title: Electrophysiological correlates of word recognition memory process in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction.
abstract: The relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cognitive performance in patients with coronary artery disease without overt heart failure is still under debate. In this study we combine behavioral measures and event-related potentials (ERPs) to verify whether electrophysiological correlates of recognition memory (old/new effect) are modulated differently as a function of LVEF.
  
  
  
  Twenty-three male patients (12 without [LVEF>55%] and 11 with [LVEF<40%] left ventricular dysfunction), and a Mini Mental State Examination score >25 were enrolled. ERPs were recorded while participants performed an old/new visual word recognition task.
  
  
  
  A late positive ERP component between 350 and 550ms was differentially modulated in the two groups: a clear old/new effect (enhanced mean amplitude for old respect to new items) was observed in patients without LVEF dysfunction; whereas patients with overt LVEF dysfunction did not show such effect. In contrast, no significant differences emerged for behavioral performance and neuropsychological evaluations.
  
  
  
  These data suggest that ERPs may reveal functional brain abnormalities that are not observed at behavioral level.
  
  
  
  Detecting sub-clinical measures of cognitive decline may contribute to set appropriate treatments and to monitor asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with LVEF dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Unit of Neurology, Florence Health Authority, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giovannelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Heart and Vessels, Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine Unit University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Gioele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gavazzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Fiorenza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giganti
authors.affiliation: Referral Center for Cardiomyopathies, AOUC, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Iacopo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Olivotto
authors.affiliation: Unit of Neurology, Florence Health Authority, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cincotta
authors.affiliation: Department of Heart and Vessels, Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine Unit University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pratesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Heart and Vessels, Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine Unit University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Samuele
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baldasseroni
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: mariapia.viggiano@unifi.it.
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Viggiano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D014936:Word Association Tests
keywords: Coronary artery disease; ERP; Heart failure; Left ventricular ejection fraction; Memory; Old–new effect