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Bourne JA, Cichy RM, Kiorpes L, Morrone MC, Arcaro MJ, Nielsen KJ. Development of Higher-Level Vision: A Network Perspective. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1291242024. [PMID: 39358020 PMCID: PMC11450542 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1291-24.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Most studies on the development of the visual system have focused on the mechanisms shaping early visual stages up to the level of primary visual cortex (V1). Much less is known about the development of the stages after V1 that handle the higher visual functions fundamental to everyday life. The standard model for the maturation of these areas is that it occurs sequentially, according to the positions of areas in the adult hierarchy. Yet, the existing literature reviewed here paints a different picture, one in which the adult configuration emerges through a sequence of unique network configurations that are not mere partial versions of the adult hierarchy. In addition to studying higher visual development per se to fill major gaps in knowledge, it will be crucial to adopt a network-level perspective in future investigations to unravel normal developmental mechanisms, identify vulnerabilities to developmental disorders, and eventually devise treatments for these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Bourne
- Section on Cellular and Cognitive Neurodevelopment, Systems Neurodevelopment Laboratory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
| | - Radoslaw M Cichy
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin 14195, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10099, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Charite-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10099, Germany
| | - Lynne Kiorpes
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York 10003
| | - Maria Concetta Morrone
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa 56128, Italy
- Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Michael J Arcaro
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Kristina J Nielsen
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
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Tinelli F, Purpura G, Cioni G, Morrone MC, Turi M. Impairment in understanding grasping movements in egocentric and allocentric perspectives in children with cerebral palsy due to periventricular leukomalacia. Hum Mov Sci 2024; 98:103292. [PMID: 39303630 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2024.103292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Recognizing and understanding the actions of others through motion information are vital functions for social adaptation. Conditions like neurological disorders and motor impairments can impact sensitivity to biological motion, highlighting the intricate relationship between perceiving and executing movements. Our study centred on assessing the ability of children, encompassing both those with typical development and those diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), to discriminate between depicted grasping of a small cylinder and a large cube. This discrimination task involved observing a point-light animation depicting an actor grasping the object, presented from either an allocentric perspective (observing others) or an egocentric viewpoint (observing oneself). Notably, children with PVL exhibited a pronounced and specific impairment in this task, irrespective of the viewpoint, as evidenced by thresholds increasing by nearly a factor of two. When comparing this impairment to difficulties in form or motion perception, we identified a robust correlation between egocentric biological motion and form sensitivity. However, there was no similar correlation between motion and biological motion sensitivity, suggesting a deficit in the visual system rather than the visuo-motor control system. These findings contribute to our understanding of the intricate interplay between motor and visual processing in individuals with congenital brain lesions, shedding light on the significant involvement of the visual system in cases of PVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Purpura
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Morrone
- Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Turi
- Department of Human and Social Studies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
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Niyaz L, Kocak N, Subası M, Yucel OE. Prematurity May Affect the Postoperative Sensory Results in Children With Strabismus. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2024; 61:267-272. [PMID: 38482799 DOI: 10.3928/01913913-20240208-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyze the motor and sensory outcomes of strabismus surgery in children born preterm (premature group) and full-term (control group). METHODS The study was performed at a tertiary university hospital. Children who underwent strabismus surgery between 2012 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The success of surgery, postoperative over-correction and undercorrection rates, and stereopsis and fusion test results were compared between the premature and control groups. RESULTS There were 70 patients in the premature group (mean gestational age: 31.25 weeks; range: 24 to 35 weeks) and 242 patients in the control group. The amounts of preoperative and postoperative deviations and overcorrection, undercorrection, and success rates were similar between the premature and control groups (P > .05). Stereopsis improved from 560 to 300 arc/sec postoperatively in the premature group (P = .066) and from 1,156 to 685 arc/sec in the control group (P < .001). The rate of fusion increased from 12.5% to 25% in the premature group (P = .50) and from 17% to 47% in the control group (P < .001). The analysis of strabismus subgroups revealed significant improvement of fusion in full-term patients (P < .001) and not in preterm patients (P = .50) with esotropia. Preoperative amount of deviation was the only risk factor for surgical success (P < .001). Age, sex, history of prematurity, and spherical equivalent refraction were not correlated with undercorrection (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS Regardless of the type of strabismus, although the functional results after strabismus surgery were similar in preterm and full-term patients, the gain of stereopsis and central fusion was significantly higher in full-term patients compared to preterm patients. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(4):267-272.].
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Kulmaganbetov M, Leung M, Alsweiler JM, Black J, Bloomfield FH, Gamble GD, Harding JE, Jiang Y, Poppe T, Tottman AC, Wouldes TA, Thompson B. Associations between neonatal nutrition and visual outcomes in 7-year-old children born very preterm. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2024; 44:347-355. [PMID: 38069619 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is uncertainty about the effect of increased neonatal protein intake on neurodevelopmental outcomes following preterm birth. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a change in neonatal nutrition protocol at a major tertiary neonatal intensive care unit intended to increase protein intake on ophthalmic and visual development in school-age children born very preterm. METHODS The study cohort comprised children (n = 128) with birthweight <1500 g or gestational age < 30 weeks born at Auckland City Hospital before (OldPro group, n = 55) and after (NewPro group, n = 73) a reformulation of parenteral nutrition that resulted in increased total protein intake during the first postnatal week and decreased carbohydrate, total parenteral fluid and sodium intake. Clinical and psychophysical vision assessments were completed at 7 years' corrected age, including visual acuity, global motion perception (a measure of dorsal stream function), stereoacuity, ocular motility and ocular health. Composite measures of favourable overall visual, binocular and functional visual outcomes along with individual vision measures were compared between the groups using logistic and linear regression models. RESULTS Favourable overall visual outcome did not differ between the two groups. However, global motion perception was better in the NewPro group (p = 0.04), whereas the OldPro group were more likely to have favourable binocular visual outcomes (60% vs. 36%, p = 0.02) and passing stereoacuity (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate subtle but complex associations between early neonatal nutrition after very preterm birth and visual development at school age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukhit Kulmaganbetov
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), 17W Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Kazakh Eye Research Institute, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Myra Leung
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Discipline of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jane M Alsweiler
- Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Newborn Services, National Women's Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Joanna Black
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Greg D Gamble
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jane E Harding
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yannan Jiang
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tanya Poppe
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna C Tottman
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Trecia A Wouldes
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), 17W Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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van der Zee YJ, Stiers PLJ, Evenhuis HM. Object Recognition and Dorsal Stream Vulnerabilities in Children With Early Brain Damage. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:733055. [PMID: 35634210 PMCID: PMC9133330 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.733055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim Visual functions of the dorsal stream are considered vulnerable in children with early brain damage. Considering the recognition of objects in suboptimal representations a dorsal stream dysfunction, we examined whether children with early brain damage and impaired object recognition had either general or selective dorsal stream dysfunctions. Method In a group of children with early brain damage (n = 48) we evaluated the dorsal stream functioning. To determine whether these patients had an increased risk of a dorsal stream dysfunction we compared the percentage of patients with impaired object recognition, assessed with the L94, with the estimated base rate. Then we evaluated the performance levels on motion perception, visual attention and visuomotor tasks in patients with (n = 18) and without (n = 11) object recognition abnormalities. A general dorsal stream dysfunction was considered present if a patient showed at least one abnormally low score in two out of three additional dorsal stream functions. Results Six of the eighteen (33.3%) patients with object recognition problems scored abnormally low on at least two additional dorsal stream functions. This was significantly higher than the base rate (p = 0.01). The difference of 24.1% between the patients with and without object recognition problems was not significant. Of the patients with object recognition problems 72.2% had at least 1 dorsal weakness, whereas this was only the case in 27.3% of patients without object recognition problems. Compared to patients with normal object recognition, patients with object recognition problems scored significantly more abnormally low on motion perception and visual attention (ps = 0.03) but did not differ on visuomotor skills. Conclusion Children with object recognition problems seem at risk for other dorsal stream dysfunctions, but dysfunctions might be rather specific than general. Multiple functions/aspects should be evaluated in neuropsychological assessment of children at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ymie J. van der Zee
- Royal Dutch Visio, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of General Practice, Intellectual Disability Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Ymie J. van der Zee,
| | - Peter L. J. Stiers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Heleen M. Evenhuis
- Department of General Practice, Intellectual Disability Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Ana K, Iris ŽI, Nina P, Marina R, Tomislav Ć, Snježana S, Andrea B, Milan R, Ivica K. Linking integrity of visual pathways trajectories to visual behavior deficit in very preterm infants. Infant Behav Dev 2022; 67:101697. [DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2022.101697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Neural correlates associated with impaired global motion perception in cerebral visual impairment (CVI). Neuroimage Clin 2022; 32:102821. [PMID: 34628303 PMCID: PMC8501506 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is associated with impaired global motion processing. Mean motion coherence thresholds was higher in individuals with CVI. fMRI responses in area hMT+ showed an aberrant response profile in CVI. White matter tract reconstruction revealed cortico-cortical dysmyelination in CVI.
Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is associated with a wide range of visual perceptual deficits including global motion processing. However, the underlying neurophysiological basis for these impairments remain poorly understood. We investigated global motion processing abilities in individuals with CVI compared to neurotypical controls using a combined behavioral and multi-modal neuroimaging approach. We found that CVI participants had a significantly higher mean motion coherence threshold (determined using a random dot kinematogram pattern simulating optic flow motion) compared to controls. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated activation response profiles in functionally defined early (i.e. primary visual cortex; area V1) and higher order (i.e. middle temporal cortex; area hMT+) stages of motion processing. In area V1, responses to increasing motion coherence were similar in both groups. However, in the CVI group, activation in area hMT+ was significantly reduced compared to controls, and consistent with a surround facilitation (rather than suppression) response profile. White matter tract reconstruction obtained from high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) revealed evidence of increased mean, axial, and radial diffusivities within cortico-cortical (i.e. V1-hMT+), but not thalamo-hMT+ connections. Overall, our results suggest that global motion processing deficits in CVI may be associated with impaired signal integration and segregation mechanisms, as well as white matter integrity at the level of area hMT+.
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8
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Ingvaldsen SH, Morken TS, Austeng D, Dammann O. Visuopathy of prematurity: is retinopathy just the tip of the iceberg? Pediatr Res 2022; 91:1043-1048. [PMID: 34168272 PMCID: PMC9122817 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01625-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Research on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) focuses mainly on the abnormal vascularization patterns that are directly visible for ophthalmologists. However, recent findings indicate that children born prematurely also exhibit changes in the retinal cellular architecture and along the dorsal visual stream, such as structural changes between and within cortical areas. Moreover, perinatal sustained systemic inflammation (SSI) is associated with an increased risk for ROP and the visual deficits that follow. In this paper, we propose that ROP might just be the tip of an iceberg we call visuopathy of prematurity (VOP). The VOP paradigm comprises abnormal vascularization of the retina, alterations in retinal cellular architecture, choroidal degeneration, and abnormalities in the visual pathway, including cortical areas. Furthermore, VOP itself might influence the developmental trajectories of cerebral structures and functions deemed responsible for visual processing, thereby explaining visual deficits among children born preterm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Hegna Ingvaldsen
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Tora Sund Morken
- grid.5947.f0000 0001 1516 2393Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway ,grid.52522.320000 0004 0627 3560Department of Ophthalmology, St. Olav Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dordi Austeng
- grid.5947.f0000 0001 1516 2393Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway ,grid.52522.320000 0004 0627 3560Department of Ophthalmology, St. Olav Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Olaf Dammann
- grid.5947.f0000 0001 1516 2393Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway ,grid.67033.310000 0000 8934 4045Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Chandna A, Nichiporuk N, Nicholas S, Kumar R, Norcia AM. Motion Processing Deficits in Children With Cerebral Visual Impairment and Good Visual Acuity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:12. [PMID: 34779820 PMCID: PMC8606874 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.14.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We sought to characterize neural motion processing deficits in children with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) who have good visual acuity using an objective, quantifiable method (steady-state visual evoked potentials [SSVEPs]). Methods We recorded SSVEPs in response to three types of visual motion – absolute motion and more complex relative and rotary motion, comparing them to form-related vernier and contour responses. We studied a group of 31 children with CVI diagnosed via detailed clinical examinations and 28 age-matched healthy controls. Results Using measurements made at the appropriate response harmonics of the stimulation frequency, we found significant deficits in cerebral processing of relative and rotary motion but not of absolute motion in children with CVI compared with healthy controls. Vernier acuity, in keeping with good recognition acuity in both groups, was not different, nor were contour-related form responses. Conclusions Deficits for complex motion but relative sparing of elementary motion and form-related signals suggests preferential damage to extra-striate visual motion areas in children with CVI. The fact that these preferential losses occur in the absence of significant acuity loss indicates that they are not secondary to reduced visual acuity, but rather are an independent vulnerability in CVI. These results corroborate parental and caregivers’ reports of difficulties with tasks that involve motion perception in children with CVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvind Chandna
- Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States.,Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolay Nichiporuk
- Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States
| | - Spero Nicholas
- Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States
| | - Ram Kumar
- Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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van der Zee YJ, Stiers PLJ, Lagae L, Evenhuis HM. Clinical Assessment of Visual Motion Perception in Children With Brain Damage: A Comparison With Base Rates and Control Sample. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:733054. [PMID: 34690723 PMCID: PMC8529002 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.733054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: In this study, we examined (1) the presence of abnormally low scores (below 10th percentile) in various visual motion perception aspects in children with brain damage, while controlling for their cognitive developmental delay; (2) whether the risk is increased in comparison with the observation and expectation in a healthy control group and healthy population. Methods: Performance levels of 46 children with indications of brain damage (Mage = 7y4m, SD = 2y4m) on three visual motion perception aspects (global motion, motion speed, motion-defined form) were evaluated. We used developmental age as entry of a preliminary reference table to classify the patient's performance levels. Then we compared the percentages of abnormally low scores with percentages expected in the healthy population using estimated base rates and the observed percentages in the control sample (n = 119). Results: When using developmental age as reference level, the percentage of low scores on at least one of the three tasks was significantly higher than expected in the healthy population [19/46, 41% (95%CI: 28-56%), p = 0.03]. In 15/19 (79% [95%CI: 61-97%] patients only one aspect of motion perception was affected. Four patients performed abnormally low on two out of three tasks, which is also higher than expected (4/46, 8.7%, 95%CI: 2.4-20.8% vs. 2.1%; z = 2.61, p < 0.01). The observed percentages in the patient group were also higher than found in the control group. Interpretation: There is some evidence that children with early brain damage have an increased risk of isolated and combined motion perception problems, independent of their performance IQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ymie J van der Zee
- Royal Dutch Visio, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of General Practice, Intellectual Disability Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Peter L J Stiers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Lieven Lagae
- Section Pediatric Neurology, Department of Development and Regeneration, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Heleen M Evenhuis
- Department of General Practice, Intellectual Disability Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Anobile G, Morrone MC, Ricci D, Gallini F, Merusi I, Tinelli F. Typical Crossmodal Numerosity Perception in Preterm Newborns. Multisens Res 2021; 34:1-22. [PMID: 33984832 DOI: 10.1163/22134808-bja10051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Premature birth is associated with a high risk of damage in the parietal cortex, a key area for numerical and non-numerical magnitude perception and mathematical reasoning. Children born preterm have higher rates of learning difficulties for school mathematics. In this study, we investigated how preterm newborns (born at 28-34 weeks of gestation age) and full-term newborns respond to visual numerosity after habituation to auditory stimuli of different numerosities. The results show that the two groups have a similar preferential looking response to visual numerosity, both preferring the incongruent set after crossmodal habituation. These results suggest that the numerosity system is resistant to prematurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Anobile
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria C Morrone
- Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Ricci
- National Centre of Services and Research for Prevention of Blindness and Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired, Rome, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gallini
- Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
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12
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Abstract
As we live in a dynamic world, motion is a fundamental aspect of our visual experience. The advent of computerized stimuli has allowed controlled study of a wide array of motion phenomena, including global integration and segmentation, speed and direction discrimination, motion aftereffects, the optic flow that accompanies self-motion, perception of object form derived from motion cues, and point-light biological motion. Animal studies first revealed the existence of a motion-selective region, the middle temporal (MT) area, also known as V5, located in the lateral occipitotemporal cortex, followed by areas such as V5A (also known as MST, the middle superior temporal area), V6/V6A, the ventral intraparietal area, and others. In humans there are rare cases of bilateral lesions of the V5/V5A complex causing cerebral akinetopsia, a severe impairment of motion perception. Unilateral V5/V5A lesions are more common but cause milder asymptomatic deficits, often limited to the contralateral hemifield, while parietal lesions can impair perception of point-light biological motion or high-level motion tasks that are attentionally demanding. Impairments of motion perception have also been described in optic neuropathy, particularly glaucoma, as well as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease with dementia, and dementia with Lewy body disease. Prematurity with or without periventricular leukomalacia and developmental syndromes such as Williams' syndrome, autism, and dyslexia have also been associated with impaired motion perception, suggesting a developmental vulnerability of the dorsal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J S Barton
- Departments of Medicine (Neurology), Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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13
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Datin-Dorrière V, Borst G, Guillois B, Cachia A, Poirel N. The forest, the trees, and the leaves in preterm children: the impact of prematurity on a visual search task containing three-level hierarchical stimuli. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 30:253-260. [PMID: 32193647 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01510-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Very preterm (VPT; < 33 gestational weeks) children are at risk of developing visuospatial deficits, including local/global attention deficits. They are also more likely to develop poorer inhibitory control. Here, we investigated, using the same stimuli, the potential local/global attention and inhibitory control deficits of VPT children using three levels compound stimuli (global, intermediate, and local levels), more ecological than the ones used in a classic global/local task (Navon task). We compared the results from 22 VPT children to those of a control group of 21 children to investigate (1) how VPT children processed compound stimuli with three-level information and (2) how inhibitory control in a visual task differs between VPT and control children. The results revealed that VPT children had no difficulty processing information presented at the local level. By contrast, VPT children were impaired when considering the intermediate and global levels of processing in comparison to control children. Finally, a reduced efficiency in VPT children in inhibiting visual distractors was evidenced for the conditions with a larger number of distractors. These results are discussed in terms of neurodevelopmental disorders of both dorsal stream (global visual processing) and prefrontal regions (inhibitory control) in VPT children. Given the central role of visuospatial and inhibitory control in day-to-day situations, the present results provide important clues for pedagogical implications regarding the organization of visual information presented to VPT children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Datin-Dorrière
- Université de Paris, LaPsyDÉ, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France.,Service de Néonatologie, CHU Caen, Caen, France.,GIP Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Grégoire Borst
- Université de Paris, LaPsyDÉ, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | | | - Arnaud Cachia
- Université de Paris, LaPsyDÉ, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Poirel
- Université de Paris, LaPsyDÉ, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France. .,Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France. .,GIP Cyceron, Caen, France.
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Bhat A, Biagi L, Cioni G, Tinelli F, Morrone MC. Cortical thickness of primary visual cortex correlates with motion deficits in periventricular leukomalacia. Neuropsychologia 2020; 151:107717. [PMID: 33333138 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Impairments of visual motion perception and, in particular, of flow motion have been consistently observed in premature and very low birth weight subjects during infancy. Flow motion information is analyzed at various cortical levels along the dorsal pathways, with information mainly provided by primary and early visual cortex (V1, V2 and V3). We investigated the cortical stage of the visual processing that underlies these motion impairments, measuring Grey Matter Volume and Cortical Thickness in 13 children with Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL). The cortical thickness, but not the grey matter volume of area V1, correlates negatively with motion coherence sensitivity, indicating that the thinner the cortex, the better the performance among the patients. However, we did not find any such association with either the thickness or volume of area MT, MST and areas of the IPS, suggesting damage at the level of primary visual cortex or along the optic radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshatha Bhat
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Vision, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Biagi
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Vision, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Vision, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Concetta Morrone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Vision, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy; Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy.
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15
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Premature birth affects visual body representation and body schema in preterm children. Brain Cogn 2020; 145:105612. [PMID: 32890903 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2020.105612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Research has demonstrated that from the first six months of life infants show early sensitivity to body visual features and rely on sensorimotor and proprioceptive inputs in forming representations of their own bodies. Premature birth interferes with typical exposition to visual, sensorimotor and proprioceptive stimulation, thus presumably affecting the development of body representations. Here, we tested this hypothesis by comparing the performance of preterm children with that of age-matched full-termchildren in two tasks assessing, respectively, visual body processing and body schema. We found that preterm children had spared configural processing but altered holistic processing of others' bodies and showed a general difficulty in expressing visuospatial judgements on body stimuli. Furthermore, body-centered visuospatial abilities were associated with specific impairments in operating object-based visuospatial transformations. The findings of this study indicate that preterm birth might interfere with the development of body representations at the levels of body visual perceptual processing and of body schema, with effects even on visuo-spatial abilities for non-bodily stimuli. Body-centered rehabilitative interventions should be proposed to preterm children in order to enhance visuo-spatial abilities and higher-level cognitive functions.
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16
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Leung MP, Thompson B, Black J, Dai S, Alsweiler JM. The effects of preterm birth on visual development. Clin Exp Optom 2017; 101:4-12. [PMID: 28868651 DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Children born very preterm are at a greater risk of abnormal visual and neurological development when compared to children born at full term. Preterm birth is associated with retinopathy of prematurity (a proliferative retinal vascular disease) and can also affect the development of brain structures associated with post-retinal processing of visual information. Visual deficits common in children born preterm, such as reduced visual acuity, strabismus, abnormal stereopsis and refractive error, are likely to be detected through childhood vision screening programs, ophthalmological follow-up or optometric care. However, routine screening may not detect other vision problems, such as reduced visual fields, impaired contrast sensitivity and deficits in cortical visual processing, that may occur in children born preterm. For example, visual functions associated with the dorsal visual processing stream, such as global motion perception and visuomotor integration, may be impaired by preterm birth. These impairments can continue into adolescence and adulthood and may contribute to the difficulties in learning (particularly reading and mathematics), attention, behaviour and cognition that some children born preterm experience. Improvements in understanding the mechanisms by which preterm birth affects vision will inform future screening and interventions for children born preterm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myra Ps Leung
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanna Black
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Shuan Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jane M Alsweiler
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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17
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Benassi M, Bolzani R, Forsman L, Ådén U, Jacobson L, Giovagnoli S, Hellgren K. Motion Perception and Form Discrimination in Extremely Preterm School-Aged Children. Child Dev 2017; 89:e494-e506. [PMID: 28832996 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This population-based study evaluated motion and form perception in 71 children born extreme premature (EPT; < 27 gestational weeks), aged 6.5 years, as compared to a matched group of 79 control children born at term. Motion and form perception were evaluated by motion coherence and form coherence tests. The EPT group showed a poorer performance on both tasks as compared to the control group. However, after controlling for IQ and visual acuity, the EPT group showed only a significant deficit in motion perception. No association was found between motion perception accuracy and gestational age, previous retinopathy of prematurity, or previous intraventricular hemorrhage in the EPT group. The results highlight the long-term motion perception deficits in children born EPT.
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18
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Chakraborty A, Anstice NS, Jacobs RJ, Paudel N, LaGasse LL, Lester BM, McKinlay CJD, Harding JE, Wouldes TA, Thompson B. Global motion perception is related to motor function in 4.5-year-old children born at risk of abnormal development. Vision Res 2017; 135:16-25. [PMID: 28435122 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Global motion perception is often used as an index of dorsal visual stream function in neurodevelopmental studies. However, the relationship between global motion perception and visuomotor control, a primary function of the dorsal stream, is unclear. We measured global motion perception (motion coherence threshold; MCT) and performance on standardized measures of motor function in 606 4.5-year-old children born at risk of abnormal neurodevelopment. Visual acuity, stereoacuity and verbal IQ were also assessed. After adjustment for verbal IQ or both visual acuity and stereoacuity, MCT was modestly, but significantly, associated with all components of motor function with the exception of fine motor scores. In a separate analysis, stereoacuity, but not visual acuity, was significantly associated with both gross and fine motor scores. These results indicate that the development of motion perception and stereoacuity are associated with motor function in pre-school children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Chakraborty
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Canada
| | - Nicola S Anstice
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Robert J Jacobs
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nabin Paudel
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Linda L LaGasse
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, USA
| | - Barry M Lester
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, USA
| | - Christopher J D McKinlay
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Trecia A Wouldes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Canada.
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19
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Longitudinal study of preterm and full-term infants: High-density EEG analyses of cortical activity in response to visual motion. Neuropsychologia 2016; 84:89-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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20
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Chakraborty A, Anstice NS, Jacobs RJ, LaGasse LL, Lester BM, Wouldes TA, Thompson B. Prenatal exposure to recreational drugs affects global motion perception in preschool children. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16921. [PMID: 26581958 PMCID: PMC4652269 DOI: 10.1038/srep16921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to recreational drugs impairs motor and cognitive development; however it is currently unknown whether visual brain areas are affected. To address this question, we investigated the effect of prenatal drug exposure on global motion perception, a behavioural measure of processing within the dorsal extrastriate visual cortex that is thought to be particularly vulnerable to abnormal neurodevelopment. Global motion perception was measured in one hundred and forty-five 4.5-year-old children who had been exposed to different combinations of methamphetamine, alcohol, nicotine and marijuana prior to birth and 25 unexposed children. Self-reported drug use by the mothers was verified by meconium analysis. We found that global motion perception was impaired by prenatal exposure to alcohol and improved significantly by exposure to marijuana. Exposure to both drugs prenatally had no effect. Other visual functions such as habitual visual acuity and stereoacuity were not affected by drug exposure. Prenatal exposure to methamphetamine did not influence visual function. Our results demonstrate that prenatal drug exposure can influence a behavioural measure of visual development, but that the effects are dependent on the specific drugs used during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Chakraborty
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Nicola S Anstice
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Robert J Jacobs
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Linda L LaGasse
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905, USA
| | - Barry M Lester
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905, USA
| | - Trecia A Wouldes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, 200 Columbia Street West, Waterloo, Ontario, ON N2L, Canada
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21
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Chakraborty A, Anstice NS, Jacobs RJ, Paudel N, LaGasse LL, Lester BM, Wouldes TA, Harding JE, Thompson B. Global motion perception is independent from contrast sensitivity for coherent motion direction discrimination and visual acuity in 4.5-year-old children. Vision Res 2015; 115:83-91. [PMID: 26318529 PMCID: PMC4587337 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2015.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Global motion processing depends on a network of brain regions that includes extrastriate area V5 in the dorsal visual stream. For this reason, psychophysical measures of global motion perception have been used to provide a behavioral measure of dorsal stream function. This approach assumes that global motion is relatively independent of visual functions that arise earlier in the visual processing hierarchy such as contrast sensitivity and visual acuity. We tested this assumption by assessing the relationships between global motion perception, contrast sensitivity for coherent motion direction discrimination (henceforth referred to as contrast sensitivity) and habitual visual acuity in a large group of 4.5-year-old children (n=117). The children were born at risk of abnormal neurodevelopment because of prenatal drug exposure or risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia. Motion coherence thresholds, a measure of global motion perception, were assessed using random dot kinematograms. The contrast of the stimuli was fixed at 100% and coherence was varied. Contrast sensitivity was measured using the same stimuli by fixing motion coherence at 100% and varying dot contrast. Stereoacuity was also measured. Motion coherence thresholds were not correlated with contrast sensitivity or visual acuity. However, lower (better) motion coherence thresholds were correlated with finer stereoacuity (ρ=0.38, p=0.004). Contrast sensitivity and visual acuity were also correlated (ρ=-0.26, p=0.004) with each other. These results indicate that global motion perception for high contrast stimuli is independent of contrast sensitivity and visual acuity and can be used to assess motion integration mechanisms in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Chakraborty
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicola S Anstice
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Robert J Jacobs
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nabin Paudel
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Linda L LaGasse
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, USA
| | - Barry M Lester
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, USA
| | - Trecia A Wouldes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Benjamin Thompson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Canada.
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22
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Hadad B, Schwartz S, Maurer D, Lewis TL. Motion perception: a review of developmental changes and the role of early visual experience. Front Integr Neurosci 2015; 9:49. [PMID: 26441564 PMCID: PMC4569849 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2015.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant controversies have arisen over the developmental trajectory for the perception of global motion. Studies diverge on the age at which it becomes adult-like, with estimates ranging from as young as 3 years to as old as 16. In this article, we review these apparently conflicting results and suggest a potentially unifying hypothesis that may also account for the contradictory literature in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We also discuss the extent to which patterned visual input during this period is necessary for the later development of motion perception. We conclude by addressing recent studies directly comparing different types of motion integration, both in typical and atypical development, and suggest areas ripe for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batsheva Hadad
- Department of Special Education, University of HaifaHaifa, Israel
- Department of Special Education, Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center, University of HaifaMount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sivan Schwartz
- Department of Special Education, University of HaifaHaifa, Israel
| | - Daphne Maurer
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenToronto, ON, Canada
| | - Terri L. Lewis
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenToronto, ON, Canada
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23
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Sayeur MS, Vannasing P, Tremblay E, Lepore F, McKerral M, Lassonde M, Gallagher A. Visual Development and Neuropsychological Profile in Preterm Children from 6 Months to School Age. J Child Neurol 2015; 30:1159-73. [PMID: 25414236 DOI: 10.1177/0883073814555188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this semilongitudinal study was to investigate the development of central visual pathways in children born preterm but without major neurologic impairments and to establish their cognitive and behavioral profile at school age. Ten children born preterm were assessed at 6 months and at school age, using visual evoked potentials at both time points and cognitive and behavioral tests at school age. We also tested 10 age-matched children born full-term. At 6 months' corrected age, we found no significant differences between preterm and full-term groups for either amplitude or latency of N1 and P1 components. At school age, the preterm group manifested significantly higher N1 amplitudes and tended to show higher P1 amplitudes than the full-term group. We found no significant differences in cognitive and behavioral measures at school age. These results suggest that preterm birth affects visual pathways development, yet the children born preterm did not manifest cognitive problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélissa Sue Sayeur
- Research Centre in Neuropsychology and Cognition, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Research Centre, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Emmanuel Tremblay
- Research Centre in Neuropsychology and Cognition, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Research Centre, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Franco Lepore
- Research Centre in Neuropsychology and Cognition, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Research Centre, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michelle McKerral
- Research Centre in Neuropsychology and Cognition, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maryse Lassonde
- Research Centre in Neuropsychology and Cognition, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Research Centre, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anne Gallagher
- Research Centre in Neuropsychology and Cognition, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Research Centre, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Tinelli F, Anobile G, Gori M, Aagten-Murphy D, Bartoli M, Burr DC, Cioni G, Concetta Morrone M. Time, number and attention in very low birth weight children. Neuropsychologia 2015; 73:60-9. [PMID: 25934636 PMCID: PMC5040499 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Premature birth has been associated with damage in many regions of the cerebral cortex, although there is a particularly strong susceptibility for damage within the parieto-occipital lobes (Volpe, 2009). As these areas have been shown to be critical for both visual attention and magnitudes perception (time, space, and number), it is important to investigate the impact of prematurity on both the magnitude and attentional systems, particularly for children without overt white matter injuries, where the lack of obvious injury may cause their difficulties to remain unnoticed. In this study, we investigated the ability to judge time intervals (visual, audio and audio-visual temporal bisection), discriminate between numerical quantities (numerosity comparison), map numbers onto space (numberline task) and to maintain visuo-spatial attention (multiple-object-tracking) in school-age preterm children (N29). The results show that various parietal functions may be more or less robust to prematurity-related difficulties, with strong impairments found on time estimation and attentional task, while numerical discrimination or mapping tasks remained relatively unimpaired. Thus while our study generally supports the hypothesis of a dorsal stream vulnerability in children born preterm relative to other cortical locations, it further suggests that particular cognitive processes, as highlighted by performance on different tasks, are far more susceptible than others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Anobile
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Monica Gori
- Robotics, Brain & Cognitive Sciences Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Mariaelisa Bartoli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - David C Burr
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Morrone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy; Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
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25
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Early childhood development of visual texture segregation in full-term and preterm children. Vision Res 2015; 112:1-10. [PMID: 25976298 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2015.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To date, very little is known about the normal development trajectory of visual texture segregation, or how it is affected by preterm birth. The goal of this study was to characterize the development of visual texture segregation using texture segregation visual evoked potentials (tsVEPs) in children born full-term and children born preterm without major neurological impairment. Forty-five full-term and 43 preterm children were tested at either 12, 24 or 36 months of age (corrected age for prematurity at 12 and 24 months old). VEPs were obtained using two lower-level stimuli defined by orientation (oriVEP) and two higher-level stimuli defined by texture (texVEP). TsVEP was obtained by dividing by two the subtraction of oriVEP from texVEP. Results show a clear maturation of the processes underlying visual texture segregation in the full-term group, with a significant N2 latency reduction between 12 and 36 months of age for all conditions. Significant N2 amplitude reduction was observed for oriVEP between 12 and 24 months, as well as for texVEP between 12 and 24 months, and 12 and 36 months. Comparison between full-term and preterm children indicated significantly lower N2 amplitude for the preterm group at 12 months for oriVEP and texVEP. These differences were no longer apparent at 24 months of age, suggesting that children born preterm catch up with their full-term counterparts somewhere between 12 and 24 months of age. Our results appear to reflect a maturational delay in preterm children in both lower-level and higher-level visual processing during, at least, early childhood.
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26
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Blakstad EW, Strømmen K, Moltu SJ, Wattam-Bell J, Nordheim T, Almaas AN, Grønn M, Rønnestad AE, Brække K, Iversen PO, von Hofsten C, Veierød MB, Westerberg AC, Drevon CA, Nakstad B. Improved Visual Perception in Very Low Birth Weight Infants on Enhanced Nutrient Supply. Neonatology 2015; 108:30-7. [PMID: 25967892 DOI: 10.1159/000381660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimal nutrient supply to very low birth weight (VLBW: BW <1,500 g) infants is important for growth and neurodevelopment. Growth restriction is common among these infants and may be associated with neurocognitive impairments. OBJECTIVES To compare an enhanced nutrient supply to a routine supply given to VLBW infants and to evaluate the effects on visual perception of global form and motion measured by visual event-related potentials (VERP). METHODS A total of 50 VLBW infants were randomized to an intervention group that received an increased supply of energy, protein, fat, essential fatty acids, and vitamin A or a control group that received standard nutritional care. At 5 months' corrected age the infants were examined using VERP to investigate the responses to global form and motion. VERP were analysed at the first (f1) and third (f3) harmonics of the stimulus frequency. RESULTS Data from 31 subjects were eligible for analysis. The motion VERP responses for the f1 and f3 components were stronger in the area near the posterior midline region in the intervention group compared to the controls in the group analyses (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION The results showed a more consistent response to global motion among infants receiving enhanced nutrition. The intervention may have improved visual perception of global motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin W Blakstad
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital and Institute for Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, University of Oslo, Lørenskog, Norway
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Geldof CJ, Oosterlaan J, Vuijk PJ, de Vries MJ, Kok JH, van Wassenaer-Leemhuis AG. Visual sensory and perceptive functioning in 5-year-old very preterm/very-low-birthweight children. Dev Med Child Neurol 2014; 56:862-8. [PMID: 24579723 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM To examine visual sensory and perceptive functions, study their interrelations, and explore associations between visual dysfunctions and intelligence in very preterm/very-low-birthweight (VP/VLBW) children. METHOD One-hundred and sixteen VP/VLBW children (57 males, 59 females; mean gestational age 30.1 wks, SD 2.3; mean corrected age 5 y 6 mo, SD 1 mo) and 73 term-born children (40 males, 33 females; mean gestational age 39.9 wks, SD 1.3; mean age 5 y 6 mo, SD 3 mo) completed visual sensory (acuity, visual field, contrast-, color-, and stereovision), perceptive (visual coherence, and Developmental Test of Visual Perception non-motor scale), and intelligence assessments. RESULTS Compared with term-born children, VP/VLBW children had reduced acuity (d=0.70, p<0.001), inferior visual field (d=0.67, p<0.001), and stereovision (v=0.19, p=0.008). VP/VBLW children showed weaker static coherence (d=0.49, p=0.001) and Position in Space (d=0.41, p=0.006) performance, independent of visual sensory deficits, and showed lower Verbal IQ (VIQ) and Performance IQ (PIQ; p<0.001). Visual perceptive functioning accounted for 13% of variance in VIQ, and for 35% of variance in PIQ. INTERPRETATION Visual sensory and perceptive dysfunctions are present in VP/VLBW children and occur largely independently of each other. Visual perceptive dysfunctions are moderately associated with PIQ, and weakly with VIQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan Ja Geldof
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Royal Dutch Visio, Centre of Expertise for Blind and Partially Sighted People, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Williamson KE, Jakobson LS, Saunders DR, Troje NF. Local and global aspects of biological motion perception in children born at very low birth weight. Child Neuropsychol 2014; 21:603-28. [PMID: 25103588 PMCID: PMC4566871 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2014.945407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Biological motion perception can be assessed using a variety of tasks. In the present study, 8- to 11-year-old children born prematurely at very low birth weight (<1500 g) and matched, full-term controls completed tasks that required the extraction of local motion cues, the ability to perceptually group these cues to extract information about body structure, and the ability to carry out higher order processes required for action recognition and person identification. Preterm children exhibited difficulties in all 4 aspects of biological motion perception. However, intercorrelations between test scores were weak in both full-term and preterm children--a finding that supports the view that these processes are relatively independent. Preterm children also displayed more autistic-like traits than full-term peers. In preterm (but not full-term) children, these traits were negatively correlated with performance in the task requiring structure-from-motion processing, r(30) = -.36, p < .05), but positively correlated with the ability to extract identity, r(30) = .45, p < .05). These findings extend previous reports of vulnerability in systems involved in processing dynamic cues in preterm children and suggest that a core deficit in social perception/cognition may contribute to the development of the social and behavioral difficulties even in members of this population who are functioning within the normal range intellectually. The results could inform the development of screening, diagnostic, and intervention tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. E. Williamson
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, WinnipegMB, Canada
| | - L. S. Jakobson
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, WinnipegMB, Canada
| | - D. R. Saunders
- Department of Psychology, Queen’s University, KingstonON, Canada
| | - N. F. Troje
- Department of Psychology, Queen’s University, KingstonON, Canada
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Abstract
Children born prematurely at very low birth weight (<1500 g) are at increased risk for impairments affecting social functioning, including autism spectrum disorders (e.g., Johnson et al., 2010). In the current study, we used the Happé-Frith animated triangles task (Abell, Happé, & Frith, 2000) to study social attribution skills in this population. In this task, typical viewers attribute intentionality and mental states to shapes, based on characteristics of their movements. Participants included 34 preterm children and 36 full-term controls, aged 8-11 years. Groups were comparable in terms of age at test, gender, handedness, and socioeconomic status; they also performed similarly on tests of selective attention/processing speed and verbal intelligence. Relative to full-term peers, preterm children's descriptions of the animations were less appropriate overall; they also overattributed intentionality/mental states to randomly moving shapes and underattributed intentionality/mental states to shapes that seemed to be interacting socially. Impairments in the ability to infer the putative mental states of triangles from movement cues alone were most evident in children displaying more "autistic-like" traits, and this may reflect atypical development of and/or functioning in, or atypical connections between, parts of the social brain.
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Tinelli F, Bulgheroni S, Mazzotti S, Vago C, Groppo M, Scaramuzzo RT, Riva D, Cioni G. Ventral stream sensitivity in "healthy" preterm-born adolescents: psychophysical and neuropsychological evaluation. Early Hum Dev 2014; 90:45-9. [PMID: 24284081 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits of motion processing have been reported in premature and very low birth-weight subjects during infancy, childhood and adolescence. Less is known about ventral stream functioning in preterms. AIM The aim of this study is to investigate ventral stream functioning in a sample of "healthy" adolescents born preterm with normal outcome and without brain damage. STUDY DESIGN We enrolled thirty preterm-born adolescents (mean age: 14.2years, mean gestational age 28.9weeks, mean birth weight 1097g), and 34 age-matched term-born controls (mean age: 14.5years). All subjects were administered a psychophysical test known as "Form Coherence Task" and a comprehensive standardized battery of neuropsychological tests suitable for investigating ventral stream functioning including Street Completion Test, Poppelreuter-Ghent Test and the first part of the Visual Object and Space Perception (VOSP) battery. Dorsal stream visual functioning was investigated by the second part of the VOSP. RESULTS Preterm (PT) subjects showed the same results in all "ventral" tasks with respect to full-term controls without any correlation to gestational age or birth weight. We found a significant negative correlation between Form Coherence Task and Letters Task (p=.014) and between Form Coherence and Silhouette Tasks (p=.017). No correlation was observed between Form Coherence Task and Street and Ghent Tests. A statistical difference was instead found between PTs and controls in two tasks of the VOSP battery that mostly involve the dorsal stream. CONCLUSIONS Preterm birth per se (in absence of evident brain lesions) is not sufficient to compromise the development of ventral pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Bulgheroni
- Developmental Neurology Division, IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Mazzotti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Vago
- Developmental Neurology Division, IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Groppo
- NICU, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Teresa Scaramuzzo
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy; Division of Neonatology, S. Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daria Riva
- Developmental Neurology Division, IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Blumenthal EJ, Bosworth RG, Dobkins KR. Fast development of global motion processing in human infants. J Vis 2013; 13:8. [PMID: 24198399 DOI: 10.1167/13.13.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although global motion processing is thought to emerge early in infancy, there is debate regarding the age at which it matures to an adult-like level. In the current study, we address the possibility that the apparent age-related improvement in global motion processing might be secondary to age-related increases in the sensitivity of mechanisms (i.e., local motion detectors) that provide input to global motion mechanisms. To address this, we measured global motion processing by obtaining motion coherence thresholds using stimuli that were equally detectable in terms of contrast across all individuals and ages (3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-month-olds and adults). For infants, we employed a directional eye movement (DEM) technique. For adults, we employed both DEM and a self-report method. First, contrast sensitivity was obtained for a local task, using a stochastic motion display in which all the dots moved coherently. Contrast sensitivity increased significantly between 3 and 7 months, and between infancy and adulthood. Each subject was then tested on the global motion task with the contrast of the dots set to 2.5 × each individual's contrast threshold. Coherence thresholds were obtained by varying the percentage of coherently moving "signal" versus "noise" dots in the stochastic motion display. Results revealed remarkably stable global motion sensitivity between 3 and 7 months of age, as well as between infancy and adulthood. These results suggest that the mechanisms underlying global motion processing develop to an adult-like state very quickly.
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Children born prematurely have atypical sensory profiles. J Perinatol 2013; 33:631-5. [PMID: 23412641 PMCID: PMC3738436 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2013.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Revised: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if children born prematurely exhibit atypical responses to normally occurring sensory stimuli, as measured by the Sensory Profile. STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study of children born at 32 weeks gestation, followed at 1 to 8 years of age. The Sensory Profile questionnaire was completed by each child's primary caregiver. The overall Sensory Profile was considered atypical if any quadrant or section score was >2 s.d. from the mean of the Sensory Profile validation group. Bivariate analyses were performed to determine associations between risk factors for adverse neurodevelopment and overall atypical Sensory Profiles. A section or quadrant was considered atypical if its score was >2 s.d. from the mean. A test of proportions was used to compute observed versus expected scores for each section and quadrant (Sensory Profile scores were based on a normal distribution so one would expect approximately 95% of participants to score within 2 s.d. of the mean). RESULT Of our 107 participants, 39% had an atypical score in at least one section or quadrant. No specific perinatal or neonatal risk factors were associated with atypical overall Sensory Profiles (P0.05 for all). Children born prematurely were at risk of having atypical scores in the auditory, tactile and vestibular processing sections, and in the four Sensory Profile quadrants (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Children born prematurely exhibit atypical sensory behaviors on the Sensory Profile. Further investigation to understand the underlying neural mechanisms and to develop effective interventions are critical to support neurodevelopment for these children.
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Bosworth RG, Robbins SL, Granet DB, Dobkins KR. Delayed luminance and chromatic contrast sensitivity in infants with spontaneously regressed retinopathy of prematurity. Doc Ophthalmol 2013; 127:57-68. [PMID: 23744448 DOI: 10.1007/s10633-013-9395-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current study assessed whether contrast sensitivity is affected in preterm infants with a history of spontaneously regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP, Stages 1-3). Specifically, we employed luminance (light/dark) and chromatic (red/green) stimuli, which are mediated by the magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) subcortical pathways, respectively. METHODS Contrast sensitivity (CS) was measured using forced-choice preferential looking testing in 21 infants with a history of ROP and 41 control preterm infants who were born prematurely but did not develop ROP, tested between 8 and 47 weeks (2-11 months) postterm age. Infants were presented with chromatic and luminance drifting sinusoidal gratings, which appeared randomly on the left or right side of the monitor in each trial. The contrast of the stimuli varied across trials and was defined in terms of root mean squared cone contrast for long- and medium-wavelength cones. RESULTS Between 8 and 25 weeks postterm, ROP infants had significantly worse CS, and there was a trend for greater impairment for luminance than chromatic CS. This delay was not seen at older ages between 26 and 47 weeks postterm. CONCLUSIONS These findings are consistent with the concept that early maturation of the M pathway is vulnerable to biological insult, as in the case of ROP, to a greater extent than in the P pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rain G Bosworth
- Department of Psychology, 0109, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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Effects of prematurity on the development of contrast sensitivity: testing the visual experience hypothesis. Vision Res 2013; 82:31-41. [PMID: 23485427 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2013.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Revised: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In order to investigate the effects of visual experience on early visual development, the current study compared contrast sensitivity across infants born with different degrees of moderate-to-late prematurity. Here the logic is that at any given postterm age, the most premature infants will have the oldest postnatal age. Given that postnatal age is a proxy for visual experience, the visual experience hypothesis predicts that infants who are more premature, yet healthy, should have higher sensitivity. Luminance (light/dark) and chromatic (red/green) contrast sensitivities (CS) were measured in 236 healthy infants (born -10 to +2 weeks relative to due date) between 5 and 32 weeks postterm age from due date and 8-38 weeks postnatal from birth date. For chromatic CS, we found clear evidence that infants who were most premature within our sample had the highest sensitivity. Specifically, 4-10 additional weeks of visual experience, by virtue of being born early, enhanced chromatic CS. For luminance CS, similar but weaker results were seen. Here, only infants with an additional 6-10 weeks of visual experience, and only at later age points in development, showed enhanced sensitivity. However, CS in preterm infants was still below that of fullterm infants with equivalent postnatal age. In sum, these results suggest that chromatic CS is influenced more by prematurity (and possibly visual experience) than luminance CS, which has implications for differential development of parvocellular and magnocellular pathways.
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Molloy C, Doyle LW, Makrides M, Anderson PJ. Docosahexaenoic Acid and Visual Functioning in Preterm Infants: A Review. Neuropsychol Rev 2012; 22:425-37. [DOI: 10.1007/s11065-012-9216-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Weinstein JM, Gilmore RO, Shaikh SM, Kunselman AR, Trescher WV, Tashima LM, Boltz ME, McAuliffe MB, Cheung A, Fesi JD. Defective motion processing in children with cerebral visual impairment due to periventricular white matter damage. Dev Med Child Neurol 2012; 54:e1-8. [PMID: 21232054 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03874.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM We sought to characterize visual motion processing in children with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) due to periventricular white matter damage caused by either hydrocephalus (eight individuals) or periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) associated with prematurity (11 individuals). METHOD Using steady-state visually evoked potentials (ssVEP), we measured cortical activity related to motion processing for two distinct types of visual stimuli: 'local' motion patterns thought to activate mainly primary visual cortex (V1), and 'global' or coherent patterns thought to activate higher cortical visual association areas (V3, V5, etc.). We studied three groups of children: (1) 19 children with CVI (mean age 9y 6mo [SD 3y 8mo]; 9 male; 10 female); (2) 40 neurologically and visually normal comparison children (mean age 9y 6mo [SD 3y 1mo]; 18 male; 22 female); and (3) because strabismus and amblyopia are common in children with CVI, a group of 41 children without neurological problems who had visual deficits due to amblyopia and/or strabismus (mean age 7y 8mo [SD 2y 8mo]; 28 male; 13 female). RESULTS We found that the processing of global as opposed to local motion was preferentially impaired in individuals with CVI, especially for slower target velocities (p=0.028). INTERPRETATION Motion processing is impaired in children with CVI. ssVEP may provide useful and objective information about the development of higher visual function in children at risk for CVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel M Weinstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
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37
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Narasimhan S, Giaschi D. The effect of dot speed and density on the development of global motion perception. Vision Res 2012; 62:102-7. [PMID: 22521660 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2012.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2011] [Revised: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dot speed and dot density on the development of global motion perception by comparing the performance of adults and children (5-6years old) on a direction-discrimination task. Motion coherence thresholds were measured at two dot speeds (1 and 4deg/s) and three dot densities (1, 15, 30dots/deg(2)). Adult coherence thresholds were constant at approximately 9%, regardless of speed or density. Child coherence thresholds were significantly higher across conditions, and were most immature at the slow speed and at the sparse density. Thus, the development of global motion perception depends heavily on stimulus parameters. This finding can account for some of the discrepancy in the current developmental literature. Our results, however, caution against making general claims about motion deficits in clinical populations based on only a single measurement at a specific combination of speed and density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathyasri Narasimhan
- University of British Columbia, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Geldof CJA, van Wassenaer AG, de Kieviet JF, Kok JH, Oosterlaan J. Visual perception and visual-motor integration in very preterm and/or very low birth weight children: a meta-analysis. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2012; 33:726-736. [PMID: 22115913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2011.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2011] [Revised: 08/25/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A range of neurobehavioral impairments, including impaired visual perception and visual-motor integration, are found in very preterm born children, but reported findings show great variability. We aimed to aggregate the existing literature using meta-analysis, in order to provide robust estimates of the effect of very preterm birth on visual perceptive and visual-motor integration abilities. Very preterm born children showed deficits in visual-spatial abilities (medium to large effect sizes) but not in visual closure perception. Tests reporting broad visual perceptive indices showed inconclusive results. In addition, impaired visual-motor integration was found (medium effect size), particularly in boys compared to girls. The observed visual-spatial and visual-motor integration deficits may arise from affected occipital-parietal-frontal neural circuitries.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J A Geldof
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Hou C, Norcia AM, Madan A, Tith S, Agarwal R, Good WV. Visual cortical function in very low birth weight infants without retinal or cerebral pathology. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011; 52:9091-8. [PMID: 22025567 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.11-7458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Preterm infants are at high risk of visual and neural developmental deficits. However, the development of visual cortical function in preterm infants with no retinal or neurologic morbidity has not been well defined. To determine whether premature birth itself alters visual cortical function, swept parameter visual evoked potential (sVEP) responses of healthy preterm infants were compared with those of term infants. METHODS Fifty-two term infants and 58 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants without significant retinopathy of prematurity or neurologic morbidities were enrolled. Recruited VLBW infants were between 26 and 33 weeks of gestational age, with birth weights of less than 1500 g. Spatial frequency, contrast, and vernier offset sweep VEP tuning functions were measured at 5 to 7 months' corrected age. Acuity and contrast thresholds were derived by extrapolating the tuning functions to 0 amplitude. These thresholds and suprathreshold response amplitudes were compared between groups. RESULTS Preterm infants showed increased thresholds (indicating decreased sensitivity to visual stimuli) and reductions in amplitudes for all three measures. These changes in cortical responsiveness were larger in the <30 weeks ' gestational age subgroup than in the ≥30 weeks' gestational age subgroup. CONCLUSIONS Preterm infants with VLBW had measurable and significant changes in cortical responsiveness that were correlated with gestational age. These results suggest that premature birth in the absence of identifiable retinal or neurologic abnormalities has a significant effect on visual cortical sensitivity at 5 to 7 months' of corrected age and that gestational age is an important factor in visual development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Hou
- The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, 2318 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Ortibus EL, De Cock PP, Lagae LG. Visual perception in preterm children: what are we currently measuring? Pediatr Neurol 2011; 45:1-10. [PMID: 21723452 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2011.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2010] [Accepted: 02/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, cerebral visual impairment has been recognized as a principal deficit in preterm children, and in particular those with cerebral palsy. We review the current knowledge of visual processing deficits in these children, and provide an overview of the tools for assessing cerebral visual impairment. Commercially available instruments are usually directed at evaluating visuospatial skills rather than detecting object recognition difficulties. Particularly in children aged 3 years or younger and in children with multiple handicaps, cerebral visual impairment is difficult to diagnose. This difficulty may be attributable to limitations specific to the instrument, such as a test that is inappropriate for age, or to child-specific limitations such as motor impairment or speech delay. We therefore include an overview of relevant neuroimaging findings reported in these children, focusing on the most recent imaging modalities. Novel techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging may provide sensitive markers of cerebral visual impairment in situations where clinical diagnosis is difficult, and such approaches may allow for early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Els L Ortibus
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Braddick O, Atkinson J. Development of human visual function. Vision Res 2011; 51:1588-609. [PMID: 21356229 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2011.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2010] [Revised: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 02/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
By 1985 newly devised behavioral and electrophysiological techniques had been used to track development of infants' acuity, contrast sensitivity and binocularity, and for clinical evaluation of developing visual function. This review focus on advances in the development and assessment of infant vision in the following 25 years. Infants' visual cortical function has been studied through selectivity for orientation, directional motion and binocular disparity, and the control of subcortical oculomotor mechanisms in fixation shifts and optokinetic nystagmus, leading to a model of increasing cortical dominance over subcortical pathways. Neonatal face processing remains a challenge for this model. Recent research has focused on development of integrative processing (hyperacuity, texture segmentation, and sensitivity to global form and motion coherence) in extra-striate visual areas, including signatures of dorsal and ventral stream processing. Asynchronies in development of these two streams may be related to their differential vulnerability in both acquired and genetic disorders. New methods and approaches to clinical disorders are reviewed, in particular the increasing focus on paediatric neurology as well as ophthalmology. Visual measures in early infancy in high-risk children are allowing measures not only of existing deficits in infancy but prediction of later visual and cognitive outcome. Work with early cataract and later recovery from blinding disorders has thrown new light on the plasticity of the visual system and its limitations. The review concludes with a forward look to future opportunities provided by studies of development post infancy, new imaging and eye tracking methods, and sampling infants' visual ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Braddick
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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O'Reilly M, Vollmer B, Vargha-Khadem F, Neville B, Connelly A, Wyatt J, Timms C, de Haan M. Ophthalmological, cognitive, electrophysiological and MRI assessment of visual processing in preterm children without major neuromotor impairment. Dev Sci 2010; 13:692-705. [PMID: 20712735 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00925.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle O'Reilly
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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Feng JJ, Wang TX, Yang CH, Wang WP, Xu X. Flash visual evoked potentials at 2-year-old infants with different birth weights. World J Pediatr 2010; 6:163-8. [PMID: 20490772 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-010-0032-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2009] [Accepted: 11/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased prevalence of visual impairments has been reported in preterm populations. However, it remains unclear about the long-term visual electrophysiological outcomes and their association with visual cognitive functions in premature infants. We investigated visual electrophysiological outcome of 2-year-old infants of different birth weights by flash visual evoked potentials (FVEPs) in order to explore the correlation between visual cognitive functions and FVEPs and to assess the application of FVEPs in evaluating the visual capability of an infant. METHODS The FVEPs of 77 infants, including 25 very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants, 16 low birth weight (LBW) premature infants and 36 full-term infants, were tested with a visual electrophysiological testing device. Neuromotor development was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID-II). The visual cognitive functions were evaluated by scoring the proportion passed of 12 items chosen from the BSID-II for infants at 23 to 25 months of age. RESULTS The second prominent positive wave (P2) was the major component presented in all three groups. The mean latency of P2 in the VLBW, LBW and full-term groups was 149.65+/-23.79 ms, 129.39+/-8.70 ms, and 126.14+/-7.73 ms respectively. There was no significant difference in mean latency of P2 wave between the LBW and full-term groups; the mean latency of the P2 wave in the VLBW group was delayed more significantly than those of the other two groups. The difference in amplitude of the P2 peak to the preceding N2 peak (N2P2) between the three groups was not statistically significant. The latency of the P2 main wave was negatively correlated with mental developmental index (MDI) (r'(MDI) = -0.35) and visual cognitive capability (r'(visual capability) = -0.21). CONCLUSIONS The latency of the P2 main wave on FVEPs was delayed more significantly in premature infants than in full-term infants at 2 years of corrected age. The visual functional development was delayed in premature infants, especially in VLBW infants (gestational age <32 weeks). The FVEPs were reported low but there were statistically significant correlations between measures of visual cognition and P2 peak latency. As a noninvasive and convenient method, FVEPs are useful in assessing certain aspects of an infant's visual development and visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Feng
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
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Taylor NM, Jakobson LS. Representational momentum in children born preterm and at term. Brain Cogn 2010; 72:464-71. [PMID: 20149512 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2010.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Revised: 01/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/14/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The term representational momentum (RM) refers to the idea that our memory representations for moving objects incorporate information about movement - a fact that can lead us to make errors when judging an object's location (the RM effect). In this study, we explored the RM effect in a sample of children born very prematurely and a sample born at term. Because preterm children are known to be at risk for problems with motion perception, we anticipated that they would show a weaker or absent RM effect. This prediction was confirmed. In addition, we found that, in both samples of children, 5-6year olds showed a reduced RM effect compared to 7-9year olds. These results demonstrate that the ability to represent motion information in memory shows continued development over this age range, and may help to elucidate factors contributing to problems with fine and gross motor planning and execution that have been observed in the preterm population. We propose that problems affecting the formation, maintenance, or use of predictive models, or motion extrapolation skills, may have cascading effects on the development of other abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Taylor
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 3N4.
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Bosworth RG, Dobkins KR. Chromatic and luminance contrast sensitivity in fullterm and preterm infants. J Vis 2009; 9:15.1-16. [PMID: 20055548 DOI: 10.1167/9.13.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2009] [Accepted: 11/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to investigate the contributions of visual experience vs. preprogrammed mechanisms on visual development, the current study compared contrast sensitivity in preterm vs. fullterm infants. If development is tied to time since conception, preterm infants should match the developmental trajectories of fullterm infants when plotted in postterm age. By contrast, if development is influenced by visual experience, preterm and fullterm infants should match when plotted in postnatal age. Luminance (light/dark) and chromatic (red/green) contrast sensitivities (CS) were measured in 25 preterm (born, on average, 6.6 weeks early) and 77 fullterm infants, between 1 and 6 months postterm. In the first few months, luminance CS was found to be predicted by postterm age, suggesting that preprogrammed development is sufficient to account for luminance CS. By contrast, chromatic CS exceeded that predicted by postterm age, which suggests that time since birth confers a benefit on chromatic CS. The preterms' 6.6 weeks of additional time since birth is roughly equivalent to 3.7 weeks of development in chromatic CS. In sum, these results suggest that chromatic CS is more influenced by early postnatal visual experience than luminance CS, which may have implications for development of parvocellular and magnocellular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rain G Bosworth
- Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Differential vulnerability of global motion, global form, and biological motion processing in full-term and preterm children. Neuropsychologia 2009; 47:2766-78. [PMID: 19520094 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2008] [Revised: 05/27/2009] [Accepted: 06/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna S Jakobson
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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Kato M, de Wit TC, Stasiewicz D, von Hofsten C. Sensitivity to second-order motion in 10-month-olds. Vision Res 2008; 48:1187-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2007.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2007] [Revised: 10/04/2007] [Accepted: 10/09/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Abstract
Functional maps arise in developing visual cortex as response selectivities become organized into columnar patterns of population activity. Recent studies of developing orientation and direction maps indicate that both are sensitive to visual experience, but not to the same degree or duration. Direction maps have a greater dependence on early vision, while orientation maps remain sensitive to experience for a longer period of cortical maturation. There is also a darker side to experience: abnormal vision through closed lids produces severe impairments in neuronal selectivity, rendering these maps nearly undetectable. Thus, the rules that govern their formation and the construction of the underlying neural circuits are modulated-for better or worse-by early vision. Direction maps, and possibly maps of other properties that are dependent upon precise conjunctions of spatial and temporal signals, are most susceptible to the potential benefits and maladaptive consequences of early sensory experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard E White
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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