@article{ArndtEsserWeirichetal.2015, author = {Arndt, Larissa R. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Weirich, Sebastian and Oelsner, Henriette and Ebersbach, Georg and Bengner, Thomas}, title = {Face Memory in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease Moderated by Sex and Encoding Duration}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Neuropsychologie}, volume = {26}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Neuropsychologie}, number = {2}, publisher = {Hogrefe}, address = {Bern}, issn = {1016-264X}, doi = {10.1024/1016-264X/a000148}, pages = {109 -- 120}, year = {2015}, abstract = {We examined face memory deficits in patients with Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) with specific regard to the moderating role of sex and the different memory processes involved. We tested short- and long-term face recognition memory in 18 nonclinical participants and 18 IPD-patients matched for sex, education and age. We varied the duration of item presentation (1, 5, 10s), the time of testing (immediately, 1hr, 24hrs) and the possibility to re-encode items. In accordance with earlier studies, we report face memory deficits in IPD. Moreover, our findings indicate that sex and encoding conditions may be important moderator variables. In contrast to healthy individuals, IPD-patients cannot gain from increasing duration of presentation. Furthermore, our results suggest that I PD leads to face memory deficits in women, only.}, language = {en} } @article{AurichEsserMayetal.2005, author = {Aurich, Eberhard and Esser, G{\"u}nter and May, P. and Meiers, K.}, title = {Gesellschaftliche Bedeutung der Schriftsprachkompetenz und M{\"o}glichkeiten ihrer F{\"o}rderung}, year = {2005}, language = {de} } @article{BakhshayeshHaenschWyschkonetal.2011, author = {Bakhshayesh, Ali Reza and H{\"a}nsch, Sylvana and Wyschkon, Anne and Rezai, Mohammad Javad and Esser, G{\"u}nter}, title = {Neurofeedback in ADHD : a single-blind randomized controlled trial}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Neurofeedback treatment has been demonstrated to reduce inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, previous studies did not adequately control confounding variables or did not employ a randomized reinforcer-controlled design. This study addresses those methodological shortcomings by comparing the effects of the following two matched biofeedback training variants on the primary symptoms of ADHD: EEG neurofeedback (NF) aiming at theta/beta ratio reduction and EMG biofeedback (BF) aiming at forehead muscle relaxation. Thirty-five children with ADHD (26 boys, 9 girls; 6-14 years old) were randomly assigned to either the therapy group (NF; n = 18) or the control group (BF; n = 17). Treatment for both groups consisted of 30 sessions. Pre- and post-treatment assessment consisted of psychophysiological measures, behavioural rating scales completed by parents and teachers, as well as psychometric measures. Training effectively reduced theta/beta ratios and EMG levels in the NF and BF groups, respectively. Parents reported significant reductions in primary ADHD symptoms, and inattention improvements in the NF group were higher compared to the control intervention (BF, dcorr = -.94). NF training also improved attention and reaction times on the psychometric measures. The results indicate that NF effectively reduced inattention symptoms on parent rating scales and reaction time in neuropsychological tests. However, regarding hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, the results imply that non-specific factors, such as behavioural contingencies, self-efficacy, structured learning environment and feed-forward processes, may also contribute to the positive behavioural effects induced by neurofeedback training.}, language = {en} } @article{BakhshayeshHaenschWyschkonetal.2011, author = {Bakhshayesh, Ali Reza and H{\"a}nsch, Sylvana and Wyschkon, Anne and Rezai, Mohammad Javad and Esser, G{\"u}nter}, title = {Neurofeedback in ADHD a single-blind randomized controlled trial}, series = {European child and adolescent psychiatry : offical journal of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry}, volume = {20}, journal = {European child and adolescent psychiatry : offical journal of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry}, number = {9}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {1018-8827}, doi = {10.1007/s00787-011-0208-y}, pages = {481 -- 491}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Neurofeedback treatment has been demonstrated to reduce inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, previous studies did not adequately control confounding variables or did not employ a randomized reinforcer-controlled design. This study addresses those methodological shortcomings by comparing the effects of the following two matched biofeedback training variants on the primary symptoms of ADHD: EEG neurofeedback (NF) aiming at theta/beta ratio reduction and EMG biofeedback (BF) aiming at forehead muscle relaxation. Thirty-five children with ADHD (26 boys, 9 girls; 6-14 years old) were randomly assigned to either the therapy group (NF; n = 18) or the control group (BF; n = 17). Treatment for both groups consisted of 30 sessions. Pre- and post-treatment assessment consisted of psychophysiological measures, behavioural rating scales completed by parents and teachers, as well as psychometric measures. Training effectively reduced theta/beta ratios and EMG levels in the NF and BF groups, respectively. Parents reported significant reductions in primary ADHD symptoms, and inattention improvements in the NF group were higher compared to the control intervention (BF, d(corr) = -.94). NF training also improved attention and reaction times on the psychometric measures. The results indicate that NF effectively reduced inattention symptoms on parent rating scales and reaction time in neuropsychological tests. However, regarding hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, the results imply that non-specific factors, such as behavioural contingencies, self-efficacy, structured learning environment and feed-forward processes, may also contribute to the positive behavioural effects induced by neurofeedback training.}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerBlomeyerElFaddaghetal.2010, author = {Becker, Katja and Blomeyer, Dorothea and El-Faddagh, Mahha and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Schmidt, Martin H. and Banaschewski, Tobias and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {From regulatory problems in infancy to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in childhood : a moderating role for the dopamine D4 receptor gene?}, issn = {0022-3476}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.12.005}, year = {2010}, abstract = {To examine whether the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) exon III VNTR moderates the risk of infants with regulatory disorders for developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) later in childhood. In a prospective longitudinal study of children at risk for later psychopathology, 300 participants were assessed for regulatory problems in infancy, DRD4 genotype, and ADHD symptoms and diagnoses from childhood to adolescence. To examine a potential moderating effect on ADHD measures, linear and logistic regressions were computed. Models were fit for the main effects of the DRD4 genotype (presence or absence of the 7r allele) and regulatory problems (presence or absence), with the addition of the interaction term. All models were controlled for sex, family adversity, and obstetric risk status. In children without the DRD4-7r allele, a history of regulatory problems in infancy was unrelated to later ADHD. But in children with regulatory problems in infancy, the additional presence of the DRD4-7r allele increased the risk for ADHD in childhood. The DRD4 genotype seems to moderate the association between regulatory problems in infancy and later ADHD. A replication study is needed before further conclusions can be drawn, however.}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerElFaddaghSchmidtetal.2008, author = {Becker, Katja and El-Faddagh, Mahha and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Interaction of dopamine transporter genotype with prenatal smoke exposure on ADHD symptoms}, issn = {0022-3476}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Objective To demonstrate that children homozygous for the 10-repeat allele of the common dopamine transporter (DAT1) polymorphism who were exposed to maternal prenatal smoke exhibited significantly higher hyperactivity-impulsivity than children without these environmental or genetic risks. Study design We performed a prospective longitudinal study from birth into early adulthood monitoring the long-term outcome of early risk factors. Maternal prenatal smoking was determined during a standardized interview with the mother when the child was 3 months old. At age 15 years, 305 adolescents participated in genotyping for the DAT1 40 base pair variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism and assessment of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and oppositional defiant/conduct disorder symptoms with die Kiddie- Sads-Present and Lifetime Version. Results There was no bivariate association between DAT1 genotype, prenatal smoke exposure and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, a significant interaction between DAT1 genotype and prenatal smoke exposure emerged (P =.012), indicating that males with prenatal smoke exposure who were homozygous for the DAT1 10r allele had higher hyperactivity-impulsivity than males from all other groups. In females, no significant main effects of DAT1 genotype or prenatal smoke exposure or interaction effects on any symptoms were evident (all P >.25). Conclusions This study provides further evidence for the multifactorial nature of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the importance of studying both genetic and environmental factors and their interaction.}, language = {en} } @article{BlomeyerBuchmannLascorzetal.2013, author = {Blomeyer, Dorothea and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Lascorz, Jesus and Zimmermann, Ulrich S. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Desrivieres, Sylvane and Schmidt, Martin H. and Banaschewski, Tobias and Schumann, Gunter and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Association of PER2 genotype and stressful life events with alcohol drinking in young adults}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {8}, journal = {PLoS one}, number = {3}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0059136}, pages = {7}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background: Clock genes govern circadian rhythms and shape the effect of alcohol use on the physiological system. Exposure to severe negative life events is related to both heavy drinking and disturbed circadian rhythmicity. The aim of this study was 1) to extend previous findings suggesting an association of a haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphism of PER2 gene with drinking patterns, and 2) to examine a possible role for an interaction of this gene with life stress in hazardous drinking. Methods: Data were collected as part of an epidemiological cohort study on the outcome of early risk factors followed since birth. At age 19 years, 268 young adults (126 males, 142 females) were genotyped for PER2 rs56013859 and were administered a 45-day alcohol timeline follow-back interview and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Life stress was assessed as the number of severe negative life events during the past four years reported in a questionnaire and validated by interview. Results: Individuals with the minor G allele of rs56013859 were found to be less engaged in alcohol use, drinking at only 72\% of the days compared to homozygotes for the major A allele. Moreover, among regular drinkers, a gene x environment interaction emerged (p = .020). While no effects of genotype appeared under conditions of low stress, carriers of the G allele exhibited less hazardous drinking than those homozygous for the A allele when exposed to high stress. Conclusions: These findings may suggest a role of the circadian rhythm gene PER2 in both the drinking patterns of young adults and in moderating the impact of severe life stress on hazardous drinking in experienced alcohol users. However, in light of the likely burden of multiple tests, the nature of the measures used and the nominal evidence of interaction, replication is needed before drawing firm conclusions.}, language = {en} } @article{BlomeyerTreutleinEsseretal.2007, author = {Blomeyer, Dorothea and Treutlein, Jens and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Schmidt, Martin H. and Schumann, Gunter and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Interaction between CRHR1 gene and stressful life events predicts adolescent heavy alcohol use}, issn = {0006-3223}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Background: Recent animal research suggests that alterations in the corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) may lead to heavy alcohol use following repeated stress. The aim of this study was to examine interactions between two haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering the CRHR1 gene and adverse life events on heavy drinking in adolescents. Methods: Data were available from the Mannheim Study of Children at Risk, an ongoing cohort study of the long-term outcome of early risk factors followed since birth. At age 15 years, 280 participants (135 males, 145 females) completed a self-report questionnaire measuring alcohol use and were genotyped for two SNPs (rs242938, rs1876831) of CRHR1. Assessment of negative life events over the past three years was obtained by a standardized interview with the parents. Results: Adolescents homozygous for the C allele of rs1876831 drank higher maximum amounts of alcohol per occasion and had greater lifetime rates of heavy drinking in relation to negative life events than individuals carrying the T allele. No gene X environment interactions were found for regular drinking and between rs242938 and stressful life events. Conclusions: These findings provide first evidence in humans that the CRHR1 gene interacts with exposure to stressful life events to predict heavy alcohol use in adolescents.}, language = {en} } @article{BoeckerSchlierHolzHohmetal.2017, author = {Boecker-Schlier, Regina and Holz, Nathalie E. and Hohm, Erika and Zohsel, Katrin and Blomeyer, Dorothea and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Baumeister, Sarah and Wolf, Isabella and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Schmidt, Martin H. and Meyer-Lindenberg, Andreas and Banaschewski, Tobias and Brandeis, Daniel and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Association between pubertal stage at first drink and neural reward processing in early adulthood}, series = {Addiction biology}, volume = {22}, journal = {Addiction biology}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1355-6215}, doi = {10.1111/adb.12413}, pages = {1402 -- 1415}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Puberty is a critical time period during human development. It is characterized by high levels of risk-taking behavior, such as increased alcohol consumption, and is accompanied by various neurobiological changes. Recent studies in animals and humans have revealed that the pubertal stage at first drink (PSFD) significantly impacts drinking behavior in adulthood. Moreover, neuronal alterations of the dopaminergic reward system have been associated with alcohol abuse or addiction. This study aimed to clarify the impact of PSFD on neuronal characteristics of reward processing linked to alcohol-related problems. One hundred sixty-eight healthy young adults from a prospective study covering 25 years participated in a monetary incentive delay task measured with simultaneous EEG-fMRI. PSFD was determined according to the age at menarche or Tanner stage of pubertal development, respectively. Alcohol-related problems in early adulthood were assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). During reward anticipation, decreased fMRI activation of the frontal cortex and increased preparatory EEG activity (contingent negative variation) occurred with pubertal compared to postpubertal first alcohol intake. Moreover, alcohol-related problems during early adulthood were increased in pubertal compared to postpubertal beginners, which was mediated by neuronal activation of the right medial frontal gyrus. At reward delivery, increased fMRI activation of the left caudate and higher feedback-related EEG negativity were detected in pubertal compared to postpubertal beginners. Together with animal findings, these results implicate PSFD as a potential modulator of psychopathology, involving altered reward anticipation. Both PSFD timing and reward processing might thus be potential targets for early prevention and intervention.}, language = {en} } @article{BondueEsser2015, author = {Bond{\"u}, Rebecca and Esser, G{\"u}nter}, title = {Justice and rejection sensitivity in children and adolescents with ADHD symptoms}, series = {European child and adolescent psychiatry : offical journal of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry}, volume = {24}, journal = {European child and adolescent psychiatry : offical journal of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {1018-8827}, doi = {10.1007/s00787-014-0560-9}, pages = {185 -- 198}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Justice sensitivity captures individual differences in the frequency with which injustice is perceived and the intensity of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions to it. Persons with ADHD have been reported to show high justice sensitivity, and a recent study provided evidence for this notion in an adult sample. In 1,235 German 10- to 19-year olds, we measured ADHD symptoms, justice sensitivity from the victim, observer, and perpetrator perspective, the frequency of perceptions of injustice, anxious and angry rejection sensitivity, depressive symptoms, conduct problems, and self-esteem. Participants with ADHD symptoms reported significantly higher victim justice sensitivity, more perceptions of injustice, and higher anxious and angry rejection sensitivity, but significantly lower perpetrator justice sensitivity than controls. In latent path analyses, justice sensitivity as well as rejection sensitivity partially mediated the link between ADHD symptoms and comorbid problems when considered simultaneously. Thus, both justice sensitivity and rejection sensitivity may contribute to explaining the emergence and maintenance of problems typically associated with ADHD symptoms, and should therefore be considered in ADHD therapy.}, language = {en} }