Relationship between executive functions and academic performance among Moroccan middle school students / Relação entre funções executivas e desempenho acadêmico em estudantes marroquinos do ensino médio

ABSTRACT. Executive functions (EF) play a central role in the development of social and cognitive skills and academic learning. Objective: For this reason, this study aims to determine the relationship between executive functions and academic performance among middle school students in the Middle Atlas of Morocco. Methods: This study focuses on 137 middle school students studying at four colleges located in the Middle Atlas of Morocco. The sample studied was divided into two groups: the first consisting of students with learning difficulties; and the second considered a control. To assess EF, three tests were administered to learners in both groups (Tracking Test, Stroop Test and Number Span Test). Results: In the sample, average age of the learners was 14.5±1.3 years and sex ratio was balanced. The students with learning difficulties had lower performance on tests measuring cognitive flexibility, inhibitory processes and working memory compared to the control group. Conclusion: From these results, it can be concluded that students with learning disabilities performed poorly on the three basic components of executive functions. Therefore, thorough neuropsychological diagnosis would be desirable to identify learners who may have cognitive or behavioural disorders and allow adequate intervention to improve their executive functions and subsequently their academic success.

RESUMO. As funções executivas (FEs) desempenham um papel central no desenvolvimento de habilidades sociais e cognitivas e no aprendizado acadêmico. Objetivo: Por esse motivo, nosso estudo teve como objetivo determinar a relação entre FEs e desempenho acadêmico entre estudantes do ensino médio no Atlas Médio de Marrocos. Métodos: Nosso estudo se concentrou em 137 alunos do ensino médio que estudavam em quatro colégios localizados no Atlas Médio de Marrocos. A amostra estudada foi dividida em dois grupos, o primeiro composto por alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem e o segundo considerado como controle. Para avaliar os FEs, três testes foram administrados aos alunos de ambos os grupos (Testes de Trilhas, Teste de Stroop e Teste de Extensão de Dígitos). Resultados: A idade média dos alunos em nossa amostra foi de 14,5±1,3 anos, com uma relação entre gêneros equilibrada. Em nosso estudo, os alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem apresentaram desempenho inferior nos testes que mediram flexibilidade cognitiva, processo inibitório e memória de trabalho em comparação ao grupo controle. Conclusão: Do ​​nosso resultado, podemos concluir que alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem apresentam um desempenho fraco nos três componentes básicos das FEs. Por esse motivo, seria desejável um diagnóstico neuropsicológico completo, para identificar alunos que possam ter distúrbios cognitivos ou comportamentais para uma correção adequada para melhorar seus FEs e, posteriormente, seu sucesso acadêmico.

Effects of monocular deprivation on the dendritic features of retinal ganglion cells / Efectos de la privación monocular sobre las características dendríticas de las células ganglionares de la retina

Monocular deprivation results in anatomical changes in the visual cortex in favor of the non-deprived eye. Although the retina forms part of the visual pathway, there is scarcity of data on the effect of monocular deprivation on its structure. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of monocular deprivation on the retinal ganglion cell dendritic features. The study design was quasi-experimental. 30 rabbits (18 experimental, 12 controls) were examined. Monocular deprivation was achieved through unilateral lid suture in the experimental animals. The rabbits were observed for three weeks. Each week, 6 experimental and 3 control animals were euthanized, their retina harvested and processed for light microscopy. Photomicrographs of the retina were taken using a digital camera then entered into FIJI software for analysis. The number of primary branches, terminal branches and dendritic field area among the non-deprived eyes increased by 66.7%(p=0.385), 400%(p=0.002), and 88.4%(p=0.523) respectively. Non-deprived eyes had 114.3% more terminal dendrites (p=0.002) compared to controls. Among deprived eyes, all variables measured had a gradual rise in the first two weeks followed by decline with further deprivation. There were no statistically significant differences noted between the deprived and control eyes. Monocular deprivation results in increase in synaptic contacts in the non-deprived eye, with reciprocal changes occurring in the deprived eye.

La privación monocular de la visión resulta en cambios anatómicos en la corteza visual en favor del ojo no privado. Aunque la retina forma parte de la vía visual, hay escasez de datos sobre el efecto de la privación monocular en su estructura. El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir los efectos de la privación monocular en las características de las dendritas de las células ganglionares de la retina. Se diseñó un estudio cuasi-experimental. Se examinaron 30 conejos (18 experimentales, 12 controles). La privación monocular se logró a través de la sutura unilateral del párpado en los animales de experimentación. Los conejos fueron observados durante tres semanas. Cada semana, 6 animales experimentales y 3 control fueron eutanasiados, donde se obtuvo la retina y fue procesada para realizar microscopía óptica. Las microfotografías de la retina fueron tomadas con una cámara digital y luego se utilizó el software FIJI para su análisis. El número de dendritas primarias, terminales y el área del campo de dendritas en los ojos no privados aumentó un 66,7% (p=0,385), 400% (p=0,002), y 88,4% (p=0,523), respectivamente. Los ojos no privados, tenían 114,3% más dendritas terminales (p=0,002) en comparación con los controles. Entre los ojos privados, todas las variables medidas tuvieron un aumento gradual en las dos primeras semanas, seguido de descenso con mayor privación. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los ojos privados y el grupo control. En conclusion, la privación monocular produce un aumento de los contactos sinápticos en los ojos no privados, con cambios recíprocos que se manifiestan en los ojos privados de la visión.