Cognitive neuroscience of dyscalculia and math learning disabilities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod Menon ◽  
Aarthi Padmanabhan ◽  
Flora Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Resting State Fmri ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Math Learning ◽  
Systems Neuroscience ◽  
Brain Circuits ◽  
Fact Retrieval

Dyscalculia and mathematical learning disability (MD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by difficulties in reasoning about numbers. Children with MD lag behind their typically developing peers in a broad range of numerical tasks, including magnitude judgement, quantity manipulation, arithmetic fact retrieval, and problem-solving. This chapter reviews current theories and knowledge of MD and its neurobiological basis from a systems neuroscience perspective. The chapter shows that MD involves processing deficits and aberrancies in multiple neurocognitive systems associated with non-symbolic and symbolic quantity judgment, visuo-spatial working memory, associative memory, and cognitive control. Convergent evidence from task and resting-state fMRI, along with morphometric and tractography studies, is used to demarcate distributed brain circuits disrupted in MD. The chapter examines neural mechanisms underlying intervention and remediation of deficits in MD, highlighting links between brain plasticity and response to treatment. The view that emerges is of a multi-component neurodevelopmental disorder, arising from aberrancies at one or more levels of the numerical information processing hierarchy.

scholarly journals Imbalanced social-communicative and restricted repetitive behavior subtypes of autism spectrum disorder exhibit different neural circuitry

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Bertelsen ◽  
◽  
Isotta Landi ◽  
Richard A. I. Bethlehem ◽  
Jakob Seidlitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repetitive Behavior ◽  
Resting State Fmri ◽  
Neural Circuitry ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Out Of Sample ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Social Communicative ◽  
The Eu

AbstractSocial-communication (SC) and restricted repetitive behaviors (RRB) are autism diagnostic symptom domains. SC and RRB severity can markedly differ within and between individuals and may be underpinned by different neural circuitry and genetic mechanisms. Modeling SC-RRB balance could help identify how neural circuitry and genetic mechanisms map onto such phenotypic heterogeneity. Here, we developed a phenotypic stratification model that makes highly accurate (97–99%) out-of-sample SC = RRB, SC > RRB, and RRB > SC subtype predictions. Applying this model to resting state fMRI data from the EU-AIMS LEAP dataset (n = 509), we find that while the phenotypic subtypes share many commonalities in terms of intrinsic functional connectivity, they also show replicable differences within some networks compared to a typically-developing group (TD). Specifically, the somatomotor network is hypoconnected with perisylvian circuitry in SC > RRB and visual association circuitry in SC = RRB. The SC = RRB subtype show hyperconnectivity between medial motor and anterior salience circuitry. Genes that are highly expressed within these networks show a differential enrichment pattern with known autism-associated genes, indicating that such circuits are affected by differing autism-associated genomic mechanisms. These results suggest that SC-RRB imbalance subtypes share many commonalities, but also express subtle differences in functional neural circuitry and the genomic underpinnings behind such circuitry.

scholarly journals Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood: A Series of Genetically Confirmed Four Cases from Southern India with Review of Published Literature

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveen Kumar Bhardwaj ◽  
Vykuntaraju K. Gowda ◽  
Ashwin Vivek Sardesai
Keyword(s):  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Brain Response ◽  
Significant Development ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Alternating Hemiplegia Of Childhood ◽  
Development Delay ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Atp1a3 Gene

AbstractAlternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder with mutation on ATP1A3 gene. Delay in diagnosis and inappropriate diagnosis are common. We describe four genetically confirmed AHC patients to provide an improved understanding of the disorder. First symptom in two patients was seizures and in other two patients was abnormal eye deviation. All had onset of plegic attacks within the first 18 months of their life. Tone abnormalities and movement disorders were present in all patients. Electroencephalogram was abnormal in two patients and all had normal magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Response to treatment of plegic attacks was poor and also epilepsy was drug resistant. All cases had significant development delay and disability as of last follow-up. Although there is no effective treatment so far, early diagnosis is required to avoid unnecessary treatment.

scholarly journals Functional Network Mapping Reveals State-Dependent Response to IGF1 Treatment in Rett Syndrome

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conor Keogh ◽  
Giorgio Pini ◽  
Ilaria Gemo ◽  
Walter E. Kaufmann ◽  
Daniela Tropea
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Response ◽  
Rett Syndrome ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Clinical Assessments ◽  
Network Measures

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with mutations in the gene MeCP2, which is involved in the development and function of cortical networks. The clinical presentation of RTT is generally severe and includes developmental regression and marked neurologic impairment. Insulin-Like growth factor 1 (IGF1) ameliorates RTT-relevant phenotypes in animal models and improves some clinical manifestations in early human trials. However, it remains unclear whether IGF1 treatment has an impact on cortical electrophysiology in line with MeCP2’s role in network formation, and whether these electrophysiological changes are related to clinical response. We performed clinical assessments and resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings in eighteen patients with classic RTT, nine of whom were treated with IGF1. Among the treated patients, we distinguished those who showed improvements after treatment (responders) from those who did not show any changes (nonresponders). Clinical assessments were carried out for all individuals with RTT at baseline and 12 months after treatment. Network measures were derived using statistical modelling techniques based on interelectrode coherence measures. We found significant interaction between treatment groups and timepoints, indicating an effect of IGF1 on network measures. We also found a significant effect of responder status and timepoint, indicating that these changes in network measures are associated with clinical response to treatment. Further, we found baseline variability in network characteristics, and a machine learning model using these measures applied to pretreatment data predicted treatment response with 100% accuracy (100% sensitivity and 100% specificity) in this small patient group. These results highlight the importance of network pathology in RTT, as well as providing preliminary evidence for the potential of network measures as tools for the characterisation of disease subtypes and as biomarkers for clinical trials.

scholarly journals Social Skills Intervention Participation and Associated Improvements in Executive Function Performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn E. Christ ◽  
Janine P. Stichter ◽  
Karen V. O’Connor ◽  
Kimberly Bodner ◽  
Amanda J. Moffitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Social Competence ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Verbal Working Memory ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Mixing Costs ◽  
Adolescents With Asd

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication. It has been postulated that such difficulties are related to disruptions in underlying cognitive processes such as executive function. The present study examined potential changes in executive function performance associated with participation in the Social Competence Intervention (SCI) program, a short-term intervention designed to improve social competence in adolescents with ASD. Laboratory behavioral performance measures were used to separately evaluate potential intervention-related changes in individual executive function component processes (i.e., working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility) in a sample of 22 adolescents with ASD both before and after intervention. For comparison purposes, a demographically matched sample of 14 individuals without ASD was assessed at identical time intervals. Intervention-related improvements were observed on the working memory task, with gains evident in spatial working memory and, to a slightly lesser degree, verbal working memory. Significant improvements were also found for a working memory-related aspect of the task switching test (i.e., mixing costs). Taken together, these findings provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that participation in the SCI program is accompanied by changes in underlying neurocognitive processes such as working memory.

BDNF and S100B in psychotic disorders: evidence for an association with treatment responsiveness

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noortje W.A. van de Kerkhof ◽  
Durk Fekkes ◽  
Frank M.M.A. van der Heijden ◽  
Willem M.A. Verhoeven
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Specific Symptom ◽  
Symptom Dimensions ◽  
Symptom Profile

ObjectiveBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and S100B are involved in brain plasticity processes and their serum levels have been demonstrated to be altered in patients with psychoses. This study aimed to identify subgroups of patients with psychotic disorders across diagnostic boundaries that show a specific symptom profile or response to treatment with antipsychotics, by measuring serum levels of BDNF and S100B.MethodsThe study sample consisted of 58 patients with DSM-IV psychotic disorders. Comprehensive Assessment of Symptoms and History (CASH), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression scale for severity and improvement (CGI-S/CGI-I) were applied at baseline and after 6 weeks of antipsychotic treatment. At both time points, serum levels of BDNF and S100B were measured and compared with a matched control sample.ResultsBaseline BDNF and S100B levels were significantly lower in patients as compared with controls and did not change significantly during treatment. Dividing the patient sample according to baseline biochemical parameters (low and high 25% and middle 50%), no differences in symptom profiles or outcome were found with respect to BDNF. However, the subgroups with low and high S100B levels had higher PANSS scores than the middle subgroup. In addition, the high subgroup still showed significantly more negative symptoms after treatment, whereas the low subgroup showed more positive symptoms compared with the other subgroups.ConclusionSerum levels of BDNF and S100B are lowered in patients with psychotic disorders across diagnostic boundaries. The differences between high and low S100B subgroups suggest a relationship between S100B, symptom dimensions and treatment response, irrespective of diagnostic categories.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Spatial Patterns of Intrinsic Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity in Upper Limb Amputees Patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
bingbo bao ◽  
xuyun hua ◽  
haifeng wei ◽  
pengbo luo ◽  
hongyi zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Resting State Fmri ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Intrinsic Connectivity ◽  
Intrinsic Brain Activity

Abstract Background: Amputation in adults is a serious condition and most patients were associated with the remapping of representations in motor and sensory brain network. Methods: The present study includes 8 healthy volunteers and 16 patients with amputation. We use resting-state fMRI to investigate the local and extent brain plasticity in patients suffering from amputation simultaneously. Both the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and degree centrality (DC) were used for the assessment of neuroplasticity in central level. Results: We described changes in spatial patterns of intrinsic brain activity and functional connectivity in amputees in the present study and we found that not only the sensory and motor cortex, but also the related brain regions involved in the functional plasticity after upper extremity deafferentation. Conclusion: Our findings showed local and extensive cortical changes in the sensorimotor and cognitive-related brain regions, which may imply the dysfunction in not only sensory and motor function, but also sensorimotor integration and motor plan. The activation and intrinsic connectivity in the brain changed a lot showed correlation with the deafferentation status.

scholarly journals Association Between Ultrasonography Fetal Anomalies and Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ohad Regev ◽  
Amnon Hadar ◽  
Gal Meiri ◽  
Hagit Flusser ◽  
Analy Michaelovski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Prenatal Ultrasound ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Fetal Anomalies ◽  
Fetal Ultrasonography ◽  
Wide Range

Background: Prenatal ultrasound is frequently used to monitor fetal growth and identify fetal anomalies that may suggest genetic or developmental abnormalities which may develop into congenital anomalies and diseases. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, associated with a wide range of congenital anomalies. Nevertheless, very little has been done to investigate organ development using prenatal ultrasound as a means to identify fetuses with ASD susceptibility. Methods: A retrospective matched case-sibling-control study. ASD cases were matched to two control groups: typically developing sibling (TDS) closest in age to ASD child; and typically developing population (TDP), matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. The study comprised 659 children: 229 ASD, 201 TDS, and 229 TDP; 471 (71.5%) males. Results: Ultrasonography fetal anomalies (UFAs) were found in 29.3% of ASD cases vs. only 15.9% and 9.6% in the TDS and TDP groups (aOR=2.23, 95%CI=1.32-3.78, and OR=3.50, 95%CI=2.07- 5.91, respectively). Also, multiple co-occurring UFAs were significantly more prevalent among ASD cases. UFAs in the urinary system, heart, and head&brain were the most significantly associated with ASD diagnosis (aORUrinary =2.08, 95%CI=0.96-4.50 and ORUrinary=2.90, 95%CI=1.41-5.95; aORHeart=3.72, 95%CI=1.50-9.24 and ORHeart=8.67, 95%CI=2.62-28.63; and aORHead&Brain=1.77, 95%CI=0.68-4.64 and ORHead&Brain=6.50, 95%CI=1.47-28.80; vs. TDS and TDP, respectively). ASD fetuses were characterized by a narrower head and a relatively wider ocular-distance vs. TDP fetuses (ORBPD=0.81, 95%CI=0.70-0.94, and aOROcular-Distance=1.29, 95%CI=1.06-1.57). Finally, UFAs were associated with more severe ASD symptoms. Conclusions: Our findings shed important light on the abnormal multiorgan embryonic development of ASD and suggest fetal ultrasonography biomarkers for ASD.

scholarly journals Does Competence Determine Who Leads in a Dyadic Cooperative Task? A Study of Children with and without a Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Complexity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Vink ◽  
Fred Hasselman ◽  
Antonius H. N. Cillessen ◽  
Maarten L. Wijnants ◽  
Anna M. T. Bosman
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Proximal Development ◽  
Typically Developing Children ◽  
Nintendo Wii ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
High Performing

Cooperative learning is an effective means for the acquisition of academic performance. It is an established fact that collaborating members should be operating in one another’s zone of proximal development to attain optimal performance. One variable that plays an as-yet unknown role in collaborative success is the leader-follower distinction. In the present study, leading and following behavior was determined by assessing rhythmical coordination of postural sway in typically developing children (n = 183) and children with a neurodevelopmental disorder (n = 106). Postural sway was measured using Nintendo Wii Balance Boards, and dyads performed a tangram task while standing on these balance boards, with the number of puzzles solved correctly serving as the measure of task performance. Irrespective of task performance, there was a consistent pattern of leading and following in typically developing dyads: the higher-ability child was in the lead. For children with a neurodevelopmental disorder, the pattern differed depending on task performance. While the patterns of low-performing dyads were comparable to those of typically developing children, high-performing dyads showed the opposite pattern; namely, the low-ability dyad member was in the lead. For interactions with children with a neurodevelopmental disorder and a low-level cognitive ability, it may be better to follow their lead, because it may result in better performance on their part.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document