Aristotle got it right again!

We would like to draw attention to the interesting implications of the existence of common cerebral networks demonstrated in several recent meta-analysis studies on time perception [1], [2], [3] to current knowledge of higher cognition processes. In particular we wish to highlight the results of a juxtaposition of two meta-analyses: a multimodal SDM study to identify brain regions involved in neuroimaging studies of response to increasing levels of cognitive difficulty; and an ALE meta-analysis on neuroimaging of time perception [2]. The former meta-analysis comprised 54 fMRI studies undertaken whilst subjects did tasks requiring executive functions. For the latter meta-analysis, there were 35 fMRI studies that looked at different aspects of temporal estimation, such as, interval estimation and discrimination of duration. We then used anatomic cerebral coordinates to carry out an overlapping analysis of statistically significant activation patterns from both meta-analyses

Maltrato en la infancia temprana en el contexto familiar y sus repercusiones en la salud mental del adulto

El presente trabajo recoge una aproximación conceptual del maltrato infantil, su tipología, modelos explicativos, factores de riesgo, sus consecuencias en el desarrollo integral y sus repercusiones a largo plazo sobre la salud mental. Asimismo, el estudio se centra dentro del contexto familiar, siendo este el que desempeña el rol más influyente en los primeros años de vida. Como objetivo de investigación, esta revisión bibliográfica busca encontrar una interacción entre los efectos que produce el maltrato infantil en la salud mental de la población adulta. Ante esta problemática, se proponen estrategias de prevención del maltrato infantil a través de la promoción de técnicas de crianza saludables hacia padres con hijos de cero a tres años

A structural equation model of achievement emotions, coping strategies and engagement-burnout in undergraduate students: a possible underlying mechanism in facets of perfectionism

Achievement emotions that the university student experiences in the learning process can be significant in facilitating or interfering with learning. The present research looked for linear and predictive relations between university students¿ achievement emotions, coping strategies, and engagement-burnout, in three dierent learning situations (classroom, study time, and testing). Hypotheses were identified for a possible model that would analyze the two facets of perfectionism based on these relations. In the case of perfectionistic strivings, the test hypothesis was that positive emotions would predispose the use of problem-focused coping strategies and an emotional state of engagement; in the case of perfectionistic concerns, however, negative emotions would predispose the use of emotion-focused strategies and a state of burnout. A total of 654 university students participated in the study, using an online tool to complete validated questionnaires on the three study variables. All students provided informed consent and corresponding permissions. Given the ex-post facto linear design, the predictions could be verified for each situation by means of logistic regression analyses and Structural Equations Models (SEM). Empirical results lent support, in varying degree, to the proposed theoretical relations. The testing situation was of particular interest. We discuss implications for perfectionism research and for the practice of prevention, education and health care in the university setting

Meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging and cognitive control studies in schizophrenia: preliminary elucidation of a core dysfunctional timing network

Timing and other cognitive processes demanding cognitive control become interlinked when there is an increase in the level of difficulty or effort required. Both functions are interrelated and share neuroanatomical bases. A previous meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies found that people with schizophrenia had significantly lower activation, relative to normal controls, of most right hemisphere regions of the time circuit. This finding suggests that a pattern of disconnectivity of this circuit, particularly in the supplementary motor area, is a trait of this mental disease. We hypothesize that a dysfunctional temporal/cognitive control network underlies both cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia and that timing dysfunction is at the root of the cognitive deficits observed. The goal of our study was to look, in schizophrenia patients, for brain structures activated both by execution of cognitive tasks requiring increased effort and by performance of time perception tasks. We conducted a signed differential mapping (SDM) meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies in schizophrenia patients assessing the brain response to increasing levels of cognitive difficulty. Then, we performed a multimodal meta-analysis to identify common brain regions in the findings of that SDM meta-analysis and our previously-published activation likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analysis of neuroimaging of time perception in schizophrenia patients. The current study supports the hypothesis that there exists an overlap between neural structures engaged by both timing tasks and non-temporal cognitive tasks of escalating difficulty in schizophrenia. The implication is that a deficit in timing can be considered as a trait marker of the schizophrenia cognitive profile

Study Protocol-Coping With the Pandemics: What Works Best to Reduce Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown might increase anxiety and depressive symptoms in most individuals. Health bodies recommend several coping behaviors to protect against such symptoms, but evidence on the relationship between these behaviors and symptoms mostly comes from cross-sectional studies in convenience samples. We will conduct a prospective longitudinal study of the associations between coping behaviors and subsequent anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in a representative sample of the Spanish general adult population. Methods: We will recruit 1,000 adult participants from all autonomous communities of Spain and with sex, age, and urbanicity distributions similar to those of their populations and assess anxiety and depressive symptoms and coping behaviors using fortnightly questionnaires and real-time methods (ecological momentary assessments) for 1 year. The fortnightly questionnaires will inquire about anxiety and depressive symptoms [General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)] and the frequency of 10 potential coping behaviors (e.g., follow a routine) during the past 2 weeks. In addition, we will collect several variables that could confound or moderate these associations. These will include subjective well-being [International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)], obsessive-compulsive symptoms [Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R)], personality and emotional intelligence [International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form (TEIQue-SF)], sociodemographic factors (e.g., work status, housing-built environment), and COVID-19 pandemic-related variables (e.g., hospitalizations or limitations in social gatherings). Finally, to analyze the primary relationship between coping behaviors and subsequent anxiety and depressive symptoms, we will use autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models. Discussion: Based on the study results, we will develop evidence-based, clear, and specific recommendations on coping behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Such suggestions might eventually help health bodies or individuals to manage current or future pandemics

Maltrato en la infancia temprana en el contexto familiar y sus repercusiones en la salud mental del adulto

El presente trabajo recoge una aproximación conceptual del maltrato infantil, su tipología, modelos explicativos, factores de riesgo, sus consecuencias en el desarrollo integral y sus repercusiones a largo plazo sobre la salud mental. Asimismo, el estudio se centra dentro del contexto familiar, siendo este el que desempeña el rol más influyente en los primeros años de vida. Como objetivo de investigación, esta revisión bibliográfica busca encontrar una interacción entre los efectos que produce el maltrato infantil en la salud mental de la población adulta. Ante esta problemática, se proponen estrategias de prevención del maltrato infantil a través de la promoción de técnicas de crianza saludables hacia padres con hijos de cero a tres años

Percepción del tiempo y detección del cambio: estudios meta-analíticos, diseño y pilotaje de un paradigma conductual

“El tiempo es uno de los aspectos más obstinadamente abstractos y concretamente relevantes de la vida humana” (Chapman, 1997, p. 93). La neurociencia cognitiva ha demostrado especial interés en el estudio de la percepción del tiempo y la naturaleza de sus alteraciones. En vista de que todos los aspectos de la cognición se caracterizan por una estructura temporal (Szelag et al., 2009), es posible que una gran variedad de procesos cognitivos dependa de la percepción y estimación precisa del tiempo (Maniadakis y Trahanias, 2014). Estudios recientes de neuroimagen funcional mostraron que redes cerebrales responsables del procesamiento del tiempo participan durante otros procesos cognitivos cuando estos implican variaciones en los niveles de dificultad (Radua et al., 2014a; Alústiza et al., 2016, 2017). Frente a este hallazgo, se sugirió la existencia de una red de control cognitivo y de temporalidad que responde a los cambios en las demandas de las tareas. Esta evidencia apoya la noción aristotélica de que la temporalidad está relacionada con el cambio, siendo este el que vincula al tiempo con otras funciones cognitivas (Alústiza et al., 2016). Por lo tanto, el estudio de la percepción temporal y su implicación en otras funciones cognitivas primarias puede dilucidar procesos fundamentales de la cognición normal y su alteración en los trastornos neuropsicológicos y mentales (Carroll et al., 2008; Head et al., 2008; Piras et al., 2014; Ciullo et al., 2016). Es por esto por lo que esta tesis doctoral se enfocará en estudiar la relación de la temporalidad con tareas de detección del cambio. Dado que el procesamiento de la saliencia se caracteriza por la detección de cambio, se estudiará concretamente la implicación de la red de temporalidad en las regiones de procesamiento de saliencia en población normal y clínica (esquizofrenia). Asimismo, se explorará si una tarea de temporalidad puede usarse para medir la detección de cambio

Percepción del tiempo y detección del cambio: estudios meta-analíticos, diseño y pilotaje de un paradigma conductual

“El tiempo es uno de los aspectos más obstinadamente abstractos y concretamente relevantes de la vida humana” (Chapman, 1997, p. 93). La neurociencia cognitiva ha demostrado especial interés en el estudio de la percepción del tiempo y la naturaleza de sus alteraciones. En vista de que todos los aspectos de la cognición se caracterizan por una estructura temporal (Szelag et al., 2009), es posible que una gran variedad de procesos cognitivos dependa de la percepción y estimación precisa del tiempo (Maniadakis y Trahanias, 2014). Estudios recientes de neuroimagen funcional mostraron que redes cerebrales responsables del procesamiento del tiempo participan durante otros procesos cognitivos cuando estos implican variaciones en los niveles de dificultad (Radua et al., 2014a; Alústiza et al., 2016, 2017). Frente a este hallazgo, se sugirió la existencia de una red de control cognitivo y de temporalidad que responde a los cambios en las demandas de las tareas. Esta evidencia apoya la noción aristotélica de que la temporalidad está relacionada con el cambio, siendo este el que vincula al tiempo con otras funciones cognitivas (Alústiza et al., 2016). Por lo tanto, el estudio de la percepción temporal y su implicación en otras funciones cognitivas primarias puede dilucidar procesos fundamentales de la cognición normal y su alteración en los trastornos neuropsicológicos y mentales (Carroll et al., 2008; Head et al., 2008; Piras et al., 2014; Ciullo et al., 2016). Es por esto por lo que esta tesis doctoral se enfocará en estudiar la relación de la temporalidad con tareas de detección del cambio. Dado que el procesamiento de la saliencia se caracteriza por la detección de cambio, se estudiará concretamente la implicación de la red de temporalidad en las regiones de procesamiento de saliencia en población normal y clínica (esquizofrenia). Asimismo, se explorará si una tarea de temporalidad puede usarse para medir la detección de cambio

Meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging and cognitive control studies in schizophrenia: preliminary elucidation of a core dysfunctional timing network

Timing and other cognitive processes demanding cognitive control become interlinked when there is an increase in the level of difficulty or effort required. Both functions are interrelated and share neuroanatomical bases. A previous meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies found that people with schizophrenia had significantly lower activation, relative to normal controls, of most right hemisphere regions of the time circuit. This finding suggests that a pattern of disconnectivity of this circuit, particularly in the supplementary motor area, is a trait of this mental disease. We hypothesize that a dysfunctional temporal/cognitive control network underlies both cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia and that timing dysfunction is at the root of the cognitive deficits observed. The goal of our study was to look, in schizophrenia patients, for brain structures activated both by execution of cognitive tasks requiring increased effort and by performance of time perception tasks. We conducted a signed differential mapping (SDM) meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies in schizophrenia patients assessing the brain response to increasing levels of cognitive difficulty. Then, we performed a multimodal meta-analysis to identify common brain regions in the findings of that SDM meta-analysis and our previously-published activation likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analysis of neuroimaging of time perception in schizophrenia patients. The current study supports the hypothesis that there exists an overlap between neural structures engaged by both timing tasks and non-temporal cognitive tasks of escalating difficulty in schizophrenia. The implication is that a deficit in timing can be considered as a trait marker of the schizophrenia cognitive profile

Aberrant timing and oddball detection in schizophrenia: findings from a signed differential mapping meta-analysis

Schizophrenia (SZ) is associated with deficits in both temporal and salience processing. The underlying neurological dysfunctions in both processes, which are interrelated and share neuroanatomical bases, remain poorly understood. The principal objective of this study was to elucidate whether there are any brain regions that show abnormal response during timing and oddball tasks in patients with SZ. To this end, we conducted a signed differential mapping (SDM) meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies assessing abnormal responses elicited by tasks based on the oddball paradigm in patients with SZ. We conducted a similar SDM meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies of timing tasks in SZ. Finally, we undertook a multimodal meta-analysis to detect the common findings of the two previous meta-analyses. We found that SZ patients showed hypoactivation in cortical and subcortical areas related to timing. The dysfunction observed during timing tasks partially coincided with deficiencies in change-detection functions (particularly in the case of preattentional processing in the mismatch negativity response). We hypothesize that a dysfunctional timing/change detection network underlies the cognitive impairment observed in SZ