Prediction of declarative memory profile in panic disorder patients: a machine learning-based approach.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a classification framework based on random forest (RF) modeling to outline the declarative memory profile of patients with panic disorder (PD) compared to a healthy control sample. METHODS: We developed RF models to classify the declarative memory profile of PD patients in comparison to a healthy control sample using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). For this study, a total of 299 patients with PD living in the city of Rio de Janeiro (70.9% females, age 39.9 ± 7.3 years old) were recruited through clinician referrals or self/family referrals. RESULTS: Our RF models successfully predicted declarative memory profiles in patients with PD based on RAVLT scores (lowest area under the curve [AUC] of 0.979, for classification; highest root mean squared percentage [RMSPE] of 17.2%, for regression) using relatively bias-free clinical data, such as sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings also suggested that BMI, used as a proxy for diet and exercises habits, plays an important role in declarative memory. Our framework can be extended and used as a prospective tool to classify and examine associations between clinical features and declarative memory in PD patients.

Verbal Learning as a predictor of risks of accidents in elderly drivers / Aprendizado verbal como preditor de risco de acidentes em idosos

ABSTRACT Background: Age-related cognitive decline impacts cognitive abilities essential for driving. Objective: We aimed to measure main cognitive functions associated with a high number of traffic violations in different driving settings. Methods: Thirty-four elderly individuals, aged between 65 and 90 years, were evaluated with a driving simulator in four different settings (Intersection, Overtaking, Rain, and Malfunction tasks) and underwent a battery of cognitive tests, including memory, attention, visuospatial, and cognitive screening tests. Individuals were divided into two groups: High-risk driving (HR, top 20% of penalty points) and normal-risk driving (NR). Non-parametric group comparison and regression analysis were performed. Results: The HR group showed higher total driving penalty score compared to the NR group (median=29, range= 9-44 vs. median=61, range= 47-97, p<0.001). The HR group showed higher penalty scores in the Intersection task (p<0.001) and the Overtaking and Rain tasks (p<0.05 both). The verbal learning score was significantly lower in the HR group (median=33, range=12-57) compared with the NR group (median=38, range=23-57, p<0.05), and it was observed that this score had the best predictive value for worse driving performance in the regression model. General cognitive screening tests (Mini-Mental State Examination and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Evaluation) were similar between the groups (p>0.05), with a small effect size (Cohen's d=0.3 both). Conclusion: The verbal learning score may be a better predictor of driving risk than cognitive screening tests. High-risk drivers also showed significantly higher traffic driving penalty scores in the Intersection, Overtaking, and Rain tests.

RESUMO Antecedentes: O declínio cognitivo relacionado à idade impacta as habilidades cognitivas essenciais para direção. Objetivos: Nosso objetivo foi medir as funções cognitivas associadas ao alto número de violações de trânsito em diferentes contextos de direção. Métodos: Trinta e quatro idosos entre 65 e 90 anos foram avaliados em simulador de direção em quatro diferentes contextos (Travessia, Ultrapassagem, Chuva e Mal-funcionamento) e realizaram uma série de testes cognitivos, incluindo memória, atenção, visuoespacial e rastreamento. Indivíduos foram então divididos em dois grupos: Alto Risco de condução (HR, top 20% de pontos de penalidades de condução), e Risco Normal (NR). Comparações não-paramétricas e análise de regressão foram realizadas. Resultados: O grupo HR mostrou aumento no escore total de penalidades de condução quando comparado com o grupo NR (mediana=29, limites=9-44 vs. mediana=61, limites=47-97, p<0.001). O grupo HR mostrou maiores escores de penalidade na tarefa de Travessia (p<0.001), Ultrapassagem e Chuva (p<0.05 ambos). O escore de aprendizado verbal foi significativamente menor no grupo HR (mediana=33, limite=12-57) comparado com o grupo NR (mediana=38, limite=23-57, p<0.05), e foi observado que este escore foi o melhor preditor de pior performance de condução no modelo de regressão. Testes de rastreio cognitivo (Mini-exame do estado mental e Avaliação Cognitiva de Addenbroke) foram similar entre os grupos (p>0.05), com pequena magnitude de efeito (Cohen's d=0.3). Conclusões: O escore de aprendizado verbal pode ser o melhor preditor de risco de condução do que os testes de rastreio cognitivos. Motoristas de alto risco também mostraram maior escores de penalidade de trânsito nos testes de Travessia, Ultrapassagem e Chuva.

Verbal Learning as a predictor of risks of accidents in elderly drivers.

BACKGROUND: Age-related cognitive decline impacts cognitive abilities essential for driving. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to measure main cognitive functions associated with a high number of traffic violations in different driving settings. METHODS: Thirty-four elderly individuals, aged between 65 and 90 years, were evaluated with a driving simulator in four different settings (Intersection, Overtaking, Rain, and Malfunction tasks) and underwent a battery of cognitive tests, including memory, attention, visuospatial, and cognitive screening tests. Individuals were divided into two groups: High-risk driving (HR, top 20% of penalty points) and normal-risk driving (NR). Non-parametric group comparison and regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The HR group showed higher total driving penalty score compared to the NR group (median=29, range= 9-44 vs. median=61, range= 47-97, p<0.001). The HR group showed higher penalty scores in the Intersection task (p<0.001) and the Overtaking and Rain tasks (p<0.05 both). The verbal learning score was significantly lower in the HR group (median=33, range=12-57) compared with the NR group (median=38, range=23-57, p<0.05), and it was observed that this score had the best predictive value for worse driving performance in the regression model. General cognitive screening tests (Mini-Mental State Examination and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Evaluation) were similar between the groups (p>0.05), with a small effect size (Cohen's d=0.3 both). CONCLUSION: The verbal learning score may be a better predictor of driving risk than cognitive screening tests. High-risk drivers also showed significantly higher traffic driving penalty scores in the Intersection, Overtaking, and Rain tests.

Infants exploit vowels to label objects and actions from continuous audiovisual stimuli.

Before the 6-months of age, infants succeed to learn words associated with objects and actions when the words are presented isolated or embedded in short utterances. It remains unclear whether such type of learning occurs from fluent audiovisual stimuli, although in natural environments the fluent audiovisual contexts are the default. In 4 experiments, we evaluated if 8-month-old infants could learn word-action and word-object associations from fluent audiovisual streams when the words conveyed either vowel or consonant harmony, two phonological cues that benefit word learning near 6 and 12 months of age, respectively. We found that infants learned both types of words, but only when the words contained vowel harmony. Because object- and action-words have been conceived as rudimentary representations of nouns and verbs, our results suggest that vowels contribute to shape the initial steps of the learning of lexical categories in preverbal infants.

Longitudinal Analysis of the Relation Between Clinical Impairment and Gray Matter Degeneration in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 Patients.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive ataxia and retinal degeneration. Previous cross-sectional studies show a significant decrease in the gray matter of the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brainstem. However, there are no longitudinal studies in SCA7 analyzing whole-brain degeneration and its relation to clinical decline. To perform a 2-year longitudinal characterization of the whole-brain degeneration and clinical decline in SCA7, twenty patients underwent MRI and clinical evaluations at baseline. Fourteen completed the 2-year follow-up study. A healthy-matched control group was also included. Imaging analyses included volumetric and cortical thickness evaluation. We measured the cognitive deterioration in SCA7 patients using MoCA test and the motor deterioration using the SARA score. We found statistically significant differences in the follow-up compared to baseline. Imaging analyses showed that SCA7 patients had severe cerebellar and pontine degeneration compared with the control group. Longitudinal follow-up imaging analyses of SCA7 patients showed the largest atrophy in the medial temporal lobe without signs of a progression of cerebellar and pontine atrophy. Effect size analyses showed that MRI longitudinal analysis has the largest effect size followed by the SARA scale and MoCA test. Here, we report that it is possible to detect significant brain atrophy and motor and cognitive clinical decline in a 2-year follow-up study of SCA7 patients. Our results support the hypothesis that longitudinal analysis of structural MRI and MOCA tests are plausible clinical markers to study the natural history of the disease and to design treatment trials in ecologically valid contexts.

Updated demographically adjusted norms for the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-revised and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-revised in Spanish-speakers from the U.S.-Mexico border region: The NP-NUMBRS project.

OBJECTIVE: We generated demographically adjusted norms for the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-revised (BVMT-R) and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-revised (HVLT-R) for Spanish-speakers from the U.S.-Mexico border region as part of a larger normative project. Methods: Healthy native Spanish-speakers (n = 203; Age: 19-60 years; Education: 0-20 years, 59% women) living in Arizona (n = 63) and California (n = 140) completed the BVMT-R and the HVLT-R as part of the larger Neuropsychological Norms for the U.S.-Mexico Border Region in Spanish (NP-NUMBRS) project. Raw scores were converted to T-scores utilizing fractional polynomial equations, which considered linear and non-linear effects of demographic variables (age, education, sex). To demonstrate the benefit of employing our population-specific norms, we computed the proportion of our participants whose test performance fell below one standard deviation (T-score < 40) when applying published norms from non-Hispanic English-speakers, compared to the base rate derived from the new normative sample. Results: The resulting demographically adjusted T-scores showed the expected psychometric properties and corrected the misclassification in rates of impairment that were obtained when applying norms based on the English-speaking sample. Unexpectedly, participants in Arizona obtained slightly lower HVLT-R T-scores than those in California. This site effect was not explained by available sociodemographic or language factors. Supplementary formulas were computed adjusting for site in addition to demographics. Conclusions: These updated norms improve accuracy in identification of learning and memory impairment among Spanish-speaking adults living in the U.S.-Mexico border region. It will be important to generate additional data for elders, as the present norms are only applicable to adults age 60 and younger.

Impacto de la dislalia y disglosia en la comprensión verbal en escolares con necesidades especiales; Cuenca, Ecuador / The impact of dyslalia and dysglossia on verbal comprehension in schoolchildren with special needs; Cuenca, Equator

Este estudio analiza la relación entre los trastornos del lenguaje y la comprensión verbal en estudiantes que fueron evaluados como parte del pilotaje desarrollado por el proyecto de investigación "Efectividad del programa integral escalonado en pacientes con necesidades educativas especiales por trastornos del lenguaje y articulación", en la Unidad de Diagnóstico, Investigación Psicopedagógica y Apoyo a la Inclusión (UDIPSAI), Centro de Práctica y Relación con la Sociedad de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca. Se trata de un estudio observacional de tipo descriptivo y analítico; la técnica utilizada fue la psicometría y los instrumentos fueron pruebas para evaluar los trastornos del lenguaje y la inteligencia. Se aplicó la Prueba de Funciones Prelinguísticas y órganos fonoarticuladores, la Prueba de Articulación y la Prueba de Evaluación Clínica de los Fundamentos del Lenguaje. Para calificar la comprensión verbal se utilizó Weschler para niños -V (WISC-V) que investiga la capacidad individual dividida en escalas primarias. Para la investigación se consideró el Indice de Comprensión Verbal con las subescalas de similitudes, vocabulario, comprensión, información y acertijos. Se concluyó que la comprensión verbal es un factor importante para la presencia de trastornos del lenguaje y articulación en niños (AU)

A meta-analysis on verbal working memory in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Objective: Previous meta-analyses have demonstrated verbal working memory (WM) dysfunction in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, the findings are inconsistent. The main objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate the performance of children and adolescents with ADHD in the Digit Span Backwards (DSB) subtest from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. We also sought to provide an updated meta-analysis on WM in children and adolescents with ADHD.Method: PubMed, PsyINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to locate studies published between 1990 and 2016 that report DSB scores both of children and adolescents with ADHD and matched controls. Potential moderator variables were also analyzed.Results: Forty-nine studies comparing children and adolescents with ADHD (n = 4956) against healthy controls (n = 3249) generated a medium-sized effect (Hedges' g) of 0.56 (95% CI [0.49, 0.64]), indicating poorer verbal WM performance in those with ADHD. A subgroup meta-analysis of studies with participants aged 8-16 years only demonstrated low heterogeneity (I2 = 17.06, cf. 55.50 for the main analysis). Moreover, the meta-regression showed a negative association (ß = -.05, p = .02) between DSB performance differences and increasing age, indicating that for every one year increase in age the effect size decreased by .05.Conclusion: These results, which emanated from the largest meta-analysis concerning verbal WM in ADHD reported to date, reinforce WM as a key domain of cognitive dysfunction in ADHD, and point to age as the main variable influencing DSB performance difficulties.

The "SuperAgers" construct in clinical practice: neuropsychological assessment of illiterate and educated elderly.

INTRODUCTION: The demographic transition is a global event intensified during the last decades that represents population aging. Thus, the studies directed to the elderly 80 years of age or more with preserved cognitive functions (named SuperAgers) emerges as a possible path to full comprehension of the health of those aging with acceptable levels of functionality and independency. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cognitive performance of the elderly over 80 years old, associating the results to their educational level. METHOD: We evaluated 144 healthy elders with 80 years or more through the following cognitive tests Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and Verbal Fluency Test (VF) and compared the tests' scores with their educational level segmented in years of formal education, being the groups ILLITR (<1 year of schooling), 1TO4 (from 1 to 4 years of schooling), and 5MORE (>5 years of schooling). RESULTS: There was positive influence of educational level on the cognitive tests' score, which indicates higher cognitive reserve of the elderly with higher educational levels. CONCLUSION: The functionality and independence of the so-called SuperAgers is determined by the cognitive reserve acquired throughout life, mainly developed by the years of formal education.

[Normative data of the spanish-complutense verbal learning test (tavec) in a sample of argentine adults]. / Datos normativos del Test de Aprendizaje Verbal España­Complutense (Tavec) en una muestra de adultos argentinos.

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation of memory has increased relevance because of the place occupied by its alterations in neuropsychological syndromes of wide prevalence. The TAVEC evaluates strategies and processes involved in learning and remembering of verbal material. OBJECTIVE: Generate normative data of the TAVEC for the adult population of Córdoba (Argentina) with high level of instruction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 260 subjects aged between 25 and 88 years and with 12 or more years of education were selected. The influence of sex, age and educational level was analysed and statistics of mean and standard deviation were calculated. RESULTS: Statistically significant relationships were found between age and TAVEC sub test. No interactions were found with sex. Statistically significant relationships were seen for education only for variables of perseveration and discrimination index. Normative tables were stratified by age, and years of instruction in case necessary, with mean values and standard deviation for each subtest. CONCLUSION: Until this research, there have been no normative studies of the TAVEC in the Argentine population. The present standardization would be a valid parameter in neurocognitive evaluation processes of adults with high level of instruction.

Characterizacion of objectal actions and verbal production in pre-school age / Caracterizacion de acciones objetales y la producción verbal en la edad preescolar menor / Caracterização das ações objetais e da produção verbal na idade pré-escolar

RESUMEN El tema de las condiciones óptimas para el desarrollo verbal del niño preescolar menor aún sigue abierto en psicología, y surge la pregunta acerca de la naturaleza de dichas condiciones. Desde la teoría de la actividad se plantea la posibilidad de análisis de fenómenos del desarrollo no como procesos aislados, sino como elementos de la actividad que predomina en el desarrollo del niño en una u otra etapa. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer una relación entre la adquisición de las acciones objetales y la producción verbal en niños preescolares menores.En el estudio se valoraron los niveles de adquisición de la acción objetal, comunicación verbal en el juego y la forma de interacción entre niño y adultos que predomina en familia. Para las interacciones con los niños se utilizó el Protocolo para Evaluación del desarrollo para niños preescolares menores (Solovieva & Quintanar, 2014), mientras que con los cuidadores se aplicó una entrevista para precisar el tipo de acciones y orientaciones predominantes en familia. Se identificó una relación entre ambos fenómenos estudiados y una correlación significativa entre el nivel de adquisición de las acciones con objetos, expresiones verbales y orientación parental. Se precisaron las etapas de adquisición de acciones con objetos y el paso al inicio de la adquisición de la función simbólica con el rol específico de uso de juguetes animados. Se discute la utilidad del protocolo para diagnóstico e interacción con niños preescolares, así como para la formulación de programas de intervención y desarrollo en esta edad.

RESUMO O tema das condições ótimas para o desenvolvimento verbal da criança pré-escolar ainda está em aberto na psicologia, trazendo questões sobre a natureza destas condições. A partir da teoria da atividade, se apresenta a possibilidade da análise dos fenômenos do desenvolvimento não como processos isolados, mas sim como elementos da atividade que predomina no desenvolvimento da criança em uma ou outra etapa. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estabelecer uma relação entre a aquisição das ações objetais e a produção verbal em crianças pré-escolares. Neste estudo se consideraram os níveis de aquisição da ação objetal, a comunicação verbal no jogo e a forma de interação predominante na família entre a criança e os adultos. Para as interações com as crianças utilizou-se o protocolo para Evaluación del desarrollo para niños preescolares menores (Solovieva & Quintanar, 2014), ao passo que uma entrevista foi aplicada aos cuidadores para precisar o tipo de ações e orientações predominantes na família. Foi identificada uma relação entre ambos os fenômenos estudados e uma correlação significativa entre o nível de aquisição de ações com objetos, expressões verbais e orientação parental. Foram especificadas as etapas de aquisição de ações com objetos e a passagem ao início da aquisição da função simbólica, com a necessidade particular do uso de brinquedos animados. Por fim, se discute a utilidade do protocolo para o diagnóstico e interação com crianças pré-escolares, assim como para a formulação de programas de intervenção e desenvolvimento nesta idade.

ABSTRACT The topic of favorable conditions for verbal development is opened in psychology. The question about the nature of such conditions hasn't been solved. According to activity theory, it is possible to study aspects of psychological development no as isolated functions, but in relation to the main activity at each stage of development. The objective of the study was to establish a relationship between stages of play with objects using symbols and verbal production in preschool children. For the interactions with children, the Protocol for Evaluación del desarrollo para niños preescolares menores (Solovieva & Quintanar, 2014) was used, and a semi-structured interview was applied with the caregivers in order to specify the type of actions and orientations Predominant in family. We identified a relationship between studied phenomena and a significant correlation between the variables of actions with objects, verbal expressions and parental orientation. The stages of acquisition of actions with objects were determined together with the specific necessity of use of animated toys for verbal development. We discuss the usefulness of the protocol for diagnosis and interaction with preschool children, as well as for the formulation of intervention and development programs at this age.

Multiple exemplar instruction and integration of listening and speaking behaviors with substantive-adjective syntactic units in children with ANSD and CI. / Ensino por múltiplos exemplares e integração de comportamentos de ouvinte e falante com unidades sintáticas substantivo-adjetivo em crianças com DENA e IC.

PURPOSE: To verify the effect of the multiple exemplar instruction at the acquisition and integration of listening and speaking behaviors, with substantives and substantive-adjective combinations, in children with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) and cochlear implant (CI). METHODS: Participants were two children with ANSD that were users of CI. We adopted dictated stimulus and pictures that corresponded to words (substantive) and substantive-adjective syntactic units. The study was arranged in teaching steps that were intercalated with listening and speaking behaviors probes, with all stimuli. The multiple exemplar instruction presented oral imitation (echoic), auditory recognition (listening) and pictures naming (touch) tasks, on a rotating way; the substantives were taught first and, after that, the substantive-adjective combinations. RESULTS: In the pre-test, the participants showed variability and discrepancy in the correct responses percentages of listening and speaking. All achieved firstly 100% correct responses in the listening task and the speaking performances were close to listening after the teaching. All extended substantive learning to substantive-adjective syntactic units. CONCLUSION: Children with ANSD and CI can learn and integrate listening and speaking behaviors by multiple exemplar instruction, from words to syntactic units.

OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito do ensino por múltiplos exemplares na aquisição e integração dos comportamentos de ouvinte e falante, com substantivos e combinações substantivo-adjetivo, em crianças com Desordem do Espectro da Neuropatia Auditiva (DENA) e implante coclear (IC). MÉTODO: Participaram duas crianças com DENA que usavam IC. Foram adotados estímulos ditados e figuras que correspondiam a palavras (substantivo) e unidades sintáticas substantivo+adjetivo. O estudo foi organizado em passos de ensino que foram intercalados por avaliações dos comportamentos de ouvinte e falante, com todos os estímulos. O ensino por múltiplos exemplares apresentou tarefas de imitação oral (ecoico), reconhecimento auditivo (ouvinte) e nomeação de figuras (tato) de maneira rotativa; os substantivos foram ensinados primeiro e, em seguida, as combinações substantivo-adjetivo. RESULTADOS: No pré-teste, os participantes mostraram variabilidade e discrepância nas porcentagens de acertos de ouvinte e de falante. Todos alcançaram primeiro 100% de acertos nas tarefas de ouvinte e os desempenhos de falante ficaram próximos aos de ouvinte após o ensino. Todos estenderam a aprendizagem dos substantivos para as unidades sintáticas substantivo-adjetivo. CONCLUSÃO: Crianças com DENA e IC podem aprender e integrar comportamentos de ouvinte e de falante por meio do ensino por múltiplos exemplares, de palavras a unidades sintáticas.

Effect of Infant Iron Deficiency on Children's Verbal Abilities: The Roles of Child Affect and Parent Unresponsiveness.

BACKGROUND: Infants who are iron-deficient anemic seek and receive less stimulation from their caregivers, predisposing such children to be functionally isolated. OBJECTIVES: To test the sequence whereby iron deficiency in infancy contributes to children's disengagement from the environment, which reduces parent stimulation which, in turn, contributes to children's poor verbal skills. METHODS: Chilean children (N = 875, 54% male) were studied, 45% of whom were iron deficient or iron-deficient anemic in infancy. We used structural equation modeling to test the sequence outlined above and to examine the effect of infant iron status on children's verbal performance at ages 5 and 10 years including the roles of child and parent intermediate variables. RESULTS: Severity of iron deficiency in infancy was associated with higher levels of children's dull affect and social reticence at 5 years (ß = .10, B = .26, SE = .12, p < .05), and these behaviors were associated with parent unresponsiveness (ß = .29, B = .13, SE = .03, p < .001), which related to children's lower verbal abilities at age 5 (ß = - .29, B = - 2.33, SE = .47, p < .001) and age 10 (ß = - .22, B = - 3.04, SE = .75, p < .001). An alternate model where poor iron status related directly to children's verbal ability was tested but not supported. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support functional isolation processes resulting from a nutritional deficiency, with iron-deficient anemic infants showing affective and behavioral tendencies that limit developmentally stimulating caregiving which, in turn, hinder children's verbal abilities.

Multivariate Base Rates of Low Scores on Tests of Learning and Memory Among Latino Adult Populations.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of low scores for two neuropsychological tests with five total scores that evaluate learning and memory functions. METHOD: N = 5402 healthy adults from 11 countries in Latin America and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico were administered the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT-R). Two-thirds of the participants were women, and the average age was 53.5 ± 20.0 years. Z-scores were calculated for ROCF Copy and Memory scores and HVLT-R Total Recall, Delayed Recall, and Recognition scores, adjusting for age, age2, sex, education, and interaction variables if significant for the given country. Each Z-score was converted to a percentile for each of the five subtest scores. Each participant was categorized based on his/her number of low scoring tests in specific percentile cutoff groups (25th, 16th, 10th, 5th, and 2nd). RESULTS: Between 57.3% (El Salvador) and 64.6% (Bolivia) of the sample scored below the 25th percentile on at least one of the five scores. Between 27.1% (El Salvador) and 33.9% (Puerto Rico) scored below the 10th percentile on at least one of the five subtests. Between 5.9% (Chile, El Salvador, Peru) and 10.3% (Argentina) scored below the 2nd percentile on at least one of the five scores. CONCLUSIONS: Results are consistent with other studies that found that low scores are common when multiple neuropsychological outcomes are evaluated in healthy individuals. Clinicians should consider the higher probability of low scores when evaluating learning and memory using various sets of scores to reduce false-positive diagnoses of cognitive deficits.

Marijuana use associated with worse verbal learning and delayed recall in a sample of young adults.

BACKGROUND: There is concern about the cognitive consequences of marijuana consumption. AIM: To assess the influence of current and past marijuana use and frequency on verbal learning and memory in a sample of adults aged 21 years old. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Marijuana use was assessed using a clinician administered interview in 654 participants (56% females), who reported frequency of use, age of first use and whether its use led to problems in their lives. The CogState International Shopping List was administered to assess learning and memory. RESULTS: Seventy percent reported ever using marijuana, 46% consuming during the past year and 27% during the past 30 days. The latter scored significantly lower on delayed recall. Current and frequent use were significantly associated with lower accuracy in verbal learning and memory. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of adults aged 21 years old, marijuana use was prevalent and related to worse verbal memory.

Marijuana use associated with worse verbal learning and delayed recall in a sample of young adults / El consumo de marihuana se asocia a una menor capacidad de aprendizaje verbal y memoria tardía en adultos jóvenes

ABSTRACT Background: There is concern about the cognitive consequences of marijuana consumption. Aim: To assess the influence of current and past marijuana use and frequency on verbal learning and memory in a sample of adults aged 21 years old. Material and Methods: Marijuana use was assessed using a clinician administered interview in 654 participants (56% females), who reported frequency of use, age of first use and whether its use led to problems in their lives. The CogState International Shopping List was administered to assess learning and memory. Results: Seventy percent reported ever using marijuana, 46% consuming during the past year and 27% during the past 30 days. The latter scored significantly lower on delayed recall. Current and frequent use were significantly associated with lower accuracy in verbal learning and memory. Conclusions: In this cohort of adults aged 21 years old, marijuana use was prevalent and related to worse verbal memory.

Antecedentes: Existe preocupación acerca de los efectos cognitivos del consumo de marihuana. Objetivo: Estudiar el efecto de consumo de marihuana presente o pasado en la capacidad de aprendizaje verbal y memoria en una muestra de adultos de 21 años. Material y Métodos: El consumo de marihuana fue evaluado mediante una entrevista médica en 654 adultos de 21 años (56% mujeres), quienes informaron acerca de la frecuencia de consumo, edad de comienzo y si el consumo les ha causado problemas en sus vidas. Se les administró el Cogstate International Shopping List para evaluar aprendizaje y memoria. Resultados: El 70% informó haber consumido marihuana alguna vez, 46% la usó durante el último año y el 27% en los últimos 30 días. Estos últimos tuvieron un menor puntaje en memoria tardía. El consumo actual y frecuente se asoció a una menor precisión en la capacidad de aprendizaje verbal y memoria. Conclusiones: En esta cohorte de adultos de 21 años, el consumo de marihuana fue prevalente y relacionado a una menor memoria verbal.

Specificity rates for non-clinical, bilingual, Mexican Americans with California Verbal Learning Test3, verbal fluency, and Rey 15-IR performance validity measures.

Objective: To measure failure rates among non-clinical, Mexican American, bilinguals on embedded performance validity measures from the California Verbal Learning Test3 and verbal fluency and the stand-alone Rey 15-item test plus recognition (Rey 15-IR) using valid/invalid performance cut scores developed for monolingual, English-speakers. Method: Participants were 60 consecutive recruits, aged between 18 and 75 years, with ≤16 years of education who self-identified as bilingual (confirmed via formal assessment) and chose the language of assessment, Spanish or English, for the performance validity tests. Results: The only performance validity measure studied with a higher failure rate (19%) than that for monolingual, English-speakers (9%) was semantic fluency administered in Spanish. Conclusions: Valid/invalid performance cut scores derived for monolingual English-speakers generated comparable or lower failure rates among Mexican American bilinguals on CVLT3 forced-choice recognition, CVLT3 yes-no recognition hits, letter fluency, semantic fluency in English, and the Rey 15-IR.

Ensino por múltiplos exemplares e integração de comportamentos de ouvinte e falante com unidades sintáticas substantivo-adjetivo em crianças com DENA e IC / Multiple exemplar instruction and integration of listening and speaking behaviors with substantive-adjective syntactic units in children with ANSD and CI

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar o efeito do ensino por múltiplos exemplares na aquisição e integração dos comportamentos de ouvinte e falante, com substantivos e combinações substantivo-adjetivo, em crianças com Desordem do Espectro da Neuropatia Auditiva (DENA) e implante coclear (IC). Método Participaram duas crianças com DENA que usavam IC. Foram adotados estímulos ditados e figuras que correspondiam a palavras (substantivo) e unidades sintáticas substantivo+adjetivo. O estudo foi organizado em passos de ensino que foram intercalados por avaliações dos comportamentos de ouvinte e falante, com todos os estímulos. O ensino por múltiplos exemplares apresentou tarefas de imitação oral (ecoico), reconhecimento auditivo (ouvinte) e nomeação de figuras (tato) de maneira rotativa; os substantivos foram ensinados primeiro e, em seguida, as combinações substantivo-adjetivo. Resultados No pré-teste, os participantes mostraram variabilidade e discrepância nas porcentagens de acertos de ouvinte e de falante. Todos alcançaram primeiro 100% de acertos nas tarefas de ouvinte e os desempenhos de falante ficaram próximos aos de ouvinte após o ensino. Todos estenderam a aprendizagem dos substantivos para as unidades sintáticas substantivo-adjetivo. Conclusão Crianças com DENA e IC podem aprender e integrar comportamentos de ouvinte e de falante por meio do ensino por múltiplos exemplares, de palavras a unidades sintáticas.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the effect of the multiple exemplar instruction at the acquisition and integration of listening and speaking behaviors, with substantives and substantive-adjective combinations, in children with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) and cochlear implant (CI). Methods Participants were two children with ANSD that were users of CI. We adopted dictated stimulus and pictures that corresponded to words (substantive) and substantive-adjective syntactic units. The study was arranged in teaching steps that were intercalated with listening and speaking behaviors probes, with all stimuli. The multiple exemplar instruction presented oral imitation (echoic), auditory recognition (listening) and pictures naming (touch) tasks, on a rotating way; the substantives were taught first and, after that, the substantive-adjective combinations. Results In the pre-test, the participants showed variability and discrepancy in the correct responses percentages of listening and speaking. All achieved firstly 100% correct responses in the listening task and the speaking performances were close to listening after the teaching. All extended substantive learning to substantive-adjective syntactic units. Conclusion Children with ANSD and CI can learn and integrate listening and speaking behaviors by multiple exemplar instruction, from words to syntactic units.

Learning of Pseudowords by Children of Different Ages in a Shared Book Reading Context / Aprendizagem de Pseudopalavras por Crianças de Diferentes Idades em Contexto de Leitura Compartilhada de Livros / Aprendizaje de Pseudopalabras en Niños de Diferentes Edades en Contexto de Lectura Compartida de Libros

Abstract Shared book reading favors incidental learning of vocabulary; however, studies indicate that the previous vocabulary level of the child interferes with learning. The aim of this study was to compare the learning relations between pseudowords and figures of children aged 3 and 7 years in a shared book reading situation and to investigate the possible occurrence of the Matthew Effect. A book with four pseudowords developed for this study was read three consecutive times to 10 children of each age group. Matching-to-sample, exclusion, naming, and description of the use probes were applied immediately after the reading and one week later. No significant differences were found between the performances of both groups, except for the exclusion probes, without incidence of the Matthew Effect. Learning words is a continuous process that involves frequency and contexts of exposure to the words.

Resumo A leitura compartilhada de histórias favorece a aprendizagem incidental de vocabulário, mas estudos indicam que o nível de vocabulário prévio da criança interfere nessa aprendizagem. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a aprendizagem de relações entre pseudopalavras e figuras por crianças de 3 e 7 anos em situação de leitura compartilhada de histórias e a possível ocorrência do Matthew Effect. Um livro especialmente elaborado para esta pesquisa foi lido por três vezes consecutivas para 10 crianças de cada grupo etário, apresentando quatro pseudopalavras. Sondas de emparelhamento ao modelo, exclusão, nomeação e descrição da utilidade foram aplicadas logo após a leitura e uma semana depois. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os desempenhos dos dois grupos, exceto nas sondas de exclusão, sem o registro de ocorrência do Matthew Effect. A aprendizagem de palavras é um processo contínuo e envolve condições como a frequência e os contextos de exposição às palavras.

Resumen La lectura compartida de libros favorece el aprendizaje incidental de vocabulario; sin embargo, los estudios apuntan que el nivel de vocabulario previo del niño interfiere en este aprendizaje. El presente estudio buscó comparar el aprendizaje de relaciones entre pseudopalabras y figuras en niños de entre 3 y 7 años en situación de lectura compartida de cuentos, así como la posible ocurrencia del Matthew Effect. Un libro no comercial se leyó tres veces consecutivas a 10 niños de cada grupo de edad, presentándoles cuatro pseudopalabras. Se aplicaron pruebas de igualación a la muestra, exclusión y denominación inmediatamente después de la lectura y una semana después de la misma. No se hallaron diferencias significativas en los desempeños de ambos grupos, a excepción de las pruebas de exclusión, y no se registró la ocurrencia del Matthew Effect. El aprendizaje de palabras es un proceso continuo e involucra condiciones como la frecuencia y los contextos de exposición a las palabras.

The Relationship between Cytokines and Verbal Memory in Individuals with Schizophrenia and Their Unaffected Siblings.

BACKGROUND: Verbal memory impairment may be considered an endophenotype in schizophrenia (SZ), also affecting the siblings of SZ subjects. Furthermore, the immune-inflammatory system response has an important modulatory effect on brain processes, especially on memory circuits. OBJECTIVE: Investigating the relationship between TNF-α and IL-6 and memory performance in patients with SZ, their unaffected siblings (SB) and healthy controls (HC). METHODS: 35 subjects with SZ, 36 SB, and 47 HC underwent a neurocognitive assessment for verbal memory by means of the revised Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT-R) in addition to serum cytokines analyses. RESULTS: SZ patients performed worse in HVLT-R than SB and HC, but SB and HC were not different. Regarding the biomarker levels, we found significant results of TNF-α for both groups. However, we did not find differences between groups after multiple-comparisons analysis. There were no significant correlations between episodic verbal memory, TNF-α, and IL-6. CONCLUSION: The results are compatible with the hypothesis that deficits in verbal memory of individuals with SZ could be secondary to inadequate functioning of cognitive processing areas, such as proactive cognitive control.