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This study attempts to answer the question of whether mice with biallelic and monoallelic disruption of the St3gal5 (GM3 synthase) gene might benefit from GM1 replacement therapy. The GM3 produced by this sialyltransferase gives rise to downstream GD3 and the ganglio‐series of gangliosides. The latter includes the a‐series (GM1 + GD1a), which has proved most essential for neuron survival and function (especially GM1, for which GD1a provides a reserve pool). These biallelic mice serve as a model for children with this relatively rare autosomal recessive condition (ST3GAL5−/−) who suffer rapid neurological decline including motor loss, intellectual disability, visual and hearing loss, failure to thrive, and other severe conditions leading to an early death by 2–5 years of age without supportive care. Here, we studied both these mice, which serve as a model for the parents and close relatives of these children who are likely to suffer long‐term disabilities due to partial deficiency of GM1, including Parkinson's disease (PD). We find that the movement and memory disorders manifested by both types of mice can be resolved with GM1 application. This suggests the potential therapeutic value of GM1 for disorders stemming from GM1 deficiency, including GM3 synthase deficiency and PD. It was noteworthy that the GM1 employed in these studies was synthetic rather than animal brain‐derived, reaffirming the therapeutic efficacy of the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical jump (VJ) capacity is a common assessment for monitoring athletes' neuromuscular function and has been proposed as a differentiating indicator between competitive levels of football players. This study aimed to compare the VJ capacity of Chilean footballers with cerebral palsy (CP) with international and national levels of proficiency, also according to their sport classes (i.e., FT1-FT3). A total sample of 41 male footballers with CP were divided into international-level (n = 18) and national-level (n = 23) groups. All the participants performed two maximal squat jumps (SJs) and countermovement jumps (CMJs), where the best height obtained was registered. The VJ performance was significantly different between competitive levels, and players at international level had better scores (p < .001) than the national level in SJ (dg = 1.83, large) and CMJ (dg = 2.08, large). Considering the sport classes, significant differences were found in SJ (p = .024) and CMJ (p = .035), in which FT3 players performed higher jumping heights than FT1 players (dg = -.84 to -1.01, large). These results provide a deeper understanding of the differences in the motor impairment-specific performance of para-footballers with CP, where coaches and strength-conditioning professionals should consider VJ assessment for monitoring training and as a component for talent detection in this para-sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose: To determine the feasibility of training with electromyographically (EMG) controlled games to improve control of muscle activation patterns in stroke survivors. Methods: Twenty chronic stroke survivors (>6 months) with moderate hand impairment were randomized to train either unilaterally (paretic only) or bilaterally over 9 one-hour training sessions. EMG signals from the unilateral or bilateral limbs controlled a cursor location on a computer screen for gameplay. The EMG muscle activation vector was projected onto the plane defined by the first 2 principal components of the activation workspace for the nonparetic hand. These principal components formed the x- and y-axes of the computer screen. Results: The recruitment goal (n = 20) was met over 9 months, with no screen failure, no attrition, and 97.8% adherence rate. After training, both groups significantly decreased the time to move the cursor to a novel sequence of targets (P = 0.006) by reducing normalized path length of the cursor movement (P = 0.005), and improved the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) quality score (P = 0.01). No significant group difference was observed. No significant change was seen in the WMFT time or Box and Block Test. Discussion/Conclusions: Stroke survivors could successfully use the EMG-controlled games to train control of muscle activation patterns. While the nonparetic limb EMG was used in this study to create target EMG patterns, the system supports various means for creating target patterns per user desires. Future studies will employ training with the EMG-controlled games in conjunction with functional task practice for a longer intervention duration to improve overall hand function. Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see the Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A379). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic insult (HII) is one of the main devastating causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns. HII induces brain injury which evolves to neurological sequelae later in life. Hypothermia is the only therapeutic approach available capable of diminishing brain impairment after HII. Finding a novel therapeutic method to reduce the severity of brain injury and its consequences is critical in neonatology. The present paper aimed to evaluate the effect of sulforaphane (SFN) pre-treatment on glucose metabolism, neurodegeneration, and functional outcome at the acute, sub-acute, and sub-chronic time intervals in the experimental model of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic insult in rats. To estimate the effect of SFN on brain glucose uptake we have performed 18F-deoxyglucose (FDG) µCT/PET. The activity of FDG was determined in the hippocampus and sensorimotor cortex. Neurodegeneration was assessed by histological analysis of Nissl-stained brain sections. To investigate functional outcomes a battery of behavioral tests was employed. We have shown that although SFN possesses a protective effect on glucose uptake in the ischemic hippocampus 24 h and 1 week after HII, no effect has been observed in the motor cortex. We have further shown that the ischemic hippocampal formation tends to be thinner in HIE and SFN treatment tends to reverse this pattern. We have observed subtle chronic movement deficit after HII detected by ladder rung walking test with no protective effect of SFN. SFN should be thus considered as a potent neuroprotective drug with the capability to interfere with pathophysiological processes triggered by perinatal hypoxicischemic insult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant microglial responses promote neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. However, rifampicin's effect on cognitive and motor sequelae of inflammation remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether rifampicin exerts neuroprotection against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cognitive and motor impairments. A mouse model of LPS-induced cognitive and motor impairment was established. Adult C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 25 mg/kg rifampicin 30 min before intraperitoneal microinjection of LPS (750 μg/kg) daily until study end. Treatments and behavioral experiments were performed once daily for 7 days. Behavioral tests and pathological/biochemical assays were performed to evaluate LPS-induced damage to the hippocampus and substantia nigra (SN). Rifampicin attenuated LPS-induced cognitive and motor impairments, based on performance in the behavioral tests. Rifampicin suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and prostaglandin E2 in the serum and nitric oxide (NO) in brain tissue, and cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels. Immunofluorescence revealed that rifampicin inhibited LPS-induced microglial activation in the hippocampus and SN, thus protecting the neurons. Rifampicin inhibited the activation of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Rifampicin downregulated TLR4 and MyD88 protein levels and inhibited NF-κB inhibitor alpha and NF-κB inhibitor kinase beta phosphorylation, thus reducing p65 nuclear transfer by inhibiting NF-κB signaling activation in LPS-treated mice. Rifampicin protects against LPS-induced neuroinflammation and attenuates cognitive and motor impairments by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our findings might aid the development of novel therapies to treat progressive neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Efficacy and safety of two important NIBS techniques studied comparing with negative controls. • Evoked potentials from somatosensory cortex used as a surrogate marker to inform on motor enhancement effects. • Increase in amplitude of the SEP with tDCS and/or TMS but not with the combination of sham stimulations, when combined with standard physiotherapy suggesting true enhancing effects with any or both NIBS To investigate the effects of transcranial electrical and magnetic non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) protocols on somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) in chronic ischemic stroke. 33 patients were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups of the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and/or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocol. SEP parameters were recorded before and after ten days of the treatment session. All the statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version 19. It was found that there is a statistically significant improvement in the N20-P22 mean amplitude after treatment sessions in all groups except the group where tDCS and rTMS groups were sham. On paired t-tests, the difference betweeen post and pre-stimulation SEP amplitudes for the real tDCS and real rTMS coupled group was 1.045 ± 0.732 (p value = 0.005). For sham tDCS+real rTMS group, 1.05 ± 0.96 (P = 0.04); for real tDCS+sham rTMS 0.543 ± 0.332 (P = 0.01) and for double sham stimulation, 0.204 ± 0.648 (P = 0.4) respectively In ischemic stroke patients, either or coupled true transcranial tDCS and rTMS was found to be safe and significantly enhanced the amplitude of cortical somatosensory potentials when combined with standard physiotherapy, in the interim analysis of an ongoing randomised controlled trial. CTRI/2019/11/022009 The results of this research indicates the importance of RCTs in developing robust improved NIBS protocols coupled to physiotherapy to enhance the sensory-motor functional recovery following ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotenone (organic pesticide and inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I) is used to generate an experimental model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, we investigated rotenone-induced locomotor deficits, gait dynamics and muscular weakness in rats. The study also determined dopamine (DA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels following rotenone administration. In the study, adult male rats were administered subcutaneously (s.c.) with rotenone (1.5 mg/kg/day) for 8 days. Motor activities were monitored by the Kondziela's inverted screen test, beam walking test and footprint test. Animals were decapitated after behavioral analysis and brains were dissected out for neurochemical estimation. Results showed that the levels of DA and DOPAC were significantly decreased, which further supported by significant impaired motor coordination in rotenone treated rats. In conclusion, the behavioral and neurochemical findings of our study further strengthen the previous report and emphasizes on short term administration of rotenone producing PD-like symptoms in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience significant handwriting impairment, however the influence of time pressure on overall performance is unclear. The aim of the current study was to characterise the handwriting profile of children with ASD across both non-speeded and speeded conditions, with particular focus given to spacing difficulties and handwriting errors. A further aim was to explore the relationships between handwriting and both intellectual and motor skills under different task conditions. Method Boys with ASD ( n = 23) and matched controls ( n = 20) aged 8–12 years completed a modified version of the speed subtest of the Handwriting Performance Test, which allowed for both an ecologically valid and relatively simple motoric task. Participants wrote a simple phrase ( cat and dog ) five times in each condition. Results No significant group differences were identified for handwriting errors or spacing between words in either condition, however the ASD group demonstrated greater variability relative to controls, particularly in the speeded condition. Significant negative associations were identified between motor proficiency and handwriting errors in the non-speeded condition. Conclusions While motor processes are shown to have a significant role in overall handwriting proficiency, it appears that motor ability may influence the handwriting process to different degrees, depending on the nature of the task employed. A lack of group differences with respect to handwriting errors and spacing between words may suggest that children with ASD have the ability to compensate for underlying motor impairment when completing a well-practiced writing task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level of motor competence for six-year-old children are of special interest because at this age they have started at school, and they have to master new requirements. Ninety-four children were tested in fine- and grossmotor skills, by the Movement ABC test. Within the fifth percentile of the USA norms, 9.6% of the children would have to be classified as to have motor problems, with 11.7% classified in the 'borderline' group. Sex difference were apparent in the section for manual dexterity, but in the sections balance and ball skills there were no significant differences, however, the girls were shown some better performance in balance skills. Finding from the present study shows boys falling into the motor impaired group to 12% and 6.8% for the girls. The cross-sectional data may provide a basis for recommendations for intervention programme for children with low motor competence in the primary school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the use of the NeuroLife® Sleeve to decode hand and wrist movements in chronic stroke survivors with hemiparesis for the eventual control of assistive devices. The NeuroLife Sleeve is a wearable garment worn on the forearm with 150 embedded electrodes spread across the forearm to record high-resolution surface electromyography (sEMG). Using the NeuroLife Sleeve, EMG activity was recorded while participants attempted 12 hand and wrist movements during three separate 2-hour sessions. All studies were conducted at Battelle's laboratories. Participants were referred from therapists in the Columbus area or recruited from local support groups. Six chronic stroke survivors (>6 months after stroke) with upper extremity motor impairment (Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer: 7-38). Participants followed a series of hand and wrist movements on a computer monitor and performed the shown movement to the best of their ability. EMG decoding accuracy to correctly predict movement intention from EMG data recorded from the NeuroLife Sleeve. We demonstrate that the NeuroLife Sleeve can accurately decode 12 functional hand and wrist movements, including multiple types of grasps with 75% average accuracy across subjects in simulated real-time situations. These results highlight the utility of the NeuroLife Sleeve and decoding algorithms as potential control systems for assistive devices. Collected feedback from stroke survivors who tested the system demonstrate the user-centric design of the NeuroLife Sleeve, including being simple to don and doff, comfortable, portable, and lightweight. The NeuroLife Sleeve represents a user-centric, platform technology to record and decode high-definition electromyography for the eventual real-time control of assistive devices. None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been strongly argued that impaired motor function contributes to the restricted/repetitive behaviors (RRBs) of autistic children, but the mechanism exploration of these claims has been limited by the absence of potential confounders such as executive function. We investigated the role that executive function (EF) plays in the relationship between motor coordination, EF, and RRBs in a school-aged autism population (n = 188, age = 7.42 ± 1.46 years, 86.7% males) via a structural equation model in a statistically robust way. The Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and Restrictive Behavior Scale-Revised were collected to measure motor coordination, EF, and RRBs, respectively. Among the participants, 33.5% (n = 63) were classified as intellectual disability, 46.8% (n = 88) had EF dysfunction and 35.1% (n = 66) had motor coordination impairment. We found a direct effect of motor coordination impairment on RRBs among children with ASD and without intellectual disability (β = -0.334, p <0.001), as well as an indirect effect through EF, which was a partial mediator of the relationship (β = −0.140 , p = 0.001). Motor coordination impairment should be included in the routine evaluation of autism surveillance and rehabilitation procedure, to address the ASD children who need additional support. It is important to add motor skills and motor coordination training in the daily intervention of autism, which could also improve EF and decrease RRBs in these children. • Motor function links to the restricted/repetitive behaviors (RRBs) of autism. • A structural equation model of the motor, executive function (EF), RRBs of autism. • EF partially mediated the linkage between motor and RRBs among autism. • Motor evaluation should be included in autism diagnosis and management. • Motor, EF-related intervention should be promoted in the rehabilitation of autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a syndrome unexplained by medical condition, which is marked by defects in the development of motor coordination. Children with this impairment are more dependent on visual information to perform movements than their typically developing (TD) peers. Objective: The main aim of the research was to create a checklist for the evaluation of the head and limb movement while walking. After that, based on this tool, to find differences in the movement of various body segments in children at risk of DCD (DCDr) compared to typically developing children under different visual conditions. Methods: A total of 32 children aged 8.7 ± 1.1 years participated in this study. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children - 2nd edition (MABC-2) was used to make a classification of motor competence level of the participants. PLATO goggles were used to make four different visual conditions. All trials were recorded. Based on the video analysis we completed a qualitative checklist. Results: The analysis between the children from the DCDr group and TD children showed significant differences in the head (p = .023) and the arm (p = .005) movements, in body position (p = .002) and total summary score (p = .001). The main effects of visual conditions showed significant differences in all cases; in the head (p = .015), with the arm (p = .006), trunk (p = .009), leg (p = .001) movements, in body position (p = .001) and also in the total summary score (p = .001). The interaction between groups and visual conditions was significant in leg movements (p = .007) and body position (p = .002). Conclusions: This study has shown which movements of body segments are most affected by different visual conditions and how children at risk of DCD are dependent on visual perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Inhibition of motor cortex excitability of the contralesional hemisphere may improve dexterity of the affected hand after stroke. Methods 40 patients (17 dominant hemispheric stroke, 23 non-dominant hemispheric stroke) with a mild to moderate upper limb motor impairment were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with two parallel-groups. Both groups received 15 daily sessions of motor training preceded by either 1Hz rTMS or sham rTMS. Behavioral and neurophysiological evaluations were performed at baseline, after the first week and after the third week of treatment, and after a 6 months follow-up. Results In both groups motor function of the affected hand improved significantly. Patients with stroke of the non-dominant hemisphere made a similar improvement, regardless of whether the motor training was preceded by sham or 1Hz rTMS. Patients with stroke of the dominant hemisphere had a less favorable improvement than those with stroke of the non-dominant hemisphere after motor training preceded by sham rTMS. However, when 1Hz rTMS preceded the motor training, patients with stroke of the dominant hemisphere made a similar improvement as those with stroke of the non-dominant hemisphere. Interpretation Motor recovery of the affected upper limb after stroke is determined by dominance of the affected hemisphere. Stroke of the dominant hemisphere is associated with per se poorer improvement of the affected hand. 1Hz rTMS over the contralesional M1 significantly improves dexterity of the affected hand in patients with stroke of the dominant hemisphere, but not in those with stroke of the non-dominant hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Damage to the developing brain may lead to lifelong motor impairments namely of the hand function. Playing an instrument combines the execution of gross and fine motor movements with direct auditory feedback of performance and with emotional value. This motor-associated sensory information may work as a self-control of motor performance in therapeutic settings. Aims The current study examined the occurrence of neuronal changes associated to piano training in youths with neurodevelopmental-associated hand motor deficits. Methods Functional magnetic resonance imaging responses evoked during a finger tapping task in a group of ten youths with neuromotor impairments that received individualized piano lessons for eighteen months were analyzed. Functional imaging data obtained before and after the piano training was compared to that obtained from a similar group of six youths who received no training during the same period of time. Results Dynamic causal modeling of functional data indicated an increase in positive connectivity from the left primary motor cortical area to the right cerebellum from before to after the piano training. Conclusions A wide variability across patients was observed and further studies remain necessary to clarify the neurophysiological basis of the effects of piano training in hand motor function of patients with neurodevelopmental motor disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a motor disorder of unclear etiology that severely interferes with a child's ability to perform daily motor tasks. As a useful alternative to a time-consuming motor test and specialist evaluation, parents or teachers can complete motor questionnaires. A tool used worldwide to screen motor performance in 4- to 14-year-old children is the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 (DCDQ'07). Aims: To describe how we translated the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 (DCDQ'07) and adapted it to the Italian population and to test its preliminary psychometric properties in Italian children. Methods: Parents of a clinical group of 26 children (5–11 years old) with a diagnosis of DCD and 52 matched controls completed the DCDQ translated into Italian and adapted for cross-cultural purposes according to current guidelines. Twenty-four parents of typically developing children randomly selected completed the questionnaire twice to examine test–retest reliability. Results: The internal consistency value (Cronbach alpha) for the Italian DCDQ was 0.94. The Italian DCDQ achieved moderate-to-high test–retest reliability (ICC) for 14/15 items and a good diagnostic performance for identifying children with DCD (sensitivity 88% and specificity 96%). Conclusions: The Italian DCDQ is a valid screening tool for assessing motor performance in 5- to 11-year-old children that merits research in a larger sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To examine the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Materials and methods: Twenty-five children diagnosed with grade 1, 2 or 3 PVL on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings between January 2002 and December 2011 were enrolled and followed from 15 months to 10 years of age. Results: Of the 25 children, one was a term and 24 were preterm-births. Nine (36%) had spastic diplegia and 12 (48%) had quadriplegia. Ten of the 25 (40%) were able to walk independently at 36 months utilizing short leg braces, whereas 13 children (52%) were unable to walk independently. MRI findings revealed grade 1 PVL in nine (36%), grade 2 in 12 (48%), and grade 3 in four (16%) of the 25 children. Eleven of the 16 children (69%) with grade 2 or 3 PVL had Papile III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and many of these children had severe neurologic motor abnormalities, severe psychomotor delay, and seizures. Five of the nine children (56%) with grade 1 PVL had normal psychomotor development. There were statistically significant differences in the motor impairment and walking ability between the children with grade 1 and those with grade 2 PVL (p = 0.008 and 0.005, respectively). Conclusion: Most children with grade 2 or 3 PVL had severe neurodevelopmental delays, but attention should also be paid to the 56% of children with grade 1 PVL who presented with normal psychomotor development. Further studies of larger populations, including long-term follow-up, are necessary to evaluate the outcomes of children with PVL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article provides a review of contemporary instruments for the developmental assessment of children aged 0-4 years and their applicability for children with special needs. The issues involved in the developmental assessment of children with special needs are discussed, and, on the basis of these issues, various instruments are then evaluated. Method: A literature search was carried out for articles about or using standardized developmental assessment instruments for children aged 0-4 years. Results: Eighteen instruments were found, of which 2 were nonverbal and 2 were designed for motor-impaired children. The instruments varied in terms of their suitability for children with special needs. Conclusion: The range of instruments is limited, especially for children younger than 2 years of age. Instruments for children with motor or hearing/language impairments are available, but their psychometric properties need to be researched and improved. For children with a visual impairment, no appropriate instrument is currently available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis assessment questionnaire (ALSAQ) in an Italian cohort of ALS patients and to further characterize the relationship between motor impairment and quality of life (QoL) in ALS. Methods: Seventy-six patients completed the Italian version of ALSAQ-40 and ALSAQ-5. To verify test-retest reliability, 30 patients were revaluated after 3 months. The medical outcome study short form 36 (MOS SF-36) questionnaire and revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFR-R) scale were used to assess Italian ALSAQ-40 construct validity. The limb muscles' Medical Research Council (MRC) score and forced vital capacity (FVC) were used to measure the degree of motor impairment. Results: The Italian ALSAQ-40 showed a very good internal consistency (all subscales Cronbach's alpha>0.86) and a good construct validity as shown by the patterns of correlation between the subscales and SF-36 (resp. ALSFRS-R) scores. ALSAQ-5 showed a positive correlation with the corresponding ALS patient total score and subscale scores of the ALSAQ-40 (Spearman's correlation coefficient>0.73). The emotional functioning subscale did not correlate with any motor impairment measures. Discussion: Italian ALSAQ-40 and ALSAQ-5 psychometric properties are reliable and similar to those showed by the original English version. We observed emotional aspects to be distinct from physical involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to muscle weakness caused by injury to supraspinal centers, several mechanisms may contribute to motor impairment in the paretic lower limb following a stroke. Physiological changes in the paretic muscles and their motor units, passive or active restraint of agonist activation, and abnormal muscle activation patterns have been shown to occur after a stroke and to reduce muscle force generation. Other factors such as increased passive tone may impede agonist and antagonist muscle torque generation, while abnormal motor activation and altered motor control of muscles can produce abnormal gait patterns. Co-activation of opposing lower limb muscles contributes to joint stiffness and postural stability; abnormal co-activation in paretic lower limbs can lead to deficits in postural stabilization. Abnormal timing of muscle activation can also yield reduced muscle work output and, in turn, reduced limb function. When sensory deficits accompany muscle weakness, impaired processing of afferent signals may contribute to abnormal muscle activation, abnormal gait patterns, and abnormal responses to perturbation during gait and stance. This article reviews the impact of these various factors, individually and in combination, on impaired motor function in the paretic lower limb after a stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Developmental dyslexia is a heterogeneous syndrome with a phonological core deficit and frequent association with other developmental disorders. Controversies exist about the influence of motor difficulties frequently encountered in dyslexia. According to different theoretical approaches, these motor impairments would reflect either a frequent co-morbid entity or a cerebellar dysfunction that could constitute the causal factor of reading disabilities. The principal aim of this study was to determine the frequency of motor impairments in a population of children with phonological dyslexia and specify possible links with attention deficit. We analysed retrospectively motor and attention abilities of 58 children with phonological dyslexia. An important sub-group of children with dyslexia (40–57% depending on the severity of motor difficulties) presented a motor impairment affecting co-ordination, balance and manual dexterity suggesting a cerebellar dysfunction. There was a significant association between attention deficit and motor impairments, with a specific impact on balance and co-ordination deficits. The comparison of performance in four groups defined according to the presence versus absence of attention deficit and motor impairment, respectively, were not in favour of a unequivocal causal link between reading disabilities and motor or attention disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Support for more functionally oriented programming for early motor intervention appears to be mounting as traditional, developmentally based practices continue to fall out of favor. This shift in perspective has prompted numerous calls for a change in programming for children with motor impairments. In spite of these calls for change, functional outcome programming and activity- based intervention have been slow in moving from theory to practice. It is hypothesized that this slow transition is due to a lack of systematic programming that would provide guidelines to help practitioners integrate these principles into service delivery. This article presents Mobility Opportunities Via Education, a structured process for planning and delivering motor intervention, based on functional outcomes and activity-based instruction, as one option to guide the transition from theory to practice. Brief examples of the application of Mobility Opportunities Via Education are presented along with current research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With advances in neonatal care there has been an increase in survival rates for infants born very preterm and/or with complex needs, such as those who require major surgery, who may not have survived decades ago. Despite advances in survival, these infants remain at high-risk for a range of neurodevelopmental delays and/or impairments including motor, cognitive and emotional/behavioural challenges. Research has improved our ability to identify which infants are at high-risk of developmental delay and/or impairments, and there is mounting evidence that early interventions can improve outcomes of these infants. However, clinical practice varies throughout the world regarding recommendations for developmental screening. Moreover, intervention, when available, is often not commenced early enough in development. Given limited resources, those infants most at risk of developmental impairments and their families should be targeted, with further research needed on the cost-effectiveness of surveillance and early interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the stability of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) throughout childhood in children born very preterm and term. Further, in the very preterm group, to compare perinatal variables and neurobehavioral outcomes at 13 years of age for children with persisting DCD and those with typical motor development.Study Design: Prospective study of 180 very preterm and 73 term-born children assessed at 5, 7, and/or 13 years of age using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, with scores ≤16th percentile used to classify DCD. Children with cerebral palsy or an IQ of <80 were excluded.Results: Children born very preterm had increased odds for DCD at 5 (OR, 5.53; 95% CI, 2.53-12.0; P < .001), 7 (OR, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.43-9.18; P = .06), and 13 years (OR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.61-11.7; P = .004) compared with term-born children. The rates of DCD in very preterm children reduced from 47.9% at 5 years of age, to 28.5% at 7 years and 27.8% at 13 years of age (OR per year of age, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75-0.87; P < .001), but less so for term-born children (15.3%, 10.0%, and 8.5% at 5, 7, and 13-years respectively [OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.75-1.09; P = .31]). Within the very preterm group at 13 years of age, there was evidence that children with persisting DCD performed poorer across several cognitive domains compared with children with typical motor development, with differences in the order of 0.5-1.0 SD.Conclusions: Although the rates of DCD decreased across middle childhood for both groups, the odds for DCD were consistently higher for very preterm children compared with term, with important implications for cognitive functioning in the very preterm group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The majority of research to date has focused on the evaluation and intervention on the core deficits in ASD. • However, growing attention on the early services in children with ASD is warranted. • What is not well understood is the relationship between the core deficits of ASD and early functional skills. • The influence of functional skills should be examined, as it may influence early screening and intervention prescription. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is now the highest among the developmental disabilities in the United States, with recent statistics estimates of 1 in every 54 children. While growing attention on the early intervention services is warranted, what is not well understood is the relationship between the core deficits of ASD and the early functional skills in young children with ASD. The primary objective of this study was to determine the relationship between early developmental functional skills and behavioral outcomes in the core deficits of ASD. The secondary objective was to determine if the onset of early developmental functional milestones were related to age of diagnosis. The current study is a secondary data analysis of the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge cohort from the Simons Foundation Research Initiative (SFARI). Study objectives were examined using multiple linear regression analyses. To address the first objective, independent analyses were conducted for each behavioral subscale (Communication, Repetitive Behavior, Atypical Behavior, Social Reciprocity, and Peer Interaction). For the second objective a linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between core deficits and age of diagnosis. Multiple early functional milestones were significantly associated with current communication deficits, including the month of first independent walking (b = 0.11, p =.03), using words (b = -0.05, p =.02), and using combined phrases (b = 0.20, p <.001). However, the child's current age was the strongest predictor of current communication deficits (b = -0.53, p <. 001). The other core ASD deficit domains (i.e., Repetitive Behavior, Atypical Behavior, Social Reciprocity, and Peer Interaction) also had multiple significant associations with early functional milestones, but variance explained was negligible (R2 = 0.02−0.05). In terms of the second objective, significant predictors of the age of ASD diagnosis (in order of average attainment) included: month of first reported smiling (b = - 0.17, p =.007), walking (b = 0.24, p =.002), use of combined words (b = -0.10, p =.02), combined phrases (b = -0.40, p <.001), bladder-trained (b = -0.07, p =.03), and bowel-trained (b = -0.17, p <.001). This study represents one of the first attempts at examining relationships among the acquisition of early functional milestones and outcomes in children with ASD. The current study may provide critical information related to the screening, diagnosis and intervention prescription for young children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased survival of infants born preterm, especially those born extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestation), has meant that more are reaching later childhood and adulthood. As preterm birth is associated with a higher risk of neurodevelopmental deficits, the aim of this review was to determine whether or not the advances in perinatal care that led to improved survival have also had a positive impact on long-term neurodevelopment. Studies examining temporal changes in neurodevelopment are limited, and only from high-income countries. However, based on available published data, there is no definite trend of improved neurodevelopment at school age for neurosensory, cognitive, academic achievement, motor or executive function with time. Cerebral palsy rates, however, may be decreasing. More research is needed into the potential contributors for the trends observed, and also for other outcomes such as mental health and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) is used for initial assessment of patients with suspected stroke. Motor outcome prediction using the initial CT image is important for clinical rehabilitation. However, there is inconsistency in the results reported by the few publications on hematoma volume and motor outcomes in patients with putaminal hemorrhage. To clarify the direction of hematoma and relationship between the hematoma volume and motor outcomes in patients with putaminal hemorrhage using an initial CT image, we evaluated the volume of direction of hematoma in 170 patients in the subacute phase after putaminal hemorrhage using CT at stroke onset.Methods: The patients were divided into 5 groups according to the direction of the hematoma. For each group, Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate the relationship between hematoma volume and motor outcomes. Motor outcomes were assessed using the motor items of Stroke Impairment Assessment Set, which are impairment indexes for the distal and proximal functions of the upper and lower extremities after stroke.Results: Hematoma volume was significantly correlated with all the motor items in the group whose hematoma extended to the posterior limb of the internal capsule alone (Bonferroni corrected P <.05). On the other hand, significant correlations between hematoma volume and motor outcomes could not be found in almost all the other groups.Conclusions: Motor outcome after putaminal hemorrhage can be predicted by evaluating the progression of hematoma to the corticospinal tract and its volume using CT images at stroke onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We describe profiles of visuomotor impairment consistent with dorsal visual stream dysfunction (DVSD) in 13 normally sighted children with ASD. • We give video evidence for optic ataxia and propose a relationship between optic ataxia and motor impairment in ASD. • We report a linear relationship between configural disruption of line drawings in the Beery-VMI and severity of functional visual impairment. • We propose that "piecemeal visual processing" drives configural disruption in ASD and is consistent with the Central Coherence Theory for ASD. • We suggest that ASD children with severe visuomotor impairment due to DVSD may benefit from specialist visual impairment support. Robust neuroscientific evidence supports the existence of an association between autism and a visual motion processing deficit, arising from dysfunction of the dorsal visual stream, a pathway connecting the primary visual and parieto-occipital cortices. The neuro-ophthalmic consequences of dorsal visual stream dysfunction (DVSD) are well-described but seldom reported: simultanagnosia, optic ataxia (OA), and gaze apraxia. The clinical records of thirteen motor-impaired autistic children, with clinical diagnoses of DVSD, were retrospectively reviewed six years after DVSD diagnosis to determine the frequency and severity of their neuro-visual impairment. Two measures to rate severity of visual perceptual impairment were employed: frequency of parent-reported behaviours denoting impaired visual function, given as mean individual Cerebral Visual Impairment Inventory Scores (CVIS), and severity of age-inappropriate configural disruption of drawings, rated on Beery-VMI Visual Motor Integration standard scores (VMIS). Applying the 90th percentile cut-off CVIS of 0.74 for the typical population as marker of normal visual function a CVIS ≥ 2.5 indicated very severe impairment. Evidence was also sought for a correlation between central OA and severe motor coordination impairment (MCI), rated by the Beery Motor Coordination assessment, using method agreement analysis. Significant correlation between CVIS and VMIS was determined by linear regression analysis: r = -0.81 [95% CI -0.94 to -0.47], p=0.0008. Agreement for MCI≤ 5th percentile with central OA, determined by Cohen's weighted Kappa statistic (K), was significant: K = 1[95% CI: 0.46–1.54], p=0.0002. We conclude that mechanisms driving OA (which is defined as 'impaired visually guided movement') may underpin severe motor impairment, in autism. CVIS and VMIS may be useful indicators of severity of spatial cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of cognitive, neurologic, and behavioral outcomes at 10 years of age in 428 girls and 446 boys who were born extremely preterm.Study Design: A total of 889 of 966 eligible children previously enrolled in the multicenter Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns Study from 2002-2004 were evaluated at 10 years of age. Children underwent a neuropsychological battery and testing for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and parents reported on their child's behavior, development, and seizures.Results: Of the children, 28% of boys and 21% of girls exhibited moderate to severe impairment on summary measures of cognitive abilities. Boys had a higher prevalence of impairment than girls in nearly all measures of cognition, were more than twice as likely to have microcephaly (15% in boys, 8% in girls), and require more often assistive devices to ambulate (6% in boys, 4% in girls). In contrast, boys and girls had comparable risk for a history of seizure (identified in 10% of the cohort) or epilepsy (identified in 7% of the cohort). The boy-to-girl ratio of ASD (9% in boys, 5% in girls) was lower than expected compared with the overall US autism population.Conclusions: In this contemporary cohort of children born extremely premature and evaluated at school age, boys had higher prevalence of cognitive, neurologic, and behavioral deficits than girls. The ratio of boys to girls among those with ASD deserves further study as does the perinatal environmental-genetic interactions that might contribute to male preponderance of deficits in this high-risk sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]