Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (ADS-L: Allgemeine Depressions Skala-L, German version of CES-D), CIS: clinically isolated syndrome, CL: cortical lesion, DIR: double inversion recovery, EDSS: Expanded Disability Status Scale, FSMC: fatigue scale for motor and cognitive functions, GM: grey matter, MRI: magnetic resonance imaging, MS: multiple sclerosis, PASAT-3: paced auditory serial addition test 3s, PPMS: primary progressive multiple sclerosis, RRMS: relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, SDMT: symbol digit modalities test, SPM: statistical parametric mapping, SPMS: secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, WM: white matter.

Background: Cannabis is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs. Reduced neural and behavioral reactions to reward have been demonstrated in other forms of addiction, as expressed by reduced mood reactivity and lack of striatal activation to rewards, but this effect has not yet been investigated in cannabis users. Methods: We hypothesized that cannabis users and tobacco smokers would evidence lower positive mood ratings in rewarded conditions than control participants and that this reduction would be greater in cannabis users than in smokers. We examined the influence of reward on mood and performance in a group of regular cannabis users, a group of tobacco smokers and a group of nonsmokers while they performed a spatial recognition task with delayed response that incorporated 3 levels of difficulty. Correct responses were either not reinforced or reinforced with money. We measured the accuracy of reactions, reaction times and mood ratings throughout the trials. Results: Cannabis users rated their mood as significantly worse than the smokers and nonsmokers during the easiest level of the rewarded condition. A significant positive correlation between mood ratings and monetary reward was found in the nonsmokers but not in the cannabis users and smokers. The groups did not differ with regard to task performance. Conclusions: Our results suggest that regular cannabis use affects certain aspects of motivation and that both tobacco smoking and cannabis use lead to similar motivational changes. However, the use of cannabis seems to affect motivation in a stronger way than does tobacco smoking alone.

The interpretation of subtest profiles from intelligence testing remains popular among many practitioners who use subtest performance to draw diagnostic conclusions, in spite of criticism by some researchers, who point to the low reliability and predictive validity of subtest scores in predicting achievement outcomes. Prior research outlines two approaches to the study of subtest variation: the examination of interindividual variation in specific cognitive domains or subtests as compared to a standard sample, and the examination of intraindividual strengths and weaknesses, regardless of overall level. The present study seeks to add to knowledge in this field with data from 567 children ages 5 to 10 years who exhibit meaningful subtest variation on a new test of intellectual abilities. Results from the present sample point to statistically significant utility, with small to medium effects, of intraindividual cognitive and motivational profile shape over and above profile level in predicting mathematical skills. We discuss implications for school psychological and educational assessment research.

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Objective: This study describes the frequency of lumbar punction in patients with newly diagnosed MS in clinical practice in 4 hospitals in the Netherlands from 2000 til 2010. Methods: NEDbase is a part of MSBase. NEDBase is a multiinstitutional database from the Netherlands, currently receiving data of 5 contributing centers using the iMed MS documentation software. Patients with onset of MS between 2000 and 2010 were identified retrospectively from NEDBase.Percentage of lumbar punction performed after the first symptoms in MS patients per centre per year were listed. Results: At the time of analysis NEDBase contained 2608 patients. One of the 5 contributing centers could not upload all data containing information about the lumbar punction, these patients (n = 402) were excluded. Of 884 patients with MS onset between 2000 and 2010, 441 (49,9 %) patients underwent a lumbar punction. There was a wide variation between the 4 centers (27,1%, 49,2 %, 67,2 % and 82,9%) The center with lowest percentage was a tertiary center, the other centers were community hospitals. Time of the lumbar punction after first symptoms was in 65% within 1 year, 11% between 1 -2 years and 24 % after 2 years. The percentage of lumbar punction performed per year per center was fairly constant during the last decade. Conclusion: There is a wide varation in the percentage of lumbar punction performed in the diagnosis of MS between different centers. There is no decline in performing lumbar punction in the diagnosis of MS the last decade per center.Verheul,F van Hooff,B Zwanniken,C and van Munster,E have northing to disclose. Hupperts,R gets consulting fees from Biogen-Idec,Merck-SERONO,Bayer-Scheering and TEVA -Aventis Background: Anti-Ro/SSA, the antibody to Sjogren's-syndromerelated antigen A (SSA), shows a close association with recurrent transverse myelitis or neuromyelitis optica (NMO) as well as systemic autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome (SS). In addition, patients with a specific serological marker for NMO, NMO-IgG show higher frequency of anti-SSA-positivity than NMO-IgG-negative patients. However, it remains to be elucidated that the titer of anti-SSA is associated with NMO/NMO-IgG or SS. Objectives: The aim of this study is to elucidate the association of high-titer anti-SSA and NMO/NMO-IgG in CNS demyelinating diseases. Method: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of consecutive 232 patients with CNS demyelinating disorders, who visited our tertiary hospital from 2006 to 2010. A total of 207 patients tested for anti-SSA and anti-AQP4 were included. Anti-SSA was positive in 23 patients, of whom 7 met the revised diagnostic criteria for NMO, 12 had NMO spectrum disorders. The remaining 4 patients had only brain involvement without anti-AQP4 and did not satisfy the diagnostic criteria of NMO/ NMO spectrum disorders. Patients with positive anti-SSA (N=23) were divided into two groups; (1) with high titer ≥;200 (N=12) and (2) with low titer <200 (N=5). Anti-SSA was measured by quantitative enzyme immunoassay (EIA) a...