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19,731 reports · page 170 of 1974
Sarah Quinter Kim, Amber C Leichtle, Christina C Rocha
OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether automatic change detection to within-stimulus gaps, indexed by the deviant-related response (DRN), varies with gap duration and the temporal position of the gap within a long-duration sound, and whether these effects differ between children and adults. METHODS: Fifteen typically developing children (8-12 years) and fifteen adults (23-37 years) completed passive EEG recordings using a multi-deviant sequence in which standards and deviants alternated. All stimuli were 500-ms broadband-noise bursts. Deviants contained a silent gap of 10 or 30 ms inserted at 15, 50, 100, 200, 300, or 400 ms after stimulus onset. DRNs were derived from deviant-standard difference waves, and the presence of a DRN was evaluated using confidence interval (CI) procedures. In a separate behavioural task, participants performed active gap detection, and sensitivity was quantified using d'. RESULTS: In both groups, DRN amplitude increased with gap duration and decreased as the gap onset time was delayed. Reliable DRNs were absent at the latest gap position (400 ms) in both groups. In adults, a small DRN was evident at 300 ms, whereas in children, CI testing showed that significant DRNs were limited to the 30-ms gaps occurring at 15 and 50 ms.. Behavioural sensitivity was high overall but lower in children than in adults, and did not correlate with DRN amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: Automatic detection of within-stimulus gaps is constrained by the timing of the change, and this temporal constraint appears to be more pronounced in children. The dissociation between DRN outcomes and behavioural performance suggests that active detection may be supported by mechanisms beyond those indexed by the passive DRN.
Shaghayegh Omidvar, Kenneth Campbell, Steven Aiken et al.
The ability to learn and apply rules lies at the heart of cognition. In a seminal study, Marcus et al. (1999) reported that 7-month-old infants learned abstract rules over syllable sequences and were able to generalize those rules to novel syllable sequences. Dozens of studies have since replicated that finding and extended it using different rules, modalities, stimuli, participants (human adults and non-human animals) and experimental procedures. Yet questions remain about the generalizability of the core findings in Marcus et al., and sources of variation across these findings. In the current study, we address this issue by testing 839 infants (650 after exclusions) of a wide age range (5;0-12;0 months) in a multi-laboratory (30 laboratories, [31 samples]) conceptual replication of the Marcus et al. study. This study and the analysis plan were submitted as a registered report. A mixed-model analysis of the looking times at consistent versus inconsistent test trials indicated no significant effect. The current study therefore finds no evidence for rule-learning; to the contrary, a Bayesian analysis of the data indicated strong evidence for a null effect. This was similarly the case for the moderating factors that were part of the design: mono- versus multilingualism, age, and experimental paradigm; none of these factors showed significant effects. Robustness analyses indicated that the results were not different in the case of different choices in the (pre-)processing of the data. A follow-up analysis for single labs indicated that there was no evidence of rule-learning in 30 of the 31 contributed samples. The current finding raises fundamental issues about rule-learning that are presented in the Discussion section.
Ingmar Visser, Andreea Geambasu, George Kachergis et al.
BACKGROUND: Rapid technological evolution has made online sexual victimisation of children an important societal concern. However, empirical evidence on prevalence, and the use of artificial intelligence in online victimisation, remains scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of self-reported experiences of online child sexual victimisation, the involvement of AI, and disclosure pathways. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A nationally representative sample of 1894 Australian adolescents aged 16-18 years. METHODS: This study employed validated items from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study measuring online child sexual victimisation, capturing experiences of nonconsensual sharing of sexual images and online sexual solicitation before age 18. Follow-up items asked about the involvement of AI in victimisation and disclosures. RESULTS: One in 25 Australian adolescents experienced, or have a friend who experienced, AI facilitated online child sexual victimisation. The national prevalence of experiencing any online child sexual victimisation was 14.9%, comprising nonconsensual sharing of sexual images (6.4%), and sexual solicitation by an adult (11.3%), while 26.0% of nonconsensual sharing of sexual images involved the use of AI. Girls (18.9%) were more likely than boys to experience online sexual victimisation (10.6%). However, boys (26.6%) were more likely to experience AI-facilitated victimisation than girls (9.0%). Disclosure to an AI (18.7%) was more common than to authorities (13.2%), especially among boys. Victimisation appeared to cluster within peer groups. CONCLUSIONS: AI has made a substantial impact on victimisation and disclosure patterns of adolescents in Australia. It is now a more common disclosure pathway than authorities, including police, teachers or online reporting platforms.
Timothy I C Cubitt, Katie Logos, Russell Brewer et al.
BACKGROUND: The prevailing literature on child maltreatment often assumes directional symmetry, such that behavioral problems associated with increasing adversity would be expected to improve commensurately as adversity diminishes. OBJECTIVE: To test the symmetry assumption by examining whether within-child increases and decreases in maltreatment allegations show commensurate associations with changes in behavioral problems. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect, recruited across five regions of the United States (Eastern, Southern, Midwestern, Southwestern, and Northwestern), comprising 1298 children (7288 person-wave observations) assessed prospectively from ages 4 to 16. METHODS: We applied asymmetric fixed effects models, a method that decomposes within-individual fluctuations in maltreatment into independent cumulative increases and decreases, to predict behavioral problems. RESULTS: Standard fixed effects models yielded misleading null estimates by forcing symmetry. In contrast, asymmetric models showed that maltreatment increases were significantly associated with higher internalizing (β+= 0.153, p < 0.01) and externalizing (β+ = 0.220, p < 0.01) problems. Crucially, equivalent decreases were not associated with commensurate recovery. This asymmetry was pervasive for internalizing behaviors (Wald p= 0.004), where five of six maltreatment subtypes exhibited pronounced resistance to spontaneous recovery. For externalizing behaviors, asymmetry was marginal (Wald p= 0.048), with physical abuse alone demonstrating robust persistence (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Within-child associations between maltreatment allegations and behavioral problems were asymmetric, particularly for internalizing problems. Reductions in documented allegations were not accompanied by commensurate behavioral improvements, underscoring the inadequacy of standard symmetrical assumptions and highlighting the potential importance of targeted therapeutic interventions beyond initial crisis removal.
Zékai Zachary Lu, Zelin Liu, Nan Jiang et al.
BACKGROUND: Research has established the intergenerational transmission of maternal childhood maltreatment to offspring internalizing problems. However, the potential indirect pathways underlying this intergenerational association remain under-explored, particularly regarding how internal regulatory processes and adolescents' own maltreatment experiences operate together within intergenerational risk processes. OBJECTIVE: Integrating the theoretical frameworks of the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment and self-regulation, the present study investigated a comprehensive sequential mediation model involving maternal and adolescent emotion regulation difficulties and offspring maltreatment experiences. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A total of 399 Chinese adolescents (54.6% girls; Mage = 12.84 years, SD = 0.75) and their mothers (Mage = 40.41 years, SD = 4.36) participated in this study. METHODS: Mothers reported their childhood maltreatment history and emotion regulation difficulties, while adolescents reported their own childhood maltreatment experiences, emotion regulation difficulties, and internalizing problems (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and loneliness). RESULTS: Results indicated that maternal emotional abuse and physical neglect were indirectly associated with all three types of adolescent internalizing problems via three distinct pathways: (1) a pathway involving maternal emotion regulation difficulties and adolescent emotion regulation difficulties; (2) a pathway involving maternal emotion regulation difficulties and adolescent emotional abuse; and (3) a sequential mediation pathway involving maternal emotion regulation difficulties, adolescent emotional abuse/physical neglect, and adolescent emotion regulation difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the importance of integrating adolescent maltreatment-exposure and internal regulatory pathways in understanding intergenerational trauma transmission and suggests several potential targets for future longitudinal and intervention research.
Yinqiu Zhao, Can Huang, Wang Zheng et al.
BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with an increased risk of subsequent psychotic disorders. However, ADHD symptom trajectories have not been adequately considered, and it remains unclear whether associations with psychotic experiences (PEs) differ across trajectories among adolescents without reported psychostimulant use. AIMS: To examine associations between ADHD symptom trajectories and self-reported PEs in a population-based adolescent cohort without reported ADHD pharmacotherapy use. METHODS: We analysed 2245 participants from the Tokyo Teen Cohort assessed at ages 10, 12, 14, and 16 years. Participants with reported ADHD pharmacotherapy use were excluded, and none reported lifetime cannabis use at age 16. Parent-reported ADHD symptom trajectories were identified using growth mixture modelling. Logistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses examined associations with overall, distressing, and non-distressing PEs at age 16, adjusting for potential confounders at age 10, including baseline PEs. RESULTS: Four trajectories were identified: stable-low (67.6%), partial-persistent (13.2%), late-decreasing (12.3%), and late-emerging (6.9%). Compared with the stable-low trajectory, the late-emerging trajectory was associated with overall PEs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-3.55) and distressing PEs (aOR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.01-4.20). The partial-persistent trajectory was associated with non-distressing PEs (aOR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.08-5.19). CONCLUSIONS: Associations with PEs differed across ADHD symptom trajectories. Newly emerging or worsening ADHD symptoms during adolescence may warrant assessment of broader psychopathology, including PEs.
Naomi Nakajima, Satoshi Yamaguchi, Jordan DeVylder et al.
BACKGROUND: While growing evidence implicates sleep-wake and circadian rhythm disturbances (SCRDs) in the onset and course of mood and psychotic disorders, longitudinal studies using objective measures are limited. This clinical cohort study examined whether actigraphy-derived SCRDs (sleep duration, timing, and efficiency) predicted transition to (i) any full-threshold mental disorders; and then specifically; (ii) full-threshold bipolar or psychotic disorders; or (iii) other full-threshold (i.e., depressive or anxiety) disorders, in youth accessing mental health care. METHODS: Actigraphy monitoring was completed for 5-23 days in 250 participants (aged 12-30) presenting to youth-focused early intervention services in Sydney, Australia. Participants were followed longitudinally as part of the Optymise cohort for at least 6+ months (up to 8 years; median 2.5 years). Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models estimated associations between SCRDs and illness progression, after controlling for relevant baseline clinical and demographic covariates (e.g., age, sex, social and occupational functioning, mania-like and psychotic-like experiences, medication use). RESULTS: Longer sleep duration at baseline predicted higher odds of transition (OR = 2.23 [95% CI = 1.38-3.74]), and shorter time-to-transition (HR = 2.05 [95% CI = 1.23-3.40]) to full-threshold bipolar or psychotic disorders. This effect remained significant after controlling for clinical covariates. Later sleep midpoint predicted transition to any full-threshold mental disorder (OR = 1.46 [95% CI = 1.02-2.17]) at the uncorrected significance level. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive sleep duration may represent an early marker of vulnerability for progression to severe mental illness. Findings support the prognostic utility of objective measures of SCRDs to guide indicated prevention and early intervention.
Joanne S Carpenter, Jacob J Crouse, Mathew Varidel et al.
BACKGROUND: Ambient air pollution exposure is associated with structural brain differences and poorer cognition in children; however, mechanisms of toxicity remain unclear. Perivascular spaces (PVSs), key for brain waste clearance, may play a role in the neurotoxicity caused by air pollution. This study explored associations between air pollution exposure, PVS morphology, and cognition in preadolescents. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study data from 6949 9- to 10-year-old participants. Annual average exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and 15 PM2.5 components were estimated using spatiotemporal models mapped to residential addresses. PVS count and volume were derived from T1-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and cognition was estimated using NIH Toolbox scores. Linear mixed-effects models examined independent associations between air pollution, PVS, and cognition; weighted quantile sum regression assessed coexposure effects of PM2.5 mixtures. RESULTS: Linear models revealed that exposures to zinc (Zn), ammonium (NH4 +), and bromine were positively associated with PVS count in several regions. Higher PVS count in 5 key regions was associated with poorer cognitive performance across several NIH Toolbox domains. Higher calcium, Zn, and NH4 + exposures were associated with poorer cognition (false discovery rate-corrected p < .01). Higher frontal lobe PVS count mediated the association between Zn exposure and poorer total cognition (p < .01). Coexposure models revealed that PM2.5 mixtures were associated with higher temporal and cingulate PVS counts and poorer working memory and crystallized intelligence (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Outdoor air pollution was associated with higher PVS count and reduced cognition, suggesting that brain clearance may be a novel mechanism linking pollution to neurodevelopmental harm in preadolescents.
Jessica Morrel, Kirthana Sukumaran, Carinna Torgerson et al.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) and restless leg syndrome (RLS) are common in patients with cirrhosis. We report the PN profile in cirrhosis, with or without RLS. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included nondiabetic adults (aged ≥18 years) with cirrhosis who were screened for RLS. Participants with recent (<4 weeks) deterioration of liver disease, hemodynamic instability, overt neuropathy, neurological illness, pregnancy, chronic kidney disease, using psychotropic drugs, or uncontrolled systemic illness were excluded. RLS was diagnosed according to standard criteria. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed and evaluated using a Keypoint workstation (Dantec, Skovlunde, Denmark) with a standard protocol for all participants. Motor NCS were recorded in the median, ulnar, and common peroneal nerves (CPN). Sensory NCS were performed with antidromic technique on median, ulnar, and sural nerves. PNs were grouped as demyelinating/axonal/combined and motor/sensory/combined. Numerical and categorical variables were summarized as median (interquartile range) and proportions (percentage), respectively. RESULTS: Among 97 patients (69.1% male; age 52 [44-60] years; Child-Pugh-Turcotte [CTP]-A/B/C 46.4%/47.4%/6.2%), 27.8% had RLS. PN was present in 53.6% (65.4% motor, 13.5% sensory, and 21.1% combined). The incidence of PN in CTP-A/B/C was 57.8%/50%/50% (p = 0.75). PN was present in 48.2% of patients with RLS and 55.7% of those without RLS (p = 0.50). The distribution of demyelinating/axonal/combined neuropathies, as well as motor/sensory/combined neuropathy, was comparable between those with and without RLS. CONCLUSION: PN is frequently detected in patients with cirrhosis. Motor involvement was commner than sensory neuropathy. In this cohort, the presence of PN or its type was not associated with RLS.
R V K Kishore, Surender Singh, Mayank et al.
