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Silva AE, Harding JE, Chakraborty A, Dai DW, Gamble GD, McKinlay CJD, Nivins S, Shah R, Thompson B. Associations Between Autism Spectrum Quotient and Integration of Visual Stimuli in 9-year-old Children: Preliminary Evidence of Sex Differences. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:2987-2997. [PMID: 37344731 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06035-1] [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] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The dorsal stream vulnerability hypothesis posits that the dorsal stream, responsible for visual motion and visuo-motor processing, may be particularly vulnerable during neurodevelopment. Consistent with this, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been associated with deficits in global motion integration, though deficits in ventral stream tasks, such as form identification, have also been reported. In the current study, we examined whether a similar pattern of results is found in a cohort of 381 children born with neurodevelopmental risk factors and exhibiting a wide spectrum of caregiver-reported autistic traits. METHODS We examined the associations between global motion perception, global form perception, fine motor function, visual-motor integration, and autistic traits (autism spectrum quotient, AQ) using linear regression, accounting for possible interactions with sex and other factors relevant to neurodevelopment. RESULTS All assessments of dorsal stream function were significantly associated with AQ such that worse performance predicted higher AQ scores. We also observed a significant sex interaction, with worse global form perception associated with higher AQ in boys (n = 202) but not girls (n = 179). CONCLUSION We found widespread associations between dorsal stream functions and autistic traits. These associations were observed in a large group of children with a range of AQ scores, demonstrating a range of visual function across the full spectrum of autistic traits. In addition, ventral function was associated with AQ in boys but not girls. Sex differences in the associations between visual processing and neurodevelopment should be considered in the designs of future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Silva
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
| | - Jane E Harding
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Arijit Chakraborty
- Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Darren W Dai
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Greg D Gamble
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Christopher J D McKinlay
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Kidz First Neonatal Care, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Samson Nivins
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rajesh Shah
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research Limited, 17W Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong
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2
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Manning C. Visual processing and decision-making in autism and dyslexia: Insights from cross-syndrome approaches. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2024:17470218241264627. [PMID: 38876999 DOI: 10.1177/17470218241264627] [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: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Atypical visual processing has been reported in developmental conditions like autism and dyslexia, and some accounts propose a causal role for visual processing in the development of these conditions. However, few studies make direct comparisons between conditions, or use sufficiently sensitive methods, meaning that it is hard to say whether atypical visual processing tells us anything specific about these conditions, or whether it reflects a more general marker of atypical development. Here I review findings from two computational modelling approaches (equivalent noise and diffusion modelling) and related electroencephalography (EEG) indices which we have applied to data from autistic, dyslexic and typically developing children to reveal how the component processes involved in visual processing and decision-making are altered in autism and dyslexia. The results identify both areas of convergence and divergence in autistic and dyslexic children's visual processing and decision-making, with implications for influential theoretical accounts such as weak central coherence, increased internal noise, and dorsal-stream vulnerability. In both sets of studies, we also see considerable variability across children in all three groups. To better understand this variability, and further understand the convergence and divergence identified between conditions, future studies would benefit from studying how the component processes reviewed here relate to transdiagnostic dimensions, which will also give insights into individual differences in visual processing and decision-making more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Manning
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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3
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Bernardi FR, Lucion MK, Dalle Mole R, Machado TD, Loreto BBL, Farias BL, Reis TM, Reis RS, Bigonha SM, Peluzio MDCG, Arcego DM, Dalmaz C, Silveira PP. Relationship between maternal biological features, environmental factors, and newborn neuromotor development associated with visual fixation abilities. Brain Cogn 2024; 180:106202. [PMID: 38991360 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2024.106202] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Newborn visual fixation abilities predict future cognitive, perceptive, and motor skills. However, little is known about the factors associated with the newborn visual fixation, which is an indicator of neurocognitive abilities. We analyzed maternal biological and environmental characteristics associated with fine motor skills (visual tracking) in 1 month old infants. Fifty-one infants were tested on visual tracking tasks (Infant Visuomotor Behavior Assessment Scale/ Guide for the Assessment of Visual Ability in Infants) and classified according to visual conducts scores. Differences between groups were compared considering motor development (Alberta Infant Motor Scale) maternal mental health (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale); home environment (Affordances in the Home Environment for Development Scale); maternal care (Coding Interactive Behavior); breastmilk composition (total fatty acids, proteins, and cortisol); and maternal metabolic profile (serum hormones and interleukins). Mothers of infants with lower visual fixation scores had higher levels of protein in breastmilk at 3 months. Mothers of infants with better visual conduct scores had higher serum levels of T4 (at 1 month) and prolactin (at 3 months). There were no associations between visual ability and motor development, home environment, or maternal care. Early newborn neuromotor development, especially visual and fine motor skills, is associated with maternal biological characteristics (metabolic factors and breastmilk composition), highlighting the importance of early detection of maternal metabolic changes for the healthy neurodevelopment of newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Rombaldi Bernardi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal do Hospital Universitário Polydoro Ernani de São Thiago, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, EBSERH, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Marta Knijnik Lucion
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Roberta Dalle Mole
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tania Diniz Machado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Bruna Luciano Farias
- Faculdade de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Madeira Reis
- Faculdade de Biomedicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Roberta Sena Reis
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Solange Mara Bigonha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Nutrição, Departamento de Nutrição e Saúde, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Maria do Carmo Gouveia Peluzio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Nutrição, Departamento de Nutrição e Saúde, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Danusa Mar Arcego
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carla Dalmaz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Pelufo Silveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University and Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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4
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Mascheretti S, Arrigoni F, Toraldo A, Giubergia A, Andreola C, Villa M, Lampis V, Giorda R, Villa M, Peruzzo D. Alterations in neural activation in the ventral frontoparietal network during complex magnocellular stimuli in developmental dyslexia associated with READ1 deletion. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2024; 20:16. [PMID: 38926731 PMCID: PMC11210179 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-024-00241-2] [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] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An intronic deletion within intron 2 of the DCDC2 gene encompassing the entire READ1 (hereafter, READ1d) has been associated in both children with developmental dyslexia (DD) and typical readers (TRs), with interindividual variation in reading performance and motion perception as well as with structural and functional brain alterations. Visual motion perception -- specifically processed by the magnocellular (M) stream -- has been reported to be a solid and reliable endophenotype of DD. Hence, we predicted that READ1d should affect neural activations in brain regions sensitive to M stream demands as reading proficiency changes. METHODS We investigated neural activations during two M-eliciting fMRI visual tasks (full-field sinusoidal gratings controlled for spatial and temporal frequencies and luminance contrast, and sensitivity to motion coherence at 6%, 15% and 40% dot coherence levels) in four subject groups: children with DD with/without READ1d, and TRs with/without READ1d. RESULTS At the Bonferroni-corrected level of significance, reading skills showed a significant effect in the right polar frontal cortex during the full-field sinusoidal gratings-M task. Regardless of the presence/absence of the READ1d, subjects with poor reading proficiency showed hyperactivation in this region of interest (ROI) compared to subjects with better reading scores. Moreover, a significant interaction was found between READ1d and reading performance in the left frontal opercular area 4 during the 15% coherent motion sensitivity task. Among subjects with poor reading performance, neural activation in this ROI during this specific task was higher for subjects without READ1d than for READ1d carriers. The difference vanished as reading skills increased. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed a READ1d-moderated genetic vulnerability to alterations in neural activation in the ventral attentive and salient networks during the processing of relevant stimuli in subjects with poor reading proficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mascheretti
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta, 6, Pavia (PV), 27100, PV, Italy.
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini (LC), Italy.
| | - Filippo Arrigoni
- Radiology and Neuroradiology Department, Children's Hospital V. Buzzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessio Toraldo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta, 6, Pavia (PV), 27100, PV, Italy
- Milan Centre for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Giubergia
- Neuroimaging Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini (LC), Italy
| | | | - Martina Villa
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- The Connecticut Institute for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Yale Child Study Center Language Sciences Consortium, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Valentina Lampis
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta, 6, Pavia (PV), 27100, PV, Italy
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini (LC), Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini (LC), Italy
| | - Marco Villa
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini (LC), Italy
| | - Denis Peruzzo
- Neuroimaging Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini (LC), Italy
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5
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Anderson EM, Candy TR, Gold JM, Smith LB. An edge-simplicity bias in the visual input to young infants. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj8571. [PMID: 38728400 PMCID: PMC11086614 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj8571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The development of sparse edge coding in the mammalian visual cortex depends on early visual experience. In humans, there are multiple indicators that the statistics of early visual experiences has unique properties that may support these developments. However, there are no direct measures of the edge statistics of infant daily-life experience. Using head-mounted cameras to capture egocentric images of young infants and adults in the home, we found infant images to have distinct edge statistics relative to adults. For infants, scenes with sparse edge patterns-few edges and few orientations-dominate. The findings implicate biased early input at the scale of daily life that is likely specific to the early months after birth and provide insights into the quality, amount, and timing of the visual experiences during the foundational developmental period for human vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M. Anderson
- Psychological and Brain Sciences Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - T. Rowan Candy
- School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Jason M. Gold
- Psychological and Brain Sciences Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Linda B. Smith
- Psychological and Brain Sciences Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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6
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Pamir Z, Manley CE, Bauer CM, Bex PJ, Dilks DD, Merabet LB. Visuospatial processing in early brain-based visual impairment is associated with differential recruitment of dorsal and ventral visual streams. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae203. [PMID: 38795357 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae203] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Visuospatial processing impairments are prevalent in individuals with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and are typically ascribed to "dorsal stream dysfunction" (DSD). However, the contribution of other cortical regions, including early visual cortex (EVC), frontal cortex, or the ventral visual stream, to such impairments remains unknown. Thus, here, we examined fMRI activity in these regions, while individuals with CVI (and neurotypicals) performed a visual search task within a dynamic naturalistic scene. First, behavioral performance was measured with eye tracking. Participants were instructed to search and follow a walking human target. CVI participants took significantly longer to find the target, and their eye gaze patterns were less accurate and less precise. Second, we used the same task in the MRI scanner. Along the dorsal stream, activation was reduced in CVI participants, consistent with the proposed DSD in CVI. Intriguingly, however, visual areas along the ventral stream showed the complete opposite pattern, with greater activation in CVI participants. In contrast, we found no differences in either EVC or frontal cortex between groups. These results suggest that the impaired visuospatial processing abilities in CVI are associated with differential recruitment of the dorsal and ventral visual streams, likely resulting from impaired selective attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahide Pamir
- Department of Psychology & Department of Neuroscience, Bilkent University, Üniversiteler, Çankaya/Ankara 06800, Turkey
- Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Center, Bilkent University, Üniversiteler, Çankaya/Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Claire E Manley
- The Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Corinna M Bauer
- Lab for Neuroimaging and Vision Science, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua St. Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Peter J Bex
- The Translational Vision Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, 105-107 Forsyth St #125, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Daniel D Dilks
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lotfi B Merabet
- The Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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7
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Wang W, Li H, Wang Y, Liu L, Qian Q. Changes in effective connectivity during the visual-motor integration tasks: a preliminary f-NIRS study. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2024; 20:4. [PMID: 38468270 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-024-00232-3] [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] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visual-motor integration (VMI) is an essential skill in daily life. The present study aimed to use functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology to explore the effective connectivity (EC) changes among brain regions during VMI activities of varying difficulty levels. METHODS A total of 17 healthy participants were recruited for the study. Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A), and Beery VMI test were used to evaluate attention performance, executive function, and VMI performance. Granger causality analysis was performed for the VMI task data to obtain the EC matrix for all participants. One-way ANOVA analysis was used to identify VMI load-dependent EC values among different task difficulty levels from brain network and channel perspectives, and partial correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between VMI load-dependent EC values and behavioral performance. RESULTS We found that the EC values of dorsal attention network (DAN) → default mode network (DMN), DAN → ventral attention network (VAN), DAN → frontoparietal network (FPN), and DAN → somatomotor network (SMN) in the complex condition were higher than those in the simple and moderate conditions. Further channel analyses indicated that the EC values of the right superior parietal lobule (SPL) → right superior frontal gyrus (SFG), right middle occipital gyrus (MOG) → left SFG, and right MOG → right postcentral gyrus (PCG) in the complex condition were higher than those in the simple and moderate conditions. Subsequent partial correlation analysis revealed that the EC values from DAN to DMN, VAN, and SMN were positively correlated with executive function and VMI performance. Furthermore, the EC values of right MOG → left SFG and right MOG → right PCG were positively correlated with attention performance. CONCLUSIONS The DAN is actively involved during the VMI task and thus may play a critical role in VMI processes, in which two key brain regions (right SPL, right MOG) may contribute to the EC changes in response to increasing VMI load. Meanwhile, bilateral SFG and right PCG may also be closely related to the VMI performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchen Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, 100191, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Haimei Li
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, 100191, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, 100191, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, 100191, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Qiujin Qian
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, 100191, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
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Kéri S, Kelemen O. Motion and Form Perception in Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia. Pediatr Rep 2024; 16:88-99. [PMID: 38251318 PMCID: PMC10801474 DOI: 10.3390/pediatric16010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) is a rare type of psychotic disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, grossly disorganized behavior, and poor psychosocial functioning. The etiology of COS is unknown, but neurodevelopmental factors are likely to play a critical role. A potential neurodevelopmental anomaly marker is the dorsal visual system dysfunction, which is implicated in motion perception, spatial functions, and attention. (2) Methods: To elucidate the role of the dorsal visual system in COS, we investigated 21 patients with COS and 21 control participants matched for age, sex, education, IQ, and parental socioeconomic status. Participants completed a motion and form coherence task, during which one assesses an individual's ability to detect the direction of motion within a field of moving elements or dots and to recognize a meaningful form or object from a set of fragmented or disconnected visual elements, respectively. (3) Results: The patients with COS were impaired in both visual tasks compared to the control participants, but the evidence for the deficit was more substantial for motion perception than for form perception (form: BF10 = 27.22; motion: BF10 = 6.97 × 106). (4) Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of dorsal visual stream vulnerability in COS, a potential marker of neurodevelopmental anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabolcs Kéri
- Sztárai Institute, University of Tokaj, 3944 Sárospatak, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Oguz Kelemen
- Department of Behavioral Science, Albert Szent Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
- Department of Psychiatry, Bács-Kiskun County Hospital, 6000 Kecskemét, Hungary
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Ahmad Z, Kelly KR, Freud E. Reduced perception-action dissociation in children with amblyopia. Neuropsychologia 2023; 191:108738. [PMID: 38007150 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108738] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
The functional distinction between vision-for-perception and vision-for-action is a key aspect of understanding the primate visual system. While this dissociation has been well-established in adulthood, its development and dependence on typical visual experience remain unclear. To address these questions, we examined two groups of children: typically developed children and those with amblyopia, who presumably have a sub-optimal visual experience. The Ponzo illusion, known to impact perception but not visuomotor behaviors across age groups, was employed to assess the extent of dissociation. Participants engaged in two tasks involving the Ponzo illusion: a grasping task (vision-for-action) and a manual estimation task (vision-for-perception), with objects placed on the "close" and "far" surfaces of the illusion. Typically developed children displayed grasping movements that were unaffected by the illusion, as their grasping apertures were scaled based on object size, independent of its location. In contrast, children with amblyopia exhibited a clear susceptibility to the illusion, showing larger apertures for objects placed on the 'far' surface of the illusion, and smaller apertures for objects placed on the 'close' surface. Interestingly, both groups of children demonstrated similar susceptibility to the illusion during the perceptual task, with objects placed on the far surface being perceived as longer compared to objects placed on the close surface. These findings shed light on the impact of atypical visual development on the emergence of the dissociation between perception and action, highlighting the crucial role of typical visual experience in establishing this distinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoha Ahmad
- Department of Biology, York University, Canada; The Centre for Vision Research, York University, Canada.
| | - Krista R Kelly
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Canada; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, USA
| | - Erez Freud
- The Centre for Vision Research, York University, Canada; Department of Psychology, York University, Canada
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10
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Merabet LB, Manley CE, Pamir Z, Bauer CM, Skerswetat J, Bex PJ. Motion and form coherence processing in individuals with cerebral visual impairment. Dev Med Child Neurol 2023; 65:1379-1386. [PMID: 37012700 PMCID: PMC10795851 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM Using a visual psychophysical paradigm, we sought to assess motion and form coherence thresholds as indices of dorsal and ventral visual stream processing respectively, in individuals with cerebral visual impairment (CVI). We also explored potential associations between psychophysical assessments and brain lesion severity in CVI. METHOD Twenty individuals previously diagnosed with CVI (mean age = 17 years 11 months [SD 5 years 10 months]; mean Verbal IQ = 86.42 [SD 35.85]) and 30 individuals with neurotypical development (mean age = 20 years 1 month [SD 3 years 8 months]; mean Verbal IQ = 110.05 [SD 19.34]) participated in the study. In this two-group comparison, cross-sectional study design, global motion, and form pattern coherence thresholds were assessed using a computerized, generalizable, self-administrable, and response-adaptive psychophysical paradigm called FInD (Foraging Interactive D-prime). RESULTS Consistent with dorsal stream dysfunction, mean global motion (but not form) coherence thresholds were significantly higher in individuals with CVI compared to controls. No statistically significant association was found between coherence thresholds and lesion severity. INTERPRETATION These results suggest that the objective assessment of motion and form coherence threshold sensitivities using this psychophysical paradigm may be useful in helping to characterize perceptual deficits and the complex clinical profile of CVI. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS In participants with cerebral visual impairment (CVI), motion (but not form) coherence thresholds were significantly higher compared to controls. These psychophysical results support the notion of dorsal stream dysfunction in CVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotfi B. Merabet
- The Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claire E. Manley
- The Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zahide Pamir
- The Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Bilkent University, Department of Psychology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Corinna M. Bauer
- Lab for Neuroimaging and Vision Science, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jan Skerswetat
- Translational Vision Lab, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter J. Bex
- Translational Vision Lab, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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11
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Fakheir Y, Khalil R. The effects of abnormal visual experience on neurodevelopmental disorders. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22408. [PMID: 37607893 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22408] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Normal visual development is supported by intrinsic neurobiological mechanisms and by appropriate stimulation from the environment, both of which facilitate the maturation of visual functions. However, an offset of this balance can give rise to visual disorders. Therefore, understanding the factors that support normal vision during development and in the mature brain is important, as vision guides movement, enables social interaction, and allows children to recognize and understand their environment. In this paper, we review fundamental mechanisms that support the maturation of visual functions and discuss and draw links between the perceptual and neurobiological impairments in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. We aim to explore how this is evident in the case of ASD, and how perceptual and neurobiological deficits further degrade social ability. Furthermore, we describe the altered perceptual experience of those with schizophrenia and evaluate theories of the underlying neural deficits that alter perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Fakheir
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Reem Khalil
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
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12
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Hedenius M, Hardiansyah I, Falck-Ytter T. Visual Global Processing and Subsequent Verbal and Non-Verbal Development: An EEG Study of Infants at Elevated versus Low Likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:3700-3709. [PMID: 35353335 PMCID: PMC10465659 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05470-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Hedenius
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Speech-Language Pathology, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 564, 752 37, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Karolinska Institutet Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, CAP Research Centre, Gävlegatan 22, 113 30, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Irzam Hardiansyah
- Karolinska Institutet Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, CAP Research Centre, Gävlegatan 22, 113 30, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Terje Falck-Ytter
- Karolinska Institutet Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, CAP Research Centre, Gävlegatan 22, 113 30, Stockholm, Sweden
- Development and Neurodiversity Lab (DIVE), Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- The Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS), Uppsala, Sweden
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13
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Chokron S, Dutton GN. From vision to cognition: potential contributions of cerebral visual impairment to neurodevelopmental disorders. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:409-424. [PMID: 36547695 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02572-8] [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: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Vision has a crucial role to play in human development and functioning. It is, therefore, not surprising that vision plays a fundamental role in the development of the child. As a consequence, an alteration in visual function is, therefore, likely to hinder the child's development. Although ocular disorders are well known, diagnosed and taken into account, cerebral visual impairments (CVI) resulting from post-chiasmatic damage are largely underdiagnosed. However, among the disorders resulting from an episode of perinatal asphyxia and/or associated with prematurity, or neonatal hypoglycaemia, CVIs are prominent. In this article, we focus on the role of the possible effects of CVI on a child's learning abilities, leading to major difficulty in disentangling the consequences of CVI from other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Although we focus here on the possible overlap between children with CVI and children with other NDD, De Witt et al. (Wit et al. Ear Hear 39:1-19, 2018) have raised exactly the same question regarding children with auditory processing disorders (the equivalent of CVI in the auditory modality). We underline how motor, social and cognitive development as well as academic success can be impaired by CVI and raise the question of the need for systematic evaluation for disorders of vision, visual perception and cognition in all children presenting with a NDD and/or previously born under adverse neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Chokron
- INCC, CNRS, UMR8002, Université de Paris-Cité, Paris, France.
- Institut de Neuropsychologie, Neurovision et Neurocognition, Hôpital-Fondation A. de Rothschild, Paris, France.
| | - Gordon N Dutton
- Department of Vision Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
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14
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Silvestre D, Miseros M, Faubert J, Tullo D, Bertone A. Development of static and dynamic perception for luminance- and texture-defined information from school-ages to adulthood. Vision Res 2022; 200:108103. [PMID: 35870287 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2022.108103] [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: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have assessed the visual development of static and dynamic information processing at different levels of processing during typical development from the school-age years to adulthood. The implication of non-visual factors on visual development, such as cognitive (e.g., IQ) and attentional abilities, has yet to be systematically assessed with regard to spanning such a large age range. To address these voids, 203 typically-developing participants (aged 6 to 31 years) identified the orientation or direction of a static or moving grating defined by either luminance- or texture-contrast. An adaptive staircase procedure was used to measure contrast sensitivity in all four conditions. Cognitive (Wechsler IQ) and attentional ability (CPT-3) were also measured for all participants. Different developmental rates of contrast sensitivity were found between static and dynamic conditions when defined by more complex, texture-defined information, with the difference in sensitivity starting after the age of 9.71 years. However, static and dynamic profiles for luminance-defined information developed similarly with age. In addition, IQ did not correlate with nor predict the sensitivity across any condition. These results suggest age significantly explains the variance in the developmental profiles of contrast sensitivity above and beyond non-visual factors such as IQ and the CPT-3 attentional scores. Moreover, the neural pathways processing static and dynamic visual information continue to develop through late childhood and adolescence for the processing of texture-defined information only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphné Silvestre
- Perceptual Neuroscience Laboratory for Autism and Development, McGill University, Canada.
| | - Margarita Miseros
- Perceptual Neuroscience Laboratory for Autism and Development, McGill University, Canada
| | - Jocelyn Faubert
- Faubert Lab, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Canada
| | - Domenico Tullo
- Perceptual Neuroscience Laboratory for Autism and Development, McGill University, Canada
| | - Armando Bertone
- Perceptual Neuroscience Laboratory for Autism and Development, McGill University, Canada
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15
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Visual tracking at 4 months in preterm infants predicts 6.5-year cognition and attention. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:1082-1089. [PMID: 34949760 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01895-8] [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: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visual tracking of moving objects requires sustained attention and prediction of the object's trajectory. We tested the hypothesis that measures of eye-head tracking of moving objects are associated to long-term neurodevelopment in very preterm infants. METHODS Visual tracking performance was assessed at 4 month's corrected age in 57 infants with gestational age <32 weeks. An object moved in front of the infant with sinusoidal or triangular (i.e. abrupt) turns of the direction. Gaze gain, smooth pursuit gain, and timing of gaze to object motion were analyzed. At 6.5 years the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV), the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder (Brown ADD), and visual examination were performed. RESULTS Gaze gain and smooth pursuit gain at 4 months were strongly related to all WISC-IV parameters at 6.5 years. Gaze gain for the triangular and sinusoidal motion patterns related similarly to the cognitive scores. For the sinusoidal motion pattern, timing related to most Brown ADD parameters. There were no statistically significant differences in associations dependent on motion pattern. Visual function did not influence the results. CONCLUSION The ability to attend to and smoothly track a moving object in infancy is an early marker of cognition and attention at 6.5 years. IMPACT Potential long-term implications of infant visual tracking of moving objects for school-age neurodevelopment has not been previously studied in very preterm infants. Early coordination of eye and head movements in gaze gain, smooth pursuit, and timing of gaze to object motion are closely associated with cognition and attention at 6.5 years. As related functions at 6.5 years include perceptual and verbal skills, working memory, processing speed and attention, predictive elements in gaze tracking of moving objects might be a suitable target for future intervention studies.
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16
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Chow A, Nallour Raveendran R, Erkelens I, Babu R, Thompson B. Increased saccadic latency in Amblyopia: Oculomotor and attentional factors. Vision Res 2022; 197:108059. [DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2022.108059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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17
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Laws ML, Matejko AA, Lozano M, Napoliello E, Eden GF. Dorsal visual stream activity during coherent motion processing is not related to math ability or dyscalculia. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 35:103042. [PMID: 35580422 PMCID: PMC9117688 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Math disability (MD) or developmental dyscalculia is a highly prevalent learning disability involving deficits in computation and arithmetic fact retrieval and is associated with dysfunction of parietal and prefrontal cortices. It has been suggested that dyscalculia (and other learning disabilities and developmental disorders) can be viewed in terms of a broader 'dorsal stream vulnerability,' which could explain a range of dorsal visual stream function deficits, including poor coherent visual motion perception. Behavioral evidence from two studies in typical children has linked performance on visual motion perception to math ability, and a third behavioral study reported poorer visual motion perception in a small group of children with MD compared to controls. Visual motion perception relies on the magnocellular-dominated dorsal stream, particularly its constituent area V5/MT. Here we used functional MRI to measure brain activity in area V5/MT during coherent visual motion processing to test its relationship with math ability. While we found bilateral activation in V5/MT in 66 children/adolescents with varied math abilities, we found no relationships between V5/MT activity and standardized math measures. Next, we selected a group of children/adolescents with MD (n = 23) and compared them to typically developing controls (n = 18), but found no differences in activity in V5/MT or elsewhere in the brain. We followed these frequentist statistics with Bayesian analyses, which favored null models in both studies. We conclude that dorsal stream function subserving visual motion processing in area V5/MT is not related to math ability, nor is it altered in those with the math disability dyscalculia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa L Laws
- Center for the Study of Learning, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States; Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States
| | - Anna A Matejko
- Center for the Study of Learning, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States
| | - Melanie Lozano
- Center for the Study of Learning, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States
| | - Eileen Napoliello
- Center for the Study of Learning, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States
| | - Guinevere F Eden
- Center for the Study of Learning, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States; Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States.
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18
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Hou SW, Zhang Y, Christian L, Niechwiej‐Szwedo E, Giaschi D. Evaluating visuomotor coordination in children with amblyopia. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22270. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.22270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina W. Hou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Lisa Christian
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada
| | | | - Deborah Giaschi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
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19
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Atkinson J, Braddick O, Montague-Johnson C, Baker B, Parr JR, Sullivan P, Andrew MJ. Visual attention and dietary supplementation in children with perinatal brain injury. Dev Med Child Neurol 2022; 64:340-346. [PMID: 34449080 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate whether children with perinatal brain injury have impairments in specific components of visual attention, and whether early dietary supplementation can reduce any deficits. METHOD Children participating in the Dolphin neonatal trial of dietary supplementation were tested at age 6 months with the Infant Fixation Shift Attention Test, and at 4 to 5 years with four subtests of the Early Childhood Attention Battery (ECAB) assessing different components of attention (selective, sustained, and executive function), and the Fluid Crystallized Intelligence Index of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (KABC-II). From 59 children originally assigned to trial groups, 33 were available for testing at 4 to 5 years (18 treatment group of whom seven, six, and five showed mild, moderate, or severe neonatal brain injury; 15 controls with one, seven, and seven in the neonatal brain injury categories respectively). Given the imbalance in numbers with mild brain injury, analysis of trial group differences is restricted to moderate and severe brain injury severities (n=25). RESULTS Children with perinatal brain injury showed poorer attention across all components relative to age norms (mean standard scores 75-87; p<0.001 for three of the four subtests), with the greatest impairment in sustained attention. These impairments remained when compared with cognitive age assessed using the Fluid Crystallized Intelligence Index. Impairment was reduced in the treatment compared to the control group (p=0.04 for flanker test, p=0.002 for counterpointing, and p=0.027 for the overall ECAB score). INTERPRETATION Perinatal brain injury is associated with later impaired attention, beyond that predicted from any general cognitive disability. Impairment varies across attention components, being most severe for sustained attention. The effects on flanker and counterpointing suggest that dietary supplementation from 0 to 2 years of age may reduce attention problems. Measuring the different components of attention is important when considering assessment and interventions for children with perinatal brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janette Atkinson
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Oliver Braddick
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Bonny Baker
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jeremy R Parr
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Peter Sullivan
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Morag J Andrew
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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20
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Unilateral resection of both cortical visual pathways in a pediatric patient alters action but not perception. Neuropsychologia 2022; 168:108182. [PMID: 35182580 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108182] [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: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The human cortical visual system consists of two major pathways, a ventral pathway that subserves perception and a dorsal pathway that primarily subserves visuomotor control. Previous studies have found that children with cortical resections of the ventral visual pathway retain largely normal visuoperceptual abilities. Whether visually guided actions, supported by computations carried out by the dorsal pathway, follow a similar pattern of preservation remains unknown. To address this question, we examined visuoperceptual and visuomotor behaviors in a pediatric patient, TC, who underwent a cortical resection that included portions of the left ventral and dorsal pathways. We collected kinematic data when TC used her right and left hands to perceptually estimate the width of blocks that varied in width and length, and, separately, to grasp the same blocks. TC's perceptual estimation performance was comparable to that of controls, independent of the hand used. In contrast, relative to controls, she showed reduced visuomotor sensitivity to object shape and this was more evident when she grasped the objects with her contralesional right hand. These results provide novel evidence for a striking difference in the competence of the two visual pathways to cortical injuries acquired in childhood.
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21
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Gire C, Garbi A, Zahed M, Beltran Anzola A, Tosello B, Datin-Dorrière V. Neurobehavioral Phenotype and Dysexecutive Syndrome of Preterm Children: Comorbidity or Trigger? An Update. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:239. [PMID: 35204960 PMCID: PMC8870742 DOI: 10.3390/children9020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Premature birth is a worldwide public health priority. One in ten children is born before 37 weeks of gestational age and, in developed countries, survival rates without major neonatal morbidity are increasing. Although severe sequelae associated with these births have decreased, their neurobehavioral difficulties, often associated in multiple fields, remain stable but still widespread. These neurobehavioral difficulties hamper the normal development of academic achievements and societal integration and intensify the children's needs for rehabilitation during their preschool and academic years. Severe sequelae increase when gestational age decreases. This is even truer if the socio-cultural background is impeded by low income, education and language skills as compared with defined averages. However, moderate and/or minor neurocognitive and/or behavioral difficulties are almost identical for a moderate or a late preterm birth. Obtaining a better clinical description of neurobehavioral characteristics of those pretermly born, once they reach preschool age, is essential to detect behavioral issues as well as early specific cognitive difficulties (working memory, planning, inhibition, language expression and reception, attention and fine motor skills, etc.). Such information would provide a better understanding of the executive functions' role in brain connectivity, neurodevelopment and neuroanatomical correlation with premature encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Gire
- Department of Neonatology, North Hospital, University Hospital of Marseille, Chemin des Bourrelys, CEDEX 20, 13915 Marseille, France; (C.G.); (A.G.); (M.Z.); (A.B.A.)
- CEReSS—Health Service Research and Quality of Life Center, Faculty of Medicine, Aix-Marseille University, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Aurélie Garbi
- Department of Neonatology, North Hospital, University Hospital of Marseille, Chemin des Bourrelys, CEDEX 20, 13915 Marseille, France; (C.G.); (A.G.); (M.Z.); (A.B.A.)
| | - Meriem Zahed
- Department of Neonatology, North Hospital, University Hospital of Marseille, Chemin des Bourrelys, CEDEX 20, 13915 Marseille, France; (C.G.); (A.G.); (M.Z.); (A.B.A.)
| | - Any Beltran Anzola
- Department of Neonatology, North Hospital, University Hospital of Marseille, Chemin des Bourrelys, CEDEX 20, 13915 Marseille, France; (C.G.); (A.G.); (M.Z.); (A.B.A.)
- CEReSS—Health Service Research and Quality of Life Center, Faculty of Medicine, Aix-Marseille University, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Barthélémy Tosello
- Department of Neonatology, North Hospital, University Hospital of Marseille, Chemin des Bourrelys, CEDEX 20, 13915 Marseille, France; (C.G.); (A.G.); (M.Z.); (A.B.A.)
- CNRS, EFS, ADES, Aix Marseille Universite, 13915 Marseille, France
| | - Valérie Datin-Dorrière
- Department of Neonatal Medicine, Caen University Hospital, Avenue Cote De Nacre, 14000 Caen, France;
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22
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Neural correlates associated with impaired global motion perception in cerebral visual impairment (CVI). Neuroimage Clin 2022; 32:102821. [PMID: 34628303 PMCID: PMC8501506 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is associated with impaired global motion processing. Mean motion coherence thresholds was higher in individuals with CVI. fMRI responses in area hMT+ showed an aberrant response profile in CVI. White matter tract reconstruction revealed cortico-cortical dysmyelination in CVI.
Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is associated with a wide range of visual perceptual deficits including global motion processing. However, the underlying neurophysiological basis for these impairments remain poorly understood. We investigated global motion processing abilities in individuals with CVI compared to neurotypical controls using a combined behavioral and multi-modal neuroimaging approach. We found that CVI participants had a significantly higher mean motion coherence threshold (determined using a random dot kinematogram pattern simulating optic flow motion) compared to controls. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated activation response profiles in functionally defined early (i.e. primary visual cortex; area V1) and higher order (i.e. middle temporal cortex; area hMT+) stages of motion processing. In area V1, responses to increasing motion coherence were similar in both groups. However, in the CVI group, activation in area hMT+ was significantly reduced compared to controls, and consistent with a surround facilitation (rather than suppression) response profile. White matter tract reconstruction obtained from high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) revealed evidence of increased mean, axial, and radial diffusivities within cortico-cortical (i.e. V1-hMT+), but not thalamo-hMT+ connections. Overall, our results suggest that global motion processing deficits in CVI may be associated with impaired signal integration and segregation mechanisms, as well as white matter integrity at the level of area hMT+.
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23
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Castaldi E, Turi M, Cicchini GM, Gassama S, Eger E. Reduced 2D form coherence and 3D structure from motion sensitivity in developmental dyscalculia. Neuropsychologia 2022; 166:108140. [PMID: 34990696 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2021.108140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is a specific learning disability affecting the development of numerical and arithmetical skills. The origin of DD is typically attributed to the suboptimal functioning of key regions within the dorsal visual stream (parietal cortex) which support numerical cognition. While DD individuals are often impaired in visual numerosity perception, the extent to which they also show a wider range of visual dysfunctions is poorly documented. In the current study we measured sensitivity to global motion (translational and flow), 2D static form (Glass patterns) and 3D structure from motion in adults with DD and control subjects. While sensitivity to global motion was comparable across groups, thresholds for static form and structure from motion were higher in the DD compared to the control group, irrespective of associated reading impairments. Glass pattern sensitivity predicted numerical abilities, and this relation could not be explained by recently reported differences in visual crowding. Since global form sensitivity has often been considered an index of ventral stream function, our findings could indicate a cortical dysfunction extending beyond the dorsal visual stream. Alternatively, they would fit with a role of parietal cortex in form perception under challenging conditions requiring multiple element integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Castaldi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, INSERM, CEA DRF/JOLIOT, Université Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin Center, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Marco Turi
- Fondazione Stella Maris Mediterraneo, Potenza, Italy
| | | | - Sahawanatou Gassama
- Paris Santé Réussite, Diagnostic Center for Learning Disabilities, Paris, France
| | - Evelyn Eger
- Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, INSERM, CEA DRF/JOLIOT, Université Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin Center, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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24
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Micheletti S, Corbett F, Atkinson J, Braddick O, Mattei P, Galli J, Calza S, Fazzi E. Dorsal and Ventral Stream Function in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:703217. [PMID: 34899210 PMCID: PMC8652285 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.703217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dorsal stream cortical networks underpin a cluster of visuomotor, visuospatial, and visual attention functions. Sensitivity to global coherence of motion and static form is considered a signature of visual cortical processing in the dorsal stream (motion) relative to the ventral stream (form). Poorer sensitivity to global motion compared to global static form has been found across a diverse range of neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting a “dorsal stream vulnerability.” However, previous studies of global coherence sensitivity in Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have shown conflicting findings. We examined two groups totalling 102 children with DCD (age 5–12 years), using the “Ball in the Grass” psychophysical test to compare sensitivity to global motion and global static form. Motor impairment was measured using the Movement-ABC (M-ABC). Global coherence sensitivity was compared with a typically developing control group (N = 69) in the same age range. Children with DCD showed impaired sensitivity to global motion (p = 0.002), but not global form (p = 0.695), compared to controls. Within the DCD group, motor impairment showed a significant linear relationship with global form sensitivity (p < 0.001). There was also a significant quadratic relationship between motor impairment and global motion sensitivity (p = 0.046), where poorer global motion sensitivity was only apparent with greater motor impairment. We suggest that two distinct visually related components, associated with global form and global motion sensitivity, contribute to DCD differentially over the range of severity of the disorder. Possible neural circuitry underlying these relationships is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Micheletti
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fleur Corbett
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janette Atkinson
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Braddick
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Mattei
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jessica Galli
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Calza
- Unit of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Fazzi
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Chandna A, Nichiporuk N, Nicholas S, Kumar R, Norcia AM. Motion Processing Deficits in Children With Cerebral Visual Impairment and Good Visual Acuity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:12. [PMID: 34779820 PMCID: PMC8606874 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.14.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We sought to characterize neural motion processing deficits in children with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) who have good visual acuity using an objective, quantifiable method (steady-state visual evoked potentials [SSVEPs]). Methods We recorded SSVEPs in response to three types of visual motion – absolute motion and more complex relative and rotary motion, comparing them to form-related vernier and contour responses. We studied a group of 31 children with CVI diagnosed via detailed clinical examinations and 28 age-matched healthy controls. Results Using measurements made at the appropriate response harmonics of the stimulation frequency, we found significant deficits in cerebral processing of relative and rotary motion but not of absolute motion in children with CVI compared with healthy controls. Vernier acuity, in keeping with good recognition acuity in both groups, was not different, nor were contour-related form responses. Conclusions Deficits for complex motion but relative sparing of elementary motion and form-related signals suggests preferential damage to extra-striate visual motion areas in children with CVI. The fact that these preferential losses occur in the absence of significant acuity loss indicates that they are not secondary to reduced visual acuity, but rather are an independent vulnerability in CVI. These results corroborate parental and caregivers’ reports of difficulties with tasks that involve motion perception in children with CVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvind Chandna
- Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States.,Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolay Nichiporuk
- Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States
| | - Spero Nicholas
- Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, California, United States
| | - Ram Kumar
- Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Aho L, Metsäranta M, Lönnberg P, Wolford E, Lano A. Newborn Neurobehavior Is Related to Later Neurodevelopment and Social Cognition Skills in Extremely Preterm-Born Children: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study. Front Psychol 2021; 12:710430. [PMID: 34552532 PMCID: PMC8450593 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.710430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the neonatal neurobehavioral characteristics to act as an indicator for later neurodevelopment and neurocognitive performance. Methods: Sixty-six infants born extremely preterm (<28 gestational weeks) were followed until 6.5 years. Neurobehavior at term age was assessed by the behavior subscale of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) using dichotomic rating, optimal, and non-optimal. The Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS) at 2 years, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scales at 6.5 years, and a Neuropsychological Assessment at 6.5 years were used to assess neurodevelopment and neurocognitive performance including social cognition skills. Results: An optimal auditory orientation at term age was associated with better developmental quotients (DQ) in Personal–Social, and Hearing–Language GMDS subscale at 2 years (p < 0.05). An optimal visual alertness was associated with better Total (p < 0.01), Locomotor (p < 0.001), and Eye–Hand Coordination (p < 0.01) DQs at 2 years, and with sensorimotor function (p < 0.001) and social perception (p < 0.01) tests at 6.5 years. Conclusion: The neurobehavioral characteristics of newborns might serve as a precursor of social cognition skills and the HNNE behavior subscale offers a tool to identify infants at risk for later deficits in neurodevelopment and social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Aho
- Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marjo Metsäranta
- Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Piia Lönnberg
- Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Wolford
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aulikki Lano
- Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Kanari K, Kikuchi-Ito M. Estimation of the degree of autism spectrum disorder by the slow phase of optokinetic nystagmus in typical adults. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07751. [PMID: 34430740 PMCID: PMC8365375 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical eye movement patterns demonstrated by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have the potential to serve as biomarkers for ASD diagnosis. However, instead of estimating individual differences in the degree of ASD from those patterns, many researchers have compared ASD groups with typical development groups. This study investigates the relationship between the Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores in typical adults, which can evaluate the degree of the traits associated with ASD, as well as the properties of optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), including the gain of the slow phase, the peak velocity and duration of the fast phase, the frequency, and the mean eye position of OKN. A random dot pattern that moved in one direction was presented on the display, and the participants' eye movements were measured. The results showed a negative correlation between subjects' AQ scores and the gain of slow-phase OKN. In addition, the correlations between subjects' AQ scores and the properties of OKN fast phase were not significant. These results indicate that the gain of slow-phase OKN could be a biomarker that estimates individual differences in the degree of ASD, reflected in our findings which considered AQ scores in typical adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Kanari
- Department of Fundamental Engineering, Utsunomiya University, 7-1-2, Yoto, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8585, Japan
- Department of Information and Communications Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 G2-3, Nagatsuda-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
| | - Moe Kikuchi-Ito
- Kichijoji Clover Clinic, 2-25-7, Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0004, Japan
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Ionta S. Visual Neuropsychology in Development: Anatomo-Functional Brain Mechanisms of Action/Perception Binding in Health and Disease. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:689912. [PMID: 34135745 PMCID: PMC8203289 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.689912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vision is the main entrance for environmental input to the human brain. Even if vision is our most used sensory modality, its importance is not limited to environmental exploration. Rather it has strong links to motor competences, further extending to cognitive and social aspects of human life. These multifaceted relationships are particularly important in developmental age and become dramatically evident in presence of complex deficits originating from visual aberrancies. The present review summarizes the available neuropsychological evidence on the development of visual competences, with a particular focus on the associated visuo-motor integration skills in health and disease. With the aim of supporting future research and interventional settings, the goal of the present review is to constitute a solid base to help the translation of neuropsychological hypotheses into straightforward empirical investigations and rehabilitation/training protocols. This approach will further increase the impact, ameliorate the acceptance, and ease the use and implementation of lab-derived intervention protocols in real-life situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Ionta
- Sensory-Motor Lab (SeMoLa), Department of Ophthalmology-University of Lausanne, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital-Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Mascheretti S, Peruzzo D, Andreola C, Villa M, Ciceri T, Trezzi V, Marino C, Arrigoni F. Selecting the Most Relevant Brain Regions to Classify Children with Developmental Dyslexia and Typical Readers by Using Complex Magnocellular Stimuli and Multiple Kernel Learning. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11060722. [PMID: 34071649 PMCID: PMC8228080 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports the presence of deficits in the visual magnocellular (M) system in developmental dyslexia (DD). The M system is related to the fronto-parietal attentional network. Previous neuroimaging studies have revealed reduced/absent activation within the visual M pathway in DD, but they have failed to characterize the extensive brain network activated by M stimuli. We performed a multivariate pattern analysis on a Region of Interest (ROI) level to differentiate between children with DD and age-matched typical readers (TRs) by combining full-field sinusoidal gratings, controlled for spatial and temporal frequencies and luminance contrast, and a coherent motion (CM) sensitivity task at 6%-CML6, 15%-CML15 and 40%-CML40. ROIs spanning the entire visual dorsal stream and ventral attention network (VAN) had higher discriminative weights and showed higher act1ivation in TRs than in children with DD. Of the two tasks, CM had the greatest weight when classifying TRs and children with DD in most of the ROIs spanning these streams. For the CML6, activation within the right superior parietal cortex positively correlated with reading skills. Our approach highlighted the dorsal stream and the VAN as highly discriminative areas between children with DD and TRs and allowed for a better characterization of the "dorsal stream vulnerability" underlying DD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mascheretti
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy; (C.A.); (M.V.); (V.T.)
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (F.A.)
| | - Denis Peruzzo
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy; (D.P.); (T.C.)
| | - Chiara Andreola
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy; (C.A.); (M.V.); (V.T.)
- Laboratoire de Psychologie de Développement et de l’Éducation de l’Enfant (LaPsyDÉ), Université de Paris, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Martina Villa
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy; (C.A.); (M.V.); (V.T.)
| | - Tommaso Ciceri
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy; (D.P.); (T.C.)
| | - Vittoria Trezzi
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy; (C.A.); (M.V.); (V.T.)
| | - Cecilia Marino
- The Division of Child and Youth Psychiatry at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada;
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Filippo Arrigoni
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy; (D.P.); (T.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (F.A.)
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Black AA, Wood JM, Hoang S, Thomas E, Webber AL. Impact of Amblyopia on Visual Attention and Visual Search in Children. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:15. [PMID: 33848323 PMCID: PMC8054626 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.4.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare binocular visual attention, visual processing speeds, and visuo-cognitive search ability in children with and without amblyopia and investigate the association of visual acuity and binocular function with these measures. Methods Participants included 20 children with amblyopia (mean age = 9.0 ± 1.2 years; 15 anisometropic and 5 strabismic) and 20 children with normal vision development (9.5 ± 1.7 years). Vision assessment included visual acuity (monocular and binocular) and binocular function (Worth 4 Dot and Randot Preschool Stereotest). Visual attention and processing speeds were assessed using the three subtests of the Useful Field of View (UFOV; central processing, divided attention, and selective attention). Visuo-cognitive search was measured using static and dynamic presentations of the Trail Making Tests (TMTs), parts A and B, with increasing levels of executive function demand. All children performed these tasks binocularly. Results Children with amblyopia demonstrated slower visual processing times on the UFOV (P = 0.04), and slower completion times on the TMT search tests (P = 0.014), compared to controls. TMT performance for children with amblyopia was also more negatively impacted with increasing executive function demands on the TMT part B, compared to controls (P = 0.005). Binocular visual acuity was associated with TMT (P = 0.006) and UFOV (P = 0.07) performance, but none of the other visual function measures were related to performance on these tasks. Conclusions Children with amblyopia exhibit deficits in higher-order visual processing skills, including visual attention and visual search, particularly with increasing executive function demands. These findings have implications for understanding the impact of amblyopia on everyday function in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex A. Black
- Centre for Vision and Eye Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Joanne M. Wood
- Centre for Vision and Eye Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Silvie Hoang
- Centre for Vision and Eye Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Eloise Thomas
- Centre for Vision and Eye Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ann L. Webber
- Centre for Vision and Eye Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia
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Bilbao C, Piñero DP. Distribution of Visual and Oculomotor Alterations in a Clinical Population of Children with and without Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Brain Sci 2021; 11:351. [PMID: 33801948 PMCID: PMC7999547 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A prospective, non-randomized comparative study was conducted to compare the distribution of oculomotor and visual alterations in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and healthy children without such disorders. Sixty-nine children (aged 6-13 years) were enrolled and divided into three groups: a control group (CG) of 23 healthy children; a group of 18 healthy children with oculomotor abnormalities (OAG); and a group of 28 children with a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDDG), with 15 cases of dyslexia, 7 cases of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and 6 cases of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Significantly worse near stereopsis was found in NDDG compared with CG (p < 0.001) and OAG (p = 0.001). Likewise, a significantly lower amplitude of accommodation was found in NDDG compared with CG in both the right (p = 0.001) and left eyes (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences between groups were found in the measurement of near and distance phoria (p ≥ 0.557), near point of convergence (p = 0.700) and fusional vergences (p ≥ 0.059). Significantly impaired oculomotor test scores were found in NDDG compared with CG (p < 0.001), with no significant differences between OAG and NDDG (p ≥ 0.063). The comparison between the three types of neurodevelopmental disorders included revealed the presence of a significantly lower amplitude of accommodation in children with DCD compared with dyslexics. Furthermore, less exophoria at near was present in children with dyslexia compared with children with ADHD (p = 0.018) and DCD (p = 0.054). In conclusion, children with dyslexia, ADHD and DCD show an altered oculomotor pattern and a more reduced amplitude of accommodation, not always compatible with the diagnostic criteria of an accommodative insufficiency. Accommodative and binocular vision problems are not always present in these children and cannot be considered an etiologic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Bilbao
- Department of Optometry, Policlínica Alto Aragón, 22003 Huesca, Spain;
| | - David Pablo Piñero
- Group of Optics and Visual Perception, Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vithas Medimar International Hospital, 03016 Alicante, Spain
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Mena-Garcia L, Pastor-Jimeno JC, Maldonado MJ, Coco-Martin MB, Fernandez I, Arenillas JF. Multitasking Compensatory Saccadic Training Program for Hemianopia Patients: A New Approach With 3-Dimensional Real-World Objects. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:3. [PMID: 34003888 PMCID: PMC7873505 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.2.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine whether a noncomputerized multitasking compensatory saccadic training program (MCSTP) for patients with hemianopia, based on a reading regimen and eight exercises that recreate everyday visuomotor activities using three-dimensional (3D) real-world objects, improves the visual ability/function, quality of life (QL), and functional independence (FI). Methods The 3D-MCSTP included four in-office visits and two customized home-based daily training sessions over 12 weeks. A quasiexperimental, pretest/posttest study design was carried out with an intervention group (IG) (n = 20) and a no-training group (NTG) (n = 20) matched for age, hemianopia type, and brain injury duration. Results The groups were comparable for the main baseline variables and all participants (n = 40) completed the study. The IG mainly showed significant improvements in visual-processing speed (57.34% ± 19.28%; P < 0.0001) and visual attention/retention ability (26.67% ± 19.21%; P < 0.0001), which also were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than in the NTG. Moreover, the IG showed large effect sizes (Cohen's d) in 75% of the total QL and FI dimensions analyzed; in contrast to the NTG that showed negligible mean effect sizes in 96% of these dimensions. Conclusions The customized 3D-MCSTP was associated with a satisfactory response in the IG for improving complex visual processing, QL, and FI. Translational Relevance Neurovisual rehabilitation of patients with hemianopia seems more efficient when programs combine in-office visits and customized home-based training sessions based on real objects and simulating real-life conditions, than no treatment or previously reported computer-screen approaches, probably because of better stimulation of patients´ motivation and visual-processing speed brain mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mena-Garcia
- Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Eye Institute, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jose C. Pastor-Jimeno
- Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Eye Institute, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Red Temática de Investigación Colaborativa en Oftalmología (OftaRed), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel J. Maldonado
- Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Eye Institute, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Red Temática de Investigación Colaborativa en Oftalmología (OftaRed), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria B. Coco-Martin
- Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Itziar Fernandez
- Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Valladolid, Spain
| | - Juan F. Arenillas
- Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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Moon JH, Kim GH, Kim SK, Kim S, Kim YH, Kim J, Kim JK, Noh BH, Byeon JH, Yeom JS, Eun BL, Eun SH, Choi J, Chung HJ. Development of the Parental Questionnaire for Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children Younger than 72 Months. J Clin Neurol 2021; 17:354-362. [PMID: 34184442 PMCID: PMC8242312 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2021.17.3.354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is an underdiagnosed condition in children, and its assessment tools have focused on older children. We aimed to develop a parental questionnaire for cerebral visual impairment (PQCVI) for screening CVI in young children. Methods The PQCVI comprised 23 questions based on a modified version of Houliston and Dutton's questionnaire for older children. The PQCVI with neurocognitive function tests was applied to 201 child-parent pairs with typically developing children younger than 72 months (age 32.4±20.1 months, mean±standard deviation). The children were classified into six age groups. The normative data, cutoff scores, and internal reliability were assessed and item analysis was performed. We referred to the total score for all questions as the cerebral visual function (CVF) score. Results The normative data showed that the CVF score and the scores corresponding to ventral-stream and dorsal-stream visual functions plausibly increased with age. The scores rapidly reached 90% of their maximum values up to the age of 36 months, after which they increased slowly. Cronbach's alpha for all questions across all age groups was 0.97, showing excellent consistency. The item difficulty and item discrimination coefficients showed that the questions were generally adequate for this age stage. Conclusions The PQCVI items produced reliable responses in children younger than 72 months. The rapid increase in scores before the age of 3 years supports the importance of early identification of CVI. Following additional clinical verification, the PQCVI may be useful for CVI screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hwa Moon
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gun Ha Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Koo Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwasung, Korea
| | - Seunghyo Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
| | - Young Hoon Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - JoonSik Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jin Kyung Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Byoungho H Noh
- Department of Pediatrics, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Jung Hye Byeon
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Sook Yeom
- Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang Institute of Health Science, Jinju, Korea
| | - Baik Lin Eun
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - So Hee Eun
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jieun Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, SMC-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Jung Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
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Bhat A, Biagi L, Cioni G, Tinelli F, Morrone MC. Cortical thickness of primary visual cortex correlates with motion deficits in periventricular leukomalacia. Neuropsychologia 2020; 151:107717. [PMID: 33333138 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Impairments of visual motion perception and, in particular, of flow motion have been consistently observed in premature and very low birth weight subjects during infancy. Flow motion information is analyzed at various cortical levels along the dorsal pathways, with information mainly provided by primary and early visual cortex (V1, V2 and V3). We investigated the cortical stage of the visual processing that underlies these motion impairments, measuring Grey Matter Volume and Cortical Thickness in 13 children with Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL). The cortical thickness, but not the grey matter volume of area V1, correlates negatively with motion coherence sensitivity, indicating that the thinner the cortex, the better the performance among the patients. However, we did not find any such association with either the thickness or volume of area MT, MST and areas of the IPS, suggesting damage at the level of primary visual cortex or along the optic radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshatha Bhat
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Vision, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Biagi
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Vision, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Vision, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Concetta Morrone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Vision, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy; Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy.
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Shahin YM, Meier K, Giaschi D. Effect of Visual Field Location on Global Motion Perception: A Developmental Study. Perception 2020; 49:733-748. [PMID: 32673188 DOI: 10.1177/0301006620930901] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previous work has shown that motion perception in school-age children is similar to that of adults for fast speeds but is immature at slow speeds for stimuli presented in the central visual field. This study examined whether visual field location affects this developmental pattern. We measured left/right and up/down global motion direction discrimination for fast and slow speeds in 7- to 10-year-old children and in adults with stimuli presented to upper, central, or lower visual fields. For left/right direction discrimination, children showed significantly higher (worse) coherence thresholds than adults for slow, but not fast, speeds in the central visual field. In the upper and lower visual fields, children showed significantly higher coherence thresholds than adults for both speeds. For up/down direction discrimination, children showed similar performance to adults for the central visual field. In the upper and lower visual fields, children performed significantly worse than adults; this finding was speed-tuned only for the lower visual field. Thus, children show immature global motion perception in the periphery even when performance in central vision is adult-like. These results enrich our understanding of motion perception development in children with typical vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef M Shahin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kimberly Meier
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Washington, United States; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Deborah Giaschi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
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36
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Danka Mohammed CP, Khalil R. Postnatal Development of Visual Cortical Function in the Mammalian Brain. Front Syst Neurosci 2020; 14:29. [PMID: 32581733 PMCID: PMC7296053 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2020.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This review aims to discuss (1) the refinement of mammalian visual cortical circuits and the maturation of visual functions they subserve in primary visual cortex (V1) and other visual cortical areas, and (2) existing evidence supporting the notion of differential rates of maturation of visual functions in different species. It is well known that different visual functions and their underlying circuitry mature and attain adultlike characteristics at different stages in postnatal development with varying growth rates. The developmental timecourse and duration of refinement varies significantly both in V1 of various species and among different visual cortical areas; while basic visual functions like spatial acuity mature earlier requiring less time, higher form perception such as contour integration is more complex and requires longer postnatal time to refine. This review will highlight the importance of systematic comparative analysis of the differential rates of refinement of visual circuitry and function as that may help reveal underlying key mechanisms necessary for healthy visual development during infancy and adulthood. This type of approach will help future studies to establish direct links between various developmental aspects of different visual cortical areas in both human and animal models; thus enhancing our understanding of vision related neurological disorders and their potential therapeutic remedies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chand Parvez Danka Mohammed
- Biosciences and Bioengineering Research Institute (BBRI), American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Reem Khalil
- Biosciences and Bioengineering Research Institute (BBRI), American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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37
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Bueichekú E, Aznárez-Sanado M, Diez I, d'Oleire Uquillas F, Ortiz-Terán L, Qureshi AY, Suñol M, Basaia S, Ortiz-Terán E, Pastor MA, Sepulcre J. Central neurogenetic signatures of the visuomotor integration system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:6836-6843. [PMID: 32144139 PMCID: PMC7104395 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1912429117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Visuomotor impairments characterize numerous neurological disorders and neurogenetic syndromes, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Dravet, Fragile X, Prader-Willi, Turner, and Williams syndromes. Despite recent advances in systems neuroscience, the biological basis underlying visuomotor functional impairments associated with these clinical conditions is poorly understood. In this study, we used neuroimaging connectomic approaches to map the visuomotor integration (VMI) system in the human brain and investigated the topology approximation of the VMI network to the Allen Human Brain Atlas, a whole-brain transcriptome-wide atlas of cortical genetic expression. We found the genetic expression of four genes-TBR1, SCN1A, MAGEL2, and CACNB4-to be prominently associated with visuomotor integrators in the human cortex. TBR1 gene transcripts, an ASD gene whose expression is related to neural development of the cortex and the hippocampus, showed a central spatial allocation within the VMI system. Our findings delineate gene expression traits underlying the VMI system in the human cortex, where specific genes, such as TBR1, are likely to play a central role in its neuronal organization, as well as on specific phenotypes of neurogenetic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisenda Bueichekú
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Maite Aznárez-Sanado
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- School of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ibai Diez
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Neurotechnology Laboratory, Health Department, Tecnalia, E-48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Federico d'Oleire Uquillas
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - Laura Ortiz-Terán
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA 02115
| | - Abid Y Qureshi
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 66160
| | - Maria Suñol
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Psychiatry Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in Mental Health Network, Carlos III Health Institute, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Basaia
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Ortiz-Terán
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Maria A Pastor
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jorge Sepulcre
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115;
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129
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38
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Brown AC, Peters JL, Parsons C, Crewther DP, Crewther SG. Efficiency in Magnocellular Processing: A Common Deficit in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:49. [PMID: 32174819 PMCID: PMC7057243 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Several neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including Developmental Dyslexia (DD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but not Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), are reported to show deficits in global motion processing. Such behavioral deficits have been linked to a temporal processing deficiency. However, to date, there have been few studies assessing the temporal processing efficiency of the Magnocellular M pathways through temporal modulation. Hence, we measured achromatic flicker fusion thresholds at high and low contrast in nonselective samples of NDDs and neurotypicals (mean age 10, range 7-12 years, n = 71) individually, and group matched, for both chronological age and nonverbal intelligence. Autistic tendencies were also measured using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient questionnaire as high AQ scores have previously been associated with the greater physiological amplitude of M-generated nonlinearities. The NDD participants presented with singular or comorbid combinations of DD, ASD, and ADHD. The results showed that ASD and DD, including those with comorbid ADHD, demonstrated significantly lower flicker fusion thresholds (FFTs) than their matched controls. Participants with a singular diagnosis of ADHD did not differ from controls in the FFTs. Overall, the entire NDD plus control populations showed a significant negative correlation between FFT and AQ scores (r = -0.269, p < 0.02 n = 71). In conclusion, this study presents evidence showing that a temporally inefficient M pathway could be the unifying network at fault across the NDDs and particularly in ASD and DD diagnoses, but not in singular diagnosis of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyse Christine Brown
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Medical Research Council, Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Lee Peters
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Carl Parsons
- Port Philip Specialist School, Port Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David Philip Crewther
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
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39
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Are early visual behavior impairments involved in the onset of autism spectrum disorders? Insights for early diagnosis and intervention. Eur J Pediatr 2020; 179:225-234. [PMID: 31901981 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-019-03562-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A correct use of the visual behavior (VB), and its integration with motor function, represents the earliest mean used by infants to explore and act on the social and non-social surrounding environment. The aim of this mini review is to present influential evidence of abnormalities in the VB domain in ASD individuals and to discuss the implication of these findings for early identification and intervention. We analyzed the possible anomalies in oculomotor abilities, visual attention, and visual-motor integration, as parts of a wider visual behavior defect, that could affect children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) since the early stages of development.Conclusion: According to the literature, difficulties in these three areas have been often reported in children with ASD, and the visual-perception deficit could have cascading effects on learning processes and on social development. Despite this evidence of atypical VB in ASD, their investigation is not yet included into diagnostic processes, and they are not yet considered a specific treatment target.What is Known:•Atypical social use of visual behavior is one the first symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders•Individuals with autism spectrum disorders often show unusual visual exploration of the surrounding environmentWhat is New:•It is possible to hypothesize that early visual behavior abnormalities may affect experiences that permit learning processes and social and communicative development in infants•An early assessment of visual behavior, as a core symptom of ASD, might improve the diagnostic processes and might help to developing more individualized treatments.
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40
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Yamaguchi H, Morisada N, Maruyama A, Kosaki K, Nomura K. Improvement of opsoclonus after congenital cataract surgery in an infant. Pediatr Int 2020; 62:108-109. [PMID: 31957102 DOI: 10.1111/ped.14039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Yamaguchi
- Department of Neurology, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Naoya Morisada
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Azusa Maruyama
- Department of Neurology, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Kosaki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Nomura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
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41
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Bennett CR, Bauer CM, Bailin ES, Merabet LB. Neuroplasticity in cerebral visual impairment (CVI): Assessing functional vision and the neurophysiological correlates of dorsal stream dysfunction. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 108:171-181. [PMID: 31655075 PMCID: PMC6949360 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) results from perinatal injury to visual processing structures and pathways and is the most common individual cause of pediatric visual impairment and blindness in developed countries. While there is mounting evidence demonstrating extensive neuroplastic reorganization in early onset, profound ocular blindness, how the brain reorganizes in the setting of congenital damage to cerebral (i.e. retro-geniculate) visual pathways remains comparatively poorly understood. Individuals with CVI exhibit a wide range of visual deficits and, in particular, present with impairments of higher order visual spatial processing (referred to as "dorsal stream dysfunction") as well as object recognition (associated with processing along the ventral stream). In this review, we discuss the need for ongoing work to develop novel, neuroscience-inspired approaches to investigate functional visual deficits in this population. We also outline the role played by advanced structural and functional neuroimaging in helping to elucidate the underlying neurophysiology of CVI, and highlight key differences with regard to patterns of neural reorganization previously described in ocular blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Bennett
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Corinna M Bauer
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Emma S Bailin
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Lotfi B Merabet
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
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42
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Niechwiej-Szwedo E, Meier K, Christian L, Nouredanesh M, Tung J, Bryden P, Giaschi D. Concurrent maturation of visuomotor skills and motion perception in typically-developing children and adolescents. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 62:353-367. [PMID: 31621075 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Perceptual and visuomotor skills undergo considerable development from early childhood into adolescence; however, the concurrent maturation of these skills has not yet been examined. This study assessed visuomotor function and motion perception in a cross-section of 226 typically-developing children between 4 and 16 years of age. Participants were tested on three tasks hypothesized to engage the dorsal visual stream: threading a bead on a needle, marking dots using a pen, and discriminating form defined by motion contrast. Mature performance was reached between 8 and 12 years, with youngest maturation for kinematic measures for a reach-to-grasp task, and oldest maturation for a precision tapping task. Performance on the motion perception task shared no association with motor skills after controlling for age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisa Christian
- Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Mina Nouredanesh
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - James Tung
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Pamela Bryden
- Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Deborah Giaschi
- Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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43
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Ortibus E, Fazzi E, Dale N. Cerebral Visual Impairment and Clinical Assessment: The European Perspective. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2019; 31:15-24. [PMID: 31548019 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This paper summarizes the multidisciplinary pediatric assessment methods of 3 European centers for identifying and assessing cerebral visual impairment in childhood. It describes a comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment evaluation in which visual aspects play an important part. Developmental trajectories and the heterogeneity of the clinical picture are emphasized. Multidisciplinary ophthalmology and neurodisability/neurology teamwork together with the parent and teachers, to reach an integrated and individualized perspective for the individual child, are described. This comprehensive assessment is the starting point for habilitation programs and interventions, that can support and meet the child's needs and help them reach their optimal potential. Future developments in classification of the cerebral visual impairment conditions, building on the child's individual assessment profile, will further enhance the direction of clinical, educational, and research progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Els Ortibus
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Elisa Fazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, ASST Civil Hospital -Brescia, Italy; Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - Naomi Dale
- Department of Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, and Neurodisability Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
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44
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Farran EK, Bowler A, Karmiloff-Smith A, D'Souza H, Mayall L, Hill EL. Cross-Domain Associations Between Motor Ability, Independent Exploration, and Large-Scale Spatial Navigation; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Williams Syndrome, and Typical Development. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:225. [PMID: 31333435 PMCID: PMC6618048 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In typical infants, the achievement of independent locomotion has a positive impact on the development of both small-scale and large-scale spatial cognition. Here we investigated whether this association between the motor and spatial domain: (1) persists into childhood and (2) is detrimental to the development of spatial cognition in individuals with motor deficits, namely, individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and individuals with Williams syndrome (WS). Despite evidence of a co-occurring motor impairment in many individuals with ADHD, little is known about the developmental consequences of this impairment. Individuals with WS demonstrate impaired motor and spatial competence, yet the relationship between these two impairments is unknown. Typically developing (TD) children (N = 71), individuals with ADHD (N = 51), and individuals with WS (N = 20) completed a battery of motor tasks, a measure of independent exploration, and a virtual reality spatial navigation task. Retrospective motor milestone data were collected for the ADHD and WS groups. Results demonstrated a relationship between fine motor ability and spatial navigation in the TD group, which could reflect the developmental impact of the ability to manually manipulate objects, on spatial knowledge. In contrast, no relationships between the motor and spatial domains were observed for the ADHD or WS groups. Indeed, while there was evidence of motor impairment in both groups, only the WS group demonstrated an impairment in large-scale spatial navigation. The motor-spatial relationship in the TD, but not the ADHD and WS groups, suggests that aspects of spatial cognition can develop via a developmental pathway which bypasses input from the motor domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Farran
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Aislinn Bowler
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Annette Karmiloff-Smith
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hana D'Souza
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Leighanne Mayall
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elisabeth L Hill
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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45
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Visuomotor Behaviour in Amblyopia: Deficits and Compensatory Adaptations. Neural Plast 2019; 2019:6817839. [PMID: 31281344 PMCID: PMC6590572 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6817839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amblyopia is a neurodevelopmental visual disorder arising from decorrelated binocular experience during the critical periods of development. The hallmark of amblyopia is reduced visual acuity and impairment in binocular vision. The consequences of amblyopia on various sensory and perceptual functions have been studied extensively over the past 50 years. Historically, relatively fewer studies examined the impact of amblyopia on visuomotor behaviours; however, research in this area has flourished over the past 10 years. Therefore, the aim of this review paper is to provide a comprehensive review of current knowledge about the effects of amblyopia on eye movements, upper limb reaching and grasping movements, as well as balance and gait. Accumulating evidence indicates that amblyopia is associated with considerable deficits in visuomotor behaviour during amblyopic eye viewing, as well as adaptations in behaviour during binocular and fellow eye viewing in adults and children. Importantly, due to amblyopia heterogeneity, visuomotor development in children and motor skill performance in adults may be significantly influenced by the etiology and clinical features, such as visual acuity and stereoacuity. Studies with larger cohorts of children and adults are needed to disentangle the unique contribution of these clinical characteristics to the development and performance of visuomotor behaviours.
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46
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Billino
- Abteilung Allgemeine Psychologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Karin S. Pilz
- Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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47
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Swaminathan M, Jayaraman D, Jacob N. Visual function assessment, ocular examination, and intervention in children with developmental delay: A systematic approach. Part 1. Indian J Ophthalmol 2019; 67:196-203. [PMID: 30672469 PMCID: PMC6376809 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_524_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with special needs form a unique subset with regards to visual function and examination techniques needed to assess them. With more awareness among the general public, neurologists, and pediatricians, these children are referred for assessment to the ophthalmologist or optometrist and sometimes even to the rehabilitation professional at an early age. This clinical practice guideline and review gives a systematic approach for examining the visual functions of a child with special needs. It outlines the procedures to be followed with equipment needed in clinical practice. Functional vision assessment guidelines are also included. This is the first part in a two-part series, with the first part presenting clinical examination guidelines and the second presenting intervention and vision enhancement techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Swaminathan
- Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Deiva Jayaraman
- Vision Rehabilitation Professional, Frontline Eye Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Namita Jacob
- Chetana Trust, Arunachalam Road, Kotturpuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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48
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Poletti M. Considerations on Retrospective Identification and Classification of Learning Disabilities. JAMA Neurol 2018; 75:1574-1575. [PMID: 30398538 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Poletti
- Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addiction, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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49
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Chow A, Giaschi D, Thompson B. Dichoptic Attentive Motion Tracking is Biased Toward the Nonamblyopic Eye in Strabismic Amblyopia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 59:4572-4580. [DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Chow
- Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deborah Giaschi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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50
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Gagliardi C, Arrigoni F, Nordio A, De Luca A, Peruzzo D, Decio A, Leemans A, Borgatti R. A Different Brain: Anomalies of Functional and Structural Connections in Williams Syndrome. Front Neurol 2018; 9:721. [PMID: 30271373 PMCID: PMC6146099 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the results of a functional and structural brain connectivity analysis comparing a homogeneous group of 10 young adults with Williams Syndrome (WS; 3 females, age 20. 7 ± 3.7 years, age range 17.4–28.7 years) to a group of 18 controls of similar age (3 females, age 23.9 ± 4.4 years, age range 16.8–30.2), with the aim to increase knowledge of the structure – function relationship in WS. Subjects underwent a 3T brain MRI exam including anatomical, functional (resting state) and structural (diffusion MRI) sequences. We found convergent anomalies in structural and functional connectivity in the WS group. Altered Fractional Anisotropy (FA) values in parieto-occipital regions were associated with increased connectivity in the antero-posterior pathways linking parieto-occipital with frontal regions. The analysis of resting state data showed altered functional connectivity in the WS group in main brain networks (default mode, executive control and dorsal attention, sensori-motor, fronto—parietal, ventral stream). The combined analysis of functional and structural connectivity displayed a different pattern in the two groups: in controls the highest agreement was found in frontal and visual areas, whereas in WS patients in posterior regions (parieto-occipital and temporal areas). These preliminary findings may reflect an altered “wiring” of the brain in WS, which can be driven by hyper-connectivity of the posterior regions as opposed to disrupted connectivity in the anterior areas, supporting the hypothesis that a different brain (organization) could be associated with a different (organization of) behavior in Williams Syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Gagliardi
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Filippo Arrigoni
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Andrea Nordio
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy.,Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto De Luca
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy.,Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Denis Peruzzo
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Alice Decio
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Alexander Leemans
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Renato Borgatti
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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