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BackgroundPeople with acquired brain injury (ABI) often have Social Cognition (SC) deficits. Impairment of SC causes the individual to have difficulties in daily functioning and can lead to social isolation. Research aimed at rehabilitation of SC in individuals with ABI is scarce and almost always addresses only one component of this ability.ObjectiveThis pilot study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the new “SocialMind” program in improving all core components of SC in people with ABI.MethodThe study included 31 participants with ABI, divided into experimental and control groups. The study spanned 44 weeks, involving an initial meeting, evaluation, training, and final assessment phases. The SocialMind program, structured into four modules, each with a duration of 30 h, targeted each SC component through tailored exercises. The program addressed emotion recognition, social awareness, ToM, and empathy.ResultsThe SocialMind group demonstrated significant improvements in emotion recognition (p = 0.017), social knowledge (p < 0.001), and empathy (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. ToM also showed a notable improvement that approached significance (p = 0.057).ConclusionThis pilot study suggests that the SocialMind program effectively enhances three of the four core components of SC in individuals with ABI.

Background: Emerging research supports the idea that exercise positively affects neurodevelopment. However, the mechanisms linking exercise with brain health are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on (a) blood biomarkers selected based on previous evidence (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), cathepsin B (CTSB), kynurenine, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1)); and (b) a panel of 92 neurology-related proteins (discovery analysis). We also investigated whether changes in these biomarkers mediate the effects of exercise on brain health (hippocampal structure and function, cognitive performance, and mental health). Methods: We randomized 81 overweight/obese children (10.1 ± 1.1 years, 41% girls) into 2 groups: either 20 weeks of aerobic plus resistance exercise or control. Candidate biomarkers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for kynurenine, FGF21, and CTSB; colorimetry for β-hydroxybutyrate; and XMap for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. The 92 neurology-related proteins were analyzed by an antibody-based proteomic analysis. Results: Our intervention had no significant effect on candidate biomarkers (all p > 0.05). In the discovery analysis, a reduction in circulating macrophage scavenger receptor type-I was observed (standardized differences between groups = –0.3, p = 0.001). This effect was validated using ELISA methods (standardized difference = –0.3, p = 0.01). None of the biomarkers mediated the effects of exercise on brain health. Conclusions: Our study does not support a chronic effect of exercise on candidate biomarkers. We observed that while chronic exercise reduced the levels of macrophage scavenger receptor type-I, it did not mediate the effects of exercise on brain health. Future studies should explore the implications of this novel biomarker for overall health.

BackgroundSocial cognitive deficits are common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The participant in this single-case experimental design (SCED) was 7 years old when he sustained a severe TBI. After 2 years in rehabilitation, he continues to show deficits in social cognition.ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of three interventions, each aimed at improving a behavior altered by social cognition deficits. These behaviors were: (1) expression of positive emotions, (2) reacting to changes in plans, and (3) greeting classmates.MethodAn A-B-A’ design was used for each behavior. In addition, each behavior was targeted with a rehabilitation program applied over 10 sessions.ResultsFor the first behavior, changes between phases B-A’ (NAP = 0.712) and A-A’ (NAP = 0.864) indicated improvements in the child’s ability to express positive emotions. In the second behavior, changes in the intensity of reactions between phases B and A’ (NAP = 0.815) and A vs. A’ (NAP = 0.834) indicated that the child adapted to changes in a plan and to unexpected situations in a more adaptive way. For the third behavior, changes in the number of greetings between phases A and B (NAP = 0.883) and A vs. A’ (NAP = 0.844) suggested that during the third phase of the study, the participant fully acquired the habit of greeting peers and increased his interactions with others.ConclusionWhile the participant showed improvements in all three targeted behaviors, due to the complexity of the third behavior, it is recommended that in future research, the intervention targeting social interactions should be applied over a longer timeframe to ensure that improvements are more stable in the long term.

Alzheimer’s disease is currently the leading cause of dementia and one of the most expensive, lethal and severe diseases worldwide. Age-related decline in executive function is widespread and plays a key role in subsequent dementia risk. Physical exercise has been proposed as one of the leading non-pharmaceutical approaches to improve executive function and ameliorate cognitive decline. This single-site, two-arm, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will include 90 cognitively normal older adults, aged 65–80 years old. Participants will be randomized to a 24-week resistance exercise program (3 sessions/week, 60 min/session, n = 45), or a wait-list control group (n = 45) which will be asked to maintain their usual lifestyle. All study outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 24-weeks after the exercise program, with a subset of selected outcomes assessed at 12-weeks. The primary outcome will be indicated by the change in an executive function composite score assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery. Secondary outcomes will include changes in brain structure and function and amyloid deposition, other cognitive outcomes, and changes in molecular biomarkers assessed in blood, saliva, and fecal samples, physical function, muscular strength, body composition, mental health, and psychosocial parameters. We expect that the resistance exercise program will have positive effects on executive function and related brain structure and function, and will help to understand the molecular, structural, functional, and psychosocial mechanisms involved.

Breastfeeding (BF) is the gold standard in infant nutrition; knowing how it influences brain connectivity would help understand the mechanisms involved, which would help close the nutritional gap between infant formulas and breast milk. We analyzed potential long-term differences depending on the diet with an experimental infant formula (EF), compared to a standard infant formula (SF) or breastfeeding (BF) during the first 18 months of life on children's hypothalamic functional connectivity (FC) assessed at 6 years old. A total of 62 children participating in the COGNIS randomized clinical trial (Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02094547) were included in this study. They were randomized to receive an SF (n = 22) or a bioactive nutrient-enriched EF (n = 20). BF children were also included as a control study group (BF: n = 20). Brain function was evaluated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and mean glucose levels were collected through a 24-h continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device at 6 years old. Furthermore, nutrient intake was also analyzed during the first 18 months of life and at 6 years old through 3-day dietary intake records. Groups fed with EF and BF showed lower FC between the medial hypothalamus (MH) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in comparison with SF-fed children. Moreover, the BF children group showed lower FC between the MH and the left putamen extending to the middle insula, and higher FC between the MH and the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) compared to the EF-fed children group. These areas are key regions within the salience network, which is involved in processing salience stimuli, eating motivation, and hedonic-driven desire to consume food. Indeed, current higher connectivity found on the MH-IFG network in the BF group was associated with lower simple sugars acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges (AMDRs) at 6 months of age. Regarding linoleic acid intake at 12 months old, a negative association with this network (MH-IFG) only in the BF group was found. In addition, BF children showed lower mean glucose levels compared to SF-fed children at 6 years old. Our results may point out a possible relationship between diet during the first 18 months of life and inclined proclivity for hedonic eating later in life.Clinical trial registrationhttps://www.clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT02094547.

BackgroundAdequate nutrient intake during the first few months of life plays a critical role on brain structure and function development.ObjectivesTo analyze the long-term effects of an experimental infant formula (EF) on neurocognitive function and brain structure in healthy children aged 6 years compared to those fed with a standard infant formula or breastfed.MethodsThe current study involved 108 healthy children aged 6 years and participating in the COGNIS Study. At 0–2 months, infants were randomized to receive up to 18 months of life a standard infant formula (SF) or EF enriched with milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and synbiotics. Furthermore, a reference group of breastfed (BF) infants were also recruited. Children were assessed using neurocognitive tests and structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 6 years old.ResultsExperimental infant formula (EF) children showed greater volumes in the left orbital cortex, higher vocabulary scores and IQ, and better performance in an attention task than BF children. EF children also presented greater volumes in parietal regions than SF kids. Additionally, greater cortical thickness in the insular, parietal, and temporal areas were found in children from the EF group than those fed with SF or BF groups. Further correlation analyses suggest that higher volumes and cortical thickness of different parietal and frontal regions are associated with better cognitive development in terms of language (verbal comprehension) and executive function (working memory). Finally, arachidonic acid (ARA), adrenic acid (AdA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in cheek cell glycerophospholipids, ARA/DHA ratio, and protein, fatty acid, and mineral intake during the first 18 months of life seem to be associated with changes in the brain structures at 6 years old.ConclusionsSupplemented infant formula with MFGM components, LC-PUFAs, and synbiotics seems to be associated to long-term effects on neurocognitive development and brain structure in children at 6 years old.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://www.clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT02094547.

Personality traits such as impulsivity or sensitivity to rewards and punishments have been associated with risky driving behavior, but it is still unclear how brain anatomy is related to these traits as a function of risky driving. In the present study, we explore the neuroanatomical basis of risky driving behavior and how the level of risk-taking influences the relationship between the traits of impulsivity and sensitivity to rewards and punishments and brain gray matter volume. One hundred forty-four participants with different risk-taking tendencies assessed by real-life driving situations underwent MRI. Personality traits were assessed with self-report measures. We observed that the total gray matter volume varied as a function of risky driving tendencies, with higher risk individuals showing lower gray matter volumes. Similar results were found for volumes of brain areas involved in the reward and cognitive control networks, such as the frontotemporal, parietal, limbic, and cerebellar cortices. We have also shown that sensitivity to reward and punishment and impulsivity are differentially related to gray matter volumes as a function of risky driving tendencies. Highly risky individuals show lower absolute correlations with gray matter volumes than less risk-prone individuals. Taken together, our results show that risky drivers differ in the brain structure of the areas involved in reward processing, cognitive control, and behavioral modulation, which may lead to dysfunctional decision-making and riskier driving behavior.

Dispositional mindfulness and emotion regulation are two psychological constructs closely interrelated, and both appear to improve with the long-term practice of mindfulness meditation. These constructs appear to be related to subcortical, prefrontal, and posterior brain areas involved in emotional processing, cognitive control, self-awareness, and mind wandering. However, no studies have yet discerned the neural basis of dispositional mindfulness that are minimally associated with emotion regulation. In the present study, we use a novel brain structural network analysis approach to study the relationship between structural networks and dispositional mindfulness, measured with two different and widely used instruments [Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)], taking into account the effect of emotion regulation difficulties. We observed a number of different brain regions associated with the different scales and dimensions. The total score of FFMQ and MAAS overlap with the bilateral parahippocampal and fusiform gyri. Additionally, MAAS scores were related to the bilateral hippocampus and the FFMQ total score to the right insula and bilateral amygdala. These results indicate that, depending on the instrument used, the characteristics measured could differ and could also involve different brain systems. However, it seems that brain areas related to emotional reactivity and semantic processing are generally related to Dispositional or trait mindfulness (DM), regardless of the instrument used.

Risky decision-making is highly influenced by emotions and can lead to fatal consequences. Attempts to reduce risk-taking include the use of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), which have shown promising results for both emotion regulation (ER) and risk-taking. However, it is still unclear whether improved emotion regulation is the mechanism responsible for reduced risk-taking. In the present study, we explore the effect of a 5-week MBI on risky driving in a group of repeat traffic offenders by comparing them with non-repeat offenders and repeat offenders without training. We evaluated the driving behavior of the participants through a driving simulation, and self-reported emotion regulation, both before and after the intervention. At baseline, poor emotion regulation was related to a more unstable driving behavior, and speeding. The group that received mindfulness training showed improved performance during risky driving situations and had fewer accidents, although their overall driving behavior remained largely unchanged. The observed trend toward improved emotion regulation was not significant. We discuss whether other effects of MBI – such as self-regulation of attention – could underlie the observed reduction in risky driving in the initial stages. Nonetheless, our findings still confirm the close relationship between emotion regulation skills and risky driving.

Background: Pain has been associated with structural changes of the brain. However, evidence regarding white matter changes in response to acute pain protocols is still scarce. In the present study, we assess the existence of differences in brain white matter related to pain intensity reported by patients undergoing surgical removal of a mandibular impacted third molar using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis.Methods: 30 participants reported their subjective pain using a visual analog scale at three postsurgical stages: under anesthesia, in pain, and after the administration of an analgesic. The diffusion data were acquired prior to surgery.Results: DTI analysis yielded significant positive associations of fractional anisotropy in white matter areas related to pain processing (corticospinal tract, corona radiata, corpus callosum) with the differences in pain between the three postsurgery stages. Extent and location of these associations depended on the magnitude of the subjective pain differences. Tractography analysis indicated that some pain–tract associations are significant only when pain stage is involved in the contrast (posterior corona radiata), while others (middle cerebellar peduncle, pontine crossing) are only when anesthesia is involved in the contrast.Conclusions: The association of white matter fractional anisotropy and connectivity, measured before the pain stages, with subjective pain depends on the magnitude of the differences in pain scores.

In acute coronary syndromes (ACSs), longer decision delay – the time patients wait before seeking medical attention after symptoms have started – increases the risk of complications and death. However, many patients wait much longer than recommended and research is needed investigating how patient decision delay can be reduced. In a cross-sectional study of 120 ACS survivors, we investigated the relationship between knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and decision delay. Several days after the onset of a cardiac event, patients completed a questionnaire measuring demographics, decision delay, objective knowledge of cardiovascular risks factors and of ACS symptoms, and subjective perceptions of symptoms during the cardiac episode. Relevant clinical data were extracted from patients’ medical records. In a multiple linear regression analysis, controlling for demographic and clinical factors, objective knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and ACS symptoms, and subjective attributions of symptoms to a cardiac cause were related to shorter decision delays. Among patients with relatively high knowledge of risk factors, only 5% waited more than 1 h to seek help, compared to 22% among patients with relatively low knowledge. These results suggest that knowledge of the factors that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease could play a role in patient decision making during an acute cardiac event. We discuss methodological issues and potential underlying mechanisms related to decision heuristics and biases, which can inform future research.

Objectives: The aims of this study were (i) to examine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and white matter volume and test whether those associations differ between normal-weight and overweight/obese children (ii) to analyze the association between other physical fitness components (i.e., motor and muscular) and white matter volume, and (iii) to examine whether the fitness-related associations in white matter volume were related to academic performance.Methods: Data came from two independent projects: ActiveBrains project (n = 100; 10.0 ± 1.1 years; 100% overweight/obese; Spain) and FITKids2 project (n = 242; 8.6 ± 0.5 years; 36% overweight/obese, United States). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed in both projects, and motor and muscular fitness were assessed in the ActiveBrains project. T1-weighted images were acquired with a 3.0 T S Magnetom Tim Trio system. Academic performance was assessed by standardized tests.Results: Cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with greater white matter volume in the ActiveBrain project (P < 0.001, k = 177; inferior fronto-opercular gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus) and in the FITKids project (P < 0.001, k = 117; inferior temporal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, middle occipital gyrus and fusiform gyrus) among overweight/obese children. However, no associations were found among normal-weight children in the FITKids project. In the ActiveBrains project, motor fitness was related to greater white matter volume (P < 0.001, k = 173) in six regions, specifically, insular cortex, caudate, bilateral superior temporal gyrus and bilateral supramarginal gyrus; muscular fitness was associated with greater white matter volumes (P < 0.001, k = 191) in two regions, particularly, the bilateral caudate and bilateral cerebellum IX. The white matter volume of six of these regions were related to academic performance, but after correcting for multiple comparisons, only the insular cortex remained significantly related to math calculations skills (β = 0.258; P < 0.005). In both projects, no brain regions showed a statistically significant negative association between any physical fitness component and white matter volume.Conclusion: Cardiorespiratory fitness may positively relate to white matter volume in overweight/obese children, and in turn, academic performance. In addition, motor and muscular fitness may also influence white matter volume coupled with better academic performance. From a public health perspective, implementing exercise interventions that combine aerobic, motor and muscular training to enhance physical fitness may benefit brain development and academic success.

The prevalence of childhood obesity continues to increase. Screen time, one of the most documented reasons for the obesogenic environment, enhances childhood obesity, since advertisements for unhealthy food products are still broadcast on channels for children. This is presently one of the main challenges for the government in Spain, since the current laws and obligations are not updated. This study aims to analyze food advertising aimed at children on Spanish television in 2013 and 2018 on children’s and general channels to test the effect of laws and obligations over time. In total, we viewed 512 h of the most viewed channels, two children’s and two general channels, during the week and on weekends during specific periods of 2013 and 2018. Food advertising was categorized as core, non-core, and other food advertisement (CFA, NCFA, and OFA, respectively) according to the nutritional profile. A total of 2935 adverts were analyzed, 1263 in 2013 and 1672 in 2018. A higher proportion of NCFAs were broadcast on children’s channels than in prior years, rising from 52.2% to 69.8% (p < 0.001). Nowadays, the risk of watching NCFAs on children’s channels compared to general channels turns out to be higher (Odds ratio > 2.5; p < 0.001), due to exposure to adverts for high-sugar and high-fat foods such as cakes, muffins, cookies, and fried and frozen meals rich in fat. In conclusion, the trends of nutritional profiles in food advertising on television are worsening over time, since the prevalence of NCFAs was higher in 2018 than in 2013. Currently, CFAs are not mainly broadcast on children’s channels, confirming high-risk exposure to non-core food advertising by watching them. Thus, food advertising laws and obligations should be adapted to increase compliance.

BACKGROUND:Overweight, obesity, and gestational diabetes (GD) during pregnancy may negatively affect neurodevelopment in the offspring. However, the mechanisms are unclear and objective measures of neurodevelopment in infancy are scarce. We hypothesized that these maternal metabolic pathologies impair cortical visual evoked potentials (cVEPs), a proxy for visual and neuronal maturity. DESIGN:The PREOBE study included 331 pregnant women stratified into four groups; normal weight (controls), overweight, obesity, and GD (the latter including mothers with normal weight, overweight and obesity). In a subsample of the offspring at 3 months (n = 157) and at 18 months (n = 136), we assessed the latencies and amplitudes of the P100 wave from cVEPs and calculated visual acuity. RESULTS:At 3 months of age, visual acuity was significantly poorer in offspring born to GD mothers. At 18 months of age, there were no differences in visual acuity but infants born to GD mothers had significantly longer latencies of cVEPs when measured at 15', and 30' of arc. The group differences at 30' remained significant after confounder adjustment (mean [SD] 121.0 [16.0] vs. 112.6 [7.6] ms in controls, p = 0.007) and the most prolonged latencies were observed in offspring to GD mothers with concurrent overweight (128.9 [26.9] ms, p = 0.002) and obesity (118.5 [5.1] ms, p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS:Infants born to mothers with GD, particularly those with concurrent overweight or obesity, have prolonged latencies of visual evoked potentials at 18 months of age, suggesting that this maternal metabolic profile have a long lasting, non-optimal, effect on infants´ brain development.

En la actualidad la investigación sobre la influencia de los rasgos de personalidad positivos sobre la enfermedad coronaria (EC) es escasa. La resiliencia se define como la capacidad para autodesarrollarse con éxito a pesar de las circunstancias adversas. En un estudio, los autores han investigado el efecto de la resiliencia en varios indicadores de severidad en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo (SCA; n=134) y los mecanismos que subyacen a este efecto. Los pacientes completaron una escala que medían sus niveles de resiliencia. Los autores midieron los niveles de troponina-I y mioglobina como indicadores de la severidad del SCA, y el número total de glóbulos blancos (NGB) y neutrófilos como marcadores de inflamación. Los resultados han puesto de manifiesto que el nivel de autoeficacia —un componente de la resiliencia— se relaciona negativamente con los niveles de mioglobina y troponina después de un evento coronario agudo. La relación entre la resiliencia y estos marcadores está mediada por el NGB. Este resultado se mantiene tras controlar el efecto de los factores cardiovasculares clásicos y demográficos. Los autores concluyen que la resiliencia reduce la extensión del infarto de miocardio influyendo en la respuesta inflamatoria, mostrando un efecto protector. © 2013 Asociación Española de Psicología Conductual. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L. Todos los derechos reservados.

The functional validity of the signal obtained with low-cost electroencephalography (EEG) devices is still under debate. Here, we have conducted an in-depth comparison of the EEG-recordings obtained with a medical-grade golden-cup electrodes ambulatory device, the SOMNOwatch + EEG-6, vs those obtained with a consumer-grade, single dry electrode low-cost device, the NeuroSky MindWave, one of the most affordable devices currently available. We recorded EEG signals at Fp1 using the two different devices simultaneously on 21 participants who underwent two experimental phases: a 12-minute resting state task (alternating two cycles of closed/open eyes periods), followed by 60-minute virtual-driving task. We evaluated the EEG recording quality by comparing the similarity between the temporal data series, their spectra, their signal-to-noise ratio, the reliability of EEG measurements (comparing the closed eyes periods), as well as their blink detection rate. We found substantial agreement between signals: whereas, qualitatively, the NeuroSky MindWave presented higher levels of noise and a biphasic shape of blinks, the similarity metric indicated that signals from both recording devices were significantly correlated. While the NeuroSky MindWave was less reliable, both devices had a similar blink detection rate. Overall, the NeuroSky MindWave is noise-limited, but provides stable recordings even through long periods of time. Furthermore, its data would be of adequate quality compared to that of conventional wet electrode EEG devices, except for a potential calibration error and spectral differences at low frequencies.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the closure stage of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis and the maturational stage of the cervical vertebrae (CVM) in growing and young adult subjects using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT images with an extended field of view obtained from 315 participants (148 females and 167 males; mean age 15.6 ±7.3 years; range 6 to 23 years) were analyzed. The fusion status of the synchondrosis was determined using a five-stage scoring system; the vertebral maturational status was evaluated using a six-stage stratification (CVM method). Ordinal regression was used to study the ability of the synchondrosis stage to predict the vertebral maturation stage. Vertebrae and synchondrosis had a strong significant correlation (r = 0.89) that essential was similar for females (r = 0.88) and males (r = 0.89). CVM stage could be accurately predicted from synchondrosis stage by ordinal regression models. Prediction equations of the vertebral stage using synchondrosis stage, sex and biological age as predictors were developed. Thus this investigation demonstrated that the stage of spheno-occipital synchondrosis, as determined in CBCT images, is a reasonable indicator of growth maturation.

La corteza prefrontal ventromedial (VMPFC) ha sido implicada en la toma de decisiones emocionales debido a su posible participación en el aprendizaje de inversión afectivo, la propensión al riesgo y la impulsividad. Su especial entramado de conexiones con otras áreas de la corteza y con estructuras subcorticales como la amígdala justifican que pueda tener un papel de interfase entre cognición y emoción, y desempeñar una función fundamental en la regulación y el control del comportamiento. En este trabajo revisamos estudios realizados con la tarea de apuestas de Iowa, tareas de aprendizaje de inversión afectivo, tareas de apuestas con diferente varianza para medir la propensión al riesgo y tareas que introducen demora temporal de la recompensa para evaluar la impulsividad. Los datos obtenidos en esos trabajos con pacientes lesionados en la VMPFC o en otras áreas prefrontales y controles no lesionados, y datos conductuales y de actividad cerebral pueden interpretarse mejor si asumimos que la VMPFC está encargada de representar la expectativa de refuerzo. La representación de un reforzador esperado incluye la demora del reforzador, y la varianza de su magnitud.

Experimental research in Psychology is characterized by ensuring a method that guarantees objectivity, reliability, validity and replication of results. In this theoretical study we propose a set of criteria for the preparation and review of quasiexperimental and experimental research manuscripts, which follows such methodological objective dictates. These criteria are based on a review of structural aspects in experimental research, in the modern theory of psychological theorization, and in the validity theory of scientific research. All these aspects are complemented with those proposed in revisions about empirically-based, statistically-based peer-review systems, and recently refined according to the expert judgment approach. We distinguish between essential, obligatory, complementary, and methodological criteria. These norms are organized according to a measuring tool -the ExperimenCheck2 system-, including report characteristics, antecedents, theoretical development, design, analysis and interpretation of results, format and bibliographical sources, also summarized in the form of a conceptual map. We also introduce the general guidelines of a reviewing process that fulfils scientific criteria, using the proposed evaluative guideline as the main organizing principle.

La presente investigación ex post facto analiza la relación entre la duración habitual de sueño y el estado de ánimo deprimido. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 141 estudiantes sanos de ambos sexos, 19 con patrón de sueño corto (6 horas de sueño diario o menos), 64 con patrón de sueño intermedio (7-8 horas de sueño diario) y 58 con patrón de sueño largo (más de 9 horas de sueño diario). El ánimo deprimido se evaluó con el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI) y la subescala de depresión del Cuestionario de Salud General (GHQ-28). Los sujetos con patrón de sueño corto y largo mostraban puntuaciones superiores en ánimo deprimido que aquellos con patrón de sueño intermedio. El análisis de cada uno de los ítems de depresión específicos mostró que los sujetos con patrón de sueño corto diferían de los patrones de sueño intermedio en los síntomas somáticos de la depresión, mientras las diferencias entre los sujetos con patrón de sueño largo e intermedio se producían en aspectos cognitivos. Se presentan algunas hipótesis explicativas sobre los mecanismos que pueden estar mediando las relaciones entre duración de sueño y estado de ánimo deprimido. El desarrollo de iniciativas educacionales destinadas a optimizar los hábitos de sueño de los estudiantes puede ser útil para prevenir depresiones futuras.

Brain development in fetal life and early infancy is critical to determine lifelong performance in various neuropsychological domains. Metabolic pathologies such as overweight, obesity, and gestational diabetes in pregnant women are prevalent and increasing risk factors that may adversely affect long-term brain development in their offspring.The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of maternal metabolic pathologies on the neurodevelopment of the offspring at 6 and 18 months of life.This was a prospective case-control study of 331 mother- and child pairs from Granada, Spain. The mothers were included during pregnancy into four groups according to their pre-gestational body mass index and their gestational diabetes status; overweight (n:56), obese (n:64), gestational diabetic (n:79), and healthy normal weight controls (n:132). At 6 months and 18 months we assessed the children with the Bayley III scales of neurodevelopment.At 6 months (n=215), we found significant group differences in cognition composite language, and expressive language. Post hoc test revealed unexpectedly higher scores in the obese group compared to the normal weight group and a similar trend in overweight and diabetic group. The effects on language remained significant after adjusting for confounders with an adjusted odds ratio for a value above median in composite language score of 3.3 (95% CI: 1.1, 10.0; p=0.035) for children of obese mothers. At 18 month (n=197), the offspring born to obese mothers had lost five points in language composite scores and the previous differences in language and cognition was replaced by a suggestive trend of lower gross motor scores in the overweight, obese, and diabetic groups.Infants of obese mothers had a temporary accelerated development of cognition and language, followed by a rapid deceleration until 18 months of age, particularly of language scores. This novel observation prompts further confirmative studies to explore possible placental and neurodevelopmental mechanisms involved.

Uno de los aspectos del aprendizaje causal menos estudiado es el papel que las emociones juegan en dicho aprendizaje. El principal objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar el impacto que ejercen las emociones sobre una tarea de detección de relaciones causales de carácter afectivo neutral. La inducción de emociones negativas hizo que los participantes subestimaran la relación causal entre los sucesos presentados tanto cuando ésta era de tipo generativo (Experimento 1) contingencia positiva como cuando era de tipo preventivo (Experimento 2) contingencia negativa . Sin embargo, los participantes recordaban adecuadamente la frecuencia de ocurrencia de cada tipo de ensayo, y sus respuestas de predicción ensayo-a-ensayo no se vieron afectadas por la inducción de emociones. Estos datos parecen apoyar a las teorías que propugnan la existencia de procesos añadidos al mecanismo de cómputo de ocurrencias en la apreciación de relaciones causales entre sucesos, como serían los procesos de integración de la información derivada de las creencias causales previas.

La investigación experimental en Psicología se rige por un método que garantiza la objetividad, la fiabilidad, la validez y la reproducción de los resultados. En este estudio teórico se proponen un conjunto de criterios para la preparación y revisión de manuscritos de investigación experimental y cuasi-experimental que sigue precisamente tales dictados metodológicos de objetividad. Tales criterios se basan en una revisión de los aspectos estructurales propios de la metodología de investigación experimental y la teoría moderna de teorización psicológica, así como en la teoría de validez. Dichos aspectos se complementaron además con lo que se ha publicado sobre el propio proceso de revisión, tanto desde el punto de vista empírico como estadísticometodológico. Se distingue entre criterios básicos, obligatorios, y criterios complementarios. Los criterios se organizan según el sistema ExperimenCheck, un instrumento de medida que abarca las características del informe, los antecedentes, el desarrollo teórico, el diseño, análisis e interpretación de resultados, formato y fuentes documentales. Se presentan también las directrices generales de un proceso de revisión basado en dicho sistema de evaluación.

Efecto de la frecuencia de juicio en el aprendizaje de relaciones causales generativas y preventivas. El efecto de la frecuencia de juicio es un caso especial del modo de respuesta en el aprendizaje humano de relaciones causales y de covariación, con el que se muestra que el ajuste de los juicios -a DP-, depende del tipo de ensayo previo al juicio, aunque este efecto sólo ocurre cuando la frecuencia del juicio es alta. En dos experimentos se demostró la fiabilidad y generalidad de dicho efecto en tareas de aprendizaje de relaciones causales generativas y preventivas. El primer experimento demostró ese mismo efecto, con un mayor número de ensayo (16) y un mayor grado de contingencia positiva (DP= 0.71) que en estudios previos. El Experimento 2 demostró que la frecuencia del juicio modula también la detección de relaciones de contingencia negativas (DP= -0.5), dado que el ajuste a dicha contingencia dependía del tipo de ensayo precedente en condiciones de alta frecuencia del juicio. Los modelos basados en la acción de un único mecanismo, sea asociativo o estadístico, no pueden explicar fácilmente estos resultados sin incorporar nuevos supuestos. Por tanto, estos resultados aportan nueva evidencia experimental al cuerpo de datos que sugieren que el aprendizaje de relaciones causales en humanos depende de la acción integrada de diferentes mecanismos, como propone el modelo de revisión de creencias.

La investigación experimental en Ciencias del Comportamiento se caracteriza por el sometimiento a un método que garantiza la objetividad, la fiabilidad, la validez y la reproducción de los resultados. Este método es independiente del contenido de la investigación. En este trabajo se propone un conjunto de criterios que deben guiar los trabajos originales en cualquier campo de la Psicología y ciencias afines, que hayan seguido la metodología experimental. Criterios que servirán tanto a revisores como a autores de este tipo de trabajos de investigación. Se distingue entre criterios básicos, obligatorios, y criterios complementarios, deseables, pero no imprescindibles siempre. Los criterios se organizan según un instrumento de medida que abarca las características del informe, los antecedentes, el desarrollo teórico, el diseño, análisis e interpretación de resultados y fuentes documentales. Se presentan también las directrices generales de un proceso de revisión que garantice el cumplimiento de los criterios científicos, tomando como eje principal el instrumento de medida propuesto.

Recent technological developments in active advanced driver assistance systems and in-car infotainment devices have contributed to reducing the number and severity of road accidents as well as improving and simplifying driver experience. However, these systems may impact driving performance in undesired ways, especially when emotionally-charged stimuli are used as warning signals. Emotional distraction can be a serious danger, causing delays in information processing, and reducing driving safety below minimal acceptable levels. Here we study the effect of emotionally-laden auditory signals on the speed of concurrent driving decisions. We distinguished two categories of behavioural responses: ‘urgent’ vs ‘evaluative’. In the experiments reported here participants were quicker to evaluate whether a traffic scene was risky or not after hearing an emotionally-charged auditory stimulus than after a neutral one. However, urgent (braking) responses to the same scenes were not affected by the emotional quality of the auditory signal. Based on these results, we give preliminary advice on the design of guidelines for in-car interfaces particularly in the field of affective in-car computing. First published online: 25 Oct 2013

BackgroundThe Stimulus Preceding Negativity (SPN) is a non-motor slow cortical potential elicited by temporally predictable stimuli, customarily interpreted as a physiological index of expectancy. Its origin would be the brain activity responsible for generating the anticipatory mental representation of an expected upcoming event. The SPN manifests itself as a slow cortical potential with negative slope, growing in amplitude as the stimulus approximates. The uncertainty hypothesis we present here postulates that the SPN is linked to control-related areas in the prefrontal cortex that become more active before the occurrence of an upcoming outcome perceived as uncertain.Methods/findingsWe tested the uncertainty hypothesis by using a repeated measures design in a Human Contingency Learning task with two levels of uncertainty. In the high uncertainty condition, the outcome is unpredictable. In the mid uncertainty condition, the outcome can be learnt to be predicted in 75% of the trials. Our experiment shows that the Stimulus Preceding Negativity is larger for probabilistically unpredictable (uncertain) outcomes than for probabilistically predictable ones. sLoreta estimations of the brain activity preceding the outcome suggest that prefrontal and parietal areas can be involved in its generation. Prefrontal sites activation (Anterior Cingulate and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex) seems to be related to the degree of uncertainty. Activation in posterior parietal areas, however, does not correlates with uncertainty.Conclusions/significanceWe suggest that the Stimulus Preceding Negativity reflects the attempt to predict the outcome, when posterior brain areas fail to generate a stable expectancy. Uncertainty is thus conceptualized, not just as the absence of learned expectancy, but as a state with psychological and physiological entity.