Backward-masking functions for two schizophrenic groups were compared with the masking functions for two control groups (college students and nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients). Masking functions were obtained for both singleletter and eight-letter visual displays. The procedure involved a forced-choice letter recognition method analogous to signal detection methodology. Both schizophrenic groups produced longer masking functions, under all conditions, than the two control groups whose functions were highly similar. Consistent with "attention" theories of schizophrenia, results indicated that some deficit occurs in schizophrenia at a very early stage of information processing in the visual system.1 This paper is based on a doctoral dissertation by the first author under the direction of the second and third authors. The authors are indebted to the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, for allowing the use of its patients for subjects.2 Requests for reprints should be sent to Dennis

Reviews 48 outcome studies that applied self-statement modification (SSM) to childhood behavior disorders. Selection criteria restricted the review to controlled experimental studies and to children with disorders of clinically relevant severity. Meta-analysis was used to provide summary information about the observed effects of SSM. Collectively, SSM outcomes surpassed no treatment and placebo treatment by roughly a half of a standard deviation, on the average. Efficacy varied considerably with length of follow-up, experience level of therapists, age of children, outcome content area, and a number of other clinical and methodological differences among the studies. These qualifiers of observed efficacy are summarized and discussed in terms of implications for further research and application of SSM in child psychotherapy.

Oculomotor functioning of 26 probands with schizophrenia, 12 spectrum and 46 nonspectrum first-degree relatives, and 38 nonpsychiatric control subjects was evaluated. Spectrum relatives had more anticipatory saccades (ASs) and lower pursuit gain than nonspectrum relatives, who had more ASs and lower pursuit gain than control subjects. Probands also had lower pursuit gain than nonspectrum relatives and control subjects but did not differ from other groups on AS frequency. Control subjects had more globally accurate pursuit tracking (root mean square [RMS] error deviation) than both relative groups, whereas probands had the poorest RMS scores. Square wave jerk frequency did not differentiate the groups. Attention enhancement affected the frequency of ASs but did not affect either the other intrusive saccadic event or RMS scores. These results offer evidence that eye-movement dysfunction may serve as a biological marker for schizophrenia.

Effective treatments fo r the common cold have been diffic ult to develop because so many different types of virus are respons ible for this condition. Oral zinc has been studied as a possible mea ns ofpreventing O I' alle viating symptotns, with mixed resu lts. We studied a new app roach to zinc therapy-an ever-the-cou nter nasal ge l formu lation (Zieam)-to independently eva luate its efficaey as a treatment fo r the common cold. Our study was conducted at [o ur sites ove r a 5-month pe riod. The study group cons isted of2 13 patients with recent-onset ("5,24 hr) cold symptoms; 108 patients received zlnc therapy, and 105 received placebo. Sytnptom cha rts we re used to track the duration and severity ofeach patient's symptoms. At study 's end, the duration ofsymptoms was 2.3 days (± O. 9) in the zinc gro up and 9.0 days (±2.5) in the control gro up-s-a statistically significant differenee (p <0. 05). These results provide evidence tha t zinc nasal gel is effective in sho rtening the duration of common cold symptoms when tak en within 24 hou rs of their onse t.