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Bettinger S, Höpfner S, Deest-Gaubatz S, Simon L, Matin-Mann F, Weber C, Schülke R, Bleich S, Frieling H, Neyazi A, Maier HB. Neurological soft signs and olfactory dysfunction in patients with borderline personality disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 135:111118. [PMID: 39173992 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 2.7-5.9% and is thought to correlate with altered neuroplasticity. The aim of the present study is to investigate possible associations of BPD (-severity) and alterations in neurological soft signs (NSS) and olfactory function. METHODS For the monocentric observational study, 39 female subjects with a BPD diagnosis and 19 female healthy control subjects were recruited. The groups were matched by age. Olfactory functions were examined using Sniffin' Sticks. NSS were assessed by a standardized test with 50 items. RESULTS BPD subjects have higher NSS scores in group comparison. By contrast, there are no alterations in the total score of olfactory function, while the BPD subjects scored higher in smell identification. Within the BPD group, the total NSS score was discovered to have a negative correlation with olfactory function. BPD subjects taking antipsychotics show more NSS than those without. We found no significant influence of posttraumatic stress disorder on the NSS or olfactory function. The BPD-severity correlates with NSS. LIMITATIONS Due to the cross-sectional design, we did not have a follow up examination. The sample size was small, and all patients had psychiatric comorbidities. Additionally, we did not perform MRI to connect our findings with possible structural abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirmed altered NSS in BPD patients, whereas no impairment in the olfactory function was found. Further research is required to establish NSS and smell tests as clinical screening tools in BPD patients and to uncover the disorder's impact on neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören Bettinger
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sarina Höpfner
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephanie Deest-Gaubatz
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lennart Simon
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Rasmus Schülke
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Laboratory for Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Laboratory for Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Neyazi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany; Laboratory for Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hannah Benedictine Maier
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Serdarevic F, Luo M, Karabegović I, Binter AC, Alemany S, Mutzel R, Guxens M, Bustamante M, Hajdarpasic A, White T, Felix JF, Cecil CAM, Tiemeier H. DNA methylation at birth and fine motor ability in childhood: an epigenome-wide association study with replication. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2207253. [PMID: 37139702 PMCID: PMC10161945 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2207253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lower fine motor performance in childhood has been associated with poorer cognitive development and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, yet, biological underpinnings remain unclear. DNA methylation (DNAm), an essential process for healthy neurodevelopment, is a key molecular system of interest. In this study, we conducted the first epigenome-wide association study of neonatal DNAm with childhood fine motor ability and further examined the replicability of epigenetic markers in an independent cohort. The discovery study was embedded in Generation R, a large population-based prospective cohort, including a subsample of 924 ~ 1026 European-ancestry singletons with available data on DNAm in cord blood and fine motor ability at a mean (SD) age of 9.8 (0.4) years. Fine motor ability was measured using a finger-tapping test (3 subtests including left-, right-hand and bimanual), one of the most frequently used neuropsychological instruments of fine motor function. The replication study comprised 326 children with a mean (SD) age of 6.8 (0.4) years from an independent cohort, the INfancia Medio Ambiente (INMA) study. Four CpG sites at birth were prospectively associated with childhood fine motor ability after genome-wide correction. Of these, one CpG (cg07783800 in GNG4) was replicated in INMA, showing that lower levels of methylation at this site were associated with lower fine motor performance in both cohorts. GNG4 is highly expressed in the brain and has been implicated in cognitive decline. Our findings support a prospective, reproducible association between DNAm at birth and fine motor ability in childhood, pointing to GNG4 methylation at birth as a potential biomarker of fine motor ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadila Serdarevic
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Social and Behavioral Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Sarajevo Medical School, Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mannan Luo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Irma Karabegović
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anne-Claire Binter
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Alemany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ryan Mutzel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Monica Guxens
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aida Hajdarpasic
- Department of Medical Biology, and Genetics, Sarajevo Medical School, Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Tonya White
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Janine F Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte A M Cecil
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Social and Behavioral Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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León-Bravo G, Cantarero-Carmona I, Caballero-Villarraso J. Prevalence of Active Primitive Reflexes and Craniosacral Blocks in Apparently Healthy Children and Relationships with Neurodevelopment Disturbances. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1014. [PMID: 37371246 DOI: 10.3390/children10061014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In healthy children, the frequency of the anomalous persistence of primitive reflexes (PRs) and craniosacral blocks (CBs) is unknown, as well as their impact on neurodevelopment, behaviour disorders and related consequences. We aim to know the prevalence of anomalous PRs and CBs in apparently healthy children and their relationships with behavior and neurodevelopment anomalies. METHODS Participants (n = 120) were evaluated via a physical examination to detect PRs and CBs and an ad hoc parent survey to collect perinatal events, and children's behavioral assessments were conducted by teachers using the Battelle score. RESULTS PRs were present in 89.5%. Moro (70.8%), cervical asymmetric (78.3%) and cervical symmetric PRs (67.5%) were the most frequently observed PRs. CBs were found in 83.2%, and the most frequent CBs were dura mater (77.5%) and sphenoid bone (70%) blocks. Moro, cervical asymmetric and cervical symmetric active primitive reflexes were significantly associated with cranial blocks of dura mater, parietal zones and sphenoid bone sway. Gestational disorders or perinatal complications were associated with a higher frequency of PRs and CBs. The presence of PRs and CBs was associated with abnormal Battelle scores and neurobehavioral problems. CONCLUSION The presence of PRs and CBs in children without diagnosed diseases is frequent and related to disturbances in childhood neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gema León-Bravo
- Department of Nursing, Pharmacology and Physiotherapy, University of Córdoba,14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Irene Cantarero-Carmona
- Department of Morphological and Sociosanitary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Villarraso
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & UGC Clinical Analyses, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
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Bonke EM, Bonfert MV, Hillmann SM, Seitz-Holland J, Gaubert M, Wiegand TLT, De Luca A, Cho KIK, Sandmo SB, Yhang E, Tripodis Y, Seer C, Kaufmann D, Kaufmann E, Muehlmann M, Gooijers J, Lin AP, Leemans A, Swinnen SP, Bahr R, Shenton ME, Pasternak O, Tacke U, Heinen F, Koerte IK. Neurological soft signs in adolescents are associated with brain structure. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:5547-5556. [PMID: 36424865 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Neurological soft signs (NSS) are minor deviations in motor performance. During childhood and adolescence, NSS are examined for functional motor phenotyping to describe development, to screen for comorbidities, and to identify developmental vulnerabilities. Here, we investigate underlying brain structure alterations in association with NSS in physically trained adolescents. Male adolescent athletes (n = 136, 13–16 years) underwent a standardized neurological examination including 28 tests grouped into 6 functional clusters. Non-optimal performance in at least 1 cluster was rated as NSS (NSS+ group). Participants underwent T1- and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical volume, thickness, and local gyrification were calculated using Freesurfer. Measures of white matter microstructure (Free-water (FW), FW-corrected fractional anisotropy (FAt), axial and radial diffusivity (ADt, RDt)) were calculated using tract-based spatial statistics. General linear models with age and handedness as covariates were applied to assess differences between NSS+ and NSS− group. We found higher gyrification in a large cluster spanning the left superior frontal and parietal areas, and widespread lower FAt and higher RDt compared with the NSS− group. This study shows that NSS in adolescents are associated with brain structure alterations. Underlying mechanisms may include alterations in synaptic pruning and axon myelination, which are hallmark processes of brain maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena M Bonke
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, , Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich , Germany
- NeuroImaging Core Unit Munich (NICUM), University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich, Germany
- Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, , Boston, MA , United States
| | - Michaela V Bonfert
- University Hospital Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics at Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, , , Munich, Germany
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics at Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, , , Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan M Hillmann
- University Hospital Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics at Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, , , Munich, Germany
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics at Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, , , Munich, Germany
| | - Johanna Seitz-Holland
- Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, , Boston, MA , United States
| | - Malo Gaubert
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, , Munich, Germany
- CHU Rennes Radiology Department, , Rennes, France
- University of Rennes Inria, CNRS, Inserm, IRISA UMR 6074, Empenn ERL, , Rennes, France
| | - Tim L T Wiegand
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, , Munich, Germany
- NeuroImaging Core Unit Munich (NICUM), University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich, Germany
- Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, , Boston, MA , United States
| | - Alberto De Luca
- University Medical Center Utrecht Image Sciences Institute, , Utrecht, the Netherlands
- University Medical Center Utrecht Department of Neurology, , Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kang Ik K Cho
- Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, , Boston, MA, United States
| | - Stian B Sandmo
- Norwegian School of Sport Sciences Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, , Oslo, Norway
- Oslo University Hospital Division of Mental Health and Addiction, , Oslo, Norway
| | - Eukyung Yhang
- Boston University School of Public Health Department of Biostatistics, , Boston, MA , United States
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Boston University School of Public Health Department of Biostatistics, , Boston, MA , United States
- Boston University School of Medicine Alzheimer’s Disease and CTE Centers, , Boston, MA , United States
| | - Caroline Seer
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Kaufmann
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, , Munich, Germany
- University Hospital Augsburg Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, , Augsburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kaufmann
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, , Munich, Germany
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Department of Neurology, , Munich, Germany
| | - Marc Muehlmann
- University Hospital Department of Clinical Radiology, , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Jolien Gooijers
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander P Lin
- Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, , Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, , Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, , Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alexander Leemans
- University Medical Center Utrecht Image Sciences Institute, , Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roald Bahr
- Norwegian School of Sport Sciences Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, , Oslo, Norway
| | - Martha E Shenton
- Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, , Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, , Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ofer Pasternak
- Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, , Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, , Boston, MA, United States
| | - Uta Tacke
- University Children's Hospital (UKBB) , Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Heinen
- University Hospital Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics at Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, , , Munich, Germany
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics at Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, , , Munich, Germany
| | - Inga K Koerte
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, , Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- NeuroImaging Core Unit Munich (NICUM), University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich , Germany
- Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, , Boston, MA , United States
- Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, , Boston, MA , United States
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Are there sex differences in fetal growth strategies and in the long-term effects of pregnancy complications on cognitive functioning? J Dev Orig Health Dis 2022; 13:766-778. [DOI: 10.1017/s2040174422000204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Males and females have been proposed to have different prenatal growth strategies, whereby males invest more in fetal growth and less in placental development, leaving them more susceptible to early-life adversity. We tested predictions of this hypothesis using data from the National Collaborative Perinatal Project. Male newborns were heavier than females, but there was no difference in placental weight, adjusting for birthweight. Among infants born prior to 33 weeks, the difference in birthweight between males and females was greater among those who did not survive than among those who did, potentially reflecting a strategy whereby males maintained growth in the face of prenatal insults, while females adjusted growth. However, there was no significant difference in mortality between the sexes. Being born small-for-gestational age or very preterm (prior to 33 weeks) was associated with significantly reduced performance for most of the cognitive traits examined at 7 years, although maternal preeclampsia was associated with reduced performance in fewer traits. Generally, these effects of early-life adversity (poor fetal growth, prematurity, and preeclampsia) did not differ between the sexes. However, analyzing the sexes separately (rather than testing the interaction between sex and adversity) resulted in numerous spurious sex-specific effects, whereby the effect of early-life adversity appeared to be significant in one sex but not the other. Overall, we found little support for the hypothesis that males prioritize growth more than females, and that this makes them more susceptible to early-life adversity. Furthermore, our results show that analyzing the sexes separately, rather than testing the adversity by sex interaction, can be highly misleading.
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Cai D, Wang X, Kong L. The role of neurological soft signs in different mathematical skills in second and third grade children. Psych J 2022; 11:401-408. [PMID: 35023332 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.507] [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: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurological soft signs (NSSs) are subtle motor and sensory deficits, and are associated with poor cognitive abilities. Although cognitive ability has been found to be a significant predictor for academic performance in children, it remains unclear whether NSSs could contribute to academic abilities such as mathematical skills, and its contribution varies according to grade level. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationships between NSSs and different mathematical skills (calculation fluency, numerical operations, and mathematical problem-solving) in 105 Chinese children (Mean age = 7.76 years, SD age = 0.67 years; 52 from second grade, 53 from third grade; 56 boys and 49 girls) recruited from a primary public school located in Shanghai. The results of regression analyses revealed that NSSs significantly predicted calculation fluency (β = -.32, p < .050), numerical operations (β = -.38, p < .050), and mathematical problem-solving (β = -0.40, p < .010) in second but not third grade, even controlling for cognitive processes. Our results implicate that NSSs could be a potential predictor for mathematical skills in the early years of primary school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Cai
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingsong Wang
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Kong
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
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Bucci S, Bevilacqua F, De Marchis C, Coletti MF, Gentile S, Dall’Oglio AM. Learning Abilities in a Population of Italian Healthy Preterm Children at the End of Primary School. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17207599. [PMID: 33086703 PMCID: PMC7589140 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: Delays in learning skills have been extensively reported for very preterm children. However, few studies have examined academic achievement profiles in Italian preterm children as a function of their neonatal immaturity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed that included 82 healthy Italian children born very and extremely preterm (without major neurosensory outcomes; IQ ≥85). Children were evaluated for academic and neurocognitive performances at the second cycle of primary school. Results: Healthy preterm children showed on average academic and neurocognitive profiles that did not differ according to gestational age. Impairment was seen to one or more learning domains in 14.6% of the healthy preterm children. Conclusions: Italian children born very and extremely preterm without major neurosensory damage and/or cognitive delay showed on average learning and neurocognitive profiles within the normal range, regardless of gestational age. Nevertheless, they showed higher proportions of learning impairment than a normative Italian population during their final years of primary school. Healthcare providers should be aware of this result, and long-term surveillance should be organized to promptly identify those children who are in need of therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bucci
- Unit of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.F.C.); (S.G.); (A.M.D.)
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesca Bevilacqua
- Unit of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.F.C.); (S.G.); (A.M.D.)
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Chiara De Marchis
- Department of Neonatal Medicine and Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Franca Coletti
- Unit of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.F.C.); (S.G.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Simonetta Gentile
- Unit of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.F.C.); (S.G.); (A.M.D.)
| | - Anna Maria Dall’Oglio
- Unit of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.F.C.); (S.G.); (A.M.D.)
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Maniscalco L, Frédérique BB, Roccella M, Matranga D, Tripi G. A Preliminary Study on Cranio-Facial Characteristics Associated with Minor Neurological Dysfunctions (MNDs) in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10080566. [PMID: 32824853 PMCID: PMC7465923 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10080566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Craniofacial anomalies and minor neurological dysfunction (MNDs) have been identified, in literature, as risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders. They represent physical indicators of embryonic development suggesting a possible contributory role of complications during early, even pre-conceptional, phases of ontogeny in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Limited research has been conducted about the co-occurrence of the two biomarkers in children with ASD. This study investigates the associative patterns of cranio-facial anomalies and MNDs in ASD children, and whether these neurodevelopmental markers correlate with intensity of ASD symptoms and overall functioning. Methods. Caucasian children with ASD (n = 33) were examined. Measures were based on five anthropometric cranio-facial indexes and a standardized and detailed neurological examination according to Touwen. Relationships between anthropometric z-scores, MNDs and participant characteristics (i.e., age, cognitive abilities, severity of autistic symptoms measured using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) checklist) were assessed. Results. With respect to specific MNDs, significant positive correlations were found between Cephalic Index and Sensory deficits (p-value < 0.001), which did not correlate with CARS score. Importantly, CARS score was positively linked with Intercanthal Index (p-value < 0.001), and negatively associated with posture and muscle tone (p-value = 0.027) and Facial Index (p-value = 0.004). Conclusion. Our data show a link between a specific facial phenotype and anomalies in motor responses, suggesting early brain dysmaturation involving subcortical structures in cerebro-craniofacial development of autistic children. This research supports the concept of a “social brain functional morphology” in autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Maniscalco
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics-BIND-University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | | | - Michele Roccella
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Pedagogical and Education, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Domenica Matranga
- Department Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza, “G. D’Alessandro”-PROMISE-University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Tripi
- Department Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza, “G. D’Alessandro”-PROMISE-University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
- Department of Childhood Psychiatry for Neurodevelopmentals Disorders, Centre Hospitalier du Chinonais, 37500 Saint-Benoît-la-Forêt, France
- Correspondence:
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Belrose C, Duffaud A, Rakotoarison E, Faget C, Raynaud P, Dutheil F, Boyer L, Billaud JB, Trousselard M. Neurological Soft Signs and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Biomarker of Severity? Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:533662. [PMID: 33192652 PMCID: PMC7606651 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.533662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The psychophysiological changes for individual suffering from chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) raise to the questions of how facilitate recovery and return to work. Negative alterations in neuro-cognition remain a complaint for patients and participate to long-term functional impairments. Neurological soft signs (NSSs) appear as a candidate for better understanding these complaints. They have been reported in several mental disorders. They are found in several behavioral and/or neurocognitive disorders and are taken into account by psychiatric rehabilitation programs to support recovery. As few studies evaluate NSSs in PTSD, our exploratory study aims to assess NSSs in chronic PTSD and their relationships with PTSD severity. METHOD Twenty-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic PTSD were evaluated in terms of PTSD severity (post-traumatic checklist scale, PCL5), NSSs (NSSs psychomotor skills scale, PASS), and well-being upon arrival to the hospital and compared with 15 healthy subjects. Statistical non-parametric analyses assessed the relationships between these variables. RESULTS PTSD subjects exhibited higher NSSs compared with healthy subjects. NSSs were positively associated with PTSD severity, with negative alterations in cognition and mood, and with impairment in well-being. They were higher in women compared with men. No impact of age was found. Three groups were identified based on the severity of the PTSD. Severe PTSD exhibited NSSs characterized by motor integration alterations. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study suggests that NSSs might be a biomarker of PTSD severity. This proof of concept highlights the need for further research for better evaluating the clinical neuro-functional impairment. This will be helping for defining neurological remediation for promoting PTSD recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Belrose
- Département de Neurosciences et Sciences Cognitives, Unité de Neurophysiologie du Stress, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny sur Orge, France.,Réseau ABC des Psychotraumas, Montpellier, France.,APEMAC, EA 4360, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Anais Duffaud
- Département de Neurosciences et Sciences Cognitives, Unité de Neurophysiologie du Stress, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny sur Orge, France.,Réseau ABC des Psychotraumas, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Philippe Raynaud
- APEMAC, EA 4360, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.,Centre Hospitalier Léon Jean Grégory, Thuir, France
| | - Frédéric Dutheil
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LaPSCo, Physiological and Psychosocial Stress, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Faculty of Health, School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Léa Boyer
- Département de Neurosciences et Sciences Cognitives, Unité de Neurophysiologie du Stress, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny sur Orge, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Billaud
- Département de Neurosciences et Sciences Cognitives, Unité de Neurophysiologie du Stress, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny sur Orge, France
| | - Marion Trousselard
- Département de Neurosciences et Sciences Cognitives, Unité de Neurophysiologie du Stress, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny sur Orge, France.,Réseau ABC des Psychotraumas, Montpellier, France.,APEMAC, EA 4360, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
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