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Working memory training improves children's cognitive performance on untrained tasks; however, little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. This was investigated in 32 typically developing children aged 10-14 years (19 girls and 13 boys) using a randomized controlled design and multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging (Devon, UK; 2015-2016). Training improved working memory performance and increased intrinsic functional connectivity between the bilateral intraparietal sulci. Furthermore, improvements in working memory were associated with greater recruitment of the left middle frontal gyrus on a complex span task. Repeated engagement of fronto-parietal regions during training may increase their activity and functional connectivity over time, affording greater working memory performance. The plausibility of generalizable cognitive benefits from a neurobiological perspective and implications for neurodevelopmental theory are discussed.

Background: The aims of the current study were to adapt a version of the MET for people with intellectual disabilities and assess its ecological and construct validity. Material and Methods: Using a correlational design, 40 participants with intellectual disabilities were invited to complete a battery of neuropsychological assessments and the modified Multiple Errands Test for Intellectual Disabilities (mMET-IDs). Results: The ability to successfully complete tasks on the mMET-IDs correlated significantly with measures of the Supervisory Attentional System, namely, the Tower of London Test and the Six Parts Test. However, performance on the mMET-IDs and the Six Parts Test could be accounted for by Verbal IQ and receptive vocabulary. The mMET-IDs failed to correlate with the DEX-IR. Conclusions: The mMET-IDs can be successfully used to assess some aspects of the Supervisory Attentional System in people with intellectual disabilities. Further development is needed, however, to improve the ecological validity of the mMET-IDs.

Introduction: There is significant unexplained variability in behavioral and executive functioning after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Prior research indicates that there are likely genetic contributions; however, current research is limited. The purpose of this study is to use a systems biology informed approach to characterize the genomic signature related to behavioral and executive functioning ~12 months after moderate through severe TBI in children. Methods: Participants were from two prospective cohorts of children with severe TBI (Cohort #1) and moderate-severe TBI and an orthopedic injury (OI) group (Cohort #2). Participants included 196 children (n = 72 and n = 124 total from each respective cohort), ranging in age between 0--17 years at the time of injury. In total, 86 children had severe TBI, 49 had moderate TBI, and 61 had an OI. Global behavioral functioning assessed via the Child Behavior Checklist and executive function assessed via the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function at ~ 12 months post injury served as outcomes. To test for a genomic signature, we compared the number of nominally significant (p < 0.05) polymorphisms associated with the outcomes in our systems biology identified genes to a set 10,000 permutations using control genes (e.g., not implicated by systems biology). We used the ToppFun application from Toppgene Suite to identify enriched biologic processes likely to be associated with behavioral and executive function outcomes. Results: At 12 months post injury, injury type (TBI vs OI) by polymorphism interaction was significantly enriched in systems biology selected genes for behavioral and executive function outcomes, suggesting these genes form a genomic signature. Effect sizes of the associations from our genes of interest ranged from .2--.5 for the top 5% of variants. Systems biology analysis of the variants associated with the top 5% effect sizes indicated enrichment in several specific biologic processes and systems. Discussion: Findings indicate that a genomic signature may explain heterogeneity of behavioral and executive outcomes after moderate and severe TBI. This work provides the foundation for constructing genomic signatures and integrating systems biology and genetic information into future recovery, prognostic, and treatment algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in dramatic changes to social interaction and service access. The effect of this on the mental health of children and young people with acquired brain injuries (ABI) remains relatively unexplored. Nineteen parents of children and young people with ABIs (one parent of each child, representing 19 children) completed questionnaires on service access and the mental health of their children. Three parent-child dyads (n=6 participants) also completed semi-structured interviews. Results revealed children and young people with ABI experienced greater peer problems and emotional problems than those without an ABI during Covid-19. Interviews found that parents felt unsupported with their children's education and they experienced isolation. This study shows the mental health risk of social isolation for this population but also explores what positives can be learned from the Covid-19 pandemic such as, the benefits of a less demanding learning environment and online/in-person hybrid service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wellbeing issues among international students in the UK higher education have been recognised as a crisis. To address this, we integrate social identity and felt understanding approaches to wellbeing and mental health, testing whether felt understanding (the belief that others understand oneself) is an important process through which social identity predicts better wellbeing, over and above other, more established mediators (social support, life meaning, and personal control). International university students (including both undergraduates and postgraduates, N = 301) completed an online survey that measured three sets of variables: social identity variables (ingroup identification, multiple identities, multiple identity compatibility); process variables (social support, felt understanding, life meaning, personal control); and wellbeing outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress). Path analyses confirmed that felt understanding predicted better wellbeing outcomes over and above the other mediators. Additionally, indirect effects from social identity variables to wellbeing via felt understanding were consistently significant, even when adjusting for the other mediators. The results are consistent with the idea that felt understanding is an under‐acknowledged resource through which social identities protect wellbeing. The findings contribute to "social cure" research and have implications for promoting wellbeing services from the perspective of group memberships. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the association of home and neighborhood environment with neurobehavioral outcomes after severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI)., Setting: Domestic and international children's medical centers., Participants: Participants enrolled in the study were 18 years or younger at the time of their severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] ≤ 8), admitted to the intensive care unit, and underwent placement of an intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor. Exclusionary criteria included less severe injury (GCS > 8), pregnancy, and/or ICP monitor placement occurred at a non-participating hospital., Design: A multicenter, observational cohort study., Main Measures: Outcomes assessed at 12 months post-injury included measures of global functioning, intellectual ability, caregiver-report measures of family functioning, executive functioning behaviors, behavior problems, and health-related quality of life. We examined mortality risk (assessed acutely after injury), family functioning (assessed at 12 months post-injury) and parenting practices, social environment, and neighborhood stressors (all assessed > 12 months post-injury), as correlates and moderators of the 12-month post-injury outcomes., Results: Home and neighborhood factors were associated with neurobehavioral outcomes (ie, intellectual ability, executive functioning, behavioral adjustment, and health-related quality of life) but not with global functioning outcomes. A negative association between a more vulnerable home and neighborhood environment and neurobehavioral outcomes was more consistent in older children compared with younger children, based on age of injury. The influence of mortality risk on neurobehavioral outcomes was variable., Conclusion: Parenting practices and quality of social and neighborhood environment are associated with neurobehavioral outcomes 12 months after severe pediatric TBI. More research is needed to better understand the relationship between home/neighborhood stressors and TBI recovery to develop and implement strategies for patients and families to optimize outcomes. Future intervention development should focus on addressing parenting practices and social environment in a developmentally sensitive way for children who have sustained a severe TBI., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interests., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)