Age effects on EEG correlates of the Wisconsin card sorting test

Body and brain undergo several changes with aging. One of the domains in which these changes are more remarkable relates with cognitive performance. In the present work, electroencephalogram (EEG) markers (power spectral density and spectral coherence) of age-related cognitive decline were sought whilst the subjects performed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Considering the expected age-related cognitive deficits, WCST was applied to young, mid-age and elderly participants, and the theta and alpha frequency bands were analyzed. From the results herein presented, higher theta and alpha power were found to be associated with a good performance in the WCST of younger subjects. Additionally, higher theta and alpha coherence were also associated with good performance and were shown to decline with age and a decrease in alpha peak frequency seems to be associated with aging. Additionally, inter-hemispheric long-range coherences and parietal theta power were identified as age-independent EEG correlates of cognitive performance. In summary, these data reveals age-dependent as well as age-independent EEG correlates of cognitive performance that contribute to the understanding of brain aging and related cognitive deficits.

Contributos do postal ilustrado para a história do Free Card

Dissertação de mestrado em Ciências da Comunicação (área de especialização em Publicidade e Relações Públicas)

Estudo da Mecânica Cardíaca pelo Speckle Tracking

Speckles, ou marcadores naturais do miocárdio, originam se da interferência construtiva e destrutiva do feixe de ultrassom que incide sobre os tecidos, podem fornecer um diagnóstico precoce das alterações miocárdicas e atuar na predição de certos eventos cardíacos. Devido à sua relativa estabilidade temporal, os speckles podem ser rastreados durante o ciclo cardíaco por software dedicados, promovendo a análise da função sistólica e diastólica. São identificados tanto pela escala de cinza da ecocardiografia 2D convencional quanto pela ecocardiografia 3D, sendo independentes do ângulo de incidência do ultrassom, permitindo assim a avaliação da mecânica cardíaca nos três planos espaciais: longitudinal, circunferencial e radial. O objetivo do presente artigo é discutir o papel e o significado da deformação cardíaca obtida por meio do speckle tracking durante a avaliação da fisiologia cardíaca, e discutir as aplicações clínicas desta tecnologia ecocardiográfica inovadora.

Sistema de monitorització vital portable amb System on Chip i interfície SD Card

Aquesta memòria descriu el procés de desenvolupament del projecte de fi de carrera “Sistema de monitorització vital portable amb System on Chip i interfície SD Card”. Aquest es tracta d’un dispositiu de dimensions reduïdes, baix consum i portable amb capacitat d’enregistrar els biopotencials cardíacs dins d’una targeta de memòria flash SD Card. En temps real es mostra una representació d’aquests biopotencials mitjançant una pantalla LCD gràfica. El projecte, a més, inclou el desenvolupament d’un software de visualització per PC que permet l’anàlisi posterior més detallada dels registres emmagatzemats a la targeta SD Card.

Medical Card for Over 70s: Fees payable to General Practitioners (Sullivan Report)

Medical Card for Over 70s: Fees payable to General Practitioners (Sullivan Report) In the context of the Government decision to end the arrangements whereby medical cards are issued automatically, without a means test, to all those aged 70 and over, a new income threshold was set and the Government decided to introduce a new single capitation rate payable in respect of patients aged 70 and over. I was asked to recommend a new rate for consideration by the Minister for Health & Children and the Government. Click here to download PDF 58kb

"Michael's Game," a card game for the treatment of psychotic symptoms.

Objective: "Michael's Game" is a card game which aims at familiarizing healthcare professionals and patients with cognitive therapy of psychotic symptoms. The present study tests the feasibility and the impact of the intervention in naturalistic settings.Methods: 135 patients were recruited in 11 centres. They were assessed pre- and post-tests with the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) and the Peters Delusion Inventory-21 items (PDI-21).Results: Data about 107 patients were included in the entire analyses. Significant improvements were observed on BCIS subscales as well as a reduction of severity of conviction and preoccupation scores on the PDI-21. The intervention has a moderate effect on the PDI-21 preoccupation and conviction as well as the BCIS subscales. Patients who benefit the most from the program are patients who have a low degree of self-reflectiveness and patients who are concomitantly preoccupied by their symptoms.Conclusion: The present study supports the feasibility and effectiveness of "Michael's Game" in naturalistic settings.Practical implications: The game seems to be a useful tool for patients with psychotic disorders. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mental Health First Aid Northern Ireland wallet card

The MHFA wallet card supplements the MHFA Northern Ireland Manual and is used by MHFA trainers and instructors. It has the five actions of the MHFA action plan on the back.

Stroke campaign - Leaflet, posters and wallet card

The F.A.S.T materials (poster/leaflet/wallet card) convey the signs and symptoms of stroke, and the call to action, that it's a medical emergency to call 999 immediately if you see any one of these signs. A fast response to the signs and symptoms of stroke can reduce the long term health consequences such as disability and death. Attached below are the�public information leaflets (male and female version), posters and wallet card available as part of the campaign.

Splenectomy wallet card

This wallet card is for patients who have no functioning spleen to carry with them. It allows the patient to record their personal details and immunisations and is a quick pointer to healthcare staff if the patient is taken ill.

AAA screening programme wallet card

This wallet card has been produced to help maximise awareness of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programme in Northern Ireland. It provides the website address of the screening programme - www.aaascreening.info - as well as email and telephone contact details for the screening programme office. A postal address is also included. The wallet cards will be distributed to eligible men through the following channels, among others: public events, eg talks with men's groups, Farm Families Health Checks programme;health information stands in shopping centres, supermarkets etc;GP practices;pharmacies. �

Mental Health First Aid Northern Ireland wallet card

The MHFA wallet card supplements the MHFA Northern Ireland Manual and is used by MHFA trainers and instructors.It has the five actions of the MHFA action plan on the back.

Walk Leader cue card

The Walking for Health programme was established in 2001 and continues to be an integral part of Government policy to address the health and wellbeing of the population in Northern Ireland. The programme is delivered through HSC Trusts across Northern Ireland and is supported by the Public Health Agency. Walking for Health aims to encourage inactive people to increase their level of physical activity by participating in local led health walks.

Quit Kit Wallet Card

The Quit Kit promotional materials were developed as part of the smoking cessation campaign which highlights the range of support available and reinforces the message that quitting is achievable with the right support and motivation.