and lasting reduction in nodule size, with a median volume reduction rate of 88% at the 60-month follow-up. Overall, the complication rate was 3.2%, and there were no reported major complications requiring hospitalization or intervention.
reducing the volume of benign thyroid nodules. The sustained reduction in nodule size and favorable safety profile suggest that RFA is a promising alternative to surgery for selected patients. Larger studies with extended follow-up are needed, however, to further validate these findings and identify potential predictors of treatment outcomes.
Discussion: RFA offers a low risk of cytological progression and demonstrates high efficacy in
EXPLORING NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING IN CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH: INSIGHTS ON COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICES Milee Patel, Paula Kostreni, Patrick Stuchlik, Amy Buser, Priya Palta, Wade Gunn, Lydia Bazzano; Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death and disability globally, with increasing interest in its impact on cognitive function. Prior research suggests strong associations between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive decline, including dementia. However, there has been limited systematic examination of the neuropsychological tools used to assess cognitive function in long-term observational studies focused on CVDs. This review aims to identify and categorize the specific neuropsychological instruments utilized in such studies, offering insights for future research on the intersection of cardiovascular health and cognitive decline. Methods/Results: A systematic search was conducted using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC) database, focusing on publicly available studies related to CVD. Studies were included if they reported neuropsychological testing and excluded if the primary focus was stroke or cerebrovascular accidents. The search process followed PRISMA guidelines. In addition to the BioLINCC search, studies from other sources, such as published protocols and investigator correspondence, were included. Neuropsychological tests were categorized into cognitive domains, such as memory, attention, and
processing speed. Modes of test administration (in- person vs. computerized) were also recorded. Of the 22 studies reviewed, nine reported administering neuropsychological instruments. Verbal learning and memory were the most frequently assessed cognitive domains, appearing in six studies. Processing speed and attention/concentration were each measured in five studies. Interestingly, none of the reviewed studies used computerized cognitive testing methods such as the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). While these tools have been available for decades, their lack of adoption in cardiovascular studies is notable. Conclusion: Despite the known association between CVD and cognitive decline, most observational studies did not include neuropsychological assessments. Those that did tended to focus on a few cognitive domains, such as memory and processing speed, with a preference for traditional in-person testing. The absence of computerized testing methods, despite their potential advantages, raises questions about awareness and resource allocation in these studies. Future cardiovascular research should consider expanding the use of neuropsychological testing, including computerized tools, to better understand the cognitive impacts of CVD and related conditions.
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