Roberta Romanelli

Common and unique neuro-functional basis of induction, visualization, and spatial relationships as cognitive components of fluid intelligence

Neuroimaging research of fluid intelligence (Gf) has mainly focused on the neural basis of abilities explaining performance on cognitive tasks. However, the neuro-functional basis of clearly defined theoretical cognitive components underlying Gf remains unclear. Induction, visualization, and spatial relationships have the highest relevance for Gf (Carroll, 1993). Here we report a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study exploring the neural correlates of these abilities characterized by their unidimensionality and matched for task-difficulty, as evidenced by a psychometric calibration study. Twenty-two healthy young adult females, recruited from a large sample of 300 participants, with either below- or above-average Gf abilities underwent fMRI scanning during Gf task performance. The results reveal that these tasks activate a shared frontoparietal network. Specific activations were also observed, in particular for induction and visualization. The key findings suggest that Gf comprises distinguishable cognitive abilities, but the Gf construct is associated with a common network.

Long-range functional interactions of anterior insula and medial frontal cortex are differently modulated by visuospatial and inductive reasoning tasks.

The brain is organized into functionally specific networks as characterized by intrinsic functional relationships within discrete sets of brain regions. However, it is poorly understood whether such functional networks are dynamically organized according to specific task-states. The anterior insular cortex (aIC)-dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)/medial frontal cortex (mFC) network has been proposed to play a central role in human cognitive abilities. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study aimed at testing whether functional interactions of the aIC-dACC/mFC network in terms of temporally correlated patterns of neural activity across brain regions are dynamically modulated by transitory, ongoing task demands. For this purpose, functional interactions of the aIC-dACC/mFC network are compared during two distinguishable fluid reasoning tasks, Visualization and Induction. The results show an increased functional coupling of bilateral aIC with visual cortices in the occipital lobe during the Visualization task, whereas coupling of mFC with right anterior frontal cortex was enhanced during the Induction task. These task-specific modulations of functional interactions likely reflect ability related neural processing. Furthermore, functional connectivity strength between right aIC and right dACC/mFC reliably predicts general task performance. The findings suggest that the analysis of long-range functional interactions may provide complementary information about brain-behavior relationships. On the basis of our results, it is proposed that the aIC-dACC/mFC network contributes to the integration of task-common and task-specific information based on its within-network as well as its between-network dynamic functional interactions.

Dissociative Experiences and Psychopathology Among Inmates in Italian and Portuguese Prisons

The association between dissociation and psychopathological symptoms is well established, yet studies with inmates are lacking. If higher rates of dissociation and psychiatric symptoms are reported in inmate samples, it is not clear whether they represent two separate, albeit related, characteristics. We examined the association between dissociation and psychopathological symptoms among 320 Italian subjects (122 inmates and 198 community participants) and a Portuguese inmate sample (n = 67). Then, we tested whether dissociation and psychopathology levels were higher among inmates. Both hypotheses were supported, confirming the relevance of dissociative, paranoid, and psychotic symptoms among inmates, as well as their interrelations. Notably, the group difference in dissociation remained significant after partialing out the variance associated with other psychopathological symptoms. Conversely, only the difference in paranoid symptoms remained—marginally—significant when controlling for the influence of dissociation. This finding suggests that dissociation may have unique relevance for the psychological functioning of inmates.

The de-differentiation hypothesis in normal elderly persons.

The factor structure of intelligence was examined, as assessed on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised, in two groups of Italian normal elderly participants ages 65 to 100 years (ns = 267 and 256). Analysis provided further support for the de-differentiation hypothesis in the Italian population: cognitive abilities differentiate from adolescence to adulthood and then the process is reversed in later adulthood.

On the Design and Development of an Assessment System with Adaptive Capabilities

Individual assessment is an important tool in this society. Tests can be created according to the Classical Test Theory (CTT) or to the Item Response Theory (IRT), the latter giving the possibility to build Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) systems. In such a context, the paper introduces the available systems for CTT, IRT and CAT, highlights the main characteristics that are taken as initial requirements for the design of a novel system, called UTS (UnivAQ Test Suite), whose architecture and initial functionalities are presented in the paper.

Compatibility quotient, and its relationship with marital satisfaction and personality traits in Italian married couples

Abstract The increasing numbers of divorces and separations in Italy has focused the attention of many researchers on the necessity to develop psychological instruments to measure the probability that a couple will end their marriage. Wilsons compatibility quotient (CQ) is considered a valid test for measuring risk of divorcing in married couples. The test measures the level of compatibility or similarity between partners. One hundred and eighty-four Italian married heterosexual couples were administered the CQ, the Locke--Wallace Marital Adjustment Test measuring marital satisfaction and the Big Five Questionnaire. Couples with high compatibility scores have higher level of marital satisfaction and partners attractiveness. Energy, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability Openness and Agreeableness were also related to couple compatibility. Therefore, Wilsons CQ could represent a suitable tool for measuring divorce risk in married couples.