Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices Research Articles

Development of reasoning performance in Raven's matrices is grounded in the development of effective strategy use.

Performance in reasoning tasks such as Raven's matrices experiences a dramatic increase over cognitive development, but the mechanisms responsible for this increase are unknown. Many cognitive processes are involved in a matrix task and could potentially change with age; strategy use appears to be a good candidate, as it typically improves over development and has a large impact on reasoning performance in adults. The present study tested the role of effective strategy use in Raven's standard progressive matrices in groups of 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-year-olds (total N = 474). Strategy use was assessed with behavioral measures of gaze patterns in Raven's matrices. We also measured working memory capacity (WMC), a good predictor of strategy use in adults, using a battery of complex spans. The results showed that the effective strategy of constructive matching substantially increased with age, along with performance. Strategy use mediated over half the effect of age on reasoning performance. Older participants were also better at adapting strategy use to difficulty of the problems. Effective strategy use was beneficial to the same extent for participants of all ages. Age-related improvements in strategy use occurred in tandem with improvements in WMC, but did not appear to be primarily driven by them. Overall, our results indicate that strategy use is a critical underpinning of reasoning performance in children as well as in adults, and that theories of cognitive development of reasoning have to consider the central role of strategy use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Functional brain networks involved in the Raven's standard progressive matrices task and their relation to theories of fluid intelligence

A dimensionality reduction method was used to determine the task-timing-related functional brain networks underlying the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM), a non-verbal estimate of fluid intelligence (Gf). We identified five macro-scale task-based blood‑oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD)-signal brain networks and interpreted their network-level task-induced BOLD changes to provide functional interpretations separately for each network. This led to new observations about the brain networks underlying the RSPM: (1) the multiple demand network (MDN) for solution searching peaked early in the trial (∼9 s peak), followed by response (RESP) for response selection (∼12 s), and re-evaluation (RE-EV) for solution checking (∼18 s peak), (2) high activity in the MDN was correlated with high activity in the later-peaking RE-EV network, proposed to underpin cooperative solution searching (MDN) and checking (RE-EV) processes, and (3) high activity in the MDN in all conditions was associated with low accuracy in the hard RSPM condition, suggesting that those with lower performance on hard problems allocate more resources into solution-searching across all conditions. These findings corroborate the MDN's significance in Gf solution searching, and add the RE-EV network as playing an important checking role, providing overlap with the proposed abstraction/elaboration and hypothesis testing phases of the Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory (P-FIT). Therefore, this set of results not only supports past theoretical work on the brain networks underlying Gf and the RSPM task, but extends it by providing more complete anatomical, temporal, and functional information based on a set of brain task-based networks which replicate over many tasks.

Increased brain activation and functional connectivity after working memory training in patients with ischemic stroke: an fMRI study

ObjectiveWorking memory (WM) impairment is common in patients after a stroke. WM training (WMT) has been suggested as a way to improve cognitive function. However, the neural effects following WMT in stroke patients remain largely unclear. This study aimed to explore the behavioral changes and neural effects of WMT on patients with chronic ischemic stroke.MethodsFifty first-ever ischemic stroke patients with WM deficits in the chronic stage were randomly assigned to either a 4-week WMT group or a control group. Verbal n-back, digital and spatial memory-span, Raven's standard progressive matrices, and the Stroop color-word test, as well as task-state and resting-state fMRI were assessed for all patients at baseline and after the intervention.ResultsThe WMT group showed improvements in WM, fluid intelligence, and attention after training. Additionally, the WMT group exhibited increased activation in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and middle occipital gyrus after training. At baseline, all patients were impaired in their abilities to elevate activation in their WM network as a response to increasing WM load. However, in the WMT group, increased activation was observed in the left cerebellum anterior lobe, right cerebellum posterior lobe (CPL), and MFG in the 2-back vs. 1-back contrast after WMT. We also found increased functional connectivity between the left MFG and the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), and between the bilateral IPL and the right CPL after training in the WMT group.ConclusionOur study supported that WMT potentially improved WM capacity in ischemic stroke patients during the chronic stage, and that the training effects might transfer to fluid intelligence and attention ability. Our results also demonstrated that repeated WMT potentially increased brain activation and resting-state functional connectivity within the WM network in patients with ischemic stroke. These findings provided robust evidence to support WMT as an effective intervention to enhance cognitive rehabilitation and shed light on the functional neuroplasticity mechanism of WMT on cognitive recovery after ischemic stroke.

Working Memory Training for Children Using the Adaptive, Self-Select, and Stepwise Approaches to Setting the Difficulty Level of Training Activities: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

A common yet untested assumption of cognitive training in children is that activities should be adaptive, with difficulty adjusted to the individual's performance in order to maximize improvements on untrained tasks (known as transfer). Working memory training provides the ideal testbed to systematically examine this assumption as it is one of the most widely studied domains in the cognitive training literature, and is critical for children's learning, including following instructions and reasoning. This trial aimed to examine children's outcomes of working memory training using adaptive, self-select (child selects difficulty level), and stepwise (difficulty level increases incrementally) approaches to setting the difficulty of training activities compared to an active control condition immediately and 6-month postintervention. While the aim is exploratory, we hypothesized that children allocated to a working memory training condition would show greater improvements: (1) on near transfer measures compared to intermediate and far transfer measures and (2) immediately postintervention compared to 6-month postintervention. This double-blinded, active-controlled, parallel-group randomized trial aimed to recruit 128 children aged 7 to 11 years from 1 metropolitan primary school in Melbourne, Australia. Following baseline testing, children were randomized into 1 of 4 conditions: adaptive, self-select, or stepwise working memory training, or active control. An experimental intervention embedded in Minecraft was developed for teachers to deliver in class over 2 consecutive weeks (10 × 20-minute sessions). The working memory training comprised 2 training activities with processing demands similar to daily activities: backward span and following instructions. The control comprised creative activities. Pre- and postintervention, children completed a set of working memory tests (near and intermediate transfer) and the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (far transfer) to determine training outcomes, as well as motivation questionnaires to determine if motivations toward learning and the intervention were similar across conditions. Caregivers completed the ADHD-Rating Scale-5 to measure their child's attention (far transfer). Statistical analysis will include traditional null hypothesis significance testing and Bayesian methods to quantify evidence for both the null and alternative hypotheses. Data collection concluded in December 2022. Data are currently being processed and analyzed. This trial will determine whether the adaptive approach to setting the difficulty of training activities maximizes cognitive training outcomes for children. This trial has several strengths: it adopts best practices for cognitive training studies (design, methods, and analysis plan); uses a range of measures to detect discrete levels of transfer; has a 6-month postintervention assessment; is appropriately powered; and uses an experimental working memory training intervention based on our current understanding of the cognitive mechanisms of training. Findings will inform future research and design of cognitive training interventions and highlight the value of the evidence-based principles of cognitive training. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12621000990820; https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12621000990820.aspx. DERR1-10.2196/47496.

Assessment of Relationship between Intelligence Quotient and Orthodontic Treatment Need.

Low cognitive ability may reduce the ability to understand the importance of oral health and to perform the necessary practices to maintain proper oral hygiene. Early loss of primary teeth following high caries risk may lead to malocclusion of permanent dentition. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the cognitive levels of adolescents and their orthodontic treatment needs. Between January 2018 and May 2018, 200 adolescents aged 10 - 15 who applied to the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of Marmara University and sought orthodontic treatment were invited to participate in the study. The orthodontic treatment needs of 150 adolescents who agreed to participate were evaluated with the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need - Aesthetic Component and their cognitive levels were evaluated with the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) Test. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean age (± standard deviation) of 126 adolescents (77 females and 49 males) who completed the SPM test was 11.8 (± 1.3). There was no consistency between the intellectual level and the need for orthodontic treatment (Kappa value = 0.071, p-value = 0.081). There was no correlation between malocclusion severity and intelligence quotient scores of adolescents (ρ [rho] = -0.089, p = 0.322). According to Multiple logistic regression results, there was no difference between 'borderline need' (p = 0.059) and 'great need' (p = 0.881) from 'no need' for orthodontic treatment in adolescents with different intelligence quotients. The results showed no evidence for an association between malocclusion and intelligence quotient.

The Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation in Improving Cognitive Performance in Adolescents: A Phase-II, Triple-Blind, Randomized Study Protocol

Background/Aims: Creatine supplementation has demonstrated cognitive benefits in neurodegenerative conditions, having a protective effect in the brain's function in stressful situations, with excellent safety (Watanabe et al., 2002). However, any beneficial effects on the cognitive performance of healthy adolescents underperforming in school is unknown. Our objective is to assess whether creatine supplementation improves cognitive performance in 15- to 17-year-old students with an average school grade below the 50th percentile. Methods: This will be a phase-II, triple-blinded, randomized, parallel-group, superiority, single-center trial. Students with grades below the 50th percentile in the prior semester will be enrolled and randomized to receive juice packages containing either creatine monohydrate supplementation (0.1 mg/kg/day), or placebo, for 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be the mean difference in change of Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) scores from baseline to week 12 between groups. To achieve a 90% power for detecting a 3-point difference in change in the RSPM score, and accounting for drop-out, 116 participants will be included. Secondary outcomes will include the difference in processing speed (SpaceCode), working memory (SpaceMatrix), non-visual memory (backward digit span), percentage change in lean mass, and any safety events. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this will be the most comprehensive study assessing creatine supple-mentation in adolescents. This is a low-risk intervention that has been shown to improve cognitive function in other populations. This study will potentially support the widespread use of creatine supplementation in adolescents with low school performance, while having a positive impact on this population.

Psychometric attributes associated with attrition within a prison-based democratic therapeutic community

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the psychometric characteristics of male offenders who joined a democratic therapeutic community and their relationship to attrition.Design/methodology/approachResidents who left therapy prematurely during the assessment phase (N = 46) and residents who left therapy prematurely during core therapy (N = 202) were compared to residents who completed therapy (N = 52) on two psychometric measures: Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices and The Blame Attribution Inventory.FindingsA multinomial logistic regression analysis showed higher levels of external blame can predict attrition during therapy; those with higher levels of external attribution are significantly more likely to leave therapy prematurely, including both during the assessment phase and during core therapy. Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices score did not significantly predict whether an individual left therapy prematurely.Originality/valueSupport was found for existing research within the academic evidence base. The findings have both empirical and clinical utility, suggesting during the assessment phase of therapy, practitioners can identify residents that may require additional support to maintain engagement, minimising the potential for premature departure. The implications of the findings are discussed, with suggestions made for future research.

Improving fluid intelligence of children through working memory training: The role of inhibition control.

Intelligence is strongly associated with working memory. Working memory training can improve fluid intelligence, but the underlying mechanism requires further investigation. Because inhibition control may play a key role in working memory training, this study investigated this process from an electrophysiological perspective. In total, 40 children aged 9 to 11 years were enrolled and randomly divided into a training group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The training group received 20 days of working memory training, whereas the control group did not receive any training. Before and after the training period, all participants were tested using Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM), and electrophysiological indicators were recorded while they performed go/no-go and Stroop tasks. The results revealed that relative to the control group, the training group had significantly improved RSPM scores in the test conducted after their training. For the go/no-go tasks, the training group exhibited a significant decrease in N2 amplitude, a significant increase in P3 amplitude, a significant decrease in theta band energy, and an improvement in response inhibition ability. No significant change was observed for the Stroop task. Correlation analysis revealed that an improvement in individual response inhibition can positively predict an improvement in fluid intelligence. These results suggest that working memory training enhances the fluid intelligence of children by enhancing their response inhibition ability.

The role of fluid intelligence in creativity: The case of bio-inspired design

Improving creativity by learning bio-inspired design (BID) requires fluid intelligence to deeper comprehend biological phenomena. Biological phenomena abstraction is a primary part of BID to comprehend structures and principles of the phenomena. However, direct research on the role of fluid intelligence in the understanding stage in BID processes is relatively scarce. We observed forty-one design students’ pictorial and textual representations of the abstract structures and principles in a BID task. Participants’ fluid intelligence was assessed using Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices Plus (SPM+). At the same time, their biological phenomena abstraction in pictorial and textual representations were rated based on a five-point scale of form, behavior, and principle. Results showed that fluid intelligence had a limited effect on biological phenomena abstraction. Participants with low fluid intelligence had a disadvantage on biological phenomena abstraction while participants with medium and high fluid intelligence had equally good performance. The results suggested that medium fluid intelligence was the minimal requirement of biological phenomena abstraction for male participants. We argue that future work should consider multiple intelligence in biological phenomena abstraction of BID.

Effect of yoga on cognitive functions and anxiety among female school children with low academic performance: A randomized control trial

BackgroundTo achieve better academic performance, students should improve their cognitive faculties and overcome anxiety. Therefore, the present research was conducted to assess the effect of yoga on the cognitive functions of female adolescents with low academic performance. MethodsThe present study is a randomized control trial (RCT). Eighty-nine female students in the age range of 12–14 years were randomly assigned into two groups [yoga (n = 45); physical exercise (n = 44)] at a school setting. Both groups were assessed before and after on Raven's standard progressive matrices (RSPM), Corsi Block Tapping Test (CBTT), Six Letter Cancellation Test (SLCT), Digit Letter Substitution Test (DLST), Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC). ResultsFindings of the present study showed significant (p < .05) differences in scores of forward CBTT, SWCT, and SLCT in group × time interaction. Both the groups showed significant (p < .05) improvement in SLCT, backward scores of CBTT, and STAIC-T. All outcomes measured were significantly (p < .05) improved in the yoga group except STAIC-S. ConclusionYoga improves general intelligence, visuospatial working memory, and attention, as well as reduces the anxiety of students with low academic performance. Similarly, physical exercise was also found to be improving visuospatial working memory, sustained attention, and reduce trait anxiety. However, the finding of the present study indicated yoga to be more effective compared to physical exercise in regards to students' fluid intelligence and executive function. Improvement in general intelligence, visuospatial working memory, and attention is expected to positively influence students’ academic performance.

Recognition of facial emotion expressions and perceptual processes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Social cognition (SC) deficits and of its facial emotion expression (FEE) component have been described in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS), a high-risk for schizophrenia (SCZ) systemic genetic syndrome. Correlations between deficits in FEE skills and visual-spatial abilities in people with 22q11.2DS warrant investigation. The sample consisted of 37 patients with 22q11.2DS (DEL), 19 with 22q11.2DS and psychosis (DEL-SCZ), 23 with idiopathic SCZ, and 48 healthy controls. We assessed FEE through The Ekman 60 Faces test (EK-F60), visual-spatial skills with Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices, and symptom severity with the positive And negative syndrome scale. Statistics were conducted through multivariate analysis of variance and correlation analysis. Patients with 22q11.2DS performed worse that the other groups in recognizing Surprise, Disgust, Rage, Fear, and Neutral expressions on the EK-F60. Recognition of Surprise and Disgust correlated positively with visual-spatial abilities in patients with 22q11.2DS; negative and cognitive symptoms correlated negatively with recognition of Sadness, Surprise, and Disgust. Patients with 22q11.2DS show impairments of both peripheral and central steps of the emotional recognition process, leading to SC deficits. The latter are present regardless of the presence of a full-blown psychosis.

Feasibility and Engagement of Multi-domain Cognitive Training in Community-Dwelling Healthy Elderly in Shanghai.

BackgroundIn recent years, cognitive training has been one of the important non-pharmaceutical treatment methods that could delay cognitive decline and improve quality of life in the elderly. In different types of cognitive training, both the cognitive domains focused on and their training methods widely vary. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and engagement of multidomain cognitive training in Chinese community-dwelling healthy elderly.MethodsBased on the cluster sampling method, a total of 151 healthy elderly, aged 70 or above, who lived in the neighborhoods in Shanghai met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Among them, 90 participants were assigned to the cognitive training group (intervention group), and 61 were assigned to the no cognitive training group (control group). Participants in the intervention group attended a 1-h multidomain cognitive training course twice a week for 12 weeks (total of 24 times), which targeted memory, reasoning, strategy-based problem-solving skills, etc. The control group did not receive any intervention.ResultsThere was a significant increase in test scores of story recall (t = −8.61, p = 0.00) and Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) (t = −10.60, p = 0.00) after in-class interventions. The overall completion of homework was 77.78%. Fifty percent of the 90 participants completed self-training. The top three self-training methods were physical exercise, reading books and newspapers, and watching TV. The overall attendance rate of the intervention group was 76.14%, and more than 50% of them had an attendance rate of 77.8%. The attendance rate was positively correlated with years of education and baseline SF-36 (physical functioning, general health, vitality, and mental health) scores, whereas it was negatively correlated with baseline disease index and fatalism of personality indicators (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe elderly with higher educational levels and better physical and psychological conditions had a higher engagement in multidomain cognitive training. The training course proved to be rational, feasible, and effective for community-scale application.

Socio-demographic factors influencing measures of cognitive function of early adolescent students in abuja, Nigeria.

The brain in the early adolescent period undergoes enhanced changes with the radical reorganisation of the neuronal network leading to improvement in cognitive capacity. A complex interplay exists between environment and genetics that influences the outcome of intellectual capability. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the relationship between socio-demographic variables and measures of cognitive function (intelligence quotient [IQ] and academic performance) of early adolescents. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study of early adolescents aged 10-14 years. Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices was used to assess the IQ and academic performance was assessed by obtaining the average of all the subjects' scores in the last three terms that made up an academic year. A confidence interval of 95% was assumed and a value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The overall mean (standard deviation) age of the study population was 11.1 years (±1.3) with male-to-female ratio of 1:1. Female sex was associated with better academic performance with P = 0.004. The students with optimal IQ performance were more likely (61.7%) to perform above average than those with sub-optimal IQ performance (28.6%). As the mother's age increased, the likelihood of having optimal IQ performance increased 1.04 times (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04; 95 confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.07). Students in private schools were three times more likely to have optimal IQ performance than those from public schools (OR = 2.79; 95 CI = 1.65-4.71). The present study demonstrated that students' IQ performance and the female gender were associated with above-average academic performance. The predictors of optimal IQ performance found in this study were students' age, maternal age and school type.

The association between birth by caesarean section at term and offspring cognitive and academic performance: A birth cohort study.

Caesarean section (CS) is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes for both mothers and offspring. The evidence for an association between CS and reduced offspring cognitive and academic performance has been inconsistent, with considerable limitations. The aim of this study is to compare cognitive and academic performance in childhood and early adulthood in offspring delivered by CS with those delivered vaginally at term. Data on 4327 mothers and offspring from a longitudinal birth cohort study were analysed. Offspring cognitive performance was measured by the Picture Peabody Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) at ages five and 21 and the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices at age 14. Academic achievement was assessed using the Wide Range Achievement Test at age 14. After adjustment for confounding factors, there was no statistically significant association between cognitive performance and offspring birth mode at age five (P=0.11). The adjusted difference of mean scores at five years on the PPVT-R for elective CS birth compared to those born by vaginal delivery was -2.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) -4.3 to -0.2), whereas for emergency CS it was 0.0 (95% CI -2.0 to 2.0). There were no differences in cognitive or academic performance at ages 14 and 21. Birth mode was not significantly associated with offspring cognitive or academic performance. Our study does not support concerns that CS is associated with a reduction in cognitive performance.

Brain Functional Correlates of Intelligence Score in ADHD Based on EEG.

It has been shown that intelligence as a general mental ability is related to the structure and function of the brain regions. However, the specificity of these regional dependencies to the intelligence scores in the typical and atypical developed individuals needs to be well understood. In this study, we hypothesized that neural correlates of IQ should not have a fixed pattern rather they must follow a dynamic pattern to compensate for the functional deficits caused by a neurodevelopmental disorder. Therefore, electroencephalography (EEG) correlates of normal IQ in various subtypes of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) were compared with a group of healthy controls. Sixty-three ADHD subjects comprising combined, inattentive, and hyperactive individuals diagnosed by a psychiatrist using structural clinical interview for DSM-V, and 46 healthy controls with similar normal IQ scores were recruited in this study. The subjects' EEG data were then recorded during an eye-closed resting condition. The subjects' intelligence level was measured by Raven's standard progressive matrices. Then, the association between IQ and the power of the EEG signal was computed in the conventional frequency bands. Subsequently, topographical representations of these associations were compared between the groups. Our results demonstrated that the association between IQ score and EEG power is not the same in various ADHD subtypes and healthy controls. This finding suggests a compensatory mechanism in ADHD individuals for changing the regional oscillatory pattern to maintain the IQ within a normal range.

Association of multi-metals exposure with intelligence quotient score of children: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundAssociations between most single metals and children's intelligence quotient (IQ) scores have been evaluated in previous studies. However, associations between multi-metal exposures and children’s IQ scores have not been analyzed. ObjectivesTo assess the joint effects of lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn) and titanium (Ti) co-exposure on children’s IQ scores. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted in Shimen and Huayuan, Hunan Province, China. Urine metals levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) at baseline. Children’s IQ scores were repeatedly measured at baseline and follow-up following the method of Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) and standardized as z scores. We fitted linear regression models and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models to investigate the associations of metal levels with children’s IQ scores after adjusting for covariates. ResultsA total of 633 participants aged 7–10 years completed the survey. Urinary Pb (β = -0.028, P = 0.022) and urinary Ti (β = -0.0003, P = 0.001) were inversely associated with children’s IQ scores. The BKMR analyses revealed significant negative overall effects of the five metals on children’s IQ scores when all the metals were above their median levels, while significant positive associations were shown when all the metal concentrations were below their median levels. The model also showed negative trends of Sn and Ti on children’s IQ. Furthermore, Ti and Sn had a synergistic relationship, with a decline in IQ score when Sn exposure was relatively high. The urinary Sn concentration was significantly higher but the urinary Ti concentration was significantly lower in participants from the Shimen area than in those from the Huayuan area. Decreasing trends of the overall effects were observed in both the Shimen and Huayuan areas. ConclusionOur findings revealed that multi-metal exposures caused a decline in children’s IQ scores according to traditional linear regression models and the BKMR model. Our results provide some evidence of the association between multi-metal exposure and children’s IQ. Meanwhile, interactions between multi-metal exposures on children's IQ should be given more attention.

Psychometric properties of the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices in a Portuguese sample

Objective: Psychometric properties of Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices in a Portuguese community sample were investigated. Method: The sample consists of 522 people (250 men and 272 women), aged between 12 and 95 years. All participants completed an informed consent form and a battery of neuropsychological tests, including Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM), Rey 15-Item Memory Test, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Rey Complex Figure Test. Results: The average in RSPM was 41.18 (SD = 12.03). The results showed that all sociodemographic variables (age, sex, education, profession, regions, and place of residence) significantly influenced RSPM scores. The reliability and temporal stability of RSPM were adequate. Conclusions: This study suggests that RSPM is an instrument with potential for use among the Portuguese population.

Shame and guilt in youth at ultra-high risk for psychosis

ObjectiveFeelings of shame and guilt have rarely been investigated in people at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis. We aimed to outline differences in shame and guilt in relation to empathy and theory of mind (ToM) in young people, particularly those at UHR for psychosis. MethodsFirst, 166 young healthy controls were assessed for their proneness to shame and guilt using the Test of Self-Conscious Affect, empathy and its four subdomains (perspective taking, fantasy, empathic concern, and personal distress) using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), ToM using the ToM picture stories task, and neurocognitive performance using the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM). Next, we evaluated shame and guilt in 24 UHR individuals comparing them to 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Finally, we explored relationships for shame and guilt in relation to empathy and ToM in the UHR individuals. ResultsIn the healthy youth, a regression analysis showed fantasy and personal distress in IRI to be significant determinants of shame, while perspective taking and empathic concern in IRI, ToM, and SPM were independent predictors of guilt. Meanwhile, compared to the healthy controls, individuals with UHR exhibited higher levels of shame, which was associated with increased personal distress. DiscussionOur findings showed that four subdomains of empathy, ToM, and neurocognition were differentially associated with shame and guilt in healthy young people. Given the correlation between excessive feelings of shame and high levels of the personal distress dimension of empathy in UHR for psychosis, redressing the tendency to focus on self-oriented negative emotions upon witnessing distress of others could possibly reduce self-blame or self-stigma of help-seeking individuals.

Pharmacogenetic associations of NRG1 polymorphisms with neurocognitive performance and clinical symptom response to risperidone in the untreated schizophrenia

ObjectiveTo explore pharmacogenetic relationships of NRG1 genotypes with neurocognitive performance and clinical symptoms after 12 week treatment of risperidone in Chinese Han first-episode schizophrenia. MethodsA cohort of 221 patients with schizophrenia were recruited for this research. Finally 177 untreated first-episode patients were clinically evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM), Digit Vigilance Test (DVT), Digit Span (DS), underwent genotyping for five polymorphisms of NRG1, and completed a 12-week prospective study of risperidone monotherapy. Results1. After risperidone treatment of 12 weeks, the total scores, positive score, negative score and general score of PANSS decreased significantly; the scores of RSPM, DVT and DS increased significantly. 2. No significant association with PANSS scores at baseline or change in scores after 12 weeks'treatment was found with any of the five SNPs. There was also neither significant association of DVT, DS or RSPM at baseline with any of the five SNPs. 3. After risperidone treatment of 12 weeks, rs3924999 and rs35753505 showed significant association with change in DVT and in RSPM in which there were significant differences among different genotype groups. ConclusionThis study suggested pharmacogenetic relationships between NRG1 variants and changes in cognition response with exposure to 12 weeks of treatment with risperidone. Two variants, rs3924999 and rs35753505, in the NRG1 gene were associated with the changes in attention and reasoning ability after risperidone treatment of 12 weeks.

Study of exposure to dexamethasone among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and effect on intellectual function – A pilot study

Background: There has been significant increase in the remission rates for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with addition of corticosteroids to chemotherapy regimens. However, with increase in survivors, there has been increase in the incidence of neurocognitive dysfunction as a 'long term sequelae. The present study was undertaken with the aim to study the effect of a chemotherapy regimen with dexamethasone on intellectual abilities in children with ALL. Methodology: This was a prospective, observational, and descriptive study conducted at a tertiary care hospital over a period of 18 months. Sixty children aged between 6 and 12 years diagnosed with B cell ALL and belonging to the standard risk ALL group on treatment protocol Pediatric Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (1–10 years) (standard risk), initiated and maintained on oral dexamethasone as part of their chemotherapy regimen were recruited. All the patients were followed up for 6 months and assessed for intellectual ability using Raven's standard progressive matrices (SPM), which was carried out before starting oral dexamethasone, at 3 months and after 6 months of starting oral dexamethasone. Results: The scores obtained at three intervals were compared by one-way repeated analysis of variance and the results showed a significant increase in raw scores of SPM. The difference between the mean scores at the three specified intervals was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The overall maximum improvement (mean raw scores of 5.5) was seen over 6 months period in older age group (12 years). Gender-wise comparison of performance revealed an overall better scores in males, though the differences were not significant. Conclusion: The current study revealed a significant increase in raw scores of SPM in children with standard risk B cell ALL undergoing chemotherapy along with dexamethasone. However, randomized control studies with larger sample size followed up longitudinally for a longer period of time are needed for specific recommendations of using dexamethasone over other corticosteroids.