Cognitive flexibility impairment in temporal lobe epilepsy: The impact of epileptic foci lateralization on executive functions.

INTRODUCTION: Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) has been associated with memory impairments, which are typically linked to hippocampal and mesial temporal cortex lesions. Considering the presence of extensive bidirectional frontotemporal connections, it can be hypothesized that executive dysfunction in TLE is modulated by the lateralization of the epileptic foci. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comprehensive neuropsychological executive functions protocol was administered to 63 participants, including 42 individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (20 with right-TLE and 22 with left-TLE) and 21 healthy controls aged 20-49. RESULTS: The results indicate that TLE patients exhibit poorer executive performance compared to healthy controls in working memory (F(2,60) = 4.18, p <.01), planning (F(2,60) = 4.71, p <.05), set shifting (F(2,60) = 10.1, p <.001), phonetic verbal fluency (F(2,60) = 11.71, p <.01) and semantic verbal fluency (F(2,60) = 9.61, p <.001. No significant differences were found in cognitive inhibition. Furthermore, right-TLE patients showed lower performance than left-TLE in set shifting (F(1,61) = 6.45, p <.05), while no significant differences were observed in working memory, planning, inhibition, and verbal fluency. CONCLUSIONS: This research emphasize the importance of considering the lateralization of the temporal lobe focus to achieve a more accurate neuropsychological characterization. The cognitive differences between left and right TLE patients highlight the need for individualized approaches in their treatment and care.

Teacher's Physical Activity and Mental Health During Lockdown Due to the COVID-2019 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led teachers to an unpredictable scenario where the lockdown situation has accelerated the shift from traditional to online educational methods, and relationships have been altered by the avoidance of direct contact with the others, with implications for their mental health. Physical activity seemed to be a factor that could prevent mental disorders such as anxiety or depression in this peculiar situation. Therefore, the aims of this study were to explore how teachers have been affected by the lockdown with respect to their mental health and their relationships in three main fields: work, family, and social relationships, and to know which is the role of physical activity in the mentioned variables. For that purpose, an online survey was designed to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Results showed that indoor physical activity acts as preventive in lockdown situations, whereas the level of activity does not affect mental health. Also, teachers have experienced higher levels of distress due to the workload generated during the lockdown. In conclusion, to prevent health problems among teachers in future similar situations, it would be important to facilitate the practice of physical activity at home. Furthermore, teacher training in blended or online educational methods would be crucial for their favorable work development.

Differences in working memory between gifted or talented students and community samples: a meta-analysis / Diferencias en memoria de trabajo entre alumnado superdotado y talentoso y muestras comunitarias: un meta-análisis

Background: Gifted and talented students have different functioning in some components of executive functions, such as working memory. This meta-analysis examines the differences between students with high abilities and with average intelligence in working memory. Method: A total of 17 articles with 33 different studies were analyzed. A random effects model was used, calculating the effect size with Hedges g. The moderating variables were analyzed using a meta-regression model for continuous variables and ANOVA for categorical variables. Results: Results show an average effect size of g+=0.80 (95% CI: 0.621, 0.976) and high heterogeneity (Q(32)=196.966; p<.001; I2=83.754%). In the studies that measured verbal working memory, the effect size was g+=0.969 (95% CI: 0.697, 1.241) and heterogeneity I2=83.416%. In those assessing visual working memory, g+=0.674 (95% CI: 0.443, 0.906) and the heterogeneity was 83.416%. The analysis of the moderating variables identified the way of measuring working memory as the only significant variable. Conclusions: There is a significant effect in favor of gifted and talented students in both verbal and visual working memory, with significant influence of the procedure used to measure working memory

Antecedentes: los estudiantes superdotados y con talento tienen un funcionamiento diferencial en algunas componentes de las funciones ejecutivas como la memoria de trabajo. Este meta-análisis estudia las diferencias entre estudiantes con alta capacidad intelectual y con inteligencia promedio en memoria de trabajo. Método: un total de 17 artículos con 33 estudios diferenciados fueron analizados. Se empleó un modelo de efectos aleatorios, calculando el tamaño del efecto con g de Hedges. Las variables moderadoras se analizaron empleando una meta-regresión para las continuas y ANOVA para las categóricas. Resultados: los resultados muestran un tamaño del efecto de g+=0.80 (95% CI: 0.621, 0.976) y una alta heterogeneidad (Q(32)=196.966; p<.001; I2=83.754%). En los estudios que miden memoria de trabajo verbal, el tamaño del efecto fue de g+=0.969 (95% CI: 0.697, 1.241) y la heterogeneidad I2=83.416%. En los que evalúan memoria de trabajo visual, g+=0.674 (95% CI: 0.443, 0.906) y la heterogeneidad I2 =83.416%. El análisis de variables moderadoras identificó la forma de medir la memoria de trabajo como la única variable significativa. Conclusiones: existe un efecto significativo en favor de los estudiantes superdotados y con talento, tanto en memoria de trabajo verbal como visual, con influencia del procedimiento utilizado para medir memoria de trabajo

Differences in working memory between gifted or talented students and community samples: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gifted and talented students have different functioning in some components of executive functions, such as working memory. This meta-analysis examines the differences between students with high abilities and with average intelligence in working memory. METHOD: A total of 17 articles with 33 different studies were analyzed. A random effects model was used, calculating the effect size with Hedges g. The moderating variables were analyzed using a meta-regression model for continuous variables and ANOVA for categorical variables. RESULTS: Results show an average effect size of g +=0.80 (95% CI: 0.621, 0.976) and high heterogeneity (Q(32)=196.966; <.001; I2 =83.754%). In the studies that measured verbal working memory, the effect size was g +=0.969 (95% CI: 0.697, 1.241) and heterogeneity I2 =83.416%. In those assessing visual working memory, g +=0.674 (95% CI: 0.443, 0.906) and the heterogeneity was 83.416%. The analysis of the moderating variables identified the way of measuring working memory as the only significant variable. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant effect in favor of gifted and talented students in both verbal and visual working memory, with significant influence of the procedure used to measure working memory.

Neuropsychology of frontal lobe epilepsy in children and adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) is associated with cognitive problems, especially in areas related to frontal lobe functioning as executive functions, attention, and motor skills, but with impact on memory and psychosocial adaptation. Deficits are similar in both adults and children with FLE, although no studies have compared adult and pediatric performance in the same study. The aim of this research was to analyze the existing evidence concerning the cognition in adults and children with FLE. A random effect meta-analysis was used using Cohen's d, and the confidence interval for each cognitive factor was calculated. The results in the meta-analysis show a general pattern of cognitive dysfunction in FLE, especially in functions related to the frontal lobe, with an influence of the duration and the age at onset of epilepsy, as well as the age of the sample used. In addition, researches in this type of epilepsy are heterogeneous, with too many different sampling and methodological characteristics, which is not a standard format for reporting clinical sample characterization, making it difficult to study FLE in depth.

Disfunción ejecutiva en el Trastorno Específico del Lenguaje / Executive dysfunction in Specific Language Impairment

Existe un acuerdo creciente entre la comunidad científica en la necesidad de considerar el rendimiento neuropsicológico como elemento coadyuvante en la caracterización sintomática del Trastorno Específico del Lenguaje (TEL). La estrecha relación entre la adquisición y el uso del lenguaje con funciones de otros dominios cognitivos fundamenta dicha necesidad. En este contexto, se presenta un estudio en el que se ha evaluado el rendimiento neuropsicológico en funciones ejecutivas de una muestra de 31 niños diagnosticados de TEL y 19 niños control. El protocolo de evaluación incluía pruebas destinadas a evaluar: memoria de trabajo verbal y visoespacial; planificación; fluidez verbal y de diseño; inhibición y alternancias. Los resultados encontrados evidenciaron que el grupo TEL presenta un rendimiento inferior en todas las variables. Concretamente, los déficits se objetivan en todas las funciones ejecutivas evaluadas excepto en planificación. Tomados de forma conjunta, consideramos que nuestros resultados ponen en valor la necesidad de contemplar el rendimiento ejecutivo en el diagnóstico de los niños con TEL y sus implicaciones en la elaboración de intervenciones terapéuticas eficaces (AU)

Alteraciones de la memoria en el Trastorno Específico del Lenguaje: una perspectiva neuropsicológica / Memory disorders in Specific Language Impairment: A neuropsychological perspective

La adquisición de las habilidades de aprendizaje y memoria está estrechamente vinculada al desarrollo adecuado del lenguaje, observándose un salto cualitativo en ellas cuando las destrezas lingüísticas son idóneas. Una forma directa de investigar la veracidad o no de la afirmación anterior es estudiar cómo es el rendimiento mnésico en sujetos que tienen alteraciones del lenguaje. Sin embargo, existen pocos estudios interesados por la evaluación de la memoria en los trastornos del lenguaje. Con el propósito de contribuir a paliar esta situación, hemos realizado una investigación cuyo objetivo central ha sido estudiar el aprendizaje y la memoria, tanto para material de naturaleza verbal como para material visoespacial, en una muestra de sujetos diagnosticados con Trastorno Específico del Lenguaje (TEL). La muestra estuvo constituida por 31 niños TEL y 19 niños control con edades comprendidas entre los 6 y los 11 años. Las pruebas utilizadas fueron: TAVECI, Subtest de Dígitos del WISC-IV, Subtest de Localización Espacial de la WMS-III, Subtest de Memoria de Historias del Test de Memoria y Aprendizaje (TOMAL) y Test de la Figura Compleja de Rey. El perfil de resultados encontrados objetivó déficits en aprendizaje y memoria en el grupo TEL en todos los niveles analizados. Nuestros resultados ponen de manifiesto alteraciones cognitivas más allá de las lingüísticas y apuntan a la necesidad de incluir la evaluación del aprendizaje y la memoria en la caracterización ómnibus del TEL (AU)

A pilot study: differential effects of methylphenidate-OROS on working memory and attention functions in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with and without behavioural comorbidities.

To examine the effects of methylphenidate-OROS (MPH-OROS) on working memory (WM) and attention functions in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to investigate whether there is a differential effect in ADHD children with (ADHD+) and without (ADHD-) behavioural comorbidities. Participants included a clinic referred sample of 12 stimulant naïve school-aged children with a diagnosis of combined ADHD according to the DSM-IV criteria (6 ADHD+, 6 ADHD-), and 11 healthy children. A neuropsychological protocol was applied at three different moments: before treatment, after one those of MPH-OROS, and after one month of MPH-OROS daily treatment. The protocol was simultaneously administered to the control group. Initial differences in attention parameters between naïve children with ADHD and the control group disappeared after the first dose of MPH-OROS. For WM, one month of daily treatment was necessary to achieve this pattern of results. Both ADHD groups (ADHD+ and ADHD-) showed these differences, but there was a greater improvement in (ADHD-). MPH-OROS had an immediate effect on attention deficits, but long-term treatment was needed to improve WM to the level of healthy subjects. The presence of comorbid behavioural conditions determined a less robust response in neuropsychological performance to stimulant treatment.