2023
Cognitive training for children with ADHD: composite cognitive score outcome in a randomized controlled trial
Bikic A, Dalsgaard S, Pittman B, Leckman J, Wexler B. Cognitive training for children with ADHD: composite cognitive score outcome in a randomized controlled trial. Nordic Journal Of Psychiatry 2023, 78: 87-91. PMID: 37905332, DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2023.2270954.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderCognitive trainingDeficit/hyperactivity disorderComposite cognition scoreSessions of trainingCognitive functioningHyperactivity disorderCognitive improvementCognition scoresTraining sessionsMixed resultsFrequency of trainingTrainingChildrenSessionsIntervention groupCognitionInterventionFunctioningPost Hoc AnalysisScore outcomesControl groupPrevious studiesDisordersOutcomesFunctional connectivity during tic suppression predicts reductions in vocal tics following behavior therapy in children with Tourette syndrome
Morand-Beaulieu S, Crowley M, Grantz H, Leckman J, Sukhodolsky D. Functional connectivity during tic suppression predicts reductions in vocal tics following behavior therapy in children with Tourette syndrome. Psychological Medicine 2023, 53: 7857-7864. PMID: 37485677, PMCID: PMC10755221, DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001940.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVoluntary tic suppressionTic suppressionVocal tic severityFunctional connectivityTic severityTourette syndromeRight superior frontal gyrusFirst-line treatmentBehavior therapyComprehensive Behavioral InterventionSuperior frontal gyrusRight angular gyrusVocal ticsFunctional brain networksBehavioral interventionsUsual control conditionFrontal gyrusBaselineAngular gyrusSeverityBrain networksSyndromeChildrenTherapyGyrus
2020
Pathways to a more peaceful and sustainable world: The transformative power of children in families
Britto PR, Hanöz-Penney S, Ponguta LA, Sunar D, Issa G, Hein SD, do Rosário MC, Almuneef MA, Korucu I, Togo Y, Kurbonov J, Choibekov N, Phan HTT, Fallon NS, Artukoğlu BB, Hartl FJ, Salah R, Fitzpatrick S, Connolly P, Dunne L, Miller S, Pruett K, Leckman JF. Pathways to a more peaceful and sustainable world: The transformative power of children in families. Development And Psychopathology 2020, 33: 409-420. PMID: 32935656, DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420000681.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAn examination of the relationship between regulatory T cells and symptom flare-ups in children and adolescents diagnosed with chronic tic disorder and Tourette syndrome
Yildirim Z, Karabekiroglu K, Yildiran A, Celiksoy MH, Artukoglu B, Baykal S, Babadağı Z, Leckman J. An examination of the relationship between regulatory T cells and symptom flare-ups in children and adolescents diagnosed with chronic tic disorder and Tourette syndrome. Nordic Journal Of Psychiatry 2020, 75: 18-24. PMID: 32580599, DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2020.1779808.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTS/chronic tic disorderChronic tic disorderSex-matched healthy controlsModerate-severe groupHealthy controlsLymphocyte countTourette syndromeLymphocyte percentagePatient groupTic disordersHC groupControl groupT-helper lymphocyte countYale Global Tic Severity ScaleT helper (TH) (CD4) numberT-lymphocyte countsT lymphocyte numbersT-lymphocyte percentageRegulatory T cellsT cell valuesTic Severity ScaleTreg percentageChildhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorderLymphocyte numbersPhonic ticsAntibodies From Children With PANDAS Bind Specifically to Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons and Alter Their Activity
Xu J, Liu RJ, Fahey S, Frick L, Leckman J, Vaccarino F, Duman RS, Williams K, Swedo S, Pittenger C. Antibodies From Children With PANDAS Bind Specifically to Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons and Alter Their Activity. American Journal Of Psychiatry 2020, 178: 48-64. PMID: 32539528, PMCID: PMC8573771, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.19070698.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStriatal cholinergic interneuronsCholinergic interneuronsMouse brain slicesObsessive-compulsive disorderControl subjectsBrain slicesPediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disordersIntravenous immunoglobulin treatmentAutoimmune neuropsychiatric disordersAcute mouse brain slicesParvalbumin-expressing GABAergic interneuronsPediatric obsessive-compulsive disorderBrain antigensImmunoglobulin treatmentBaseline serumStreptococcal infectionCritical cellular targetsSymptom improvementGABAergic interneuronsInduced autoimmunityIgG antibodiesMouse slicesIndependent cohortBehavioral pathologyNeuron typesEffects of the Global Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic on Early Childhood Development: Short- and Long-Term Risks and Mitigating Program and Policy Actions
Yoshikawa H, Wuermli AJ, Britto PR, Dreyer B, Leckman JF, Lye SJ, Ponguta LA, Richter LM, Stein A. Effects of the Global Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic on Early Childhood Development: Short- and Long-Term Risks and Mitigating Program and Policy Actions. The Journal Of Pediatrics 2020, 223: 188-193. PMID: 32439312, PMCID: PMC7234941, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.05.020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBetacoronavirusChildChild DevelopmentChild MortalityChild WelfareCommunicable Disease ControlCoronavirus InfectionsCOVID-19CrowdingEconomicsFemaleGlobal HealthHealth BehaviorHumansMaternal HealthMaternal MortalityMental HealthPandemicsParentsPneumonia, ViralPregnancyPrenatal Exposure Delayed EffectsResource AllocationSARS-CoV-2Stress, PsychologicalThe prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems among Chinese school children and adolescents aged 6–16: a national survey
Cui Y, Li F, Leckman JF, Guo L, Ke X, Liu J, Zheng Y, Li Y. The prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems among Chinese school children and adolescents aged 6–16: a national survey. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2020, 30: 233-241. PMID: 32172341, DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01507-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChild Behavior ChecklistEmotional problemsMental health providersNational surveyChinese school childrenLong-term benefitsAchenbach Child Behavior ChecklistHigh prevalenceLarge cohortPediatric psychiatristHealth providersMental disordersMultistage clusterPrevalenceCohortMental healthCBCL scoresOlder cohortBehavior ChecklistYounger cohortsChildrenMaternal perceptions of father involvement among refugee and disadvantaged families in Beirut, Lebanon
Hein S, Bick J, Issa G, Aoude L, Maalouf C, Awar A, Nourallah S, Zonderman AL, Householder S, Katsovich L, Khoshnood K, Moore C, Salah R, Britto PR, Leckman JF, Ponguta LA. Maternal perceptions of father involvement among refugee and disadvantaged families in Beirut, Lebanon. PLOS ONE 2020, 15: e0229670. PMID: 32134961, PMCID: PMC7058288, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229670.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAn integrated program of computer-presented and physical cognitive training exercises for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Wexler BE, Vitulano LA, Moore C, Katsovich L, Smith SD, Rush C, Grantz H, Dong J, Leckman JF. An integrated program of computer-presented and physical cognitive training exercises for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Psychological Medicine 2020, 51: 1524-1535. PMID: 32090720, DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720000288.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderExperimental medicine approachTAU groupMedicine approachHyperactivity disorderWeeks of treatmentCombined subtypeDiagnosis of ADHDClinical trial designHyperactive-impulsive subtypeAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderCross-over designDeficit hyperactivity disorderClinical improvementClinical symptomsRandomized crossCognitive dysfunctionCT groupPathophysiological heterogeneityCONSORT recommendationsTrial designResponse rateChange scoresSubtypesTargeted pathologyRisk factors for obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Follow-up of a community-based youth cohort
Macul Ferreira de Barros P, do Rosário MC, Szejko N, Polga N, Requena GL, Ravagnani B, Fatori D, Batistuzzo MC, Hoexter MQ, Rohde LA, Polanczyk GV, Leckman JF, Miguel EC, de Alvarenga PG. Risk factors for obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Follow-up of a community-based youth cohort. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2020, 30: 89-104. PMID: 32076869, DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01495-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsObsessive-compulsive symptomsRisk factorsAbsence of breastfeedingOCS scoresBaseline anxiety disordersPotential risk factorsLarge community cohortLow socioeconomic statusRegression analysisMental health assessmentMaternal stress levelsLower intelligence quotientCommunity cohortChildhood adversityLower ageHigher OCS scoresAnxiety disordersPsychopathological factorsSocioeconomic statusGenetic factorsSignificant predictorsBaselineHealth assessmentScoresAgeEffects of the Mother-Child Education Program on Parenting Stress and Disciplinary Practices Among Refugee and Other Marginalized Communities in Lebanon: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Ponguta LA, Issa G, Aoudeh L, Maalouf C, Hein SD, Zonderman AL, Katsovich L, Khoshnood K, Bick J, Awar A, Nourallah S, Householder S, Moore CC, Salah R, Britto PR, Leckman JF. Effects of the Mother-Child Education Program on Parenting Stress and Disciplinary Practices Among Refugee and Other Marginalized Communities in Lebanon: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal Of The American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2020, 59: 727-738. PMID: 32014538, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2019.12.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMother-Child Education ProgramIntervention groupWait-list control groupGroup-based interventionPost-intervention dataStress Index-Short FormModified intentionParenting Stress Index-Short FormIndex-Short FormUnderpowered analysesControl groupMother-child dyadsProgram attendanceEducation programsPilot studyEarly childhoodOutcomesTrialsHumanitarian settingsInterventionMultiple imputationMothersParenting stressChildrenChild outcomes
2019
Implementation Evaluation of the Mother‐Child Education Program Among Refugee and Other Vulnerable Communities in Lebanon
Ponguta LA, Issa G, Aoudeh L, Maalouf C, Nourallah S, Khoshnood K, Zonderman AL, Katsovich L, Moore C, Salah R, Al‐Soleiti M, Britto PR, Leckman JF. Implementation Evaluation of the Mother‐Child Education Program Among Refugee and Other Vulnerable Communities in Lebanon. New Directions For Child And Adolescent Development 2019, 2019: 91-116. PMID: 31509332, DOI: 10.1002/cad.20314.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMother-Child Education ProgramEarly childhood parenting programsEarly life adversityImplementation evaluationProgram uptakeParental knowledgeEarly childhood development programsEducation programsParenting ProgramChildhood development programsLow-income communitiesVulnerable settingsRCTsTrialsEvaluationEffects of Integrated Brain, Body, and Social (IBBS) intervention on ERP measures of attentional control in children with ADHD
Smith SD, Crowley MJ, Ferrey A, Ramsey K, Wexler BE, Leckman JF, Sukhodolsky DG. Effects of Integrated Brain, Body, and Social (IBBS) intervention on ERP measures of attentional control in children with ADHD. Psychiatry Research 2019, 278: 248-257. PMID: 31233935, PMCID: PMC6637759, DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.06.021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBehavioral measuresAttentional controlIntegrated brainGo/No-Go taskGo-P3 latencySlower reaction timesSocial interventionsRobust treatment effectAttentional systemADHD groupERP measuresDifference waveP3 latencyBrain activityADHDTAU groupEEG proceduresHealthy controlsHC groupReaction timeReplication purposesERPTreatment effectsChildrenSecondary goal
2018
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptomatology in Community Youth: Typical Development or a Red Flag for Psychopathology?
Barzilay R, Patrick A, Calkins ME, Moore TM, Wolf DH, Benton TD, Leckman JF, Gur RC, Gur RE. Obsessive-Compulsive Symptomatology in Community Youth: Typical Development or a Red Flag for Psychopathology? Journal Of The American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2018, 58: 277-286.e4. PMID: 30738554, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.06.038.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsObsessive-compulsive disorderMajor psychiatric conditionsObsessive-compulsive symptomsPsychiatric conditionsAssociation of OCSStructured psychiatric interviewSerious psychopathologyRed flagsSuicide ideationMental health helpDepressive episodePsychiatric evaluationPsychiatric interviewLifetime diagnosisPhiladelphia Neurodevelopmental CohortSymptomsSubstantial associationCommunity youthOCS symptomsFemale participantsHigh rateNeurodevelopmental CohortOCD criteriaPsychosisPhenotypic heterogeneityDe Novo Sequence and Copy Number Variants Are Strongly Associated with Tourette Disorder and Implicate Cell Polarity in Pathogenesis
Wang S, Mandell JD, Kumar Y, Sun N, Morris MT, Arbelaez J, Nasello C, Dong S, Duhn C, Zhao X, Yang Z, Padmanabhuni SS, Yu D, King RA, Dietrich A, Khalifa N, Dahl N, Huang AY, Neale BM, Coppola G, Mathews CA, Scharf JM, Study T, Abdulkadir M, Arbelaez J, Bodmer B, Bromberg Y, Brown L, Cheon K, Coffey B, Deng L, Dietrich A, Dong S, Duhn C, Elzerman L, Fernandez T, Fremer C, Garcia-Delgar B, Gilbert D, Grice D, Hagstrøm J, Hedderly T, Heiman G, Heyman I, Hoekstra P, Hong H, Huyser C, Kim E, Kim Y, Kim Y, King R, Koh Y, Kook S, Kuperman S, Leventhal B, Ludolph A, Madruga-Garrido M, Mandell J, Maras A, Mir P, Morer A, Morris M, Müller-Vahl K, Münchau A, Murphy T, Nasello C, Plessen K, Poisner H, Roessner V, Sanders S, Shin E, Song D, Song J, State M, Sun N, Thackray J, Tischfield J, Tübing J, Visscher F, Wanderer S, Wang S, Willsey A, Woods M, Xing J, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Zinner S, Initiative T, Androutsos C, Barta C, Farkas L, Fichna J, Georgitsi M, Janik P, Karagiannidis I, Koumoula A, Nagy P, Paschou P, Puchala J, Rizzo R, Szejko N, Szymanska U, Tarnok Z, Tsironi V, Wolanczyk T, Zekanowski C, Genetics T, Barr C, Batterson J, Berlin C, Bruun R, Budman C, Cath D, Chouinard S, Coppola G, Cox N, Darrow S, Davis L, Dion Y, Freimer N, Grados M, Hirschtritt M, Huang A, Illmann C, Kurlan R, Leckman J, Lyon G, Malaty I, Mathews C, MacMahon W, Neale B, Okun M, Osiecki L, Pauls D, Posthuma D, Ramensky V, Robertson M, Rouleau G, Sandor P, Scharf J, Singer H, Smit J, Sul J, Yu D, Fernandez T, Buxbaum J, De Rubeis S, Grice D, Xing J, Heiman G, Tischfield J, Paschou P, Willsey A, State M. De Novo Sequence and Copy Number Variants Are Strongly Associated with Tourette Disorder and Implicate Cell Polarity in Pathogenesis. Cell Reports 2018, 24: 3441-3454.e12. PMID: 30257206, PMCID: PMC6475626, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.08.082.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCell polarityNumber variantsSequence variantsDe novo damaging variantsDe novoDe novo sequencesCopy number variantsNovo sequencesWhole-exome sequencingDamaging variantsRisk genesGenesCommon pathwayNovoSignificant overlapVariantsTriosGenetic riskSequencingCELSR3PathwayPolaritySequenceSignificant excessFamilyAdaptive treatment strategies for children and adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A sequential multiple assignment randomized trial
Fatori D, de Bragança Pereira CA, Asbahr FR, Requena G, Alvarenga PG, de Mathis MA, Rohde LA, Leckman JF, March JS, Polanczyk GV, Miguel EC, Shavitt RG. Adaptive treatment strategies for children and adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A sequential multiple assignment randomized trial. Journal Of Anxiety Disorders 2018, 58: 42-50. PMID: 30025255, DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.07.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGroup cognitive behavioral therapySequential multiple assignmentTreatment failureInitial treatmentBaseline Yale-Brown ObsessiveChildhood OCDEffective initial treatmentProvision of treatmentCompulsive Scale scoresCognitive behavioral therapyAdaptive treatment strategiesYale-Brown ObsessiveSame regimenObsessive-compulsive disorderTreatment strategiesSymptom reductionPrimary analysisScale scoreFluoxetineTime pointsWeeksTreatmentChildrenEffect sizeTrialsA multicenter examination and strategic revisions of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale
McGuire JF, Piacentini J, Storch EA, Murphy TK, Ricketts EJ, Woods DW, Walkup JW, Peterson AL, Wilhelm S, Lewin AB, McCracken JT, Leckman JF, Scahill L. A multicenter examination and strategic revisions of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. Neurology 2018, 90: e1711-e1719. PMID: 29653992, PMCID: PMC5952973, DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000005474.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTic symptom severityTic scoreTIC numbersYale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) scoresSymptom severityYale Global Tic Severity ScaleYGTSS total tic scoreTotal tic scoreSimilar clinical characteristicsInternal consistencySeverity Scale scoreCross-sectional studyTic Severity ScaleDelphi consensus processClinical characteristicsPhonic ticsTic disordersMulticenter examinationImpairment scoresGood internal consistencySeverity ScaleScale scoreSymptom ChecklistDiagnostic InterviewStrong internal consistencyAttention and executive functions computer training for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): results from a randomized, controlled trial
Bikic A, Leckman JF, Christensen TØ, Bilenberg N, Dalsgaard S. Attention and executive functions computer training for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): results from a randomized, controlled trial. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2018, 27: 1563-1574. PMID: 29644473, DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1151-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderCognitive functionMultiple cognitive functionsComputer training programCognitive trainingHyperactivity disorderComputer trainingTraining programOutcome measuresFunctional outcome measuresIntervention groupTrainingChildrenAttentionMeasuresSecondary outcome measuresDate of registrationControl groupSignificant beneficial effectDisordersInterventionSingle-blind trialSignificant effectOutcomesTrialsSteps Toward Peace and Violence Prevention Across Generations: The Potential of Early Child Development in the Context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals
Leckman JF, Britto PR. Steps Toward Peace and Violence Prevention Across Generations: The Potential of Early Child Development in the Context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. New Directions For Child And Adolescent Development 2018, 2018: 5-12. PMID: 29537184, DOI: 10.1002/cad.20227.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2017
Differential binding of antibodies in PANDAS patients to cholinergic interneurons in the striatum
Frick L, Rapanelli M, Jindachomthong K, Grant P, Leckman JF, Swedo S, Williams K, Pittenger C. Differential binding of antibodies in PANDAS patients to cholinergic interneurons in the striatum. Brain Behavior And Immunity 2017, 69: 304-311. PMID: 29233751, PMCID: PMC5857467, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.12.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGroup A beta-hemolytic streptococciCholinergic interneuronsPediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder AssociatedNeuropsychiatric Disorder AssociatedStriatal cholinergic interneuronsStriatum of miceBeta-hemolytic streptococciBrain antigensPANDAS patientsIntravenous immunoglobulinStriatal interneuronsNeuropsychiatric symptomsObsessive-compulsive disorderSymptom improvementGABAergic interneuronsClinical trialsHealthy controlsDisorders AssociatedTic disordersChildhood onsetInterneuronsLocus of pathologyElevated bindingAntibodiesStriatum