Prawiroharjo, P. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2025

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A QUESTIONNAIRE ASSESSING PLASTIC USE PATTERNS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD MICROPLASTICS IN RELATION TO COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN INDONESIA

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental contaminants with increasing concern regarding their potential neurocognitive effects, yet no validated instrument exists in Indonesia to assess plastic use patterns and MP awareness in relation to cognitive health. This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive questionnaire evaluating microplastic exposure by plastic use patterns, MP-related knowledge and attitudes, and their association with cognitive function among Indonesian adults. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted involving 30 participants. The questionnaire was developed through literature review, expert consultation, and focus group discussions, encompassing six domains: demographics, health history, MP knowledge, plastic use behaviors, environmental attitudes, and cognitive screening using the AD-8. Validity was assessed using Pearsons correlation and reliability was measured using Cronbachs alpha. The questionnaire demonstrated strong validity for knowledge (r = 0.379, p = 0.039), behavior (r = 0.726, p < 0.001), and attitude domains (r = 0.385, p = 0.036), with overall reliability of = 0.623. Participants with cognitive decline showed significantly lower AD-8 scores compared with those with normal cognition (p = 0.038), alongside high single-use plastic consumption and limited awareness of MP regulations. This validated instrument offers an effective tool for assessing MP-related cognitive risks in Indonesia.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2020

Left Hippocampus to Anterior Cingulate Cortex Connectivity Correlates with Worse Recent Verbal Memory in Pornography Addicted Juveniles

Background and aimsImperil by the convenience of information and knowledge access, children exposed to pornography have worsened. As such, this study aims to gain insight into brain connectivity and cognitive function effect of pornography addiction in juveniles, as the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to specifically learn about memory function in juveniles pornography addiction. MethodsWe screened 30 juveniles with 4 dropouts (13 non-addiction vs 13 addiction group). Subjects underwent neuropsychiatric tests (memory, attention, and intelligence) and fMRI image acquisition. We carried correlation analysis of brain connectivity and neuropsychiatric test results. ResultsSignificant disconnection between left hippocampus to ACC (Z-transformed r-value, non-addiction vs addiction = 0.07 {+/-} 0.19 vs -0.08 {+/-} 0.17, p=0.04, cohen d=0.83) followed by worse verbal recent memory in pornography addicted juveniles (RAVLT A6 sub-score, p < 0.01, d=0.67; A7 sub-score, p=0.01). Attention and intelligence test resulted to insignificant correlation. DiscussionThis data-driven analysis result strongly promotes the involvement of cortico-subcortical systems in pornography addiction, emphasizing the role of reward system pathology, indifferent to addiction pathophysiology in general. Decline in working memory, which are maintained by corticolimbic network, including hippocampus and ACC, affects goal-oriented behaviour greatly. This, correspond to our significant result of addiction groups decline in memory, regardless of its association with attention and intelligence. ConclusionDisconnection between left hippocampus to ACC suggested similar neurobiological abnormalities as seen on other addictive disorders. Its disconnection was also correlated with worse verbal recent memory in pornography addicted juveniles, without affecting attention and intelligence, results showed.

neuroscience↗