Visual-motor Abilities Research Articles

Math Abilities Among Children with Neurodevelopmental Difficulties: Understanding Cognitive Factors and Evaluating a Pilot Intervention.

Math development in children relies on several underlying cognitive functions, including executive functions (EF), working memory (WM), and visual-motor abilities, such as visual-motor integration (VMI). Understanding how these cognitive factors contribute to children's math performance is critical to supporting math learning and long-term math success. The present quasi-experimental waitlist control study (N = 28) aimed to (a) examine the unique contributions of EF, WM, and VMI to math abilities among children ages 5-8 years old with neurodevelopmental difficulties; (b) determine whether a math intervention (the Mathematics Interactive Learning Experience; MILE) that supports these cognitive processes was effective when modified to be delivered to small groups in a school setting, and (c) examine whether any participant characteristics, such as age or IQ, were correlated with post-intervention math score changes. At baseline, participants' math scores were significantly below the normative mean in all math content areas (ps < .01). EF, WM, and VMI were highly correlated with math ability; however, verbal WM was the only unique predictor of math ability in regressions analysis. Compared to a waitlist control group, children in the immediate MILE intervention group achieved significantly greater math gains overall. When all children who ultimately completed the intervention were considered together, significant improvement was observed in more than half of math content areas. Furthermore, at the individual level, 85.7% of participants showed reliable change in at least one math content area. Implications for supporting math learning in children with neurodevelopmental difficulties are discussed.

Associations of Infant Sleep Characteristics with Childhood Cognitive Outcomes.

The objective of this study was to quantify associations of infant 24-hour sleep duration and nighttime sleep consolidation with later child cognition. This study included children from Project Viva, a prospective cohort in Massachusetts with (1) sleep measures in infancy (median age 6.4 months) and (2) child cognition in early childhood (median age 3.2 years) or mid-childhood (median age 7.7 years). Main exposures were parental reports of infant 24-hour sleep duration and nighttime sleep consolidation (% of total daily sleep occurring at nighttime). Cognitive outcomes were (1) early childhood vocabulary and visual-motor abilities and (2) mid-childhood verbal and nonverbal intelligence quotient (IQ), memory, and visual-motor abilities. We examined associations of infant sleep with childhood cognition using linear regression models adjusted for child sex, age, and race or ethnicity; maternal age, education, and parity; and household income. Early and mid-childhood analyses included 1102 and 969 children, respectively. Most mothers reported infant race or ethnicity as White (69%) and were college graduates (71%). The mean infant 24-hour sleep duration was 12.2 ± 2.0 hours, and the mean nighttime sleep consolidation was 76.8% ± 8.8%. Infant 24-hour sleep duration was not associated with any early or mid-childhood outcomes. Higher infant nighttime sleep consolidation was associated with higher mid-childhood verbal intelligence (β: 0.12 points per % nighttime sleep; 95% CI, 0.01-0.22), but not with any early childhood cognitive measures. In this cohort, higher infant nighttime sleep consolidation was associated with higher verbal IQ in mid-childhood. Future studies should investigate causal relationships of infant sleep consolidation with child cognition among diverse populations.

Cross-sectional and prospective associations of early childhood circulating metals with early and mid-childhood cognition in the Project Viva cohort

BackgroundRelatively little is known about the immediate and prospective neurodevelopmental impacts of joint exposure to multiple metals (i.e., metal mixtures) in early childhood. ObjectivesTo estimate associations of early childhood (∼3 years of age) blood metal concentrations with cognitive test scores at early and mid-childhood (∼8 years of age). MethodsWe studied children from the Project Viva cohort. We measured erythrocyte concentrations of seven essential (Co, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn) and eight non-essential metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cs, Hg, Pb, Sn, and Sr) in early childhood blood samples. Trained research assistants administered cognitive tests assessing vocabulary, visual-motor ability, memory, and general intelligence (standard deviations: ∼10 points), in early and mid-childhood. We employed multivariable linear regression to examine associations of individual metals with test scores adjusting for confounders, other concurrently measured metals, and first-trimester maternal blood metals. We also estimated joint associations and explored interaction between metals in mixture analyses. ResultsWe analyzed 349 children (median whole blood Pb ∼1 μg/dL). In cross-sectional analyses, each doubling of Pb was associated with lower visual-motor function (mean difference: −2.43 points, 95% confidence interval (CI): −4.01, −0.86) and receptive vocabulary, i.e., words understood (−1.45 points, 95% CI: −3.26, 0.36). Associations of Pb with mid-childhood cognition were weaker and less precise by comparison. Mg was positively associated with cognition in cross-sectional but not prospective analyses, and cross-sectional associations were attenuated in a sensitivity analysis removing adjustment for concurrent metals. We did not observe joint associations nor interactions. DiscussionIn this cohort with low blood Pb levels, increased blood Pb was robustly associated with lower cognitive ability in cross-sectional analyses, even after adjustment for prenatal Pb exposure, and regardless of adjustment for metal co-exposures. However, associations with mid-childhood cognition were attenuated and imprecise, suggesting some buffering of Pb neurotoxicity in early life. What this study addsRelatively few studies have comprehensively separated the effects of neurotoxic metals such as lead (Pb) from pre- and postnatal co-occurring metals, nor examined persistence of associations across childhood. In a cohort of middle-class children, we found higher early childhood (∼3 y) blood Pb was associated with lower scores on cognitive tests, independent of other metals and prenatal blood Pb. However, early childhood Pb was only weakly associated with cognition in mid-childhood (∼8 y). Our results suggest the effects of low-level Pb exposure may attenuate over time in some populations, implying the presence of factors that may buffer Pb neurotoxicity in early life.

Growth Velocities Across Distinct Early Life Windows and Child Cognition: Insights from a Contemporary US Cohort

To evaluate the relative importance of overall and period-specific postnatal growth and their interaction with fetal growth on cognition in a generally well-nourished population. We included 1052 children from Project Viva, a prospective cohort in Boston, Massachusetts. Using linear spline mixed-effects models, we modeled length/height and body mass index (BMI) trajectories from birth to 7years and estimated standardized overall (0-7years) and period-specific growth velocities ie, early infancy (0-4months), late infancy (4-15months), toddlerhood (15-37months), and early childhood (37-84months). We investigated associations of growth velocities as well as their interactions with birthweight-for-gestational age on mid-childhood (mean age: 7.9years) IQ, visual memory and learning, and visual motor ability. Greater overall height velocity was associated with modestly higher design memory score, (adjusted β [95% CI] 0.19 [-0.01,0.38] P=.057])points per SD increase but lower verbal IQ (-0.88 [-1.76,0.00] P=.051). Greater early infancy height velocity was associated with higher visual motor score (1.92 [0.67,3.18]). Greater overall BMI velocity was associated with lower verbal IQ (-0.71 [-1.52,0.11] P=.090). Greater late infancy BMI velocity was associated with lower verbal IQ (-1.21 [-2.07,-0.34]), design memory score (-0.22 [-0.42,-0.03)], but higher picture memory score (0.22 [0.01,0.43]). Greater early infancy height velocity (-1.5 SD vs 1.5 SD) was associated with higher nonverbal IQ (margins [95% CI] 102.6 [98.9106.3] vs 108.2 [104.9111.6]) among small-for-gestational age infants (P-interaction=0.04). Among generally well-nourished children, there might not be clear cognitive gains with faster linear growth except for those with lower birthweight-for-gestational age, revealing the potential importance of early infancy compensatory growth.

A tablet-based game for the assessment of visual motor skills in autistic children

Increasing evidence suggests that early motor impairments are a common feature of autism. Thus, scalable, quantitative methods for measuring motor behavior in young autistic children are needed. This work presents an engaging and scalable assessment of visual-motor abilities based on a bubble-popping game administered on a tablet. Participants are 233 children ranging from 1.5 to 10 years of age (147 neurotypical children and 86 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder [autistic], of which 32 are also diagnosed with co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [autistic+ADHD]). Computer vision analyses are used to extract several game-based touch features, which are compared across autistic, autistic+ADHD, and neurotypical participants. Results show that younger (1.5-3 years) autistic children pop the bubbles at a lower rate, and their ability to touch the bubble’s center is less accurate compared to neurotypical children. When they pop a bubble, their finger lingers for a longer period, and they show more variability in their performance. In older children (3-10-years), consistent with previous research, the presence of co-occurring ADHD is associated with greater motor impairment, reflected in lower accuracy and more variable performance. Several motor features are correlated with standardized assessments of fine motor and cognitive abilities, as evaluated by an independent clinical assessment. These results highlight the potential of touch-based games as an efficient and scalable approach for assessing children’s visual-motor skills, which can be part of a broader screening tool for identifying early signs associated with autism.

Effects of a maximal cycling all-out anaerobic test on visual performance

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance All-out exercise may not impair all central nervous system processes, such as those related to visual-motor abilities, and may actually prove stimulatory to such tasks allowing athletes and sports conditioning specialists to develop strategies to take advantage of/mitigate the effects of such exercise on athletic performance. Background Despite research indicating that visual-motor abilities play a critical role in athletic performance, research has primarily focused on the effect of all-out exercise on processes along the motor pathway, such as resultant force production or simple cognitive tasks. Such research has neglected to investigate the effect of all-out exercise on visual tasks. When investigations on visual tasks are forthcoming, they focus on prolonged aerobic exercise, which is not the primary metabolic pathway for all, or even the majority of sports. Methods Sixty untrained males (experimental group; N = 30, control group; N = 30) completed a standardised six-item baseline sports vision test battery and one week later, the experimental participants returned to undertake a 30-second Wingate anaerobic test (30-WAnT) immediately followed by the same test battery. Results Significant (P < 0.05) improvements were found in accommodation facility, saccadic eye movement, speed of recognition, peripheral awareness and hand-eye coordination (P < 0.001 for all), but not visual memory (P = 0.242) following the 30-WAnT. Conclusions Although the mechanisms underlying these improvements in visual task performance have not yet been studied, this study suggests that simple anaerobic all-out exercise does not cause central- or brain-based fatigue impairing the oculomotor system but may rather provide “excitability” of the underlying motor cortex, motoneurons and/or corticofugal connections utilised in visual task response. It appears that the sweeping improvements in visual task performance elucidate the need for an intense anaerobic warm-up when training visual skills and when visual skills form an integral part of athletic performance.

Early Childhood Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intake Is Positively Associated with Early Childhood Receptive Vocabulary and Mid-Childhood Executive Function But No Other Cognitive or Behavioral Outcomes in Project Viva

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids associated with better cognition in older adults. Recent evidence suggests that their dietary intake may also have cognitive implications in childhood. The aim was to examine associations of early childhood lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) intake with cognition in early and mid-childhood. Among 1378 children in Project Viva, a prospective cohort, mothers reported their child's dietary intake in early childhood (median: 3.2 y) using a food-frequency questionnaire. Child cognition and behavior were assessed at the same time point using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III) and the Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities (WRAVMA) and at mid-childhood (median: 7.7 y) using the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, the WRAVMA drawing subtest, the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Children consumed a daily mean (SD) of 1.0 (0.4) mg L/Z in early childhood. Children in the third-quartile category of L/Z intake had a mean PPVT-III score 2.40 (95% CI: 0.27, 4.53) points higher than children in the lowest quartile category in early childhood, suggesting better receptive vocabulary. Children in the highest quartile category of L/Z intake had a parent-reported mean BRIEF Global Executive Composite score 1.65 (95% CI: -3.27, -0.03) points lower than children in the lowest quartile category in mid-childhood, indicating better executive function. We did not observe associations between L/Z intake and any of the other cognitive or behavioral outcomes assessed. The overall findings do not provide strong evidence of an association between child L/Z intake and cognition and behavior. However, the positive associations found between early childhood L/Z intake and early childhood receptive vocabulary and mid-childhood executive function, in addition to previous evidence of neurodevelopmental benefit of L/Z intake, suggest that this relation deserves further investigation.

A-209 Cognitive Effects of Sickle Cell Disease in Children

Abstract Objective: Multiple contributors to neurocognitive impairment in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have been identified. Research indicates that a history of cerebrovascular accidents are associated with greater cognitive decline among children with sickle cell disease, specifically among visual-spatial tasks. Studies have also indicated the presence of age effects within this population. The purpose of this research is to examine the specific cognitive domains impacted by disease severity and age. Method: Archival data from the National Institutes of Health’s Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease was used. Data was restricted to individuals aged 14 or younger (N= 2,408), with 47.8% (n = 1,152) female and 52.2% (n = 1,256) male. Black or African American (96.9%, n = 2,334) children made up the majority of the sample, with the remainder coded as “other” (2.8%, n = 68). The measures utilized included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III), Woodcock Johnson-Revised (WJ-R), and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT). Results: Disease severity was negatively correlated with some aspects of cognitive functioning, specifically in the visual-spatial domain [F(2, 1) = 4.42, p = .013, η² = .02]. Age was inversely correlated with measures of perceptual organization (r = -.36, p = .02) and visual motor abilities (r = -.49, p = .001). Conclusions: Results revealed that disease severity was negatively correlated with several aspects of cognitive functioning. Cognitive decline also increased with age among this population. Introducing remediation interventions at earlier stages may help to reduce significant cognitive deficits.

The subtypes of developmental coordination disorder.

To identify subtypes in a large group of children clinically diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) based on their pattern of motor, cognitive, and visual-motor abilities. Standardized scores for verbal IQ, total IQ, Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2) balance, MABC-2 manual dexterity, MABC-2 ball skills, and Beery-Buktenica Developmental Tests of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery-VMI), Motor Coordination (Beery-MC), and Visual Perception (Beery-VP) were used. The NbClust complete procedure was used to best partition the data on 98 children (84 males, 14 females, mean [SD] age: 8 years [2 years 1 month]) into clusters. Deviation contrasts, multivariate analysis of variance, and post hoc comparisons were used to characterize the clusters. Four clusters were revealed: two clusters with a broad motor skill problem, one with relatively preserved visual-motor integration and Beery-MC skills, and a second with abnormal ball skills, balance, and Beery-MC skills. A third cluster with more specific gross-motor problems, and a fourth with relatively preserved ball skills but low Beery-MC and performance IQ, were identified. Balance scores were 'at risk' or 'abnormal' in all four clusters. DCD is a heterogeneous condition. However, subtypes can be discriminated on the basis of more severe difficulties in fine-motor performance, gross-motor performance, or both. There was evidence for generalized motor impairments in around half of all children. Importantly, at least borderline level reduced balance was evident in each subtype. Four subtypes were identified in a large clinical group of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Subtypes were based on motor, cognitive, and visual-motor abilities. There was evidence of generalized motor impairments in around 50% of children with DCD. A generalized balance problem is present across all subtypes of DCD.

Comparison of Computer-Based and Therapeutic Activity Interventions for Improving Visual Motor Abilities of Preschoolers with Autism: A Randomized Control Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-based and a traditional activity/practice-based intervention for improving the visual motor abilities of children with autism.

Maternal diet quality during pregnancy and child cognition and behavior in a US cohort

ABSTRACTBackgroundMaternal intake of several nutrients during pregnancy is linked to offspring cognition. The relation between maternal dietary patterns and offspring cognition is less established.ObjectivesWe aimed to examine associations of maternal diet quality during pregnancy with child cognition and behavior.MethodsAmong 1580 mother–child pairs in Project Viva, a prospective prebirth cohort, we assessed maternal diet during pregnancy using FFQs and evaluated diet quality using versions modified for pregnancy of the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS-P) and Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-P). Child cognitive and behavioral outcomes were assessed using standardized tests and questionnaires at infancy and in early and mid-childhood. We conducted multivariable linear regression analyses.ResultsMothers were predominantly white, college-educated, and nonsmokers. After adjustment for child age and sex and maternal sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, maternal high (6–9) compared with low (0–3) MDS-P during pregnancy was associated with higher child Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-II) nonverbal (mean difference for first trimester: 4.54; 95% CI: 1.53, 7.56) and verbal scores (3.78; 95% CI: 1.37, 6.19) and lower Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) Metacognition Index (−1.76; 95% CI: −3.25, −0.27), indicating better intelligence and fewer metacognition problems in mid-childhood. Maternal Q4 compared with Q1 AHEI-P during pregnancy was associated with higher Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities matching scores in early childhood (mean difference for first trimester: 2.79; 95% CI: 0.55, 5.04) and higher KBIT-II verbal scores (2.59; 95% CI: 0.13, 5.04) and lower BRIEF Global Executive Composite scores in mid-childhood (−1.61; 95% CI: −3.20, −0.01), indicating better visual spatial skills, verbal intelligence, and executive function.ConclusionsMaternal intake of a better-quality diet during pregnancy was associated with better visual spatial skills in the offspring at early childhood and with better intelligence and executive function in the offspring at mid-childhood.

Long-Term Outcomes after Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in the Era of Therapeutic Hypothermia: A Longitudinal, Prospective, Multicenter Case-Control Study in Children without Overt Brain Damage.

Background. Data on long-term outcomes in the era before therapeutic hypothermia (TH) showed a higher incidence of cognitive problems. Since the introduction of TH, data on its results are limited. Methods. Our sample population consisted of 40 children with a history of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) treated with TH, with an average age of 6.25 years (range 5.5, 7.33), 24 (60%) males; and 33 peers with an average age of 8.8 years (6.08, 9.41), 17 (51%) males. Long-term follow-up data belong to two centers in Padova and Torino. We measured general intelligence (WPPSI-III or WISC-IV) and neuropsychological functioning (language, attention, memory, executive functions, social skills, visual motor abilities). We also administered questionnaires to their parents on the children’s psychopathological profiles and parental stress. Results. We found differences between groups in several cognitive and neuropsychological domains: intelligence, visuomotor skills, executive functions, and attention. Interestingly, IQ test results effectively differentiated between the groups (HIE vs. controls). Furthermore, the incidence of psychopathology appears to be significantly higher in children with HIE (35%) than in control peers (12%). Conclusions. Our study supports previous findings on a higher incidence of neuropsychological, cognitive, and psychopathological sequelae after HIE treated with TH. As hypothesized, TH does not appear to ameliorate the outcome after neonatal HIE in those children who survive without major sequelae.

Neurocognitive Function Associated With Knee Proprioception And Time To Stability After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

After ACL injury, simple knee motor control requires greater sensory integration and cognitive resources relative to healthy counterparts. However, little is known about how visual neurocognitive function relates to knee proprioception and dynamic stability after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). PURPOSE: Evaluate the association between visually mediated neurocognitive function, knee proprioception, and time to stabilize from a single-leg landing in ACLR and healthy participants. METHODS: Sixteen individuals with history of left unilateral ACL reconstruction (6 male, 21.5 ± 2.6 years, 69 ± 15.9 kg, Tegner 7.4 ± 1.1, time since surgery 41.4 ± 33.0 months) and 15 healthy controls (6 male, 22.9 ± 3.03 years, 70.9 ± 14.9 kg, Tegner 7.5 ± 1.1) were recruited. Visually mediated neurocognitive function measured by the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing computerized test (visual memory and visual motor subscales). Active joint position sense (AJPS) was assessed using an electromechanical dynamometer at 20° and a double leg jump to left (involved) leg landing was used to assess time to stability (TTS). Raw ImPACT subscale scores, average AJPS error, and average TTS of 3 trials were used for statistical analysis. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare means of dependent variables (ImPACT subscales, AJPS, TTS) between groups. Pearson’s correlation (r) was used to determine the relationship between visual memory and AJPS; and visual motor scores and TTS in the control group. Partial correlations controlling for time since surgery on the same variables were used for the ACL group. RESULTS: There was no between group differences for any of the dependent variables (p > 0.05). ImPACT visual memory and visual motor scores were negatively associated with proprioceptive error (r = -0.63), and time to stability (r = -0.61), respectively in the ACL group but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: After ACLR higher visual memory scores were associated with less AJPS error (better proprioception) and higher visual motor ability was associated with decreased time to stabilize from landing (better performance). Individuals after ACLR might use visually mediated neurocognitive attention to maintain performance in AJPS and TTS.

Early-Life Exposure to Green Space and Mid-Childhood Cognition in the Project Viva Cohort, Massachusetts.

The association between early-life greenness and child cognition is not well understood. Using prospective data from Project Viva (n= 857) from 1999-2010, we examined associations of early-life greenness exposure with mid-childhood cognition. We estimated residential greenness at birth, early childhood (median age 3.1 years), and mid-childhood (7.8 years) using 30-m resolution Landsat satellite imagery (normalized difference vegetation index). In early childhood and mid-childhood, we administered standardized assessments of verbal and nonverbal intelligence, visual-motor abilities, and visual memory. We used natural splines to examine associations of early life-course greenness with mid-childhood cognition, adjusting for age, sex, race, income, neighborhood socioeconomic status, maternal intelligence, and parental education. At lower levels of greenness (greenness <0.6), greenness exposure at early childhood was associated with a 0.48% increase in nonverbal intelligence and 2.64% increase in visual memory in mid-childhood. The association between early-childhood greenness and mid-childhood visual memory was observed after further adjusting for early childhood cognition and across different methodologies, while the association with nonverbal intelligence was not. No other associations between early life-course greenness and mid-childhood cognition were found. Early childhood greenness was nonlinearly associated with higher mid-childhood visual memory. Our findings highlight the importance of nonlinear associations between greenness and cognition.

A six-year longitudinal study of neurocognitive problems in children with epilepsy

IntroductionThis study describes the specific neuropsychological abnormalities among children with epilepsy (CH-E) living in Georgia. MethodsA cohort of CH-E and children without epilepsy (CH-NoE), aged 6–13 years, admitted to the epilepsy center of the Institute of Neurology and Neuropsychology from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015, was selected and investigated with a structured protocol. Neurological/epileptological assessments were made and neuropsychological testing was done on all study subjects. ResultsAbnormalities in praxis, verbal functions, verbal learning, visual-spatial matching, visual-motor ability, and fine motor skills, working memory, and phonological memory span were often revealed in CH-E as compared to CH-NoE. Early age of seizure onset, epilepsy duration, and anti-seizure medication (ASM) use, in combination with brain structural abnormalities on neuroimaging, and structural etiology were independent predictors of impaired functioning in various neuropsychological domains. DiscussionMore than half of children with epilepsy have a variety of cognitive impairments, which may increase with ASM therapy, especially when the cause of seizures is structural damage to the brain. Therefore, in the process of diagnosing epilepsy, evaluation of cognitive functions should become an integral part to ensure effective management of the disorder.

Brain activation patterns in medicated versus medication-na\xefve adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder during fMRI tasks of motor inhibition and cognitive switching

BackgroundAdult-attention-deficit-hyperactive-disorder (ADHD) is often unrecognized condition. FMRI examination along with neuropsychological testing might strengthen the diagnosis. We hypothesized that ADHD-adults with and without medication would show different fMRI pattern compared to healthy controls while testing tasks of motor inhibition and cognitive switching.Methods45 subjects in three age-matched groups: (1) controls, (2) ADHD-adults under medication (ADHD+) and (3) medication-naïve adults with ADHD (ADHD−) underwent fMRI and neuropsychological testing. Group analysis and population-based statistics were performed.ResultsDTVP-A, intellectual ability as well as attention capability, visual-perceptual and visual-motor abilities showed no significant differences between the groups. However, fMRI revealed statistically significant differences between the ADHD+, ADHD− and control groups on tasks of motor inhibition and cognitive switching on adults in bilateral fronto-striatal brain regions, inferior fronto-frontal, fronto-cingulate and fronto-parietal networks as well as in the parietal lobe (p < 0.05).ConclusionsfMRI offers the potential to differentiate between the ADHD+, ADHD− and control groups. FMRI possibly opens a new window for monitoring the therapeutic effect of ADHD medication.Trial registrationNCT02578342, registered at August 2015 to clinical trial registry (https://ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT02578342).

Visual cognition associated with knee proprioception, time to stability, and sensory integration neural activity after ACL reconstruction.

Visual cognitive ability has previously been associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury and injury risk biomechanics in healthy athletes. Neuroimaging reports have identified increased neural activity in regions corresponding to visual-spatial processing, sensory integration, and visual cognition in individuals after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), indicating potential neural compensatory strategies for motor control. However, it remains unclear whether there is a relationship between visual cognition, neural activity, and metrics of neuromuscular ability after ACLR. The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate the relationship between visual cognitive function and measurements of neuromuscular control (proprioception and time to stability [TTS]), isokinetic strength, and subjective function, and (2) examine the neural correlates of visual cognition between ACLR (n = 16; time since surgery 41.4 ± 33.0 months) and demographically similar controls (n = 15). Visual cognition was assessed by the ImPACT visual motor and visual memory subscales. Outcome variables of proprioception to target knee angle 20°, landing TTS, strength, and subjective function were compared between groups, and visual cognition was correlated within groups to determine the relationship between visual cognition and outcome variables controlled for time from surgery (ACLR group). The control group had better IKDC scores and strength. Visual memory and visual motor ability were negatively associated with proprioception error (r = -0.63)and TTS (r = -0.61), respectively, in the ACLR group but not controls. Visual cognition was associated with increased neural activity in the precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex in the ACLR group but not control participants. These data suggest the neural strategy in which ACLR participants maintain proprioception and stability varies, and may depend on visual cognition and sensory integration neural activity.

Maternal Intake of Lutein and Zeaxanthin during Pregnancy Is Positively Associated with Offspring Verbal Intelligence and Behavior Regulation in Mid-Childhood in the Project Viva Cohort

BackgroundLutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids associated with better cognition at older age. To our knowledge, no previous study has evaluated their cognitive implications in the prenatal period, when the brain undergoes its most rapid development. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine associations of maternal lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) intake during pregnancy with child cognition. DesignAmong 1580 mother-child pairs in Project Viva, a prospective cohort, we assessed maternal intake of L/Z during pregnancy using food frequency questionnaires and offspring cognition by the Visual Recognition Memory paradigm in infancy, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities (WRAVMA) in early childhood, and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-II), the WRAVMA drawing subtest, and the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning in mid-childhood. Parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. ResultsMothers consumed a daily mean (SD) of 2.6 (2.0) mg L/Z in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Mean mid-childhood KBIT-II verbal scores were higher with greater maternal L/Z intake [difference of Q4–Q1 means for first trimester: 2.67 (95% CI: 0.13, 5.20) and for second trimester: 3.55 (95% CI: 0.81, 6.28)], indicating better verbal intelligence. Secondary analyses on cognitive subtests showed that mean mid-childhood BRIEF Behavioral Regulation Index scores were lower with greater maternal L/Z intake [difference of Q4–Q1 means for first trimester: –1.63 (95% CI: –3.22, –0.04) and for second trimester: –1.89 (95% CI: –3.58, –0.21)], indicating better behavior regulation ability. ConclusionsHigher maternal L/Z intake during pregnancy was associated with better offspring verbal intelligence and behavior regulation ability in mid-childhood, suggesting a potential benefit during prenatal development. We did not find a benefit of higher maternal L/Z intake on other child cognitive or behavioral outcomes. Project Viva is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02820402.

Cognitive achievements in school-age children born following assisted reproductive technology treatments: A prospective study

BackgroundWhile assisted reproductive technology is increasingly prevalent, there is concern amid conflicting findings reported regarding the long-term outcomes of children born following these treatments. The aim of this research was to investigate aspects of cognitive development in early school-age Israeli children born following assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments, compared to those spontaneously conceived (SC). MethodThis prospective follow-up study was based on an Israeli cohort recruited from June 2006 to December 2008, that included 561 women whose pregnancies were achieved by ART treatments and 600 women whose pregnancies were SC. When the children were 7–8 years old, 759 of their mothers were interviewed by telephone, and 294 were came for developmental assessment. The examination included: Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test; Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (arithmetic only); Test of Everyday Attention for Children; Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration and Supplemental Test for Visual Perception; Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test; Aleph-ad-Tav Hebrew reading and writing; Tavor Picture Naming Expressive Vocabulary Test. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for maternal years of education (≤12, 13+) at child's birth and child's sex. ResultsCognitive function, visual-motor ability, attention, and verbal skills of children born after ART treatments were similar to those of SC children, upon both univariate and multivariable analysis. Conclusion and implicationsNo significant differences were found between the ART and SC groups on any of the measures examined. This finding offers couples seeking ART treatments improved information regarding child development during the important and formative school years. What this paper addsIncreasing rates of ART treatments arouse concern about long-term outcomes for offspring, and conflicting findings have been reported with respect to the skills necessary to their academic success. This prospective follow-up study compared school-age children born following ART with spontaneously-conceived children. Children were examined by developmental psychologists, and cognitive function, visual-motor, attention, verbal, and performance skills were similar in both groups.

Early Life Exposure to Green Space and Childhood Cognition: A mediation analysis of physical activity and air pollution

Background: Natural vegetation, or “greenness,” may influence cognition by increasing physical activity or buffering air pollution exposure. Early life influences of greenness on cognition, and the mediating roles of physical activity and air pollution, are not well understood. Aim: We examined associations of early childhood neighborhood greenness with mid-childhood cognition. We quantified the extent to which physical activity and air pollution explained this association.Methods: We studied 857 mother–child pairs in Project Viva, a pre-birth cohort study in Massachusetts. In early childhood (median 3.2y), we estimated residential greenness using 30m resolution Landsat satellite imagery [Normalized Difference Vegetation Index], residential particulate matter using spatiotemporal models, and number of hours/day spent in active play, reported by parents, for physical activity. In mid-childhood (7.7y), we administered standardized assessments of verbal and nonverbal intelligence, visual motor abilities (VMA), and visual memory (VM) as outcomes. Using linear regression, we examined associations of early childhood greenness with mid-childhood cognition, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors. We used a causal mediation framework to determine the mediation effect through physical activity and air pollution. Results: The mean(SD) for verbal IQ was 114(14), non-verbal IQ was 107(17), VMA was 93(17), and VM was 17(4). Children living in the highest 3 greenness quartiles vs. lowest in early childhood had higher verbal intelligence (2.0 points, 95%CI: -0.06, 4.1), and higher VM (1.0 point; 95% CI: 0.3, 1.8), but lower VMA (-2.6 points, 95%CI: -5.5, 0.2). We did not observe associations of greenness with non-verbal intelligence. The associations of greenness on verbal intelligence, VM or VMA were not mediated by air pollution or physical activity (e.g.indirect effect on verbal intelligence through air pollution:-0.5, 95%CI:-1.2,0.2). Conclusions: Early childhood greenness may affect verbal intelligence, VM and VMA through other mechanisms different than air pollution or physical activity, perhaps through lowering stress levels.