scholarly journals The effects of using two variants of one language on cognition: Evidence from bidialectalism and diglossia.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
najla alrwaita ◽  
Christos Pliatsikas ◽  
Carmel Houston-Price
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Language Switching ◽  
Conversational Context

The question of whether and how bilingualism affects domain general cognition has been extensively debated. Less attention has been paid to the cognitive abilities of speakers of different variants of the same language, in linguistic situations such as bidialectalism and diglossia. Similarly to the bilingual situation, in bidialectalism and diglossia speakers need to use only one variant of the language in a given context. However, these situations provide fewer opportunities for mixing or switching between the variants, potentially leading to different domain general cognitive outcomes than those reported in bilingualism. Here we review the available evidence on the effects of bidialectalism and diglossia on cognition, and evaluate it in relation to theories of the effects of bilingualism on cognition. We conclude that investigations of bilingualism, bidialectalism and diglossia must take into account the conversational context and, in particular, the opportunities for language switching that this affords.

scholarly journals Sialic Acid and Sialylated Oligosaccharide Supplementation during Lactation Improves Learning and Memory in Rats

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Oliveros ◽  
Enrique Vázquez ◽  
Alejandro Barranco ◽  
María Ramírez ◽  
Agnes Gruart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Acetylneuraminic Acid ◽  
One Year

Sialic acids (Sia) are postulated to improve cognitive abilities. This study evaluated Sia effects on rat behavior when administered in a free form as N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) or conjugated as 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL). Rat milk contains Sia, which peaks at Postnatal Day 9 and drops to a minimum by Day 15. To bypass this Sia peak, a cohort of foster mothers was used to raise the experimental pups. A group of pups received a daily oral supplementation of Neu5Ac to mimic the amount naturally present in rat milk, and another group received the same molar amount of Sia as 6′-SL. The control group received water. After weaning, rats were submitted to behavioral evaluation. One year later, behavior was re-evaluated, and in vivo long-term potentiation (LTP) was performed. Brain samples were collected and analyzed at both ages. Adult rats who received Sia performed significantly better in the behavioral assessment and showed an enhanced LTP compared to controls. Within Sia groups, 6′-SL rats showed better scores in some cognitive outcomes compared to Neu5Ac rats. At weaning, an effect on polysialylated-neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) levels in the frontal cortex was only observed in 6′-SL fed rats. Providing Sia during lactation, especially as 6′-SL, improves memory and LTP in adult rats.

Association of perinatal factors and school performance in primary school Chilean children

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Villarroel ◽  
L. Karzulovic ◽  
J. Manzi ◽  
J. G. Eriksson ◽  
F. Mardones
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
School Performance ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Prenatal Growth ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

The associations between school performance and cognitive abilities with birth characteristics have mostly been studied without taking into consideration the effects of gestational age (GA). Our aim was to study the association between prenatal growth and cognitive function in term-born Chilean school children. A cohort of over 200,000 term-born fourth graders who took the regular national test for school performance was studied. Outcome parameters were language and mathematics test scores in relation to prenatal growth. A total of 256,040 subjects took the test and 220,940 were included in the final study sample. Prenatal growth was modestly, but significantly, associated with school performance. Adjusted β coefficients for 1 cm increase in birth length were 1.28 and 0.77 for mathematics and language, respectively; the corresponding values for 100 g increase in birth weight were 0.59 and 0.34, respectively. Increased GA was associated with lower test scores. Adjusted β coefficients for the birth measurements generally had a lower strength of association than those of socio-economic factors. However, the confounders most strongly associated with educational achievements were socio-economic factors, known to be associated with birth size. Lower socio-economic status is known to negatively influence both prenatal growth and cognitive function, supporting the overall importance of prenatal growth in relation to cognitive outcomes.

scholarly journals The Influence of Education and Home Environment on the Cognitive Outcomes of Preschool Children in Germany

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Biedinger
Keyword(s):  
Home Environment ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Preschool Education ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Migrant Children ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Main Question

Educational inequality is a well-established topic among the scientific community in Western countries. Major individual differences emerge well before children arrive at school. Therefore the following analysis deals with the explanation of early differences in cognitive outcomes. However, there is not much research done in Germany. The main question is if the strong effect of the educational background and the home environment on their outcomes and on the improvement exists as well. To test this, data of the project “Preschool Education and Educational Careers among Migrant Children” was used. The results of structural equation models confirm that the home environment and the education of the parents are important for children's outcomes at the age of 3 to 4. In addition both factors also play a major role for the explanation of the improvement of the cognitive abilities. The results show that in Germany the home environment and parental education are important predictors of cognitive abilities. As a main result the study shows that it is very important to control for earlier abilities of the children and to encourage low educated parents to be active with their children, since in that way they can compensate for their lower educational background.

scholarly journals An evidence-based method for examining and reporting cognitive processes in nutrition research

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew P. Pase ◽  
Con Stough
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Nutrition Research ◽  
Composite Scores

Cognitive outcomes are frequently implemented as endpoints in nutrition research. To reduce the number of statistical comparisons it is commonplace for nutrition researchers to combine cognitive test results into a smaller number of broad cognitive abilities. However, there is a clear lack of understanding and consensus as to how best execute this practice. The present paper reviews contemporary models of human cognition and proposes a standardised, evidence-based method for grouping cognitive test data into broader cognitive abilities. Both Carroll's model of human cognitive ability and the Cattell–Horn–Carroll (CHC) model of intelligence provide empirically based taxonomies of human cognition. These models provide a cognitive ‘map’ that can be used to guide the handling and analysis of cognitive outcomes in nutrition research. Making use of a valid cognitive nomenclature can provide the field of clinical nutrition with a common cognitive language enabling efficient comparisons of cognitive outcomes across studies. This will make it easier for researchers, policymakers and readers to interpret and compare cognitive outcomes for different interventions. Using an empirically derived cognitive nomenclature to guide the creation of cognitive composite scores will ensure that cognitive endpoints are theoretically valid and meaningful. This will increase the generalisability of trial results to the general population. The present review also discusses how the CHC model of cognition can also guide the synthesis of cognitive outcomes in systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

scholarly journals D.03 Down syndrome: clinical and EEG correlates during development

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (S2) ◽  
pp. S13-S13
Author(s):  
S Nauth ◽  
AK Bamaga ◽  
MA Cortez
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
First Year ◽  
Pharmacological Treatments ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
First Year Of Life ◽  
Electroencephalogram Eeg

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is the primary genetic cause of mental retardation and seizures are present in an estimated 5-13% of cases. One-third of seizures in DS are infantile spasms (IS). Hypsarrythmia (HS) is the cardinal electroencephalogram (EEG) feature of IS and has been found to affect cognition; however, its effect on DS patients is inconclusively reported. This study assesses the correlation of HS with cognitive outcomes in DS using the largest sample size to date. Methods: Retrospective study of medical records of children with DS [0-18yrs] at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, from 1990-2013. Seizure history, EEG findings, comorbities, and pharmacological treatments were identified. Developmental outcomes were also assessed from physician comments on motor, verbal and cognitive abilities. The cognitive outcomes of DS patients with and without HS were compared. Results: 70 [male=40] patients with DS and seizures were included. Among 31 (44.2%) patients with DS and IS, 27 had HS. Chi-square analysis showed a significant difference [P=0.007] in prevalence of severe developmental delay in patients with IS and HS versus all other seizure types. Conclusions: The developmental outcome of patients with Down syndrome appears to worsen when IS and HS had occurred in the first year of life.

scholarly journals Mediators of the Effect of Childhood Socioeconomic Status on Late Midlife Cognitive Abilities: A Four Decade Longitudinal Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asad Beck ◽  
Carol E Franz ◽  
Hong Xian ◽  
Eero Vuoksimaa ◽  
Xin Tu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Abstract Reasoning ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Childhood Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Late Midlife

Abstract Background and Objectives Childhood socioeconomic status (cSES) is found to predict later-life cognitive abilities, yet the mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. The objective of this longitudinal study was to examine the direct and indirect paths through which cSES influences late midlife cognitive outcomes. Research Design and Methods Participants were 1,009 male twins in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA). At mean ages 20 and 62, participants completed a standardized test for general cognitive ability (GCA). The age 62 cognitive assessment also included in-person tests of processing speed, episodic memory, abstract reasoning, working memory, verbal fluency, visual-spatial ability, and executive functions. At mean age 56, participants were interviewed regarding their own and their parents’ education and occupation, and completed questionnaires about cognitive leisure activities and sociodemographic information. Multiple mediation analyses were conducted to examine the direct path effects and indirect path effects of cSES through age 20 GCA, adult SES, and cognitive leisure activities on seven cognitive outcomes at age 62, adjusting for age, ethnicity, and non-independence of observations. Results Total (direct plus indirect) effects were significant for all measures with the exception of executive functions. Men from lower cSES backgrounds had poorer cognitive functioning in late midlife. The direct effect of cSES was partially mediated for abstract reasoning, and was fully mediated for the remaining six cognitive outcomes. Total indirect effects accounted for at least half of the total effects in each model, with paths through age 20 GCA explaining most of the total indirect effects. Discussion and Implications cSES predicted cognitive functioning in late middle age Using multiple mediation models, we show that lower cSES predicts poorer cognition in late midlife primarily through young adult cognitive ability and to a lesser extent through SES in adulthood and engagement in cognitively stimulating activities.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Activities and Memory: Variety May Be the Spice of Life. The Women's Health and Aging Study II

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C. Carlson ◽  
Jeanine M. Parisi ◽  
Jin Xia ◽  
Qian-Li Xue ◽  
George W. Rebok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Cognitive Challenge ◽  
Lifestyle Activities ◽  
Healthy Community

AbstractThis study examined whether participation in a variety of lifestyle activities was comparable to frequent participation in cognitively challenging activities in mitigating impairments in cognitive abilities susceptible to aging in healthy, community-dwelling older women. Frequencies of participation in various lifestyle activities on the Lifestyle Activities Questionnaire (LAQ) were divided according to high (e.g., reading), moderate (e.g., discussing politics), and low (e.g., watching television) cognitive demand. We also considered the utility of participation in a variety of lifestyle activities regardless of cognitive challenge. Immediate and delayed verbal recall, psychomotor speed, and executive function were each measured at baseline and at five successive exams, spanning a 9.5-year interval. Greater variety of participation in activities, regardless of cognitive challenge, was associated with an 8 to 11% reduction in the risk of impairment in verbal memory and global cognitive outcomes. Participation in a variety of lifestyle activities was more predictive than frequency or level of cognitive challenge for significant reductions in risk of incident impairment on measures sensitive to cognitive aging and risk for dementia. Our findings offer new perspectives in promoting a diverse repertoire of activities to mitigate age-related cognitive declines. (JINS, 2012, 18, 286–294)

scholarly journals Cognitive Abilities of Pre- and Primary School Children with Spina Bifida in Uganda

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Femke Bannink ◽  
Johnny R. J. Fontaine ◽  
Richard Idro ◽  
Geert Van Hove
Keyword(s):  
Spina Bifida ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
School Children ◽  
Parental Support ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Motor Functioning

This study investigates cognitive abilities of pre/primary school children without and with spina bifida in Uganda. Qualitative semi structured interviews and quantitative functioning scales measurements were combined and conducted with 133 parents, 133 children with spina bifida, and 35 siblings.  ANCOVA was used to test for differences in cognitive scores between children and siblings. Logistic regression analyses were used to study predictive demographic, impairment specific, and environmental factors of cognitive functioning. Children with spina bifida in Uganda had lower cognitive outcomes compared to their siblings. Cognitive outcomes were predicted by age, household income, motor functioning, and schooling. Better motor functioning was predicted by age, the presence of hydrocephalus, and parental support. Continence management was predicted by parental support and household income. Schooling was predicted by age, household income, and motor functioning. Limited access to neurosurgery and rehabilitative care, and schooling had a negative effect on cognitive functioning. Children of parents who have support had better motor functioning, and continence management. A holistic approach for children with spina bifida and their families, including community based rehabilitation; ensuring social support and livelihoods for parents; and access to health and education services can contribute to better cognitive outcomes.

scholarly journals Cirbp-PSD95 Axis Protects Against Hypobaric Hypoxia-Induced Aberrant Morphology of Hippocampal Dendritic Spines and Cognitive Deficits

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Zhou ◽  
Huanyu Lu ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Zaihua Zhao ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Hypobaric Hypoxia ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Hypoxia Exposure ◽  
Ca1 Region

Abstract Hypobaric hypoxia (HH) is a typical characteristic of high altitude environment and causes a spectrum of pathophysiological effects, including headaches, gliovascular dysfunction and cognitive slowing. Here, we sought to understand the mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits under HH exposure. Our results showed that HH exposure impaired cognitive function and suppressed dendritic spine density accompanied with increased neck length in both basal and apical hippocampal CA1 region neurons. The expression of PSD95, a critical synaptic scaffolding molecule, is down-regulated by hypoxia exposure and post-transcriptionally controlled by cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (Cirbp) through 3’-UTR region binding. PSD95 expressing alleviates hypoxia-induced neuron dendritic spine plasticity abnormality and memory impairment. Moreover, overexpressed Cirbp in hippocampus rescues hypoxia-induced loss of PSD95 and attenuates hypoxia-induced dendritic spine injury and cognitive outcomes. Thus, our findings reveal a novel mechanism where Cirbp-PSD-95 axis appears to play a key role in hypoxia-induced cognitive abilities impairment in brain.

Environmental risk and young children’s cognitive and behavioral development

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Pike ◽  
Alessandra C. Iervolino ◽  
Thalia C. Eley ◽  
Thomas S. Price ◽  
Robert Plomin
Keyword(s):  
Home Environment ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Risk Indicators ◽  
Twin Design ◽  
Medical Factors ◽  
Total Behavior

Using a longitudinal, large-scale sample of British twins, we addressed the prediction of both cognitive abilities and behavioral adjustment from eight domains of environmental risk: minority status, socio-economic status, maternal medical factors, twin medical factors, maternal depression, chaos within the home environment, and parental feelings towards their children and discipline. Participants included 5765 families with twins (49.1% male) born in 1994 and 1995. Aspects of environmental risk were assessed from birth until the children’s third birthdays; outcome measures were assessed at their fourth birthdays. Overall prediction of outcome (via multiple regression analysis) was moderate (R = .23 -.48). SES and chaos were the strongest predictors for the cognitive outcomes whereas for total behavior problems the more proximal parenting factors were also dominant. Future analyses will investigate these environmental risk indicators in the context of the genetically sensitive twin design.

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