We found no evidence that Weiner's helping model can be amended to account for staff working with challenging behaviour. Close examination of previous studies also reveals very few supportive data of Weiner's original formulation. Therefore, we discuss the potential utility of alternative models in addition to methodological and conceptual issues.

The present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare the neural activation patterns of children diagnosed with autistic disorder (AD), attention defi cit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and typically developing controls (TCs) in response to a task involving evaluation of facial expressions. Substantially greater functional activity was noted in TCs compared to both subjects diagnosed with AD and ADHD. Consistent with previous studies, differences in functional activation of the amygdala, fusiform gyrus, cerebellum, mesolimbic, and temporal lobe cortical regions of the brain during a task evaluating facial expressions were noted in AD compared to TCs. Differences in the neural activity in these brain regions were also observed in children diagnosed with AD compared to those diagnosed with ADHD. Overall decreased neural activity was observed during the faces task performance in the AD group compared to the other two groups, a fi nding consistent with studies using adults. Both TC and ADHD control groups showed increased inferior frontal cortex activity compared to the AD group. Signifi cant activity was present in both TC and ADHD control groups in the insula which was absent in the AD group; this is consistent with other studies showing dysfunction of the mesolimbic system in children with AD. Although frontostriatal and mesolimbic systems appear to be affected in AD, these defi cits were not in the same attentional networks which are dysfunctional in children diagnosed with ADHD.

Purpose: To determine if differences exist between control and diabetic rats in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity of the spinal cord and if fMRI can provide a means of early detection of diabetic neuropathy.Materials and Methods: fMRI of the spinal cord, using noxious electrical stimulation (15 V (ϳ8 mA), 0.3 msec, 3 Hz) of the hind paw, was performed in groups of control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic rats.Results: Diabetic rats were lighter, hyperglycemic, and had lower blood pH than controls. fMRI activity at the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord was identified in the dorsal horn ipsilateral to stimulus of all animals. Signal intensity changes across the lumbar spinal cord during periods of activity were not significantly different between control and diabetic rats, with a trend toward greater signal changes in controls. When specific regions of the spinal cord were analyzed, control rats exhibited significantly increased blood-oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI activity in both ipsilateral and contralateral dorsal horn compared to diabetic rats. Conclusion:The results of this study are consistent with reports that primary afferent input to the spinal cord is diminished by diabetes, and suggest that BOLD fMRI may be useful in early detection of diabetic neuropathy.

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