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Chan A, Begum Y, Robertson A, Walker K, Westmacott R, Shroff M, Dlamini N, Narang I. The Impact of Experimental Sleep Restriction on Neurocognition in Healthy Adolescents. Sleep Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2022.05.564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Chan A, Begum Y, Robertson A, Walker K, Westmacott R, Shroff M, Dlamini N, Narang I. The Impact of Experimental Sleep Restriction on Endothelial Function in Healthy Adolescents. Sleep Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2022.05.563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Champigny C, Deotto A, Westmacott R, Desrocher M. Academic Outcome in Pediatric Stroke: A Multifaceted Approach to Exploring Challenges and Achievements. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acz035.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
An important cause of acquired brain injury in children, pediatric stroke can engender sequelae across a wide range of cognitive domains, including language, attention, memory, and processing speed. As a result, survivors are especially vulnerable to academic difficulties and face unique challenges compared to their peers. Despite this knowledge, pediatric stroke remains an understudied neurological condition, and its impact on school functioning is poorly understood. Addressing this gap in knowledge, the present clinical research study assesses academic outcome with a multifaceted approach.
Methods
This study evaluated youth with (n = 23) and without (n = 18) histories of stroke. Families were recruited at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Participants were administered an extensive battery of neuropsychological and psychoeducational tests, quality of life questionnaires, and behavior rating scales. Medical records and school report cards provided additional data.
Results
Compared to their peers, youth with stroke exhibited more deficits in processing speed and core academic skills and were more likely to have a learning disability, an Individual Education Plan, school accommodations, and access to assistive technologies. Controlling for the effects of intelligence, a hierarchical regression suggested that processing speed and reading skills predicted grades for youth with stroke. Finally, quality of life was similar between groups, indicating comparable experiences in school environment, peer support, and social acceptance.
Conclusions
This study makes a meaningful contribution to the field of pediatric stroke and promotes a nuanced understanding of the struggles that patients encounter, what impairments they tend to incur, and how these difficulties impact academic achievement.
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Ledochowski J, Desrocher M, Westmacott R. B - 12Associations Between Cognitive, Mental Health, and Motor Outcomes in Patients with Acquired Dystonia After Pediatric Stroke. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acy061.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Dlamini N, Shah-Basak P, Leung J, Kirkham F, Shroff M, Kassner A, Robertson A, Dirks P, Westmacott R, deVeber G, Logan W. Breath-Hold Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent MRI: A Tool for the Assessment of Cerebrovascular Reserve in Children with Moyamoya Disease. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2018; 39:1717-1723. [PMID: 30139753 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a5739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is a critical need for a reliable and clinically feasible imaging technique that can enable prognostication and selection for revascularization surgery in children with Moyamoya disease. Blood oxygen level-dependent MR imaging assessment of cerebrovascular reactivity, using voluntary breath-hold hypercapnic challenge, is one such simple technique. However, its repeatability and reliability in children with Moyamoya disease are unknown. The current study sought to address this limitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Children with Moyamoya disease underwent dual breath-hold hypercapnic challenge blood oxygen level-dependent MR imaging of cerebrovascular reactivity in the same MR imaging session. Within-day, within-subject repeatability of cerebrovascular reactivity estimates, derived from the blood oxygen level-dependent signal, was computed. Estimates were associated with demographics and intellectual function. Interrater reliability of a qualitative and clinically applicable scoring scheme was assessed. RESULTS Twenty children (11 males; 12.1 ± 3.3 years) with 30 MR imaging sessions (60 MR imaging scans) were included. Repeatability was "good" on the basis of the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.70 ± 0.19). Agreement of qualitative scores was "substantial" (κ = 0.711), and intrarater reliability of scores was "almost perfect" (κ = 0.83 and 1). Younger participants exhibited lower repeatability (P = .027). Repeatability was not associated with cognitive function (P > .05). However, abnormal cerebrovascular reactivity was associated with slower processing speed (P = .015). CONCLUSIONS Breath-hold hypercapnic challenge blood oxygen level-dependent MR imaging is a repeatable technique for the assessment of cerebrovascular reactivity in children with Moyamoya disease and is reliably interpretable for use in clinical practice. Standardization of such protocols will allow further research into its application for the assessment of ischemic risk in childhood cerebrovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Dlamini
- From the Division of Neurology (N.D., G.d.V., W.L.)
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program (N.D.)
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program (N.D., A.R., G.d.V.)
- Institute of Medical Science (N.D., G.d.V.)
- Developmental Neurosciences (N.D., F.K.), University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - P Shah-Basak
- Diagnostic Imaging (P.S.-B., M.S.)
- Rotman Research Institute (P.S.-B.), Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Leung
- Translational Medicine (J.L., A.K.)
| | - F Kirkham
- Developmental Neurosciences (N.D., F.K.), University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - M Shroff
- Diagnostic Imaging (P.S.-B., M.S.)
| | - A Kassner
- Translational Medicine (J.L., A.K.)
- Department of Medical Imaging (A.K.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Robertson
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program (N.D., A.R., G.d.V.)
| | - P Dirks
- Department of Neurosurgery (P.D.)
| | - R Westmacott
- Department of Neuropsychology (R.W.), The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - G deVeber
- From the Division of Neurology (N.D., G.d.V., W.L.)
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program (N.D., A.R., G.d.V.)
- Institute of Medical Science (N.D., G.d.V.)
| | - W Logan
- From the Division of Neurology (N.D., G.d.V., W.L.)
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Gowdie P, Twilt M, Sheikh S, Kailasanathan T, Cellucci T, Blanchette N, Westmacott R, Benseler S. OP0277 Burden of childhood CNS vasculitis: Identifying high risk factors for poor cognitive outcome. Ann Rheum Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-eular.1960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Yoon G, Westmacott R, MacMillan L, Quercia N, Koutsou P, Georghiou A, Christodoulou K, Banwell B. Complete deletion of the aprataxin gene: ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 1 with severe phenotype and cognitive deficit. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2008; 79:234-6. [PMID: 18202221 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2007.127233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Westmacott R, Mcandrews M, Silver F. Altered effective connectivity within language networks following left hemisphere stroke. Brain Cogn 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2006.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Westmacott R, Moscovitch M. Names and words without meaning: incidental postmorbid semantic learning in a person with extensive bilateral medial temporal damage. Neuropsychology 2002. [PMID: 11761048 DOI: 10.1037//0894-4105.15.4.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors describe a densely amnesic man who has acquired explicit semantic knowledge of famous names and vocabulary words that entered popular culture after the onset of his amnesia. This new semantic knowledge was temporally graded and existed over and above the implicit memory he demonstrated in reading speed and accuracy, familiarity ratings, and his ability to make correct guesses on unfamiliar items. However, his postmorbid knowledge was limited to verbal labels denoting famous people and words; he possessed virtually no explicit knowledge of the meaning of these words or the identities of these individuals, although there was some evidence that some of this information had been acquired at an implicit level. Findings are discussed in the context of a neural network model (J. L. McClelland, B. L. McNaughton, & R. C. O'Reilly, 1995) of semantic acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Westmacott
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Westmacott R, Moscovitch M. Names and words without meaning: incidental postmorbid semantic learning in a person with extensive bilateral medial temporal damage. Neuropsychology 2001; 15:586-96. [PMID: 11761048 DOI: 10.1037/0894-4105.15.4.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors describe a densely amnesic man who has acquired explicit semantic knowledge of famous names and vocabulary words that entered popular culture after the onset of his amnesia. This new semantic knowledge was temporally graded and existed over and above the implicit memory he demonstrated in reading speed and accuracy, familiarity ratings, and his ability to make correct guesses on unfamiliar items. However, his postmorbid knowledge was limited to verbal labels denoting famous people and words; he possessed virtually no explicit knowledge of the meaning of these words or the identities of these individuals, although there was some evidence that some of this information had been acquired at an implicit level. Findings are discussed in the context of a neural network model (J. L. McClelland, B. L. McNaughton, & R. C. O'Reilly, 1995) of semantic acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Westmacott
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Westmacott R, Leach L, Freedman M, Moscovitch M. Different patterns of autobiographical memory loss in semantic dementia and medial temporal lobe amnesia: a challenge to consolidation theory. Neurocase 2001; 7:37-55. [PMID: 11239075 DOI: 10.1093/neucas/7.1.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Temporally graded retrograde memory loss, with a disproportionate impairment of recent relative to remote memories, is considered a hallmark of medial temporal lobe amnesia. According to consolidation theory, the hippocampal complex, which includes the hippocampal formation, parahippocampal gyrus, the entorhinal and perirhinal cortex, plays a time-limited role in memory, needed only until consolidation in the neocortex is complete (Squire, Psychological Review 1992; 99: 195-231). Recent support for this theory comes from findings of a reverse gradient in people with semantic dementia with neocortical degeneration but a relatively preserved hippocampal complex (Hodges and Graham, Neuropsychologia 1998; 36: 803-25). Consolidation theory is challenged by evidence that remote autobiographical memory is not always spared in amnesia (Nadel and Moscovitch, Current Opinion in Neurobiology 1997; 7: 217-27) and that semantic memory becomes highly personalized in semantic dementia (Snowden et al., Memory 1995; 3: 225-46). According to Nadel and Moscovitch, the hippocampal complex is needed to retain and retrieve detailed memories of autobiographical episodes no matter how old they are. To test consolidation theory against the opposing view, we investigated the role of the hippocampal complex in recent and remote autobiographical and personal semantic memory by contrasting the memory of a semantic dementia patient, EL, with that of an amnesic patient, KC, using family photographs as recall cues. KC demonstrated a complete loss of autobiographical episodes with a sparing of autobiographical facts; EL demonstrated well-preserved memory for episodes with a reverse gradient for personally relevant names. The influence of autobiographical significance on memory for names of public figures was examined further by comparing the effect that familiarity and recollection had on recognition of names of famous people and famous places. EL's memory was influenced by autobiographical significance, whereas KC's was not. We propose that the hippocampal complex plays a permanent role in the storage and retrieval of autobiographical episodes and that autobiographical significance may affect semantic representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Westmacott
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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