adolescents. Full article

Backround: The aim is to analyze whether sex and gender are associated with missed acute ischemic stroke (M-AIS). Methods: We performed a nested case-control study, using data collected from March 2003 to December 2020 from ASTRAL (Acute STroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne). M-AIS were compared with a randomly selected control sample of acute ischmemic stroke (AIS). We extracted six gender-related socioeconomic variables. A gendered socioeconomic position (SEP) score was constructed reflecting the level of correspondence with feminine characteristics. Associations between M-AIS and the gender-related socioeconomic variables and the gendered SEP score were investigated using logistic regression. Results: Of the 6007 AIS, 182 (3%) were M-AIS. 80 (44%) were women. No association between administrative sex and M-AIS was found (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.78–2.00). Differences were found for gender-related socioeconomic variables, women in the middle professional category had higher odds of an M-AIS compared to women in the lower professional category (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.19–13.03). Men with higher education had lower odds of an M-AIS compared to men with lower education (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.10–0.92). For women, a 20-unit increase in the gendered SEP score was associated with lower odds of an M-AIS (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.46–0.94). For men, the same increase in the score tended to higher the odds of an M-AIS (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.00–2.32). Conclusions: The interaction of administrative sex with gender-related socioeconomic variables revealed different associations with M-AIS for women and men. Correspondence to expected gender norms may have a protective effect against M-AIS. Full article

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) comprise a neurodevelopmental disease marked by impaired social communication and repetitive activities. An imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, may play a significant function in ASDs. The neurophysiological process behind epilepsy is abnormal neuronal excitatory firing in particular brain regions brought on by a lack of GABAergic inhibition. The study of GABAergic dysfunction could explain the substantial comorbidity with epilepsy or increased susceptibility to seizures observed in people with autism. Objective: This study analyzes molecular indicators directly and indirectly related to GABAergic inhibitory signaling in individuals with autism and healthy controls, with the purpose of uncovering probable diagnoses. Methods: The study included 46 male autistic participants and 26 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Plasma levels of two chloride co-transporters (KCC2, NKCC1), and vitamin D3 were evaluated using ELISA. Results: Autistic individuals showed a significant drop in all three examined variables when compared to healthy controls. Statistical methods such as correlation, combined receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and multiple regression modeling were used to assess the diagnostic value and interrelationships of these biomarkers. A significant increase in the area under the curve was seen using the combined ROC curve analysis. The combined variables also exhibited significantly higher sensitivity and specificity as an index of high predictiveness values. Measurement of plasma levels of vitamin D status and chloride co-transporters (KCC2, NKCC1) in children with ASD may help to better understand how sleep disturbances and epilepsy as comorbidities of ASD linked to vitamin D deficiency and peculiar inhibitory/excitatory effects of GABA. Full article

Stimulation-induced sensations including the perception of flickering lights (phosphenes) and scalp tingling are commonly reported in studies on transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). So far, these sensations have been considered benign side-effects of stimulation that may interfere with the blinding of participants in trials. It remains unknown what shapes the susceptibility to such side-effects. We hypothesized that cortical excitability predicts their intensity. Hence, we investigated the relationship between sensations during tACS and the motor threshold measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Nine healthy participants aged 50 and older underwent two tACS sessions at 21 Hz and 40 Hz as part of a cross-over pilot study. The stimulation amplitude was individualized to tolerability. Sensations were assessed post-session to calculate correlation with TMS-determined motor thresholds. Stimulation sensations (a flickering light and tingling scalp sensation) correlated with brain excitability as determined by the TMS motor threshold (r = −0.51, p = 0.03, N = 9). The findings suggest a relationship between the intensity of tACS-induced sensations and cortical excitability. Tailoring tACS intensity to individual tolerability and excitability thresholds may enhance the efficacy of tACS by ensuring a more consistent and effective dose relative to endogenous cortical excitability. Full article