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Abstract— In the rat, neonatal asphyxia produced by suffocation did not leave permanent visible lesions in thc brain, nor did it result in permanent motor impairment, although a delay in the development of some reflexes was observed. A transient retardation of body and brain growth, which was more pronounced in males, was found. By 5‐6 weeks of age, body and brain weights of asphyxiated rats were no longer significantly different from control animals. However, an increase in brain norepinephrine synthesis was found to persist after maturation. An alteration of serotonin metabolism was found after maturation only in asphyxiated males. The possibility that neonatal asphyxia in the rat is a model for abnormal development of monoamine metabolism, relevant to early childhood behavior disorders such as infantile autism or the syndrome of minimal brain dysfunction, is discussed.

The Jansari assessment of Executive Functions for Children (JEF-C ©) is a non-immersive computerized assessment of executive functions (EFs). This study aimed to create a cross-culturally adapted Hebrew version, JEF-C(H) © and to assess reliability and validity in the Israeli context. Forty typically developing Israeli children and adolescents, aged 11-18 years, were assessed with JEF-C(H) ©. In addition, participants and their parents filled in the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). JEF-C(H) © was found to be feasible in Israeli children and adolescents. The internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79). Most of the JEF-C(H) © subtests and the Average score showed significant positive moderate to high correlations with age, ranging from 0.40 to 0.78 demonstrating construct validity. Multiple significant correlations were also found between the JEF-C(H) © Average score and the BRIEF indices as well as total score in the Parent and Self-report questionnaires. These preliminary findings support the reliability and validity of this version. Current findings demonstrate the potential clinical utility of JEF-C(H) © as an ecologically valid tool for Israeli children and adolescents in the assessment of EFs.

The feral children literature has frequently been cited for relevance to understanding historical antecedents of autism. Kaspar Hauser, who appeared in Nuremberg, Germany in 1828, is one of these children, raised under conditions of extreme deprivation. His case history and gradual acquisition of language after age 17 years are summarized. There is strong evidence that he was the prince of Baden, abducted from his cradle in 1812. Findings of postmortem examination, conducted after his assassination, are discussed. Hauser's postadolescent recovery of language contradicts the notion of a "critical period" for language development.

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