Grupos Investigadores

Líneas de Investigación

  • Procesos psico-biológicos básicos en humanos
  • Psicometría y evaluación de modelos
  • Registro y análisis de señales neurofisiológicas

Palabras Clave

  • Psicobiología
  • Psicometría
  • Señales neurofisiológicas

Publicaciones Científicas desde 2018

  • Autores: Cortese, S. (Autor de correspondencia); Solmi, M.; Michelini, G.; et al.
    Revista: WORLD PSYCHIATRY
    ISSN: 1723-8617 Vol.22 N° 1 2023 págs. 129 - 149
    Resumen
    Neurodevelopmental disorders - including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, communication disorders, intellectual disability, motor disorders, specific learning disorders, and tic disorders - manifest themselves early in development. Valid, reliable and broadly usable biomarkers supporting a timely diagnosis of these disorders would be highly relevant from a clinical and public health standpoint. We conducted the first systematic review of studies on candidate diagnostic biomarkers for these disorders in children and adolescents. We searched Medline and Embase + Embase Classic with terms relating to biomarkers until April 6, 2022, and conducted additional targeted searches for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and neuroimaging or neurophysiological studies carried out by international consortia. We considered a candidate biomarker as promising if it was reported in at least two independent studies providing evidence of sensitivity and specificity of at least 80%. After screening 10,625 references, we retained 780 studies (374 biochemical, 203 neuroimaging, 133 neurophysiological and 65 neuropsychological studies, and five GWAS), including a total of approximately 120,000 cases and 176,000 controls. While the majority of the studies focused simply on associations, we could not find any biomarker for which there was evidence - from two or more studies from independent research groups, with results going into the same direction - of specificity and sensitivity of at least 80%. Other important metrics to assess the validity of a candidate biomarker, such as positive predictive value and negative predictive value, were infrequently reported. Limitations of the currently available studies include mostly small sample size, heterogeneous approaches and candidate biomarker targets, undue focus on single instead of joint biomarker signatures, and incomplete accounting for potential confounding factors. Future multivariable and multi-level approaches may be best suited to find valid candidate biomarkers, which will then need to be validated in external, independent samples and then, importantly, tested in terms of feasibility and cost-effectiveness, before they can be implemented in daily clinical practice.
  • Autores: Martínez Villar, Martín; Ariz Galilea, Mikel; Álvarez, I.; et al.
    Revista: NPJ PARKINSON'S DISEASE
    ISSN: 2373-8057 Vol.9 N° 1 2023 págs. 62
    Resumen
    Neuromelanin (NM) loss in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and locus coeruleus (LC) reflects neuronal death in Parkinson's disease (PD). Since genetically-determined PD shows varied clinical expressivity, we wanted to accurately quantify and locate brainstem NM and iron, to discover whether specific MRI patterns are linked to Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 G2019S PD (LRRK2-PD) or idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD). A 3D automated MRI atlas-based segmentation pipeline (3D-ABSP) for NM/iron-sensitive MRI images topographically characterized the SNc, LC, and red nucleus (RN) neuronal loss and calculated NM/iron contrast ratio (CR) and normalized volume (nVol). Left-side NM nVol was larger in all groups. PD had lower NM CR and nVol in ventral-caudal SNc, whereas iron increased in lateral, medial-rostral, and caudal SNc. The SNc NM CR reduction was associated with psychiatric symptoms. LC CR and nVol discriminated better among subgroups: LRRK2-PD had similar LC NM CR and nVol as that of controls, and larger LC NM nVol and RN iron CR than iPD. PD showed higher iron SNc nVol than controls, especially among LRRK2-PD. ROC analyses showed an AUC > 0.92 for most pairwise subgroup comparisons, with SNc NM being the best discriminator between HC and PD. NM measures maintained their discriminator power considering the subgroup of PD patients with less than 5 years of disease duration. The SNc iron CR and nVol increase was associated with longer disease duration in PD patients. The 3D-ABSP sensitively identified NM and iron MRI patterns strongly correlated with phenotypic PD features.
  • Autores: Loayza Paredes, Francis Roderich; Obeso, I.; González Redondo, Rafael; et al.
    Revista: BRAIN IMAGING AND BEHAVIOR
    ISSN: 1931-7557 Vol.16 N° 3 2022 págs. 1349-1361
    Resumen
    Recent imaging studies with the stop-signal task in healthy individuals indicate that the subthalamic nucleus, the pre-supplementary motor area and the inferior frontal gyrus are key components of the right hemisphere ¿inhibitory network¿. Limited information is available regarding neural substrates of inhibitory processing in patients with asymmetric Parkinson¿s disease. The aim of the current fMRI study was to identify the neural changes underlying deficient inhibitory processing on the stop-signal task in patients with predominantly left-sided Parkinson's disease. Fourteen patients and 23 healthy controls performed a stop-signal task with the left and right hands. Behaviorally, PD patients showed delayed response inhibition with either hand compared to controls. We found small imaging differences for the right hand, however for the more affected left hand when behavior was successfully inhibited we found reduced activation of the inferior frontal gyrus bilaterally and the insula. Using the stop-signal delay as regressor, contralateral underactivation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inferior frontal and anterior putamen were found in patients. This finding indicates dysfunction of the right inhibitory network in left-sided PD. Functional connectivity analysis of the left subthalamic nucleus showed a significant increase of connectivity with bilateral insula. In contrast, the right subthalamic nucleus showed increased connectivity with visuomotor and sensorimotor regions of the cerebellum. We conclude that altered inhibitory control in left-sided Parkinson's disease is associated with reduced activation in regions dedicated to inhibition in healthy controls, which then requires engagement of additional regions not observed in controls to successfully stop ongoing actions.
  • Autores: Luis García, Elkin Oswaldo; Akrivou, K.; Bermejo Martins, Elena; et al.
    Revista: FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
    ISSN: 1664-1078 Vol.12 2022 págs. 686928
    Resumen
    Rather than occurring abstractly (autonomously), ethical growth occurs in interpersonal relationships (IRs). It requires optimally functioning cognitive processes [attention, working memory (WM), episodic/autobiographical memory (AM), inhibition, flexibility, among others], emotional processes (physical contact, motivation, and empathy), processes surrounding ethical, intimacy, and identity issues, and other psychological processes (self-knowledge, integration, and the capacity for agency). Without intending to be reductionist, we believe that these aspects are essential for optimally engaging in IRs and for the personal constitution. While they are all integrated into our daily life, in research and academic work, it is hard to see how they are integrated. Thus, we need better theoretical frameworks for studying them. That study and integration thereof are undertaken differently depending on different views of what it means to live as a human being. We rely on neuroscientific data to support the chosen theory to offer knowledge to understand human beings and interpersonal relational growth. We should of course note that to describe what makes up the uniqueness of being, acting, and growing as a human person involves something much more profound which requires too, a methodology that opens the way for a theory of the person that responds to the concerns of philosophy and philosophical anthropology from many disciplines and methods (Oron Semper, 2015; Polo, 2015), but this is outside the scope of this study. With these in mind, this article aims to introduce a new explanatory framework, called the Interprocessual-self (IPS), for the neuroscientific findings that allow for a holistic consideration of the previously mentioned processes. Contributing to the knowledge of personal growth and avoiding a reductionist view, we first offer a general description of the research that supports the interrelation between personal virtue in IRs and relevant cognitive, emotional, and ethic-moral processes. This reveals how relationships allow people to relate ethically and grow as persons. We include conceptualizations and descriptions of their neural bases. Secondly, with the IPS model, we explore neuroscientific findings regarding self-knowledge, integration, and agency, all psychological processes that stimulate inner exploration of the self concerning the other. We find that these fundamental conditions can be understood from IPS theory. Finally, we explore situations that involve the integration of two levels, namely the interpersonal one and the social contexts of relationships.
  • Autores: Hernantes Colias, Naia; Bermejo Martins, Elena (Autor de correspondencia); Overgard, K. I.; et al.
    Revista: JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
    ISSN: 0309-2402 Vol.78 N° 6 2022 págs. 1798 - 1814
    Resumen
    Aim To design, implement and evaluate a nurse-led capacity building intervention (PromoGOB) for intersectoral action for health at local governments. Design The programme was based on theories of the policy process and organizational change and facilitated by a nurse developing a health broker role. A complex intervention perspective was adopted in carrying out the study. The intervention was evaluated using a mixed method embedded design. Methods Quantitative component relied on a specific questionnaire. This tool, designed and piloted ad hoc, measured the capacity in terms of knowledge, awareness, resources, skills, and commitment, both at sectoral and government levels. For the qualitative component, semi-structured interviews were conducted. These explored the perceived capacity and feasibility and acceptability issues. The programme was initiated at the end of October 2019, and it lasted a total of 5 weeks. Nineteen individuals representing various sectors at a local government in northern Spain participated in the study. The data analysis was concluded by the end of March 2020. Findings PromoGOB positively influenced participants' capacity for addressing health promotion. Awareness component, intersectoral work and the nurse as health broker were essential in the programme. The necessity of political participation was identified as an issue to be prioritized in future studies. Conclusion This study highlights the relevance of capacity building at local governments and the role that nurses can play in it. Further work should be undertaken to continue developing Health in All Policies approach at local level. Impact This study offers a starting point for nurses to get involved in the policy process of health promotion, performing a specific role as health brokers, building capacity at local governments for addressing social determinants of health, and delving into theories and concepts of the Health in All Policies field.
  • Autores: Eudave Ramos, Luis Humberto (Autor de correspondencia); Martínez Villar, Martín; Luis García, Elkin Oswaldo; et al.
    Revista: FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
    ISSN: 1663-4365 Vol.14 2022 págs. 936661
    Resumen
    The ability to appropriately perceive distances in activities of daily living, such as driving, is necessary when performing complex maneuvers. With aging, certain driving behaviors and cognitive functions change; however, it remains unknown if egocentric distance perception (EDP) performance is altered and whether its neural activity also changes as we grow older. To that end, 19 young and 17 older healthy adults drove in a driving simulator and performed an functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment where we presented adults with an EDP task. We discovered that (a) EDP task performance was similar between groups, with higher response times in older adults; (b) older adults showed higher prefrontal and parietal activation; and (c) higher functional connectivity within frontal and parietal-occipital-cerebellar networks; and (d) an association between EDP performance and hard braking behaviors in the driving simulator was found. In conclusion, EDP functioning remains largely intact with aging, possibly due to an extended and effective rearrangement in functional brain resources, and may play a role in braking behaviors while driving.
  • Autores: Aznárez Sanado, Maite (Autor de correspondencia); Eudave Ramos, Luis Humberto; Martínez Villar, Martín; et al.
    Revista: FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
    ISSN: 1663-4365 Vol.13 2022 págs. 778201
    Resumen
    The human brain undergoes structural and functional changes across the lifespan. The study of motor sequence learning in elderly subjects is of particularly interest since previous findings in young adults might not replicate during later stages of adulthood. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study assessed the performance, brain activity and functional connectivity patterns associated with motor sequence learning in late middle adulthood. For this purpose, a total of 25 subjects were evaluated during early stages of learning [i.e., fast learning (FL)]. A subset of these subjects (n = 11) was evaluated after extensive practice of a motor sequence [i.e., slow learning (SL) phase]. As expected, late middle adults improved motor performance from FL to SL. Learning-related brain activity patterns replicated most of the findings reported previously in young subjects except for the lack of hippocampal activity during FL and the involvement of cerebellum during SL. Regarding functional connectivity, precuneus and sensorimotor lobule VI of the cerebellum showed a central role during improvement of novel motor performance. In the sample of subjects evaluated, connectivity between the posterior putamen and parietal and frontal regions was significantly decreased with aging during SL. This age-related connectivity pattern may reflect losses in network efficiency when approaching late adulthood. Altogether, these results may have important applications, for instance, in motor rehabilitation programs.
  • Autores: Ruiz-Zaldibar, C.; Serrano Monzó, Inmaculada; López de Dicastillo Sáinz de Murieta, Olga; et al.
    Revista: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
    ISSN: 1660-4601 Vol.18 N° 9 2021 págs. 4794
    Resumen
    Positive parenting programs are a key strategy to promote the development of parental competence. We designed a pilot study based on parental self-efficacy to promote healthy lifestyles in their children aged between 2 to 5 years old. In this pilot study, we aimed to assess the effects of a parenting program on parental self-efficacy and parenting styles. Twenty-five parents were allocated into intervention (N = 15) and control group (N = 10). Parents from the intervention group received four group sessions (120 mi per session) to develop a positive parenting, parenting styles and parenting skills regarding to children's diet, exercise, and screen time, and two additional sessions about child development and family games. Parents from the control group received these two latter sessions. Parental self-efficacy, parenting styles, and meal-related parenting practices were measured before and after the intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Acceptability and feasibility of the program was also measured. Quantitative data were analyzed using the repeat measures ANOVA and ANCOVA tests and the effect size calculation. Content analysis was used to analyse open questions. Positive trends were found regarding parental self-efficacy and the use of authoritative parenting style. Parents also reported a great acceptability of the program getting high satisfaction. According to the feasibility barriers and facilitators aspects were identified. The positive trends founded in this study sup
  • Autores: Salas Rodríguez, Fátima María (Autor de correspondencia); Lara Ros, Sonia; Martínez Villar, Martín
    Revista: FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
    ISSN: 1664-1078 Vol.12 2021 págs. 714145
    Resumen
    The Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) has been the most widely used instrument to assess teacher efficacy beliefs. However, no study has been carried out concerning the TSES psychometric properties with teachers in Mexico, the country with the highest number of Spanish-speakers worldwide. The purpose of the present study is to examine the reliability, internal and external validity evidence of the TSES (short form) adapted into Spanish with a sample of 190 primary and secondary Mexican teachers from 25 private schools. Results of construct analysis confirm the three-factor-correlated structure of the original scale. Criterion validity evidence was established between self-efficacy and job satisfaction. Differences in self-efficacy were related to teachers' gender, years of experience and grade level taught. Some limitations are discussed, and future research directions are recommended.
  • Autores: Luis García, Elkin Oswaldo; Bermejo Martins, Elena (Autor de correspondencia); Martínez Villar, Martín; et al.
    Revista: BMJ OPEN
    ISSN: 2044-6055 Vol.11 N° 2 2021 págs. e048469
    Resumen
    Objectives To examine the mediation role of self-care between stress and psychological well-being in the general population of four countries and to assess the impact of sociodemographic variables on this relationship. Design Cross-sectional, online survey. Participants A stratified sample of confined general population (N=1082) from four Ibero-American countries-Chile (n=261), Colombia (n=268), Ecuador (n=282) and Spain (n=271)-balanced by age and gender. Primary outcomes measures Sociodemographic information (age, gender, country, education and income level), information related to COVID-19 lockdown (number of days in quarantine, number of people with whom the individuals live, absence/presence of adults and minors in charge and attitude towards the search of information related to COVID-19), Perceived Stress Scale-10, Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scale-29 and Self-Care Activities Screening Scale-14. Results Self-care partially mediates the relationship between stress and well-being during COVID-19 confinement in the general population in the total sample (F (3,1078)=370.01, p<0.001, R-2=0.507) and in each country. On the other hand, among the evaluated sociodemographic variables, only age affects this relationship. Conclusion The results have broad implications for public health, highlighting the importance of promoting people's active role in their own care and health behaviour to improve psychological well-being if stress management and social determinants of health are jointly addressed first. The present study provides the first transnational evidence from the earlier stages of the COVID-19 lockdown, showing that the higher perception of stress, the less self-care activities are adopted, and in turn the lower the beneficial effects on well-being.
  • Autores: Diez-Fairen, M.; Houle, G.; Ortega-Cubero, S.; et al.
    Revista: PARKINSONISM AND RELATED DISORDERS
    ISSN: 1353-8020 Vol.82 2021 págs. 109 - 116
    Resumen
    Introduction: Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common movement disorders. Despite its high prevalence and heritability, its genetic etiology remains elusive with only a few susceptibility genes identified and poorly replicated. Our aim was to find novel candidate genes involved in ET predisposition through whole exome sequencing. Methods: We studied eight multigenerational families (N = 40 individuals) with an autosomal-dominant inheritance using a comprehensive strategy combining whole exome sequencing followed by case-control association testing of prioritized variants in a separate cohort comprising 521 ET cases and 596 controls. We further performed gene-based burden analyses in an additional dataset comprising 789 ET patients and 770 healthy individuals to investigate whether there was an enrichment of rare deleterious variants within our candidate genes. Results: Fifteen variants co-segregated with disease status in at least one of the families, among which rs749875462 in CCDC183, rs535864157 in MMP10 and rs114285050 in GPR151 showed a nominal association with ET. However, we found no significant enrichment of rare variants within these genes in cases compared with controls. Interestingly, MMP10 protein is involved in the inflammatory response to neuronal damage and has been previously associated with other neurological disorders. Conclusions: We prioritized a set of promising genes, especially MMP10, for further genetic and functional studies in ET. Our study suggests that rare deleterious coding variants that markedly increase susceptibility to ET are likely to be found in many genes. Future studies are needed to replicate and further infer biological mechanisms and potential disease causality for our identified genes.
  • Autores: Pumar-Mendez, J; Lozano-Ochoa, C (Autor de correspondencia); Mujika, A; et al.
    Revista: JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NURSING
    ISSN: 0882-5963 Vol.56 2021 págs. e35 - e41
    Resumen
    Purpose This study aimed to develop and validate a parent self-report questionnaire to explore global health needs in 2- to 6-year-old children. Design and methods The development of the tool started with a conceptualization phase, followed by the design, pilot testing and psychometric validation of the questionnaire. The construct validity was assessed. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were carried out to explore the construct validity of the questionnaire. The normed fit index (NFI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), chi square test and comparative fit index (CFI) were used to test the goodness-of-fit. Reliability was explored through Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. Results A total of 973 parents completed the 119 items of the Necesidades de salud de la Población Infantil (NPI) questionnaire for the psychometric validation stage. The EFA identified seven factors: Lifestyles, Promotion of healthy lifestyles and influence of significant persons, Children's socioemotional aspects, Parents' socioemotional aspects, Parental self-efficacy, Situational influences, Professional advice. All the factors showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.7). The CFA showed good adjustment to the model (RMSEA¿=¿0.048). The values of NFI and CFI were 0.741 and 0.779 respectively.
  • Autores: Iriarte Roteta, Andrea; López de Dicastillo Sáinz de Murieta, Olga (Autor de correspondencia); Mujika Zabaleta, Agurtzane; et al.
    Revista: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING
    ISSN: 0962-1067 Vol.29 N° 21 - 22 2020 págs. 3937 - 3949
    Resumen
    Background Role confusion is hampering the development of nurses' capacity for health promotion and prevention. Addressing this requires discussion to reach agreement among nurses, managers, co-workers, professional associations, academics and organisations about the nursing activities in this field. Forming a sound basis for this discussion is essential. Aims and objectives To provide a description of the state of nursing health promotion and prevention practice expressed in terms of activities classifiable under the Ottawa Charter and to reveal the misalignments between this portrayal and the ideal one proposed by the Ottawa Charter. Methods A critical interpretive synthesis was conducted between December 2018 and May 2019. The PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsychINFO, Web of Science and Dialnet databases were searched. Sixty-two papers were identified. The relevant data were extracted using a pro-forma, and the reviewers performed an integrative synthesis. The ENTREQ reporting guidelines were used for this review. Results Thirty synthetic constructs were developed into the following synthesising arguments: (a) addressing individuals' lifestyles versus developing their personal skills; (b) focusing on environmental hazards versus creating supportive environments; (c) action on families versus strengthening communities; (d) promoting community partnerships versus strengthening community action; and (e) influencing policies versus building healthy public policy. Conclusions There are notable misalignments between nurses' current practice in health promotion and prevention and the Ottawa Charter's actions and strategies. This may be explained by the nurses' lack of understanding of health promotion and prevention and political will, research methodological flaws, the predominance of a biomedical perspective within organisations and the lack of organisational prioritisation for health promotion and prevention.
  • Autores: Martínez Maza, Marina (Autor de correspondencia)
    Revista: ESE. ESTUDIOS SOBRE EDUCACION
    ISSN: 1578-7001 N° 38 2020 págs. 315 - 317
  • Autores: Hernantes Colias, Naia; Bermejo Martins, Elena (Autor de correspondencia); Pumar Méndez, María Jesús; et al.
    Revista: ANALES DEL SISTEMA SANITARIO DE NAVARRA
    ISSN: 1137-6627 Vol.43 N° 3 2020 págs. 429 - 434
  • Autores: Mujika Zabaleta, Agurtzane; Hernantes Colias, Naia; Belintxon Martín, Maider; et al.
    Revista: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
    ISSN: 1101-1262 Vol.28 N° Supl. 4 2018 págs. 218
    Resumen
    Background: The Ottawa Charter identified five key action areas for Health Promotion, the first of which referred to building healthy public policies. However, several studies criticise that expenditure in public health is lower than it should be and the impact of existing wide inequities in health. While a number of reasons have been suggested, there is an urgent need to foster the implementation of health promotion in order to contribute to population¿s health. The aim of this study was to map out the key agents and ingredients for the implementation of health promotion. Methods: A literature review was conducted in Pubmed combining terms such as stakeholders, health promotion and intersectoral action. Results: Different levels at which key agents or stakeholders were operating were identified in relation to health promotion: macro, meso, and micro levels. There was some variation in stakeholders according to level. Several key concepts were identified that, while related, also suggested a transition between them. This was the case with intersectoral action, health governance, health in all policies and governance for health. Among the key ingredients identified were: health promoting integrated policies and programmes with government leadership, strong legislation, civil society participation and intersectoral decision making. Building community business models, and knowledge brokers appeared to be strategies that showed some promise. Conclusions: This review has mapped out health promotion stakeholders operating at different levels. Similarly, it has enabled to identify a number of key concepts and strategies as a first step to foster partnerships among the identified stakeholders. Key messages: It is vital to identify the stakeholders at different levels in the implementation of health promotion. Strategies to foster partnerships among stakeholders are required for the implementation of health promotion.

Proyectos desde 2018

  • Título: AznarezM_CAS21/00511 Ayuda Movilidad Castillejo 2021
    Código de expediente: CAS21/00511
    Investigador principal: MAITE AZNAREZ SANADO.
    Financiador: MINISTERIO DE EDUCACION , CULTURA Y DEPORTE
    Convocatoria: 2021 MECD Movilidad José Castillejo
    Fecha de inicio: 01-02-2022
    Fecha fin: 31-07-2022
    Importe concedido: 19.580,00€
    Otros fondos: -