Books

Book Reviews in this Article
Y. Tsukada. Genetic approaches to developmental neurobiology. University of Tokyo Press/Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1982. Pp. 279. DM96.00.
Martin Reivich & Howard I. Hurtig (eds.): Cerebrovascular diseases. Thirteenth Research (Princeton) Conference. Raven Press, New York, 1983. Pp. 437.
Roger M. Greenhalg & F. Clifford Rose (eds). Progress in stroke research 2. Pitman Press, Bath, 1983. Pp. 513. £37.50.
W. Birkmayer & R. C. Duvoisin (eds). Extrapyramidal disorders. Suppl. 19, J Neural Transm. Springer-Verlag, Wien, 1983. Pp. 324. $1.040.00.
R. G. Hassler & J. F. Christ (eds.) Parkinson-specific motor and mental disorders. Advances in Neurology, Vol. 40. Raven Press, New York, 1984. Pp. 579. $99.50.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article:
Price T.R. & Nelson E. (eds)Cerebrovascular Diseases, Eleventh Princeton Conference
Progress in Neuropathology, Volume IV Raven Press, New York, 1979
Perkin G.D. & Clifford Rose F. Optic Neuritis and its Differential Diagnosis Oxford University Press, 1979
Diamond C. & Frew I. The Facial Nerve Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1979     

The relationship between cognitive dysfunction and coping abilities in schizophrenia

Cognitive dysfunction is a core feature of schizophrenia [Psychiatr. Clin. North Am., 16 (1993) 295; Psychopharmacology: The fourth generation of progress, Raven Press, New York (1995) 1171; Clinical Neuropsychology, Oxford University Press, New York (1993) 449] and is related to psychosocial functioning in this population [Am. J. Psychiatry, 153 (1996) 321]. It is unclear whether cognitive dysfunction is related to specific areas of functioning in schizophrenia, such as coping abilities. Individuals with schizophrenia have deficient coping skills, which may contribute to their difficulties dealing with stressors [Am. J. Orthopsychiatry, 62 (1992) 117; J. Abnorm. Psychol., 82 (1986) 189]. The current study examined the relationship between coping abilities and cognitive dysfunction in a community sample of individuals with schizophrenia. It was hypothesized that executive dysfunction and mnemonic impairments would be positively related to deficiencies in active coping efforts involving problem solving and self-initiation (e.g. advocating for oneself and others with mental illness and becoming involved in meaningful activities, such as work), independent of the contributions of the general intellectual deficits associated with the disorder and psychiatric symptoms. The results indicated that both executive dysfunction and mnemonic impairments were related to decreased usage of active coping mechanisms after controlling for general intellectual deficits. Further, recognition memory made independent contributions to the prediction of coping involving action and help seeking after controlling for the effects of negative symptoms. These findings suggest that individuals with schizophrenia may be less flexible in their use of coping strategies, which may in turn contribute to their difficulties in coping with mental illness and its consequences.     

“Lives of despair” at risk for “deaths of despair”: tracking an under-recognized,vulnerable population

Purpose

The substantial and unexpected increase in “deaths of despair” in the US (e.g., deaths from drug overdose, suicide, and alcohol-related liver diseases) reported by economists Case and Deaton in 2015 raises questions about the number and characteristics of US adults potentially living “lives of despair” with these problems.

Methods

We used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave III (NESARC-III) to examine population estimates and characteristics of adults with lifetime history of substance use disorder (SUD) and suicide attempt, or either condition alone, as compared to those with neither.

Results

An estimated 7.2 million adults had both lifetime SUD and suicide attempt and 78.8 million had either. Those with both faced far more psychosocial adversities, familial adverse experiences and psychiatric disorders compared to those with the other two groups, and reported greater mental health service utilization. Multivariable analysis showed that psychiatric multimorbidity and violence were the strongest correlates of having both conditions as compared to neither while those with either condition fell in between.

Conclusion

A substantial number of US adults live with a lifetime SUD and suicide attempt with a multiplicity of additional socioeconomic, psychiatric and familial problems. While their utilization of mental health care service exceeds those with either or neither conditions, quality of life remained much poorer, suggesting that mental health treatment alone may not be enough to mitigate their sufferings, and a combination of both social policy support and quality mental health care may be needed.

     

Mouse models of diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a debilitating complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Rodent models of DN do not fully replicate the pathology observed in human patients. We examined DN in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced [B6] and spontaneous type 1 diabetes [B6Ins2(Akita)] and spontaneous type 2 diabetes [B6-db/db, BKS-db/db]. Despite persistent hyperglycemia, the STZ-treated B6 and B6Ins2(Akita) mice were resistant to the development of DN. In contrast, DN developed in both type 2 diabetes models: the B6-db/db and BKS-db/db mice. The persistence of hyperglycemia and development of DN in the B6-db/db mice required an increased fat diet while the BKS-db/db mice developed severe DN and remained hyperglycemic on standard mouse chow. Our data support the hypothesis that genetic background and diet influence the development of DN and should be considered when developing new models of DN.     

Implementing the Strengths Model of Case Management: Group Supervision Fidelity Outcomes

To evaluate group supervision implementation fidelity in the Strengths Model of case management within one adult mental health service. A fidelity audit was undertaken to analyse data across three service settings—residential and community—during the initial three months, utilising instruments developed by Rapp and Goscha (The Strengths Model: Case management with people with psychiatric disabilities, vol 2. Oxford University Press, New York, 2006). Very high fidelity for group supervision was achieved for group interaction (74.8 %), client work (77 %) and by case managers (90 %). A standardised approach to group supervision process and documentation greatly supported fidelity in implementation. The Rapp and Goscha tools had utility as both learning aids and audit instruments.     

The role of personality in the development and perpetuation of chronic fatigue syndrome

Objectives: Qualitative evidence suggests that personality may have special relevance to the predisposition, precipitation and perpetuation of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This study compares three dimensions of personality — perfectionism, self-esteem, and emotional control in the personality profiles of CFS patients (N=44) and a control group (N=44) without a history of CFS, matched for age and gender. Methods: Participants were assessed on the MPS [Frost RO, Marten P, Lahart C, Rosenblate R. The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognit Ther Res 1990;14:449–468.]; the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [Rosenberg M. Society and the Adolescent Self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ Press, 1965.]; the Courtauld Emotional Scale [Watson M, Greer S. Development of a questionnaire measure of emotional control. J Psychosom Res 1983;27:299–305.] and the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale [Crowne DP, Marlowe D. A new scale of social desirability independent of psychopathology. J Consult Psychol 1960;24:349–354.]. Results: Analyses revealed that the CFS group reported higher levels than the control group on the Total Perfectionism score and Doubts about Actions and the Concern over Mistakes subscales. Furthermore, the CFS group also reported lower self-esteem than the control group. No difference between the two groups was found on the dimensions of emotional control and social desirability response bias. Conclusion: A developmental model of CFS, which considers the predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors that may account for the course of the disorder irrespective of etiology, is proposed. In the context of the results, recommendations for practice and future research are discussed.     

Research note: exceptional absolute pitch perception for spoken words in an able adult with autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterised by deficits in socialisation and communication, with repetitive and stereotyped behaviours [American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: APA]. Whilst intellectual and language impairment is observed in a significant proportion of diagnosed individuals [Gillberg, C., & Coleman, M. (2000). The biology of the autistic syndromes (3rd ed.). London: Mac Keith Press; Klinger, L., Dawson, G., & Renner, P. (2002). Autistic disorder. In E. Masn, & R. Barkley (Eds.), Child pyschopathology (2nd ed., pp. 409-454). New York: Guildford Press], the disorder is also strongly associated with the presence of highly developed, idiosyncratic, or savant skills [Heaton, P., & Wallace, G. (2004) Annotation: The savant syndrome. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45 (5), 899-911]. We tested identification of fundamental pitch frequencies in complex tones, sine tones and words in AC, an intellectually able man with autism and absolute pitch (AP) and a group of healthy controls with self-reported AP. The analysis showed that AC's naming of speech pitch was highly superior in comparison to controls. The results suggest that explicit access to perceptual information in speech is retained to a significantly higher degree in autism.     

Differential effects on sodium current impairments by distinct SCN1A mutations in GABAergic neurons derived from Dravet syndrome patients

Background

We investigated how two distinct mutations in SCN1A differentially affect electrophysiological properties of the patient-derived GABAergic neurons and clinical severities in two Dravet syndrome (DS) patients.

Accessible image analysis for art assessment

Until now, art therapists relied on manual ratings for instruments such as the Face Stimulus Assessment, which is a series of stimulus drawings used to garner projective information from clients [FSA, Betts, 2003; Hamilton, M. K. (2008). Developing a standardized rating system for the Face Stimulus Assessment (FSA) using nine scales adapted from the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS). Unpublished master's thesis, Avila University, Kansas City, MO]. The current study outlines several image analysis techniques intended to complement interpretive analysis through demonstrating public domain image analysis software (PDIAS) capabilities adapted for measuring formal elements [Gantt, L., & Tabone, C. (1998). The formal elements art therapy scale. Morgantown, WV: Gargoyle Press]. An FSA drawing completed by an individual formally diagnosed with schizophrenia serves as the model. This study also extends manual [Gantt, L., & Tabone, C. (1998). The formal elements art therapy scale. Morgantown, WV: Gargoyle Press] and computer-assisted ratings [Kim, S. I., Bae, J., & Lee, Y. (2007). A computer system to rate the color-related formal elements in art therapy assessments. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 34, 3] through this model by using readily available PDIAS. Case study results indicate that PDIAS is able to analyze accurately formal elements of an FSA drawing. Research implications include improved inter-rater reliability in the adapted Prominence of Color Scale [Gantt, L., & Tabone, C. (1998). The formal elements art therapy scale. Morgantown, WV: Gargoyle Press; Hamilton, M. K. (2008). Developing a standardized rating system for the Face Stimulus Assessment (FSA) using nine scales adapted from the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS). Unpublished master's thesis, Avila University, Kansas City, MO] and the development of highly accurate art therapy assessment rating scales for those without extensive computer analysis backgrounds.     

Lithuania mental health country profile

As a part of international mental health policy, programmes and services project, the ‘country profile’ instrument was used for assessment of mental health policy and services in the Republic of Lithuania. Analysis of contextual factors revealed high levels of social pathology (including violence, suicide and other self-destructive behaviour) with stigmatizing approaches by the general population to mentally disturbed persons and other vulnerable groups. Analysis of existing data about resources invested in the mental health care system raises questions for policymakers about the effectiveness of this traditional way of investment. The largest proportion of physical and human capital is concentrated in psychiatric institutions, with large numbers of beds, psychiatrists and increasing funding for medications, while other components of care—such as housing, psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation, community-based child mental health services—are not being developed. Statistical accounts keep the tradition of presenting processes as outcomes, while modern assessment of outcomes of services, programmes and policies are lacking. The findings from this country profile may be very useful in the development of modern mental health policies in the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, which have been deprived for decades from the opportunity to introduce evidence-based mental health policies and services.     

Form discrimination in a case of blindsight

DB, the first extensively tested blindsight case, has demonstrated the ability to detect and discriminate a range of visual stimuli presented within his perimetrically blind visual field [Weiskrantz L. (1986). Blindsight: A case study and implications. Oxford: Oxford University Press]. After initial reports of basic form discrimination (Weiskrantz, 1986), it later emerged that this ability to discriminate single stimuli presented to the blind field was probably based on the discrimination of orientation cues [Weiskrantz, L. (1987). Residual vision in a scotoma. A follow-up study of 'form' discrimination. Brain, 110, 77-92]. Even so, DB found it impossible to make a 'same/different' discrimination for pairs of stimuli in the blind field (Weiskrantz, 1986). In the current study, DB's discrimination and identification of stimuli on the basis of their form was tested (in 2AFC and FR paradigms). We have demonstrated that DB could successfully identify outline low contrast images of objects, make successful 'same/different' discriminations for pairs of stimuli presented in his blind field and identify complex images (digital photographs) presented entirely within his cortically blind field. The results are discussed in relation to the issues of likely neuronal mediation, the potential for improvement in cases of blindsight and the potential relevance of these findings in relation to theories of normal visual perception.     

Serious suicide attempts among adolescents in custody.

The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody has focused attention on people who are held in custody in police cells, prisons, remand centres and detention centres. A series of research papers has been released by the Royal Commission which delineates some important aspects of the needs of these people. Nearly half of the deaths which occur in these custodial settings appear to be self-inflicted. Suicide seems to be particularly common among younger age groups of those in custody [1,2]. This pattern parallels suicide levels among young people in the Australian community generally, so that suicide is now a leading cause of death among young Australians [3,4].     

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of Broca's area affects verbal responses to gesture observation

The aim of the present study was to determine whether Broca's area is involved in translating some aspects of arm gesture representations into mouth articulation gestures. In Experiment 1, we applied low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over Broca's area and over the symmetrical loci of the right hemisphere of participants responding verbally to communicative spoken words, to gestures, or to the simultaneous presentation of the two signals. We performed also sham stimulation over the left stimulation loci. In Experiment 2, we performed the same stimulations as in Experiment 1 to participants responding with words congruent and incongruent with gestures. After sham stimulation voicing parameters were enhanced when responding to communicative spoken words or to gestures as compared to a control condition of word reading. This effect increased when participants responded to the simultaneous presentation of both communicative signals. In contrast, voicing was interfered when the verbal responses were incongruent with gestures. The left stimulation neither induced enhancement on voicing parameters of words congruent with gestures nor interference on words incongruent with gestures. We interpreted the enhancement of the verbal response to gesturing in terms of intention to interact directly. Consequently, we proposed that Broca's area is involved in the process of translating into speech aspects concerning the social intention coded by the gesture. Moreover, we discussed the results in terms of evolution to support the theory [Corballis, M. C. (2002). From hand to mouth: The origins of language. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press] proposing spoken language as evolved from an ancient communication system using arm gestures.     

A dissociation of perception and action in normal human observers: the effect of temporal-delay

Neuropsychological results support the proposal that the human visual system is organised into distinct processing pathways, one for conscious perception and one for the control of action. Here, we compare perceptual and action responses following a pre-response-delay. Experiment 1 required participants to reproduce remembered locations and found that although perceptual matches were unaffected by delays of up to 4 s, pointing responses were significantly biased after only 2 s. Experiment 2 examined whether both the transport and grasp components of a natural prehensile movement were similarly affected by delay. Both peak wrist velocities and peak grip-apertures were affected equivalently by delay, suggesting that the two components of a prehensile movement have similar temporal constraints. The results from both experiments are consistent with the general perception-action dichotomy as originally proposed by Milner and Goodale [The visual brain in action, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995].     

Neural mechanisms of sensorimotor transformation and action selection

Ray Guillery made major contributions to our understanding of the development and function of the brain. One of his principal conceptual insights, developed together with Murray Sherman [S.M. Sherman & R.W. Guillery (2001) Exploring the Thalamus. Elsevier, Amstrerdam; S. Sherman & R. Guillery (2006) Exploring the Thalamus and Its Role in Cortical Functioning. Academic Press, New York, NY; S.M. Sherman & R.W. Guillery (2013) Functional Connections of Cortical Areas: A New View from the Thalamus. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA and then in his last book (R. Guillery (2017) The Brain as a Tool: A Neuroscientist's Account. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK)], was that the brain is a ‘tool’ to understand the world. In this view, the brain does not passively process sensory information and use the result to inform motor outputs. Rather, sensory and motor signals are widely broadcast and inextricably linked, with ongoing sensorimotor transformations serving as the basis for interaction with the outside world. Here, we describe recent studies from our laboratory and others which demonstrate this astute framing of the link among sensation, perception, and action postulated by Guillery and others [G. Deco & E.T. Rolls (2005) Prog Neurobiol, 76, 236–256; P. Cisek & J.F. Kalaska (2010) Annu Rev Neurosci, 33, 269‐298]. Guillery situated his understanding in the deeply intertwined relationship between the thalamus and cortex, and importantly in the feedback from cortex to thalamus which in turn influences feed‐forward drive to cortex [S.M. Sherman & R.W. Guillery (2001) Exploring the Thalamus. Elsevier, Amstrerdam; S. Sherman & R. Guillery (2006) Exploring the Thalamus and Its Role in Cortical Functioning. Academic Press, New York, NY]. We extend these observations to argue that brain mechanisms for sensorimotor transformations involve cortical and subcortical circuits that create internal models as a substrate for action, that a key role of sensory inputs is to update such models, and that a major function of sensorimotor processing underlying cognition is to enable action selection and execution.     

Juvenile justice mental health services

As the second century of partnership begins, child psychiatry and juvenile justice face continuing challenges in meeting the mental health needs of delinquents. The modern juvenile justice system is marked by a significantly higher volume of cases, with increasingly complicated multiproblem youths and families with comorbid medical, psychiatric, substance abuse disorders, multiple family and psychosocial adversities, and shrinking community resources and alternatives to confinement. The family court is faced with shrinking financial resources to support court-ordered placement and treatment programs in efforts to treat and rehabilitate youths. The recognition of high rates of mental disorders for incarcerated youth has prompted several recommendations for improvement and calls for reform [56,57]. In their 2000 annual report, the Coalition for Juvenile Justice advocated increased access to mental health services that provide a continuum of care tailored to the specific problems of incarcerated youth [58]. The specific recommendations of the report for mental health providers include the need for wraparound services, improved planning and coordination between agencies, and further research. The Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has set three priorities in dealing with the mental health needs of delinquents: further research on the prevalence of mental illness among juvenile offenders, development of mental health screening assessment protocols, and improved mental health services [59]. Other programs have called for earlier detection and diversion of troubled youth from juvenile justice to mental health systems [31,56]. Most recently, many juvenile and family courts have developed innovative programs to address specific problems such as truancy or substance use and diversionary or alternative sentencing programs to deal with first-time or nonviolent delinquents. All youths who come in contact with the juvenile justice system should be screened and, when necessary, assessed for mental health and substance abuse disorders. The screening should occur at the youth's earliest point of contact with the juvenile justice system and should be available at all stages of juvenile justice processing. Whenever possible, youth with serious mental health disorders should be diverted from the juvenile justice system [58]. If delinquent youths do not receive the necessary evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation, they face the real prospect of further incarceration in adult correctional facilities. Improved screening and treatment require better interagency collaboration, established standards of care, and continuing research on the mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system. Better mental health care for youth in the juvenile justice system supports the goal of rehabilitation. Mental health professionals should support these efforts as the appropriate response to meet the challenges of the new century.     

Are central executive functions working in patients with focal frontal lesions?

The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis of a link between frontal cortex and two executive functions in working memory: the capacity to perform a dual task and the ability to inhibit irrelevant information. A dual task designed to assess the capacity to perform storage and processing simultaneously and a directed forgetting task designed to assess the capacity to actively inhibit no-longer relevant information were administered to a group of patients with focal frontal lesions and to a group of control participants. The results revealed that despite showing reduced short-term storage, frontal patients performed the dual task and inhibited the no-longer relevant information as well as control participants. These findings suggest that not all-executive processes are exclusively sustained by the frontal cortex [Quart J Exp Psychol 9 (1996) 5; Curr Opin Neurobiol 10 (2000) 195; Neuropsychology (1994) 544; The Cognitive Neuropsychology of Alzheimer-type dementia. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1996].