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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and... Apr 2020Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the adult motor system. Characterised by a slowly progressive upper motor neuron syndrome, the...
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the adult motor system. Characterised by a slowly progressive upper motor neuron syndrome, the diagnosis is clinical, after exclusion of structural, neurodegenerative and metabolic mimics. Differentiation of PLS from upper motor neuron-predominant forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis remains a significant challenge in the early symptomatic phase of both disorders, with ongoing debate as to whether they form a clinical and histopathological continuum. Current diagnostic criteria for PLS may be a barrier to therapeutic development, requiring long delays between symptom onset and formal diagnosis. While new technologies sensitive to both upper and lower motor neuron involvement may ultimately resolve controversies in the diagnosis of PLS, we present updated consensus diagnostic criteria with the aim of reducing diagnostic delay, optimising therapeutic trial design and catalysing the development of disease-modifying therapy.
Topics: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Consensus; Delayed Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Motor Neuron Disease; Motor Neurons
PubMed: 32029539
DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2019-322541 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2022We provide evidence to support the contention that many aspects of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are related to interregional brain functional disconnectivity... (Review)
Review
We provide evidence to support the contention that many aspects of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are related to interregional brain functional disconnectivity associated with maturational delays in the development of brain networks. We think a delay in brain maturation in some networks may result in an increase in cortical maturation and development in other networks, leading to a developmental asynchrony and an unevenness of functional skills and symptoms. The paper supports the close relationship between retained primitive reflexes and cognitive and motor function in general and in ASD in particular provided to indicate that the inhibition of RPRs can effect positive change in ASD.
PubMed: 35873782
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.922322 -
Medical Science Monitor : International... Jul 2015Children with Down syndrome (DS) present with delays in motor development. The reduced size of the cerebrum, brain maturation disorders, and pathophysiological processes...
BACKGROUND
Children with Down syndrome (DS) present with delays in motor development. The reduced size of the cerebrum, brain maturation disorders, and pathophysiological processes lead to motor development delay. The aim of this study was to examine the gross motor function and estimate what motor abilities are significantly delayed in children with Down syndrome even if they attend physical therapy sessions. Another purpose of the study was to assess the functional balance.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study group consisted of 79 children with DS (42 boys, 37 girls), average age 6 years and 3 months ± 4 years and 6 months. Participants were divided into 3 groups according to (i) age: <3 years old, 3-6 years old, and >6 years old; and (ii) motor impairment scale: mild (SNR 1), moderate (SNR 2), and severe (SNR 3). Children were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS).
RESULTS
None of the assessed children developed all the functions included in GMFM-88. The standing position was achieved at the specified age by 10% of children in the first age group (<3 years old) and 95% of children aged 3-6 years. Similarly, the walking ability was performed by 10% of children under 3 years old and by 95% of children aged 3-6 years. The median score of PBS was 50 points (min. 34 p. - max. 56 p.). There was a statistically significant correlation between PBS scores and GMFM-88 scores, r=0.7; p<0.0001, and between balance scores and GMFM - 88 E (walking, running, jumping) (r=0.64; p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Motor development, especially standing position and walking ability, is delayed in children with Down syndrome. Balance and motor functions are correlated with each other, so both aspects of development should be consider together in physical therapy of children with Down syndrome.
Topics: Child; Developmental Disabilities; Down Syndrome; Female; Humans; Male
PubMed: 26132100
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.893377 -
Physical Therapy Feb 2021Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of the Sitting Together and Reaching to Play (START-Play) intervention in young infants with neuromotor disorders. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of the Sitting Together and Reaching to Play (START-Play) intervention in young infants with neuromotor disorders.
METHOD
This randomized controlled trial compared usual care early intervention (UC-EI) with START-Play plus UC-EI. Analyses included 112 infants with motor delay (55 UC-EI, 57 START-Play) recruited at 7 to 16 months of age across 5 sites. START-Play included twice-weekly home visits with the infant and caregiver for 12 weeks provided by physical therapists trained in the START-Play intervention; UC-EI was not disrupted. Outcome measures were the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley); the Gross Motor Function Measure; reaching frequency; and the Assessment of Problem Solving in Play (APSP). Comparisons for the full group as well as separate comparisons for infants with mild motor delay and infants with significant motor delay were conducted. Piecewise linear mixed modeling estimated short- and long-term effects.
RESULTS
For infants with significant motor delay, positive effects of START-Play were observed at 3 months for Bayley cognition, Bayley fine motor, and APSP and at 12 months for Bayley fine motor and reaching frequency outcomes. For infants with mild motor delay, positive effects of START-Play for the Bayley receptive communication outcome were found. For the UC-EI group, the only difference between groups was a positive effect for the APSP outcome, observed at 3 months.
CONCLUSION
START-Play may advance reaching, problem solving, cognitive, and fine motor skills for young infants with significant motor delay over UC-EI in the short term. START-Play in addition to UC-EI may not improve motor/cognitive outcomes for infants with milder motor delays over and above usual care.
IMPACT
Concepts of embodied cognition, applied to early intervention in the START-Play intervention, may serve to advance cognition and motor skills in young infants with significant motor delays over usual care early intervention.
LAY SUMMARY
If you have a young infant with significant delays in motor skills, your physical therapist can work with you to develop play opportunities to enhance your child's problem solving, such as that used in the START-Play intervention, in addition to usual care to help your child advance cognitive and motor skills.
Topics: Child Development; Cognitive Dysfunction; Disability Evaluation; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Motor Skills Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Problem Solving; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33382406
DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa232 -
Cells May 2022The process of chromosome congression and alignment is at the core of mitotic fidelity. In this review, we discuss distinct spatial routes that the chromosomes take to... (Review)
Review
The process of chromosome congression and alignment is at the core of mitotic fidelity. In this review, we discuss distinct spatial routes that the chromosomes take to align during prometaphase, which are characterized by distinct biomolecular requirements. Peripheral polar chromosomes are an intriguing case as their alignment depends on the activity of kinetochore motors, polar ejection forces, and a transition from lateral to end-on attachments to microtubules, all of which can result in the delayed alignment of these chromosomes. Due to their undesirable position close to and often behind the spindle pole, these chromosomes may be particularly prone to the formation of erroneous kinetochore-microtubule interactions, such as merotelic attachments. To prevent such errors, the cell employs intricate mechanisms to preposition the spindle poles with respect to chromosomes, ensure the formation of end-on attachments in restricted spindle regions, repair faulty attachments by error correction mechanisms, and delay segregation by the spindle assembly checkpoint. Despite this protective machinery, there are several ways in which polar chromosomes can fail in alignment, mis-segregate, and lead to aneuploidy. In agreement with this, polar chromosomes are present in certain tumors and may even be involved in the process of tumorigenesis.
Topics: Chromosome Segregation; Kinetochores; Microtubules; Mitosis; Spindle Apparatus
PubMed: 35563837
DOI: 10.3390/cells11091531 -
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health Apr 2020Gross motor skills are important for children's health and development. Delays in these skills are a concern for healthy developmental trajectories and therefore early...
AIM
Gross motor skills are important for children's health and development. Delays in these skills are a concern for healthy developmental trajectories and therefore early identification of delay is important. This study screened for gross motor delay in children from low-income communities and investigated potential risk factors associated with gross motor delay.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study involved 701 pre-schoolers (M = 54.1 ± 8.6 months, 52.8% boys) from childcare services in low-income and remote communities in Australia. Gross motor delay was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire - third edition. Potential risk factors included: sex, age, birthweight, prematurity status, weight status, childcare service, postcode, parent's education, parent's marital status, parent's employment and family income.
RESULTS
Results showed 4.4% of the children were delayed in gross motor skills and 8.8% were at risk of delay. Logistic regression showed being a boy (odds ratio (OR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-2.84), underweight (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.18-6.30) or overweight (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.00-3.33), and parental unemployment (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.01-3.16) were factors associated with a higher odds of children being delayed or at risk of gross motor delay. A higher family income (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13-0.93) was associated with lower odds of delay.
CONCLUSION
This unique study demonstrated children in low-income communities, especially boys, underweight and overweight children, have higher odds of being at risk of gross motor delay. Therefore, early screening is vital in this population in order to identify delays and potentially intervene with appropriate motor skill interventions.
Topics: Australia; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developmental Disabilities; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Motor Skills; Prevalence; Risk Factors
PubMed: 31705779
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.14684 -
IScience May 2022Reward timing, that is, the delay after which reward is delivered following an action is known to strongly influence reinforcement learning. Here, we asked if reward...
Reward timing, that is, the delay after which reward is delivered following an action is known to strongly influence reinforcement learning. Here, we asked if reward timing could also modulate how people learn and consolidate new motor skills. In 60 healthy participants, we found that delaying reward delivery by a few seconds influenced motor learning. Indeed, training with a short reward delay (1 s) induced continuous improvements in performance, whereas a long reward delay (6 s) led to initially high learning rates that were followed by an early plateau in the learning curve and a lower performance at the end of training. Participants who learned the skill with a long reward delay also exhibited reduced overnight memory consolidation. Overall, our data show that reward timing affects the dynamics and consolidation of motor learning, a finding that could be exploited in future rehabilitation programs.
PubMed: 35573187
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104290 -
Australian Family Physician Sep 2005Developmental delay occurs in up to 5% of children under 5 years of age. This includes delays in speech and language development, motor development, social-emotional... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Developmental delay occurs in up to 5% of children under 5 years of age. This includes delays in speech and language development, motor development, social-emotional development, and cognitive development. General practitioners are in an ideal position to play a central role in the early detection of developmental and behavioural problems in young children.
OBJECTIVE
This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various methods health professionals use to assess children's development. It recommends ongoing developmental surveillance (rather than point-in-time assessment) and a multidisciplinary approach.
DISCUSSION
In a busy general practice, obtaining parent reports of development is a good "first line screen", and an efficient and effective way of selecting out children who require a more detailed assessment and/or referral. Early intervention is essential for optimising developmental progress in the delayed child.
Topics: Child Development; Child, Preschool; Developmental Disabilities; Family Practice; Humans; Infant; Mass Screening; Medical History Taking; Parents; Physician's Role; Professional-Family Relations; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 16184205
DOI: No ID Found