Liliana Amorim | Universidade do Minho (original) (raw)

Papers by Liliana Amorim

PloS one, 2018

In this work, we examined the longitudinal measurement invariance of a battery composed of distin... more In this work, we examined the longitudinal measurement invariance of a battery composed of distinct cognitive parameters. A sample of 86 individuals (53.5% females; mean age = 65.73), representative of the Portuguese older population, with respect to sex, age and level of education was assessed twice over an average of two years. By means of a confirmatory factor analysis approach, we tested whether a two-factor solution [corresponding to measures of memory performance (MEM) and executive functioning (EXEC)] was reliable over time. Nested models of longitudinal invariance demonstrated the existence of partial strong invariance over time. In other words, this indicates that there is an equivalence of the factorial structure and factor loadings for all items; this was also observed for the item intercepts for all the items, except for one of the items from the EXEC dimension. Stability coefficients revealed high associations between the dimensions over time and that, whereas there was...

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2018

Sleep is a ubiquitous phenomenon, essential to the organism homeostasis. Notwithstanding, there h... more Sleep is a ubiquitous phenomenon, essential to the organism homeostasis. Notwithstanding, there has been an increasing concern with its disruption, not only within the context of pathological conditions, such as neurologic and psychiatric diseases, but also in health. In fact, sleep complaints are becoming particularly common, especially in middle-aged and older adults, which may suggest an underlying susceptibility to sleep quality loss and/or its consequences. Thus, a whole-brain modeling approach to study the shifts in the system can cast broader light on sleep quality mechanisms and its associated morbidities. Following this line, we sought to determine the association between the standard self-reported measure of sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and brain correlates in a normative aging cohort. To this purpose, 86 participants (age range 52-87 years) provided information regarding sociodemographic parameters, subjective sleep quality and associated psychological variables. A multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach was used, with whole-brain functional and structural connectomes being derived from resting-state functional connectivity (FC) and probabilistic white matter tractography (structural connectivity, SC). Brain regional volumes and white matter properties associations were also explored. Results show that poor sleep quality was associated with a decrease in FC and SC of distinct networks, overlapping in right superior temporal pole, left middle temporal and left inferior occipital regions. Age displayed important associations with volumetric changes in the cerebellum cortex and white matter, thalamus, hippocampus, right putamen, left supramarginal and left lingual regions. Overall, results suggest that not only the PSQI global score may act as a proxy of changes in FC/SC in middle-aged and older individuals, but also that the age-related regional volumetric changes may be associated to an adjustment of brain connectivity. These findings may also represent a step further in the comprehension of the role of sleep disturbance in disease, since the networks found share regions that have been shown to be affected in pathologies, such as depression and Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: To explore the applicability of a Portuguese (PT) version of the Telephone Interview f... more Objective: To explore the applicability of a Portuguese (PT) version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS), with a delayed recall item [modified (M)], here termed TICSM-PT, against an extensive (in-person) battery of neuropsychological instruments, in a sample of older individuals with low educational level and without clinically manifest/diagnosed cognitive impairment. Methods: Following translation/back-translation and pilot testing in 33 community dwellers, 142 community dwellers aged 52 to 84 years (mean = 67.45, SD = 7.91) were selected from local health care centres for the study (convenience sampling; stratified age and gender). Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency, and convergent validity was evaluated through the correlation between TICSM-PT and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), as well as with a comprehensive battery of cognitive instruments. Divergent/discriminant validity was assessed through a battery of psychological in...

‡NCS and PSC share first authorship and contributed equally to this work. LA and PSM are also coa... more ‡NCS and PSC share first authorship and contributed equally to this work. LA and PSM are also coauthors and contributed equally to this work.

Journal of Neuroscience Research, 2021

Normal aging is characterized by structural and functional changes in the brain contributing to c... more Normal aging is characterized by structural and functional changes in the brain contributing to cognitive decline. Structural connectivity (SC) describes the anatomical backbone linking distinct functional subunits of the brain and disruption of this communication is thought to be one of the potential contributors for the age‐related deterioration observed in cognition. Several studies already explored brain network's reorganization during aging, but most focused on average connectivity of the whole‐brain or in specific networks, such as the resting‐state networks. Here, we aimed to characterize longitudinal changes of white matter (WM) structural brain networks, through the identification of sub‐networks with significantly altered connectivity along time. Then, we tested associations between longitudinal changes in network connectivity and cognition. We also assessed longitudinal changes in topological properties of the networks. For this, older adults were evaluated at two tim...

RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objectivo avaliar a relacao entre optimismo, morbilidade psicolog... more RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objectivo avaliar a relacao entre optimismo, morbilidade psicologica e satisfacao com o suporte social numa amostra de filhos adultos de doentes oncologicos. Para este efeito, foi utilizada uma amostra de 46 sujeitos, cujos pais se encontravam em tratamento no Servico de Oncologia do Hospital de Sao Marcos, em Braga. Foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos de avaliacao: Questionario SocioDemografico (Pereira & Amorim, 2008); Escala de Optimismo LOT-R (Scheier, Carver, & Bridges, 1994); Escala de Stress, Ansiedade e Depressao ‐ 21 (Pais-Ribeiro, Honrado, & Leal, 2004a) e Escala de Satisfacao com o Suporte Social (Santos, Pais-Ribeiro, & Lopes, 2003). Os resultados obtidos mostram a existencia de uma associacao entre optimismo e morbilidade psicologica, no sentido de filhos adultos optimistas apresentarem menores niveis de morbilidade psicologica, comparativamente com filhos adultos nao optimistas. Foi ainda possivel observar uma associacao entre o e...

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2021

Background: Numerous studies suggest a relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome, wh... more Background: Numerous studies suggest a relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome, which is likely influenced by age. Interestingly, functional imaging analysis has shown an association between functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN-FC) and components of metabolic syndrome, which is explored in this study. Methods: From a larger longitudinal cohort study on healthy aging, 943 individuals were extensively characterized for mood and cognition. Among these, 120 individuals who were selected for displaying extreme cognitive performance within the normal range (good and poor performers) were further studied. Here, in a cross-sectional design, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the association between metabolic dysfunction and depressive mood as a function of age and its relationship with DMN-FC was studied. Results: Metabolic dysfunction was modeled as a second-order latent variable using CFA. First-order latent variables were obesity, glucose dysmeta...

Scientific Reports

Previous studies have shown an association between cognitive decline and white matter integrity i... more Previous studies have shown an association between cognitive decline and white matter integrity in aging. This led to the formulation of a “disconnection hypothesis” in the aging-brain, which states that the disruption in cortical network communication may explain the cognitive decline during aging. Although some longitudinal studies have already investigated the changes occurring in white matter microstructure, most focused on specific white matter tracts. Our study aims to characterize the longitudinal whole-brain signatures of white matter microstructural change during aging. Furthermore, we assessed the relationship between distinct longitudinal alterations in white matter integrity and cognition. White matter microstructural properties were estimated from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, and cognitive status characterized from extensive neurocognitive testing. The same individuals were evaluated at two timepoints, with a mean interval time of 52.8 months (SD = 7.24) betwee...

Molecular Psychiatry

Coffee is the most widely consumed source of caffeine worldwide, partly due to the psychoactive e... more Coffee is the most widely consumed source of caffeine worldwide, partly due to the psychoactive effects of this methylxanthine. Interestingly, the effects of its chronic consumption on the brain’s intrinsic functional networks are still largely unknown. This study provides the first extended characterization of the effects of chronic coffee consumption on human brain networks. Subjects were recruited and divided into two groups: habitual coffee drinkers (CD) and non-coffee drinkers (NCD). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was acquired in these volunteers who were also assessed regarding stress, anxiety, and depression scores. In the neuroimaging evaluation, the CD group showed decreased functional connectivity in the somatosensory and limbic networks during resting state as assessed with independent component analysis. The CD group also showed decreased functional connectivity in a network comprising subcortical and posterior brain regions associated with so...

EBioMedicine, 2016

The use of communication technologies is an emerging trend in healthcare and research. Despite ef... more The use of communication technologies is an emerging trend in healthcare and research. Despite efficient, reliable and accurate neuropsychological batteries to evaluate cognitive performance in-person, more diverse and less expensive and time consuming solutions are needed. Here we conducted a pilot study to determine the applicability of a videoconference (VC, Skype®) approach to assess cognitive function in older adults, using The Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified - Portuguese version (TICSM-PT). After inclusion and exclusion criteria, 69 individuals (mean age=74.90±9.46years), selected from registries of local health centers and assisted-living facilities, were assessed on cognitive performance using videoconference, telephone and in-person approaches. The videoconference administration method yielded comparable results to the traditional application. Correlation analyses showed high associations between the testing modalities: TICSM-PT VC and TICSM-PT telephone (r=0.885), TICSM-PT VC and MMSE face-to-face (r=0.801). Using the previously validated threshold for cognitive impairment on the TICSM-PT telephone, TICSM-PT VC administration presented a sensitivity of 87.8% and a specificity of 84.6%. Findings indicate for the range of settings where videoconference approaches can be used, and for their applicability and acceptability, providing an alternative to current cognitive assessment methods. Continued validation studies and adaptation of neuropsychological instruments is warranted.

Psicologia Saude Doencas, 2009

RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objectivo avaliar a relação entre optimismo, morbilidade psicológ... more RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objectivo avaliar a relação entre optimismo, morbilidade psicológica e satisfação com o suporte social numa amostra de filhos adultos de doentes oncológicos. Para este efeito, foi utilizada uma amostra de 46 sujeitos, cujos pais se ...

Psic., Saúde & Doenças, 2009

PLOS ONE, 2015

Here we focus on factor analysis from a best practices point of view, by investigating the factor... more Here we focus on factor analysis from a best practices point of view, by investigating the factor structure of neuropsychological tests and using the results obtained to illustrate on choosing a reasonable solution. The sample (n=1051 individuals) was randomly divided into two groups: one for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and principal component analysis (PCA), to investigate the number of factors underlying the neurocognitive variables; the second to test the "best fit" model via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). For the exploratory step, three extraction (maximum likelihood, principal axis factoring and principal components) and two rotation (orthogonal and oblique) methods were used. The analysis methodology allowed exploring how different cognitive/psychological tests correlated/discriminated between dimensions, indicating that to capture latent structures in similar sample sizes and measures, with approximately normal data distribution, reflective models with oblimin rotation might prove the most adequate.