Rapid, Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Test for Oxygen-17 Enrichment in Water.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies involving 17O are increasingly important in molecular biology, material science, and other disciplines. A large number of these studies employ H217O as a source of 17O, and this reliance can be limiting because the high cost of H217O. To overcome this constraint, a recent study proposed a distillation scheme capable of producing significant quantities of H217O at a low cost. Although this method is reported to be effective, the reactions proposed to quantify percent of 17O enrichment are either time intensive or have a risk of errors due to the isotope effect. Here, an alternative reaction scheme is described to measure 17O water that ultimately creates methyl benzoate as the sole 17O-containing product. The proposed reaction is completed in a matter of minutes at room temperature, produces only one 17O product, and requires no clean-up step. The large isotope shift observed in solution NMR between the 13C═16O and 13C═17O resonances allows for integration of the individual peaks. This 13C NMR analysis is found to be highly accurate over a wide enrichment range and is accessible to most NMR spectroscopists.

Alzheimer's deterioration in intellectual and neurobiological staging supports the retrogenesis model: a double dissociation between verbal/non-verbal judgments and the left/right parieto-temporal glucose metabolism. A retrospective data analysis from the Tajiri Project.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer disease (AD) patients demonstrate various clinical features reminiscent of children (the retrogenesis model). The Binet test is available for assessing mental development and deterioration. However, neuroimaging correlations remain to be clarified. Although AD patients also manifest social judgment disability, there are few cognitive tests, contrary to so many memory tests. Among the database, we noticed that the Binet test includes the subscale of social judgement using illogical sentences and pictures. The aim of this study is to clarify the neuroimaging correlations for the Binet test, especially for the illogical questions. METHODS: Forty participants were selected from the database of the Tajiri Project. The Tanaka-Binet test was used to evaluate the mental age and the basic age. The latter is the age level at which the patient can completely accomplish all questions at the immediately lower age level and is used for calculating the mental age. Using the subtests of illogical sentences/pictures, logical judgment abilities were assessed. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we performed four-grade visual evaluation for cortical atrophy. The cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRglc) was measured using an autoradiographic method of 18 F-fluoreodeoxyglucose - positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). RESULTS: There was a significant Spearman's correlation between the clinical stage and the basic age. Degree of frontal, temporal and hippocampal atrophy were correlated with the basic age. The entire grey matter and frontal and temporal CMRglc were associated with the basic age. The illogical sentences scores were correlated with the bilateral temporal, hippocampal and the left parieto-temporal CMRglc, whereas the illogical picture scores were correlated with the right parieto-temporal CMRglc. CONCLUSIONS: We found that frontal and temporal atrophy as well as hypometabolism were associated with the basic age. Regarding the illogical judgment, the current PET data analysis disclosed that there may be a double dissociation between verbal/non-verbal judgments and the left/right parieto-temporal areas.

Impact of genetic subtypes of Prader-Willi syndrome with growth hormone therapy on intelligence and body mass index.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genomic imprinting disorder characterized by infantile hypotonia with a poor suck and failure to thrive, hypogenitalism/hypogonadism, behavior and cognitive problems, hormone deficiencies, hyperphagia, and obesity. The Stanford Binet and Wechsler (WAIS-R; WISC-III) intelligence (IQ) tests were administered on 103 individuals with PWS from two separate cohorts [University of California, Irvine (UCI) (N = 56) and Vanderbilt University (N = 47)] and clinical information obtained including growth hormone (GH) treatment, PWS molecular classes, weight and height. Significantly higher IQ scores (p < .02) were found representing the vocabulary section of the Stanford Binet test in the growth hormone (GH) treated group when compared with non-GH treatment in the pediatric-based UCI PWS cohort with a trend for stabilization of vocabulary IQ scores with age in the GH treated maternal disomy (UPD) 15 subject group. Significant differences (p = .05) were also found in the adult-based Vanderbilt PWS cohort with 15q11-q13 deletion subjects having lower Verbal IQ scores compared with UPD 15. No difference in body mass index was identified based on the PWS molecular class or genetic subtype. Medical care and response to treatment with growth hormone may influence intelligence impacted by PWS genetic subtypes and possibly age, but more studies are needed.

Utility of an abbreviated version of the stanford-binet intelligence scales (5th ed.) in estimating 'full scale' IQ for young children with autism spectrum disorder.

The fifth edition of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence scales allows 'full scale' IQ (FSIQ) to be estimated using an abridged version of the test-the abbreviated battery IQ (ABIQ). Set within a public early intervention team service, the current cross-sectional study investigated the utility of the ABIQ in estimating FSIQ for 40 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 3-5 years. A strong ABIQ-FSIQ association was yielded (r = 0.89; r2 = 0.808) and the ABIQ did not over-estimate mean FSIQ above a clinically-relevant threshold; however, clinically significant over-estimation occurred in 17.5% of individual cases. While the findings provide support for the utility of the ABIQ in estimating FSIQ for young children with ASD, caution relating to the over-estimation of FSIQ is warranted. Careful clinical judgment-ideally based on examination of previous cognitive assessment results (if available), thorough interactional observations, and close multi-disciplinary consultation-is necessary to determine the applicability of the ABIQ to individual cases. Autism Res 2018, 11: 503-508. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: We investigated the utility of a shortened version of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales in estimating IQ for 40 young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The findings provide qualified support for the instrument: acceptably accurate IQ estimation was achieved for most cases; but not so for a sizeable minority (17.5%). Careful clinical judgment is necessary to determine the applicability of the ABIQ to individual cases.

Comparison of microRNA expression in high-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and Binet A chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis precedes all chronic lymphocytic leukemia cases, although the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease progression are not understood. Aberrant miRNA expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The objective of this study was to compare miRNA expression profiles of patients with Binet A chronic lymphocytic leukemia with those of subjects with high-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and healthy volunteers (controls). Methods Twenty-one chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, 12 subjects with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and ten healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Flow cytometry CD19+CD5+-based cell sorting was performed for the chronic lymphocytic leukemia and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis groups and CD19+ cells were sorted to analyze the control group. The expressions of miRNAs (miR-15a, miR-16-1, miR-29b, miR-34a, miR-181a, miR-181b and miR-155) were determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results Significant differences between the expressions in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis groups were restricted to the expression of miR-155, which was higher in the former group. A comparison between healthy controls and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis/chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients revealed higher miR-155 and miR-34a levels and lower miR-15a, miR-16-1, miR-181a and miR-181b in the latter group. Conclusions Our results show a progressive increase of miR-155 expression from controls to monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The role of miR-155 in the development of overt chronic lymphocytic leukemia in individuals with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis must be further analyzed.

Medición de inteligencia. Entre debates históricos y actuales / Intelligence measurement. Between historical and current debates

El objetivo de la presente investigación es resaltar el valor de la historia en las producciones científicas sobre la medición de la inteligencia. Además, se señalará qué puede aportar ese estudio histórico en países como la Argentina y por qué es necesario emprenderlos. Para ello se realiza un análisis de las publicaciones recientes y clásicas sobre los estudios de inteligencia y sobre la circulación del conocimiento. La relevancia del estudio sobre los contextos de producción y recepción ha puesto sobre la mesa los debates sobre las consecuencias sociales de las mediciones de nivel intelectual, pero quedan aún zonas sobre las que es preciso detenerse con cautela. Por último, se pone en evidencia la escasez de estos estudios en el ámbito local y se argumenta que su importancia estriba en la posibilidad de cuestionar ciertos procesos universales que ya se han estudiado en países de Europa, algunas partes de Latinoamérica y en los Estados Unidos.

The aim of this paper is to highlight the value of historical research in the scientific productions of intelligence measurement. In addition, it will be noted what the historical studies in countries such as Argentina can contribute to the general debate and why it is necessary to undertake it. This is done by the analysis of recent and classic literature on studies of intelligence and the circulation of knowledge. The relevance of the study about the contexts of production and reception bring discussions on the social consequences of measurements of intellectual level, to the table, but there are still areas which we must address with caution. Finally, the paper highlights the lack of local research and argues that its importance lies in the possibility of questioning certain universal processes that have already been studied in countries within Europe, some parts of Latin America and the United States.

Early growth patterns are associated with intelligence quotient scores in children born small-for-gestational age.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patterns of growth trajectory during infancy are associated with intelligence quotient (IQ) scores at 4 years of age in children born small-for-gestational age (SGA). METHODS: Children in the Collaborative Perinatal Project born SGA were eligible for analysis. The primary outcome was the Stanford-Binet IQ score at 4 years of age. Growth patterns were defined based on changes in weight-for-age z-scores from birth to 4 months and 4 to 12 months of age and consisted of steady, early catch-up, late catch-up, constant catch-up, early catch-down, late catch-down, constant catch-down, early catch-up & late catch-down, and early catch-down & late catch-up. Multivariate linear regression was used to assess associations between patterns of growth and IQ. RESULTS: We evaluated patterns of growth and IQ in 5640 children. Compared with children with steady growth, IQ scores were 2.9 [standard deviation (SD)=0.54], 1.5 (SD=0.63), and 2.2 (SD=0.9) higher in children with early catch-up, early catch-up and later catch-down, and constant catch-up growth patterns, respectively, and 4.4 (SD=1.4) and 3.9 (SD=1.5) lower in children with early catch-down & late catch-up, and early catch-down growth patterns, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns in weight gain before 4 months of age were associated with differences in IQ scores at 4 years of age, with children with early catch-up having slightly higher IQ scores than children with steady growth and children with early catch-down having slightly lower IQ scores. These findings have implications for early infant nutrition in children born SGA.

A girl with tuberous sclerosis complex presenting with severe epilepsy and electrical status epilepticus during sleep, and with high-functioning autism and mutism.

Most patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) suffer from epilepsy, and many have cognitive and behavioral problems like severe intellectual disability, autism, and hyperactivity. Only rare patients with TSC and autism have a normal intelligence quotient. We report a 13-year-old girl with definite TSC who had early-onset severe epilepsy, autistic behavior, and moderate developmental delay. By school age, however, she had normal intelligence; her intelligence quotient was at least 70 based on a Stanford-Binet test that she refused to complete. She showed good reading, writing, and language comprehension skills, and the special abilities of hyperlexia, hypermnesia, and hypercalculia. However, she did not speak. Criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, and her Childhood Autism Rating Scale score of 36 indicated mild to moderate autism. She had severe electroencephalographic abnormalities: hypsarrhythmia, multifocal or generalized epileptiform discharges, and electrical status epilepticus during sleep, with a continuous left temporal focus. Magnetic resonance imaging showed many cortical tubers in all brain lobes, and subependymal nodules. We discuss possible explanations for her lack of speech. Considered as speech apraxia, her mutism could be either a symptom of her TSC or a component of her autism. Another possibility is that long-lasting electrical status epilepticus during sleep led to her autistic behavior and language arrest. Still another possibility is that a disinhibited mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway was at the root of all of her neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Unreliable block span reveals simulated intellectual disability on the stanford-binet intelligence scales-fifth edition.

Previously developed validity measures are largely lacking in their ability to accurately distinguish malingerers from individuals with genuine intellectual disabilities (ID). The purpose of the present study was to develop a validity index for the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales-Fifth Edition (SB-5) aimed at detecting malingered ID. Fifty-four college students were instructed to feign impairment consistent with mental retardation while completing the SB-5. Simulated malingerers performed significantly poorer on the Block Span task of the SB-5 than did individuals with genuine impairment. A Block Span Validity Index (BSVI) cutoff score of less than 10 showed perfect specificity by correctly identifying all persons with true ID and demonstrated 52% sensitivity in identifying persons feigning impairment. For the detection of malingered ID, the BSVI yielded favorable results, although more research is needed to validate the BSVI using a known-groups study design.

Salivary testosterone and immunoglobulin A were increased by resistance training in adults with Down syndrome.

This study was designed to assess the influence of resistance training on salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels and hormone profile in sedentary adults with Down syndrome (DS). A total of 40 male adults with DS were recruited for the trial through different community support groups for people with intellectual disabilities. All participants had medical approval for participation in physical activity. Twenty-four adults were randomly assigned to perform resistance training in a circuit with six stations, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Training intensity was based on functioning in the eight-repetition maximum (8RM) test for each exercise. The control group included 16 age-, gender-, and BMI-matched adults with DS. Salivary IgA, testosterone, and cortisol levels were measured by ELISA. Work task performance was assessed using the repetitive weighted-box-stacking test. Resistance training significantly increased salivary IgA concentration (P=0.0120; d=0.94) and testosterone levels (P=0.0088; d=1.57) in the exercising group. Furthermore, it also improved work task performance. No changes were seen in the controls who had not exercised. In conclusion, a short-term resistance training protocol improved mucosal immunity response as well as salivary testosterone levels in sedentary adults with DS.

An examination of the relationship between autism spectrum disorder, intellectual functioning, and comorbid symptoms in children.

There is a deficiency of research looking at how rates of comorbid psychopathology are effected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual functioning level. The present study aimed to extend the literature in this area by evaluating how ASD and IQ scores are related to ratings on a measure of comorbid symptoms. Twenty-three children with ASD and 87 children without ASD participated in this study. Rates of tantrum behavior, avoidant behavior, worry/depressed, repetitive behavior, under-eating, over-eating, and conduct behavior were examined utilizing the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Comorbidity for Children (ASD-CC). Correlational and multiple regression analyses were then conducted. ASD diagnosis significantly predicted rates of tantrum behavior, avoidant behavior, and repetitive behavior. Children with ASD tended to have higher rates of all three of these comorbid symptoms than children without ASD. Although not statistically significant, there was a negative correlation between IQ and rates of comorbid symptoms, such that children with higher IQ scores tended to have lower rates of comorbid symptoms. The implications of these findings on assessment and intervention are discussed.

Making up intelligence scales: De Sanctis's and Binet's tests, 1905 and after.

Sante De Sanctis (1862-1935) and Alfred Binet (1857-1911), the latter in collaboration with Théodore Simon (1873-1960), introduced their intelligence tests to the scientific community at the Fifth International Congress of Psychology, held in Rome in 1905 on April 26-30. The cultural and political contexts within which De Sanctis and Binet developed their respective intelligence tests showed certain similarities. Nevertheless, De Sanctis's intelligence test and Binet's test did differ in certain respects. The objective of this article is to understand the differences and similarities between the Parisian and the Roman contexts in relation to mental testing, and to investigate the theoretical-methodological contributions of each. In addition, the article analyzes the "diversity" of De Sanctis's context and test, which did not influence the international psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

Sleep spindle activity and cognitive performance in healthy children.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between indices of sleep spindle activity and cognitive performance in a sample of healthy children. DESIGN: Correlational. Intelligence (Stanford-Binet) and neurocognitive functioning (NEPSY) were assessed, with sleep variables being measured during overnight polysomnography. SETTING: Hospital sleep laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven healthy children (mean age 8.19 y; 14 female, 13 male). INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Participants underwent a single night of overnight polysomnography after completing measures of intelligence and neurocognitive functioning. Sleep spindles were visually identified by an experienced sleep scoring technician and separated algorithmically into fast (> 13 Hz) and slow spindle (< 13 Hz) categories. The number of fast spindles was significantly correlated with narrative memory (r(s) = 0.38) and sensorimotor functioning (-0.43). Mean central frequency of spindles was also significantly correlated with sensorimotor functioning (-0.41), planning ability (-0.41), and working memory (-0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Basal sleep spindle activity is associated with different aspects of cognitive performance in children. To the extent that these associations in a pediatric population are different from what is known in adult sleep may play an important role in development.

Comparison of the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised and the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, 5th Edition, in children with autism spectrum disorders.

A review of hospital records was conducted for children evaluated for autism spectrum disorders who completed both the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised (Leiter-R) and Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, 5th Edition (SB5). Participants were between 3 and 12 years of age. Diagnoses were autistic disorder (n  =  26, 55%) and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (n  =  21, 45%). Analysis showed that the full sample received significantly higher scores on the Leiter-R than SB5 (mean discrepancy of 20.91 points), specific diagnosis was not a significant factor, and younger children had a larger discrepancy between tests. These analyses strongly suggest that the Leiter-R and the SB5 may not be equivalent measures of intellectual functioning in children with autism spectrum disorders, and that use of one or the other exclusively could lead to misclassification of intellectual capacity.

Effectiveness and safety of donepezil in boys with fragile x syndrome: a double-blind, randomized, controlled pilot study.

The present study was designed as a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of donepezil in boys with fragile X syndrome. Twenty boys with fragile X syndrome were randomized to receive 12 weeks of treatment with either placebo or donepezil (2.5 mg daily for initial 4 weeks followed by 5 mg daily for next 8 weeks). The outcome measures included change in intelligence quotient scores on Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Hindi adaptation by Kulshrestha), change in behavioral scores by Conners 3 Parent Rating Scale (Short) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale, safety, and tolerability of donepezil. The study failed to show significant difference in intelligence quotient and behavioral scales with donepezil therapy over 12 weeks. However, donepezil appeared to be safe and well tolerated.

Curvas de referência de pontos brutos no Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale de crianças e adolescentes / Curves reference crude scores in Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale for children and adolescents / Curvas de referencia de puntaje bruto en el Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale de niños y adolescentes

O trabalho teve como objetivo construir curvas de referência de pontos brutos das Áreas e do Total do Stanford-Binet em crianças e adolescentes paulistanos. Foram avaliadas individualmente 257 crianças e adolescentes, com idade média de 5 anos e 10 meses, sendo 130 (50,58%) do sexo feminino e 127 (49,42%) do sexo masculino, todas frequentadoras de Escolas Públicas de Educação Infantil e Fundamental, de diferentes regiões da cidade de São Paulo. O teste foi aplicado individualmente na própria escola das crianças, sempre a partir do primeiro item, independentemente da idade da criança. Os participantes foram agrupados por idade; calcularam-se medidas descritivas para cada faixa etária desta população. Foram confeccionadas curvas de referência para Áreas e Total do Stanford Binet com os pontos brutos obtidos. Os pontos brutos foram distribuídos de acordo com a curva normal.(AU)

The objective of this study was to construct curves reference crude scores on the areas and total of the Stanford-Binet test for children in Sao Paulo. 257 children [130 (50.58%) females and 127 (49.42%) males] with a mean age of 5 years 10 months were individually evaluated, all of them attending public Nursery and Elementary schools in different regions of the city of São Paulo. The test was applied individually in the children's schools, always based on the first item, regardless of the child's age. The participants were grouped according to age and descriptive measures were performed for each age group in this population. References curves were constructed for the areas and total of the Stanford-Binet test with the crude scores obtained. The crude scores were distributed in accordance with the normal curve.(AU)

El estudio tuvo como objetivo construir curvas de referencia de puntajes brutos de las Áreas y del Total del Stanford-Binet en niños y adolescentes del estado de São Paulo-Brasil. Fueron evaluados individualmente 257 niños y adolescentes, con edad media de 5 años y 10 meses, siendo 130 (50,58%) del sexo femenino y 127 (49,42%) del sexo masculino, todos frecuentadores de escuelas públicas de educación infantil y básica, de diferentes regiones de la ciudad de São Paulo. El test fue aplicado individualmente en la propia escuela de los niños, siempre a partir del primer ítem, independientemente de la edad del niño. Los participantes fueron agrupados por edad; se calculó medidas descriptivas para cada rango etario de esta población. Fueron confeccionadas curvas de referencia para Áreas y Total del Stanford Binet con los puntajes brutos obtenidos. Los puntajes brutos fueron distribuidos de acuerdo con la curva normal.(AU)

Curvas de referência de pontos brutos no Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale de crianças e adolescentes / Curves reference crude scores in Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale for children and adolescents / Curvas de referencia de puntaje bruto en el Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale de niños y adolescentes

O trabalho teve como objetivo construir curvas de referência de pontos brutos das Áreas e do Total do Stanford-Binet em crianças e adolescentes paulistanos. Foram avaliadas individualmente 257 crianças e adolescentes, com idade média de 5 anos e 10 meses, sendo 130 (50,58%) do sexo feminino e 127 (49,42%) do sexo masculino, todas frequentadoras de Escolas Públicas de Educação Infantil e Fundamental, de diferentes regiões da cidade de São Paulo. O teste foi aplicado individualmente na própria escola das crianças, sempre a partir do primeiro item, independentemente da idade da criança. Os participantes foram agrupados por idade; calcularam-se medidas descritivas para cada faixa etária desta população. Foram confeccionadas curvas de referência para Áreas e Total do Stanford Binet com os pontos brutos obtidos. Os pontos brutos foram distribuídos de acordo com a curva normal.

The objective of this study was to construct curves reference crude scores on the areas and total of the Stanford-Binet test for children in Sao Paulo. 257 children [130 (50.58%) females and 127 (49.42%) males] with a mean age of 5 years 10 months were individually evaluated, all of them attending public Nursery and Elementary schools in different regions of the city of São Paulo. The test was applied individually in the children's schools, always based on the first item, regardless of the child's age. The participants were grouped according to age and descriptive measures were performed for each age group in this population. References curves were constructed for the areas and total of the Stanford-Binet test with the crude scores obtained. The crude scores were distributed in accordance with the normal curve.

El estudio tuvo como objetivo construir curvas de referencia de puntajes brutos de las Áreas y del Total del Stanford-Binet en niños y adolescentes del estado de São Paulo-Brasil. Fueron evaluados individualmente 257 niños y adolescentes, con edad media de 5 años y 10 meses, siendo 130 (50,58%) del sexo femenino y 127 (49,42%) del sexo masculino, todos frecuentadores de escuelas públicas de educación infantil y básica, de diferentes regiones de la ciudad de São Paulo. El test fue aplicado individualmente en la propia escuela de los niños, siempre a partir del primer ítem, independientemente de la edad del niño. Los participantes fueron agrupados por edad; se calculó medidas descriptivas para cada rango etario de esta población. Fueron confeccionadas curvas de referencia para Áreas y Total del Stanford Binet con los puntajes brutos obtenidos. Los puntajes brutos fueron distribuidos de acuerdo con la curva normal.

Gender and geographic differences in the prevalence of intellectual disability in children: analysis of data from the national disability registry of Taiwan.

Intellectual disability (ID) is not uncommon in children, but data at the national level are limited, especially those on geographic differences. On the basis of the Disabled Welfare Law, Taiwan began to certify disabled residents and provide various services in 1980. All the cases are registered, and the registry provides a rare opportunity for studying ID at the national level. Using the data from 2004 to 2010, we calculated the prevalence of ID in children by age, gender, and geographic area and assessed the changes over time. We limited analyses to children at least 3 years of age, because certification before 3 years old is discouraged by the government. We found that from 2004 to 2010, the registered cases between 3 and 17 years old ranged from 20,531 to 23,547, and the prevalence of ID increased constantly from 4.40/1000 to 5.79/1000 (p<0.01), which generally increased every year in all age groups (p<0.01). In each year there were more boy cases than girl cases, and the boy-to-girl ratio generally decreased with age (p<0.01 for chi-square test for trend in all years). The prevalence rate ratio ranged from 1.33 to 1.37 (p<0.01 in all years), and the changes in the rate ratio were small over the years. We observed a higher prevalence in the rural areas over the years, and the prevalence rate ratio ranged from 1.34 to 1.43 (p<0.01 in all years), with an increasing trend over time (p<0.01).

Cognitive and developmental influences in visual-motor integration skills in young children.

Measures of visual-motor integration skills continue to be widely used in psychological assessments with children. However, the construct validity of many visual-motor integration measures remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the relative contributions of maturation and cognitive skills to the development of visual-motor integration skills in young children (N = 856). We used a block regression analysis to determine the contribution of maturation, as indicated by age, followed by broad cognitive factors (Study 1) and subsequently by individual subtests in verbal and nonverbal domains subsumed under each factor (Study 2) in explaining score variance of the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (2nd ed.; BG-II; Brannigan & Decker, 2003) Copy and Recall scores in children between the ages of 4 and 7 years. Results confirm that maturation accounted for a large proportion of variance in both BG-II Copy and Recall performance, above which Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (5th ed.; SB-5; Roid, 2003) Quantitative Reasoning and Fluid Reasoning factors significantly contributed to visual-motor integration performance for the Copy phase, and SB-5 Quantitative Reasoning and Visual-Spatial factors accounted for a significant amount of variance for the Recall phase. Additionally, nonverbal domains were more related to visual-motor performance than verbal domains. Results from this study are interpreted to suggest nonverbal reasoning and visual-spatial attention are important contributing factors to visual-motor integration, as measured by the BG-II. Developmental implications of visual-motor integration skills, nonverbal problem solving, and mathematical competence are discussed.

Cognitive development and Down syndrome: age-related change on the Stanford-Binet test (fourth edition).

Growth models for subtests of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, 4th edition ( R. L. Thorndike, E. P. Hagen, & J. M. Sattler, 1986a , 1986b ) were developed for individuals with Down syndrome. Models were based on the assessments of 208 individuals who participated in longitudinal and cross-sectional research between 1987 and 2004. Variation in performance among individuals was large and significant across all subtests except Memory for Sentences. Scores on the Memory for Sentences subtest remained low between ages 4 to 30 years. Greatest variation was found on the Pattern Analysis subtest, where scores continued to rise into adulthood. Turning points for scores on the Vocabulary and Comprehension subtests appeared premature relative to normative patterns of development. The authors discuss development at the subdomain level and analyze both individual and group trajectories.