RESUMO
AIM: To analyze the influence of age on the performance of a planning and organization task, two skills included in the executive functions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Performance of the task 'Mexican pyramid' from the Evaluacion Neuropsicologica Infantil (ENI) were analyzed on 239 school age children from México and Colombia, distributed in six age groups. Five measures were analyzed: number of correct designs, number of movements per design and execution time in the correct designs, number of correct designs built with the minimum of movements and its execution time. RESULTS: There was a significant effect of age on the five measures. Comparison between groups showed that younger children (5 to 6 years old) had a smaller number of correct designs, while children from 5 to 8 years old need more movements. Execution time showed a greater number of differences between groups. Analyzing the 11 items of the task, it was evident that difficulty level is related with the number of movements and the novelty of rules. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that accuracy of performance, the number of moves as well as the speed of performance are useful markers of the development of the executive functions. Our results support the notion that the development of planning and organization; is fast in the first years of the school age, and it slows down on adolescence.
Assuntos
Processos Mentais , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Análise e Desempenho de Tarefas , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Colômbia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , MéxicoRESUMO
Limited information is currently available about performance of Spanish-speaking children on different neuropsychological tests. This study was designed to (a) analyze the effects of age and sex on different neuropsychological test scores of a randomly selected sample of Spanish-speaking children, (b) analyze the value of neuropsychological test scores for predicting school performance, and (c) describe the neuropsychological profile of Spanish-speaking children with learning disabilities (LD). Two hundred ninety (141 boys, 149 girls) 6- to 11-year-old children were selected from a school in Bogotá, Colombia. Three age groups were distinguished: 6- to 7-, 8- to 9-, and 10- to 11-year-olds. Performance was measured utilizing the following neuropsychological tests: Seashore Rhythm Test, Finger Tapping Test (FTT), Grooved Pegboard Test, Children's Category Test (CCT), California Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version (CVLT-C), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), and Bateria Woodcock Psicoeducativa en Español (Woodcock, 1982). Normative scores were calculated. Age effect was significant for most of the test scores. A significant sex effect was observed for 3 test scores. Intercorrelations were performed between neuropsychological test scores and academic areas (science, mathematics, Spanish, social studies, and music). In a post hoc analysis, children presenting very low scores on the reading, writing, and arithmetic achievement scales of the Woodcock battery were identified in the sample, and their neuropsychological test scores were compared with a matched normal group. Finally, a comparison was made between Colombian and American norms.
Assuntos
Logro , Transtornos Cognitivos/diagnóstico , Transtornos Cognitivos/etiologia , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/complicações , Idioma , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Criança , Transtornos Cognitivos/epidemiologia , Colômbia/epidemiologia , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/epidemiologia , Feminino , Hispânico ou Latino/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
The Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination Battery (BDAE) is one of the most widely used aphasia tests worldwide. Information about general population performance, however, is limited. This paper analyzes the effects of gender, age, socioeconomic status (SES), academic achievement, and occupation on the BDAE Spanish version. The BDAE was administered to a randomized sample of 156 occupationally active 19-60-year-old participants (75 male and 81 female) from two SES groups. Gender and age had a significant effect on some reading and writing subtests. Body-part naming and mechanics of writing scores were significantly decreased in the low SES group. Education had a significant impact over most of the BDAE subtests. A stepwise regression model showed that academic achievement was best able to predict the variance in BDAE scores with a low (< 15%) to modest (> 17%) but significant capability (F MANOVA p < .01). A factor analysis disclosed 7 factors that explained 67% of the total variance.
Assuntos
Afasia/diagnóstico , Idioma , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Logro , Adulto , Demografia , Escolaridade , Análise Fatorial , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
We present a factor analytic study of the Conners Rating Scales for parents and teachers in this article. A comparison is established with the original factor analytic studies (Conners, 1979a, 1979b) and the results obtained by Farré-Riba and Narbona (1997), using a Spanish sample. Five hundred and forty children, ages 4 to 17, were randomly selected in Manizales, Colombia. The shortened Spanish version of the Conners Parents Rating Scale (CPRS; Conners, 1979a) and the Conners Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS; Conners, 1979b) were used. Parsimonious factor analyses for both scales were developed. Three stable factors were found in the CPRS: hyperactivity, somatic symptoms, and inattention. Twenty-two out of 48 items were significantly saturated by these 3 factors. In the CTRS, 4 different factors were found that accounted for 63.5% of the total variance: uncontrolled temperament, inattention, hyperactivity, and difficulties in social relationships. Twenty out of 28 items were significantly saturated by these 3 factors. Factor structure was closer to the Spanish Farré-Riba and Narbona report than to the original findings. We concluded that the CPRS and the CTRS Spanish versions, when used by Colombian children and adolescents, do not seem to evaluate exactly the same underlying behavioral dimensions. We propose selecting only 22 items of the CPRS and 20 items of the CTRS (brief versions) for further epidemiological and clinical use.
Assuntos
Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/psicologia , Testes Neuropsicológicos/normas , Adolescente , Comportamento do Adolescente , Criança , Comportamento Infantil , Pré-Escolar , Colômbia , Análise Fatorial , Feminino , Humanos , Idioma , Masculino , Relações Pais-Filho , Instituições Acadêmicas , Sensibilidade e EspecificidadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is growing recognition that violence and other forms of conduct problems increase during adolescence. The exact relationship between biological, psychological, and social variables has not been defined yet. OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether Intelligence Quotients (IQS), neurological history, child behavioral problems, executive functions, and soft neurological signs (SNS) can differentiate between undisciplined and unreliable adolescents (Behavioral Dysregulation Disorder subjects, BDD) and normal controls. METHOD: Twenty-five 13 to 16-year-olds, adolescents with BDD and 25 matched controls were used in this study. WISC-R, executive function assessment, neurological history, child behavioral problems, and SNS scores were analyzed using a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). A Multiple Regression Stepwise with Criteria Probability of F Analysis was used for predicting criteria variable variance. RESULTS: WISC-R Verbal IQ (VIQ), Information, Similarities, and Vocabulary subtests presented statistically significant differences between BDD and controls (p < .001). No Performance IQ (PIQ) variables established significant differences between both groups. Executive function scores did not detect significant differences between groups either. Prenatal, neonatal, and neurological history scores were similar between both groups. Two child behavioral problem variables were significantly different, with higher scores in BDD group: use of weapons and drug-use (p < .05). A Multiple Regression Stepwise (Criteria Probability of F < .05) model, entering the predictive variables in each domain (intelligence, executive function, neurological antecedents, child behavioral problems, and SNS), and using the score on the criteria variable as dependent variable, found two predictive models: (1) WISC-R Information (Ad-R-SQ = 0.172 F-Ch. = 11.176, p < .01); and (2) WISC-R Information and drug-use (R-SQ: 0.26; F-Ch = 9.605 p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A verbal factor and drug-use predicted fairly 30% of the variance of the criteria variable used for classifying adolescents with BDD. These results would mean that a language underlying factor and an environmental drug-use factor would be related to the BDD in adolescents.
Assuntos
Comportamento do Adolescente/psicologia , Transtorno da Conduta/fisiopatologia , Córtex Pré-Frontal/fisiopatologia , Adolescente , Transtornos Cognitivos/diagnóstico , Transtorno da Conduta/diagnóstico , Humanos , Masculino , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Escalas de WechslerRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Several studies have proposed a multiple dimensional theoretical model for executive function. OBJECTIVE: To identify the factor structure of the executive function in a sample of young university students of different modalities of learning in their careers. METHODS: 100 participants of both sexes, age 16 to-21-year old and normal Full Scale IQ were selected in a randomized and representative approach from private universities of Medellin Colombia. They were student of verbal, visuospatial and mathematical careers. A executive function assessment battery were applied, which included: Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Trail Making Test (TMT) A and B, verbal fluency test (FAS) by phonologic and semantic guides, and Stroop test. RESULTS: A structure of four factor was found, which explained 74.9% of variance. Factors were: 1. Organization and flexibility, which explained 26.6% of variance; 2. Processing speed, 19.7%; 3. Inhibitory control, 15.1%; and 4. Verbal fluency 13.4%. CONCLUSION: A multiple factor structure of the executive function in young university students was demonstrated.
Assuntos
Modelos Psicológicos , Estudantes/psicologia , Pensamento , Adolescente , Adulto , Colômbia , Tomada de Decisões , Feminino , Humanos , Inteligência , Julgamento , Masculino , Memória , Análise Multivariada , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Córtex Pré-Frontal/fisiologia , Distribuição Aleatória , Valores de Referência , Universidades , Comportamento VerbalRESUMO
INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: In order to compare the magnetic resonance image characteristics of individuals belonging to pedigrees carrying the mutation E280A-PS1 associated to early onset Alzheimer disease, coming from Antioquia, Colombia, 78 individuals were studied. 47 of them were carriers of the mutation, 23 of those presented symptoms and 31 individuals being controls (non carriers of the mutation). RESULTS: In summary, significative differences were appreciated between symptomatic individuals and those asymptomatic. There was not significant difference between asymptomatic carriers and the controls. The presence of the perihippocampal fissure constituted a difference statistically significant between the symptomatic individuals and those carriers asymptomatic and between the symptomatic ones and the controls. The interuncal distance increased significantly was another difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals and among symptomatic and control group. The lobar atrophy and the ventriculomegaly were found in symptomatic individuals and they correlate with the disorder graveness. There was not significance in the presence of infarcts and/or hippocampal hyperintensities. CONCLUSION: These results corroborate the statement that magnetic resonance image is very useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of individuals affected by early onset Alzheimer disease.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer/patologia , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/genética , Mutação Puntual , Idade de Início , Doença de Alzheimer/diagnóstico , Doença de Alzheimer/epidemiologia , Doença de Alzheimer/genética , Atrofia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Ventrículos Cerebrais/patologia , Colômbia/epidemiologia , Demência/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Feminino , Genes Dominantes , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Heterozigoto , Hipocampo/patologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Presenilina-1 , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
The purpose of this research was to develop, standardize, and test the reliability of a short neuropsychological test battery in the Spanish language. This neuropsychological battery was named "NEUROPSI," and was developed to assess briefly a wide spectrum of cognitive functions, including orientation, attention, memory, language, visuoperceptual abilities, and executive functions. The NEUROPSI includes items that are relevant for Spanish-speaking communities. It can be applied to illiterates and low educational groups. Administration time is 25 to 30 min. Normative data were collected from 800 monolingual Spanish-speaking individuals, ages 16 to 85 years. Four age groups were used: (1) 16 to 30 years, (2) 31 to 50 years, (3) 51 to 65 years, and (4) 66 to 85 years. Data also are analyzed and presented within 4 different educational levels that were represented in this sample; (1) illiterates (zero years of school); (2) 1 to 4 years of school; (2) 5 to 9 years of school; and (3) 10 or more years of formal education. The effects of age and education, as well as the factor structure of the NEUROPSI are analyzed. The NEUROPSI may fulfill the need for brief, reliable, and objective evaluation of a broad range of cognitive functions in Spanish-speaking populations.
Assuntos
Cognição/fisiologia , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Envelhecimento/fisiologia , Escolaridade , Feminino , Humanos , Idioma , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , EspanhaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: American Psychiatric Association has defined the DSM-IV ADD diagnostic criteria and symptoms, however, there is not a quantitative instrument to evaluate them in Spanish speaker population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of a ADD checklist in a Colombian schooling population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized and stratified by sex, age and socioeconomic level, 4 to 17-year old, sample of 540 schooling subjects was selected from Manizales City, Colombia. An ADD checklist was applied to the parents of these subjects. RESULTS: The reliability of the different dimensions of the questionnaire (18 total items, 9 items for inattention, 9 for hyperactivity-impulsivity, and 6 for hyperactivity) were strong in both sex and in all age groups (Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.71-0.92). Only the impulsivity dimension formed by three variables showed fairly weak reliability (0.42-0.79 Cronbach's alpha). Some factorial analysis found two dimensions. In the male sample first dimension (inattention) explain around the 45% of the variance, and the second dimension (hyperactivity-impulsivity) explain around the 12 to 15% of the variance in the different age groups. In the female sample the first dimension was hyperactivity-impulsivity and the second dimension was inattention. A categorical (yes or not) scored questionnaire found a ADD estimated prevalence of 16.1, distributed in type I (combined) 3.3%, in type II (inattentive) 4.3%, and type III (hyperactive-impulsive) 8.5%. Male prevalence was 19.8% and female 12.4%. CONCLUSIONS: ADD checklist Spanish version showed a strong reliability. A bidimensional stable structured was found. A clinical related ADD prevalence was presented, it was much higher than the prevalence of the developed countries.
Assuntos
Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/diagnóstico , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adolescente , Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/epidemiologia , Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/psicologia , Área Programática de Saúde , Criança , Colômbia/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Prevalência , Escalas de Graduação PsiquiátricaRESUMO
We hypothesized that children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) would underperform on neuropsychological tests that are sensitive to executive function impairments. We further proposed that a linear discriminant analysis using behavioral and neuropsychological variables as dependent variables would pinpoint the capability of behavioral questionnaires and neuropsychological tests to predict the correct classification of ADHD and control children. We designed a transversal study with 62 seven- to twelve-year-old children with ADHD and 62 Full Scale IQ-matched controls using two behavioral scales and 13 neuropsychological tests. Using analysis of variance and covariance with age and school achievement and multifactor analysis of variance, we found that behavioral variables established robust, statistically significant differences between groups (p < .001). Children with ADHD scored worse than controls on 31 out of 61 neuropsychological variables. Children with ADHD, however, obtained better scores that were statistically significant on WISC-R Comprehension and Picture completion. A linear discriminant analysis with nine behavioral variables correctly classified 100% of the participants in both groups. Another linear discriminant analysis using 10 neuropsychological variables correctly classified 85.48% of the participants in both groups. We propose a core battery of selected tests for assessing children with ADHD. The significance of cross-cultural analyses of different developmental disturbances is emphasized.