Faculty Bibliography

This study investigated predictive relations between preschoolers' (N=310) behavioral regulation and emergent literacy, vocabulary, and math skills. Behavioral regulation was assessed using a direct measure called the Head-to-Toes Task, which taps inhibitory control, attention, and working memory, and requires children to perform the opposite of what is instructed verbally. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was utilized because children were nested in 54 classrooms at 2 geographical sites. Results revealed that behavioral regulation significantly and positively predicted fall and spring emergent literacy, vocabulary, and math skills on the Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement (all ps<.05). Moreover, growth in behavioral regulation predicted growth in emergent literacy, vocabulary, and math skills over the prekindergarten year (all ps<.05), after controlling for site, child gender, and other background variables. Discussion focuses on the role of behavioral regulation in early academic achievement and preparedness for kindergarten

Across a range of mammalian species, early developmental variations in fear-related behaviors constrain patterns of anxious behavior throughout life. Individual differences in anxiety among rodents and non-human primates have been shown to reflect early-life influences of genes and the environment on brain circuitry. However, in humans, the manner in which genes and the environment developmentally shape individual differences in anxiety and associated brain circuitry remains poorly specified. The current review presents a conceptual framework that facilitates clinical research examining developmental influences on brain circuitry and anxiety. Research using threat-exposure paradigms might most directly integrate basic and clinical perspectives on pediatric anxiety.

Schizophrenia patients with the deficit syndrome (DS) may represent a homogeneous subgroup. To increase the practicability of diagnosing the DS, Kirkpatrick et al. [Kirkpatrick, B., Buchanan, RW., Breier, A. Carpenter, WT., 1993. Case identification and stability of the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res. 47, 47-56.] proposed the use of a 'proxy' case identification tool using standardized symptom ratings instead of the Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome (SDS) which requires an independent clinical assessment. The Proxy for the Deficit Syndrome (PDS) is based on the extraction of symptoms that are essentially equivalent or overlap substantially with the restricted affect and diminished emotional range on the SDS. Kirkpatrick et al. [Kirkpatrick, B., Buchanan, RW., Breier, A. Carpenter, WT., 1993. Case identification and stability of the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res. 47, 47-56.] reported good sensitivity and specificity in a comparison of SDS and PDS assessments among 100 chronic schizophrenia outpatients. The present investigation involves the comparison of the deficit syndrome as assessed by the 'gold standard' Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome with the ratings of the same symptoms embodied in the 'proxy instrument' the PANSS, within the same group of 156 inpatients. Forty-four patients were assessed by the SDS to have the deficit syndrome. Patients with and without the DS, as defined by the SDS, did not differ for age, education, age at illness onset and duration of illness. The two main 'proxy' measures PDS1 and PDS2 discriminated across the SDS groups. The direct dichotomous comparison of the actual SDS and the 'proxy' derived PDS groups demonstrated good specificity (78.6% and 79.5%) and moderate to very good sensitivity (61.4% and 86.4%) and there was a moderately low rate of false positive cases (21.4% and 20.5%). For the two main 'proxy' measures (PDS1 and PDS2) kappas were .38 and .59, representing poor to good agreement. In our sample of rigorously diagnosed schizophrenia inpatients, the use of a 'proxy' case identification tool for the deficit syndrome would appear to be a viable alternative in identifying a subgroup of schizophrenia patients with the deficit syndrome when the use of the actual SDS is not feasible. Further study is indicated before the PDS as extracted from the PANSS can be used in lieu of the SDS for identifying patients with this syndrome

Childhood aggression has both biological and environmental underpinnings. However, the manner in which these factors interact to influence various types of aggression remains an important area of study. The current study examined the degree to which biological risk and psychosocial adversity, both alone and in combination, are associated with childhood aggression. Linear regression procedures were used to assess the extent to which biological risk status (low vs. high serotonergic responsivity, as measured by prolactin response to fenfluramine), magnitude of psychosocial risk, and the interaction of these factors predicted parent and teacher ratings of aggression and delinquency. After accounting for the independent contribution of biological and psychosocial risk, the interaction of biological and psychosocial risk was significantly associated with parent-rated aggression and marginally related to parent-rated delinquency. In contrast, no such interaction was observed for teacher-rated aggression. Findings suggest that individuals at biological risk for aggression may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of psychosocial adversity.

BACKGROUND: This multicenter, randomized, fixed-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated efficacy of extended-release dexmethylphenidate (d-MPH-ER) in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: Randomized adults with ADHD (n = 221) received once-daily d-MPH-ER 20 mg, 30 mg, or 40 mg or placebo for 5 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was change from baseline to final visit in DSM-IV ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) total score. Secondary efficacy parameters included the proportion of patients with improvement >/=30% in ADHD-RS total score and final scores on Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scale. RESULTS: Of 218 evaluable patients, 184 completed the study. All d-MPH-ER doses were significantly superior to placebo in improving ADHD-RS total scores. Placebo scores improved by 7.9; d-MPH-ER, 20 mg, improved by 13.7 (p = .006); d-MPH-ER, 30 mg, improved by 13.4 (p = .012); and d-MPH-ER, 40 mg, improved by 16.9 (p < .001). Overall distribution of CGI-I ratings at final visit was significantly better with each d-MPH-ER dosage than with placebo. There were no unexpected safety or tolerability concerns, based on experience with racemic methylphenidate (MPH) in adults and dexmethylphenidate (d-MPH) in children. CONCLUSIONS: Once-daily d-MPH-ER at 20 mg, 30 mg, or 40 mg is a safe and effective treatment for adults with ADHD

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbid with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD) and substance abuse/dependence seems to represent a specific subset within the phenotypic ADHD spectrum. METHODS: We applied complex segregation and linkage analyses in a set of multigenerational families densely segregating ADHD comorbid with ODD, CD, alcohol abuse/dependence, and nicotine dependence. RESULTS: Our data suggest that ADHD cosegregates with disruptive behaviors as a unique, phenotypically variable trait as evidenced by highly significant pair-wise linkages among: ADHD and ODD (logarithm of odds [LOD]=14.19), ADHD and CD (LOD=5.34), ODD and CD (LOD=6.68), and CD and alcohol abuse/dependence (LOD=3.98). In addition to previously reported ADHD susceptibility loci, we found evidence of linkage for comorbid ADHD phenotypes to loci at 8q24, 2p21-22.3, 5p13.1-p13.3, 12p11.23-13.3, 8q15, and 14q21.1-22.2. These results were replicated with an affected status phenotype derived from latent class clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of cosegregation of ADHD with comorbidities can inform our understanding of the inheritance patterns not only of ADHD but also of disruptive behavioral disorders and alcohol abuse/dependence. Refining the comorbid ADHD phenotype by determining the cosegregation profile of specific comorbidities might be a powerful tool for defining significant regions of linkage

Love is one of the most desired experiences. The quest for understanding human bonds, especially love, was traditionally a domain of the humanities. Recent developments in biological sciences yield new insights into the mechanisms underlying the formation and maintenance of human relationships. Animal models of reproductive behaviors, mother-infant attachment and pair bonding complemented by human studies reveal neuroendocrine foundations of prosocial behaviors and emotions. Amongst various identified neurotransmitters and modulators, which control affiliative behaviors, the particular role of nanopeptides has been indicated. New studies suggest that these chemicals are not only involved in regulating bonding processes in animals but also contribute to generating positive social attitudes and feelings in humans

Dementia is a clinical state characterized by loss of function in multiple cognitive domains. It is a costly disease in terms of both personal suffering and economic loss. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the term now preferred over Picks disease to describe the spectrum of non-Alzheimers dementias characterized by focal atrophy of the frontal and anterior temporal regions of the brain. The prevalence of FTD is considerable, though specific figures vary among different studies. It occurs usually in an age range of 35-75 and it is more common in individuals with a positive family history of dementia. The risk factors associated with this disorder include head injury and family history of FTD. Although there is some controversy regarding the further syndromatic subdivision of the different types of FTD, the three major clinical presentations of FTD include: 1) a frontal or behavioral variant (FvFTD), 2) a temporal, aphasic variant, also called Semantic dementia (SD), and 3) a progressive aphasia (PA). These different variants differ in their clinical presentation, cognitive deficits, and affected brain regions. Patients with FTD should have a neuropsychiatric assessment, neuropsychological testing and neuroimaging studies to confirm and clarify the diagnosis. Treatment for this entity consists of behavioral and pharmacological approaches. Medications such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizer and other novel treatments have been used in FTD with different rates of success. Further research should be directed at understanding and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to improve the patients' prognosis and quality of life

BACKGROUND: The goal of the current investigation was to examine genetic and environmental predictors of early alcohol use, a potent predictor of later alcohol dependence. METHODS: This study represents an add-on project to an investigation examining the efficacy of an intervention for maltreated children entering out-of-home care. Predictors of early alcohol use include the following: maltreatment, family loading for alcohol or substance-use disorders, and serotonin transporter genotype (5-HTTLPR; locus SLC6A4). Participants included 127 subjects: 76 maltreated children and 51 demographically matched community controls. RESULTS: At follow-up, 29% of the maltreated children reported alcohol use, a rate more than seven times the rate observed in controls. Maltreated children also drank alcohol, on average, more than 2 years earlier than controls (11.2 vs. 13.5 years). Early alcohol use was predicted by maltreatment, 5-HTTLPR, and a gene by environment interaction, with increased risk for early alcohol use associated with the s-allele. Psychopathology at baseline, severity of maltreatment, and poor mother-child relations also predicted early alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: Maltreated children are at high risk for psychiatric, alcohol, and substance abuse problems. Examination of genetic and environmental risk and protective factors can help identify those who are most vulnerable and help guide prevention and intervention efforts