Cognitive potential of children and adolescents with CHARGE syndrome and deafblindness.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to test the hypothesis stating that the cognitive potential of individuals with deafblindness is equal to those without a deafblind condition, an assumption that until now has been empirically unsubstantiated within the field of deafblindness. METHODS: To explore the assumption, 15 children and adolescents with CHARGE underwent cognitive assessment with WISC-V using a sequential two-level assessment design. The 1st level involved standardized test conditions. The 2nd level was designed as a continuation of the performances obtained from the 1st level and involved accommodations to compensate for sensory motor impairment. Statistical procedures involved the sample as a whole and when divided into two subgroups: (i) participants with CHARGE without deafblindness; (ii) participants with CHARGE and deafblindness using the 1st level scores as base line. RESULTS: Although results showed significantly lower scores in the deafblind subgroup with standardized procedures, they approximated the others after accommodating for their sensory deficits. This positive increase proved significant. CONCLUSION: Findings supported the assumption of equal cognitive potential of individuals with and without deafblindness. Results indicated that the children and adolescents with deafblindness had most effect of the accommodations, enabling them to approximate the results of the subgroup without deafblindness. These gains were attributed enhanced accessibility endorsed by the accommodations and represented the participants latent cognitive dispositions only realized under certain circumstances.

Cognitive predictors of stress-induced mood malleability in depression.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Basic attentional control, negative biases in attention and interpretation, and rumination are all cognitive processes associated with depression; however, less is known about their predictive role in depressive mood reactivity and -recovery in response to stress, and their relation to severity of depression. DESIGN & METHODS: We experimentally induced stress based on an autobiographical imagery script in a sample of 92 participants with Major Depressive Disorder with or without comorbid anxiety disorders. We used simple regression analysis for investigating the roles of state- and trait rumination, attentional networks, and attentional and interpretation biases for predicting stress-induced depressive mood reactivity and -recovery, respectively, and whether they in parallel mediated the association between cognitive processes and depression severity. RESULTS: Stress-induced depressive mood reactivity was predicted by better orienting ability and more state rumination. Better recovery was predicted by better orienting efficiency and lower negative interpretation bias. Furthermore, the relation between state rumination and depression severity was partially mediated by depressive mood reactivity, however limited by the lack of temporal precedence in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We characterized the relation between cognitive processes and mood malleability in response to stress. Findings could refine theoretical models of depression if causality is established. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04137367.

The assessment and diagnosis of intellectual disability when development is atypical. A Norwegian population study of individuals with CHARGE syndrome.

AIM: This paper aimed to answer how psychometric methods based on neurotypical populations can serve as valid instruments in the assessment and diagnosis of intellectual disability in individuals with atypical development. The genetic, structural, and functional features of CHARGE make it uniquely suited to address this question. METHOD: A Norwegian population of individuals with CHARGE (N = 35) underwent assessment procedures according to DSM-5 guidelines for the evaluation of an intellectual disability diagnosis. Results from cognitive testing (Wechsler Intelligence Scales) and parental evaluation of adaptive skills (Vineland Adaptive Behavioral Scale) were obtained and compared to their respective norm samples to explore any methodological inconsistencies. RESULT: Significant differences emerged between the participants and the norm samples. Global cognition obtained from Wechsler revealed a bimodal distribution, suggesting a two-group sample, with the youngest children forming their own subgroup. Comparisons of the different age-groups' performances demonstrated the lowest results among the preschoolers while the adults scored the highest. The global adaptive behavior score turned out significantly lower than the performance-based scores, thereby deflating the overall estimate of global intellectual abilities. CONCLUSION: For individuals with CHARGE, the effect of the atypicality seemed most apparent during early childhood, stabilizing and subsiding towards adulthood. The test results' interpretability was weakest for the preschoolers progressively increasing until peaking in adulthood, emphasizing the importance of delaying the assessment and diagnosis of intellectual disability. Because of several validity issues connected to the observation-based measure, complementary testing should precede clinical evaluations when possible in the diagnostics of individuals with CHARGE.

Executive Functions in a Population of Individuals with CHARGE Syndrome: Findings from Performance-Based and Rating Scale Measures According to a 3-Factor Model.

PURPOSE: To identify possible predictors of executive functions of individuals with CHARGE syndrome, as these will be important targets for interventions. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study investigating the executive functions of a representative sample of 35 Norwegians with CHARGE syndrome divided into two subgroups to handle their inherent heterogeneity. Both performance-based measures and rating scale findings were included and organized according to the 3-factor model of Miyake and colleagues. RESULTS: Both measures showed comprehensive executive dysfunctions within the population, which were largely unrelated to deafblindness. Working memory stood out as a strength within the executive domain and the only factor presenting results within the normal range. Verbal working memory was a particular cognitive resource for participants with deafblindness, and, unlike those without deafblindness, unrelated to sensorimotor functions. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with CHARGE syndrome appear to be at risk for underdeveloped executive functions due to neurogenetic and environmental factors. Performance-based measures and ratings from caregivers gave unique and complementary knowledge and implied the need of both when investigating executive functioning in CHARGE syndrome. Participants with deafblindness presented strong verbal working memory despite their auditory impairments, indicating effective compensatory mechanisms The results also indicated an untapped cognitive potential in both subgroups. Because of their relatively advanced working memory significantly correlating with global cognition, the environment should assume equal learning potential of individuals with CHARGE syndrome regardless of their degree of sensory impairments.

Corrigendum: Acceptance and commitment therapy preceded by attention bias modification on residual symptoms in depression: a 12-month follow-up.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01995.].

Combining antidepressants and attention bias modification in primary health care (DEPTREAT): Protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric condition associated with significant disability, mortality and economic burden. A large proportion of MDD patients are treated in primary health care in the local community. Attentional Bias Modification (ABM) training in combination with antidepressants could be an effective treatment. Here we test the hypothesis that adding an ABM procedure to regular treatment with antidepressants in primary health care will result in further improvement of symptoms compared to treatment with antidepressants alone (treatment as usual, TAU) and as compared to an active comparison condition. METHODS: A total of 246 patients with a diagnosis of MDD will be included in this study. The study is a three-armed pragmatic randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of ABM as add-on to treatment with antidepressants in primary care (ABM condition) compared to standard antidepressant treatment (TAU condition). In a third group participants will complete the same schedule of intermediate assessments as the ABM condition in addition to TAU, but no ABM, thus controlling for the non-training-specific aspects of the ABM condition (Antidepressant active comparison group). DISCUSSION: The clinical outcome of this study may help develop easily accessible, low-cost treatment of depression in primary health care. Moreover, the study aims to broaden our knowledge of optimal treatment for patients with a MDD by providing adjunct treatment to facilitate recovery and long-term gain.

The long-term effects of ABM on symptom severity in patients with recurrent depression: A randomized sham-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The present study reports on long-term outcomes of ABM over one year in self-reported and clinician-rated depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and relapse rates. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial in 301 participants with recurrent major depression disorder between January 2015 and October 2016 (#NCT02658682). Participants were allocated to ABM or sham condition twice daily for 14 consecutive days. Long-term effects of ABM were assessed by BDI-II, HDRS and BAI at one-, six-, and 12-months follow-up. Relapse rates at 12-months follow-up were also assessed. RESULTS: There was no long-term effect of ABM (as compared to sham) on clinician-rated depression symptoms, on anxiety symptoms, nor in relapse rates. By 12 months follow-up, there was a small effect on self-reported depression favoring ABM over sham. LIMITATIONS: The lack of an assessment-only condition hinders comparison to natural trajectories of depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The overall long-term effect of ABM was limited, and currently there is no convincing evidence for implementing this as a viable treatment option in clinical populations. We speculate if the sham condition should be replaced by another control condition when investigating the clinical utility of ABM.

Problematic Internet Use among Adults: A Cross-Cultural Study in 15 Countries.

BACKGROUND: The present study compared adult usage patterns of online activities, the frequency rate of problematic internet use (PIU), and risk factors (including the psychopathology associated with PIU, i.e., distress and impulsivity) among adults in 15 countries from Europe, America, and Asia. METHODS: A total of 5130 adults from Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, UK, Norway, Peru, Canada, US, and Indonesia completed an online survey assessing PIU and a number of psychological variables (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, and impulsivity). The sample included more females, with a mean age of 24.71 years (SD = 8.70). RESULTS: PIU was slightly lower in European countries (rates ranged from 1.1% in Finland to 10.1% in the UK, compared to 2.9% in Canada and 10.4% in the US). There were differences in specific PIU rates (e.g., problematic gaming ranged from 0.4% in Poland to 4.7% in Indonesia). Regression analyses showed that PIU was predicted by problematic social networking and gaming, lack of perseverance, positive urgency, and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in PIU between countries were significant for those between continental regions (Europe versus non-European countries). One of the most interesting findings is that the specific PIU risks were generally low compared to contemporary literature. However, higher levels of PIU were present in countries outside of Europe, although intra-European differences existed.

The effect of attention bias modification on depressive symptoms in a comorbid sample: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the long-term effect of attention bias modification (ABM) in clinical samples are lacking. This study investigates the 6-months follow-up effect of ABM on depressive symptoms in participant with major depressive disorder with and without comorbid disorders. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial in 101 participants between 19 November 2019, and 17 August 2021. Follow-up ended 3 April 2022. Participants were allocated to ABM or sham condition twice daily for 14 consecutive days. Primary outcomes were the total score on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) at 6 months, mean Brief State Rumination Inventory (BSRI) score post-treatment and reduction in BSRI post-treatment. Secondary outcome was change in attentional bias (AB). The trial was preregistered in ClinicalTrials.gov (#NCT04137367). RESULTS: A total of 118 patients aged 18-65 years were assessed for eligibility, and 101 were randomized and subjected to intention-to-treat analyses. At 6 months, ABM had no effect on depression and anxiety compared to a sham condition. While rumination decreased during the intervention, there was no effect of condition on rumination and AB. Predictor analysis did not reveal differences between participants with ongoing major depressive episode or comorbid anxiety. CONCLUSION: Compared to sham training, there was no effect of ABM on depressive symptoms at 6-months follow-up. Since the intervention failed at modifying AB, it is unclear whether changes in AB are related to long-term outcomes.

Characteristics associated with the discrepancy between subjective and objective executive functioning in depression.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with both self-reported (subjective) cognitive complaints and deficits in neurocognitive (objective) measures, but the correspondence between subjective and objective measures of cognition is low. This cross-sectional study aimed to (1) assess the association between subjective and objective measures of executive functions (EFs), and (2) explore factors associated with the discrepancy between subjective and objective EFs in MDD. Sixty-two participants with current or previous mild to moderate MDD and subjective EF complaints completed a clinical trial baseline assessment. An objective EF composite score was drawn from six neurocognitive measures, while the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version was applied as a measure of subjective EF. The association between the subjective and objective composites was evaluated using Spearman's rank order correlation. A discrepancy score was calculated to quantify the difference between subjective and objective EF. Factors associated with the discrepancy score were analyzed using regression analysis (p < .05). Participants reported extensive EF difficulties, but most performed in the normal range on objective EF measures. A weak correlation was detected between the subjective and objective measures (rs = .015). More rumination (ß = -.364) and higher IQ (ß = -.420) were associated with reporting more subjective complaints than was evident from objective measures of EF (i.e., underestimation). Subjective and objective EF measures are weakly overlapping in MDD. Findings underscore recommendations to include both subjective and objective measures when assessing EFs in depression. In addition, findings suggest that targeting ruminative processes could help correct underestimation.

Impulsivity and aggression in suicide ideators and suicide attempters of high and low lethality.

BACKGROUND: Impulsivity and aggression have been associated with all forms of suicidal behaviour and linked to theories of suicide capability. There is a need to clarify the role of impulsivity and aggression in the progression from suicidal thoughts to suicide attempts and suicide. METHOD: In this naturalistic cross-sectional study, suicide ideators (35), low lethal suicide attempters (37), and high lethal suicide attempters (26) were compared with the Columbia-suicide severity rating scale (C-SSRS), Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11), and the Buss & Perry aggression questionnaire (AQ). RESULTS: Physical aggression score (p = 0.032) contributed to the difference between predicted low lethal suicide attempt and predicted high lethal suicide attempt. This model predicting physical aggression showed a fairly weak positive relationship (OR = 1.1) to high lethal attempt and explained 13% of the variance so there is a need for further replications to verify these results. Impulsive behaviour scores in females were significantly higher in the low lethal suicide attempt group compared to suicide ideators (F(2.51) = 3.47, p = 0.039, η²= 0.12). Hostility aggression in females was significantly higher in the high lethal suicide attempters compared to suicide ideators (F(2.52) = 3.53, p = 0.037, η² = 0.12). Physical aggression scores in females were significantly higher in the high lethal attempters compared to suicide ideators (F(2.52) = 6.79, p = 0.002, η²= 0.21). When these analyses were conducted without the participants who died in suicide, men in the high lethal attempt group scored significantly higher than men in the low lethal attempt group (F(2.37) = 3.8, p = 0.031, η² = 0.17), but men did not differ in aggression and impulsivity scores in other comparisons. CONCLUSION: Suicide prevention should address physical aggression, as high levels can be associated with high lethal attempts. Assessment of suicidal patients should address impulsive behaviour with the insight that it can be more prominent in female low lethal suicide attempters. It could be that assessment and treatment of suicidal patients should be tailored differently for men and women. Aggression as a feature of suicide capability could be the link that makes suicide possible.

Cognitive rehabilitation in post-COVID-19 condition: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-COVID-19 condition is frequently comprised of persistent cognitive sequela, including deficits in attention and executive functions (EFs), which can act as a barrier for regaining pre-illness functional levels. Goal Management Training (GMT) is a cognitive rehabilitation (CR) intervention for improving attention and EFs that has received empirical support in studies of other patient groups. The present study aims to determine the efficacy of GMT for improving everyday attention and EFs in adults who experience persistent cognitive deficits after COVID-19. METHODS: This study protocol describes an open-label randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of GMT to a wait list control condition (WL), for improving persistent (> 2 months) cognitive sequela in post-COVID-19 condition. The study aims to recruit 240 participants aged 18 to 65 years with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and perceived attentional and EF difficulties in daily life. Participants will be block randomized (computer-algorithm) to either group-based GMT (n = 120) or WL (n = 120). GMT will be internet-delivered to groups of six participants in six two-hour sessions delivered once a week. The primary outcome will be the Metacognition Index of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Adult Version, a self-report measure assessing everyday EF difficulties, specifically metacognition, at six months post-treatment. Secondary outcomes include performance-based neurocognitive measures, and tertiary outcomes include rating scales of cognition, emotional health, quality of life, and fatigue. CONCLUSION: Study findings could contribute to providing an evidence-based treatment option for symptoms that are frequent and debilitating following a prevalent condition. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05494424.

Perceptions Underlying Addictive Technology Use Patterns: Insights for Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy.

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered the 'gold standard' in the treatment of addictive disorders related to excessive technology use. However, the cognitive components of problematic internet use are not yet well-known. The aim of the present study was to explore the cognitive components, that according to problematic users, can lead to potential internet addiction. A total of 854 European adults completed an online survey using a mixed-methods design. Internet problems and attachment styles were assessed, prevalence rates estimated, correlations, chi-squared automatic interaction detection, and content analysis were performed. Self-reported addictions to social networking, internet, and gaming had a prevalence between 1.2% (gaming) to 2.7% (social networking). Self-perception of the addiction problem and preoccupied attachment style were discriminative factors for internet addiction. In an analysis of qualitative responses from self-identified compulsive internet users, a sense of not belonging and feeling of disconnection during life events were perceived as causes for internet addiction. The development depended on a cycle of mixed feelings associated with negative thoughts, compensated by a positive online identity. The severity of this behaviour pattern produced significant impairment in various areas of the participants' functioning, suggesting a possible addiction problem. It is suggested that health professionals administering CBT should target unhealthy preoccupations and monitor mixed feelings and thoughts related to internet use to support coping with cognitive distortions.

The effect of sexual abuse and dissociation on suicide attempt.

BACKGROUND: Suicide attempt is the most predictive risk factor of suicide. Trauma - especially sexual abuse - is a risk factor for suicide attempt and suicide. A common reaction to sexual abuse is dissociation. Higher levels of dissociation are linked to self-harm, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt, but the role of dissociation in suicidal behavior is unclear. METHODS: In this naturalistic study, ninety-seven acute psychiatric patients with suicidal ideation, of whom 32 had experienced sexual abuse, were included. Suicidal behaviour was assessed with The Columbia suicide history form (CSHF). The Brief trauma questionnaire (BTQ) was used to identify sexual abuse. Dissociative symptoms were assessed with Dissociative experiences scale (DES). RESULTS: Patients who had experienced sexual abuse reported higher levels of dissociation and were younger at onset of suicidal thoughts, more likely to self-harm, and more likely to have attempted suicide; and they had made more suicide attempts. Mediation analysis found dissociative experiences to significantly mediate a substantive proportion of the relationship between sexual abuse and number of suicide attempts (indirect effects = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.28, proportion mediated = 68%). Dissociative experiences significantly mediated the role of sexual abuse as a predictor of being in the patient group with more than four suicide attempts (indirect effects = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.19, proportion mediated = 34%). CONCLUSION: The results illustrate the importance of assessment and treatment of sexual abuse and trauma-related symptoms such as dissociation in suicide prevention. Dissociation can be a contributing factor to why some people act on their suicidal thoughts.

Is perceived control of depression related to therapy outcome for depression? A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: The present study followed a group of patients over a two-year period after they had received a cognitive behavioral psychoeducational intervention targeting patients' ability to cope with depression. The main aims were to examine whether a change in both depressive symptoms and in the perceived control of depression occurred and the relationship between depressive symptoms and perceived control. METHODS: Using a prospective longitudinal design, a sample of 183 patients was assessed at four time points during a two-year period. RESULTS: The patients showed a large reduction in depressive symptoms over the two-year period after the course ended. During the same time period, perceived controllability of depression increased. A parallel latent growth curve model showed that increased control beliefs were related to reduced depressive symptoms. The decrease in depressive symptoms over time was not dependent on the patients' initial level of depression or initial control of depression, use of medication, duration of previous depressive episodes, alcohol use or sociodemographic variables. CONCLUSION: Group interventions aimed at increasing coping skills for preventing and mastering of depression may lead to a large and stable reduction in depressive symptoms. A key factor in prevention may be to strengthen patients' perceived ability to cope with the different symptoms of depression.

Symptom severity moderates the outcome of attention bias modification for depression: An exploratory study.

A recent meta-analysis has questioned the relevance of attention bias modification (ABM) for depression outcomes. However, there might be patient characteristics not yet accounted for, that are relevant to the outcome. In the context of personalized treatment, the lack of moderator studies have limited the potential for matching ABM-treatment to individual patient characteristics. Subjects (N = 301) were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive either active or placebo Attention Bias Modification (ABM) twice daily for 14 days in a double-blind design (placebo n = 148; ABM n = 153). The outcome was change in symptoms based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Moderator variables were self-reported depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II; BDI-II), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory; BAI) and attentional bias (AB) assessed at baseline. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02658682. Only BAI (p for interaction = .01, Bootstrap 95% CI [0.046, 0.337]) moderated the effects of ABM on change in clinician rated depressive symptoms. Interactions were significant for BAI scores ≥8. The relative effect of the intervention increased with the highest symptom load. ABM was not effective in patients with the lowest symptom load. Future research should validate this finding and continue investigating moderators of the ABM-intervention to further enhance personalization of treatment to individual symptom characteristics.

Comparing objective cognitive impairments in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia.

Existing studies on cognitive impairments in chronic pain do not investigate peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) or compare pain conditions in a satisfactory manner. Here we aimed to compare executive dysfunctions in PNP patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and healthy controls (HC). Patients who self-reported cognitive impairments were assessed according to criteria for PNP or FM. Seventy-three patients met criteria and completed testing on executive functioning and IQ measures. We also included twenty matched healthy controls. Regression models controlling for age, sex and IQ, tested associations between group category (PNP, FM or HC) and outcomes. If a substantial association was detected, we followed up with head-to-head comparisons between PNP and FM. Multivariate regression models then tested associations between executive functioning and pain type, controlling for significant confounders. Results from head-to-head comparison between pain conditions showed significant differences on years lived with pain (FM > PNP), the use of anticonvulsants (PNP > FM) and use of analgesics (PNP > FM). When controlled for all significant differences, PNP patients had significantly lower scores on an attention-demanding cued-recall task compared to FM. Poor performance on attention-demanding cued-recall task was associated with PNP, which translate into problems with retaining fast-pace or advanced information.

Predictors of Long-Term Improvement Following Cognitive Remediation in a Sample With Elevated Depressive Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive remediation (CR) techniques (interventions to enhance cognitive functioning) have proven moderately effective in improving cognition and daily functioning in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, baseline predictors of treatment response are lacking. The present study aimed to identify factors influencing long-term CR outcomes in a sample with current or previous, mild or moderate MDD and with self-reported cognitive deficits. METHODS: Forty-two completers of group-based CR (strategy learning or drill-and-practice), were pooled into one sample. Based on change scores from baseline to 6-month follow-up, participants were categorized as "improvers" or "non-improvers" using reliable change index calculations. Measures included a questionnaire of everyday executive functioning and a neuropsychological test of attention. Finally, improvers and non-improvers were compared in terms of various sociodemographic, psychological, illness-related, and neuropsychological baseline variables. RESULTS: Seventeen participants improved reliably in everyday executive functioning, and fourteen demonstrated a reliable improvement in attention. No statistically significant differences emerged between improvers and non-improvers. CONCLUSION: No major predictors of CR were identified. Importantly, the current findings are insufficient to guide clinical decision-making. Large-scale studies with a priori hypotheses are needed to make advances in the future.

The genetic architecture of human brainstem structures and their involvement in common brain disorders.

Brainstem regions support vital bodily functions, yet their genetic architectures and involvement in common brain disorders remain understudied. Here, using imaging-genetics data from a discovery sample of 27,034 individuals, we identify 45 brainstem-associated genetic loci, including the first linked to midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata volumes, and map them to 305 genes. In a replication sample of 7432 participants most of the loci show the same effect direction and are significant at a nominal threshold. We detect genetic overlap between brainstem volumes and eight psychiatric and neurological disorders. In additional clinical data from 5062 individuals with common brain disorders and 11,257 healthy controls, we observe differential volume alterations in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, multiple sclerosis, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and Parkinson's disease, supporting the relevance of brainstem regions and their genetic architectures in common brain disorders.