Executive Functioning in Adults with Down Syndrome: Machine-Learning-Based Prediction of Inhibitory Capacity

Abstract

The study of executive function decline in adults with Down syndrome (DS) is important, because it supports independent functioning in real-world settings. Inhibitory control is posited to be essential for self-regulation and adaptation to daily life activities. However, cognitive domains that most predict the capacity for inhibition in adults with DS have not been identified. The aim of this study was to identify cognitive domains that predict the capacity for inhibition, using novel data-driven techniques in a sample of adults with DS (n = 188; 49.47% men; 33.6 ± 8.8 years old), with low and moderate levels of intellectual disability. Neuropsychological tests, including assessment of memory, attention, language, executive functions, and praxis, were submitted to Random Forest, support vector machine, and logistic regression algorithms for the purpose of predicting inhibition capacity, assessed with the Cats-and-Dogs test. Convergent results from the three algorithms show that the best predictors for inhibition capacity were constructive praxis, verbal memory, immediate memory, planning, and written verbal comprehension. These results suggest the minimum set of neuropsychological assessments and potential intervention targets for individuals with DS and ID, which may optimize potential for independent living.

Application of Machine Learning Techniques to Help in the Feature Selection Related to Hospital Readmissions of Suicidal Behavior

“…That is why a decision was made to use a tree-based iterative method—the CHAID analysis (Jojoa et al, 2021 )—complemented by a machine learning-based attributed selection, as the idea was to improve generalisation of the results obtained for these types of clinical issues in which attribute selection is of great importance. Similarly, in (Jojoa-Acosta et al, 2021 ), the sole use of machine learning methods and assessment by experts is proposed, differing from our work mainly in the recursive selection of attributes and improved with conventional statistical methods, preserving selection by experts in the field to validate outputs of the algorithms used.…”

“…The first corresponds to a classic statistical technique based on goodness of fit assessed by Chi2 distribution, while the second involves the use of machine learning techniques whose function is based on 3 different approaches: entropy, probability, and the linear ratio of the variable. Based on this, the CHAID algorithms were selected (Jojoa et al, 2021 ) for the first component, random forest (Wang et al, 2021 ), logistic regression (Qasim & Algamal, 2018 ), and support vector machine (Jojoa-Acosta et al, 2021 ) for the second.…”

“…That is why there was a need to gather official information based on the minimum basic dataset (CMBD) (Melendez frigola et al, 2016 ) regarding admissions or acute patients associated with suicide in CYL, which entails the search for the key factors that have the most bearing on hospital readmissions of such patients with mental health problems by way of the objective to be pursued in this research. Thus, the application of techniques such as CHAID (Jojoa et al, 2021 ), random forest (Wang et al, 2021 ), logistic regression (Qasim & Algamal, 2018 ), and support vector machine (Jojoa-Acosta et al, 2021 ) proved necessary, together with a set based on common outputs for each algorithm to obtain a general overview of how the resulting system functions. Subsequently, and for the specialist in psychiatry to conduct the assessment, a table was put together indicating which variables best explained the real situation facing each hospital subject to study.…”

Serious Games for Executive Functions Training for Adults with Intellectual Disability: Overview

“…On the other hand, we want to emphasize that many of the serious games analyzed did not include Inhibition Capacity. We believe that it would be interesting to include this executive capacity, as some studies have indicated that Inhibition capacity is a predictive function of cognitive performance in people with ID [ 9 , 14 ].…”

“…A good result in executive functions in the early life stages encourages healthy social relationships in adulthood, better levels of employment, and a lower response to risky behavior [ 11 , 12 ]. Together with other cognitive functions, response inhibition is a process that aims to promote cognitive performance adjusted to one’s environment, and this is a key component in self-regulation processes [ 13 , 14 ].…”