What Infants Know and What They have to Learn about Language

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Mehler ◽  
Marina Nespor ◽  
Marcela Peña
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Artificial Grammar ◽  
First Year ◽  
Natural Languages ◽  
Memory Functions ◽  
Distributional Properties ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Year Of Life ◽  
Gain Access

The study of language acquisition during the first year of life is reviewed. We identified three areas that have contributed to our understanding of how the infant copes with linguistic signals to attain the most basic properties of its native language. Distributional properties present in the incoming utterances may allow infants to extract word candidates in the speech stream as shown in the impoverished conditions of artificial grammar studies. This procedure is important because it would work well for most natural languages. We also highlight another important mechanism that allows infants to induce structure from very scarce data. In fact, humans tend to project structural conjectures after being presented with only a few utterances. Finally, we illustrate constraints on processing that derive from perceptual and memory functions that arose much earlier during the evolutionary history of the species. We conclude that all of these machanisms are important for the infants to gain access to its native language.

scholarly journals The natural history of Canavan disease: 23 new cases and comparison with patients from literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Bley ◽  
Jonas Denecke ◽  
Alfried Kohlschütter ◽  
Gerhard Schön ◽  
Sandra Hischke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severity Score ◽  
Canavan Disease ◽  
Psychomotor Development ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
First Year ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Year Of Life

Abstract Background Canavan disease (CD, MIM # 271900) is a rare and devastating leukodystrophy of early childhood. To identify clinical features that could serve as endpoints for treatment trials, the clinical course of CD was studied retrospectively and prospectively in 23 CD patients. Results were compared with data of CD patients reported in three prior large series. Kaplan Meier survival analysis including log rank test was performed for pooled data of 82 CD patients (study cohort and literature patients). Results Onset of symptoms was between 0 and 6 months. Psychomotor development of patients was limited to abilities that are usually gained within the first year of life. Macrocephaly became apparent between 4 and 18 months of age. Seizure frequency was highest towards the end of the first decade. Ethnic background was more diverse than in studies previously reported. A CD severity score with assessment of 11 symptoms and abilities was developed. Conclusions Early hallmarks of CD are severe psychomotor disability and macrocephaly that develop within the first 18 months of life. While rare in the first year of life, seizures increase in frequency over time in most patients. CD occurs more frequently outside Ashkenazi Jewish communities than previously reported. Concordance of phenotypes between siblings but not patients with identical ASPA mutations suggest the influence of yet unknown modifiers. A CD severity score may allow for assessment of CD disease severity both retrospectively and prospectively.

Epidemiology of Physician-Diagnosed Allergic Rhinitis in Childhood

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 895-901
Author(s):  
Anne L. Wright ◽  
Catharine J. Holberg ◽  
Marilyn Halonen ◽  
Fernando D. Martinez ◽  
Wayne Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Immunoglobulin E ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
First Year ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Early Introduction ◽  
Maternal Cigarette Smoking ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Year Of Life

Objective. To investigate the natural history of and risk factors for allergic rhinitis in the first 6 years of life. Methods. Parents of 747 healthy children followed from birth completed a questionnaire when the child was 6 years old. Data were obtained regarding physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis (PDAR), associated symptoms, and age at onset. Risk-factor data were taken from earlier questionnaires, and data regarding immunoglobulin E (IgE) and skin-test reactivity were obtained at age 6. Results. By the age of 6, 42% of children had PDAR. Children whose rhinitis began in the first year of life had more respiratory symptoms at age 6 and were more likely to have a diagnosis of asthma. Early introduction of foods or formula, heavy maternal cigarette smoking in the first year of life, and higher IgE, as well as parental allergic disorders, were associated with early development of rhinitis. Risk factors for PDAR that remained significant in a multivanate model included maternal history of physician-diagnosed allergy (odds ratio: 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.35-3.54), asthma in the child (4.06, 2.06-7.99), and IgE greater than 100 IU/mL at age 6 (1.93, 1.18-3.17). The odds for atopic as opposed to nonatopic PDAR were significantly higher only among those with high IgE and those who had dogs. Conclusion. Allergic rhinitis developing in the first years of life is an early manifestation of an atopic predisposition, which may be triggered by early environmental exposures.

scholarly journals Auditory temporal abilities in children with history of recurrent otitis media in the first years of life and persistent in preschool and school ages

CoDAS ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 494-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Cruvinel Villa ◽  
Sthella Zanchetta
Keyword(s):  
Otitis Media ◽  
Otitis Media With Effusion ◽  
Temporal Frequency ◽  
Control Group ◽  
First Year ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Frequency Pattern ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Year Of Life ◽  
Recurrent Otitis Media

PURPOSE: To study the temporal auditory ordering and resolution abilities in children with and without a history of early OME and ROME, as well as to study the responses according to age. METHODS: A total of 59 children were evaluated, and all of them presented pure tone thresholds within the normal range at the time of the conduction of the hearing tests. The children were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of episodes of recurrent otitis media. Then, each group was divided into two subgroups according to age: 7- and 8-year olds, and 9- and 10-year olds. All children were assessed with standard tests of temporal frequency (ordination) and gaps-in-noise (resolution). RESULTS: For the temporal abilities studied, children with a history of otitis media presented significantly lower results compared to the control group. In the frequency pattern test, the correct answers increased with age in both groups. In the identification of silence intervals, the control group showed no change in threshold regarding to age, but this change was present in the group with a history of otitis media. CONCLUSION: Episodes of otitis media with effusion in the first year of life, recurrent and persistent in preschool and school ages, negatively influence the temporal ordering and resolution abilities.

scholarly journals Cryotherapy for Lichen Striatus in an Adult – a Case Report

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-171
Author(s):  
Slobodan Stojanović ◽  
Marina Jovanović ◽  
Nada Vučković
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Infiltrate ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Skin Condition ◽  
First Year ◽  
Linear Distribution ◽  
Lichen Striatus ◽  
Full Resolution ◽  
Lines Of Blaschko ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Year Of Life

Abstract Lichen striatus (linear lichenoid dermatosis) is an uncommon, self-limited, inflammatory, linear skin condition of unknown origin. The causes of linear distribution are unknown, though the pattern of lichen striatus (LS) mostly follows the lines of Blaschko (BL). The condition most commonly occurs in children between 5 and 15 years of age, usually after the first year of life. We report a 27-year-old, otherwise healthy flight attendant with LS whose diagnosis was based on: the history of sudden appearance and rapid linear spread of lesions; clinical presentation of small pink, coalescing scaly papules without umbilication or Wickham’s striae, linear distribution following one BL down a lower limb to the ankle, with a band broadening into plaque on the left buttock; histology showed some hyperkeratosis, lichenoid dermatitis similar to lichen planus, but with the presence of inflammatory infiltrate in the papillary dermis and also deeper in the perifollicular region. The inflammatory infiltrate consisted mainly of limphocytes, with some melanophages and histiocytes. There is no standard treatment for LS, and it is given for cosmetic or psychological reasons only, as we have done in our patient due to slight pruritus and occupational reasons. With regard to her occupational demands, in order to achieve satisfying results, she was successfully treated with cryotherapy, which she tolerated well, without any side effects. Cryotherapy was performed twice, with a two-week interval. Full resolution was achieved twelve weeks after cryotherapy. In conclusion, we present an adult female who developed lichen striatus suddenly three months after delivery and was successfully treated with cryotherapy.

Recurrent Dystonic Crisis and Rhabdomyolysis Treated with Dantrolene in Two Patients with Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (03) ◽  
pp. 229-232
Author(s):  
J. Micallef ◽  
S. Stockler-Ipsiroglu ◽  
C.D. van Karnebeek ◽  
R. Salvarinova-Zivkovic ◽  
G. Horvath
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Inborn Error ◽  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Global Developmental Delay ◽  
Acid Decarboxylase ◽  
First Year ◽  
Amino Acid Decarboxylase ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Year Of Life ◽  
Decarboxylase Deficiency

AbstractAromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is a rare, autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism in which several neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine are deficient. Symptoms typically appear in the first year of life and include oculogyric crises and dystonia, hypotonia, and global developmental delay. Dystonia is of particular concern as a dystonic storm can ensue leading to rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis can become life-threating and therefore its recognition and prompt management is of significant importance. Here we present two cases of patients with AADC deficiency and a history of dystonic crisis causing rhabdomyolysis. We hypothesize that in addition to the hypodopaminergic, a hypercholinergic state is contributing to the pathophysiology of dystonia in AADC deficiency, as well as to the associated rhabdomyolysis. We were able to prevent rhabdomyolysis in both patients with using Dantrolene and we suggest using a trial of this medication in cases of sustained dystonic crisis in AADC deficiency patients.

The Use and Non-Use of the Human Nature Concept by Evolutionary Biologists

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Richerson
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Modern Synthesis ◽  
First Year ◽  
Human Culture ◽  
Infancy And Childhood ◽  
First Year Of Life

A number of prominent modern evolutionists embraced ‘human nature’, signalling their commitment to the Modern Synthesis. Their claim is that for most of our evolutionary history, culture was of little importance, and that genes, not culture, controlled early development. More recently, cultural evolutionists have argued that culture and reason were present deep in the Homo lineage, and that the ability to learn socially develops in the first year of life. Thus, it is reasonable to think that genes and culture coevolved in the evolutionary past, and that they codevelop in infancy and childhood. Human nature theorists seek to deny this claim, while at the same time trying in various ways to make room for human culture and reason. I argue here that they are unsuccessful in their attempts.

scholarly journals Native listeners

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANNE CUTLER
Keyword(s):  
Native Speaker ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
First Year ◽  
Familiar Word ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Continuous Speech ◽  
Word Forms ◽  
First Year Of Life ◽  
Innate Ability

Becoming a native listener is the necessary precursor to becoming a native speaker. Babies in the first year of life undertake a remarkable amount of work; by the time they begin to speak, they have perceptually mastered the phonological repertoire and phoneme co-occurrence probabilities of the native language, and they can locate familiar word-forms in novel continuous-speech contexts. The skills acquired at this early stage form a necessary part of adult listening. However, the same native listening skills also underlie problems in listening to a late-acquired non-native language, accounting for why in such a case listening (an innate ability) is sometimes paradoxically more difficult than, for instance, reading (a learned ability).

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