| 1. |
- Sehlström, Malcolm, et al.
(författare)
-
The relation of neuroticism to physiological and behavioral stress responses induced by auditory startle
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2162-3279. ; 12:5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The negative cognitive effects of the startle response are not yet fully understood. Ecological observations in the aviation field indicate risk for severe outcomes in complex or pressured situations, while sparse previous research suggests milder negative effects on simple cognitive tasks. Neuroticism is proposed as a factor related to the level of negative effects following startle.Methods: This study examined the effects of startle on performance in a choice reaction time task and analyzed relations between performance, neuroticism, and physiological stress.Results: Our results indicate that reaction time directly following startle was not affected, but reaction time in subsequent trials was significantly slower. Neuroticism and physiological stress were both unrelated to this performance effect.Discussion: We argue that higher complexity/demand tasks are necessary to complement the research on base cognitive functioning in relation to startle. If neuroticism is related to startle effects, this is more likely to be found in these higher demand situations.
|
|
| 2. |
- Söderlund, Göran, et al.
(författare)
-
Sensory white noise improves reading skills and memory recall in children with reading disability
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : Wiley. - 2162-3279. ; 11:7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Reading disability (RD) is characterized by slow and inaccurate word reading development, commonly reflecting underlying phonological problems. We have previously shown that exposure to white noise acutely improves cognitive performance in children with ADHD. The question addressed here is whether white noise exposure yields positive outcomes also for RD. There are theoretical reasons to expect such a possibility: a) RD and ADHD are two overlapping neurodevelopmental disorders and b) since prior research on white noise benefits has suggested that a central mechanism might be the phenomenon of stochastic resonance, then adding certain kinds of white noise might strengthen the signal-to-noise ratio during phonological processing and phoneme-grapheme mapping. Methods The study was conducted with a group of 30 children with RD and phonological decoding difficulties and two comparison groups: one consisting of skilled readers (n = 22) and another of children with mild orthographic reading problems and age adequate phonological decoding (n = 30). White noise was presented experimentally in visual and auditory modalities, while the children performed tests of single word reading, orthographic word recognition, nonword reading, and memory recall. Results For the first time, we show that visual and auditory white noise exposure improves some reading and memory capacities "on the fly" in children with RD and phonological decoding difficulties. By contrast, the comparison groups displayed either no benefit or a gradual decrease in performance with increasing noise. In interviews, we also found that the white noise exposure was tolerable or even preferred by many children. Conclusion These novel findings suggest that poor readers with phonological decoding difficulties may be immediately helped by white noise during reading. Future research is needed to determine the robustness, mechanisms, and long-term practical implications of the white noise benefits in children with reading disabilities.
|
|
| 3. |
- Wiklund-Hörnqvist, Carola, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
-
Retrieval practice facilitates learning by strengthening processing in both the anterior and posterior hippocampus
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2162-3279. ; 11
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction and Methods: A large number of behavioral studies show that retrieval practice is a powerful way of strengthening learning of new information. Repeated retrieval might support long‐term retention in a quantitative sense by inducing stronger episodic representations or in a qualitative sense by contributing to the formation of more gist‐like representations. Here we used fMRI to examine the brain bases related to the learning effects following retrieval practice and provide imaging support for both views by showing increased activation of anterior and posterior hippocampus regions during a delayed memory test.Results: Brain activity in the posterior hippocampus increased linearly as a function of number of successful retrievals during initial learning, whereas anterior hippocampus activity was restricted to items retrieved many but not few times during the learning phase.Conclusion: Taken together, these findings indicate that retrieval practice strengthens subsequent retention via "dual action" in the anterior and posterior hippocampus, possibly reflecting coding of individual experiences as well as integration and generalization across multiple experiences. Our findings are of educational significance by providing insight into the brain bases of a learning method of applied relevance.
|
|
| 4. |
- Martens, Kris, et al.
(författare)
-
Remediating reduced memory specificity in bipolar disorder : A case study using a Computerized Memory Specificity Training
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : Wiley. - 2162-3279. ; 9:12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Reduced autobiographical memory specificity (rAMS) is a vulnerability factor found across unipolar depression (UD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder (BD). A group delivered psychological therapy training called Memory Specificity Training (MeST) remediates rAMS in UD and PTSD, with additional downstream effects on related psychological processes and symptoms. Its impact in BD is unknown. In this case study, we examined the impact of a computerized version of MeST (c-MeST) on improving AMS and related symptoms and processes in participant with rapid cycling type I BD.METHOD: An experimental case study with an ABA design was used. During baseline (14 days, Phase A), the training phase (nine sessions across 17 days, Phase B), and a 1-month follow-up (Phase A), memory specificity, depressive symptoms, and related processes and symptoms were repeatedly measured.RESULTS: Memory specificity increased significantly after the participant completed c-MeST. Session-to-session scores indicated that AMS improved most from the in-person baseline assessment to the first online session. All other measures of processes and symptoms deteriorated during the training phase but regressed to baseline during follow-up.CONCLUSION: Memory specificity was improved as indicated by increased AMS from pre-intervention measurement to 1-month follow-up. Other improvements in symptoms were not observed. Rather, some related maladaptive psychological processes and symptoms worsened during the training phase and regressed to baseline during follow-up.
|
|
| 5. |
- Martin, Sylvia, et al.
(författare)
-
Metacognition vulnerabilities in time of crisis : Who to protect from suicidal risk?
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2162-3279. ; 12:12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction During stressful events, we are all trying to cope. We may not be equal depending on our emotional, psychological, and mental states. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we could try to avoid negative information processing and anxiogenics content to prevent unhealthy thinking processes. One of the processes we can observe regarding our way of thinking and its impact on our psychological well-being is Metacognition. Methods We recruited 104 outpatients in 2018. In 2020, during the pandemic, we recruited 216 outpatients and 176 healthy controls. We assessed their level of metacognition with the MCQ30 scale together with Suicidal risk and Hopelessness. Results All three groups showed significant differences, with the nonclinical sample having higher scores in MCQ30. Regression revealed the different profiles where Hopelessness was the only predictor for the clinical sample, whereas metacognition was an adjunctive predictor of suicidal risk for the nonclinical sample. Conclusion Our results showed that the COVID-19 crisis influenced metacognitive levels for the nonclinical sample but not for the clinical population. Moreover, Hopelessness predicted suicide risk for both populations, but Metacognition was also a predictive factor for the nonclinical sample. We conclude with the possible impact of preventive measures based on Metacognitive work that can be created out of these results.
|
|
| 6. |
- Myrum, Craig, et al.
(författare)
-
Common variants in the ARC gene are not associated withcognitive abilities
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : Wiley. - 2162-3279. ; 5:10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The Activity-Regulated Cytoskeleton-associated (ARC) gene encodes a protein that is critical for the consolidation of synaptic plasticity and long-term memory formation. Given ARC's key role in synaptic plasticity, we hypothesized that genetic variations in ARC may contribute to interindividual variability in human cognitive abilities or to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) susceptibility, where cognitive impairment often accompanies the disorder. Methods: We tested whether ARC variants are associated with six measures of cognitive functioning in 670 healthy subjects in the Norwegian Cognitive NeuroGenetics (NCNG) by extracting data from its Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). In addition, the Swedish Betula sample of 1800 healthy subjects who underwent similar cognitive testing was also tested for association with 19 tag SNPs. Results: No ARC variants show association at the study-wide level, but several markers show a trend toward association with human cognitive functions. We also tested for association between ARCSNPs and ADHD in a Norwegian sample of cases and controls, but found no significant associations. Conclusion: This study suggests that common genetic variants located in ARC do not account for variance in human cognitive abilities, though small effects cannot be ruled out.
|
|
| 7. |
- Nilsson, Doris, et al.
(författare)
-
Polytraumatization in an adult national sample and its association with psychological distress and self-esteem
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2162-3279. ; 5:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of self-reported experiences of potential childhood traumas and polytraumatization, and to find cut-off values for different kinds of potential traumatic events in a national representative sample of adults in Sweden. In addition, to analyse the association between polytraumatization and both psychological distress and global self-esteem. Method: A web-based survey - containing SCL-25 and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Linkoping Difficult Life Events Scale - Adult - was sent out to a nationally reprative sample and 5062 people chose to participate in the study. Results: Results showed that almost everyone (97%) has experienced at least one potential traumatic event and that polytraumatization (the 10% of the participants with most reported traumas) was significantly (Z=12.57, P<0.001, r=0.18) associated with psychological distress and global self-esteem. Gender differences were significant (Z=8.44, P<0.001, r=0.12), in that men experience more noninterpersonal traumas but women report more symptoms. The effect sizes regarding the impact of potential trauma on self-esteem were largest for women with experience of polytraumatization in the age group 18-25 (r=0.48). There was almost linear increase in psychological distress and linear decrease in self-esteem with increasing number of traumatic events experienced. Conclusion: Experience of polytrauma can be considered an important factor to take into account in psychiatric settings as well.
|
|
| 8. |
- Qiao, Ya-Mei, et al.
(författare)
-
Reciprocal associations between job strain and depression : A 2-year follow-up study from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : Wiley. - 2162-3279. ; 9
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: A growing number of people suffered from depression. This study examined the depression prevalence in workers across 10 European countries plus Israel and the reciprocal associations between job strain and depression.Methods: The study population consisted of 7,879 workers aged 50-63 years at baseline (2004) from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Job demands (physical or psychosocial) and job control variables were derived from the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Two 4-category job strains (physical and psychosocial) were obtained based on the cross-tabulation of these dichotomized demands and control variables. There were 4,284 depression-free, 3,259 high physical strain-free and 3,195 high psychosocial strain-free participants at baseline who were followed up for 2 years to detect incident depression, high physical job strain, or high psychosocial strain, respectively. The reciprocal associations between job strain and depression were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression and multivariate multilevel logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders.Results: The prevalence of depression varied from the lowest 12.5% in Germany to the highest 27.2% in France. Compared to individuals with low strain, a significantly higher risk of depression were found in individuals with high physical strain (OR = 1.39) and high psychosocial strain (OR = 1.55), after adjusting for potential confounders. Depression at baseline was not significantly associated with subsequent high job strain. Similar results were observed from multilevel models that took into consideration of the potential country-level influences.Conclusions: The prevalence of depression varies across countries in Europe. Avoiding high job strain may be an effective preventive strategy to prevent depression epidemic.
|
|
| 9. |
- Vadlin, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
-
A longitudinal study of the individual- and group-level problematic gaming and associations with problem gambling among Swedish adolescents
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - : Wiley. - 2162-3279. ; 8:4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: The aims of the present study were to investigate the long-term stability of problematic gaming among adolescents and whether problematic gaming at wave 1 (W1) was associated with problem gambling at wave 2 (W2), three years later.Methods: Data from the SALVe cohort, including adolescents in Västmanland born in 1997 and 1999, were accessed and analyzed in two waves W2, N = 1576; 914 (58%) girls). At W1 the adolescents were 13 and 15 years old, and at W2 they were 16 and 18 years old. Adolescents self-rated on the Gaming Addiction Identification Test (GAIT), Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), and gambling frequencies. Stability of gaming was determined using Gamma correlation, Spearman’s rho, and McNemar. Logistic regression analysis and General linear model (GLM) analysis were performed and adjusted for sex, age, and ethnicity, frequency of gambling activities and gaming time at W1, with PGSI as the dependent variable, and GAIT as the independent variable, to investigate associations between problematic gaming and problem gambling.Results: Problematic gaming was relative stable over time, g = 0.739, P £ 0.001, r = 0.555, P £ 0.001, and McNemar P £ 0.001. Furthermore, problematic gaming at W1 increased the probability of having problem gambling three years later, logistic regression OR = 1.886 (95% CI 1.125-3.161), P = 0.016, GLM F = 10.588, h2 = 0.007, P = 0.001. Conclusions: Problematic gaming seems to be relatively stable over time. Although associations between problematic gaming and later problem gambling were found, the low explained variance indicate that problematic gaming in an unlikely predictor for problem gambling within this sample.
|
|
| 10. |
- Adebäck, Petra, et al.
(författare)
-
Children or adolescents who lost someone close during the Southeast Asia tsunami 2004 – The life as young
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Brain and Behavior. - Oxford, United Kingdom : John Wiley & Sons. - 2162-3279. ; 12:5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: To lose a person close suddenly, during childhood or adolescence, can be devastating. Many children or adolescents experienced the 2004 Indonesian tsunami when they were between 10- and 15-years-old. This study, from Stockholm, Sweden, describes the long-term effects of loss, eight- or nine-years post disaster, in young adulthood.Method: A mixed-method approach was used including statistical analyses (n = 210) and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).Results: It was shown that there was a significant difference between bereaved (n=34) and nonbereaved (n = 176) respondents concerning, psychological distress, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and self-rated health. Three themes were found by using the IPA approach (n=9): Living in traumas, carrying heavy baggage, and living with change.Conclusion: The respondents described personal feelings of grief that are not expressed in their outward appearance or behavior in their daily living. When meeting young adults that have lost someone close in childhood or adolescence, this is important to have in mind.
|
|
