Physical, Cognitive and Environmental Factors in Patients with Moderate and Severe Cognitive Decline. Analysis of Specific Neuropsychological Measures and Frequency EEG Bands

Abstract Background: Cognitive decline is the result of a combination of different factors; although the presence of non-modifiable risk factors, there are physical, cognitive and environmental factors, potentially- modifiable, that influence the development of the disease and that therefore represent a potential to reduce the incidence of cognitive decline. Although many studies have focused on factors affecting the onset of cognitive decline; the aim of the present study is to analyse which specific risk factors influence specific cognitive domains examined through the MoCA neuropsychological test. The second aim is to analyse if these risk factors would also compromise the functioning of alpha and beta band EEG measurements. Methods: The sample analysed for this study included fifty subjects affected by mild cognitive impairment or major neurocognitive diseases (MMSE score between 12 and 24) and 50 healthy partecipants. All participants were subjected to neurological consultation, an EEG test, and the MoCA neuropsychological test and “CSHA Risk Factor Questionnaire” were administered. Results: Level of education, qualification achieved, practicing or having regularly practiced physical, leisure or mental leisure activities, engaging in regular exercise, excessive smoking or the presence of specific physical, psychological or psychiatric conditions such as stomach ulcer, stroke, epilepsy, the presence of paralysis of some kind, learning difficulties and depression were all associated in some measure with cognitive decline and have an impact both on MoCA global scores and, in a different way, on the subscales of the latter. Other predisposing factors (like diabetes, thyroid disorders) correlated only with the individual subscales of MoCA but not with the global MoCA. With regard to frequency EEG bands, the experimental group showed significantly lower levels of alpha and beta values than the control group. No significant correlations were found whereas predisposing factors affected neurophysiological measures. Conclusions: Significant correlations between performance in each subscale of the MoCA neuropsychological test and some lifestyle factors, past or current, were revealed. Furthermore, also regarding neurophysiological measurements, in alpha and beta band EEG measurements, significant differences were recorded between subjects with cognitive decline and heathy subjects.