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The Journal of Pediatrics Dec 2017To explore the relationship between maternal shared reading quality (verbal interactivity and engagement) and brain function during story listening in at-risk,...
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between maternal shared reading quality (verbal interactivity and engagement) and brain function during story listening in at-risk, preschool-age children, in the context of behavioral evidence and American Academy of Pediatrics, recommendations.
STUDY DESIGN
In this cross-sectional study, 22 healthy, 4-year-old girls from low socioeconomic status households completed functional magnetic resonance imaging using an established story listening task, followed by videotaped observation of uncoached mother-daughter reading of the same, age-appropriate picture book. Shared reading quality was independently scored applying dialogic reading and other evidence-based criteria reflecting interactivity and engagement, and applied as a predictor of neural activation during the functional magnetic resonance imaging task, controlling for income and maternal education.
RESULTS
Shared reading quality scores were generally low and negatively correlated with maternal distraction by smartphones (P < .05). Scores were positively correlated with activation in left-sided brain areas supporting expressive and complex language, social-emotional integration, and working memory (P <.05, false discovery rate corrected).
CONCLUSIONS
Maternal shared reading quality is positively correlated with brain activation supporting complex language, executive function, and social-emotional processing in at-risk, preschool-age children. These findings represent novel neural biomarkers of how this modifiable aspect of home reading environment may influence foundational emergent literacy skills, reinforce behavioral evidence and American Academy of Pediatrics, recommendations, and underscore the potential of dialogic reading interventions to promote healthy brain development, especially in at-risk households.
Topics: Adult; Brain; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Functional Neuroimaging; Humans; Linear Models; Literacy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Maternal Behavior; Mother-Child Relations; Reading; Social Class; Verbal Behavior
PubMed: 29173308
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.08.037 -
Developmental Science Sep 2017Using existing longitudinal data from 570 infants in the Maternal Lifestyle Study, we explored the predictive value of maternal and infant affect and maternal...
Using existing longitudinal data from 570 infants in the Maternal Lifestyle Study, we explored the predictive value of maternal and infant affect and maternal vocalizations during 2 minutes of face-to-face interactions at 4 months on IQ scores at 4.5 and 7 years. After controlling for demographic factors, maternal depression, and prenatal drug exposure, maternal positive affect and maternal positive vocalizations emerged as predictors of both verbal and performance IQ at 4.5 and 7 years. Although infant positive affect during the interaction with the mother was not predictive of these outcome measures, infant positive affect towards an examiner predicted verbal but not performance IQ at 4.5 years. These results suggest that maternal positive affect may index emotional engagement in interaction that facilitates both verbal and nonverbal cognitive development, while infant social positive affect is specifically related to the acquisition of verbal reasoning abilities. These findings are significant because they are based on a discrete snapshot of observable behavior in infancy (just 2 minutes of interaction), because they extend the range of maternal behaviors and characteristics known to support positive developmental outcomes, and because they are derived from high-risk infants where prevention efforts may be beneficial. Potential mechanisms for these associations are discussed, as are the clinical implications for identifying dyads most in need of targeted interventions.
Topics: Child; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Behavior; Intelligence; Intelligence Tests; Male; Maternal Behavior; Mother-Child Relations; Regression Analysis; Verbal Behavior
PubMed: 27774733
DOI: 10.1111/desc.12479 -
Evolutionary Psychology : An... 2019Patterns of nonverbal and verbal behavior of interlocutors become more similar as communication progresses. Rhythm entrainment promotes prosocial behavior and signals...
Patterns of nonverbal and verbal behavior of interlocutors become more similar as communication progresses. Rhythm entrainment promotes prosocial behavior and signals social bonding and cooperation. Yet, it is unknown if the convergence of rhythm in human speech is perceived and is used to make pragmatic inferences regarding the cooperative urge of the interactors. We conducted two experiments to answer this question. For analytical purposes, we separate pulse (recurring acoustic events) and meter (hierarchical structuring of pulses based on their relative salience). We asked the listeners to make judgments on the hostile or collaborative attitude of interacting agents who exhibit different or similar pulse (Experiment 1) or meter (Experiment 2). The results suggest that rhythm convergence can be a marker of social cooperation at the level of pulse, but not at the level of meter. The mapping of rhythmic convergence onto social affiliation or opposition is important at the early stages of language acquisition. The evolutionary origin of this faculty is possibly the need to transmit and perceive coalition information in social groups of human ancestors. We suggest that this faculty could promote the emergence of the speech faculty in humans.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Biological Evolution; Cooperative Behavior; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Social Perception; Time Factors; Verbal Behavior; Young Adult
PubMed: 31564124
DOI: 10.1177/1474704919879335 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2018Workplace violence (WPV) by patients and visitors is a hazard in many emergency departments (ED), with serious consequences for both staff and patients. Patients with a...
Workplace violence (WPV) by patients and visitors is a hazard in many emergency departments (ED), with serious consequences for both staff and patients. Patients with a migratory background seem to be prone to being involved in WPV. We therefore reviewed all reports of ED staff who experienced WPV over a 4-year period (2013⁻2016). We analyzed data on the reasons for the incident, the time of day, the manner of violence, the consequences, and the migratory background of the aggressor. In total, 83 cases of WPV were reported over a four-year period. The average age of the violent person was 33.1 years; in 35 cases (42.0%), aggressors were younger than 30 years old, 53 (63.8%) were male, 49 (59%) were of Swiss nationality, and 35⁻40% had a migratory background. The odds ratio of people originating from a low- to middle-income country versus those originating from a high-income country was 1.8. Furthermore, 45.8% of the patients arrived by ambulance ( = 38) and 19 patients (22.9%) were self-presenting. Most cases (92.8%) involved verbal aggression, but in more than half of the cases, physical assault (56.6%) was also reported. In addition, 43 (51.8%) of the events occurred during the night. Results also showed that 42 (50.6%) of patients who were involved in WPV were under the influence of alcohol and 29 (34.9%) suffered from psychiatric disorders. Security personnel and police were involved in 53 (63.9%) and 47 (56.6%) cases, respectively. Twenty patients (24.1%) were sedated and 16 (19.3%) were restrained. In 18 cases (21.7%), the psychiatrist ordered compulsory hospitalization in a psychiatric institution. Taken together, WPV is a relatively common event in our ED and persons with a migratory background are involved more often relative to their frequency of ED visits.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aggression; Emergency Service, Hospital; Emigrants and Immigrants; Female; Hospitals, University; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Switzerland; Verbal Behavior; Workplace Violence; Young Adult
PubMed: 29986402
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071423 -
Revista de Neurologia Jan 2017Since Lezak coined the term executive functions to refer to the mental capabilities that are considered essential for performing efficacious, creative and socially... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Since Lezak coined the term executive functions to refer to the mental capabilities that are considered essential for performing efficacious, creative and socially acceptable behaviour, they have gradually grown in importance in neuropsychological research. Different models have been proposed to explain their nature, but there is no general agreement as to whether we are dealing with a unitary construct or a multimodal processing system with independent, but interconnected, components. With the aim of gaining a deeper knowledge of the structure of this construct, researchers have conducted lesion, neuroimaging and, more recently, factorial analysis studies, the latter being seen as a promising methodology for expanding our knowledge about such a generic concept as the executive functions.
DEVELOPMENT
The purpose of this study is to carry out a systematic review of factorial models of attention and executive control in adults, between the years 1991 and 2016, using the PubMed, OvidSP and PsycINFO databases. Altogether, 33 papers were reviewed. Based on the literature, an integrating proposal of the executive functions is put forward.
CONCLUSIONS
Although we do not have just one single model that can account for the complexity of the executive functions, there does seem to be general agreement on their multidimensionality. In factorial analyses, there is strong evidence of updating, inhibition and alternation, although there are also studies that propose novel factors. Our integrating proposal aims to combine the executive processes found in the literature with their corresponding neuroanatomical correlates, and defends the stance that the ideal methodology should use information from lesion studies, neuroimaging techniques and psychometric-computational models.
Topics: Adult; Attention; Decision Making; Executive Function; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Humans; Inhibition, Psychological; Memory, Long-Term; Memory, Short-Term; Models, Neurological; Models, Psychological; Verbal Behavior
PubMed: 28075001
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Child Neurology May 2023To increase understanding of the impact of cannabidiol (CBD) on outcomes beyond seizure control among individuals with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To increase understanding of the impact of cannabidiol (CBD) on outcomes beyond seizure control among individuals with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
METHODS
Qualitative interviews were conducted with caregivers of individuals with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome treated with plant-derived, highly purified CBD medicine (Epidiolex in the USA; Epidyolex in Europe; 100 mg/mL oral solution). Symptoms and impacts of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome on individuals were explored, as were the effects of CBD. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Twenty-one caregivers of individuals with Dravet syndrome (n = 14) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (n = 7) aged 4-22 years participated. Health-related quality of life improvements associated with CBD included cognitive function, communication, behavior, mobility, and participation in daily activities. Seizure frequency reduction was commonly reported (n = 12), resulting in caregivers having greater freedom and family life being less disrupted. Adverse events were reported by 10 caregivers.
CONCLUSION
In addition to reduced seizure frequency, CBD may have a wide range of beneficial effects beyond seizure control that warrant further investigation.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Behavioral Symptoms; Cannabidiol; Caregivers; Cognition; Communication; Epilepsies, Myoclonic; Interviews as Topic; Lennox Gastaut Syndrome; Qualitative Research; Quality of Life; Seizures; Verbal Behavior
PubMed: 37455396
DOI: 10.1177/08830738231185241 -
Child Abuse & Neglect Oct 2015This study investigates the influence of housing instability on verbal and nonverbal cognitive development among at-risk children and adolescents involved in the child...
This study investigates the influence of housing instability on verbal and nonverbal cognitive development among at-risk children and adolescents involved in the child welfare system. Frequent residential changes threaten child mental health, especially among low-income families. Little is known regarding disruptions to cognitive growth, specifically the impact on verbal and nonverbal abilities. The study tests whether developmental timing of housing mobility affects cognitive development beyond individual and family risks. A nationally representative study of families (n=2,442) susceptible to housing and family instability tracked children and adolescents aged 4-14 years (M=8.95 years) over 36 months following investigation by the child welfare system. Youth completed standardized cognitive assessments while caregivers reported on behavior problems and family risk at three time points. Latent growth models examined change in cognitive abilities over time. Housing mobility in the 12 months prior to baseline predicts lower verbal cognitive abilities that improve marginally. Similar effects emerge for all age groups; however, frequent moves in infancy diminish the influence of subsequent housing mobility on verbal tasks. Housing instability threatened cognitive development beyond child maltreatment, family changes, poverty, and other risks. Findings inform emerging research on environmental influences on neurocognitive development, as well as identify targets for early intervention. Systematic assessment of family housing problems, including through the child welfare system, provides opportunities for coordinated responses to prevent instability and cognitive threats.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult; Caregivers; Child; Child Abuse; Child Behavior; Child Welfare; Child, Preschool; Cognition; Family Relations; Female; Housing; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Likelihood Functions; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Poverty; Psychology, Adolescent; Psychology, Child; Transients and Migrants; United States; Verbal Behavior
PubMed: 26184055
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.06.002 -
European Journal of Neurology May 2019Neuropsychological testing plays a key role in various clinical contexts. Even though a substantial number of adults suffer neurological disorders such as early-onset...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Neuropsychological testing plays a key role in various clinical contexts. Even though a substantial number of adults suffer neurological disorders such as early-onset dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury or multiple sclerosis, most normative data do not include persons below 65. The aim of this study was to produce updated norms for the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test, the Trail Making Test, verbal fluency tasks and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test for middle-aged and older adults.
METHODS
The sample consisted of 51 879 participants aged 45-70 years from the CONSTANCES study. Norms are presented in percentiles stratified on age, education and gender.
RESULTS
The results illustrated the effect of age in all tests considered. For tests involving speed processing, the impact of age was observed including in tight age range categories (5 years). The results also showed the well-known effect of education and an effect of gender in tests involving verbal memory and speed processing.
CONCLUSIONS
The norms provided allow the variability of the cognitive performances of middle-aged to older populations to be understood, with a high precision in age categories. The tests considered are broadly used in neuropsychological practice and should be helpful in a variety of clinical contexts.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Cohort Studies; Cues; Educational Status; Female; France; Humans; Male; Memory; Mental Status and Dementia Tests; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychomotor Performance; Reaction Time; Reference Values; Sex Factors; Trail Making Test; Verbal Behavior
PubMed: 30575234
DOI: 10.1111/ene.13890 -
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of... Nov 2020Both researchers and practitioners often rely on direct observation to measure and monitor behavior. When these behaviors are too complex or numerous to be measured in...
Both researchers and practitioners often rely on direct observation to measure and monitor behavior. When these behaviors are too complex or numerous to be measured in vivo, relying on direct observation using human observers increases the amount of resources required to conduct research and to monitor the effects of interventions in practice. To address this issue, we conducted a proof of concept examining whether artificial intelligence could measure vocal stereotypy in individuals with autism. More specifically, we used an artificial neural network with over 1,500 minutes of audio data from 8 different individuals to train and test models to measure vocal stereotypy. Our results showed that the artificial neural network performed adequately (i.e., session-by-session correlation near or above .80 with a human observer) in measuring engagement in vocal stereotypy for 6 of 8 participants. Additional research is needed to further improve the generalizability of the approach.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Autistic Disorder; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Neural Networks, Computer; Stereotyped Behavior; Tape Recording; Verbal Behavior
PubMed: 33145781
DOI: 10.1002/jeab.636 -
Cognitive Processing Nov 2017Sex differences in verbal fluency performance and strategies are highly controversial, nevertheless suggesting a slight female advantage at least for phonemic fluency. A...
Sex differences in verbal fluency performance and strategies are highly controversial, nevertheless suggesting a slight female advantage at least for phonemic fluency. A tendency of increased clustering of words into phonemic and semantic subcategories in men and increased switching between those categories in women has been suggested. In spatial tasks, it has been demonstrated that changes in instructions favoring a certain cognitive strategy can alter sex differences in performance. Such an approach has, however, not been attempted previously with verbal tasks. In the present investigation, 19 women in their luteal cycle phase and 23 men performed a phonemic and a semantic fluency task with three different instructions, one neutral, one emphasizing the clustering, and one emphasizing the switching of words. While under neutral instructions no sex differences were observed in verbal fluency performance and strategies, sex differences in switching and overall performance were observed in semantic fluency with an instruction requiring a switching strategy. Furthermore, correlation analyses suggested that the importance of strategies for overall performance differed between women and men. While only switching, but not clustering was related to overall verbal fluency performance in all tasks under all instructions, this relationship was driven by women in the phonemic task, but by men in the semantic task. These results highlight the importance of a consistent methodology in sex difference research. Slight variations in instructions may in part explain inconsistencies regarding sex differences in verbal fluency between previous studies.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Sex Characteristics; Verbal Behavior; Young Adult
PubMed: 28365902
DOI: 10.1007/s10339-017-0801-1