Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 32207999
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This study examined if children (M = 14.60) with Mild Intellectual Disabilities (MID) display weaknesses in number processing and verbal working memory. An age-matched and mental age-matched (MA, M = 6.17) design extende...This study examined if children (M = 14.60) with Mild Intellectual Disabilities (MID) display weaknesses in number processing and verbal working memory. An age-matched and mental age-matched (MA, M = 6.17) design extended by a group of 9-10-year-olds, and a group of 11-12-year-olds were used. The MID children's working memory was equal to the MA group but poorer than the other groups. On number tasks, the MID group was faster than the MA group but slower than the other groups. All groups obtained equal Weber fraction scores and distance effects on the number comparison tasks. The MID group performed subitizing and counting faster than the MA group, but slower than the 11-12-year-olds. The results demonstrate that number processing and working memory in children with MID is characterized by a developmental delay, not a deficit. Their main problem is to access the quantitative meaning of Arabic numerals. The development of different types of cognitive abilities is differently affected by educational experience and intellectual ability. The innate number system appears to be unaffected by intellectual capacity or educational experience, while the innate working memory ability is affected by intellectual capacity but not by educational experience. Culturally acquired symbolic number abilities are strongly affected by educational experience.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 32164460
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The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is an information processing speed test. The aim of this study was to compare the SDMT across three samples: the USA, Mexico, and Argentina. The hypothesis is that performance will...The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is an information processing speed test. The aim of this study was to compare the SDMT across three samples: the USA, Mexico, and Argentina. The hypothesis is that performance will vary based on native language and cultural differences between these countries. The SDMT was administered to 129 healthy volunteers. Participants from the USA performed better than participants from Argentina and Mexico ( < .01), and no differences were observed between the latter groups ( = .15). Processing speed differs between the studied populations of Latin America and Anglo-America. Possible interpretations of this result are presented.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 32114802
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This study examined the influence of executive functions on the association between callous-unemotional traits and severity and type of childhood disruptive behavior. Eighty one children aged 8-12 years and their parents...This study examined the influence of executive functions on the association between callous-unemotional traits and severity and type of childhood disruptive behavior. Eighty one children aged 8-12 years and their parents participated in the study. We assessed children's callous-unemotional traits, executive functions, and two indices of disruptive behavior. Callous-unemotional traits and parent ratings of executive dysfunction were uniquely correlated with elevated conduct problems and oppositional and defiant behavior. Neither performance-based measures, nor parent ratings of executive function, moderated the association between callous-unemotional traits and disruptive behavior. Study findings suggest that executive functions and callous-unemotional traits may impact children's behavior independently.
Shen Y, Zhao H, Zhu J
… +4 more, He Y, Zhang X, Liu S, Chen J
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 32063038
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In contrast to reactive inhibition, intentional inhibition is the internally generated decision to "stop" without any external signals. Whether adults and adolescents' neural correlates on these two inhibitions have any...In contrast to reactive inhibition, intentional inhibition is the internally generated decision to "stop" without any external signals. Whether adults and adolescents' neural correlates on these two inhibitions have any differences is still unknown. We measured 20 adults and 21 adolescents' ERP-related N2 using a free-choice Go/Nogo task. The results of the adult's group showed that the mean amplitude and peak latency of intentional Nogo-N2 did not differ from the reactive Nogo-N2. In contrast, the mean amplitude and peak latency for reactive Nogo-N2 in the adolescent group was significantly greater than what was observed for the intentional Nogo-N2. Comparison across groups revealed that the mean amplitude and peak latency of reactive Nogo-N2 were significantly greater in adolescents than in adults, while intentional Nogo-N2 did not differ between groups. These findings may indicate that adolescents lack of self-control is more reflected in reactive inhibition, if adolescents decide whether to do, they will be as good as adults.
Udhnani M, Perez M, Clasen LS
… +2 more, Adeyemi E, Lee NR
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 32063028
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Language and executive functioning are major impairments in many neurodevelopmental disorders, but little is known about the relations between these constructs, particularly using parent-report. Thus, the current researc...Language and executive functioning are major impairments in many neurodevelopmental disorders, but little is known about the relations between these constructs, particularly using parent-report. Thus, the current research sought to examine relations between executive function and language in two groups - Down syndrome (DS; n=41; M = 11.2) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n=91; M = 7.7). Results were as follows: in DS, executive function predicted pragmatic, but not structural language after covarying for age, sex, and social functioning; in ASD, executive function predicted both. Findings highlight the interrelatedness of language and executive functioning and may have implications for intervention development.
Iglesias-Sarmiento V, Alfonso S, Conde Á
… +2 more, Pérez L, Deaño M
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 32036691
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This study analyzed the contribution of cognitive processes (planning, attention, simultaneous and successive processing) and domain-specific skills (counting, number processing and conceptual comprehension) to the arith...This study analyzed the contribution of cognitive processes (planning, attention, simultaneous and successive processing) and domain-specific skills (counting, number processing and conceptual comprehension) to the arithmetic performance achieved in the last three grades (4th, 5th, and 6th) of elementary school. Three groups of students with a different arithmetic achievement level were characterized. The predictive value of the cognitive processes and the math specific skills are explored through diverse covariance and discriminant analyses. Participants were 110 students ( = 10.5 years, = 1.17) classified in three groups: mathematical difficulties (MD; 26), high achieving (HA; 26), and typical achieving (TA; 58). Cognitive processes and domain-specific skills were evaluated in two individual sessions at the end of the school year. Nonverbal intelligence was assessed in a final collective session with each class. The mathematical difficulties group's achievement was deficient in simultaneous and successive processing, number processing, and conceptual comprehension compared to the typical achievement group. High achievement children obtained significantly better results than the typical achievement children in simultaneous processing, counting, number processing, and conceptual comprehension. Number processing and conceptual comprehension were the most consistent classifiers, although successive and simultaneous processing, respectively, also contributed to identifying students with mathematical difficulties and high achievement. These findings have practical implications for preventive and intervention proposals linked to the observed profiles.
The characteristics and current situation of pediatric neuropsychologists across Spanish-speaking countries was examined. A total of 409 self-identified professionals working in child neuropsychology from 12 Latin Americ...The characteristics and current situation of pediatric neuropsychologists across Spanish-speaking countries was examined. A total of 409 self-identified professionals working in child neuropsychology from 12 Latin American countries and Spain completed an online survey between June and October 2018. Results revealed that pediatric neuropsychology as a related but distinct discipline within neuropsychology presents with a series of unique challenges to practitioners in Spanish-speaking countries. Efforts and initiatives are required to increase awareness of the field, define the core competencies, foster more opportunities for training, and conduct research to understand sociocultural characteristics and develop culturally specific tools.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 31914808
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Relationships between neurodevelopmental functioning and hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were contrasted between children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and children who differed relative to thei...Relationships between neurodevelopmental functioning and hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were contrasted between children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and children who differed relative to their history of PAE and the presence of other neurodevelopmental impairment. For all groups, deoxygenated hemoglobin (HBR) levels in the medial PFC area were negatively related to externalizing problems and levels in the medial and right lateral PFC were positively related to errors on a cognitive inhibition task. Hemodynamic changes in the medial and right lateral PFC of children with PAE demonstrated stronger relationships to aspects of executive functioning relative to contrast groups.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 31893945
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One challenge in word learning research is how to operationalize learning. We combined behavioral measures with EEG to examine implicit and explicit recognition of words previously introduced with or without meaning in a...One challenge in word learning research is how to operationalize learning. We combined behavioral measures with EEG to examine implicit and explicit recognition of words previously introduced with or without meaning in an incidental learning task. Participants (8-11-year-old children) were not able to recognize previously introduced nonsense words and better performance on the learning task resulted in poorer word recognition. The N400 amplitude differed between nonsense words with meaning versus nonsense words no meaning and novel nonsense words. Results indicate that introducing a nonsense word with meaning does not aid in explicit word learning but improves implicit word learning.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 31891516
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This study examined the neural correlates of cognitive shifting when 3- to 6-year-old children (N = 45) engage in a social Dimensional Change Card Sort, where they sorted cards according to one dimension (execution phase...This study examined the neural correlates of cognitive shifting when 3- to 6-year-old children (N = 45) engage in a social Dimensional Change Card Sort, where they sorted cards according to one dimension (execution phase) after observing another person sorting cards according to another dimension (observation phase) using near-infrared spectroscopy. Analyses using ANOVA revealed that older children who successfully performed the task exhibited significant lateral prefrontal activation during both phases, whereas younger children who failed the task exhibited the prefrontal activation only during the execution phases. The lateral prefrontal regions may play a role in cognitive shifting from others' behaviors.
Benito-Sánchez I, Gonzalez I, Oliveras-Rentas RE
… +7 more, Ferrer-Cascales R, Romero-García I, Restrepo Botero JC, Delgado-Mejía ID, Vergara-Moragues E, Rivera D, Arango-Lasprilla JC
Pediatric neuropsychologists and researchers commonly interpret a low score as a cognitive weakness. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of low scores for three neuropsychological tests used to evalu...Pediatric neuropsychologists and researchers commonly interpret a low score as a cognitive weakness. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of low scores for three neuropsychological tests used to evaluate executive function in 4,595 healthy children from Latin-America and Spain. Results showed that low scores are common when multiple neuropsychological outcomes are evaluated in healthy individuals. Clinicians should consider the higher probability of low scores in a given individual when evaluating executive functions using various sets of scores to reduce false-positive diagnoses of cognitive deficits in a child.
Benito-Sánchez I, Ertl MM, Ferrer-Cascales R
… +8 more, Oltra-Cucarella J, Ibáñez-Alfonso JA, Saracostti Schwartzman M, Soto-Añari M, Cadavid-Ruiz N, Rodríguez-Lorenzana A, Rivera D, Arango-Lasprilla JC
To determine the prevalence of low scores on two neuropsychological tests commonly used to evaluate learning and memory in children. 6,030 healthy children from 10 countries in Latin America and Spain were administered R...To determine the prevalence of low scores on two neuropsychological tests commonly used to evaluate learning and memory in children. 6,030 healthy children from 10 countries in Latin America and Spain were administered Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) and the Test de Aprendizaje y Memoria Verbal-Infantil (TAMV-I). Results showed that low scores are common when multiple neuropsychological outcomes (tests and/or scores) are evaluated in healthy individuals. Clinicians should consider the higher probability of low scores in a given individual when evaluating learning and memory using various sets of scores to reduce false-positive diagnoses of cognitive deficits in pediatric populations.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2020 · PMID 31809582
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Hair whorl direction and handedness were stated to have a common genetic basis in the . This study was carried out with a total of 317 healthy young males. The association between hair whorl swirling direction and handed...Hair whorl direction and handedness were stated to have a common genetic basis in the . This study was carried out with a total of 317 healthy young males. The association between hair whorl swirling direction and handedness, footedness and eyedness were assessed. The direction of hair whorl was clockwise at a rate of 76.7%, and counter clock wise at a rate of 23.3%. There was no significant association between hair whorl direction and handedness, footedness, and eyedness ( > .05). The results indicate that hair whorl swirling direction is not an evident marker of functional laterality.
Yang TX, Wang YY, Wang Y
… +3 more, Qian Y, Cheung EFC, Chan RCK
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2019 Nov · PMID 31760762
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We examined prospective memory (PM) function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A group of 28 children with ADHD and 28 typically developing children completed event-, time- and activity-ba...We examined prospective memory (PM) function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A group of 28 children with ADHD and 28 typically developing children completed event-, time- and activity-based PM tasks and attention tests. ADHD children had impaired attention but intact PM performance. Both groups performed best in activity-based PM tasks, followed by event-based PM tasks, and performed worst in time-based PM tasks. ADHD children had lower ongoing task performance in the event-based PM task. The findings indicate that children with ADHD may have an intact PM, but this may be at the cost of ongoing task performance.
Desaunay P, Postel C, Bensaber F
… +9 more, Gonneaud J, Baleyte JM, Anger M, Guénolé F, Malvy J, Bonnet-Brilhault F, Eustache F, Desgranges B, Guillery-Girard B
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2019 Nov · PMID 31738580
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We evaluated event-based prospective memory (EBPM) in adolescents with Autism, varying the load of the to-be-performed intentions. We included measures of inhibition, working memory and binding. Results showed that incre...We evaluated event-based prospective memory (EBPM) in adolescents with Autism, varying the load of the to-be-performed intentions. We included measures of inhibition, working memory and binding. Results showed that increasing the retrospective memory load reduced performance in controls. In Autism, adolescents were impaired in the low load condition with normal performance for the ongoing task, with the reverse pattern in the high load condition. EBPM may be impacted in Autism due to difficulty to process ongoing and EBPM tasks simultaneously possibly because of restricted inhibitory control.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2019 Nov · PMID 31709824
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This cohort-sequential study explored the components of working memory that underlie math calculation in elementary school children who are monolingual (English) or English language learners (ELLs) whose first language i...This cohort-sequential study explored the components of working memory that underlie math calculation in elementary school children who are monolingual (English) or English language learners (ELLs) whose first language is Spanish. To this end, children ( = 789) in grades 1, 2, and 3 at wave 1 were administered a battery of math, vocabulary, reading and cognitive (short-term memory [STM], working memory [WM], rapid naming, and inhibition) measures. The battery of tests was administered again one year and two years later to the same participants. Three important findings emerged. First, along with naming speed, the results suggest that growth in the executive component of WM was significantly related to growth in calculation performance. Second, performance on measures of reading, fluid intelligence, naming speed and executive processes in wave 1 were significantly related to wave 3 math calculation performance. Finally, the full latent growth model showed that monolingual and ELL children were statistically comparable in computation at wave 3. Thus, strong support was found for the notion that the executive component of WM was related to math computation but weak support for the notion ELL children experienced a math achievement gap.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2019 Oct · PMID 31635492
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Inhibition refers to a basic executive component that can be conceptualized as consisted of different inhibitory processes (i.e., perceptual, cognitive and response inhibition). These processes emerge during the first ye...Inhibition refers to a basic executive component that can be conceptualized as consisted of different inhibitory processes (i.e., perceptual, cognitive and response inhibition). These processes emerge during the first years of life, and since then are involved in different relevant every day activities. Different individual and contextual factors can modulate their developmental trajectories. The possibility of train in separate ways each inhibitory process is a subject of analysis. In such a context, the aims of this work were: (a) to design, implement and evaluate training of perceptual, cognitive and response inhibition processes, in a sample of school-aged children (6 to 8 years old); and (b) to analyze near, far, short- and long-transfer effects. An experimental design with three training groups (one for each inhibitory process) and an active control group was implemented. Near transfer effects were not observed. We found effects on a visuospatial working memory task in the short term, after the training in the response and cognitive inhibition, and effects on a fluid intelligence task in both the short and long term after the training in cognitive inhibition. The results contribute to a conceptualization of multidimensional inhibitory processes and the plausibility of training them during childhood.
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2019 Oct · PMID 31608666
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We examined the visuomotor adaptation of children and adults with and without explicit aiming strategies. Younger children were slower and less smooth in visuomotor adaption than adults. Specifically, in the course of ad...We examined the visuomotor adaptation of children and adults with and without explicit aiming strategies. Younger children were slower and less smooth in visuomotor adaption than adults. Specifically, in the course of adaptation and re-adaptation, older children had better movement accuracy than adults, while their movement speed and smoothness were similar to those of the adults. Explicit aiming improved movement accuracy for all participants, but also facilitated movement smoothness for younger children. The contribution of explicit adjustment was greater for older children than for younger children. These results show the ongoing development of cognitive functions and movement experiences in children.
Corbett BA, Ioannou S, Key AP
… +4 more, Coke C, Muscatello R, Vandekar S, Muse I
Dev Neuropsychol
· 2019 Oct · PMID 31589087
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This randomized clinical trial ( www.clinicaltrials.gov ID# NCT02276534) examined the impact of a peer-mediated, theater-based social skills intervention, SENSE Theater®, on social cognition and behavior in 77 youth (age...This randomized clinical trial ( www.clinicaltrials.gov ID# NCT02276534) examined the impact of a peer-mediated, theater-based social skills intervention, SENSE Theater®, on social cognition and behavior in 77 youth (ages 8-16) with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Analysis of Covariance models revealed that post-treatment, the experimental group (n = 44) performed significantly better than the controls (n = 33) on NEPSY theory of mind (verbal) subtest, demonstrated increased neural evidence of memory for faces, and engaged in more cooperative play and verbal interaction with novel peers. The study extends previous findings showing that SENSE Theater® contributes to improvement in social cognition and behavior.
Children with ADHD and ASD may present differences in the affective-motivational processes. We systematically review the literature regarding temporal discounting in children up to 12 years with ADHD and ASD. Six article...Children with ADHD and ASD may present differences in the affective-motivational processes. We systematically review the literature regarding temporal discounting in children up to 12 years with ADHD and ASD. Six articles were included, five studies with ADHD children (n = 231), one with ASD children (n = 21), all including typically developing children as controls (n = 210). Five studies (four with ADHD and one with ASD) found greater temporal reward discounting for clinical groups. Occurrence of ADHD appears to rush even more the decision-making process at this stage of development, but there is still a lack in the literature, especially evaluating individuals with ASD.