[Article Review] How Very Preterm Birth or Very Low Birth Weight Impacts Intelligence in Adulthood

Reference

Eves, R., Mendonça, M., Baumann, N., Ni, Y., Darlow, B. A., Horwood, J., Woodward, L. J., Doyle, L. W., Cheong, J., Anderson, P. J., Bartmann, P., Marlow, N., Johnson, S., Kajantie, E., Hovi, P., Nosarti, C., Indredavik, M. S., Evensen, K.-A. I., Räikkönen, K., Heinonen, K., Zeitlin, J., & Wolke, D. (2021). Association of very preterm birth or very low birth weight with intelligence in adulthood: An individual participant data meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(8), e211058. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.1058

Review

In this article, Eves et al. (2021) assessed the differences in adult IQ between individuals born very preterm (VPT) or with very low birth weight (VLBW) and term-born individuals. The authors conducted a systematic review of published data and a meta-analysis of individual participant data (IPD) from cohorts in two consortia (RECAP and APIC). The study included 2135 adults (1068 VPT/VLBW and 1067 term-born participants) born between 1978 and 1995.

The researchers found that VPT/VLBW participants had mean adult IQ scores that were 0.78 SD lower than term-born participants, equivalent to a difference of 12 IQ points. Among VPT/VLBW participants, lower gestational age, lower birth weight z scores, the presence of neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia or any grade of intraventricular hemorrhage, and lower maternal educational levels were all significantly associated with lower IQ scores in adulthood.

The findings from this IPD meta-analysis provide valuable insights into the factors associated with lower adult IQ in individuals born with VPT or VLBW. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing neonatal morbidities and maternal educational levels as potential interventions to improve long-term cognitive outcomes for this population.

[Article Review] White Matter Microstructure and Cognitive Performance: Insights from a Meta-Analysis in Schizophrenia

Reference

Holleran, L., Kelly, S., Alloza, C., Agartz, I., Andreassen, O. A., Arango, C., ... & Donohoe, G. (2020). The Relationship Between White Matter Microstructure and General Cognitive Ability in Patients With Schizophrenia and Healthy Participants in the ENIGMA Consortium. American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(6), 537-547. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19030225

Review

Holleran et al. (2020) conducted a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between white matter microstructure and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia and healthy participants using data from the ENIGMA Consortium. The study included 760 patients with schizophrenia and 957 healthy participants from 11 sites. The authors used principal component analysis to calculate a global fractional anisotropy component and a fractional anisotropy component for six long association tracts. The results showed that higher fractional anisotropy was associated with higher cognitive ability. The study provides robust evidence that cognitive ability is associated with global structural connectivity, independent of diagnosis.

The authors noted that schizophrenia is associated with widespread white matter microstructural abnormalities, but the functional effects of these abnormalities remain unclear. This study contributes to the current understanding of the relationship between white matter microstructure and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia and healthy participants. The meta-analysis included a large sample size from multiple sites, and a common analysis pipeline was used, which enhances the validity of the results. The findings suggest that there is a more general, rather than disease-specific, pattern of association between fractional anisotropy and cognitive ability.

Overall, the study by Holleran et al. (2020) provides valuable insights into the relationship between white matter microstructure and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia and healthy participants. The findings suggest that cognitive ability is associated with global structural connectivity, and the association is independent of diagnosis. The study highlights the importance of investigating the functional effects of white matter microstructural abnormalities in schizophrenia to improve social and functional outcomes in patients.

[Article Review] Nourishing the Mind: How Early Nutrition Shapes Cognitive Outcomes in Children

Reference

Anjos, T., Altmäe, S., Emmett, P., Tiemeier, H., Closa-Monasterolo, R., Luque, V., ... & Campoy, C., & The NUTRIMENTHE Research Group. (2013). Nutrition and neurodevelopment in children: focus on NUTRIMENTHE project. European Journal of Nutrition, 52(8), 1825-1842. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0560-4

Review

Anjos et al. (2013) delve into the potential links between early nutrition and subsequent cognitive performance in children. Recognizing the profound implications this relationship holds for health policy, human biology, economic development, and beyond, the article gives weight to the role of maternal diet during gestation and its potential to mold future cognitive and behavioral outcomes of the offspring.

Central to the review is the acknowledgment of certain micronutrients—specifically folate, n-3 fatty acids, and iron—as playing pivotal roles in brain development. While the advocacy for nutrient-rich diets for pregnant women isn't novel, the article brings to light the notion that simplistic, single-nutrient supplementation may not be as effective as more comprehensive formulas. This perspective offers a more nuanced view of nutritional recommendations, suggesting that a holistic approach might be more effective. Additionally, the review appropriately underscores the importance of considering genetic variability in future research endeavors. A notable element of this work is its presentation of the European Project NUTRIMENTHE, which aims to further unravel the complexities of nutrition’s impact on cognition and behavior in children.

Anjos et al. (2013) offer a balanced overview of the existing evidence connecting nutrition to cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children. By emphasizing the need for further research, especially in the realm of holistic supplementation and genetic factors, the review aptly points towards future research directions and provides foundational knowledge for those interested in the nexus of nutrition and neurodevelopment.

Gender and Education: Their Interplay in Cognitive Test Outcomes at Cogn-IQ.org

This comparative study scrutinizes the nuanced interplay between educational attainment and gender on the Jouve Cerebrals Test of Induction (JCTI) performance. Our analytical lens captured a diverse cohort of 251 individuals, stratifying them into distinct educational and gender-based cohorts. Within the crucible of middle and high school education, the study discerned no significant cognitive disparity between genders. This parity suggests that during these formative years, educational experiences do not yield differential cognitive outcomes based on gender. Contrasting this, the collegiate landscape painted a different picture; male students outshone their female counterparts, hinting at an emerging divergence in cognitive performance as educational complexity intensifies.

The study's revelations shed light on the cognitive development trajectory and gender's role across educational echelons. While cautioning against overgeneralization due to sample size constraints and unexplored variables like socio-economic dimensions, the findings beckon a deeper inquiry into the forces sculpting these disparities. Such insights could pave the way for nuanced pedagogical strategies, tailored to bridge the cognitive rifts that emerge as education advances. Future scholarly endeavors should expand this inquiry's scope, incorporating broader variables to unravel the intricate tapestry of cognitive performance influencers.

Reference: Jouve, X. (2010). Interactive Effects Of Educational Level And Gender On Jouve Cerebrals Test Of Induction Scores: A Comparative Study. Cogn-IQ Research Papers. https://www.cogn-iq.org/doi/01.2010/201ca7396c2279f13805