Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) play a role in synaptic transmission, neuronal modulation and plasticity but their action in epileptic activity is still controversial. On the other hand adenosine acts as a neuromodulator with endogenous anticonvulsive properties. Since cerebellum from epileptic patients has shown neuronal damage, sometimes associated with Purkinje cells loss, we have explored the effect of repetitive seizures on two types of mGluR in the cerebellum. Seizures were induced by the convulsant drug 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MP) and the effect of the adenosine analogue cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) alone or before MP administration (CPA+MP) were also evaluated. The expression of the receptors subtypes 2/3 (mGluR2/3) and 4a (mGluR4a) was assessed by immunocitochemistry. Granular cell layer was labeled with mGluR2/3 antibody and increased immunoreactivity was observed after MP (60%), CPA (53%) and CPA + MP (85%) treatments. Control cerebellum slices showed mGluR4a reactivity around Purkinje cells, while MP, CPA and CPA+MP treatment decreased this immunostaining. Repetitive administration of MP and CPA induces an increased cerebellar mGluR2/3 and a decreased mGluR4a immunostaining, suggesting a distinct participation of both receptors that may be related to the type of cell involved. A protective action and /or an apoptotic effect may not be discarded. CPA repetitive administration although increase seizure latency, cannot prevent seizure activity.

Aims and MethodTo identify the proportion of arrested drug misusers with prior contact with treatment services, police surgeons' records were examined over a 12-month period and compared with the records of the local drug misuse services. Both referrals and those who attended with face-to-face contact were noted.ResultsSixty-seven per cent of drug-related cases had been referred to services prior to arrest and 58% had attended with face-to-face contact on at least one occasion. Homeless and male drug users were more likely to have had no past contact. Police surgeons treated three-quarters of the cases for opiate dependence. Drug misusers were much more likely to have had past contact with services than arrested alcohol misusers, and were more likely to reoffend.Clinical ImplicationsThe evidence base for motivational enhancement in the transient coercive setting of police custody is not established, and arrest referral schemes might not be cost-effective in areas where most cases have had previous contact with services. Local research may contribute to more informed decisions about these treatment-related criminal justice initiatives.

Aims and Method To identify the proportion of arrested drug misusers with prior contact with treatment services, police surgeons' records were examined over a 12-month period and compared with the records of the local drug misuse services. Both referrals and those who attended with face-to-face contact were noted. Results Sixty-seven per cent of drug-related cases had been referred to services prior to arrest and 58% had attended with face-to-face contact on at least one occasion. Homeless and male drug users were more likely to have had no past contact. Police surgeons treated three-quarters of the cases for opiate dependence. Drug misusers were much more likely to have had past contact with services than arrested alcohol misusers, and were more likely to reoffend. Clinical Implications The evidence base for motivational enhancement in the transient coercive setting of police custody is not established, and arrest referral schemes might not be cost-effective in areas where most cases have had previous contact with services. Local research may contribute to more informed decisions about these treatment-related criminal justice initiatives.