VISUOSPATIALSKILLS AND ANTISEIZURE MEDICATIONSIN CHI

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate visuospatial abilities in children and adolescents with different types of epilepsy treated with antiseizure monotherapy. Methods: A neuropsychological assessment was performed at baseline and after one year. 207 subjects diagnosed with epilepsy and pharmacologically treated with monotherapy including levetiracetam, ethosuximide, valproic acid, carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine and 45 controls were recruited and were compared by gender and age. To evaluate visuospatial perception and memory we used Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. All subjects performed the test at baseline and after 12 month of drug therapy. For the statistical analyzes we regarded: age at onset of epilepsy, epilepsy type, seizure frequency, side and lobe of seizure onset, ASM dose, epilepsy duration, non-verbal intelligence, age, sex, executive functions. EEG, seizure frequency, and drug dose were also recorded. Results: Subjects with epilepsy executed only in the Immediate Recall test significantly worse than controls at baseline. There are no differences between clinical groups. We observed a correlation between Instant Recall scores and executive functions, age of seizure onset and epilepsy duration. There was a significantly worsened re-evaluation in the mean score to Immediate Recall in the valproic acid, ethosuximide and carbamazepine groups while no change was noticed in the levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine group. Conclusion: A visuospatial memory deficit may be present in children with epilepsy compared to control, and this deficit may be related to some aspects of epilepsy and to executive functions; visuospatial memory should be monitored in pediatric subjects which can be influenced by some drugs used for the treatment of seizures.

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Development of Perceptual Inhibition in Adolescents—a Critical Period?

Symmetry ◽

10.3390/sym13030457 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 457

Author(s):

Isabel María Introzzi ◽

María Marta Richard’s ◽

Yesica Aydmune ◽

Eliana Vanesa Zamora ◽

Florencia Stelzer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Response Time ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Critical Period ◽

Search Task ◽

Probability Distributions ◽

Linear Trajectory ◽

Gaussian Functions ◽

Mean Response Time ◽

The Mean ◽

One Year

Recent studies suggest that the developmental curves in adolescence, related to the development of executive functions, could be fitted to a non-linear trajectory of development with progressions and retrogressions. Therefore, the present study proposes to analyze the pattern of development in Perceptual Inhibition (PI), considering all stages of adolescence (early, middle, and late) in intervals of one year. To this aim, we worked with a sample of 275 participants between 10 and 25 years, who performed a joint visual and search task (to measure PI). We have fitted ex-Gaussian functions to the probability distributions of the mean response time across the sample and performed a covariance analysis (ANCOVA). The results showed that the 10- to 13-year-old groups performed similarly in the task and differ from the 14- to 19-year-old participants. We found significant differences between the older group and all the rest of the groups. We discuss the important changes that can be observed in relation to the nonlinear trajectory of development that would show the PI during adolescence.

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Cognitive phenotype in neurofibromatosis type 1

Engrami ◽

10.5937/engrami41-28271 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 69-79

Author(s):

Jelena Todorović ◽

Dragan Pavlović ◽

Mirna Zelić ◽

Lana Jerkić

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Genetic Disorders ◽

Neurofibromatosis Type ◽

Speech Disorders ◽

Speech Development ◽

High Rate ◽

Planning Problem ◽

Preschool Period ◽

Visuospatial Perception

Neurofibromatoses are a set of different genetic disorders that have a common characteristic of the appearance of nervous system tumors. There are three forms of the disease, of which type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF 1) is the most common. NF 1 is an inherited autosomal-dominant disease, with a high rate of new mutations. In addition to the many physical manifestations and complications that occur in persons with NF 1, there are also numerous cognitive difficulties, including lower general intellectual functioning, learning difficulties, but also problems in attention, visual abilities, executive functions, and speech. Attention disorders are up to three times more common in people with NF 1, while learning disabilities are present in more than half of these subjects. Disturbances in the field of visuospatial perception are recognisable even in the preschool period. About 80% of children with NF1 exhibit various speech and language disorders: slow early speech development, slower vocabulary enrichment, syntactic, semantic and phonological speech disorders. Disruption of executive functions will manifest itself in the areas of working memory, organisation, planning / problem solving. This will reflect as the underperformance in academic achievement. Nearly one-third of these persons have emotional and social problems.

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Executive functions of people with drug addiction

Dhaka University Journal of Biological Sciences ◽

10.3329/dujbs.v29i1.46528 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 27-36

Author(s):

Marzia Al Hakeem ◽

Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Drug Users ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Treatment Programs ◽

Control Group ◽

Immediate Recall ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Drug Dependent ◽

Figure Test ◽

And Control

This study aimed to see the impairments of executive functions in people with drug dependence. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling method and the sample size was 120, among them 60 were in drug user group and 60 were healthy control. Neuropsychological assessment tools were used – Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test (RCFT), for assessing the executive functioning of the participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20. Independent-Samples t-test was carried out and the result has shown that the control group performed better in all tests. In FAB, significant difference was found in performance between the drug users and control group, t (90.9) = 9.89, p = 0.00, α = 0.01. Both in copy and immediate recall phase of RCFT, there were significant differences of performance between the drug users and control group, t(70.9) = 8.11, p = 0.00, α = 0.01 and t (118) = 11.9, p = 0.00, α = 0.01, respectively. Results indicate that the executive functions of drug dependent people are significantly impaired. Therefore, this issue should be taken in consideration for creating individualized treatment programs and can also assist in taking preventive measures. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 29(1): 27-36, 2020 (January)

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Single versus Multiple Dose Ivermectin Regimen in Onchocerciasis-Infected Persons with Epilepsy Treated with Phenobarbital: A Randomized Clinical Trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9030205 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 205 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michel Mandro ◽

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

Alfred Dusabimana ◽

Deby Mukendi ◽

Steven Haesendonckx ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Seizure Frequency ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Analysis Data ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Group 2 ◽

One Year ◽

Group 1

Background: There is anecdotal evidence that ivermectin may decrease seizure frequency in Onchocerca volvulus-infected persons with epilepsy (PWE). Methods: In October 2017, a 12-month clinical trial was initiated in rural Democratic Republic of Congo. PWE with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy experiencing ≥2 seizures/month were randomly allocated to receive, over a one-year period, ivermectin once or thrice (group 1), while other onchocerciasis-infected PWE (OIPWE) were randomized to ivermectin twice or thrice (group 2). All participants also received anti-epileptic drugs. Data was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: We enrolled 197 participants. In an intent-to-treat analysis (data from group 1 and 2 combined), seizure freedom was more likely among OIPWE treated with ivermectin thrice (OR: 5.087, 95% CI: 1.378–19.749; p = 0.018) and twice (OR: 2.471, 95% CI: 0.944–6.769; p = 0.075) than in those treated once. Similarly, >50% seizure reduction was more likely among those treated with ivermectin twice (OR: 4.469, 95% CI: 1.250–16.620) and thrice (OR: 2.693, 95% CI: 1.077–6.998). Absence of microfilariae during the last 4 months increased the odds of seizure freedom (p = 0.027). Conclusions: Increasing the number of ivermectin treatments was found to suppress both microfilarial density and seizure frequency in OIPWE, suggesting that O. volvulus infection plays an etiological role in causing seizures.

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Children with type 1 diabetes of early age at onset – immune and metabolic phenotypes

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2019-0103 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (9) ◽

pp. 935-941

Author(s):

Madalena Sales Luis ◽

Margarida Alcafache ◽

Sara Ferreira ◽

Ana Laura Fitas ◽

Joana Simões Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Disease Onset ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

Early Age ◽

Insulin Requirements ◽

Age Related ◽

One Year ◽

Immune Imbalance

Abstract Objectives We aimed to evaluate children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with early age at onset (EAO) for clinical, immune and metabolic features in order to identify age-related disease phenotypes. Methods Comparative study of two groups of T1D children: EAO (≤5 years) and later age at onset (LAO; >5 years), regarding the presence of other autoimmune (AI) diseases, diabetes ketoacidosis and immunologic profile at onset and metabolic data 1 year after diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed with significance set for p < 0.05. Results The study included 137 children (EAO = 52, mean age 3.6 ± 1.5 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] and LAO = 85, mean age 10.4 ± 2.9). EAO was more associated with concomitant AI diseases (p = 0.032). Despite no differences in disease onset, EAO presented with lower C-peptide levels (p = 0.01) and higher absolute lymphocyte number (p < 0.0001), with an inverse correlation between these two variables (p = 0.028). Additionally, the EAO group had a higher frequency of serum detection of three antibodies (Abs) (p = 0.0008), specifically insulin Abs (p = 0.0001). One year after diagnosis, EAO had higher total daily insulin (TDI) dose (p = 0.008), despite similar hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Conclusions Our data show an association of EAO T1D with more AI diseases, higher number of Abs, lower initial insulin reservoir and higher insulin requirements 1 year after diagnosis. In this group, immune imbalance seems more evident and disease progression faster, probably reflecting distinct “immune environment” with different ages at disease onset. Further studies in the field of immunogenetics and immune tolerance are required, to improve patient stratification and find novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

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P08 Is there a difference in the frequency of manipulated orally and rectally administered medicines to paediatric in-patients in Sweden in the year 2009 and 2018 respectively? A register study

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2019-esdppp.47 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 104 (6) ◽

pp. e20.2-e20

Author(s):

A Andersson ◽

S Eksborg ◽

S Lindemalm ◽

U Förberg

Keyword(s):

Drug Dosage ◽

Drug Dose ◽

Dosage Forms ◽

Age Group ◽

Vulnerable Patients ◽

Change In Practice ◽

Drug Dosage Form ◽

Child Friendly ◽

One Year ◽

Dosing Accuracy

BackgroundSince there is a lack of drugs in suitable strengths and child-friendly dosage forms, manipulation is sometimes necessary in paediatrics. A manipulation is the physical alteration of a drug dosage form with the purpose to extract and administer the prescribed proportion of a drug dose.The purpose of this study was to calculate the frequency of manipulated medicines administered to paediatric in-patients at a large Children´s Hospital for two separate years and compare whether there has been a change in practice.Material and MethodsData were collected for all administered doses during 2 separate years (2009 and 2018) at the paediatric wards at our Children´s Hospital, from a hospital-based electronic register. All administered doses where the number of tablets or suppositories were decimal were added and calculated as a percentage of the total number of oral and rectal administrations. Data are anonymous but information regarding gender, age, hospital ward and number of drugs per patient were available and were analysed.ResultsIn one year, approximately 450 000 doses of medicine are administered to paediatric patients in our Children´s hospital.The results will be analysed with regards to differences between patient age, gender, prescribing year and drug substance. A pilot study showed that 10% of all solid oral administrations to patients 6 - 12 years old, were part of a tablet. For patients 0 - 2 years over 20% of all solid rectal administrations were part of a suppository.The extent of manipulation is affected by a lot of factors, where the most prominent is whether there are strengths suitable for that age-group available on the market or not.ConclusionMost often there is a lack of knowledge how manipulation of medicines influences the dosing accuracy and often we do this to our most vulnerable patients.Disclosure(s)Nothing to disclose

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One-year cyclophosphamide treatment combined with methylprednisolone improves cognitive dysfunction in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1191/1352458505ms1172sr ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 360-363 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

H Zéphir ◽

J de Seze ◽

K Dujardin ◽

G Dubois ◽

M Cabaret ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

Cognitive Efficiency ◽

Secondary Progressive ◽

Before And After ◽

Cyclophosphamide Treatment ◽

One Year ◽

Positive Effect

We conducted an evaluation of changes in cognition in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients receiving monthly intravenously pulse of cyclophosphamide (700 mg/m2) with methylprednisolone (1 g). Twenty-eight consecutive progressive MS patients (10 primary progressive, 18 secondary progressive MS) were evaluated before and after six and 12 months of treatment. The WAIS-R score, memory and executive functions were evaluated. Under treatment we found a significant improvement in global cognitive efficiency, encoding abilities, planning abilities and inhibition after six and 12 months. However, mechanisms of action of the positive effect of these anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive treatments on cognition remain unclear.

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Survival and prognostic factors in 189 dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy

Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association ◽

10.5326/15473317-33-4-364 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 364-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

A Tidholm ◽

H Svensson ◽

C Sylven

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Individual Case ◽

Initial Examination ◽

Predictive Variables ◽

One Year ◽

The Individual

A survival analysis was performed using the case records of 189 dogs, including 38 breeds, with congestive heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Overall prognosis was poor, with survival rates of 17.5% at one year and 7.5% at two years. Prognosis in the individual case of DCM proved to be difficult to predict at the time of initial examination. Only three of 27 tested independent predictors of survival were identified. The most significant predictive variables were age at onset of clinical signs, followed by dyspnea and ascites (as noted on the physical examination).

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Development of Perceptual Inhibition in Adolescents, a Critical Period?

10.20944/preprints202102.0016.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Isabel Maria Introzzi ◽

María Marta Richard’s ◽

Yesica Aydmune ◽

Eliana Vanesa Zamora ◽

Florencia Stelzer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Response Time ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Critical Period ◽

Search Task ◽

Probability Distributions ◽

Covariance Analysis ◽

Linear Trajectory ◽

Mean Response Time ◽

The Mean ◽

One Year

Recent studies suggest that the developmental curves in adolescence, related to the development of executive functions, could be fitted to a non-linear trajectory of development with progressions and retrogressions. Therefore, the present study proposes to analyze the pattern of development in Perceptual Inhibition (PI), considering all stages of adolescence (early, middle, and late) in intervals of one year. To this aim, we worked with a sample of 275 participants between 10 and 25 years, who performed a joint visual and search task (to measure PI). We have fitted exGaussian functions to the probability distributions of the mean response time across the sample and performed a covariance analysis (ANCOVA). The results showed that the 10- to 13-year-old groups performed similarly in the task and differ from the 14- to 19-year-old participants. We found significant differences between the older group and all the rest of the groups. We discuss the important changes that can be observed in relation to the nonlinear trajectory of development that would show the PI during adolescence.

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Clinical Implications of Amyloid-Beta Accumulation in Occipital Lobes in Alzheimer’s Continuum

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11091232 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1232

Author(s):

Jihye Hwang ◽

Chan Mi Kim ◽

Ji Eun Kim ◽

Minyoung Oh ◽

Jungsu S. Oh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amyloid Beta ◽

Early Onset ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Standard Uptake Value ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Amyloid Pet ◽

Global Deterioration Scale ◽

Immediate Recall ◽

Occipital Lobes ◽

Pet Scans

A substantial amount of amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulates in the occipital cortices; however, it draws less attention. We investigated the clinical implications of Aβ accumulation in the occipital lobes in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum. [18F]-Florbetaben amyloid PET scans were performed in a total of 121 AD or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients. Of the 121 patients, 74 Aβ positive patients were divided into occipital Aβ positive (OCC+) and occipital Aβ negative (OCC−) groups based on Aβ accumulation in the bilateral occipital lobes. The OCC+ group (41/74, 55.4%) was younger and had a younger age at onset than the OCC− group. The OCC+ group also had an increased standard uptake value ratio in the occipital lobes and greater cortical thinning in relevant areas. The OCC+ group had a higher global deterioration scale, lower performance for the copy, immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition in Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure tests than the OCC- group, although both groups had similar disease durations. AD or aMCI patients in the OCC+ group exhibited features noted in early onset AD with relevant neuropsychological and image findings. Occipital Aβ positivity in amyloid PET scans need to be considered as an underestimated marker of early onset AD continuum.

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