Abstract Objective: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2, an orphan disease also known as spinocerebellar degeneration, is characterized by a degenerative process of the cerebellum and spinal cord. Method Biographical review of a Japanese woman known as Aya Kitou, using a qualitative approach of discourse analysis to identify resilience capacity, based on Boris Cyrulnik’s Biopsychosocial model. Results Description based on the detailed experience reported in Aya´s diary; the areas to achieve resilience are identified (internal resources, sociocultural significance and social support system) Conclusion Although the progression of the clinical condition compromised Aya”s functional capacity, limiting her autonomy and quality of life, it was evidenced that thanks to strong social networks individuals are more likely to achieve resilience, although the prevalence of social values and meanings upon the patient creates greater social anxiety and a greater feeling of inferiority and incapacity.

Resumo Objetivo A ataxia espinocerebelar tipo 2, uma doença órfã também conhecida como degeneração espinocerebelar, é caracterizada pelo processo degenerativo do cerebelo e da medula espinhal. Método Revisão biográfica de mulher japonesa conhecida como Aya Kitou, a partir de uma abordagem qualitativa, baseada na análise do discurso, para identificar a capacidade de resiliência, a partir do modelo biopsicossocial de Boris Cyrulnik. Resultados Descritos com base nas vivências detalhadas de seu diário, são identificadas as áreas para alcançar resiliência (recursos internos, significado sociocultural e sistema de suporte social). Conclusão Embora a progressão do quadro clínico tenha comprometido sua capacidade funcional, limitando sua autonomia e qualidade de vida, evidenciou-se que, graças às fortes redes sociais, tem mais chance de alcançar resiliência, embora, com a prevalência de valores e significados sociais sobre ela, haja maior ansiedade social e maiores sentimentos de inferioridade e incapacidade.

Resumen El síndrome de Morquio B es una enfermedad rara y de baja prevalencia, por lo cual poco se ha estudiado sobre el funcionamiento neuropsicológico y estado cognitivo de quienes lo padecen. Este estudio de caso presenta los resultados del funcionamiento en atención, memoria, lenguaje, gnosias, praxias y funciones ejecutivas de un adulto colombiano diagnosticado con este síndrome. Se encontró que el paciente puede adquirir nuevo conocimiento; muestra memoria visoespacial y de trabajo verbal conservadas; repite, lee y escribe información sencilla que es conocida para él; sigue órdenes simples a partir de comandos verbales; muestra habilidades viso perceptuales y grafomotoras; tiene un desarrollo normal de pensamiento abstracto y asociativo, y es capaz de planear y solucionar problemas. Sin embargo, presenta dificultades en atención visual sostenida, atención audio-verbal, velocidad de procesamiento, lenguaje comprensivo, repetición y escritura al dictado de frases completas, flexibilidad cognitiva, y fluidez verbal semántica y fonológica. Se discute como factores más relevantes del funcionamiento cognitivo del paciente la relación entre el síndrome de Morquio B y la gangliosidosis GM1, y la falta de entrenamiento en el manejo de información de alta complejidad, dada su condición de desescolarización.

Abstract Since Morquio B syndrome is a low-prevalence rare disease, scarce evidence about neuropsychological functioning and cognitive status in diagnosed people is known. This case study shows the results of functioning in attention, memory, language, gnosias, praxias, and executive functions in a Colombian man diagnosed with this syndrome. It was found that the patient is capable of acquiring new information and exhibits preserved visuospatial and verbal working memory; he is also able to repeat, read and write simple information as long as it is familiar to him, and is capable of following simple verbal instructions with no difficulty; moreover, he displays preserved visuospatial and graphomotor abilities, has a normal development of abstract and associative thinking, and is able to plan and solve problems. Nonetheless, he exhibits difficulties in audio-verbal and sustained visual attention, as well as in processing speed, comprehensive language, repetition and writing of complete phrases, cognitive flexibility, and semantic and phonological verbal fluency. It is discussed the association between Morquio B syndrome and gangliosidosis GM1 as well as the lack of training in the management of highly complex information due to unschooling of this patient as the two most relevant factors of his cognitive functioning.

Resumen El objetivo central del estudio fue identificar la presencia o ausencia de la dislexia (como síntoma) por un bilingüismo de tipo sustractivo en dos niños varones con edades de 8 y 9 años provenientes de un contexto educativo bilingüe por medio de estudios de caso no experimentales, de carácter descriptivo y transversal, utilizando como evaluación para la detección de la dislexia como síntoma, subpruebas de la Evaluación Neuropsicológica Infantil (ENI-2). Los hallazgos indican que la relación entre el bilingüismo y la dislexia es interdependiente, es decir, se presentan síntomas asociados a la dislexia en presencia de una formación bilingüe intensiva en la lengua secundaria o L2 (inglés), lo cual tiene un efecto contraproducente en la lengua nativa o L1 (español), debido a que se sustituyó la enseñanza específica de L1 por la de una L2.

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to identify the presence or absence of dyslexia (as a symptom) by subtractive bilingualism in two children ages 8 and 9 years coming from a bilingual educational context. The findings indicate a relationship of interdependence between this type of bilingualism and dyslexia, i.e., there are symptoms associated with dyslexia in the presence of an intensive bilingual education in the secondary language or L2 (English), generating a counterproductive effect in the native language or L1 (Spanish), due to the specific teaching of L1 substituted by L2.

Resumen El suicidio representa una de las principales causas de muerte en estudiantes universitarios. A pesar de que los factores de riesgo al respecto son numerosos y diversos, es posible identificar los más relevantes y prevenirlos desde la Psicología y la Neuropsicología. La identificación que se presenta en este artículo es producto de una revisión literaria realizada con base en criterios establecidos para población universitaria y enmarca ámbitos como el social, personal-familiar, psicológico y académico, en los que la Psicología y la Neuropsicología hacen aportes preventivos con algunas técnicas y recomendaciones básicas para estos factores.

Abstract Suicide represents leading cause of death in college students. Although these risk factors are numerous and diverse, it is possible to identify the most relevant and to prevent them from Psychology and Neuropsychology. The identification presented is the product of a literature review based on establishes criteria for college population and englobe social, personal-familiar, psychological and academic, ambits where Psychology and Neuropsychology make contributions with some basic techniques and recommendations to prevent these factors.