Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
2.7
2.0
Journals
Children
Special Issues
Updates on Child Neuropsychiatry
share announcement

Updates on Child Neuropsychiatry

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Neurology & Neurodevelopmental Disorders".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 January 2025) | Viewed by 9026

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
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 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.

Considering the success and popularity of the Special Issue "Child Neuropsychiatry" previously published in the journal Children (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/special_issues/child_neuropsychiatry), we are pleased to now release a Second Issue aiming to gather 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 to redefine their limits, propose new treatments, identify therapeutic targets, and assess treatment efficacy.

Prof. Dr. Stefano Pallanti
Dr. Luana Salerno
Guest Editors

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

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 757 KiB  
Article
Prevalence, Socio-Demographic Characteristics, and Co-Morbidities of Autism Spectrum Disorder in US Children: Insights from the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health
by Mona Salehi, Sanobar Jaka, Aida Lotfi, Arham Ahmad, Mahdieh Saeidi and Sasidhar Gunturu
Children 2025, 12(3), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12030297 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1071
Abstract
Background: The primary goal of our study is to assess the national US prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), along with its socio-demographic characteristics, severity, and co-occurring medical and psychiatric disorders, using data from the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: The primary goal of our study is to assess the national US prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), along with its socio-demographic characteristics, severity, and co-occurring medical and psychiatric disorders, using data from the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Methods: We analyzed 2020–2021 NSCH data to estimate the prevalence of ever-diagnosed and current ASD among 79,182 children and adolescents (3–17 years). Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to examine associations between medical and psychiatric co-morbidities, socio-demographic factors, and ASD severity. Results: Adolescents (11–17 years) and males were more likely to have ASD, with males comprising 78.7% of the ASD group. The mean age of the sample was 10.1 ± 4.6 years, and 3.2% had an ASD diagnosis. Children from lower-income households and those with caregivers who completed only a high school education were more likely to have ASD. Nearly 96.4% of children with ASD had at least one co-morbid condition. The most common neuropsychiatric co-morbidities were developmental delay (64%), behavioral and conduct problems (57.8%), and anxiety disorder (45.7%), while the most common medical conditions were allergies (32.4%), genetic disorders (26.2%), and asthma (12.6%). Gender disparities in ASD presentation were evident that females with ASD were more likely to experience vision problems, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, depression, and intellectual disability but had lower odds of ADHD and anxiety problems. Greater ASD severity was linked to higher odds of intellectual disability (OR: 5.8, p < 0.001), developmental delay (OR: 5.0, p < 0.001), epilepsy, Down syndrome (OR: 3.4, p < 0.001), vision problems (OR: 2.5, p < 0.001), and genetic disorders (OR: 2.3, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provides updated prevalence estimates of ASD and highlights the high burden of co-morbidities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary approaches in ASD management. Additionally, our findings emphasize gender differences in ASD presentation, which should be considered in future research and clinical practice to ensure more tailored diagnostic and intervention strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Child Neuropsychiatry)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 672 KiB  
Article
Increased Semantic Memorization in Children with ADHD during a Paradigm of Motor Priming: Exploratory Findings
by Ana Moscoso, Clarisse Louisin, Simona Caldani, Mickael Worms Ehrminger, Mylene Fefeu, Eric Acquaviva, Richard Delorme and Maria Pia Bucci
Children 2024, 11(7), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11070787 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1101
Abstract
Aim: The aim was to evaluate the effect of body actions on learning process, particularly semantic memory capabilities in drug-naïve children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: Thirty children had to listen to a story which was repeated three times in a [...] Read more.
Aim: The aim was to evaluate the effect of body actions on learning process, particularly semantic memory capabilities in drug-naïve children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: Thirty children had to listen to a story which was repeated three times in a row and then a fourth time five minutes later. After each listen, the child was asked what she/he remembered from the story. The whole sample was split randomly into three subgroups of equal IQ (mean 102.2 ± 12.7), age (mean age 8 ± 0.6 years), sex (ratio female to male 1:5) and severity of ADHD symptoms (34.2 ± 7.4); a G1 “Freeze” subgroup, which implied listening to the story while sitting on a chair without moving; a G2 “Minimal” subgroup, which implied listening to the story while sitting on a chair but free movement was allowed; a G3 “Prescribed movement” subgroup, which implied listening to the story standing up, while copying the experimenter movements that mimicked the actions told in the story. Results: Although our sample was limited in size, interestingly, children in the G3 subgroup showed the highest short-term semantic memory retention compared to G1. In all subgroups, repetition allowed an increase in performance. Conclusions: Our exploratory findings stress the positive role of movement in children with ADHD to increase semantic memorization. Hyperactivity may counteract the deficit of memorization related to attention impairment in children with ADHD. Our results may encourage parents or teachers to allow children with ADHD to move around during short-term memory-retention tasks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Child Neuropsychiatry)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1297 KiB  
Article
Nutritional Assessment of Children and Adolescents with Atypical Anorexia Nervosa: A Preliminary Longitudinal Investigation Using the 24-h Dietary Recall
by Beatrice Valeriani, Jacopo Pruccoli, Francesca Chiavarino, Maria Letizia Petio and Antonia Parmeggiani
Children 2024, 11(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040427 - 3 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1870
Abstract
Background: Atypical Anorexia Nervosa (AAN) is a Feeding and Eating Disorder characterized by fear of gaining weight and body image disturbance, in the absence of significantly low body weight. AAN may present specific clinical and psychopathological features. Nonetheless, the literature lacks data concerning [...] Read more.
Background: Atypical Anorexia Nervosa (AAN) is a Feeding and Eating Disorder characterized by fear of gaining weight and body image disturbance, in the absence of significantly low body weight. AAN may present specific clinical and psychopathological features. Nonetheless, the literature lacks data concerning the nutritional characteristics and body composition of children and adolescents with AAN and their variation over time. Methods: Case series, including 17 children and adolescents with AAN. All the patients were assessed at the first evaluation (T0) with a standardized dietary assessment (24 h Dietary Recall, 24 hDR). Nutritional data were compared with European dietary reference values (DRVs). Body composition parameters (weight, fat mass, fat-free mass) and their changes over time at two (T1) and six (T2) months were collected as well, using a Bioelectrical impedance analysis (Wunder WBA300 with four poles and foot contact; impedance frequency 50 kHz 500 μA; impedance measurement range 200~1000 Ω/0.1 Ω). Results: The included individuals presented eating behaviors oriented towards significantly low daily energy intake (p < 0.001) compared with DRVs set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (with low carbohydrates and fats), and increased proteins (p < 0.001). A longer latency before observation (illness duration before observation) correlated with a negative change in weight. Body composition parameters were described, with no significant changes across the six-month outpatient assessment. Discussion: This is the first research to systematically assess the body composition and nutritional features of a group of individuals with AAN in the developmental age. Further research should assess the effect of targeted treatment interventions on body composition and nutritional features. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Child Neuropsychiatry)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3923 KiB  
Article
Detection of ASD Children through Deep-Learning Application of fMRI
by Min Feng and Juncai Xu
Children 2023, 10(10), 1654; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101654 - 5 Oct 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4070
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) necessitates prompt diagnostic scrutiny to enable immediate, targeted interventions. This study unveils an advanced convolutional-neural-network (CNN) algorithm that was meticulously engineered to examine resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for early ASD detection in pediatric cohorts. The CNN architecture [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) necessitates prompt diagnostic scrutiny to enable immediate, targeted interventions. This study unveils an advanced convolutional-neural-network (CNN) algorithm that was meticulously engineered to examine resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for early ASD detection in pediatric cohorts. The CNN architecture amalgamates convolutional, pooling, batch-normalization, dropout, and fully connected layers, optimized for high-dimensional data interpretation. Rigorous preprocessing yielded 22,176 two-dimensional echo planar samples from 126 subjects (56 ASD, 70 controls) who were sourced from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE I) repository. The model, trained on 17,740 samples across 50 epochs, demonstrated unparalleled diagnostic metrics—accuracy of 99.39%, recall of 98.80%, precision of 99.85%, and an F1 score of 99.32%—and thereby eclipsed extant computational methodologies. Feature map analyses substantiated the model’s hierarchical feature extraction capabilities. This research elucidates a deep learning framework for computer-assisted ASD screening via fMRI, with transformative implications for early diagnosis and intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Child Neuropsychiatry)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop