No description available.

Thèse de doctorat présenté en vue de l'obtention du doctorat en psychologie - recherche intervention, option neuropsychologie clinique (Ph.D) / L’objectif principal de la thèse est d’outiller les cliniciens œuvrant auprès d’une population atteinte d’un traumatisme craniocérébral (TCC) dans l’établissement d’un profil compréhensif et un pronostic des fonctions exécutives (FE), ainsi que dans leur capacité à cibler les patients qui développeront des difficultés d’intégration sociale, sur la base des troubles cognitifs objectivés et plus précisément des troubles des FE. Afin de répondre à cet objectif, la présente thèse contient deux articles qui se basent sur le modèle théorique de Miyake (Miyake, Friedman, et al., 2000) afin de définir les FE. Le premier article s’intéresse à caractériser les associations entre des variables sociodémographiques, liées au TCC léger et des symptômes post TCC léger d’une part, et les performances des FE d’autre part. Le deuxième article vise à (1) mesurer la récupération des FE entre la phase aiguë et six mois post-TCC et (2) explorer la relation entre les FE et la participation sociale après un TCC. Les résultats des articles suggèrent principalement que les personnes ayant subi un TCC léger qui sont les plus éduquées et dont le QI estimé prémobide est plus élevé (réserve cognitive plus grande), sont susceptibles de présenter de meilleures performances aux mesures des FE à la suite de leur accident. Les résultats suggèrent aussi que la performance des patients sur certaines mesures des FE s’améliore significativement dans les six mois suivant leur accident et qu’elle peut être associée, notamment pour la fluence verbale alternée, avec le niveau de participation sociale des patients après leur accident. Globalement, les résultats de cette thèse nous permettent de statuer que certains facteurs sont importants à prendre en compte lorsque l’on évalue les FE chez des personnes atteintes d’un TCC, et ce, afin de mieux comprendre les différences inter-individuelles chez cette population. Ainsi, la thèse suggère qu’il est crucial de considérer la notion de réserve cognitive avec une population atteinte d’un TCC. Puisqu’il est postulé que la réserve cognitive permet de compenser les déficits cognitifs, les déficits des FE chez des patients présentant une haute réserve cognitive pourraient apparaitre comme plus préoccupant que chez des patients présentant un faible niveau de réserve cognitive. De surcroît, les résultats de la thèse mettent de l’avant l’importance du test de fluence verbale alternée qui s’avère suffisamment sensible auprès de cette population pour mesurer la récupération des FE dans le temps, mais également pour donner un portrait de l’atteinte exécutive qui pourrait aussi se manifester et être associée à certaines difficultés de participation sociale dans la vie de tous les jours. / The main objective of this thesis is to provide clinicians working with a population suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) in establishing an accurate comprehensive profile and prediction of executive functions (EF), as well as in their ability to target patients who will develop difficulties in social integration, based on objectified cognitive disorders and more specifically on EF disorders. In order to meet this objective, this thesis contains two articles that will use Miyake's theoretical model (Miyake, Friedman, et al., 2000) to define EF. The first paper is interested in characterizing the associations between sociodemographic variables, related to mild TBI and post- mild TBI symptoms on the one hand, and EF performance on the other. The second article aims to (1) measure the recovery of EF between the acute phase and six months post-TBI and (2) explore the relationship between EF and social participation after TBI. The results of the articles primarily suggest that individuals with mild TBI who are more educated and have higher premorbid estimated IQ (cognitive reserve), are likely to show better performance on EF measures following their accident. The results also suggest that patients' performance on some EF measures improves significantly in the six months following their accident and may be associated, particularly for alternating verbal fluency, with patients' level of social participation following their accident. Overall, the results of this thesis allow us to state that certain factors are important to consider when assessing cognitive functions, especially EF in people with TBI. Thus, the thesis suggests that it is crucial to consider the notion of cognitive reserve with a TBI population. Since cognitive reserve is postulated to compensate for cognitive deficits, EF deficits in patients with high cognitive reserve might appear to be of greater concern than in patients with low cognitive reserve. Furthermore, the results of the thesis highlight the importance of the alternate verbal fluency test, which is sufficiently sensitive in this population to measure the recovery of EFs over time, but also to give a picture of the executive impairment that could also occur and be association with some difficulties in social participation in everyday life.

Infant visual attention develops rapidly over the first year of life, significantly altering the way infants respond to peripheral visual events. Here we present data from 5-, 7- and 10-month-old infants using the Infant Orienting With Attention (IOWA) task, designed to capture developmental changes in visual spatial attention and saccade planning. Results indicate rapid development of spatial attention and visual response competition between 5 and 10 months. We use a dynamic neural field (DNF) model to link behavioral findings to neural population activity, providing a possible mechanistic explanation for observed developmental changes. Together, the behavioral and model simulation results provide new insights into the specific mechanisms that underlie spatial cueing effects, visual competition, and visual interference in infancy.

No description available.

Obesity is associated with deficits in cognitive function, particularly within the domain of executive function (EF). EF refers to higher order cognitive processes that regulate our ability to sustain attention, inhibit subconscious tendencies, remember and manipulate information for immediate use, and remain cognitively flexible. Deficits in EF in overweight and obese individuals may impact the success of weight loss and maintenance efforts. Therefore, understanding the biological links between obesity and EF, as well as the ability to reverse EF deficits with weight loss, is imperative. The first study aimed to determine the effect of weight loss in overweight and obese, middle-aged and older adults on serum brain-derived neurotrophic fact (BDNF), S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Serum samples (n=21; 50-75 years, BMI 25-40 kg/m2) were pooled from two prior weight loss studies. Fasting blood measurements were taken before and after 8- or 12-weeks of hypocaloric diet-induced weight loss (1200 or 1500 kcal/d). Body Mass Index (BMI), body weight, waist circumference, and percent body fat (All p<0.001) decreased with weight loss. Serum BDNF (p=0.871), S100B (p=0.898), and GFAP (p=0.506) did not change following weight loss. The second study aimed to determine the correlation between the magnitude of change in serum BDNF, S100B, and GFAP and the magnitude of improvement in EF performance on three computer-based tests. Participants (n=8; 50-75 years, BMI 25-40 kg/m2) completed 4-weeks of hypocaloric diet-induced weight loss (1200 or 1500 kcal/d), followed by 4-weeks of weight maintenance (hypocaloric diet + steps/d goal). Fasting blood and EF measurements were completed at baseline, and weeks 4 and 8. BMI (p=0.001), body weight (p=0.001), waist circumference (p=0.002), and percent body fat (p=0.001) decreased from baseline to week 8. Serum BDNF (p=0.359), S100B (p=0.277), and GFAP (p=0.585) did not change following weight loss. Go/No-Go (GNG) errors of commission (p=0.009) and AX-Continuous Performance Test (AX-CPT) correct response time (p=0.041) decreased following the weight loss. The change in serum GFAP was inversely correlated with GNG errors of omission (r=-0.716, p=0.046) and AX-CPT correct hits (r=-0.737, p=0.037), and positively correlated with AX-CPT correct response time (r=0.859, p=0.006). In conclusion, although weight loss does not influence serum BDNF, S100B, or GFAP levels, it may have a positive effect on inhibitory control in overweight and obese, middle-aged and older adults. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between serum BDNF, S100B, and GFAP and executive function. / Master of Science / Obesity is associated with lower brain function, particularly in executive function (EF). EF refers to advanced thought processes that help to maintain focus, practice self-control, solve problems, and easily switch between tasks. Lower EF in individuals with overweight and obesity may impact the success of weight loss and maintenance efforts. Because of this, understanding body processes that may link obesity and lower EF, as well as the ability to improve EF with weight loss, is very important. The first study aimed to determine the effect of weight loss on blood proteins responsible for brain health: brain-derived neurotrophic fact (BDNF), S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Twenty-one blood samples from overweight and obese, middle-aged and older adults were combined from two completed weight loss studies. In these studies, blood was measured before and after 8- or 12-weeks of a weight loss (low calorie diet;1200 or 1500 Calories per day). Body Mass Index (BMI), body weight, waist circumference, and percent body fat all decreased with weight loss; however, levels of BDNF, S100B, and GFAP in the blood did not change. The second study aimed to determine the relationship between blood BDNF, S100B, and GFAP and performance on three computer-based tests of EF before and after weight loss. Eight overweight and obese, middle-aged and older adults completed 4-weeks of weight loss (low-calorie diet; 1200 or 1500 Calories per day), followed by 4-weeks of weight maintenance. BMI, body weight, waist circumference, and percent body fat all decreased following the weight loss and maintenance intervention (week 8). Blood BDNF, S100B, and GFAP levels did not change, but performance on two EF measures improved: participants made less errors of commission (doing something when not supposed to) and had faster reaction time following the intervention, indicating better self-control. Additionally, greater increases in GFAP were associated with less errors of omission (not doing something when supposed to), fewer correct responses, and slower reaction time. In conclusion, although weight loss did not affect blood BDNF, S100B, or GFAP levels, it may improve self-control in overweight and obese, middle-aged and older adults. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between weight loss, blood proteins of brain health, and EF.

[pt] Esta pesquisa propõe um estudo com objetivo de validação clínica do Sistema Brasileiro de Avaliação Qualitativa da Figura de Rey (BRAS-ROCF). A partir de uma amostra total de 80 crianças e adolescentes foram verificados critérios quantitativos e qualitativos da cópia do teste Figura Complexa de Rey (ROCF), comparando o desempenho de dois grupos: (1) Grupo com diagnóstico prévio de TEA (GTEA) e (2) um grupo sem diagnóstico de TEA (GST). O primeiro estudo analisou os resultados quantitativos da ROCF, encontrando diferença significativa (t (77) = 3.457, p .037) entre os grupos. O segundo estudo analisou a validade clínica do BRS-ROCF sendo a estratégia de elementos idiossincráticos mais utilizada (21 por cento) pelo GTEA e uma das menos utilizadas pelo grupo GST (5 por cento). A estratégia de desenho com início por metades ou quadrantes foi mais utilizada (36 por cento) pelo GST. Comparando os dois grupos quanto a estratégia aplicada para cópia da figura de Rey foi detectada uma relação forte (r = .702, p < .001) entre os critérios de correção qualitativa da ROCF e os critérios propostos pelo BRS-ROCF. A partir dos achados, conclui-se que a análise qualitativa BRAS-ROCF tem utilidade clínica como medida de funcionamento executivo. / [en] This research proposes a study aiming to clinically validate the Brazilian System of Qualitative Assessment of the Rey Figure (BRAS-ROCF). From a total sample of 80 children and adolescents, quantitative and qualitative criteria of the Rey Complex Figure Test (ROCF) copy were verified, comparing the performance of two groups: (1) a group with a previous diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (GTEA) and (2) a group without a diagnosis of ASD (GST). The first study analyzed the quantitative results of the ROCF, finding a significant difference (t(77) = 3.457, p .037) between the groups. The second study examined the clinical validity of the BRS-ROCF, with the idiosyncratic element s strategy being the most utilized (21 percent) by the GTEA and one of the least utilized by the GST (5 percent). The strategy of drawing with beginning by halves or quadrants was more utilized (36 percent) by the GST. Comparing GTEA and GST, a strong relationship (r = .702, p < .001) was observed in this modality between the qualitative correction criteria of the ROCF and the criteria proposed by the BRS-ROCF. From these findings, it is concluded that the qualitative analysis of BRAS-ROCF has clinical utility as a measure of executive functioning.

The overall aim of this thesis was to explore the role of different assessment tools and training regimens in assessment and remediation for children with special educational needs in school. A central purpose of assessment explored was that it should inform remediation, teaching and instruction. The concepts of working memory, complex executive function and metacognitive strategy training for children with special educational needs were specifically explored in relation to this purpose of assessment. Complex executive function refers to planning and metacognitive ability, that many children with special educational needs struggle with, and which they are expected to handle in learning during school day. Of particular interest in the thesis was the contrast between working memory and complex executive function and how these concepts inform assessment and remediation practices. In this context, special attention was given to mathematical learning difficulties. The thesis was based on four studies (I‑IV). Study I explored the prevalence of different assessment tools, and dilemmas and challenges as perceived by assessment professionals, teachers and parents, in the work with children with special educational needs in Europe. In Study II, a metacognitive strategy training framework was developed as a training regimen, guided by research on complex executive function, and applied on working memory training. Effects of working memory training were compared between the two training regimens, with and without metacognitive strategy training, and also the overall effect of working memory training on cognitive functioning and the school related skills of reading, writing and arithmetic. In Study III, different types of measures of working memory and their predictive capacities in relation to mathematics achievement in national curriculum assessments were explored, as well as the effects of working memory training on mathematics achievement. In Study IV the role of working memory and complex executive function in identifying risk for mathematical learning difficulties in children with special educational needs was explored. The results from Study I suggested that assessment and remediation practices can contribute to a deficiency‑oriented outlook on children with special educational needs. In contrast parents and teachers in Sweden also reported that assessment could help them to better understand the needs of the child. Results from studies II-IV showed that only the use of a metacognitive strategy training regimen targeting complex executive function resulted in improvements following working memory training. The results also indicated that working memory training strongly predicted mathematical performance in national curriculum assessments of mathematics in school, and that a more complex change measure of working memory was a better predictor than simple working memory measures in this regard. Finally, the results also showed that complex executive function, defined as planning ability, was a better predictor than simple working memory in the assessment of risk for mathematical learning difficulties. The results from the studies were discussed in relation to the purpose of assessment to inform remediation, teaching and instruction for children with special educational needs. It was concluded that, in addition to working memory, as complex executive function – planning and metacognitive ability - seems to be an important cognitive function related to learning, this should be addressed both in the assessment of children with special educational needs as well as in the remediation when designing training regimens and interventions for children with special educational needs in general, and children at risk for mathematic learning difficulties in particular. It was also highlighted that in remediation, the role of the teacher as a mediator of metacognition and complex executive function seems vital. / Det övergripande syftet med avhandlingen var att undersöka den roll som olika utredningsverktyg och begrepp spelar i utformandet av utrednings‑ och stödinsatser för barn i behov av stöd i skolan. Ett centralt syfte med utredningar som utforskades är att de ska bidra med kunskaper vid utformande av stödinsatser och undervisning. I relation till detta syfte utforskades specifikt begreppen arbetsminne, komplex exekutiv funktion och metakognitiv strategiträning för barn i behov av stöd. Komplex exekutiv funktion syftar till planerings- och metakognitiv förmåga, något som många barn i behov av stöd upplevs ha svårigheter med, och som de förväntas kunna hantera i lärandet i skolans vardag. Av särskilt intresse i avhandlingen var kontrasten mellan arbetsminne och komplex exekutiv funktion och hur dessa begrepp bidrar till en förståelse i utformandet av utrednings- och stödinsatser. I detta sammanhang uppmärksammades särskilt matematiksvårigheter hos barn i behov av stöd. Avhandlingen bygger på fyra studier (I-IV). I Studie I undersöktes förekomsten av olika utredningsverktyg, samt utredares, lärares och föräldrars uppfattningar av dilemman och utmaningar i arbetet kring barn i behov av stöd, i Europa. I Studie II utformades ett koncept för metakognitiv strategiträning med utgångspunkt från forskning kring komplex exekutiv funktion och tillämpades i arbetsminnesträning. Effekten av arbetsminnesträning med och utan metakognitiv strategiträning jämfördes, liksom effekten av arbetsminnesträning på kognitiva funktioner och skolrelaterade färdigheter inom läsning, skrivning och aritmetik. I Studie III undersöktes olika mått på arbetsminne, och deras prediktiva kapacitet i relation till matematisk förmåga mätt genom nationella prov i matematik, samt effekten av arbetsminnesträning på matematisk förmåga. I Studie IV undersöktes vilken roll arbetsminne och komplex exekutiv funktion har i identifiering av barn i behov av stöd i riskzon för matematiksvårigheter. Resultaten från Studie I visade att utrednings- och stödinsatser kunde bidra till att förstärka ett brist-orienterat synsätt på barn i behov av stöd. I kontrast till detta, delgav lärare och föräldrar i Sverige att utredningar kunde hjälpa dem att förstå barnets behov på ett bättre sätt. Resultaten från studie II-IV visade att enbart den metakognitiva träningen, fokuserad på komplex exekutiv funktion, bidrog till förbättringar efter arbetsminnesträning. Resultatet indikerade också att arbetsminnesträning predicerar matematisk prestation i nationella prov i matematik, och att ett mer komplext arbetsminnesmått var en bättre prediktor än enklare arbetsminnesmått. Slutligen visade resultaten också att komplex exekutiv funktion i form av planeringsförmåga var en bättre prediktor än enkelt arbetsminnesmått vid utredning av risk för matematiksvårigheter. Resultaten från studierna diskuterades i relation till syftet med utredning: att bidra med kunskaper vid utformande av extra anpassningar, särskilt stöd och undervisning för barn i behov av stöd. Eftersom komplex exekutiv funktion –planerings- och metakognitiv förmåga - verkar vara en viktig kognitiv funktion i lärandet, bör man ta hänsyn till detta både i utrednings- och stödinsatser kring barn i behov av stöd generellt, och särskilt kring barn i riskzon för matematiksvårigheter. Det belystes också att i stödinsatser är lärarens roll som mediator av metakognition och komplex exekutiv funktion viktig. / <p>Vid tidpunkten för disputationen var följande delarbeten opublicerade: delarbete 3 (inskickat), delarbete 4 (inskickat)</p><p>At the time of the doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished: paper 3 (submitted), paper 4 (submitted)</p>

Le fardeau vasculaire (présence de maladies vasculaires et/ou cérébrovasculaires) est associé à une augmentation des troubles cognitifs chez les personnes âgées, ainsi qu’à un plus haut risque de démence vasculaire (DV) et de démence de type Alzheimer (DTA). Un nombre restreint de travaux a porté sur l’impact du fardeau vasculaire sur la cognition des personnes avec trouble cognitif léger (TCL). Pourtant, les personnes avec TCL représentent une population d’intérêt puisqu’elles sont à haut risque d’évoluer vers une démence. Cette thèse comprend trois articles de revue qui visent à exposer les connaissances entourant la santé vasculaire et la cognition des personnes âgées et trois articles empiriques (Chapitres 5, 6, 7). La première étude empirique traite de l’impact du fardeau vasculaire sur la cognition des personnes TCL et a comme objectif de spécifier quelles fonctions cognitives sont affectées par le fardeau vasculaire et dans quelle mesure le fardeau vasculaire influence l’hétérogénéité des TCL (Chapitre 5). Dans le cadre de la deuxième étude, nous avons examiné l’intégrité des processus stratégiques et non stratégiques de mémorisation des TCL avec et sans fardeau vasculaire, afin d’évaluer si ces processus diffèrent quantitativement et qualitativement entre ces deux groupes (Chapitre 6). Enfin, dans la troisième étude nous avons évalué les capacités d’association (binding) ainsi que la résistance à l’interférence des personnes TCL, les liens entre ces processus mnésiques et différents marqueurs cérébraux en plus des facteurs permettant de prédire l’évolution vers une démence (Chapitre 7). Les résultats présentés dans cette thèse appuient l’hypothèse selon laquelle le fardeau vasculaire influence le profil cognitif des TCL. Dans un premier temps, nous avons montré que le fardeau vasculaire est associé à une atteinte exécutive plus importante chez les TCL (Chapitre 5). De plus, nos résultats suggèrent que le fardeau vasculaire influence la classification clinique de ces derniers, puisque ceux dont le fardeau est élevé répondent davantage aux critères de TCL amnestique domaine multiple (trouble de mémoire plus au moins un autre déficit cognitif) tandis que ceux sans fardeau répondent davantage aux critères de TCL amnestique domaine unique (trouble isolé de la mémoire). Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons montré des différences dans la nature des processus mnésiques atteints chez les TCL avec et sans fardeau vasculaire (Chapitre 6). Alors que les premiers présentent une atteinte prédominante des processus stratégiques de mémorisation, les seconds présentent une atteinte des processus stratégiques et non stratégiques de mémorisation. Lorsque seuls les résultats des TCL ayant évolué vers une démence sont analysés, le patron d’atteinte est similaire puisque les TCL vasculaires sont quantitativement moins touchés que les TCL non-vasculaires au niveau des processus non-stratégiques de mémorisation. Enfin, tant les TCL qui progressent vers une démence que les TCL qui restent stables après un suivi de trois ans éprouvent tous des difficultés de mémoire associative et sont sensibles à l’interférence proactive (Chapitre 7). De plus, le fardeau vasculaire est associé à la sensibilité à l’interférence alors que le volume hippocampique est associé aux difficultés de mémoire associative. Enfin, nos résultats indiquent que les TCL qui éprouvent des difficultés de mémoire associative sont plus à risque d’évoluer vers une démence que les TCL ne présentant pas ces mêmes difficultés. De façon globale, les résultats de cette thèse révèlent que le fardeau vasculaire joue un rôle important dans l’hétérogénéité des TCL. / Vascular burden (presence of vascular diseases and/or cerebrovascular diseases) increase cognitive deficits in older adults and have been associated with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases. However, only a few studies have examined the impact of vascular burden on cognitive functioning in persons with mild cognitive impairment (herein referred to as MCIs). Individuals with MCI are a target population for research since they are at high risk of developing dementia. Understanding the factors that influence MCIs cognition is thus a priority. This thesis aims to identify the impact of vascular burden on MCI’s cognition. First, a summary of the literature concerning vascular health and cognitive functioning in the elderly is presented here (Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4). Then, three studies that represent the core of this thesis are exposed. The first one aims to identify which cognitive functions are affected by vascular burden in MCIs (Chapter 5). In the second one, we assess strategic and non strategic memory processes in MCI with and without vascular burden (Chapter 6). Finally, in the last study, we assess binding and sensitivity to proactive interference in MCIs who progress to dementia, and MCIs who remain stable in a three-year follow-up (Chapter 7). This latter study also assesses which brain changes influence binding and interference capacity in MCIs and which factors predict progression to dementia. Results of this thesis first revealed that vascular burden plays an important role in cognitive heterogeneity of MCIs. First, MCIs who present a high vascular burden have more executive deficits. Second, those same MCIs run a greater risk of being clinically classified as amnestic multiple domain MCIs (memory impairment plus impairment in at least one cognitive domain, whereas MCIs with no vascular burden run a greater risk of being classified as amnestic single domain MCIs (isolated memory impairment) (Chapter 7). In the second article of this thesis, we showed that MCIs with vascular burden have memory impairment restricted to strategic memory processes. When only the results of MCIs who progressed to dementia were analysed, a similar pattern of memory impairment was found, since MCIs with vascular burden were less impaired in non strategic than strategic processes, whereas both processes were impaired in MCIs with no vascular burden (Chapter 8). Finally, MCIs who progressed to dementia, and those who remained stable after a three-year follow-up, showed binding difficulties and vulnerability to proactive interference. This difference was particularly evident when only MCI progressors were compared to healthy controls. In summary, vascular burden plays a role in the cognitive heterogeneity of MCI.

Plusieurs recherches ont démontré que la qualité des interactions mère-enfant influence le développement de la fonction exécutive (FE) chez les enfants d’âge préscolaire. Ces recherches se sont attardées à la dimension « froide » de la FE qui regroupe les habiletés de prise de décisions générales en situation de résolution de problèmes. Cette recherche s’intéresse à l’autre dimension de la FE, les cognitions « chaudes », qui entrent en jeu lorsque la prise de décisions en situation de résolution de problèmes implique une charge émotionnelle. Cette dimension joue un rôle dans la prise de décisions affectives (PDA). Les études empiriques qui portent sur la PDA ont principalement regardé les liens avec le sexe et l’âge des enfants ainsi que les relations avec les facteurs neurologiques. Aucune étude à notre connaissance n’a examiné les liens avec la qualité des interactions mère-enfant. L’exploration empirique de la contribution des facteurs environnementaux proximaux de l’enfant, tel que le soutien affectif maternel, reste à faire. Dans un premier temps, cette recherche examine l’effet du soutien affectif maternel sur la PDA globale. Dans un deuxième temps, l’effet du sexe et l’effet d’interaction entre la qualité du soutien affectif maternel et les profils d’apprentissage des enfants de 48 mois sont examinés. Enfin, cette étude examine cent quatre-vingt-onze enfants (109 filles et 82 garçons) et leur mère qui ont participé à une journée d'évaluation en laboratoire dans le cadre de l’Étude Longitudinale sur le Développement des Enfants du Québec - groupe Pilote (ELDEQ-P, Santé Québec, 1997). Ils ont réalisé différentes activités permettant de les évaluer en dyade ou individuellement. La PDA a été évaluée à l’aide du Children’s Gambling Task (CGT) (Kerr & Zelazo, 2001). Le soutien affectif maternel a été évalué à partir d’une tâche de récits narratifs co-construits entre la mère et l’enfant (MacArthur Story-Stem Battery (MSSB), Bretherton, Oppenheim, Buchsbaum, Emde & the MacArthur Narrative Group, 1990) et la grille d’évaluation du Climat affectif a été utilisée pour évaluer la qualité du soutien affectif maternel (Boutin, Parent, et Lapalme-L’Heureux, 1998). Nos résultats indiquent que la qualité du soutien affectif maternel n’a pas d’effet principal sur la PDA globale mais interagit avec les profils d’apprentissage des enfants en contexte de PDA. Cette interaction est toutefois significative uniquement chez les garçons. Les garçons qui reçoivent un soutien affectif maternel dans la moyenne ou élevé obtiennent un meilleur profil d’apprentissage en situation de PDA comparativement à ceux qui ont un soutien affectif maternel sous la moyenne. En outre, les résultats révèlent que les 26 enfants (12 garçons, 14 filles) qui ont abandonné en cours de tâche obtiennent des scores plus faibles sur la qualité du soutien affectif maternel. Ce résultat suggère que les enfants obtenant un faible soutien affectif maternel sont plus enclins à abandonner une tâche d’apprentissage en situation de PDA. En somme, les résultats de la présente étude suggèrent que la qualité des interactions mère-enfant est importante sur le développement d’habiletés cognitives en contexte émotionnel chez les enfants d’âge préscolaire. / Research suggests that the quality of mother-child interactions play a role in the development of executive functioning (EF) during the preschool years. Most studies have examined cool EF, which represent general decision-making abilities during problem solving activities. The present study is concerned with hot EF, which is typically elicited by problem solving situations that require emotional regulation. Hot EF plays a role in affective decision-making (ADM). Prior research on ADM has examined its relation to sex, age, and neurological factors. Studies have not examined whether mother-child interactions play a role in the development of ADM ability. Thus, the importance of proximal environmental factors such as maternal responsiveness remains to be examined. The present study first examines the main effect of the quality of maternal responsiveness on the ADM ability. Second, the effect of sex and the interaction between the quality of maternal responsiveness and learning profiles of 48-month-old children were examined. Finally, this study also examines whether there were differences between the maternal responsiveness of children who abandoned the ADM test and those who completed the task. A subsample of 191 children (109 girls and 82 boys) and their mothers participated in a lab visit as part of the Pilot-Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (P-QLSCD, Quebec Health, 1997). Children completed several activities both individually and with their mothers. ADM was evaluated using the Children’s Gambling Task (CGT, Kerr & Zelazo, 2001). Maternal responsiveness was assessed using the MacArthur Story-Stem Battery (MSSB , Bretherton, Oppenheim, Buchsbaum, Emde & the MacArthur Narrative Group, 1990) and the Affective climate coding scheme (Boutin, Parent, et Lapalme-L’Heureux, 1998). Results revealed no significant principal effect between the quality of maternal responsiveness and ADM ability but a significant interaction between the quality of maternal responsiveness and child learning profiles. However, this interaction was only significant for boys. Boys who received medium to high levels of responsiveness showed better learning profiles during hot EF tasks than those who received low levels of responsiveness. In addition, children who abandoned the experiment (N=26) received lower scores on maternal responsiveness than those who completed the task. The present results suggest that high quality mother-child interactions are important for the development of cognitive processing in emotional contexts.

Lors d'une évaluation neuropsychologique, il est attendu du patient une mobilisation optimale de ses capacités cognitives, afin d’objectiver de la façon la plus précise possible son tableau clinique. Sa collaboration et son implication au cours de l'examen sont en effet fondamentales puisqu’elles participent fortement à la validité de ses résultats, et de ce fait à la solidité des conclusions diagnostiques. Le biais de réponse se définit aujourd’hui comme l’ensemble des comportements visant à intentionnellement modifier ses performances cognitives. Malgré une abondante littérature sur ce concept au cours des deux dernières décennies, plusieurs questions perdurent, particulièrement en regard de ses aspects qualitatifs et des mécanismes associés. A travers quatre études, ce projet de thèse a tenté de répondre à ces problématiques, en apportant des connaissances complémentaires sur le biais de réponse. Une première expérimentation s’est ainsi intéressée à préciser la nature des comportements liés au biais de réponse, en l’explorant de façon originale dans plusieurs domaines cognitifs et au sein d’un échantillon mixte, incluant notamment des patients présentant une altération cognitive. Elle a permis de mettre en lumière un large répertoire de ses manifestations, et a apporté des arguments en faveur d’une participation de facteurs cognitifs dans la production du biais de réponse. Les deux études suivantes se sont vouées à adapter et valider trois outils psychométriques spécifiques à l’évaluation du biais de réponse (Performance Validity Tests), en testant leur pertinence et leur efficacité dans une large population francophone clinique et générale. Enfin, le dernier volet a cherché à comprendre le rôle joué par les facteurs associés au biais de réponse, en analysant son lien avec les processus exécutifs et métacognitifs. L’analyse des observations a alors confirmé l’existence d’une influence du fonctionnement exécutif dans le biais de réponse. L’ensemble des résultats recueillis à l’issue de ce travail souligne la complexité et la richesse du biais de réponse et permet de suggérer une nouvelle modélisation de ce concept, tenant compte de son caractère multidimensionnel et possiblement multifactoriel. / During a neuropsychological evaluation, optimal mobilization of the patient’s cognitive capacities is required in order to accurately objectify their clinical picture. The collaboration and involvement of the patient during the examination are fundamental to the validity of the results and hence the strength of the diagnostic. The current definition of response bias is the set of behaviours intended to intentionally modify one's cognitive performances. Despite an extensive literature on this concept over the last two decades, several questions remain, particularly regarding the qualitative aspects and the associated mechanisms. Through four studies, this dissertation has tried to answer these issues by providing complementary knowledge on response bias. The first experiment aimed to clarify the nature of behaviours related to response bias, in several cognitive domains and in a mixed sample including patients with cognitive impairment. This has shed light on a broad repertoire of its manifestations and has provided arguments for the participation of cognitive factors in the production of response bias. The following two studies have adapted and validated three specific psychometric tools known as Performance Validity Tests, by testing their relevance and effectiveness in large French-speaking samples including neurological patients and the general population. Finally, the last part sought to understand the role played by the factors associated with response bias, by analysing its link with the executive and metacognitive processes. The observations analysis has confirmed the existence of an impact of the executive functioning in response bias. All the results gathered underline the complexity and richness of response bias and suggest a new modelling of this concept, considering its multidimensional and possibly multifactorial nature.