| Poster | Poster Session 10 Program Schedule
02/17/2024
09:00 am - 10:15 am
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)
Poster Session 10: Neurodevelopmental | Congenital Conditions
Final Abstract #24
Epigenetic and Neurobiological Effects on Lifespan Development: Behavior and Neuropsychological Role
Daniela Chieffo, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS; Department Women Children and Public Health, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Federica Moriconi, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Sofia Vannuccini, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Valentina Arcangeli, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Elisa Marconi, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Luca Liberati, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Giovanni Dall'Olio, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
Angelica Marfoli, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Federica Lino, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Laura Monti, Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Ida Turrini, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
Chiara Veredice, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Catholic University, Roma, Italy
Gabriele Sani, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Geriatrics, Neuroscience and Orthopedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Eugenio Maria Mercuri, Department Women Children and Public Health, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Category: Neuropsychiatry/Psychopharmacology
Keyword 1: child development disorders
Keyword 2: affective processing disorders
Keyword 3: neuropsychological assessment
Objective:
The aim of this study is to identify neurobiological correlates between emotional and/or behavioral disturbance and cognitive functioning in children. Secondly, it aims to identify more effective rehabilitation treatments to reduce cognitive deficits and promote functional and social recovery.
Participants and Methods:
A five-year longitudinal study was conducted on 970 patients homogeneously divided into males and females. A first assessment was conducted at the age of 10 years (T0), a second at the age of 12 years (T1) and a third at the age of 14 years (T2), in order to monitor the progress of cognitive function, academic ability and emotional state of the patients.
The tools used for the assessments were the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fourth Edition (WISC IV), the CBCL (Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6-18), the MT reading task, the “Assessment of Writing and Orthographic Competences” and AC-MT arithmetic task. At T2, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Adolescent Version (MMPI-A) was additionally administered.
Results:
The cognitive assessment at T0 showed an impairment (borderline or below average scores) in the Working Memory Index (WMI), compared to scores within the average in the full-scale IQ (FIQ), the Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), the Visuospatial Index (VSI) and Processing Speed Index (PSI). The assessment of emotional and behavioural aspects shows scores in the normal range.
Assessment at T1 shows that the sample exhibit clinically significant alterations in emotional and behavioral aspects, with greater impairment condition in the Internalizing Scale. From a cognitive perspective, children with an impairment in emotional status show lower scores in Working Memory Index (WMI) and Processing Speed Index (PSI). Emotional and behavioral problems appear to impact academic skills; an impairment was observed in writing and computation.
Finally, the assessment carried out at T2 shows an increase in anxious-depressive symptomatology within the sample. As in T1, the results show that subjects with emotional impairment obtain lower scores on cognitive functioning, with a shift from FIQ in the average to a cognitive borderline or mild intellectual disability. In addition, evidence shows repercussions on school and social functioning.
A correlation analysis highlights significant negative correlations between emotional and behavioral aspects and cognitive functioning. It emerges that greater impairments in the Internalizing (p = 0.008), Externalizing (p < 0.001), and Total Problems areas (p < 0.001) are associated with lower scores in the general intellectual functioning.
From a qualitative point of view, results show that youths treated with psychotherapy seem to improve their cognitive functioning over time.
Conclusions:
The results obtained seem to indicate that emotional aspects affect at the neurobiological level, altering brain circuits, particularly that of the amygdala, with an effect on the temporal cortex-hippocampus-diencephalon. In order to support this hypothesis, a multidisciplinary team was formed within the "Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli," to schedule brain MRIs for the most impaired patients.
The identification of neurobiological correlates between emotional problems and cognitive functioning could lead to discoveries regarding epigenetic factors implicated in the identification of prognosis, and the formulation of rehabilitation treatments.
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