Validation and reliability of The Childhood Executive Function Inventory (CHEXI) in Spanish primary school students / Validación y fiabilidad del Inventario de Función Ejecutiva Infantil (CHEXI) en alumnos españoles de primaria

Given the enormous influence of executive functions in school and life success, it is necessary to identify EF levels and address them in a reliable way with tools accessible to practitioners. Two studies were conducted. In study 1, the psychometric properties of the Spanish version Children’s Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) in a representative sample of 1230 primary school students from 9 to 12 years old was investigated. According to Barkley’s hybrid model, CHEXI showed good fit indices on the two subscales: working memory and inhibition (Χ² =949.32, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.06, RMSEA = 0.05), as well as excellent internal consistency (ω ≥ 0.84–0.91; α ≥ 0.84–0.91). In study 2, the efficacy of the CHEXI for the observation of EF deficits related to ADHD symptoms in children was analysed. Significant differences in parent-reported scores were observed between typically developing students and students diagnosed with ADHD (p = < 0.001, η2partial = 0.09 – 0.10). The results showed that the CHEXI is a reliable instrument for measuring EF in Spanish children, and, it could be a useful tool for the identification of ADHD in these ages. (AU)

Dada la enorme influencia de las funciones ejecutivas (FE) en el bienestar y el éxito escolar del alumnado de Educación Primaria, resulta necesario utilizar instrumentos que midan talesvariables que sean accesibles para todos los profesionales de la educación. Se realizaron dos estudios. En el estudio 1, se investigó las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del Inventario de Funcionamiento Ejecutivo Infantil (CHEXI) en una muestra representativa de 1230 alumnos de primaria de 8 a 12 años. Siguiendo el modelo híbrido de Barkley, el CHEXI mostró unos buenos índices de ajuste en las dos subescalas: memoria de trabajo e inhibición (Χ ²=949.32, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.06, RMSEA = 0.05), así como una excelente consistencia interna (ω ≥ 0.84–0.91; α ≥ 0.84–0.91). En el estudio 2, se analizó la eficacia del CHEXI para la observación de los déficits de EF relacionados con los síntomas del TDAH. Se observaron diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones informadas por los padres entre los estudiantes con desarrollo típico y los estudiantes diagnosticados con TDAH (p = < 0.001, η2partial = 0.09 – 0.10). Los resultados mostraron que el CHEXI es un instrumento fiable para medir las FEs en niños españoles, y podría ser una herramienta útil para la identificación del TDAH en estas edades. (AU)

Perfil cognitivo del trastorno del espectro autista en población infantojuvenil: una revisión sistemática / Cognitive profile of Autism Spectrum Disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic review

Se han encontrado resultados contradictorios en relación con el perfil cognitivo que caracteriza a la población con trastorno del espectro delautismo (TEA). El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática es sintetizar la evidencia disponible acerca de los déficits cognitivos asociados al TEA infantojuvenil. Se seleccionaron 26 estudios que abarcan los hallazgos de un total de 1229 participantes con diagnóstico TEA y 1052 con desarrollotípico (DT). Se incluyeron los estudios desde 2018 que compararan el rendimiento en dominios cognitivos entre ambas poblaciones. Los resultadossugieren que las personas TEA presentan un funcionamiento cognitivo que difiere significativamente del DT, con alteraciones específicas en determinados subdominios y procesos cognitivos, especialmente relacionado con el modo en que procesan la información, lo que a su vez implica laafectación de otras áreas y dominios como la atención, memoria, funciones ejecutivas, lenguaje y cognición social. Las principales limitaciones deesta revisión son el tamaño de la muestra en relación con la gran variedad de dominios cognitivos estudiados y los constructos teóricos asociados,así como la existencia de un sesgo de género en el diagnóstico de TEA. Este trabajo aporta información útil sobre el perfil cognitivo del TEA, ya queestudiar y delimitar en profundidad la caracterización cognitiva de esta población puede contribuir a mejorar la detección precoz y la eficacia de lasintervenciones tanto clínicas como educativas. (AU)

Contradictory results have been found in relationto the cognitive profile that characterizes the population with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this systematic review is to synthesizethe available evidence about the cognitive deficits associated with ASD in children and adolescents. 26 studies were selected, encompassing thefindings of a total of 1,229 child-young individuals with a diagnosis of ASD and 1,052 typically developing (TD). Studies since 2018 that comparedperformance in cognitive domains in between those populations were included. The results suggest that ASD present cognitive functioning thatdiffers significantly from that of their peers with TD, with specific alterations in cognitive processes and domains, which is related to the way inwhich they process information and involves the affectation of other cognitive domains such attention, memory, executive functions, language, andsocial cognition. The main limitations of this review refer to the size of the sample in relation to the great variety of cognitive domains studied andthe associated theoretical constructs, as well as the existence of a gender bias in the diagnosis of ASD. This work provides useful information onthe cognitive profile of ASD, because studying and defining deeply the cognitive characterization of this population can contribute to improving earlydetection and the effectiveness of both clinical and educational interventions. (AU)

Handling and novel object recognition modulate fear response and endocannabinoid signaling in nucleus basalis magnocellularis.

Storage of aversive memories is of utmost importance for survival, allowing animals to avoid upcoming similar stimuli. However, without reinforcement, the learned avoidance response gradually decreases over time. Although the molecular mechanisms controlling this extinction process are not well known, there is evidence that the endocannabinoid system plays a key role through CB1 receptor-mediated modulation of cholinergic signaling. In this study, we measured fear extinction throughout 7 months using naïve rats, assessed in passive avoidance (PA) test in a non-reinforced manner. Then, we evaluated the effect of gentle handling and non-aversive novel object recognition test (NORT) on the extinction and expression of fear memories by measuring passive avoidance responses. Neurochemical correlates were analyzed by functional autoradiography for cannabinoid, cholinergic, and dopaminergic receptors. Despite results showing a gradual decrease of passive avoidance response, it did not fully disappear even after 7 months, indicating the robustness of this process. Meanwhile, in rats that received gentle handling or performed NORT after receiving the PA aversive stimulus, extinction occurred within a week. In contrast, gentle handling performed before receiving the aversive stimulus exacerbated fear expression and triggered escape response in PA. The neurochemical analysis showed increased cannabinoid and cholinergic activity in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) in rats that had performed only PA, as opposed to rats that received gentle handling before PA. Additionally, a correlation between CB1 mediated-signaling in the NBM and freezing in PA was found, suggesting that the endocannabinoid system might be responsible for modulating fear response induced by aversive memories.

Trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad y su relación diagnóstica con el Trastorno por estrés postraumático infantil: Una revisión sistemática / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is highly prevalent in both childhood and adolescence

El Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH) tiene una gran prevalencia tanto en la infancia como en la adolescencia.Últimamente, se ha podido observar un creciente interés por este trastorno tanto desde una perspectiva social como profesional y educativa. Los errores diagnósticos en el TDAH pueden ser debidos a posibles casos de Trastorno por Estrés Postraumático (TEPT) noidentificados. El principal objetivo es investigar la relación entre el TDAH y TEPT en población infantil y analizar si esta relación puedellevar a diagnósticos erróneos. Para ello se efectuó una revisión de la literatura científica a través de bases de datos especializadas empleando los términos “TDAH”, “trauma”, “TEPT”, “abuso infantil”, “déficit atención” y con especial interés en los artículos que relacionabanTDAH y TEPT. Los 48 documentos y estudios analizados muestran una estrecha relación entre algunos síntomas del TDAH que puedensolaparse con los síntomas del TEPT infantil y viceversa. Los niños que han padecido un trauma, con frecuencia muestran síntomas similares al TDAH y éstos, a su vez, se superponen con el TEPT. Distinguir un diagnóstico de TEPT y TDAH puede ser un proceso complejosi además tenemos en cuenta que un trastorno puede influir en la expresión de otro y, al contrario. Un correcto diagnóstico diferencialy una precisa evaluación de cada caso posible de TDAH es fundamental para evitar falsos positivos. La principal contribución de estetrabajo es señalar la necesidad de tener en cuenta la exploración de posibles traumas previos en la historia clínica dentro del proceso deevaluación y diagnóstico de posible TDAH. (AU)

Recently, there has been agrowing interest in this disorder from a social, professional and educational perspective. Diagnostic errors in ADHD may be due to unidentified possible cases of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The main objective is to investigate the relationship between ADHDand PTSD in childhood and to analyze whether this relationship can lead to misdiagnosis. We carried out a systematic review of the scientific literature by means of specialized databases using the terms “ADHD”, “trauma”, “PTSD”, “child abuse”, “attention deficit” and withspecial interest in articles relating ADHD with PTSD. The different studies analyzed showed a close relationship between some symptomsof ADHD with some of the symptoms of PTSD in children and vice versa. Children who have suffered trauma often show symptoms similar to ADHD and these, in turn, overlap with PTSD. Distinguishing a diagnosis of PTSD with one of ADHD can be a complex processif we also consider that one disorder can influence the expression of the other (and vice versa). A correct differential diagnosis and anaccurate assessment of every possible case of ADHD are essential to avoid false positives. The main contribution of this work is to pointout the need to take into account the exploration of possible previous traumas in the clinical history within the process of evaluation anddiagnosis of possible ADHD. (AU)

Cognitive characterization of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by domains: a systematic review.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is reportedly the most frequent neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed during childhood, and it is recognized as a common condition in adulthood. We review the evidence to help identify cognitive domains associated to deficits in adult ADHD. A systematic review with narrative synthesis was performed, assessing studies on adult ADHD, neuropsychology and research on involved cognitive domains in adults 18+ years old with an established diagnosis of ADHD, in seven electronic databases (PubMed, PsychInfo, WebOfScience, Embase, Scopus, OvidSPMedline, and Teseo), and Worldcat and OpenGrey grey literature databases. 93 studies were included for this review, encompassing findings from a total 5574 adults diagnosed only with ADHD, medication-naïve or non-medicated at the moment of the assessment and 4880 healthy controls. Adults diagnosed with ADHD may show, when compared to healthy controls, a cognitive profile characterized by deficits across all attention modalities, processing speed, executive function (mainly working memory and inhibition with emphasis on reward delay and interference control), verbal memory, reading skills, social cognition and arithmetic abilities. A cognitive characterization of adult ADHD by domains is established beyond the sole consideration of attention and executive function problems. Along with these, verbal memory, language (mainly reading), social cognition and arithmetic abilities may also contribute to a more comprehensive characterization of the cognitive profile in adult ADHD.

Health Related Quality of Life and Cognitive Decline in Older Populations: Preliminary Results From NeuroDemeNPsia Study.

Goal: To measure Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in people with different primary degenerative dementias and compare them with 50+ years old older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy controls (HCs). Materials and Methods: In all, 45 participants suffered from Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia, 27 from Lewy body dementia (LBD), 17 from frontotemporal dementia (FTD), 43 from MCI, and 31 HCs (n = 163). The 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, version 2 (SF-12-v2) and Mini Mental State Examination were administered. Reisberg's Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) was completed by a neurologist. HRQoL indices obtained via the SF-12-v2 were compared between different subgroups. Results: Physical Function, Physical Role, Emotional Role, and Physical Summary Composite scores showed the best scores for patients with AD, followed by HC and MCI, and finally FTD and LBD. Discussion: A differentiated profile in HRQoL is shown in dementia subgroups, and may be useful to support differential diagnosis.

Health related quality of life in individuals with cognitive decline and discrepancies between patients and their proxies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The goal was to measure Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in individuals with different types of dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy controls (HC), and assess agreement levels between participants and proxies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 136 participants were recruited; thirty-seven with Alzheimer's Disease Dementia (AD), 19 with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), 12 with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), 37 with MCI and 31 HC. HRQoL was measured via the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, version 2 (SF-12-v2), separately for participants and proxies. Two groups (Individuals with cognitive decline versus healthy controls) were matched for sociodemographic variables. Differences for discrepancy rates between both groups were measured using t-test. Participant and proxy agreements were measured via Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC). Linear regression analyses were performed to examine what variables explained better the variance observed. RESULTS: Patients with DLB and FTD showed the lowest levels of HRQoL, while AD and HC showed the highest. No statistically significant differences were found between discrepancy scores from cognitive decline groups and healthy controls. ICC indicated high agreement between patients and proxies for the groups with cognitive decline, while agreements achieved in HC were lower and only in physical indices. GDS score accounted for 8.3% of the variance of proxies' rating on Mental Summary Composite Score (MSC). CONCLUSION: HRQoL physical and mental summaries are more reliable in groups with cognitive decline. Healthy controls and their proxies show lower agreement, with proxies reporting lower levels than normal for some relevant indices.