Journal of Applied Cognitive Neuroscience

Current Evidence on the Effects of Stress and Glucocorticoids on Decision-Making: A Systematic Review

2025-01-15T20:56:57+00:00

Stress is a psychophysiological response that helps the organism adapt to circumstances, with glucocorticoids playing a key role by influencing complex brain functions such as decision-making. This systematic review explores their impact by analyzing studies retrieved from PubMed, World Wide Science, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar using the strategies: (stress) AND (decision making), and “stress decision making,” limited to 2019–2023. Of 2,097 articles, 26 met relevance and duplication criteria. Findings suggest stress and glucocorticoids can enhance rapid responses but increase risky choices in intricate evaluations. Glucocorticoid concentrations did not mediate these effects, which seem to arise from multifaceted biological and environmental interactions. Limitations include open-access-only sources.

Training in Clinical Neuropsychology in Argentina: Creation of the First Residency in Adult Neuropsychology in Fleni

2025-08-09T20:30:02+00:00

Abstract

Neuropsychology in Argentina has a solid background, beginning with early studies on language disorders in the early 20th century. Although the sociopolitical context initially hindered its development, the discipline grew thanks to the influence of academic societies such as the Argentine Neuropsychological Society (Sociedad de Neuropsicología de Argentina, SONEPSA) and the Latin American Neuropsychological Society (Sociedad Latinoamericana de Neuropsicología, SLAN), which fostered both research and clinical progress at the regional level. Over time, various Argentine universities incorporated neuropsychology into their undergraduate and graduate curricula, marking significant progress yet still facing limitations related to the availability of clinical training, lack of formal regulation, and the need to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration. In this context, Fleni launched the country’s first Adult Neuropsychology Residency in 2023, bridging a critical gap in supervised clinical training and validating professional practice. The program adopts an approach based on “Entrustable Professional Activities” (EPAs) and aligns with international standards in clinical neuropsychology. Spanning two years of theoretical and practical training, it provides education in neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation, encourages teamwork in multidisciplinary settings, and promotes the development of research projects. Thus, this residency represents a decisive step in the professionalization of neuropsychology in Argentina, reinforcing the quality of clinical care, scientific production, and responsiveness to the specific needs of the region.

A new nosology for neurodegenerative dementias: cognitive proteinopathies - Shifting from “Where” to “What”

2025-02-13T21:33:34+00:00

Over the next 100 years, the neuropathology of each of these diseases was studied in greater detail. For instance, alpha-synuclein was identified in Parkinson's disease, beta-amyloid and phospho-tau in Alzheimer's disease, and tau and TDP-43 in Pick's disease. At the same time, typical and atypical forms of these pathologies began to be described. In frontotemporal disease, for instance, the classic behavioral variant and the rare aphasic variant have been described. Similarly, Alzheimer's disease has both classical (amnesic) and atypical variants including frontal, posterior cortical, aphasic and, more recently, Down's disease. Alpha-synuclein is the most important factor in Parkinson's disease, which is associated with Lewy bodies disease. However, in parkinsonian syndromes such as progressive supranuclear palsy or corticobasal degeneration, the change is a tauopathy. Therefore, these phenotypes, which only describe “where” the lesion is located cannot be maintained. For example, a patient presenting with a behavioral disturbance such as apathy and disinhibition may have tauopathy, or TDP-43-opathy, or even beta amyloidosis. Over the last 10 years, neuropathological, and genetic research, as well as the emergence of biomarkers, has enabled us to diagnose the syndrome and identify the protein change that causes it during life. This is insignificant in the context of the new diagnostic criteria, and the new treatments targeting abnormal proteins or altered pathways, such as anti-amyloid, anti-tau, anti-sortilin antibodies. In the coming years, we will therefore move from diagnosing “where” to diagnosing “what” disease produces these symptoms.

Use of first-generation antihistamines and risk of acute symptomatic crises: an emerging adverse effect in children?

2025-07-05T01:09:08+00:00

Acute symptomatic seizures, in any of their forms, represent a common reason for medical consultation in both infants and older adults. However, during the extreme stages of life, early childhood and old age, their occurrence reflects heightened vulnerability, not only due to the immediate clinical implications but also because of the potential risk of long-term neurocognitive consequences. In infancy, particularly within the first two years of life, the brain undergoes a period of rapid development, during which any disruption, even if transient, may result in significant effects. Therefore, any factor that may increase seizure susceptibility warrants careful attention from both clinical medicine and public health perspectives.

Unusual Localization of Rothia kristinae Infection: First Report of an Intracerebral Abscess in a Pediatric Patient

2025-07-08T00:28:05+00:00

Introduction: This case describes a rare pediatric intracerebral infection caused by Rothia kristinae, an uncommon pathogen not typically associated with brain abscesses. Its novelty lies in the unexpected etiology and clinical evolution, underscoring diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in resource-limited settings. Case: A 9-year-old girl presented with persistent headache, vomiting, visual disturbances, and bradycardia. Neurological imaging revealed a posterior fossa lesion. Neurosurgical intervention was performed to drain the lesion, and microbiological analysis confirmed Rothia kristinae from abscess culture. Empirical antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and metronidazole was initiated. Surgical drainage and antimicrobial treatment led to clinical improvement. The patient developed post-treatment thrombocytopenia, managed with corticosteroids, with full resolution of symptoms. Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of considering atypical pathogens in pediatric neuroinfections and demonstrates the effectiveness of early surgical and antimicrobial management.

The role of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease

2025-06-05T01:39:05+00:00