bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defective Utilization of Sensory Input as the Basis for Bradykinesia, Rigidity and Decreased Movement Repertoire in Parkinson’s Disease: A Hypothesis
Authors: Tatton W.G. , Eastman M.J. , Bedingham W. , Verrier M.C. , Bruce I.C.
Published: July 2016

From a review of the anatomical relationships and single unit activity in the components of the basal ganglia related to limb movement, it is concluded that the major outflow from basal ganglia circuits is via the motor cortex (area 4). Recent results of recording from area 4 neurons revealed that they preferentially “encode” the higher derivatives of movement, i.e. acceleration and jerk. In the parkinsonian (PK) patient and in the monkeys treated with l-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), EMG responses to imposed loads show a markedly increased gain of the “M2” component which depends upon the integrity of area 4 and which correlates with the severity of PK rigidity.

The above observations are considered, along with those of others (demonstrating prolonged movement times, a decreased “repertoire” of voluntary movements fractionation of voluntary movements’, inability in tracking movements without visual input, and failure to improve performance in PK’s) in relation to a model of the interactions between sensory input and motor programs. Using this model, it is hypothesized that the above PK movement deficits, as well as rigidity, can be accounted for by abnormal processing of the mechanoreceptor sensory input utilized in the generation and execution of movements. The MPTP treated monkey is suggested as a model in which to directly test the hypothesis.
The Neurotoxicity of 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine in the Monkey and Man
Authors: Stanley Burns R. , Markey Sanford P. , Phillips Jere M. , Chiueh Chuang C.
Published: July 2016

l-Methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) selectively destroys dopaminergic neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra (A8 and A9 cells). MPTP or its metabolite enters nerve cells at the level of their terminals in the caudate nucleus and putamen leading to a disturbance in axoplasmic flow and retrograde degeneration. The species-dependent neurotoxicity of MPTP (primate vs. rodent) suggests that a biochemical property of the cell related to neuromelanin may be important in the mechanism of cell injury.
Central Dopaminergic Pathways in Hemiparkinsonism Examined by Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Garnett E.S. , Nahmias C. , Firnau G.
Published: July 2016

[18F] 6-fluoro-L-dopa and positron emission tomography has been used to study intracerebral dopamine distribution in five control subjects and six patients with hemiparkinsonism. In the control subjects striatal, frontal and cingulate accumulations were clearly seen. In addition 18F concentrated in the region of the insula and the parietal lobe.

In the patients striatal accumulation 18F was reduced in the contralateral striatum, especially in the putamen. The uniformity of distribution of 18F in the striatum on the side of the parkinsonian signs was also irregular. This finding is consonant with the suggestion that intracerebral compensatory mechanisms prevent the manifestation of intracerebral dopamine deficiency from becoming obvious until a late stage of the disease.
Should Levodopa Therapy Be Started Early or Late?
Authors: Muenter Manfred D.
Published: July 2016

Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that, in Parkinson’s disease, the late-occurring fluctuations in response to levodopa therapy are due to progression of the disease rather than to the therapy. Therefore, treatment with carbidopa/levodopa should be started early, because postponement does not provide patients with added benefits but deprives them of the most satisfying period of the therapeutic response.
Bromocriptine in Parkinson’s Disease: Results Obtained With High and Low Dose Therapy
Authors: David Grimes J.
Published: July 2016

The results obtained with high and low dose bromocriptine therapy were compared in a review assessing the per cent of patients showing improvement (not taking account of the extent of improvement). It is concluded that the response rate with low dose bromocriptine is as good as that obtained with high dose therapy for both de novo and levodopa treated patients. The incidence of adverse effects is similar in the high and low dose treatment groups: More levodopa reduction results in a higher daily bromocriptine requirement. A statistical analysis of 61 bromocriptine-levodopa treated patients showed no positive correlation between bromocriptine dose and severity or duration of Parkinson’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Errors in Gene Expression
Authors: McLachlan D.R. Crapper , Lewis P.N.
Published: July 2016

Hypotheses concerning the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease are numerous but perhaps two of the most probable involve either an unconventional infectious agent of the scrapie, Creutzfeldt-Jakob family or an error in gene expression. Strong circumstantial evidence supports both hypotheses; however, definitive evidence will require an extensive understanding of the molecular biology of this common cause of senile and presenile dementia.
Cross Correlation Studies in Primate Motor Cortex: Event Related Correlation
Authors: Murphy John T. , Kwan Hon C. , Wong Yiu C.
Published: July 2016

Simultaneous extracellular unit recordings were made from each cell of 237 pairs in two awake monkeys, during a voluntary reaching movement of the forelimb. The cells were located in contralateral precentral cortex and functionally coupled to single forelimb joints, as indicated by intracortical microstimulation and passive sensory stimulation. Cross correlation analysis showed that 72 of these pairs exhibited significant event-related correlation over periods of up to 780 ms, comparable to and coincident with the forelimb movement. Spatial analysis showed that such correlation extended across contiguous portions of all four forelimb joint zones of precentral cortex, over distances up to 3.5 mm. No preferred direction of correlation was observed. The data confirm the previously described nested organization of the forelimb area of precentral cortex. Findings are discussed in terms of mechanisms by which columns of neurons in motor cortex participate in the reaching movement.
A Double-blind Controlled Pilot Study of Plasma Exchange versus Sham Apheresis in Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Gordon P.A. , Carroll D.J. , Etches W.S. , Jeffrey V. , Marsh L. , Morrice B.L. , Olmstead D. , Warren K.G.
Published: July 2016

Twenty patients with chronically progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) were randomised in a double-blind controlled study to assess the efficacy of plasma exchange therapy. All patients were immunosuppressed with prednisone and azathioprine and underwent either plasma exchange or sham apheresis. The 10 patients in each group were similar in age, sex, duration of disease and degree of disability. Clinical and laboratory responses were assessed immediately following the course of exchange or sham therapy, and 3 to 6 months later, by individuals blinded to the type of therapy administered. Although modest improvement was suggested on clinical examination in 7 of 10 patients exchanged and 3 of the 10 sham treated group, this was transient and was not accompanied by any change in disability status scores. No differences in abnormal laboratory investigations were demonstrable between the two patient groups following therapy. We conclude that plasma exchange therapy using this protocol is unlikely to be of clinical benefit as an adjunct in the management of chronically progressive M.S.
Efficacy of Phenobarbital in Neonatal Seizures
Authors: Orman C.B. Van , Darwish H.Z.
Published: July 2016

A retrospective study of neonatal seizures in a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit determined a 3.2% incidence, and confirmed the relatively poor efficacy of the traditional anticonvulsants phenobarbital and phenytoin. Only 33% responded to an initial adequate loading dose of phenobarbital, while 56% responded to either or both anticonvulsants. Although multifocal clonic seizures were most common (42%), tonic seizures were next in freqency (30%). Tonic seizures which did not respond to phenobarbital responded quite poorly to the addition of phenytoin compared to other seizure types. Tonic seizures may be the result of brainstem release phenomena and require a different strategy for management. Among nonresponders in this study, there was a 56% mortality rate but only 33% of responders died. There is a critical need for studies to find more efficacious agents than phenobarbital and phenytoin to treat seizures in the newborn.
Clinical Sub-Groups of Multiple Sclerosis in Relation to HLA: DR Alleles as Possible Markers of Disease Progression
Authors: Duquette Pierre , Décary Francine , Pleines Juliana , Boivin Denise , Lamoureux Gilles , Cosgrove James B.R. , Lapierre Yves
Published: July 2016

We have examined the distribution of HLA antigens in 70 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients divided in three groups defined according to clinical criteria: benign MS, severe MS, cerebellar MS. We have found a significant association between severe MS and HLA-DR2, and between benign MS of more than 15 years of evolution and HLA-DR3. We review previous work along the same line and conclude that the association of HLA antigens with “clinical subgroups of MS” could indicate a genetically based heterogeneity of the disease and offer help in establishing a prognosis.
The Early Development of Neuroscience in Canada
Authors: Jasper Herbert H.
Published: July 2016

A review of some of my personal recollections and research into the early development of neuroscience in Canada seems particularly appropriate at this time since we have just celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Montreal Neurological Institute which not only played a leading role in the early development of neuroscience in Canada, but also had considerable impact upon the development of both clinical and basic neuroscience throughout the world. The concept of the fusion of all the varied disciplines concerned with studies of the nervous system into one integrated “neuroscience” as we know it today in the Society for Neuroscience was not known when Dr. Penfield established the Montreal Neurological Institute with this in mind. He recruited colleagues in neurochemistry, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, pathology, and neuropsychology to work in close association with clinical neurologists and neurosurgeons. Fellows were attracted from many countries for training in all of these disciplines and shared his dream of an integrated neuroscience aimed at a better understanding of the function of the nervous system underlying behaviour and mental function and more rational treatment of neurological diseases.

The inspiration, enthusiasm, and tireless determination of Dr. Penfield during the difficult times for the initial few years and during the most productive years of rapid growth following World War II, helped develop the Institute into a leading centre for research and training of neuroscientists in Canada, and also served as a catalyst for the rapid development of neuroscience in other centres throughout Canada and the United States. As one of my French colleagues has expressed it, the Institute was the “mother house” of neuroscience in Canada. It soon became a truly international institute of worldwide reknown.
The Medical Treatment of the Hypersecreting Pituitary Gland
Authors: Corenblum Bernard
Published: July 2016

Pituitary adenomas may produce local endocrine and neurological effects, as well as systemic metabolic complications due to hormonal hypersecretion. Medical therapy with pharmacological agents has been developed and is based on the neurotransmitter regulation of normal pituitary hormonal secretion. 189 patients with secretory pituitary adenomas underwent medical therapy for the hypersecretory state. 156 of these were prolactin-secreting adenomas, 16 of which were in males. The response of bromocriptine was almost universal with lowering of serum prolactin and reversal of the clinical symptoms, as well as tumor shrinkage of most large adenomas with suprasellar extension. 23 patients with acromegaly were treated with bromocriptine, with 11 noting clinical improvement, and decreased tumor size in two. Five patients with Cushing’s disease were treated with cyproheptadine, with only one showing a biochemical and clinical improvement. Two patients with Nelson’s syndrome each had progressive tumor growth stabilized with cyproheptadine and bromocriptine in one, and sodium valproate in the other. There appears to be a role for medical therapy in the majority of prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors, some growth hormone secreting pituitary tumors, and selected adrenocorticotropin secreting-pituitary tumors.
Spontaneous Intracerebral Haemorrhage: An Analysis of Factors Affecting Prognosis
Authors: Dixon A.A. , Holness R.O. , Howes W.J. , Garner J.B.
Published: July 2016

A retrospective study of 100 patients with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage was carried out, to identify clinical factors which have a predictive value for outcome. Numerical equivalents for the admission level of consciousness (the Glasgow Coma Scale), ventricular rupture, partial pressure of oxygen in the blood, the electrocardiogram, clot location, and clot size were combined into equations predicting outcome. The best single parameter for prediction was the Glasgow Coma Scale.
Primary Diffuse Leptomeningeal Gliomatosis
Authors: Bailey Peter , Robitaille Yves
Published: July 2016

A review of the literature on primary diffuse meningeal gliomatosis (DMG) yielded three cases and we report a fourth. DMG is a syndrome characterized by extensive basal and spinal chronic meningitis with mental confusion, headaches, diplopia, papilledema and cranial nerve palsies. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has a markedly elevated protein content, moderate mononuclear pleocytosis and a normal or low glucose. This picture invariably leads to the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous or fungal meningitis despite persistently negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures. Reaction of exfoliated CSF cells with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoperoxidase labelled antibody is suggested as a diagnostic tool. A basal meningeal biopsy appears to be the only alternative diagnostic approach.
The Role of Humoral Mediators in Migraine Headache
Authors: Fanchamps A.
Published: July 2016

The classical vascular mechanism of migraine attacks demonstrated by Wolff — intracranial vasoconstriction during the prodromal stage and passive vasodilatation of extracranial arteries during the painful phase — has been confirmed by modern methods. Arterial distension is, however, not sufficient to explain the origin of the pain: to give rise to an acute migraineous pain, it must be associated with a lowered pain threshold of the receptors situated in the wall of the affected vessels. A number of humoral factors — plasmakinin, serotonin, histamine — intervene in the chain of events that culminates in migraine headache.

At the start of the attack, the blood platelets release serotonin, the mast cells in the affected area release histamine and proteolytic enzymes that split plasmakininogens to form plas-makinins. Free serotonin and histamine increase capillary permeability and favor transudation of plasmakinin into the vessel walls andperivascular tissues. The combined effect of serotonin and plasmakinin on the vessel wall receptors reduces their pain threshold. On the other hand, the bulk of the released serotonin is excreted as 5-HIAA, and plasma serotonin falls. Since serotonin has a constricting effect on the extracranial arteries and a dilating one on the capillaries, the fall in its plasma level induces hypotonia of these arteries and capillary constriction, which results in a passive distension of the arterial walls. The two factors necessary for the production of pain are thus present: a low pain threshold and vascular distension. In addition to these three main humoral mediators, the part played by tyramine in migraine of alimentary origin, the precipitating effect of estrogen decrease in mentrual migraine and the hypothetical role of prostaglan-dins and prolactin are discussed.
The Effects of Partial Chronic Denervation on Forearm Metabolism
Authors: Karpati George , Klassen Gerald , Tanser Paul
Published: July 2016

Effects of chronic denervation uponin vivoforearm metabolism were studied in six patients and six controls. The diagnosis was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in four patients, the neuronal form of Charcot-Marie Tooth disease in one patient, and an unclassified chronic disease of the lower motor neurons in one patient. In all cases the forearm muscles showed clinical weakness and electrical evidence of denervation, while muscle biopsy from a proximal muscle of the upper limb showed typical denervation atrophy. At rest there was increased oxygen utilization and lactate output as well as a tendency for increased uptake of glucose and long chain fatty acids from arterial blood per 100 ml of f orear m tissue. During exercise the abnormally high lactate output increased further. An increased arterial lactate concentration was present during rest and exercise. Oxidation of fatty acids was not impaired. It is suggested that these abnormalities are consistent with an augmented utilization of blood borne fuels at rest by denervated muscles. A concurrent regional ischemia of muscles during rest and exercise, possibly due to defective autoregulation of skeletal muscle blood flow, may exlain the abnormally high lactate generation.
A Cluster of Friedreich's Ataxia in Rimouski, Québec
Authors: Bouchard J.P. , Barbeau A. , Bouchard R. , Paquet M. , Bouchard R.W.
Published: July 2016

We described a cluster of 8 independent sibships of Friedreich's ataxia in the ShFabien parish of Rimouski and have shown that they are all related within 6 generations. The study of this geographic and genetic isolate permitted the investigation of certain unusual features of the disease such as constant myopia, delayed reaction times to pain, flexor spasms, anda rapid evolution.
Regional Distribution of Amino Acids in Friedreich's Ataxia Brains
Authors: Huxtable R. , Azari J. , Reisine T. , Johnson P. , Yamamura H. , Barbeau A.
Published: July 2016

The distribution of amino acids in two Friedreich's ataxia brains is compared to 4 control brains. Glutamate and G A BA were decreased in the ce r ebe l-lar hemispheres and/or in the vermis. Taurine concentrations were uniformly elevated throughout the areas studied. Taurine /glutamate and taurine/ GABA ratios were consistently elevated in Friedreich's ataxia brains, whereas glutamate/ glutaminę ratios were consistently decreased (with normal glutaminę concentrations).
Fatty Acid Profile of Major Lipid Classes in Plasma Lipoproteins of Patients with Friedreich's Ataxia — Demonstration of a Low Linoleic Acid Content most evident in the Cholesterol-Ester Fraction
Authors: Davignon Jean , Huang Y.S. , Wolf J.P. , Barbeau A.
Published: July 2016

Studies were undertaken to further characterize plasma lipids and lipoprotein abnormalities in Friedreich's ataxia. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) apo AI/All ratio was quantitated by densitometry and found to be normal. The free to esterified cholesterol ratio in HDL was lower in Friedreich's ataxia because of a reduction in the amount of free cholesterol in this lipoprotein class. The fatty acid profile of the cholesteryl-ester (CE) fraction was markedly deficient in linoleic acid (18:2) in both total plasma and HDL· There was a compensatory increase in saturated acids. The HDL phospholipid (PL) fraction also showed a reduction in the proportion of 18:2 with a concomitant increase in stearic (18:0) and oleic acid (18:1) while the HDL triglycéride (TG) fraction showed only an increase in palmi t oleic (16:1) and oleic acids. Feeding of soya lecithin rich in 18:2 failed to increase significantly the 18:2 content of HDL-CE and HDL-PL but lowered the percentage of 16:1 and 18:1 in all 3 lipid classes of HDL. Although the total plasma CE fatty acid profile was perturbed in Friedreich's Ataxia, total plasma PL and TG fatty acid patterns were unaffected. Among the plasma lipoprotein fatty acid profiles, that of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) was most affected, then that of the HDL. The very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fatty acid composition showed an increase in 16:1 and a decrease in 18:2 which were entirely corrected by lecithin feeding. These results suggest the existence of a metabolic defect in the incorporation of 18:2 into chylomicron phospholipids within the intestinal mucosa.
Pilot Studies on Membranes and some Transport Mechanisms in Friedreich's Ataxia
Authors: Filla A. , Worth R. F. Butter , Barbeau A.
Published: July 2016

The observed anomalies in high density lipoproteins in Friedreich's ataxia led us to investigate the state of cellular membranes in this illness. As a preliminary screening program, we studied the shape of erythrocytes; the phospho-lipid content of platelets and the transport properties of these membranes as indirectly reflected in the absorption of Vit E and the renal handling of orally injected taurine. All these investigations were normal, except for a tendency towards more echinocytes in Friedreich's ataxia and the significant increase in taurine urinary excretion after an oral load. We concluded that the possible membrane abnormalities are not major and will have to be searched for with more subtle and specific tests.
Observations on the Breeding Season in Sheep and its Artificial Extension
Authors: Hammond John
Published: July 2016

Observations on the normal season were made over several years with a small flock of Suffolk X Border Leicester-Cheviot ewes backcrossed with Suffolk rams. The flock was under grassland management ; rams were kept in the whole year round, the fertile ram being usually replaced in the breeding season by a sterile ochred ram. The lambs were left with the ewes until they had ceased to suck.

Two ewes have lambed at a time corresponding to service at the end of July or beginning of August ; but the normal season, on the average, extended from mid-September to mid-March, the extremes being the end of August to early April. Ewes suckling lambs born later than July showed slight delay in onset of the breeding season. After lambing in November the interval to the next heat may be as little as three weeks. If ewes are put to the ram at the beginning of the season, so as to lamb down in early February, about half will come on heat again before the end of the season.
Sheep Production in East Anglia
Authors: Lamb I. H.
Published: July 2016

All our breeds of sheep, as they exist to-day, are vastly different animals to their ancestors of 100 years ago. Most counties at that time, boasted a breed or type of their own ; but, after the inception of Breed Societies, these breeds were somewhat reduced, or at any rate absorbed by other breeds. At the same time it must be freely admitted that in no other country in the world are there so many different breeds of sheep as there are in the British Isles.

In the process of improving British sheep, two breeds, the Leicester and the Southdown, stand out quite clearly, and in most of our present-day recognised breeds, the Leicester or the Southdown have at some time or other played no small part in bringing about that improvement.
Poultry production in the eastern counties
Authors: Halnan E. T.
Published: July 2016

The Eastern Counties is an area extending from the Wash to the Thames; and includes Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Isle of Ely, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, parts of Lincolnshire (Kesteven and Holland), Norfolk, East and West Suffolk, and Essex. It is well farmed, is largely arable (arable land 77.3%, pasture 19.5%, rough grazing 3.2% (1944)); and well suited to the production of abundant supplies of cereal grains which form the main basis of poultry diets. In addition, the soil types range from light sandy soils through alluvial and fen soils to heavy clay; from sandy heaths to low lying rich meadow and marsh land, and the climatic conditions are such as to suit poultry production. It is therefore not surprising to find poultry keeping in all its branches forming a profitable side line to the practice of general farming. The low lying meadow and marsh areas are particularly well suited to the rearing of ducks, on the lighter sandy soils numerous flocks of turkeys are kept, while throughout the area where suitable rough grazing exists small flocks of geese are reared. Fowls are also well distributed throughout the area on the better drained soils. The extent to which poultry are kept in the Eastern Counties can be appreciated by studying the census figures, no less than 17.7% of the fowls in England and Wales, 20.8% of the ducks, 12.6% of the geese, and 21.5% of the turkeys being reared in the Eastern Counties in 1948.
Progeny Testing of Dairy Cattle Bulls Used in Artificial Insemination
Authors: Brown D. B.
Published: July 2016

In 1945 the Milk Marketing Board (M.M.B.) of England and Wales undertook responsibility for the development of an A.I. service to cover large areas of the two countries.

By 1951, a total of 24 main Centres had been set up, housing some 600 dairy and beef bulls and supplying semen to 77 Sub-Centres. During the year ending 31st March, 1952, approximately 707,000 first inseminations were carried out, representing 25% of the available cattle population. Further progress continues to be made and it is estimated that this proportion will be raised to 30% for the corresponding year ending in 1953.

From the outset it has been agreed that the rate of cattle improvement through A.I. will be largely dependent upon the use made of the older progeny-recorded bulls available to the scheme. Here it should be noted that the M.M.B. took over responsibility for milk recording under ‘ National Milk Records ‘ in 1943. By adopting a system based upon lactation record cards, it was possible to establish in 1947 a central clearing house for milk records of animals registered with Breed Societies, viz. the Bureau of Records. One of the main services operated by the Bureau is that of progeny recording for sires and summaries of bulls fulfilling certain requirements are now published annually.
Toxaemia of Pregnancy (Twin-Lamb Disease) in Sheep: Its Experimental Induction and Practical Prevention
Authors: Parry H. B.
Published: July 2016

Toxaemia of late pregnancy (twin-lamb disease) is one of the principal causes of loss of in-lamb ewes in Great Britain. The mortality rate from this disorder alone in individual lowland flocks reaches 20% in certain seasons and occasionally 25% of the flock, even in winters when exceptionally severe weather is not experienced. In hill sheep with their lower lambing rate the disease is said to be infrequent. While no data are available for the loss from this disorder for the whole country, a conservative estimate, based on my own figures, is that 2% of the lowland lambing flocks die in an average season. If half of the 11 million breeding ewes in the United Kingdom are considered as lowland sheep, the total deaths each year from toxaemia are probably about 100,000 ewes and 200,000 lambs, representing a loss to the sheep industry of between £1 and £2 million per annum. In a difficult season such as 1954-55, the loss is probably nearer £2-5 million. As the disease is widespread in many of the principal sheep-rearing areas of the world, the annual loss in the Commonwealth, with over 100 million breeding ewes, is probably of the order of £10 million per annum.
The heritability of carcass traits in British bacon pigs
Authors: King J. W. B.
Published: July 2016

The need for the improvement of carcass quality in bacon pigs is generally accepted; the means whereby this improvement may be brought about is open to argument. Many experiments, particularly in Great Britain those of McMeekan (1940-41) and Mansfield, Trehane and Peacock (1937), have shown that carcass quality may be improved by the restriction of food intake during the later stages of fattening. However, Lucas and Calder (1956) conclude, from a comprehensive survey of published feeding experiments and their own results, that only small improvements in fat measurements and body length can be achieved by restricted feeding unless the age at slaughter is delayed by periods which are unacceptable to the farmer.
Cognitive-behavioural Intervention with a Depressed Adolescent Experiencing School Attendance Difficulties
Authors: Rollings Stephanie , King Neville , Tonge Bruce , Heyne David , Young Dawn
Published: July 2016

This article describes a cognitive-behavioural intervention implemented over 10 sessions with an adolescent girl experiencing school refusal and depression. Treatment focused on the learning of various coping skills to deal with stressful situations at home and school. Following a decision to change schools, a rapid school return was employed. A multimethod, multisource evaluation was used at pretreatment, posttreatment, and follow-up assessments. The data indicated positive treatment outcomes: the adolescent returned to full-time attendance at school and exhibited decreased levels of emotional distress. The treatment gains were maintained at a 3-month follow-up.
Cognitive-behaviour Therapy: Towards the New Millennium!
Authors: Sharp Timothy J.
Published: July 2016

Following on from the American Psychological Association's (1993) findings regarding empirically validated treatments, a British task force (Roth & Fonagy, 1996) arrived at similar conclusions. Both publications strongly endorsed the superior efficacy of cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) over placebos, waiting list controls and other psychological treatments. These findings, although not new, are becoming increasingly important as new ways of funding health care become more likely. With these probable changes in health system funding, organisations such as the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy will almost certainly be asked to provide evidence supporting the efficacy of certain interventions for certain problems, but also to decide who can implement such treatments. This article attempts to present the well known findings within the current framework, and poses an important question: Who can ethically and competently practice CBT?
The Use of Visual Prompts to Increase Kegel Exercise Performance in Pregnant Women: A Case Study
Authors: Elliott Carole , Houghton Stephen , Langsford Shane
Published: July 2016

A multiple baseline research design utilising visual prompts was implemented with 7 women in varying stages of pregnancy (24 to 35 weeks) to increase their frequency of Kegel pelvic exercises. Following a baseline phase, in which participants self-recorded their rates of Kegel exercise, an intervention comprising visual prompts was introduced. A return to baseline phase was then implemented where the visual prompts were removed. Data were analysed in two ways. First, a Friedman one-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant increase in the frequency of Kegel exercises during intervention. When the intervention was removed, the frequency of Kegel exercises decreased, in some cases to a level below that established as the original baseline. Second, data were analysed for each participant using DMITSA 2.0, which revealed that, while all individuals experienced increases in Kegel exercising from baseline to treatment phase, only 3 of the 7 experienced significant increases. Similarly, while 6 of the 7 participants experienced reductions in frequency of exercises when the treatment phase concluded, in only one case was the reduction significant. These findings are also compared to recommended rates of Kegel exercise regimes.
A Review of Communication Intervention Programs for People with Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Sigafoos Jeff
Published: July 2016

This article provides a selected review of several contemporary communication intervention programs for people with developmental disabilities and severe communication impairment. Consideration of the extent and negative effects of severe communication impairment indicates the need for systematic intervention focused on teaching functional communication skills. Behaviour analysis procedures have demonstrated effectiveness for teaching functional communication skills. The major features of several behaviourally oriented communication intervention programs are reviewed. It is concluded that these programs have a sound empirical basis and demonstrated effectiveness for teaching functional communication skills to learners with developmental disabilities and severe communication impairment.
Diagnosis of Developmental Disability: Psychometrics, Behaviour, and Etiology
Authors: Jenkinson Josephine C.
Published: July 2016

Diagnosis of developmental disability lacks precision, partly because of differences in definitions of the concept, but largely because of problems specific to the use of psychometric measures with children who have a developmental disability. These problems arise from inadequate evidence of reliability for psychometric measures at extremes of the normal distribution, from lack of comparability between different tests and between different editions of tests, and from practical considerations in the assessment of people with various disabilities. Adaptive behaviour assessment has been introduced to supplement intelligence testing, but lack of a clear conceptualisation of this concept and doubts about the appropriateness of United States norms for Australian children add to the difficulties of interpreting results of standardised scales. Systematic assessment of behavioural problems needs to be incorporated into diagnostic procedures. This paper argues that improvements in the accuracy of diagnosis are unlikely to come from further technical advances in psychometric assessment, and suggests that diagnosis in the future should take into account new technologies which link etiology to specific behavioural patterns to supplement existing procedures.
Empirically Validated Psychological Treatment: What Does It Mean in the Domain of Relationship Problems?
Authors: Halford W. Kim
Published: July 2016

The concept of empirically validated treatments is an attempt to focus psychological training and practice on treatments that work. In this paper, I examine the complexities of defining the concept with reference to the treatment of relationship problems. The key criterion employed to define a treatment as empirically validated is established efficacy within controlled trials. I suggest that the criteria need to be expanded to include assessment of the variability, clinical significance, and durability of treatment effects, the relative efficacy of alternative approaches, and the ease of dissemination of treatments. Whilst few, if any, psychological treatments currently have data on whether they meet all these criteria, I suggest that setting these more ambitious criteria will direct us towards the ultimate goal of offering better psychological treatments.
Reliability of Assigning Functions to Behaviours of People with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Pennington B. , Tustin R.D.
Published: July 2016

The study examined the reliability with which experienced psychologists assigned functions to behaviours of people with intellectual disability using information about sets of problem behaviours and sets of antecedent situations. The study found good consistency in assigning functions, showing that reliable judgments about functions of behaviours can be made even when information is not available about consequences of the behaviours. The approach enabled reliable distinctions to be made between functions that have not previously been examined in the literature.
Behavioural Treatment of Challenging Behaviour: A Cost-benefit Analysis of a Service Delivery Model
Authors: Hudson Alan , Jauernig Roland , Wilken Patrick , Radler Gary
Published: July 2016

In 1990 a number of regionally based Behaviour Intervention Support Teams (BISTs) were established in Victoria to assist agencies providing support to persons with an intellectual disability who exhibited challenging behaviour. A primary function of the BISTs was to conduct intensive interventions for clients with severe challenging behaviours. A cost-benefit analysis of these interventions was carried out. It was found that the existence of a severe challenging behaviour resulted in an additional cost to the service system of an average $40,510 per annum. In contrast, the cost of a single intensive intervention conducted by a BIST was $5,725. Allowing for the fact that not all intensive interventions were successful, it was still concluded that the interventions conducted by the BISTs were cost efficient. Methodological difficulties associated with the cost-benefit analysis are discussed.
Early Intervention in Psychotic Relapse: Cognitive Approaches to Detection and Management
Authors: Birchwood Max
Published: July 2016

Clinical observation and retrospective and prospective studies of relapsing psychosis have demonstrated that early symptoms of decompensation are observable in one half to two thirds of patients over a period of 1 to 4 weeks. Whilst the sensitivity of prodromal symptoms is established, their specificity is less certain, particularly at the first episode. The appearance of an “at risk” mental state, if not leading to decompensation, may nevertheless be part of a “transitional” stage to psychosis that is affected by psychological factors concerning the attributions that are made about a change in mental life. The research on prodromal signs is reviewed, with three areas of focus: prodromes as continuous versus discrete phenomena, sensitivity and specificity, and early intervention studies. A psychological model of the transitional process is described with case examples, together with an exploration of its implications for early intervention, again illustrated by case material.
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in the Primary Health Care Setting: Setting the Scene
Authors: Oldenburg Brian
Published: July 2016

Last (1983) defines public health as:

the efforts organised by society to protect, promote and restore the public's health. It is the combination of sciences, skills and beliefs that are directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of all people through collective or social actions. The programs, services and institutions involved emphasise the prevention of disease and the health needs of the population as a whole. Public health activities change with changing technology and values, but the goals remain the same: to reduce the amount of disease, premature death and disability in the population. (p.45)

Recommended goals and targets for addressing national public health problems and directed at reducing the amount of death and premature death have been proposed in many countries over the past 10 years, including the United States of America (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 1990), the United Kingdom (Department of Health, 1992), Canada (Ontario Premiers' Council on Health, 1987) and Australia (Nutbeam, Wise, Bauman, Harris, & Leeder, 1993). In Australia for example, over the past 2 years, much attention has been directed at health outcomes related to cardiovascular disease, cancers, accidents and injuries and mental health. All of these reports have emphasised the importance of changing those lifestyle and related risk factors associated with preventable causes of death. Priority lifestyle areas that have been identified include physical inactivity, diet and nutrition, smoking, alcohol and other drug use, safety behaviours, sun protective behaviours, appropriate use of medicines, immunisation, sexuality and reproductive health, oral hygiene, and mental health. Priority populations and appropriate settings for intervening in these areas have also been identified.
Issues in Multidisciplinary Training of Cognitive-Behavioural Interventions
Authors: Kavanagh David J.
Published: July 2016

Behaviour therapists have always been optimists, and interdisciplinary involvement is a strong tradition in the behaviour therapy movement. While this increases the potential application of behavioural methods, it poses a substantial challenge for behaviour therapy trainers. This paper contends that if brief workshop training is used as the primary method of disseminating behaviour therapy skills across professions, it will provide an inadequate preparation, especially for higher levels of behavioural practice. In some circumstances, brief training may lead to an overestimation of behavioural skills by the trainees. The issues are discussed in the context of current moves toward multiskilling within health services. The paper contends that there is no substitute for ongoing training and consultation by senior clinical psychologists who are expert in behaviour therapy.
Role of Cognitive Therapy in the Management of Chronic Pain
Authors: Spence Susan H.
Published: July 2016

Individuals with chronic pain differ markedly in their physical and psychological adjustment to the pain condition. Many factors influence this adjustment process, and the nature and severity of the physical injury or illness and the degree of pain experienced cannot account fully for the impact of chronic pain. A variety of other psycho-social factors are involved, including the individual's attitudes and beliefs about his or her condition, coping skills, operant reinforcement factors, avoidance learning, and psychophysiological variables. Intervention programs that are designed to facilitate positive adjustment to chronic pain need to consider these biological, psychological, and social factors within an integrated framework. Cognitive therapy has a significant role to play in this process, in order to tackle maladaptive cognitive factors that interfere with adjustment. Evidence concerning attitudes and beliefs relevant to the pain condition and their relationship with the use of coping skills and response to pain, is reviewed.
Conditioning and Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy
Authors: Lovibond Peter F.
Published: July 2016

When behaviour therapy was developed in the 1950s and 1960s, it was based firmly on the experimental psychology of the time, principally learning theory. Since that time effective verbal therapies have been developed, and clinicians are faced with the difficult task of selecting among so-called behavioural and cognitive interventions based on radically different philosophies. This paper reviews developments in learning theory, particularly human learning, which suggest that conditioning is a complex cognitive process giving rise to verbally accessible expectancies and beliefs. Such a perspective provides a common theoretical framework (cf. Bandura, 1977) that allows behavioural and cognitive strategies to be coordinated to modify a particular cognitive target, such as biased expectancy of harm in anxiety. It is argued that the terms behavioural and cognitive carry unwanted connotations, and that it is preferable to specify independently the content of information to be conveyed in therapy (e.g., reduction in expectancy), and the mode by which it is conveyed — experience, observation, or language. Learning theory, in conjunction with other areas of experimental psychology, continues to provide a conceptual basis for the understanding of psychopathology and the development of new psychological interventions.
The Prospect of Cure: Implications for Mental Health Planning
Authors: Andrews Gavin
Published: July 2016

The treatment of persons with mental disorders is advancing rapidly. New epidemiological information has allowed the magnitude of the task to be specified. A census of mental health professionals has allowed the workloads to be determined and organisational models which focus on treatment in the community established. As diagnosis is the first step in treatment it is timely that new, computerised structured diagnosis interviews are available. Treatment evaluation likewise is able to suggest that medication and cognitive behaviour therapy backed by good clinical care are the keys to good patient treatment. The two major problems that follow mainstreaming of the treatment of persons with mental disorders are the reallocation of money to treatment in the community, and the education of mental health staff to diagnose and deliver the proven effective treatments.
Enhancing the Impact of Behavioural Family Intervention With Children: Emerging Perspectives
Authors: Sanders Matthew R.
Published: July 2016

Behavioural family intervention (BFI) as a treatment approach emphasises the importance of family interaction patterns in the origins, maintenance, and treatment of child behaviour problems. The BFI Field can document substantial contributions to the development of more effective treatments with children, particularly those with conduct problems. Furthermore, this approach is now being applied to new areas with encouraging results (eg. pain, chronic health problems, anxiety disorders, and learning difficulties). There is increasing evidence that this technology is not a panacea and that good clinical outcomes can be difficult to achieve when children's problems are complicated by other indices of family adversity (eg. marital discord, maternal depression, alcohol abuse, or poverty). This special issue of Behaviour Change documents recent developments in BFI which attempt to improve outcomes with high risk groups. Applications of BFI with depressed and marital distressed parents and with children who are developmentally disabled, anxious, or have learning difficulties, are discussed. Finally, the issue points towards the use of BFI as a strategy for preventing disruptive behavioural disorders in children.
Understanding Loneliness among Students with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Margalit Malka
Published: July 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the feelings of loneliness among students with learning disabilities (LD) and to identify subgroups according to their loneliness characteristics. The sample consisted of 76 students from seven self-contained classes for LD students within regular schools in all parts of Israel. The instruments included self-reported loneliness and social skills scales, teacher ratings of behaviour disorders, and peer ratings of social acceptance. The following factors predicted the students' feelings of loneliness: peer acceptance, social skills, and computer activities, explaining 32% of the variance. Using cluster analysis for the loneliness and behaviour disorder factors, four subgroups of students were identified. They differed along their levels of loneliness, presence of disruptive behaviour (internal validation) and social skills (external validation). The results emphasised the need to consider loneliness levels and manifestations of disruptive behaviour in attempts to conceptualise these students' difficulties and to plan individualised intervention programs. Further research, focusing on the impact of the intervention on the subjective experience of loneliness, may advance our understanding of the students' needs.