Inventory of sensory, emotional, and cognitive reserve (SECri): Proposal of a new instrument and preliminary data.

A new model of reserve, the Sensory, Emotional, and Cognitive Reserve (SEC) model, has been recently proposed, but so far this model has not been operationalized in instruments to evaluate the different domains of the reserve. This study introduces the SEC reserve inventory (SECri) along with preliminary data obtained from a study involving 57 adults, aged 35 and older. The SECri assesses the SEC domains using specific proxies: (a) sensory reserve (SR) through sensory acuity and sensory perception proxies; (b) emotional reserve (ER) through life events, resilience, and emotional regulation proxies; and (c) cognitive reserve (CR) through education, occupation, socioeconomic status, bilingualism, leisure activities, and personality traits proxies. Key features of SECri include self- and informant-report forms, fine-grained response scales, and the evaluation of reserve development across the lifespan. Findings on the acceptability, convergent validity between SECri domains and validated tests for the same constructs, internal consistency of each domain, and predictive validity of Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores support further research with this inventory. Future studies should consider determining SECri's psychometric properties in clinical and subclinical conditions to evaluate its prognostic value in cases of neurocognitive decline.

Psychometric properties of the long and short forms of the AQ aggression questionnaire in a sample of Spanish inmates.

OBJECTIVES: The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ; Buss & Perry, 1992) is a broad measurement tool used with the general public in Spain. There is some debate regarding the interpretation of AQ scores and the usefulness of a shorter version. The aim is to study and compare the psychometric properties of the long and short version of the AQ and check the reliability of the short version in a sample of male prisoners. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The sample was composed of 236 incarcerated males (mean age of 40.4 years of age) from Ocaña 1 prison center who volunteered to participate in the study. The sample was selected by using the tiered random sampling technique based on the internal inmate number. A random list of possible substitutes was also included in the event of refusal to be interviewed, with replacement being discontinued in the event of two consecutive refusals. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional design. RESULTS: The short version of the scale demonstrated better adjustment than the long version, as indicated by the larger CFI and smaller WRMR values. The number of prison sentences was positively associated with physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. The coefficients were slightly higher for the short version of the scale than the long one. DISCUSSION: The short version of the AQ is a valid instrument for measuring aggressiveness in prison contexts in relation to the long version, and correlates with subscales of aggression more strongly than the long one.

Blood levels of 21 metals and metalloids in riverside villagers of the Brazilian Amazon: A human biomonitoring study with associations with sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle factors.

Human biomonitoring of toxic and essential trace elements is critically important for public health protection. Amazonian riverine communities exhibit distinctive dietary patterns, heavily reliant on locally sourced fish, fruits, and vegetables. These habits may result in unique exposure profiles compared to urban populations. However, comprehensive assessments of their exposure to toxic and essential metals are lacking, representing a critical gap in understanding the health risks faced by these communities. This study aimed to establish baseline levels of 21 metals and metalloids in human blood and explore the influence of sociodemographic factors, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices as potential sources of exposure to these elements. A cross-sectional biomonitoring investigation was conducted with 1,024 individuals from 13 communities in the Tapajós and Amazon Basins (Pará, Brazil). Most of the elements in study was determined for the first time in the region. Blood samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The levels of all elements were summarized by quantiles and compared with cutoff values from other Brazilian populations. Multiple linear regression was used to assess possible associations between element concentrations and sociodemographic characteristics, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices. High detection rates (64%-100%) were observed, indicating the widespread presence of these elements. Elevated blood concentrations were found for mercury (median 21.1 µg.L-1, interquartile range: 12-34 µg.L-1), selenium (median 166 µg.L-1, interquartile range: 137-208 µg.L-1), and lead (median 34 µg.L-1, interquartile range: 20.8-64 µg.L-1). Regression analysis revealed a positive association between mercury levels and fish consumption, while manioc flour intake showed no relationship to lead levels. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the need for continued monitoring and public policy development for these vulnerable populations. Further studies should assess long-term trends and investigate the health implications of prolonged exposure to diverse chemicals in Amazonian riverside communities.

Neurophysiological Correlates of Near-Wins in Gambling: A Systematic Literature Review.

Identification of specific patterns of brain activity related to problem gambling may provide a deeper understanding of its underlying mechanisms, highlighting the importance of neurophysiological studies to better understand development and persistence of gambling behavior. The patterns of cognitive functioning have been investigated through electroencephalography (EEG) studies based on the near-win/near-miss (NW) effect. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the neurophysiological basis of NWs and their modulation by gambling problems through a systematic review of event-related potentials (ERP) studies elicited by feedback events. The review followed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA). A total of 15 studies were included, 12 comprising non-problem gamblers (NPGs) and three comparing problem gamblers (PGs) with matched controls. For the P300 component, the win outcome elicited a larger amplitude than the other outcomes (NW and loss), followed by the NW outcome, which elicited a larger amplitude than loss in some studies. For feedback-related negativity (FRN), the loss outcome evoked a more negative amplitude in several studies, despite eliciting a similar amplitude to NW outcomes in others. For PGs, the NW outcome evoked a higher amplitude of P300 than loss, while NPGs showed a similar amplitude to both outcomes. The present review gathered information from different sources and provides a consistent view of the different studies. However, studies lack systematic and robust methodologies, leading to inconsistent results and making it difficult to reach any definitive conclusions.

Selenium biomarkers and miR-7-5p in overweight/obese women.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress are pivotal contributors to the metabolic complications associated with obesity. Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) are selenoproteins involved in the reduction of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. Nutritional epigenomics revealed the interaction of microRNAs and nutrients with an important impact on metabolic pathways involved in obesity. However, the knowledge regarding the influence of microRNA on selenium biomarkers and its impact on metabolic pathways related to obesity remains scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of plasma miR-7-5p expression with selenium and inflammatory biomarkers in women with overweight/obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anthropometric evaluations were performed and blood samples were collected for the analysis of fasting glucose, insulin, inflammatory and selenium biomarkers, and miR-7-5p expression in 54 women with overweight/obesity. Gene expression of SELENOP and GPX1 were evaluated in peripheral mononuclear blood cells. RESULTS: This study observed a negative correlation between SELENOP levels and miR-7-5p (rho = -0.350; p = 0.018). Additionally, it was observed that body fat (OR = 0.737; p = 0.011), age (OR = 1.214; p = 0.007), and miR-7-5p (OR = 0.990; p = 0.015) emerged as significant predictors of SELENOP levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we observed a significant inverse association between miR-7-5p expression and SELENOP concentration in overweight/obese women, suggesting that age and percentage of body fat are also associated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) number RBR-2nfy5q.

Do Juveniles Who Have Committed Sexual Offenses Have Higher Callous-Unemotional Traits Compared to Juveniles Who Have Committed General Offenses? A Systematic Review.

The importance of assessing psychopathic traits in juveniles who have committed sexual offenses has been established in individuals who demonstrate a particularly severe and violent pattern of behavior. Additionally, the assessment of these traits in other juveniles might be relevant considering that higher levels of these traits represent an increased probability of the juvenile committing offenses. This study is a systematic review of the literature about the presence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits in juveniles who have committed sexual and non-sexual offenses, in order to ascertain eventual differences between these groups regarding the presence of CU traits. Studies were obtained from multiple databases, with predefined exclusion and inclusion criteria, according to PRISMA-P guidelines. A total of 18 studies were reviewed and included in the final analysis. The 18 studies used measures of CU traits and reported descriptive categories of CU traits in juveniles who have committed general offenses or juveniles who have committed sexual offenses. Meta-analytic procedures such as pooled means, pooled variances, and pooled standard deviations are presented in this study. The main conclusion obtained is that juveniles who have committed general offenses present higher levels of CU traits compared to juveniles who have committed sexual offenses. Although the review highlights limitations in the literature, the identification of these characteristics in different types of juveniles who have committed offenses is important to shed light on the phenomenon and develop interventions better suited to their characteristics. Recommendations for future research are also presented.

Callous-Unemotional Traits and Conduct Problems in Children: The Role of Strength and Positive Characteristics.

In recent decades, many researchers have focused on the development of Conduct Problems from childhood to adolescence. Understanding behavior problems also requires an understanding of well-regulated characteristics. Focusing our assessment on strengths makes it possible, on the one hand, to help children or adolescents with deficits in important areas (e.g., socio-emotional deficits) to develop emotional regulation skills and adapt their responses to different contexts. This study aims to understand the role of self-competence, self-regulation, empathy, and responsibility (strength variables) in the relationship between Callous Unemotional characteristics and Conduct Problems, with a sample of 236 children aged between 3 and 10 years (M = 7.51, SD = 1.63), through mediation analysis. In general, our findings suggest that self-regulation significantly explains the relationship between the callous dimension of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits and Conduct Problems, pointing out that this strength variable seems to act as a protective factor against the development of behavior problems. No other mediation effects were found, and these results are considered in light of some limitations.

Trends of hair Hg accumulation in reproductive-age women living in Central Russia and the calculated costs of Hg-induced IQ loss in the period between 2005 and 2021.

The objective of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate hair mercury (Hg) content in reproductive-age women living in Central Russia (Moscow and Moscow region), and to calculate the potential costs of the potential Hg-induced IQ loss in a hypothetical national birth cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36,263 occupationally non-exposed women aged between 20 and 40 years living in Moscow (n = 30,626) or Moscow region (n = 5637) in the period between 2005 and 2021 participated in this study. Hair Hg content was evaluated with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Hair Hg levels in reproductive-age women were used for assessment of the potential IQ loss and its costs. RESULTS: The results demonstrate that hair Hg content in the periods between 2010 and 2015, and 2016-2021 was significantly lower than that in 2005-2009 by 26 % and 51 %, respectively. The highest hair Hg level was observed in women in 2005 (0.855 µg/g), being more than 2.5-fold higher than the lowest value observed in 2020 (0.328 µg/g). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant inverse association between the year of analysis and hair Hg content (ß = -0.288; p < 0.001). The calculations demonstrate that in 2005 the costs of IQ loss in children exceeded 1.0 (1.6) billion USD, whereas in 2020 the costs of IQ loss accounted to approximately 0.15 (0.28) billion USD. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our data demonstrate that Hg accumulation in reproductive-age women reduced significantly in Russia from 2005 to 2021 resulting in predicted economic benefits by decreasing the costs of Hg-induced IQ loss.

Blood levels of metallic chemical element exposure patterns and associated factors in a population living in an Industrial District in Brazil.

AIM: to estimate the level of metallic chemical elements in the population living in the Steel company vicinity in Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and estimate the association between exposure to the Steel company and the blood metals concentrations patterns. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 463 individuals aged 18+ years old residing 1+ years in the Steel company vicinity. Mg, Be, Co, Ba, Ni, Cd, Al, and Pb were assessed in blood by DRC-ICP-MS. Metallic chemical element concentration patterns were obtained by exploratory factor analysis in the studied population. Exposure was set as the distance (Km) from each participant's residence to the Steel company in Santa Cruz, georeferenced by GPS. The outcome was set as the positive factor loadings in the factor analysis, including Mg and Be (Factor-1), Co, Ba, and Ni (Factor-2), Cd, Al, and Pb (Factor-4). Crude and adjusted OR, and their respective 95 %CI, were estimated to explore associations between independent variables and the exposures to metallic elements positively associated with the factors using polychotomous logistic regression. RESULTS: A reduction of 19 % was found between each km distance from the residence and the Steel company and P50 concentration of Cd, Al, and Pb (ORP50=0.81; 95 %CI:0.67-0.97), after adjusting by age, sex, and smoking. No statistically significant associations were observed for the distance from residences and the Steel company, after adjusting for age, gender, having a domestic vegetable garden and chewing gum for Mg and Be concentrations (Factor-1) (ORP50=0.84; 95 %CI:0.70-1.01; ORP75=1.10; 95 %CI:0.91-1.34); nor for Co, Ba and Ni (Factor-2) blood concentrations(ORP50=1.10; 95 %CI:0.91-1.33; ORP75=1.03; 95 %CI:0.84-1.26), in the adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS: For each Km distance from residences to the Steel company, a 19 % reduction in the risk of Cd, Al, and Pb blood concentration was observed in the population living in Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Association between exposure to plasma mixture of essential and toxic elements and the lipid profile in institutionalized older adults.

BACKGROUND: Older adults have a progressive deficiency in the ability to detoxify chemical elements and are susceptible to dyslipidemia and changes in glycemic control. The objective was to evaluate the association of the mixture of essential and toxic elements in the plasma of institutionalized older adults and test the associations with lipid profile variables and glycemic control. METHODS: Data were obtained from 149 Brazilian older adults aged ≥60 living in nursing homes (NH) in Natal, Brazil. The concentrations of sixteen chemical elements in plasma and lipid profile parameters and glycemic control of 149 institutionalized older adults were measured. Bayesian kernel machine regression was used to estimate the associations of the mixture of chemical elements with total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG), fasting glucose, and glycated hemoglobin. RESULTS: Non-linear responses to exposure were observed for iron (Fe) about TC, LDL-c, and TG, and for barium (Ba) and copper (Cu) about TG. The concentration of the mixture of chemical elements below the 35th percentile was associated with a decrease in TC. Fe was the main element in the effect of the mixture associated with TC. CONCLUSIONS: The lower concentrations of the mixture of chemical elements in plasma had a protective effect on the increase in TC, with Fe being the main element. Considering the results, the levels of essential and toxic elements in the plasma of older adults require extensive screening, mainly to prevent dyslipidemia and monitor clinical interventions.

Examining the influence of self-care practices on brain activity in healthy older adults.

Introduction: Studies on the aging brain often occur in active settings, but comparatively few investigate brain activity in resting states. However, exploring brain activity in a resting state offers valuable insights into spontaneous neural processes unaffected by task-specific influences. Objective: To investigate the relationship between self-care practices, cognitive function, and patterns of brain activity in healthy older adults, taking into account predictions from aging brain models. Methodology: 77 older adults aged 61 to 87 completing a self-care practices questionnaire, neuropsychological tests, and resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Participants were classified into two groups according to their self-care practices: traditional self-care (T-SC) and developmental self-care (D-SC). Results: Although neuropsychological tests did not yield significant differences between the D-SC and T-SC groups, patterns of brain activity revealed distinct behaviors. The T-SC group demonstrated patterns more consistent with established aging brain models, contrasting with the D-SC group, which exhibited brain activity akin to that observed in younger adults. Specifically, the T-SC group displayed hyperactivation related to memory and executive function performance, alongside heightened alpha power in posterior regions. Furthermore, bilateral frontal activation in the beta band was evident. Conclusions: The findings suggest a nuanced relationship between self-care practices and brain activity in older adults. While the T-SC group demonstrated brain activity patterns consistent with conservative aging, indicating the preservation of typical aging characteristics, the D-SC group displayed activity suggestive of a potential protective effect. This effect may be linked to self-care strategies that foster development and resilience in cognitive aging.

Problematic Gaming and Gambling: A Systematic Review of Task-Specific EEG Protocols.

Even though gaming and gambling bear similar problematic behavioral aspects, there are no recognizable neurophysiological biomarkers or features characterizing and/or distinguishing these conditions. A systematic review of the literature with a focus on methods was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (Web of Science Core Collection), EBSCOhost Research Databases (APA PsycINFO; APA PsycArticles; OpenDissertations; ERIC) databases. Following search terms were used to search the databases: ERP, "event related potential*", EP, "evoked potential*", SS, "steady state", EEG, electroencephal*; gam*. Data about the participants (total number, gender, age), main aim of the study and information about the experimental setup (experimental task description, stimuli used, ERPs measured (latency windows and placement of the electrodes), process evaluated) was extracted. A total of 24 studies were revised (problematic gaming - 16, pathological gambling - 8). The experimental protocols could be grouped into 3 main target domains (Cue-reactivity, General Information processing and Reward Processes & Risk Assessment). Sample-related limitations (small sample sizes, gender differences, differences between the groups regarding potential confounding variables) and heterogeneity regarding the experimental tasks, implementation and interpretation reviewed. Gambling-related research is highly focused on the investigation of the reward-related processes, whereas gaming-related research is mostly focused on the altered aspects of more general information processing. A vast heterogeneity regarding the ERP experimental paradigms being used and lack of clear guidelines and standardized procedures prevents identification of measures capable to reliably discriminate or characterize the population susceptible to addictive behavior or being able to diagnose and monitor these disorders.

Variations in dietary patterns of living sloths revealed by finite element analysis of jaws.

Although extinct sloths exhibited a wide range of dietary habits, modes of locomotion, and occupied various niches across the Americas, modern sloths are considered quite similar in their habits. The dietary habits of living sloths can be directly observed in the wild, and understanding the mechanical behavior of their jaws during chewing through finite element analysis (FEA) provides a valuable validation tool for comparative analysis with their extinct counterparts. In this study, we used FEA to simulate the mechanical behavior of sloth mandibles under lateral mastication loads, using it as a proxy for oral processing. Our research focused on the six extant sloth species to better understand their diets and validate the use of FEA for studying their extinct relatives. We found that all living sloths have the predominancy of low-stress areas in their mandibles but with significant differences. Choloepus didactylus had larger high-stress areas, which could be linked to a reduced need for processing tougher foods as an opportunistic generalist. Bradypus variegatus and Choloepus hoffmanni are shown to be similar, displaying large low-stress areas, indicating greater oral processing capacity in a seasonal and more competitive environment. Bradypus torquatus, Bradypus pygmaeus, and Bradypus tridactylus exhibited intermediary processing patterns, which can be linked to a stable food supply in more stable environments and a reduced requirement for extensive oral processing capacity. This study sheds light on extant sloths' dietary adaptations and has implications for understanding the ecological roles and evolutionary history of their extinct counterparts.

Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADLI): Proposal of a new instrument and preliminary data.

The evaluation of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) has become a critical issue in neuropsychology, but existing instruments for evaluating ADL have some limitations. This work aims to propose a new instrument to evaluate ADL, the ADL Inventory (ADLI), for which we present preliminary data.The ADLI was developed based on a comprehensive model of the stages of test development and following a combined framework of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health and the American Occupational Therapy Association models.Besides sociodemographic information, ADLI includes 144 items, organized into four sections: (a) basic ADL; (b) IADL; (c) advanced ADL; and (d) factors influencing functionality. The main characteristics of ADLI are: having self- and informant-report forms; including items focused on different sensory and neurocognitive functions; individualizing the progression along items considering the person's functionality; considering the impact of several factors on functionality; and using a large response scale. Preliminary data of predictive and convergent validity for ADLI are presented. The preliminary study comprised 15 older adults. The Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - III, the Barthel Index, and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale were applied to determine the predictive and convergent validity of ADLI.

Levels and health risk assessment of twenty-one current-use pesticides in urban and riverside waters of the Brazilian Amazon Basin.

In Brazil, the favorable weather conditions and abundant land contribute to the thriving agricultural production. Brazilian crops extensively employ pesticides due to their high efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and permissive regulatory framework. However, pesticide use also endangers water resources, animal organisms, and human health. Due to the lack of data on pesticide use in the Amazonas forest-based Brazil, the present study aimed to assess the levels of twenty-one current-use pesticides (CUPs) from five different classes in river waters collected from urban and riverside areas in this region. Moreover, the non-carcinogenic risks associated with water consumption were also characterized. Thirteen CUPs were detected in concentrations above the limit of detection (LOD) in at least one of the water samples, and most pesticides were detected in riverside areas. In contrast, only 18% of the analyzed samples were considered "clean," with only one compound detected. Fenitrothion showed the highest concentration, with a mean value of 4.86 ng/mL (0.30-14.3 ng/mL). Up to 33% of the samples showed levels of fipronil above the LOD, an issue of environmental and human health concern, mainly because of the adverse effects observed in honeybees. Despite this, the human health risk assessment showed a target hazard quotient below one (HQ < 1) in adults for all substances, suggesting that pesticide exposure through water consumption should not mean risk for the riverside populations. Taking into account the large extension of Brazil, as well as its different agricultural practices throughout the country, it would be of great importance to conduct extensive research in other areas. It would help to gain knowledge in this field and to promote eco-friendly alternatives to mitigate pesticide use and, consequently, to reduce their potential adverse effects on human health and the ecosystems.

Assessing the impact of arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium exposure on glycemic and lipid profile markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

The toxicity of metals presents a significant threat to human health due to the metabolic changes they induce. Thus, it is crucial to understand the impact of exposure to toxic elements on glycemic and lipid profiles. To this end, we developed a systematic review protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023393681), following PRISMA-P guidelines. This review aims to assess environmental exposure to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in individuals aged over ten years and elucidate their association with glycemic markers such as fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, as well as lipid parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Articles published in the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases until March 2024 will be included without language restrictions. The modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale will be employed to assess the quality of the included studies, and the results will be presented through narrative synthesis. If adequate data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. This review can help understand the metabolic responses to exposure to toxic elements and the associated health risks.

Neuronal Correlates of Empathy: A Systematic Review of Event-Related Potentials Studies in Perceptual Tasks.

Empathy is a crucial component to infer and understand others' emotions. However, a synthesis of studies regarding empathy and its neuronal correlates in perceptual tasks using event-related potentials (ERPs) has yet to occur. The current systematic review aimed to provide that overview. Upon bibliographic research, 30 studies featuring empathy assessments and at least one perceptual task measuring ERP components in healthy participants were included. Four main focus categories were identified, as follows: Affective Pictures, Facial Stimuli, Mental States, and Social Language. The Late Positive Potential was the most analyzed in Affective Pictures and was reported to be positively correlated with cognitive and affective empathy, along with other late components. In contrast, for Facial Stimuli, early components presented significant correlations with empathy scales. Particularly, the N170 presented negative correlations with cognitive and affective empathy. Finally, augmented N400 was suggested to be associated with higher empathy scores in the Mental States and Social Language categories. These findings highlight the relevance of early perceptual stages of empathic processing and how different EEG/ERP methodologies provide relevant information.

Importance of good hosting: reviewing the bi-directionality of the microbiome-gut-brain-axis.

Gut microorganisms have been shown to significantly impact on central function and studies that have associated brain disorders with specific bacterial genera have advocated an anomalous gut microbiome as the pathophysiological basis of several psychiatric and neurological conditions. Thus, our knowledge of brain-to-gut-to microbiome communication in this bidirectional axis seems to have been overlooked. This review examines the known mechanisms of the microbiome-to-gut-to-brain axis, highlighting how brain-to-gut-to-microbiome signaling may be key to understanding the cause of disrupted gut microbial communities. We show that brain disorders can alter the function of the brain-to-gut-to-microbiome axis, which will in turn contribute to disease progression, while the microbiome-to gut-to brain direction presents as a more versatile therapeutic axis, since current psychotropic/neurosurgical interventions may have unwanted side effects that further cause disruption to the gut microbiome. A consideration of the brain-to-gut-to-microbiome axis is imperative to better understand how the microbiome-gut-brain axis overall is involved in brain illnesses, and how it may be utilized as a preventive and therapeutic tool.

Corrigendum: A conceptual view of cognitive intervention in older adults with and without cognitive decline-a systemic review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2022.844725.].

Ecological validity of neuropsychological interventions: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The concept of ecological validity (EV) in neuropsychological interventions (NI) has been consistently advocated, but there is a lack of reviews focused on how EV is operationalized in NI programmes. This review aims to address this gap by exploring the outcome measures more commonly used for assessing EV and to understand the main characteristics of programmes with good EV. METHOD: A literature search was conducted to identify studies that examined the EV of NI programmes, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Cochrane Collaboration Guidelines. RESULTS: A total of twenty-seven studies were included in this review. Among these, only three studies explicitly described the procedures used to assess EV. Additionally, almost half of the studies assumed that interventions had good EV based on the characteristics of the programmes. The inconsistent assessment of EV of NI programmes prevented the identification of specific characteristics of programmes demonstrating good EV. CONCLUSION: This systematic review reveals a significant gap in the literature concerning the operationalization of EV within the field of NI. Further research is required to establish a consistent definition of EV in the context of NI and to develop criteria for its effective operationalization.