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Children
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Child Neuropsychiatry
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Child Neuropsychiatry

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Child Neurology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 August 2022) | Viewed by 24519

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Stefano Pallanti

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Istituto di Neuroscienze (IN-CNR), Via Lamarmora 24, Florence, Italy
Interests: neurodevelopmental disorders; autism spectrum disorders; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); neuroimmunology; Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS); obsessive-compulsive and related disorders; depressive and bipolar disorders; substance and behavioral addictions; anxiety; schizophrenia; neuromodulation in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Luana Salerno

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Istituto di Neuroscienze (IN-CNR), Via Lamarmora 24, Florence, Italy
Interests: neurodevelopmental disorders; autism spectrum disorders; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); specific learning disorders; pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; psychiatric disorders; substance and behavioral addictions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) comprise a group of complex and heterogeneous disorders that affect the growth and development of the brain and are often associated with impairments in cognitive and motor functions, communication, and adaptive behavior.

Multiple risk factors have been associated with NDDs, including genetic, environmental, infectious, and even traumatic factors, with evidence supporting the possibility of an interaction with each other.

NDDs are a public health challenge not only because of the complexity and heterogeneity of the etiology along with their high prevalence, but also because they show a high comorbidity with other neuropsychiatric conditions. Indeed, the co-existence of other disorders—including obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) or Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and sharing of symptoms across disorders (sometimes referred to as comorbidity) is the rule rather than the exception in child psychiatry. Inadequate knowledge of their clinical presentation can lead to a misdiagnosis and therefore an inappropriate treatment approach.

For this Special Issue, entitled “Child Neuropsychiatry”, we welcome papers that will provide researchers and clinicians with the most up-to-date information on the etiopathogenesis of these disorders and therapeutic strategies for patients as well as examine both the specificities within these disorders and their common transdiagnostic mechanisms to help redefine their limits, propose new treatments, identify therapeutic targets, and assess treatment efficacy.

Prof. Dr. Stefano Pallanti
Guest Editor

Dr. Luana Salerno
Co-Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • child
  • adolescent
  • neurodevelopmental disorders
  • impulsivity
  • inattention
  • comorbid disorders
  • diagnosis
  • treatment approaches
  • management approaches
  • neuromodulation.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 173 KiB  
Editorial
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs): Beyond the Clinical Definition and Translational Approach
by Stefano Pallanti and Luana Salerno
Children 2023, 10(1), 99; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children10010099 - 03 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1406
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are complex and heterogeneous disorders that affect the growth and development of the brain and are often associated with impairments in cognitive and motor functions, communication, and adaptive behavior [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Neuropsychiatry)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Other

12 pages, 807 KiB  
Article
Transcranial Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Retrospective Study
by Stefano Pallanti, Michele Di Ponzio, Eleonora Grassi, Gloria Vannini and Gilla Cauli
Children 2022, 9(5), 755; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9050755 - 20 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 12040
Abstract
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face several challenges due to deficits in social function and communication along with restricted patterns of behaviors. Often, they also have difficult-to-manage and disruptive behaviors. At the moment, there are no pharmacological treatments for ASD core features. [...] Read more.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face several challenges due to deficits in social function and communication along with restricted patterns of behaviors. Often, they also have difficult-to-manage and disruptive behaviors. At the moment, there are no pharmacological treatments for ASD core features. Recently, there has been a growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions for ASD, such as neuromodulation. In this retrospective study, data are reported and analyzed from 21 patients (13 males, 8 females) with ASD, with an average age of 9.1 (range 5–15), who received six months of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) at home using two protocols (alpha and gamma), which, respectively, modulates the alpha and gamma bands. They were evaluated at baseline, after three and six months of treatment using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Home Situation Questionnaire-ASD (HSQ-ASD), the Autism Parenting Stress Index (APSI), the Montefiore Einstein Rigidity Scale–Revised (MERS–R), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the SDAG, to evaluate attention. Findings show that tPBM was associated with a reduction in ASD severity, as shown by a decrease in CARS scores during the intervention (p < 0.001). A relevant reduction in noncompliant behavior and in parental stress have been found. Moreover, a reduction in behavioral and cognitive rigidity was reported as well as an improvement in attentional functions and in sleep quality. Limitations were discussed as well as future directions for research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Neuropsychiatry)
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10 pages, 297 KiB  
Article
Association between EEG Paroxysmal Abnormalities and Levels of Plasma Amino Acids and Urinary Organic Acids in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
by Daniele Marcotulli, Chiara Davico, Alessandra Somà, Guido Teghille, Giorgio Ravaglia, Federico Amianto, Federica Ricci, Maria Paola Puccinelli, Marco Spada and Benedetto Vitiello
Children 2022, 9(4), 540; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9040540 - 11 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2322
Abstract
Abnormalities in the plasma amino acid and/or urinary organic acid profile have been reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity has been proposed as a mechanism to explain dysfunctional brain networks in ASD, as also suggested [...] Read more.
Abnormalities in the plasma amino acid and/or urinary organic acid profile have been reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity has been proposed as a mechanism to explain dysfunctional brain networks in ASD, as also suggested by the increased risk of epilepsy in this disorder. This study explored the possible association between presence of EEG paroxysmal abnormalities and the metabolic profile of plasma amino acids and urinary organic acids in children with ASD. In a sample of 55 children with ASD (81.8% male, mean age 53.67 months), EEGs were recorded, and 24 plasma amino acids and 56 urinary organic acids analyzed. EEG epileptiform discharges were found in 36 (65%) children. A LASSO regression, adjusted by age and sex, was applied to evaluate the association of plasma amino acids and urinary organic acids profiles with the presence of EEG epileptiform discharges. Plasma levels of threonine (THR) (coefficient = −0.02, p = 0.04) and urinary concentration of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaric acid (HMGA) (coefficient = 0.04, p = 0.02) were found to be associated with the presence of epileptiform discharges. These results suggest that altered redox mechanisms might be linked to epileptiform brain activity in ASD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Neuropsychiatry)
13 pages, 1905 KiB  
Article
Early Intervention in Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: Let’s Listen to the Families! What Are Their Desires and Perspectives? A Preliminary Family-Researcher Co-Design Study
by Rocío Palomo-Carrión, Helena Romay-Barrero, Elena Pinero-Pinto, Rita-Pilar Romero-Galisteo, Purificación López-Muñoz and Inés Martínez-Galán
Children 2021, 8(9), 750; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children8090750 - 30 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3592
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a clinical diagnosis based on a combination of clinical and neurological signs, which occurs between the ages of 12 and 24 months. Cerebral palsy or a high risk of cerebral palsy can be accurately predicted before 5–6 months, which [...] Read more.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a clinical diagnosis based on a combination of clinical and neurological signs, which occurs between the ages of 12 and 24 months. Cerebral palsy or a high risk of cerebral palsy can be accurately predicted before 5–6 months, which is the corrected age. This would allow the initiation of intervention at an early stage. Parents must be more involved in the development and implementation of the early therapy, increasing opportunities for parent–child interaction. The aim of this study was to learn from the perspectives of families with children under 12 months with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), what ingredients (barriers and facilitators) should be involved in early intervention so that we could co-design (researchers and families) a multidisciplinary guideline for a global intervention addressed to the needs of the child and the family. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at a time and venue convenient for the families. A total of ten families with experience in early intervention were invited to attend the interview with open questions: (1) What components should early intervention have for a baby diagnosed with UCP? (2) What components should early intervention have for the family? (3) What should the involvement of the family be in early intervention? (4) What barriers included in early intervention should be removed? From the data analysis, three key topics emerged and were subsequently named by focus group participants: (1) UCP early intervention components, (2) family involvement in early intervention of UCP, and (3) removing barriers and creating facilitators within early intervention. The participation of the families (mothers) in the co-design of the necessary ingredients within the scope of a multidisciplinary early intervention guide aimed at children with UCP under 12 months allows learning about their reality and not that of the therapist. The following list highlights the present barriers as perceived by the parents: intervention as spectators, therapeutic goals, clinic environment, and lack of empathy, and the possible facilitators determined by the parents during the implementation comprised teamwork, the family’s goals, motivation during the intervention, and learning at home. Thus, an early intervention program to improve global functionality should address family involvement through multidisciplinary coaching and the modification of the environment, encouraging family goals and family support through the family–therapist team. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Neuropsychiatry)
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Other

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10 pages, 397 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Association between ADHD and Celiac Disease in Children
by Sonia Gaur
Children 2022, 9(6), 781; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9060781 - 25 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3975
Abstract
Controversy around the association between celiac disease (CeD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) was addressed by a systematic review in 2015, ultimately showing no association. Since 2015, there have been several studies showing an association between celiac disease and attention deficit hyperactive [...] Read more.
Controversy around the association between celiac disease (CeD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) was addressed by a systematic review in 2015, ultimately showing no association. Since 2015, there have been several studies showing an association between celiac disease and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. This is an updated systematic review. Background: Most experts agree on the recommendation to not screen as part of the standard of care for ADHD in persons with CeD or vice versa. Simultaneously, they propose that untreated patients with CeD and neurological symptoms such as chronic fatigue, inattention, pain, and headache could be predisposed to ADHD-like behavior, namely inattention (which may be alleviated by following a gluten-free diet). The inattentive subtype of ADHD that encompasses the symptoms of inattention is phenotypically heterogeneous, as it includes the clinical construct of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT). SCT symptoms overlap with the neurological manifestations of CeD. Methods: A systematic search (PRISMA) of PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Web of Science, Stanford Lane, SCOPUS, and Ovid was conducted for articles up to 21 February 2022. Of these, 23 studies met the criteria. Results: Out of the 23 studies, 13 showed a positive association between ADHD and CeD. Most studies that showed a positive association had been published in the last five years. Inconsistencies in the results remain due to the heterogeneous methodology used, specifically for ADHD and the outcome questionnaires, as well as a lack of reporting on ADHD subtypes. Conclusion: There is an association between ADHD and celiac disease. The current methodological limitations will be lessened if we examine the subtypes of ADHD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child Neuropsychiatry)
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