Assessment of cognitive function across pregnancy using CANTAB: A longitudinal study
Farrar, D. Tuffnell, D.J. Neill, D. Scally, Andy J. Marshall, Kay M.
Farrar, D.
Tuffnell, D.J.
Neill, D.
Scally, Andy J.
Marshall, Kay M.
Publication Date
2014-02
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Rights
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
closedAccess
Accepted for publication
2013-11-06
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Collections
Additional title
Abstract
Significant changes in endogenous plasma hormone levels are required to sustain pregnancy which provides a unique opportunity to study their effect on cognitive function.
Four carefully selected tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Test Battery (CANTAB) were administered to assess the cognitive function of a group of 23 women during each trimester of pregnancy and at three months following birth. Test scores were compared with a control group of 24 non-pregnant women. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was administered to assess anxiety and risk of depression. The National Adult Reading Test (NART) was used as a measure of verbal intelligence. Plasma hormone levels were measured at each time-point.
The pregnant group scored significantly lower than the control group on the Spatial Recognition Memory (SRM) test at the second trimester and postpartum assessments (p ⩽ 0.004). A significant pregnant group-time interaction (p = 0.005) for SRM performance was demonstrated. Compared to their first trimester assessment, the pregnant group scored on average 11.7% less on each subsequent SRM test. The pregnant group reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to the control group (EPDS-4 point increase in mean score at each assessment, p = 0.002). There were no plasma hormone levels and test score associations identified.
Version
No full-text in the repository
Citation
Farrar D, Tuffnell D, Neill J, Scally AJ and Marshall K (2014) Assessment of cognitive function across pregnancy using CANTAB: A longitudinal study. Brain and Cognition. 84(1): 76-84.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Link to Version of Record
Type
Article