The social brain hypothesis, an explanation for the unusually large brains of primates, posits that the size of social group typical of a species is directly related to the volume of its neocortex. To test whether this hypothesis also applies at the within-species level, we applied the Cavalieri method of stereology in conjunction with point counting on magnetic resonance images to determine the volume of prefrontal cortex (PFC) subfields, including dorsal and orbital regions. Path analysis in a sample of 40 healthy adult humans revealed a significant linear relationship between orbital (but not dorsal) PFC volume and the size of subjects' social networks that was mediated by individual intentionality (mentalizing) competences. The results support the social brain hypothesis by indicating a relationship between PFC volume and social network size that applies within species, and, more importantly, indicates that the relationship is mediated by social cognitive skills.

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The pathophysiology of Stanmore Classification Polar type II/III shoulder instability is not well understood. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to measure brain activity in response to forward flexion and abduction in 16 patients with Polar Type II/III shoulder instability and 16 age-matched controls. When a cluster level correction was applied patients showed significantly greater brain activity than controls in primary motor cortex (BA4), supramarginal gyrus (BA40), inferior frontal gyrus (BA44), precentral gyrus (BA6) and middle frontal gyrus (BA6): the latter region is considered premotor cortex. Using voxel level correction within these five regions a unique activation was found in the primary motor cortex (BA4) at MNI coordinates -38 -26 56. Activation was greater in controls compared to patients in the parahippocampal gyrus (BA27) and perirhinal cortex (BA36). These findings show, for the first time, neural differences in patients with complex shoulder instability, and suggest that patients are in some sense working harder or differently to maintain shoulder stability, with brain activity similar to early stage motor sequence learning. It will help to understand the condition, design better therapies and improve treatment of this group; avoiding the common clinical misconception that their recurrent shoulder dislocations are a form of attention-seeking.

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BackgroundSustaining the wellbeing for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be highly demanding. Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP), a form of psychotherapy with a non-verbal character, may present as a relevant intervention option for this group of children.MethodsA protocol-based group DMP intervention was developed and implemented in two special educational needs schools in the North West of England. We aimed to investigate the effects of DMP on children with ASD using the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Twenty-six children aged between 8 and 13 years (mean age = 10.65 years) with ASD were randomly allocated to DMP and a control group with standard care, following a crossover research design.ResultsResults showed no significant carryover or period effects for either the SCQ or SDQ (p > 0.05). A significant intervention effect was found only for SCQ (p = 0.005) but not for SDQ (p > 0.05). ANCOVAs were performed on the data before the crossover to test for differences in SCQ and SDQ scores between the DMP intervention and control groups while controlling for pre-intervention scores. Those in the DMP intervention group presented significantly lower SCQ scores following the intervention period than those in the control group (p = 0.001). No significant differences in post-intervention SDQ scores were found between DMP intervention and control groups (p = 0.2). However, minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were reached for both SCQ and SDQ measures before crossover for those in the DMP intervention group. Moreover, repeated measures ANOVAs performed on SCQ and SDQ measures following crossover were significant, with the change in both SCQ (p = 0.001) and SDQ (p = 0.009) pre-and post-intervention being significantly greater for those in the DMP intervention than the control group.ConclusionThe pilot DMP intervention has shown promising results on the social and emotional wellbeing of children with ASD irrespective of whether they preferred verbal or non-verbal mode of communication. Limitations and appropriateness of the research methods implemented in this study for their use in a large RCT are discussed in detail. Overall, our findings highlight the value of creative therapies for improving the lives of young vulnerable groups.

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Delayed detection of cleft palate was not uncommon, and the features of those more likely to be missed suggested digital examination was related. Trainee doctors and midwives should be instructed to inspect visually using a light and tongue depressor, then digitally if submucous cleft palate is suspected.

Introduction: Arts therapies have been widely used at schools for over half a century in an effort to alleviate and prevent children's difficulties. In contrast to talking therapies, arts therapies aim to facilitate personal change and growth through the use of arts media.Existing systematic reviews are limited to one of the arts therapies (namely either art, music, drama or dance movement therapy), focus primarily on adults with mental health difficulties and neglect child reported outcome measures.Aim: The current systematic review aims to identify, appraise and synthesise the available evidence relating to outcomes that have been reported by children in primary mainstream schools (aged 5-12 years old).