scholarly journals Functional Hyperconnectivity during a Stories Listening Task in Magnetoencephalography Is Associated with Language Gains for Children Born Extremely Preterm

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1271
Author(s):  
Maria E. Barnes-Davis ◽  
Hisako Fujiwara ◽  
Georgina Drury ◽  
Stephanie L. Merhar ◽  
Nehal A. Parikh ◽  
...  

Extreme prematurity (EPT, <28 weeks gestation) is associated with language problems. We previously reported hyperconnectivity in EPT children versus term children (TC) using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Here, we aim to ascertain whether functional hyperconnectivity is a marker of language resiliency for EPT children, validating our earlier work with a distinct sample of contemporary well-performing EPT and preterm children with history of language delay (EPT-HLD). A total of 58 children (17 EPT, 9 EPT-HLD, and 32 TC) participated in stories listening during MEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 4–6 years. We compared connectivity in EPT and EPT-HLD, investigating relationships with language over time. We measured fMRI activation during stories listening and parcellated the activation map to obtain “nodes” for MEG connectivity analysis. There were no significant group differences in age, sex, race, ethnicity, parental education, income, language scores, or language representation on fMRI. MEG functional connectivity (weighted phase lag index) was significantly different between groups. Preterm children had increased connectivity, replicating our earlier work. EPT and EPT-HLD had hyperconnectivity versus TC at 24–26 Hz, with EPT-HLD exhibiting greatest connectivity. Network strength correlated with change in standardized scores from 2 years to 4–6 years of age, suggesting hyperconnectivity is a marker of advancing language development.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria E. Barnes-Davis ◽  
Stephanie L. Merhar ◽  
Scott K. Holland ◽  
Nehal A. Parikh ◽  
Darren S. Kadis

ABSTRACTChildren born extremely preterm (EPT, <28 weeks gestation) are at risk for delays in development, including language. We use fMRI-constrained magnetoencephalography (MEG) during a verb generation task to assess the extent and functional connectivity (phase locking value, or PLV) of language networks in a large cohort of EPT children and their term comparisons (TC). 73 participants, aged 4 to 6 years, were enrolled (42 TC, 31 EPT). There were no significant group differences in age, sex, race, ethnicity, parental education, or family income. There were significant group differences in expressive language scores (p<0.05). Language representation was not significantly different between groups on fMRI, with task-specific activation involving bilateral temporal and left inferior frontal cortex. There were group differences in functional connectivity seen in MEG. To identify a possible subnetwork contributing to focal spectral differences in connectivity, we ran Network Based Statistics analyses. For both beta (20-25 Hz) and gamma (61-70 Hz) bands, we observed a subnetwork showing hyperconnectivity in the EPT group (p<0.05). Network strength was computed for the beta and gamma subnetworks and assessed for correlation with language performance. For the EPT group, exclusively, strength of the subnetwork identified in the gamma frequency band was positively correlated with expressive language scores (r=0.318, p<0.05). Thus, interhemispheric hyperconnectivity is positively related to language for EPT children and might represent a marker for resiliency in this population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 524
Author(s):  
Amy Goodwin ◽  
Alexandra Hendry ◽  
Luke Mason ◽  
Tessel Bazelmans ◽  
Jannath Begum Ali ◽  
...  

Mapping infant neurocognitive differences that precede later ADHD-related behaviours is critical for designing early interventions. In this study, we investigated (1) group differences in a battery of measures assessing aspects of attention and activity level in infants with and without a family history of ADHD or related conditions (ASD), and (2) longitudinal associations between the infant measures and preschool ADHD traits at 3 years. Participants (N = 151) were infants with or without an elevated likelihood for ADHD (due to a family history of ADHD and/or ASD). A multi-method assessment protocol was used to assess infant attention and activity level at 10 months of age that included behavioural, cognitive, physiological and neural measures. Preschool ADHD traits were measured at 3 years of age using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and the Child Behaviour Questionnaire (CBQ). Across a broad range of measures, we found no significant group differences in attention or activity level at 10 months between infants with and without a family history of ADHD or ASD. However, parent and observer ratings of infant activity level at 10 months were positively associated with later preschool ADHD traits at 3 years. Observable behavioural differences in activity level (but not attention) may be apparent from infancy in children who later develop elevated preschool ADHD traits.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian A. Wilson ◽  
Naomi Koerner ◽  
Martin M. Antony

This study examined excessive reassurance seeking (or positive feedback seeking; PFS) and negative feedback seeking (NFS) in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or no history of mental health difficulties. A 2-week daily diary method was used to examine potential group differences in the frequency, topics, and targets of PFS and NFS. The SAD and GAD groups reported significantly higher feedback seeking (FS) than the healthy group on self-report questionnaires. The most common targets of FS in each group were other people (e.g., romantic partner, family members). According to diary data, there were no significant group differences in the frequency of PFS, NFS, overall FS, or overall FS adjusted for self-reported compliance with diary completion (after applying Bonferroni correction). There were also no significant group differences in FS topics according to diary data. Future research directions and potential implications of these findings are discussed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 666-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. McPherson ◽  
Mimi T. Salamat

This study investigated the effect of variable interstimulus intervals (ISIs) in a group of normal and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) adults on behavioral reaction time and the auditory P300 event-related potential. This study involved 20 adult subjects with no history of ADHD and 11 adult subjects diagnosed with ADHD. The subjects were instructed to respond to the common stimuli and ignore the rare stimulus. Significant differences in the latency of the P300a, P300b, the amplitude of the P300b, and in the number of false alarms and correct rejections between ISIs were observed in the normal group. The group with ADHD failed to show any significant differences between ISIs. Psychophysical measures of hits showed significant differences for the number of hits for ISI 2 (2 sec) between the two groups. False alarms and correct rejections for all ISIs showed significant differences between groups. Significant group differences were seen for latency of the P300a and P300b at each of the three ISIs, for amplitude of the P300a and P300b for ISI 1 and ISI 3, and for the amplitude of the P300b for ISI 2. There was a greater separation in the group with ADHD between the P300a and P300b suggesting a processing lag in that group.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
Gertrud S. Berkowitz ◽  
Robert H. Lapinski ◽  
Jacqueline G. Gazella ◽  
Stephen E. Dolgin ◽  
Carol A. Bodian ◽  
...  

Objective. A prospective hospital-based cohort study was conducted to determine the prevalence rates of cryptorchidism at birth, 3 months, and 1 year of age. Design. A total of 6935 consecutive male neonates delivered at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City between October 1987 and October 1990 were examined at birth for cryptorchidism. Standardized examination and classification criteria were used. Infants classified as cryptorchid at birth were reexamined at 3 months and 1 year after the expected date of delivery. Results. Of 6935 neonates assessed at birth, 255(3.7%) were found to be cryptorchid at birth. The rates were significantly elevated for low birth weight, preterm, small-for-gestational age, and twin neonates. The overall rate had declined to 1.0% by the 3-month assessment and 1.1% at the 1-year assessment. Although the rates at the 1-year assessment tended to be higher for low birth weight and preterm infants, no significant group differences were observed. Conclusions. Since the prevalence rates in this study are similar to those reported several decades ago, these data provide no evidence that the rate of cryptorchidism has increased either at birth or by 1 year of age. Furthermore, most testes that descend spontaneously do so within the first 3 months after the expected date of delivery.


Author(s):  
Nikita P Rodrigues

We identified easily frustrated (n=9) and less easily frustrated (n=15) infants from a cohort (n=54) of 10-month-olds with and without a family history of ADHD. Categorization into frustration groups was made on the basis of both parents’ report and a laboratory assessment in which they were denied an attractive toy. Easily frustrated infants: 1) showed no significant relationship to having a family history of ADHD; 2) showed differences in frequency of emotion regulation strategies; and 3) showed significant group differences on assessments of cognitive functioning. Results indicate that easily frustrated infants are not regulating attention well and that better measures of cognitive functioning in relation to effortful control may better show group differences.


Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (14 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S23.1-S23
Author(s):  
Tara Sharma ◽  
Julia Kerrigan ◽  
David McArthur ◽  
Thomas McAllister ◽  
Michael McCrea ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo determine if there is a relationship between concussion recovery and airplane travel soon after injury in collegiate athletes and military cadets.BackgroundConcussions are a common occurrence in young athletes. Very few studies have examined how flying may influence the clinical progression of a concussive injury.Design/MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study comprised of 3480 college athletes and cadets with concussion obtained from the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium and divided in two groups: those who flew and those who did not fly after concussion. Those with unknown flight status were excluded. Demographics between groups were compared using Chi Square analysis. Symptom burden was calculated by subtracting baseline Sports Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT3) symptom scores from the post-injury score after flying. Significance between outcome measures and flight status were evaluated using a paired t-test. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if number of time zones crossed during flight influenced outcomes.Results165 athletes flew 31.8 ± 52.3 [SD] hours after injury, 2235 athletes did not fly, and 1080 had unknown flight status. There were no significant study group differences for age, sex, sport, history of prior concussion, and history of headache. No significant group differences were found in days to return to unrestricted play (p = 0.11), days after injury to start graded exertion (p = 0.50), duration of concussion symptoms (p = 0.23), days until return to normal academic performance (p = 0.75), and symptom burden (p = 0.47). Number of time zones crossed did not affect any outcomes.ConclusionsAirplane travel early after concussion did not significantly affect recovery or severity of concussion symptoms in college athletes and cadets. Further studies need to investigate the possible effects of flying more acutely after injury. These data may help guide future recommendations on flight travel after concussion in athletes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 991-999
Author(s):  
Jamie McAllister-Deitrick ◽  
Alicia M. Trbovich ◽  
Steven P. Broglio ◽  
Michael McCrea ◽  
Thomas W. McAllister ◽  
...  

Background: Symptoms, cognition, balance, and other domains are commonly assessed at baseline testing as part of comprehensive preseason evaluations among collegiate student-athletes. Although approximately 27% of college students have at least 1 sleep disorder, researchers have yet to examine the role of a preexisting sleep disorder on preinjury baseline performance. Purpose: To compare athletes with and without a reported history of diagnosed sleep disorders on commonly used baseline concussion assessments. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 666 National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes completed baseline measures including the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), Brief Symptom Inventory–18 (BSI-18), Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), Sport Concussion Assessment Tool–5th Edition (SCAT5), and Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC). There were 333 athletes with a history of diagnosed sleep disorders who were matched on age, sex, sport, and concussion history to 333 athletes with no history of diagnosed sleep disorders. Participants in both groups had a mean age of 19.89 ± 1.36 years and included 182 (54.7%) male athletes, and 126 (37.8%) reported a history of ≥1 concussions. Results: A series of 1-way analyses of covariance with Bonferroni corrections revealed significant group differences on the BESS (F1,559 = 8.88; P < .01); BSI-18 somatization (F1,640 = 18.48; P < .01), depression (F1,640 = 18.78; P < .01), anxiety (F1,640 = 19.42; P < .01), and global severity index (F1,640 = 27.18; P < .01); PCSS (F1,424 = 29.42; P < .01); SCAT5 symptom number (F1,634 = 28.79; P < .01) and symptom severity (F1,634 = 31.74; P < .01); and SAC (F1,578 = 4.36; P = .037). Specifically, while the sleep disorder group did perform better on the BESS, they also reported higher symptoms on the BSI-18, PCSS, and SCAT5 and performed worse on the SAC. There were no group differences on ImPACT performance. Conclusion: Collegiate student-athletes with diagnosed sleep disorders reported elevated affective and concussion symptoms at baseline that could affect the interpretation of postinjury impairments and symptoms. Based on the small effect sizes of our findings, however, the magnitude of these differences is of questionable clinical significance. Still, clinicians should consider diagnosed sleep disorders as reported during preparticipation sports physical examinations when interpreting baseline and postinjury concussion assessments.


2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel H. Huffman ◽  
Brian G. Pietrosimone ◽  
Terry L. Grindstaff ◽  
Joseph M. Hart ◽  
Susan A. Saliba ◽  
...  

Context:Motoneuron-pool facilitation after cryotherapy may be mediated by stimulation of thermoreceptors surrounding a joint. It is unknown whether menthol counterirritants, which also stimulate thermoreceptors, have the same effect on motoneuron-pool excitability (MNPE).Objective:To compare quadriceps MNPE after a menthol-counterirritant application to the anterior knee, a sham counterirritant application, and a control treatment in healthy subjects.Design:A blinded, randomized controlled laboratory study.Setting:Laboratory.Participants:Thirty healthy subjects (16 m, 14 f; 24.1 ± 3.9 y, 170.6 ± 11.4 cm, 72.1 ± 15.6 kg) with no history of lower extremity surgery volunteered for this study.Intervention:Two milliliters of menthol or sham counterirritant was applied to the anterior knee; control subjects received no intervention.Main Outcome Measures:The average vastus medialis normalized Hoffmann reflex (Hmax:Mmax ratio) was used to measure MNPE. Measurements were recorded at 5, 15, 25, and 35 minutes postintervention and compared with baseline measures.Results:Hmax:Mmax ratios for all groups significantly decreased over time (F4,108 = 10.52, P < .001; menthol: baseline = .32 ± .20, 5 min = .29 ± .18, 15 min = .27 ± .18, 25 min = .28 ± .19, 35 min = .27 ± .18; sham: baseline = .46 ± .26, 5 min = .36 ± .20, 15 min = .35 ± .19, 25 min = .35 ± .20, 35 min = .34 ± .18; control: baseline = .48 ± .32, 5 min = .37 ± .27, 15 min = .37 ± .27, 25 min = .37 ± .29, 35 min = .35 ± .28). No significant Group × Time interaction or group differences in Hmax:Mmax were found.Conclusions:Menthol did not affect quadriceps MNPE in healthy subjects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 710-727
Author(s):  
Beula M. Magimairaj ◽  
Naveen K. Nagaraj ◽  
Alexander V. Sergeev ◽  
Natalie J. Benafield

Objectives School-age children with and without parent-reported listening difficulties (LiD) were compared on auditory processing, language, memory, and attention abilities. The objective was to extend what is known so far in the literature about children with LiD by using multiple measures and selective novel measures across the above areas. Design Twenty-six children who were reported by their parents as having LiD and 26 age-matched typically developing children completed clinical tests of auditory processing and multiple measures of language, attention, and memory. All children had normal-range pure-tone hearing thresholds bilaterally. Group differences were examined. Results In addition to significantly poorer speech-perception-in-noise scores, children with LiD had reduced speed and accuracy of word retrieval from long-term memory, poorer short-term memory, sentence recall, and inferencing ability. Statistically significant group differences were of moderate effect size; however, standard test scores of children with LiD were not clinically poor. No statistically significant group differences were observed in attention, working memory capacity, vocabulary, and nonverbal IQ. Conclusions Mild signal-to-noise ratio loss, as reflected by the group mean of children with LiD, supported the children's functional listening problems. In addition, children's relative weakness in select areas of language performance, short-term memory, and long-term memory lexical retrieval speed and accuracy added to previous research on evidence-based areas that need to be evaluated in children with LiD who almost always have heterogenous profiles. Importantly, the functional difficulties faced by children with LiD in relation to their test results indicated, to some extent, that commonly used assessments may not be adequately capturing the children's listening challenges. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12808607


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document