scholarly journals Critical periods of brain growth and cognitive function in children

Brain ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Gale
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Brain Growth ◽  
Critical Periods

scholarly journals Does early vitamin B12supplementation improve neurodevelopment and cognitive function in childhood and into school age: a study protocol for extended follow-ups from randomised controlled trials in India and Tanzania

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e018962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brita Askeland Winje ◽  
Ingrid Kvestad ◽  
Srinivasan Krishnamachari ◽  
Karim Manji ◽  
Sunita Taneja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Oral Vitamin ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Link Type ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionAs many as 250 million children under the age of 5 may not be reaching their full developmental potential partly due to poor nutrition during pregnancy and the first 2 years of life. Micronutrients, including vitamin B12, are important for the development of brain structure and function; however, the timing, duration and severity of deficiencies may alter the impact on functional development outcomes. Consequently, to fully explore the effect of vitamin B12on cognitive function, it is crucial to measure neurodevelopment at different ages, in different populations and with vitamin B12supplementation at different times during the critical periods of neurodevelopment.Methods and analysisIn this project, we follow up children from four recently completed randomised placebo-controlled trials of oral vitamin B12supplementation, two in India and two in Tanzania, to explore the long-term effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes and growth. All the included trials provided at least two recommended dietary allowances of oral vitamin B12daily for at least 6 months. Vitamin B12was supplemented either during pregnancy, early infancy or early childhood. Primary outcomes are neurodevelopmental status, cognitive function and growth later in childhood. We apply validated and culturally appropriate instruments to identify relevant developmental outcomes. All statistical analyses will be done according to intention-to-treat principles. The project provides an excellent opportunity to examine the effect of vitamin B12supplementation in different periods during early life and measure the outcomes later in childhood.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received ethical approvals from all relevant authorities in Norway, USA, Tanzania and India and complies fully with ethical principles for medical research. Results will be presented at national and international research and policy meetings and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, preferably open access.Trial registration numberNCT00641862 (Bangalore);NCT00717730, updated CTRI/2016/11/007494 (Delhi);NCT00197548andNCT00421668(Dar es Salaam).

When Do Children Lose the Language Instinct? A Critical Review of the Critical Periods Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua K. Hartshorne
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
First Language ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Ample Opportunity ◽  
Learning Language ◽  
Do So

While it is clear that children are more successful at learning language than adults are—whether first language or second—there is no agreement as to why. Is it due to greater neural plasticity, greater motivation, more ample opportunity for learning, superior cognitive function, lack of interference from a first language, or something else? A difficulty in teasing apart these theories is that while they make different empirical predictions, there are few unambiguous facts against which to test the theories. This is particularly true when it comes to the most basic questions about the phenomenon: When does the childhood advantage dissipate, and how rapidly does it do so? I argue that a major reason for the lack of consensus is limitations in the research methods used to date. I conclude by discussing a recently emerging methodology and by making suggestions about the path forward. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Linguistics, Volume 8 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Brain growth in the NICU: critical periods of tissue-specific expansion

2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 976-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lillian G Matthews ◽  
Brian H Walsh ◽  
Clare Knutsen ◽  
Jeffrey J Neil ◽  
Christopher D Smyser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Growth ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Tissue Specific ◽  
Specific Expansion

Effects of a Group Program to Increase Cognitive Performance Through Cognitively Stimulating Leisure Activities in Healthy Older Subjects

GeroPsych ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina A. Tesky ◽  
Christian Thiel ◽  
Winfried Banzer ◽  
Johannes Pantel
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Group Program ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Older Subjects

To investigate the effects of leisure activities on cognitive performance of healthy older subjects, an innovative intervention program was developed. Frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., reading, playing chess, or playing music) is associated with reduced risk of dementia. AKTIVA (active cognitive stimulation – prevention in the elderly) is an intervention program designed to enhance cognitive stimulation in everyday life by increasing cognitive stimulating leisure activities. The present study determines the effects of AKTIVA on cognitive function, mood and attitude toward aging in a sample of older participants from the general population. Several measurement instruments were used including the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), the Trail-Making Test (TMT), and the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Initially, the sample consisted of 307 older persons (170 female, 72 ± 7 years). The intervention was evaluated with a randomized, controlled pre-post follow-up design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: AKTIVA intervention (n = 126), AKTIVA intervention plus nutrition and exercise counseling (n = 84), no-intervention control group (n = 97). The AKTIVA intervention consisted of 8 weekly sessions and two booster sessions after a break of 4 months. Participation in the group program resulted in positive effects on cognitive function and attitude toward aging for subassembly groups. Older persons (≥ 75 years) showed enhanced speed of information processing (by TMT Version A) (F = 4.17*, p < .05); younger participants (< 75 years) showed an improvement in subjective memory decline (by MAC-Q) (F = 2.55*, p < .05). Additionally, AKTIVA enhanced the frequency of activities for leisure activities for subassembly groups. The results of this study suggest that the AKTIVA program can be used to increase cognitively stimulating leisure activities in the elderly. Further research is necessary to identify the long-term effects of this intervention particularly with respect to the prevention of dementia.

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