Etiologic and pathogenetic aspects of the demyelinating process in multiple sclerosis

In our opinion there is no specific germ for multiple sclerosis. The pathogenic process is developed after a clinically "silent" period and results in a demyelinization process. Partially genetical aspects have to take into account for certain disease processes. Up to now both, the theory of infection as well as the neuroallergetic theory are of importance.     

Brain function disorders in 8-year-old children--from a field and consultation population

The concept of "cerebral dysfunction" was investigated in a several years' epidemiological study involving eight-year-olds in a general population and those seen in a child guidance clinic. Some of the findings differed markedly from what is commonly asserted. The yielded results indicate that brain dysfunctions do not form a single uniform syndrome, that the afflicted children do not show a specific psychopathology and that the disorders can not be traced back to a uniform etiology. The relevance of brain dysfunctions for the child psychiatric morbidity could be proved.     

Phase transitions and critical fluctuations in the visual coordination of rhythmic movements between people

By watching each other's lower oscillating leg, 2 seated Ss kept a common tempo and a particular phase relation of either 0 degrees (symmetric mode) or 180 degrees (alternate mode). This study investigated the differential stability of the 2 phase modes. In Experiment 1, in which Ss were instructed to remain in the initial phase mode, the alternate phase mode was found to be less stable as the frequency of oscillation increased. In addition, analysis of the nonsteady state cycles revealed evidence of a switching to the symmetric phase mode for the initial alternate phase mode trials. In Experiments 2 and 3, Ss were instructed to remain at a noninitial phase angle if it was found to be more comfortable. The transition observed between the 2 phase modes satisfies the criteria of a physical bifurcation--hysteresis, critical fluctuations, and divergence--and is consonant with previous findings on transitions in limb coordination within a person.     

Variability in practice: facilitation in retention and transfer through schema formation or context effects?

The main purpose of the study was to examine whether the effects of variability in practice within a class of movements, that is, enhanced retention and transfer performance relative to constant practice, are due to the formation of motor schemata (Schmidt, 1975) or to contextual interference effects, as suggested by Lee, Magill, and Weeks (1985). Forty-eight subjects were tested on a sequential timing task. One group of subjects (Schema) received variable practice within one movement class, practicing the same phasing pattern with different absolute durations. Practice conditions of another group (Context) involved the same absolute movement durations, as well as a different phasing pattern for each task version. Thus, contextual interference was about the same for both groups but only one group experienced different movement variations of the same class. On a retention test performed on a task version that had been practiced by both groups before as well as on a transfer test with the same phasing pattern but a longer absolute duration, the Schema group performed more effectively than the Context group, thus supporting schema theory. On a transfer task with new phasing requirements, however, the Context group demonstrated performance superior to that of the Schema group. In this case, the Context practice condition seemed to be more transfer-appropriate.     

Possibilities and limits of rehabilitation in a young girl with total (global) aphasia

In the case discussed, the faculties retained and lost are described, and the aims and tasks of rehabilitation set out. The mode of procedure is elucidated by means of examples, the results achieved given, and the possible basis for the effectivity of the rehabilitation measures discussed.