Reduced stereotypicality and spared use of facial expression predictions for social evaluation in autism.

Background/Objective: Autism has been investigated through traditional emotion recognition paradigms, merely investigating accuracy, thereby constraining how potential differences across autistic and control individuals may be observed, identified, and described. Moreover, the use of emotional facial expression information for social functioning in autism is of relevance to provide a deeper understanding of the condition. Method: Adult autistic individuals (n = 34) and adult control individuals (n = 34) were assessed with a social perception behavioral paradigm exploring facial expression predictions and their impact on social evaluation. Results: Autistic individuals held less stereotypical predictions than controls. Importantly, despite such differences in predictions, the use of such predictions for social evaluation did not differ significantly between groups, as autistic individuals relied on their predictions to evaluate others to the same extent as controls. Conclusions: These results help to understand how autistic individuals perceive social stimuli and evaluate others, revealing a deviation from stereotypicality beyond which social evaluation strategies may be intact.

Noninvasive modulation of predictive coding in humans: causal evidence for frequency-specific temporal dynamics.

Increasing evidence indicates that the brain predicts sensory input based on past experiences, importantly constraining how we experience the world. Despite a growing interest on this framework, known as predictive coding, most of such approaches to multiple psychological domains continue to be theoretical or primarily provide correlational evidence. We here explored the neural basis of predictive processing using noninvasive brain stimulation and provide causal evidence of frequency-specific modulations in humans. Participants received 20 Hz (associated with top-down/predictions), 50 Hz (associated with bottom-up/prediction errors), or sham transcranial alternating current stimulation on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex while performing a social perception task in which facial expression predictions were induced and subsequently confirmed or violated. Left prefrontal 20 Hz stimulation reinforced stereotypical predictions. In contrast, 50 Hz and sham stimulation failed to yield any significant behavioral effects. Moreover, the frequency-specific effect observed was further supported by electroencephalography data, which showed a boost of brain activity at the stimulated frequency band. These observations provide causal evidence for how predictive processing may be enabled in the human brain, setting up a needed framework to understand how it may be disrupted across brain-related conditions and potentially restored through noninvasive methods.

Figure-Disembedding Is Inferior in Non-autistic Compared to Autistic Individuals but Can Be Improved by Training.

Background: Figure-disembedding is one of the most discussed visuo-cognitive functions, in which individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been reported to outperform non-autistic individuals. A local processing bias has been assumed to underlie such superior performance patterns. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether processing preferences can be modified by procedural priming. Method: The current study used a procedural priming task (Navon figures) to induce more local or global processing in 25 autistic and 21 typically developing (TD) control participants, using hierarchical figures preceding the figure-disembedding task. Results: Participants with ASD outperformed non-autistic individuals in the unprimed baseline task version. The performance was not modulated by priming in either direction (toward a local or global processing style) in both groups. However, the performance of TD control participants was improved by training to the same level as that observed in the ASD group. Conclusion: Figure-disembedding performance in ASD is superior to that in TD control participants and robust against procedural priming or training. In contrast, performance in the TD control group can be improved up to the level of the ASD group. Any studies reporting superiority in individuals with ASD in figure-disembedding should consider training effects when evaluating group differences.

Predictive processing in depression: Increased prediction error following negative valence contexts and influence of recent mood-congruent yet irrelevant experiences.

BACKGROUND: Novel theoretical models of depression have recently emerged based on an influential new perspective in neuroscience known as predictive processing. In these models, depression may be understood as an imbalance of predictive signals in the brain; more specifically, a dominance of predictions leading to a relative insensitivity to prediction error. Despite these important theoretical advances, empirical evidence remains limited, and how expectations are generated and used dynamically in individuals with depression remains largely unexplored. METHODS: In this study, we induced facial expression predictions using emotion contexts in 34 individuals with depression and 34 healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared to controls, individuals with depression perceived displayed facial expressions as less similar to their expectations (i.e., increased difference between expectations and actual sensory input) following contexts evoking negative valence emotions, indicating that depressed individuals have increased prediction error in such contexts. This effect was amplified by recent mood-congruent yet irrelevant experiences. LIMITATIONS: The clinical sample included participants with comorbid psychopathology and taking medication. Additionally, the two groups were not evaluated in the same setting, and only three emotion categories (fear, sadness, and happiness) were explored. CONCLUSIONS: Our results shed light on potential mechanisms underlying processing abnormalities regarding negative information, which has been consistently reported in depression, and may be a relevant point of departure for exploring transdiagnostic vulnerability to mental illness. Our data also has the potential to improve clinical practice through the implementation of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools based on the assessment and modulation of predictive signals.

A Virtual Reality Based System for the Screening and Classification of Autism.

Autism - also known as Autism Spectrum Disorders or Autism Spectrum Conditions - is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by repetitive behaviours and differences in communication and social interaction. As a consequence, many autistic individuals may struggle in everyday life, which sometimes manifests in depression, unemployment, or addiction. One crucial problem in patient support and treatment is the long waiting time to diagnosis, which was approximated to thirteen months on average. Yet, the earlier an intervention can take place the better the patient can be supported, which was identified as a crucial factor. We propose a system to support the screening of Autism Spectrum Disorders based on a virtual reality social interaction, namely a shopping experience, with an embodied agent. During this everyday interaction, behavioral responses are tracked and recorded. We analyze this behavior with machine learning approaches to classify participants from an autistic participant sample in comparison to a typically developed individuals control sample with high accuracy, demonstrating the feasibility of the approach. We believe that such tools can strongly impact the way mental disorders are assessed and may help to further find objective criteria and categorization.

Percepciones y vivencias de escolares de 7 a 8 años del País Vasco durante la alerta sanitaria COVID-19 / Perceptions and experiences of 7-8 year old schoolchildren in the Basque Country during the COVID-19 health alert

Objetivo: Explorar las experiencias y las vivencias de escolares de 7-8 años en una situación excepcional de alerta sanitaria en la que se han aplicado a la población estrictas medidas de confinamiento. Método: Estudio cualitativo exploratorio a través del análisis de ilustraciones realizadas por 71 escolares de 7-8 años de edad. El análisis se llevó a cabo según el marco teórico de Rose. Se realizó análisis descriptivo de los datos sociodemográficos. Resultados: Del análisis del contenido emergieron cinco categorías: 1) sentimientos de tristeza y miedo; 2) importancia del núcleo familiar, seguridad y protección; 3) hábitos de vida sedentarios durante el confinamiento; 4) infraestructuras de las viviendas y desigualdades sociales (la vida tras una ventana); y 5) respuesta social, lucha colectiva y de los/las profesionales de la salud. Conclusiones: La situación de pandemia de COVID-19 y las medidas estrictas de confinamiento han tenido un importante impacto en la población escolar, que es la que ha vivido las mayores restricciones. La infraestructura del hogar se ha mostrado como un claro diferenciador que ahonda en las desigualdades sociales y el impacto que la situación tiene en los/las escolares. Es necesario ampliar los estudios acerca del impacto psicosocial que esta situación va a tener a largo plazo en su salud física y mental. (AU)

Objective: To explore the experiences of schoolchildren in an exceptional health alert situation in which strict confinement measures have been applied to the population. Method: Qualitative exploratory study through the analysis of illustrations carried out by schoolchildren aged 7 to 8. The analysis was carried out according to Rose's theoretical framework. Descriptive analysis of socio-demographic data was performed. Results: Five categories emerged from the analysis of the content: 1) feelings of sadness and fear; 2) importance of the family nucleus, safety and protection; 3) sedentary living habits during confinement; 4) housing infrastructure and social inequalities (life through a window); and 5) social response, collective struggle and through health professionals. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic situation and the strict confinement measures have had a significant impact on the school population, who had experienced the greatest restrictions. Household infrastructure has been shown to be a clear differentiator that deepens social inequalities and the impact that the situation has on school children. More studies are needed on the long-term psychosocial impact of this situation on their physical and mental health.

[Perceptions and experiences of 7-8 year old schoolchildren in the Basque Country during the COVID-19 health alert]. / Percepciones y vivencias de escolares de 7 a 8 años del País Vasco durante la alerta sanitaria COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of schoolchildren in an exceptional health alert situation in which strict confinement measures have been applied to the population. METHOD: Qualitative exploratory study through the analysis of illustrations carried out by schoolchildren aged 7 to 8. The analysis was carried out according to Rose's theoretical framework. Descriptive analysis of socio-demographic data was performed. RESULTS: Five categories emerged from the analysis of the content: 1) feelings of sadness and fear; 2) importance of the family nucleus, safety and protection; 3) sedentary living habits during confinement; 4) housing infrastructure and social inequalities (life through a window); and 5) social response, collective struggle and through health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic situation and the strict confinement measures have had a significant impact on the school population, who had experienced the greatest restrictions. Household infrastructure has been shown to be a clear differentiator that deepens social inequalities and the impact that the situation has on school children. More studies are needed on the long-term psychosocial impact of this situation on their physical and mental health.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in Children Between 5 and 8 Years Old: Psychometric Properties of Nonide Scale.

BACKGROUND: Early intervention in a cardiorespiratory arrest by a witness significantly increases survival. That is why early training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be essential. Therefore, the aim of this study is the development and validation of an instrument to assess CPR knowledge and skills for schoolchildren from 5 to 8 years old. METHOD: We used a Spanish sample with 164 children aged between 5 and 8 years old. These children received a workshop called the "CPR from my school" program and their knowledge of CPR was assessed pre- and post-Workshop. We examined the scale through psychometric analyses within the framework of Classical Test Theory. RESULTS: The Nonide Scale provided evidence of content validity, revealed an essentially unidimensional internal structure, as well as excellent reliability (Ω = .87). Furthermore, a significant improvement was observed in scores, before and after the CPR Workshop. CONCLUSIONS: The Nonide Scale, designed to measure CPR knowledge and acquired skills in children from 5 to 8 years old, shows adequate psychometric properties, hence it can be used as professional and research contexts require.

Incidence of COVID-19 in outpatients with cancer receiving active treatment in the context of a pandemic: An Andalusian cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Leading scientific societies have recommended delaying and/or suspending active cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, data on this novel infection in patients with a diagnosis of cancer receiving active treatment are scarce and it is unknown if these recommendations could have repercussions on future progress of the disease. The main objective of this study is to learn the COVID-19 incidence rate in outpatients with cancer receiving active treatment. METHODS: This work is a retrospective cohort study that included all patients with a diagnosis of cancer who received active cancer treatment in two Andalusian hospitals between February 26 and May 13, 2020. Variables regarding the patient, tumor, and development of COVID-19 were collected. A descriptive analysis was performed and the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in these patients was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 673 patients were included. The median age was 62 years. There was a low rate of comorbidity and 12.1% had an ECOG >2. Breast cancer was the most common cancer (41%), followed by colorectal and lung cancer. Stage IV cancer was reported in 52.7% of patients. The most common treatment was chemotherapy (53.9%). Treatment was delayed or suspended in 6% of patients. Only three patients developed COVID-19. The cumulative incidence was 0.44% and one person died due to infection. CONCLUSIONS: In the present retrospective cohort study we found a low incidence of COVID-19 infection in patients with cancer receiving active treatment in an outpatient setting. The sociodemographic factors of Andalusia may explain why these results differ from those presented by other colleagues in Spain, but raise questions about whether universal recommendations may put the benefits of antineoplastic therapy at risk.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in Children Between 5 and 8 Years Old: Psychometric Properties of Nonide Scale / Resucitación Cardio-Pulmonar (RCP) en Niños de 5 A 8 Años: Propiedades Psicométricas de la Escala Nonide

Background: Early intervention in a cardiorespiratory arrest by a witness significantly increases survival. That is why early training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be essential. Therefore, the aim of this study is the development and validation of an instrument to assess CPR knowledge and skills for schoolchildren from 5 to 8 years old. Method: We used a Spanish sample with 164 children aged between 5 and 8 years old. These children received a workshop called the “CPR from my school” program and their knowledge of CPR was assessed pre- and post-Workshop. We examined the scale through psychometric analyses within the framework of Classical Test Theory. Results: The Nonide Scale provided evidence of content validity, revealed an essentially unidimensional internal structure, as well as excellent reliability (Ω = .87). Furthermore, a significant improvement was observed in scores, before and after the CPR Workshop. Conclusions: The Nonide Scale, designed to measure CPR knowledge and acquired skills in children from 5 to 8 years old, shows adequate psychometric properties, hence it can be used as professional and research contexts require. (AU)

Antecedentes: la intervención precoz en una parada cardiorrespiratoria por el testigo aumenta significativamente la supervivencia. Es por ello que resulta fundamental la formación temprana en reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP). Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio es el desarrollo y validación de un instrumento de medida de conocimientos y habilidades en RCP para escolares de 5 a 8 años: Escala Nonide. Método: se empleó una muestra de 164 niños de edades comprendidas entre los 5 y los 8 años. A estos niños se les impartió un taller del programa “RCP desde mi cole” y se evaluó sus conocimientos de RCP en el momento pre y post taller, estudiando la escala mediante análisis psicométricos desde el marco de la Teoría Clásica de los Tests. Resultados: el instrumento aportó evidencias de validez de contenido, mostró una estructura esencialmente unidimensional, así como una fiabilidad excelente (Ω=0,87). Además, se observó una mejora significativa en las puntuaciones del instrumento, antes y después del taller impartido de RCP. Conclusiones: la Escala Nonide diseñada para medir conocimientos y habilidades adquiridos en RCP para niños de 5 a 8 años muestra unas adecuadas propiedades psicométricas, por lo que puede emplearse cuando el contexto profesional y de investigación lo demande. (AU)