Miguel Ángel Castellanos’s research while affiliated with Complutense University of Madrid and other places

Background Despite presenting higher risk of dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not well defined in Down syndrome population. Objective We aimed to describe cognitive and neuropsychological patterns associated with MCI in Down syndrome individuals. Method Two groups of adults with Down syndrome (control and prodromal) were studied throughout 3 years. Two linear mixed models and a model including the variables that best predicted group membership were built. Results Behavioural Regulation Index (BRI) (Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function test) and the model composed of BRI, abstraction and delayed verbal memory were the variable and model best predicting group membership, respectively. Conclusion Suggest a diagnosis of MCI when BRI is the earliest change perceived by caregivers and this is combined with low scores in abstract thinking, and when an amnesic pattern in delayed verbal memory is observed, but adaptive skills are preserved.

The COVID-19 lockdown has had a massive psychological impact on mental health in the general population, with increases in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Spiritual well-being, specifically peace and meaning, has already been identified as one of the main protective factors for these disorders in the COVID-19 context. The aim of the present study is to identify facilitating elements for peace and meaning during the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain. Online surveys were used to obtain data from a sample of 3480 Spanish people. Self-compassion and social support were positively related with peace and meaning, while loneliness and perceived discrimination were negatively related. The model for peace and meaning was statistically significant, explaining 47% of the variance. The significant variables were self-kindness, family support, mindfulness, and sense of belonging having a positive association and loneliness a negative one.