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Chen JH, Gardner AK. Going Above and Beyond With SJTs: Impact of Applicant Characteristics on Open Response SJT Participation. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2024; 81:1024-1033. [PMID: 38839439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Situational judgment tests (SJT) have gained popularity as a standardized assessment of nontechnical competencies for applicants to medical school and residency. SJT formats range from rating the effectiveness of potential response options to solely open response. We investigated differences in test-taking patterns between responders and nonresponders to optional open response SJT questions during the application process. METHODS This was a prospective multi-institutional study of general surgery applicants to seven residency programs. Applicants completed a 32-item SJT designed to measure ten core competencies: adaptability, attention to detail, communication, dependability, feedback receptivity, integrity, professionalism, resilience, self-directed learning, and team orientation. Each SJT item included an optional, nonscored, open response space for applicants to provide a behavioral response if they desired. Trends in applicant gender, race, ethnicity, medical school ranking, and USMLE scores were examined between the responder versus nonresponder group. RESULTS In total, 1491 general surgery applicants were invited to complete the surgery-specific SJT. Of these, 1454 (97.5%) candidates completed the assessment and 1177 (78.9%) provided additional responses to at least one of the 32 SJT scenario sets. There were no differences in overall SJT performance, USMLE scores (Step 1: 235, SD 14, Step 2: 250, SD 11), race and/or ethnicity between the responder and nonresponder groups. Responders were more likely to be from a top 25 medical school (p < 0.05) compared to the nonresponder group. Among applicants who completed any open response questions, women completed a significantly higher number of questions compared to men (7.21 vs 6.07, p = 0.003). The number of open responses provided correlated with higher scores on SJT items measuring dependability (r = 0.07, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS SJT design and format has the potential to impact test-taker response patterns. SJT developers and adopters should ensure test format and design have no unintended consequences prior to implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H Chen
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Aimee K Gardner
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Aurora, CO, USA; SurgWise, Houston, TX
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2
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Jensen A, Castro AW, Hu R, Drouin H, Rabipour S, Bégin-Galarneau MÈ, Stamenova V, Davidson PSR. Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire: a comparison of young and older adults. Memory 2024:1-14. [PMID: 39018424 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2024.2378870] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
The Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire (MMQ; Troyer & Rich, [2002]. Psychometric properties of a new metamemory questionnaire for older adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 57(1), P19-P27) is a widely used measure of subjective memory consisting of three scales: Satisfaction, Ability, and Strategies. Although subjective memory complaints are prevalent across different age groups, the factor structure and psychometric properties of the MMQ have yet to be examined in young adults. Here, we independently replicated the original MMQ factor structure in N = 408 young adults (YA) recruited from undergraduate courses and N = 327 older adults (OA) and, for the first time, assessed the age-invariance of the scale using measurement invariance testing. YAs made significantly higher ratings than OAs on MMQ-Satisfaction and MMQ-Strategies, indicating greater satisfaction with their memory and greater use of strategies, but the groups were similar on MMQ-Ability. The original MMQ factor structure was replicated in OAs but not in YAs, and age invariance was not supported. Future studies seeking to compare young and older adults could therefore consider either requesting modification of the MMQ for use with young adults or using a different scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Jensen
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Alex W Castro
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Rui Hu
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Héloïse Drouin
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sheida Rabipour
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Vessela Stamenova
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Patrick S R Davidson
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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3
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Tan Q, Li W, Nygaard M, An P, Feitosa M, Wojczynski MK, Zmuda J, Arbeev K, Ukraintseva S, Yashin A, Christensen K, Mengel-From J. Genome-Wide Epistatic Network Analyses of Semantic Fluency in Older Adults. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5257. [PMID: 38791296 PMCID: PMC11120839 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105257] [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: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Semantic fluency impairment has been attributed to a wide range of neurocognitive and psychiatric conditions, especially in the older population. Moderate heritability estimates on semantic fluency were obtained from both twin and family-based studies suggesting genetic contributions to the observed variation across individuals. Currently, effort in identifying the genetic variants underlying the heritability estimates for this complex trait remains scarce. Using the semantic fluency scale and genome-wide SNP genotype data from the Long Life Family Study (LLFS), we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and epistasis network analysis on semantic fluency in 2289 individuals aged over 60 years from the American LLFS cohorts and replicated the findings in 1129 individuals aged over 50 years from the Danish LLFS cohort. In the GWAS, two SNPs with genome-wide significance (rs3749683, p = 2.52 × 10-8; rs880179, p = 4.83 × 10-8) mapped to the CMYAS gene on chromosome 5 were detected. The epistasis network analysis identified five modules as significant (4.16 × 10-5 < p < 7.35 × 10-3), of which two were replicated (p < 3.10 × 10-3). These two modules revealed significant enrichment of tissue-specific gene expression in brain tissues and high enrichment of GWAS catalog traits, e.g., obesity-related traits, blood pressure, chronotype, sleep duration, and brain structure, that have been reported to associate with verbal performance in epidemiological studies. Our results suggest high tissue specificity of genetic regulation of gene expression in brain tissues with epistatic SNP networks functioning jointly in modifying individual verbal ability and cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihua Tan
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark; (W.L.); (M.N.); (K.C.); (J.M.-F.)
- Unit of Human Genetics, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Weilong Li
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark; (W.L.); (M.N.); (K.C.); (J.M.-F.)
| | - Marianne Nygaard
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark; (W.L.); (M.N.); (K.C.); (J.M.-F.)
| | - Ping An
- Division of Statistical Genomics, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (P.A.); (M.F.); (M.K.W.)
| | - Mary Feitosa
- Division of Statistical Genomics, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (P.A.); (M.F.); (M.K.W.)
| | - Mary K. Wojczynski
- Division of Statistical Genomics, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (P.A.); (M.F.); (M.K.W.)
| | - Joseph Zmuda
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA;
| | - Konstantin Arbeev
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NA 27708, USA; (K.A.); (S.U.); (A.Y.)
| | - Svetlana Ukraintseva
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NA 27708, USA; (K.A.); (S.U.); (A.Y.)
| | - Anatoliy Yashin
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NA 27708, USA; (K.A.); (S.U.); (A.Y.)
| | - Kaare Christensen
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark; (W.L.); (M.N.); (K.C.); (J.M.-F.)
| | - Jonas Mengel-From
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark; (W.L.); (M.N.); (K.C.); (J.M.-F.)
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Elnes M, Hansen JE, Lervåg A, Hatlevik OE, Reikerås EKL. Verbal and non-verbal skills in early childhood: dimensionality, developmental trajectories, and gender differences. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1330334. [PMID: 38708013 PMCID: PMC11066225 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examines the dimensionality of and relationships between two subscales from the British Ability Scales - Third Edition, measuring verbal (expressive vocabulary) and non-verbal (reasoning) cognitive skills for toddlers (age three) and preschoolers (age five), in a Norwegian context across genders. Descriptive statistics revealed item selection criteria that included specific items within each subscale. Subsequently, Confirmatory Factor Analysis established the subscales' dimensionality (Naming Vocabulary and Picture Similarities; N = 1094) and confirmed measurement invariance across genders. Further, the relationships between the verbal and non-verbal factors were investigated using correlation analysis and Structural Equation Modeling. The findings revealed that the verbal factor at age three strongly predicted the verbal factor at age five and significantly influenced the non-verbal factor at age five. The non-verbal factor at age three exhibited a moderate predictive relationship with the non-verbal factor at age five, and did not significantly predict the verbal factor at age five. In terms of gender differences, girls showed higher scores on the verbal factor at age three, and a stronger correlation between the non-verbal factor at age three and the verbal factor at age five. In summary, this research provides valuable insights into cognitive skill measurement and development in a Norwegian context and highlights possible variations across gender. The study's findings, limitations, and implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Elnes
- Department of Primary and Secondary Teacher Education, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Joakim Evensen Hansen
- Norwegian Centre for Reading Education and Research, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Arne Lervåg
- Department of Education, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- CREATE – Center for Research on Equality in Education, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ove Edvard Hatlevik
- Department of Primary and Secondary Teacher Education, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elin Kirsti Lie Reikerås
- Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- FILIORUM-Centre for Research in Early Childhood Education, Stavanger, Norway
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Sobrinho ACDS, Gomes GADO, Bueno Júnior CR. Developing a Multiprofessional Mobile App to Enhance Health Habits in Older Adults: User-Centered Approach. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e54214. [PMID: 38619865 PMCID: PMC11058554 DOI: 10.2196/54214] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although comprehensive lifestyle habits are crucial for healthy aging, their adherence tends to decline as individuals grow older. Sustaining a healthy life over time poses a motivational challenge. Some digital tools, such as smartphone apps aimed at promoting healthy habits, have been used to counteract this decline. However, a more profound investigation is necessary into the diverse experiences of users, particularly when it concerns older adults or those who are unfamiliar with information and communications technologies. OBJECTIVE We aimed to develop a mobile app focused on promoting the health of older adults based on the principles of software engineering and a user-centered design. The project respected all ethical guidelines and involved the participation of older adults at various stages of the development of the app. METHODS This study used a mixed methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methodologies for data collection. The study was conducted in Ribeirão Prêto, São Paulo, Brazil, and involved 20 older adults of both genders who were aged ≥60 years and enrolled in the Physical Education Program for the Elderly at the University of São Paulo. The research unfolded in multiple phases, encompassing the development and refinement of the app with active engagement from the participants. RESULTS A total of 20 participants used a mobile health app with an average age of 64.8 (SD 2.7) years. Most participants had a high school education, middle-class status, and varying health literacy (mean score 73.55, SD 26.70). Overall, 90% (18/20) of the participants owned smartphones. However, 20% (4/20) of the participants faced installation challenges and 30% (6/20) struggled with web-based searches. The focus groups assessed app usability and satisfaction. Adjustments increased satisfaction scores significantly (Suitability Assessment of Materials: 34.89% to 70.65%; System Usability Scale: 71.23 to 87.14). Participant feedback emphasized font size, navigation, visual feedback, and personalization, and suggestions included health device integration, social interaction, and in-app communication support. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to the development of health care technologies tailored to the older adult population, considering their specific needs. It is anticipated that the resulting app will serve as a valuable tool for promoting healthy habits and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
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Hou M, Bergamino M, de Chastelaine M, Sambamoorthy S, Rugg MD. Free water-corrected fractional anisotropy of the fornix and parahippocampal cingulum predicts longitudinal memory change in cognitively healthy older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2024; 142:17-26. [PMID: 39053354 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.04.005] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Prior studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the relationships between the integrity of the fornix and parahippocampal cingulum and both memory performance and longitudinal change in performance. In the present study, we examined associations in a sample of cognitively healthy older adults between free water-corrected fractional anisotropy (FA) metrics derived from the fornix and cingulum, baseline memory performance, and 3-year memory change. Neither fornix nor cingulum FA correlated with memory performance at baseline. By contrast, FA of each tract was predictive of memory change, such that greater FA was associated with less longitudinal decline. These associations remained significant after controlling for FA of other white matter tracts and for performance in other cognitive domains. Furthermore, fornix and cingulum FA explained unique variance in memory change. These results suggest that free water-corrected measures of fornix and parahippocampal cingulum integrity are reliable predictors of future memory change in cognitively healthy older adults. The findings for the fornix in particular highlight the utility of correcting for free water when estimating diffusion tensor imaging metrics of white matter integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Hou
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, USA.
| | - Maurizio Bergamino
- Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Marianne de Chastelaine
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Sowmya Sambamoorthy
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Michael D Rugg
- Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
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Xiong H, Liu X, Yang F, Yang T, Chen J, Chen J, Li T. Developmental Language Differences in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Possible Sex Difference. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:841-851. [PMID: 36538127 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05806-6] [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: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Developmental difference is a common characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with unclear sex differences. The current study included 610 children with ASD, aged between 2 and 7 years, with completed language profiles. We used a nonparametric item response theory model called Mokken scale analysis to examine the order of acquisition of developmental language milestones in children with ASD. Our results demonstrated the developmental language differences in the expressive and receptive language dimensions in children with ASD compared with typical developmental sequences. Furthermore, The acquisition of gestures and pragmatics was more impaired in the female subgroup than in the male subgroup. The identified developmental language sequence could help provide a more comprehensive ASD developmental profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyi Xiong
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Language Disorders, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinjin Chen
- Department of Child Healthcare, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tingyu Li
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, No.136 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, People's Republic of China.
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Sang F, Zhao S, Li Z, Yang Y, Chen Y, Zhang Z. Cortical thickness reveals sex differences in verbal and visuospatial memory. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae067. [PMID: 38451300 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Although previous studies have reported the sex differences in behavior/cognition and the brain, the sex difference in the relationship between memory abilities and the underlying neural basis in the aging process remains unclear. In this study, we used a machine learning model to estimate the association between cortical thickness and verbal/visuospatial memory in females and males and then explored the sex difference of these associations based on a community-elderly cohort (n = 1153, age ranged from 50.42 to 86.67 years). We validated that females outperformed males in verbal memory, while males outperformed females in visuospatial memory. The key regions related to verbal memory in females include the medial temporal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and some regions around the insula. Further, those regions are more located in limbic, dorsal attention, and default-model networks, and are associated with face recognition and perception. The key regions related to visuospatial memory include the lateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, and some occipital regions. They overlapped more with dorsal attention, frontoparietal and visual networks, and were associated with object recognition. These findings imply the memory performance advantage of females and males might be related to the different memory processing tendencies and their associated network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Sang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Shaokun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zilin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yiru Yang
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yaojing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zhanjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Eissman JM, Archer DB, Mukherjee S, Lee ML, Choi S, Scollard P, Trittschuh EH, Mez JB, Bush WS, Kunkle BW, Naj AC, Gifford KA, Cuccaro ML, Cruchaga C, Pericak‐Vance MA, Farrer LA, Wang L, Schellenberg GD, Mayeux RP, Haines JL, Jefferson AL, Kukull WA, Keene CD, Saykin AJ, Thompson PM, Martin ER, Bennett DA, Barnes LL, Schneider JA, Crane PK, Hohman TJ, Dumitrescu L. Sex-specific genetic architecture of late-life memory performance. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:1250-1267. [PMID: 37984853 PMCID: PMC10917043 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13507] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women demonstrate a memory advantage when cognitively healthy yet lose this advantage to men in Alzheimer's disease. However, the genetic underpinnings of this sex difference in memory performance remain unclear. METHODS We conducted the largest sex-aware genetic study on late-life memory to date (Nmales = 11,942; Nfemales = 15,641). Leveraging harmonized memory composite scores from four cohorts of cognitive aging and AD, we performed sex-stratified and sex-interaction genome-wide association studies in 24,216 non-Hispanic White and 3367 non-Hispanic Black participants. RESULTS We identified three sex-specific loci (rs67099044-CBLN2, rs719070-SCHIP1/IQCJ-SCHIP), including an X-chromosome locus (rs5935633-EGL6/TCEANC/OFD1), that associated with memory. Additionally, we identified heparan sulfate signaling as a sex-specific pathway and found sex-specific genetic correlations between memory and cardiovascular, immune, and education traits. DISCUSSION This study showed memory is highly and comparably heritable across sexes, as well as highlighted novel sex-specific genes, pathways, and genetic correlations that related to late-life memory. HIGHLIGHTS Demonstrated the heritable component of late-life memory is similar across sexes. Identified two genetic loci with a sex-interaction with baseline memory. Identified an X-chromosome locus associated with memory decline in females. Highlighted sex-specific candidate genes and pathways associated with memory. Revealed sex-specific shared genetic architecture between memory and complex traits.
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10
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Le AA, Lauterborn JC, Jia Y, Cox CD, Lynch G, Gall CM. Metabotropic NMDA Receptor Signaling Contributes to Sex Differences in Synaptic Plasticity and Episodic Memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.26.577478. [PMID: 38328108 PMCID: PMC10849651 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.577478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Men generally outperform women on encoding spatial components of episodic memory whereas the reverse holds for semantic elements. Here we show that female mice outperform males on tests for non-spatial aspects of episodic memory ("what", "when"), suggesting that the human findings are influenced by neurobiological factors common to mammals. Analysis of hippocampal synaptic plasticity mechanisms and encoding revealed unprecedented, sex-specific contributions of non-classical metabotropic NMDA receptor (NMDAR) functions. While both sexes used non-ionic NMDAR signaling to trigger actin polymerization needed to consolidate long-term potentiation (LTP), NMDAR GluN2B subunit antagonism blocked these effects in males only and had the corresponding sex-specific effect on episodic memory. Conversely, blocking estrogen receptor alpha eliminated metabotropic stabilization of LTP and episodic memory in females only. The results show that sex differences in metabotropic signaling critical for enduring synaptic plasticity in hippocampus have significant consequences for encoding episodic memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza A. Le
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California; Irvine, 92697, USA
| | - Julie C. Lauterborn
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California; Irvine, 92697, USA
| | - Yousheng Jia
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California; Irvine, 92697, USA
| | - Conor D. Cox
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California; Irvine, 92697, USA
| | - Gary Lynch
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California; Irvine, 92697, USA
- Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California; Irvine, 92868, USA
| | - Christine M. Gall
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California; Irvine, 92697, USA
- Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California; Irvine, 92697, USA
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11
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Vaskinn A, Ueland T, Melle I, Sundet K. Sex differences in social cognition among individuals with schizophrenia and in healthy control participants: a secondary analysis of published data. Arch Womens Ment Health 2024:10.1007/s00737-024-01422-8. [PMID: 38244033 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-024-01422-8] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sex differences are present among individuals experiencing schizophrenia. Whether these differences extend to social cognition is unclear. In this study, we investigated sex differences in emotion perception, social perception and theory of mind (ToM). METHODS We examined sex differences between males and females with schizophrenia on five social cognitive tests. Healthy male and female control participants were included to examine if any sex difference was illness-specific. Emotion perception was measured with Pictures of Facial Affect (PFA) and Emotion in Biological Motion (EmoBio); social perception with the Relationships Across Domains Test (RAD); and ToM with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) and Hinting Task. RESULTS Two-way analyses of variance revealed overall group differences for all tests, with healthy controls outperforming individuals with schizophrenia. Significant sex effects were present for PFA and Hinting Task. There were no significant interaction effects. Within-group independent samples t-tests yielded one significant sex difference, i.e., among healthy controls for PFA. CONCLUSIONS Females had better facial emotion perception than males. This sex difference was statistically significant among healthy controls and medium-large among individuals experiencing schizophrenia. There were no significant sex differences for other social cognitive domains. The study did not find evidence for a general female advantage in social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Vaskinn
- Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Torill Ueland
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Psychosis Research Section, Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Melle
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Psychosis Research Section, Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kjetil Sundet
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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12
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Ramos AA, Machado L. 3-Year test-retest reliability in Parkinson's disease and healthy older adults: The Parkinson's progression markers initiative study. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38241781 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2303718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Repeated neuropsychological assessments are often conducted in clinical and research settings to track cognitive changes over single or multiple intervals in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Yet few studies have documented test-retest reliability in PD. To address this gap, we used data from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) to investigate the reliability of five well-known neuropsychological tests over a 3-year follow-up assessment in early-stage PD with either normal (PD-NC; N = 158) or abnormal (PD-AC; N = 39) cognitive screening, categorized based on recommended cutoffs for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and healthy older adults (HOA; N = 102). All participants analyzed maintained the same cognitive status category across the assessment points. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) estimated reliability. The overall ICCs calculated across time points were as follows: Judgment of Line Orientation (PD-NC = .47, PD-AC = .50, HOA = .59); Letter-Number Sequencing (PD-NC = .64, PD-AC = .64, HOA = .65); Semantic Fluency (PD-NC = .69, PD-AC = .89, HOA = .77); Symbol Digit Modalities Test (PD-NC = .67, PD-AC = .83, HOA = .71). For the two primary components of the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, we found the following ICCs: immediate recall (PD-NC = .46, PD-AC = .57, HOA = .58); delayed recall (PD-NC = .42, PD-AC = .57, HOA = .54). Findings from this study provide useful information for clinicians and researchers toward selecting suitable neuropsychological tests to monitor cognition at two or more time points among newly diagnosed individuals with PD and HOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Alex Ramos
- Sustentabilidade e Responsabilidade Social, Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Liana Machado
- Department of Psychology and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Aotearoa Brain Project, Auckland, New Zealand
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13
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Cartier L, Guérin M, Saulnier F, Cotocea I, Mohammedi A, Moussaoui F, Kheloui S, Juster RP. Sex and gender correlates of sexually polymorphic cognition. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:3. [PMID: 38191503 PMCID: PMC10773055 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00579-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexually polymorphic cognition (SPC) results from the interaction between biological (birth-assigned sex (BAS), sex hormones) and socio-cultural (gender identity, gender roles, sexual orientation) factors. The literature remains quite mixed regarding the magnitude of the effects of these variables. This project used a battery of classic cognitive tests designed to assess the influence of sex hormones on cognitive performance. At the same time, we aimed to assess the inter-related and respective effects that BAS, sex hormones, and gender-related factors have on SPC. METHODS We recruited 222 adults who completed eight cognitive tasks that assessed a variety of cognitive domains during a 150-min session. Subgroups were separated based on gender identity and sexual orientation and recruited as follows: cisgender heterosexual men (n = 46), cisgender non-heterosexual men (n = 36), cisgender heterosexual women (n = 36), cisgender non-heterosexual women (n = 38), gender diverse (n = 66). Saliva samples were collected before, during, and after the test to assess testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone. Psychosocial variables were derived from self-report questionnaires. RESULTS Cognitive performance reflects sex and gender differences that are partially consistent with the literature. Interestingly, biological factors seem to better explain differences in male-typed cognitive tasks (i.e., spatial), while psychosocial factors seem to better explain differences in female-typed cognitive tasks (i.e., verbal). CONCLUSION Our results establish a better comprehension of SPC over and above the effects of BAS as a binary variable. We highlight the importance of treating sex as a biological factor and gender as a socio-cultural factor together since they collectively influence SPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Cartier
- Center on Sex*Gender, Allostasis, and Resilience, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, 7331, Rue Hochelaga, Montreal, QC, H1N 3V2, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mina Guérin
- Center on Sex*Gender, Allostasis, and Resilience, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, 7331, Rue Hochelaga, Montreal, QC, H1N 3V2, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Fanny Saulnier
- Center on Sex*Gender, Allostasis, and Resilience, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, 7331, Rue Hochelaga, Montreal, QC, H1N 3V2, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ioana Cotocea
- Center on Sex*Gender, Allostasis, and Resilience, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, 7331, Rue Hochelaga, Montreal, QC, H1N 3V2, Canada
| | - Amine Mohammedi
- Center on Sex*Gender, Allostasis, and Resilience, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, 7331, Rue Hochelaga, Montreal, QC, H1N 3V2, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Fadila Moussaoui
- Center on Sex*Gender, Allostasis, and Resilience, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, 7331, Rue Hochelaga, Montreal, QC, H1N 3V2, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah Kheloui
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Robert-Paul Juster
- Center on Sex*Gender, Allostasis, and Resilience, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, 7331, Rue Hochelaga, Montreal, QC, H1N 3V2, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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14
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Ece B, Göktaş N. On the retrieval of earliest memories. Memory 2024; 32:69-82. [PMID: 37948575 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2023.2280498] [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: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Earliest memories were examined with respect to recollection type (i.e., remember-know), retrieval type (i.e., direct-generative), retrieval speed, and memory fluency (i.e., phonemic, semantic, and autobiographical). A total of 137 young adults (94 females; Mage = 20.47, SDage = 1.57) reported their earliest memories and specified their recollection and retrieval types for reported memories. They further dated their recollections by reporting the age at event, rated event characteristics and completed the phonemic, semantic, and autobiographical memory fluency tasks. Remembered and known earliest memories were similar in retrieval speed, but remembered memories were more prevalent. For retrieval type, direct and generative retrieval were similar in prevalence, but direct retrieval was faster in recalling the earliest memories. Directly retrieved memories were dated earlier than generated ones, but no such pattern in dating was observed for remember-know distinction. In terms of memory fluency, none of the three fluency tasks predicted the retrieval speed, recollection and retrieval type. For event characteristics, significant differences were observed only for vividness and rehearsal for both retrieval and recollection type. The present study is the first to explore recollection and retrieval type, retrieval speed, memory fluency together with dating and event characteristics in the context of earliest memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berivan Ece
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Nilüfer Göktaş
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, İstanbul, Türkiye
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15
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Johnson R, Bhandary P R, Guddatu V, Kamath C, John S. Comparison of verbal fluency performance in Kannada-speaking adults with and without euthymic bipolar disorder type 1. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2023:1-11. [PMID: 38117696 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2023.2289550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with euthymic bipolar disorder (BD) type I exhibit deficits in executive functions. Although less explored in the BD population, the tasks of verbal fluency (VF) have shown great potential in understanding semantic organization. This study provides an extensive exploration across the letter and semantic VF tasks in 27 demographically matched euthymic BD-I and healthy controls (HC). The groups were compared on measures of the total number of correct words (TNCW), temporal pattern analysis, number of clusters (NC), mean cluster size (MCS), number of switches (NS), and error pattern. An overall reduction in letter fluency scores (the TNCW, number of switches, and NC) as compared to semantic fluency scores was noted for both groups, with a significantly greater decrease in the BD-1 group. The MCS and temporal pattern were relatively similar across the two groups. The influence of education with no gender difference was observed between groups with error types prevalent in both groups. The study findings call attention toward assessing the VF performance in persons with BD in terms of error production and the strategies employed (clustering-switching).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Johnson
- Department of Speech and Hearing, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | | | - Vasudeva Guddatu
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Chinmayi Kamath
- Department of Speech and Hearing, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sunila John
- Department of Speech and Hearing, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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16
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Karousou A, Economacou D, Makris N. Clustering and Switching in Semantic Verbal Fluency: Their Development and Relationship with Word Productivity in Typically Developing Greek-Speaking Children and Adolescents. J Intell 2023; 11:209. [PMID: 37998708 PMCID: PMC10671952 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence11110209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Performance in semantic verbal fluency (SVF) tasks, mainly measured by the number of words of a particular semantic category produced within a limited time, is a widely accepted measure of cognitive functioning used in the neuropsychological assessment of children and adults. Two strategic processes, Clustering and Switching (C&S) have been proposed to underlie fluency processes and affect performance in the task. However, few studies have reported on the development of those cognitive strategies and their relationship with word productivity in typically developing children. Even fewer studies have covered a broad developmental period from preschool to adolescence or measured the effect of contextual factors in this relationship. Based on a sample of 472 typically developing Greek-speaking children aged 4;0 to 16;11 years, we investigated the development of SVF performance and reported on the degree to which it is affected by C&S strategies, children's sex, and level of parental education. Results revealed a large effect of age on word productivity and on the use of C&S strategies. Two switching factors (number of clusters and number of switches) and two clustering factors (mean cluster size and a novel measure, maximum cluster size), appeared to be significantly associated with word productivity, with the largest effect being attributed to the two switching factors. C&S factors, together with children's age and parental education, predicted 91.7% of the variance in the SVF score. Children's sex was not found to have a significant effect on either word productivity or C&S strategies. Results are discussed for their theoretical implications on the strategic processes underlying word production in typically developing children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Karousou
- Department of Education Sciences in Early Childhood, Democritus University of Thrace, 681 00 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Dimitra Economacou
- Department of Primary Education, Democritus University of Thrace, 671 32 Xanthi, Greece; (D.E.); (N.M.)
| | - Nikos Makris
- Department of Primary Education, Democritus University of Thrace, 671 32 Xanthi, Greece; (D.E.); (N.M.)
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17
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Gregory S, Harrison J, Herrmann J, Hunter M, Jenkins N, König A, Linz N, Luz S, Mallick E, Pullen H, Welstead M, Ruhmel S, Tröger J, Ritchie CW. Remote data collection speech analysis in people at risk for Alzheimer's disease dementia: usability and acceptability results. FRONTIERS IN DEMENTIA 2023; 2:1271156. [PMID: 39081993 PMCID: PMC11285540 DOI: 10.3389/frdem.2023.1271156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Digital cognitive assessments are gathering importance for the decentralized remote clinical trials of the future. Before including such assessments in clinical trials, they must be tested to confirm feasibility and acceptability with the intended participant group. This study presents usability and acceptability data from the Speech on the Phone Assessment (SPeAk) study. Methods Participants (N = 68, mean age 70.43 years, 52.9% male) provided demographic data and completed baseline and 3-month follow-up phone based assessments. The baseline visit was administered by a trained researcher and included a spontaneous speech assessment and a brief cognitive battery (immediate and delayed recall, digit span, and verbal fluency). The follow-up visit repeated the cognitive battery which was administered by an automatic phone bot. Participants were randomized to receive their cognitive test results acer the final or acer each study visit. Participants completed acceptability questionnaires electronically acer each study visit. Results There was excellent retention (98.5%), few technical issues (n = 5), and good interrater reliability. Participants rated the assessment as acceptable, confirming the ease of use of the technology and their comfort in completing cognitive tasks on the phone. Participants generally reported feeling happy to receive the results of their cognitive tests, and this disclosure did not cause participants to feel worried. Discussion The results from this usability and acceptability analysis suggest that completing this brief battery of cognitive tests via a telephone call is both acceptable and feasible in a midlife-to-older adult population in the United Kingdom, living at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Gregory
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - John Harrison
- Scottish Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Matthew Hunter
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Jenkins
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra König
- ki:elements GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany
- CoBTek (Cognition-Behaviour-Technology) Lab, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | | | - Saturnino Luz
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hannah Pullen
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Scottish Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Miles Welstead
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Scottish Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Ruhmel
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Raritan, NJ, United States
| | | | - Craig W. Ritchie
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Scottish Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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18
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Yeung MK. Effects of age, gender, and education on task performance and prefrontal cortex processing during emotional and non-emotional verbal fluency tests. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2023; 245:105325. [PMID: 37748413 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2023.105325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The emotional semantic fluency test (SFT) is an emerging verbal fluency test that requires controlled access to emotional lexical information. Currently, how demographic variables influence neurocognitive processing during this test remains elusive. The present study compared the effects of age, gender, and education on task performance and prefrontal cortex (PFC) processing during the non-emotional and emotional SFTs. One-hundred and thirty-three Cantonese-speaking adults aged 18-79 performed the non-emotional and emotional SFTs while their PFC activation was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Results showed that more education predicted better non-emotional SFT performance, whereas younger age, being female, and more education predicted better emotional SFT performance. Only age significantly affected PFC activation during the SFTs, and the effect was comparable between the two SFTs. Thus, compared with its non-emotional analog, the emotional SFT is influenced by overlapping yet distinct demographic variables. There is a similar age-related reorganization of PFC function across SFT performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Yeung
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
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19
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Yang CC, Totzek JF, Lepage M, Lavigne KM. Sex differences in cognition and structural covariance-based morphometric connectivity: evidence from 28,000+ UK Biobank participants. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:10341-10354. [PMID: 37557917 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad286] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
There is robust evidence for sex differences in domain-specific cognition, where females typically show an advantage for verbal memory, whereas males tend to perform better in spatial memory. Sex differences in brain connectivity are well documented and may provide insight into these differences. In this study, we examined sex differences in cognition and structural covariance, as an index of morphometric connectivity, of a large healthy sample (n = 28,821) from the UK Biobank. Using T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans and regional cortical thickness values, we applied jackknife bias estimation and graph theory to obtain subject-specific measures of structural covariance, hypothesizing that sex-related differences in brain network global efficiency, or overall covariance, would underlie cognitive differences. As predicted, females demonstrated better verbal memory and males showed a spatial memory advantage. Females also demonstrated faster processing speed, with no observed sex difference in executive functioning. Males showed higher global efficiency, as well as higher regional covariance (nodal strengths) in both hemispheres relative to females. Furthermore, higher global efficiency in males mediated sex differences in verbal memory and processing speed. Findings contribute to an improved understanding of how biological sex and differences in cognition are related to morphometric connectivity as derived from graph-theoretic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal C Yang
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Jana F Totzek
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6211 LK, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Martin Lepage
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Katie M Lavigne
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
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20
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Spencer RJ, Williams TF, Kordovski VM, Patrick SD, Lengu K, Gradwohl BD, Hammers DB. A quantitative review of competing learning slope metrics: effects of age, sex, and clinical diagnosis. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2023; 45:744-757. [PMID: 38357915 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2024.2314741] [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: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In learning and memory tests that involve multiple presentations of the same material, learning slope refers to the degree to which examinees improve performances over successive learning trials. We aimed to quantitatively review the traditional raw learning slope (RLS), and the newly created learning ratio (LR) to understand the effects of demographic variables and clinical diagnoses on learning slope (e.g., limited improvement over multiple trials), and to develop demographically sensitive norms. METHOD A systematic literature search was conducted to evaluate the potential for these aims to be examined across the most popular contemporary multi-trial learning tests. Two databases were searched. Following this, hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine how demographic variables predict learning slope indices. These results were in turn used to contrast the performance of clinical groups with the predicted performance of demographically similar healthy controls. Finally, preliminary normative estimates for learning slope indices were presented. RESULTS A total of 82 studies met criteria for inclusion in this study. However, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) was the only test to have sufficient trial-level learning and demographic data. Fifty-eight samples from 19 studies were quantitatively examined. Hierarchical linear models provided evidence of sex differences and a curvilinear decline in learning slope with age, with strongest and most consistent effects for LR relative to RLS. Regression-based norms for demographically corrected RLS and LR scores for the RAVLT are presented. The effect of clinical diagnoses was consistently stronger for LR, and Alzheimer's disease had the strongest effect, followed by invalid performances, severe traumatic brain injury, and seizures/epilepsy. CONCLUSION Overall, LR enjoys both conceptual and demonstrated psychometric advantages over RLS. Replication of these findings can be completed by reanalyzing existing datasets. Further work may focus on the utility of using LR in diagnosis and prediction of clinical prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Spencer
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Trevor F Williams
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Victoria M Kordovski
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Sarah D Patrick
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ketrin Lengu
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Brian D Gradwohl
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Trinity Health Hauenstein Neurosciences, Trinity Health, Muskegon, MI, USA
| | - Dustin B Hammers
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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21
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Hall MG, Wollman SC, Haines ME, Boyle MA, Richardson HK, Hammers DB. Novel learning ratio from the NAB list learning test distinguishes between clinical groups: clinical validation and sex-related differences. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2023; 45:715-726. [PMID: 37477412 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2236772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
List-learning tasks provide a wealth of information about an individual's cognitive abilities: attention, encoding, storage, retrieval, recognition. A more recently developed metric, the Learning Ratio (LR), supplements information about cognitive ability and can assist the clinician in determining whether an individual has cognitive impairment. The LR is calculated by taking the difference between the individuals' raw score on the first learning trial and their raw score on the last learning trial, which is then divided by the number of words left to be learned after the first learning trial. A LR derived from the list-learning task from the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) was evaluated to determine ability to distinguish those with normal cognition from those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Results from the present study indicate the NAB LR is able to distinguish between clinical groups; recommended cutoffs for the NAB LR scores are provided. We also found a significant female sex-advantage for the NAB LR in those with normal memory ability and demonstrated the female sex advantage decreased with increasing memory impairment. Taken together, the NAB LR may assist clinicians in making an accurate and early diagnosis and may be helpful for tracking learning and functioning across multiple assessments. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Hall
- University of Toledo Medical Center Rehabilitation Services, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Mary E Haines
- University of Toledo Medical Center Rehabilitation Services, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Mellisa A Boyle
- University of Toledo Medical Center Rehabilitation Services, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Dustin B Hammers
- Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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22
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Kheloui S, Jacmin-Park S, Larocque O, Kerr P, Rossi M, Cartier L, Juster RP. Sex/gender differences in cognitive abilities. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105333. [PMID: 37517542 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Sex/gender differences in cognitive sciences are riddled by conflicting perspectives. At the center of debates are clinical, social, and political perspectives. Front and center, evolutionary and biological perspectives have often focused on 'nature' arguments, while feminist and constructivist views have often focused on 'nurture arguments regarding cognitive sex differences. In the current narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview regarding the origins and historical advancement of these debates while providing a summary of the results in the field of sexually polymorphic cognition. In so doing, we attempt to highlight the importance of using transdisciplinary perspectives which help bridge disciplines together to provide a refined understanding the specific factors that drive sex differences a gender diversity in cognitive abilities. To summarize, biological sex (e.g., birth-assigned sex, sex hormones), socio-cultural gender (gender identity, gender roles), and sexual orientation each uniquely shape the cognitive abilities reviewed. To date, however, few studies integrate these sex and gender factors together to better understand individual differences in cognitive functioning. This has potential benefits if a broader understanding of sex and gender factors are systematically measured when researching and treating numerous conditions where cognition is altered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kheloui
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Silke Jacmin-Park
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Ophélie Larocque
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Philippe Kerr
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Mathias Rossi
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Louis Cartier
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Robert-Paul Juster
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada.
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Pizzonia KL, Suhr JA, Clark LA, Clark BC. The relation of ApoE and COMT gene-gene interactions to cognitive and motor function in community-dwelling older adults: a pilot study. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1206473. [PMID: 37744392 PMCID: PMC10513033 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1206473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Certain genes increase the risk of age-related neurological dysfunction and/or disease. For instance, ApoE is a well-known gene carrying risk for Alzheimer's disease, while COMT has been associated with age-related reductions in motor function. There is growing interest in the interrelationship between age-related changes in cognitive and motor function, and examining gene-gene interactions in this context. In this pilot study we examined the relations of the ApoE and COMT genes and their interaction to both cognitive and motor performance in community-dwelling older adults. Methods We leveraged an archived dataset from a prior study on age-related muscle weakness in community-dwelling older adults. Sample size was between 72 and 82 individuals based on missing data. We examined the relationship of ApoE (Ɛ4 presence/absence), rs4680 SNP on the COMT gene (Val/Met, Val/Val, Met/Met), and sex on (1) overall cognitive functioning and specific cognitive domains known to decline in aging (processing speed, immediate and delayed memory, semantic and phonemic fluency, and executive functioning), and (2) indices of motor function (four square step test, short physical performance battery, grip strength/forearm lean mass, and purdue pegboard test). Results Homozygous COMT genotypes were associated with worse global cognitive performance, immediate memory, and semantic fluency, but only for older adults with at least one ApoE Ɛ4 allele. There were main effects for COMT for delayed memory and a main effect for both COMT and ApoE for coding and phonemic fluency. Women scored higher than men in overall cognition, immediate and delayed memory, and semantic fluency. There were no main effects or gene interactions for a measure of executive functioning (trial making test part B) or any of the measures of motor function. Discussion COMT, ApoE, and their interaction influence cognitive performance, but not motor functioning, in community dwelling older adults. Our work supports prior literature concluding that a heterozygous COMT genotype may be beneficial to sustain healthy cognitive functioning with advancing age for those who have a higher ApoE genetic risk status (at least one Ɛ4 allele). Future research should investigate interactions between COMT and ApoE in larger samples with comprehensive assessment of cognition and motor functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra L. Pizzonia
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
- Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Julie A. Suhr
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
- Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Leatha A. Clark
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Brian C. Clark
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH, United States
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24
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Canu E, Castelnovo V, Rancoita PMV, Leocadi M, Lamanuzzi A, Spinelli EG, Basaia S, Riva N, Poletti B, Solca F, Verde F, Ticozzi N, Silani V, Abrahams S, Filippi M, Agosta F. Italian reference values and brain correlates of verbal fluency index - vs standard verbal fluency test - to assess executive dysfunction in ALS. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023; 24:457-465. [PMID: 36654496 PMCID: PMC11166044 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2167606] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), verbal fluency index (Vfi) is used to investigate fluency accounting for motor impairment. This study has three aims: (1) to provide Vfi reference values from a cohort of Italian healthy subjects; (2) to assess the ability of Vfi reference values (vs standard verbal fluency test [VFT]) in distinguishing ALS patients with and without executive dysfunction; and (3) to investigate the association between Vfi and brain structural features of ALS patients. Methods: We included 180 healthy subjects and 157 ALS patients who underwent neuropsychological assessment, including VFT and Vfi, and brain MRI. Healthy subjects were split into four subgroups according to sex and education. For each subgroup, we defined the 95th percentile of Vfi as the cutoff. In ALS, the distributions of "abnormal" cases based on Vfi and standard VFT cutoffs were compared using Fisher's exact test. Using quantile regressions in patients, we assessed the association between Vfi and VFT scores, separately, with gray matter volumes and white matter (WM) tract integrity. Results: Applying Vfi and VFT cutoffs, 9 and 13% of ALS cases, respectively, had abnormal scores (p < 0.001). In ALS, while higher Vfi scores were associated with WM changes of callosal fibers linking supplementary motor area, lower VFT performances related to corticospinal tract alterations. Discussion: We provided Italian reference values for the spoken Vfi. Compared to VFT, Vfis are critical to disentangle motor and cognitive deficits in ALS. In patients, abnormal Vfis were associated with damage to WM tracts specifically involved in ideational information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Canu
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Castelnovo
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola MV Rancoita
- University Centre for Statistics in the Biomedical Sciences (CUSSB), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Leocadi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Lamanuzzi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Gioele Spinelli
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Basaia
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Poletti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Solca
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Verde
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sharon Abrahams
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK, and
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Agosta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Rzhanova IE, Alekseeva OS, Boldyreva AY, Nikolaeva AY, Burdukova YA. Verbal Abilities: Sex Differences in Children at Different Ages. PSYCHOLOGY IN RUSSIA: STATE OF ART 2023; 16:22-32. [PMID: 37818343 PMCID: PMC10561781 DOI: 10.11621/pir.2023.0202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The assertion of sex differences in verbal abilities is a highly controversial subject. Some studies have demonstrated a female advantage; other studies have found higher rates in males. The results depended on the type of verbal ability that was studied, the cultural context, and the ages of the subjects. There are two types of theories that have been developed to explain the existence of sex differences in cognitive abilities. Social theories explain the differences as caused by social determinants. Biological theories consider biological factors such as prenatal development conditions and hormone levels, among others, as the cause of sex differences. Objective To investigate sex differences in verbal abilities in children of different ages. Design Two different editions of Wechsler tests were used. For children age 2.5 to 5 years, the Wechsler Preschool Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) was used. For children age 6 and older, we administered the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V). The total sample included 313 children. Results The study found significant sex differences in performance on the Verbal Comprehension Scale in children of different ages. At the age of 2 to 4 years, the girls performed better than the boys. In the group of boys, there was a significant increase in verbal abilities at the age of 8-9 years. By the age of 10-11 years, boys began outperforming girls on the Verbal Comprehension Index. Scores on the Verbal Comprehension and Visual Spatial subtests for the boy sample showed stronger correlations than in the girl sample in all age groups. Conclusion Sex differences in verbal abilities varied depending on the age of the children. The boys showed a stronger integration of their verbal abilities into the structure of their intelligence than the girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina E. Rzhanova
- Psychological Institute of Russian Academy of Education, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga S. Alekseeva
- Psychological Institute of Russian Academy of Education, Moscow, Russia
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Skrbic R, Bugarski-Ignjatovic V, Komazec Z, Veselinovic M. Verbal, Figural, and Arithmetic Fluency of Children with Cochlear Implants. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:bs13050349. [PMID: 37232588 DOI: 10.3390/bs13050349] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cochlear implantation gives children with prelingual severe hearing loss and deafness the opportunity to develop their hearing abilities, speech, language, cognitive abilities and academic skills with adequate rehabilitation. The aim of the research was to analyze verbal, figural and arithmetic fluency and their interrelationship in children with a cochlear implant (CI) and children with normal hearing (NH). A total of 46 children with CI and 110 children with NH, aged 9 to 16, participated in the research. Verbal fluency was assessed using phonemic and semantic fluency, and non-verbal fluency using figural fluency. Arithmetic fluency was assessed using simple arithmetic tasks within the number range up to 100. The results showed that children with CI achieved poorer results in phonemic fluency (z = -4.92; p < 0.001), semantic fluency (z = -3.89; p < 0.001), figural fluency (z = -3.07; p = 0.002), and arithmetic fluency (z = -4.27; p < 0.001). In both groups, a positive correlation was obtained between the measured modalities and types of fluency. In the group of children with CI, a sex difference was obtained on the phonemic fluency test, in favor of girls. The age of children with CI was correlated with arithmetic fluency. Verbal, figural and arithmetic fluency of children with CI speak in favor of the importance of early auditory and language experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Skrbic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21 137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Vojislava Bugarski-Ignjatovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21 137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Neurology, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21 137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Zoran Komazec
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21 137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21 137 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mila Veselinovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21 137 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21 137 Novi Sad, Serbia
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27
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Balducci M. Linking gender differences with gender equality: A systematic-narrative literature review of basic skills and personality. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1105234. [PMID: 36874846 PMCID: PMC9978710 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1105234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
There is controversy regarding whether gender differences are smaller or larger in societies that promote gender equality highlighting the need for an integrated analysis. This review examines literature correlating, on a national level, gender differences in basic skills-mathematics, science (including attitudes and anxiety), and reading-as well as personality, to gender equality indicators. The aim is to assess the cross-national pattern of these differences when linked to measures of gender equality and explore new explanatory variables that can shed light on this linkage. The review was based on quantitative research relating country-level measures of gender differences to gender equality composite indices and specific indicators. The findings show that the mathematics gender gap from the PISA and TIMMS assessments, is not linked to composite indices and specific indicators, but gender differences are larger in gender-equal countries for reading, mathematics attitudes, and personality (Big Five, HEXACO, Basic Human Values, and Vocational Interests). Research on science and overall scores (mathematics, science, and reading considered together) is inconclusive. It is proposed that the paradox in reading results from the interrelation between basic skills and the attempt to increase girls' mathematics abilities both acting simultaneously while the paradox in mathematics attitudes might be explained by girls being less exposed to mathematics than boys. On the other hand, a more nuanced understanding of the gender equality paradox in personality is advanced, in which a gene-environment-cultural interplay accounts for the phenomenon. Challenges for future cross-national research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Balducci
- Department of Social Research, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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28
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O’Shea DM, Galvin JE. Female APOE ɛ4 Carriers with Slow Rates of Biological Aging Have Better Memory Performances Compared to Female ɛ4 Carriers with Accelerated Aging. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 92:1269-1282. [PMID: 36872781 PMCID: PMC10535361 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221145] [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] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that APOE ɛ4 carriers have worse memory performances compared to APOE ɛ4 non-carriers and effects may vary by sex and age. Estimates of biological age, using DNA methylation may enhance understanding of the associations between sex and APOE ɛ4 on cognition. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether associations between APOE ɛ4 status and memory vary according to rates of biological aging, using a DNA methylation age biomarker, in older men and women without dementia. METHODS Data were obtained from 1,771 adults enrolled in the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. A series of ANCOVAs were used to test the interaction effects of APOE ɛ4 status and aging rates (defined as 1 standard deviation below (i.e., slow rate), or above (i.e., fast rate) their sex-specific mean rate of aging on a composite measure of verbal learning and memory. RESULTS APOE ɛ4 female carriers with slow rates of GrimAge had significantly better memory performances compared to fast and average aging APOE ɛ4 female carriers. There was no effect of aging group rate on memory in the female non-carriers and no significant differences in memory according to age rate in either male APOE ɛ4 carriers or non-carriers. CONCLUSION Slower rates of aging in female APOE ɛ4 carriers may buffer against the negative effects of the ɛ4 allele on memory. However, longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate risk of dementia/memory impairment based on rates of aging in female APOE ɛ4 carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre M. O’Shea
- Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - James E. Galvin
- Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA
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29
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Coenjaerts M, Trimborn I, Adrovic B, Stoffel-Wagner B, Cahill L, Philipsen A, Hurlemann R, Scheele D. Exogenous estradiol and oxytocin modulate sex differences in hippocampal reactivity during the encoding of episodic memories. Neuroimage 2022; 264:119689. [PMID: 36349596 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119689] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable evidence supports sex differences in episodic memory. The hormones estradiol and oxytocin both affect episodic memory and may contribute to these sex differences, but possible underlying hormonal interactions have not been tested in a sample involving both sexes. To this end, we conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study including healthy free-cycling women (n = 111) and men (n = 115). The fMRI session was conducted under four experimental conditions: 1. transdermal estradiol (2 mg) and intranasal oxytocin (24 IU), 2. transdermal placebo and intranasal oxytocin, 3. transdermal estradiol and intranasal placebo, 4. transdermal placebo and intranasal placebo. Participants were scanned during the encoding of positive, neutral, and negative scenes. Recognition memory was tested three days following the scanning sessions without additional treatments. Under placebo, women showed a significantly better recognition memory and increased hippocampal responses to subsequently remembered items independent of the emotional valence compared to men. The separate treatments with either hormone significantly diminished this mnemonic sex difference and reversed the hippocampal activation pattern. However, the combined treatments produced no significant effect. Collectively, the results suggest that both hormones play a crucial role in modulating sex differences in episodic memory. Furthermore, possible antagonistic interactions between estradiol and oxytocin could explain previously observed opposing hormonal effects in women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Coenjaerts
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany.
| | - Isabelle Trimborn
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - Berina Adrovic
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - Birgit Stoffel-Wagner
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - Larry Cahill
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3800, United States
| | - Alexandra Philipsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - René Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Dirk Scheele
- Department of Social Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum 44780, Germany.
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