370 research outputs found
A systematic review of the quantitative markers of speech and language of the frontotemporal degeneration spectrum and their potential for cross-linguistic implementation
Full text linkFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disease spectrum with an urgent need for reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring. Speech and language changes occur in the early stages of FTD and offer a potential non-invasive, early, and accessible diagnostic tool. The use of speech and language markers in this disease spectrum is limited by the fact that most studies investigate English-speaking patients. This systematic review examines the literature on psychoacoustic and linguistic features of speech that occur across the FTD spectrum across as many different languages as possible. 76 papers were identified that investigate psychoacoustic and linguistic markers in discursive speech. 75 % of these papers studied English-speaking patients. The most generalizable features found across different languages, are speech rate, articulation rate, pause frequency, total pause duration, noun-verb ratio, and total number of nouns. While there are clear interlinguistic differences across patient groups, the results show promise for implementation of cross-linguistic markers of speech and language across the FTD spectrum particularly for psychoacoustic features.</p
Neuroimaging and Clinical Biomarkers in the Familial and Sporadic FTD Spectrum – from the Presymptomatic to the Symptomatic Disease Stage
Full text linkFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common type of early-onset dementia, in which symptoms commonly become apparent before the age of 65. The clinical spectrum is heterogeneous, ranging from a predominant behavioural manifestation (behavioural variant FTD; bvFTD) to progressive language deterioration (primary progressive aphasia; PPA) and parkinsonism. 10-30% of FTD cases have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Mutations in the progranulin (GRN) and microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) genes, and a repeat expansion in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) are the three most common causes. Familial FTD allows the identification of pathogenic mutation carriers in their presymptomatic phase – a critical time-window for treatment as the pathological damage is at its minimum and potentially still reversible. However, with promising avenues opening for disease-modifying therapies in clinical trials, we currently lack robust biomarkers for (familial) FTD. These biomarkers will be essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, staging and prognosis, onset prediction, and monitoring disease progression and treatment response. In this thesis, we have therefore investigated potential neuroimaging and neuropsychological biomarkers in the familial and sporadic FTD spectrum
Neuroimaging and Clinical Biomarkers in the Familial and Sporadic FTD Spectrum – from the Presymptomatic to the Symptomatic Disease Stage
Full text linkCorrigendum to “Dissemination in time and space in presymptomatic granulin mutation carriers: A spatial chronnectome study” [Neurobiology of Aging Volume 108, December 2021, Pages 155–167]
Full text linkRefers to
Enrico Premi, Marcello Giunta, Armin Iraji, Srinivas Rachakonda, Vince D. Calhoun, Stefano Gazzina, Alberto Benussi, Roberto Gasparotti, Silvana Archetti, Martina Bocchetta, Dave Cash, Emily Todd, Georgia Peakman, Rhian Convery, John C. van Swieten, Lize Jiskoot, Raquel Sanchez-Valle, Fermin Moreno, Robert Laforce, Caroline Graff, Matthis Synofzik, Daniela Galimberti, James B. Rowe, Mario Masellis, Carmela Tartaglia, Elizabeth Finger, Rik Vandenberghe, Alexandre de Mendonça, Fabrizio Tagliavini, Chris R. Butler, Isabel Santana, Alexander Gerhard, Isabelle Le Ber, Florence Pasquier, Simon Ducharme, Johannes Levin, Adrian Danek, Sandro Sorbi, Markus Otto, Jonathan D. Rohrer, Barbara Borroni
Dissemination in time and space in presymptomatic granulin mutation carriers: a GENFI spatial chronnectome study. Neurobiology of Aging, Volume 108, December 2021, Pages 155-167 DOI of original article: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.09.001.© 2022 Elsevier Inc. The authors regret that the GENFI authors were listed at the end of the article in the Appendix. The GENFI authors are also part of co-authors. The updated author list is below. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused
White Matter Tracts of Speech and Language
No full textDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been used to investigate the white matter (WM) tracts underlying the perisylvian cortical regions known to be associated with language function. The arcuate fasciculus is composed of 3 segments (1 long and 2 short) whose separate functions correlate with traditional models of conductive and transcortical motor or sensory aphasia, respectively. DTI mapping of language fibers is useful in presurgical planning for patients with dominant hemisphere tumors, particularly when combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging. DTI has found damage to language networks in stroke patients and has the potential to influence poststroke rehabilitation and treatment. Assessment of the WM tracts involved in the default mode network has been found to correlate with mild cognitive impairment, potentially explaining language deficits in patients with apparently mild small vessel ischemic disease. Different patterns of involvement of language-related WM structures appear to correlate with different clinical subtypes of primary progressive aphasias. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Daily-life executive functions and bimanual performance in children with unilateral cerebral palsy
No full textAim: To explore daily-life reported executive functions and their relation with bimanual performance in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). Method: In this cross-sectional study of 46 children with unilateral CP (mean age 11 years 10 months, standard deviation 2 years 10 months), executive functions were evaluated using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and bimanual performance with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) and Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ). One-sample z-tests were used to compare participants' executive functions with population norms, while taking autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 16) as a comorbidity into account. Moreover, we used regression analysis to estimate the effect of manual ability (Manual Ability Classification System levels: I = 25, II = 15, III = 6) and having a comorbid diagnosis of ASD on executive functions (p < 0.05, R2). Lastly, non-parametric correlations (rs, p < 0.05) were calculated between the BRIEF, CHEQ, and AHA. Results: In general, executive functions in children with unilateral CP were poorer compared with the normative mean (p <= 0.024). However, when excluding participants with ASD, no difference compared with the normative mean was found. A significant effect of manual ability was found for Inhibition (p = 0.042), while ASD effects were found for most of the BRIEF subscales (p <= 0.001). Multiple significant correlations were found between the BRIEF and CHEQ (rs = -0.50 to -0.29), while only the BRIEF subscale Inhibition was significantly correlated with the AHA (rs = -0.35). Interpretation: A higher number of children with unilateral CP exhibit difficulties in daily-life executive functions, which appear to be mainly co-occurring with ASD. Manual ability was a significant factor of inhibition-related behavioural challenges. Furthermore, there seems to be a relation between impaired executive functions and decreased bimanual performance. The findings emphasize the importance of further research, including performance-based assessments of executive functions in children with unilateral CP.Founding:
The Flemish Research Foundation (FWO project, grant G0C4919N; FWO fellowship, grant 11PP224N).
Acknowledgements
The present study was funded by the Flemish Researc Foundation (FWO project, grant G0C4919N). Alexandra Kalkantzi, as shared first author, was supported by funding from the European Commission, Horizon Europe
Research and Innovation Action under grant agreement number 101057309, in the context of the AINCP project. Lize Kleeren, as shared first author, was funded by an FWO fellowship (grant 11PP224N). We thank all participants and their families for their willingness to take part in this study. We also thank Geert Molenberghs for his statistical advice and Nofar Ben Itzhak for her insights in the analyses
The assessment of grip strength in preschool-aged children with and without unilateral cerebral palsy
No full textPurpose To investigate reliability and validity of two grip strength devices in children with and without unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP) aged 2-6 years. Method We assessed grip strength in 20 pre-school-aged children with predominantly spastic uCP (mean age 4y0 +/- 1y2m) and 20 age-matched children without uCP (mean age 3y11m +/- 1y3m) using the Martin Vigorimeter and MyoGrip to investigate test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients; ICC), known-group validity (comparative statistics) and convergent validity (correlation analyses) in a cross-sectional design. Results In both groups, test-retest reliability was excellent for both devices and both hands (ICC 0.91-0.97). Grip strength of the non-preferred hand was lower in children with uCP for both devices (p < 0.001). Grip strength was decreased in the non-preferred compared to the preferred hand in children with uCP for both devices (p < 0.001). In children without uCP, grip strength was lower in the non-preferred compared to the preferred hand only for the MyoGrip (p = 0.02). The relation between both devices for both hands was good to very high (r = 0.62-0.92, p < 0.007). Conclusion Both devices can be implemented in clinical practice to assess grip strength in preschool-aged children with uCP. Only the MyoGrip detected differences between both hands in children without uCP and might be more sensitive.The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article
Optimization process of the forensic investigation regarding home invasion robberies
No full textThe forensic investigation is one of the first steps in the criminal investigation process concerning home invasion robberies. The forensic investigation consists of objectively capturing the crime scene as it is when starting the investigation. Regarding home invasion robberies, the most important traces are fingerprints and DNA which are used for identification of individual suspects. Currently, there is little knowledge about the process of a secured trace to a result used in court. Crime scene investigators are confronted with multiple decisions during the investigation and it is important to know with what goal in mind an investigator acts on the crime scene, as this influences the decision-making. The forensic data obtained from the forensic investigation is shared within a forensic data infrastructure. This infrastructure consists of the following criminal justice system partners involved in the process from crime scene investigation to conviction: crime scene investigators, detectives, experts at forensic laboratories, prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges. These partners are all contributing in different ways and at different times. The forensic data infrastructure comes with sensibilities and tensions, such as tunnel vision, incomplete crime scene investigation reports, misunderstandings and one-way communication. Solving these sensibilities and tensions is crucial to the functioning of the infrastructure. By use of a questionnaire, insights are provided into the goals and aspects of the forensic investigation that are important to the involved partners. The goals important to crime scene investigators differ little from the goals of other involved partners. The questionnaire results are reflected on in an expert reflection session. This session is part of the participatory design, which contributes in creating a mutual understanding of needs between partners. A second expert session is developed to fulfill these needs and implement solutions to solve sensibilities and tensions in an optimized forensic investigation. The optimization process includes the optimization of the forensic investigation itself and the optimization of the forensic data infrastructure by proposing a structured forensic investigation scheme. A new experiment is presented to analyze the optimized forensic investigation.Biomedical Engineerin
The decline of public space in the digital age?: A search for a new synergy between the use of digital devices in and traditional use of urban public space
No full textThe world we live in is more and more a digital world and the number of people having access to digital communication technologies is growing rapidly. This integration of digital technologies into everyday life is what is called the digitalization process (IGI Global dictionary, 2018). It is a process that can be seen as a long-term societal transition influencing our daily life, like the way we work, how we do our shopping or how we communicate with friends and family (Van Winden & De Carvalho, 2017). As the way we live influences our use of the space around us, changes in this process also change our use of the space around us. On the other hand, our surroundings influence the decisions we make as well.This graduation projects will focus on the use of public space and how public space is affected by the introduction of digital devices. It is believed that this digitalization process has introduced new behaviour, making public space not just a space for traditional uses, like meeting people, but also places where digital devices are used more often, either for practical or for social purposes. Public space is seen as one of the fundamental elements of cities and thus also of Dutch cities, and cities need to prepare themselves for future changes. This graduation project tries to find a new synergy between this traditional use of public space and the use of digital devices in public space, by analysing the phenomenon in the Indische Buurt, a neighbourhood in the eastern part of Amsterdam. It will provide an analysis of this neighbourhood, research the impacts using personal digital devices have on the use of these spaces, and how to deal with these changes. The results of the analysis will be translated into urban design interventions which have the ultimate goal to find a new synergy between the different uses of public space. With reflecting on these interventions and proposals, a matrix will be produced to show how certain interventions are connected to different types of use and user roles. This will show how the design interventions could be integrated in other neighbourhoods or cities.Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Complex Citie
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