Effects of verb bias and syntactic ambiguity on reading in people with aphasia

Background: The Lexical Bias Hypothesis claims that people with aphasia (PWA) have difficulty understanding sentences when the verb’s argument structure bias conflicts with the sentence structure. This hypothesis can account for comprehension deficits that affect simple sentences, but the role of verb bias has not been clearly demonstrated in temporarily ambiguous sentences.

Aims: This study examined how verb bias affects comprehension of temporarily ambiguous and unambiguous sentences using self-paced reading.

Methods & Procedures: PWA and controls read sentences that contained sentential complements (e.g., The talented photographer accepted (that) the fire could not have been prevented). The main verb was biased to take a direct object (e.g., accepted) or a sentential complement (e.g., admitted). In addition, the sentential complement was either introduced by the complementiser that (i.e., unambiguous) or unmarked (i.e., ambiguous).

Results: The reading times of PWA were affected more by verb bias than by the presence of the complementiser, whereas the control group’s reading times were more affected by the presence or absence of the complementiser.

Conclusions: The results were generally consistent with the Lexical Bias Hypothesis, and showed that a mismatch between verb bias and sentence structure affected the processing of unambiguous and temporarily ambiguous sentences in PWA.     

Central mechanism of action of antimigraine prophylactic drugs

The pathogenesis of migraine is obscure. A hyperexcitable brain state has been postulated. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is the most suggestive argument for the brain hyperexcitability. It has been showed that valproate, topiramate, amitriptyline and propranolol inhibit CSD in rats, which suggests that most preventative treatments of migraine act by normalising neuronal firing and increasing a genetically lowered and environmentally modified threshold for neuronal discharge. It has also been suggested that some antimigraine prophylactic drugs (i.e., amitriptyline, candesartan and magnesium) may act by restoring central nociceptive dysmodulation.

     

Cohort Profile: Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD)

Purpose

The Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD) was designed to examine the long-term associations of preschool physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development with biopsychosocial development across childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood.

Methods

QLSCD is an ongoing prospective cohort including 2120 singletons born in 1997/1998 in the Canadian province of Quebec. So far, data have been collected annually or every 2 years from child ages 5 months to 21 years. The cohort currently includes 1245 participants. Data available include a range of environmental (e.g., family characteristics, child behaviour, educational attainment, mental health), biological (e.g., hair cortisol, genetic, epigenetic), and administrative data.

Results

QLSCD has contributed to the understanding of children’s psychosocial development, including the development of physical aggression and anxiety. QLSCD articles have advanced scientific knowledge on the influence of early childhood factors on childhood, adolescent, and young adult mental health, including the effect of participation in early childcare on cognitive and behavioural development, the developmental origins of adolescent and young adult mental health problems and suicide risk, and the development of interpersonal difficulties (e.g., peer victimisation) from preschool years to adolescence.

Conclusion

QLSCD has given major contributions to our understanding of the link between different aspects of child development and biopsychosocial development during the first two decades of life. Unique features include the presence of environmental, biological, and administrative data, long-term follow-up with frequent data collections, and use of data from multiple informants, including teachers, mothers, fathers, and the children themselves.

     

Psychiatric diagnoses are associated with means selection in united states suicide deaths

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the choice of means by persons who die by suicide is associated with a prior psychiatric diagnosis.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed suicide surveillance data from 18 states reporting to the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) between 2003 and 2014. NVDRS compiled data from multiple sources (e.g., coroner’s reports, police reports, death certificates) on every violent death within reporting jurisdictions, including information on indicated psychiatric disorders and suicide means. We assessed whether the selected suicide means were associated with diagnoses using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Adjusted models suggested that, compared to decedents using firearms, those using poisoning were more likely to have each psychiatric disorder examined, including bipolar disorder (aOR: 2.17 [95% CI 2.03–2.32]), schizophrenia (aOR: 1.81 [1.61–2.04]), depression (aOR: 1.64 [1.58–1.70]), anxiety disorder (aOR: 1.46 [1.35–1.57]), and PTSD (aOR: 1.41 [1.22–1.64]). A far greater proportion of individuals who died from less common means (other than firearms, suffocation, or poisoning) had schizophrenia (aOR: 4.52 [4.00–5.11]).

Conclusions

Many existing and proposed means restriction interventions have focused on firearms. Additional focus on access to potential agents of poisoning (e.g., the type and quantity of medication administered to patients) among individuals with psychiatric diagnoses may be warranted.

     

Phonological encoding in apraxia of speech and aphasia

Background: Apraxia of speech (AOS) is considered a speech motor planning/programming disorder. While it is possible that co-occurring phonological impairments exist, the speech motor planning/programming deficit often makes it difficult to assess the phonological encoding stage directly. Studies using online methods have suggested that activation of phonological information may be protracted in AOS.

Aims: The present study was designed to investigate the integrity of the phonological encoding stage in AOS and aphasia. We tested two specific hypotheses, the Frame Hypothesis and the Segment Hypothesis. According to the Frame Hypothesis, speakers with AOS have an impairment in retrieving metrical frames (e.g., number of syllables); according to the Segment Hypothesis, speakers with AOS have an impairment in retrieving segments (e.g., consonants).

Methods & Procedures: Four individuals with AOS and varying degrees of aphasia, two speakers with aphasia, and 13 age-matched control speakers completed an online priming task in which participants name pictures in sets that do or do not share number of syllables (e.g., balcony-coconut-signature vs. balcony-carrot-sock), the initial consonant (e.g., carpenter-castle-cage vs. carpenter-beaver-sun), or both (e.g., boomerang-butterfly-bicycle vs. boomerang-sausage-cat). Error rates and reaction times were measured.

Outcomes & Results: Data for controls replicated previous literature. Reaction time data supported the Segment Hypothesis for speakers with AOS and for one speaker with aphasia without AOS, with no differences in pattern from controls for the other speaker with aphasia without AOS.

Conclusions: These results suggest that speakers with AOS may also have difficulties at the phonological encoding stage. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.     

Association between plasma lipid levels and migraine in subjects aged ≥50 years: preliminary data from the Zabùt Aging Project

We evaluated the association between lipid levels and migraine using cross-sectional, population-based data of 1809 subjects aged ≥50 years; 151 subjects with migraine and 1658 nonmigraineurs were included. Diagnosis of migraine was carried out using the criteria of the International Headache Society. The following plasma lipids were collected: total cholesterol (TC), lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). Only TC (p<0.003) and LDL-C levels (p<0.004) were significantly higher in migraineurs than nonmigraineurs. After multiple adjustments, only elevated TC (≥220 mg/dl) was significantly associated with migraine (OR [95% CI]=1.6 [1.1–2.3]); this association increased in elderly males with migraine (OR [95% CI]=3.8 [1.4–9.9]). According to our results, TC plasma levels should be closely monitored in elderly males with migraine.

     

The effect of visual cues provided by computerised aphasia treatment

Background: In the current healthcare system that often does not allow intensive and long-term rehabilitation services, computerised aphasia treatment is considered a promising alternative. Despite the increasing interest, it is largely unknown which components of computer programs are crucial in enhancing speech-language functions of individuals with aphasia.

Aims: The current study compared auditory-visual cues (i.e., listening to speech while looking at the speaker's face) and auditory-only cues (i.e., listening to speech without the speaker's face shown) that were presented by a computerised practice program for verbal naming. It was predicted that greater gains would be observed in the auditory-visual condition than in the auditory-only condition regardless of the severity in perceptual deficits.

Methods & Procedures: Two individuals (TV & ML) with chronic aphasia and verbal apraxia practised naming 10 items with video clips (auditory-visual condition) and 10 items with sound files (auditory-only condition). The practice programs provided an increasing level of support (e.g., cues and models) to facilitate word retrieval and verbal production.

Outcomes & Results: TV made more rapid and consistent improvements in the auditory-visual condition than in the auditory-only condition. His performance in the two practice conditions did not differ significantly. ML demonstrated significant improvements in both conditions. A qualitative analysis on the number of words ML spontaneously produced without a clinician's support suggested the advantage of the auditory-visual practice.

Conclusions: Data from the current study suggest the advantage of including auditory-visual stimuli in computerised aphasia treatment.     

The Normative Implications of Recent Empirical Neuroethics Research on Moral Intuitions

Empirical neuroethics models have always had normative ambitions. Older models (e.g., dual process) attempted to debunk traditional moral theories, whereas newer models (e.g., ADC model) attempt to fit their empirical and normative claims with them. The issue of normative significance as it pertains to the use of social science methodology on moral intuitions remains open. This paper analyzes the Is/Ought gap and the empirical underpinnings of influential constructivist approaches in order to argue that the normative ambitions of empirical neuroethics models are not necessarily always misguided. The author clarifies how legitimate normative implications can be dissociated from overreaches and argues that moral intuitions could be used as the factual basis for ethics by employing the distinction between natural facts, social facts, and social constructs. Ultimately, morality can be fruitfully studied and informed by natural and social sciences and, thorough ethical reflection, ought also to inform empirical research.

     

Basic science in Parkinson’s disease: its impact on clinical practice

Failures in clinical studies that were aimed to prove disease-modifying effects of treatments in Parkinson’s disease (PD) raise the question as to whether basic sciences have had an impact in clinical practice. This question implies that despite well-publicized results obtained by intensive genetic and pathogenetic research, e.g. the identification of mutations and cellular biochemical pathways that underlie Parkinson-specific neurodegeneration, no relevant disease-modifying treatment options have been developed. This view neglects the fact that today there are plenty of dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic and surgical treatment options, and that PD was not treatable 50 years ago. This progress was made possible only by basic science. In this review, we underline the success of previous basic science for daily practice in PD and its impact for the understanding and development of an early diagnosis. Early, even pre-symptomatic diagnosis might be key to successfully establish disease-modifying treatments.

     

Passive Infrared Hemoencephalography: Four Years and 100 Migraines

SUMMARY

Background. One hundred migraine sufferers were treated using passive Infrared Hemoencephalography (pIR HEG) over a period of four years. All subjects met the criteria for at least one of the categories set forth in the International Headache Society (IHS, 1988) classification criteria for headache disorders for primary migraine.

Methods. Subjects were treated using the pIR HEG system in 30-minute sessions. A central forehead placement (approximately Fpz) was used for the sensor assembly for all subjects. Changes in headache patterns were examined. After two years, an infrared video imaging system was added to the data collection process and was available for 61 of the 100 subjects. Infrared forehead images were captured at the start and end of each session to examine changes in prefrontal cortical brain activity.

Results. Most of the subjects improved control over their migraine headaches. Over 90% of those subjects who completed at least six sessions reported significant improvements in migraine activity.

Conclusions. pIR HEG appears to have a strong impact on migraine headaches, even for people who have not had a positive response to medication. Headache response by the end of six sessions appears to be a good predictor of probability of improvement.     

Association Between Olfactory Performance and Affective Symptoms in Children

Introduction

Correlations between olfactory performance and particular personality traits (e.g., disgust proneness), as well as symptoms of specific mental disorders (e.g., depression) have been found in numerous studies with adults. The present questionnaire study examined whether similar associations already exist in childhood.

Method

The olfactory discrimination ability of 66 children (32 boys and 34 girls aged between 7 and 11 years) was tested. In addition, the children filled out screening questionnaires to assess the severity of symptoms related to depression, various anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder, social anxiety disorder), and disgust proneness. A multiple regression analysis was calculated with olfactory performance as criterion variable and questionnaire scores as predictor variables.

Results

The results showed that depression and disgust proneness were negatively associated with olfactory discrimination ability. Moreover, high levels of social anxiety and low levels of panic symptoms were found to be positive predictors of olfactory performance.

Conclusion

This investigation identified specific associations between olfactory performance and affective symptoms in children.

Implications

Future tests with pediatric samples (children with anxiety disorders, depression) are recommended.

     

Effects of triazolam and ethanol on proactive interference: Evidence for an impairment in retrieval inhibition

Abstract

The effects of two memory-impairing drugs, ethanol and triazolam, on proactive interference (PI) in memory were studied. Following ingestion of either one of these drugs or a placebo, subjects studied an A-B list (e.g., BEE-WASP) of paired associates, followed by an A-C list (e.g., BEE-HONEY) on the interference trial, and a D-E list (e.g., KING-QUEEN) followed by an A-C list on the control trial. A PI effect was found in the data, such that subjects produced fewer correct second list targets on the interference trial than on the control trial. Neither ethanol nor triazolam was found to influence the size of the PI effect. However, both drugs were found to increase B intrusions on the test of the A-C list, to impair subjects' ability to produce more than one studied response for each cue word, and to impair the subjective experience of retrieved memory information. These data suggest that ethanol and triazolam impair an inhibitory process that normally operates as one component of intentional retrieval, playing an important role in the suppression of unwanted information during a memory task.     

Is 6 months of migraine prophylaxis adequate?

Abstract

Objective:

There is paucity of information on what happens to the migraine attack after withdrawal of prophylactic drugs. In this study we report the outcome of migraine patients after withdrawal of prophylactic medication and also predictors of long-term remission.

Methods:

Migraine patients on prophylactic treatment followed for 1 year were included. Their detailed demographic and clinical information were noted. The patients were followed up at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. At 6 months, if patients had more than four migraine attacks per month in the last 2 months, they were gradually withdrawn from the treatment. The recurrence of headache during or after withdrawal was noted including its severity, frequency, and the number of analgesic used. The baseline characteristics of the patients with remission and relapse were compared. The predictors of long-term remission were also evaluated.

Results:

One hundred and twenty-seven patients whose median age was 32 years were included. At 6 months withdrawal of prophylactic drug was attempted in 68 patients but was successful in 48 patients only, because 20 relapsed. At 1 year, 70 (63·6%) patients needed prophylactic treatment and drug could be stopped in 40 patients only. The remission was achieved after withdrawal of drug in 48 (43·6%) patients at 6 months, 43 (39·1%) at 9 months, and 40 (36·4%) at 1 year. The most important predictors of persistent remission were improvement at 3 months (P = 0·02) and precipitating factors of migraine (P = 0·005).

Conclusion:

The majority of migraine patients need long-term prophylactic treatment. The patients who respond by 3 months of treatment are more likely to have long-term remission.     

The pathogenesis of migraine - 17th to early 20th century understandings.

The modern understanding of the pathogenesis of migraine, based on the concept that it is a neurovascular disorder, is often thought to have emerged from the work of Harold Wolff in the period 1932-1962. However, over the preceding 300 years, from William Harvey onwards, various hypotheses of the pathogenesis of migraine had been proposed, a few bearing reasonably strong resemblances to Wolff's ideas, though based on less adequate evidence. Many of these earlier hypotheses regarded migraine either primarily as a vascular (e.g., Willis, Wepfer, Latham) or as a neural disorder (e.g., Harvey, Lieving and his 'nerve storms'). There were also variations around these two major themes and in the 19th Century a number of neurovascular type hypotheses emerged assigning a major role in migraine pathogenesis to the autonomic nervous system. In addition, during the three centuries there were a number of other hypotheses based on different postulated pathogenic mechanisms, some quite ingenious, which had relatively brief vogues. No hypothesis has yet proved capable of explaining all the features of migraine satisfactorily.     

Psychotherapists' personal identities,theoretical orientations,and professional relationships: Elective affinity and role adjustment as modes of congruence

Abstract

Research shows psychotherapists espousing different theoretical approaches differ in mentality (e.g., cognitive styles, beliefs and epistemologies) and personality (e.g., neuroticism). However, studies have not investigated the association between professional relational style prescribed by therapists' theoretical orientations and therapists' manner of relating in personal life. Analyses of over 4000 therapists of varied nationalities, professions and career levels having different theoretical preferences indicate: (i) therapists' self-experience in close personal relationships was significantly associated with the manner their theoretical orientations prescribed for relating with clients; (ii) therapists were less accepting, less tolerant and more demanding in their personal relationships than with clients; and (iii) therapists adjusted their professional relational manner in practice to meet the specific expectations of their preferred orientations.     

Latent variable and clustering methods in intersectionality research: systematic review of methods applications

Purpose

An intersectionality framework has been increasingly incorporated into quantitative study of health inequity, to incorporate social power in meaningful ways. Researchers have identified “person-centered” methods that cluster within-individual characteristics as appropriate to intersectionality. We aimed to review their use and match with theory.

Methods

We conducted a multidisciplinary systematic review of English-language quantitative studies wherein authors explicitly stated an intersectional approach, and used clustering methods. We extracted study characteristics and applications of intersectionality.

Results

782 studies with quantitative applications of intersectionality were identified, of which 16 were eligible: eight using latent class analysis, two latent profile analysis, and six clustering methods. Papers used cross-sectional data (100.0%) primarily had U.S. lead authors (68.8%) and were published within psychology, social sciences, and health journals. While 87.5% of papers defined intersectionality and 93.8% cited foundational authors, engagement with intersectionality method literature was more limited. Clustering variables were based on social identities/positions (e.g., gender), dimensions of identity (e.g., race centrality), or processes (e.g., stigma). Results most commonly included four classes/clusters (60.0%), which were frequently used in additional analyses. These described sociodemographic differences across classes/clusters, or used classes/clusters as an exposure variable to predict outcomes in regression analysis, structural equation modeling, mediation, or survival analysis. Author rationales for method choice included both theoretical/intersectional and statistical arguments.

Conclusion

Latent variable and clustering methods were used in varied ways in intersectional approaches, and reflected differing matches between theory and methods. We highlight situations in which these methods may be advantageous, and missed opportunities for additional uses.

     

Evolution of migraine-associated symptoms in menstrually related migraine following symptomatic treatment with almotriptan

In addition to headache, migraine is characterized by a series of symptoms that negatively affects the quality of life of patients. Generally, these are represented by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia and osmophobia, with a cumulative percentage of the onset in about 90% of the patients. From this point of view, menstrually related migraine—a particularly difficult-to-treat form of primary headache—is no different from other forms of migraine. Symptomatic treatment should therefore be evaluated not only in terms of headache relief, but also by considering its effect on these migraine-associated symptoms (MAS). Starting from the data collected in a recently completed multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with almotriptan in menstrually related migraine, an analysis of the effect of this drug on the evolution of MAS was performed. Data suggest that almotriptan shows excellent efficacy on MAS in comparison to the placebo, with a significant reduction in the percentages of suffering patients over a 2-h period of time.