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BACKGROUND: Social media platforms have become integral to modern society, facilitating diverse content interactions for individuals. The widespread use of social media has sparked intriguing inquiries into its impact on self-perception and individual well-being. This study investigated the phenomenon of social media appearance preoccupation and its complex relationship with psychosocial factors such as self-esteem, well-being, appearance-related anxiety, depression, and anxiety, considering both the rich-get-richer hypothesis and the poor-get-richer hypothesis. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: A sample of 401 Italian participants, aged 18 to 54, completed the demographic questionnaire, the Social Media Appearance Preoccupation Scale (SMAPS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y2 (STAI-Y2). RESULTS: The results suggest a complex relationship between psychosocial factors and social media appearance preoccupation (SMAP). While higher levels of self-esteem and well-being were associated with lower levels of SMAP, indicating a protective effect against appearance preoccupation on social media, there was a positive correlation between appearance-related anxiety, leisure hours of media use, and SMAP. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of SMAP and its associations with various psychosocial factors. Overall, these results provide partial support for the theory of the poor-get-richer hypothesis, suggesting that individuals experiencing heightened levels of appearancerelated anxiety may turn to social media as a coping mechanism, potentially exacerbating their psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the role of a growth mind-set of intelligence in influencing the level of engagement toward healthy behaviors in older individuals, as well as related health outcomes. A sample of 100 healthy older adults joined the study. Their beliefs about intelligence (growth vs. fixed mind-set), general health, cognitive functioning, and level of engagement toward healthy behavior were assessed using four different assessment tools. Data confirmed a significant positive relationship between an intelligence growth mind-set and the willingness to adhere to healthy behaviors. Moreover, results suggest that a growth mind-set of intelligence leads to better physical and cognitive health. This study provides some evidence to support the idea that a growth mind-set can affect the process of becoming older by increasing the willingness to adhere to healthy behaviors. These beliefs could be used to implement better approaches to promote adherence to healthy behaviors in older individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical theories of reasoning equate System 1 with biases and System 2 with correct responses. Refined theories of reasoning propose the parallel model to explain the two systems. The first purpose of the present article is to give a contribution to the debate on the parallel and default-interventionfist models: we hypothesized when logic and belief conflict both logical validity and belief judgments will be affected with greater level of response errors and/or longer response times. The second purpose of this article is to assess the relationship between decisional styles and performance in deductive reasoning. Seventy-two participants participated in the experiment and completed 64 modus ponens and modus tollens syllogistic reasoning tasks. Accordingly, we found that belief and logic judgments were affected by the conflict condition, both in easy syllogisms (i.e., modus ponens) and in complex syllogisms (i.e., modus tollens). Findings showed also that participants with a rational decision-making style were more strongly influenced by logic than belief, whereas those with an intuitive decision-making style were more strongly influenced by belief than logic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. While a definitive cure for Parkinson's disease remains elusive, a range of treatments are available to slow its progression and counteract its symptoms. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) represents a non-invasive method to induce brain plasticity. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two weeks of tDCS on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on the neurophysiological functioning of Parkinson's patients. Methods: Thirty patients aged between 67 and 82 years with Parkinson's disease participated to the experiment. Fifteen underwent tDCS on the left DLPFC, while fifteen underwent sham tDCS. Neurophysiological functions were assessed before and after tDCS using electroencephalogram methods for alpha and beta band rhythms and P300 event-related potential latency. Results: tDCS led to a reduction in the onset latency of the P300 response and an increase in the power spectrum of the alpha and beta band rhythms. Conclusions: This research enhances our understanding of the potential effects of tDCS in the context of Parkinson's disease treatment, as the reduction in P300 latency and the increase in alpha and beta bands are associated with improvements in cognitive aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown that acute psychosocial stress impairs cognitive abilities, but recent studies suggest that this may be due to a decrease in willingness to engage in cognitive effort rather than a direct effect on performance. The aim of the present study was to replicate this last research and verify the influence of acute stress on avoidance of cognitive effort and cognitive performance. Fifty young, healthy individuals (26 females, 24 males) aged between 18 and 40 years were randomly assigned to two groups: a stress condition and a control condition. We used a Demand Selection Task paradigm (DST), in which participants chose between performing tasks that required either high or low cognitive effort. Stress was induced through the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and measured with both subjective and psychophysiological measurements. The results indicated that acute stress significantly increased participants' preference for less demanding behaviors, while no significant alterations in cognitive performance in task change activities were found. This study offers new perspectives on how stress affects behavior and decision‐making in everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the intricate relationship among peace attitudes, personality traits, and sustainable behaviors in a diverse sample of 279 adults from different regions of Italy. Building upon the existing literature, this research affirms the influence of agreeableness, openness, and conscientiousness as primary personality traits associated with sustainable behaviors. Additionally, this study scrutinizes the unique predictive power of peace attitudes. The Peace Attitude Scale (PAS), the Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ), and the Sustainable Behaviors Scale (SBS) were utilized to evaluate peace attitudes, personality traits, and sustainable behaviors. The analysis reveals that peace attitudes significantly predict sustainable behaviors, accounting for 31% of the variance. This predictability is attributed to intrinsic motivation and value alignment. Importantly, peace attitudes extend beyond environmental concerns to embrace social justice and equity, integral components of sustainability. The findings underscore the unique and substantial contribution of peace attitudes to understanding sustainable behavior. This study not only confirms the role of personality traits but also emphasizes the importance of intrinsic values in propelling pro-environmental actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We agree with the author's working model, but we suggest that (a) the classical distinction between fast and slow processes as separable processes can be softened, and (b) human performance might result from an interplay between fast and slow processing and these processes may be mediated by systems that evolve to satisfy the need for operation in a complex environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a severe, neurodevelopmental disorder mainly caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, affecting around 1 in 10,000 female births. Severe physical, language, and social impairments impose a wide range of limitations in the quality of life of the patients with RTT. Comorbidities of patients with RTT are varied and cause a lot of pain, but communicating this suffering is difficult for these patients due to their problems, such as apraxia that does not allow them to express pain in a timely manner, and their difficulties with expressive language that also do not permit them to communicate. Two studies, a pilot study and a single case study, investigate the manifestation of pain of patients with RTT and propose a suitable scale to measure it.Aims Of This Study: The first aim was to describe pain situations of RTT by collecting information by parents; the second aim was to test and compare existing questionnaires for non-communicating disorders on pain such as Pain assessment in advanced demenzia (PAINAD), the Critical care pain observation tool (CPOT) and the Non-communicating Children's Pain Checklist-Revised (NCCPC-R) to assess which of them is best related to the pain behavior of patients with RTT. The third aim was to identify the specific verbal and non-verbal behaviors that characterize pain in girls with Rett syndrome, discriminating them from non-pain behaviors.Method: Nineteen participants, eighteen girls with RTT and one girl with RTT with 27 manifestations of pain were video-recorded both in pain and base-line conditions. Two independent observers codified the 90 video-recording (36 and 54) to describe their behavioral characteristics.Results: The two studies showed that the most significant pain behaviors expressed by girls with respect to the baseline condition, at the facial level were a wrinkled forehead, wide eyes, grinding, banging teeth, complaining, making sounds, crying and screaming, and the most common manifestations of the body were tremors, forward and backward movement of the torso, tension in the upper limbs, increased movement of the lower limbs and a sprawling movement affecting the whole body.Conclusion: The results of the two studies helped to create an easy-to-apply scale that healthcare professionals can use to assess pain in patients with Rett's syndrome. This scale used PAINAD as its basic structure, with some changes in the items related to the behavior of patients with RTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, play a crucial role in shaping individual development. Extensive research has demonstrated that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have long-lasting negative effects on physical, mental, and social health. Over the last two decades, many studies have found a strong link between ACEs and poor health outcomes in adults. However, there is less understanding of how positive childhood experiences (BCEs) might lead to better health in adulthood, particularly in overcoming adversity. This study aims to explore how BCEs impact adult physical and mental health and how they might mitigate the harmful effects of ACEs. Resilience theory served as the theoretical framework for this research. A total of 177 participants aged 19 to 41 years completed an online survey evaluating their physical, social, cognitive, and mental health, including their ACEs and BCEs. Regression analyses were used to investigate the connections between BCEs, ACEs, and adult health. The results show that BCEs act as protective factors that enhance overall well-being and significantly reduce depressive symptoms and physical discomfort. Additionally, when ACE levels are moderate, positive childhood experiences can largely counteract the negative health effects of ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predict long-term health issues and how ACEs, alongside stress, impact well-being and cognitive abilities in older adults. 279 adults were categorized into three age groups (30–46, 47–60, and 61–80). Participants completed an online survey assessing health problems, stress, resilience, and ACEs. Additionally, 32 older adults underwent cognitive tests. ACE scores predicted physical and psychological diseases in adults but not in older adults. However, a significant correlation between ACEs and cognitive abilities was evident in older participants. ACEs are significant indicators of long-term health issues and stress in adults but may not predict these factors in older individuals. Understanding ACEs’ impact on cognitive abilities in older adults is crucial for tailored interventions and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies investigated the effect of a structured and specific training for upper limb motor skills allowing complex movements such as reaching and grasping. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of motor training on attention, reaching skills, and stereotypies in patients with Rett syndrome (RTT). Methods: Twenty‐eight participants with RTT underwent cognitive and motor assessment to evaluate attention, reaching skills and stereotypies with an ABABABA design: before training (pre‐test phase), after a month of training (post‐test phase 1), after a month of the second training phase (post‐test phase 2) and at 1 month after the third training phase (post‐test phase 3). In all three B phases, participants received 30 minutes of motor training for 5 days a week over a 1‐month period. Results: Patients with RTT show long‐term improvements in seconds of attention and reaching skills and decreases in the intensity of stereotypies. Conclusions: This study suggests that motor abilities of participants with RTT can be improved with repeated, individual, well‐structured training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rett Syndrome is a severe, neurodevelopmental disorder mainly caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, affecting around 1 in 10,000 female births. Severe physical, language, and social impairments impose a wide range of limitations in the assessment of the abilities of Rett patients. This study proposes an analysis and first validation of a Global Assessment and Intervention in Rett syndrome (GAIRS) Checklist for assessing behavioral, intellectual, academic, neuropsychological and psychosocial manifestations in patients with Rett Syndrome. We administered the GAIRS Checklist to 113 Italian patients with Rett Syndrome aged 4-42.Aims Of This Study: To examine the psychometric characteristics of the GAIRS Checklist. Moreover, the aim is also to examine the validity of GAIRS with test-retest correlation, convergent validity with similar functional measurements, such as the Vineland scales, and divergent validity with severity of disease scale, such as the RARS scale and severity of neuropsychiatric evaluations.Results: All 10 subscales of GAIRS were positively and significantly related to each other and to the total GAIRS score, and the subscales showed high levels of Cronbach's alpha values (from .77 to .95). Principal axis factoring suggested two factors that explain 60% of the variance. Test-retest reliability is 0.82. This means that psychometric properties are reliable. Correlation for Concurrent validity with Vineland score was high and Divergent Validity with RARS was also high.Conclusion: The GAIRS Checklist used for Rett syndrome is acceptable and feasible to complete assessment in a clinical setting. Moreover, it can detect the complexity of this disease and may suggest the next step in terms of specific training in Rett syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since subjects with Rett syndrome (RTT) focus their attention mainly on the faces of people with whom they interact, in this study the role of a human-like smart interactive agent (an avatar) in enhancing cognitive processes is examined. More in depth, this study aimed to understand if, and to what extent, the use of an avatar can improve attention and memory abilities in subjects with RTT.Method: Thirty-six subjects with RTT participated in the study. All participants performed over-selectivity and memory tasks, for a total of six trials. These trials were randomly presented in two different conditions: with and without virtual avatar.Results: The results indicated that the participants improved their attention and memory abilities when they performed the tasks with the avatar. There were no improvements when they performed the tasks without the avatar.Discussion: The results were discussed considering the relationship between motivation, attention and memory in RTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice of a strategy in a context of uncertainty such as the iterated Prisoner's Dilemma game can be influenced by many factors. There is limited evidence about how these factors affect the cooperative choices when the player receives different types of feedback in terms of pay-off. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of peace attitudes and personality factors in cooperation choices. Forty-nine adults filled out the Peace Attitude Scale and the Big Five Questionnaire and were submitted to five versions of the iterated Prisoner's Dilemma game (tit for tat, cooperate, unforgiving, random, and defect). The results showed that participants with high levels of peace attitude and friendliness cooperated more than participants with low levels of peace attitude and friendliness in tit for tat and cooperate settings, but changed strategy in the unforgiving, random, and defect settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to test Oberauer's independence hypothesis in young adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and typically developing ones (TD). More precisely, the objective was to verify if the manipulation of two memory systems influences the other in ADHD and TD individuals in a different way. Fifty-nine participants, 35 with ADHD and 24 TD, matched for age, gender and IQ, participated in this study. A complex span task paradigm was used. Participants were asked to remember a series of letters (recalling) while performing a concurrent response selection task after each letter presentation. Results do not confirm the independence hypothesis, suggesting that both working and procedural memory systems share common resources, and the manipulation of each of the two systems influences the other in the same way, both in TD and ADHD participants. ADHD participants showed deficits in both procedural and working memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to test Oberauer's independence hypothesis in young adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and typically developing ones (TD). More precisely, the objective was to verify if the manipulation of two memory systems influences the other in ADHD and TD individuals in a different way. Fifty-nine participants, 35 with ADHD and 24 TD, matched for age, gender and IQ, participated in this study. A complex span task paradigm was used. Participants were asked to remember a series of letters (recalling) while performing a concurrent response selection task after each letter presentation. Results do not confirm the independence hypothesis, suggesting that both working and procedural memory systems share common resources, and the manipulation of each of the two systems influences the other in the same way, both in TD and ADHD participants. ADHD participants showed deficits in both procedural and working memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deficits in working memory tasks have been widely documented in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of working memory load in impulsivity during decision-making processes. A delayed discounting (DD) paradigm was used, comparing children with ADHD and age-matched controls. Method: Thirty-two children equally divided between typically developing and ADHD, from 8 to 10 years of age were assigned to sessions of a dual-task paradigm. In the primary task the child has to choose between two different amounts of money at different time delays, while in the secondary task the child has to repeat a random series of digits with different lengths. The experiment was conducted in a school setting. Results: Compared to peers with typical development, delayed discounting was significantly stronger in children with ADHD and discounting rates increased in both groups for heavier memory loads. Furthermore, the memory load impact on frequency of immediate rewards was stronger in children with ADHD compared to typically developing children. Discussion: Results are discussed in terms of the relation between working memory load and decision-making processes, their impact on impulsive behaviour in ADHD and the need for future research to understand possible neurocognitive correlates and use that information to develop better inclusive policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature shows existence of cognitive, emotional and genetic factors that influence aggression. While many researches focuses their attention on social cognitive processes, the aim of the present study is to examine relationships between complex cognitive processes and aggressive behaviour. We investigated the relationship between complex cognitive processes and aggressive behavior in 236 primary school children. We hypothesized that subjects with aggressive behaviour show critical thinking and problem solving skills lower than control group. Participants were initially 121 males and 115 females, aged between 10 and 11 years. This study had two phases. In the first, three self report scales and a peer scale were administered, testing aggressive behavior, self-efficacy and moral disengagement; further, two scales were administered to teachers, analysing children's aggressive behaviour, inattention and hyperactivity. In the second phase, 31 children were selected and divided into two groups (aggressive vs control). Critical thinking and problem solving skills were tested by five instruments. Results show interesting relationship between aggressive behaviours and dimensions analysed and they reveal significant differences between subjects with aggressive behaviour and control group in the critical thinking only, not in problem solving skills. The results were discussed in light of Social Information Processing theory, according to which social and cognitive skills play a key role in influencing aggressive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long-Covid, characterized by persistent symptoms following acute Covid-19 infection, represents a complex challenge for the scientific community. Among the most common and debilitating manifestations, cognitive fog is a neurological disorder characterized by mental confusion and cognitive difficulties. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of previous Covid-19 infection on cortical brain activity in patients experiencing cognitive fog symptoms in the medium and long term. Methods: A total of 40 subjects (20 females and 20 males) aged between 45 and 70 years (mean age (M) = 59.78, standard deviation (SD) = 12.93) participated in this study. This sample included individuals with symptoms of cognitive fog, both with and without anosmia, and a control group comprised of healthy subjects. All electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected in two sessions, 1 month and 8 months after recovery from Covid-19, to measure the neurophysiological parameters of P300 and beta band rhythms. Results: The results revealed significant differences in the neurophysiological parameters of P300 and beta band rhythms in subjects affected by cognitive fog, and these alterations persist even 8 months after recovery from Covid-19. Interestingly, no significant differences were observed between the participants with anosmia and without anosmia associated with cognitive fog. Conclusions: These findings provide a significant contribution to understanding the long-term effects of Covid-19 on the brain and have important implications for future interventions aimed at managing and treating brain fog symptoms. The longitudinal assessment of cortical brain activity helps highlight the persistent impact of the virus on the neurological health of Long-Covid patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atypical sensory processing is common in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Despite growing evidence that ADHD symptoms persist into adolescence, the sensory processing of individuals with ADHD in this age group is limited. The aim of this study was to assess differences in self-reported sensory experiences between adolescents with and without ADHD. One hundred thirty-eight Italian adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years (M=16.20; SD= ± 1.90) participated in the study. Sixty-nine participants with ADHD were matched by gender, age, and IQ to 69 typically developing individuals. The sensory processing of all participants was assessed using the Adolescent Sensory Profile (ASP) on the components: low registration, sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoiding. Moreover, the modalities of ASP were measured: movement, vision, touch, activity level, hearing, and taste/smell. Results show that the ADHD group consistently displayed higher scores across all four components of the sensory profile compared to the control group. The subjects with ADHD also reported higher scores than the control group in all the modalities of ASP. These results confirming the presence of atypical sensory processing in adolescents with ADHD were discussed considering the Cumulative and Emergent Automatic Deficit model (CEAD). • Adolescents with ADHD have atypical sensory processing. • Sensory overload hampers automation, increasing cognitive load. • Cognitive load translates into deficits in cognitive abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cognitive psychology, classical approaches categorize automatic and controlled processes from a dichotomous point of view. Automatic processes are believed to be rigid, whereas controlled processes are thought to be flexible. New theories have softened this dichotomous view. The aim of the present study is to examine the possibility of implementing flexibility in automatic processing through reliance on contextual features. One hundred and twenty subjects (mean age 22.4, SD = 4.2), 60 male and 60 female, participated in this study. An automatic sequence task (with and without contextual features) was used to test flexibility in automatic processing. Results showed that the use of contextual cues can increase flexibility in automatic processes. The results are discussed in light of new theories on softened automaticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined both children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typically developing students in dynamic measures of intelligence through the use of a virtual avatar. Three conditions were compared: in the first condition, the avatar simply gave the instructions; in the second condition, the avatar presented the instructions and gave feedback on the attention of the learner; in the third condition, the avatar was not presented. Results indicated that ADHD subtypes do not differ in problem solving and the interactive avatar improved the performance of groups with ADHD in the dynamic intelligence test. Overall, these results support the hypothesis that the function of regulation and feedback of the avatar improve the attention process and, consequently, boosts performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a developmental disorder, predominantly affecting girls, which causes Intellectual Disability and neuro-behavioral disability. Individuals with RTT present with apraxia and movement disorders and most of them are unable to speak, walk and use their hands. For these reasons, eye tracker technology is being increasingly used to their assess cognitive processes. The aim of this study was to investigate three cognitive processes in girls with RTT compared with typical developing girls (TD): the ability to attend to visual stimuli, the ability to identify the same stimuli and the ability to identify the similar stimuli. With the help of Eye Tracker technology, three tasks were administered (1. Attention; 2. Identification of the same stimuli; 3. Identification of the similar stimuli) to 21 girls with RTT, compared with TD girls. Results show that girls with RTT performed worse than girls with TD in all conditions. The absence of significant interactions between group and type of task and between groups and contents indicates that the attention behavior in girls with RTT can reflect a general delay in cognitive maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the introduction of mobile computing devices, the way people listen to music has changed considerably. Although there is a broad scientific consensus on the fact that people show music preferences and make music choices based on their feelings and emotions, the sources of such preferences and choices are still debated. The main aim of this study is to understand whether listening in ecological (mobile) contexts differs from listening in non-mobile contexts in terms of the elicited emotive response. A total of 328 participants listen to 100 classical music tracks, available through an ad-hoc mobile application for mobile devices. The participants were asked to report their self-evaluation of each of the tracks, according to the Pleasure-Arousal-Dominance model and filled out a questionnaire about their listening behaviour. Our findings show that the same factors that affect music listening in non-mobile contexts also affect it in a mobile context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: this study was based on both neurophysiological decelerated activity and communication deficits in Rett Syndrome (RTT).Aims: the aim was to examine the neurophysiological and cognitive effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in three girls with RTT with chronic language impairments.Methods and Procedures: we proposed an integrated intervention: tDCS and cognitive empowerment applied to language in order to enhance speech production (new functional sounds and new words). Because maximal gains usually are achieved when tDCS is coupled with behavioral training, we applied tDCS stimulation on Broca's area together with linguistic training.Outcomes and Results: the results indicated a general enhancement in language abilities (an increase in the number of vowel/consonant sounds and words and the production and comprehension through discrimination), motor coordination (functional movements), and neurophysiological parameters (an increase in the frequency and power of alpha, beta and theta bands).Conclusion and Implications: we assume that tDCS stimulation combined with the cognitive empowerment applied to language can significantly influence a chronic impairment even in genetic syndromes. Our results provide data that support the role of tDCS in fostering brain plasticity and in particular in empowering speech production and comprehension in girls with RTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rett syndrome (RS) is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a primary disturbance in neuronal development. Neurological abnormalities in RS are reflected in several behavioral and cognitive impairments such as stereotypies, loss of speech and hand skills, gait apraxia, irregular breathing with hyperventilation while awake, and frequent seizures. Cognitive training can enhance both neuropsychological and neurophysiological parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate whether behaviors and brain activity were modified by training in RS. The modifications were assessed in two phases: (a) after a short-term training (STT) session, i.e., after 30 min of training and (b) after long-term training (LTT), i.e., after 5 days of training. Thirty-four girls with RS were divided into two groups: a training group (21 girls) who underwent the LTT and a control group (13 girls) that did not undergo LTT. The gaze and quantitative EEG (QEEG) data were recorded during the administration of the tasks. A gold-standard eye-tracker and a wearable EEG equipment were used. Results suggest that the participants in the STT task showed a habituation effect, decreased beta activity and increased right asymmetry. The participants in the LTT task looked faster and longer at the target, and show increased beta activity and decreased theta activity, while a leftward asymmetry was re-established. The overall result of this study indicates a positive effect of long-term cognitive training on brain and behavioral parameters in subject with RS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by profound cognitive, communication, and motor impairments. Despite identified genotype/phenotype connections, the extent of clinical severity varies even among individuals sharing the same genetic mutation. Diverse sociocultural environments, such as the level of inclusivity of the scholar system, the time spent with family, and the intensity of the rehabilitative intervention provided, might influence their development diversely. This study examines the severity of RTT in people in Italy and Israel, countries with distinct contradictory approaches to caring for those with intricate disabilities, across two age groups. Data from 136 Italian and 59 Israeli girls and women with RTT were assessed and divided into two age categories: above and below 12 years. The RARS, a standardized RTT-specific clinical severity tool, was administered. Despite no differences in age and genetic characteristics, the Italian group showed better scores in the RARS motor and disease-related characteristics areas in both age groups. Moreover, the young Italian participants gathered better total RARS scores and emotional and behavioral characteristics area scores. Furthermore, the young group showed significantly less scoliosis, foot problems, and epilepsy than the older group. These findings endorse the inclusion of girls with RTT in the regular schooling system for a limited daily period, investing in high activity levels within the home and community environments, and suggest continuously providing the person with daily occasions of physical activity and socialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience more stress than parents of nonclinical controls. One of the factors that is highly significant in the study of parenting is attachment. Attachment has a quality that transcends the day-to-day interactions between parent and child. The style of attachment in children with ADHD was examined in this study. The main hypothesis is that ADHD children would be characterized by greater insecure attachment patterns than control children; secondly, it extends our current knowledge and attempts to understand if the pattern of insecure attachment developed with family caregivers would be present also with school caregivers. A sample of 72 children (36 young children aged 4-5 years: 12 at risk of ADHD-I, 12 at risk of ADHD-C and 12 controls; and 36 older children aged 7 years: 12 with ADHD-I, 12 with ADHD-C and 12 controls) was tested on both Family Separation Anxiety Test (F-SAT) and School Separation Anxiety Test (S-SAT) measures of attachment. Results showed that the ADHD-I and ADHD-C groups scored lower than controls on both SAT scales. There was also a strong positive correlation between the ADHD children's scores on the School and Family Separation Anxiety Tests. These findings suggest the attachment deficit may be an important but currently underestimated factor in the diagnosis of ADHD and that the family attachment patterns can predict the school attachment patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Episodic autobiographical memory (EAM) has not been extensively investigated in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The objective of this study was to examine EAM in school-age children with ADHD in reference to the encoding period: recent memories (previous school years) and remote memories (first years of life). Methods A sample of 29 children with ADHD and 29 typically developing children, matched for age and gender, completed a questionnaire to assess EAM. These participants were recruited from an initial sample of 572 participants. Developmental differences in accessing and recalling specific personal events and episodic details in groups with ADHD were predicted. Results The control group showed a typical trend of EAM with fewer remote and episodic memories than recent ones. The ADHD groups showed a general EAM deficit. More precisely, the ADHD-I group performed equally poorly on remote and recent EAMs, whereas the ADHD-C group showed a higher number of remote EAMs than recent ones. Conclusions The findings suggest that EAM can be impaired in children with ADHD. Clinical and medicolegal implications of these results and the relation between age and childhood amnesia are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in MECP2 gene cause Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting around 1 in 10,000 female births. The clinical picture of RTT appears quite heterogeneous for each single feature. Mutations in MECP2 gene have been associated with the onset of RTT. The most known gene function consists of transcriptional repression of specific target genes, mainly by the binding of its methyl binding domain (MBD) to methylated CpG nucleotides and recruiting co-repressors and histone deacetylase binding to DNA by its transcription repressor domain (TRD). This study aimed at evaluating a cohort of 114 Rett syndrome (RTT) patients with a detailed scale measuring the different kinds of impairments produced by the syndrome. The sample included relatively large subsets of the most frequent mutations, so that genotype–phenotype correlations could be tested. Results revealed that frequent missense mutations showed a specific profile in different areas of impairment. The R306C mutation, considered as producing mild impairment, was associated to a moderate phenotype in which behavioural characteristics were mainly affected. A notable difference emerged by comparing mutations truncating the protein before and after the nuclear localization signal; such a difference concerned prevalently the motor-functional and autonomy skills of the patients, affecting the management of everyday activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to analyze the three dimensions of attention, namely vigilance, selectivity and orienting, as identified in Attention Network Theory (ANT), in subjects with ADHD, with attention problems and with typical development. Fourteen ADHD, fifteen with attention problems and fifteen typically developing subjects were tested on ANT. Results showed that children with ADHD obtained low scores for accuracy and a high score for RT. It has also emerged that children with ADHD show no deficits for orienting and vigilance network, but they show deficits in the efficiency of the executive network compared to children with attention problems and typically developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two groups of students aged between 12 and 14 years—27 with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 28 with both ADHD and learning problems—were compared to a sample of 29 typically developing students in terms of the acquisition and retention of declarative, conditional and procedural knowledge either in a hypermedia learning or in a traditional instructional setting. Hypermedia instruction produced better learning outcomes than traditional instruction did; the benefits concerned prevalently procedural knowledge and emerged mainly in the retention phase. Hypermedia instruction led ADHD students to reach achievement levels similar to those of typically developing students. Furthermore, hypermedia instruction contrasted the decay of knowledge from the acquisition to the retention phase in both clinical groups. On the basis of these findings, hypermedia instruction is proposed as an approach that may help ADHD learners to overcome attention deficits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting mainly females, is caused by a mutation of the MeCP2 gene. Girls with Rett syndrome manifest diverse behavioral and cognitive phenotypes, and the reasons for this variability remain unknown. In addition, girls with Rett syndrome often have epileptic seizures and abnormal EEGs, the characteristics of which differ with the patient. The aim of the study was to verify if neurophysiological and epileptological characteristics could be correlated with cognitive measures, obtained using eye tracker technology, and behavioral scores (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales and Rett Assessment Rating Scale) in 18 patients with Rett syndrome (mean age 13.7years) at clinical stages III and IV. Age at epilepsy onset and seizure frequency were strictly correlated with neuropsychological outcome, as were EEG stage and distribution of paroxysmal abnormalities. Our findings demonstrate that neurophysiological features should be considered prognostic of cognitive and behavioral outcome in the clinical management of Rett syndrome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: there are evidence that children with ADHD exhibit a deficit both in automatic and controlled processes.Aims: the present study aimed to examine the visual-motor attention and the influence of cognitive load through a dual task paradigm in children with ADHD compared with typical developing children (TD).Methods and Procedures: 113 children with ADHD: 40 with subtype inattentive (ADHD- I group), 16 with subtype hyperactive (ADHD-H group), 57 with subtype combined (ADHD-C group), and 113 TD children (TD group) were recruited. We used a dual-task paradigm in which the primary task was a figure-tracing test whereas the second task was a digit span test. A figure-tracing test was used to evaluate visual motor attention. Based on the length and intersection of the lines, the figures of the primary task were categorized into simple and complex.Outcomes and Results: the ADHD groups compared to the TD group showed a worse accuracy of performance in both condition with and without cognitive load.Conclusions and Implications: The findings were discussed in light of the relationship between automatic and controlled processes involved in the visual-motor attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ten Rett syndrome (RS) girls and 10 control girls executed an attentional task in which a complex stimulus was shown followed by individual stimuli presented with distractors. Participants had to discriminate previously presented stimuli from distractors. RS girls carried out the task both in a condition with the containment of stereotypies and in a no-containment condition. Overselectivity occurred in RS since patients failed to discriminate about 1/3 of the individual stimuli. There were no statistical differences with respect to the number of correct responses in the two conditions; RS girls learned quickly when their stereotypies were contained as opposed to when the containment of stereotypies was lacking. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the present study, the author conducted 3 experiments to examine the dynamic testing of potential intelligence. She investigated the relationship between dynamic measures and other factors such as (a) static measures of intelligence (Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices Test [J. C. Raven, J. H. Court, & J. Raven, 1979] and the D48 [J. D. Black, 1961]) and (b) codifying speed, codifying accuracy, and school performance. The participants were kindergarten children (n = 150), primary school children (n = 287), and teenaged students (n = 198) who were all trained to master problem solving tests with dynamic measures of intelligence. The results showed that dynamic measures predict more accurately the relationships of codifying speed, codifying accuracy, and school performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: longitudinal effects of cognitive rehabilitation in Rett Syndrome (RTT) have been poorly investigated and the mechanisms do not appear to have been described in detail.Aims: the aim of this study was to examine the effects of cognitive rehabilitation with eye-tracker technology on attention, choice behaviours and language over a 2-year period in patients with RTT.Methods and Procedures: 28 participants with RTT, ranging from age 4-22 years old (M = 13.85 years, SD = 5.89), received 30 min of cognitive rehabilitation with eye-tracker for 3 days a week over a 1-month for 2 years. They then underwent cognitive assessment to evaluate attention, choice, language and global functioning in four specific times: before cognitive rehabilitation (T1), after six months of cognitive rehabilitation (T2), six months after the second cognitive rehabilitation phase (T3) and at the end of the third cognitive rehabilitation phase (T4).Outcome and Results: patients with RTT show long-term improvements in seconds of attention and number of choice behaviours, with barely any improvement in global functioning. No improvement in language was found.Conclusions and Implications: this is the first study aimed at examining longitudinal effects of cognitive rehabilitation in patients with RTT, demonstrating a linear improvement across time in attention and choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) combined with traditional rehabilitative techniques has not been widely applied to Rett Syndrome (RTT). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of combined cognitive traditional training with tDCS applied to attention and language measures in subjects with RTT. Methods: 31 subjects with RTT were randomly allocated into two groups: non-sham tDCS (n = 18) and sham tDCS (n = 13). The former received the integrated intervention non-sham tDCS plus cognitive empowerment during the treatment phase. The latter received sham stimulation plus cognitive empowerment. All participants underwent neurological and cognitive assessment to evaluate attention and language measures: before integrated treatment (pre-test phase), at the conclusion of the treatment (post-test phase), and at 1 month after the conclusion of the treatment (follow-up phase). Results: the results indicated longer attention time in the non-sham tDCS group compared to the sham tDCS group with a stable trend also in the follow-up phase; an increase of the number of vowel/phoneme sounds in the non-sham tDCS group; and an improvement in the neurophysiological parameters in the non-sham tDCS group. Conclusions: This study supports the use of tDCS as a promising and alternative approach in the RTT rehabilitation field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at investigating how specific factors influence the onset of cognitive decline. 102 participants (51 with cognitive decline a 51 healthy control), aged 45 to 95, were involved in the study. All participants underwent a neurological evaluation. The CSHA Risk Factor Questionnaire was also administered. The level and type of education, number, and kind of leisure activities, exercise, smoking, and physical, psychological, or psychiatric conditions were found to be linked to cognitive decline, either as protective or as risk factors. Way to use information to prevent or slow down cognitive decline in clinical aging practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In disorders of consciousness, verticalization is considered an effective type of treatment to improve motor and cognitive recovery. Our purpose is to investigate neurophysiological effects of robotic verticalization training (RVT) in patients with minimally conscious state (MCS). Thirty subjects affected by MCS due to traumatic or vascular brain injury, attending the intensive Neurorehabilitation Unit of the IRCCS Neurolesi (Messina, Italy), were included in this retrospective study. They were equally divided into two groups: the control group (CG) received traditional verticalization with a static bed and the experimental group (EG) received advanced robotic verticalization using the Erigo device. Each patient was evaluated using both clinical scales, including Levels of Cognitive Functioning (LCF) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and quantitative EEG pre (T0) and post each treatment (T1). The treatment lasted for eight consecutive weeks, and sessions were held three times a week, in addition to standard neurorehabilitation. In addition to a notable improvement in clinical parameters, such as functional (FIM) (p < 0.01) and cognitive (LCF) (p < 0.01) outcomes, our findings showed a significant modification in alpha and beta bands post-intervention, underscoring the promising effect of the Erigo device to influence neural plasticity and indicating a noteworthy difference between pre-post intervention. This was not observed in the CG. The observed changes in alpha and beta bands underscore the potential of the Erigo device to induce neural plasticity. The device's custom features and programming, tailored to individual patient needs, may contribute to its unique impact on brain responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTemporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of localization-related epilepsy (LRE) and has been extensively studied in the field of neuropsychology due to its significant association with cognitive impairments. Cognitive decline has long been recognized as a consequence of this form of epilepsy, with previous studies primarily focusing on neurophysiological measures. In this study, both neurophysiological and neuropsychological factors were analyzed in TLE patients compared to healthy control subjects. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) tests were used to assess neuropsychological processes, while cognitive event-related potential (ERPs), particularly P300, were employed to analyze neurophysiological parameters. The study involved 21 TLE patients (mean age = 61.43) and 21 healthy control subjects. The results revealing that TLE patients scored significantly lower, indicating deficits in specific cognitive areas. The study also observed abnormalities in the ERPs, particularly in the assessment of P300 amplitude and latency, that may be indicative of underlying neural dysfunction related to attention and cognitive processing. In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence of the association between TLE and a high incidence of cognitive deficits and decline. By considering both neurophysiological and neuropsychological factors, the study sheds light on the comprehensive impact of TLE on various cognitive domains and emphasizes the importance of early identification and management of cognitive impairments in TLE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of a remotely supervised, home-based, family-centered individualized rehabilitation program of motor activities for individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT) was evaluated. Thirteen participants with classic genetically confirmed RTT followed by a three-month program of motor activities at home. A total of 47 rehabilitative goals were set. Goals achievement, motor function, and parental satisfaction were evaluated. Each program was carried out by the participant's parents and remotely supervised via Skype calls, twice by a therapist experienced in RTT rehabilitation. Thirty-seven (78.7%) rehabilitative goals were achieved or overachieved. Ten participants (76.9%) significantly increased their gross motor functional level with a medium size effect (0.604). Parental reports of the involved families suggest, on average, a high level of usefulness of the program (4.4/5), adherence to the program (4.4/5), and general satisfaction (4.5/5). Our findings strongly support the implementation of such programs for this population. As these programs were remotely supervised, they can be implemented when the children are away from referenced facilities for long durations, such as during long holidays or a Covid-19 type lockdown. A remote supervised motor activity program carried out by the primary caregiver supports motor functioning in RTT. Therapists should consider family members' motivation to carry out the activities and integrate them into the family's daily routine. The program should be flexible to adapt to any sudden change in medical and environmental conditions, functional ability, and family members' motivational levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread adoption of AI-based chatbots has revolutionized the interaction between individuals and machines, providing personalized and immediate responses. Within the educational sector, students increasingly rely on ChatGPT to address academic challenges, but the consequences of this interaction on critical thinking abilities are not well understood. This study aims to explore the relationship between factors such as attitudes and trust towards AI, engagement, knowledge, and the ability to solve complex critical thinking in a sample of Italian students. Two hundred and thirteen students completed self-report questionnaires and performance measures on the Critical Reasoning Assessment. The results highlighted significant relationships among the variables considered, emphasizing a direct impact of attitude and trust on knowledge and engagement with AI. Furthermore, engagement proved to have a particularly significant impact on critical thinking performance compared to knowledge. These findings are relevant in the educational context, suggesting that interaction with AI-based chatbots can be a valuable resource for the development of students' critical thinking skills. However, it is emphasized the importance of adopting an educational approach that fosters active engagement and in-depth understanding to promote the critical analysis of information provided by AI-based chatbots. • Attitude and trust towards AI directly influencing user knowledge and engagement. • Knowledge and engagement with AI can influence critical thinking abilities. • Responsibly using ChatGPT in education can promote critical thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research paper is to investigate Theory of Mind (ToM) capacities with Rett Syndrome (RS), which is similar to autism yet with more significant impairments. RS patients can best be described as hardly ever advancing past the sensorimotor stage, or the period described by Piaget between birth and eighteen months during which an infant's knowledge of the world is limited to sensory perceptions and motor activities with behaviours that consist of simple motor responses caused by sensory stimuli. Nevertheless, single-case studies have shown that RS patients can develop a mentalistic understanding of others if properly trained. To further advance this finding, non-trained RS female children completed a false belief task appositely devised with a non-verbal answering mode familiar to RS girls. Results show that RS girls are better on this type of false belief task than a control group of autistic children, whose deficit in ToM understanding is well-documented in literature. Our findings, though preliminary, may be a first step towards a better understanding of the differences between RS and autism in mental state reasoning, opening new topics of research and intervention in ToM with severe clinical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "Interactive School" project originated in a historical moment in which Italy and almost all countries in the world are experiencing and facing the fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) contagion. Many countries, including Italy, have imposed the closure of schools, universities, and all centers that host patients with Rett Syndrome (RTT), a rare disease that heavily impacts on autonomy, mobility, and some cognitive and communication abilities of the affected subjects. As a consequence, we decided to launch a remotely operated, Interactive School program specifically oriented to Rett patients, and in this article, we briefly provide a report of the ongoing activity. The Interactive School project exploits an easy-to-use technological system designed to be as acceptable as possible for families with RTT patients. We are currently using this system with positive feedback from both families and patients. This is encouraging and confirms the design and realization choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peace construct has been observed by many theoretical perspectives (e.g., positive psychology, social psychology, international relations) and each contribution emphasized complementary aspects leading to different approaches to measurement and subdomain structure. Still, at present, no existing instrument provides a comprehensive assessment of these areas. The aim of this study is to contribute to the development, pilot testing, and initial validation of the Peace Attitude Scale (PAS), and to determine its psychometric properties, validity, and reliability. A total of 499 subjects were tested using items graded on a 7-point Likert scale. Validity analyses were performed using self-compassion subscales and by examining mean differences across people who did and did not engage in volunteering activities. Test--retest reliability was performed on 64 subjects. Results showed that, after an exploratory factor analysis, 5 domains appeared to be relevant: Sociopolitical, Personal Well-Being, Ease With Diversity, Environmental Attitude, and Caring. The PAS can be used to further assess the relationship between peace and other relevant variables. More research is needed first to confirm the validity of PAS and second to test its usefulness in educational and social settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because a peaceful environment favors the thriving of individuals, communities, and nations, efforts to investigate the factors promoting peace can be considered among the most virtuous research undertakings. Personality seems to influence peace attitudes, and this study examines whether and which Big Five subscales influence peace attitudes. In our study, 121 individuals (80 female), completed the Big Five Questionnaire and the Peace Attitude Scale. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to investigate which traits better predict peace attitudes. Results confirmed existing evidence: Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience are associated with peace attitudes. We also observed associations with Emotional Stability and Agreeableness. Gender plays a role too: Female subjects scores higher on all subscales except for the Personal Well-Being factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the attempt to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 lockdown, most countries have recently authorized and promoted the adoption of e-learning and remote teaching technologies, often with the support of teleconferencing platforms. Unfortunately, not all students can benefit from the adoption of such a surrogate of their usual school. We were asked to devise a way to allow a community of children affected by the Rett genetic syndrome, and thus unable to communicate verbally, in writing or by gestures, to actively participate in remote rehabilitation and special education sessions by exploiting eye-gaze tracking. As not all subjects can access commercial eye-tracking devices, we investigated new ways to facilitate the access to eye gaze-based interaction for this specific case. The adopted communication platform is a videoconferencing software, so all we had at our disposal was a live video stream of the child. As a solution to the problem, we developed a software (named SWYG) that only runs at the "operator" side of the communication, at the side of the videoconferencing software, and does not require to install other software in the child's computer. The preliminary results obtained are very promising and the software is ready to be deployed on a larger base. While this paper is being written, several children are finally able to communicate with their caregivers from home, without relying on expensive and cumbersome devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of automatic and controlled processes in children with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has recently been debated. Most theories on ADHD assume that core deficits are related to controlled processes and executive function.Aims: The main aim of the present study is to examine automatic and controlled attention in children with ADHD, compared to TD subjects.Methods and Procedures: Twenty ADHD-I children, 20 with ADHD-C and 20 typical developing children performed the Block-Formed Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT) both in incongruent and congruent conditions.Outcome and Results: Results show that clinical groups had a poorer performance than the TD group in both conditions.Conclusions and Implications: This study demonstrated that children with ADHD exhibit a deficit both in automatic and controlled processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]