Luis Álvarez

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, differential diagnosis with blood oxygenation, beta/theta ratio, and attention measures

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the disorders causing the greatest impact, conditioning academic learning, quality of concentration, and capacity for self-regulation and control. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM- IV-TR) establishes the most commonly accepted criteria for diagnosis (Inattentive: ADHD-I, Hyperactive/impulsive: ADHD-HI, and Combined: ADHD-C), but currently, diverse studies disagree about whether to address it as a continuum with different degrees of intensity (subtype structure) or as specific disorders (counterposed profiles). Prior research has tested the hypothesis of differential categories with performance measures and cortical activation. The goal proposed herein is to confirm these results, incorporating a new measure, near-infrared hemoencefalography (nir-HEG), in order to control cortical activation through levels of blood oxygenation. For this purpose, we used a sample of 205 children between 8 and 13 years (105 control group, 28 with ADHD-I, 35 with ADHD-HI, and 37 with ADHD-C), administering a continuous performance test (TOVA), quantified electroencephalogram (Q-EEG), and nir-HEG. Results reflect the counterposed profiles hypothesis instead of the degrees of intensity, although the latter is more habitual and generalized.

Determination of fat-soluble vitamins by capillary liquid chromatography in bovine blood plasma

Abstract The fat-soluble vitamins retinyl palmitate, D3, E and K1 were separated on a packed reversed-phase fused-silica capillary column using methanol-tetrahydrofuran as mobile phase, and determined with UV detection. Conventional liquid Chromatographic equipment was adapted for such purposes, providing a highly efficient and sensitive analytical system. The vitamins could be separated isocratically with detection limits of 2.9 pg, 1 pg, 29 pg and 2.6 pg, respectively. Application of the proposed method to the quantification of fat-soluble vitamins in blood is reported.

Simultaneous determination of vitamins D3, E and K1 and retinyl palmitate in cattle plasma by liquid chromatography with a narrow-bore column

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the simultaneous determination of vitamins D3, E and K1 and retinyl palmitate in plasma. Narrow-bore columns are recommended because this alternative provides a good separation efficiency, plus greater economy and sensitivity. Detection limits for individual vitamins range from 0.42 to 2.8 ng. All vitamins were separated in less than 9 min. Recovery studies showed good results for all solutes (88.8-100.3%) and the intra-day coefficients of variations ranged from 1.0 to 4.5%. This method permits the simple determination of fat-soluble vitamins using 1 ml of cattle heparinized plasma.

El consenso de normas de aula y su relación con bajos niveles de violencia escolar

Resumen Este trabajo tiene dos objetivos: a) Conocer en qué medida se utiliza el consenso de normas de aula en los centros de Educación Primaria asturianos, en comparación con otras estrategias para la prevención de la violencia escolar; y b) Estudiar hasta qué punto el consenso de normas de aula se relaciona con bajos niveles de violencia escolar, en comparación con la mera difusión de normas y sanciones. Para ello, fueron evaluados 1041 estudiantes de tercer ciclo de Educación Primaria, pertenecientes a 20 centros de Asturias, mediante el cuestionario CUVE3-EP y el Cuestionario M-EP. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el consenso de normas de aula: a) Es el tipo de medida para la prevención de la violencia escolar menos habitual, en opinión del alumnado, de los cuatro tipos de medidas evaluados; y b) Se relaciona con niveles bajos de Disrupción en el Aula, Violencia Verbal de Alumnado hacia Alumnado, Violencia Verbal de Alumnado hacia Profesorado y Violencia de Profesorado hacia Alumnado en mayor medida que la mera difusión de normas y sanciones entre los estudiantes.

EPA-0384 – Anxiety and selective attention in adhd subtypes

One of the disorders that most affects school and social performance is attention deficit disorder associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity (ADHD). The criteria established by DSM-IV-TR edition distinguish three subtypes: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. There are other factors that increase the severity of the disorder. These factors have to do with different associated psychopathologies such as learning difficulties, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, behavior disorder, anxiety disorders and mood disorders. Mean comorbidity of ADHD with anxiety disorders is estimated at 20–25%. The main goal of this investigation is to determine whether there are differential patterns of attention (selective and concentration using D-2 attention test) and anxiety (trait and state anxiety using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children) for these three types of ADHD. The sample was made up of 220 children (6–12 years): 56 in the control group, 54 with predominantly attention deficit disorder, 53 with predominantly hyperactivity-impulsivity disorder and 57 with combined inattentive-hyperactive disorder. We used a design of four groups, three corresponding to the ADHD subtypes and a control group without ADHD. The results obtained show that the four groups of subjects were significantly different in the two attentional variables and in trait and state anxiety. The combined subtype presents higher trait anxiety, whereas the inattentive subtype shows higher levels of state anxiety. The results reveal a new path of great interest concerning objective and reliable diagnostic assessment, and pharmacological and behavioral intervention adapted to each specific situation.

EPA-0388 – EFE scale for families: a new tool to assess executive dysfunctions in spanish-speaking children and adolescents

Executive functions have been particularly useful in the differential diagnosis of numerous childhood and adolescent clinical disorders. However, although some behavior ratings of Executive Functioning are available today, its application is limited to English-speaking population. In this context, we designed a battery comprised of three questionnaires (family, teachers and self-report forms), being the aim of this study to present the psychometric properties of the questionnaire in its family form. Executive Functioning Scale for Families , formulated in Spanish language, was designed to assess executive functioning skills in children and adolescents from 7-18 years thorough the information provided by families. Consisting on 27 items grouped into 9 scales (Impulsivity, Hyperactivity, Emotional control, Sustained attention, Focus, Functional memory, Plan, Organization and Cognitive flexibility), scores range from 1 to 5, as function of assessed behaviors frequency. In order to analyze its psychometric properties, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Finally, Cronbachs Alpha coefficients were calculated to examine reliability.1019 students aged 7 to18, belonging to 39 Primary and Secondary Schools in Northern Spain, took part in the study. Results concluded that the model which best fits the data is the composed by 9 first order factors, consistent with the hypothesized model. Reliability was high for the whole scale and moderate for its components. These data suggest some good psychometric properties of the designed tool and the potential usefulness of its nine scales in the assessment and delineation of different executive functioning components from the point of view of the observed behavior.

P-275 - Examination of blood flow patterns in ADHD through a continuous performance test

A very important determinant of school performance is attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity or impulsivity. The criteria established by the DSM-IV-TR are one of the most widely accepted procedures to diagnose the deficit. There are three different subtypes: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. Gonzalez-Castro et al., (2010) demonstrated empirically that the subtypes of ADHD often score significantly different in the prefrontal and central areas of the cortex. This is the reason why it is convenient to carry out more studies in the measure of Q-EEG (electrical activity) combined with that of nir-HEG (blood activity). Rodriguez, et al., (2011) apply both instruments (Q-EEG and nir-HEG) to a sample of 70 students and verify that the nir-HEG differentiates significantly the ADHD subjects of the control group and the combined and inattentive subtype for the Fp1 variable, associated to the executive control. These results might be caused by the time taken to do the evaluation (35 seconds). Therefore, the reason of this research is to assess the instrument over a long period of time while performing a continuous performing task (CPT). The results show statistically significant differences between the control group and the other with ADHD and among the subtypes in the variables of executive control and short evaluation with the nir-HEG. As for the long evaluation of blood oxygenation during a performance of an executive task, some differences can be seen among the subtypes with ADHD, although not statistically significant.