New video game developed to help identify attention deficit disorder in children

A team of researchers has developed a platform that allows the identification and evaluation of the degree of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. The study was led by researchers from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM, in its Spanish acronym), among other institutions.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with an estimated prevalence of 7.2 per cent in children and adolescents, according to the latest evaluations.

It is clinically diagnosed on the basis of the judgement of healthcare professionals using the patient’s medical history, often supported by scales completed by caregivers and/or teachers. No diagnostic test has been developed for ADHD to date.

In a paper recently published in Brain Sciences, this team of researchers proposed using a video game that children are already familiar with to identify the symptoms of ADHD and evaluate the severity of the lack of attention in each case.

In this game genre, the player has a running avatar, which they have to use to avoid different obstacles on their way. “In our game, the avatar is a raccoon that has to jump in order to avoid falling into holes it encounters on its route,” explains David Delgado Gomez, the lead author and professor at the UC3M’s Department of Statistics.

“We hypothesise that children diagnosed with ADHD inattentive subtype will make more mistakes by omission and will jump closer to the hole as a result of the symptoms of inattention,” says another author Inmaculada Penuelas Calvo, a psychiatrist at Jimenez Diaz Foundation University Hospital and professor at the UCM’s Department of Personality, Evaluation and Clinical Psychology.

The main benefit of this study is that it allows symptoms of attention deficiency to be directly identified so that the severity of the patient’s inattention can be objectively assessed, say the researchers. Therefore, it could be used to supplement the initial diagnosis as well as to assess the evolution of symptoms or even the effectiveness of treatment.

There are also other important advantages such as the fact that each test would only take seven minutes to complete and does not require specific hardware, which reduces its cost significantly. In fact, conventional personal computers, tablets, or mobile devices can be used, allowing remote assessments to be done.

“Our results indicate that a shorter test may be enough to accurately assess the clinical symptoms of ADHD. This feature makes it particularly attractive in clinical settings where there is a lack of time,” the researchers note.

A rapid test that allows early diagnosis

The study was carried out in collaboration with a group of 32 children, between 8 and 16 years of age, diagnosed with ADHD by the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit at the Jimenez Diaz Foundation University Hospital.

As each child was taking the test, supervised by a trained professional, the appropriate caregiver completed the inattention subscale in the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and normal behaviour symptom classification scale (SWAN), which is an inventory of reports from parents and caregivers developed to evaluate the ADHD symptoms. In the game, the raccoon has to jump over 180 holes that are grouped into 18 blocks.

“Each block is identified by the speed of the raccoon, the length of the trunk, and the width of the hole. The length of the trunk and the speed of the avatar determine the time between stimuli, which is about 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 seconds, while the width of the hole determines how difficult it is to jump over,” Penuelas explains.

Currently, ADHD diagnosis depends mainly on the healthcare professionals’ experience and the teacher or caregiver’s observation skills. Several studies have determined that these assessments may be altered, by affective factors for example.

Therefore, “the development of diagnostic methods such as those proposed in this paper may favour early diagnosis and thus improve these patients’ prognosis,” Gomez concludes.

 

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New tool shows potential to predict developmental toxicity in humans with high accuracy

Recently published results from an evaluation of 1,065 chemical and drug substances using the devTOX quickPredict (devTOXqP) screening platform developed by Stemina Biomarker Discovery, Inc. demonstrated the platform's ability to predict developmental toxicity in humans with high accuracy using a cell-based test. In a peer-reviewed article published in Toxicological Sciences, scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that Stemina's devTOXqP test predicted the potential for developmental toxicity in a blinded set of chemicals and drugs from the agency's ToxCast TM program with an accuracy of 82%, where there was clear evidence of toxicity in humans or in animal studies. The agency's research suggests that devTOXqP is a useful tool for predicting developmental toxicants in humans and reducing the need for animal testing.

 Through this EPA research, the devTOXqP test demonstrated its potential to detect developmental toxicity across a wide variety of chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds. In addition to helping meet the EPA's goal of reducing the use of animals in testing chemicals, devTOXqP offers the only species-specific, commercially available platform for evaluating a drug or chemical's potential to cause birth defects in the developing human embryo. We believe this test fits well into global initiatives such as Tox21 and REACH that are seeking to reduce and refine the number of animals used for toxicity testing."     Elizabeth Donley, J.D., M.B.A., M.S., chief executive officer of Stemina

The potential of chemical substances to cause prenatal developmental toxicity is commonly assessed based on observations of fetal malformations and variations in rodent or rabbit studies. Such animal studies are costly, resource-intensive, and the results seen in one species often differ from those seen in other species or from those that might be relevant in humans. Some of the most promising non-animal testing alternatives make use of the self-organizing potential of embryonic stem cells to recapitulate developmental processes that may be sensitive to chemical exposure. The Stemina devTOXqP test uses human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to predict developmental toxicity based on changes in cellular metabolism following drug or chemical exposure. The iPSC is a reprogrammed cell that is able to recapitulate development into all cell types like hESCs but does not come from an embryo.

In the EPA study, 1,065 ToxCast chemicals were first screened in single-concentration for the targeted biomarkers, the ratio of the amino acids ornithine (ORN) to cystine (CYSS), in response to the tested compound. Of the screened chemicals, 17% were predicted by the Stemina assay to cause developmental toxicity. These compounds were then tested at eight concentrations in the devTOXqP test to determine the exposure level at which the compound was considered to be toxic. The assay performance reached 82% accuracy with 67% sensitivity and 84% specificity. The sensitivity of the assay improved when more stringent evidence of toxicity was applied to the animal studies. Statistical analysis of the most potent chemical hits on specific biochemical targets in ToxCast provided insights into the mechanistic underpinnings of the targeted endpoint of the devTOXqP platform. The researchers found that an imbalance in Ornithine/Cystine was highly predictive of a chemical's potential to disrupt the development of an embryo or fetus, halting the pregnancy or producing birth defects.

"The extensive nature of this research helps to define the applicability domain of the test -- in other words, where does it perform well and where will it need to be paired with other endpoints to generate a better understanding of the potential to cause birth defects", said Jessica Palmer, M.S., associate director of toxicology at Stemina. "This is just the first step in our longer-term goal of moving away from a reliance on animal tests to predict human response and provides a foundation for building integrated testing systems focused on human cells."

To address concerns about the effects of drugs and chemicals on our health, we need more human-relevant methods to assess toxicity. We encourage regulatory agencies and companies to consider how the devTOXqP test can improve safety and help reduce animal testing."    Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H., vice president for research policy at the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine.

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Smart jumpsuit to track development of infants

 In a first, researchers have come up with a smart jumpsuit that is capable of measuring the spontaneous and voluntary movement of infants starting from the age of five months.

The information which is subsequently gathered could possibly help in assessing abnormal neurological development, among other things.

The study on the smart jumpsuit and the related analysis method applied to seven-month-old infants was published in the Scientific Reports journal. In the future, the jumpsuit can also be used to study older children.

Previously, the quantitative tracking of children's spontaneous motility in the natural environment has not been possible. Instead, children have been primarily qualitatively assessed at the physician's or physiotherapist's practice, which requires taking into account the fact that the infant's behavior in the practice setting does not necessarily entirely match that seen at home.

"The smart jumpsuit provides us with the first opportunity to quantify infants' spontaneous and voluntary movements outside the laboratory. The child can be sent back home with the suit for the rest of the day. The next day, it will be returned to the hospital where the results will then be processed," explains Sampsa Vanhatalo, professor of clinical neurophysiology at the University of Helsinki.

Vanhatalo says that the new analysis method quantifies infant motility as reliably as a human being would be able to do by viewing a video recording.

After the measurement, the infant's actual movements and physical positions will be known to the second, after which computational measures can be applied to the data.

"This is a revolutionary step forward. The measurements provide a tool to detect the precise variation in motility from the age of five months, something which medical smart clothes have not been able to do until now," added Vanhatalo.

The data gleaned by the smart jumpsuit is valuable since the detection of abnormalities in the neurological development of infants at an early stage enables early support.

Brain plasticity is at its strongest in early childhood and is benefited by measures supporting development, which are targeted at recurring everyday activities.

At least 5% of Finnish children suffer from problems associated with language development, attention regulation, and motor development.

Often, such problems overlap. The pathogenic mechanisms underlying developmental disorders are complex, but preterm birth, perinatal brain damage and the lack of early care, as well as insufficient stimulation in the growth environment, aggravate the risk of developmental problems.

According to Leena Haataja, professor of pediatric neurology, developmental disorders in today's pressure-dominated world pose a considerable risk that can lead to learning difficulties and obstacles in the competition for education and jobs. Furthermore, they are a risk factor associated with exclusion from contemporary society.

In the future, smart jumpsuit can be used for the objective measurement of how various therapies and treatments affect children's development.

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Chromosome Length May Indicate Development of Respiratory Infection

The rate of experimentally induced upper respiratory infection increased in healthy adults with shorter telomere length (a structure at the end of a chromosome) in specific leukocytes, according to research in JAMA. The results were identified in comparison to participants with longer telomeres.

Telomeres, DNA-protein complexes at the end regions of chromosomes, decrease in length with every cell division.

“Telomere shortening in leukocytes (white blood cells) has implications for immunocompetence and is associated with increased synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and poorer antibody response to vaccines,” according to background information accompanying the article. “Shorter leukocyte telomere length also is associated with aging-related morbidity and mortality from conditions with immune system involvement, including infectious diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.”

Investigators assessed telomere length in 152 healthy adults, then quarantined participants to administer nasal drops containing a common cold virus; participants were then monitored for 5 days for development of infection and clinical illness.

Among all patients, 69% developed respiratory infections and 22% developed a cold. An association was seen between those with shorter telomere lengths in all 4 cell types and increased odds of infection following exposure to the virus.

Those with the shortest CD8CD28 telomere length had a rate of infection of 77%, compared to 50% for those in the group with the longest telomeres. Among participants with the shortest telomeres, 26% became clinically ill. The rate for clinical illness was 13% for those in the group with the longest telomeres.

“In this study of healthy young and midlife adults, shorter CD8CD28 cell telomere length was associated with upper respiratory tract infection and clinical illness following experimental exposure to rhinovirus,” the authors concluded. “Because these data are preliminary, their clinical implications are unknown.”

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The Health Effects of Lead in Drinking Water

Drinking tap water is convenient and economical, however, it also comes with a downside - the possibility of lead contamination. Just recently, the city of Flint in the US state of Michigan was faced with serious water contamination problems due to the leaching of this toxic heavy metal, exposing thousands of people to high levels of it and resulting in the ongoing health problems the city is dealing with. Although this may be an extreme case, lead can easily find its way into the water you drink, and there are several reasons why you wouldn't want it to end up there. Allow us to inform you on the matter:

First of all, what is lead and where is it found?
Lead is an element, which means it does not break down into less harmful substances. Despite its poisoning effects, its presence cannot be picked up by our senses. However, it is surprisingly found in a number of objects and materials that may be present in your home. Common sources include:

    House paint from before 1978
    Metal pipes and sink faucets
    Paint sets and art supplies
    Jewelry and pottery
    Storage batteries
    Kohl or kajol eyeliners
    Soil polluted by car exhaust fumes, outdated pesticides or chipping house paint

How does it enter our water supply?

Considering lead sources like metal pipes, soil and house paint, it's easy to understand how such an element could end up in your water. The chances of this happening are higher if you live in an area where the soil is contaminated by lead due to pesticide use in previous decades, or if you live in an old house that has old pipes, fixtures, or paint. Although laws in many countries now restrict the use of these materials, they could still be present in some homes.

Another contributor to lead leaching into a water supply is water corrosivity. The use of soft water, which is water that is low in dissolved solids like calcium and magnesium, as well as warm water, both increase the risk of lead corrosion. This kind of problem is common in Pennsylvania, where 65% of water samples tested were found to be potentially corrosive.

If the municipal water supply in your town and your plumbing system at home do not incorporate lead pipes, lead solder or brass fixtures, you probably shouldn't worry about dangerous lead levels in your water. You might want to contact your water company to inquire about this, or get your tap water tested to determine whether it's safe to drink or not.

What are the health effects?

First of all, the presence of lead in drinking water is never a good sign, even if this is found at low levels. In fact, EPA has set its maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) at zero, since even as little as 5 micrograms per deciliter in the blood can signify lead poisoning, which is a huge threat to our health. Lead is a persistent element that can accumulate in the body over time, leading to serious health issues, especially in young children.

Note that lead can only have adverse effects on your body if it is ingested. This means that using water containing the presence of lead for bathing is safe for you and your children.

Here are some of its health effects:

1. It can damage brain development in children.

Lead is toxic enough to hinder brain development if sufficient amounts of it are ingested. Erik Olson, director of the health and environmental program at the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), says that this could have an alarming effect on children exposed to it, as they may begin to exhibit unusual behavior.

Low IQ levels, poor learning abilities, stunted growth, hearing problems and anemia could all be signs of lead exposure in children. In extreme cases, there have been occurrences of seizures, comas, and even deaths.

2. Lead accumulates in your bones and can stay in your body for years.

If you're exposed to lead, chances are you'll have it lingering in your system for the rest of your life. Of course, this exposes you to an increased risk of cancer, stroke, memory problems, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. One place where it is bound to gather is in your bones, from where it can possibly be released over time due to stress or even pregnancy.

With the above being said, a pregnant mother that has previously been exposed to excessive levels of lead may transfer any lead lingering in her bones to her unborn baby as maternal calcium. This can result in developmental problems, such as a premature birth or stunted growth.

3. It triggers violent crime.

Although it might sound far-fetched, lead exposure has actually been linked with increased incidences of vital crime. Children who are exposed to excessive levels of lead have an increased likelihood of committing a crime when they reach adulthood. According to Erik Olson, some of the crime we are faced with today could be a consequence of the lack of lead regulations from three decades ago.

4. Its exposure may be asymptomatic for years.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, the health effects of lead aren't all identified yet. This is due to the fact that the effects could remain asymptomatic for a very long time. While lead has been shown to increase the risk of certain diseases (as previously mentioned), it could also trigger vague symptoms that include fatigue, impotence, and cardiovascular issues such as hypertension. Of course, these depend on factors such as age, diet, and weight. Basically, lead can cause trouble in every single organ in your body, and may intensify any problems that were already present.

5. You can suffer from lead poisoning.

If you've been exposed to lead for an extended period of time, it will gradually build up in your body, putting you at an increased risk of lead poisoning. Note that it is highly unlikely for this to happen after just a single event of lead ingestion. The signs of lead toxicity may include:

    Abdominal pain or cramps
    Aggressive behavior
    Constipation
    Sleep problems
    Headaches
    Irritability
    Fatigue
    Numbness or tingling in the extremities
    High blood pressure
    Memory loss
    Anemia
    Kidney dysfunction

In severe cases, these emergency symptoms may also be present:

    Vomiting
    Muscle weakness
    Stumbling when walking
    Seizures
    Coma
    Encephalopathy, which manifests as confusion, coma and, seizures

In the event that you experience these symptoms, you should call your local health department to learn about how to remove the lead and how to prevent the effects of its toxicity. If the person is severely poisoned, a treatment known as chelation therapy would probably be recommended to remove the lead as efficiently as possible.

How can I prevent lead exposure?

There are some measures you should take to avoid lead exposure as much as possible. Here are some tips:

    Avoid painted toys and canned goods from foreign countries.
    Keep your home as clear of dust as possible.
    Use cold instead of warm water when preparing meals and drinks.
    Encourage family members to wash their hands before eating.
 
Get your water tested for lead levels. If they are high, consider using a filtering device, or switching to bottled water.
    Make sure you get your faucets and aerators cleaned regularly.
    Clean children's toys and bottles regularly.
    Use lead-free paint in your home.
    Get your children screened for blood lead levels.
    Stay away from areas where lead-based paint may have been used.
    Follow the EPA's guide on how you can protect your family from lead exposures.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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