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Santos RC, Dalfovo NP, de Freitas Machado J, de Azeredo LA, Grassi-Oliveira R, Portuguez MW, Buchweitz A. A cross-sectional study of the association between exposure to violence, intelligence, and executive function in Brazilian youths. PSICOLOGIA-REFLEXAO E CRITICA 2023; 36:6. [PMID: 36843084 PMCID: PMC9968669 DOI: 10.1186/s41155-023-00249-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We carried out an exploratory study of the association between exposure to violence, intelligence, and executive functions in Brazilian preadolescents. The study included 56 participants (31 males) aged 8 to 14 years old (mean = 11.3, SD = 1.0). We administered neuropsychological tests to evaluate executive functions and the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ) to evaluate exposure to violence. We used the following neuropsychological instruments: Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI), Stroop Color-Word Interference task, digits subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, and an N-back task. We generated a composite score from neuropsychological test scores and investigated the association of that score, and individual test scores, with exposure to violence and socioeconomic status (SES). Results suggest, first, that exposure to violence is associated with a 0.5-point lower intelligence quotient score for every reported victimization event in the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. Results also show that the digits backward subtest scores showed a significant negative correlation with exposure to violence (JVQ; rho = -0.29, p < 0.05); both analyses were adjusted for the level of schooling of parents or guardians, which was also found to be significantly associated with lower intelligence quotient scores. We discuss results in the light of the existing literature on the effects of exposure to violence on adolescent development, and the amounting evidence that suggests an association of exposure to violence, and of victimization, with tests that evaluate constructs of executive functions. The study struggled with low compliance from participants, and we underscore the challenges of carrying out empirical studies aimed at better understanding the development of underrepresented youths, such as those from Central and Latin America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhaná Carolina Santos
- BraIns — Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6690, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000 Brazil ,grid.412519.a0000 0001 2166 9094School of Life and Health Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, RS 90619-900 Brazil
| | - Nicole Prigol Dalfovo
- BraIns — Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6690, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000 Brazil ,grid.412519.a0000 0001 2166 9094School of Life and Health Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, RS 90619-900 Brazil
| | - Julia de Freitas Machado
- BraIns — Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6690, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000 Brazil ,grid.412519.a0000 0001 2166 9094School of Medicine, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, RS 90619-900 Brazil
| | - Lucas Araújo de Azeredo
- BraIns — Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6690, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000 Brazil ,grid.412519.a0000 0001 2166 9094School of Medicine, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, RS 90619-900 Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- BraIns — Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6690, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000 Brazil ,grid.412519.a0000 0001 2166 9094School of Medicine, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, RS 90619-900 Brazil ,grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 13, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mirna Wetters Portuguez
- BraIns — Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6690, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000 Brazil ,grid.412519.a0000 0001 2166 9094School of Medicine, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, RS 90619-900 Brazil
| | - Augusto Buchweitz
- BraIns - Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6690, Porto Alegre, RS, 90610-000, Brazil. .,School of Life and Health Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brazil. .,School of Medicine, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brazil. .,Department of Psychological Science, University of Connecticut, Stamford, CT, 06901, USA.
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2
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Leite L, Esper NB, Junior JRML, Lara DR, Buchweitz A. An exploratory study of resting-state functional connectivity of amygdala subregions in posttraumatic stress disorder following trauma in adulthood. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9558. [PMID: 35688847 PMCID: PMC9187646 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13395-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We carried out an exploratory study aimed at identifying differences in resting-state functional connectivity for the amygdala and its subregions, right and left basolateral, centromedial and superficial nuclei, in patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), relative to controls. The study included 10 participants with PTSD following trauma in adulthood (9 females), and 10 controls (9 females). The results suggest PTSD was associated with a decreased (negative) functional connectivity between the superficial amygdala and posterior brain regions relative to controls. The differences were observed between right superficial amygdala and right fusiform gyrus, and between left superficial amygdala and left lingual and left middle occipital gyri. The results suggest that among PTSD patients, the worse the PTSD symptoms, the lower the connectivity. The results corroborate the fMRI literature that shows PTSD is associated with weaker amygdala functional connectivity with areas of the brain involved in sensory and perceptual processes. The results also suggest that though the patients traumatic experience occured in adulthood, the presence of early traumatic experiences were associated with negative connectivity between the centromedial amygdala and sensory and perceptual regions. We argue that the understanding of the mechanisms of PTSD symptoms, its behaviors and the effects on quality of life of patients may benefit from the investigation of brain function that underpins sensory and perceptual symptoms associated with the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Leite
- School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil.
| | - Nathalia Bianchini Esper
- School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil.,Brain Institute (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90610-000, Brazil
| | - José Roberto M Lopes Junior
- School of Psychology and Health, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, 90050-170, Brazil
| | | | - Augusto Buchweitz
- School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil. .,Brain Institute (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90610-000, Brazil. .,Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Stamford, 06269-1020, United States of America.
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3
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Soares S, Rocha V, Kelly-Irving M, Stringhini S, Fraga S. Adverse Childhood Events and Health Biomarkers: A Systematic Review. Front Public Health 2021; 9:649825. [PMID: 34490175 PMCID: PMC8417002 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.649825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence reporting epigenetic and/or neuro-immuno-endocrine embedding of adverse childhood events (ACEs) in children, with a particular focus on the short-term biological effect of those experiences. Methods: A search was conducted in PsycINFO®, PubMed®, Isi Web of Knowledge and Scopus, until July 2019, to identify papers reporting the short-term biological effects of exposure to ACEs. Results: The search identified 58 studies, that were included in the review. Regarding exposure, the type of ACE more frequently reported was sexual abuse (n = 26), followed by life stressors (n = 20) and physical abuse (n = 19). The majority (n = 17) of studies showed a positive association between ACEs and biomarkers of the immune system. Regarding DNA methylation 18 studies showed more methylation in participants exposed to ACEs. Two studies presented the effect of ACEs on telomere length and showed that exposure was associated with shorter telomere length. Conclusion: Overall the associations observed across studies followed the hypothesis that ACEs are associated with biological risk already at early ages. This is supporting evidence that ACEs appear to get “under the skin” and induce physiological changes and these alterations might be strongly associated with later development of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Soares
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vânia Rocha
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Michelle Kelly-Irving
- Faculty of Medicine Purpan, LEASP UMR 1027, Inserm-Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sílvia Fraga
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Busatto G, Rosa PG, Serpa MH, Squarzoni P, Duran FL. Psychiatric neuroimaging research in Brazil: historical overview, current challenges, and future opportunities. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PSIQUIATRIA (SAO PAULO, BRAZIL : 1999) 2021; 43:83-101. [PMID: 32520165 PMCID: PMC7861184 DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2019-0757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The last four decades have witnessed tremendous growth in research studies applying neuroimaging methods to evaluate pathophysiological and treatment aspects of psychiatric disorders around the world. This article provides a brief history of psychiatric neuroimaging research in Brazil, including quantitative information about the growth of this field in the country over the past 20 years. Also described are the various methodologies used, the wealth of scientific questions investigated, and the strength of international collaborations established. Finally, examples of the many methodological advances that have emerged in the field of in vivo neuroimaging are provided, with discussion of the challenges faced by psychiatric research groups in Brazil, a country of limited resources, to continue incorporating such innovations to generate novel scientific data of local and global relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Busatto
- Laboratório de Neuroimagem em Psiquiatria (LIM 21), Departamento e Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro G. Rosa
- Laboratório de Neuroimagem em Psiquiatria (LIM 21), Departamento e Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio H. Serpa
- Laboratório de Neuroimagem em Psiquiatria (LIM 21), Departamento e Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paula Squarzoni
- Laboratório de Neuroimagem em Psiquiatria (LIM 21), Departamento e Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabio L. Duran
- Laboratório de Neuroimagem em Psiquiatria (LIM 21), Departamento e Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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5
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Ibáñez-Alfonso JA, Company-Córdoba R, García de la Cadena C, Sianes A, Simpson IC. How Living in Vulnerable Conditions Undermines Cognitive Development: Evidence from the Pediatric Population of Guatemala. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8020090. [PMID: 33572817 PMCID: PMC7912439 DOI: 10.3390/children8020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Low-socioeconomic backgrounds represent a risk factor for children’s cognitive development and well-being. Evidence from many studies highlights that cognitive processes may be adversely affected by vulnerable contexts. The aim of this study was to determine if living in vulnerable conditions affects childhood cognitive development. To achieve this, we assessed the performance of a sample of 347 Guatemalan children and adolescents aged from 6 to 17 years (M = 10.8, SD = 3) in a series of 10 neuropsychological tasks recently standardized for the pediatric population of this country. Two-fifths of the sample (41.5%) could be considered to have vulnerable backgrounds, coming from families with low-socioeconomic status or having had a high exposure to violence. As expected, results showed lower scores in language and attention for the vulnerable group. However, contrary to expectations, consistent systematic differences were not found in the executive function tasks. Vulnerable children obtained lower scores in cognitive flexibility compared to the non-vulnerable group, but higher scores in inhibition and problem-solving tasks. These results suggest the importance of developing pediatric standards of cognitive performance that take environmental vulnerable conditions into consideration. These findings, one of the first obtained in the Guatemalan population, also provide relevant information for specific educational interventions and public health policies which will enhance vulnerable children and adolescent cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín A. Ibáñez-Alfonso
- Department of Psychology, Human Neuroscience Lab, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Sevilla, Spain; (J.A.I.-A.); (R.C.-C.); (I.C.S.)
- ETEA Foundation, Development Institute of Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rosalba Company-Córdoba
- Department of Psychology, Human Neuroscience Lab, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Sevilla, Spain; (J.A.I.-A.); (R.C.-C.); (I.C.S.)
- ETEA Foundation, Development Institute of Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Sianes
- Research Institute on Policies for Social Transformation, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Ian Craig Simpson
- Department of Psychology, Human Neuroscience Lab, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Sevilla, Spain; (J.A.I.-A.); (R.C.-C.); (I.C.S.)
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6
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Al-Saadoon M, Al-Adawi M, Al-Adawi S. Socio-Cultural Constraints in Protecting Child Rights in a Society in Transition: A Review and Synthesis from Oman. CHILD INDICATORS RESEARCH 2021; 14:239-267. [PMID: 32837628 PMCID: PMC7412292 DOI: 10.1007/s12187-020-09759-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In line with international best practice, the Arabian Gulf countries have ratified the Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC), which has some clauses on child abuse and neglect. The present discourse, made from within an Arabian Gulf society, specifically Oman, reviews the socio-cultural differences of the region and explores the potential regional challenges for effectively implementing the CRC mandated child protection legislation. The international best practices evolved for individualistic, "guilt-based" societies, which may need to be modified to suit the "shame-based" collective societies in the Arabian Gulf where the individual autonomy is overridden by that of the family and society. This may mean that the entire spectrum of child abuse may need to be studied in-depth, starting from what constitutes child abuse and neglect, the methods adopted for identifying cases, setting preventive measures in place, applying penal and corrective action on the perpetrators, and helping the victims recover. It is posited that while modifying the laws may be straightforward, implementation of certain clauses may initially come into conflict with deeply engrained socio-cultural conventions on these societies which have different parenting styles and child-rearing practices. The country in focus is Oman. Pointing out the sparsity of research on the topic in the region, the study suggests additional research to understand how to reconcile these sociocultural constraints with the international best practices of protecting child rights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Al-Saadoon
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Manal Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioural Science & Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Al-Khoudh, 123 Muscat, Oman
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioural Science & Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Al-Khoudh, 123 Muscat, Oman
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7
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de Azeredo LA, Viola TW, Rothmann LM, Trentin R, Arteche AX, Kristensen CH, Buchweitz A, Grassi-Oliveira R. Hair cortisol levels and mental health problems in children and adolescents exposed to victimization. Stress 2020; 23:546-555. [PMID: 31701783 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1690448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Youths who experience multiple forms of victimization are at a heightened risk for psychopathology across the lifespan. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a key target for the investigation of neurobiological changes induced by chronic stress and violence exposure. The measurement of hair cortisol concentration allows the investigation of long-term HPA activity and its association with victimization. The present study investigated the impact of exposure to polyvictimization in Latin-American children and adolescents on hair cortisol levels. We investigated association among cortisol, mental health problems and victimization. The study included 83 youths (mean age 10.84 years-old) from southern Brazil. We assessed self-reported victimization scores (Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire - JVQ-R2), mental health problems (Child Behavior Checklist - CBCL/6-18), and hair cortisol concentrations for the previous 30 days. The results showed an association between exposure to multiple forms of victimization and higher concentrations of hair cortisol; the results also showed that cortisol levels and mental health problems were associated with the severity of polyvictimization. These findings suggest that preadolescent victimization is associated with hyperactivation of HPA axis and with increased risk of mental health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Araújo de Azeredo
- School of Medicine, Graduate Program of Medicine, Neurosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Thiago Wendt Viola
- School of Medicine, Graduate Program of Medicine, Neurosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Melo Rothmann
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Trentin
- School of Health Sciences, Graduate Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Adriane Xavier Arteche
- School of Health Sciences, Graduate Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Christian Haag Kristensen
- School of Health Sciences, Graduate Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Augusto Buchweitz
- School of Medicine, Graduate Program of Medicine, Neurosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- School of Health Sciences, Graduate Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- School of Medicine, Graduate Program of Medicine, Neurosciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- School of Health Sciences, Graduate Program of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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8
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Cará VM, Esper NB, de Azeredo LA, Iochpe V, Dalfovo NP, Santos RC, Sanvicente-Vieira B, Grassi-Oliveira R, Franco AR, Buchweitz A. An fMRI study of inhibitory control and the effects of exposure to violence in Latin-American early adolescents: alterations in frontoparietal activation and performance. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2019; 14:1097-1107. [PMID: 31820809 PMCID: PMC7036087 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsz092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We used functional magnetic resonance to investigate the effects of exposure to violence on early adolescent brain function in an inhibitory control task. We investigated the association among scores on self-reported exposure to violence, performance and brain activation. Thirty-seven early adolescents (ages 10-14) from a Latin-American urban region participated in the study. Results showed that recent and chronic exposure to violence was associated with less activation of a network of frontal regions, including the anterior cingulate gyrus and the superior frontal cortex; recent exposure to violence was also associated with less activation of the superior parietal lobe. Results also showed that less activation correlated with more prominent deterioration in the performance in the inhibitory control task (increased latency with time). The findings suggest that early adolescence exposure to violence is associated with differences in activation of a neural network commonly associated with executive function and control. The results underscore the urgency of addressing exposure to violence in adolescence, a period of high susceptibility to the environment, and are discussed in the light of the evidence of the effects of violence on adolescent brain function. Executive function training may be a candidate for targeted cognitive interventions aimed at mitigating these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Metsavaht Cará
- School of Medicine, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900.,BRAINS-Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900
| | - Nathalia Bianchini Esper
- School of Medicine, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900.,BRAINS-Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900
| | - Lucas Araújo de Azeredo
- School of Medicine, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900.,BRAINS-Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900
| | - Victoria Iochpe
- School of Medicine, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900
| | - Nicole Prigol Dalfovo
- Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900
| | - Rhaná Carolina Santos
- Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900
| | - Breno Sanvicente-Vieira
- Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900
| | - Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- School of Medicine, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900.,BRAINS-Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900.,Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900
| | - Alexandre Rosa Franco
- Nathan S Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, Orangeburg, NY, USA, 10962
| | - Augusto Buchweitz
- School of Medicine, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900.,BRAINS-Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900.,Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, PUCRS-Pontifícia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90619-900
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9
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Pereira GM, Becker J, Soares NM, de Azeredo LA, Grassi-Oliveira R, Rysdyk A, de Almeida RMM. Hair cortisol concentration, cognitive, behavioral, and motor impairment in multiple sclerosis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:1145-1154. [PMID: 31250284 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02040-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the demyelinated inflammatory processes that occur within the central nervous system. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) dysfunctions have been associated with the triggering or increase in MS symptoms. We thus aimed at evaluating motor and behavioral functions, planning skills, processing speed, and their relationship with stress through measuring hair cortisol concentration from patients with MS. The sample was composed of 40 volunteers that were clinically diagnosed with MS, along with 33 healthy adults. Evaluations included: Clinical Evaluation Form, Mini-Mental State Exam, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite Measure, Expanded Disability Status Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Zoo Map task, and a hair sample to analyze cortisol levels in the last 30 days. MS patients showed highly elevated hair cortisol levels in comparison to the control group (p = 0.048). All groups presented some degree of depressive and anxiety symptoms, aside from considerable perceived stress levels. The MS group presented deficits in gait, balance, manual skills and processing speed, and this was particularly so in individuals with moderate impairments when compared to control group (p < 0.001). Individuals with MS spent less time planning on ZooMap1 (p = 0.024) and made more mistakes (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between hair cortisol and the symptoms we assessed. However, depressive symptoms and anxiety were related to perceived stress, and higher hair cortisol suggests a change in levels in the HPA axis in MS. Nevertheless, future studies will be necessary to further understand how basal hair cortisol is related to MS symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Magalhães Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2400, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil. .,Instituto de Psicologia, Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociências e Comportamento (LPNeC), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Sala 116, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil. .,Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.
| | - Jefferson Becker
- Escola de Medicina, Neurologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil.,Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Nayron Medeiros Soares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2400, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Instituto de Psicologia, Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociências e Comportamento (LPNeC), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Sala 116, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Lucas Araújo de Azeredo
- Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Escola de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Escola de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Andreo Rysdyk
- Instituto de Psicologia, Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociências e Comportamento (LPNeC), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Sala 116, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Martins de Almeida
- Instituto de Psicologia, Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociências e Comportamento (LPNeC), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Sala 116, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.
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