Effects of constraint-induced movement therapy in adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a day camp model.

This study examined whether restraining the dominant hand during an intensive training period could provide a means by which to improve adolescents' hemiplegic hand function. Nine adolescents with hemiplegic CP between the ages of 13 and 18 years were enrolled at a two-week day camp, of 7 hours/day. They were restricted in the use of their dominant hand in various daily and recreational activities by wearing a glove-like splint. The basis for intervention was built upon the adolescents' own motivation, and the activities were chosen to be challenging and specifically to provide opportunities for repetition. The treatment approach used was an adapted model of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy. Assessments took place before and after intervention as well as at a 5-month follow-up. The results revealed that hand function did improve and was sustained at follow-up for dexterity, coordination and precision, and manipulative abilities. The performance of tasks that had been trained specifically showed major improvements.

Association of 5-HT(2A) receptor gene polymorphism with major affective disorders: the case of a subgroup of bipolar disorder with low suicide risk.

BACKGROUND: The implication of serotonin in suicide and affective disease explains why the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene has been proposed as a candidate gene in these disorders, although with conflicting results. METHODS: We analysed the distribution of the 5-HT(2A)-1438A/G genetic polymorphism in 192 patients with major affective disorder (127 bipolar disorders and 65 unipolar disorders) compared to 142 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: We found a higher frequency of the A allele in affected patients than in control subjects (p =.034), this difference being particularly striking for the subgroup of patients with type I bipolar disorder (p =.015). Patients with no personal and/or familial history of suicide attempts mainly accounted for the excess of the A allele in affected patients. CONCLUSIONS: The association detected in this study suggests that the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene may play a role in the genetic susceptibility to bipolar disorder, through a specific subgroup of bipolar type I patients with lower risk of suicidal behavior.