Abstract Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a musculoskeletal chronic pain syndrome that impacts negatively patient's daily lives. Its pathogenesis is characterized by a complex relationship between biological and psychosocial factors not fully understood yet. Pain catastrophizing is associated with FM and is an important predictor of outcomes. This study aimed to answer two questions: (i) whether the allele and genotype frequencies of BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism differs between FM patients and healthy controls (HC); and (ii) if the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is a factor that predicts pain catastrophizing in FM. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 108 FM patients and 108 HC were included. FM patients responded to the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (BP-PCS) to assess pain catastrophizing, as well as other validated tools for anxiety (The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI), depression (Beck Depression Inventory II -BDI-II) and functional aspects (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire - FIQ; Central Sensitization Inventory validated and adapted for Brazilian population - CSI-BP; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - PSQI; and Resilience Scale). All subjects were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Results: Val allele was significantly more frequent in FM patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Also, FM patients with Val/Val genotype showed more pain catastrophizing thoughts, and this genotype was significantly associated with magnification and rumination dimensions of BP-PCS (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant differences in levels of anxiety and symptoms of depression, years of education, and the functional situation between the FM and control groups. Conclusions: The findings show an association of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with pain catastrophizing in FM, which opens new avenues to comprehend the interplay between molecular genetic characteristics and neuroplasticity mechanisms underpinning FM.

RESUMO. Problemas de memória são comuns em pacientes com AVC, embora pouco se saiba sobre a precisão com que pacientes com AVC podem monitorar e controlar processos de memória. Objetivo: O desempenho da memória e metamemória em pacientes com AVC e controles saudáveis foram investigados, bem como a dissociação entre os desempenhos. Métodos: 10 adultos com lesão do hemisfério direito (média [M] idade=53,2 [DP=9,7]), 10 com lesão no hemisfério esquerdo (M=60,4 [DP=6,6]) e 20 participantes saudáveis (M=56,5 [DP=9,3 sem doença neurológica, pareados por sexo, idade e anos de estudo, participaram de um projeto de múltiplos casos, completaram um paradigma experimental de metamemória, bem como palavras de recordação imediata e demorada. Resultados: Os dados indicam 10 dos 20 pacientes apresentados. Escores significativamente inferiores aos controles, dois deles com déficits globais (associação funcional), sendo encontradas dissociações funcionais entre monitoramento da memória (julgamentos de aprendizado, JOL), controle (alocação do tempo de estudo) e capacidade (tarefa de recordação) entre pacientes para oito casos, sugerindo que esses processos são independentes. Conclusão: Esses achados revelam que os pacientes com AVC podem ter comprometimento específico da metamemória, o que contribui para a compreensão dos modelos cognitivos do processamento de metamemória.

ABSTRACT. Memory problems are common in stroke patients, although little is known about how accurately chronic stroke patients can monitor and control memory processes. Objective: The performance of memory and metamemory in stroke patients and healthy controls were investigated, as well as dissociation between performances. Methods: 10 adults with right hemisphere lesion (mean [M] age=53.2 [SD=9.7]), 10 with left hemisphere lesion (M age=60.4 [SD=6.6]) and 20 healthy participants (M age=56.5 [SD=9.3] with no neurological disease, matched for sex, age and years of education participated in a multiple-case design study. Participants completed a metamemory experimental paradigm, as well as immediate and delayed word recall and recognition tasks. Results: Data indicated that 10 out of the 20 patients presented significantly lower scores compared to controls, two of which had global deficits (functional association). Functional dissociations between memory monitoring (judgments of learning, JOL), control (allocation of study time) and capacity (cued-recall task) among patients were found for eight cases, suggesting these processes are independent. Conclusion: These findings reveal stroke patients may have specific metamemory impairment and can contribute to the understanding of cognitive models of metamemory processing.

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a short version of the Metamemory in Adulthood Questionnaire (MIA) in Brazilian Portuguese. The original MIA is an instrument in english composed by 108 items, divided into seven dimensions of metamemory (Strategy, Task, Capacity, Change, Anxiety, Achievement and Locus). Despite of being widely used, the extension of the instrument makes its application impractical in many contexts, reinforcing the need for a short version. A total of 472 participants answered the original full version of the MIA. First, Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses revealed that nine items of the instrument could be excluded due to poor infit and outfit values. After exploratory factor analyses, the 99 items left were judged by five experts that chose the most appropriate items following previously established criteria (factor loading, repetitiveness, bad writing, and temporal/cultural inadequacy). A 39-items version (MIAr) was obtained, with the same factorial structure of the original MIA. The MIAr demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency indexes, as well as evidences of convergent validity and validity based on the response process. The results revealed that the MIAr achieved good psychometric properties, serving as a more parsimonious and practical option for metamemory assessment.

A maneira como adultos percebem e regulam a aprendizagem (metamemória) é importante indicador de como desempenham tarefas de memória. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o monitoramento, o controle e o desempenho de memória em adultos jovens e de idade intermediária conforme tipo de item na tarefa (pares de palavras com e sem relação semântica), o momento em que os JOLs foram feitos (JOLs imediatos e tardios) e idade. Participaram 26 adultos jovens (M = 22 anos) e 18 adultos de idade intermediária (M = 47 anos), que responderam a um paradigma experimental de metamemória. Observou-se que pares de palavras relacionados levaram à maior magnitude dos JOLs e melhores escores na evocação com pista. A precisão dos JOLs foi semelhante para os grupos etários, sendo JOLs tardios mais precisos apenas para adultos jovens. Adultos de idade intermediária contaram menos com seus JOLs ou com a evocação com pista para guiar o tempo de reestudo do que adultos jovens.

The way adults perceive and regulate learning (metamemory) is an important indicator of how they perform on memory tasks. This study assessed memory monitoring, control and performance in young and intermediate-age adults according to item type (with or without semantic relation), type of judgment of learning (JOL - immediate or delayed), and age. Twenty-six young adults (M = 22 years old) and 18 intermediate-age adults (M = 47 years old) participated, who responded to an experimental paradigm to evaluate metamemory. Results showed that related word-pairs received higher magnitude for the JOLs and better cued-recall scores. JOLs’ accuracy was similar between the age groups, delayed JOLs being more accurate only for young adults. Intermediate-age adults apparently based their allocation of study time less on JOLs or cued-recall than young adults.

La forma en que los adultos perciben y regulan el aprendizaje (metamemoria) es un indicador importante de cómo ejecutan tareas de memoria. La finalidad de este estudio fue evaluar el monitoreo, control y desempeño de memoria en adultos jóvenes y de edad intermediaria de acuerdo al tipo de estímulo (pares de palabras con o sin relación semántica), tipo de juzgamiento de aprendizaje (JOL - inmediato y retrasado), y edad. Participaron 26 adultos jóvenes (M = 22 años de edad) y 18 adultos de edad intermediaria (M = 47 años), que respondieron a un paradigma experimental de metamemória. Fue observado que los pares de palabras relacionadas condujeron a un aumento de magnitud de los JOLs y una mejor recuperación con pista. La precisión de JOL fue similar en ambos grupos de edad, siendo que JOLs retrasados tuvieran mayor precisión sólo para adultos jóvenes. Adultos de edad intermediaria parecen haber basado su tiempo de re-estudio menos en sus JOLs o recuperación con pista que los adultos jóvenes.

Tarefas experimentais para avaliar processos de monitoramento e controle de memória permitem o exame online dessas habilidades. No âmbito nacional, estas tarefas ainda precisam ser desenvolvidas, facilitando e incentivando projetos de pesquisa futuros. Este artigo apresenta os passos para a construção de uma tarefa para avaliação dos processos de monitoramento e controle. No Estudo 1, é descrita a seleção de 100 estímulos (pares de palavra pista-alvo) e suas características psicolinguísticas. O Estudo 2 apresenta dados do estudo piloto da tarefa com dez adultos, com foco na avaliação do monitoramento. No Estudo 3, são apresentados dados de processos de monitoramento e controle num estudo piloto com 12 universitários, um caso clínico pós-AVC e dois idosos neurologicamente saudáveis. Os resultados apontaram a necessidade de duas versões da tarefa, para diferentes populações, que permitisse a variabilidade dos dados intra e entre participantes. Também surgiram achados preliminares pertinentes a importantes hipóteses da área da metamemória.

Experimental tasks for the assessment of monitoring and control memory processes allow the online exam of these abilities. In the national field these tasks still need to be elaborated in order to facilitate and stimulate future research projects. This article presents the steps for the elaboration of a task for examining memory monitoring and control processes. In Study 1 we describe the selection of 100 stimuli (cue-target word pairs) and its psycholinguistic aspects. Study 2 presents data of a pilot-study of the task with ten adults, focusing on the evaluation of monitoring processes. In Study 3 we show data of monitoring and control processes of a pilot-study with 12 undergraduate students as well as a clinical case of stroke and two neurologically unimpaired elderly people. Results suggest the need of two different versions of the task for different populations, which would allow enough variance within and between participants. In addition, other preliminary findings relevant for current metamemory hypothesis are presented.

Tareas experimentales para evaluar procesos de monitoreo y control de la memoria permiten el examen online de estas habilidades. A nivel nacional, estas tareas todavía necesitan ser desarrolladas, para facilitar y promover futuros proyectos de investigación. Este estudio presenta los pasos ejecutados para la construcción de una tarea para evaluar los procesos de monitoreo y control. El Estudio 1 describe la selección de 100 pares de estímulos (señal-test) y sus características psicolingüísticas. El Estudio 2 presenta datos de un estudio piloto con diez adultos, centrándose en la evaluación del monitoreo. En el Estudio 3 se presentan los datos de procesos de monitoreo y control de un estudio piloto con 12 universitarios, un caso clínico de accidente cerebrovascular y dos ancianos neurológicamente sanos. Los resultados indicaron la necesidad de dos versiones de la tarea, para diferentes poblaciones, permitiendo variabilidad de los datos dentro y entre los participantes. Además, surgieron otros hallazgos preliminares pertinentes a importantes hipótesis en metamemoria.

The present study sought to provide evidence of criterion validity for the Benton Visual Retention Test by making comparisons between older adults with and without a possible diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The control group was composed of 50 older adults, and the clinical group was composed by 16 subjects. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed, including χ² test, F and Wald statistics, t-test, analyses of covariance with α = .05, and effect size calculations. We used a sociodemographic data form, the Geriatric Depression Scale-15, and Mini Mental State Examination. Despite the small clinical sample size, the results pointed to evidence of validity for the Benton Visual Retention Test for Administration A (Memory) and Administration C (Copy). The clinical group had significantly poorer performance on most scores. These results also indicate important deficits in other neuropsychological functions in Alzheimer's disease.

Este estudo utilizou análise de grafos para investigar como a idade modifica a estrutura das redes de associações semânticas de palavras de crianças e adultos e se estas redes apresentam estrutura small-world e distribuição scale-free típicas de linguagens naturais. Participaram dos experimentos três grupos etários (crianças, adultos e idosos) falantes do Português Brasileiro. Medidas quantitativas e qualitativas sugeriram que adultos e idosos possuem redes semelhantes quanto a número de nós, conexões e agrupamentos. A rede das crianças expressou menor número de nós, conexões e agrupamentos e maiores distancias inter-nós. As redes apresentaram uma estrutura small-world, mas não uma distribuição scale-free completa. Os resultados sugerem que além do número de palavras semanticamente associadas aos alvos aumentar das crianças para os adultos, as redes se tornaram mais conectadas.

This study used graph analysis to investigate how age differences modify the structure of semantic word association networks of children and adults and if the networks present a small-world structure and a scale-free distribution which are typical of natural languages. Three age groups of Brazilian Portuguese speakers (children, adults and elderly people) participated in the experiment. Quantitative and qualitative measures suggested that adults and elderly speakers have similar network structures. Children's network showed fewer nodes, connections and clusters, and longer inter-node distances. All networks presented a small-world structure, but they did not show entirely scale-free distributions. These results suggest that from childhood to adulthood, there is an increase not only in the number of words semantically linked to a target but also an increase in the connectivity of the network.

The aim of the present study was to review the tasks that have been used to assess the functioning of the episodic buffer in Baddeley's multicomponent model of working memory. A systematic review of studies published from January 2000 to February 2013 was conducted. The search term "episodic buffer" was used in the Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, and BVS-Psi databases. The selected articles consisted of empirical studies that used tasks to assess the episodic buffer. Theoretical and review papers and studies with animals were excluded. The final sample comprised 36 papers. The tasks were categorized as experimental tasks or standardized tests. The experimental tasks were grouped by modality (unimodal or crossmodal) and described according to four criteria: task to be performed, type of stimulus used, secondary task employed, if any, and retention interval. The standardized tests included classical measures of working memory. Some tasks were found not to meet experimental criteria that were needed to evaluate the episodic buffer. Moreover, some of the standardized tests did not provide theoretical arguments or empirical evidence that the episodic buffer is recruited to perform them. The results are discussed in the context of the multicomponent model of working memory.

Associações de palavras vêm sendo investigadas recentemente, porém há pouco consenso acerca das mudanças nestas associações entre faixas etárias. Este estudo comparou associações semânticas de palavras entre 108 adultos jovens universitários (M = 22,17; DP = 6,04) e 57 idosos (M = 70,89; DP = 6,87). Uma tarefa de associação semântica foi utilizada. A força de associação direta entre estímulos e palavras mais fortemente associadas permaneceu constante entre os grupos. O tamanho do conjunto total e o número de respostas diferentes foram maiores para o grupo de adultos. O índice de diversidade de respostas foi maior para os adultos. Estas diferenças podem ser consideradas na construção de tarefas com estímulos verbais para avaliar memória e linguagem em diferentes faixas etárias.

The number of studies on word associations have increased recently. However, little agreement exists about age differences in relation to these associations. The semantic word associations of 108 adult college students (M = 22.17; SD = 6.04), and 57 elderly (M = 70.89; SD = 6.87) were compared using a semantic word association task. The strength between the stimuli and the strongest word associated were similar for both groups. The number of different words and the total amount of associated words were higher for the adults. Finally, the diversity index of responses was higher for the adults. Future research on memory and language can consider these age differences when developing tasks with verbal stimuli.

The construction of associated word lists is important for the elaboration of psychological and neuropsychological tasks and experiments. It remains unknown whether differences exist in the semantic associations of words from childhood to adulthood, possibly indicating important lexico-semantic developmental changes that influence neuropsychological assessment. The present study compared semantic word associations in children and adults in terms of forward associative strength and set size. The participants included 247 children from the third grade of elementary school, aged 7 to 11 years (M = 9.17 years, SD = 0.83 years), and 108 adults, aged 16 to 49 years (M = 22.17 years, SD = 6.04 years) from the study of Salles et al. (2008). The task consisted of the participants responding to the first word that came to mind (associate) with a meaning related to each of 87 words presented aloud (target). The children's responses had significantly higher forward associative strength between the target and most frequent associate word and a smaller response diversity index. Although the meaning and total set size did not significantly differ between groups, 40.2% of the targets had a large meaning set size in the children compared with only 10.3% in the adults. Among the most strongly associated pairs, 56.3% were equal between the sample groups. These results suggest that the selection of stimuli for the construction of verbal cognitive tasks should consider specific word association norms for different ages.