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Zhao P, Chen K, Zhu G, Li H, Chen S, Hu J, Huang L, Liu X, Guo L. Effects of aquatic exercise intervention on executive function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor of children with autism spectrum disorder. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2024; 150:104759. [PMID: 38795553 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited knowledge exists regarding the effectiveness of aquatic exercise intervention for improving executive function (EF) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, the impact of aquatic exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in children with ASD requires further investigation. AIMS This study aimed to explore the effects of a 12-week aquatic exercise intervention on core EF and BDNF levels in children with ASD. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Thirty children with ASD were assigned to an experimental or control group. The experimental group underwent a 12-week aquatic exercise intervention, while the control group engaged in supervised free activities. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured EF and BDNF levels. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS The experimental group showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in inhibition control, cognitive flexibility, and BDNF levels. However, working memory did not significantly improve. The control group exhibited no significant changes in EF or BDNF levels. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Aquatic exercise appears to be a beneficial intervention for cognitive development in children with ASD, as it enhances inhibition control, cognitive flexibility, and BDNF levels in children with ASD. Furthermore, the observed improvements in EF following aquatic exercise intervention in children with ASD may be associated with increased BDNF levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiting Zhao
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Kai Chen
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Gaohui Zhu
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hansen Li
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Sha Chen
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jinge Hu
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Li Huang
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xin Liu
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Liya Guo
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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Kamalahmadi N, Moharrari F, Soltanifar A, Khaniki SH, Mohaddes H, Noorbakhsh G, Salehabadi R. Hot and cold executive function among pediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with and without coexisting oppositional defiant disorder. Int J Dev Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38831728 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Executive function is a high-level set of cognitive processes related to goal-directed behaviors including two conceptual subtypes of hot (emotional) and cold (cognitive) executive function (to abbreviate EF). EF deficits in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) leads to significant social impairments in the home, school, and community. Today the type and the extent of executive function defects in ADHD are still debated in studies. We aimed to evaluate hot and cold executive function among medication-naive children with ADHD, with and without oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). METHODS Forty-five children including suffering ADHD with ODD (n = 15), without ODD (n = 15), or typically developed (TD, n = 15) participated in this cross-sectional study (the age of children was between 7 and 12 years old). The Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) was used to screen behavioral and emotional symptoms. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised-Digit Span Task (WAIS-R-DST), Corsi Block Task (CBT), and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were used for assessing cold executive function. Assessing hot executive function was done with Delay Discounting Task (DDT) and Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). RESULTS Evaluating the cold executive function, total WAIS-R-DST score, Backward DST, total CBT score, and Backward CBT were significantly lower among ADHD than TD groups (p < 0.05). Assessing the hot executive function showed that the score of DDT and IGT was significantly lower among ADHD than TD groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Both hot and cold executive functions are defective in children with ADHD, while the comorbid of ODD has no significant effect. We suggest the clinicians to consider cognitive rehabilitation interventions as a necessary treatment modality for ADHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Kamalahmadi
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Imam Reza Hospital, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Moharrari
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Atefeh Soltanifar
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Hajebi Khaniki
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Mohaddes
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Noorbakhsh
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Razie Salehabadi
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
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Dakwar-Kawar O, Mentch-Lifshits T, Hochman S, Mairon N, Cohen R, Balasubramani P, Mishra J, Jordan J, Cohen Kadosh R, Berger I, Nahum M. Aperiodic and periodic components of oscillatory brain activity in relation to cognition and symptoms in pediatric ADHD. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae236. [PMID: 38858839 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder show deficits in processing speed, as well as aberrant neural oscillations, including both periodic (oscillatory) and aperiodic (1/f-like) activity, reflecting the pattern of power across frequencies. Both components were suggested as underlying neural mechanisms of cognitive dysfunctions in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Here, we examined differences in processing speed and resting-state-Electroencephalogram neural oscillations and their associations between 6- and 12-year-old children with (n = 33) and without (n = 33) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Spectral analyses of the resting-state EEG signal using fast Fourier transform revealed increased power in fronto-central theta and beta oscillations for the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder group, but no differences in the theta/beta ratio. Using the parameterization method, we found a higher aperiodic exponent, which has been suggested to reflect lower neuronal excitation-inhibition, in the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder group. While fast Fourier transform-based theta power correlated with clinical symptoms for the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder group only, the aperiodic exponent was negatively correlated with processing speed across the entire sample. Finally, the aperiodic exponent was correlated with fast Fourier transform-based beta power. These results highlight the different and complementary contribution of periodic and aperiodic components of the neural spectrum as metrics for evaluation of processing speed in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Future studies should further clarify the roles of periodic and aperiodic components in additional cognitive functions and in relation to clinical status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Dakwar-Kawar
- School of Occupational Therapy, Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 9124001, Israel
| | - Tal Mentch-Lifshits
- School of Occupational Therapy, Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 9124001, Israel
| | - Shachar Hochman
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Kate Granger Building, 30 Priestley Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7YH
| | - Noam Mairon
- School of Occupational Therapy, Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 9124001, Israel
| | - Reut Cohen
- School of Occupational Therapy, Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 9124001, Israel
| | - Pragathi Balasubramani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, UC San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
- Department of Cognitive Science, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Jyoti Mishra
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, UC San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Josh Jordan
- Department of Psychology, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901, United States
| | - Roi Cohen Kadosh
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Kate Granger Building, 30 Priestley Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7YH
| | - Itai Berger
- Pediatric Neurology, Assuta-Ashdod University Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Shevablvd 1, 84105 Beer Sheva, Israel
- School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 9124001, Israel
| | - Mor Nahum
- School of Occupational Therapy, Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 9124001, Israel
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Dehnavi F, Khan A. Time-Based and Event-Based Prospective Memory in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Virtual Week Investigation. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:2298-2306. [PMID: 37079178 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05975-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition including persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. Though prospective memory failures are commonly observed in ASD population it has been less studied among adults with ASD. Prospective memory (PM) refers to the execution of delayed intentions. There are contradictory findings of regular and irregular prospective memory task among autistic adults. The present study is an attempt to investigate prospective memory performance among adults with autism spectrum disorder using the Virtual Week board game. METHOD Virtual Week (Rendell & Craik, 2000) (3-day Version) is a computerized board game in which participants after rolling a die move token clockwise around the board. Each round of the board represents one virtual "day." Adults between 16 and 25 years of age who were diagnosed with ASD (N = 23) were compared with non-ASD (N = 26) adults. RESULTS Analyses of variance were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that autistic adults as compared to normal adults showed poorer performance on time-based task than on event-based task. A significant difference was evident between regular and irregular prospective memory tasks across both tasks among autistic adults. Results also revealed that ASD difficulties are associated with the prospective component of the irregular task. CONCLUSIONS Prospective memory failures are widely observed in ASD group, and have important implications for functional independence. The findings of this study provide insight into prospective memory challenges that adults with autism spectrum disorder face in a daily basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farangis Dehnavi
- Psychophysiology Laboratory, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai, Mumbai, 400 076, Maharashtra, India
| | - Azizuddin Khan
- Psychophysiology Laboratory, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai, Mumbai, 400 076, Maharashtra, India.
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Bruins S, van Bergen E, Masselink MW, Barzeva SA, Hartman CA, Otten R, Rommelse NNJ, Dolan CV, Boomsma DI. Are Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Psychopathology Amplified in Children with Below-Average Intelligence? A Population-Based Twin Study. Behav Genet 2024; 54:278-289. [PMID: 38353893 PMCID: PMC11032279 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-023-10174-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
There is a negative association between intelligence and psychopathology. We analyzed data on intelligence and psychopathology to assess this association in seven-year-old Dutch twin pairs (ranging from 616 to 14,150 depending on the phenotype) and estimated the degree to which genetic and environmental factors common to intelligence and psychopathology explain the association. Secondly, we examined whether genetic and environmental effects on psychopathology are moderated by intelligence. We found that intelligence, as assessed by psychometric IQ tests, correlated negatively with childhood psychopathology, as assessed by the DSM-oriented scales of the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL). The correlations ranged between - .09 and - .15 and were mainly explained by common genetic factors. Intelligence moderated genetic and environmental effects on anxiety and negative affect, but not those on ADHD, ODD, and autism. The heritability of anxiety and negative affect was greatest in individuals with below-average intelligence. We discuss mechanisms through which this effect could arise, and we end with some recommendations for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Bruins
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Elsje van Bergen
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research Institute LEARN!, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maurits W Masselink
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefania A Barzeva
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina A Hartman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Roy Otten
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nanda N J Rommelse
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Conor V Dolan
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Research and Development (AR&D) Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Pugliese CE, Handsman R, You X, Anthony LG, Vaidya C, Kenworthy L. Probing heterogeneity to identify individualized treatment approaches in autism: Specific clusters of executive function challenges link to distinct co-occurring mental health problems. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024:13623613241246091. [PMID: 38642028 DOI: 10.1177/13623613241246091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Many autistic people struggle with mental health problems like anxiety, depression, inattention, and aggression, which can be challenging to treat. Executive function challenges, which impact many autistic individuals, may serve as a risk factor for mental health problems or make treating mental health conditions more difficult. While some people respond well to medication or therapy, others do not. This study tried to understand if there are different subgroups of autistic young people who may have similar patterns of executive function strengths and challenges-like flexibility, planning, self-monitoring, and emotion regulation. Then, we investigated whether executive function subgroups were related to mental health problems in autistic youth. We found three different types of executive function subgroups in autistic youth, each with different patterns of mental health problems. This helps us identify specific profiles of executive function strengths and challenges that may be helpful with identifying personalized supports, services, and treatment strategies for mental health conditions.
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7
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Medrano Nava E, Flores-Lázaro JC, Nicolini Sánchez H, Juárez García F. Effects of comorbidity on executive functions among children with ADHD, finding trends. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2024; 13:100-112. [PMID: 36395527 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2022.2135440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
There is still no basic overview about the effect of various types of comorbidity in executive functions due to two main reasons: (1) the type and number of comorbidities in ADHD is significantly varied, (2) EFs are very diverse and have different neuropsychological properties. Our objective was to determine the effect of comorbid disorders (number and type) on the performance in a wide range (seven) of executive functions in a sample of children with ADHD. Fifty-five male children aged seven to nine years with ADHD were divided into six groups: G1 = ADHD only (ADHD-O), G1 = Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), G3 = (anxiety/depressive disorder (ADD), G4 = ODD + ADD, G5 = ODD + learning disorder (LD), G6 = ODD + LD + conduct disorder (CD). The six groups exhibited different number of deficits in EFs; G1 showed only 1 deficit in contrast, G6 presented 11. Statistical analysis (ANOVA and logistic regression) identified three most affected EFs: Working memory, generation/classification of semantic categories, and inhibitory control. Alterations in EFs increased mainly in relation to the increase of the specific number and type of comorbidity. To date, no studies have addressed comorbidity from this perspective. A wide range approach of EF confirms the need to further study comorbidity in ADHD from a wide range/variety perspective and determine all possible combinations (number/type) to clarify its contribution to the complex neuropsychology functioning in ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Medrano Nava
- Child Psychiatry Hospital, SAP-DJNN, Ministry of Health, Mexico City, Mexico
- Postgraduate program in Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Julio C Flores-Lázaro
- Child Psychiatry Hospital, SAP-DJNN, Ministry of Health, Mexico City, Mexico
- Psychology Faculty, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Humberto Nicolini Sánchez
- Genomics of Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), Mexico City, Mexico
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Anixt JS, Ehrhardt J, Duncan A. Evidence-Based Interventions in Autism. Pediatr Clin North Am 2024; 71:199-221. [PMID: 38423716 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Pediatricians have a critically important role in the care of children with autism, including conducting developmental screening to support early diagnosis and intervention, advising families about evidence-based treatments for autism spectrum disorder, and supporting families' emotional health as they care for a child with a developmental disability. The purpose of this article is to provide pediatricians with information about evidence-based autism treatments and how to determine which interventions are appropriate for children across the autism spectrum at different ages and developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S Anixt
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC-4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Jennifer Ehrhardt
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC-4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Amie Duncan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC-4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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Li Y, Ma S, Zhang X, Gao L. ASD and ADHD: Divergent activating patterns of prefrontal cortex in executive function tasks? J Psychiatr Res 2024; 172:187-196. [PMID: 38401362 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) has been more and more widely used to measure the activation state of prefrontal cortex when performing function-related tasks among children with various developmental disorders. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have shown obvious executive function defects. We aimed to summarize the studies with fNIRS, to summarize the activation patterns of prefrontal cortex (PFC) of participants with ASD or ADHD in performing functional tasks. We selected 630 articles according to PRISMA guidelines, and the eligibility criteria were: 6-16 years old individuals diagnosed with ASD or ADHD by DSM-4 or 5, using fNIRS, having executive function (EF) task, typical development (TD) control, and between-group comparison of PFC activation. Eleven studies were finally included in the quantitative analysis, and compared to TD, ASD and ADHD showed the opposite PFC activation patterns during n-back tasks. We discussed the task-specific PFC activation in young participants with ASD and ADHD, and provided some new ideas on that issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Li
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuai Ma
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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Schachar R, Crosbie J. Biederman's Contribution to the Understanding of Executive Function in ADHD. J Atten Disord 2024; 28:895-904. [PMID: 38327019 DOI: 10.1177/10870547231222597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the theoretical and empirical contribution of Joe Biederman and his colleagues to the understanding of executive function (EF) and ADHD. METHOD We searched PubMed for references to EF in Biederman's publications and conducted a narrative review of this literature. RESULTS In 50 or more papers using neuropsychological tests, rating scales and measures of mind wandering, Biederman demonstrated that EF are evident in ADHD and closely linked to its underlying neurobiological and genetic risk. He argued that EF need to be monitoring to ensure comprehensive assessment and treatment, but could not be used as a diagnostic proxy. CONCLUSION Biederman built an innovative and impressive collaboration to address the issue of EF in ADHD. His work shows a commitment to understanding of EF in order to improve patient care. Biederman laid down a roadmap for research in ADHD and EF for the rest of the field to follow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Schachar
- Neuroscicences and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Crosbie
- Neuroscicences and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
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van Andel DM, Sprengers JJ, Königs M, de Jonge MV, Bruining H. Effects of Bumetanide on Neurocognitive Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:894-904. [PMID: 36626004 PMCID: PMC10907457 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05841-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
We present the secondary-analysis of neurocognitive tests in the 'Bumetanide in Autism Medication and Biomarker' (BAMBI;EUDRA-CT-2014-001560-35) study, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled (1:1) trial testing 3-months bumetanide treatment (≤ 1 mg twice-daily) in unmedicated children 7-15 years with ASD. Children with IQ ≥ 70 were analyzed for baseline deficits and treatment-effects on the intention-to-treat-population with generalized-linear-models, principal component analysis and network analysis. Ninety-two children were allocated to treatment and 83 eligible for analyses. Heterogeneous neurocognitive impairments were found that were unaffected by bumetanide treatment. Network analysis showed higher modularity after treatment (mean difference:-0.165, 95%CI:-0.317 to - 0.013,p = .034) and changes in the relative importance of response inhibition in the neurocognitive network (mean difference:-0.037, 95%CI:-0.073 to - 0.001,p = .042). This study offers perspectives to include neurocognitive tests in ASD trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorinde M van Andel
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J Sprengers
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marsh Königs
- Department of Paediatrics, Emma Neuroscience Group, Amsterdam UMC Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maretha V de Jonge
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department Education and Child Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hilgo Bruining
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Emma Children's Hospital, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- N=You Neurodevelopmental Precision Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Levvel, Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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12
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Bombonato C, Del Lucchese B, Ruffini C, Di Lieto MC, Brovedani P, Sgandurra G, Cioni G, Pecini C. Far Transfer Effects of Trainings on Executive Functions in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis. Neuropsychol Rev 2024; 34:98-133. [PMID: 36633797 PMCID: PMC10920464 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-022-09574-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Executive Functions are a set of interrelated, top-down processes essential for adaptive goal-directed behaviour, frequently impaired across different neurodevelopmental disorders with variable degrees of severity. Many executive-function-training studies in children with neurodevelopmental disorders have focused on near effects, investigating post-treatment improvements on directly trained processes, while enhancements of skills not directly trained, defined as far effects, are less considered, albeit these could be extremely relevant for reducing the negative impact of a disorder's core symptomatology. This systematic review and metanalysis aims to investigate the far effect outcomes after EF training in children with different types of neurodevelopmental disorders. 17 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, while 15 studies were selected in the metanalysis. An overall statistically significant effect size was found in the majority of far effect outcome measures considered in the studies. In particular, trainings on executive functions determine significant far effects on daily life functioning (0.46, 95% CI: [0.05-0.87]) and clinical symptoms (0.33, 95% CI: [0.15-0.51]). Despite a high variability of the results, intensity, frequency and the laboratory/life contexts dimension seem to be the most influential variables in determining far effects. This systematic review and metanalysis highlights the need to measure far effects of executive function training in neurodevelopmental disorders, selecting treatments not only on directly targeted processes, but also according to far impacts on the functional weakness of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Bombonato
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
- Tuscan Programme of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Pisa and Siena, Italy
| | - Benedetta Del Lucchese
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
- Tuscan Programme of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Pisa and Siena, Italy
| | - Costanza Ruffini
- Department of Education, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology (FORLIPSI), University of Florence, Languages, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Di Lieto
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Brovedani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Sgandurra
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Pecini
- Department of Education, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology (FORLIPSI), University of Florence, Languages, Florence, Italy
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13
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Lin C, Li D, Wang X, Yang S. Chronic exercise interventions for executive function in overweight children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Sports Act Living 2024; 6:1336648. [PMID: 38435336 PMCID: PMC10907994 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1336648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of chronic exercise in physical activity (PA) as an intervention for executive functions (EFs) in children. Methods We conducted a systematic search in the following online databases: Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and EBSCOhost. The timing is from database inception to July 2023, following PRISMA guidelines. Our inclusion criteria required studies reporting executive function (EF) levels in overweight children (age 0-18 years) before and after interventions. The Cochrane risk of bias tool assessed study bias, and Egger's test examined publication bias. Subgroup analyses considered three moderators: intervention duration, weekly frequency, and session length. Results The meta-analysis included a total of 10 studies with 843 participants. It revealed a statistically significant yet relatively small overall positive effect (g = 0.3, 95% CI 0.16-0.44, P < 0.01) of chronic exercise on EF in overweight children. Importantly, there was no significant heterogeneity (Q = 11.64, df = 12, P = 0.48; I2 = 0). Conclusions Chronic exercise interventions had a consistent positive impact on EF, irrespective of intervention duration, weekly frequency, or session length. However, given limitations in the number and design of studies, further high-quality research is needed to strengthen these conclusions. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO identifier (CRD42023468588).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shuo Yang
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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14
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Parhoon K, Aita SL, Parhoon H, Moradi A, Roth RM. Psychometric properties of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, second edition (BRIEF2) self-report form in Iranian adolescents. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2024; 13:1-7. [PMID: 35930392 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2022.2106437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the psychometric properties of a Persian translation of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF2) Self-Report form. METHOD Participants were 589 typically developing adolescents (336 girls and 253 boys), ages 11-18 years old (M = 15.16; SD = 2.04), in Iran. They completed the Persian version of the BRIEF2 Self-Report form and Teenage Executive Functioning Inventory (TEXI). The Persian translated BRIEF2 psychometric properties were examined via internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity via associations with TEXI scores, and internal structure using structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate fit of the three-factor structure from the original English version BRIEF2. RESULTS Findings indicated the Persian version of BRIEF2 Self-Report form yielded scores with robust reliability, with internal consistency ranging from .87 to .93 and test-retest correlations ranging from .89 to .96, and adequate convergent validity, with correlations with the TEXI ranging from .48 to .79. SEM revealed that a three-factor solution was the best fitting model for the seven subscales of the Persian BRIEF2. CONCLUSION These findings support the clinical use of the Persian BRIEF2 in Iranian adolescents, including the interpretation of the BRIEF2 three-factor structure, as well as the multidimensional nature of executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Parhoon
- Postdoc Researcher in Cognitive Psychology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Stephen L Aita
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Hadi Parhoon
- Department of Psychology, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Alireza Moradi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Robert M Roth
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
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15
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Agha SS, Riglin L, Carbury R, Blakey R, Shakeshaft A, Thapar AK, Tilling K, Collishaw S, Stergiakouli E, Thapar A, Langley K. Young Adult ADHD Symptoms in the General Population and Neurocognitive Impairment. J Atten Disord 2024; 28:89-98. [PMID: 37864348 PMCID: PMC10676027 DOI: 10.1177/10870547231201870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neurocognitive impairments are associated with child and adult ADHD in clinical settings. However, it is unknown whether adult ADHD symptoms in the general population are associated with the same pattern of cognitive impairment. We examined this using a prospective, population-based cohort spanning birth to age 25 years. METHODS We examined associations between self-reported adult ADHD symptoms and cognitive task performance (attention and response inhibition) in adulthood and childhood. RESULTS Self-rated ADHD symptoms at age 25 were associated with poorer performance in age 25 cognitive tasks capturing ADHD-related functioning (attention B = -0.03, 95% CI [0.05, -0.01], p = .005; response inhibition B = -0.03, 95% CI [-0.05, -0.01], p = .002). CONCLUSIONS Neurocognitive impairments linked to adult ADHD symptoms in the general population, are similar to those found in people with childhood ADHD symptoms and are consistent with findings in adult ADHD clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharifah Shameem Agha
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Wales, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Lucy Riglin
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Rhian Carbury
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Rachel Blakey
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Amy Shakeshaft
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Ajay K. Thapar
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Stephan Collishaw
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK
| | | | - Anita Thapar
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Kate Langley
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, UK
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16
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Eng AG, Bansal PS, Goh PK, Nirjar U, Petersen MK, Martel MM. Evidence-Based Assessment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Assessment 2024; 31:42-52. [PMID: 36633097 DOI: 10.1177/10731911221149957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects individuals from all life stages, genders, and races/ethnicities. Accurate assessment of ADHD across different populations is essential as undiagnosed ADHD is associated with numerous costly negative public health outcomes and is complicated by high comorbidity and developmental change in symptoms over time. Predictive analysis suggests that best-practice evidence-based assessment of ADHD should include both ADHD-specific and broadband rating scales from multiple informants with consideration of IQ, academic achievement, and executive function when there are concerns about learning. For children under age 12, parent and teacher ratings should be averaged. For adolescents and adults, informant reports should be prioritized when self- and other-report are inconsistent. Future research should provide more stringent evaluation of the sensitivity of measures to treatment response and developmental change over time as well as further validate measures on historically understudied populations (i.e., adults, women, and racial/ethnic minorities).
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17
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Alvarez R, Velthorst E, Pinkham A, Ludwig KA, Alamansa J, Gaigg SB, Penn DL, Harvey PD, Fett AK. Reading the mind in the eyes and cognitive ability in schizophrenia- and autism spectrum disorders. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7913-7922. [PMID: 37522512 PMCID: PMC10755246 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia (SZ) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by difficulties in theory of mind (ToM). We examined group differences in performance on a ToM-related test and associations with an estimated IQ. METHODS Participants [N = 1227, SZ (n = 563), ASD (n = 159), and controls (n = 505), 32.2% female] completed the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) and assessments of cognitive ability. Associations between IQ and group on RMET were investigated with regression analyses. RESULTS SZ (d = 0.73, p < 0.001) and ASD (d = 0.37, p < 0.001) performed significantly worse on the RMET than controls. SZ performed significantly worse than ASD (d = 0.32, p = 0.002). Adding IQ to the model, SZ (d = 0.60, p < 0.001) and ASD (d = 0.44, p < 0.001) continued to perform significantly worse than controls, but no longer differed from each other (d = 0.13, p = 0.30). Small significant negative correlations between symptom severity and RMET performance were found in SZ (PANSS positive: r = -0.10, negative: r = -0.11, both p < 0.05). A small non-significant negative correlation was found for Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule scores and RMET in ASD (r = -0.08, p = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS SZ and ASD are characterized by impairments in RMET. IQ contributed significantly to RMET performance and accounted for group differences in RMET between SZ and ASD. This suggests that non-social cognitive ability needs to be included in comparative studies of the two disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Alvarez
- Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Eva Velthorst
- Community Mental Health Department GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord, Heerhugowaard, the Netherlands
| | - Amy Pinkham
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Kelsey A. Ludwig
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jorge Alamansa
- Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - David L. Penn
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip D. Harvey
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Research Service, Bruce W. Carter Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Anne-Kathrin Fett
- Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, UK
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18
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Feng X, Zhang Z, Jin T, Shi P. Effects of open and closed skill exercise interventions on executive function in typical children: a meta-analysis. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:420. [PMID: 38037184 PMCID: PMC10690989 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01317-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of open and closed skill exercise interventions for executive function in children and adolescents have received widespread attention. Open skill refers to the skill of performing motor tasks in an unpredictable environment; closed skill refers to the skill of performing motor tasks in a stable environment. However, the results of related studies are currently controversial and Meta-analysis is urgently needed. METHODS After computer searches of CNKI, Wan-Fang, VIP, WOS, PubMed, and EBSCO databases, two researchers independently screened articles, extracted information, and evaluated the quality of the articles. This study was statistical analyzed using Stata 16.0 software. RESULTS A total of 31 articles were included, including 2988 typical children. Open, closed, continuous and sequential skills all improved executive function in typical children to varying degrees, but open and sequential skills were more effective in improving executive function, particularly in the former in the working memory (SMD=-0.833, P < 0.001) and in the latter in the inhibitory control (SMD=-0.834, P < 0.001) and cognitive flexibility (SMD=-0.903, P < 0.001). Long-term, moderate- intensity interventions were better than acute, vigorous-intensity interventions for executive function, with long-term interventions reflected in working memory (SMD=-0.579, P < 0.001) and moderate-intensity interventions reflected in all three dimensions of executive function (P < 0.01). Intervention periods, intervention intensity and continuous and sequential skills classified by action structure play a significant moderating role. Better results for long-term, sequential structural action interventions based on open skills (P < 0.001); better results for acute, moderate intensity, sequential structural action interventions based on closed (P < 0.05). Whereas intervention intensity had a non-significant moderating effect in the open skills intervention, both moderate and vigorous intensity had a significant effect on executive function (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Open and closed skills have different levels of facilitation effects on executive function in typical children, but open skills are more effective. The facilitation effects of open and closed skills were moderated by the qualitative characteristics and action structure of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosu Feng
- School of Physical Education, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China
| | - Ziyun Zhang
- School of Life and Health, Huzhou College, Huzhou, 313002, China
| | - Teng Jin
- School of Physical Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Peng Shi
- School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China.
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19
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Tamm L, Hamik E, Yeung TS, Zoromski AK, Mara CA, Duncan A. Achieving Independence and Mastery in School: A School-Based Executive Function Group Intervention for Autistic Middle Schoolers. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06164-7. [PMID: 37991661 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06164-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Executive functioning (EF) deficits, such as challenges with planning, organization, and materials management, negatively impact academic performance, particularly for middle-school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability (ID). The aim was to assess the initial efficacy of the school-based version of the Achieving Independence and Mastery in School (AIMS) intervention in a pilot randomized clinical trial. 47 autistic middle-schoolers without ID attending nine different schools were randomized to participate in AIMS or to wait to receive AIMS the following semester (waitlist control = WLC). Youth, caregivers, and teachers rated academic EFs and academic functioning, and youth completed an objective EF measure, at baseline and outcome (post). Effect sizes were computed comparing baseline and post measures within each group. Individuals randomized to AIMS improved from baseline to post on academic EF outcome measures with small to moderate effect sizes, compared to WLC, who made some improvements but with generally smaller effect sizes. Analyses with academic functioning measures showed a similar pattern of results. These promising results suggest that AIMS delivered in the school by school-based personnel to small groups of students with ASD without ID can improve academic EF skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Tamm
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for ADHD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 10006, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Hamik
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA
| | - Tat Shing Yeung
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Allison K Zoromski
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Constance A Mara
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Amie Duncan
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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20
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Nagase K. The Association of Autistic Traits on Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in a Non-clinical Sample. Psychol Rep 2023:332941231214172. [PMID: 37934186 DOI: 10.1177/00332941231214172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with high autistic traits have difficulty in regulating their negative emotions. However, few studies clarify the relationship between autistic traits and cognitive emotion regulation strategies. This study examined the association between adaptive and maladaptive strategies in cognitive emotion regulation and autistic traits using a non-clinical sample. Two hundred and thirty-four participants completed the Japanese version of the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (Adult Self-Report version) and the Japanese version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. The results showed that autistic traits were negatively associated with the use of adaptive subordinate strategies for cognitive emotion regulation. By contrast, autistic traits were positively associated with the use of maladaptive subordinate strategies of cognitive emotion regulation. The cognitive and emotional characteristics of autism spectrum disorder, such as perspective taking and executive function, contextualize these results. These findings can help guide not only our understanding of the relationship between autistic traits and cognitive emotion regulation but also develop interventions aimed at facilitating the use of adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and preventing the use of maladapted strategies in individuals with high autistic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Nagase
- Faculty of Social Welfare, Yamaguchi Prefectural University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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21
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Wallace J, Boers E, Ouellet J, Afzali MH, Conrod P. Screen time, impulsivity, neuropsychological functions and their relationship to growth in adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18108. [PMID: 37872184 PMCID: PMC10593930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44105-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous longitudinal studies found significant associations between screen time and increase in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, but the mechanisms mediating this association remain understudied. Thus, we used data from a 5-year population-based longitudinal cohort of nearly 4000 Canadian high school students, modeled using multivariate multilevel mediation, to investigate the association of screen time (i.e., social media, television, video games, computer use) with ADHD symptoms via different potential behavioral and neuropsychological mediators (i.e. impulsivity, response inhibition, working memory). We studied direct and indirect between-person, concurrent within-person, and lagged-within-person effects of screens on ADHD symptoms. Results showed that increases in screen time in a given year were associated with an exacerbation of ADHD symptoms within that same year (within-person association), over and above potential common vulnerability (between-person association). Impulsivity proved to be the most robust mediator in the association of screen time with ADHD symptoms at both between and within-person levels. Only social media use displayed a significant lagged-within-person association with ADHD symptoms mediated by impulsivity, indicating an enduring influence on behavior, which was further shown to be mediated by chained changes in response inhibition on a Go/No-Go task. These findings provide clinical implications of screen time and should be an important focus in the management and prevention of ADHD symptoms among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina Wallace
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elroy Boers
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julien Ouellet
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mohammad H Afzali
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patricia Conrod
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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22
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Avisar A. Is the deficit in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder a concentration deficit? APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2023; 12:344-352. [PMID: 35998286 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2022.2114353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is comprised of two behavioral clusters of symptoms, inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Numerous studies have attempted to address the underlying neuropsychological mechanism of ADHD. However, there is still no uniform mechanism that can fully explain both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. This review describes the research findings that have shifted the focus from cognitive selective attention to executive function deficits and notes that the prominence of the attention deficit remains unclear. As ADHD is not consistently explained by cognitive selective attention but rather with cognitive sustained attention/vigilance and executive function deficits, this review suggests that concentration deficit is likely the cause of inattention symptoms. Indeed, considering concentration deficit as the cause of inattention symptoms may better describe the underlying difficulties of maintaining and controlling attention in ADHD. In addition, as concentration, impulsivity, and hyperactivity may share a common cognitive deficit, this shift in focus may help in identifying a single mechanism for all ADHD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alon Avisar
- Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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23
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Anning KL, Langley K, Hobson C, Van Goozen SHM. Dimensional associations between executive function processes and symptoms of ADHD, ASD, oppositional defiance and anxiety in young school-referred children. Cortex 2023; 167:132-147. [PMID: 37557009 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Executive function (EF) difficulties are implicated in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs), such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Because NDDs are highly comorbid and frequently co-occur with additional clinical problems, it is unclear how specific EF problems are associated with symptoms of ASD and ADHD, whilst accounting for co-occurring anxiety or oppositional defiance disorder (ODD) symptoms. The current study utilised a large sample of young children (n = 438, aged 4-8) referred to Cardiff University's Neurodevelopment Assessment Unit (NDAU) by teachers for cognitive and/or socio-emotional problems. As part of the referral process, the teachers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which revealed that most children displayed moderate to high hyperactivity (86%) and prosocial (73%) problems, as well as high levels of symptoms in other clinical domains (41% emotional, 61% conduct and 68% peer problems). Children completed tasks to assess episodic memory, cognitive inhibition, cognitive flexibility and visuomotor control, whilst parents completed questionnaires to measure symptoms of ASD, ADHD, anxiety and ODD. Dimensional analyses showed that poorer cognitive inhibition and visuospatial episodic memory were significantly associated with ADHD symptoms, whereas cognitive flexibility was negatively associated with ODD symptoms. Having more ASD symptoms was associated with fewer cognitive inhibition problems, whereas anxiety was associated with better cognitive flexibility. Our approach to assessment and analysis shows that specific cognitive processes are associated with distinct neurodevelopmental and clinical symptoms, which is ultimately relevant to early identification of and intervention for young children at risk of cognitive and/or socio-emotional problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Anning
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Kate Langley
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Stephanie H M Van Goozen
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; Department of Clinical Neurodevelopmental Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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24
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Guillén VM, Verdugo MÁ, Jiménez P, Aguayo V, Amor AM. Support Needs of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Implications for Their Assessment. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:793. [PMID: 37887443 PMCID: PMC10604162 DOI: 10.3390/bs13100793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The construct of support needs has become a key aspect for the diagnostics, classification, and interventional management of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, instruments specifically designed to assess support needs in this population are not available. Currently, the Supports Intensity Scale for Children (SIS-C), which could be administered to assess students with any type of intellectual disability (ID), is the only valid tool able to assess support needs in Spain. Our aim was to verify whether the SIS-C is useful for assessing the support needs of students with ASD, regardless of whether or not they present ID. The participants were subdivided into two groups. One group included students with ASD and ID (n = 248), and the other comprised participants with ASD without an ID (n = 44). The results of the two groups were compared with those reported in the original validation sample of the SIS-C, which involved participants with ID without ASD (n = 566). The results showed that this scale could be useful for assessing support needs in the three subgroups, but it appeared that different standardized norms based on the characteristics of each specific population would be appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel Á. Verdugo
- Institute for Community Inclusion and Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, Universidad de Salamanca, 37005 Salamanca, Spain; (M.Á.V.); (V.A.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Pedro Jiménez
- Institute for Community Inclusion, Universidad de Salamanca, 37005 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Virginia Aguayo
- Institute for Community Inclusion and Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, Universidad de Salamanca, 37005 Salamanca, Spain; (M.Á.V.); (V.A.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Antonio M. Amor
- Institute for Community Inclusion and Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, Universidad de Salamanca, 37005 Salamanca, Spain; (M.Á.V.); (V.A.); (A.M.A.)
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Weinberg H, Baruch Y, Tzameret H, Lavidor M. Cognitive control enhancement in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and neurotypical individuals. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:2381-2392. [PMID: 37624418 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06695-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive control, which has been localized to the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) based on functional imaging and brain lesion studies, is impaired in patients with ADHD. The present study aims to investigate whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the rIFG might improve cognitive control in ADHD subjects. We hypothesized poorer performance in a cognitive control task, but not in a control language task, in the ADHD subjects. Crucially, following tDCS, we expected the ADHD group to improve their cognitive control. In a double-blind randomized control trial, 42 participants performed the stop signal task (SST) to index their cognitive control level and the language task. Half of them were randomly assigned to the anodal stimulation condition and half to the sham stimulation. The anodal or sham stimulation was applied over the right IFG. Following the stimulation, the participants reset the two tasks to see whether stimulation improved the (predicted) weaker performance in the ADHD group. Stimulation significantly enhanced cognitive control for both groups, with or without ADHD, in the SST task, but no significant stimulation effects were found for the control task. tDCS seems as a promising tool to improve cognitive control in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hodaya Weinberg
- The Gonda Brain Research Center and Psychology Department, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yuval Baruch
- The Gonda Brain Research Center and Psychology Department, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Hila Tzameret
- The Gonda Brain Research Center and Psychology Department, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Michal Lavidor
- The Gonda Brain Research Center and Psychology Department, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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Howard PL, Pagán A. No evidence for high inflexible precision of prediction errors in autism during lexical processing. Autism Res 2023; 16:1775-1785. [PMID: 37497600 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Research has shown that information processing differences associated with autism could impact on language and literacy development. This study tested an approach to autistic cognition that suggests learning occurs via prediction errors, and autistic people have very precise and inflexible predictions that result in more sensitivity to meaningless signal errors than non-autistic readers. We used this theoretical background to investigate whether differences in prediction coding influence how orthographic (Experiment 1) and semantic information (Experiment 2) is processed by autistic readers. Experiment 1 used a lexical decision task to test whether letter position information was processed less flexibly by autistic than non-autistic readers. Three types of letter strings: words, transposed letter and substituted letters nonwords were presented. Experiment 2 used a semantic relatedness task to test whether autistic readers processed words with high and low semantic diversity differently to non-autistic readers. Results showed similar transposed letter and semantic diversity effects for all readers; indicating that orthographic and semantic information are processed similarly by autistic and non-autistic readers; and therefore, differences in prediction coding were not evident for these lexical processing tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ascensión Pagán
- School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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Abed M, Mansureh HH, Masoud GAL, Elaheh H, Mohammad-Hossein NHK, Yamin BD, Abdol-Hossein V. Construction of Meta-Thinking Educational Program Based on Mental-Brain Simulation ( MTMBS) and Evaluating its Effectiveness on Executive Functions, Emotion Regulation, and Impulsivity in Children With ADHD: A Resting-State Functional MRI Study. J Atten Disord 2023; 27:1223-1251. [PMID: 36843348 DOI: 10.1177/10870547231155436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of present research was to make a Meta-Thinking educational program based on mental-brain simulation and to evaluate its effectiveness on executive functions, emotion regulation and impulsivity in children with ADHD. METHODS The research method was Embedded Design: Embedded Experimental Model. The research sample included 32 children with ADHD who were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The intervention was implemented for eight sessions of 1.5 hr for the experimental group, and fMRI images were taken from them, while the control group didn't receive any treatment. Finally, using semi-structured interviews, coherent information was collected from the parents of the experimental group about the changes made. Data were analyzed with SPSS-24, MAXQDA, fMRIprep, and FSL software. RESULTS The Meta-Thinking Educational Program had effect on performance of ADHD children and suppressed brain regions related to DMN. CONCLUSION The Implementation of this educational program plays a vital role in improving psychological problems of children with ADHD.
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Frolli A, Cerciello F, Esposito C, Ricci MC, Laccone RP, Bisogni F. Universal Design for Learning for Children with ADHD. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1350. [PMID: 37628349 PMCID: PMC10453933 DOI: 10.3390/children10081350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric condition that shows developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. Symptoms begin at a young age and usually include a lack of attention, poor concentration, disorganization, difficulty completing tasks, forgetfulness, and losing things. It is important to diagnose and treat the disorder at a young age so that the symptoms do not persist into adulthood and cause other comorbid conditions. Learning difficulties, motor impairment, anxiety, or depressive disorders may occur with this condition. To improve the academic careers of children with ADHD, we focused on a specific innovative educational approach (Universal Design for Learning) that could improve basic learning skills (reading, writing, and arithmetic skills) to prevent or manage any learning difficulty that could occur with ADHD. The Universal Design for Learning is an individualized approach that combines current neuroscientific knowledge, creating personalized teaching based on the strengths and weaknesses of the student. The goal of this study is to analyze the impact that this approach has on basic learning abilities. We found that both interventions led to improvements in test performance, indicating that interventions were necessary to enhance reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. Furthermore, the group that received an educational intervention based on Universal Design for Learning demonstrated a more significant improvement in these areas. Additionally, we propose that the set of techniques implemented by teachers in the classroom helped children to read, write, and perform math tasks correctly and more fluently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Frolli
- Disability Research Centre of Rome University of International Studies, 00147 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (C.E.); (R.P.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesco Cerciello
- Disability Research Centre of Rome University of International Studies, 00147 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (C.E.); (R.P.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Clara Esposito
- Disability Research Centre of Rome University of International Studies, 00147 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (C.E.); (R.P.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Maria Carla Ricci
- FINDS—Italian Neuroscience and Developmental Disorders Foundation, 81040 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Rossana Pia Laccone
- Disability Research Centre of Rome University of International Studies, 00147 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (C.E.); (R.P.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Fabio Bisogni
- Disability Research Centre of Rome University of International Studies, 00147 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (C.E.); (R.P.L.); (F.B.)
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Nicoli G, Pavon G, Grayson A, Emerson A, Mitra S. Touch may reduce cognitive load during assisted typing by individuals with developmental disabilities. Front Integr Neurosci 2023; 17:1181025. [PMID: 37600233 PMCID: PMC10434793 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1181025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Many techniques have attempted to provide physical support to ease the execution of a typing task by individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). These techniques have been controversial due to concerns that the support provider's touch can influence the typed content. The most common interpretation of assisted typing as an ideomotor phenomenon has been qualified recently by studies showing that users with DD make identifiable contributions to the process. This paper suggests a neurophysiological pathway by which touch could lower the cognitive load of seated typing by people with DD. The required sensorimotor processes (stabilizing posture and planning and executing manual reaching movements) and cognitive operations (generating and transcribing linguistic material) place concurrent demands on cognitive resources, particularly executive function (EF). A range of developmental disabilities are characterized by deficits in sensorimotor and EF capacity. As light touch has been shown to facilitate postural coordination, it is proposed that a facilitator's touch could assist the seated typist with sensorimotor and EF deficits by reducing their sensorimotor workload and thereby freeing up shared cognitive resources for the linguistic elements of the task. This is the first theoretical framework for understanding how a facilitator's touch may assist individuals with DD to contribute linguistic content during touch-assisted typing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Nicoli
- School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Pavon
- School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Grayson
- School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Emerson
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Suvobrata Mitra
- School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Lupi E, Tucci F, Casula L, Novello RL, Guerrera S, Vicari S, Valeri G. Early and stable difficulties of everyday executive functions predict autism symptoms and emotional/behavioral problems in preschool age children with autism: a 2-year longitudinal study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1092164. [PMID: 37583604 PMCID: PMC10425204 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1092164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Longitudinal studies of autistic children show that autism symptoms and emotional/behavioral problems vary and change over time. However, the factors that affect this variability remain far from certain and very little is known about what take place in the preschool period and the role of executive functions (EF). Methods Here, we test the influence of stable difficulties in everyday executive functioning (EEF) during early childhood across 2 years on autistic symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems. Twenty-nine autistic children (24 males and 5 females) were assessed twice within the space of 2 years. At baseline (M = 29 months, SD =5.6 months), participants were assessed for EEF, cognitive development, autistic symptoms, and emotional/behavioral problems. At follow-up, we repeated the same assessment except for cognitive development. Results The group with stable difficulties (across 2 years) in EEF during early childhood showed a worsening in the severity of autistic symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems compared with children without EEF difficulties (p < 0.05), and these effects cannot be attributable to cognitive development. Discussion Our results suggest that early and stable EEF plays the role of a modifier by interacting with the core domains of autism, in particular with the social affect domain (SA CSS), influencing social cognition and exacerbating or lessening symptom expression and emotional behavioral problems. These short-term longitudinal and preliminary findings underscore the importance of EEF as necessary target for early intervention in children with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Lupi
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Tucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Casula
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Lucia Novello
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Guerrera
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Valeri
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Ye X, Zhou Q, Ren P, Xiang W, Xiao L. The Synaptic and Circuit Functions of Vitamin D in Neurodevelopment Disorders. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1515-1530. [PMID: 37424961 PMCID: PMC10327924 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s407731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is a public health issue around the world. According to epidemiological studies, low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increased risk of some neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Animal models reveal that vitamin D has a variety of impacts on the synapses and circuits in the brain. A lack of vitamin D affects the expression of synaptic proteins, as well as the synthesis and metabolism of various neurotransmitters. Depending on where vitamin D receptors (VDRs) are expressed, vitamin D may also regulate certain neuronal circuits through the endocannabinoid signaling, mTOR pathway and oxytocin signaling. While inconsistently, some data suggest that vitamin D supplementation may be able to reduce the core symptoms of ASD and ADHD. This review emphasizes vitamin D's role in the synaptic and circuit mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD and ADHD. Future application of vitamin D in these disorders will depend on both basic research and clinical studies, in order to make the transition from the bench to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshan Ye
- Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, School of Pediatrics, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qionglin Zhou
- International School of Public Health and One Health, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pengcheng Ren
- Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, School of Pediatrics, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, People’s Republic of China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, People’s Republic of China
- School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, School of Pediatrics, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, People’s Republic of China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Le Xiao
- Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, School of Pediatrics, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, People’s Republic of China
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Soltani Kouhbanani S, Arabi SM, Zarenezhad S. Does the Frontal Brain Electrical Activity Mediate the Effect of Home Executive Function Environment and Screen Time on Children's Executive Function? J Genet Psychol 2023; 184:430-445. [PMID: 37335540 DOI: 10.1080/00221325.2023.2223653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Executive functions play an important role in various developmental aspects of children; however, environmental factors influencing individual differences in children's executive function and their neural substructures, particularly in middle childhood, are rarely investigated. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the relationship between the home executive function environment (HEFE) and screen time with the executive function of children aged 8-12 years by employing the mediating variables of alpha, beta, and theta waves. The parents of 133 normal children completed Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning, HEFE, and Screen Time Scales. Alpha, beta, and theta brain waves were also measured. Data were examined using correlational and path analysis. The results suggested a positive and significant relationship between home executive functions and the executive functions of children. Furthermore, the results indicated an inverse and significant relationship between screen time and executive function. The results also proved the mediating role of alpha, beta, and theta brain waves in the relationship between screen time and the children's executive function. Environmental factors (such as home environment and screen time) affect the function of brain waves and, thus, the daily executive function of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakineh Soltani Kouhbanani
- Department of Educational Sciences, Educational Sciences and Psychology Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Manizheh Arabi
- Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Somayeh Zarenezhad
- Department of Educational Sciences, Educational Sciences and Psychology Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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Duncan A, Risley S, Combs A, Lacey HM, Hamik E, Fershtman C, Kneeskern E, Patel M, Crosby L, Hood AM, Zoromski AK, Tamm L. School Challenges and Services Related to Executive Functioning for Fully Included Middle Schoolers with Autism. FOCUS ON AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 38:90-100. [PMID: 37388555 PMCID: PMC10309140 DOI: 10.1177/10883576221110167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
The educational services available for fully included middle schoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the general education setting are not well known. Even less is known about how the executive functioning (EF) deficits of such youth are addressed in the classroom. The current study sought to identify the challenges, including EF, that middle schoolers with ASD face and the services that they receive on their Individualized Education Program (IEP), and also explore specific strategies used to build EF skills at school. A convenience data sample was obtained from focus groups with educational personnel (n = 15), and qualitative analyses of IEPs were conducted in middle schoolers with ASD with EF deficits (n = 23). Results confirmed that social communication and EF challenges are common. Multiple services and accommodations were identified, although EF challenges were rarely targeted on IEPs. Factors that may facilitate the success of EF strategies in the classroom are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amie Duncan
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lori Crosby
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | | | - Allison K. Zoromski
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | - Leanne Tamm
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
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Avnit A, Zibman S, Alyagon U, Zangen A. Abnormal functional asymmetry and its behavioural correlates in adults with ADHD: A TMS-EEG study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285086. [PMID: 37228131 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Abnormal functional brain asymmetry and deficient response inhibition are two core symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We investigated whether these symptoms are inter-related and whether they are underlined by altered frontal excitability and by compromised interhemispheric connectivity. METHODS We studied these issues in 52 ADHD and 43 non-clinical adults by comparing: (1) stop-signal reaction time (SSRT); (2) frontal asymmetry of the N200 event-related potential component, which is evoked during response inhibition and is lateralised to the right hemisphere; (3) TMS-evoked potential (TEP) in the right frontal hemisphere, which is indicative of local cortical excitability; and (4) frontal right-to-left interhemispheric TMS signal propagation (ISP), which is reversely indicative of interhemispheric connectivity. RESULTS Compared to controls, the ADHD group demonstrated elongated SSRT, reduced N200 right-frontal-asymmetry, weaker TEP, and stronger ISP. Moreover, in the ADHD group, N200 right-frontal-asymmetry correlated with SSRT, with TEP, and with symptoms severity. Conversely, no relationship was observed between ISP and N200 right-frontal-asymmetry, and both TEP and ISP were found to be unrelated to SSRT. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that abnormal frontal asymmetry is related to a key cognitive symptom in ADHD and suggest that it is underlined by reduced right-frontal excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Avnit
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Zlotowski Centre for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Samuel Zibman
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Zlotowski Centre for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Uri Alyagon
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Zlotowski Centre for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Abraham Zangen
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Zlotowski Centre for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Qassem Alyami I. Psychometric analysis of Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) in Saudi Arabian ADHD children: Calibration with Rasch model. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2023:1-8. [PMID: 37141120 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2023.2208698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric analysis of the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) in Saudi Arabian ADHD children using the Rasch model. The study included 210 children from both sexes(males and females). All participants were from Saudi Arabia. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to determine the dimensional structure of the scale. The Rasch Rating Scale Model (RSM) was used and implemented in the WINSTEPS v. 3.73 program. The results showed that the data, taken together, met the requirements of the RSM fit statistics. A good overall fit of persons and items to the model was found. Persons high rates of endorsement of "definitely true" on the CHEXI, as well as the most difficult items, are at the top of the map. No differences were found between the number of males and females in each of the three areas. The unidimensionality and local independence requirements were met. The levels of difficulty of the response categories are calibrated in ascending order as expected and in agreement with Andreich's scale model, and that all response categories are statistically appropriate according to the two scales of relevance, Infit and Outfit, where the statistics of the mean squares (Mnsq) for the fit of the categories did not exceed the limits of suitability. The thresholds for CHEXI are graded in difficulty and are almost equal in discrimination, and thus the assumption of the rating scale model is fulfilled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Qassem Alyami
- Department of Psychology, Education College, Jazan University, Evaluation& Measurement and Research, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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36
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Yasunaga M, Miyaguchi H, Ishizuki C, Kita Y, Nakai A. Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining Intervention Effects on Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder Traits. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050721. [PMID: 37239193 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Children with traits of developmental coordination disorder (DCD-t) may experience occupational performance problems that go unrecognized and therefore may not be adequately supported. The cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) approach has been effective in interventions for developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Based on an open-label, randomized controlled trial design, this study evaluated the effects of CO-OP on the occupational performance and motor skills of older kindergarten children with DCD-t using the School Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (S-AMPS) and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition. Children with a total DCDQ score of less than 40 or M-ABC2 scores in the 5th to 16th percentile were considered to have DCD-t. Furthermore, children with DCD-t and S-AMPS process skills less than 0.7 were considered to have DAMP (Deficits in Attention, Motor control and Perception)-t. After 3 months of CO-OP intervention, the performance and motor skills of children with DCD-t improved significantly. However, there were no significant changes noted in the motor skills of children with DAMP-t, although their occupational performance improved. These results suggest that CO-OP is effective even for older kindergarten children with DCD-t. However, further improvement of the CO-OP approach or a different strategy is required for children with ADHD comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Yasunaga
- Health and Counseling Center, Campus Life Health Support/Consultation Center, Osaka University, 3rd Floor, Student Exchange Building, 1-10 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka 560-0043, Japan
| | - Hideki Miyaguchi
- Department of Human Behavior Science of Occupational Therapy, Health Sciences Major, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Minamiku Kasumi, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Chinami Ishizuki
- Department of Human Behavior Science of Occupational Therapy, Health Sciences Major, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Minamiku Kasumi, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Yosuke Kita
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Letters, Keio University, 2-15-45 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8345, Japan
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit (CBRU), Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 3B Haartmaninkatu, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Akio Nakai
- Graduate School of Clinical Education & The Center for the Study of Child Development, Institute for Education, Mukogawa Women's University, 6-46 Ikebiraki, Nishinomiya 663-8558, Japan
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Skymba HV, Shields AN, Rauch AA, Phillips MS, Bing-Canar H, Finley JCA, Khan H, Ovsiew GP, Durkin NM, Jennette KJ, Resch ZJ, Soble JR. Does comorbid depression impact executive functioning (EF) in adults diagnosed with ADHD?: a comparison of EF across diagnoses in clinically-referred individuals. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2023; 45:1-11. [PMID: 37083506 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2203464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Executive functioning (EF) is a salient factor in both ADHD as well as depressive disorders. However, sparse literature has examined whether depression severity impacts EF concurrently among adults with ADHD. The goal of this study was to examine differences in EF between adult patients diagnosed with ADHD and those diagnosed with a non-ADHD primary psychopathological condition, as a function of both ADHD presentation and depression severity in a diverse clinical sample. METHOD This crosssectional study included 404 adult patients clinically referred for neuropsychological evaluation to assist with differential diagnosis and/or treatment planning related to known or suspected ADHD. Various EF tasks and a measure of depression severity were administered. One-way MANOVA analyses were conducted to compare EF performance between individuals diagnosed with ADHD or a non-ADHD primary psychopathological condition, with additional analyses examining group differences based on ADHD presentation and depression severity. Regression analyses also examined the potential contribution of depression severity to each EF measure within each group. RESULTS No significant EF performance differences were found when comparing individuals diagnosed with ADHD and those with a non-ADHD primary psychopathological condition, nor based on ADHD presentation. When comparing across groups using cut-offs for high or low depression, only one EF measure showed significant differences between groups. Further, depression severity generally did not predict reduced EF performances with the exception of verbal fluency and working memory performances in select groups. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that individuals with ADHD generally perform comparably on EF measures regardless of the presence or absence of comorbid depression. These results suggest further examination of EF deficits when they emerge for adults with ADHD, especially beyond comorbid depression severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley V Skymba
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Allison N Shields
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew A Rauch
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Matthew S Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Hanaan Bing-Canar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - John-Christopher A Finley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Humza Khan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Gabriel P Ovsiew
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Nicole M Durkin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Kyle J Jennette
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Zachary J Resch
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Jason R Soble
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Executive Functions and Language Skills in Preschool Children: The Unique Contribution of Verbal Working Memory and Cognitive Flexibility. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030470. [PMID: 36979280 PMCID: PMC10046801 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of language skills requires a range of linguistic abilities and cognitive processes, such as executive functions (EFs, i.e., a set of skills involved in goal-directed activities which are crucial for regulating thoughts and actions). Despite progress in understanding the link between language and EFs, the need for more research on the extent and directionality of this link is undeniable. This study examined whether specific components of EFs account for a significant amount of variance in language abilities above and beyond gender, age, and nonverbal intelligence. The sample comprised 79 typically developing children attending the last year of preschool (Mage = 64.5 months, SD = 3.47). EFs were assessed through tasks that explored three predictor variables: inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The language outcomes included receptive and expressive language. After controlling for age, gender, and nonverbal intelligence, findings showed that working memory and cognitive flexibility, respectively, explained an additional 16% and 19% of the variance. Inhibition skills did not increase the amount of explained variance in language outcomes. These results highlight the potential added importance of assessing working memory and cognitive flexibility in the prediction of language skills in preschool children.
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Kostyrka-Allchorne K, Wass SV, Yusuf H, Rao V, Bertini C, Sonuga-Barke EJS. Inhibitory deficits and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: How are they related to effortful control? BRITISH JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 41:50-65. [PMID: 36127834 PMCID: PMC10087402 DOI: 10.1111/bjdp.12432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Separate studies with clinical and community-based samples have identified an association between symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and inhibitory control deficits and ADHD and weak effortful control. We tested whether differences in effortful control explained the associations between ADHD symptoms and inhibitory control deficits, controlling for conduct problems. In a community sample, parents rated ADHD symptoms, conduct problems, effortful control, surgency and negative affect in 77 4-7-year-olds (47 girls), who performed an inhibitory control task. ADHD symptoms, deficient inhibitory control and low effortful control were correlated. Controlling for conduct problems, path analysis showed the ADHD symptoms - inhibitory control link was mediated statistically by effortful control. This focuses attention on cognitive-energetic factors associated with ADHD-related executive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kostyrka-Allchorne
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sam V Wass
- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
| | - Hodo Yusuf
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Vidya Rao
- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
| | - Chloé Bertini
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Edmund J S Sonuga-Barke
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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40
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Greco G, Choi B, Michel K, Faja S. Here's the Story: Narrative Ability and Executive Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2023; 101:102092. [PMID: 36644329 PMCID: PMC9835513 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2022.102092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Difficulties with narrative have been reported in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the role of executive function on narrative ability has not been examined in ASD. In this study, we aimed to (1) examine whether narrative abilities of ASD children differed from neurotypical (NT) children who did not differ in age, sex, and IQ; and (2) investigate relations between executive function and narrative ability in ASD children. Method Narratives were elicited from 64 ASD children and 26 NT children using a wordless picture book and coded to derive several aspects of narrative ability such as propositions, evaluative devices, and self-repairs. Executive functions (specifically, inhibition and working memory) were measured using both experimenter-administered assessment and parent-report measures. Results Compared to NT children, ASD children produced fewer propositions but did not differ in their use of evaluative devices and self-repairs during narrative production. Greater inhibitory challenges related to more self-repairs involving repetition of story elements, whereas working memory did not relate to any of the measures of narrative ability among ASD children. Conclusions This study revealed that narratives by verbally fluent ASD children were shorter and less complex than those by NT children but did not differ in the specific features of narratives. Furthermore, although ASD children did not make more self-repairs than NT children, difficulty with inhibition was related to more self-repairs, indicating more dysfluent narrative production in ASD children, which has implications for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Greco
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Boin Choi
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Susan Faja
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Conner CM, Elias R, Smith IC, White SW. Emotion Regulation and Executive Function: Associations with Depression and Anxiety in Autism. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2023; 101:102103. [PMID: 36741741 PMCID: PMC9897310 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are prone to experience co-occurring mental health conditions such as mood or anxiety disorders, as well as impairments in emotion regulation and executive functioning. However, little research has examined inter-relationships among these constructs, despite evidence of additional stressors and increased risk of internalizing disorders at this age, relative to non-autistic individuals. If either emotion regulation or executive functioning are shown to have patterns of association with mental health, this can inform mechanism-based intervention. Method Fifty-seven autistic adolescents and adults (16-25 years) with ASD in a transition intervention completed questionnaires and clinician-administered measures at baseline. Analyses assessed whether executive functioning impairment, above and beyond emotion regulation impairment, were associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. Results ASD characteristics, emotion regulation, anxiety, and depression were significantly correlated. ASD characteristics was a significant contributor to depression and emotion regulation impairments were significant contributors to anxiety and depression. Findings indicated that inhibition difficulties did not uniquely contribute to depression or anxiety above emotion regulation impairment. Difficulties in cognitive flexibility were associated with depression above and beyond ASD characteristics, IQ, and emotion regulation, but not associated with anxiety. Conclusions Although preliminary, findings suggest that inflexibility and regulatory impairment should be considered in depression remediation approaches. Improving ER, on the other hand, may have broader transdiagnostic impact across both mood and anxiety symptoms in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca Elias
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Isaac C. Smith
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, West Hartford, CT
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Upregulations of α 1 adrenergic receptors and noradrenaline synthases in the medial prefrontal cortex are associated with emotional and cognitive dysregulation induced by post-weaning social isolation in male rats. Neurosci Lett 2023; 797:137071. [PMID: 36642239 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Early-life social isolation induces emotional and cognitive dysregulation, such as increased aggression and anxiety, and decreases neuron excitability in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The noradrenergic system in the mPFC regulates emotion and cognitive function via α1 or α2A adrenergic receptors, depending on noradrenaline levels. However, social isolation-induced changes in the mPFC noradrenergic system have not been reported. Here, male Wistar rats received post-weaning social isolation for nine consecutive weeks and were administered behavioral tests (novel object recognition, elevated plus maze, aggression, and forced swimming, sequentially). Protein expression levels in the mPFC noradrenergic system (α1 and α2A adrenergic receptors, tyrosine hydroxylase, and dopamine-β-hydroxylase used as indices of noradrenaline synthesis and release) were examined through western blotting. Social isolation caused cognitive dysfunction, anxiety-like behavior, and aggression, but not behavioral despair. Socially-isolated rats exhibited increased protein levels of the α1 adrenergic receptor, tyrosine hydroxylase, and dopamine-β-hydroxylase in the mPFC; there was no significant difference between the groups in the α2A adrenergic receptor expression levels. Preferential activation of the α1 adrenergic receptor caused by high noradrenaline concentration in the mPFC may be involved in social isolation-induced emotional and cognitive regulation impairments. Targeting the α1 adrenergic receptor signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic strategy for psychiatric disorders with symptomatic features such as emotional and cognitive dysregulation.
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Marinopoulou M, Unenge Hallerbäck M, Bornehag CG, Billstedt E. Is WISC-IV Working Memory Index associated with ADHD symptoms in 7-8-year-olds? APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2023:1-10. [PMID: 36780371 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2023.2176232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The Working Memory Index (WMI) in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) has been suggested to be associated with ADHD symptoms. The relationship between WMI and ADHD symptoms in the general population is not clear. The study aimed to examine the association between working memory (WM) and behavioral regulation (BR), and hyperactivity/inattention (HI) in a general population sample of 7-8-year-olds, and whether general intellectual functioning is associated with BR and HI. The study also examined if those with low WMI also fulfill elevated ADHD criteria. The study group (N = 865) was assessed with the WISC (Fourth edition), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Five to Fifteen Questionnaire, and divided into three groups based on WM function, and in relation to BR and/or HI problems. The associations between WM and BR, and WM and HI, including intellectual functioning as covariate, were examined. WM deficits were found in 22%, but the majority of those had no BR or HI problems. Four percent in the study group had WM deficits combined with BR and/or HI problems, and in about one third of those inattentive ADHD criteria were fulfilled. WM and prosocial behavior were associated with BR and HI. WM deficits measured with WISC WMI in 7-8-year-olds do not always signal BR and/or HI problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Marinopoulou
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Child and Adolescent Habilitation, Region Värmland, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Maria Unenge Hallerbäck
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eva Billstedt
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Child Neuropsychiatric Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Chutko LS, Surushkina SY, Yakovenko EA. [Disorders of social cognition in children]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2023; 123:34-40. [PMID: 36719117 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202312301134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The article presents an overview of scientific publications devoted to the study of social cognition as a separate cognitive function and its role in the formation of normal mental development. Modern ideas about the « theory of mind « and its neurobiological foundations are considered. The results of studies of social competence in children with autism, specific language impairment, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and specific learning disorder are presented. The main neurocognitive deficits observed in violation of social cognition in children and the possibility of their pharmacological correction are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Chutko
- N. Behtereva Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - S Yu Surushkina
- N. Behtereva Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - E A Yakovenko
- N. Behtereva Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Bakhshi S, Tehrani-Doost M, Batouli SAH. Fronto-Cerebellar Neurometabolite Alterations After Methylphenidate in Children and Adolescents With ADHD: A Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study. J Atten Disord 2023; 27:410-422. [PMID: 36635897 DOI: 10.1177/10870547221146238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The fronto-cerebellar circuit is involved in ADHD pathophysiology. Methylphenidate, as a first-line medication for ADHD, affects different brain regions, however, its effect on the fronto-cerebellar circuit is not investigated sufficiently. We aimed to investigate the effect of 8-week treatment with methylphenidate on neurometabolite ratios in the fronto-cerebellar circuit in ADHD participants using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). METHODS Fifteen drug-naïve ADHD children and adolescents were enrolled in the present study. Two single-voxel MR spectra were acquired from the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and left Crus 1, before and after the medication. Also, neuropsychological and behavioral assessments were administered. RESULTS After medication, the glutamate/creatine in the DLPFC and the choline/creatine in the Crus 1 decreased in the ADHD participants. CONCLUSION These findings propose that methylphenidate-induced metabolite changes in the fronto-cerebellar circuit could be associated with improvement in cognitive/behavioral characteristics in ADHD. Also, results highlighted cerebellar engagement in ADHD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Bakhshi
- Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
- Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Tehrani-Doost
- Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
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Pollatos O, Mönkemöller K, Groppe K, Elsner B. Interoceptive accuracy is associated with benefits in decision making in children. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1070037. [PMID: 36743603 PMCID: PMC9893641 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1070037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Decision making results not only from logical analyses, but seems to be further guided by the ability to perceive somatic information (interoceptive accuracy). Relations between interoceptive accuracy and decision making have been exclusively studied in adults and with regard to complex, uncertain situations (as measured by the Iowa Gambling Task, IGT). Methods In the present study, 1454 children (6-11 years) were examined at two time points (approximately 1 year apart) using an IGT as well as a delay-of-gratification task for sweets-items and toy-items. Interoceptive accuracy was measured using a child-adapted version of the Heartbeat Perception Task. Results The present results revealed that children with higher, as compared to lower, interoceptive accuracy showed more advantageous choices in the IGT and delayed more sweets-items, but not toy-items, in a delay-of-gratification task at time point 2 but not at time point 1. However, no longitudinal relation between interoceptive accuracy and decision making 1 year later could be shown. Discussion Results indicate that interoceptive accuracy relates to decision-making abilities in situations of varying complexity already in middle childhood, and that this link might consolidate across the examined 1-year period. Furthermore, the association of interoceptive accuracy and the delay of sweets-items might have implications for the regulation of body weight at a later age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Pollatos
- Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Education and Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Karla Mönkemöller
- Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Education and Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany,*Correspondence: Karla Mönkemöller, ✉
| | - Karoline Groppe
- Evangelisches Krankenhaus Königin Elisabeth Herzberge, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Elsner
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Yon-Hernández JA, Canal-Bedia R, Wojcik DZ, García-García L, Fernández-Álvarez C, Palacio-Duque S, Franco-Martín MA. Executive functions in daily living skills: A study in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1109561. [PMID: 37113122 PMCID: PMC10127455 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1109561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adults with autism and adults with schizophrenia show difficulties in adaptive skills, especially those related to daily functioning. Some studies suggest that adaptive skills are associated with deficits in executive functions (EF), while others indicate that intelligence quotient (IQ) might also play a role. Literature suggests that autistic symptoms further affect adaptive skills. The interest of the current study, therefore, was to explore to what extent IQ, EFs as well as core autistic symptoms predict adaptive skills. Methods To do this, 25 controls, 24 adults with autism, and 12 with schizophrenia were assessed on IQ (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), and executive functioning. The EF was measured with neuropsychological tasks (inhibition, updating, and task switching) and with the Dysexecutive-Spanish Questionnaire (DEX-Sp) which assessed everyday life EF problems. Core ASD symptoms were measured using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, the Autism Spectrum Quotient-Short version (AQ-S), and the Repetitive Behavior Questionnaire - 3 (RBQ-3). Results The results indicated EF difficulties in both, autism and schizophrenia. The IQ explained a high percentage of the variance found in adaptive skills, but only in the autism group. We can conclude, therefore, that high IQ is associated with low adaptive skills levels and EFs affect adaptive functioning in people with autism; however, this does not explain the difficulties in adaptive functioning in the schizophrenia group. Core features of autism assessed with self-report questionnaires (but not the ADOS-2) predicted low scores on the adaptive skills, only in the autism group. Discussion Both EF measures predicted adaptive skills scores in autism, but not in schizophrenia. Our results suggest that different factors affect the adaptive functioning in each disorder. For instance, the EFs should be a central focus for improvement, especially for individuals with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo A. Yon-Hernández
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ricardo Canal-Bedia
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ricardo Canal-Bedia,
| | - Dominika Z. Wojcik
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Clara Fernández-Álvarez
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Stefanny Palacio-Duque
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel A. Franco-Martín
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Zamora Hospital (Complejo Asistencial de Zamora), Zamora, Spain
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Smith DR, Strupp BJ. Animal Models of Childhood Exposure to Lead or Manganese: Evidence for Impaired Attention, Impulse Control, and Affect Regulation and Assessment of Potential Therapies. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:3-21. [PMID: 36853434 PMCID: PMC10119373 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01345-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral disorders involving attention and impulse control dysfunction, such as ADHD, are among the most prevalent disorders in children and adolescents, with significant impact on their lives. The etiology of these disorders is not well understood, but is recognized to be multifactorial, with studies reporting associations with polygenic and environmental risk factors, including toxicant exposure. Environmental epidemiological studies, while good at establishing associations with a variety of environmental and genetic risk factors, cannot establish causality. Animal models of behavioral disorders, when properly designed, can play an essential role in establishing causal relationships between environmental risk factors and a disorder, as well as provide model systems for elucidating underlying neural mechanisms and testing therapies. Here, we review how animal model studies of developmental lead or manganese exposure have been pivotal in (1) establishing a causal relationship between developmental exposure and lasting dysfunction in the domains of attention, impulse control, and affect regulation, and (2) testing the efficacy of specific therapeutic approaches for alleviating the lasting deficits. The lead and manganese case studies illustrate how animal models can advance knowledge in ways that are not possible in human studies. For example, in contrast to the Treatment of Lead Poisoned Children (TLC) human clinical trial evaluating succimer chelation efficacy to improve cognitive functioning in lead-exposed children, our developmental lead exposure animal model showed that succimer chelation can produce lasting cognitive benefits if chelation sufficiently reduces brain lead levels. In addition, this study revealed that succimer treatment in the absence of lead exposure produces lasting cognitive dysfunction, highlighting potential risks of chelation in off-label uses, such as the treatment of autistic children without a history of lead exposure. Our animal model of developmental manganese exposure has demonstrated that manganese can cause lasting attentional and sensorimotor deficits, akin to an ADHD-inattentive behavioral phenotype, thereby providing insights into the role of environmental exposures as contributors to ADHD. These studies have also shown that oral methylphenidate (Ritalin) can fully alleviate the deficits produced by early developmental Mn exposure. Future work should continue to focus on the development and use of animal models that appropriately recapitulate the complex behavioral phenotypes of behavioral disorders, in order to determine the mechanistic basis for the behavioral deficits caused by developmental exposure to environmental toxicants, and the efficacy of existing and emerging therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald R Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.
| | - Barbara J Strupp
- Division of Nutritional Sciences and Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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Hirnstein M, Stuebs J, Moè A, Hausmann M. Sex/Gender Differences in Verbal Fluency and Verbal-Episodic Memory: A Meta-Analysis. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023; 18:67-90. [PMID: 35867343 PMCID: PMC9896545 DOI: 10.1177/17456916221082116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Women are thought to fare better in verbal abilities, especially in verbal-fluency and verbal-memory tasks. However, the last meta-analysis on sex/gender differences in verbal fluency dates from 1988. Although verbal memory has only recently been investigated meta-analytically, a comprehensive meta-analysis is lacking that focuses on verbal memory as it is typically assessed, for example, in neuropsychological settings. On the basis of 496 effect sizes and 355,173 participants, in the current meta-analysis, we found that women/girls outperformed men/boys in phonemic fluency (ds = 0.12-0.13) but not in semantic fluency (ds = 0.01-0.02), for which the sex/gender difference appeared to be category-dependent. Women/girls also outperformed men/boys in recall (d = 0.28) and recognition (ds = 0.12-0.17). Although effect sizes are small, the female advantage was relatively stable over the past 50 years and across lifetime. Published articles reported stronger female advantages than unpublished studies, and first authors reported better performance for members of their own sex/gender. We conclude that a small female advantage in phonemic fluency, recall, and recognition exists and is partly subject to publication bias. Considerable variance suggests further contributing factors, such as participants' language and country/region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Hirnstein
- Department of Biological and Medical
Psychology, University of Bergen
| | - Josephine Stuebs
- Department of Biological and Medical
Psychology, University of Bergen
- Department of Neuropsychology and
Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University
- Institute of Clinical Medicine,
University of Oslo
| | - Angelica Moè
- Department of General Psychology,
University of Padua
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50
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Effect of Physical Exercise in Real-World Settings on Executive Function of Typical Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12121734. [PMID: 36552193 PMCID: PMC9775424 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12121734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic review of research on physical exercise in real-world settings on executive function of typical children and adolescents. METHODS The CNKI, WOS, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched by computer. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias in the included literature. Statistical analysis was performed using frequency and percentage and the χ2 test. RESULTS A total of 49 articles was included. Acute (moderate intensity lasting 30-50 min) and long-term (interventions of moderate intensity of 30-50 min at least 3 times a week for 17 weeks or more) physical exercises in real-world settings have positive intervention effects on executive function. Furthermore, for acute interventions, closed skills are more efficient for inhibitory control, open skills are more efficient for working memory and cognitive flexibility, and open-continuous and closed-sequential skills are the most efficient; long-term interventions with open skills, sequential skills, and open-sequential skills are more effective. CONCLUSION Physical exercise in real-world settings has a good promotion effect on typical children and adolescents, and motor skills with open and/or sequential attributes are more helpful in improving executive function.
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