Cognitive Profile Discrepancies among Typical University Students and Those with Dyslexia and Mixed-Type Learning Disorder

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have identified areas of cognitive weakness in children diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD), in the areas of working memory and processing speed in particular. In adulthood, this literature is still scant, and no studies have compared the cognitive profile of university students with dyslexia (DD) with that of students with Mixed-type SLD.

METHOD

Thus, in this study, the WAIS-IV was used to examine the cognitive functioning of three groups of university students: students with DD, with Mixed-type SLD, and typical students. Statistical analyses were performed to examine differences in WAIS-IV FSIQ, main, and additional indexes and subtests.

RESULTS

The results showed strengths in perceptual reasoning and good verbal comprehension abilities in both the DD and Mixed-type SLD group, with weaknesses in working memory and processing speed, leading to a pattern of a better General Ability Index (GAI) than Cognitive Proficiency Index (CPI) in both clinical groups. Thus, discrepancies between GAI and CPI, well documented in children with SLD, still manifest in adulthood in university students. Our findings also revealed worse cognitive performance in university students with mixed learning disorder relative to students with only a reading deficit.

CONCLUSIONS

The cognitive features and distinctive subtest profiles that emerged should guide the assessment and the definitions of intervention programs, special educational needs, and strategies of compensation.

Psychological health of mothers and siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders during COVID-19 pandemic: new evidence in Italian families

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Psychological challenges are well recognized in families with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Instead, less is known about the effects of traumatic scenarios, such as COVID-19, on the psychological health of these families. The main aim of this research was to study the psychological health of both mothers and typically developing (TD) siblings of children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, we investigated the relationship between the mothers' psychological resources and their children psychological well-being.

METHODS

The sample included 52 mothers and their children: 15 with one child with ASD and at least one TD child (aged 4-14) (ASD-siblings group) and 37 with one or more TD child (aged 4-14) (TD control group). The data were collected through an online platform; four standardized questionnaires (GAD-7, BDI-II, CD-RISC 25 and CBCL) were administered.

RESULTS

The analyses revealed more internalizing and total behavioral symptoms in the siblings of children with ASD, compared to TD control group. Regarding the mothers, we did not find differences in depression and anxious symptoms between the two groups. However, the results reported a lower level of resilience in the mothers of children with ASD relative to mothers of TD children. Finally, the psychological well-being of the TD children was associated with the level of mothers' anxiety only in the ASD-siblings group.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our data show that the COVID-19 outbreak may had been particularly challenging for families of children with ASD, and highlight the importance of intensifying psychological support to families.

The Moderator Effect of Subthreshold Autistic Traits on the Relationship between Quality of Life and Internet Addiction

People with sub-threshold autistic traits (SATs) are more prone to develop addictive behaviors such the ones linked to Internet abuse. The restrictions for anti-COVID-19 distancing measures encourage social isolation and, consequently, increase screen time, which may lead to Internet addiction (IA). However, a better quality of life (QoL) may have function as a protective factor against the development of IA. This study wanted to investigate the relation between SATs, QoL, and the overuse of the Internet in a group of 141 university students in the North of Italy. Participants completed a battery of tests. Results suggest that QoL is a predictive factor of IA and that the relationship between QoL and IA is significantly moderated by SATs. This could mean that SATs might represent a risk factor for IA, even when people have a better quality of life. Differences between female and male students are discussed, as well as possible implications for practice.

Specific learning disorders in young adults: Investigating pragmatic abilities and their relationship with theory of mind, executive functions and quality of life

BACKGROUND

Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are lifelong conditions often associated with language difficulties, executive dysfunctions, and psychological problems. Previous research has shown that communicative-pragmatic ability may be impaired in SLD. However, the role of other cognitive abilities in explaining pragmatic difficulties has still not been fully investigated. The relationship between pragmatics and quality of life is not yet clear, as well.

AIMS

Firstly, the study assessed pragmatic comprehension abilities in adults with SLD. Secondly, we examined the relationship between pragmatics, theory of mind, executive functions and quality of life.

METHOD AND PROCEDURES

We enrolled 26 adults with SLD and 30 adults without SLD. Standardized tests assessing pragmatic comprehension, theory of mind and executive functions were used. The quality of life was investigated with a self-reported questionnaire.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Pragmatic comprehension abilities were compromised in young adults with SLD. In this clinical population we also found a link between pragmatic comprehension and visual theory of mind. Finally, independently from the presence of SLD, pragmatics abilities were in relationship with quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Overall, these data highlight the importance of including pragmatic abilities both in the clinical evaluation, as well as in psychological intervention for adults with SLD.

Morpho-Syntactic Deficit in Children with Cochlear Implant: Consequence of Hearing Loss or Concomitant Impairment to the Language System?

Background: Among implanted children with similar duration of auditory deprivation and clinical history, the morpho-syntactic skills remain highly variable, suggesting that other fundamental factors may determine the linguistic outcomes of these children, beyond their auditory recovery. The present study analyzed the morpho-syntactic discrepancies among three children with cochlear implant (CI), with the aim of understanding if morpho-syntactic deficits may be characterized as a domain-specific language disorder. Method: The three children (mean age = 7.2; SD = 0.4) received their CI at 2.7, 3.7, and 5.9 years of age. Their morpho-syntactic skills were evaluated in both comprehension and production and compared with 15 age-matched normal-hearing children (mean age = 6.6; SD = 0.3). Results: Cases 1 and 2 displayed a marked impairment across morphology and syntax, whereas Case 3, the late-implanted child, showed a morpho-syntactic profile well within the normal boundaries. A qualitative analysis showed, in Cases 1 and 2, language deficits similar to those of normal hearing children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Conclusions: We suggest that a severe grammatical deficit may be, in some implanted children, the final outcome of a concomitant impairment to the language system. Clinical implications for assessment and intervention are discussed.

Quantitative characterisation of the ring normal modes. Pyridine as a study case

In the present work, the vibrational normal modes (NM) of pyridine were revisited. Quantum Chemical calculations were performed to help understand the true nature of some ring related vibrational normal modes (RNM) and how they may be correlated with the electronic structure on the ring. The 27 vibrational normal modes were decomposed into the molecular internal coordinates, and the interest was focused on 7 of them, involving the in-plane ring motion. The electronic structure was analysed through frontier Molecular Orbitals (MO), maps of Molecular Electrostatic Potential surfaces (MEPs) and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis in a dynamic manner, wherein, each vibration was scanned. The present investigation is aimed to provide the Reader with a quantitative characterisation of the RNMs of pyridine.

Does early object exploration support gesture and language development in extremely preterm infants and full-term infants?

BACKGROUND

An increasing body of research on typically and atypically developing infants has shown that motor skills play an important role in language development. To date, however, the role of specific object exploration skills for early gesture and vocabulary development has not been investigated in extremely low gestational age infants (ELGA, GA < 28 weeks), who are at greater risk for motor and language delays than full-term (FT) infants.

PURPOSE

This longitudinal study examined relations between 6-month active exploratory behaviors and 12- month word comprehension, gestures and vocal production, controlling for cognitive performance and neonatal condition (ELGA vs FT).

METHODS

Forty infants, 20 ELGA and 20 FT, and their mothers participated in the study. Mother-infant play interaction was video-recorded at 6 and 12 months. Oral and manual object exploration at 6 months and spontaneous gestures and vocal production at 12 months were coded. Word comprehension was evaluated with the Italian version of the MacArthur-Bates CDI parent questionnaire at 12 months. Cognitive performance was examined with the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales at 6 months and the Bayley-III Scales at 12 months.

RESULTS

Regression analyses showed that after accounting for cognitive performance and neonatal condition, oral exploration was related to word comprehension, and manual exploration to gestures and vocal production in the overall sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Cascading effects of specific object exploration skills on gestures and language comprehension and production in preterm infants and FT infants are discussed. Clinical implications for early assessment of and interventions involving object exploration skills, which may affect language development, are considered for the preterm population.

Early communicative behaviors and their relationship to motor skills in extremely preterm infants

Despite the predictive value of early spontaneous communication for identifying risk for later language concerns, very little research has focused on these behaviors in extremely low-gestational-age infants (ELGA<28 weeks) or on their relationship with motor development. In this study, communicative behaviors (gestures, vocal utterances and their coordination) were evaluated during mother-infant play interactions in 20 ELGA infants and 20 full-term infants (FT) at 12 months (corrected age for ELGA infants). Relationships between gestures and motor skills, evaluated using the Bayley-III Scales were also examined. ELGA infants, compared with FT infants, showed less advanced communicative, motor, and cognitive skills. Giving and representational gestures were produced at a lower rate by ELGA infants. In addition, pointing gestures and words were produced by a lower percentage of ELGA infants. Significant positive correlations between gestures (pointing and representational gestures) and fine motor skills were found in the ELGA group. We discuss the relevance of examining spontaneous communicative behaviors and motor skills as potential indices of early development that may be useful for clinical assessment and intervention with ELGA infants.

Extra-linguistic influences on sentence comprehension in Italian-speaking children with and without specific language impairment

BACKGROUND

Many children with specific language impairment (SLI) in sentence comprehension. These deficits are usually attributed to limitations in the children's understanding of syntax or the lexical items contained in the sentences. This study examines the role that extra-linguistic factors can play in these children's sentence comprehension.

AIMS

Extra-linguistic demands on sentence comprehension are manipulated directly by varying the nature of the materials used.

METHODS & PROCEDURES

Forty-five Italian-speaking children participated: 15 with SLI (mean age = 4;5), 15 typically developing children matched for age (TD-A, mean age = 4;5), and 15 younger typically developing children matched according to language comprehension test scores (TD-Y, mean age = 3;9). The children responded to sentence comprehension items that varied in their length and/or the number and type of foils that competed with the target picture.

OUTCOMES & RESULTS

The TD-A children were more accurate than the TD-Y children and the children with SLI, but, for all groups, accuracy declined when task demands increased. In particular, sentences containing superfluous adjectives (e.g., Il topo bello copre l'uccello allegro, 'The nice mouse covers the happy bird' where all depicted mice were nice and all birds were happy) yielded higher scores than similar sentences in which each adjective had to be associated with the proper character (e.g., Il cane giallo lava il maiale bianco, 'The yellow dog washes the white pig', where foils included a yellow dog washing a pink pig, and a brown dog washing a white pig). Many errors reflected recency effects, probably influenced by the fact that adjectives modifying the object appear at the end of the sentence in Italian.

CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS

Differences between conditions were observed even when lexical content, syntactic structure and sentence length were controlled. This finding suggests the need for great care when assessing children's comprehension of sentences. The same syntactic structure and lexical content can vary in difficulty depending on the number and types of foils used in combination with the target picture.

Antiepileptic drug therapy and plasma levels in 2500 patients from Northern Italy

The antiepileptic drug therapy of 1912 patients coming from various neurological clinics of Northern Italy has been evaluated in a collaborative survey. The following epidemiological data have been analysed: incidence of the various seizures types, according to the International Classification (Gastaut, 1969), in relation to the age; drug choice and therapeutic schedules in relation to the seizure type and to the age; number of drugs administered in various age and seizure groups; side effects in relation to type, number and plasma concentrations of the administered drugs. The analysis of the drug plasma level determinations, carried out either with gas-chromatographic methods or with the EMIT system, was effected in order to evaluate the number of patients who were under, in or over the suggested therapeutic ranges, the influence of age on drug disposition and the modifications of the drug plasma levels due to drug interactions.

An ultrafast spectroscopic and quantum mechanical investigation of multiple emissions in push–pull pyridinium derivatives bearing different electron donors

An interconversion between rotamers in S₁ was evidenced for a cationic push–pull pyrenyl derivative through a joint femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion and density functional theoretical study.

[First trimester screening for Down syndrome: five years prospective experience]

First trimester screening for Down syndrome is yet to become the first intention strategy in France. This screening program at 11-14 weeks of gestation using maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency, maternal serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A has already been validated for a long time by many international studies. It seems to improve detection rate and decrease false positive rates. We report here five years prospective experience.

Evaluation of the mechanisms by which gamma-amino-butyric acid in association with phosphatidylserine exerts an antiepileptic effect in the rat

The i.p. injection in rats of GABA (740 mg/Kg) after sonication with an equal amount of phosphatidylserine (PS) has an antiepileptic effect. The injection of plain GABA has no such an effect. Blood, brain and synaptosomal accumulation of exogenous labeled GABA under the two circumstances are evaluated. In the case of GABA/PS injection there is a higher passage of the exogenous labeled neurotransmitter into the blood and brain nerve endings (synaptosomes). A higher synaptosomal accumulation of the exogenous labeled neurotransmitter is found even when GABA and PS are injected separately. Since these accumulation increases occur at a time when there is the antiepileptic effect, they seem relevant to it. Our interpretation of the chain of the events resulting in the antiepileptic action is that the phospholipid facilitates from the beginning the first passage of the exogenous neurotransmitter form the peritoneum to the blood. Then a higher passage to the brain tissue and eventually to the GABA-ergic nerve endings ensues. The brisker accumulation of the exogenous neurotransmitter in the nerve endings could be at the basis of a more efficient GABA-ergic inhibitory control in the brain.

Preliminary note on the effect of denzimol in partial epilepsy

The antiepileptic activity of the imidazole derivative denzimol has been evaluated in 10 patients with poorly controlled partial epilepsy by adding on the drug to the current therapy, in an open preliminary trial. A sustained drop in seizure frequency greater than 50% occurred in 5 patients. Although denzimol increased blood concentrations of carbamazepine, correlation analysis indicated that the improvement was more likely due to intrinsic properties of denzimol. No severe side effects were reported, although several patients experienced nausea and vomiting, which caused 2 patients to drop out.

Phosphatidylserine increases in vivo the synaptosomal uptake of exogenous GABA in rats

A sonicated liposome suspension of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and phosphatidylserine (liposome-entrapped GABA), intraperitoneally administered in rats, inhibited EEG epileptic activity induced by penicillin, whereas GABA did not. A significant increase (20.4%) in brain radioactivity accumulation occurred at 5 min after i.p. administration of [14C]GABA associated with phosphatidylserine in comparison with the administration of [14C]GABA; such an increase persisted after 20 min. However, the accumulation of radioactivity into brain synaptosomes demonstrated a 24.1% increase at 5 min and subsequently showed a 43.3% increase at 20 min after injection of liposome-entrapped GABA. The above findings suggest that phosphatidylserine stimulates exogenous GABA uptake into brain GABAergic nerve terminals.

Carbamazepine and cardiac conduction disturbances

Carbamazepine-induced cardiac conduction disturbance is reported in 2 patients suffering from epilepsy. The cardiac defects disappeared in both patients after carbamazepine was discontinued, and reappeared in 1 patient after treatment was resumed.

Preliminary evaluation of the effect of GABA and phosphatidylserine in epileptic patients

The effect of the combined administration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and phosphatidylserine was evaluated in a pilot study of 42 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The group included patients with complex partial seizures, simple partial seizures and absence seizures. Patients with complex partial seizures and simple partial seizures showed no significant improvement; on the other hand, there was a remarkable decrease in absence seizures, linearly related to the dose of GABA and phosphatidylserine. Side effects occurred in 9 patients and were usually mild.

Parenteral penicillin model of epilepsy in the rat: a reappraisal

A parenteral penicillin model of epilepsy in the rat was investigated with the aim of evaluating its reliability. Behavioral and EEG patterns were strongly variable in a group of 100 rats injected with 1,000,000 IU/kg of penicillin i.p. Gross counts of spikes were Fourier transformed and grouped into two time windows in 24 out of the 100 rats. Analysis of variance applied to compare the two time windows showed a sufficient suitability of the phenomenon for antiepileptic drug testing purposes. Five subsequent injections of penicillin performed in 8 rats showed that a spontaneous decrease of the response takes place, preventing a crossover design in pharmacological analyses. Evans Blue studies demonstrated that there was not a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier; this model can be used for testing anticonvulsants unable to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.

Liposome-entrapped gamma-aminobutyric acid inhibits isoniazid-induced epileptogenic activity in rats

Sprague-Dawley rats with interictal and ictal spike activity induced by intraperitoneally injected isoniazid (INH) were treated, 5 min before or 30 min later, with liposome-entrapped gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (LEG) or GABA or phosphatidylserine. Crossover injections were given in random sequence and INH alone ws also injected in every animal as a control. LEG inhibited either seizures or interictal spikes in both groups. No decrease of epileptogenic activity was seen after GABA or phosphatidylserine treatment alone. It is suggested that LEG could contribute to the reconstitution of the GABA pool decreased by INH.

GABA and phospholipids in penicillin-induced seizures

The effect of a suspension of GABA and phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine, or phosphatidylethanolamine was studied on penicillin-induced epileptic activity in rats. GABA-PS significantly reduced the number of spikes, in comparison with either the other phospholipid compounds or normal saline. No effect was observed after GABA or PS administration alone. We suggest that the different effects probably depend on extracellular and intracellular factors.

Polygraphic-television recording in a case of syncope

In a case of loss of consciousness presenting diagnostic difficulties, the syncopal nature was determined only with the help of combined polygraphy and closed circuit television recording.

[Retrospective study on side effects in 410 patients in antiepileptic therapy. Proposal for new biochemical screening]

The authors evaluated hematological side effects in 410 epileptic patients under chronic therapy. The aim of the study was to find out the most suitable parametres for preliminary screening. Values outside the normal range were seen in patients treated with multiple drug therapy and in patients receiving antiepileptic drugs from 3 years at least. The following tests were the most frequently influenced: GOT, GPT, alcaline phosphatase, protrombin time, fibrinogen.

Parenteral penicillin epilepsy: tolerance to subsequent treatments

We recorded spike activity induced by i.p. penicillin injections in eight rats, repeating the experiment five times per each rat, at 48-h intervals. Spike frequency was significantly reduced in all sessions subsequent to the first, without changes in penicillin blood concentrations. The penicillin model of epilepsy is therefore not advisable in studies on antiepileptic drugs with a crossover design.

Liposome-entrapped GABA modifies behavioral and electrographic changes of penicillin-induced epileptic activity

We studied Sprague-Dawley rats with spike activity and myoclonus after intraperitoneal injections of penicillin. Twenty minutes after penicillin injection, one group received a random crossover treatment by intraperitoneal GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) or liposome-entrapped GABA (LEG) or phosphatidylserine alone. The other group received GABA, LEG, or phosphatidylserine followed 15 minutes later by the injection of penicillin. LEG decreased or prevented the epileptic activity, whereas no significant changes were seen with either GABA or phosphatidylserine given alone. LEG may enhance penetration of GABA across the blood-brain barrier because of the carrier action of the liposomes.

Mental impairment and intelligence g factor: a psychometric profile

Correlation among psychometric tests in normal Ss (N = 102) was examined for g factor saturation. A psychometric profile employing a test battery was drawn for use with neuropsychiatric patients (N = 35) to study whether mental impairment is due to a destruction of the general intelligence or of some specific intellectual function. Specific intellectual functions seem to have been involved, albeit at different degrees, Attentive abilities were the most impaired, abstract thinking the least. A methodological approach is proposed for further studies on mental impairment in neurological disorders.

Sleep abnormalities in four cases of dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica of Ramsay-Hunt

The nocturnal sleep of four patients with dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica (DCM) of Ramsay-Hunt was recorded with a polygraph. The following features were observed: a reduction of spindles, K complexes and vertex spikes; frequent arousals; rare rapid eye movements with a modification of their morphology and pattern; change in sleep stage percentages. In addition, myoclonus and polyspike-and-wave complexes appeared less frequently during sleep than during wakefulness. Three generalized convulsive and sixteen clonic seizures were recorded during stage 3/4 or on arousal. The clinical and physiopathological implications of these data are discussed.

[Parenteral penicillin in rats: an experimental model of periodic EEG activity]

Parenteral G Penicillin has been administered to 10 rats and EEG pattern has been recorded. High voltage spikes appeared on one hemisphere, 12 to 25 minutes after injections. Gradually spike frequency and voltage increased till periodical EEG was observed on both hemispheres. Such activity was synchronous, symmetrical, stereotyped and often accompanied by myoclonias. This pattern lasted from 45 to 100 minutes. The authors underline the analogies with the Ouabain model of epilepsy and with periodical EEG patterns in man.