Male practitioners of physical activity present lower absolute power of beta band in time perception test.

Cortical changes resulting from physical activity and differences in the estimation of the time of practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity have already been documented. However, there aren't studies that compare the cortical responses of the time estimate between these groups. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of the level of physical activity in time estimation and beta band activity in frontal regions, specifically in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, and parietal cortex during the task of estimating time in practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. After characterizing the sample, the signal was captured using an electroencephalogram during a task to estimate the time of four intervals of supraseconds. The results indicated that the practitioners of physical activity had lower errors in the evaluation of time for the intervals of 1 s, 7 s, and 9 s. The beta band showed less activity among practitioners of physical activity. The correlation between task performance and the absolute power of the beta band proved to be positive in the task of estimating time in the 7 s, and 9 s intervals. It was concluded that participants involved in the regular practice of physical activity showed underestimation in the temporal judgment and lower absolute power of the beta band during the time estimate.

Unskilled shooters improve both accuracy and grouping shot having as reference skilled shooters cortical area: An EEG and tDCS study.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used as a non-invasive method for enhanced motor and cognitive abilities. However, no previous study has investigated if the tDCS application in unskilled shooters on cortical sites, selected based on the cortical activity of skilled shooters, improves the accuracy and shot grouping. Sixty participants were selected, which included 10 skilled shooters and 50 unskilled shooters. After we identified the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as the area with the highest activity in skilled shooters, we applied anodal tDCS over the right DLPFC in the unskilled shooters under two conditions: sham-tDCS (placebo) and real-tDCS (anodal tDCS). We also analyzed electroencephalography. Our results indicated that anodal tDCS application enhanced the shot accuracy (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the beta power in the EEG recording was higher in the left DLPFC, left and right parietal cortex (p = 0,001) after applying anodal tDCS, while the low-gamma power was higher in the right DLPFC in sham-tDCS (p = 0.001) and right parietal cortex after anodal-tDCS (p = 0.001). Our findings indicate that anodal tDCS can improve accuracy and shot grouping when applied over the unskilled shooters' right DLPFC. Furthermore, beta and low-gamma bands are influenced by anodal tDCS over the right DLPFC, which may be predictive of skill improvement.

Time estimation exposure modifies cognitive aspects and cortical activity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder adults.

AIM: This study investigated whether time-estimation task exposure influences the severity of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as theta band activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with ADHD participated in a crossover experiment with a visual time-estimation task under control conditions (without exposure to time estimation tasks) and experimental (thirty days exposure to time-estimation tasks) in association with electroencephalographic analysis of theta band. RESULTS: ADHD patients with thirty days of time-estimation task exposure presented a worse performance of the time-estimation task, as revealed by the measurements of the absolute error and relative error (p ≤ 0.05). However, our findings show the improvement of self-reported symptoms of attention, impulsivity, and emotional control in patients after the time-estimation task exposure (p = 0.0001). Moreover, the theta band oscillations in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and in the ventrolateral prefrontal increased with thirty days of time-estimation task exposure (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: We propose that the decrease in EEG theta power may indicate an efficient accumulation of temporal pulses, which could be responsible for the improvement in the patient cognitive aspects as demonstrated by the current study. Time-estimation task improves ADHD cognitive symptoms, with a substantial increase in cortical areas activity related to attention and memory, suggesting its use as a tool for cognitive timing function management and non-invasive therapeutic aid in ADHD.

Déficits vestibulares e vertigem posicional paroxística benigna em adultos jovens assintomáticos: um estudo transversa / Vestibular deficits and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in young asymptomatic adults: a transversal study

Introdução: O equilíbrio corporal pode ser afetado por déficits visuais, proprioceptivos e/ou vestibulares centrais ou periféricas. Dentre as afecções vestibulares periféricos, a Vertigem Postural Paroxística Benigna apresenta grande interesse em pesquisas que buscam responder suas apresentações clínicas em adultos e sua associação com a integralidade dos demais sistemas corporais. Objetivo: Analisar as respostas de adultos jovens assintomáticos submetidos à semiologia do sistema vestibular. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo, transversal analítico e descritivo, onde foram utilizados os testes de equilíbrio estático, dinâmico e a manobra de DixHallpike, com amostra de 30 voluntários assintomáticos recrutados em uma instituição de ensino superior do município de Parnaíba/PI. Resultados: O teste de apoio unipodal (1,87 ± 0,346) foi negativo (p < 0,001) e no teste de Fukuda (1,20 ± 0,407) grande parte tiveram resultados positivos (p < 0,001). Os testes de Romberg (2,00 ± 0,000), Romberg-Barré (1,50 ± 0,509) e Babinski-Weil (1,37 ± 0,490) não foram significantes (p = 0,001). Para a Manobra de Dix-Hallpike observamos que os movimentos de sedestação para decúbito dorsal esquerdo e de decúbito dorsal para sedestação direito e esquerdo foram significativos (p < 0,001). Conclusão: Os adultos jovens assintomáticos podem apresentar resultados positivos em teste de equilíbrio e sintomas na manobra de Dix-Hallpike, confirmando a Vertigem Postural Paroxística Benigna.(AU)

Introduction: Body balance can be affected by visual deficits, proprioceptive and/or central or peripheral vestibular. Among the peripheral vestibular disorders, the Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo presents great interest in research seeking to answer clinical presentations in adults and its association with the completion of other body systems. Objective: To analyze the responses of asymptomatic young adults with symptoms of the vestibular system. Methods: This was a quantitative, descriptive analytical cross-sectional, where we used the tests of static balance, dynamic and Dix-Hallpike, with a sample of 30 asymptomatic volunteers recruited in a higher education institution in the city of Parnaíba/PI, Brazil. Results: The one-leg supporting roll 1.87 ± 0.346) was negative (p < 0.001) and the test Fukuda (1.20 ± 0.407) were largely positive (p < 0.001). The Romberg test (2.00 ± 0.000) Romberg-Barré (1.50 ± 0.509) and Babinski-Weil (1,37 ± 0.490) were not significant (p = 0.001). For the Maneuver Dix-Hallpike we observed that the movements of the sitting position to the left supine and supine to right and left sedestation were significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Asymptomatic young adults may have positive results on balancing test and symptoms in the Dix-Hallpike, confirming the Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. (AU)

The role of low-frequency rTMS in the superior parietal cortex during time estimation.

The low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) application has been associated with changes in cognitive processes embedded during time perception tasks. Although several studies have investigated the influence of neuromodulation on time perception, the effect of the 1-Hz rTMS application on the superior parietal cortex is not clearly understood. This study analyzes the effect of the low-frequency rTMS on time estimation when applied in the parietal medial longitudinal fissure. For the proposed study, 20 subjects were randomly selected for a crossover study with two conditions (sham and 1 Hz). Our findings reveal that participant underestimate 1-s time interval and overestimate 4-s and 9-s time intervals after 1-Hz rTMS (p ≤ 0.05). We conclude that the 1-Hz rTMS in the parietal medial longitudinal fissure delays short interval and speed up long time intervals. This could be due to the effect of parietal inhibition on the attentional level and working memory functions during time estimation.

Análise do tempo de reação simples e do paradigma oddball em estudantes antes e após participação em atividades acadêmicas: uma análise da neurociência aplicada a educação / Analysis of simple reaction time and the oddball paradigm in students before and after participation in academic activities: an analysis of neuroscience applied to education

Introdução: O tempo de reação é uma medida que indica o tempo que uma pessoa leva para iniciar um movimento. Há situações em que o tempo de reação encontra-se alterado, comprometendo o processamento da informação, com diminuição na detecção, transmissão e processamento dos estí­mulos. Objetivo: Investigar o tempo de reação visual em acadêmicos antes e após atividades avaliativas, nas diversas disciplinas. Metodologia: 50 acadêmicos foram analisados antes e após atividades avaliativas por meio do tempo de reação simples e paradigma oddball. Resultados: Com relação ao tempo de reação simples, o tempo de reação visual antes das atividades avaliativas foi menor que após, em contradição com o paradigma oddball. Verificou-se que a média geral do tempo de reação simples para prova prática foi maior comparado às demais, já no paradigma oddball verificou-se que a média geral para apresentação de seminário foi maior, comparado às demais. Conclusão: Diferenças significativas no tempo de reação simples e tempo de reação segundo paradigma oddball foram encontrados entre acadêmicos antes e após atividades avaliativas. Porém no tempo de reação simples foram encontrados valores menores antes das atividades, quando comparados com após, e o contrário foi encontrado no paradigma oddball. (AU)

Introduction: Reaction time is a measure of how long a person takes to start a movement. There are situations in which the reaction time is altered, compromising the information processing, with a decrease in the detection, transmission and processing of the stimuli. Objective: To investigate the time of visual reaction in academics before and after evaluative activities in different disciplines. Methodology: 50 academics were analyzed before and after evaluative activities through simple reaction time and oddball paradigm. Results: Relative to the time of simple reaction, the visual reaction time before the evaluative activities was smaller than after, in contradiction with the oddball paradigm. It was verified that the general mean of the simple reaction time for practical test was higher compared to the others, already in the oddball paradigm it was verified that the general average for seminar presentation was higher, compared to the others. Conclusion: Significant differences in the time of simple reaction and reaction time according to the oddball paradigm were found among academics before and after evaluative activities. However, in the simple reaction time smaller values were found before the activities, when compared with after, and the opposite was found in the oddball paradigm. (AU)

Methylphenidate modifies activity in the prefrontal and parietal cortex accelerating the time judgment.

Methylphenidate produces its effects via actions on cortical areas involved with attention and working memory, which have a direct role in time estimation judgment tasks. In particular, the prefrontal and parietal cortex has been the target of several studies to understand the effect of methylphenidate on executive functions and time interval perception. However, it has not yet been studied whether acute administration of methylphenidate influences performance in time estimation task and the changes in alpha band absolute power in the prefrontal and parietal cortex. The current study investigates the influence of the acute use of methylphenidate in both performance and judgment in the time estimation interpretation through the alpha band absolute power activity in the prefrontal and parietal cortex. This is a double-blind, crossover study with a sample of 32 subjects under control (placebo) and experimental (methylphenidate) conditions with absolute alpha band power analysis during a time estimation task. We observed that methylphenidate does not influence task performance (p > 0.05), but it increases the time interval underestimation by over 7 s (p < 0.001) with a concomitant decrease in absolute alpha band power in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex (p < 0.001). Acute use of methylphenidate increases the time interval underestimation, consistent with reduced accuracy of the internal clock mechanisms. Furthermore, acute use of methylphenidate influences the absolute alpha band power over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, and parietal cortex.

Low-frequency rTMS stimulation over superior parietal cortex medially improves time reproduction and increases the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex predominance.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Previous studies have shown that several cortical regions are involved in temporal tasks in multiple timescales. However, the hemispheric predominance of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during time reproduction after repetitive low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is relatively unexplored. Here, we study the effects of 1 Hz rTMS and sham stimulation applied medially over the superior parietal cortex (SPC) on the DLPFC alpha and beta band asymmetry and on time reproduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, we have combined rTMS with electroencephalography in 20 healthy subjects who performed the time reproduction task in two conditions (sham and 1 Hz). RESULTS: The worst performance was observed in sham and 1Hz conditions for longer time intervals (p < .05), with the 1Hz condition subjects sub-reproducing the time interval, closer to the target interval (p < .05). The right DLPFC hemispheric predominance was found in both conditions, but after low-frequency rTMS, the right hemisphere predominance increased in the 1Hz condition (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest that rTMS applied over the SPC influences time interval interpretation and the DLPFC functions. Future studies would explore the effects of the rTMS application to other cortical areas, and study how it influences time interval interpretation.

The SLC6A3 3'-UTR VNTR and intron 8 VNTR polymorphisms association in the time estimation.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the association of 3'-UTR VNTR and intron 8 VNTR polymorphisms with a time estimation task performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eight men in a Brazilian Northeast population (18-32 years old) participated in the experiment. The 3'-UTR VNTR and intron 8 VNTR polymorphisms were associated alone and combined to absolute error (AE) and relative error (RE) in a time estimation task (target duration: 1 s, 4 s, 7 s and 9 s). RESULTS: We found an association of the behavioral variable with intron 8 VNTR for the time intervals of 1 s and 9 s (p < 0.001) and polymorphisms combinatorial effect for 1 s (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The intron 8 VNTR polymorphism and the combinatorial effect can modulate the time estimate in the domain of supra seconds, and thus our study indicates a role of the dopamine transporter in the neurobiological areas related to the time intervals judgment.

Genetic influence alters the brain synchronism in perception and timing.

BACKGROUND: Studies at the molecular level aim to integrate genetic and neurobiological data to provide an increasingly detailed understanding of phenotypes related to the ability in time perception. MAIN TEXT: This study suggests that the polymorphisms genetic SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR, 5HTR2A T102C, DRD2/ANKK1-Taq1A, SLC6A3 3'-UTR VNTR, COMT Val158Met, CLOCK genes and GABRB2 A/C as modification factor at neurochemical levels associated with several neurofunctional aspects, modifying the circadian rhythm and built-in cognitive functions in the timing. We conducted a literature review with 102 studies that met inclusion criteria to synthesize findings on genetic polymorphisms and their influence on the timing. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest an association of genetic polymorphisms on behavioral aspects related in timing. However, order to confirm the paradigm of association in the timing as a function of the molecular level, still need to be addressed future research.

Neurochemical changes in basal ganglia affect time perception in parkinsonians.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is described as resulting from dopaminergic cells progressive degeneration, specifically in the substantia nigra pars compacta that influence the voluntary movements control, decision making and time perception. AIM: This review had a goal to update the relation between time perception and Parkinson's Disease. METHODOLOGY: We used the PRISMA methodology for this investigation built guided for subjects dopaminergic dysfunction in the time judgment, pharmacological models with levodopa and new studies on the time perception in Parkinson's Disease. We researched on databases Scielo, Pubmed / Medline and ISI Web of Knowledge on August 2017 and repeated in September 2017 and February 2018 using terms and associations relevant for obtaining articles in English about the aspects neurobiology incorporated in time perception. No publication status or restriction of publication date was imposed, but we used as exclusion criteria: dissertations, book reviews, conferences or editorial work. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: We have demonstrated that the time cognitive processes are underlying to performance in cognitive tasks and that many are the brain areas and functions involved and the modulators in the time perception performance. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of dopaminergic on Parkinson's Disease is an important research tool in Neuroscience while allowing for the search for clarifications regarding behavioral phenotypes of Parkinson's disease patients and to study the areas of the brain that are involved in the dopaminergic circuit and their integration with the time perception mechanisms.

Genetic polymorphisms associated with circadian rhythm dysregulation provide new perspectives on bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to present a broad view of how genetic polymorphisms in genes that control the rhythmicity and function of circadian rhythm may influence the etiology, pathophysiology and treatment of bipolar disorder (BD). METHODS: A bibliographic search was performed to identify and select papers reporting studies on variations in circadian genes and BD. A search of Medline, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science was carried out to review the literature. RESULTS: Several studies provide evidence of contributions of variations in circadian genes to disease etiology, pathophysiological variations and lithium drug response. Dysfunction of the sleep-wake cycle, an important brain function regulator, is indicated as the primary means by which circadian gene variations act in mood disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Investigations of the effects of circadian genes have suggested that the chronotype offers hope for guiding and improving management of patients with BD. However, BD is a disease of a complex nature and presents multiple endophenotypes determined by different associations between genetics and the environment. Thus, new genomic studies to delimit variations that may help improve the clinical condition of these patients are extremely important.

Low-frequency rTMS in the superior parietal cortex affects the working memory in horizontal axis during the spatial task performance.

Spatial working memory has been extensively investigated with different tasks, treatments, and analysis tools. Several studies suggest that low frequency of the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the parietal cortex may influence spatial working memory (SWM). However, it is not yet known if after low-frequency rTMS applied to the superior parietal cortex, according to Pz electroencephalography (EEG) electrode, would change the orientation interpretation about the vertical and horizontal axes coordinates in an SWM task. The current study aims at filling this gap and obtains a better understanding of the low-frequency rTMS effect in SWM. In this crossover study, we select 20 healthy subjects in two conditions (control and 1-Hz rTMS). The subjects performed an SWM task with two random coordinates. Our results presented that low-frequency rTMS applied over the superior parietal cortex may influence the SWM to lead to a larger distance of axes interception point (p < 0.05). We conclude that low-frequency rTMS over the superior parietal cortex (SPC) changes the SWM performance, and it has more predominance in horizontal axis.

The dopaminergic system dynamic in the time perception: a review of the evidence.

Dopaminergic system plays a key role in perception, which is an important executive function of the brain. Modulation in dopaminergic system forms an important biochemical underpinning of neural mechanisms of time perception in a very wide range, from milliseconds to seconds to longer daily rhythms. Distinct types of temporal experience are poorly understood, and the relationship between processing of different intervals by the brain has received little attention. A comprehensive understanding of interval timing functions should be sought within a wider context of temporal processing, involving genetic aspects, pharmacological models, cognitive aspects, motor control and the neurological diseases with impaired dopaminergic system. Particularly, an unexplored question is whether the role of dopamine in interval timing can be integrated with the role of dopamine in non-interval timing temporal components. In this review, we explore a wider perspective of dopaminergic system, involving genetic polymorphisms, pharmacological models, executive functions and neurological diseases on the time perception. We conclude that the dopaminergic system has great participation in impact on time perception and neurobiological basis of the executive functions and neurological diseases.

Tuberculous meningitis in childhood: new aspects of neurologic complications / Meningite tuberculosa na infância: novos aspectos das complicações neurológicas

Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM) is a severe manifestation of tuberculosis that represents 1% of the cases of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Children are among the other age groups the most affected and when present, HIV-1 is responsible for poorer prognosis. It was carried out a search on the databases of Pubmed, Lilacs and Scielo, looking for articles that approach the principals news aspects of neurologic complications caused by TBM. The literature cite as major neurologic findings the hydrocephalus in approximately 80% patients, meningeal irritation, coma, seizures, intracranial pressure signs, cranial nerve palsy, hemiparesis and disorders in the movement. Neurologic sequelae occur in up to 50% of survivors and early diagnosis is crucial to reduce the occurrence of major functional losses. In this way, discussions presenting more specific methods for TBM as well as better assessment of the signs and symptoms of the disease is necessary for a better prognosis and lower mortality rate of these patients.

A meningite tuberculosa (MTB) é uma manifestação grave da tuberculose que representa 1% dos casos de infecção por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. As crianças estão as faixas etárias mais afetadas e quando presente, o HIV-1 é responsável pelo pior prognóstico. Foi realizada uma revisão de bancos de dados Pubmed, Lilacs e Scielo, à procura de artigos que abordem os principais aspectos das complicações neurológicas causadas pela MTB. Os principais achados neurológicos compreendem a hidrocefalia em aproximadamente 80% dos pacientes, irritação meníngea, coma, convulsões, sinais de pressão intracraniana, paralisia de nervo craniano, hemiparesia e distúrbios movimento. Sequelas neurológicas ocorrem em até 50% dos sobreviventes e o diagnóstico precoce é crucial para reduzir a ocorrência de perdas. Desta forma, as discussões apresentando métodos mais TBM, bem como uma melhor avaliação dos sinais e sintomas da doença é necessária para um melhor prognóstico e menor taxa de mortalidade desses pacientes.

Time Perception Mechanisms at Central Nervous System.

The five senses have specific ways to receive environmental information and lead to central nervous system. The perception of time is the sum of stimuli associated with cognitive processes and environmental changes. Thus, the perception of time requires a complex neural mechanism and may be changed by emotional state, level of attention, memory and diseases. Despite this knowledge, the neural mechanisms of time perception are not yet fully understood. The objective is to relate the mechanisms involved the neurofunctional aspects, theories, executive functions and pathologies that contribute the understanding of temporal perception. Articles form 1980 to 2015 were searched by using the key themes: neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, theories, time cells, memory, schizophrenia, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and Parkinson's disease combined with the term perception of time. We evaluated 158 articles within the inclusion criteria for the purpose of the study. We conclude that research about the holdings of the frontal cortex, parietal, basal ganglia, cerebellum and hippocampus have provided advances in the understanding of the regions related to the perception of time. In neurological and psychiatric disorders, the understanding of time depends on the severity of the diseases and the type of tasks.

Modelos de percepção do tempo: um novo paradigma para o fisioterapeuta / Time perception models: a new paradigm for the physical therapist

A percepção do tempo é subjetiva e relativa, além de modulada por aspectos neurofuncionais como a emoção, memória e atenção, e está alterada em algumas patologias neuropsiquiátricas. Entretanto, ainda existe muita discussão sobre quais modelos de percepção do tempo são mais aceitáveis e como estão envolvidos nas doenças neurológicas. Desse modo, o conhecimento do fisioterapeuta sobre a percepção do tempo e seus modelos é um fator que pode direcionar ao tratamento do paciente, pois há uma ativação de áreas corticais na percepção do tempo que também são envolvidas na motricidade. Um modelo geral de processamento de informação temporal deve comportar um oscilador, acumulador e comparador dos dados obtidos com a memória. No entanto, as bases neurofisiológicas dos mecanismos de percepção do tempo ainda não são totalmente determinadas, existindo modelos que apontam a existência de um mecanismo neural único ou a de vários dispositivos especializados em diferentes escalas. Embora as mudanças na percepção do tempo não caracterizem uma doença, diversos comprometimentos neurológicos podem acometer a percepção temporal. Apesar dos esforços não se pode concluir sobre quais áreas desempenham a função temporizadora, apenas inferir por meio de experimentos realizados em animais e humanos. (AU)

The time perception is subjective, relative and modulated by neurofunctional aspects such as emotion, memory and attention. This is altered in some neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there is still much debate about which time perception models are more acceptable and how they are involved in neurological diseases. Thus, the physical therapist knowledge of time perception and its models is a factor that can direct the patient treatment, as there is activation in cortical areas which are also involved in motor function. A general model temporal information processing must contain an oscillator, accumulator and comparator data obtained from the memory. However, the neurophysiology of time perception mechanisms are still not fully determined, models exist which indicate the existence of a single neural mechanism or various specialized devices with different scales. Although the change in the time perception does not characterize a disease, various neurological impairments can affect time perception. Despite efforts cannot conclude on areas which perform the timer function, only inferred through performed in animal and human experiments. (AU)

Relações entre conhecimento de crianças sobre textos e práticas de letramento/alfabetização / Relations between the knowledge of children on texts and practices of Literacy/literacy

O presente estudo nasce da preocupação crescente com a qualidade do ensino da linguagem escrita no que se refere ao fenômeno do letramento. Tal conceito diz respeito às habilidades requeridas para o engajamento nas atividades sociais de leitura e escrita, para além da codificação e decodificação de um sistema de representação (alfabetização). Nesse cenário, objetivou-se analisar a relação entre letramento e escolarização presente nas práticas educativas de escolas públicas, através da identificação do nível de letramento de 50 alunos do primeiro ano do ensino fundamental I, com idades entre seis e sete anos. Também foram analisadas práticas educativas em escolas públicas sobre tal fenômeno. Para tanto, o método utilizado foi composto por dois momentos: 1. identificação do nível de letramento dos alunos, investigando o conhecimento sobre portadores de textos e gêneros textuais; 2. análise das práticas escolares de ensino e aprendizagem de leitura e escrita, observando o cotidiano das aulas. Na análise, revelou-se um panorama do desempenho das crianças, bem como das práticas de letramento/alfabetização em sala de aula. Ao final, buscou-se entender em que medida tais práticas são decisivas para as habilidades de letramento demonstradas pelos alunos. Conclui-se que, como observado, pouca ênfase é dada em sala de aula ao fenômeno do letramento, o que possivelmente explica o pouco conhecimento demonstrado pelas crianças a respeito de portadores de texto e gêneros textuais.(AU)

This study arises from the growing concern about the quality of the teaching of written langua¬ge with regard to the Literacy phenomenon. This concept refers to the skills required to engage in the social activities of reading and writing, in addition to encoding and decoding system of representation (literacy). In this scenario, the objective was to analyze the relationship between Literacy and schooling present in the educational practices of public schools by identifying the Literacy level of 50 students from the first year of elementary school, ages six and seven years. We also analyzed the educational practices in public schools regarding this phenomenon. Therefore, the method used was composed of two stages: 1. identification of the Literacy level of students, investigating the knowledge of carriers of texts and text genres; 2. analysis of school practices of teaching and learning of reading and writing, watching the school routine. The analysis proved an overview of the performance of children, as well as of the practices of Literacy/literacy in the classroom. At last, we sought to understand to what extent such practices are critical to the Literacy skills demonstrated by the students. We conclude that, as noted, little emphasis is given in the classroom to the Literacy phenomenon, which possibly explains the lack of knowledge de¬monstrated by the children about carriers of text and text genres.(AU)