Science Award 2021

SCHUHFRIED and science belong together, which is why we work closely with researchers – from students and young scientists to international studies. All studies that use digital psychological tests from the Vienna Test System or cognitive training from CogniPlus can be submitted for the SCHUHFRIED Science Award.

Winners of the SCHUHFRIED Science Award 2021 are:

Cristina Delgado-Alonso is investigating the cognitive impairments that can occur as a long-term consequence of COVID-19

Patients suffering from post-acute COVID syndrome often also report cognitive complaints, but their characteristics and genesis are largely unknown. The aim of the study “Cognitive dysfunction associated with COVID-19: A comprehensive neuropsychological study” was therefore to investigate the frequency, severity and characteristics of cognitive impairment in patients after COVID-19 disease. In addition, the relationship between cognitive and other psychological (anxiety, depression) and physical symptoms (sleep, olfactory function) was of interest. In order to measure the cognitive impairments as comprehensively as possible, a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery with tests (RT, DT, COG and WAF) and test sets (COGBAT) from the Vienna Test System was used.

COVID-19 patients showed cognitive impairments in the domains of long-term memory, working memory, reaction inhibition, processing speed and attention compared to healthy individuals.

Cristina Delgado-Alonso et al. (2021). Cognitive dysfunction associated with COVID-19: a comprehensive neuropsychological study [preprint].https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-704742/v1

Frederick R. J. Vinckenbosch focuses on benzodiazepine intoxication and acute clinical complaints that may accompany it.

“An explorative approach to understanding individual differences in driving performance and neurocognition in long-term benzodiazepine users” builds on previous research reporting cognitive and psychomotor impairments in long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) users.

For this, neurocognitive and driving performance of 19 long-term (≥6 months) regular (≥twice weekly) BZRA users with estimated plasma concentrations above the therapeutic threshold (CBZRA+) and 31 long-term regular BZRA users below the therapeutic threshold (CBZRA-) were compared with those of 76 control subjects. It was shown that the long-term users of benzodiazepines had impairments in particular in reaction and processing speed and sustained attention (measured with DT and RT among others) compared to the control group.

Vinckenbosch, F.R.J. et al. (2021), An explorative approach to understanding individual differences in driving performance and neurocognition in long-term benzodiazepine users. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 36, e2778. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2778

For Marah Butzbach, ADHD patients and the self-perception of their cognitive functions are the focus of interest

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is associated with marked cognitive impairment. Although there is already some evidence on this, there is little research on metacognition in this patient group. This is all the more remarkable considering that deficits in metacognition can have a negative impact on treatment adherence, functional outcomes and daily life.

In the study “Metacognition in adult ADHD: Subjective and objective perspectives on self-awareness of cognitive functioning”, 47 patients with ADHD and 47 control subjects were examined using neuropsychological tests on attention, executive functions and memory (objective assessment) and also answered questionnaires on cognitive performance and the severity of symptoms (subjective assessment; self- and peer assessment).
For objective assessment, the tests WAFS, VIGIL, TMT-L, NBV, TOL-F, GET and FLEI of the Vienna Test System were used, among others. Here, deficits in long-term memory, vigilance and selective attention were shown. Impairments in metacognition, i.e. a discrepancy between objective and subjective assessment, occurred particularly in attentional performance.

Butzbach, M., et al. (2021). Metacognition in adult ADHD: Subjective and objective perspectives on self-awareness of cognitive functioning. Journal of Neural Transmission, 128, 939–955. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-020-02293-w

Are you planning a project or have you already used tests from the Vienna Test System for your study?

Then take advantage of our SCHUHFRIED Research Support!
Or apply for the upcoming SCHUHFRIED Science Award and perhaps we will soon be able to present you and your work here.