Reward learning as a potential target for pharmacological augmentation of cognitive remediation for schizophrenia: a roadmap for preclinical development.

RationaleImpaired cognitive abilities are a key characteristic of schizophrenia. Although currently approved pharmacological treatments have demonstrated efficacy for positive symptoms, to date no pharmacological treatments successfully reverse cognitive dysfunction in these patients. Cognitively-based interventions such as cognitive remediation (CR) and other psychosocial interventions however, may improve some of the cognitive and functional deficits of schizophrenia. Given that these treatments are time-consuming and labor-intensive, maximizing their effectiveness is a priority. Augmenting psychosocial interventions with pharmacological treatments may be a viable strategy for reducing the impact of cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia.ObjectiveWe propose a strategy to develop pharmacological treatments that can enhance the reward-related learning processes underlying successful skill-learning in psychosocial interventions. Specifically, we review clinical and preclinical evidence and paradigms that can be utilized to develop these pharmacological augmentation strategies. Prototypes for this approach include dopamine D1 receptor and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists as attractive targets to specifically enhance reward-related learning during CR.ConclusionThe approach outlined here could be used broadly to develop pharmacological augmentation strategies across a number of cognitive domains underlying successful psychosocial treatment

The Impacts of Educational Attainment, Professional Interests, and Residency on Community Involvement and Civic Engagement

Individual civic engagement choices are quite complex and various life events and experiences can influence a person\u27s civic activity or lack thereof. This work examines a group of citizens in a specific location who have chosen to take the first step toward serving their community. The goal of the research is to view civic engagement in broader terms than just a motivation to vote on Election Day, but to provide a sustainable volunteer force for improving communities. The research investigates the role educational attainment plays in encouraging civic involvement

A study of effective evaluation models and practices for technology supported physical learning spaces (JELS)

The aim of the JELS project was to identify and review the tools, methods and frameworks used to evaluate technology supported or enhanced physical learning spaces. A key objective was to develop the sector knowledgebase on innovation and emerging practice in the evaluation of learning spaces, identifying innovative methods and approaches beyond traditional post-occupancy evaluations and surveys that have dominated this area to date. The intention was that the frameworks and guidelines discovered or developed from this study could inform all stages of the process of implementing a technology supported physical learning space. The study was primarily targeted at the UK HE sector and the FE sector where appropriate, and ran from September 2008 to March 2009

Outsourcing the Jury: Bartlett v. DuPont and the Role of Alternative Adjudication in Preserving Jury "Fairness" in Complex Scientific Litigation

Commenting on Bartlett v. E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., No. 2:13-CV-0170 (S.D. Ohio Oct. 8, 2015); In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. C-8 Personal Injury Litigation, No. 2:13-MD-2433 (S.D. Ohio filed Apr. 9, 2013)