Measuring Adaptive Behavior in Patients with Mendelian Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Comparison of ABAS-3 and Dutch Vineland Scales.

Objective: Several instruments are available for measuring (aspects of) adaptive functioning, but knowledge is lacking about which is best to use to monitor patients with etiologically homogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study we compare the use of the Vineland-Z and ABAS-3 adaptive behavior scales in such a specific group. Method: Of patients with a molecularly confirmed diagnosis of Kleefstra syndrome, 34 were assessed with both the Vineland-Z and ABAS-3 of which 12 (35,3%) males and 22 (64,7%) females. Raw scores and developmental ages were calculated and a comparison between the instruments was done via correlation analysis. Results: Biological age ranged from 12 to 50 years old (median age of 23,1 ± 9,6 years). Pearson r correlation analyses show that the Vineland-Z and ABAS-3 assessments are highly interchangeable in this population. However, there are practical issues which require attention: (i) the use of ABAS-3 needs several versions to cover the whole adaptive spectrum, and (ii) the Vineland-Z discriminates more at the lower end of the adaptive functioning spectrum compared to the ABAS-3, but less at the higher end. An ideal instrument for this specific purpose is not yet available. Conclusions: We recommend that either the Vineland-Z, with modification of the dated items, the abridged version of the Vineland III, or a merge of the 0-4/517 ABAS-3 versions would work best to assess the entire spectrum of adaptive functioning adequately.

A time-series perspective on executive functioning: The benefits of a dynamic approach to random number generation.

OBJECTIVES: Executive functioning (EF) is a key topic in neuropsychology. A multitude of underlying processes and constructs have been suggested to explain EF, which are measured by at least as many different neuropsychological tests. However, these tests often refer to summary statistics to quantify the construct under study, failing to capture the dynamic nature of EF. An alternative to these summary statistics is a time-series approach that quantifies all the available temporal information. METHODS: We used recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) to quantify the characteristics of any temporal pattern in random number generation data and we compared RQA to the traditional and static analysis of random number sequences. RESULTS: The traditional measures yield inconsistent results with increasing sequences length, both for computer-generated and human-generated sequences, whereas the RQA measures do not. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a time-series approach does a better job at modelling what is happening on different time-scales, and, therefore, is better at explaining how EF is changing in the course of the random number generation task. We argue that it is likely that these findings also apply to other neuropsychological EF tests, and that a time-series approach is an important addition to the study of EF.

Cognitive Phenotype and Psychopathology in Noonan Syndrome Spectrum Disorders through Various Ras/MAPK Pathway Associated Gene Variants.

Cognitive difficulties are argued to be common in patients with Noonan syndrome spectrum disorders (NSSDs), but findings are based on studies in which patients with variants in PTPN11 (prevalence ~50%) were overrepresented. The current study, using a structured clinical approach, describes the cognitive phenotype and psychopathology of 100 patients (aged 6 to 61 years) with nine different gene variants in the Ras/MAPK pathway underlying NSSDs (PTPN11n = 61, PTPN11 Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines n = 3, SOS1n = 14, KRASn = 7, LZTR1n = 5, RAF1n = 4, SHOC2n = 2, CBLn = 2, SOS2n = 2). After weighted assessment and bootstrapping of the results of individual neuropsychological assessments and measures of psychopathology, cognitive performances in most variant groups were within the ranges of expectation. IQs were significantly lower in patients with variants in PTPN11, KRAS, RAF1, and SHOC2, but no specific cognitive impairments were found. The performances of younger participants (<16 years of age) did not differ from those of adults. Alexithymia and internalizing problems were more frequent in patients with variants in PTPN11 and SOS1, while PTPN11 patients also showed higher levels of externalizing problems. These results stress the need to take intelligence into account when interpreting lower cognitive performances in individual neuropsychological assessments, which is crucial for an adequate understanding and guidance of patients with NSSDs.

RandseqR: An R Package for Describing Performance on the Random Number Generation Task.

The Random Number Generation (RNG) task has a long history in neuropsychology as an assessment procedure for executive functioning. In recent years, understanding of human (executive) behavior has gradually changed from reflecting a static to a dynamic process and this shift in thinking about behavior gives a new angle to interpret test results. However, this shift also asks for different methods to process random number sequences. The RNG task is suited for applying non-linear methods needed to uncover the underlying dynamics of random number generation. In the current article we present RandseqR: an R-package that combines the calculation of classic randomization measures and Recurrence Quantification Analysis. RandseqR is an easy to use, flexible and fast way to process random number sequences and readies the RNG task for current scientific and clinical use.

Predictive Value of Traditional Measures of Executive Function on Broad Abilities of the Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory of Cognitive Abilities.

The neuropsychological construct of executive functions (EFs), and the psychometric Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities are both approaches that attempt to describe cognitive functioning. The coherence between EF and CHC abilities has been mainly studied using factor-analytical techniques. Through multivariate regression analysis, the current study now assesses the integration of these latent constructs in clinical assessment. The predictive power of six widely used executive tasks on five CHC measures (crystallized and fluid intelligence, visual processing, short-term memory, and processing speed) is examined. Results indicate that executive tasks-except for the Stroop and the Tower of London-predict overall performance on the intelligence tests. Differentiation in predicting performance between the CHC abilities is limited, due to a high shared variance between these abilities. It is concluded that executive processes such as planning and inhibition have a unique variance that is not well-represented in intelligence tests. Implications for the use of EF tests and operationalization of CHC measures in clinical practice are discussed.

Intellectual Profiles in KBG-Syndrome: A Wechsler Based Case-Control Study.

KBG syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) caused by loss-of-function of the ANKRD11 gene. The core phenotype comprises developmental delay (DD)/ intellectual disability (ID) and several specific facial dysmorphisms. In addition, both ADHD- and ASD-related symptoms have been mentioned. For the correct understanding of these developmental and behavioral characteristics however, it is of great importance to apply objective measures, which seldom has been done in patients with KBG syndrome. In this study, intelligence profiles of patients with KBG syndrome (n = 18) were compared with a control group comprising patients with NDD caused by various other genetic defects (n = 17), by means of the Wechsler scales. These scales were also used to measure speed of information processing, working memory, verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning. No significant differences were found in the global level of intelligence of patients with KBG syndrome as compared to the patient genetic control group. The same was true for Wechsler subtest results. Hence, behavioral problems associated with KBG syndrome cannot directly be related to or explained by a specific intelligence profile. Instead, specific assessment of neurocognitive functions should be performed to clarify the putative behavioral problems as observed in this syndrome.

A Time Series Approach to Random Number Generation: Using Recurrence Quantification Analysis to Capture Executive Behavior.

The concept of executive functions plays a prominent role in contemporary experimental and clinical studies on cognition. One paradigm used in this framework is the random number generation (RNG) task, the execution of which demands aspects of executive functioning, specifically inhibition and working memory. Data from the RNG task are best seen as a series of successive events. However, traditional RNG measures that are used to quantify executive functioning are mostly summary statistics referring to deviations from mathematical randomness. In the current study, we explore the utility of recurrence quantification analysis (RQA), a non-linear method that keeps the entire sequence intact, as a better way to describe executive functioning compared to traditional measures. To this aim, 242 first- and second-year students completed a non-paced RNG task. Principal component analysis of their data showed that traditional and RQA measures convey more or less the same information. However, RQA measures do so more parsimoniously and have a better interpretation.