IQ Level Research Articles

The Use of Jordanian Arabic Possessive Pronouns by Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Aim. This study aimed to investigate the use of different Jordanian Arabic possessive pronouns by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and explore the influence of their IQ on the usage of possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives. 
 Methods. The study employed a paired-choice preference assessment method adapted from Fisher et al. (1992). The sample consisted of 16 autistic children aged 11–15, divided into two groups based on their IQ: low (70–74) and high (76–80). The participants were presented with two stimuli and observed as they made choices and interacted with the selected stimulus. Preference percentages were calculated to determine their choices. The data analytics included descriptive statistics and t-tests to assess differences between groups. 
 Results. The findings revealed that children with autism struggled to use and produce all possessive pronouns effectively in both forms. Additionally, the results indicated a preference for possessive pronouns over possessive adjectives among the autistic participants. 
 Conclusions. Notably, the study highlights that the children’s IQ played a significant role in their usage and production of possessive pronouns. Based on these findings, it is recommended that interventions and educational programs for children with autism incorporate targeted teaching strategies for the proper use of possessive pronouns. These strategies should be tailored to the individual language and cognitive abilities of the child, considering their IQ level as an influencing factor.

B - 89 The Association between Cognitive Ability and Performance Consistency on Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT).

To evaluate the relation between cognitive abilities and intra-individual variability (IIV) on the PASAT. 205 participants (M = 19years old, SD = 1.5; 55.1% female, 60% White, 24.4% Black, 6% Asian) completed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV), PASAT, Animal Naming, Trail-Making Test (TMT) Parts A and B, and CNS Vital Signs. Normed scores were used for analysis. IIV on PASAT was calculated as the standard deviation around their own mean across four rates of presentation (2.4, 2.0, 1.6, and 1.2seconds). Pearson r correlations revealed PASAT total score was correlated with FSIQ [r = 0.56; p < 0.001], Animal Naming [r = 0.27; p < 0.001], CNS psychomotor speed [r = 0.27; p < 0.001], CNS cognitive flexibility [r = 0.24; p < 0.001], Trails Part B [r = 0.28; p < 0.001] and CNS executive functioning [r = 0.22; p < 0.001]. PASAT IIV was negatively correlated with FSIQ [r = -0.46; p < 0.001] and Animal Naming [r = -0.15; p = 0.034]. There were no significant associations between PASAT IIV and CNS vital signs domains or TMT performance. PASAT total score and performance variability were related to general intellectual ability. Individuals with higher IQ levels were more consistent for PASAT performance and performed better on the task. This is at odds with previous IIV research in health samples where IIV increases with global cognitive ability. Additionally, PASAT IIV was negatively related to Animal Naming performance but not other aspects of executive functioning. This unexpected finding requires further research.

Children With Developmental Language Disorder Have Lower Quality of Life Than Children With Typical Development and Children With Cochlear Implants.

The purpose of this study was to examine quality of life (QOL) and its relation to language skills in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). This was examined by comparing QOL to a control group of children with typical development (TD), as well as children with cochlear implants (CIs), who potentially struggle with language for language, although for a different reason than children with DLD. Two groups of children, a group with TD (n = 29) and a group of children with CIs (n = 29), were matched to the DLD group (n = 29) on chronological age, gender, nonverbal IQ, and parental educational level through a propensity matching procedure. A third group consisting of children with CIs was also matched to the DLD group but additionally matched on language abilities. QOL scores were compared across groups, and the association between language skills and QOL was examined in the DLD group. The DLD group was reported by parents to have statistically significantly poorer QOL scores than peers with TD or CIs. When controlling for language skills, either statistically or through an additional CI group matched on language abilities, there were no statistically significant differences in QOL scores across groups. In the DLD group, language skills explained 16% of the variation in QOL. DLD is associated with the children's overall QOL, and the degree of reduced QOL relates to the severity of the language impairment.

Characterization of single- and multi-energy CT performance of an oral dark borosilicate contrast media using a clinical photon-counting-detector CT platform.

The feasibility of oral dark contrast media is under exploration in abdominal computed tomography (CT) applications. One of the experimental contrast media in this class is dark borosilicate contrast media (DBCM), which has a CT attenuation lower than that of intra-abdominal fat. To evaluate the performances of DBCM using single- and multi-energy CT imaging on a clinical photon-counting-detector CT (PCD-CT). Five vials, three with iodinated contrast agent (5, 10, and 20mg/mL; Omnipaque 350) and two with DBCM (6% and 12%; Nextrast, Inc.), and one solid-water rod (neutral contrast agent) were inserted into two multi-energy CT phantoms, and scanned on a clinical PCD-CT system (NAEOTOM Alpha) at 90, 120, 140, Sn100, and Sn140 kV (Sn: tin filter) in multi-energy mode. CARE keV IQ level was 180 (CTDIvol: 3.0 and 12.0 mGy for the small and large phantoms, respectively). Low-energy threshold images were reconstructed with a quantitative kernel (Qr40, iterative reconstruction strength 2) and slice thickness/increment of 2.0/2.0mm. Virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) were reconstructed from 40 to 140keV at 10keV increments. On all images, average CT numbers for each vial/rod were measured using circular region-of-interests and averaged over eight slices. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of iodine (5mg/mL) against DBCM was calculated and plotted against tube potential and VMI energy level, and compared to the CNR of iodine against water. Similar analyses were performed on iodine maps and VNC images derived from the multi-energy scan at 120kV. With increasing kV or VMI keV, the negative HU of DBCM decreased only slightly, whereas the positive HU of iodine decreased across all contrast concentrations and phantom sizes. CT numbers for DBCM decreased from -178.5±9.6 to -194.4±6.3 HU (small phantom) and from -181.7±15.7 to -192.1±11.9 HU (large phantom) for DBCM-12% from 90 to Sn140 kV; on VMIs, the CT numbers for DBCM decreased minimally from -147.1±15.7 to -185.1±9.2 HU (small phantom) and -158.8±28.6 to -188.9±14.7 HU (large phantom) from 40 to 70keV, but remained stable from 80 to 140keV. The highest iodine CNR against DBCM in low-energy threshold images was seen at 90 or Sn140 kV for the small phantom, whereas all CNR values from low-energy threshold images for the large phantom were comparable. The CNR values of iodine against DBCM computed on VMIs were highest at 40 or 70keV depending on iodine and DBCM concentrations. The CNR values of iodine against DBCM were consistently higher than iodine to water (up to 460% higher dependent on energy level). Further, the CNR of iodine compared to DBCM is less affected by VMI energy level than the identical comparison between iodine and water: CNR values at 140keV were reduced by 46.6% (small phantom) or 42.6% (large phantom) compared to 40keV; CNR values for iodine compared to water were reduced by 86.3% and 83.8% for similar phantom sizes, respectively. Compared to 70keV VMI, the iodine CNR against DBCM was 13%-79% lower on iodine maps and VNC. When evaluated at different tube potentials and VMI energy levels using a clinical PCD-CT system, DBCM showed consistently higher CNR compared to iodine versus water (a neutral contrast).

Do Cognitive-Achievement Relations Vary by General Ability Level?

Cognitive-achievement relations research has been instrumental in understanding the development of academic skills and learning difficulties. Most cognitive-achievement relations research has been conducted with large samples and represent average relations across the ability spectrum. A notable gap in the literature is whether these relations vary by cognitive ability levels (IQ). This study examined cognitive-achievement relations across different general ability levels (Low, Average, and High) to fill this gap. Based on Spearman's Law of Diminishing Returns, it would be expected that general intelligence would be a stronger predictor of academic skills at lower levels of IQ, and more specific abilities would be stronger predictors of academic skills at higher levels of IQ. To test this, multi-group path analysis and structural equation modeling were used to examine whether integrated models of cognitive-reading relations are differentiated by IQ levels in the Woodcock-Johnson III and Woodcock-Johnson IV standardization samples. Global and broad cognitive abilities were used as predictors of basic reading skills and reading comprehension for elementary and secondary school students. The magnitude of prediction differed across ability groups in some cases, but not all. Importantly, the variance explained in basic reading skills and reading comprehension tended to be larger for the Low group compared to the Average and High groups. When variance accounted for by general intelligence was removed from the broad abilities, the effects of the broad abilities were similar across ability groups, but the indirect effects of g were higher for the Low group. Additionally, g had stronger relative effects on reading in the Low group, and broad abilities had stronger relative effects on reading in the Average and High groups. The implications and limitations of this study are discussed.

Timing of Alzheimer's Disease by Intellectual Disability Level in Down Syndrome.

Trisomy 21 causes Down syndrome (DS) and is a recognized cause of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). The current study sought to determine if premorbid intellectual disability level (ID) was associated with variability in age-trajectories of AD biomarkers and cognitive impairments. General linear mixed models compared the age-trajectory of the AD biomarkers PET Aβ and tau and cognitive decline across premorbid ID levels (mild, moderate, and severe/profound), in models controlling trisomy type, APOE status, biological sex, and site. Analyses involved adults with DS from the Alzheimer's Biomarkers Consortium-Down Syndrome. Participants completed measures of memory, mental status, and visuospatial ability. Premorbid ID level was based on IQ or mental age scores prior to dementia concerns. PET was acquired using [11C] PiB for Aβ, and [18F] AV-1451 for tau. Cognitive data was available for 361 participants with a mean age of 45.22 (SD = 9.92) and PET biomarker data was available for 154 participants. There was not a significant effect of premorbid ID level by age on cognitive outcomes. There was not a significant effect of premorbid ID by age on PET Aβ or on tau PET. There was not a significant difference in age at time of study visit of those with mild cognitive impairment-DS or dementia by premorbid ID level. Findings provide robust evidence of a similar time course in AD trajectory across premorbid ID levels, laying the groundwork for the inclusion of individuals with DS with a variety of IQ levels in clinical AD trials.

Photon-counting CT allows better visualization of temporal bone structures in comparison with current generation multi-detector CT

PurposeTo compare photon-counting CT (PCCT) and multi-detector CT (MDCT) for visualization of temporal bone anatomic structures.MethodsThirty-six exams of temporal bones without pathology were collected from consecutive patients on a MDCT, and another 35 exams on a PCCT scanner. Two radiologists independently scored visibility of 14 structures for the MDCT and PCCT dataset, using a 5-point Likert scale, with a 2-month wash-out period. For MDCT, the acquisition parameters were: 110 kV, 64 × 0.6 mm (slice thickness reconstructed to 0.4 mm), pitch 0.85, quality ref. mAs 150, and 1 s rotation time; for PCCT: 120 kV, 144 × 0.2 mm, pitch 0.35, IQ level 75, and 0.5 s rotation time. Patient doses were reported as dose length product values (DLP). Statistical analysis was done using the Mann–Whitney U test, visual grading characteristic (VGC) analysis, and ordinal regression.ResultsSubstantial agreement was found between readers (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.63 and 0.52 for MDCT and PCCT, resp.). All structures were scored higher for PCCT (p < 0.0001), except for Arnold’s canal (p = 0.12). The area under the VGC curve was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.73–0.79), indicating a significantly better visualization on PCCT. Ordinal regression showed the odds for better visualization are 354 times higher (95% CI, 75–1673) in PCCT (p < 0.0001). Average (range) of DLP was 95 (79–127) mGy*cm for MDCT and 74 (50–95) mGy*cm for PCCT (p < 0.001).ConclusionPCCT provides a better depiction of temporal bone anatomy than MDCT, at a lower radiation dose.Graphical Critical relevance statementPCCT provides a better depiction of temporal bone anatomy than MDCT, at a lower radiation dose.Key pointsPCCT allows high-resolution imaging of temporal bone structures.Compared to MDCT, the visibility of normal temporal bone structures is scored better with PCCT.PCCT allows to obtain high-quality CT images of the temporal bones at lower radiation doses than MDCT.

Evolving Implicit Metaphors for Understanding Giftedness: From Banks to Foundations

ABSTRACT Two implicit metaphors can be seen as having dominated the study of the gifted—the savings bank and the investment bank. In the savings-bank metaphor, people have differential levels of IQ or general intelligence, which is viewed as determining whether they are gifted. Their cognitive ability is their metaphorical “money in the bank.” In the investment-bank metaphor, people are seen as having differential investments in varied kinds of abilities and talents. Their pattern of abilities is their metaphorical portfolio of investments. A better implicit metaphor might be the foundation, however, whose effectiveness is judged by the worthiness of the transformational causes to which it contributes and the effectiveness of the use of the foundation’s assets toward these causes. A person is gifted by virtue not merely of the assets they have but of how they transformationally deploy those assets.

Impairment of cognitive functions in children and adolescents with focal epilepsy

IntroductionFrontal Lobe Epilepsy (FLE) and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) are the two most frequent types of focal epilepsies and they are connected with difficulties in cognitive functioning. Despite multiple trials to systematize profile of cognitive functioning among children with epilepsy by researchers, the available data are ambiguous. The aim of our study was to compare the cognitive function of children upon diagnosis of TLE and FLE and during follow-up and to compare with a control group of healthy children. Material and methodsStudy included 39 patients with newly diagnosed TLE, 24 patients with FLE whose first epileptic seizure occurred between their 6th and 12th year of life and 24 healthy children matched by age, sex and IQ level. Neuropsychological examination was performed the moment of diagnosis and 2–3 years later using diagnostic tools validated and standardized to the patient’s age. Intergroup comparison was conducted in both stages of study. Also, correlation between localization of epileptic focus and cognitive difficulties was analysed. ResultsChildren with FLE and TLE accomplished worse results in most of the cognitive tasks compared to the control group already in the initial examination. Patients with FLE presented difficulties in memorizing verbal and visual material, attention and in learning new information. Patients with TLE had difficulties in tasks engaging verbal and non-verbal memory and attention. In the follow-up, patients with FLE presented more severe cognitive impairment compared with the other groups. Despite similar tendencies among children with TLE significantly worse results in tasks engaging verbal memory and attention were observed among patients with FLE. It is noteworthy that patients suffering from FLE and TLE present deficits in many aspects of cognitive functioning already at the time of diagnosis. ConclusionChildren and adolescents suffering from epilepsy are at risk of psychosocial difficulties, emotional disorders and mental illnesses. Thus, full assessment of cognitive function is essential in this patient group not only at the moment of diagnosis but also during follow-up in order to quickly introduce an individual support system.

Towards a Heuristic Neuropsychological Model of Adjudicative Competency.

This study sought to delineate the neuropsychological processes that undergird the psycho-legal concept of competency to stand trial (CST). Accordingly, we retrospectively examined the relationship between clinical judgments of competence or incompetence of defendants committed to a maximum-security psychiatric facility and neuropsychological measures of cognitive and social intelligence and declarative memory. Results indicated that both groups (competent and incompetent) showed similar levels of depressed cognitive intelligence with Wechsler full-scale IQ levels falling in the upper end of the borderline range. Compared with defendants clinically judged as incompetent, defendants recommended as competent scored significantly higher on measures of social intelligence and episodic memory, with the most pronounced advantage occurring on tests of verbal memory that place heavy demands on encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of aurally presented narrative material. Cognitive capacities in areas of social intelligence and episodic memory may play critical roles in developing a heuristic neuropsychological model of CST. The evaluation of these domains offers implications for the assessment, restoration, and understanding of CST.

Autosomal recessive variants c.953A>C and c.97-1G>C in NSUN2 causing intellectual disability: a molecular dynamics simulation study of loss-of-function mechanisms.

Intellectual disability (ID) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. It drastically affects the learning capabilities of patients and eventually reduces their IQ level below 70. The current genetic study ascertained two consanguineous Pakistani families suffering from autosomal recessive intellectual developmental disorder-5 (MRT5). We have used exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing to identify the disease-causing variants. Genetic analysis using whole exome sequencing in these families identified two novel mutations in the NSUN2 (NM_017755.5). Family-A segregated a novel missense variant c.953A>C; p.Tyr318Ser in exon-9 of the NSUN2. The variant substituted an amino acid Tyr318, highly conserved among different animal species and located in the functional domain of NSUN2 known as "SAM-dependent methyltransferase RsmB/NOP2-type". Whereas in family B, we identified a novel splice site variant c.97-1G>C that affects the splice acceptor site of NSUN2. The identified splice variant (c.97-1G>C) was predicted to result in the skipping of exon-2, which would lead to a frameshift followed by a premature stop codon (p. His86Profs*16). Furthermore, it could result in the termination of translation and synthesis of dysfunctional protein, most likely leading to nonsense-mediated decay. The dynamic consequences of NSUN2 missense variant was further explored together with wildtype through molecular dynamic simulations, which uncovered the disruption of NSUN2 function due to a gain in structural flexibility. The present molecular genetic study further extends the mutational spectrum of NSUN2 to be involved in ID and its genetic heterogeneity in the Pakistani population.

National intelligence and illicit trade: a cross-country study

PurposeIllicit trade is pervasive in many nations and may be influenced by the level of national IQ. The current interdisciplinary paper aims to study the association between national intelligence and illicit trade across nations.Design/methodology/approachThe illicit trade index scores for 84 countries, developed by the Economics Intelligence Unit, are used to measure the dependent variable. The independent variable is national intelligence, while economic development, unemployment and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are the control variables. Two-level hierarchical linear models (HLMs) are used to empirically test the above-mentioned association.FindingsThe empirical results suggest that the higher the degree of national intelligence, the lower is the degree of illicit trade across nations. In addition, economic development, unemployment and national culture play an important role in explaining cross-country differences in illicit trade.Practical implicationsRegulatory authorities should find the results of this cross-national research useful in evaluating the likelihood of illicit trade from a cognitive perspective, and in implementing reforms to curb this type of economic crimes.Originality/valueThis interdisciplinary study makes novel contributions to the literature on economic and financial crimes. First, for the first time to the best of the authors’ knowledge, an association between national intelligence and illicit trade is examined. A second original contribution of this study compared to earlier research is related to the use of two-level HLMs. Third, the investigation of the association between intelligence and illicit trade takes a new control variable into consideration, i.e. unemployment, a variable which is found to have a significant effect on illicit trade and that has not been used directly in relationship with illicit trade so far.

Pseudoenhancement in Cystic Renal Lesions – Impact of Virtual Monoenergetic Images of Photon-Counting Detector CT on Lesion Classification

To investigate the impact of virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) from photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) on the enhancement and classification of renal cysts. Adults with renal cysts (≥7mm) who received a triphasic examination on a clinical PCD-CT (120kVp; IQ level 68) between July 2021 and March 2022 were retrospectively identified. Only non-enhancing cysts (enhancement<10HU between unenhanced and venous phase at 70keV) were included. VMI from 40 to 190keV with increments of 10keV were reconstructed from the venous phase. Enhancement was measured to classify each lesion as non-enhancing (<10HU), equivocally enhancing (10-19HU), and definitely enhancing (≥20HU). Classification changes as a function of VMI were assessed. Pearson correlation coefficient, the Kruskal-Wallis and the Chi-square test were used. A total of 86patients (mean age, 74±9 years; 74 male) with 160 non-enhancing renal cysts (17.6±10mm) were included. CT attenuation of the cysts increased from higher to lower VMI levels with a mean attenuation of 4±11HU at 190keV to 36±17HU at 40keV. Mean attenuation of the renal parenchyma was 43±4HU at 190keV and 414±71HU at 40keV. No cyst exhibited enhancement from 70keV to 190keV. At 40, 50, and 60keV, 35% (56/160), 29% (47/160) and 9% (15/160) of cysts showed equivocal and 46% (74/160), 10% (16/160), and 0% (0/160) definite enhancement, respectively. There was no significant influence of size (P=.13), cyst location (P=.9) and BMI (P=.19) on enhancement classification. VMI has a relevant impact on enhancement and classification of renal cysts with misclassification in a large number of cases at energy levels below 70keV.

A study on EQ, IQ and SQ

This creative and innovative strategic technique was developed and optimized to enable the implementation of new and better solutions. The uniqueness offered by this research paper being the service not only focus on a single type of intelligence but combines IQ, EQ and SQ, deeming them all equally important and essential for human character growth and development. Intelligence Quotient is the measure of one’s level of comprehension. You need IQ to solve mathematics, memorize things, and recall lessons. Emotional Quotient is the measure of one’s ability to maintain peace with others, keep to time, be responsible, be honest, respect boundaries, be humble, genuine and considerate. Lastly, Social Quotient is the measure of one’s ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time. People that have higher EQ and SQ tend to go further in life than those with a high IQ but low EQ and SQ. This research paper focuses on the challenges faced by students where most schools capitalize on improving IQ levels while EQ and SQ are played down. A man of high IQ can end up being employed by a man of high EQ and SQ even though he has an average IQ. This is why as a step out of the box the research paper provides the users with academic centres equipped with highly skilled professional that focus on building ones IQ EQ and SQ respectively. A student’s intellectual capability, mental capacity and social receptivity is analysed by our teachers who in turn curate personalized academic patterns or syllabus for the student that will help them grow in an environment personally made by them rather than being subjected to a learning method that is monotonous and standardized for all the children in a classroom. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from a sample of 150 respondents who identified as the student community of Bangalore who are subjected to standardized classroom learning. In conclusion, this way a student is taught using his likes and interests, with a teaching method individualized and customized for them through which no child is left behind in the race of life and all are nurtured based on their individual capabilities rather that recognising every kid in the classroom as likeminded. Keywords: Students, IQ, EQ, SQ, Classroom learning, Academic centres.

Serial sexual murder by juveniles and the role of sexual sadism: An international study.

This is a descriptive study of 21 cases of serial sexual murder by children and adolescents spanning nearly the past century and a half. No earlier cases worldwide were identified. Each of these youth committed two or more sexual homicides prior to age 18. Their psychopathological, psychosocial, crime scene behaviors, and offender-victim relationship characteristics are presented. Additionally, the role of sexual sadism and its measurement using the SADSEX-SH rating scale is addressed. Nearly all of the sample had conduct disorder, a paraphilic disorder, and sadistic fantasies, and two-thirds had sexual sadism disorder. Family dysfunction, serious school problems, and average or above IQ levels were typical. Their modus operandi generally reflected predatory behavior and direct contact methods of killing were most common. Two case reports are provided to illustrate the breadth and complexity of these offenders. Juvenile Serial Sexual Homicide is an extremely rare but persistent phenomenon. Prognostic implications and future research directions are discussed.

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

Correlation between BDNF levels and folic acid levels at baseline in drug-naïve First Episode Psychosis

IntroductionSchizophrenia is a severe and common psychiatric disorder characterized by disturbed brain development. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mediates differentiation and survival of neurons as well as synaptic plasticity during the brain development. Several studies have shown decreased serum levels of BDNF in chronic, first episode, and drug naïve schizophrenia patients. Folate provides the substrate for intracellular methylation reactions that are essential to normal brain development and function. Abnormal folate metabolism has been implicated in schizophrenia. For example, reduced maternal folate intake associated with an increased risk for schizophrenia. Also, low blood levels of folate have been reported in patients with schizophrenia, and are associated with clinical manifestation especially in the negative symptom domain.ObjectivesWith this study, we want to know how BDNF levels at baseline in drug-naïve FEP are associated with folic acid.MethodsFifty drug-naïve FEP treated between April 2013 and July 2017 at the ETEP Program at Hospital del Mar were included. Inclusion criteria were: 1) age 18-35 years; 2) DSM-IV-TR criteria for brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizophrenia or unspecified psychosis; 3) no previous history of severe neurological medical conditions or severe traumatic brain injury; 4) presumed IQ level &gt; 80, and 5) no substance abuse or dependence disorders except for cannabis and/or nicotine use. All patients underwent an assessment at baseline including sociodemographic and clinical variables. Fasting blood samples were obtained before administering any medication at baseline and used to determine folic acid and BDNF levels.ResultsIn our drug-naïve FEP sample, folic acid levels showed a significative positive correlation with BDNF levels at baseline (r = 0.584; p = 0.003). Moreover, we did a lineal regression model that showed that the baseline variables that better predict BDNF levels were folic acid levels, and cannabis use.ConclusionsOur results are consistent with the findings from some of previous studies that also shows that lower folic acid levels are associated with lower BNDF levels at baseline in drug-naïve FEP. Folate deficiency is associated with cerebrovascular and neurological diseases, and mood disorders. The importance of folate in the nervous system was initially demonstrated in studies that established a greatly increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring of folate-deficient pregnant women. In the adult, epidemiological studies have linked lack of folate to neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. However, the mechanisms by which chronic folate deficiency adversely affects CNS function are incompletely understood. Some studies in animals models have hypothesized that folate deficiency in animals could be associated with pyramidal cell loss and reduced hippocampal BDNF.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Health risks of heavy metals in food and their economic burden in Armenia

Mining leads to excessive heavy metal contamination of agricultural products in Armenia and can adversely impact human health. We quantify the concentrations of toxic heavy metals (lead, nickel, cadmium, and mercury) in food sampled from local markets of the capital city, Yerevan. We combine these measured concentrations with data from a diet survey of 1,195 people. The results provide an estimate of people’s heavy metal intake in a typical day.The study finds that only dietary exposure to lead raises consumer safety concerns. More than 50 % of the population have daily intakes of lead that exceed the benchmark dose level (BMDL10) of 0.63 μg/kg b.w./day established by European Food Safety Authority. Moreover, risk assessment results indicate that approximately 96 % of the population has dietary exposure values for lead that exceed the threshold level, with animal products as the primary source. The lead exposure observed in sampled population has the potential to increase blood pressure on average by 0.54 mmHg, lower IQ levels by 1.2 point, and reduce lifetime earnings by $5000. The study reveals a strong need to determine the specific pathways by which lead enters the food supply, to mitigate the excess exposures, and to reduce the potential or severity of the resulting adverse health impacts.

The effect of damage to the white matter network and premorbid intellectual ability on postoperative verbal short-term memory and functional outcome in patients with brain lesions.

Cognitive reserve is the capacity to cope with cognitive decline due to brain damage caused by neurological diseases. Premorbid IQ has been investigated as a proxy for cognitive reserve. To date, no study has focused on the effects of premorbid IQ in patients with brain tumors, considering the damage to white matter tracts. We investigated whether a higher premorbid IQ has a beneficial impact on postoperative verbal short-term memory and functional outcomes in patients with brain tumors. A total of 65 patients with brain tumors (35 right and 30 left hemisphere lesions) and 65 healthy subjects participated in the study. We used multiple regression analysis to examine whether white matter tract damage and premorbid IQ affect postoperative verbal short-term memory, and the interaction effects of premorbid IQ with damage to white matter tract on postoperative verbal short-term memory. Path analysis was used to investigate the relationship between damage to the white matter tract and premorbid IQ on postoperative functional ability. Our results showed that damage to the left arcuate fasciculus affected postoperative functional ability through verbal short-term memory, working memory, and global cognition in patients with left hemisphere lesions. In the right hemisphere lesion group, high premorbid IQ had a positive effect on functional ability by mediating verbal short-term memory, verbal working memory, and global cognition. We found that damage to the eloquent pathway affected postoperative verbal short-term memory regardless of the premorbid IQ level. However, a higher premorbid IQ was associated with better postoperative verbal short-term memory and functional outcomes when the brain lesions were not located in a crucial pathway. Our findings suggest that premorbid IQ and damage to the white matter tracts should be considered predictors of postoperative functional outcomes.

Savaştan Etkilenen Çocukların Sağlık Sorunları: Sistematik Derleme

War Affected Children’s Health Problems: A Systematic Review Introduction: War impairs the bio-psycho-social health of individuals by increasing mortality and morbidity. Children’s basic lifestyles suffer. This systematic review was carried out to determine the physical, psychological and psychosocial health problems of children affected by the war and to present the initiatives applied to reduce these problems. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was prepared in accordance with The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis standards. In the study, the keywords “war affected youth”, “war affected boy or girl” and “war affected children” were used in Pubmed and CINAHL databases as English. Results: This study, a total of 105 articles were accessed and eight studies involving 3861 children were analyzed. In the study, which was examined in terms of physical health problems, it was found that the education level of the father affected the age of menarche (p&lt;0.05). In studies examined in terms of psychological health problems; 38.4% of children experienced at least one war incident and 21.4% of them were exposed to bombardment/gunfire; they were exposed to more trauma in their childhood (p&lt;0.001) and they experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (p&lt;0.05); Stressful Life Events (SLE) significantly affected PTSD symptoms (p&lt;0.01); interventions reduced PTSD and distress symptoms (p&lt;0.05); It was found that PTSD scores decreased with Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Child Friendly Areas application (p&lt;0.001). In studies examined in terms of psychosocial health problems, the rate of involuntary injury was high in boys from veteran families (p&lt;0.01) and suicidal thoughts were found; It was determined that the children with high IQ levels had a good environment and a high income for the family (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the interventions applied in the studies were effective on children. It can be suggested to apply psycho-social-educational interventions in addition to medical treatments in order to improve the physical, psychological and psychosocial health problems of children affected by war and to ensure that these children are regained to themselves, their families and the society. Keywords: Child, health problems, war, violence.