Fluid Reasoning Research Articles

Association Between Laterality Configuration and Intelligence and Neuropsychological Profile

Laterality is one of the main manifestations of lateralitation [1]. It is a voluntary, conscious and peripheral function that can be modified through training. It is expressed through the preferential use of the hand, leg, eye and ear [2]. The association between laterality and the cognitive hability or the neuropsychological profile is an issue that creates a lot of uncertainty. Because of that, the main target of this study is to explore the association between the laterality obtained in the tests of homogeneity and lateral preference [3] and the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) obtained in the Weschler intelligence battery for children WISC-IV [4] of a clinical sample of 518 subjects from six to sixteen years old. The obtained results showed that there isn’t a statistically significant difference between the different types of laterality and the CIT, but statistically significant differences were found in the Fluid Reasoning Index, specifically in the test of Cubes in favor of subjects with homogeneous laterality. This implies a possible impact form laterality’s configuration in cognitive development and learning; being a matter of importance to attend it in subjects with learning problems.

Bootstrap Exploratory Graph Analysis of the WISC-V with a Clinical Sample.

One important aspect of construct validity is structural validity. Structural validity refers to the degree to which scores of a psychological test are a reflection of the dimensionality of the construct being measured. A factor analysis, which assumes that unobserved latent variables are responsible for the covariation among observed test scores, has traditionally been employed to provide structural validity evidence. Factor analytic studies have variously suggested either four or five dimensions for the WISC-V and it is unlikely that any new factor analytic study will resolve this dimensional dilemma. Unlike a factor analysis, an exploratory graph analysis (EGA) does not assume a common latent cause of covariances between test scores. Rather, an EGA identifies dimensions by locating strongly connected sets of scores that form coherent sub-networks within the overall network. Accordingly, the present study employed a bootstrap EGA technique to investigate the structure of the 10 WISC-V primary subtests using a large clinical sample (N = 7149) with a mean age of 10.7 years and a standard deviation of 2.8 years. The resulting structure was composed of four sub-networks that paralleled the first-order factor structure reported in many studies where the fluid reasoning and visual-spatial dimensions merged into a single dimension. These results suggest that discrepant construct and scoring structures exist for the WISC-V that potentially raise serious concerns about the test interpretations of psychologists who employ the test structure preferred by the publisher.

Psychological distress mediates the associations between neighborhood social cohesion (NSC) and cognitive performance in older adults

Abstract The aim of the current study is to test how psychological distress mediates the associations between neighborhood social cohesion (NSC) and cognitive performance including episodic memory, semantic verbal fluency, fluid reasoning, and numeracy in older adults. Nine multiple regressions were used to analyze the associations between NSC and cognitive performance, NSC and psychological distress, and psychological distress and cognitive performance respectively based on data from 4922 older adults with a mean age of 66.51 (S.D. = 8.27) years old and 47.01% males from Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS). Moreover, a mediation analysis was conducted by the mediation toolbox on MATLAB 2018a (https://github.com/canlab/MediationToolbox). The current study found that NSC is positively related to all cognitive measures but negatively related to psychological distress, whereas psychological distress is negatively associated with all cognitive performance. Moreover, there was a complete mediation effect of psychological distress on the positive association between NSC and semantic verbal fluency and the association between NSC and fluid reasoning. However, NSC only partially mediated the positive associations between NSC and episodic memory and numeracy respectively. From a policy standpoint, findings from the current study contribute evidence that reinforces the need for program designers and policymakers to join the WHO’s global efforts to build age-friendly communities, which promotes NSC, then leads to reduced psychological distress, and thus better cognitive functions among the elderly. Preserving cognitive functions may in turn reduce health care burdens.

Effects of intelligence and approximate number system on the non-symbolic division ability in preschoolers.

Recently, it has become evident that cognitive abilities such as the approximate number system (ANS), number knowledge, and intelligence affect individuals' fundamental mathematical ability. However, it is unclear which of these cognitive abilities have the greatest impact on the non-symbolic division ability in preschoolers. Therefore, in the present study, we included 4- to 6-year-old Korean preschoolers without prior formal education of division in order to test their ability to solve non-symbolic division problems, ANS acuity, and intelligence, and to determine the interrelationships among those functions (N = 38). We used the Panamath Dot Comparison Paradigm to measure the ANS acuity, employed non-symbolic division tasks to measure the ability to solve non-symbolic division problems, and measured the intelligence using the Korean version of the WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool Primary Scale of Intelligence-IV). Our results showed that, in all conditions of the non-symbolic division tasks, the 4- to 6-years old children were able to perform better than chance level. Additionally, in a relatively easy condition, the children's performance showed a significant positive correlation with full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and ANS acuity; however, in a more complex condition, only FSIQ was significantly correlated with their performance. Overall, we found significant relationships between the children's performance in the non-symbolic division tasks and verbal comprehension, fluid reasoning, and processing speed index. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that preschoolers without formal education on the arithmetic problem solving can solve non-symbolic division problems. Moreover, we suggest that both FSIQ and ANS ability play essential roles in children's ability to solve non-symbolic division problems, highlighting the significance of intelligence on children's fundamental mathematical ability.

Simple topological task-based functional connectivity features predict longitudinal behavioral change of fluid reasoning in the RANN cohort

Recent attention has been given to topological data analysis (TDA), and more specifically persistent homology (PH), to identify the underlying shape of brain network connectivity beyond simple edge pairings by computing connective components across different connectivity thresholds (see Sizemore et al., 2019). In the present study, we applied PH to task-based functional connectivity, computing 0-dimension Betti (B0) curves and calculating the area under these curves (AUC); AUC indicates how quickly a single connected component is formed across correlation filtration thresholds, with lower values interpreted as potentially analogous to lower whole-brain system segregation (e.g., Gracia-Tabuenca et al., 2020). One hundred sixty-three participants from the Reference Ability Neural Network (RANN) longitudinal lifespan cohort (age 20–80 years) were tested in-scanner at baseline and five-year follow-up on a battery of tests comprising four domains of cognition (i.e., Stern et al., 2014). We tested for 1.) age-related change in the AUC of the B0 curve over time, 2.) the predictive utility of AUC in accounting for longitudinal change in behavioral performance and 3.) compared system segregation to the PH approach. Results demonstrated longitudinal age-related decreases in AUC for Fluid Reasoning, with these decreases predicting longitudinal declines in cognition, even after controlling for demographic and brain integrity factors; moreover, change in AUC partially mediated the effect of age on change in cognitive performance. System segregation also significantly decreased with age in three of the four cognitive domains but did not predict change in cognition. These results argue for greater application of TDA to the study of aging.

Individual differences in T1w/T2w ratio development during childhood

Myelination is a key developmental process that promotes rapid and efficient information transfer. Myelin also stabilizes existing brain networks and thus may constrain neuroplasticity, defined here as the brain's potential to change in response to experiences rather than the canonical definition as the process of change. Characterizing individual differences in neuroplasticity may shed light on mechanisms by which early experiences shape learning, brain and body development, and response to interventions. The T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) MRI signal ratio is a proxy measure of cortical microstructure and thus neuroplasticity. Here, in pre-registered analyses, we investigated individual differences in T1w/T2w ratios in children (ages 4–10, n = 157). T1w/T2w ratios were positively associated with age within early-developing sensorimotor and attention regions. We also tested whether socioeconomic status, cognition (crystallized knowledge or fluid reasoning), and biological age (as measured with molar eruption) were related to T1w/T2w signal but found no significant effects. Associations among T1w/T2w ratios, early experiences, and cognition may emerge later in adolescence and may not be strong enough to detect in moderate sample sizes.

Neurocognitive basis of model-based decision making and its metacontrol in childhood

Human behavior is supported by both goal-directed (model-based) and habitual (model-free) decision-making, each differing in its flexibility, accuracy, and computational cost. The arbitration between habitual and goal-directed systems is thought to be regulated by a process known as metacontrol. However, how these systems emerge and develop remains poorly understood. Recently, we found that while children between 5 and 11 years displayed robust signatures of model-based decision-making, which increased during this developmental period, there were substantial individual differences in the display of metacontrol. Here, we inspect the neurocognitive basis of model-based decision-making and metacontrol in childhood and focus this investigation on executive functions, fluid reasoning, and brain structure. A total of 69 participants between the ages of 6–13 completed a two-step decision-making task and an extensive behavioral test battery. A subset of 44 participants also completed a structural magnetic resonance imaging scan. We find that individual differences in metacontrol are specifically associated with performance on an inhibition task and individual differences in thickness of dorsolateral prefrontal, temporal, and superior-parietal cortices. These brain regions likely reflect the involvement of cognitive processes crucial to metacontrol, such as cognitive control and contextual processing.

Cross‐sectional associations between use of time and cognition in healthy older adults

AbstractBackgroundPhysical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep are independently associated with cognition in older adults. These time‐use behaviours are not independent, rather, co‐dependent parts of the 24‐hour day. As such, spending more time in one leaves less time for the others. The balance of the three time‐use behaviours in the 24‐hour day (or time‐use composition) should be considered to inform 24‐hour movement guidelines for cognition and dementia risk reduction in older populations. Using a compositional data analysis approach, we investigated the associations between time use and cognition in a sample of healthy older adults.Method347 participants (age 60‐70 years; 68% female) took part in this study. 7 days of 24‐hour time use (time spent in sleep, sedentary behaviour, light and moderate‐vigorous physical activity) were captured using accelerometry. Cognition was measured using Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (global cognition) and computerized CANTAB tests measuring memory, executive function, fluid reasoning and processing speed.Cognitive outcomes were regressed on isometric log ratios (ilrs) of the time‐use compositions, while adjusting for age and sex demographics, to explore potential associations between cognition and time‐use behaviours. For each outcome, four sets of ilr‐coordinate systems were constructed, each with a different time‐use behaviour as the numerator of a log ratio to the mean of remaining time‐use behaviours. The regression coefficient of the first ilr‐coordinate in each of the four ilr systems therefore represented the association between increasing time in the first behaviour relative to all remaining behaviours.ResultAge was negatively associated with performance on memory, executive function, fluid reasoning and processing speed tests. More time in SB at the equal expense of all other behaviours was associated with better memory (β = 0.65, p<.01), whilst spending more time in sleep was associated with poorer memory (β = ‐0.63, p = .02). Spending more time in moderate‐vigorous physical activity was associated with better processing speed (β = 0.25, p = .01).ConclusionHow older adults use their time is associated with cognition. Findings suggest that moving towards a holistic understanding of time use is important to inform future dementia prevention strategies.

Neuropsychological profile of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and children with Developmental Language Disorder and its relationship with social communication

Objective The objective of this study was to probe neuropsychological mechanisms of social communication in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and children with Developmental Language Disorders (DLD). Due to overlap of symptoms that include social dysfunction, diagnostic boundaries between these two developmental disorders remain unclear. This study hypothesizes that these two groups of children differ in the characteristics and in the underlying mechanisms of their social issues. Method This study examines a wide range of neuropsychological domains in search of a relationship with social communication. A total of 75 children with ASD and 26 children with DLD are included. A cross-battery assessment of neuropsychological functions is conducted, and social communication is evaluated using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Results The neuropsychological profile for the ASD group differs from the DLD group, with the former demonstrating higher scores on Visual Processing and Comprehension, whereas the DLD group scores higher on Fluid Reasoning, Visual Processing and Processing Speed. Correlation analysis reveals that the association between neuropsychological domains and social communication differs between the groups. Discussion Children with ASD and DLD clearly have distinctive neuropsychological profiles—their strengths and weaknesses are not equivalent. Such results motivate broad assessment of neuropsychological functions, as this assists in differentiating ASD from DLD for theragnostic purposes.

The interrelatedness of cognitive abilities in very preterm and full-term born children at 5.5 years of age: a psychometric network analysis approach.

Very preterm (VP) birth is associated with a considerable risk for cognitive impairment, putting children at a disadvantage in academic and everyday life. Despite lower cognitive ability on the group level, there are large individual differences among VP born children. Contemporary theories define intelligence as a network of reciprocally connected cognitive abilities. Therefore, intelligence was studied as a network of interrelated abilities to provide insight into interindividual differences. We described and compared the network of cognitive abilities, including strength of interrelations between and the relative importance of abilities, of VP and full-term (FT) born children and VP children with below-average and average-high intelligence at 5.5 years. A total of 2,253 VP children from the EPIPAGE-2 cohort and 578 FT controls who participated in the 5.5-year-follow-up were eligible for inclusion. The WPPSI-IV was used to measure verbal comprehension, visuospatial abilities, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. Psychometric network analysis was applied to analyse the data. Cognitive abilities were densely and positively interconnected in all networks, but the strength of connections differed between networks. The cognitive network of VP children was more strongly interconnected than that of FT children. Furthermore, VP children with below average IQ had a more strongly connected network than VP children with average-high IQ. Contrary to our expectations, working memory had the least central role in all networks. In line with the ability differentiation hypothesis, children with higher levels of cognitive ability had a less interconnected and more specialised cognitive structure. Composite intelligence scores may therefore mask domain-specific deficits, particularly in children at risk for cognitive impairments (e.g., VP born children), even when general intelligence is unimpaired. In children with strongly and densely connected networks, domain-specific deficits may have a larger overall impact, resulting in lower intelligence levels.

Understanding Cognitive Deficits in People with Arthritis.

Cognitive deficits are commonly seen in people with arthritis. However, previous studies focused primarily on small-sized clinical samples. There is a need for cohort-based studies, which are characterized by high generalizability. In addition, these studies mainly focused on attention, memory, and executive function. However, cognition is not a single concept, but includes other cognitive domains, such as verbal fluency and arithmetic abilities. Thus, we aim to explore how arthritis can affect cognitive abilities, including episodic memory, semantic verbal fluency, fluid reasoning, and numerical ability by using a large cohort from the United Kingdom. The main findings were that people with arthritis have significantly lower immediate word recall (t(2257) = -6.40, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = -0.12, 95% C.I. = [-0.16, -0.08]), delayed word recall (t(2257) = -5.60, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = -0.11, 95% C.I. = [-0.14, -0.07]), semantic verbal fluency (t(2257) = -3.03, p < 0.01, Cohen's d = -0.06, 95% C.I. = [-0.10, -0.02]), fluid reasoning (t(2257) = -3.96, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = -0.07, 95% C.I. = [-0.11, -0.04]), and numerical ability (t(2257) = -3.85, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = -0.07, 95% C.I. = [-0.10, -0.03]) compared to what they would expect given their demographics. Interventions are needed to improve cognitive abilities in people with arthritis.

ChatGPT outscored human candidates in a virtual objective structured clinical examination in obstetrics and gynecology

Natural language processing is a form of artificial intelligence that allows human users to interface with a machine without using complex codes. The ability of natural language processing systems, such as ChatGPT, to successfully engage with healthcare systems requiring fluid reasoning, specialist data interpretation, and empathetic communication in an unfamiliar and evolving environment is poorly studied. This study investigated whether the ChatGPT interface could engage with and complete a mock objective structured clinical examination simulating assessment for membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. This study aimed to determine whether ChatGPT, without additional training, would achieve a score at least equivalent to that achieved by human candidates who sat for virtual objective structured clinical examinations in Singapore. This study was conducted in 2 phases. In the first phase, a total of 7 structured discussion questions were selected from 2 historical cohorts (cohorts A and B) of objective structured clinical examination questions. ChatGPT was examined using these questions and responses recorded in a script. Of note, 2 human candidates (acting as anonymizers) were examined on the same questions using videoconferencing, and their responses were transcribed verbatim into written scripts. The 3 sets of response scripts were mixed, and each set was allocated to 1 of 3 human actors. In the second phase, actors were used to presenting these scripts to examiners in response to the same examination questions. These responses were blind scored by 14 qualified examiners. ChatGPT scores were unblinded and compared with historical human candidate performance scores. The average score given to ChatGPT by 14 examiners was 77.2%. The average historical human score (n=26 candidates) was 73.7 %. ChatGPT demonstrated sizable performance improvements over the average human candidate in several subject domains. The median time taken for ChatGPT to complete each station was 2.54 minutes, well before the 10 minutes allowed. ChatGPT generated factually accurate and contextually relevant structured discussion answers to complex and evolving clinical questions based on unfamiliar settings within a very short period. ChatGPT outperformed human candidates in several knowledge areas. Not all examiners were able to discern between human and ChatGPT responses. Our data highlight the emergent ability of natural language processing models to demonstrate fluid reasoning in unfamiliar environments and successfully compete with human candidates that have undergone extensive specialist training.

Eye Gaze Patterns during Reasoning Provide Insights Regarding Individual Differences in Underlying Cognitive Abilities.

Sequences of eye movements during performance of a reasoning task has provided insights into the strategies individuals use to solve that specific task; however, prior studies have not examined whether eye gaze metrics reflect cognitive abilities in a way that transcends a specific task. Thus, our study aimed to explore the relationship between eye movement sequences and other behavioral measures. Here, we present two studies that related different eye gaze metrics in a matrix reasoning task with performance on a different test of fluid reasoning and tests of planning, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Additionally, we related gaze metrics to self-reported executive functioning in daily life, as measured by BRIEF-A. To perform this, we classified the participants' eye gaze in each item of the matrices test using an algorithm and then used LASSO regression models with the cognitive abilities as the dependent variable to select eye-tracking metrics to predict it. Overall, specific and distinct eye gaze metrics predicted 57% variance in the fluid reasoning scores; 17% variance in the planning scores; and 18% variance in the working memory scores. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that the selected eye-tracking metrics reflect cognitive abilities that transcend specific tasks.

Persistent homology-based functional connectivity and its association with cognitive ability: Life-span study.

Brain-segregation attributes in resting-state functional networks have been widely investigated to understand cognition and cognitive aging using various approaches [e.g., average connectivity within/between networks and brain system segregation (BSS)]. While these approaches have assumed that resting-state functional networks operate in a modular structure, a complementary perspective assumes that a core-periphery or rich club structure accounts for brain functions where the hubs are tightly interconnected to each other to allow for integrated processing. In this article, we apply a novel method, persistent homology (PH), to develop an alternative to standard functional connectivity by quantifying the pattern of information during the integrated processing. We also investigate whether PH-based functional connectivity explains cognitive performance and compare the amount of variability in explaining cognitive performance for three sets of independent variables: (1) PH-based functional connectivity, (2) graph theory-based measures, and (3) BSS. Resting-state functional connectivity data were extracted from 279 healthy participants, and cognitive ability scores were generated in four domains (fluid reasoning, episodic memory, vocabulary, and processing speed). The results first highlight the pattern of brain-information flow over whole brain regions (i.e., integrated processing) accounts for more variance of cognitive abilities than other methods. The results also show that fluid reasoning and vocabulary performance significantly decrease as the strength of the additional information flow on functional connectivity with the shortest path increases. While PH has been applied to functional connectivity analysis in recent studies, our results demonstrate potential utility of PH-based functional connectivity in understanding cognitive function.

Excess BMI in early adolescence adversely impacts maturating functional circuits supporting high-level cognition and their structural correlates.

Adverse effects of excess BMI (affecting 1 in 5 children in the US) on brain circuits during neurodevelopmentally vulnerable periods are incompletely understood. This study investigated BMI-related alterations in maturating functional networks and their underlying brain structures, and high-level cognition in early adolescence. Cross-sectional resting-state fMRI, structural sMRI, neurocognitive task scores, and BMI from 4922 youth [median (IQR) age = 120.0 (13.0) months, 2572 females (52.25%)] from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) cohort were analyzed. Comprehensive topological and morphometric network properties were estimated from fMRI and sMRI, respectively. Cross-validated linear regression models assessed correlations with BMI. Results were reproduced across multiple fMRI datasets. Almost 30% of youth had excess BMI, including 736 (15.0%) with overweight and 672 (13.7%) with obesity, and statistically more Black and Hispanic compared to white, Asian and non-Hispanic youth (p < 0.01). Those with obesity or overweight were less physically active, slept less than recommended, snored more frequently, and spent more time using an electronic device (p < 0.01). They also had lower topological efficiency, resilience, connectivity, connectedness and clustering in Default-Mode, dorsal attention, salience, control, limbic, and reward networks (p ≤ 0.04, Cohen's d: 0.07-0.39). Lower cortico-thalamic efficiency and connectivity were estimated only in youth with obesity (p < 0.01, Cohen's d: 0.09-0.19). Both groups had lower cortical thickness, volume and white matter intensity in these networks' constituent structures, particularly anterior cingulate, entorhinal, prefrontal, and lateral occipital cortices (p < 0.01, Cohen's d: 0.12-0.30), which also mediated inverse relationships between BMI and regional functional topologies. Youth with obesity or overweight had lower scores in a task measuring fluid reasoning - a core aspect of cognitive function, which were partially correlated with topological changes (p ≤ 0.04). Excess BMI in early adolescence may be associated with profound aberrant topological alterations in maturating functional circuits and underdeveloped brain structures that adversely impact core aspects of cognitive function.

5607610 HETEROGENEITY IN COGNITIVE PRESENTATIONS AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Background: Children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk for central nervous system (CNS) sequelae. Deleterious effects on CNS functioning and cognition have been well-described in terms of global intellectual functioning and specific areas of cognitive weakness. Among school-aged youth with SCD, deficits are broadly observed across a range of abilities; however, less is known about the heterogeneity in presentations of cognitive deficits in SCD and associated implications. Aims: We aimed to determine rates of comorbid cognitive deficits across specific domains of functioning and examine disease-related correlates and functional outcomes of multiple co-occurring cognitive deficits. Methods: Participants (ages 7-16 years) with SCD completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) and primary caregivers completed the Conners-3 to report on learning problems. WISC-V index scores were calculated for verbal comprehension, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. To investigate the heterogeneity of cognitive deficits, index scores were dichotomized and identified as a weakness if the standard score was ≤85 (i.e., 1 SD or more below the mean). Caregivers reported patient age and sex, while a review of the electronic health record was completed to verify SCD genotype and history of silent or overt cerebral infarct. Results: Ninety-one participants enrolled and completed a cognitive assessment. The mean age of participants was 10.43 years (SD=2.93) and the majority were female (59%), diagnosed with HbSS or HbS-beta0 thalassemia (75%), and had no evidence of silent or overt cerebral infarct (73%). While most participants demonstrated either no cognitive deficits or a deficit in only one domain of functioning (63%), a notable proportion of participants (37%) exhibited cognitive deficits across multiple (i.e., ≥2) domains. Nineteen percent of participants exhibited deficits in two domains of cognitive functioning, 11% had deficits in three domains, and 7% had deficits in four domains. In contrast, 17% of participants exhibited a cognitive deficit in only one domain. The most common comorbid deficits were observed for fluid reasoning and processing speed (18%) and working memory and processing speed (18%). Comorbid deficits in both verbal comprehension and working memory were the least common (9%). The number of domains ≥1 standard deviation below the mean was positively correlated with caregiver-rated learning problems (r=.38, p<.001). In a multiple linear regression controlling for age, sex, genotype, and stroke history, the number of domains of cognitive weakness significantly predicted caregiver-rated learning problems (b=4.29, p<.001). Conclusion: A high level of heterogeneity in cognitive deficits was observed in the current sample of youth with SCD. Among those with any cognitive deficits, it was more common for participants to have multiple areas of cognitive weakness than a single area of weakness. Deficits in processing speed showed high comorbidity with deficits in other areas, specifically in fluid reasoning and working memory. Having deficits across multiple areas of functioning was associated with increased learning problems. Additional research needs to examine the etiology of comorbid cognitive deficits, implications for disease self-management, and the extent to which cognitive interventions targeting multiple domains of weakness could enhance outcomes.

The distribution of IQ index scores in the psychometric profile of children with High Intellectual Potential (HIP): Is the heterogeneity specific to HIP?

IntroductionThe majority of studies on the HIP IQ attest a heterogeneity of the IQ profile as specific to HIP. However, the samples are recruited in clinical consultations. Thus, it is important to investigate new samples from schools.ObjectivesWe aimed to analyze the index scores of the IQ profile of children without disorders or specific school assistance.MethodsThe WISC-V was conducted and analyzed in 80 healthy children (50 HIP vs. 30 non-HIP), aged 7-to-13 years-old (mean 10y; SD 1.8). All children were recruited in private and public schools in Paris.Results All IQ index scores were significantly higher in the HIP vs. non-HIP. In both groups, the Verbal Comprehension Index was the highest index while the Processing Speed Index was the lowest. There are significantly (p=0.02) more heterogeneous IQ profiles in HIP (64%) vs. non-HIP (47%), with a significantly larger gap between the highest and lowest index (respectively: median = 29.5 vs. 21.5). There was a significant-positive correlation between IQ level in general and the heterogeneity of the profile (r = 0.42; p&lt;0.001).ConclusionsThe HIP children show better verbal, visual-spatial, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed index scores. However, the distribution of IQ index scores was similar in both groups. Thus, the heterogeneity of the IQ profile is not specific to HIP children, but rather related to IQ score level. This highlights the importance of considering the IQ as a continuum rather than as a categorical distribution. Moreover, it points to the interest to better understand the IQ profile by completing it with multidimensional assessments.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The shifting role of fluid reasoning in reading among children evaluated for ADHD

Children with attentional difficulties are more likely than their peers to experience challenges in basic reading skills, including phonemic decoding and word recognition. Such challenges may require reliance on higher-order cognitive functions such as fluid reasoning (Gf) to attain reading proficiency. The present study sought to clarify the role of Gf in phonemic decoding and word recognition among children—in grades 1–7 (n = 156)—being evaluated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Effects of Gf were examined in relation to crystallized knowledge (Gc). Results indicated that Gf exerted a direct effect onto phonemic decoding in early grades (grades 1–2) but not in later grades (grades 3–7). Gf also exerted an indirect effect onto phonemic decoding—through Gc—in later grades (grades 3–7) but not in early grades (grades 1–2). Finally, Gf exerted an indirect effect onto word recognition through phonemic decoding in grades 1–4 but not in grades 5–7. Altogether, findings show that Gf plays a direct role in younger children’s phonemic decoding and an indirect role in word recognition (through Gc) in later grades, suggesting a shift in Gf’s role across grade levels. Although findings need replication in longitudinal research, current results have implications for both typical and atypical reading development.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the WJ IV Cognitive: What Does the Standard Battery Measure at School Age?

This study aimed to evaluate the tenability of the proposed scoring/interpretive structure for the Woodcock-Johnson IV Test of Cognitive Abilities (WJ IV COG) Standard Battery configuration of subtests using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) at school age. Results indicated that a three-factor hierarchical model, consistent with the CHC theory (Crystallized Ability, Fluid Reasoning, Short-Term Memory/Working Memory), provided the best fit to the WJ IV COG normative data. Whereas the preferred CHC interpretive structure was largely replicated, indices of interpretive relevance indicated that, among the Stratum II/III attributes that were located, only the omnibus general intelligence dimension should be interpreted with confidence. Nevertheless, several subtests contained adequate specificity to be interpreted in isolation apart from broad abilities. Implications for clinical interpretation are discussed.

Developmental Correlates of Accelerated Molar Eruption in Early Childhood

BackgroundAdversity has been linked to accelerated maturation. Molar eruption is a simple and scalable way to identify early maturation, but its developmental correlates remain unexplored. Thus, we examined whether accelerated maturation as indexed by molar eruption is associated with children’s mental health or cognitive skills. MethodsMolar eruption was evaluated from T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in 117 children (63 female; ages 4–7 years). Parents reported on child mental health with the Child Behavior Checklist. Children completed standardized assessments of fluid reasoning, working memory, processing speed, crystallized knowledge, and math performance. Relationships between molar eruption and developmental outcomes were examined using linear models, with age, gender, and stress risk as covariates. ResultsEarlier molar eruption was positively associated with children’s externalizing symptoms (false discovery rate-corrected p [pFDR] = .027) but not internalizing symptoms, and the relationship with externalizing symptoms did not hold when controlling for stress risk. Earlier molar eruption was negatively associated with fluid reasoning (pFDR < .001), working memory (pFDR = .033), and crystallized knowledge (pFDR = .001). The association between molar eruption and both reasoning and crystallized knowledge held when controlling for stress risk. Molar eruption also partially mediated associations between stress risk and both reasoning (proportion mediated = 0.273, p = .004) and crystallized knowledge (proportion mediated = 0.126, p = .016). ConclusionsAccelerated maturation, as reflected in early molar eruption, may have consequences for cognitive development, perhaps because it constrains brain plasticity. Knowing the pace of a child’s maturation may provide insight into the impact of a child’s stress history on their cognitive development.