Patterns Of Relationships Between Verbal Memory, Language, And Verbal Intelligence In Preschoolers

Background: This study aims to identify whether language can be the mediator of the relation between verbal memory and verbal intelligence Methods: The participants that involved in this study are 51 preschool-age children in Pekanbaru, consisting of males (n=24) and females (n=27), ages four to six years. Cluster sampling technique was used to collect the sample. The abilities of verbal memory, language and verbal intelligence were assessed towards each participant individually. Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Test of Auditory Processing Skill 3 and Developmental Profile 3 were assigned as the instrument of the test conducted in this study. Data analysis in this study uses mediator analysis. Results: This study found a positive correlation between verbal memory and verbal intelligence (r = 0.53; p<.05), language and verbal intelligence (r = 0.71; p<.05), language and verbal memory (r = 0.64; p<.05). Conclusion: According to the result of the analysis, it is evident that language can be the mediator of the relation between verbal memory and verbal intelligence.

Motor Development in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the gross and fine motor profiles of children with autism spectrum disorder compared to typically developing children. Additionally, we also assessed if the motor delay was more pronounced with increasing age.Method: This was a retrospective study involving children aged 12–60 months of age comparing motor development in children with autism spectrum disorder with typically developing children. Their developmental profile was assessed using Schedule of Growing Skills II. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the developmental profile between the groups.Results: ASD children had significant gross motor (6.7%) and fine motor delay (38.5%) compared to typically developing children, who did not show any delay. The motor delay in ASD children was more prominent in older children.Conclusion: It is important to assess motor development in ASD children as there is significant motor delay in these children compared to typically developing children, and the delay becomes more prominent with age. Early detection of motor delay could allow provision of early intervention services to optimize developmental outcomes.

Comparative analysis of developmental profile between normal and severe acute malnourished under-five children in Pakistan: a multicentre cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study aims to compare the developmental profile of severe acute malnourished (SAM) and normal under-five children and to find sociodemographic determinants accountable for their developmental disabilities.SettingWe conducted a multi-centre cross-sectional study in three basic health units and one rural health centre in Pakistan.Participants200 children (SAM and healthy) aged 6–59 months.Primary and secondary measuresWe screened for nutritional status and clinical complications. Children underwent for developmental assessment by Denver Development Screening Tool II. A pretested structured questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and nutrition was used for collecting data about determinants of developmental delay.ResultsWe observed statistically significant differences in anthropometric measurements among SAM compared with normal nourished in weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference and weight-for-height z-scores. SAM serves as a significant risk factors (p<0.001) for delayed personal or social development (69% vs 11%; OR (95% CI)=18.01 (8.45 to 38.37)), delayed fine motor development (39% vs 8%; OR (95% CI)=7.35 (3.22 to 16.81)), delayed language development (32% vs 8%; OR (95% CI)=5.41 (2.35 to 12.48)), delayed gross motor development (34% vs 10%; OR (95% CI)=4.64 (2.14 to 10.05)) and delayed global development (66% vs 20%; OR (95% CI)=7.77 (4.09 to 14.74)). Applying logistic regression, personal or social development (p<0.001) and language development (p<0.05), under-five siblings was a risk factor, while among gross motor development, mother’s educational status (p<0.05) was a significant risk factor for developmental delay.ConclusionsOur analysis indicates that children with malnutrition have a high frequency of developmental delays. Missing maternal education and a higher number of under-five siblings are also potential risk factors for developmental delay.

Developmental Profile of Social Communication: Findings in Typical Developing Greek Children

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The Developmental Profile of Social Communication (DPSC) is based on the communication and language development in children with social communication difficulties. DPSC facilitates understanding of the challenges these children face in social interaction, communication, and linguistic development. It utilizes clinician and parent responses to build the developmental profiles of individuals. The profile allows clinicians to determine the therapeutic goals for improved cooperation and communication in various contexts. In addition, it provides insight into the parents’ perspective. The aim of this study is to present the preliminary results of the DPSC in typically developing Greek children. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The DPSC, a 112-item questionnaire, was administered to 357 parents of typically developing children aged 2–7.5 years using a 3-scale rating of answers. It was applied electronically via Google forms, and parents were able to ask for clarification on questions. All answers were categorized and then analyzed under independent variables. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Descriptive and hypothesis testing were used to summarize participant characteristics and performance. Findings suggest that children &#x3e;7.5 years tended to develop most of the rated skills of DPSC adequately. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> It was determined that the DPSC questionnaire is an easily administered tool that enables the evaluation of the social communication abilities of children of different ages.

Postnatal connectomic development of inhibition in mouse barrel cortex

Brain circuits in the neocortex develop from diverse types of neurons that migrate and form synapses. Here we quantify the circuit patterns of synaptogenesis for inhibitory interneurons in the developing mouse somatosensory cortex. We studied synaptic innervation of cell bodies, apical dendrites and axon initial segments using 3D electron microscopy focusing on the first four weeks postnatally (postnatal days 5 to 28). We found that innervation of apical dendrites occurs early and specifically: target preference is already almost at adult levels at the fifth postnatal day (P5). Axons innervating cell bodies, on the other hand, gradually acquire specificity from P5 to P9 likely via synaptic overabundance followed by antispecific synapse removal. Chandelier axons show first target preference by P14 but develop full target specificity almost completely by P28, consistent with a combination of axon outgrowth and off-target synapse removal. This connectomic developmental profile reveals how inhibitory axons in mouse cortex establish brain circuitry during development.