Hot and Cool Forms of Inhibitory Control and Externalizing Behavior in Children of Mothers who Smoked during Pregnancy: An Exploratory Study

This study examined whether children exposed to prenatal smoking show deficits in “hot” and/or “cool” executive functioning (EF). Hot EF is involved in regulation of affect and motivation, whereas cool EF is involved in handling abstract, decontextualized problems. Forty 7 to 9-year-old children (15 exposed to prenatal smoking, 25 non-exposed) performed two computerized tasks. The Sustained Attention Dots (SA-Dots) Task (as a measure of “cool” inhibitory control) requires 400 non-dominant hand and 200 dominant hand responses. Inhibitory control of the prepotent response is required for dominant hand responses. The Delay Frustration Task (DeFT) (as a measure of “hot” inhibitory control) consists of 55 simple maths exercises. On a number of trials delays are introduced before the next question appears on the screen. The extent of response-button pressing during delays indicates frustration-induced inhibitory control. Prenatally exposed children showed poorer inhibitory control in the DeFT than non-exposed children. A dose–response relationship was also observed. In addition, prenatally exposed children had significantly higher (dose-dependent) conduct problem- and hyperactivity-inattention scores. There were no significant group differences in inhibitory control scores from the SA-Dots. These results indicate that children exposed to prenatal smoking are at higher risk of hot but not cool executive function deficits

Inhibitory deficits in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are independent of basic processing efficiency and IQ

Background. A substantial proportion of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show deficits on inhibitory control tests. However, questions remain about (i) the extent of these deficits across different inhibitory domains, (ii) their relationship to deficits in non-executive processes and (iii) whether they extend into adolescence. Methods. Seventy-seven children and adolescents with ADHD and 50 non-ADHD controls completed three inhibitory tasks, a simple two choice RT task (2CR) and an IQ assessment. Results. ADHD was moderately associated with deficits on all tasks (effect sizes d=0.5–0.9). Deficits were equally marked in childhood and adolescence. Inhibitory deficits were not associated with IQ and, although reduced substantially, remained significant after performance on a simple reaction time task was controlled for statistically. Discussion. In highlighting the significant, but limited, role of inhibitory deficits in ADHD, these results are consistent with recent accounts that emphasize the neuropsychological heterogeneity of this condition

Adolescents' reactions after a wildfire disaster in Greece

This cross-sectional study examined the factors associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in 1,468 adolescents, 6 months after a wildfire. The rate of probable PTSD was 29.4% and 20% for probable depression. Findings on predisaster, disaster-related, and postdisaster factors revealed that disaster-related factors-specifically objective and perceived threat to self and others-were associated with symptoms of PTSD but not depression. Predisaster life events, postdisaster losses, and escape-oriented coping strategies were associated with higher levels of both PTSD and depression symptoms, while control-oriented coping and perceived social support were differentially associated with symptoms of and depression. Findings have implications for the assessment and treatment of traumatized and depressed adolescents after a disaster. © 2012 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

Risk factors and characteristics associated with severe and difficult to treat asthma phenotype: An analysis of the ENFUMOSA group of patients based on the ECRHS questionnaire

Background: Severe and difficult to treat asthma impairs health status and accounts for about half of asthma expenditure. In 1994, a European Network For Understanding Mechanisms of Severe Asthma (ENFUMOSA) was formed. A large group of patients from nine European countries has been selected. Objective: To examine the risk factors and symptoms associated with a phenotype of severe/difficult to treat asthma. Methods: The present report presents data assessed through the use of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) Questionnaire in 148 mild-moderate controlled and 155 severe asthmatics from the ENFUMOSA group. Results: There is a negative association of severe asthma with reported allergy and with a family history of allergy (Odds ratio (OR) = 0.45). Sharing a bedroom before the age of five is associated with a higher risk of severe asthma (OR = 1.5) while childhood infections, play school attendance and exposure to allergens or animals are not. A larger proportion of severe asthma patients report symptoms at work (OR = 2.7) or have to change jobs (OR = 4.3) and fewer severe than mild patients are currently employed (OR = 0.39). Smoking and exposure to smoke is similar in mild and severe asthma. Dietary habits do not differ between the groups, but severe asthmatics report eating less savoury snacks and there is a trend for lower intake of sweets. Conclusions: Analysis of the ECRHS questionnaire in the ENFUMOSA study shows that severe asthma patients experience more symptoms and their health status is impaired by their inability to work and perhaps eat freely. Personal and maternal history of allergy is associated with mild but not severe asthma. Other than sharing a bedroom before the age of 5 years, no childhood exposure risk factors associated with severe asthma could be identified from this analysis. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

The quick delay questionnaire: a measure of delay aversion and discounting in adults

Individuals with ADHD often display an altered response to delay. To date, assessment of this has typically involved neuropsychological testing—however, such tests are designed specifically for children and may not be suitable for adults. They are also relatively time-consuming and expensive. In the current paper, we describe the initial validation of a short questionnaire to assess delay-related behaviour in adults. The Quick Delay Questionnaire (QDQ) is a 10-item scale. The questionnaire was administered to 575 participants from the normal population (ranging in age from 18 to 77 years). Forty of the original sample were selected at random and tested 1 week later. Data on ADHD, anxiety and depression were also collected. There were two five-item scales—(1) delay aversion; and (2) delay discounting. These had internal consistency and had good reliability. Subscales were differentially associated with ADHD, anxiety and depression. The QDQ is a potentially valuable way of assessing response to delay in adults. Further work is required to validate the scale against direct observation and neuropsychological assessment in clinically ascertained samples