O.W. Dubois, Reddende liefde. Het werk van de Heldringstichtingen in Zetten 1847- 2010

Boekbespreking van:O.W. Dubois, Reddende liefde. Het werk van de Heldringstichtingen in Zetten 1847-2010. Hilversum: Verloren, 2010. ISBN 9 789087 042264, 352 blz., € 35,00.

Dutch special education schools for children with learning disabilities in the interwar period

In this article Copeland's model of visualising the classification of children with learning disabilities is applied in examining the development of special education schools in the Netherlands during the interwar period. Central are three intertwined social practices: the teacher's professionalism (in pedagogic and practical concerns), the expert's knowledge (in theory, research and practical advice) and the pillarised social structure that is typical in the Dutch case. Moreover, gender is added as a central category because of its crucial intermediating role in the Dutch developments. In order to understand the interaction between these practices and the denominational structure, the professional identity of male and female teachers in special education classes and schools is studied in relation to the religious stratification within the domain of special education. In the conclusion the gendered professionalism within special education schools is related to the status of expert knowledge and the involvement of an increasing number of women, in particular Catholic nuns, in schools for children with learning disabilities in the Netherlands in between the two world wars

The Rise of Caring Power

This original study discusses the role of women in developing and dispersing caring power and, vice-versa, the role of caring power in constituting 'women' as modern social subjects, processes which began around 1800. Based on the historian-/philosopher Foucault's concept of pastoral power, "caring power" also takes into account the vital role played by gender. Both humanitarian and religious motives fostered the ideal of serving the well-being of individual 'others' and thereby the interest of society as a whole.With the rise of caring power, this book argues, women began to feel responsible for 'those of their own sex' and to organize themselves in all-female organizations. In the process they carved out new gender identities for themselves and the women in their care.The authors illustrate this profound historical change with the work of the reformers Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845) and Josephine Butler (1828-1906) and trace their impact in Britain and the Netherlands

Aripiprazole in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

<p>Introduction: Psychosis is a common and difficult to treat symptom in Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is a cause of diminished quality of life and care-giver distress. Atypical antipsychotics are frequently used for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis, despite FDA warnings because of increased mortality associated with the use of these medications in dementia patients. Aripiprazole is a newer atypical antipsychotic drug with partial agonist activity at dopamine receptors and antagonist activity at 5-HT2A receptors, with a low side-effect profile.</p><p>Areas covered: This descriptive review gives a short overview of the pathology and epidemiology of AD, including psychotic symptoms, and describes the mode of action of aripiprazole and results of preclinical studies. Finally, randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of aripiprazole in AD-related psychosis and agitation are discussed. Whenever relevant, meta-analytical data from literature are referred to.</p><p>Expert opinion: In randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, aripiprazole shows modest efficacy in the treatment of AD-related psychosis. Neuropsychiatric symptoms alleviated were predominantly psychotic features and agitation. In individual trials, aripiprazole was generally well tolerated, serious side effects were seldom reported and included accidental injury and somnolence. Meta-analyses however demonstrated increased mortality as a class effect for atypical, but also for typical antipsychotics. No increased cardiovascular outcomes, cerebrovascular accidents, increased appetite or weight gain were demonstrated in meta-analyses for aripiprazole-treated patients with psychosis of dementia. Aripiprazole was found to induce sedation. Aripiprazole should only be used in selected patient populations resistant to non-pharmacological treatment with persisting or severe psychotic symptoms and/or agitation, and in which symptoms lead to significant morbidity, patient suffering and potential self-harm. The indication for continuing treatment should be revised regularly.</p>