Developmental differences in affective representation between prefrontal and subcortical structures

Developmental studies have identified differences in prefrontal and subcortical affective structures between children and adults, which correspond with observed cognitive and behavioral maturations from relatively simplistic emotional experiences and expressions to more nuanced, complex ones. However, developmental changes in the neural representation of emotions have not yet been well explored. It stands to reason that adults and children may demonstrate observable differences in the representation of affect within key neurological structures implicated in affective cognition. Forty-five participants (25 children; 20 adults) passively viewed positive, negative, and neutral clips from popular films while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Using representational similarity analysis (RSA) to measure variability in neural pattern similarity, we found developmental differences between children and adults in the amygdala, nucleus accumbens (NAcc), and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), such that children generated less pattern similarity within subcortical structures relative to the vmPFC; a phenomenon not replicated among their older counterparts. Furthermore, children generated valence-specific differences in representational patterns across regions; these valence-specific patterns were not found in adults. These results may suggest that affective representations grow increasingly dissimilar over development as individuals mature from visceral affective responses to more evaluative analyses

Benefits of Exercise Training for Children and Adolescents Undergoing Cancer Treatment: Results From the Randomized Controlled MUCKI Trial

Objective:In cancer patients, the impairment in muscle function is a frequently observed phenomenon. However, comprehensive evaluation of the effect of exercise training on muscle function in childhood cancer patients (CCPs) is sparse and therefore investigated in the MUCKI trial. Study Design:In the randomized controlled MUCKI trial, CCPs during intensive cancer treatment and aged 4-18 years were recruited. Eligible patients were enrolled soon after diagnosis as long as they were physically and mentally able to participate in exercise testing and training. Patients of the exercise group (n= 16) participated in average 2.7 +/- 1.2 times per week in a combined resistance and endurance training with moderate exercise intensity, for a time period of 8.0 +/- 2.1 weeks, while patients of the control group (n= 17) received usual care. Leg strength was evaluated as the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were 6-min walk performance, arm strength, body composition, fatigue, and health-related quality of life. Results:Comparisons of pre- and post-intervention results were evaluated by baseline and stratification criteria adjusted analysis and showed positive effects for the exercise group regarding leg strength [F-(1,F- 20)= 5.733;p= 0.027*;eta p2= 0.223], walking performance [F-(1,F- 25)= 4.270;p= 0.049*;eta p2= 0.146], fatigue [F-(1,F- 13)= 8.353;p= 0.013*;eta p2= 0.391], self-esteem [F-(1,F- 6)= 6.823;p= 0.040*;eta p2= 0.532], and self-reported strength and endurance capacity [F-(1,F- 6)= 6.273;p= 0.046*;eta p2= 0.511]. No significant differences were found for the other parameters. Conclusion:Within one of the first randomized controlled trials, the present study provides evidence for a positive effect of combined training in CCPs during intensive cancer treatment. Further research is needed to confirm these results and to evaluate their clinical impact

Prevalence of mental distress among adult survivors of childhood cancer in Germany—Compared to the general population

Abstract Background Increasing survival rates after childhood cancer have raised the issue of long‐term mental health consequences in adulthood. This study determines mental health distress among long‐term survivors of pediatric cancer and compares it to control groups. Methods Childhood cancer survivors (CCS; N = 951, aged 24‐49 years) were compared to three age‐matched control groups from the general population collected at three time points. The study compared the prevalence of clinically relevant symptoms of a wide range of common mental disorders (depression, somatic distress, suicidal ideation, generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and sleep disturbances) using identical, validated questionnaires. CCS were identified by the German Childhood Cancer Registry. Controls were approached by a demographic consultation company (USUMA) which assured that the three samples were nationally representative. Results Childhood cancer survivors reported higher education than controls and were less often married. All forms of common mental distress were increased among survivors. Twenty‐four percent of male (N = 526) and 41% of female survivors (N = 425) reported some form of clinically relevant mental health symptoms. Somatic distress as the leading complaint was highly frequent among CCS (OR: 10.98, CI 95%: 7.24‐16.64). Complaints by generalized anxiety (OR: 5.04, CI 95%: 2.61‐9.70), panic (OR: 3.28, CI 95%: 1.60‐6.70), depression (OR: 3.36, CI 95%: 2.22‐5.09), and suicidality (OR = 2.22; CI 95%: 1.38‐3.57) were also strongly increased. Female sex, low education, low income, and unemployment were associated with increased distress. Conclusions Findings indicate a need to integrate psycho‐oncological screening and care into long‐term aftercare. Somatic distress, as cause and indicator of psychological distress, should receive stronger attention, especially tiredness, low energy, and pain

Lire entre les lignes: l'implicite et le non-dit

Les perspectives esquissées par les auteurs des dix-sept articles regroupés dans ce volume montrent que les contenus implicites sont omniprésents, mais qu'ils obéissent à divers fonctionnements linguistiques et à diverses finalités. On reconnaîtra, à la lecture, les méthodes et traditions de recherche spécifiques au linguiste, au spécialiste de littérature ou de civilisation et l'on constatera aussi la fécondité de l'approche interdisciplinaire

The Burr Fall 2008

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