PDF File - Mahidol University

386
Abstracts
Our studies using several cognitive tasks have indicated that
peak activation in the processing of Chinese characters was
located in the left middle frontal cortex (BA 9 and 46),
regions that previous investigations with English and other
alphabetic languages have not commonly identified. Because
the left middle frontal cortex is known to subserve visualspatial
processing of objects and spatial working memory, we
have hypothesized that its extremely strong activation in
reading Chinese is associated with the unique square configuration
of characters. We further found that when Chinese-
English bilinguals process English words phonologically, the
left middle frontal cortex is most strongly activated. This
suggests that the processing of Chinese phonology (where
logographic characters are pronounced monosyllabically and
do not call for phonemic parsing) carries over to second
language processing. Finally, in a study with Chinese
dyslexics, we found less middle frontal and temporal activations
for dyslexic children, suggesting that they were facing a
great difficulty in phonological processing.
WS-3-3
Specific learning disabilities (SLD): advocacy
C.-W. Chan
Working Party on SLD, The Hong Kong Society of Child
Neurology and Developmental Paediatrics (HKCNDP),
Hong Kong, China
With advancement in our understanding of the neurobiological
bases, clinical features and evidence-supported
interventions for SLD, it is imperative that services for
and interests of affected individuals are safeguarded accordingly.
These are rights embodied under the UN Charter for
Children’s Rights. In order to achieve these we need alignment
of definitions among professionals, accurate identification
and diagnosis through powerful screening and
assessment tools and integrated multidisciplinary teams, as
well as specific and accountable management plans. In line
with these, there must be parents who understand their children’s
condition and needs, school teachers who have
appropriate preparation and ongoing in-service training,
enlightened education administrators, as well as wide spread
public awareness and acceptance of the disabilities. Adverse
complications associated with undiagnosed or improperly
managed children with SLD include school failure and
drop out, eroded self esteem, juvenile delinquency,
substance abuse, and a future life of unemployment and
underachievement. Effective legislation and government
policies, plus close partnerships between professionals,
stakeholders and the public are foundations for success.
Given the range of information and services that address
the full scope of SLD and appropriate measures to promote
their talents and potentials, every individual with SLD will
have the opportunity to lead a productive and fulfilling life,
from which society will ultimately benefit.
WS-3-4
Clinical diagnosis and management
C.C.C. LAM
Central Kowloon Child Assessment Centre, Kowloon, Hong
Kong, China
Abstract not submitted
FREE PAPERS-Oral Presentation
FO-1
Neuroscience
FO-1-1
Effects of developmental lead exposure on nitric oxide
synthase activity in different brain regions of rat
G.-J. Dong, Z.-Y. Zhao, Z.-W. Zhu
The Affiliated Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University
School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
Objective: To observe the influence of lead exposure on
nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in different brain regions of rat.
Methods: By establishing a series of rat models exposed to
different low levels lead during developing period, (drinking
water containing 0.025, 0.05 and 0.075% lead acetate) we
studied NOS activity in hippocampus, cerebellum, cerebral
cortical and brain stem. Results: For 0.025 and 0.05% groups,
NOS activity in hippocampus was obviously inhibited, had
significant difference with that in cerebral cortical and brain
stem (P , 0:05). For 0.075% group, NOS activity in cerebral
cortical was obviously lower than those in hippocampus and
brain stem (P , 0:05). On the 21st and 28th day after birth,
NOS activity in cerebellum of 0.025 and 0.05% groups was
lower than those in hippocampus, cerebral cortical and brain
stem (P , 0:05), while NOS activity in cerebellum of
0.075% group was lower than those in hippocampus and
brain stem (P , 0:05). On the 21st and 28th day after birth,
NOS activity in hippocampus and cerebellum of each experiment
group was obviously lower than that of control group
(P , 0:01). On different time points, NOS activity in Cerebral
cortical of 0.075% group was obviously lower than that
of control, 0.025 and 0.05% groups (P , 0:05). Lead exposure
had no influence on NOS activity in brain stem
(P . 0:05). Conclusions: NOS activities in hippocampus,
cerebral cortical and cerebella cortical of rat were inhibited
by lead exposure and the degree of the effect was related to Pb
exposure time and level of Pb.
FO-1-2
Developing cortical neurons injury following recurrent
epileptiform discharges induced by magnesium-free
culture
H.-Y. Cao, Y.-W. Jiang, T. Bo, X.-R. Wu
Division of neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Peking
University First Hospital, Beijing, China