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Visier-Alfonso ME, Ros-Segura L, Sánchez-López M, Jiménez-López E, Martínez-Vizcaíno V. Direct and indirect effects of physiological, psychological and cognitive variables on academic achievement in children. Pediatr Res 2024:10.1038/s41390-024-03322-0. [PMID: 38944661 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03322-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), screen time, psychological well-being, executive functions, and academic achievement have been reported, however, few studies have analysed models considering the effect of all these variables on academic achievement. This study aims to analyse the direct and indirect associations of mothers' education level, CRF, screen time, psychological well-being, executive functions, with academic achievement in schoolchildren, by sex. METHODS This was a cross-sectional analysis of MOVI-daFit! study including 519 schoolchildren (49.52% girls) aged 9-11 years old. Executive functions were assessed with the NIH Toolbox, CRF with the 20-m shuttle run test, academic achievement through the final academic grades in language and mathematics and mother's education level, screen time and well-being by questionnaires. RESULTS Structural equation modelling revealed that in boys cognitive flexibility had a significant direct effect on academic achievement and screen time a total significant effect on academic achievement. In girls, CRF was associated with inhibition and psychological well-being, and this was associated with academic achievement. CONCLUSIONS Physiological, psychological, and behavioural variables act together to impact academic achievement, and that differences by sex might exist. Thus, strategies to enhance academic achievement in schoolchildren should consider psychological well-being, CRF, screen time, and sex differences. IMPACT Physiological, psychological, and behavioural variables, such as cardiorespiratory fitness, screen time, psychological well-being, and cognition all together have an impact on academic achievement, with differences by sex. Previous studies have demonstrated the separate effect of these variables, however, to date, this is the first study that analyses all together in the same model their impact on academic achievement, by sex. This study shows that in boys cognitive flexibility and screen time impact academic achievement. In girls, cardiorespiratory fitness is highly associated with psychological well-being, and this, in turn, was associated with academic achievement.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Eugenia Visier-Alfonso
- Faculty of Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de Nohales 4, 16002, Cuenca, Spain.
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Health and Social Research Center, Camino de Pozuelo, 16071, Cuenca, Spain.
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/ Almansa 14, 02008, Albacete, Spain.
| | - Laura Ros-Segura
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, C/ Almansa 14, 02008, Albacete, Spain
| | - Mairena Sánchez-López
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Health and Social Research Center, Camino de Pozuelo, 16071, Cuenca, Spain
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, School of Education, C/ Altagracia 50, 13001, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Estela Jiménez-López
- Faculty of Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de Nohales 4, 16002, Cuenca, Spain
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Health and Social Research Center, Camino de Pozuelo, 16071, Cuenca, Spain
| | - Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno
- Faculty of Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de Nohales 4, 16002, Cuenca, Spain
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Health and Social Research Center, Camino de Pozuelo, 16071, Cuenca, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Cinco Pte. N°1670 Talca, Maule, Chile
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Lemire M, Soulières I, Saint-Amour D. The effect of age on executive functions in adults is not sex specific. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2024; 30:489-498. [PMID: 38221864 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617723011487] [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] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Numerous studies have shown a decrease in executive functions (EF) associated with aging. However, few investigations examined whether this decrease is similar between sexes throughout adulthood. The present study investigated if age-related decline in EF differs between men and women from early to late adulthood. METHODS A total of 302 participants (181 women) aged between 18 and 78 years old completed four computer-based cognitive tasks at home: an arrow-based Flanker task, a letter-based Visual search task, the Trail Making Test, and the Corsi task. These tasks measured inhibition, attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory, respectively. To investigate the potential effects of age, sex, and their interaction on specific EF and a global EF score, we divided the sample population into five age groups (i.e., 18-30, 31-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-78) and conducted analyses of covariance (MANCOVA and ANCOVA) with education and pointing device as control variables. RESULTS Sex did not significantly affect EF performance across age groups. However, in every task, participants from the three youngest groups (< 55 y/o) outperformed the ones from the two oldest. Results from the global score also suggest that an EF decrease is distinctly noticeable from 55 years old onward. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that age-related decline in EF, including inhibition, attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory, becomes apparent around the age of 55 and does not differ between sexes at any age. This study provides additional data regarding the effects of age and sex on EF across adulthood, filling a significant gap in the existing literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilou Lemire
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Soulières
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- CIUSSS NIM Research Center, Hôpital en Santé Mentale Rivière-des-Prairies, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Dave Saint-Amour
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada
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3
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Zarifkar P, Wagner MK, Fisher PM, Stenbæk DS, Berg SK, Knudsen GM, Benros ME, Kondziella D, Hassager C. Brain network changes and cognitive function after cardiac arrest. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae174. [PMID: 39045091 PMCID: PMC11264146 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Survival rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have improved over the past two decades. Despite this progress, long-term cognitive impairment remains prevalent even in those with early recovery of consciousness after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; however, little is known about the determinants and underlying mechanisms. We utilized the REcovery after cardiac arrest surVIVAL cohort of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors who fully regained consciousness to correlate cognition measurements with brain network changes using resting-state functional MRI and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment at hospital discharge and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment at three-month follow-up. About half of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors displayed cognitive impairments at discharge, and in most, cognitive deficits persisted at three-month follow-up, particularly in the executive and visuospatial functions. Compared to healthy controls, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors exhibited increased connectivity between resting-state networks, particularly involving the frontoparietal network. The increased connectivity between the frontoparietal and visual networks was associated with less favourable cognitive outcomes (β = 14.0, P = 0.01), while higher education seemed to confer some cognitive protection (β = -2.06, P = 0.03). In sum, the data highlight the importance of subtle cognitive impairment, also in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors who are eligible for home discharge, and the potential of functional MRI to identify alterations in brain networks correlating with cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pardis Zarifkar
- Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Kirstine Wagner
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Patrick MacDonald Fisher
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dea Siggaard Stenbæk
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Selina Kikkenborg Berg
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitte Moos Knudsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael E Benros
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2870 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Kondziella
- Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Hassager
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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4
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Rice LC, Rochowiak RN, Plotkin MR, Rosch KS, Mostofsky SH, Crocetti D. Sex Differences and Behavioral Associations with Typically Developing Pediatric Regional Cerebellar Gray Matter Volume. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:589-600. [PMID: 37382829 PMCID: PMC10986327 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01569-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum contributes to motor and higher-order control throughout neurodevelopment, with marked growth during childhood. Few studies have investigated differential associations of cerebellar morphometry with function in males and females. The present study examines sex differences in regional cerebellar gray matter volume (GMV) and the moderating effect of sex on the relationship between GMV and motor, cognitive, and emotional functions in a large cohort of typically developing (TD) children. Participants included 371 TD children (123 females, age 8-12 years). A convolutional neural network-based approach was employed for cerebellar parcellation. Volumes were harmonized using ComBat to adjust for hardware-induced variations. Regression analyses examined the effect of sex on GMV and whether sex moderated the relationship between GMV and motor, cognitive, and emotional functions. Males showed larger GMV in right lobules I-V, bilateral lobules VI, crus II/VIIb, and VIII, left lobule X, and vermis regions I-V and VIII-X. Greater motor function correlated with less vermis VI-VII GMV in females. Greater cognitive function correlated with greater left lobule VI GMV in females and less left lobule VI GMV in males. Finally, greater internalizing symptoms correlated with greater bilateral lobule IX GMV in females but less in males. These findings reveal sexually dimorphic patterns of cerebellar structure and associations with motor, cognitive, and emotional functions. Males generally show larger GMV than females. Larger GMV was associated with better cognitive functioning for females and better motor/emotional functioning for males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Rice
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 716 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rebecca N Rochowiak
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 716 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Micah R Plotkin
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 716 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Keri S Rosch
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 716 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Neuropsychology Department, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Stewart H Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 716 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Deana Crocetti
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 716 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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5
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Letkiewicz AM, Li LY, Hoffman LMK, Lieberman L, Hsu KJ, Shankman SA. Cognitive inflexibility and heightened error monitoring are related to lower sexual functioning. Int J Psychophysiol 2024; 196:112281. [PMID: 38104774 PMCID: PMC10843768 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.112281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Sexual functioning is an important predictor of well-being and relationship satisfaction. Previous research indicates that several aspects of cognitive function are related to sex-related behaviors and functioning among individuals with sex-related disorders, neurological disorders, and in older adults; however, this has been relatively underexamined in younger populations. To examine this, the present study assessed whether behavioral and/or neurophysiological measures of cognitive function are associated with sexual functioning in a community sample of young 489 adults (64 % female) ages 18-30. Cognitive flexibility (n = 460) and inhibition (n = 466) were measured using neuropsychological assessment (D-KEFS), and conflict monitoring and error monitoring were measured by event-related potentials (conflict N2: n = 394; error-related negativity: n = 389). After separately testing relations between the different measures of cognitive function and sexual functioning, we assessed whether results (1) remained after covarying for externalizing and internalizing dimensions (PID-5; n = 489) or (2) varied by gender. Finally, we tested whether any aspects of cognitive function were unique predictors of sexual functioning. Cognitive flexibility and error monitoring (i.e., error-related negativity) were both significantly related to sexual functioning among males and females, such that poorer cognitive flexibility and heightened error monitoring were related to lower sexual functioning. No significant effects emerged for inhibition or conflict monitoring. In a multiple regression model, cognitive flexibility and error monitoring each accounted for a unique portion of variance in sexual functioning beyond other aspects of cognitive function and psychopathology-related traits. Results suggest that cognitive function is a meaningful correlate of sexual functioning in young adulthood, which should be considered further in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Letkiewicz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Lilian Y Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lija M K Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lynne Lieberman
- Northwell Health, Center for Traumatic Stress, Resilience, and Recovery, Glen Oaks, NY, USA
| | - Kevin J Hsu
- Department of Psychological and Social Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, Abington, PA, USA
| | - Stewart A Shankman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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6
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Galinsky AD, Turek A, Agarwal G, Anicich EM, Rucker DD, Bowles HR, Liberman N, Levin C, Magee JC. Are many sex/gender differences really power differences? PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae025. [PMID: 38415218 PMCID: PMC10898859 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
This research addresses the long-standing debate about the determinants of sex/gender differences. Evolutionary theorists trace many sex/gender differences back to natural selection and sex-specific adaptations. Sociocultural and biosocial theorists, in contrast, emphasize how societal roles and social power contribute to sex/gender differences beyond any biological distinctions. By connecting two empirical advances over the past two decades-6-fold increases in sex/gender difference meta-analyses and in experiments conducted on the psychological effects of power-the current research offers a novel empirical examination of whether power differences play an explanatory role in sex/gender differences. Our analyses assessed whether experimental manipulations of power and sex/gender differences produce similar psychological and behavioral effects. We first identified 59 findings from published experiments on power. We then conducted a P-curve of the experimental power literature and established that it contained evidential value. We next subsumed these effects of power into 11 broad categories and compared them to 102 similar meta-analytic sex/gender differences. We found that high-power individuals and men generally display higher agency, lower communion, more positive self-evaluations, and similar cognitive processes. Overall, 71% (72/102) of the sex/gender differences were consistent with the effects of experimental power differences, whereas only 8% (8/102) were opposite, representing a 9:1 ratio of consistent-to-inconsistent effects. We also tested for discriminant validity by analyzing whether power corresponds more strongly to sex/gender differences than extraversion: although extraversion correlates with power, it has different relationships with sex/gender differences. These results offer novel evidence that many sex/gender differences may be explained, in part, by power differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Galinsky
- Management Division, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Aurora Turek
- Organizational Behavior Unit, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02163, USA
| | - Grusha Agarwal
- Organizational Behaviour & Human Resource Management Department, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Eric M Anicich
- Management & Organization Department, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Derek D Rucker
- Marketing Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Hannah R Bowles
- Organizational Behavior Unit, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02163, USA
| | - Nira Liberman
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Chloe Levin
- Management Division, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Joe C Magee
- Management & Organizations Department, New York University, New York City, NY 10012, USA
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7
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Rónai L, Hann F, Kéri S, Ettinger U, Polner B. Emotions under control? Better cognitive control is associated with reduced negative emotionality but increased negative emotional reactivity within individuals. Behav Res Ther 2024; 173:104462. [PMID: 38159416 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Associations between impaired cognitive control and maladaptive emotion regulation have been extensively studied between individuals. However, it remains unclear if this relationship holds within individuals. In this study, we tested the assumption that momentary within-person fluctuation in cognitive control (working memory updating and response inhibition) is associated with emotional reactivity in everyday life. We conducted an experience sampling study (eight two-hourly prompts daily) where participants repeatedly performed short 2-back and Go/no-go tasks in daily life. We assessed negative and positive affective states, and unpleasantness of a recent event to capture emotional reactivity. We analyzed two overlapping samples: a Go/no-go and a 2-back dataset (N = 161/158). Our results showed that better momentary working memory updating was associated with decreased negative affect if the recent event was on average unpleasant for the given individual. However, better-than-average working memory updating in interaction with higher event-unpleasantness predicted higher negative affect levels (i.e., higher negative emotional reactivity). These findings may challenge the account of better cognitive control being universally related to adaptive emotion regulation. Although it is unlikely that emotional reactivity boosts working memory, future studies should establish the direction of causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levente Rónai
- Department of Cognitive Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Flóra Hann
- Department of Cognitive Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Kéri
- Department of Cognitive Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary; National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery - Nyírő Gyula Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Bertalan Polner
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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8
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Doucette MM, Sánchez Escudero JP, Rhodes RE, Garcia-Barrera MA. Associations of physical activity and history of sports participation with subjective and objective measures of executive functioning in university students. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38227929 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2299414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
This study examined how physical activity and history of sports participation affect subjective and objective executive functioning in university students. A total of 215 university students aged 18-25 (81% female) completed a virtual assessment of executive function. The correlates were age, sex, physical activity, and history of sports participation. Structural equation modeling was used to examine objective executive function using a three-factor model (shifting, updating, inhibition). The Executive Function Index (EFI) was used to measure subjective executive functioning, and linear regression was used to examine total EFI scores. Physical activity (b = 0.12, p < .01) was a significant correlate of subjective but not objective executive functioning. Male sex and history of sports participation were significantly positively related to the objective measure of inhibition (b = 0.64, p < .01; b = 0.18, p < .05). These findings suggest that subjective and objective measures of executive functioning should be differentiated when investigating their relationship with physical activity and history of sports participation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ryan E Rhodes
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
- Department of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
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9
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Palamarchuk IS, Slavich GM, Vaillancourt T, Rajji TK. Stress-related cellular pathophysiology as a crosstalk risk factor for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:65. [PMID: 38087196 PMCID: PMC10714507 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00831-2] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we examine biological processes linking psychological stress and cognition, with a focus on how psychological stress can activate multiple neurobiological mechanisms that drive cognitive decline and behavioral change. First, we describe the general neurobiology of the stress response to define neurocognitive stress reactivity. Second, we review aspects of epigenetic regulation, synaptic transmission, sex hormones, photoperiodic plasticity, and psychoneuroimmunological processes that can contribute to cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric conditions. Third, we explain mechanistic processes linking the stress response and neuropathology. Fourth, we discuss molecular nuances such as an interplay between kinases and proteins, as well as differential role of sex hormones, that can increase vulnerability to cognitive and emotional dysregulation following stress. Finally, we explicate several testable hypotheses for stress, neurocognitive, and neuropsychiatric research. Together, this work highlights how stress processes alter neurophysiology on multiple levels to increase individuals' risk for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders, and points toward novel therapeutic targets for mitigating these effects. The resulting models can thus advance dementia and mental health research, and translational neuroscience, with an eye toward clinical application in cognitive and behavioral neurology, and psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna S Palamarchuk
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Division of Neurology, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tracy Vaillancourt
- Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tarek K Rajji
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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10
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Zelco A, Wapeesittipan P, Joshi A. Insights into Sex and Gender Differences in Brain and Psychopathologies Using Big Data. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1676. [PMID: 37629533 PMCID: PMC10455614 DOI: 10.3390/life13081676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The societal implication of sex and gender (SG) differences in brain are profound, as they influence brain development, behavior, and importantly, the presentation, prevalence, and therapeutic response to diseases. Technological advances have enabled speed up identification and characterization of SG differences during development and in psychopathologies. The main aim of this review is to elaborate on new technological advancements, such as genomics, imaging, and emerging biobanks, coupled with bioinformatics analyses of data generated from these technologies have facilitated the identification and characterization of SG differences in the human brain through development and psychopathologies. First, a brief explanation of SG concepts is provided, along with a developmental and evolutionary context. We then describe physiological SG differences in brain activity and function, and in psychopathologies identified through imaging techniques. We further provide an overview of insights into SG differences using genomics, specifically taking advantage of large cohorts and biobanks. We finally emphasize how bioinformatics analyses of big data generated by emerging technologies provides new opportunities to reduce SG disparities in health outcomes, including major challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anagha Joshi
- Department of Clinical Science, Computational Biology Unit, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway; (A.Z.); (P.W.)
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11
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Hall AM, Keil AP, Choi G, Ramos AM, Richardson DB, Olshan AF, Martin CL, Villanger GD, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Zeiner P, Øvergaard KR, Sakhi AK, Thomsen C, Aase H, Engel SM. Prenatal organophosphate ester exposure and executive function in Norwegian preschoolers. Environ Epidemiol 2023; 7:e251. [PMID: 37304339 PMCID: PMC10256412 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are ubiquitous chemicals, used as flame retardants and plasticizers. OPE usage has increased over time as a substitute for other controlled compounds. This study investigates the impact of prenatal OPE exposure on executive function (EF) in preschoolers. Methods We selected 340 preschoolers from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study. Diphenyl-phosphate (DPhP), di-n-butyl-phosphate (DnBP), bis(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (BBOEP), and bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) were measured in maternal urine. EF was measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Preschool (BRIEF-P) and the Stanford-Binet fifth edition (SB-5). EF scores were scaled so a higher score indicated worse performance. We estimated exposure-outcome associations and evaluated modification by child sex using linear regression. Results Higher DnBP was associated with lower EF scores across multiple rater-based domains. Higher DPhP and BDCIPP were associated with lower SB-5 verbal working memory (β = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.12, 0.87; β = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.08, 1.02), and higher BBOEP was associated with lower teacher-rated inhibition (β = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.63). DPhP was associated with lower parent-reported BRIEF-P measures in boys but not girls [inhibition: boys: 0.37 (95% CI = 0.03, 0.93); girls: -0.48 (95% CI = -1.27, 0.19); emotional control: boys: 0.44 (95% CI = -0.13, 1.26); girls: -0.83 (95% CI = -1.73, -0.00); working memory: boys: 0.49 (95% CI = 0.03, 1.08); girls: -0.40 (95% CI = -1.11, 0.36)]. Fewer sex interactions were observed for DnBP, BBOEP, and BDCIPP, with irregular patterns observed across EF domains. Conclusions We found some evidence prenatal OPE exposure may impact EF in preschoolers and variation in associations by sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber M. Hall
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Alexander P. Keil
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Giehae Choi
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Amanda M. Ramos
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - David B. Richardson
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Andrew F. Olshan
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Chantel L. Martin
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Gro D. Villanger
- Department of Child Health and Development, Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mental Disorders, Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Zeiner
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin R. Øvergaard
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Amrit K. Sakhi
- Department of Food Safety, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Food Safety, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidi Aase
- Department of Child Health and Development, Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie M. Engel
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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12
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Balters S, Miller JG, Li R, Hawthorne G, Reiss AL. Virtual (Zoom) Interactions Alter Conversational Behavior and Interbrain Coherence. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2568-2578. [PMID: 36868852 PMCID: PMC10082458 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1401-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing number of social interactions are taking place virtually on videoconferencing platforms. Here, we explore potential effects of virtual interactions on observed behavior, subjective experience, and neural "single-brain" and "interbrain" activity via functional near-infrared spectroscopy neuroimaging. We scanned a total of 36 human dyads (72 participants, 36 males, 36 females) who engaged in three naturalistic tasks (i.e., problem-solving, creative-innovation, socio-emotional task) in either an in-person or virtual (Zoom) condition. We also coded cooperative behavior from audio recordings. We observed reduced conversational turn-taking behavior during the virtual condition. Given that conversational turn-taking was associated with other metrics of positive social interaction (e.g., subjective cooperation and task performance), this measure may be an indicator of prosocial interaction. In addition, we observed altered patterns of averaged and dynamic interbrain coherence in virtual interactions. Interbrain coherence patterns that were characteristic of the virtual condition were associated with reduced conversational turn-taking. These insights can inform the design and engineering of the next generation of videoconferencing technology.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Videoconferencing has become an integral part of our lives. Whether this technology impacts behavior and neurobiology is not well understood. We explored potential effects of virtual interaction on social behavior, brain activity, and interbrain coupling. We found that virtual interactions were characterized by patterns of interbrain coupling that were negatively implicated in cooperation. Our findings are consistent with the perspective that videoconferencing technology adversely affects individuals and dyads during social interaction. As virtual interactions become even more necessary, improving the design of videoconferencing technology will be crucial for supporting effective communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Balters
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Jonas G Miller
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Rihui Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Grace Hawthorne
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Allan L Reiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
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13
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O'Shea DM, Alaimo H, Davis JD, Galvin JE, Tremont G. A comparison of cognitive performances based on differing rates of DNA methylation GrimAge acceleration among older men and women. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 123:83-91. [PMID: 36641830 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.12.011] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive heterogeneity increases with age rendering sex differences difficult to identify. Given established sex differences in biological aging, we examined whether comparisons of men and women on neuropsychological test performances differed as a function of age rate. Data were obtained from 1921 adults enrolled in the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. The residual from regressing the DNA methylation GrimAge clock on chronological age was used as the measure of aging rate. Slow and fast age rates were predefined as 1 standard deviation below or above the sex-specific mean rates, respectively. ANCOVAs were used to test group differences in test performances. Pairwise comparisons revealed that slow aging men outperformed fast aging women (and vice versa) on measures of executive function/speed, visual memory and semantic fluency; however, when groups were matched by aging rates, no significant differences remained. In contrast, women, regardless of their aging rates, education or depressive symptoms maintained their advantage on verbal learning and memory. Implications for research on sex differences in cognitive aging are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre M O'Shea
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA; Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
| | | | - Jennifer D Davis
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - James E Galvin
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Geoffrey Tremont
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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14
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Hall PA, Ayaz H, Meng G, Hudson A, Sakib MN, Quah AC, Agar TK, Lee JA, Boudreau C, Fong GT. Neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms following infection with COVID-19: Evidence from laboratory and population studies. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 28:100595. [PMID: 36713476 PMCID: PMC9870612 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of the current investigation was to examine associations between symptomatic COVID-19 history, neurocognitive function, and psychiatric symptoms using cognitive task performance, functional brain imaging, and a prospective population survey. Methods Study 1 was a laboratory study conducted between 3 May 2022 and 16 Nov 2022 involving 120 fully vaccinated community dwelling adults between 18 and 84 years of age (Mage = 31.96 (SD = 20.71), 63.3% female). In this cross-sectional study we examined the association between symptomatic COVID-19 infection history and performance on three computer tasks assessing cognitive function (Flanker interference, delay discounting and simple reaction time) and measured oxygen saturation within the prefrontal cortex using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Study 2 was a 2-wave population survey undertaken between 28 September 2021 and 21 March 2022, examining the prospective relationship between symptomatic COVID-19 and self-reported symptoms of cognitive dysfunction, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and agitation at 6-month follow up. The sample (N = 2,002, M age = 37.0, SD = 10.4; 60.8% female) was collected using a quota process to ensure equal numbers of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Structural equation modelling with latent variables was performed on the population-level data, evaluating the fit of the proposed mediational model of symptomatic COVID-19 to psychiatric symptoms through cognitive dysfunction. Results Findings from Study 1 revealed significant effects of symptomatic COVID-19 history on Flanker interference and delay discounting. Effects on flanker performance were significantly stronger among older adult women (effect: 9.603, SE = 4.452, t = 2.157, p = .033), and were accompanied by task-related changes cerebral oxygenation at the right superior frontal gyrus (F (1, 143.1) = 4.729, p = .031). Additionally, those with a symptomatic COVID-19 infection history showed evidence of amplified delay discounting (coefficient = 0.4554, SE = 0.2208, t = 2.0629, p = .041). In Study 2, baseline symptomatic COVID-19 history was associated with self-reported cognitive dysfunction and a latent variable reflecting psychiatric symptoms of anxiety, depression and agitation at follow-up. Mediational analyses revealed evidence of cognitive mediation of clinically significant psychiatric outcomes: depression (indirect effect = 0.077, SE = 0.026, p = .003) and generalized anxiety (indirect effect = 0.060, SE = 0.021, p = .004). Conclusions Converging findings from laboratory and population survey data support the conclusion that symptomatic COVID-19 infection is associated with task-related, functional imaging and self-reported indices of cognitive dysfunction as well as psychiatric symptoms. In some cases, these findings appear to be more amplified among women than men, and among older women than younger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Hall
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,Corresponding author. University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Hasan Ayaz
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, United States,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Drexel Solutions Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Gang Meng
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Anna Hudson
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Mohammad N. Sakib
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Anne C.K. Quah
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Thomas K. Agar
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Jessica A. Lee
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Christian Boudreau
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Geoffrey T. Fong
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Zurek G, Lenart D, Lachowicz M, Zebrowski K, Jamro D. Factors Influencing the Executive Functions of Male and Female Cadets. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:17043. [PMID: 36554935 PMCID: PMC9779467 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192417043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Executive functions (EFs) are related to human abilities that allow individuals to achieve planned goals, contribute to creativity and the analysis of new ideas, and allow for adaptation to new situations in daily life. Thorough analyses of the factors affecting EFs can aid in the development of appropriate training programs for various social and professional groups, including the military. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting the EFs of cadets (18 women and 108 men) studying at a military academy in Poland after the first and second terms of military training, and to investigate gender differences in the level of EFs, shooting performance (SP), and components of physical fitness (PF). The Neuropsychological Color Trails Test (CTT-2) was used to determine some of the EFs of the test subjects. Meanwhile, the level of SP was represented by the score achieved during marksmanship training implemented during military training. Assessment of the subjects' PF was guided by the principles of the Health-Related Fitness assessment concept, i.e., health-related fitness. Differences between men and women in specific variables were calculated using the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples, whilst the relationship between variables was analyzed using the best subset regression method. The results revealed that cadets' EFs were influenced by their SP and their level of strength. However, there were no significant differences between male and female cadets in the levels of EFs or SP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Zurek
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Lenart
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Lachowicz
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Zebrowski
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Jamro
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland
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16
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Babarro I, Ibarluzea J, Theodorsson E, Fano E, Lebeña A, Guxens M, Sunyer J, Andiarena A. Hair cortisol as a biomarker of chronic stress in preadolescents: influence of school context and bullying. Child Neuropsychol 2022:1-18. [PMID: 36036166 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2022.2115991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Bullying has been identified as the most common form of aggression and a major source of stress among children and adolescents. The main objective of this study was to analyze the association that school context in general and bullying in particular might have with hair cortisol concentration (HCC), examining the effect of executive function and sex on this association. The study included 659 11-year-old preadolescents from the cohorts of Gipuzkoa and Sabadell of the INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente-Children and Environment) project. We gathered information about school-related factors (bullying, school environment, problems with peers and academic performance) and executive function (risky decision-making). Hair samples were collected to measure cortisol concentrations and Structural Equation Modeling was used to examine associations between school-related factors, executive function and HCC. Results showed that being involved as a bully/victim was related to higher HCC and, higher HCC was associated with poorer executive function. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the consequences that chronic exposure to a stressful factors may have on preadolescents' health and developmental outcomes. Besides, our results are relevant for designing programs for prevention and intervention, which could modify individual physiological responses to stress and reduce the effects of stress on the health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izaro Babarro
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.,Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jesus Ibarluzea
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.,Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.,Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Health Department of Basque Government, Public Health of Gipuzkoa, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Elvar Theodorsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Clinical Chemistry, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Eduardo Fano
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.,Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Andrea Lebeña
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Clinical Chemistry, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Monica Guxens
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University of Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Roterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University of Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Municipal Institute of Medical Research (IMIM-Hospital del Mar), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ainara Andiarena
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.,Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
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17
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Vilca LW. The moderating role of sex in the relationship between executive functions and academic procrastination in undergraduate students. Front Psychol 2022; 13:928425. [PMID: 36072020 PMCID: PMC9444057 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.928425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine if sex plays a moderating role in the relationship between executive functions and academic procrastination in 106 university students of both genders (28.3% male and 71.7% female) between the ages of 18 and 30 years (M = 19.7; SD = 2.7). The Academic Procrastination Scale and the Neuropsychological Battery of Executive Functions and Frontal Lobes (BANFE-2) were used to measure the variables. The results of the study showed that the degree of prediction of the tasks linked to the orbitomedial cortex (involves the orbitofrontal cortex [OFC] and the medial prefrontal cortex [mPFC]) on academic procrastination is significantly moderated by the sex of the university students (β3 = 0.53; p < 0.01). For men, the estimated effect of the tasks linked to the orbitomedial cortex on the degree of academic procrastination is −0.81. For women, the estimated effect of the tasks linked to the orbitomedial cortex on the degree of academic procrastination is −0.28. In addition, it was shown that sex does not play a moderating role in the relationship between the tasks linked to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and academic procrastination (β3 = 0.12; p > 0.05). It was also determined that sex does not play a moderating role in the relationship between the tasks linked to the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC) and academic procrastination (β3 = 0.05; p > 0.05). It is concluded that only the executive functions associated with the orbitomedial cortex are moderated by the sex of the university students, where the impact of the tasks linked to the orbitomedial cortex on academic procrastination in men is significantly greater than in women.
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18
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Does Hypnotizability Affect Neurovascular Coupling During Cognitive Tasks? Physiol Behav 2022; 257:113915. [PMID: 35843420 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The susceptibility to hypnosis is a very pervasive psychophysiological trait characterized by different attentional abilities, information processing, and cardiovascular control. Since near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a good index of neurovascular coupling, we used it during mental computation (MC) and trail making task (TMT) in 13 healthy low-to-medium (med-lows) and 10 healthy medium-to-high hypnotizable (med-highs) participants classified according to the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale (SHSS), form A, and characterized for the level of proneness to be deeply absorbed in cognitive tasks by the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS). Med-highs reported greater absorption than med-lows. The tissue hemoglobin index (THI) and the tissue oxygenation index (TOI) increased across the tasks only in med-highs who displayed also different time courses of THI and TOI during MC and TMT, which indicates different tasks processing despite the two groups' similar performance. The findings suggest that the med-highs' tissue oxygenation is more finely adjusted to metabolic demands than med-lows'.
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19
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Lucon-Xiccato T. The contribution of executive functions to sex differences in animal cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104705. [PMID: 35605792 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive sex differences have been reported in several vertebrate species, mostly in spatial abilities. Here, I review evidence of sex differences in a family of general cognitive functions that control behaviour and cognition, i.e., executive functions such as cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. Most of this evidence derives from studies in teleost fish. However, analysis of literature from other fields (e.g., biomedicine, genetic, ecology) concerning mammals and birds reveals that more than 40% of species investigated exhibit sex differences in executive functions. Among species, the direction and magnitude of these sex differences vary greatly, even within the same family, suggesting sex-specific selection due to species' reproductive systems and reproductive roles of males and females. Evidence also suggests that sex differences in executive functions might provide males and females highly differentiated cognitive phenotypes. To understand the evolution of cognitive sex differences in vertebrates, future research should consider executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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20
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Jamro D, Zurek G, Dulnik M, Lachowicz M, Lenart D. Executive Function Level in Cadets’ Shooting Performance. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106007. [PMID: 35627544 PMCID: PMC9140879 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Executive functions (EF) are crucial to a person’s unique abilities, enabling one to achieve goals, adapt to new situations and manage social interactions. EF are also very important for the effective performance of military tasks including the shooting performance (SP) of soldiers. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of EF with SP and gender differences in the level of these traits among cadets of the General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces in Wroclaw i.e., 156 persons (19 females and 137 males). The level of EF and processes related to attention was measured with usage of the Color Trails Test (CTT-1 and CTT-2). SP was assessed on the basis of scores from four different small arms and rifle shootings at a fixed target and at emerging targets. The relations between explained and explanatory variables were assessed using Spearman correlation. The variation in the mean values of CTT scores and SP of men and women was compared using the Mann–Whitney U test for independent samples. The results of the present study did not reveal any significant differences between women and men in the level of EF and SP. The key finding of the present study is that the higher SP of males in all shooting events of the study and of females in pistol shooting were significantly correlated with higher executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Jamro
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland; (D.J.); (D.L.)
| | - Grzegorz Zurek
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.D.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Malgorzata Dulnik
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Maciej Lachowicz
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Dariusz Lenart
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland; (D.J.); (D.L.)
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21
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Tejavibulya L, Peterson H, Greene A, Gao S, Rolison M, Noble S, Scheinost D. Large-scale differences in functional organization of left- and right-handed individuals using whole-brain, data-driven analysis of connectivity. Neuroimage 2022; 252:119040. [PMID: 35272202 PMCID: PMC9013515 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Handedness influences differences in lateralization of language areas as well as dominance of motor and somatosensory cortices. However, differences in whole-brain functional connectivity (i.e., functional connectomes) due to handedness have been relatively understudied beyond pre-specified networks of interest. Here, we compared functional connectomes of left- and right-handed individuals at the whole brain level. We explored differences in functional connectivity of previously established regions of interest, and showed differences between primarily left- and primarily right-handed individuals in the motor, somatosensory, and language areas using functional connectivity. We then proceeded to investigate these differences in the whole brain and found that the functional connectivity of left- and right-handed individuals are not specific to networks of interest, but extend across every region of the brain. In particular, we found that connections between and within the cerebellum show distinct patterns of connectivity. To put these effects into context, we show that the effect sizes associated with handedness differences account for a similar amount of individual differences in the connectome as sex differences. Together these results shed light on regions of the brain beyond those traditionally explored that contribute to differences in the functional organization of left- and right-handed individuals and underscore that handedness effects are neurobiologically meaningful in addition to being statistically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Link Tejavibulya
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Hannah Peterson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Abigail Greene
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; MD PhD Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Siyuan Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Max Rolison
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephanie Noble
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dustin Scheinost
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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22
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Chahal R, Ho TC, Miller JG, Borchers LR, Gotlib IH. Sex-specific vulnerability to depressive symptoms across adolescence and during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of the cingulum bundle. JCPP ADVANCES 2022; 2:e12061. [PMID: 35572852 PMCID: PMC9088357 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Females are at higher risk for developing depression during adolescence than are males, particularly during exposure to stressors like the COVID-19 pandemic. Examining structural connections between brain regions involved in executive functioning may advance our understanding of sex biases in stress and depression. Here, we examined the role of the cingulum bundle in differentiating trajectories of depressive symptoms in males and females across adolescence and during the pandemic. Methods In a longitudinal study of 214 youth (121 females; ages 9-13 years at baseline), we examined whether fixel-based properties of the cingulum bundle at baseline predict changes in females' and males' severity of depressive symptoms across four timepoints (4-7 years) in adolescence, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also tested whether cingulum properties predict self-reported resilience and stress during the pandemic. Results Females had lower fiber density and cross-section (FDC) of the cingulum than did males, a neural pattern that predicted greater increases in depressive symptoms, lower resilience, and higher stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cingulum morphometry predicted changes in depressive trajectories in females, but not in males; specifically, females with lower FDC had significant increases in symptoms throughout adolescence, whereas females with higher cingulum FDC did not. Conversely, males had low, stable depressive symptoms throughout adolescence and higher resilience and lower stress during the pandemic compared to females. Higher cingulum FDC predicted higher resilience and lower stress in both sexes. Conclusions In adults, the cingulum has been implicated in sex differences in stress reactivity. We show that in adolescents, the cingulum reflects sex differences in reports of stress and resilience that might contribute to the increased risk of stress-related mood disorders in females. Adolescent females might benefit from cognitive interventions that strengthen the structural properties of the cingulum and increase their perceived resilience during periods of adversity and disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajpreet Chahal
- Department of PsychologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Tiffany C. Ho
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceWeil Institute for NeuroscienceUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jonas G. Miller
- Department of PsychologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Ian H. Gotlib
- Department of PsychologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
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23
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Miyata H, Tani R, Toratani S, Okamoto T. Effects of Tongue Pressure on Cerebral Blood Volume Dynamics: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020296. [PMID: 35204059 PMCID: PMC8870264 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tongue pressure measurement (TPM) is an indicator of oral function. However, the association between tongue pressure and cerebral activation remains unclear. We used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to examine the correlation between cerebral cortex activation and tongue pressure stimulation against the anterior palatal mucosa. We measured voluntary maximum tongue pressure (MTP) using a TPM device; a pressure value of approximately 60% of the MTP was used for the experimental tongue pressure (MTP60%). We examined the effect of oral functional tongue pressure stimulation against the anterior palatal mucosa on cerebral activation using NIRS in 13 adults. Tongue pressure stimulation caused significant changes in cerebral blood flow in some areas compared with controls (p < 0.05). We performed a correlation analysis (p < 0.05) between MTP60% and changes in oxygenated hemoglobin in all 47 NIRS channels. MTP60% triggered activation of the right somatosensory motor area and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and deactivation of the anterior prefrontal cortex (APFC). TPM balloon-probe insertion in the oral cavity activated the bilateral somatosensory motor area and deactivated the wide area of the APFC. Moreover, MTP60% via the TPM balloon probe activated the bilateral somatosensory and motor cortex areas. Tongue pressure stimulation changes cerebral blood flow, and NIRS is useful in investigating the relationship between oral stimulation and brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidemasa Miyata
- Department of Molecular Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Kasumi 1-2-3, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (H.M.); (S.T.)
| | - Ryouji Tani
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital, Kasumi 1-2-3, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-82-257-5665; Fax: +81-82-257-5669
| | - Shigeaki Toratani
- Department of Molecular Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Kasumi 1-2-3, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (H.M.); (S.T.)
| | - Tetsuji Okamoto
- School of Medical Sciences, University of East Asia, 2-1 Ichinomiyagakuenchō, Shimonoseki 751-8503, Japan;
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24
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Trojsi F, Di Nardo F, Caiazzo G, Siciliano M, D’Alvano G, Passaniti C, Russo A, Bonavita S, Cirillo M, Esposito F, Tedeschi G. Between-sex variability of resting state functional brain networks in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1881-1897. [PMID: 34471976 PMCID: PMC8571222 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02413-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [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: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The organization of brain functional connectivity (FC) has been shown to differ between sexes. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by sexual dimorphism, showing sex-specific trends in site of onset, phenotypes, and prognosis. Here, we explored resting state (RS) FC differences within major large-scale functional networks between women and men in a sample of ALS patients, in comparison to healthy controls (HCs). A group-level independent component analysis (ICA) was performed on RS-fMRI time-series enabling spatial and spectral analyses of large-scale RS FC networks in 45 patients with ALS (20 F; 25 M) and 31 HCs (15 F; 16 M) with a focus on sex-related differences. A whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was also performed to highlight atrophy differences. Between-sex comparisons showed: decreased FC in the right middle frontal gyrus and in the precuneus within the default mode network (DMN), in affected men compared to affected women; decreased FC in the right post-central gyrus (sensorimotor network), in the right inferior parietal gyrus (right fronto-parietal network) and increased FC in the anterior cingulate cortex and right insula (salience network), in both affected and non-affected men compared to women. When comparing affected men to affected women, VBM analysis revealed atrophy in men in the right lateral occipital cortex. Our results suggest that in ALS sex-related trends of brain functional and structural changes are more heavily represented in DMN and in the occipital cortex, suggesting that sex is an additional dimension of functional and structural heterogeneity in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Trojsi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Di Nardo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Caiazzo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Mattia Siciliano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia D’Alvano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Passaniti
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Russo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Bonavita
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Cirillo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, MRI Research Center SUN-FISM, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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