Pathological laughter and crying in patients with multiple system atrophy-cerebellar type.

In the cerebellar type of multiple system atrophy (MSA-C), the burden of pathological changes involves the cerebellum and its associated brainstem structures in the basis pontis and the inferior olivary nucleus, and as a result, the clinical phenotype is dominated early on by the cerebellar dysfunction. We report our clinical and post mortem findings in a patient with MSA-C who exhibited pathological laughter in the absence of any congruent changes of mood. A review of the clinical notes of 27 other patients with MSA-C revealed a problem with pathological laughter, or crying, or both in 9 more patients. Our finding of about 36% occurrence suggests that the problem of dysregulation of emotional expression is more prevalent in MSA-C than the paucity of reports in the literature suggests. Our findings are consistent with the view that the cerebellum and its interconnected structures may be involved in the regulation of emotional expression.     

Prognostic importance of systemic clearance of methotrexate in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Summary Pharmacokinetic studies of methotrexate have been carried out in 21 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed in 1981. Children were treated with intermediate dose (500 mg/m²) methotrexate in keeping with the 1981 ALL treatment Protocol of the Hungarian Childhood Leukemia Working Group. Of the 21 children, 8 relapsed, and 13 are in continuous complete remission. In the relapsed patients significantly increased systemic clearance of methotrexate was observed at the time of the second methotrexate treatment cycle compared with the calculated value after the first administration of the drug. No such change in the clearance was found in patients who are still in remission. There was no difference between children who relapsed or who are in remission in the elimination half-time of the drug. Age, sex, WBC at diagnosis, and systemic clearance of methotrexate were found to be connected with the probability of relapse in the patients studied. The possible reasons for the prognostic role of systemic methotrexate clearance are discussed.     

Chronic eyelid closure and its effect upon the human cone and rod electroretinogram

The human rod and cone systems have different spectral and adaptive sensitivities. Ganzfeld electroretinogram responses show that chronic eyelid closure, such as extensive symblepharon, can lead to dark-adaptation of the rods but simultaneously permit light-adaptation of the cones of the same eye. This effect is due to the red-filtering properties of the closed eyelid and the differential sensitivity of the two photoreceptor systems to the long wavelengths.     

Academic,community and state mental health program collaboration: The Oregon experience

The authors review the relationship that has evolved over the years between the Department of Psychiatry at Oregon Health Sciences University and Oregon's community and state mental health programs. They describe the compatibility that exists between the basic requirements of academic psychiatry departments and public mental health programs and demonstrate how these organizations have been able to fulfill one another's needs in Oregon. Specific examples of successful collaborations in the areas of education, administration, research, and service are presented to illustrate how relationships that have been designed to meet specific requirements of one organization can fulfill many requirements of both. Suggestions are provided for those organizations contemplating similar collaborative endeavors.