scholarly journals An fMRI study of inhibitory control and the effects of exposure to violence in Latin-American early adolescents: alterations in frontoparietal activation and performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1097-1107
Author(s):  
Valentina Metsavaht Cará ◽  
Nathalia Bianchini Esper ◽  
Lucas Araújo de Azeredo ◽  
Victoria Iochpe ◽  
Nicole Prigol Dalfovo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Early Adolescents ◽  
Exposure To Violence ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Urban Region ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Study Results

Abstract We used functional magnetic resonance to investigate the effects of exposure to violence on early adolescent brain function in an inhibitory control task. We investigated the association among scores on self-reported exposure to violence, performance and brain activation. Thirty-seven early adolescents (ages 10–14) from a Latin-American urban region participated in the study. Results showed that recent and chronic exposure to violence was associated with less activation of a network of frontal regions, including the anterior cingulate gyrus and the superior frontal cortex; recent exposure to violence was also associated with less activation of the superior parietal lobe. Results also showed that less activation correlated with more prominent deterioration in the performance in the inhibitory control task (increased latency with time). The findings suggest that early adolescence exposure to violence is associated with differences in activation of a neural network commonly associated with executive function and control. The results underscore the urgency of addressing exposure to violence in adolescence, a period of high susceptibility to the environment, and are discussed in the light of the evidence of the effects of violence on adolescent brain function. Executive function training may be a candidate for targeted cognitive interventions aimed at mitigating these effects.

scholarly journals Does Language Make a Difference? A Study of Language Dominance and Inhibitory Control

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Marie Salwei ◽  
Beatriz de Diego-Lázaro
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Task Analysis ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Bilingual Children ◽  
Expressive Vocabulary ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Dominant Language ◽  
Partial Correlations

Although extensive research has been done to compare monolingual and bilingual children’s executive function, there are fewer studies that look at the relation between bilingual children’s languages and executive function. The purpose of this study was two-fold; first, to compare inhibitory control (executive function) in monolingual and bilingual children and second, to determine what vocabulary measure (dominant vs. non-dominant language) was related to inhibitory control in bilingual children. Twenty monolingual (English) and 20 bilingual (English-Spanish) children between the ages of 8 and 12 completed a vocabulary test (in English and Spanish) and an inhibitory control task (the flanker task). Analysis of Covariances (ANCOVAs) revealed no significant differences between monolingual and bilingual children in reaction time (RT) or accuracy in the flanker task after controlling for maternal education. Partial correlations controlling for age showed that English expressive vocabulary (dominant language), but not Spanish, was positively correlated with inhibitory control (larger vocabulary and better inhibitory control), suggesting that bilingual children may use their dominant language to self-regulate over their non-dominant language, increasing the inhibitory control associated to the dominant language.

Central Nervous System Processing of Emotions in Children with Fecal Incontinence and Constipation

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-71
Author(s):  
Monika Equit ◽  
Justine Niemczyk ◽  
Anna Kluth ◽  
Carla Thomas ◽  
Mathias Rubly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Fecal Incontinence ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Afferent Pathways ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Cortical Regions

Abstract. Objective: Fecal incontinence and constipation are common disorders in childhood. The enteric nervous system and the central nervous system are highly interactive along the brain-gut axis. The interaction is mainly afferent. These afferent pathways include centers that are involved in the central nervous processing of emotions as the mid/posterior insula and the anterior cingulate cortex. A previous study revealed altered processing of emotions in children with fecal incontinence. The present study replicates these results. Methods: In order to analyze the processing of emotions, we compared the event-related potentials of 25 children with fecal incontinence and constipation to those of 15 control children during the presentation of positive, negative, and neutral pictures. Results: Children with fecal incontinence and constipation showed altered processing of emotions, especially in the parietal and central cortical regions. Conclusions: The main study results of the previous study were replicated, increasing the certainty and validity of the findings.

Performance Differences Between Native and Non-Native Speakers on a New Happy–Sad Executive Function Measure

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boji P W Lam ◽  
Zenzi M Griffin ◽  
Thomas P Marquardt
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Incongruent Condition ◽  
Test Administration ◽  
Happy Face ◽  
Decision Performance ◽  
Performance Differences ◽  
Function Measure

Abstract Objective The happy–sad task adapts the classic day–night task by incorporating two early acquired emotional concepts (“happy” and “sad”) and demonstrates elevated inhibitory demands for native speakers. The task holds promise as a new executive function measure for assessing inhibitory control across the lifespan, but no studies have examined the influence of language of test administration on performance. Method Seventy adult native English speakers and 50 non-native speakers completed the computerized day–night and the new happy–sad tasks administered in English. In two conditions, participants were categorized pictorial stimuli either in a congruent manner (“happy” for a happy face) or in a more challenging, incongruent manner (“sad” for a happy face). Lexical decision performance was obtained to estimate levels of English language proficiency. Results Native speakers and non-native speakers performed comparably except for the critical incongruent condition of the happy–sad task, where native speakers responded more slowly. A greater congruency effect for the happy–sad task was found for native than for non-native speakers. Lexical decision performance was associated with performance on the challenging incongruent conditions. Conclusion This study reinforced the usefulness of the happy–sad task as a new measure in evaluating inhibitory control in adult native-speakers. However, the language of test administration needs to be considered in assessment because it may lead to performance differences between native and non-native speakers.

scholarly journals Effects of Sport-Based Interventions on Children’s Executive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 755
Author(s):  
Falonn Contreras-Osorio ◽  
Christian Campos-Jara ◽  
Cristian Martínez-Salazar ◽  
Luis Chirosa-Ríos ◽  
Darío Martínez-García
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

One of the most studied aspects of children’s cognitive development is that of the development of the executive function, and research has shown that physical activity has been demonstrated as a key factor in its enhancement. This meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of specific sports interventions on the executive function of children and teenagers. A systematic review was carried out on 1 November 2020 to search for published scientific evidence that analysed different sports programs that possibly affected executive function in students. Longitudinal studies, which assessed the effects of sports interventions on subjects between 6 and 18 years old, were identified through a systematic search of the four principal electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO. A total of eight studies, with 424 subjects overall, met the inclusion criteria and were classified based on one or more of the following categories: working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. The random-effects model for meta-analyses was performed with RevMan version 5.3 to facilitate the analysis of the studies. Large effect sizes were found in all categories: working memory (ES −1.25; 95% CI −1.70; −0.79; p < 0.0001); inhibitory control (ES −1.30; 95% CI −1.98; −0.63; p < 0.00001); and cognitive flexibility (ES −1.52; 95% CI −2.20; −0.83; p < 0.00001). Our analysis concluded that healthy children and teenagers should be encouraged to practice sports in order to improve their executive function at every stage of their development.

scholarly journals Examining the Relations Between Self-Regulation and Achievement in Third-Grade Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Day ◽  
Carol McDonald Connor
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Hierarchical Linear Modeling ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Third Grade ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
Third Grade Students ◽  
Study Results

Children with stronger self-regulation skills generally demonstrate greater overall success in school both academically and socially. However, there are few valid and reliable measures of self-regulation in middle elementary school. Such a measure could help identify whether a child is truly having difficulties. Thus, the Remembering Rules and Regulation Picture Task (RRRP) was developed. The aim of this study was to develop scoring systems for the RRRP and then to examine the associations between RRRP and independent measures of self-regulation and academic achievement in mathematics and reading. Children ( N = 282) from 34 third-grade classrooms in Florida participated in this study. Results revealed that the RRRP captured three constructs: working memory, attentional flexibility, and inhibitory control. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) demonstrated that the RRRP was significantly and positively associated with other measures of self-regulation. The RRRP was significantly and positively associated with mathematics and reading as well. The RRRP appears to be a promising measure of children’s self-regulation skills.

Does Atomoxetine Improve Executive Function, Inhibitory Control, and Hyperactivity?

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 653-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Wehmeier ◽  
Alexander Schacht ◽  
Fredrik Ulberstad ◽  
Martin Lehmann ◽  
Christian Schneider-Fresenius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Inhibitory Control

Socioeconomic status is a predictor of neurocognitive performance of early female adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Madhushanthi ◽  
Savithri W. Wimalasekera ◽  
C. Sampatha E. Goonewardena ◽  
A. A. Thamara D. Amarasekara ◽  
Janaka Lenora
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Low Ses ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Verbal Comprehension

Abstract Objective Previous studies have shown that high socioeconomic status (SES) is significantly associated with inhibitory control, working memory, verbal comprehension and IQ. However, in the Asian setting, with its prevailing poverty, information about the influence of SES on cognitive development of female adolescents is limited. This study was aimed to investigate the association between SES and neurocognitive performance of early female adolescents in Sri Lanka. Methods Female adolescents aged 11–14 years (n = 200) of low and middle SES were studied to assess neurocognitive function. After obtaining baseline data, eight subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC – IV), Test Of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI-3) and two computer-based executive function tests (inhibition and visuo-spatial working memory) were administered to assess neurocognitive measures of the above adolescents. The results were compiled into a data base and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. Results Higher SES was associated with higher performance in all neurocognitive tests. Low SES adolescents obtained significantly poor test scores for executive function test (inhibitory control: p < 0.0001) and for WISC [verbal comprehension index (VCI): p < 0.0001), working memory index (WMI): p < 0.0001 and estimated full scale IQ (EFSIQ): p < 0.0001)] when compared with middle SES adolescents. Maternal education alone significantly predicts VCI and EFSIQ than the combined influence of parental education, occupation and income. Psychosocial adversities of adolescents were inversely correlated with VCI (r = −0.30; p < 0.001) and EFSIQ (r = −0.20; p < 0.001) of WISC and mathematics performance (r = −0.34; p < 0.001) at examination in school. Conclusion Findings of the study revealed the importance of upliftment of SES of the society to improve the cognitive and academic outcomes of low SES individuals.

scholarly journals Physical exercise increases overall brain oscillatory activity but does not influence inhibitory control in young adults

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis F. Ciria ◽  
Pandelis Perakakis ◽  
Antonio Luque-Casado ◽  
Daniel Sanabria
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Frequency Band ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Power Increase ◽  
Oscillatory Brain Activity ◽  
Exercise Induced

AbstractExtant evidence suggests that acute exercise triggers a tonic power increase in the alpha frequency band at frontal locations, which has been linked to benefits in cognitive function. However, recent literature has questioned such a selective effect on a particular frequency band, indicating a rather overall power increase across the entire frequency spectrum. Moreover, the nature of task-evoked oscillatory brain activity associated to inhibitory control after exercising, and the duration of the exercise effect, are not yet clear. Here, we investigate for the first time steady state oscillatory brain activity during and following an acute bout of aerobic exercise at two different exercise intensities (moderate-to-high and light), by means of a data-driven cluster-based approach to describe the spatio-temporal distribution of exercise-induced effects on brain function without prior assumptions on any frequency range or site of interest. We also assess the transient oscillatory brain activity elicited by stimulus presentation, as well as behavioural performance, in two inhibitory control (flanker) tasks, one performed after a short delay following the physical exercise and another completed after a rest period of 15’ post-exercise to explore the time course of exercise-induced changes on brain function and cognitive performance. The results show that oscillatory brain activity increases during exercise compared to the resting state, and that this increase is higher during the moderate-to-high intensity exercise with respect to the light intensity exercise. In addition, our results show that the global pattern of increased oscillatory brain activity is not specific to any concrete surface localization in slow frequencies, while in faster frequencies this effect is located in parieto-occipital sites. Notably, the exercise-induced increase in oscillatory brain activity disappears immediately after the end of the exercise bout. Neither transient (event-related) oscillatory activity, nor behavioral performance during the flanker tasks following exercise showed significant between-intensity differences. The present findings help elucidate the effect of physical exercise on oscillatory brain activity and challenge previous research suggesting improved inhibitory control following moderate-to-high acute exercise.

scholarly journals Serious games as an educational strategy to control childhood obesity: a systematic literature review

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica David Dias ◽  
Aline Natalia Domingues ◽  
Chris Mayara Tibes ◽  
Silvia Helena Zem-Mascarenhas ◽  
Luciana Mara Monti Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Alternative Means

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify in the literature the efficacy of serious games to improve knowledge for and/or behavioral changes among overweight or obese children. Method: Systematic Literature Review. The Cochrane Systematic Reviews Handbook was used. The studies were collected from the following databases: Public Medline; Web Of Science; Science Direct; Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature; and the Health Game Research and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature. The descriptors were video games and obesity, while the key word was serious games. Inclusion criteria were: studies classified as Randomized Clinical Trials written in English, Spanish or Portuguese and in which children were the subjects of the study. Results: 2,722 studies were identified in the initial search and six studies remained in the final sample. The papers focused on encouraging behavioral changes in players, including physical exercise and improved eating habits. The studies report that serious games are a potential strategy to encourage positive coping with childhood obesity. Conclusion: research in this field is an expanding and promising strategy and serious games represent an alternative means to provide health education to children.

An impairment in brain function

2021 ◽  
pp. 89-102
Author(s):  
Mark Selikowitz
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Front Part ◽  
Behavioural Difficulties ◽  
Gene Defects ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Chemical Messengers ◽  
Executive Function Deficits

ADHD is usually due to a depletion of certain chemical messengers in the front part of the brain. The major cause of this depletion relates to a number of defective genes. ADHD shares some of its causative genes with certain other conditions, so having ADHD makes also having these other conditions more likely. To help many children with learning and behavioural difficulties, we need to treat an impairment in their brain function. This chapter discusses impairment in brain function as a cause of ADHD, including executive function deficits, frontal lobe underactivity, neurotransmitter depletion, gene defects, and non-genetic factors. It also describes the mechanism of comorbidity.

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