Executive functioning in children with autism and Tourette syndrome

The main aims of this study were to investigate if children with high-functioning autism (HFA) and children with Tourette syndrome (TS) can be differentiated in their executive functioning (EF) profile compared to normal controls (NCs) and compared to each other and to investigate whether children with HFA or children with TS and a comorbid group of children with both disorders are distinct conditions in terms of EF. Four groups of children participated in this study: HFA, TS, comorbid HFA + TS, and a NC group. All children were in the age range of 6 to 13 years. The groups were compared on five major domains of EF: inhibition, visual working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, and verbal fluency. Children with HFA scored lower than NC children on all the EFs measured. Children with TS and NC children showed the same EF profile. The HFA group scored lower than the TS group for inhibition of a prepotent response and cognitive flexibility. Children with HFA performed poorer than children with comorbid HFA + TS on all functions, with the exception of inhibiting an ongoing response, interference control, and verbal fluency. Children with TS and children with comorbid HFA + TS could not be differentiated from one another in terms of EF. This study indicates that EF deficits are highly characteristic of children with HFA in comparison to children with TS and NC. The results suggest that for the comparison between HFA and TS groups, it is important to take into account comorbidity. A reevaluation of the EF hypothesis in children with TS is suggested. Copyright © 2005 Cambridge University Press

Executive functioning in children with an autism spectrum disorder: Can we differentiate

The aim of this study was to investigate whether children with high-functioning autism (HFA), Asperger's syndrome (AS), and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) can be differentiated from each other and from normal controls on their neurocognitive executive functioning (EF) profile. Children with HFA and AS showed the most EF deficits. The EF profile of the PDDNOS group was more disturbed that the normal control group, but was less disturbed than the profile of the HFA and AS groups. Little difference was found between the three PDD subtypes with respect to EF. This study supports the view that executive dysfunctioning plays an important role in autism. The usefulness of a distinction between different PDD subtypes was not demonstrated. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc

Executive functioning in children with autism and Tourette syndrome

The main aims of this study were to investigate if children with high-functioning autism (HFA) and children with Tourette syndrome (TS) can be differentiated in their executive functioning (EF) profile compared to normal controls (NCs) and compared to each other and to investigate whether children with HFA or children with TS and a comorbid group of children with both disorders are distinct conditions in terms of EF, Four groups of children participated in this study: HFA, TS, comorbid HFA + TS, and a NC group. All children were in the age range of 6 to 13 years. The groups were compared on five major domains of EF: inhibition, visual working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, and verbal fluency. Children with HFA scored lower than NC children on all the EFs measured. Children with TS and NC children showed the same EF profile. The HFA group scored lower than the TS group for inhibition of a prepotent response and cognitive flexibility. Children with HFA performed poorer than children with comorbid HFA + TS on all functions, with the exception of inhibiting an ongoing response, interference control, and verbal fluency. Children with TS and children with comorbid HFA + TS could not be differentiated from one another in terms of EF. This study indicates that EF deficits are highly characteristic of children with HFA in comparison to children with TS and NC. The results suggest that for the comparison between HFA and TS groups, it is important to take into account comorbidity. A reevaluation of the EF hypothesis in children with TS is suggeste

Competition for oxygen among oxidative systems during bread dough mixing: consequences of addition of glucose oxidase and lipoxygenase on yeasted dough rheology

International audienceThe effect on O(2) uptake during the mixing of yeasted dough, either unsupplemented or supplemented with glucose oxidase (GOX), horsebean flour (HB), soybean flour (SB), or combinations thereof, was studied using an airtight mixer. Two wheat flours with a low (flour A) and a high (flour B) content of free polyunsaturated fatty acids were used. Addition of HB or SB provokes a similar increase of O(2) uptake for both wheat flours, whereas addition of GOX causes a larger increase for flour A than for flour B. When the wheat flours were supplemented with HB or SB, addition of GOX caused a small but significant increase of O(2) uptake for flour A. This increase was not observed for flour B. The mixing tolerance of dough A, determined with the Chopin Consistograph, is increased by GOX addition. However, this effect is less pronounced when flour A is supplemented with HB or SB. Similarly, the relaxation index of dough B is decreased by GOX addition, but the decrease is less distinct in the presence of HB or SB. These results can be explained by a competition among yeast, GOX, and lipoxygenases (present in wheat, HB, and SB flours) for the O(2) uptake by dough, which likely decreases the amount of hydrogen peroxide produced by GOX during dough mixing. This competition for O(2) consequently also modifies the rheological properties of dough

Le vieillissement actif dans tous ses éclats

Porté par une équipe enthousiaste, ce cinquième volume de la collection Sâges est sans doute le plus abouti. Fruit d'une réflexion pluridisciplinaire, il éclaire d'une lumière particulière les grandes interrogations que pose le vieillissement dans un environnement qui en recule chaque jour les frontières. Si la vieillesse se pense de moins en moins sous le seul angle du déclin, l'aspiration des aînés à participer de manière active aux choses de la Cité le plus longtemps possible surprend souvent, interpelle parfois, réjouit toujours. Leur maintien plein et entier dans la société prend une coloration différente selon les populations et les personnes. C'est le mérite de cet ouvrage que d'avoir privilégié les regards croisés de différentes disciplines et la recherche sur le terrain pour en baliser les multiples facettes. Il montre qu'à l'heure où la promotion de l'activité accompagne fréquemment l'avancée en âge, c'est plus fondamentalement le sens de cette articulation entre vieillissement et activité qui mérite d'être éclairé car il ne vaut pas pour tous et dans toutes les situations. Ce « vieillissement actif dans tous ses éclats » nous invite à faire le pari de nos capacités individuelles et collectives à vivre plus longtemps, mieux et ensemble

Le vieillissement actif dans tous ses éclats

Porté par une équipe enthousiaste, ce cinquième volume de la collection Sâges est sans doute le plus abouti. Fruit d'une réflexion pluridisciplinaire, il éclaire d'une lumière particulière les grandes interrogations que pose le vieillissement dans un environnement qui en recule chaque jour les frontières. Si la vieillesse se pense de moins en moins sous le seul angle du déclin, l'aspiration des aînés à participer de manière active aux choses de la Cité le plus longtemps possible surprend souvent, interpelle parfois, réjouit toujours. Leur maintien plein et entier dans la société prend une coloration différente selon les populations et les personnes. C'est le mérite de cet ouvrage que d'avoir privilégié les regards croisés de différentes disciplines et la recherche sur le terrain pour en baliser les multiples facettes. Il montre qu'à l'heure où la promotion de l'activité accompagne fréquemment l'avancée en âge, c'est plus fondamentalement le sens de cette articulation entre vieillissement et activité qui mérite d'être éclairé car il ne vaut pas pour tous et dans toutes les situations. Ce « vieillissement actif dans tous ses éclats » nous invite à faire le pari de nos capacités individuelles et collectives à vivre plus longtemps, mieux et ensemble

Le vieillissement actif dans tous ses éclats

Porté par une équipe enthousiaste, ce cinquième volume de la collection Sâges est sans doute le plus abouti. Fruit d'une réflexion pluridisciplinaire, il éclaire d'une lumière particulière les grandes interrogations que pose le vieillissement dans un environnement qui en recule chaque jour les frontières. Si la vieillesse se pense de moins en moins sous le seul angle du déclin, l'aspiration des aînés à participer de manière active aux choses de la Cité le plus longtemps possible surprend souvent, interpelle parfois, réjouit toujours. Leur maintien plein et entier dans la société prend une coloration différente selon les populations et les personnes. C'est le mérite de cet ouvrage que d'avoir privilégié les regards croisés de différentes disciplines et la recherche sur le terrain pour en baliser les multiples facettes. Il montre qu'à l'heure où la promotion de l'activité accompagne fréquemment l'avancée en âge, c'est plus fondamentalement le sens de cette articulation entre vieillissement et activité qui mérite d'être éclairé car il ne vaut pas pour tous et dans toutes les situations. Ce « vieillissement actif dans tous ses éclats » nous invite à faire le pari de nos capacités individuelles et collectives à vivre plus longtemps, mieux et ensemble