Development Of Neurological Function Research Articles

Early Screen-Time Exposure and Its Association With Risk of Developing Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological deficit in brain functions that prevents a child from having a normal social life like his peers. It results in the inability to interact and communicate with others. Unsurprisingly, the alarming increase in screen-time exposure in children has become even more of a concern. Electronic devices are a double-edged sword. Despite their benefits, they have many potential hazards to children's neurological development. Previous studies have investigated the effects of unsupervised screen time and its impact on white matter development during the early years of life of children. The white matter has an important role in the development of neurological functions. This systematic review aims to qualitatively analyze the literature available on early screen time exposure and its association with the risk of developing ASD. This systematic review implemented the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for data in the recent six years. A total of 27,200 articles were identified using the MeSH and keywords through four selected databases. Search results revealed 70 from PubMed, 17,700 from Google Scholar, zero from Cochrane Library, and 9,430 from PubMed Central. After applying filters and screening the results by title and abstract and then by full text, 11 studies fulfilled the criteria to be included in the review. We found that the longer the period of screen exposure, the higher the risk that the child may develop ASD. Further, the earlier the child is exposed to screens, the higher the risk of developing ASD in children compared to children exposed later.

Current state of science in machine learning methods for automatic infant pain evaluation using facial expression information: study protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionInfants can experience pain similar to adults, and improperly controlled pain stimuli could have a long-term adverse impact on their cognitive and neurological function development. The biggest challenge of achieving...

Soft neurological signs in childhood by measurement of arm movements using acceleration and angular velocity sensors.

Soft neurological signs (SNS) are evident in the motor performance of children and disappear as the child grows up. Therefore SNS are used as criteria for evaluating age-appropriate development of neurological function. The aim of this study was to quantify SNS during arm movement in childhood. In this study, we focused on pronation and supination, which are arm movements included in the SNS examination. Two hundred and twenty-three typically developing children aged 4–12 years (107 boys, 116 girls) and 18 adults aged 21–26 years (16 males, two females) participated in the experiment. To quantify SNS during pronation and supination, we calculated several evaluation index scores: bimanual symmetry, compliance, postural stability, motor speed and mirror movement. These index scores were evaluated using data obtained from sensors attached to the participants’ hands and elbows. Each score increased as age increased. Results obtained using our system showed developmental changes that were consistent with criteria for SNS. We were able to successfully quantify SNS during pronation and supination. These results indicate that it may be possible to use our system as quantitative criteria for evaluating development of neurological function.

Selective behaviors altered in plasminogen-deficient mice are reconstituted with intracerebroventricular injection of plasminogen

In vitro studies demonstrate a role for the plasminogen (Plg) system in neurological function and recently in vivo studies show a role of the Plg system in neurodegeneration after the injection of an excitotoxic agent. Differences in the development of neurological function, however, have not been demonstrated in the Plg-deficient (Plg−/−) mice compared to wild-type (WT) mice. The role of Plg system in neurological function may relate to remodeling which occurs in response to various environmental challenges. In this study, behaviors (open field, grooming, hind-leg gait, water maze, and acoustic startle reflex) were tested in the Plg-deficient and WT mice at 6–8 weeks of age. Grooming, a response to the stress of an open field or fur moistening, was increased in the Plg−/−-deficient mice compared to WT mice, and the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) was markedly decreased in the Plg−/− mice. The reduced ASR in Plg−/− mice occurred in mice with a mixed C57BL:129 background or in mice with a C57BL background. Plg was required for the ASR, since a deficiency of the Plg activators, urokinase (uPA) or tissue Plg activator (tPA), did not cause a reduction in the ASR compared to their WT control. Infusion of Plg directly into the brain was effective in restoring the ASR in the Plg−/− mice, but had no effect on the ASR of WT mice. Peripheral bolus injections of Plg or infusion into the jugular vein were ineffective in restoring the ASR in the Plg−/− mice. These results indicate that Plg is required for the appropriate response to the environmental challenge of a sudden loud sound, and that the response can be restored in Plg−/− mice by directly infusing Plg into the brain.