Efficacy and Effectiveness of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy

Decades of intervention research have produced a rich body of evidence on the effects of psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies with children and adolescents. Here we summarize and critique that evidence. We review findings bearing on the efficacy of psychosocial treatments and medications under controlled experimental conditions. We also report evidence, where available, on the effectiveness of both classes of treatment with clinically referred youth treated in real-world clinical contexts. In general, the large body of evidence on efficacy contrasts sharply with the small base of evidence on effectiveness. Addressing this gap through an enriched research agenda could contribute importantly to linking scientific inquiry and clinical practice—to the benefit of both ventures. This is one element of a multifaceted agenda for future research and for synthesis of research, which will require the interplay of multiple disciplines related to child and adolescent mental health.     

Satellite cells and myonuclei in young and elderly women and men

The overall aim of this study was to assess the effects of aging on the satellite cell population. Muscle biopsies were taken from the tibialis anterior muscle of healthy, moderately active young (age range, 20-32 years; n = 31) and elderly (age range, 70-83 years; n = 27) women and men with comparable physical activity pattern. Satellite cells and myonuclei were visualized using a monoclonal antibody against neural cell adhesion molecule and counterstained with Mayer's hematoxylin. An average of 211 (range, 192-241) muscle fibers were examined for each individual. Compared with the young women and men, the elderly subjects had a significantly lower (P < 0.011) number of satellite cells per muscle fiber but a significantly higher (P < 0.004) number of myonuclei per muscle fiber. The number of satellite cells relative to the total number of nuclei [satellite cells/(myonuclei + satellite cells)] was significantly lower in the elderly than in the young women and men. These results imply that a reduction in the satellite cell population occurs as a result of increasing age in healthy men and women.     

Opiate and digitalis receptor assays distinguish between neuroexcitant and inactive organochlorines and between anesthetics and convulsants

Specific binding of [3H]naloxone to rat brain tissue in vitro was inhibited by the excitant organochlorinated insecticides (OCI), by ether (E) and octanol (OCT), and by the convulsant indoklon (IND) and its anesthetic isomer, isoindoklon (ISO). In the presence of 100 mM NaCl the inhibition of naloxone binding by E, OCT and ISO was greatly potentiated, whereas that by OCI and IND was attenuated. KCl (100 mM) was equally effective as NaCl on the action of anesthetics, but the effect of the excitant drugs was, in contrast to NaCl, unaffected by KCl. Specific binding of [3H]ouabain in the absence of Na, was depressed by anesthetics and enhanced by neuroexcitants. In the presence of NaCl, which by itself inhibits ouabain binding to brain, both anesthetics and excitants enhanced ouabain binding. DDE, a non-insecticidal analog of DDT, and the dimethyl derivative of the OCI, lindane, were inactive in the receptor assays. These observations point to a unique isolated system which responds consistently to anesthetic agents as a class and, in a different way, to neuroexcitant compounds.     

Learning and forgetting new names and objects in MCI and AD

We studied how subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and age-matched controls learned and maintained the names of unfamiliar objects that were trained with or without semantic support (object definitions). Naming performance, phonological cueing, incidental learning of the definitions and recognition of the objects were tested during follow-up. We found that word learning was significantly impaired in MCI and AD patients, whereas forgetting patterns were similar across groups. Semantic support showed a beneficial effect on object name retrieval in the MCI group 8 weeks after training, suggesting that the MCI patients’ preserved semantic memory can compensate for impaired episodic memory. The MCI group performed equally well as the controls in the tasks measuring incidental learning and recognition memory, whereas the AD group showed impairment in this respect. Both the MCI and the AD group benefited less from phonological cueing than the controls. Our findings indicate that word learning is compromised in both MCI and AD, whereas long-term retention of newly learned words is not affected to the same extent. Incidental learning and recognition memory seem to be well preserved in MCI.     

Necdin蛋白与神经元的生长分化

在神经系统 ,Necdin只在成熟神经元的细胞核中表达 ,可能与成熟神经元分裂静止状态的保持有关。近年的研究表明 ,Necdin是一种生长抑制蛋白 ,能与多种因子如SV4 0大T抗原 ,腺病毒E1A ,转录因子E2F1以及肿瘤抑制蛋白p5 3等结合 ,在功能上类似于成视网膜瘤蛋白Rb。necdin基因缺陷时 ,会引起脑内 ,特别是下丘脑神经元分化障碍。人类necdin基因位于PWS综合征的基因缺失区 ,可能与PWS的一些症状有关。本文从Necdin蛋白的基本概况 ,生物功能以及Necdin与疾病三个方面进行了综述     

Retrospective and prospective design and data

The study of the presentation, symptomatology and family characteristics of an exclusively adolescent sample of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) was undertaken. Twenty-four cases of borderline personality disorder, 20 females, 4 males, identified using chart review and meeting the criteria of the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines (DIB) and DSM III-R, were matched with psychiatric controls. Adolescents with borderline personality disorder were found to have high rates of affective symptomatology with Axis I diagnosis of major depressive disorder - MDD (DSM-III-R), and high rates of interpersonal psychopathology, i.e., manipulation, devaluation, and a pervasive sense of boredom. The latter seem to be characteristic as for adults with borderline personality disorder. The families were particularly angry and volatile.     

Cortisol levels and depression in men and women using heroin and cocaine

Abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are well documented in men using illicit drugs and/or infected with HIV; however, less is known about HPA function, or the health consequence of HPA dysfunction, in their female counterparts. People with depression exhibit hypercortisolemia, and depression is common in people with HIV or substance use problems. The current study investigated cortisol secretion in 209 demographically matched men and women, stratified by their HIV and drug use status. Self-reported depressive symptoms were evaluated using a standardized, validated questionnaire (CES-D). Women reported more depressive symptoms than men (p=.01). Male and female drug users exhibited higher cortisol concentrations (p=.03), and were more likely to report depressive symptoms (p=.04), than non-users. Depression was related to elevated cortisol concentrations for the study population (p=.03), and women with elevated cortisol concentrations were significantly more depressed than all other participants (p=.05). While it is unknown whether high cortisol concentrations precede depressive symptoms or vice versa, these data indicate that higher cortisol concentrations are associated with depressive symptoms in heroin and cocaine users, and that this association is more pronounced in women than men. HIV status did not act in an additive or synergistic way with drug use for either cortisol or CES-D measures in the current study. Unique therapies to treat the endocrine and mental health consequences of illicit drug use in men and women deserve consideration as depressive symptoms, and high cortisol concentrations associated with depressive symptoms, differ by gender.     

Dissociation and Counterdissociation: Nuanced and Binary Perceptions of Good and Evil

Dissociated experiences are often communicated to analysts. Clinicians may absorb patients' dissociation, thereby creating “counterdissociated” states. Counterdissociation contributes to binary thinking in the analyst similar to black- and-white thinking commonly seen in patients' dissociated states. This can have both positive and negative effects: Counterdissociation may help therapists identify with patients' experience, thereby cementing the therapeutic bond. If analysts remain counterdissociated, however, patients may remain dissociated. As analysts identify their counterdissociation, they may gain insight into patients' needs for dissociation. As they overcome counterdissociation, patients may concurrently overcome dissociation. This allows both to have a more nuanced view of inner experience. With two extended case studies of sexually abused men, this article tracks how an analyst deals with counterdissociation created through intimate contact with dissociated positive and negative introjects of victimizers, thus forming identifications or overidentifications with the patients' abused parts.     

Necdin蛋白与神经元的生长分化

在神经系统,Necdin只在成熟神经元的细胞核中表达,可能与成熟神经元分裂静止状态的保持有关.近年的研究表明,Necdin是一种生长抑制蛋白,能与多种因子如SV40大T抗原,腺病毒E1A,转录因子E2F1以及肿瘤抑制蛋白p53等结合,在功能上类似于成视网膜瘤蛋白Rb.necdin基因缺陷时,会引起脑内,特别是下丘脑神经元分化障碍.人类necdin基因位于PWS综合征的基因缺失区,可能与PWS的一些症状有关.本文从Necdin蛋白的基本概况,生物功能以及Necdin与疾病三个方面进行了综述.     

Oxytocin and vasopressin agonists and antagonists as research tools and potential therapeutics

We recently reviewed the status of peptide and nonpeptide agonists and antagonists for the V(1a), V(1b) and V(2) receptors for arginine vasopressin (AVP) and the oxytocin receptor for oxytocin (OT). In the present review, we update the status of peptides and nonpeptides as: (i) research tools and (ii) therapeutic agents. We also present our recent findings on the design of fluorescent ligands for V(1b) receptor localisation and for OT receptor dimerisation. We note the exciting discoveries regarding two novel naturally occurring analogues of OT. Recent reports of a selective VP V(1a) agonist and a selective OT agonist point to the continued therapeutic potential of peptides in this field. To date, only two nonpeptides, the V(2) /V(1a) antagonist, conivaptan and the V(2) antagonist tolvaptan have received Food and Drug Administration approval for clinical use. The development of nonpeptide AVP V(1a), V(1b) and V(2) antagonists and OT agonists and antagonists has recently been abandoned by Merck, Sanofi and Pfizer. A promising OT antagonist, Retosiban, developed at Glaxo SmithKline is currently in a Phase II clinical trial for the prevention of premature labour. A number of the nonpeptide ligands that were not successful in clinical trials are proving to be valuable as research tools. Peptide agonists and antagonists continue to be very widely used as research tools in this field. In this regard, we present receptor data on some of the most widely used peptide and nonpeptide ligands, as a guide for their use, especially with regard to receptor selectivity and species differences.     

相关性和一致性：这对相仿概念和测量方法的回顾与阐明

概述：一致性(agreement)和相关性(correlation)是两个广泛使用的概念,用来评估变量之间的关联。虽然二者相似且相关,但是它们代表关联完全不同的概念。评估变量之间的一致性假设变量测量的是相同的结构,而在变量测量完全不同的结构时也可以评估它们之间的相关性。这种概念上的差异就要求使用不同的统计方法,并且当评估一致性或相关性时,统计方法根据数据的分布和研究者的兴趣可能会有所不同。例如, Pearson相关性,作为评估连续变量之间相关性的一种普遍测量方法,只有用于符合线性关系的变量时才能提供有用的信息;当用于不符合线性关系的变量时就无法提供准确信息甚至会产生误导。同样地,内部相关性,作为一种评估连续变量之间一致性的常用方法,如果一致性不好的实质正好是研究兴趣所在,那么该测量就不能为研究者提供充分的信息。本报告回顾了一致性和相关性的概念,并讨论了几种常用方法在应用中的差异。     

Hemodynamic and serum cardiac markers and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia

Introduction

Cardiac function is a key player in maintaining energy homeostasis in the brain. Heart failure is closely related to higher risk of neurocognitive disorders. Recent evidence shows that this relationship might not be limited to patients with advanced heart failure, and even suboptimal cardiac functioning is associated with accelerated brain aging. Hence, hemodynamic and serum cardiac markers may provide valuable information about the risk of dementia.

Cardiovascular and somatic startle and defense: Concordant and discordant actions of benzodiazepine receptor agonists and inverse agonists

Benzodiazepine receptor (BZR) agonists and inverse agonists yield generally opposing effects on GABAergic transmission, and the functional consequences of these ligands are often bidirectional. BZR agonists exert anxiolytic effects, whereas the BZR partial inverse agonist FG 7142 has been reported to have anxiogenic actions in a variety of paradigms. In keeping with this literature, we found that the cardioacceleratory defensive response is enhanced by FG 7142, and attenuated by the BZR agonist chlordiazepoxide. In contrast, both compounds attenuated basal and fear-potentiated somatic startle responses. This did not appear to reflect a global reduction of startle reactivity, however, as the cardiac startle response was not significantly altered. These findings support the view that multiple substrates underlie distinct aspects or features of fear and anxiety. The results are consistent with the suggestion that FG 7142 may selectively enhance those aspects of anxiety that depend on cortical-cognitive processing.     

Family Characteristics and Behavior Problems of Suicidal and Non-Suicidal Children and Adolescents

The present study examined familial and individual variables in youngsters at high risk for suicide and non-suicidal youngsters. One hundred inpatient children and adolescents completed a battery of questionnaires including, FACES II, Family Strengths, and Problem Behavior Scales, to assess family dysfunction and individual behavior problems. The results indicated that suicidal youngsters have lower pride in their families and perceived them as less adaptable than non-suicidal youngsters as indicated by scores on the Family Strengths and FACES II, respectively. Scores on the Problem Behavior Scales indicated that suicidal youngsters also exhibited self-inflicted behaviors, withdrawal from others, little interest in activities, poor concentration, and difficulties with sleeping. In addition, youths at risk for suicide were more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder, including major depressive disorder and dysthymia, as well as substance abuse and phobias. These findings suggest that suicidal youngsters' negative perceptions of their families and their maladaptive behaviors should be given special attention in designing appropriate interventions. In this way, treatment would likely be effective by providing appropriate coping skills and preventing future suicidal attempts in high risk youngsters.     

Mental and Physical Health of Middle-Aged and Elderly Women and Psychosocial Factors

Abstract: Middle-aged and elderly women with no specific disabilities in their daily life were divided into two groups: those visiting clinics with mild physical symptoms and those not visiting clinics. Those visiting clinics showed significantly lower mental and physical health indices, but satisfaction and emotional support were similar. Although those visiting clinics had significantly more stressful events, no differences were seen in ways they were dealt with. For those not visiting clinics, mental and physical health indices were better in their 60s than in their 50s and got worse again in their 70s, while for those visiting clinics indices were consistently low. Somatic symptoms in the women visiting clinics could be somatic reactions to their life situation from their 50s to their 60s.     

Of mice and men (and women and children): scientific and ethical implications of animal models

1. 1. Animal models of human behavior and disease are commonly used and have contributed significantly to progress in understanding the physiological mechanisms of both normal function and disease, and in the development of effective therapies.

2. 2. Little attention has been given, however, to the scientific and ethical implications of choosing a particular animal model.

3. 3. This paper discusses the rationale for the selection of particular animal models that have been chosen to study certain human diseases or behaviors, and provides examples to illustrate how underlying assumptions about methods and about physiological mechanisms and other relevant features of the disease or behavior of interest are embedded in the choice of an animal model.

4. 4. Although these assumptions influence the direction of research, they are rarely analyzed explicitly, or evaluated empirically. The authors recommend that assumptions should be clearly stated and that, whenever possible, they be specifically and thoroughly evaluated empirically.

     

Loneliness and stress-related inflammatory and neuroendocrine responses in older men and women

Loneliness is a predictor of mortality and increased cardiovascular morbidity. Inflammation is a potential pathway through which loneliness might impact health. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between loneliness and inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) responses to standardized mental stress. A secondary purpose was to evaluate whether individual variations in cortisol responses influenced the hypothesised relationship between loneliness and inflammation. Saliva samples and blood were taken from 524 healthy middle-aged men and women from the Whitehall II cohort at baseline, immediately after the stress tasks and 45min later. Loneliness was measured using the revised UCLA loneliness scale. Greater loneliness was associated with larger IL-6 (p=0.044) and IL-1Ra (p=0.006) responses to psychological stress and higher MCP-1 (p<0.001) levels in women, independently of age, grade of employment, body mass index and smoking status. No associations were observed in men. Cortisol responsivity was inversely related to loneliness in women, with the odds of being a cortisol responder decreasing with increased loneliness independently of covariates (p=0.008). The impact of loneliness on health in women may be mediated in part through dysregulation of inflammatory and neuroendocrine systems.     

Mental and somatic health and need for care in octo- and nonagenerians

Summary Mental and somatic illness, utilization of psychosocial facilities and need for care in persons aged 85 years and older were examined. Data were based on a representative community sample (n=402) of Munich city. A total of 358 (89%) subjects of the sample were interviewed, 42 subjects (10.5%) refused, and 2 persons could not be traced. Dementia and depression had the highest prevalence of mental disorders according to the AGECAT (automated geriatric examination for computer assisted taxonomy) computer program of the Geriatric Mental State Interview. In all, 23.6% of the interviewees fulfilled criteria for depression, 25.4% for dementia. We analysed somatic illness according to mental status, the utilization of psychosocial facilities and need for care with regard to mental and somatic illness.