Pediatric cancer survivors (PCS) experience functional difficulties and brain alterations. However, little is known about cerebral perfusion and its relationship to functional outcome (cognitive and motor performance) in...Pediatric cancer survivors (PCS) experience functional difficulties and brain alterations. However, little is known about cerebral perfusion and its relationship to functional outcome (cognitive and motor performance) in PCS. We examined cerebral blood flow (CBF) in non-brain tumor PCS and the associations between CBF and age, as well as functional outcome. Forty PCS and 40 age-comparable controls were included. CBF did not differ between PCS and controls. CBF decreased with age only in controls. In PCS, CBF was associated with functional outcome. Our data indicate an altered relationship between age and CBF in survivors, with stronger brain-behavior mechanisms after cancer.
Cirino PT, Farrell AE, Barnes MA
… +1 more, Roberts GJ
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 Jul · PMID 37218215
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This study evaluated the factor structure of attention, considering internal and external attention, and juxtaposed alongside processing speed (PS) and working memory (WM). We expected the hypothesized model to fit bette...This study evaluated the factor structure of attention, considering internal and external attention, and juxtaposed alongside processing speed (PS) and working memory (WM). We expected the hypothesized model to fit better than unitary or method factors. We included 27 measures with 212 Hispanic middle schoolers from Spanish-speaking backgrounds, where a substantial proportion were at risk for learning difficulties. Confirmatory factor analytic models separated factors of PS and WM, but the final model did not align with theoretical predictions; rather only measurement factors emerged. Findings extend and refine our understanding of the structure of attention in adolescents.
BACKGROUND: Inhibition (Response Inhibition - RI and Interference Control - IC) have been inconsistently examined in Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) with response modalities often not considered. AIMS: To exami...BACKGROUND: Inhibition (Response Inhibition - RI and Interference Control - IC) have been inconsistently examined in Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) with response modalities often not considered. AIMS: To examine RI and IC in children with DCD. METHOD: Twenty-five children 6-10 years with DCD, plus 25 matched typically developing peers completed motor and verbal RI and IC tasks. . RESULTS: Children with DCD made significantly more errors in the motor and verbal RI tasks, had slower movement time and RT in the motor IC task, and longer completion time in the verbal IC task. CONCLUSIONS: Children with DCD have RI and IC difficulties in motor and verbal responses.
Fossum IN, Orm S, Andersen PN
… +3 more, Geurts HM, Øie MG, Skogli EW
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 · PMID 37154789
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Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing individuals were assessed on three neuropsychological tests of executive function (EF) and on scales of autism symptoms and co-occurring internaliz...Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing individuals were assessed on three neuropsychological tests of executive function (EF) and on scales of autism symptoms and co-occurring internalizing and externalizing symptoms at baseline (T1; = 88, M = 11.8 years, 73% males), 2-year (T2; 99% retention, M = 13.9 years), and 10-year follow-ups (T3; 75% retention, M = 21.4 years). An EF composite score from T1 significantly predicted internalizing symptoms at T2 (β = .228) and internalizing and externalizing symptoms at T3 (β = .431 and .478, respectively), when controlling for age and autism symptoms. OThe findings suggest that EF difficulties are a long-term risk factor for more co-occurring symptoms. .
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 · PMID 37014298
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The aim of this study was to discover the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health, academic life, social life of students and discover their interrelationships at a boarding school in New Jersey, USA. A majority of part...The aim of this study was to discover the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health, academic life, social life of students and discover their interrelationships at a boarding school in New Jersey, USA. A majority of participants reported that COVID-19 had a negative effect on their mental health and social lives, felt well informed about COVID-19 cases on campus, and were unconcerned about getting COVID-19 at school. Given the correlations and differences observed, it is likely that some groups of adolescents may be at greater risk of impacted mental health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. .
Wolff B, Franco VR, Magiati I
… +4 more, Cooper MN, Roberts R, Skoss R, Glasson EJ
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 · PMID 36942456
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Siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) are exposed to unique family environments and experience a range of psychosocial risk and resilience factors. Networks of self-reported risk, resilience,...Siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) are exposed to unique family environments and experience a range of psychosocial risk and resilience factors. Networks of self-reported risk, resilience, and neuropsychiatric variables were estimated for siblings of individuals with ( = 235) and without ( = 480) NDCs ( = 715, mean age 22.40 years, 76% female, 74% White Caucasian). The NDC group reported more depressive (g = 0.39) and anxious (g = 0.43) symptoms than controls, and 71.5% of the NDC group reported at least one neuropsychiatric diagnosis compared to 36.9% of controls. Self-reported sleep and post-traumatic stress disorders were high amongst NDC siblings. Everyday executive functioning difficulties (cognitive inflexibility, hyperactivity/impulsivity) and emotion dysregulation were the most influential transdiagnostic risk factors for poorer functioning within the NDC group network.
Berrill LM, Quagliano Q, Boyce T
… +1 more, Donders J
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 · PMID 36891638
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This study aimed to clarify the value of using different types of validity measures in pediatric neuropsychological evaluations. We examined the relationship between performance (PVT) and symptom (SVT) validity tests as...This study aimed to clarify the value of using different types of validity measures in pediatric neuropsychological evaluations. We examined the relationship between performance (PVT) and symptom (SVT) validity tests as well as demographic variables and results from a screening test of learning and memory (i.e. Child and Adolescent Memory Profile [ChAMP]) in a mixed pediatric sample ( = 103). There was minimal overlap between PVT and SVT failures. Regression analyses demonstrated that PVT results, parental education, and history of special education were statistically significant predictors of ChAMP results, whereas SVT results were not.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 · PMID 36847341
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We aimed to investigate the relationship between screen time and school readiness. A total of 80 ppreschool children were included. Parents were interviewed about their children's daily screen time. The Metropolitan Read...We aimed to investigate the relationship between screen time and school readiness. A total of 80 ppreschool children were included. Parents were interviewed about their children's daily screen time. The Metropolitan Readiness Test was utilized. Results showed that the school readiness of those with a total screen time of 3 hours or less was significantly higher. TV time was inversely associated with reading readiness (B=- 2.30, < .001), whereas mobile device time was inversely associated with both reading (B = -0.96, = .04) and numbers readiness (B = -0.98, = .02). This study point to the importance of supervising children's screen use, and of awareness of parents and professionals.
Koffman AF, Flaten E, Desroches AS
… +1 more, Kruk RS
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 · PMID 36802942
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Visual attention and memory of 20 children with reading difficulty (M = 134 months), 24 chronological (M = 138 months) and 19 reading-age controls (M = 92 months) were examined using object substitution masking; mask off...Visual attention and memory of 20 children with reading difficulty (M = 134 months), 24 chronological (M = 138 months) and 19 reading-age controls (M = 92 months) were examined using object substitution masking; mask offset delay increases visual attention and visual short-term memory demands. ERP amplitude differences in the N1 (alerting), N2pc (N2-posterior-contralateral; selective attention), and SPCN (sustained posterior contralateral negativity; memory load) were expected between groups. Chronological controls performed best, but ERP results were mixed. No group differences were found for N1 or N2pc. SPCN showed enhanced negativity in reading difficulty, indicating greater memory load and anomalous inhibition.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 · PMID 36637372
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Executive functions allow the regulation of behavior and emotions. This study aimed to analyze the association of executive functions with externalizing and internalizing behaviors in 30 Mexican preschoolers with typical...Executive functions allow the regulation of behavior and emotions. This study aimed to analyze the association of executive functions with externalizing and internalizing behaviors in 30 Mexican preschoolers with typical development (age = 53.63 months; = 7.83 months; 40% girls) from homes of middle-low socioeconomic status. Behavioral and cognitive measures were used to assess executive functions and analyzed them using robust statistical methods. We found that executive functions are related to externalizing and internalizing behaviors at the behavioral level. Only Forward Digit Span predicts attentional problems. Individual differences in children's cognitive development in a Mexican context were adressed, and they have clinical and educational implications.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 · PMID 36594744
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Moderate hyperphenylalaninemia (mHPA) is a hydroxylase deficiency corresponding to phenylalanine levels, at newborn screening, below 360 μmol/l. The neurological impact of mHPA is usually considered to be very low, but f...Moderate hyperphenylalaninemia (mHPA) is a hydroxylase deficiency corresponding to phenylalanine levels, at newborn screening, below 360 μmol/l. The neurological impact of mHPA is usually considered to be very low, but few studies have investigated the neuropsychological profile of mHPA patients.A systematic review of the neuropsychological aspects of mHPA was therefore conducted.The results showed a preservation of cognitive functions (intelligence, memory, visuoperception…). However, several indicators point to executive difficulties in this population. In regard to the important impact of executive functions in daily life, it is essential to conduct other studies in mHPA patients by proposing an integrative approach.
de Assis Leão SES, Menezes Lage G, Pedra de Souza R
… +2 more, Holanda Marinho Nogueira NG, Vieira Pinheiro ÂM
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2023 · PMID 36576148
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Dyslexic children have impairments in working memory and manual dexterity. Studies have shown that when cognitive development has deficits, motor development is often impaired, indicating a strong interconnection between...Dyslexic children have impairments in working memory and manual dexterity. Studies have shown that when cognitive development has deficits, motor development is often impaired, indicating a strong interconnection between both domains, and the possibility of interference with each other's proper functioning. Thus, a new literature review is necessary to understand which components of working memory and manual dexterity are affected in dyslexic children and the possible relationship between them. This review aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze both skills in dyslexic children. The protocol was carried out according to the criteria established by PRISMA being registered at PROSPERO under number CRD 42021238901. Six literature databases were searched to locate studies published between 2001 and 2021: EMBASE, ERIC, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus. 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings suggest that dyslexic children have significantly poorer visuospatial and verbal working memory with more impairments in the phonological loop. No significant differences were found in manual dexterity.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2022 Nov · PMID 36537866
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The present study examined potential sex- and age-related differences in inhibitory control in adolescents with and without ASD. A computerized flanker visual filtering task and a go/no-go task were used to assess the ab...The present study examined potential sex- and age-related differences in inhibitory control in adolescents with and without ASD. A computerized flanker visual filtering task and a go/no-go task were used to assess the ability to resist interference from visual distractors (RIVD) and prepotent response inhibition, respectively. Overall, the ASD and non-ASD groups performed comparably on both tasks and no sex-related differences or interactions (group-by-sex) were apparent. Consistent with past research, however, we did observe a significant age-related improvement in RIVD performance among the ASD group (but not the non-ASD group).
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2022 Nov · PMID 36514838
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Children with attentional-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have impairments in working memory (WM) functioning. Impaired orienting of visual attention during encoding and/or maintenance is hypothesized as the cause...Children with attentional-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have impairments in working memory (WM) functioning. Impaired orienting of visual attention during encoding and/or maintenance is hypothesized as the cause of poor performance in visuospatial WM in 10-to-16-year-olds. We used a color-recognition task with valid location cues before encoding (pre-cues) and during maintenance (retro-cues). If ADHD children have an orienting deficit during these processing stages, they should not benefit from the cues. We observed strong pre- and retro-cueing benefits both for ADHD and typically developing controls, with no differences between the groups. This strengthens findings showing that ADHD is not characterized by deficits in orienting attention and provides evidence of retro-cue benefits in this population.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2022 Oct · PMID 36476284
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It was proposed that dimensions of childhood adversity (i.e., deprivation and threat) have distinct effects on neural development and function. Present study examined the relationships between mild deprivation/threat and...It was proposed that dimensions of childhood adversity (i.e., deprivation and threat) have distinct effects on neural development and function. Present study examined the relationships between mild deprivation/threat and performance monitoring among undergraduate students without psychiatric diagnoses. By using event-related potentials (ERPs), 78 participants underwent a modified Flanker task in which false feedback on approximately 10% of the correct response trials was administered. The dynamic stages of performance monitoring in this task were differentiated into interference monitoring, feedback processing, and behavior adjustment. Childhood adversity was assessed by a Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), which was further divided into subscales of neglect (as a proxy for deprivation dimension) and abuse (as a proxy for threat dimension). Our results showed that higher score of childhood neglect was associated with more interference cost indicated by longer RT to interference trials at the behavioral level, and altered interference monitoring indicated by smaller N2 amplitude to interference trials at the neural level. Meanwhile, higher score of childhood abuse was related to smaller P3 amplitude to unexpected negative feedback. These results suggested that mild childhood deprivation might be associated with altered processing of interference monitoring, while mild childhood threat might be linked to lower electrophysiological response to unexpected negative feedback among young adults without psychiatric disorders.
Foss S, So RP, Petty CR
… +3 more, Waber DP, Wright RJ, Bosquet Enlow M
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2022 Oct · PMID 36475997
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We examined effects of maternal and child lifetime traumatic stress exposures, infant temperament, and caregiving quality on parent ratings of preschoolers' executive functioning (EF). Maternal lifetime trauma was associ...We examined effects of maternal and child lifetime traumatic stress exposures, infant temperament, and caregiving quality on parent ratings of preschoolers' executive functioning (EF). Maternal lifetime trauma was associated with preschoolers' EF problems; this association was mediated by greater child trauma exposure. Infant temperament was associated with EF abilities, particularly among females. Among males, infant extraversion/surgency mediated the association of maternal lifetime trauma with poorer child EF. Caregiving quality was negatively associated with maternal and child trauma exposures but did not predict child EF. Findings have implications for interventions to identify children at risk for poor EF and optimize outcomes.
Hypomelanosis of Ito (HI) is a neurocutaneous disorder associated with central nervous system abnormalities, including speech delay and intellectual disability. The long term neuropsychological and social characteristics...Hypomelanosis of Ito (HI) is a neurocutaneous disorder associated with central nervous system abnormalities, including speech delay and intellectual disability. The long term neuropsychological and social characteristics of these children are unknown. Neuropsychological observations and parental reports were obtained yearly on a child with HI from ages 7 to 18 years. Serial measures of intelligence revealed stable verbal and perceptual reasoning scores with later improvements in working memory and processing speed performance. Speech articulation improved at age 12, as did the speed of right-hand finger tapping. Improved social integration occurred, but anxiety persisted throughout this developmental period.
Changes in word production occur across the lifespan, with adolescence representing a knot point between children's and adults' performance and underlying brain processes. Previous studies on referential word production...Changes in word production occur across the lifespan, with adolescence representing a knot point between children's and adults' performance and underlying brain processes. Previous studies on referential word production using picture naming tasks have shown a completely adult-like pattern in 17-year-old adolescents and an intermediate pattern between children and adults in adolescents aged 14-16 years old, suggesting a possible involvement of visuo-conceptual processes in the transition from childhood to adulthood. Given the visual nature of the picture naming task, it is unclear whether changes in visuo-conceptual processes are specifically related to the referential word production or if overall changes in conceptual to lexical processes drive maturation. To answer this question, we turned to an inferential word production task, i.e., naming from auditory definitions, involving different conceptual to lexical processes relative to referential naming. Behavior and electroencephalographic Event-Related Potentials (ERP) in a (visual) referential word production task and an (auditory) inferential word production task were recorded and compared in three groups of adolescents (respectively, aged 10 to 13, 14 to 16, and 17 to 18). Only the youngest group displayed longer production latencies and lower accuracy than the two older groups of adolescents who performed similarly on both tasks. Crucially, ERP waveform analysis and topographic pattern analysis revealed significant intergroup differences on both tasks. Changes across ages are not merely linked to the visual-conceptual processes of a picture naming task but are rather related to lexical-semantic processes involved in word production.
Base rates of failure (BR) on performance validity tests (PVTs) were examined in university students with limited English proficiency (LEP). BR was calculated for several free-standing and embedded PVTs. All free-standin...Base rates of failure (BR) on performance validity tests (PVTs) were examined in university students with limited English proficiency (LEP). BR was calculated for several free-standing and embedded PVTs. All free-standing PVTs and certain embedded indicators were robust to LEP. However, LEP was associated with unacceptably high BR (20-50%) on several embedded PVTs with high levels of verbal mediation (even multivariate models of PVT could not contain BR). In conclusion, failing free-standing/dedicated PVTs cannot be attributed to LEP. However, the elevated BR on several embedded PVTs in university students suggest an unacceptably high overall risk of false positives associated with LEP.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2022 Aug · PMID 35938379
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The quality of language that children hear in their environment is associated with the development of language-related brain regions, in turn promoting vocabulary knowledge. Although informative, it remains unknown how t...The quality of language that children hear in their environment is associated with the development of language-related brain regions, in turn promoting vocabulary knowledge. Although informative, it remains unknown how these environmental influences alter the structure of neural tissue and subsequent vocabulary outcomes. The current study uses magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to examine how children's language environments underlie brain tissue mechanical properties, characterized as brain tissue stiffness and damping ratio, and promote vocabulary knowledge. Twenty-five children, ages 5-7, had their audio and video recorded while engaging in a play session with their parents. Children also completed the Picture Vocabulary Task (from NIH Toolbox) and participated in an MRI, where MRE and anatomical images were acquired. Higher quality input was associated with greater stiffness in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus, whereas greater vocabulary knowledge was associated with lower damping ratio in the right inferior frontal gyrus. These findings suggest changes in neural tissue composition are sensitive to malleable aspects of the environment, whereas tissue organization is more strongly associated with vocabulary outcome. Notably, these associations were independent of maternal education, suggesting more proximal measures of a child's environment may be the source of differences in neural tissue structure underlying variability in vocabulary outcomes.