Initial results from the PHEFREE longitudinal natural history study: Cross-sectional observations in a cohort of individuals with phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency.

Over fifty years have passed since the last large scale longitudinal study of individuals with PAH deficiency in the U.S. Since then, there have been significant changes in terms of treatment recommendations as well as treatment options. The Phenylalanine Families and Researchers Exploring Evidence (PHEFREE) Consortium was recently established to collect a more up-to-date and extensive longitudinal natural history in individuals with phenylketonuria across the lifespan. In the present paper, we describe the structure and methods of the PHEFREE longitudinal study protocol and report cross-sectional data from an initial sample of 73 individuals (5 months to 54 years of age) with PAH deficiency who have enrolled. Looking forward, the study holds the promise for advancing the field on several fronts including the validation of novel neurocognitive tools for assessment in individuals with PKU as well as evaluation of the long-term effects of changes in metabolic control (e.g., effects of Phe-lowering therapies) on outcome.

Effectiveness of digital home rehabilitation and supervision for stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Stroke survivors often experience residual impairments and motor decline post-discharge. While digital home rehabilitation combined with supervision could be a promising approach for reducing human resources, increasing motor ability, and supporting rehabilitation persistence there is a lack of reviews synthesizing the effects. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the effect of digital home rehabilitation and supervision in improving motor ability of upper limb, static balance, stroke-related quality of life, and self-reported arm function among stroke survivors. Methods: Six electronic databases, grey literature, ongoing studies, and reference lists were searched for relevant studies. Two investigators independently reviewed titles, abstracts, screened full texts for eligibility and performed data extraction. Meta-analysis of 13 independent studies were grouped into four separate meta-analyses. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessments, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) tool was used for evaluating the overall quality of the evidence. Results: Meta-analyses showed no statistically significant difference between intervention (digital home rehabilitation) and control groups (home training/clinic-based) of all outcomes including motor ability of upper limb, static balance, stroke-related quality of life, and self-reported arm function. In the sub-group analysis digital home rehabilitation was associated with better quality of arm use (standardized mean difference = 0.68, 95% confidence interval: [0.27, 1.09], p = 0.001). Conclusions: This result indicated that digital home rehabilitation has similar effects and could potentially replace home training or clinic-based services. This review highlights better-targeted digital motor interventions to examine the effects of interventions further. The quality of evidence was moderate to high in motor and self-reported arm outcomes, and low for balance and quality of life.

Relationship between Subjective Grip Strength and Physical Functioning among Community-Dwelling Older Women.

This study investigated the relationship between subjective grip strength and physical function in community-dwelling older women. Subjective grip strength was assessed using a questionnaire, and physical function and body composition were compared between groups with strong and weak subjective grip strength. Additionally, the two groups were compared in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and those with normal cognitive function, respectively. The results showed significant differences in grip strength (p < 0.001), 30 s chair-stand (CS-30) test (p = 0.039), timed up-and-go (TUG) test (p = 0.027), maximal gait speed (p = 0.029), and skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.001). Older adults with normal cognitive function showed significant differences in grip strength (p < 0.001), quadriceps muscle strength (p < 0.009), one-leg standing time (p = 0.041), CS-30 (p = 0.002), TUG (p = 0.014), gait speed (p = 0.006), and skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.003). Older adults with low subjective grip strength had lower physical function and skeletal muscle mass. However, no items showed significant differences between groups among older adults with MCI. Thus, subjective grip strength is an indicator of an overall decline in physical function and a reduction in skeletal muscle mass in older adults, and cognitive function should be considered when assessing subjective grip strength in older adults.

Exploring the presence and impact of sensory differences in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) can experience sensory differences. There has been limited exploration of these differences and their impact on children with DCD. AIMS: i) To explore the presence and impact of sensory differences in children with DCD compared to children without DCD; ii) To examine whether sensory differences are related to motor ability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or autistic traits. METHOD: Parents of children (8-12 years) with (n = 23) and without (n = 33) DCD used standardised questionnaires to report on their children's sensory differences, autistic traits, and ADHD traits. Motor abilities were assessed through the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2. Data were explored both categorically (between-groups) and dimensionally. RESULTS: Children with DCD had significantly higher levels of sensory differences than children without DCD. Sensory differences also had a significantly greater impact on daily activities for children with DCD. Higher levels of ADHD and autistic traits, but not motor ability, were significant independent predictors of higher levels of sensory difference. CONCLUSION: Children with DCD experience high levels of sensory differences, which impact on their daily lives. These sensory differences may be a marker for additional neurodivergence in children with DCD. Practitioners should consider the sensory needs of children with DCD. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: This paper provides insight into the sensory features of children with DCD and the impact that sensory differences can have on daily living. Using parent-report, we found that children with DCD had increased sensory differences relative to children without DCD. These included increased hyperresponsiveness, increased hyporesponsiveness, and increased sensory interests, repetitions, and seeking behaviours (SIRS). We also found that sensory differences had a greater impact on daily living for children with DCD compared to children without DCD. Across the whole sample, autistic traits predicted hyperresponsivity and hyporesponsivity patterns; whereas traits of hyperactivity and impulsivity predicted SIRS. Motor abilities did not uniquely predict sensory differences, suggesting that other traits of neurodivergence may contribute to the sensory differences in DCD. Taken together, these findings highlight the necessity of considering sensory needs when supporting children with DCD. They also suggest that if sensory differences are identified in children with DCD, it may be due to the presence of co-occurring neurodivergent traits or conditions.

The individual difference of motor imagery ability evoked by visual stimulus and its personality manifestation.

Motor imagery has been commonly studied as a means of motor rehabilitation but, the individual differences limit its practical application. Visually evoked motor imagery has been widely highlighted by researchers because of its vivid stimulus. However, this modality is still not applicable to all persons. In this study, we studied the different performances of the visually evoked motor imagery between subjects and tried to explore the personality manifestation which can result in this performance. We found that conscientiousness and openness have negative connections with the performance of visually evoked motor imagery. To compare with spontaneous motor imagery, the visually evoked motor imagery reflects less personality difference between subjects with good and bad performances on motor imagery. This indicate that visually stimulus may increase the pervasive application of motor imagery. This study may provide benefits to predict the rehabilitation effect and to rapidly select the suitable motor rehabilitation methods.

Associations between early language, motor abilities, and later autism traits in infants with typical and elevated likelihood of autism.

Slower acquisition of language and motor milestones are common in infants with later autism and studies have indicated that motor skills predict the rate of language development, suggesting these domains of development may be interlinked. However, the inter-relationships between the two domains over development and emerging autistic traits are not fully established. We studied language and motor development using standardized observational and parent-report measures in infants with (n = 271) and without (n = 137) a family history of autism across four waves of data collection from 10 to 36 months. We used Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models to examine contemporaneous and longitudinal associations between language and motor developments in both elevated and typical likelihood groups. We estimated paths between language and motor abilities at 10, 14, 24, and 36 months and autism trait scores at 36 months, to test whether the domains were interrelated and how they related to emerging autism traits. Results revealed consistent bidirectional Expressive Language (EL) and Fine Motor (FM) cross-lagged effects from 10 to 24 and a unidirectional EL to FM effect from 24 to 36 months as well as significantly correlated random intercepts between Gross motor (GM) and Receptive language (RL), indicating stable concurrent associations over time. However, only the associations between GM and RL were associated with later autism traits. Early motor and language are linked, but only gross motor and receptive language are jointly associated with autistic traits in infants with an autism family history.

Study of the Correlation between the Motor Ability of the Individual Upper Limbs and Motor Imagery Induced Neural Activities.

Motor imagery based brain-computer interfaces (MI-BCIs) have excellent application prospects in motor enhancement and rehabilitation. However, MI-induced electroencephalogram features applied to MI-BCI usually vary from person to person. This study aimed to investigate whether the motor ability of the individual upper limbs was associated with these features, which helps understand the causes of inter-subject variability. We focused on the behavioral and psychological factors reflecting motor abilities. We first obtained the behavioral scale scores from Edinburgh Handedness Questionnaire, Maximum Grip Strength Test, and Purdue Pegboard Test assessments to evaluate the motor execution ability. We also required the subjects to complete the psychological Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 estimate, representing MI ability. Then we recorded EEG signals from all twenty-two subjects during MI tasks. Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression were used to analyze the relationships between MI-induced relative event-related desynchronization (rERD) patterns and motor abilities. Both Purdue Pegboard Test and Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 scores had significant correlations with MI-induced neural oscillation patterns. Notably, the Purdue Pegboard Test of the left hand had the most significant correlation with the alpha rERD. The results of stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the Purdue Pegboard Test and Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 could best predict the MI-induced rERD. The results demonstrate that hand dexterity and fine motor coordination are significantly related to MI-induced neural activities. In addition, the method of imagining is also relevant to MI features. Therefore, this study is meaningful for understanding individual differences and the design of user-centered MI-BCI.

Growth Velocities Across Distinct Early Life Windows and Child Cognition: Insights from a Contemporary US Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative importance of overall and period-specific postnatal growth and their interaction with fetal growth on cognition in a generally well-nourished population. STUDY DESIGN: We included 1052 children from Project Viva, a prospective cohort in Boston, Massachusetts. Using linear spline mixed-effects models, we modeled length/height and body mass index (BMI) trajectories from birth to 7 years and estimated standardized overall (0-7 years) and period-specific growth velocities ie, early infancy (0-4 months), late infancy (4-15 months), toddlerhood (15-37 months), and early childhood (37-84 months). We investigated associations of growth velocities as well as their interactions with birthweight-for-gestational age on mid-childhood (mean age: 7.9 years) IQ, visual memory and learning, and visual motor ability. RESULTS: Greater overall height velocity was associated with modestly higher design memory score, (adjusted ß [95% CI] 0.19 [-0.01,0.38] P = .057])points per SD increase but lower verbal IQ (-0.88 [-1.76,0.00] P = .051). Greater early infancy height velocity was associated with higher visual motor score (1.92 [0.67,3.18]). Greater overall BMI velocity was associated with lower verbal IQ (-0.71 [-1.52,0.11] P = .090). Greater late infancy BMI velocity was associated with lower verbal IQ (-1.21 [-2.07,-0.34]), design memory score (-0.22 [-0.42,-0.03)], but higher picture memory score (0.22 [0.01,0.43]). Greater early infancy height velocity (-1.5 SD vs 1.5 SD) was associated with higher nonverbal IQ (margins [95% CI] 102.6 [98.9106.3] vs 108.2 [104.9111.6]) among small-for-gestational age infants (P-interaction = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Among generally well-nourished children, there might not be clear cognitive gains with faster linear growth except for those with lower birthweight-for-gestational age, revealing the potential importance of early infancy compensatory growth.

Transcriptomics and Phenotypic Analysis of gpr56 Knockout in Zebrafish.

The adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor is a seven-transmembrane receptor protein with a complex structure. Impaired GPR56 has been found to cause developmental damage to the human brain, resulting in intellectual disability and motor dysfunction. To date, studies on gpr56 deficiency in zebrafish have been limited to the nervous system, and there have been no reports of its systemic effects on juvenile fish at developmental stages. In order to explore the function of gpr56 in zebrafish, the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system was used to construct a gpr56-knockout zebrafish. Subsequently, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the transcriptional level between the 3 days post fertilization (dpf) homozygotes of the gpr56 mutation and the wildtype zebrafish were analyzed via RNA-seq. The results of the clustering analysis, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and in situ hybridization demonstrated that the expression of innate immunity-related genes in the mutant was disordered, and multiple genes encoding digestive enzymes of the pancreatic exocrine glands were significantly downregulated in the mutant. Motor ability tests demonstrated that the gpr56-/- zebrafish were more active, and this change was more pronounced in the presence of cold and additional stimuli. In conclusion, our results revealed the effect of gpr56 deletion on the gene expression of juvenile zebrafish and found that the gpr56 mutant was extremely active, providing an important clue for studying the mechanism of gpr56 in the development of juvenile zebrafish.

Neuropsychological assessment of adults with phenylketonuria using the NIH toolbox.

Among researchers and clinicians, there is a call for the development and validation of new measures to better assess and characterize neurocognitive difficulties associated with early-treated phenylketonuria (ETPKU) and other metabolic disorders. The NIH Toolbox represents a relatively new computer-administered assessment tool and provides a sampling of performance across multiple cognitive domains, several of which (e.g., executive function, processing speed) are at risk for disruption in ETPKU. The goal of the present study was to provide an initial evaluation of the value and sensitivity of the NIH Toolbox for use with individuals with ETPKU. To this end, a sample of adults with ETPKU and a demographically-matched comparison group without PKU completed the cognitive and motor batteries of the Toolbox. Results indicate that overall performance (as reflected by the Fluid Cognition Composite) was sensitive to both group differences (ETPKU vs non-PKU) as well as blood Phe levels (a marker of metabolic control). The present findings offer preliminary support for the utility of the NIH Toolbox as a measure of neurocognitive functioning in individuals with ETPKU. Future research including a larger sample size and broader age range is needed to fully validate the Toolbox for clinical and research use with individuals with ETPKU.

Effects of dual-task training on gait and motor ability in patients with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the world, which seriously damages motor and balance ability. Dual-task training is discussed as an appropriate intervention. The aim of this review was to synthesize the existing research findings on the efficacy of dual-task training for people with Parkinson's disease. DATA RESOURCES: A systematic search on PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, Web of Science, and PEDro, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) of dual-task training for individuals with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Articles published until 1 November 2022 were included. Our search identified 7 RCTs with a total of 406 subjects. Review Manager 5.4 software was used for bias evaluation and to process the results of the outcome measures collected from the investigations. RESULTS: Dual-task training was associated with significant improvement in most motor and balance outcomes including gait velocity (standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.37-0.87; I2 = 31%; P = 0.21), cadence (SMD = 0.29; 95% CI, 0.05-0.53; I2 = 0%; P = 0.71), timed-up-and-go test (mean difference (MD) = -2.38; 95% CI, -3.93 to -0.84; I2 = 32%; P = 0.22) and mini-balance evaluation systems test (MD = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.05-3.03; I2 = 0%; P = 0.92). CONCLUSION: Evidence from meta-analyses suggests that dual-task training may improve motor and balance abilities in Parkinson's disease patients. Future research should focus on finding the most appropriate dual-task treatment model for patients with different degrees, in order to further improve the rehabilitation treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Structure, contents and psychometric properties of measurement of motor function and motor ability applicable to children and adolescents with disabilities: a systematic review / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo evaluate the main structural and content features of four instruments for motor function and motor ability assessment and their psychometric properties for children and adolescents with disabilities, based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Children and Youth Version (ICF-CY). MethodsPubMed, Medline and Web of Science databases were searched for literature on motor function and motor ability assessment for children and adolescents with disabilities published from establishment to May, 2023. The main structural and content characteristics of the tools were analyzed using ICF-CY, and the quality of measurement tools was assessed using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN). ResultsNine papers were eventually included, and four assessment tools were identified, including Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), Peabody Developmental Motor Scales second edition (PDMS-2), Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency second edition (BOT-2), and Movement Assessment Battery for Children second edition (MABC-2). The GMFM-88 consisted of 88 items in five dimensions: zone A (lying and rolling), zone B (sitting), zone C (crawling and kneeling), zone D (standing), and zone E (walking and running and jumping); it involved joint movement function (b710), random movement control function (b760), etc., in body function; and the change of basic body posture to maintain a body posture (d410) and maintain a body posture (d415) in activity and participation, with good to excellent levels of internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, content validity, and structural validity. The PDMS-2 consisted of six subtests, including reflexes, posture, movement, physical manipulation, grasping and visuomotor integration, with a total of 249 items; it involved memory function (b144) and joint mobility function (b710) in body function; as well as looking (d110) and imitation (d130) in activity and participation; with good psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, content validity, structural validity, and hypothesis testing and cross-cultural feasibility. There are two versions of BOT-2: long form and short form. The long form consisted of eight subtests with 53 items, involving joint mobility function (b710) and joint stability function (b715) in body function; as well as imitation (d130) and learned calculation (d150) in activity and participation; it achieved excellent levels of psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency reliability, content validity, and structural validity, and good level in reliability and test-retest reliability. MABC-2 consisted of two parts: an activity ability test and a checklist with 30 items; it involved joint mobility function (b710), joint stability function (b715), etc., in body function; as well as fine-hand use (d440), hand and arm use (d445) in activity and participation; with good psychometric properties such as reliability, content validity, and structural validity. ConclusionThis systematic review analyzed the main structural and content characteristics of four types of measurement tools for assessing motor function and motor ability in children and adolescents with disabilities based on the ICF-CY, and evaluated the quality of psychometric properties (internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, content validity, structural validity, and cross-cultural consistency, etc.) of the four types of measurement tools using the COSMIN criteria. For the structure and content, PDMS-2 appears the broadest content, and measures fine hand movements, dynamic and static balance, along with the BOT-2 and MABC-2. GMFM-88 focuses more on gross motor functions such as postural control. Four instruments show high internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, content validity and structural validity, while the BOT-2 and PDMS-2 show better reliability. To ensure the reliability and validity of the measures, rehabilitation workers and educators need to receive standardized training and qualification before using the standardized instruments for motor function and motor ability for children with disabilities. With norm-referenced measures, the results need to be converted to standard scores.

Training in a wearable exoskeleton improves the lower limb motor recovery of stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To explore any differential effect of training wearing a unilateral exoskeleton on the lower-limb motor function of stroke survivors.Methods:Forty stroke survivors were randomly divided into an exoskeleton group ( n=20) and a control group ( n=20). The control group performed conventional lower extremity exercise training while the exoskeleton group received exoskeleton-assisted lower-limb physical therapy. Each participant received eighteen 40-minute training sessions over three weeks. Before and after the intervention, the walking ability, lower-limb function, balance and ability in the activities of daily living of both groups were evaluated. Integrated electromyography (iEMG) of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior of both legs was also recorded during sit-to-stand transitions to assess the activation of the affected muscles and the symmetry of bilateral muscle activation. Results:After the three weeks, significant improvement was observed in all of the measurements in both groups, but with the exoskeleton group scoring significantly better on average in functional ambulation category grading (1.63±0.72). Both groups′ iEMGs had also improved significantly compared with before treatment, but the exoskeleton group′s average result was by that time significantly better than the control group′s average.Conclusions:A wearable exoskeleton can effectively improve the rehabilitation of walking, lower limb movement, balance and skill in the activities of daily living of persons with subacute stroke. It better activates the affected lower limb muscles and improves the symmetry of bilateral lower limb muscle activation.

Role of forkhead box protein 2 (FOXP2) in oral-motor abilities of preterm infants: A brief literature review.

Preterm infants, born before the 37-week gestation period, have limited storage for nutrients at birth and are vulnerable to poor feeding, severe nutritional deficits and growth retardation. The immature gastrointestinal system leads preterm infants to experience a delay in initiating enteral nutrition. Inappropriate feeding can cause acute and long-term morbidity, prolonged hospitalization and increased treatment cost. Generally, preterm infants that are born after 32 weeks of gestation without severe comorbidities do not have dysphagia and should start oral feeding soon after birth. Preterm infants should have well-developed sucking-swallowing-breathing coordination by 32-34 weeks of gestational age. However, some infants take days or weeks to master the skill. The oral feeding development involves forkhead box protein 2 (FOXP2)-expressing neurons that are found in the deep layers of the cortex, basal ganglia, parts of the thalamus and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. In mammals, these areas belong to the brain network circuits working for motor coordination in learning and acquiring sensorimotor skills. This review aimed to describe the role of FOXP2 in oral-motor skills in preterm infants, including oral feeding, sucking-swallowing-breathing coordination and language development. The oral-motor skills development could be an early predictor for language delay in premature infants, representing a vulnerable group susceptible to such delays.

The relationship between metabolic control and basal ganglia morphometry and function in individuals with early-treated phenylketonuria.

Abnormalities of the cortical white matter are the most prominent and widely-reported neurological findings in individuals with early-treated phenylketonuria (ETPKU). Much less is known regarding the effects of ETPKU on gray matter structures in the brain such as the basal ganglia. Previous findings on basal ganglia in ETPKU have been mixed. The current study was designed to further elucidate the effects of ETPKU and elevated phe levels on the morphometry of basal ganglia structures (i.e., putamen, caudate nucleus, nucleus accumbens, and globus pallidus). High resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data was collected from a sample of 37 adults with ETPKU and a demographically-matched comparison group of 33 individuals without PKU. No overall group differences (ETPKU vs. non-PKU) in basal ganglia volumes were observed. However, within the ETPKU group, poorer metabolic control (as reflected by higher blood phenylalanine levels) was associated with larger putamen volume. Vertex-wise shape analysis revealed that the volume increase was accompanied by shape changes in the middle left putamen. Consistent with this area's role in motor control, a significant correlation between left putamen volume and motor performance was also observed. Additional research is needed to fully understand the cellular level processes underlying this effect as well as to better understand the clinical impact of these morphometric changes and their potential relation to treatment response.

Absolute and relative intrarater reliability of the modified motor assessment scale according to Uppsala academic hospital -99.

BACKGROUND: For some of the most commonly used motor measures, psychometric properties, and minimal detectable change (MDC95) remain largely unknown, limiting the interpretability of tests. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to establish intrarater reliability, MDC95 and floor- and ceiling effects for a modified version of the Motor Assessment Scale (M-MAS UAS-99). METHODS: Data was derived from an intervention study that enrolled 41 individuals with chronic stroke. Test scores from two subsequent assessments with 3 weeks apart were used for establishing the floor and ceiling effect, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC[2,1]), standard error mean (SEM) and the MDC95 for the total score, and subdomains of the M-MAS UAS-99. RESULTS: The intrarater reliability was excellent with an ICC[2,1] between 0.970 and 0.995 for both total score and subdomains. The MDC95 for the M-MAS UAS-99 total score was 1.22 which means ≥ 2.0 points on an individual basis. For bed mobility subdomain, a ceiling effect was seen, but not for the total score of the test. No floor effect was seen for the test. CONCLUSION: M-MAS UAS-99 has excellent intrarater reliability. Any individual increase in test scores must reach 2.0 to be considered a true change.

Effect of Extract-Added Water Derived from Deep-Sea Water with Different Hardness on Cognitive Function, Motor Ability and Serum Indexes of Obese Mice.

Deep-sea water (DSW) contains multiple minerals and is widely used as drinking water, for cosmetic purposes, and as seasoning. In this study, several types of extract-added water with different levels of hardness (200, 300, 500) were prepared from DSW collected off the coast of Muroto City, Kochi Prefecture. We administrated it to obese mice for two months and tested it for several effects. Although there was no anti-obesity effect for any hardness level in obese mice, the cognitive functions of each DSW-extract-added water-treated group were significantly improved compared to control obese mice in the water maze test. Time-to-fall by the rota-rod test was also dramatically improved in the DSW-extract-added water-treated groups. The levels of triglycerides and blood urea nitrogen were significantly decreased in DSW-extract-added water-treated obese mice. However, these results did not depend on the hardness. Hardness levels of 200 or 300 of DSW-extract-added water had greater effects on cognitive function and serum scores compared to a level of 500. We analyzed DSW using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. High concentrations of magnesium and potassium were detected, but sodium was not detected at very high concentrations. Although the detailed mechanisms of its effects are not yet understood, chronic intake of DSW-extract-added water may have a beneficial effect on health.

The performance and predictors of Chinese character writing in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Writing difficulties are common in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Preliminary evidence suggests that early character writing ability is fundamental for later writing composition and academic achievement. Critical factors of different character writing tasks in children with ADHD, however, remain unclear. This study aims to describe the performance and identify predictors of Chinese character writing in children with ADHD. Thirty Mandarin Chinese-speaking children with ADHD (7.16 ± 0.59 years) and thirty matched peers (7.21 ± 0.57 years) were recruited from northern Taiwan. They were evaluated with the Battery of Chinese Basic Literacy (BCBL); the Chinese version of the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence, fourth edition (C-TONI-4); the Chinese version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (C-PPVT-R); orthographic awareness test; character naming test; and the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2). The results showed that Mandarin Chinese-speaking children with ADHD scored lower than their typically developing peers on both dictation and copying subtests. After controlling for age, orthographic awareness and inattention were identified as important predictors of character dictation; while, manual dexterity was a critical predictor of character copying in children with ADHD. The results demonstrated that character writing problems may exist in Mandarin Chinese-speaking children with ADHD, and cognitive-linguistic and fine-motor skills have varying contributions to Chinese character writing tasks.

Visuo-spatial learning and memory impairments in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease: Effects of age, sex, albinism, and motor impairments.

The 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rapidly develops AD-related neuro-behavioral pathology. Learning and memory impairments in 5xFAD mice, however, are not always replicated and the size of impairments varies considerably across studies. To examine possible sources of this variability, we analyzed the effects of age, sex, albinism due to background genes (Tyrc , Oca2p ) and motor impairment on learning and memory performance of wild type and 5xFAD mice on the Morris water maze, from 3 to 15 months of age. The 5xFAD mice showed impaired learning at 6-9 months of age, but memory impairments were not detected with the test procedure used in this study. Performance of 5xFAD mice was profoundly impaired at 12-15 months of age, but was accompanied by slower swim speeds than wild-type mice and a frequent failure to locate the escape platform. Overall female mice performed worse than males, and reversal learning impairments in 5xFAD mice were more pronounced in females than males. Albino mice performed worse than pigmented mice, confirming that albinism can impair performance of 5xFAD mice independently of AD-related transgenes. Overall, these results show that 5xFAD mice have impaired learning performance at 6-9 months of age, but learning and memory performance at 12-15 months is confounded with motor impairments. Furthermore, sex and albinism should be controlled to provide an accurate assessment of AD-related transgenes on learning and memory. These results will help reduce variability across pre-clinical experiments with 5xFAD mice, and thus enhance the reliability of studies developing new therapeutics for AD.