Sleep Deprivation Induces Fragmented Memory Loss

Sleep deprivation increases rates of forgetting in episodic memory. Yet, whether an extended lack of sleep alters the qualitative nature of forgetting is unknown. We compared forgetting of episodic memories across intervals of overnight sleep, daytime wakefulness and overnight sleep deprivation. Item-level forgetting was amplified across daytime wakefulness and overnight sleep deprivation, as compared to sleep. Importantly, however, overnight sleep deprivation led to a further deficit in associative memory that was not observed after daytime wakefulness. These findings suggest that sleep deprivation induces fragmentation among item memories and their associations, altering the qualitative nature of episodic forgetting

Long-term home cage activity scans reveal lowered exploratory behaviour in symptomatic female Rett mice

<p>Numerous experimental models have been developed to reiterate endophenotypes of Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder with a multitude of motor, cognitive and vegetative symptoms. Here, female Mecp2Stop mice [1] were characterised at mild symptomatic conditions in tests for anxiety (open field, elevated plus maze) and home cage observation systems for food intake, locomotor activity and circadian rhythms.</p> <p>Aged 8–9 months, Mecp2Stop mice presented with heightened body weight, lower overall activity in the open field, but no anxiety phenotype. Although home cage activity scans conducted in two different observation systems, PhenoMaster and PhenoTyper, confirmed normal circadian activity, they revealed severely compromised habituation to a novel environment in all parameters registered including those derived from a non-linear decay model such as initial exploration maximum, decay half-life of activity and span, as well as plateau. Furthermore, overall activity was significantly reduced in nocturnal periods due to reductions in both fast ambulatory movements, but also a slow lingering. In contrast, light-period activity profiles during which the amount of sleep was highest remained normal in Mecp2Stop mice.</p> <p>These data confirm the slow and progressive development of Rett-like symptoms in female Mecp2Stop mice resulting in a prominent reduction of overall locomotor activity, while circadian rhythms are maintained. Alterations in the time-course of habituation may indicate deficiencies in cognitive processing.</p&gt

A randomised controlled clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of bandaging compared to the JuxtaCures™ device in the management of people with venous ulceration: Feasibility study

Introduction: The mainstay of treatment for venous ulceration remains compression therapy. Velcro Wrap devices are being increasingly used in these patients despite limited evidence. This feasibility study aimed to compare standard bandaging to the JuxtaCures™ Velcro wrap device. Methods: A single centre, unblinded RCT compared participants with venous ulceration randomised to either the JuxtaCures™ device or short stretch bandaging. Participants were followed up for 26 weeks. Results: 160 participants were screened with 40 randomised. 3 participants in bandaging and 1 in JuxtaCures™ didn’t complete the study. 60% in JuxtaCures™ healed v 55% in bandaging despite larger ulcers in the JuxtaCures™ arm (9.33 cm2 v 6.97 cm2). There was no significant difference in time to healing (12.17 v 13.64 weeks). JuxtaCures™ showed improved ulcer reduction for those that didn’t heal (14.91–5.00 cm2 v 14.20–8.62 cm2; P = 0.06). JuxtaCures™ had more consistent sub-bandage pressure dropping from 39–36 mmHg versus 41–25 mmHg in bandaging between application and removal (P < 0.001). Quality of life (EQ5D) was improved in JuxtaCures at 3 months (mean difference 0.14, p = 0.04), but not at 1 and 6 months, or in disease specific quality of life. Cost was lower in JuxtaCures™ £842.47 v £1064.68. Duration of appointment was significantly shorter in JuxtaCures™ (41 minutes v 53 minutes; P = 0.003). Conclusion: This study has shown the feasibility and necessity of running a multicentre trial to evaluate the use of Velcro wrap devices for venous ulceration. It highlights the potential benefits of more consistent pressure, increased self-care, and potential with regards to ulcer healing, cost, nursing resource and quality of life

Antecedent influences on negatively reinforced behaviour: an examination of person-environment interplay

Motivating operations (MOs) exert value- and behaviour-altering effects on problem behaviour. To date, there has been no systematic review of the literature regarding the influence of MOs on negatively reinforced problem behaviour. The current review adopted a systematic strategy to identify and review papers relevant to this area published between 1999-2011. Fifty nine papers were identified that met inclusion criteria for the review. Papers were grouped according to themes and reviewed to: 1) identify recent trends in the literature, 2) provide a critique of the methodological strengths and weaknesses of the field, 3) examine implications for the assessment, understanding and treatment of negatively reinforced problem behaviour and 4) provide suggestions for future research. A model of negatively reinforced problem behaviour is presented that emphasises the importance of the interaction between person and environment

Functional analysis of the early development of self-injurious behavior: Incorporating gene-environment interactions

The analysis of the early development of self-injurious behavior (SIB) has, to date, reflected the wider distinction between nature and nurture. Despite the status of genetic factors as risk markers for the later development of SIB, a model that accounts for their influence on early behavior-environment relations is lacking. In the current paper we argue that the investigation of gene-environment interactions (GxE) and other forms of gene-environment interplay could potentially enhance current approaches to the study of self-injury. A conceptual model of the early development of SIB based explicitly on such relations is presented. The model is consistent with the basic tenets of functional analysis. Implications for research and the assessment, treatment, and prevention of SIB are discussed

Gene-Environment Interactions and the Functional Analysis of Challenging Behaviour in Children with Intellectural and Developmental Disabilities

Challenging behaviour displayed by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities represents a socially significant problem that severely restricts the quality of life of those who display such behaviours and their families. To date the study of life of those who display such behaviours has been characterised by genetic and environmental determinism. It seems likely that gene-environment interactions (GxE) may play a critical role in challenging behaviour displayed by some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The current thesis provides a conceptual and empirical examination of GxE as applied to challenging behaviour. The two empirical studies presented in the current thesis aimed to examine the hypothesis that genetic events may function as a type of motivating operation for challenging behaviour. In study one, parents of the children with FXS, SMS and a mixed etiology group of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities were interviewed about the function served by their child's challenging behaviour using the Questions About Behavioral Function (QABF; Matson & Vollmer, 1995) scale. Both within- and between-group differences were found. Children with FXS were less likely to display attention-maintained challenging behaviours; children with SMS were more likely to display pain-related challenging behaviours. In study two, experimental functional analysis methods were used to examine this question in a group of eight children with FXS and six children with SMS. No child with FXS displayed an attention-maintained response class of challenging behaviour. In contrast four children with SMS displayed a response class of challenging behaviour that was at least in part attention-maintained. The findings are discussed in light of the research literature on challenging behaviour in FXS and SMS. The findings are related to GxE and it is suggested that a developmental systems model, consistent with the principles of radical behaviourism, may help to move the field beyond the limitations of genetic and environmental determinism