Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Prior

Publications and source records attributed to M Prior.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Do executive function deficits differentiate between adolescents with ADHD and oppositional defiant/conduct disorder? A neuropsychological study using the Six Elements Test and Hayling Sentence Completion Test.

Two neuropsychological measures of executive functions--Six Elements Tests (SET) and Hayling Sentence Completion Test (HSCT)--were administered to 110 adolescents, aged 12-15 years. Participants comprised four groups: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) only (n = 35). ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder (ODD/CD) (n = 38), ODD/CD only (n = 11), and a normal community control group (n = 26). Results indicated that adolescents with ADHD performed significantly worse on both the SET and HSCT than those without ADHD, whether or not they also had ODD/CD. The adolescents with ADHD and with comorbid ADHD and ODD/CD were significantly more impaired in their ability to generate strategies and to monitor their ongoing behavior compared with age-matched controls and adolescents with ODD/CD only. It is argued that among adolescents with clinically significant levels of externalizing behavior problems, executive function deficits are specific to those with ADHD. The findings support the sensitivity of these two relatively new tests of executive functions and their ecological validity in tapping into everyday situations, which are potentially problematic for individuals with ADHD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Association of a functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene with anxiety-related temperament and behavior problems in children: a longitudinal study from infancy to the mid-teens.

A polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) has been associated with anxiety-related personality traits in adults. Initial studies showed that the short allele was associated with higher neuroticism, anxiety and harm avoidance. However, most attempts to replicate these findings have been negative. Because the association of candidate polymorphisms with behavioral traits may vary with stage of development, we investigated the association using participants in a longitudinal study of childhood temperament. DNA was available for 660 children who had been assessed for temperament from 4-8 months to 15-16 years, and for behaviour problems from 3-4 years to 15-16 years. No significant associations were found at most ages. However, at ages 13-14 years and 15-16 years, the long/long genotype was associated with higher anxiety. These findings do not support an association of the short allele with anxiety-related traits in early life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Activity of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors, peripheral resistance and cutaneous microcirculation in patients with peripheral obstructive arterial disease.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors on the haemodynamics of the humeral and common carotid arteries in patients suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD) and to discover whether the stimulation of these receptors modifies the cutaneous microcirculation in the forearm. DESIGN: We studied a group of patients suffering from peripheral artery disease and two groups as controls. SETTING: Patients were examined at the ambulatory for Vascular Research, Division of Vascular Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Verona. PATIENTS: We studied 15 patients with peripheral artery disease of the lower limbs at Fontaine stage II (group C), 10 free of arterial pathologies (group B) and 10 young people (group A). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We subjected the patients to passive elevation of the legs and the trunk in a horizontal position with pressure monitoring and measurement of the calibre and flow in the brachial and common carotid arteries using a colourDoppler ultrasound. We also studied the cutaneous microcirculation with laserDoppler flowmetry. RESULTS: During the test, arterial pressure and cardiac frequency remained constant in group A, systolic pressure values showed a slight, but statistically significant increase in group B, whilst the increase in systolic pressure values at this stage was marked in group C. Diastolic pressure values and cardiac frequency remained unchanged in all groups. The calibre of the humeral artery increased in the control groups. Carotid resistance was unchanged in the three groups. Humeral resistance during the test decreased in the two control groups whilst it increased in group C. The number of perfusion units felt in the control groups; no variations in group C. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates, in patients with peripheral artery disease, a reduction in the activity of the cardiopulmonary baroreceptors with an increase in the humeral resistance during the test and impairment of the mechanisms of cutaneous microcirculatory vasoregulation in the forearm.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Does shy-inhibited temperament in childhood lead to anxiety problems in adolescence?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationships between shy-inhibited temperament in childhood and anxiety problems in early adolescence using a prospective, longitudinal data set from a large community sample. METHOD: Relationships between shyness ratings on age-appropriate temperament scales and anxiety problems were analyzed, looking both forward and backward in time from infancy to adolescence. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of children rated as shy on 6 or more occasions over 8 surveys in childhood had anxiety problems in adolescence, compared with 11% who were never shy. Persistence of shyness and its presence in middle childhood increased risk for anxiety. A highly reactive temperament added to shyness did not increase the risk for anxiety. Few children with an anxiety diagnosis in early adolescence had a history of shyness. CONCLUSIONS: Prediction from childhood shyness to adolescent anxiety disorder is modest but clinically meaningful in a community sample. However, most shy children did not develop an anxiety disorder and most adolescents with anxiety disorders had not been especially shy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The role of the family for behavioral outcome in children and adolescents following traumatic brain injury.

This study assessed the behavioral outcome of 51 children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) up to 2 years following injury. Children with severe injuries, but not those with mild or moderate injuries, were reported by parents to have a greater incidence of behavior problems following TBI. Regression analyses indicated that the presence of a partner for the primary caregiver of the child and the acute emotional reaction of the parent to the injury were both predictive of child behavioral outcome, although not by 2-year follow-up. These findings suggest that parental coping resources may impact on the development of child behavioral sequelae following TBI, emphasizing the role of the family in the child's response and the importance of supportive intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Relationships between learning difficulties and psychological problems in preadolescent children from a longitudinal sample.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationships between learning difficulties and behavior problems in preadolescent children both concurrently and longitudinally, using data from the Australian Temperament Project, and to examine associations between DSM-diagnosed disorders and types of learning difficulties. METHOD: Clinical and comparison groups of 11- to 12-year-old children were assessed on behavioral and learning indices and completed a structured diagnostic interview. Longitudinal data were available from earlier surveys of the development of these children. RESULTS: Children in the clinical group were disadvantaged on all learning and behavioral indices, and their problems in many cases had been evident from 7 to 8 years of age. There were specific associations between types of learning difficulties and both internalizing and externalizing disorders. Numeracy difficulties were strongly associated with DSM diagnoses for both boys and girls, and externalizing problems tended to co-occur with a combination of learning problems. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioral maladjustment in many domains is strongly associated with learning difficulties even after intelligence and socioeconomic factors are controlled. The odds ratios for persistence of difficulties throughout elementary school are extremely high for children with clinical problems.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Psychological disorders and their correlates in an Australian community sample of preadolescent children.

The nature and correlates of psychological disorders of preadolescent children from the longitudinal Australian Temperament Project (ATP) are reported. Almost half of the children identified via checklists completed by mothers, teachers, and the children themselves as being in the at-risk range for disorder received a DSM-III-R diagnosis. Nine per cent of comparison, or low-risk, children also received a diagnosis. Internalising disorders were the most common, and 44% of cases had multiple problems. Children rated as problematic by all three informants or by child plus teacher were the most likely to receive a diagnosis. The at-risk group had more difficult temperament, poorer family and peer relationships, lower levels of social skills, and were of lower SES than the comparison group. There were minimal differences on these variables between at-risk children who did, or did not, receive a DSM-III-R diagnosis. It is argued that especially for boys, checklists from multiple informants are effective tools for identifying clinically significant disorders.

Australia↗
PubMed1998

Delayed language onset as a predictor of clinical symptoms in pervasive developmental disorders.

DSM-IV states that Asperger Disorder may be distinguished from Autistic Disorder by a lack of a delay in early language development. The aim of this study was to establish whether the presence or absence of early language delay would predict autistic symptomatology in children diagnosed with a PDD/autism spectrum disorder. Forty-six language-delayed and 62 normal language onset individuals (M age 11 years) were compared on ICD-10 research criteria and DSM-IV criteria, receptive language, and developmental history variables. Retrospective data were also obtained to determine whether language onset predicted autism symptomatology when young (< 6 years). We found that early language delay predicts more autistic symptomatology when young, but not at an older age. Early language delay is also associated with developmental motor milestone delays and lower receptive language abilities. The results question the use of early language delay as a valid discriminating variable between PDD subgroups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Preschool behaviour problems in a multicultural Australian urban area.

OBJECTIVE: This paper reports on a survey of behaviour problems in a sample of 4-year-old preschoolers from the western suburbs of metropolitan Melbourne. This region consists of a diverse multicultural population and families from lower socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. METHODOLOGY: Nineteen preschools participated in the study and information was obtained for 743 preschool children (Refer to MS) age=4.7 years). Parents were asked to complete the Preschool Behaviour Questionnaire (PBQ) and additional questions referring to demographic and family information. Teachers were also asked to complete the PBQ on each of the children. Three factors were extracted from the PBQ (anxious-fearful, hostile-aggressive, hyperactive), and also a combined externalising behaviours factor. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicated lower levels of behaviour problems in this sample compared to that of other Australian studies. Boys showed higher rates of externalising behaviour problems than girls. The relationships between behaviour problems and language difficulties, ethnicity, and socio-economic status are discussed.

Australia↗
PubMed1998

Are there subgroups within the autistic spectrum? A cluster analysis of a group of children with autistic spectrum disorders.

Comprehensive data on the developmental history and current behaviours of a large sample of high-functioning individuals with diagnoses of autism, Asperger's syndrome, or other related disorder were collected via parent interviews. This provided the basis for a taxonomic analysis to search for subgroups. Most participants also completed theory of mind tasks. Three clusters or subgroups were obtained; these differed on theory of mind performance and on verbal abilities. Although subgroups were identified which bore some relationship to clinical differentiation of autistic, Asperger syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) cases, the nature of the differences between them appeared strongly related to ability variables. Examination of the kinds of behaviours that differentiated the groups suggested that a spectrum of autistic disorders on which children differ primarily in term of degrees of social and cognitive impairments could explain the findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

"Growing pains": clinical and behavioral correlates in a community sample.

Parents of 183 children identified them as having "pain in arms, legs, or joints during the previous 12 months." This group was compared with a group of children without pains selected randomly from the rest of a 1605-member community-based cohort in a study of chronic illness. The pains were most likely to be deep seated, to involve predominantly the lower limbs, and to be described in vague, nonspecific terms. These children were significantly more likely to have recurrent abdominal pain, a negative mood, and behavior problems, and to be aggressive, anxious, and hyperactive. There were no differences between the groups on any teacher ratings of behavior, temperament, social skills, or academic achievement. We conclude that children with "growing pains" are rated by their parents, but not their teachers, as having different temperamental and behavioral profiles than controls. These data suggest a psychosocial contribution to growing pains akin to that seen with other pain syndromes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Predictors and indicators of academic outcome in children 2 years following traumatic brain injury.

Within the context of a longitudinal study investigating outcome for children following traumatic brain injury, this paper reports on the utility of neuropsychological testing in predicting academic outcome in children 2 years following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Twenty-nine school-age children who were admitted to hospital after TBI were assessed with a battery of neuropsychological and academic measures at 3 and 24 months postinjury. The neuropsychological battery included measures of memory, learning, and speed of information processing. Academic outcome was assessed in terms of post-TBI change in school placement. According to logistic regression analysis, change in placement from regular to special education at 2 years post-TBI was predicted by injury severity and by neuropsychological performance at 3 months post-TBI. Findings suggest that neuropsychological testing is useful in identifying children with special educational needs subsequent to TBI.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Connections between reading disability and behavior problems: testing temporal and causal hypotheses.

In this study of children's reading and behavior problem status from Grade 2 to Grade 4 of elementary school, we tested hypotheses concerned with the temporal and causal connections between these two closely associated disorders. Children with both, either, or neither kinds of problems were followed up over 2 years. While reading disability remained stable over time, there was greater variability in behavior problem status. Our data did not support the claim that reading problems lead to the development of behavior problems. Children who were comorbid had the worst outcome at follow-up, suggesting that behavior problems may exacerbate reading delay. Reading-disabled children were lower (albeit in the normal range) on intelligence, but when IQ was controlled, large group differences on reading and spelling were still evident. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) type behavior problems significantly differentiated children with comorbid problems from children with behavior problems alone. Sex differences were noted in the association, with two-thirds of reading-disabled boys also having behavior problems and two-thirds of reading-disabled girls having no behavior problems, suggesting that pathways to reading disability may be gender specific.

Aggression↗