Artículos 2020, Volumen 7 (1)

Propiedades de la ingesta de aceite de coco en pacientes con Alzheimer

Resumen: El aceite de coco está formado por ácidos grasos que se pueden convertir en cetonas. Los cuerpos cetónicos son una fuente de energía alternativa en el cerebro, y pueden ser beneficiosos para los individuos con Alzheimer. En los últimos años se ha sugerido el uso del aceite de coco en dichos enfermos para mejorar sus funciones cognitivas. Los resultados muestran que activa la cetogénesis, mejora la orientación, el lenguaje, memoria y es neuroprotector. No obstante, es fundamental incrementar los estudios para corroborar la eficacia, y efectos a largo plazo; para ofrecer a los pacientes los mejores cuidados basados en la evidencia más actual. 

Palabras clave: Aceite de coco, Alzheimer, tratamiento, prevención.

Properties of coconut oil intake in patients with Alzheimer's 

Abstract: Coconut oil is formed of fatty acids that could be converted into ketones. Ketone bodies are an alternative energy source for the brain and they might be beneficial for patients affected by Alzheimer. Recently, the use of coconut oil in such patients has been suggested to improve their cognitive functions. The results of ongoing studies have shown that coconut oil activates ketogenesis, improves orientation, language, memory and it may be neuroprotective. However, it is essential to increase studies to corroborate effectiveness, and long-term effects; to offer patients the best care based on current evidence. 

Keywords: Coconut oil, Alzheimer's, treatment, prevention .

Yuxtaposición por detalles como medida del procesamiento visual fragmentado de la información en niños con TEA grado 1

Resumen:  La literatura científica reciente sobre el procesamiento de la información visual en el Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA), ha puesto en entredicho el déficit en la coherencia central del procesamiento de la información visual, aportando evidencias de su capacidad para el procesamiento global de la información, pero con una tendencia al procesamiento local o fragmentado. En el presente estudio se ha empleo la tarea de copia del Test de la Figura Compleja de Rey-Osterrieth con una muestra de 14 niños de entre 8 y 10 años con diagnóstico de TEA grado 1, Síndrome de Asperger. El objetivo ha sido examinar el rendimiento general en el test, así como las estrategias organizativas para la reproducción del diseño con respecto al procesamiento local versus global. Los resultados indican que los niños con TEA emplean un estilo de copia por yuxtaposición por detalles y tienen una tendencia a fragmentar los elementos de diseño global, llamados elementos de configuración. La conclusión del presente estudio es que la definición de yuxtaposición por detalles podría contribuir a la hora de corregir la figura, así como para obtener evidencias acerca del estilo de procesamiento de la información visual. Por tanto, esta nueva definición de yuxtaposición por detalles, se podría considerar como una variable significativa para el diagnóstico del TEA. 

Palabras clave: TEA, Figura Compleja de Rey, procesamiento visual, procesamiento local, procesamiento global.

Juxtaposition in detail as a measure of the fragmented visual processing of information in childrens on the autistic spectrum

Abstract:  Recent scientific literature focusing on the processing of visual information regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has called into question the shortfall in rationality of processing visual information, contributing evidence of this capacity for global information processing but with an inclination to local or fragmented processing. In this study, the Rey- Osterrieth Complex Figure Test was used, with a sample size of 14 children between 8 and 10 years old of whom were diagnosed with grade one ASD, Asperger’s Syndrome; to examine the general performance of the test, as well as the organisational strategies for the reproduction of the design with regards to local versus global processing by obtaining as a result, style copies by association of details and a propensity to fragment the global design elements called configuration elements. In addition, a new contribution has been made to the definition of juxtaposition by details that could contribute when correcting the figure, as well as obtaining evidence about the visual information processing style of the evaluated person. Therefore, this new definition of juxtaposition by details could be considered a significant variable for the diagnosis of ASD.

Keywords: ASD, Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) visual processing, local processing, global processing.

Efecto prebiótico de la alcachofa y su relación con las enfermedades mentales

Resumen: La alcachofa es un vegetal muy apreciado en la dieta mediterránea debido a sus altos valores nutricionales y farmacológicos. La alcachofa presenta un alto contenido en minerales, vitaminas y compuestos fenólicos. Además, contiene altos niveles de inulina, carbohidrato no digerible en tracto gastrointestinal humano, que ejerce una acción prebiótica interesante sobre algunas bacterias de la microbiota intestinal. El consumo de inulina ha sido asociado al crecimiento de bacterias que producen ácido láctico y aumenta la cantidad de Bifidobacterium y Akkermancia muciniphila, entre otras, y disminuye los cocos grampositivos en humanos y ratones. Los efectos que la ingesta de inulina ejerce sobre la conducta y la cognición varían según la dosis, ya sea combinada con alimentos o no, y el tiempo durante el cual se consume. Aunque la inulina ha sido ampliamente estudiada en alimentación, existen pocos estudios sobre el efecto que ésta ejerce sobre el comportamiento y la salud mental. Por lo tanto, futuros estudios deberían considerar el posible efecto beneficioso de la ingesta de inulina sobre las diferentes enfermedades mentales. 

Palabras clave: Alcachofa, Eje microbiota-intestino-cerebro, Inulina, Microbiota intestinal, Prebiótico.

Prebiotic effect of artichoke and its relationship with mental illness

Abstract: Artichoke is a highly appreciated vegetable in the Mediterranean diet due to its high nutritional and pharmacological values. The artichoke has a high content of minerals, vitamins and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, it contains high levels of inulin, a non-digestible carbohydrate in the human gastrointestinal tract, which exerts an interesting prebiotic action on some bacteria of the gut microbiota. Inulin consumption has been associated with the growth of bacteria that produce lactic acid and increase the amount of Bifidobacterium and Akkermancia muciniphila, among others, and decrease gram-positive cocci in humans and mice. The effects that inulin intake has on behavior and cognition vary according to the dose, whether combined with food or not, and the time during which it is consumed. Although inulin has been widely studied in food, there are few studies on the effect it has on behavior and mental health. Therefore, future studies should consider the possible beneficial effect of inulin intake on different mental illnesses. 

Keywords:  Artichoke, Gut Microbiota, Inulin, Microbiota-gut-brain axis, Prebiotic.

Análisis de correlación entre medidas volumétricas y funciones ejecutivas en esclerosis múltiple

Correlation analysis between volumetric measurements and executive functions in multiple sclerosis

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and neurodegenerative disease of Central Nervous System with high prevalence of cognitive impairments, specially attention, memory and executive functions. Volumetric measures have shown the relation between brain volume and cognitive performance. However, few studies have analyzed executive functions in depth. Considering the role of some anatomical structures, this essay aims to clarify the relationship between volumetric measures (global and thalamic volume brain), and an extensive protocol of executive functions. A transversal study was conducted in 40 people with MS for this purpose. Moderate correlations were found between global brain volume and working memory results. Moreover, strong and moderate relation were found between thalamic volume and cognitive domains such as processing speech, working memory and semantic verbal fluency. These results highlight the sensibility of working memory in MS and opens the possibility to use new and useful instruments in clinical practice.

Keywords: Brain Volume, Thalamus, Executive Functions, Multiple Sclerosis, Cognition.

Expresión del dolor en niños con Trastorno del Espectro Autista Severo: Estudio piloto con la escala NCCP-C

Resumen: El perfil neurobiológico asociado a las personas con autismo dificulta su forma de identificar y expresar el dolor, lo que se traduce en una merma de su calidad de vida. El objetivo fundamental de este trabajo es conocer la idiosincrasia que rodea la expresión del dolor en las personas con autismo y discapacidad intelectual.  Diez niños de 7 a 12 años con autismo severo (edad M= 14.4 años, DT= 3.50; todos ellos hombres). Participaron en este estudio. Se recogió información sobre los episodios de dolor utilizando la escala NCCPC. Sus puntuaciones fueron comparadas con las de la muestra normativa para niños con discapacidad intelectual obtenida por Breau et al. (1) (edad M =10; DT = 4.4; 40.07% mujeres).Los resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las áreas social (el alumno TEA evita la interacción social y rechaza el consuelo; mientras que otras discapacidades buscan más el consuelo del adulto), actividad (se dan más fluctuaciones en su actividad física) y psicofisiológica (alteraciones más notables en el sueño). 

Palabras clave: Autismo, Sensibilidad al dolor, Discapacidad Intelectual, Expresión del dolor, Indicadores del dolor, NonCommunicating Child Pain Checklist. 

Expression of pain in children with severe autistic spectrum disorder. A pilot study using the NCCP-C scale

Abstract: The neurobiological profile associated with people with autism makes it difficult to identify and express pain, resulting in a decrease in their quality of life. The main objective of this work is to know the idiosyncrasies that surround the expression of pain in people with autism and intellectual disability. 10 children with severe ASD from 7 to 12 years of age   participated in this study (Mean age= 14.4 años, SD= 3.50; all of them were men). Information regarding pain episodes was collected using the NCCP-C scale. Their scores were compared with the normative sample with intellectual disability obtained by Breau et al. (1) (mean age =10; SD = 4.4; 40.07% women). The results showed statistically significant differences in social areas (the ASD student avoids social interaction and rejects comfort; while other disabilities seek more adult comfort), activity (more fluctuations in physical activity) and psychophysiological (most noticeable alterations in sleep). 

Keywords: Autism, Intellectual Disability, Sensibility to pain, Pain Expression, Pain Indicators, Non-Communicating Child Pain Checklist. 

Structural Equations Model in Negative Affection, Self- Forgiveness, and Procrastination

Abstract: The current research was conducted to determine the mediating role of negative Affection toward self- forgiveness, and procrastination in male students of the University of Tabriz. Therefore, 361 male students between 18-22 were selected by a random cluster sampling method from three groups of Technical and engineering, basic science and human science faculties. The General Procrastination, Decisional Procrastination, Positive and Negative Affect, and Heartland Forgiveness inventories were used to gather the data. The theoretical model was tested within a structural equation- modelling framework to identify both direct and indirect effects. The results indicate an overall fit model. Although the direct effects of self-forgiveness on decisional and general procrastination behaviours were not significant, thus, an indirect impact of self-forgiveness on the decisional and general procrastination behaviours were fully mediated by negative affection.  Also, the effect of self-forgiveness on negative affect and academic procrastination, the training was essential for students. 

Keywords: Decisional and general procrastination, negative affection, self-forgiveness, Structural equations model.