Strain differences in sensitivity to dopamine agonist-induced disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI) may be a useful model for the genetics of PPI deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders. Compared with Long-Evans (LE) rats, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats are more sensitive to the PPI-disruptive effects of the DA agonist apomorphine. The authors tested the hypothesis that this strain difference reflects brain function rather than peripheral physiology. Significant SD > LE PPI-disruptive effects of apomorphine were observed despite equal apomorphine levels in SD and LE rats in forebrain regions that regulate PPI. SD > LE PPI-disruptive effects of apomorphine were also independent of peripheral versus central route of administration. This model for PPI genetics is sensitive to differences in central rather than peripheral substrates.
BACKGROUND
To estimate the relative risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among children identified as having learning disabilities through the special education system.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study used special education data and Medicaid data from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for calendar year 2002. The sample comprised 51,234 Medicaid-eligible children, aged 12–17 years, 8015 of whom were receiving special education services. Claims associated with diagnoses of STIs were abstracted, and logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of STI among children in different special education categories.
RESULTS
There were 3% of males and 5% of females who were treated for an STI through the Medicaid system in 2002. Among females, those in the mental retardation (MR) category were at greatest risk (6.9%) and those in the emotionally disturbed or “no special education” category at lowest risk (4.9% each). Among males, STIs were most prevalent among those classified as mentally gifted (6.7%) and lowest among those in the MR category (3.0%). In adjusted analyses, males with specific learning disabilities and females with MR or who were academically gifted were at excess risk for STIs.
CONCLUSIONS
The finding that children with learning disabilities are at similar or greater risk for contracting STIs as other youth suggests the need to further understand their risk behaviors and the potential need to develop prevention programs specific to their learning needs.
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