Attention, problem solving and decision making in adult subjects with ADHD

Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is clearly associated with executive dysfunctions, the neuropsychological profile of adults with ADHD is unclear. The present study aimed at examining neuropsychological performance on tasks measuring attention, problem solving and decision making, comparing adults with ADHD (N= 12, mean age 18.33; SD= 11.48) and healthy adults (N= 12, mean age 18.41; SD= 18.70) matched for age and gender. Results showed that adults with ADHD exhibit deficits in attention, problem solving and decision making. These findings warrant further examination of neuropsychological profile in adults with ADHD to improve the understanding of underlying neurocognitive mechanisms

Use of a low-tech tool in the improvement of social interaction of patients with Rett Syndrome: an observational study

IntroductionThe main aim of the present study was to examine whether the use of a low-tech tool, called click4all, inserted into cognitive and motor training can increase social interaction of patients with Rett Syndrome (RTT) with classmates in a school setting.MethodsTwenty-seven participants with RTT were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group received treatment with click4all, and the control group received traditional treatment without click4all. Parameters were measured before treatment (T1), 6 months after treatment (T2), 6 months after the second treatment phase (T3) and at the end of the third treatment phase (T4).ResultsThe results demonstrated an increase in levels of social interaction among classmates and patients with RTT in the experimental group, over time, compared to the control group, 95% CI [5.20–15.30]. Classmates also showed a higher level of knowledge related to participants of the experimental group, and this increased over time, 95% CI [24.98–63.52]. The level of knowledge related to the control group was stable over time and lower than the experimental group.DiscussionThis study demonstrated that the use of a low-tech tool can increase social interactions of patients with RTT in a school setting. This is important, as patients with RTT are often restricted in an isolation condition

Effects of immersive virtual reality with treadmill in subjects with Rett Syndrome: a pilot study

<p>This dataset is related to a group of 9 girls affected by Rett Syndrome that performed three/four sessions of virtual reality based activity by means of the GRAIL system (Motek).</p><p>Participants underwent an initial assessment of the cognitive and motor aspects using the Modified Raven matrix, the Rett Assessment Rating Scale (RARS) and the Rett Syndrome Gross Motor Scale (GMS). These baseline assessments were performed by an experienced therapist prior to the access to the GRAIL.</p><p>The project consisted of 4 sessions of GRAIL activities in 1 week. During the first 3 sessions, exergames and augmented feedback activities were proposed. During the fourth session a gait analysis was conducted for the subjects with a suitable motor and behavioral level .</p><p>During all the sessions, a video recording was conducted to detect facial expression of the subjects, in order to use this data to compute the "happiness index". The exergames were administered until the therapists detected any sign of discomfort by the subject.</p><p>The outcome of the training, reported in the database were:</p><ul><li>happiness index</li><li>endurance time</li><li>performance speed</li><li>attention focus on scenario</li><li>suitability evaluation questionnaire</li><li>multistep gait analysis with the GRAIL (only 4 patients).</li></ul><p>The Happiness Index and the Suitability Evaluation Questionnaire investigated the feasibility and tolerability of the training with positive results. Additionally, an increase in walking speed, endurance time and focus attention was detected. When possible, subjects underwent a gait assessment whose results provide insights, although preliminary, concerning differences in gait pattern amongst the recruited subjects. Despite the small sample size, the dataset suggests new strategies for Rett rehabilitation.</p><p> </p&gt

GAIRS Checklist For Rett Syndrome: A Complete and Practical Instrument of Assessment and Intervention

The purpose of the book is to present the GAIRS (Global Assessment and Intervention in Rett Syndrome) Checklist, an easy-to-use, short and accessible tool for every health-care professional in order to assess all the abilities of Rett girls but also to identify patients needing next-step evaluation and treatment. Thanks to the hierarchical order of all the targets assessed in each area of the GAIRS, this checklist can be a useful instrument not only for assessment but also for intervention

Repeated motor training on attention reaching skills and stereotypies in Rett Syndrome

Few studies investigated the effect of a structured and specific training for upper limb motor skills allowing complex movements such as reaching and grasping. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of motor training on attention, reaching skills and stereotypies in patients with Rett Syndrome (RTT). twenty‐eight participants with RTT underwent cognitive and motor assessment to evaluate attention, reaching skills and stereotypies with an ABABABA design: before training (pre‐test phase), after a month of training (post‐test phase 1), after a month of the second training phase (post‐test phase 2) and at one month after the third training phase (post‐test phase 3). In all three B phases, participants received 30 minutes of motor training for 5 days a week over a 1‐month period. patients with RTT show long‐term improvements in seconds of attention and reaching skills and decreases in the intensity of stereotypies. This study suggests that motor abilities of participants with RTT can be improved with repeated, individual, well‐structured training. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Data_Sheet_2_Use of a low-tech tool in the improvement of social interaction of patients with Rett Syndrome: an observational study.docx

IntroductionThe main aim of the present study was to examine whether the use of a low-tech tool, called click4all, inserted into cognitive and motor training can increase social interaction of patients with Rett Syndrome (RTT) with classmates in a school setting.MethodsTwenty-seven participants with RTT were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group received treatment with click4all, and the control group received traditional treatment without click4all. Parameters were measured before treatment (T1), 6 months after treatment (T2), 6 months after the second treatment phase (T3) and at the end of the third treatment phase (T4).ResultsThe results demonstrated an increase in levels of social interaction among classmates and patients with RTT in the experimental group, over time, compared to the control group, 95% CI [5.20–15.30]. Classmates also showed a higher level of knowledge related to participants of the experimental group, and this increased over time, 95% CI [24.98–63.52]. The level of knowledge related to the control group was stable over time and lower than the experimental group.DiscussionThis study demonstrated that the use of a low-tech tool can increase social interactions of patients with RTT in a school setting. This is important, as patients with RTT are often restricted in an isolation condition.</p

Data_Sheet_1_Use of a low-tech tool in the improvement of social interaction of patients with Rett Syndrome: an observational study.docx

IntroductionThe main aim of the present study was to examine whether the use of a low-tech tool, called click4all, inserted into cognitive and motor training can increase social interaction of patients with Rett Syndrome (RTT) with classmates in a school setting.MethodsTwenty-seven participants with RTT were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group received treatment with click4all, and the control group received traditional treatment without click4all. Parameters were measured before treatment (T1), 6 months after treatment (T2), 6 months after the second treatment phase (T3) and at the end of the third treatment phase (T4).ResultsThe results demonstrated an increase in levels of social interaction among classmates and patients with RTT in the experimental group, over time, compared to the control group, 95% CI [5.20–15.30]. Classmates also showed a higher level of knowledge related to participants of the experimental group, and this increased over time, 95% CI [24.98–63.52]. The level of knowledge related to the control group was stable over time and lower than the experimental group.DiscussionThis study demonstrated that the use of a low-tech tool can increase social interactions of patients with RTT in a school setting. This is important, as patients with RTT are often restricted in an isolation condition.</p

The diverse genetic origins of a Classical period Greek army

Trade and colonization caused an unprecedented increase in Mediterranean human mobility in the first millennium BCE. Often seen as a dividing force, warfare is in fact another catalyst of culture contact. We provide insight into the demographic dynamics of ancient warfare by reporting genome-wide data from fifth-century soldiers who fought for the army of the Greek Sicilian colony of Himera, along with representatives of the civilian population, nearby indigenous settlements, and 96 present-day individuals from Italy and Greece. Unlike the rest of the sample, many soldiers had ancestral origins in northern Europe, the Steppe, and the Caucasus. Integrating genetic, archaeological, isotopic, and historical data, these results illustrate the significant role mercenaries played in ancient Greek armies and highlight how participation in war contributed to continental-scale human mobility in the Classical world

Linking the sub-Saharan and West Eurasian gene pools: maternal and paternal heritage of the Tuareg nomads from the African Sahel

The Tuareg presently live in the Sahara and the Sahel. Their ancestors are commonly believed to be the Garamantes of the Libyan Fezzan, ever since it was suggested by authors of antiquity. Biological evidence, based on classical genetic markers, however, indicates kinship with the Beja of Eastern Sudan. Our study of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and Y chromosome SNPs of three different southern Tuareg groups from Mali, Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger reveals a West Eurasian-North African composition of their gene pool. The data show that certain genetic lineages could not have been introduced into this population earlier than ∼9000 years ago whereas local expansions establish a minimal date at around 3000 years ago. Some of the mtDNA haplogroups observed in the Tuareg population were involved in the post-Last Glacial Maximum human expansion from Iberian refugia towards both Europe and North Africa. Interestingly, no Near Eastern mtDNA lineages connected with the Neolithic expansion have been observed in our population sample. On the other hand, the Y chromosome SNPs data show that the paternal lineages can very probably be traced to the Near Eastern Neolithic demic expansion towards North Africa, a period that is otherwise concordant with the above-mentioned mtDNA expansion. The time frame for the migration of the Tuareg towards the African Sahel belt overlaps that of early Holocene climatic changes across the Sahara (from the optimal greening ∼10 000 YBP to the extant aridity beginning at ∼6000 YBP) and the migrations of other African nomadic peoples in the area