Comparative analysis of microstructures of narrative abilities in language-age-matched Tamil-speaking children with cochlear implants and typical hearing.

In a unique exploration of narrative development among Tamil-speaking children, this study delves into the intricacies of linguistic expression, explicitly comparing the microstructure of narratives in two distinct groups: those with hearing differences (HD) and those with normal hearing. A total of 30 children were included in the study, with 15 children in each group, matched for language age between 3-5 years on standard language tests. The children were asked to retell a story they had listened to, and the obtained samples were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for various microstructural elements, including the mean length of utterances, total number of words, number of utterances, and number of different word types. The results revealed that children with hearing loss used fewer words and simpler sentences during retelling despite having the same language age as their peers. This highlights the importance of incorporating narrative assessment in standard language evaluations. Furthermore, the findings emphasise integrating narrative intervention into language intervention programs to enhance language productivity. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the narrative abilities of Tamil-speaking children with cochlear implants and underscores the significance of addressing narrative skills in language intervention approaches.

Assessment of Language Function in Older Mandarin-Speaking Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment using Multifaceted Language Tests.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), especially for those with multidomain cognitive deficits, should be clinically examined for determining risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. English-speakers with aMCI exhibit language impairments mostly at the lexical-semantic level. Given that the language processing of Mandarin Chinese is different from that of alphabetic languages, whether previous findings for English-speakers with aMCI can be generalized to Mandarin Chinese speakers with aMCI remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the multifaceted language functions of Mandarin Chinese speakers with aMCI and compared them with those without cognitive impairment by using a newly developed language test battery. METHODS: Twenty-three individuals with aMCI and 29 individuals without cognitive impairment were recruited. The new language test battery comprises five language domains (oral production, auditory and reading comprehension, reading aloud, repetition, and writing). RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the individuals with aMCI exhibited poorer performance in the oral production and auditory and reading comprehension domains, especially on tests involving effortful lexical and semantic processing. Moreover, the aMCI group made more semantic naming errors compared with their counterparts and tended to experience difficulty in processing items belonging to the categories of living objects. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern identified in the present study is similar to that of English-speaking individuals with aMCI across multiple language domains. Incorporating language tests involving lexical and semantic processing into clinical practice is essential and can help identify early language dysfunction in Mandarin Chinese speakers with aMCI.

New Picture Stimuli for the NIH Stroke Scale: A Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale is a widely accepted tool for structured graded neurological examination of stroke or suspected stroke in the hyperacute setting. Concerns have arisen about the use of its picture stimuli in a contemporary and global health context. Here, we present new stimuli prepared to serve the needs of stroke providers worldwide: the precarious painter image description and updated objects for naming. METHODS: This was a validation study of 101 healthy fluent English speakers. Participants were reached by the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center, the University of South Carolina, and Prisma Health from 2022 to 2023 and included residents of the United States, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Zambia. Participants were recorded in person or via video conferencing when asked to describe the new picture, while a subset named seven illustrations. Multivariate analyses of variance were used for primary analyses. In a complementary investigation, 299 attendees of the 2023 International Stroke Conference were asked about their preference for the existing or new stimuli and why. RESULTS: Each of the 44 content units from the picture description was included by at least 5% of respondents in the demographically representative subsample. Performance was similar across healthy participants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, or education. Typical descriptions were characterized by an average of 23 content units (SD=5) conveyed with 167 syllables (SD=79). The new naming stimuli were recognized by 100% of participants from many countries as being familiar and identifiable, and names provided in response to the task were highly convergent. The majority of stroke health care providers preferred both the precarious painter and naming stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: The description of the new National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale picture, the precarious painter, results in rich samples among healthy speakers that will provide an appropriate basis for the detection of language deficits.

Desempenho de deglutição de idosos e seus fatores sociodemográficos, cognitivos e de linguagem / Swallowing performance of elderly people and sociodemographic, cognitive and language factors

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a correlação entre o desempenho de deglutição, linguagem e cognição e descrever os dados sociodemográficos de idosos sem alterações neurológicas prévias. Método Estudo transversal analítico, com amostra não-probabilística por conveniência e coleta de dados por telechamada. Foi aplicado o teste de triagem de broncoaspiração (Yale Swallow Protocol) para identificação e exclusão dos idosos com risco de broncoaspiração. Em seguida, realizou-se coleta de dados sociodemográficos e aplicação dos instrumentos de: atividade de vida diária (AIVDs), risco de disfagia (EAT-10), rastreio cognitivo (Mini Exame do Estado Mental - MEEM) e linguagem (Bateria Montreal-Toulouse de Linguagem - MTL-Brasil). Resultados A amostra foi composta por 32 idosos do Distrito Federal, com média de idade de 69,00±7,73 anos e de escolaridade de 10,00±5,60 anos. Os escores nos instrumentos EAT-10, MEEM e Bateria MTL apresentaram-se alterados em quatro, 22 e 26 idosos, respectivamente, indicando, nesse caso, risco de disfagia, sugestão de alteração cognitiva e alteração da linguagem. Sobre a alimentação, do total da amostra, 13 idosos (40%) apresentaram queixa de necessidade de comida modificada, bem como 10 desses também obtiveram escore no MEEM sugestivo de alteração cognitiva. Ao comparar os grupos com e sem queixa e/ou risco de disfagia, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante em relação às variáveis sociodemográficas, cognitivas e de linguagem. Os modelos de regressão logística binária também evidenciaram resultados sem significância estatística. Conclusão O presente estudo, ao correlacionar os achados de deglutição, linguagem e cognição, não obteve resultados estatisticamente significantes. Observou-se que os idosos com queixa de deglutição também apresentaram resultados sugestivos de alteração cognitiva e de linguagem nos testes realizados, mas não houve diferença estatisticamente significante em relação aos idosos sem queixa ou alteração de deglutição.

ABSTRACT Purpose To analyze the correlation between swallowing, language and cognition performance and describe the sociodemographic data of elderly people without previous neurological disorders. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study, with non-probabilistic sample for convenience and data collection by telecall. The aspiration screening test (Yale Swallow Protocol) was used to identify and exclude elderly people at risk of aspiration. Then, sociodemographic data were collected, and instruments were applied: activity of daily living (IADLs), risk of dysphagia (EAT-10), cognitive screening (Mini Mental State Examination - MMSE) and language (Montreal-Toulouse Language Battery - MTL-Brazil). Results The sample consisted of 32 elderly people from the Federal District, with a mean age of 69.00±7.73 years and schooling of 10.00±5.60 years. The scores on the EAT-10, MMSE and MTL Battery instruments were altered in four, 22 and 26 elderly, respectively, indicating, in this case, risk of dysphagia, suggestion of cognitive alteration and language alteration. Regarding food, of the total sample, 13 seniors (40%) complained of needing modified food, as well as 10 of these also obtained MMSE scores suggestive of cognitive alteration. When comparing the groups with and without complaints and/or risk of dysphagia, there was no statistically significant difference in relation to sociodemographic, cognitive and language variables. Binary logistic regression models also showed no statistically significant results. Conclusion The present study, when correlating the swallowing, language and cognition findings, did not obtain statistically significant results. It was observed that the elderly with swallowing complaints also showed results suggestive of cognitive and language changes in the tests performed, but there was no statistically significant difference in relation to the elderly without complaints or swallowing changes.

Desempenho de pré-escolares e escolares no protocolo ProNOH: aspectos macroestruturais / Performance of preschool and schoolchildren on the ProNOH protocol: macrostructure aspects

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar se o escore narrativo obtido por meio da aplicação do "Protocolo de Avaliação da Narrativa Oral de História (ProNOH)" permite discriminar os grupos etários estudados, bem como sua relação com o nível de coerência global da história. Método Participaram 97 pré-escolares e escolares com desenvolvimento típico de linguagem, entre 5 e 12 anos, ambos os sexos que frequentavam escola pública. Foi aplicado o "Protocolo de Avaliação da Narrativa Oral de História (ProNOH)" e calculado o escore narrativo na dimensão macroestrutural a partir dos elementos estruturais previstos no modelo da gramática de história. Esses mesmos elementos foram usados para obter o nível de coerência global da história, segundo proposta de análise de Spinillo e Martins (1997). Resultados Diferença estatisticamente significante foi encontrada entre os grupos etários, principalmente entre as idades fronteiriças de 5-6 anos, 7-8 anos, 9-10 anos e 11-12 anos. Correlação positiva e estatisticamente significante foi encontrada com a idade e o escore narrativo e a coerência global, bem como entre o escore narrativo e o nível de coerência global. Conclusão O protocolo mostrou ser útil para identificar o repertório de elementos típicos da gramática de história na narrativa oral como uma medida objetiva que diferenciou a narrativa oral de grupos etários. Os resultados indicaram ainda que o escore narrativo pode ser uma medida norteadora do nível de coerência da história, apesar deste valor não substituir uma análise específica.

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate if the narrative score of the ProNOH protocol allows for discriminating age groups, as well as its relation with the global coherence level of the story. The performance of preschool and schoolchildren on the macrostructure aspects. Methods Participants were 97 preschoolers and schoolchildren with typical language development, aged between five and 12 years old, and both sexes who attended public schools. The "Protocolo de Avaliação da Narrativa Oral de História (ProNOH)" (Protocol for the Evaluation of Oral Storytelling) was applied and the narrative score in the macrostructure dimension was calculated with story grammar elements. These same story elements were used to obtain the global coherence level of the story, as proposed by Spinillo and Martins (1997). Results A statistically significant difference was found between age groups, mainly between the borderline ages of 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years, and 11-12 years. Positive and statistically significant correlations were found between the narrative score and global coherence and age, as well as between the narrative score and global coherence. Conclusion The protocol proved to be useful for identifying the repertoire of typical story grammar elements as an objective measure that differs in oral narrative across age groups. The results also indicate that the narrative score can provide an idea about the global coherence of the story, although this value does not replace a specific analysis.

Instrumento de Avaliação Fonológica: evidências de validade de construto / Phonological Assessment Instrument: evidence of construct validity

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar evidências de validade de construto para um Instrumento de Avaliação Fonológica para o Português Brasileiro, baseadas nos dados de diagnóstico gerados por sua própria aplicação a partir da análise contrastiva e do grau de severidade de fala. Método A amostra foi composta por dados de 176 crianças, com idades entre cinco até nove anos. Foram avaliadas pelo Instrumento de Avaliação Fonológica e classificadas em com transtorno fonológico ou em desenvolvimento fonológico típico, comparando tais resultados aos critérios para o transtorno no DSM-5. A busca por evidências da validade de construto contou com a concordância entre os dois métodos de avaliação, aplicando o Coeficiente Kappa. Para a diferenciação entre os grupos, utilizou-se o teste t de Student para amostras independentes. Buscou-se a investigação dos índices do instrumento pela estatística da Curva de Receiver Operating Characteristic para obter valores de área, ponto de corte, sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia, valor preditivo positivo e negativo. Resultados O instrumento apresentou concordância e diferenciação significativa entre as classificações. Quanto aos parâmetros de desempenho, exibe ponto de corte para diagnóstico com resultados iguais ou maiores do que 96,17%, excelente valor de área sob a curva, assim como percentuais satisfatórios para as outras análises investigadas. Conclusão O conjunto de dados encontrados indicam evidências para validade de construto do Instrumento de Avaliação Fonológica, apresentando uma contribuição útil e válida ao arsenal de avaliação clínica e de pesquisa envolvendo diagnóstico de Transtorno Fonológico e, com seu resultado de acurácia, contribuiu as propriedades de desempenho dos instrumentos utilizados na Fonoaudiologia.

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate evidence of construct validity for a Phonological Assessment Instrument for Brazilian Portuguese, based on the diagnostic data generated by its application from contrastive analysis and speech severity. Methods The sample consisted of 176 children, aged between five to nine years old. They were evaluated with the Phonological Assessment Instrument and then classified as having Speech Sound Disorder or in typical phonological development, comparing these results to the criteria described for the disorder in the DSM-5. The search for evidence of construct validity relied on the agreement between the two assessment methods while applying the Kappa Coefficient. To differentiate between groups, Student's t-test was used for independent samples. We sought to investigate the instrument indexes using the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve statistics to obtain values for area, cut-off point, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive value. Results The instrument showed agreement and significant differentiation between the classifications. As for the performance parameters, it shows a cut-off point for diagnosis with results equal to or greater than 96.17%, an excellent area under the curve, as well as satisfactory percentages for the other analyses investigated. Conclusion The data indicated evidence for the construct validity of the Phonological Assessment Instrument, presenting a useful and valid contribution to the arsenal of clinical assessment and research involving the diagnosis of Speech Sound Disorder and, with its accuracy result, contributed to the properties of performance of instruments used in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.

Instrumento de Avaliação Fonológica: evidências de validade de conteúdo e de processos de resposta / Phonological Assessment Instrument: evidence of content validity and response processes

RESUMO Objetivo evidenciar validade de conteúdo e validade de processos de resposta de um instrumento destinado à avaliação fonológica de crianças. Método validade realizada em duas etapas por dois diferentes grupos de juízes, grupo de especialistas e grupo de não-especialistas. O primeiro grupo composto por três juízes especialistas avaliaram os 123 itens lexicais após a elaboração do instrumento, julgando a aplicabilidade das figuras no contexto da avaliação infantil e sugerindo ajustes para compor o conteúdo. A partir das observações, o instrumento foi adequado e direcionado ao grupo de juízes não-especialistas que, por meio da aplicação do instrumento, tiveram suas respostas avaliadas conforme a facilidade ou dificuldade de elicitação dos itens do instrumento. Resultados As avaliações obtiveram resultados de teor positivo para as validades de conteúdo e de processos de resposta. Conclusão o estudo permitiu aprimorar os itens de teste de forma mais criteriosa, beneficiando o uso clínico e científico.

ABSTRACT Purpose to demonstrate the validity of content and the validity of response processes of an instrument intended for the phonological assessment of children. Methods validation was carried out in two stages by two different groups of judges, a group of specialists and a group of non-specialists. The first group, composed of three expert judges, evaluated the 123 lexical items after creating the instrument, judging the applicability of the figures in the context of child assessment, and suggesting adjustments to compose the content. From the observations, the instrument was adapted and directed to the group of non-specialist judges who, through the application of the instrument, had their responses evaluated according to the ease or difficulty of eliciting the instrument's items. Results The predictions obtained positive results for content validity and response processes. Conclusion the study allowed to improve the test items more judiciously, benefiting clinical and scientific use.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the new Reynell developmental language scales to Brazilian Portuguese.

OBJECTIVE: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of The New Reynell Developmental Language Scales (NRDLS) to Portuguese spoken in Brazil. METHOD: We followed the steps recommended in the manual Multilingual Toolkit da NRDLS: translation of the test, adaptation of items from the scales, and use of NRDLS in a pilot study with Brazilian children. It was included a back-translation and analysis by a group of specialists in the area that helped to review the adapted version. A quantitative descriptive analysis of results from the pilot group was performed, and we used a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the NRDLS seems very similar to the original NRDLS in terms of conceptual equivalence. The children understood well the translated and adapted words, and they had more difficulty in the last sessions. Some of the mistakes made by the children helped us to adapt specific items for a better evaluation of the abilities of Brazilian children. CONCLUSION: The suggestions in the Multilingual Toolkit, the input from the group of specialists, and the experience with the children in the pilot group helped the adaptation of the NRDLS to Brazilian Portuguese. The adapted version of NRDLS was effective, it reflected the gradual evolution of complexity in the scales. We suggest the application of the adapted version in a large group of children with normal development to validate it.

Composite Indices of the Color-Picture Version of Boston Naming Test Have Better Discriminatory Power: Reliability and Validity in a Chinese Sample with Diverse Neurodegenerative Diseases.

BACKGROUND: The Boston Naming Test (BNT) is the most widely used measure to assess anomia. However, it has been criticized for failing to differentiate the underlying cognitive process of anomia. OBJECTIVE: We validated the color-picture version of BNT (CP-BNT) in a sample with diverse neurodegenerative dementia diseases (NDDs). We also verified the differential ability of the composite indices of CP-BNT across NDDs groups. METHODS: The present study included Alzheimer's disease (n = 132), semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA, n = 53), non-svPPA (n = 33), posterior cortical atrophy (PCA, n = 35), and normal controls (n = 110). We evaluated psychometric properties of CP-BNT for the spontaneous naming (SN), the percentage of correct responses on semantic cuing and word recognition cuing (% SC, % WR). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to examine the discriminatory power of SN alone and the composite indices (SN, % SC, and % WR). RESULTS: The CP-BNT had sufficient internal consistency, good convergent, divergent validity, and criterion validity. Different indices of CP-BNT demonstrated distinct cognitive underpinnings. Category fluency was the strongest predictor of SN (ß= 0.46, p < 0.001). Auditory comprehension tests highly associated with % WR (Sentence comprehension: ß= 0.22, p = 0.001; Word comprehension: ß= 0.20, p = 0.001), whereas a lower visuospatial score predicted % SC (ß= -0.2, p = 0.001). Composite indices had better predictability than the SN alone when differentiating between NDDs, especially for PCA versus non-svPPA (area under the curve increased from 63.9% to 81.2%). CONCLUSION: The CP-BNT is a highly linguistically relevant test with sufficient reliability and validity. Composite indices could provide more differential information beyond SN and should be used in clinical practice.

Letter and Category Fluency: Normative Data for Lebanese Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Verbal fluency tasks are frequently used for neuropsychological assessment in clinical practice and research. It consists of two tasks namely category and letter fluency tests. OBJECTIVE: To determine normative values in category (animals, vegetables, fruits) and letter fluency [Mim () "M", Alif () "A", Baa () "B"] tasks in Arabic language in 60 s. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional national survey and included 859 community-dwelling, cognitively intact Lebanese residents aged ≥55 years. Norms were presented according to age (55-64 years, 65-74 years, ≥75 years), sex and level of education (illiterate, no diploma, primary certificate, baccalaureate or higher). RESULTS: Level of education had the most significant positive effect on verbal fluency tasks performance amongst Lebanese older adults. The negative effect of older age was more prominent in the category fluency task compared to the letter fluency task. Women outperformed men in vegetables and fruits categories. CONCLUSION: This study provides clinicians with normative scores of category and letter fluency tests, which can be used for neuropsychological assessment of older Lebanese patients being evaluated for cognitive disorders.

The Naming Assessment in Multicultural Europe (NAME): Development and Validation in a Multicultural Memory Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: Traditional naming tests are unsuitable to assess naming impairment in diverse populations, given the influence of culture, language, and education on naming performance. Our goal was therefore to develop and validate a new test to assess naming impairment in diverse populations: the Naming Assessment in Multicultural Europe (NAME). METHOD: We carried out a multistage pilot study. First, we generated a list of 149 potentially suitable items - e.g. from published cross-linguistic word lists and other naming tests - and selected those with a homogeneous age of acquisition and word frequency across languages. We selected three to four colored photographs for each of the 73 remaining items; 194 controls selected the most suitable photographs. Thirteen items were removed after a pilot study in 15 diverse healthy controls. The final 60-item test was validated in 39 controls and 137 diverse memory clinic patients with subjective cognitive impairment, neurological/neurodegenerative disease or psychiatric disorders in the Netherlands and Turkey (mean age: 67, SD: 11). Patients were from 15 different countries; the majority completed primary education or less (53%). RESULTS: The NAME showed excellent reliability (Spearman-Brown coefficient: 0.95; Kuder-Richardson coefficient: 0.94) and robust correlations with other language tests (ρ = .35-.73). Patients with AD/mixed dementia obtained lower scores on most (48/60) NAME items, with an area under the curve of 0.88. NAME scores were correlated with age and education, but not with acculturation or sex. CONCLUSIONS: The NAME is a promising tool to assess naming impairment in culturally, educationally, and linguistically diverse individuals.

Avaliação da linguagem oral de crianças com deficiência visual: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Oral language assessment of children with visual impairments: an integrative literature review

RESUMO Objetivo revisar a literatura nacional e internacional a respeito dos instrumentos, métodos e técnicas para avaliação de linguagem de crianças com deficiência visual. Estratégia de pesquisa foram realizadas buscas nas bases BVS, PubMed e Scopus, utilizando-se os descritores transtornos da visão, linguagem infantil, baixa visão, cegueira, fonoaudiologia e reabilitação. Critérios de seleção artigos publicados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais, nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português. Trabalhos indisponíveis para leitura, com amostra composta por não crianças, não pertencentes ao assunto abordado, ou que mencionassem deficiências sensoriais associadas à visual, foram excluídos. Foram também excluídos os artigos que versassem sobre intervenção, salvo os que também abordassem a avaliação. As referências dos artigos lidos na íntegra foram selecionadas de acordo com esses critérios. Analisaram-se os instrumentos/métodos/técnicas de avaliação propostos, os objetivos dos estudos, sua amostra e principais resultados obtidos. Resultados foram recuperados 157 artigos, dos quais, selecionaram-se, a partir dos critérios de exclusão, 6 para leitura integral, e mais 6 obtidos de suas referências, totalizando 12 artigos. Sete trabalhos foram realizados com crianças pré-escolares e cegas e os instrumentos/métodos/técnicas de avaliação foram variados, contemplando desde avaliações de níveis linguísticos específicos, até habilidades sociocomunicativas. Os objetivos dos estudos relacionaram-se à comparação entre o desenvolvimento da criança com deficiência visual e vidente. Conclusão a revisão trouxe contribuições para pensar a avaliação da linguagem de crianças com deficiência visual, como a utilização dos sentidos remanescentes; nenhum estudo apresentou instrumento para avaliação de níveis da linguagem em crianças escolares com deficiência visual.

ABSTRACT Purpose to review the national and international literature regarding instruments, methods and techniques for language assessment in visually impaired children. Research strategy searches in the VHL, PUBMED and SCOPUS databases using the descriptors vision disorders, child language, low vision, blindness, speech-language pathology and rehabilitation. Selection criteria articles published in national and international journals, in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Studies that were unavailable for reading, with a sample other than children, not addressing the subject, or that reported sensory impairments associated with visual impairments were excluded. Studies that dealt with intervention were also excluded, except for those that also addressed assessment. The references of the articles read in full were selected according to these criteria. The investigators evaluated the proposed assessment instruments/methods/techniques, as well as the objectives of the studies, their samples and main results. Results 157 articles were retrieved, of which 6 were selected for full reading based on the exclusion criteria, and another 6 studies were obtained from their references, thus totaling 12 articles. Seven studies involved preschool and blind children, with various assessment instruments/methods/techniques, ranging from assessments of specific linguistic levels to socio-communicative skills. The objectives of the studies were related to the comparison between the development of children with and without visual impairment. Conclusion the review provided contributions to analyses of the language assessment of visually impaired children, such as the use of the remaining senses; no study had an instrument to assess language levels in schoolchildren with VI.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the new Reynell developmental language scales to Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract Objective: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of The New Reynell Developmental Language Scales (NRDLS) to Portuguese spoken in Brazil. Method: We followed the steps recommended in the manual Multilingual Toolkit da NRDLS: translation of the test, adaptation of items from the scales, and use of NRDLS in a pilot study with Brazilian children. It was included a back-translation and analysis by a group of specialists in the area that helped to review the adapted version. A quantitative descriptive analysis of results from the pilot group was performed, and we used a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the NRDLS seems very similar to the original NRDLS in terms of conceptual equivalence. The children understood well the translated and adapted words, and they had more difficulty in the last sessions. Some of the mistakes made by the children helped us to adapt specific items for a better evaluation of the abilities of Brazilian children. Conclusion: The suggestions in the Multilingual Toolkit, the input from the group of specialists, and the experience with the children in the pilot group helped the adaptation of the NRDLS to Brazilian Portuguese. The adapted version of NRDLS was effective, it reflected the gradual evolution of complexity in the scales. We suggest the application of the adapted version in a large group of children with normal development to validate it.

Correlation of Language Assessment Batteries of Toddlers With Developmental Language Delay.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between standardized language assessment batteries of toddlers and developmental language delays. METHODS: A total of 319 children with suspected language developmental delays were enrolled in this study retrospectively. They underwent the Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test (REVT) for vocabulary development assessment and at least one of two language assessment batteries: The Sequenced Language Scale for Infants (SELSI) or the Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale (PRES) for language development assessment. The correlation of the results for receptive and expressive language between the scales were analyzed. RESULTS: The participants were divided into two groups: SELSI and REVT (n=45) and PRES and REVT (n=273). When the children's results were classified into groups (average, mild delay, and delay), receptive and expressive scores were significantly correlated with each other in both SELSI-REVT and PRES-REVT groups. In addition, the correlation of mean developmental age between tests are analyzed. In the SELSI-REVT group, there was weak correlation of mean developmental age between tests for receptive and expressive language. In the PRES-REVT group, there was a strong positive correlation of mean developmental age for receptive and expressive language in children aged >36 months. Attention deficits during the test was found to be the statistically significant factor affecting the differences between the tests. The odds ratios for receptive and expressive language were 2.60 (95% confidence interval,1.15-5.84) and 1.94 (95% confidence interval, 1.15-3.27), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study examined the correlations and influencing factors between language development evaluation tools for toddlers. An integrated interpretation of comprehensive language and vocabulary evaluation tools may be possible in children older than 3 years of language developmental age.

Development and Diagnostic Accuracy of a Shortened Dutch Naming Test for People with Aphasia Using Item Response Theory.

OBJECTIVE: The first objective was to assess the psychometric properties of the 92-item Dutch Naming Test (DNT-92), developed to assess word finding difficulties in people with aphasia, using Item Response Theory (IRT). The second objective was to select suitable items for a short version with a discriminative purpose. METHOD: This study has a retrospective, psychometric research design, in which 510 DNT-92-forms of people with aphasia and 192 DNT-forms of healthy participants were used for analyses. An IRT analysis was performed and information on the item- and person parameters was obtained. Item selection for the short version was based on a combination of the discriminative ability of the items and their estimated theta or difficulty. Items with the highest information load, and a difficulty parameter in the range of overlap between the sample of people with aphasia and healthy participants were selected. RESULTS: A 2-PL IRT analysis showed best fit to the data. Assumptions of unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity were met. Items were removed incrementally, whilst checking sensitivity and specificity of the remaining short form. A selection of six items proved optimal in terms of sensitivity and specificity, with an area under the curve value of 0.85. Differences were found between participants younger than 70 and older. CONCLUSIONS: The IRT assumptions for the DNT-92 were met, indicating that the test has good psychometric properties. A reduction of items to just six items proved possible, leading to a reliable six item short form with a discriminatory purpose.

Dietary Intake of Polyphenols Enhances Executive/Attentional Functioning and Memory with an Improvement of the Milk Lipid Profile of Postpartum Women from Argentina.

Puerperium may lead to memory and executive/attentional complaints that interfere with women's daily life. This might be prevented by dietary compounds, such as neuroprotective polyphenols. Their bioactivity depends on their effects on lipid metabolism in different tissues, such as the brain, fat, and breast. Thus, a polyphenol-related cognitive improvement may be associated with changes of lipids in human milk, which are key for infant neurodevelopment. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 postpartum women from Córdoba (Argentina), involving several neuropsychological tests. Diet was registered to identify polyphenol intake and food pattern adherence, with sociodemographic and other psychological variables (insomnia, stress, subjective cognitive complaints) being also studied. Triacylglycerols, cholesterol, and their oxidative forms were analyzed as milk biomarkers. Multivariate statistical methods were applied. Results confirmed that women who consumed polyphenols presented better executive/attentional performance (i.e., higher correct responses, conceptual level responses, complete categories, verbal fluency; lower attentional interferences, and perseverative errors) and word retention with lower interference. Polyphenols were positively associated with milk lipids, which were higher in women with better cognition. Furthermore, they had lower oxidized triacylglycerols. In conclusion, polyphenolic intake during postpartum may improve executive/attentional functioning, memory, and milk lipid profile.

12-item version of Boston Naming Test: usefulness in the diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia, frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.

The 12-item version of the Boston Naming Test (BNT) was adapted to Argentina for the detection of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD), with scores similar to the original 60-item version (sensitivity and specificity of 85 and 94%, respectively) without demographic influence (age and educational level). To date, no publications on the use of abbreviated BNT in other degenerative pathologies with language impairment have been reported. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 12-item BNT in primary progressive aphasia (PPA), the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (FTDbv), and AD. Methods: Notably, 47 patients with probable AD (NIA-AA 2011) - clinical dementia rating (CDR) 0.5-1, 55 with FTDbv, 17 with PPA, and 46 controls were evaluated and matched for age and education. Exclusion criteria were as follows: alcoholism, other previous neurological or psychiatric illnesses, and education <4 years. All were assessed with a full neuropsychological battery and a 12-item version of BNT. Results: Median scores of 12-item BNT were as follows: PPA: 3.87 (SD=2.99), AD: 6.13 (SD=3.03); FTDbv: 8.41 (SD=2.53); and controls: 10.22 (SD=1.82). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted. Conclusions: The 12-item version of BNT can be useful, simple, and fast to identify and differentiate PPA, FTDbv, and AD from controls while retaining the discriminative ability of the original version.

A versão de 12 itens do Teste de Nomeação de Boston (TNB) foi adaptada para a Argentina para a detecção de demência por doença de Alzheimer (DA), com escores semelhantes à versão original de 60 itens (sensibilidade e especificidade de 85 e 94%, respectivamente) sem influência demográfica (idade e escolaridade). Até o momento, não foram relatadas publicações sobre o uso do TNB abreviado em outras patologias degenerativas com comprometimento da linguagem. Objetivo: avaliar a utilidade do TNB de 12 itens na afasia progressiva primária (APP), na variante comportamental da demência frontotemporal (DFT) e na doença de Alzheimer (DA). Métodos: 47 prováveis DA (NIA-AA 2011) ­ CDR 0,5­1, 55 DFT, 17 APP e 46 controles foram avaliados e pareados por idade e escolaridade. Critérios de exclusão: alcoolismo, outras doenças neurológicas ou psiquiátricas prévias e escolaridade <4 anos. Todos foram avaliados com uma bateria neuropsicológica completa e versão de 12 itens do TNB. Resultados: medianas das pontuações de 12 itens TNB: APP: 3,87 (DP=2,99), DA: 6,13 (DP=3,03); DFT: 8,41 (DP=2,53) e Controles: 10,22 (DP=1,82). As curvas ROC foram traçadas. Conclusões: O TNB de 12 itens pode ser útil, simples e rápido para identificar e diferenciar APP, DFT e DA nos controles, mantendo a capacidade discriminativa da versão original.

Estrategia pedagógica para la corrección del retraso del lenguaje en niños preescolares

RESUMEN Fundamento El retraso del lenguaje es un trastorno que repercute negativamente en el desarrollo del niño, por lo que su corrección desde edades tempranas constituye un imperativo, para garantizar un desarrollo integral. Para su atención logopédica es importante la integralidad de las acciones que se desarrollan, las cuales deben involucrar también a las familias. Objetivo exponer los resultados de una estrategia pedagógica para la corrección del retraso del lenguaje en niños preescolares. Métodos estudio de intervención, con diseño de antes y después, que involucró a cuatro niños y sus familias, así como a logopedas de la Escuela especial para niños con trastornos del lenguaje y la comunicación, Pepín Salvat Ladrón de Guevara, del municipio Santiago de Cuba. Además de la observación, se emplearon entrevistas, técnicas de exploración logopédica y las pruebas de diagnóstico del lenguaje: Inventario de Primeras Palabras, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test y la Prueba de evaluación del lenguaje espontáneo. Resultados se evidenciaron avances en el desarrollo del lenguaje de los niños, tanto desde el punto de vista cualitativo como cuantitativo. Asimismo, se apreció una mayor comprensión y compromiso de las familias en el cumplimiento de las orientaciones recibidas para la atención logopédica a sus niños. Conclusión la estrategia diseñada para la atención integral al desarrollo del lenguaje de los niños preescolares resultó efectiva. Su enfoque integral, con la participación de las familias y los especialistas, garantizó el éxito de las acciones diseñadas.

ABSTRACT Background Language disability is a disorder that has a negative impact on child development, so its correction from an early age is imperative to ensure comprehensive development. For the logopedic care, the integrality of the actions that are developed is important, which must also involve the families. Objective to expose the results of a pedagogical strategy for the correction of language disability in preschool children. Methods intervention study, with a before and after design, which involved four children and their families, as well as speech therapists from the Pepín Salvat Ladrón de Guevara Special School for Children with Language and Communication Disorders, in the Santiago de Cuba municipality. In addition to observation, interviews, speech therapy exploration techniques and language diagnostic tests were used: First Word Inventory, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Spontaneous Language Assessment Test. Results advances in children's language development were evidenced, both from a qualitative and quantitative point of view. Likewise, a greater understanding and commitment of the families in complying with the guidelines received for the speech therapy care of their children was appreciated. Conclusion the strategy designed for comprehensive attention to the language development of preschool children was effective. Its comprehensive approach, with the participation of families and specialists, guaranteed the success of the designed actions.

12-item version of Boston Naming Test: usefulness in the diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia, frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer's disease / Teste de nomeação de boston de 12 itens: utilidade no diagnóstico de afasia progressiva primária, demência frontotemporal e doença de alzheimer

ABSTRACT. The 12-item version of the Boston Naming Test (BNT) was adapted to Argentina for the detection of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD), with scores similar to the original 60-item version (sensitivity and specificity of 85 and 94%, respectively) without demographic influence (age and educational level). To date, no publications on the use of abbreviated BNT in other degenerative pathologies with language impairment have been reported. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 12-item BNT in primary progressive aphasia (PPA), the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (FTDbv), and AD. Methods: Notably, 47 patients with probable AD (NIA-AA 2011) — clinical dementia rating (CDR) 0.5-1, 55 with FTDbv, 17 with PPA, and 46 controls were evaluated and matched for age and education. Exclusion criteria were as follows: alcoholism, other previous neurological or psychiatric illnesses, and education <4 years. All were assessed with a full neuropsychological battery and a 12-item version of BNT. Results: Median scores of 12-item BNT were as follows: PPA: 3.87 (SD=2.99), AD: 6.13 (SD=3.03); FTDbv: 8.41 (SD=2.53); and controls: 10.22 (SD=1.82). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted. Conclusions: The 12-item version of BNT can be useful, simple, and fast to identify and differentiate PPA, FTDbv, and AD from controls while retaining the discriminative ability of the original version.

RESUMO. A versão de 12 itens do Teste de Nomeação de Boston (TNB) foi adaptada para a Argentina para a detecção de demência por doença de Alzheimer (DA), com escores semelhantes à versão original de 60 itens (sensibilidade e especificidade de 85 e 94%, respectivamente) sem influência demográfica (idade e escolaridade). Até o momento, não foram relatadas publicações sobre o uso do TNB abreviado em outras patologias degenerativas com comprometimento da linguagem. Objetivo: avaliar a utilidade do TNB de 12 itens na afasia progressiva primária (APP), na variante comportamental da demência frontotemporal (DFT) e na doença de Alzheimer (DA). Métodos: 47 prováveis DA (NIA-AA 2011) — CDR 0,5-1, 55 DFT, 17 APP e 46 controles foram avaliados e pareados por idade e escolaridade. Critérios de exclusão: alcoolismo, outras doenças neurológicas ou psiquiátricas prévias e escolaridade <4 anos. Todos foram avaliados com uma bateria neuropsicológica completa e versão de 12 itens do TNB. Resultados: medianas das pontuações de 12 itens TNB: APP: 3,87 (DP=2,99), DA: 6,13 (DP=3,03); DFT: 8,41 (DP=2,53) e Controles: 10,22 (DP=1,82). As curvas ROC foram traçadas. Conclusões: O TNB de 12 itens pode ser útil, simples e rápido para identificar e diferenciar APP, DFT e DA nos controles, mantendo a capacidade discriminativa da versão original.

[Linguistic portrait of a Russian-German speaking woman with dementia : Longitudinal observations from a German language nursing home]. / Sprachportrait einer russisch- und deutschsprachigen an Demenz erkrankten Frau : Longitudinale Beobachtungen aus einem deutschsprachigen Pflegeheim.

BACKGROUND: The advantages of an individual use of the linguistic resources of multilingual persons in need of care are obvious, but quite often an implementation is hardly possible. This leads to a reduction of the linguistic abilities of those concerned. OBJECTIVE: This case study shows the differences in the abilities of a Russian-German bilingual woman suffering from dementia in expressing herself in two languages and traces the longitudinal changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data material from 4 years of observation (including conversation recordings, linguistic tests and interviews with nursing personnel) was used to create the linguistic portrait. RESULTS: The expression abilities and changes in the languages were different. In German, the receptive abilities at word level and sentence level and productive abilities at word level remained unchanged over the entire period. In Russian, the situation was less stable; at the beginning, she was an interested interlocutor who could express herself fluently at all levels. Over time, her syntactic complexity and willingness to interact decreased; nevertheless, better and productive Russian skills remained. CONCLUSION: The asymmetrical distribution of the two languages entails the danger of a one-sided assessment of the general abilities of the person concerned. This underlines the need for a differentiated view of the languages.