Article
Behavioral Sciences
Noor Z. Al Dahhan, Kelly Halverson, Carrie P. Peek, Dayna Wilmot, Anila D'Mello, Rachel R. Romeo, Olivia Meegoda, Andrea Imhof, Karolina Wade, Anissa Sridhar, Eric Falke, Tracy M. Centanni, John D. E. Gabrieli, Joanna A. Christodoulou
Summary: Developmental dyslexia (DD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders in school-age children, and they often co-occur. This study found that impaired executive functions (EF) in dyslexia were associated with poorer reading fluency and reduced brain activation, regardless of ADHD status.
Article
Neurosciences
Nikolay Taran, Rola Farah, Carmel Gashri, Ester Gitman, Keri Rosch, Bradley L. Schlaggar, Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a computerized executive functions (EFs)-based reading intervention on neural circuits and behavioral performance. The results showed that the intervention improved reading rate and visual attention in children with dyslexia. Additionally, the intervention led to increased functional connectivity between certain brain regions, which was correlated with better processing speed and visual attention. These findings suggest that training underlying cognitive abilities such as EFs and visual attention is crucial for enhancing reading abilities in dyslexia.
NETWORK NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Thanh Van Phan, Diana Sima, Dirk Smeets, Pol Ghesquiere, Jan Wouters, Maaike Vandermosten
Summary: The study suggests that children's brains undergo changes during the early reading stage, with the left temporal and temporoparietal regions playing a crucial role in the development of the reading network. Children with dyslexia show different neurotrajectories in certain brain regions compared to typical readers, indicating the presence of compensatory neural mechanisms.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Costanza Ruffini, Silvia Spoglianti, Clara Bombonato, Silvia Bonetti, Maria Chiara Di Lieto, Chiara Pecini
Summary: The study found that the Italian version of Quincey Quokka's Quest (QQQ(IT)) intervention resulted in improved executive functions, particularly in shifting abilities, among preschool children. This suggests that ecological interventions in preschool settings can effectively enhance specific components of executive functions in young children.
Article
Neurosciences
Kim M. Cecil, Kelly J. Brunst, Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus
Summary: This study found that for children with dyslexia, the effect of the EF-based reading program is associated with low GLX concentrations and other metabolites, which may indicate a decrease in neural noise in the anterior cingulate cortex as a possible mechanism for the program's effectiveness.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Angela Pasqualotto, Irene Altarelli, Antonella De Angeli, Zeno Menestrina, Daphne Bavelier, Paola Venuti
Summary: Training reading skills is crucial in modern societies, as poor-reading children are at risk of struggling academically and in their daily lives. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a video game-based cognitive intervention in improving attentional control and executive functions, leading to significant improvements in reading abilities. The findings suggest that training attentional control can have a positive impact on reading efficiency, with long-lasting effects.
NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
(2022)
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Christian Tarchi, Costanza Ruffini, Chiara Pecini
Summary: This article reviews the roles of executive functions in reading from multiple texts, finding that the association between executive functions and multiple-text comprehension is underdeveloped. Results suggest that working memory may play a role in surface comprehension, while the involvement of other executive functions like planning or monitoring needs further research in the context of learning from multiple texts.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Oscar Woolnough, Cristian Donos, Aidan Curtis, Patrick S. Rollo, Zachary J. Roccaforte, Stanislas Dehaene, Simon Fischer-Baum, Nitin Tandon
Summary: Reading words aloud is a fundamental aspect of literacy. The study found that lexicality is encoded earliest in the mid-fusiform cortex and precentral sulcus, while word frequency is first represented in the mid-fusiform cortex and later in the inferior frontal gyrus and inferior parietal sulcus. Orthographic neighborhood sensitivity resides solely in the inferior parietal sulcus.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Marie Lubineau, Cassandra Potier Watkins, Herve Glasel, Stanislas Dehaene
Summary: Despite marketing claims, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of flickering glasses and lamps for dyslexia. Several experiments were conducted, and it was found that flickering slowed down word recognition and slightly affected decision-making in regular adult readers. However, no significant effects were observed in dyslexic children. Higher frequency flickering products also had no detectable impact on reading fluency and letter processing. Only a small placebo effect was noted in individuals who claimed to benefit from flickering glasses.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Claudete A. R. Milare, Elisa H. Kozasa, Shirley Lacerda, Carla Barrichello, Patricia R. Tobo, Ana Lucia D. Horta
Summary: This study compared the effects of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) with a story reading intervention (SI) on children in public schools in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Results showed that students in the MBI group had broader effects on executive functions, while students in the SI group showed a trend towards reduced negative affect and depression symptoms. It is feasible to implement MBI or SI in Brazilian public schools.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Aleksi J. Sihvonen, Paula Virtala, Anja Thiede, Marja Laasonen, Teija Kujala
Summary: This study utilized a hodological approach to investigate the relationships between structural white matter connectivity and reading skills and phonological processing. The findings revealed specific brain regions associated with reading skills and phonological processing, as well as structural connectivity anomalies in dyslexics.
Article
Biology
Steven Lee Meisler, John D. E. Gabrieli
Summary: Recent studies have found that the relationship between reading skills and white matter microstructure is not as strong as previously thought. Using Fixel-based analysis, researchers have found a positive correlation between fiber density and cross-section and reading skills, especially in the left temporoparietal and cerebellar white matter. Exploratory analysis also revealed that certain metrics from other diffusion models were associated with reading skills.
Review
Neurosciences
John Stein
Summary: Most of our knowledge about reading and dyslexia comes from research on developmental dyslexia. There is currently no consensus on how to accurately identify dyslexia, but understanding the specific neural pathways that contribute to reading difficulties can lead to reliable identification methods. Impaired development of the brain's rapid visual and auditory temporal processing systems is a significant factor in dyslexia, causing difficulties with phonological skills.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Educational
Suzan Nouwens, Margriet A. Groen, Tijs Kleemans, Ludo Verhoeven
Summary: The study found that executive functions play an important role in fifth-grade reading comprehension, especially working memory and planning make unique contributions to reading comprehension, while also supporting decoding. Taking into account decoding and language skills, it is crucial for educational professionals to consider children's executive functions in the classroom.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Rola Farah, Silvio Ionta, Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus
Summary: Dyslexia is a neurobiological learning disability in the reading domain, leading to difficulties in academia and cognitive and emotional challenges for individuals. Executive functions play a crucial role in language and reading acquisition, showing abnormalities in individuals with dyslexia. Adding an EF assessment to neuropsychological testing is recommended for early intervention, and EF training should be considered for comprehensive outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Lu Lu, A. Jeffrey Mills, Hailong Li, K. Heidi Schroeder, A. Sarah Mossman, T. Sara Varney, M. Kim Cecil, Xiaoqi Huang, Qiyong Gong, B. Laura Ramsey, P. Melissa DelBello, A. John Sweeney, R. Jeffrey Strawn
Summary: In adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), escitalopram increased amygdala-prefrontal connectivity within the first 2 weeks of treatment, and the magnitude of this early change predicted subsequent clinical improvement.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Travis J. Beckwith, Kim N. Dietrich, John P. Wright, Mekibib Altaye, Kim M. Cecil
Summary: Childhood lead exposure is linked to decreased brain volumes in regions responsible for cognition and emotional regulation, which in turn are associated with increased rates of criminal arrests in adulthood.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yun Liu, Melissa N. Eliot, George D. Papandonatos, Karl T. Kelsey, Ruby Fore, Scott Langevin, Jessie Buckley, Aimin Chen, Bruce P. Lanphear, Kim M. Cecil, Kimberly Yolton, Marie-France Hivert, Sharon K. Sagiv, Andrea A. Baccarelli, Emily Oken, Joseph M. Braun
Summary: In this study, we examined the associations between gestational PFAS exposure and DNA methylation levels at birth and in adolescence using longitudinal data. The results showed that gestational PFAS exposure was associated with differences in several CpG sites at birth and at 12 years of age, which were linked to genes associated with PFAS-related health outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Kim M. Cecil
Summary: Studies using MRI have examined the effects of exposure to heavy metals, air pollution, pesticides, environmental tobacco smoke, and flame retardants on pediatric populations. These studies have found morphological changes, abnormal metabolic concentrations, white matter disorganization, and atypical patterns of activation as a result of these exposures. Some studies track pregnant women and their offspring throughout their lives to collect exposure biomarkers, while others use public databases to obtain relevant biomarkers and monitor developmental features in large imaging cohorts.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nat Nasomyont, Andrea R. Meisman, Kirsten Ecklund, Sridhar Vajapeyam, Kim M. Cecil, Jean A. Tkach, Mekibib Altaye, Sarah D. Corathers, Lee Ann Conard, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Lawrence M. Dolan, Catherine M. Gordon
Summary: Pubertal suppression with GnRH agonists may negatively affect BMAT and bone mass acquisition in TGNC youth.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL DENSITOMETRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joseph M. Braun, George D. Papandonatos, Nan Li, Clara G. Sears, Jessie P. Buckley, Kim M. Cecil, Aimin Chen, Charles B. Eaton, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Karl T. Kelsey, Bruce P. Lanphear, Kimberly Yolton
Summary: In this cohort, physical activity during adolescence modified the association between prenatal serum PFOA concentrations and cardiometabolic risk in children, suggesting that lifestyle interventions may alleviate the adverse effects of PFOA exposure. However, diet did not modify any associations.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taylor M. Etzel, Joseph M. Braun, Jordan R. Kuiper, Antonia M. Calafat, Kim M. Cecil, Aimin Chen, Bruce P. Lanphear, Kimberly Yolton, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Jessie P. Buckley
Summary: This study suggests that early life exposure to certain phthalates may be associated with body composition, particularly lean mass, during adolescence.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zana Percy, Aimin Chen, Weili Yang, Joseph M. Braun, Bruce Lanphear, Maria Ospina, Antonia M. Calafat, Changchung Xie, Kim M. Cecil, Ann M. Vuong, Yingying Xu, Kimberly Yolton
Summary: The use of organophosphate esters as flame retardants may have adverse effects on cognitive abilities in children, with socioeconomic status influencing the relationship.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nerea Mourino, Monica Perez-Rios, Kimberly Yolton, Bruce P. Lanphear, Aimin Chen, Jessie P. Buckley, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Kim M. Cecil, Joseph M. Braun
Summary: This study found that postnatal serum cotinine concentrations had a greater influence on adolescent's cardiometabolic risk compared to the prenatal period, and these associations may be sex-specific.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nidhi Iyanna, Kimberly Yolton, Grace LeMasters, Bruce P. Lanphear, Kim M. Cecil, Joel Schwartz, Cole Brokamp, Erika Rasnick, Yingying Xu, Melinda C. MacDougall, Patrick H. Ryan
Summary: Exposure to air pollutants NO2 and PM2.5 during pregnancy and the first year of life may increase the risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children, but this association is no longer significant after controlling for confounding factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jordan R. Kuiper, Shudi Pan, Bruce P. Lanphear, Antonia M. Calafat, Aimin Chen, Kim M. Cecil, Yingying Xu, Kimberly Yolton, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Joseph M. Braun, Jessie P. Buckley
Summary: Background: Early life environmental exposures may affect bone mass accrual in childhood, but only limited research has been done on the role of environmental phenols in child bone health. This study found weak associations between the concentrations of environmental phenols and bone mineral content and density, suggesting the need for further research on the mechanisms of this effect.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zana Percy, Aimin Chen, Heidi Sucharew, Weili Yang, Ann M. Vuong, Joseph M. Braun, Bruce Lanphear, Maria Ospina, Antonia M. Calafat, Kim M. Cecil, Yingying Xu, Kimberly Yolton
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of early-life exposure to an OPE mixture on child behavior. It was found that higher urinary concentrations of OPE metabolites during pregnancy and postnatal period were associated with child behavioral problems at 3 and 8 years, including internalizing, externalizing, and overall negative behaviors. However, there was no consistent pattern in terms of the direction of the effects or a particularly sensitive time point.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Taylor M. Etzel, Jordan R. Kuiper, Xiaobin Wang, Noel T. Mueller, Antonia M. Calafat, Kim M. Cecil, Aimin Chen, Bruce P. Lanphear, Kimberly Yolton, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Joseph M. Braun, Jessie P. Buckley
Summary: A prospective study found that early-life phthalate exposures may affect cardiometabolic outcomes during adolescence. The concentrations of nine phthalate metabolites in urine samples collected during pregnancy and childhood were associated with cardiometabolic biomarkers at age 12, with differences observed between males and females.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Harry Sultan, Jessie P. Buckley, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Kim M. Cecil, Aimin Chen, Bruce P. Lanphear, Kimberly Yolton, Joseph M. Braun
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between dietary quality and macronutrient intake with serum PFAS concentrations in US adolescents, and found that higher dietary quality and dietary fiber intake were associated with lower PFAS concentrations. These findings can inform future policies in reducing human exposure to PFAS.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Junqi Wang, Hailong Li, Gang Qu, Kim M. Cecil, Jonathan R. Dillman, Nehal A. Parikh, Lili He
Summary: A dynamic weighted hypergraph convolutional network (dwHGCN) framework is proposed in this study to learn features from dynamic hypergraphs. The model improves the learning capability of brain functional connectome by assigning larger weights to hyperedges with higher discriminative power and enhances the interpretability of the model by identifying highly active interactions among ROIs shared by a common hyperedge. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of this model in classification tasks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data.
MEDICAL IMAGE ANALYSIS
(2023)
