Child Neuropsychology[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Semantic fluency in 3-6 years old preschoolers: which executive functions?
Ruffini C, Osmani F, Bigozzi L … +1 more , Pecini C
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 May · PMID 37401450 · Publisher ↗
Semantic Fluency (SF) increases with age, along with the lexicon and the strategies to access it. Among the cognitive processes involved in controlling lexical access, Executive Functions (EF) play an essential role. Nev...
Semantic Fluency (SF) increases with age, along with the lexicon and the strategies to access it. Among the cognitive processes involved in controlling lexical access, Executive Functions (EF) play an essential role. Nevertheless, which EF, namely inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, are specifically tapped by SF during preschool years, when these basic EF components are developing and differentiating, is still unknown. The study had a two-fold aim: 1. to analyze in preschoolers the role of EF basic components on SF; 2. to investigate if EF mediated the effect of age on SF. A total of 296 typically developing preschoolers (M age = 57.86; = 9.91; month range = 33-74) were assessed with an SF task and EF tasks measuring the main EF basic components. Results showed that during preschool, response inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility were significant predictors of SF, explaining 27% of its variance. Moreover, the effect of age on the SF task performance correlated with the improvement of these EF components. This study supports the importance of considering cognitive control processes in 3-6 year-old preschoolers as they underline important competencies for the child's development, such as the ability to quickly access vocabulary.
Assessing learning and memory among patients with pediatric brain tumor (PBT): a comparison of measures.
Whitaker AM, Wood ZB, Hawthorne K … +1 more , Mendoza L
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 May · PMID 37395295 · Publisher ↗
Patients with pediatric brain tumor (PBT) can have memory deficits due to tumor location, medical complications, and treatment. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether the California Verbal Learning T...
Patients with pediatric brain tumor (PBT) can have memory deficits due to tumor location, medical complications, and treatment. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether the California Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version (CVLT-C; 1994) and briefer Child and Adolescent Memory Profile (ChAMP; 2015) similarly identify such deficits. Seventy-five patients with PBT ages 8-16 ( = 13.1 years, = 2.1) were administered the ChAMP or CVLT-C. Rote verbal learning, long-term retrieval, and recognition were analyzed using standardized -scores. Analyses of differences between measures did not reach statistical significance. Both measures indicated significant downward shifts across free retrieval trials from normative means, with scores approximately 1/3 (ChAMP) to 1/2 (CVLT-C) below means across learning and long-term retrieval trials. Scores on recognition trials did not differ significantly from the normative mean. Post-hoc analyses using a subset of the sample who received cranial irradiation ( = 45) similarly found no significant differences between memory measures. Additional post-hoc examination of proportion of participants falling within or below the "below average" range (≤8th percentile) revealed comparable performance between the two measures, whereas the proportion of participants falling at or below 1.5 s below the mean on retrieval trials was lower using ChAMP Lists as compared to the CVLT-C. Given the ChAMP is less demanding in terms of time and effort and utilizes more updated and representative normative data, this study supports the ChAMP as a useful tool to evaluate learning and memory within this population.
Congenital heart disease through a neuropsychological lens of analysis: introduction to a special issue of .
Cassidy AR, Sanz JH
Child Neuropsychol · 2023 Nov · PMID 37395267 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Further validation of a new ADHD screening questionnaire measuring parents' explanations (time processing, cognition, and motivation) of inattention symptoms in their school-aged children.
Keulers EHH, Resch C, Jonkman LM … +1 more , Hurks PPM
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 May · PMID 37345982 · Publisher ↗
The triple pathway model suggests that different neuropsychological factors underlie symptoms of inattention (i.e., time, cognition and/or motivation problems). However, screening instruments asking individuals to judge...
The triple pathway model suggests that different neuropsychological factors underlie symptoms of inattention (i.e., time, cognition and/or motivation problems). However, screening instruments asking individuals to judge the link between these neuropsychological factors and inattention are lacking. The recently developed screening questionnaire, PASSC, aims to examine these factors possibly causing inattention by asking parents to indicate to what extent their child experiences inattention symptoms and to what extent different neuropsychological factors explain this inattention. The present study extends prior validation research of the PASSC by examining associations between PASSC inattention explained by time, cognition, and/or motivation and children's performance on tests measuring these same three constructs. Results indicated positive correlations between PASSC inattention explained by time and less accurate performance on a time discrimination test, and between PASSC inattention explained by cognition and more working memory errors as well as higher attention switching costs. Furthermore, children whose parents indicated that their inattention was best explained by cognition showed higher switching costs than children whose inattention was best explained by motivation. This support for construct validity of the PASSC is limited to two PASSC explanations (i.e., time, cognition) and a subset of tests (i.e., time discrimination, attention switching, memory span). Future research should focus on integrating PASSC and performance test results to differentiate between children with attention problems but different underlying neuropsychological problems. Concluding, the PASSC can be a promising screening tool to identify inattention in children and the underlying explanation indicated by parents.
The multifaceted role of neuropsychology in pediatric solid organ transplant: preliminary guidelines and strategies for clinical practice.
Turner EM, Cassidy AR, Rea KE … +2 more , Smith-Paine JM, Wolfe KR
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Apr · PMID 37291962 · Publisher ↗
The incidence of pediatric solid organ transplantation (SOT) has increased in recent decades due to medical and surgical advances as well as improvements in organ procurement. Survival rates for pediatric kidney, liver,...
The incidence of pediatric solid organ transplantation (SOT) has increased in recent decades due to medical and surgical advances as well as improvements in organ procurement. Survival rates for pediatric kidney, liver, and heart transplantation are above 85% but patients continue to experience complex healthcare needs over their lifetime. Long-term developmental and neuropsychological sequelae are becoming increasingly recognized in this population, although preliminary work is limited and deserves further attention. Neuropsychological weaknesses are often present prior to transplantation and may be related to underlying congenital conditions as well as downstream impact of the indicating organ dysfunction on the central nervous system. Neuropsychological difficulties pose risk for functional complications, including disruption to adaptive skill development, social-emotional functioning, quality of life, and transition to adulthood. The impact of cognitive dysfunction on health management activities (e.g., medication adherence, medical decision-making) is also an important consideration given these patients' lifelong medical needs. The primary aim of this paper is to provide preliminary guidelines and clinical strategies for assessment of neuropsychological outcomes across SOT populations for pediatric neuropsychologists and the multidisciplinary medical team, including detailing unique and shared etiologies and risk factors for impairment across organ types, and functional implications. Recommendations for clinical neuropsychological monitoring as well as multidisciplinary collaboration within pediatric SOT teams are also provided.
Resting-state functional network connectivity underlying conscientiousness in school-aged children.
Yi H, Xiao M, Chen X … +6 more , Yan Q, Yang Y, Liu Y, Song S, Gao X, Chen H
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Apr · PMID 37278282 · Publisher ↗
Conscientiousness is a personality trait that matures from early childhood to late adolescence, yet little is known about its underlying brain mechanisms during this period. To investigate this, our study examined the re...
Conscientiousness is a personality trait that matures from early childhood to late adolescence, yet little is known about its underlying brain mechanisms during this period. To investigate this, our study examined the resting-state functional network connectivity (rsFNC) of 69 school-aged children (mean age = 10.12 years, range = 9-12) using a whole-brain region-of-interest (ROI) based analysis, based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The results indicated a positive association between conscientiousness and the rsFNC between the fronto-parietal network (FPN) and two brain networks: the somatosensory motor-hand network (SMHN) and the auditory network (AN). However, conscientiousness was negatively associated with the rsFNC between FPN and two other networks: the salience network (SN); the default mode network (DMN). Moreover, our results suggest that the FPN may play a hub role in the neural performance of children's conscientiousness. Intrinsic brain networks, particularly those involved in higher-order cognitive functions, impact children's conscientiousness. Therefore, FPN plays an important role in the development of children's personality, providing insight into the neural mechanisms underlying children's personality.
Predictors of neurocognitive outcome in pediatric ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
Champigny CM, Feldman SJ, Beribisky N … +7 more , Desrocher M, Isaacs T, Krishnan P, Monette G, Dlamini N, Dirks P, Westmacott R
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Apr · PMID 37204222 · Publisher ↗
This clinical study examined the impact of eight predictors (age at stroke, stroke type, lesion size, lesion location, time since stroke, neurologic severity, seizures post-stroke, and socioeconomic status) on neurocogni...
This clinical study examined the impact of eight predictors (age at stroke, stroke type, lesion size, lesion location, time since stroke, neurologic severity, seizures post-stroke, and socioeconomic status) on neurocognitive functioning following pediatric stroke. Youth with a history of pediatric ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke ( = 92, ages six to 25) underwent neuropsychological testing and caregivers completed parent-report questionnaires. Hospital records were accessed for medical history. Spline regressions, likelihood ratios, one-way analysis of variance, Welch's t-tests, and simple linear regressions examined associations between predictors and neuropsychological outcome measures. Large lesions and lower socioeconomic status were associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes across most neurocognitive domains. Ischemic stroke was associated with worse outcome in attention and executive functioning compared to hemorrhagic stroke. Participants with seizures had more severe executive functioning impairments than participants without seizures. Youth with cortical-subcortical lesions scored lower on a few measures than youth with cortical or subcortical lesions. Neurologic severity predicted scores on few measures. No differences were found based on time since stroke, lesion laterality, or supra- versus infratentorial lesion. In conclusion, lesion size and socioeconomic status predict neurocognitive outcome following pediatric stroke. An improved understanding of predictors is valuable to clinicians who have responsibilities related to neuropsychological assessment and treatments for this population. Findings should inform clinical practice through enhanced appraisals of prognosis and the use of a biopsychosocial approach when conceptualizing neurocognitive outcome and setting up support services aimed at fostering optimal development for youth with stroke.
Working and short-term memory in children with ADHD: an examination of prefrontal cortical functioning using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS).
Friedman LM, Eckrich SJ, Rapport MD … +2 more , Bohil CJ, Calub C
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Apr · PMID 37199502 · Publisher ↗
Working memory impairments are an oft-reported deficit among children with ADHD, and complementary neuroimaging studies implicate reductions in prefrontal cortex (PFC) structure and function as a neurobiological explanat...
Working memory impairments are an oft-reported deficit among children with ADHD, and complementary neuroimaging studies implicate reductions in prefrontal cortex (PFC) structure and function as a neurobiological explanation. Most imaging studies, however, rely on costly, movement-intolerant, and/or invasive methods to examine cortical differences. This is the first study to use a newer neuroimaging tool that overcomes these limitations, functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), to investigate hypothesized prefrontal differences. Children (aged 8-12) with ADHD ( = 22) and typically developing ( = 18) children completed phonological working memory (PHWM) and short-term memory (PHSTM) tasks. Children with ADHD evinced poorer performance on both tasks, with greater differences observed in PHWM (Hedges' g = 0.67) relative to PHSTM (g = 0.39). fNIRS revealed reduced hemodynamic response among children with ADHD in the dorsolateral PFC while completing the PHWM task, but not within the anterior or posterior PFC. No between-group fNIRS differences were observed during the PHSTM task. Findings suggest that children with ADHD exhibit an inadequate hemodynamic response in a region of the brain that underlies PHWM abilities. The study also highlights the use of fNIRS as a cost-effective, noninvasive neuroimaging technique to localize/quantify neural activation patterns associated with executive functions.
Repeat testing enhances long-term verbal memory in children with epilepsy.
Joplin S, Gascoigne M, Barton B … +9 more , Webster R, Gill D, Lawson J, Mandalis A, Sabaz M, McLean S, Gonzalez L, Smith ML, Lah S
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Apr · PMID 37144751 · Publisher ↗
To (i) determine whether accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) can be found using standardized verbal memory test materials in children with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and (ii)...
To (i) determine whether accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) can be found using standardized verbal memory test materials in children with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and (ii) to establish whether ALF is impacted by executive skills and repeat testing over long delays. One hundred and twenty-three children aged 8 to 16, (28 with GGE, 23 with TLE, and 72 typically developing; TD) completed a battery of standardized tests assessing executive functioning and memory for two stories. Stories were recalled immediately and after a 30-min delay. To examine whether repeat testing impacts long-term forgetting, one story was tested via free recall at 1-day and 2-weeks, and the other at 2-weeks only. Recognition was then tested for both stories at 2-weeks. Children with epilepsy recalled fewer story details, both immediately and after 30-min relative to TD children. Compared to TD children, the GGE group, but not the TLE group, showed ALF, having significantly poorer recall of the story tested only at the longest delay. Poor executive skills were significantly correlated with ALF for children with epilepsy. Standard story memory materials can detect ALF in children with epilepsy when administered over long delays. Our findings suggest that (i) ALF is related to poor executive skills in children with epilepsy, and (ii) repeated testing may ameliorate ALF in some children.
Neuropsychological mechanisms of social difficulties in disruptive mood dysregulation disorder versus oppositional defiant disorder.
Brænden A, Coldevin M, Zeiner P … +2 more , Stubberud J, Melinder A
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Apr · PMID 37106502 · Publisher ↗
Children with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) or Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are characterized by irritability and social difficulties. However, the mechanisms underlying these disorders could be di...
Children with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) or Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are characterized by irritability and social difficulties. However, the mechanisms underlying these disorders could be different. This study explores differences in social cognition and executive function (EF) across DMDD and ODD and the influence of these factors and their interaction on social problems in both groups. Children with DMDD ( = 53, M = 9.3) or ODD ( = 39, M = 9.6) completed neuropsychological tasks measuring social cognition (Theory of Mind and Face-Emotion Recognition) and EF (cognitive flexibility, inhibition, and working memory). Parents reported social problems. More than one-third of the children with DMDD and almost two-thirds of those with ODD showed clear difficulties with Theory of Mind. Most children with DMDD (51-64%) or ODD (67-83%) showed difficulties with EF. In children with DMDD, worse EF (β = -.36) was associated with more social problems, whereas in children with ODD, better EF (β = .44) was associated with more social problems. In those with ODD, but not in those with DMDD, the interaction between social cognition and EF contributed to the explained variance of social problems (β = -1.97). Based on the observed interaction pattern, enhanced EF may lead to increased social problems among children with ODD who also exhibit social cognition difficulties. This study suggests the existence of distinct neuropsychological mechanisms underlying the social issues observed in children with DMDD versus those with ODD.
Beyond the rubicon: a continuum approach to investigating the impact of ADHD like characteristics on everyday executive function in children with Tourette Syndrome.
Hamilton CJ, Harrison K
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Apr · PMID 37104813 · Publisher ↗
Across a range of neurodevelopmental conditions, a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been shown to be associated with executive function impairment. However, the DSM-V emphasis upon viewing...
Across a range of neurodevelopmental conditions, a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been shown to be associated with executive function impairment. However, the DSM-V emphasis upon viewing psychological characteristics as existing on a continuous distributed quantitative dimension has enabled the opportunity to consider the influence of sub-diagnostic or sub-referral levels of these psychological characteristics upon cognitive function. This study adopted a continuum approach to the consideration of this ADHD influence and examined the extent to which the difference in parental reported executive functions between children with Tourette syndrome (TS) or typically developing children could be mediated by a concurrent group difference in the possession of sub-referral levels of ADHD-like characteristics. A total of 146 children, 58 with reported TS diagnosis, participated. Parental report measures of ecological executive functioning, the Child Executive Functioning Inventory, and the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale were employed. The analyses with a full sample and a sub-referral sample revealed significant group differences in most of the key measures. In addition, these measures were highly correlated even when controlling for age and gender. A series of mediation analyses indicated that in all models, the ADHD-like measures significantly mediated the group difference in executive function. These results suggest that sub-referrals levels of ADHD-like characteristics continue to contribute to executive challenges in TS. Future intervention research targeting these executive functions should consider the presence of ADHD-like characteristics at sub-referral levels of possession.
Links between musical beat perception and phonological skills for autistic children.
Rimmer C, Dahary H, Quintin EM
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Apr · PMID 37104762 · Publisher ↗
Exploring non-linguistic predictors of phonological awareness, such as musical beat perception, is valuable for children who present with language difficulties and diverse support needs. Studies on the musical abilities...
Exploring non-linguistic predictors of phonological awareness, such as musical beat perception, is valuable for children who present with language difficulties and diverse support needs. Studies on the musical abilities of children on the autism spectrum show that they have average or above-average musical production and auditory processing abilities. This study aimed to explore the relationship between musical beat perception and phonological awareness skills of children on the autism spectrum with a wide range of cognitive abilities. A total of 21 autistic children between the ages of 6 to 11 years old ( = 8.9, SD = 1.5) with full scale IQs ranging from 52 to 105 ( = 74, SD = 16) completed a beat perception and a phonological awareness task. Results revealed that phonological awareness and beat perception are positively correlated for children on the autism spectrum. Findings lend support to the potential use of beat and rhythm perception as a screening tool for early literacy skills, specifically for phonological awareness, for children with diverse support needs as an alternative to traditional verbal tasks that tend to underestimate the potential of children on the autism spectrum.
Neural and behavioral indicators of cognitive control in preschoolers with and without prenatal opioid exposure.
Cárdenas EF, Hill KE, Estes E … +4 more , Ravi S, Molnar AE, Humphreys KL, Kujawa A
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Feb · PMID 37070372 · Full text
Prenatal opioid exposure is one consequence of the opioid epidemic, but effects on child development remain poorly understood. There is emerging evidence that children exposed to opioids in utero exhibit elevated emotion...
Prenatal opioid exposure is one consequence of the opioid epidemic, but effects on child development remain poorly understood. There is emerging evidence that children exposed to opioids in utero exhibit elevated emotional and behavioral problems, which may be partially due to alterations in cognitive control. Using multiple methods (i.e., neuropsychological, behavioral, and event-related potential [ERP] assessments), the present study examined differences in emotional, behavioral, and cognitive control difficulties in preschool-aged children with ( = 21) and without ( = 23) prenatal opioid exposure ( = 4.30, = 0.77 years). Child emotional and behavioral problems were measured with a caregiver questionnaire, indicators of cognitive control were measured using developmentally appropriate behavioral (i.e., delay discounting, Go/No-Go) and neuropsychological (i.e., Statue) tasks, and electroencephalogram was recorded to error and correct responses in a Go/No-Go task. ERP analyses focused on the error-related negativity (ERN), an ERP that reflects error monitoring, and correct-response negativity (CRN), a component reflecting performance monitoring more generally. Opioid exposure was associated with elevated difficulties across domains and a blunted ERN, reflecting altered cognitive control at the neural level, but groups did not significantly differ on behavioral measures of cognitive control. These result replicate prior studies indicating an association between prenatal opioid exposure and behavioral problems in preschool-aged children. Further, our findings suggest these differences may be partially due to children with prenatal opioid exposure exhibiting difficulties with cognitive control at the neural level. The ERN is a potential target for future research and intervention efforts to address the sequelae of prenatal opioid exposure.
Neuropsychological factors associated with performance on the rey-osterrieth complex figure test in children with neurofibromatosis type 1.
Maier A, Pride NA, Hearps SJC … +4 more , Shah N, Porter M, North KN, Payne JM
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Feb · PMID 37038321 · Publisher ↗
Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at considerable risk for cognitive difficulties, including visuospatial deficits and executive dysfunction. This study aimed to (1) assess the overall performance of child...
Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at considerable risk for cognitive difficulties, including visuospatial deficits and executive dysfunction. This study aimed to (1) assess the overall performance of children with NF1 on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) compared to unaffected siblings and (2) examine neuropsychological predictors of RCFT performance in children with NF1. A retrospective clinical audit was performed on neuropsychological records from a multidisciplinary NF1 Clinic in Australia. We searched for children that had completed an assessment between 2000 and 2015 which included the RCFT and other neuropsychological outcomes in this study. These included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Judgment of Line Orientation (JLO), Tower of London test, Conners ADHD Scales, and the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). The study population consisted of 191 children with NF1 aged 6-16 years, and 55 unaffected siblings recruited from a separate study. Results revealed that 62% of children with NF1 performed at or below the first percentile on the RCFT copy, which was significantly worse than their unaffected siblings. Visuospatial skills, parent-rated executive abilities, ADHD symptoms, and intellectual skills all predicted poorer performance on the RCFT copy, however the best fitting multiple regression model only contained the JLO, BRIEF Metacognition Index, and chronological age. The JLO emerged as the strongest predictor of RCFT performance. This study provides evidence that visuospatial deficits are a key driver of reduced RCFT performance in NF1 and that executive skills as well as a younger age are also independent predictors of RCFT performance.
Social cognition and behavioral outcomes in congenital heart disease: profiles and neuropsychiatric comorbidities.
Ehrler M, Bellinger DC, Cassidy AR … +2 more , Newburger JW, Calderon J
Child Neuropsychol · 2023 Nov · PMID 37017255 · Publisher ↗
Autism spectrum disorders are more prevalent in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) than in the general population. Children with CHD without diagnosed autism are also at increased risk for neurodevelopmental an...
Autism spectrum disorders are more prevalent in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) than in the general population. Children with CHD without diagnosed autism are also at increased risk for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric impairments. We characterized social and behavioral outcomes in children with CHD and examined neurodevelopmental and psychiatric comorbidities. Children without diagnosed autism who underwent infant open-heart surgery were eligible. Parent-reports assessed social communication, unusual behaviors, self-regulation, anxiety, and executive function (EF). Neuropsychological tests assessing theory of mind (ToM), working memory, and verbal comprehension were administered. Outcomes were compared to normative data. Linear regressions were estimated with parent-reported scores and ToM abilities as outcomes. Predictors were anxiety symptoms, parent-reported EF, and working memory scores. Covariates were age, parental education, ADHD diagnosis, and verbal comprehension. Clinically relevant comorbidities were identified ( children scoring ≥1 below the norm). Fifty-six children (10.8 ± 1.8 years) participated virtually. Compared to norms, children with CHD had impaired ToM, more unusual behaviors ( = .002), and less self-regulation ( = .018), but better social communication ( = .014). "Autism-like" traits were positively associated with anxiety symptoms ((95% CI) = 0.28(0.08-0.49), = .008) and worse working memory ((95% CI) = -0.36(-0.59-0.13), = .003). Twenty-one out of 22 children who displayed clinically relevant social and behavioral scores also showed anxiety symptoms ( = 4), impaired EF ( = 7), or both ( = 10). Children with CHD without diagnosed autism have elevated unusual behaviors, lower self-regulation, and impaired ToM. There is a high risk of co-existing anxiety and impaired EF which may increase disease burden. Targeted therapeutic interventions are needed to reduce long-term psychosocial risks in these children.Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions for school-aged children, 2nd Edition (BRIEF-2), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), congenital heart disease (CHD), Empathy/Systematizing Quotient Child Version (ESQ-C), Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, 2nd Edition (MASC-2), Social Responsiveness Scale (School-age form), 2nd Edition (SRS-2), theory of mind (ToM), Theory of Mind Task Battery (ToM-TB), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 5th edition (WISC-V).
Correction.
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Feb · PMID 36994800 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Inattention symptom severity and cognitive processes in children at risk of ADHD: the moderating role of separation anxiety.
Anning KL, Langley K, Hobson C … +2 more , De Sonneville L, Van Goozen SHM
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Feb · PMID 36960813 · Publisher ↗
Impairments in cognitive processes and their associations with dimensional measures of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity and anxiety were examined in children at risk of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Chi...
Impairments in cognitive processes and their associations with dimensional measures of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity and anxiety were examined in children at risk of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Children referred by teachers for exhibiting ADHD-type problems ( = 116; 43 meeting full diagnostic criteria for ADHD; 4-8 years) completed computerized tasks measuring episodic memory, response inhibition, visuomotor control and sustained attention, while parents were interviewed (DAWBA) to assess ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Of the 116 children assessed, 72% exhibited impaired cognitive processes; 47% had impaired visuomotor control, 37% impaired response inhibition, and 35% had impaired episodic memory. Correlational and hierarchical regression analyses using our final analytic sample (i.e., children who completed all cognitive tasks and a vocabulary assessment, = 114) showed that poorer task performance and greater within-subject variability were significantly associated with more severe inattention symptoms but not with hyperactivity-impulsivity severity. Symptoms of separation anxiety, which were reported in over half of the sample, moderated associations between inattention and episodic memory, and between inattention and inhibition. Only children without separation anxiety showed significant correlations between ADHD symptoms and poor performance. However, separation anxiety had no moderating effect on associations between inattention and visuomotor control or sustaining attention. Children exhibiting signs of ADHD show impairments across a range of cognitive tasks. Further research to improve our understanding of these processes may be useful in the development of early interventions. Our results suggest that separation anxiety should be taken into account when considering interventions to address emerging neuropsychological deficits associated with this disorder.
Disentangling the relationships between motor control and cognitive control in young children with symptoms of ADHD.
Ferguson C, Hobson C, Hedge C … +3 more , Waters C, Anning K, van Goozen S
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Feb · PMID 36946244 · Publisher ↗
Children with ADHD experience difficulties with motor and cognitive control. However, the relationships between these symptoms are poorly understood. As a step toward improving treatment, this study investigated associat...
Children with ADHD experience difficulties with motor and cognitive control. However, the relationships between these symptoms are poorly understood. As a step toward improving treatment, this study investigated associations between specific aspects of motor control and cognitive control in children with varying levels of hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. A heterogeneous sample of 255 children of 4 to 10 years of age (median = 6.50, MAD = 1.36) completed a battery of tests probing motor generation, visuomotor fluency, visuomotor flexibility, cognitive inhibition, verbal and visuospatial working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Their caregivers were interviewed regarding their hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. 25.9% of the main sample met diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine whether specific aspects of motor control were associated with specific aspects of cognitive control, and whether any associations were moderated by hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. Additionally, cognitive modeling (the drift diffusion model approximated with EZ-DM) was used to understand performance on a cognitive inhibition task. Visuomotor fluency was significantly associated with cognitive inhibition. Visuomotor flexibility was significantly associated with cognitive flexibility. There were no significant moderation effects. Cognitive modeling was inconclusive. In conclusion, the ability to fluently perform visually guided continuous movement is linked with the ability to inhibit the effects of distracting information. The ability to spontaneously use visual information to flexibly alter motor responses is related to the ability to cognitively shift from one frame of mind to another. These relationships appear to be quantitatively and qualitatively similar across the childhood hyperactive-impulsive continuum as rated by parents.
Optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes following fetal diagnosis of congenital heart disease: a call for primary prevention neuropsychology.
Cassidy AR, Neumann AA
Child Neuropsychol · 2023 Nov · PMID 36942716 · Publisher ↗
Critical congenital heart disease (CHD) presents a lasting threat to quality of life through its adverse impact on neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes. As recognition of this threat has increased, so too has an...
Critical congenital heart disease (CHD) presents a lasting threat to quality of life through its adverse impact on neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes. As recognition of this threat has increased, so too has an appreciation for the role of pediatric neuropsychologists in supporting families affected by CHD. But there is more to offer these families than traditional neuropsychological services, which tend to focus on secondary/tertiary forms of prevention. Now that many children with CHD are diagnosed prenatally, it may be possible to begin mitigating CHD-related risks and promoting positive outcomes earlier than ever before. Through primary prevention-oriented fetal neuropsychological consultation, as well as close collaboration with allied specialists, pediatric neuropsychology has an opportunity to re-envision its typical borders and more familiar practice models; to forge early and enduring partnerships with families; and to help promote the best possible neurodevelopmental trajectories, beginning before children are even born. In this conceptual review, we survey and integrate evidence from developmental science, developmental origins of health and disease, maternal-fetal medicine, and cardiac neurodevelopmental literatures, along with current practice norms, arriving ultimately at two central conclusions: 1) there is an important role to fill on multidisciplinary teams for the pediatric neuropsychologist in fetal cardiac care and 2) role expansion (e.g., through valuing broader-based training, flexing more generalist skills) can likely improve neuropsychological outcomes earlier than has been standard for pediatric neuropsychologists. Such a reimagining of our practice may be considered . Implications for care in various settings and pragmatic barriers to implementation are discussed.
Mathematics abilities associated with adaptive functioning in preschool children born preterm.
Tamm L, McNally KA, Altaye M … +1 more , Parikh NA
Child Neuropsychol · 2024 Feb · PMID 36939102 · Full text
It is well known that infants born very preterm (VPT) often demonstrate deficits in mathematical abilities in early childhood which are associated with poorer academic outcomes. Mathematic skills are also critical for ot...
It is well known that infants born very preterm (VPT) often demonstrate deficits in mathematical abilities in early childhood which are associated with poorer academic outcomes. Mathematic skills are also critical for other areas of functioning. However, it is not known whether mathematics skills are associated with adaptive functioning in children born preterm. Infants born at ≤31 weeks gestation and full term were recruited at birth and followed over time. At the 36-month corrected age assessment, children were administered the Early Number Concepts subtest of the Differential Abilities Scale, Second Edition, and caregivers completed the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition. After controlling for age, sex, cognitive abilities, and caregiver education, performance on the mathematics measure was uniquely and positively associated with adaptive behavior for preschool children in the VPT group only. Exploratory analyses revealed this association to be specifically related to the Practical and Social composites. Knowledge of concepts of number and quantity were associated with better adaptive functioning, particularly for behaviors related to functioning at home and in the community and play/social functioning, for children born VPT. Although replication is warranted, it would appear that mathematical skills may be an important early intervention target for children born VPT.
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