Positive and Negative Parenting in Conduct Disorder with High versus Low Levels of Callous-Unemotional Traits

Less is known about the relationship between conduct disorder (CD), callous-unemotional (CU) traits, and positive and negative parenting in youth compared to early childhood. We combined traditional univariate analyses with a novel machine learning classifier (Angle-based Generalized Matrix Learning Vector Quantization) to classify youth (N = 756; 9-18 years) into typically developing (TD) or CD groups with or without elevated CU traits (CD/HCU, CD/LCU, respectively) using youth- A nd parent-reports of parenting behavior. At the group level, both CD/HCU and CD/LCU were associated with high negative and low positive parenting relative to TD. However, only positive parenting differed between the CD/HCU and CD/LCU groups. In classification analyses, performance was best when distinguishing CD/HCU from TD groups and poorest when distinguishing CD/HCU from CD/LCU groups. Positive and negative parenting were both relevant when distinguishing CD/HCU from TD, negative parenting was most relevant when distinguishing between CD/LCU and TD, and positive parenting was most relevant when distinguishing CD/HCU from CD/LCU groups. These findings suggest that while positive parenting distinguishes between CD/HCU and CD/LCU, negative parenting is associated with both CD subtypes. These results highlight the importance of considering multiple parenting behaviors in CD with varying levels of CU traits in late childhood/adolescence

Community Violence Exposure and Conduct Problems in Children and Adolescents with Conduct Disorder and Healthy Controls

Exposure to community violence through witnessing or being directly victimized has been associated with conduct problems in a range of studies. However, the relationship between community violence exposure (CVE) and conduct problems has never been studied separately in healthy individuals and individuals with conduct disorder (CD). Therefore, it is not clear whether the association between CVE and conduct problems is due to confounding factors, because those with high conduct problems also tend to live in more violent neighborhoods, i.e., an ecological fallacy. Hence, the aim of the present study was: (1) to investigate whether the association between recent CVE and current conduct problems holds true for healthy controls as well as adolescents with a diagnosis of CD; (2) to examine whether the association is stable in both groups when including effects of aggression subtypes (proactive/reactive aggression), age, gender, site and socioeconomic status (SES); and (3) to test whether proactive or reactive aggression mediate the link between CVE and conduct problems. Data from 1178 children and adolescents (62% female; 44% CD) aged between 9 years and 18 years from seven European countries were analyzed. Conduct problems were assessed using the Kiddie-Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia diagnostic interview. Information about CVE and aggression subtypes was obtained using self-report questionnaires (Social and Health Assessment and Reactive-Proactive aggression Questionnaire (RPQ), respectively). The association between witnessing community violence and conduct problems was significant in both groups (adolescents with CD and healthy controls). The association was also stable after examining the mediating effects of aggression subtypes while including moderating effects of age, gender and SES and controlling for effects of site in both groups. There were no clear differences between the groups in the strength of the association between witnessing violence and conduct problems. However, we found evidence for a ceiling effect, i.e., individuals with very high levels of conduct problems could not show a further increase if exposed to CVE and vice versa. Results indicate that there was no evidence for an ecological fallacy being the primary cause of the association, i.e., CVE must be considered a valid risk factor in the etiology of CD

Entrenamiento cognitivo en memoria de trabajo para niños con TDAH: ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Objetivos: En el TDAH existen déficits en las Funciones Ejecutivas (FFEE) y en especial en la Memoria de trabajo (MT), que repercuten negativamente en el rendimiento académico, los síntomas clínicos, y la adaptación funcional. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron analizar la eficacia de un entrenamiento computarizado en MT sobre otras FFEE frías y calientes, aprendizajes, síntomas clínicos y adaptación funcional. Método: Se incluyeron 66 niños con TDAH tipo combinado entre 7 y 12 años de edad de una Unidad de Psiquiatría Infantil y Adolescente en este ensayo clínico controlado con placebo, a doble ciego y con asignación aleatoria a realizar un entrenamiento computarizado en MT (RoboMemo®, Cogmed Working Memory Training™) (n=36) o un entrenamiento placebo (n=30). Se realizaron evaluaciones en la línea base, entre 1-2 semanas post intervención y 6 meses post intervención administrando escalas y pruebas cognitivas de FFEE frías y calientes, y cuestionarios de síntomas clínicos y de adaptación funcional. Los participantes, sus familias, profesores y los profesionales que realizaron las evaluaciones cognitivas fueron ciegos. También se realizaron correlaciones entre MT y FFEE calientes en la línea base para clarificar la naturaleza de la relación entre ambos aspectos. Resultados: El análisis ajustado a través de regresión lineal múltiple reveló mejoras significativas en escalas de FFEE frías especialmente a largo plazo, en medidas cognitivas de FFEE frías inhibición de respuesta y atención sostenida a corto plazo (que se mantuvieron a largo plazo), y en síntomas TDAH y adaptación funcional en el entorno escolar a largo plazo. Los tamaños del efecto fueron en su mayoría de moderados a grandes. Se hallaron correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre MT y Teoría de la mente (ToM) en la línea base, pero no entre MT y toma de decisiones. El análisis ajustado a través de regresión lineal múltiple no mostró mejoras estadísticamente significativas en FFEE calientes ToM y toma de decisiones en ningún momento temporal. Conclusiones: El entrenamiento en MT tuvo un impacto significativo sobre déficits relevantes en el TDAH al producir mejoras far-transfer a largo plazo sobre FFEE frías, síntomas clínicos, y adaptación funcional. No existe relación entre MT y toma de decisiones en el TDAH. Existe relación entre MT y ToM, pero el entrenamiento en MT no produjo mejoras far-transfer sobre los déficits de ToM en el TDAH.Objective: ADHD affects working memory (WM) and other executive functions (EF) which negatively impact school performance, clinical symptoms, and functional impairment. The aims of the present study were to analyse the efficacy of a computerised WM training on other cool and hot EF, learning, clinical symptoms, and functional impairment. Method: 66 children with combined-type ADHD between 7-12 years of age from a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit were included in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The participants were randomized (1:1) to an experimental group (RoboMemo®, Cogmed Working Memory Training™) (n=36) or a control group (placebo training). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0), 1-2 weeks (T1), and 6 months post-intervention (T2) with the administration of EF rating scales, performance-based measures of cool and hot EF, measures of academic achievement, and questionnaires regarding clinical symptoms and functional impairment. The participants, their parents, their teachers and professionals who performed the cognitive assessments were blinded. Correlational analysis between WM and hot EFs at baseline were also performed to better clarify the nature of this interrelation. Results: Adjusted multiple linear regression analysis showed significant improvements in cool EF scales, especially at long-term, in performance-based measurements of cool EFs response inhibition and sustained attention at short-term (that persisted at long-term), and in ADHD symptoms and functional impairment in school environment at long-term. Effect sizes were mostly moderate to large. Statistically significant correlations were found between WM and Theory of mind (ToM) measures at baseline, but not between WM and decision-making. Adjusted multiple linear regression analysis showed not significant improvements in hot EFs decision-making or ToM at any point time. Conclusions: WM training had a significant impact on ADHD deficits achieving long-term far-transfer effects on cool EFs, ADHD symptoms, and functional impairment. There was no relationship between WM and decision-making in ADHD. A relationship was found between WM and ToM, but CWMT did not show far-transfer effects on ToM deficits in ADHD

Entrenamiento cognitivo en memoria de trabajo para niños con TDAH: ensayo clínico aleatorizado /

Premi Extraordinari de Doctorat concedit pels programes de doctorat de la UAB per curs acadèmic 2016-2017Objetivos: En el TDAH existen déficits en las Funciones Ejecutivas (FFEE) y en especial en la Memoria de trabajo (MT), que repercuten negativamente en el rendimiento académico, los síntomas clínicos, y la adaptación funcional. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron analizar la eficacia de un entrenamiento computarizado en MT sobre otras FFEE frías y calientes, aprendizajes, síntomas clínicos y adaptación funcional. Método: Se incluyeron 66 niños con TDAH tipo combinado entre 7 y 12 años de edad de una Unidad de Psiquiatría Infantil y Adolescente en este ensayo clínico controlado con placebo, a doble ciego y con asignación aleatoria a realizar un entrenamiento computarizado en MT (RoboMemo®, Cogmed Working Memory Training™) (n=36) o un entrenamiento placebo (n=30). Se realizaron evaluaciones en la línea base, entre 1-2 semanas post intervención y 6 meses post intervención administrando escalas y pruebas cognitivas de FFEE frías y calientes, y cuestionarios de síntomas clínicos y de adaptación funcional. Los participantes, sus familias, profesores y los profesionales que realizaron las evaluaciones cognitivas fueron ciegos. También se realizaron correlaciones entre MT y FFEE calientes en la línea base para clarificar la naturaleza de la relación entre ambos aspectos. Resultados: El análisis ajustado a través de regresión lineal múltiple reveló mejoras significativas en escalas de FFEE frías especialmente a largo plazo, en medidas cognitivas de FFEE frías inhibición de respuesta y atención sostenida a corto plazo (que se mantuvieron a largo plazo), y en síntomas TDAH y adaptación funcional en el entorno escolar a largo plazo. Los tamaños del efecto fueron en su mayoría de moderados a grandes. Se hallaron correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre MT y Teoría de la mente (ToM) en la línea base, pero no entre MT y toma de decisiones. El análisis ajustado a través de regresión lineal múltiple no mostró mejoras estadísticamente significativas en FFEE calientes ToM y toma de decisiones en ningún momento temporal. Conclusiones: El entrenamiento en MT tuvo un impacto significativo sobre déficits relevantes en el TDAH al producir mejoras far-transfer a largo plazo sobre FFEE frías, síntomas clínicos, y adaptación funcional. No existe relación entre MT y toma de decisiones en el TDAH. Existe relación entre MT y ToM, pero el entrenamiento en MT no produjo mejoras far-transfer sobre los déficits de ToM en el TDAH.Objective: ADHD affects working memory (WM) and other executive functions (EF) which negatively impact school performance, clinical symptoms, and functional impairment. The aims of the present study were to analyse the efficacy of a computerised WM training on other cool and hot EF, learning, clinical symptoms, and functional impairment. Method: 66 children with combined-type ADHD between 7-12 years of age from a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit were included in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The participants were randomized (1:1) to an experimental group (RoboMemo®, Cogmed Working Memory Training™) (n=36) or a control group (placebo training). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0), 1-2 weeks (T1), and 6 months post-intervention (T2) with the administration of EF rating scales, performance-based measures of cool and hot EF, measures of academic achievement, and questionnaires regarding clinical symptoms and functional impairment. The participants, their parents, their teachers and professionals who performed the cognitive assessments were blinded. Correlational analysis between WM and hot EFs at baseline were also performed to better clarify the nature of this interrelation. Results: Adjusted multiple linear regression analysis showed significant improvements in cool EF scales, especially at long-term, in performance-based measurements of cool EFs response inhibition and sustained attention at short-term (that persisted at long-term), and in ADHD symptoms and functional impairment in school environment at long-term. Effect sizes were mostly moderate to large. Statistically significant correlations were found between WM and Theory of mind (ToM) measures at baseline, but not between WM and decision-making. Adjusted multiple linear regression analysis showed not significant improvements in hot EFs decision-making or ToM at any point time. Conclusions: WM training had a significant impact on ADHD deficits achieving long-term far-transfer effects on cool EFs, ADHD symptoms, and functional impairment. There was no relationship between WM and decision-making in ADHD. A relationship was found between WM and ToM, but CWMT did not show far-transfer effects on ToM deficits in ADHD

Assessing Motivation to Change in Bulimia Nervosa: The Bulimia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire

Objective: To assess motivation to change in adolescent patients with bulimia nervosa through the Bulimia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (BNSOCQ), an instrument adapted from the Anorexia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ) already validated in anorexic patients. Method: Subjects were 30 bulimia nervosa patients (mean age=16.3 years) who were receiving treatment at an eating disorders unit. The evaluation instruments were: the BNSOCQ, the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BNSOCQ was re-administered 1 week later to evaluate test-retest reliability. Results: The BNSOCQ demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94) and one week test-retest reliability (Pearson's r = 0.93). Negative significant correlations were found between the BNSOCQ and several EDI-2 scales (Pearson's r between -0.51 and - 0.84) and the BDI (r= -0.74). Conclusion: The study provides initial support for the reliability and validity of the BNSOCQ as a self-report instrument for assessing motivation to change in adolescents with bulimia nervosa

Pharmacogenetic influences on the response to pharmacological treatment in autism spectrum disorders

Aim: About a third of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) receive pharmacological treatment for comorbid symptoms. However, 30%-50% do not respond adequately and/or present severe and long-lasting side effects. Previous studies have reported the influence of variants in genes coding for drug targets on the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments, including genetic polymorphisms in dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. However, most studies have focused on the adult population, with relatively few studies in children and adolescents, and no clear biomarkers of response have been reported in these populations. The aim of our study was to identify genetic predictors of drug response in patients with ASD. This information may be used to personalise pharmacological treatment and improve the efficacy and safety of psychotropic drugs in patients with ASD. Methods: Genetic variants in dopaminergic and serotonergic drug targets (SLC6A3, DRD2, DRDRD3, DRD4, HTR2A, and HTR2C) and in other genes previously associated with treatment efficacy and/or induced side effects (ANKK1, BDNF, COMT, and HTR1A) were investigated in 176 children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD and undergoing pharmacological treatment. Results: A SLC6A3 genetic variant was associated with response to methylphenidate in our ASD cohort, whereas HTR2A and HTR2C allele and haplotype distributions were associated with adverse reactions such as somnolence, mood alterations, and BMI. ANKK1, COMT, and BDNF genetic variants were mainly associated with treatment side effects.Conclusion: If confirmed, these genetic variants may be used as predictors of clinical outcome and help to personalise pharmacological treatments in patients with ASD

Machine learning classification of conduct disorder with high versus low levels of callous-unemotional traits based on facial emotion recognition abilities

Conduct disorder (CD) with high levels of callous-unemotional traits (CD/HCU) has been theoretically linked to specific difficulties with fear and sadness recognition, in contrast to CD with low levels of callous-unemotional traits (CD/LCU). However, experimental evidence for this distinction is mixed, and it is unclear whether these difficulties are a reliable marker of CD/HCU compared to CD/LCU. In a large sample (N = 1263, 9–18 years), we combined univariate analyses and machine learning classifiers to investigate whether CD/HCU is associated with disproportionate difficulties with fear and sadness recognition over other emotions, and whether such difficulties are a reliable individual-level marker of CD/HCU. We observed similar emotion recognition abilities in CD/HCU and CD/LCU. The CD/HCU group underperformed relative to typically developing (TD) youths, but difficulties were not specific to fear or sadness. Classifiers did not distinguish between youths with CD/HCU versus CD/LCU (52% accuracy), although youths with CD/HCU and CD/LCU were reliably distinguished from TD youths (64% and 60%, respectively). In the subset of classifiers that performed well for youths with CD/HCU, fear and sadness were the most relevant emotions for distinguishing them from youths with CD/LCU and TD youths, respectively. We conclude that non-specific emotion recognition difficulties are common in CD/HCU, but are not reliable individual-level markers of CD/HCU versus CD/LCU. These findings highlight that a reduced ability to recognise facial expressions of distress should not be assumed to be a core feature of CD/HCU

Sex differences in psychiatric comorbidity and clinical presentation in youths with conduct disorder

Background: Conduct disorder (CD) rarely occurs alone but is typically accompanied by comorbid psychiatric disorders, which complicates the clinical presentation and treatment of affected youths. The aim of this study was to investigate sex differences in comorbidity pattern in CD and to systematically explore the ‘gender paradox’ and ‘delayed-onset pathway’ hypotheses of female CD. Methods: As part of the FemNAT-CD multisite study, semistructured clinical interviews and rating scales were used to perform a comprehensive phenotypic characterization of 454 girls and 295 boys with CD (9–18 years), compared to 864 sex- and age-matched typically developing controls. Results: Girls with CD exhibited higher rates of current major depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder, whereas boys with CD had higher rates of current attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In line with the ‘gender paradox’ hypothesis, relative to boys, girls with CD showed significantly more lifetime psychiatric comorbidities (incl. Alcohol Use Disorder), which were accompanied by more severe CD symptoms. Female and male youths with CD also differed significantly in their CD symptom profiles and distribution of age-of-onset subtypes of CD (i.e. fewer girls with childhood-onset CD). In line with the ‘delayed-onset pathway’ hypothesis, girls with adolescent-onset CD showed similar levels of dimensional psychopathology like boys with childhood-onset CD, while boys with adolescent-onset CD had the lowest levels of internalizing psychopathology. Conclusions: Within the largest study of CD in girls performed to date, we found compelling evidence for sex differences in comorbidity patterns and clinical presentation of CD. Our findings further support aspects of the ‘gender paradox’ and ‘delayed-onset pathway’ hypotheses by showing that girls with CD had higher rates of comorbid lifetime mental disorders and functional impairments, and they usually developed CD during adolescence. These novel data on sex-specific clinical profiles of CD will be critical in informing intervention and prevention programmes