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Ivanovic D, Zamorano F, Soto-Icaza P, Rojas T, Larraín C, Silva C, Almagià A, Bustamante C, Arancibia V, Villagrán F, Valenzuela R, Barrera C, Billeke P. Brain structural parameters correlate with University Selection Test outcomes in Chilean high school graduates. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20562. [PMID: 36446926 PMCID: PMC9709063 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24958-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
How well students learn and perform in academic contexts is a focus of interest for the students, their families, and the entire educational system. Although evidence has shown that several neurobiological factors are involved in scholastic achievement (SA), specific brain measures associated with academic outcomes and whether such associations are independent of other factors remain unclear. This study attempts to identify the relationship between brain structural parameters, and the Chilean national University Selection Test (PSU) results in high school graduates within a multidimensional approach that considers socio-economic, intellectual, nutritional, and demographic variables. To this end, the brain morphology of a sample of 102 students who took the PSU test was estimated using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Anthropometric parameters, intellectual ability (IA), and socioeconomic status (SES) were also measured. The results revealed that, independently of sex, IA, gray matter volume, right inferior frontal gyrus thickness, and SES were significantly associated with SA. These findings highlight the role of nutrition, health, and socioeconomic variables in academic success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniza Ivanovic
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Neurological Sciences, Human Nutrition Area, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology Dr. Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Francisco Zamorano
- Unidad de Imágenes Cuantitativas Avanzadas, Departamento de Imágenes, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricia Soto-Icaza
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tatiana Rojas
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Neurological Sciences, Human Nutrition Area, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology Dr. Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristián Larraín
- Radiology Department, Facultad de Medicina-Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio Silva
- Radiology Department, Facultad de Medicina-Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Atilio Almagià
- Laboratory of Physical Anthropology and Human Anatomy, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Claudia Bustamante
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Neurological Sciences, Human Nutrition Area, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology Dr. Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Violeta Arancibia
- Department of Global Partnership for Education (GPE) World Bank, Washington, USA
| | - Francisca Villagrán
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Neurological Sciences, Human Nutrition Area, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology Dr. Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Valenzuela
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cynthia Barrera
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Billeke
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
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Prefrontal and frontostriatal structures mediate academic outcomes associated with ADHD symptoms. BRAIN DISORDERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dscb.2021.100023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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3
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Wang S, Zhao Y, Li J, Lai H, Qiu C, Pan N, Gong Q. Neurostructural correlates of hope: dispositional hope mediates the impact of the SMA gray matter volume on subjective well-being in late adolescence. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 15:395-404. [PMID: 32378710 PMCID: PMC7308655 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsaa046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been increasing interest in identifying factors to predict subjective well-being in the emerging field of positive psychology over the past two decades. Dispositional hope, which reflects one's goal-directed tendencies, including both pathway thinking (planning to meet goals) and agency thinking (goal-directed determination), has emerged as a stable predictor for subjective well-being. However, the neurobiological substrates of dispositional hope and the brain-hope mechanism for predicting subjective well-being remain unclear. Here, we examined these issues in 231 high school graduates within the same grade by estimating cortical gray matter volume (GMV) utilizing a voxel-based morphometry method based on structural magnetic resonance imaging. Whole-brain regression analyses and prediction analyses showed that higher dispositional hope was stably associated with greater GMV in the left supplementary motor area (SMA). Furthermore, mediation analyses revealed that dispositional hope mediated the relation between left SMA volume and subjective well-being. Critically, our results were obtained after adjusting for age, sex, family socioeconomic status and total GMV. Altogether, our study presents novel evidence for the neuroanatomical basis of dispositional hope and suggests an underlying indirect effect of dispositional hope on the link between brain gray matter structure and subjective well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Psychoradiology Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2018RU011), the Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, Chengdu 610036, China
| | - Yajun Zhao
- School of Sociology and Psychology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jingguang Li
- College of Teacher Education, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
| | - Han Lai
- Huaxi MR Research Center, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Psychoradiology Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2018RU011), the Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chen Qiu
- Huaxi MR Research Center, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Psychology, The Faculty of Social Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Nanfang Pan
- Huaxi MR Research Center, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Psychoradiology Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2018RU011), the Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Psychoradiology Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2018RU011), the Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, Chengdu 610036, China
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Ishihara T, Nakajima T, Yamatsu K, Okita K, Sagawa M, Morita N. Longitudinal relationship of favorable weight change to academic performance in children. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2020; 5:4. [PMID: 32351708 PMCID: PMC7181801 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-020-0063-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although there is a growing consensus about the positive relationship between prevention of overweight/obesity and academic performance in children, relevant studies targeting the relationship between underweight and academic performance are scarce. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship of favorable weight change to academic performance in schoolchildren. We analyzed 2-year longitudinal data derived from 197 seventh-grade children aged 12-13 years. Academic performance was assessed using the total grade points of five academic subjects. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight (kg)/height (m2). A significant interaction effect of baseline BMI and BMI changes over 2 years (B = -0.10, SE B = 0.03, β = -0.40, t = -3.37, p < 0.001) was noted after controlling for confounders such as socioeconomic status, afterschool learning duration, screen time, exercise habits, and cardiorespiratory fitness. When the centered baseline BMI was outside the interval [-2.49, 3.21], the slope of the change in BMI was significant (p < 0.05). Simple slope analyses revealed a positive relationship of weight gain when baseline BMI = mean - 1 SD (B = 0.40, SE B = 0.18, β = 0.31, t = 2.20, p = 0.03) and weight loss when baseline BMI = mean + 1 SD (B = -0.26, SE B = 0.13, β = -0.20, t = -1.97, p = 0.05) to total grade points of five school subjects. A split-group validation was performed and robust results of original analyses were detected (i.e., significant interaction effect of baseline BMI and BMI changes over 2 years (group A: B = -0.11, SE B = 0.05, β = -0.47, t = -2.39, p = 0.02; group B: B = -0.14, SE B = 0.05, β = -0.47, t = -2.78, p = 0.007). Favorable changes in weight status, i.e., weight loss in children with overweight/obesity and weight gain in children with mild underweight/underweight, have a positive influence on academic performance in children independent of socioeconomic factors, learning habits, screen time, exercise habits, and cardiorespiratory fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Ishihara
- Tamagawa University Brain Science Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nakajima
- Department of Teachers Training, Hokkaido University of Education, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Koji Yamatsu
- Faculty of Education, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Koichi Okita
- Department of Sport Education, Hokusho University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masato Sagawa
- Department of Sports Cultural Studies, Hokkaido University of Education, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Noriteru Morita
- Department of Sports Cultural Studies, Hokkaido University of Education, Hokkaido, Japan
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Lai H, Wang S, Zhao Y, Qiu C, Gong Q. Neurostructural correlates of optimism: Gray matter density in the putamen predicts dispositional optimism in late adolescence. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:1459-1471. [PMID: 31816149 PMCID: PMC7267983 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Dispositional optimism reflects one's generalized positive expectancies for future outcomes and plays a crucial role in personal developmental outcomes and health (e.g., counteracting related mental disorders such as depression and anxiety). Increasing evidence has suggested that extraversion is an important personality factor contributing to dispositional optimism. However, less is known about the association between dispositional optimism and brain structure and the role of extraversion in this association. Here, we examined these issues in 231 healthy high school students aged 16 to 20 years (110 males, mean age = 18.48 years, SD = 0.54) by estimating regional gray matter density (rGMD) using a voxel-based morphometry method via structural magnetic resonance imaging. Whole-brain regression analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between dispositional optimism and the rGMD of the bilateral putamen after adjusting for age, sex, family socioeconomic status (SES), general intelligence, and total gray matter volume (TGMV). Moreover, prediction analyses using fourfold balanced cross-validation combined with linear regression confirmed a significant connection between dispositional optimism and putamen density after adjusting for age, sex, and family SES. More importantly, subsequent mediation analysis showed that extraversion may account for the association between putamen density and dispositional optimism after adjusting for age, sex, family SES, general intelligence, TGMV, and the other four Big Five personality traits. Taken together, the current study provides new evidence regarding the neurostructural basis underlying dispositional optimism in adolescents and underscores the importance of extraversion as an essential personality factor for dispositional optimism acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Lai
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of RadiologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of RadiologyShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangLiaoningChina
- Psychoradiology Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2018RU011)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Song Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of RadiologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of RadiologyShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangLiaoningChina
- Psychoradiology Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2018RU011)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yajun Zhao
- School of Sociology and PsychologySouthwest Minzu UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chen Qiu
- Department of Psychology, The Faculty of Social ScienceThe University of Hong KongPokfulamHong Kong
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of RadiologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of RadiologyShengjing Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangLiaoningChina
- Psychoradiology Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2018RU011)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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6
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Kong F, Yang K, Sajjad S, Yan W, Li X, Zhao J. Neural correlates of social well-being: gray matter density in the orbitofrontal cortex predicts social well-being in emerging adulthood. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 14:319-327. [PMID: 30715518 PMCID: PMC6399614 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Social well-being reflects the perception of one’s social functioning, which plays an important role in physical and psychological health. However, the exact neuroanatomical substrate for social well-being remains unclear. To address the issue, we employed the voxel-based morphometry method to probe the neuroanatomical basis of individual variation in social well-being in young healthy adults (n = 136). The results revealed a significant negative association between social well-being and regional gray matter density (rGMD) in an anatomical cluster that mainly includes the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) that has been involved in emotion regulation and social cognition. Furthermore, a balanced 4-fold cross-validation using the machine learning approach revealed that rGMD in the left OFC could be reliably related to social well-being. More importantly, the multiple mediation analysis revealed that neuroticism and dispositional forgiveness independently mediated the association between rGMD in the left OFC and social well-being. In addition, all these results remained stable when subjective socioeconomic status was controlled. Together, our results provide the initial evidence that the OFC is a neuroanatomical substrate for social well-being and demonstrate that the OFC is a crucial neural site linking neuroticism and dispositional forgiveness to social well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Kong
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kairong Yang
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Sonia Sajjad
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjing Yan
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuewen Li
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jingjing Zhao
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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7
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Solis-Urra P, Esteban-Cornejo I, Cadenas-Sanchez C, Rodriguez-Ayllon M, Mora-Gonzalez J, Migueles JH, Labayen I, Verdejo-Román J, Kramer AF, Erickson KI, Hillman CH, Catena A, Ortega FB. Early life factors, gray matter brain volume and academic performance in overweight/obese children: The ActiveBrains project. Neuroimage 2019; 202:116130. [PMID: 31465844 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life factors may influence brain and academic outcomes later in life, especially during childhood. Here we investigate the associations of early life factors (i.e., birth weight, birth length, and breastfeeding) with gray matter volume, adjusted for body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness, and ii) we test whether early-life factor-related differences in gray matter volume are associated with academic performance in overweight/obese children. 96 children with overweight/obesity aged 8-11 years participated. Birth weight, birth length and gestational age were collected from birth records, and breastfeeding practices were asked to parents. T1-weighted images were acquired with a 3.0 T Magnetom Tim Trio system. Academic performance was assessed with the Bateria III Woodcock-Muñoz Tests of Achievement. Whole-brain voxel-wise multiple regressions were used to test the associations of each early life factor with gray matter volume. Higher birth weight and birth length were associated with greater gray matter volume in 9 brain regions including the middle frontal gyrus, rectal gyrus, thalamus, putamen, middle temporal gyrus, lingual gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, calcarine cortex and cerebellum bilaterally (β ranging from 0.361 to 0.539, t ranging from 3.46 to 5.62 and cluster size from 82 to 4478 voxels; p < 0.001); and greater duration of any breastfeeding was associated with greater gray matter volume in 3 regions including the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and rolandic operculum (β ranging from 0.359 to 0.408, t ranging from 4.01 to 4.32 and cluster size from 64 to 171 voxels; p < 0.001). No associations were found for duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Additionally, none of the gray matter regions that were associated with the early life factors were associated with academic performance (all p > 0.05). Our results demonstrate that birth weight, birth length, and breastfeeding are predictive of gray matter volume of numerous brain structures that are involved in higher order cognition and emotion regulation, but how these results relate to measures of academic achievement remain a matter of speculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricio Solis-Urra
- PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain; IRyS Research Group, School of Physical Education, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, Valparaiso, Chile.
| | - Irene Esteban-Cornejo
- PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain; Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez
- PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Rodriguez-Ayllon
- PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Mora-Gonzalez
- PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
| | - Jairo H Migueles
- PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
| | - Idoia Labayen
- Institute for Innovation & Sustainable Development in Food Chain (IS-FOOD), Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan Verdejo-Román
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Laboratory of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience (UCM-UPM), Center for Biomedical Technology (CTB), Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Arthur F Kramer
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Kirk I Erickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 3601 Sennott Square, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Charles H Hillman
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Physical Therapy, Movement & Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrés Catena
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Centre (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco B Ortega
- PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
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8
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Marcori AJ, Okazaki VHA. Motor repertoire and gray matter plasticity: Is there a link? Med Hypotheses 2019; 130:109261. [PMID: 31383345 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
There is a considerable amount of evidence sustaining that aerobic exercise causes positive modifications in gray matter density (GMD), especially in the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex. However, recent experimental researches with motor learning paradigms are consistently showing that increasing cardiorespiratory capacity is not the only mechanism able to promote positive outcomes in GMD with exercise. In the present study, we present a theoretical suggestion that expanding one's motor repertoire is another primary mechanism related to the increases in GMD. Motor repertoire can be understood as the number of movement possibilities and motor skills that can be performed by a person. Supporting our suggestion, professional athletes present higher GMD than controls, and experimental protocols repeatedly observes positive changes in GMD following motor learning. The relationship between physical inactivity, amputation, and lower GMD values also gives further support for the hypothesis. Follow-up studies monitoring GMD before and after training programs that stimulate new motor skill learning are essential to confirm this proposition. The brain regions related to sensory processing of the motor tasks and the cortical areas related to motor control (e.g., primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area) are probably the ones most affected by plastic changes. If the hypothesis turns out to be reliable, dancing, gymnastics, and other movement-rich activities are thoroughly encouraged for this purpose. Therefore, this approach might be used to attenuate GMD loss related to aging or another condition, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Jehan Marcori
- Motor Neuroscience Research Group, Londrina State University, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR445, Km 380, Brazil.
| | - Victor Hugo Alves Okazaki
- Motor Neuroscience Research Group, Londrina State University, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR445, Km 380, Brazil
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Muntaner-Mas A, Palou P, Vidal-Conti J, Esteban-Cornejo I. A Mediation Analysis on the Relationship of Physical Fitness Components, Obesity, and Academic Performance in Children. J Pediatr 2018; 198:90-97.e4. [PMID: 29685619 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.02.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the relationship between a battery of obesity indicators and physical fitness components with academic performance in children and to explore the combined and mediation role of the physical fitness components in the relationship between obesity and academic performance in children. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study including data from 250 Spanish schoolchildren (Balearic Islands) between 10 and 12 years of age (mean age, 10.98 ± 0.76 years) was conducted. Obesity measures (body mass index, body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-height ratio), physical fitness components (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, and speed-agility), and academic performance (Spanish language, Catalan language, English language, natural sciences, social sciences, arts, physical education, religion, and grade point average [GPA]) were collected. RESULTS All obesity measures were negatively related to at least 3 of the 10 academic indicators, including GPA (β range, -0.135 to -0.229; all P < .05). Cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility were positively related to all academic indicators (β range, 0.182 to 0.350; all P < .046) and muscular fitness with 3 academic indicators (β range, 0.143 to 0.253; all P < .039). Children considered as fit had better academic performance than their unfit peers (score +0.75; P = .001). The association between body mass index and GPA was mediated by cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility. CONCLUSIONS This investigation contributes to the current knowledge by adding evidence about the crucial role of physical fitness in terms of academic performance rather than obesity status, suggesting that physical fitness may ameliorate the negative influence of obesity on academic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrià Muntaner-Mas
- Department of Pedagogy and Specific Didactics, Faculty of Education, University of Balearic Islands, Balearic Islands, Spain; PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity" Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Granada. Granada, Spain.
| | - Pere Palou
- Department of Pedagogy and Specific Didactics, Faculty of Education, University of Balearic Islands, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Josep Vidal-Conti
- Department of Pedagogy and Specific Didactics, Faculty of Education, University of Balearic Islands, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Irene Esteban-Cornejo
- PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity" Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Granada. Granada, Spain; Center for Cognitive and Brain Health, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
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10
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Wang S, Zhao Y, Cheng B, Wang X, Yang X, Chen T, Suo X, Gong Q. The optimistic brain: Trait optimism mediates the influence of resting-state brain activity and connectivity on anxiety in late adolescence. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 39:3943-3955. [PMID: 29923264 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As a hot research topic in the field of psychology and psychiatry, trait optimism reflects the tendency to expect positive outcomes in the future. Consistent evidence has demonstrated the role of trait optimism in reducing anxiety among different populations. However, less is known about the neural bases of trait optimism and the underlying mechanisms for how trait optimism protects against anxiety in the healthy brain. In this investigation, we examined these issues in 231 healthy adolescent students by assessing resting-state brain activity (i.e., fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations, fALFF) and connectivity (i.e., resting-state functional connectivity, RSFC). Whole-brain correlation analyses revealed that higher levels of trait optimism were linked with decreased fALFF in the right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and increased RSFC between the right OFC and left supplementary motor cortex (SMC). Mediation analyses further showed that trait optimism mediated the influence of the right OFC activity and the OFC-SMC connectivity on anxiety. Our results remained significant even after excluding the impact of head motion, positive and negative affect and depression. Taken together, this study reveals that fALFF and RSFC are functional neural markers of trait optimism and provides a brain-personality-symptom pathway for protection against anxiety in which fALFF and RSFC affect anxiety through trait optimism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, Chengdu, 610036, China
| | - Yajun Zhao
- School of Sociology and Psychology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bochao Cheng
- Department of Radiology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, Chengdu, 610036, China
| | - Xun Yang
- School of Sociology and Psychology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Taolin Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xueling Suo
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, Chengdu, 610036, China.,Department of Psychology, School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
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Wang S, Dai J, Li J, Wang X, Chen T, Yang X, He M, Gong Q. Neuroanatomical correlates of grit: Growth mindset mediates the association between gray matter structure and trait grit in late adolescence. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 39:1688-1699. [PMID: 29331059 PMCID: PMC6866491 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a long-standing interest in exploring the factors related to student achievement. As a newly explored personality trait, grit is defined as a person's tendency to pursue long-term goals with continual perseverance and passion, and grit plays a critical role in student achievement. Increasing evidence has shown that growth mindset, the belief that one's basic abilities are malleable and can be developed through effort, is a potential factor for cultivating grit. However, less is known about the association between grit and the brain and the role of growth mindset in this association. Here, we utilized voxel-based morphometry to examine the neuroanatomical correlates of grit in 231 healthy adolescent students by performing structural magnetic resonance imaging. The whole-brain regression analyses revealed that the regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) negatively predicted grit. In contrast, the rGMV in the right putamen positively predicted grit. Furthermore, mediating analyses suggested that growth mindset served as a mediator in the association between left DLPFC volume and grit. Our results persisted even after controlling for the influences of self-control and delayed gratification. Overall, our study presents novel evidence for the neuroanatomical basis of grit and highlights that growth mindset might play an essential role in cultivating a student's grit level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of RadiologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengdu610041China
- Department of PsychoradiologyChengdu Mental Health CenterChengdu610036China
| | - Jing Dai
- Department of PsychoradiologyChengdu Mental Health CenterChengdu610036China
| | - Jingguang Li
- College of Education, Dali UniversityDali671003China
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Life SciencesBeijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijing100029China
| | - Taolin Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of RadiologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengdu610041China
| | - Xun Yang
- School of Sociality and PsychologySouthwest University for NationalitiesChengdu610041China
| | - Manxi He
- Department of PsychoradiologyChengdu Mental Health CenterChengdu610036China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of RadiologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengdu610041China
- Department of PsychoradiologyChengdu Mental Health CenterChengdu610036China
- Department of Psychology, School of Public AdministrationSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
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12
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Wang S, Zhou M, Chen T, Yang X, Chen G, Gong Q. Delay discounting is associated with the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and resting-state functional connectivity in late adolescence. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10276. [PMID: 28860514 PMCID: PMC5579001 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11109-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As a component of self-regulation, delay discounting (DD) refers to an individual’s tendency to prefer smaller-but-sooner rewards over larger-but-later rewards and plays an essential role in many aspects of human behavior. Although numerous studies have examined the neural underpinnings of DD in adults, there are far fewer studies focusing on the neurobiological correlates underlying DD in adolescents. Here, we investigated the associations between individual differences in DD and the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in 228 high school students using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI). At the regional level, we found an association between higher DD and greater fALFF in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), which is involved in conflict monitoring and strategy adaptation. At the connectivity level, DD was positively correlated with the RSFC between the dACC and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a critical functional circuit in the cognitive control network. Furthermore, these effects persisted even after adjusting for the influences of general intelligence and trait impulsivity. Overall, this study reveals the fALFF and RSFC as the functional brain basis of DD in late adolescents, aiding to strengthen and corroborate our understanding of the neural underpinnings of DD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Taolin Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xun Yang
- School of Sociality and Psychology, Southwest University for Nationalities, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Guangxiang Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. .,Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, Chengdu, 610031, China. .,Department of Psychology, School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
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