[Article Review] Hidden Harm: Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Its Impact on Young Brains

Reference

Ghassabian, A., van den Dries, M., Trasande, L., Lamballais, S., Spaan, S., Martinez-Moral, M-P., ... Guxens, M. (2023). Prenatal exposure to common plasticizers: a longitudinal study on phthalates, brain volumetric measures, and IQ in youth. Molecular Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02225-6

Review

The paper by Ghassabian et al. (2023) explores the under-researched area of prenatal phthalate exposure, specifically its associations with brain volumetric differences and cognitive development in youth. Drawing from a cohort of 775 mother-child pairs from the Generation R study, the authors leveraged both prenatal maternal urine phthalate levels and subsequent T1-weighted MRI scans of the children at age 10. They aimed to establish correlations between prenatal phthalate exposure and brain volume and to explore if these brain measures mediated an association with IQ levels at age 14.

Findings reveal that higher maternal concentrations of monoethyl phthalate (mEP) during pregnancy were linked to smaller total gray matter volumes in 10-year-old offspring. Notably, these volume differences partially mediated the connection between higher mEP levels and lower child IQ, accounting for 18% of the effect. Gender-specific effects were also reported; in girls, there was an association of higher monoisobutyl phthalate (mIBP) with decreased cerebral white matter volumes, which mediated the link between increased mIBP and reduced IQ. These results underscore the potential neurotoxic effects of phthalates on developing brains, signaling alarm for their ubiquitous presence in consumer products.

While this research paves the way for understanding the neurodevelopmental implications of phthalates, there are aspects to consider for future studies. Primarily, the question arises on potential confounding variables, such as socio-economic status or other environmental factors, that might influence the observed associations. Furthermore, exploring potential mechanisms behind these observed changes would provide deeper insight. Notwithstanding, Ghassabian et al.'s study shines a light on the pressing need to re-evaluate and potentially regulate the use of phthalates in consumer products.

[Article Review] AMES: A New Dawn in Early Detection of Cognitive Decline

Reference

Huang, L., Mei, Z., Ye, J., & Guo, Q. (2023). AMES: An Automated Self-Administered Scale to Detect Incipient Cognitive Decline in Primary Care Settings. Assessment, 30(7), 2247-2257. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911221144774

Review

Huang, Mei, Ye, and Guo (2023) unveiled Automated Memory and Executive Screening (AMES), a self-delivered cognitive screening tool that aims to detect early signs of cognitive decline in community-based settings. This tool was designed to evaluate cognitive realms, including memory, language, and executive function. Across a cohort of 189 participants, ranging from those with diagnosed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to normal controls, the research gauged AMES's utility and accuracy.

The tool demonstrated a commendable convergent validity with established scales. Particularly noteworthy was its proficiency in distinguishing patients with MCI from normal controls, boasting an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88, coupled with 86% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Similarly, for obj-SCD, the AUC was 0.78, with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 63%. These figures underscore the tool's promise for early identification of cognitive impairment.

The AMES tool, as presented by Huang et al. (2023), is a constructive stride in the pursuit of timely intervention for cognitive decline. Its self-administered nature could make it a more accessible and less intimidating option for individuals. However, while its efficacy in discerning MCI is applaudable, the relatively lower specificity for obj-SCD suggests a potential for false positives. As with all screening tools, ensuring a balance between sensitivity and specificity is imperative. Future iterations and validations of AMES might further refine its accuracy and reduce potential misclassifications.

[Article Review] Unmasking Overclaiming: Insights from 40,000 Teens

Reference

Jerrim, J., Parker, P. D., & Shure, N. (2023). Overclaiming: An international investigation using PISA data. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/0969594X.2023.2238248

Review

In "Overclaiming: An International Investigation using PISA data," Jerrim, Parker, and Shure (2023) delve into the intriguing phenomenon where individuals assert more knowledge on a subject than they genuinely possess. By harnessing PISA data of over 40,000 teenagers from nine Anglophone countries, the authors aimed to gauge the propensity of these teenagers to profess knowledge of nonexistent mathematical constructs. The findings highlight significant disparities in overclaiming tendencies based on country, gender, and socio-economic background. Intriguingly, those with a higher tendency to overclaim also demonstrated pronounced levels of overconfidence. These individuals also perceived themselves as hard-working, persistent, and believed to be popular among their peers.

This comprehensive study sheds invaluable light on the cultural, gendered, and socio-economic dimensions of the overclaiming phenomenon. However, while the correlations between overclaiming, overconfidence, and certain self-perceptions are enlightening, the study doesn't fully delve into potential causative factors or underlying mechanisms. Moreover, given that the data is predominantly from Anglophone countries, the universality of these findings may be restricted. Further research in a wider array of countries and cultures would bolster the findings' applicability.

Overall, Jerrim et al. (2023) have produced an insightful study that broadens our understanding of overclaiming in teenagers. By connecting it with other psychological constructs, they present a foundational piece for future research. Yet, its geographical limitation and lack of deep exploration into underlying causations are areas that future research can address.