Enhancing cognitive abilities in young adults with ADHD through instrumental music training: a comparative analysis of musicians and non-musicians.

Extensive research highlights the multifaceted benefits of active musical engagement across all ages, from childhood to the elderly. The practice of a musical instrument activates numerous brain regions, enhancing a range of neurocognitive skills. Despite accumulating evidence from various clinical populations, research on the effects of musical training in individuals with ADHD is scarce, with virtually no studies focusing on adults.

Memantine treatment in sickle cell disease: A 1-year study of its effects on cognitive functions and neural processing.

This study evaluates the neurocognitive and electrophysiological effects of 1-year memantine treatment in 14 adolescents and young adults (mean age 24 years) with sickle cell disease (SCD, incluing sickle cell anaemia and sickle cell β-thalassemia), hypothesizing improvements in cognitive functions and neural processing. Participants underwent assessments using subtests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale and a computerized task-switching paradigm with concurrent event-related potential (ERP) recordings, both before and after the treatment period. Assessments focused on processing speed, working memory, attention and executive function.

Event-related potentials and behavioral correlates of emotional recognition memory in late pregnancy.

Purpose: Research on cognitive and emotional functions during pregnancy challenges the prevalent perception of cognitive decline in pregnant women. This study investigates the behavioral and neural dynamics of cognitive-affective processing in third-trimester pregnant women, comparing them with non-pregnant controls.

Methods: Using a 64-channel EEG-ERP system, we recorded brain activity as participants engaged in an emotional word recognition task.

Comprehensive assessment of memory function, inhibitory control, neural activity, and cortisol levels in late pregnancy.

A considerable proportion of women subjectively perceive a detriment to their cognitive capacity during pregnancy, with decreased memory functions being the most frequently self-reported concerns. However, objective investigation of these perceived cognitive deficits has yielded inconsistent results. This study focused on memory functions during late pregnancy using multiple tasks designed to assess various memory indices, for example, working memory, learning rate, immediate recall, proactive and retroactive interference, delayed recall, retrieval efficiency, visuospatial constructional ability, recognition, and executive function.

Physiological indicators of emotional arousal related to ANS activity in response to associative cards for psychotherapeutic PTSD treatment.

SEE FAR CBT is an integrative treatment protocol for PTSD and anxiety disorders which combines CBT, body-mind (somatic experience) and imagery-based (fantastic reality; FR) methods. FR is introduced using associative therapeutic cards (COPE cards) to represent both "a pleasant/safe place" and the re-narrating process of the traumatic story. Although some preliminary evidence exists regarding the impact of COPE cards integration in psychotherapy, further validation is needed as to whether these cards can induce distinct arousal-affective states in the observer.

Associations between red blood cell indices and iron status and neurocognitive function in young adults: Evidence from memory and executive function tests and event-related potentials.

Cognitive impairment has been associated with anemia and iron deficiency; however, brain electrophysiological studies correlating red blood cell (RBC) indices and iron status to cognition in adulthood are scarce. We aimed to assess neurocognitive function in young adults of the general population and its correlation with RBC indices and iron status. Neurocognitive function was investigated using scalp-recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) within the context of a task-switching paradigm.

The relationship between individuals with fearful-avoidant adult attachment orientation and early neural responses to emotional content: An event-related potentials (ERPs) study.

Objective: Adult attachment orientation affects the interactions of individuals with others. Fearful-avoidant individuals are characterized by both high anxiety and high avoidance. This study examines the response of individuals with fearful-avoidant attachment orientation to neutral, emotionally positive, or emotionally negative visual stimuli.

Cognitive, neural and endocrine functioning during late pregnancy: An Event-Related Potentials study.

This study investigated cognitive, neural and endocrine function during late pregnancy. One of the first to examine brain ERPs in pregnant women, the study is unique in its focus on response inhibition function. In the study, cognitive function was evaluated by a digit-symbol coding test, an arithmetic ability test, and a visual stop-signal task which places enhanced demands on impulse control and response inhibition, considered a hallmark of executive function.

Attention, response inhibition and brain event-related potential alterations in adults with beta-thalassaemia major.

We investigated neural correlates of cognitive function in adults with beta thalassaemia major (β-TM) compared to healthy controls using scalp-recorded event-related potentials (ERPs). Event-related potential studies in the field of β-TM are scarce and mostly limited to children. A stop-signal task was used to evaluate indices of attention and response inhibition function, considered to be the hallmark of executive control.

Executive function and neural activation in adults with β-thalassemia major: an event-related potentials study.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding the involvement of the nervous system and neurological complications in β-thalassemia major (β-TM). Several reports have demonstrated β-TM-related neurological abnormalities, and these have been postulated to be responsible for impaired cognitive and neuropsychological functioning. We investigated neural correlates of cognitive function in adults with β-TM and healthy controls using scalp-recorded event-related potentials (ERPs).

Cognitive functions in adults with β-thalassemia major: before and after blood transfusion and comparison with healthy controls.

While β-thalassemia major (β-TM)-related physiological complications have been well established, less is known about implications for neuropsychological and cognitive function. The few existing studies have focused almost exclusively on children. We evaluated cognitive function in adult β-TM patients compared to healthy controls (study 1) and in β-TM patients before and after blood transfusion (study 2).

Response Patterns to Emotional Faces Among Adolescents Diagnosed With ADHD.

Objective: The present study investigated differences in emotional face processing between adolescents (age 15-18) with ADHD-Combined type (ADHD-CT) and typically developing controls.

Method: Participants completed a visual emotional task in which they were asked to rate the degree of negativity/positivity of four facial expressions (taken from the NimStim face stimulus set).

Results: Participants' ratings, ratings' variability, response times (RTs), and RTs' variability were analyzed.

Psychological and cortisol reactivity to experimentally induced stress in adults with ADHD.

Individuals with ADHD suffer from increased vulnerability to environmental and mental stressors and may be at increased risk for chronic stress in everyday life. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is a critical physiological system that mediates responses to stress. The present study seeks to examine test performance, test anxiety, self-reported psychological stress and cortisol reactivity to mental-cognitive stress in adults with ADHD when compared with healthy controls.

Behavioral and neural correlates of facial versus nonfacial stimuli processing in adults with ADHD: An ERP study.

Objective: The present study was aimed at identifying behavioral and neural correlates of face processing in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using scalp-recorded event-related potentials (ERPs).

Method: Behavioral and ERP responses were examined using a 4-stimulus visual oddball task, combining facial and nonfacial stimuli. Responses to target and nontarget stimuli were compared across groups of young adults with ADHD and comparison subjects.

Neural correlates of emotional intelligence in a visual emotional oddball task: an ERP study.

The present study was aimed at identifying potential behavioral and neural correlates of Emotional Intelligence (EI) by using scalp-recorded Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). EI levels were defined according to both self-report questionnaire and a performance-based ability test. We identified ERP correlates of emotional processing by using a visual-emotional oddball paradigm, in which subjects were confronted with one frequent standard stimulus (a neutral face) and two deviant stimuli (a happy and an angry face).

Altered event-related potentials in adults with ADHD during emotional faces processing.

Objective: This study investigated behavioral and neural correlates of emotional processing in adults with ADHD using scalp-recorded event-related potentials (ERPs).

Methods: We used a visual-emotional oddball paradigm, in which subjects were confronted with neutral and emotional faces (happy and angry). Responses to target and non-target stimuli were compared across groups of 17 adults with ADHD and 20 control subjects.

Reliability, validity and sensitivity of a computerized visual analog scale measuring state anxiety.

Background And Objectives: Assessment of state anxiety is frequently required in clinical and research settings, but its measurement using standard multi-item inventories entails practical challenges. Such inventories are increasingly complemented by paper-and-pencil, single-item visual analog scales measuring state anxiety (VAS-A), which allow rapid assessment of current anxiety states. Computerized versions of VAS-A offer additional advantages, including facilitated and accurate data collection and analysis, and applicability to computer-based protocols.

Reliability and validity of the Online Continuous Performance Test among children.

Objective: The study assesses the reliability and validity of a new Online Continuous Performance Test (OCPT) for measuring sustained attention, response inhibition, and response time consistency among children.

Method: The study sample comprised 73 children (6-13 years), 47 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 24 in the control group. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children was administered to participants' parents to confirm group allocation.

Behavioral and neural correlates of cognitive-affective function during late pregnancy: an Event-Related Potentials study.

The present study was aimed at identifying potential behavioral and neural correlates of cognitive and emotional processing during pregnancy using scalp-recorded Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). We used a 4-stimulus visual oddball task, combining emotional and non-emotional stimuli. Responses to target and non-target stimuli were compared across groups of 17 pregnant women on their third trimester and 19 non-pregnant women.

Behavioral and neural correlates of emotional intelligence: an event-related potentials (ERP) study.

The present study was aimed at identifying potential behavioral and neural correlates of emotional intelligence (EI) by using scalp-recorded Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). EI levels were defined according to both self-report questionnaire and a performance-based test. We identified ERP correlates of emotional processing by comparing ERPs elicited in trials using pleasant, neutral and unpleasant pictures.

Ameliorative effects of brief daily periods of social interaction on isolation-induced behavioral and hormonal alterations.

The present study investigated the effects of brief daily periods of social interaction on social-isolation-induced behavioral and hormonal alterations and deficits. Adult male Wistar rats were allocated to one of three housing conditions: 1) social housing (two per cage); 2) social isolation (one per cage); or partial social isolation (one per cage with access to another male rat for 60 min/day). After 14 days in these different housing conditions, the animals were subjected to various behavioral tests, including sucrose preference test, acoustic startle response, two-way active shuttle avoidance, pre-pulse inhibition, open field, cooperation learning task, and levels of corticosterone.

The relationships among ADHD, self-esteem, and test anxiety in young adults.

Objective: The comorbidity of adult ADHD with test anxiety (TA) has not been previously reported. This comorbidity can potentially affect clinical and academic interventions among individuals with ADHD. The present study investigated the relationships among ADHD, self-esteem, and three subscales of TA among young adults: Cognitive Obstruction, Social Derogation, and Tenseness.

Adult attachment and emotional processing biases: an event-related potentials (ERPs) study.

Attachment-related electrophysiological differences in emotional processing biases were examined using Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). We identified ERP correlates of emotional processing by comparing ERPs elicited in trials with angry and neutral faces. These emotional expression effects were then compared across groups with secure, anxious and avoidant attachment orientations.

Reliability and validity of the online continuous performance test among young adults.

Continuous Performance Tests (CPTs) are used in research and clinical contexts to measure sustained attention and response inhibition. Reliability and validity of a new Online Continuous Performance Test (OCPT) was assessed. The OCPT is designed for delivery over the Internet, thereby opening new opportunities for research and clinical application in naturalistic settings.

Social isolation increases morphine intake: behavioral and psychopharmacological aspects.

Environmental and situational factors are important determinants of recreational drug use in humans. We aimed to develop a reliable animal model for studying the effects of environmental variables on drug-seeking behavior using the 'social isolation/social restriction' paradigm. Adult Wistar rats housed in short-term isolation (21 days) consumed significantly more morphine solution (0.