Developmental Neuropsychology最新文献

In this cross-sectional, observational study, the association between lethargy and vagal tone was analyzed in thirteen low-risk preterm infants. Infants underwent behavioral assessment and vagal tone measurement indexed by high-frequency heart-rate variability (HF-HRV). A lower vagal tone cluster was associated with greater lethargy (p = .05), reduced handling (p = .003), excitability (p = .006), higher skin stress indicators (p = .13), and central nervous system stress indicators (p = .10) than cluster with a higher vagal tone cluster. A lower vagal tone could indicate autonomic nervous system dysregulation or immaturity, leading to neurobehavioral challenges, such as lethargy and further neurodevelopmental difficulties.

Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often struggle with writing composition, possibly due to deficits in executive functions and processing speed. This study examined 518 children with ADHD and 851 controls to assess these effects. Multiple mediation tested whether executive functions (i.e., working memory, inhibition) and processing speed partially mediated the association between inattention and writing composition, controlling for transcription. Results showed inattention negatively predicted writing composition. Executive function accounted for nearly 10%, and processing speed nearly 17%, of the variance in this association. Findings highlight the contributions of executive functions and processing speed to writing difficulties in ADHD.

The factor structure of the Concussion Clinical Profiles Screen (CP Screen) has not been empirically evaluated. In this study, 323 patients (59% male; 74% sport-related) completed CP Screen, ImPACT, and Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Screening (VOMS) at initial clinical visit within 30 days of concussion (M = 7.58±/-6.10 days). A second-order model best fit the data, with cognitive-fatigue, migraine, and ocular factors comprising a second-order factor. Loadings were all significant/substantial. Vestibular, ocular, and cognitive-fatigue factors all significantly (βs = .15-.44 ps ≤ .01) predicted assessments in similar domains, supporting concurrent validity. This study provides initial psychometric support for the structure of the CP-screen.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in terms of cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) symptoms and some psychiatric symptoms between obese children and healthy controls. Participants were 60 cases diagnosed with obesity and 60 healthy children who were not obese/overweight aged 6-12 years. The obese group had significantly higher CDS symptom scores comparing to the control group. In the obese group, there were statistically significant associations found between the symptoms of CDS and attention, conduct issues, emotional instability, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Clinicians who work with obese children should also be aware of CDS symptoms.

The ability to recognize emotions in others is crucial for social interaction and develops during childhood. We studied the effects of age on emotional facial recognition in schoolchildren using ERP components. Children aged 6, 8, and 10 completed identity, sex, and emotion recognition (happiness, anger, sadness) tasks. The oldest group had the highest accuracy and fastest reaction times. Only the LPP component showed age-related differences, with lower amplitudes in older children. LPP showed higher amplitude during emotion recognition, which may be associated with motivational evaluation. ERP accounted for the temporal dynamics of facial processing, which involve cognitive and emotional processes.

Children with ADHD suffer from impaired attentional, executive, and emotional processing. This study aimed to compare attentional and executive processing using (non)emotional stimuli in children with and without ADHD. Eighty-five children with ADHD and 72 matched typically developing children performed the Stroop, continuous performance, and Go/No-Go tasks using (non)emotional stimuli. Greater performance in selective attention, inhibitory control, and sustained attention was found in emotional stimuli compared to non-emotional stimuli in both groups. Emotional stimuli facilitated attentional and executive functions in children with and without ADHD. Impaired attentional and executive functions in children with ADHD are not valence-sensitive.

The N400 event-related potential (ERP), a marker of lexical-semantic processing, can assess the neural basis of reading difficulties. This study examines 1) semantic processes in typically developing (TD) children and children with reading disabilities (RD) using N400 and Set-for-Variability (SfV) profiles and 2) correlations between N400 and SfV. Fifty-one children read congruent and incongruent sentences during EEG. Results showed RD children lacked an N400 effect and had delayed SfV. A negative correlation between SfV and N400 latency in the RD group indicated distinct semantic processing delays in these children.

This study investigates executive functions (EFs) and selected developmental factors in 120 children aged 6-11 years. By examining inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, the research evaluates the potential influences of age, gender, bilingualism, and family income on these EF skills. Tests adapted to Lebanese Arabic were used to assess EFs. Results indicate a linear development of inhibition, working memory, and flexibility with age. Gender differences were observed, affecting verbal and visuospatial working memory as well as flexibility. Bilingualism positively impacts EFs, with early bilinguals outperforming late bilinguals. Family income, however, shows no significant effect on EFs.

Siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) are situated within a complex system of risk and resilience factors for poor outcomes, many of which overlap with the risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and correlate with poorer recovery trajectories. This study used Bayesian analyses to characterize and compare TBI and biopsychosocial risk factors among 632 siblings (207 NDC, 425 controls; mean age 20.54 years, range 10-30, 78.48% female). NDC siblings had a higher self-reported lifetime history of TBI compared to controls (14.98% versus 6.35%), with most reporting more than one TBI, and at an earlier age. TBI history was associated with psychiatric diagnoses and subclinical NDC features. Family and structural factors related to TBI included poorer parent-child relationship, NDC diagnoses of autism or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, minority ethnicity, and lower income. Findings have implications for health literacy, TBI education and screening, and implementation of family support.

In the absence of any complaints in early childhood, preterm children remain more at risk of encountering academic difficulties, but their clinical picture remains not well characterized. We screened visuospatial perception in 70 children born preterm consulting for scholar complaints. Developmental Coordination Disorder (with or without comorbidities) was associated with high prevalence (27%) of impaired perception of spatial relationship. Prematurely born children who obtained no diagnosis of Neuro-Developmental Disorder exhibited a high prevalence (31%) of impaired perception of object magnitude. Regression revealed that low gestational age and fetal growth restriction significantly predicted the magnitude but not the spatial relationship perception.