The neuroactive peptide calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) is known to act at efferent synapses and their targets in hair cell organs, including the cochlea and lateral line. CGRP is also expressed in vestibular efferent neurons as well as a number of central vestibular neurons. Although CGRP-null (؊/؊) mice demonstrate a significant reduction in cochlear nerve sound-evoked activity compared with wild-type mice, it is unknown whether and how the loss of CGRP influence vestibular system function. Vestibular function was assessed by quantifying the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in alert mice. The loss of CGRP in (؊/؊) mice was associated with a reduction of the VOR gain of Ϸ50% without a concomitant change in phase. Using immunohistochemistry, we confirmed that, although CGRP staining was absent in the vestibular end-organs of null (؊/؊) mice, cholinergic staining appeared normal, suggesting that the overall gross development of vestibular efferent innervation was unaltered. We further confirmed that the observed deficit in vestibular function of null (؊/؊) mice was not the result of nontargeted effects at the level of the extraocular motor neurons and/or their innervation of extraocular muscles. Analysis of the relationship between vestibular quick phase amplitude and peak velocity revealed that extraocular motor function was unchanged, and immunohistochemistry revealed no abnormalities in motor endplates. Together, our findings show that the neurotransmitter CGRP plays a key role in ensuring VOR efficacy.

This study examined the utility of the Chinese version Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (C-M-CHAT) in a high-risk sample. This study recruited 236 children aged from 18 to 47 months old in rural area of Southern Taiwan, including 113 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and 123 children with Developmental Delay (DD). Using failing any four of the 23 C-M-CHAT items as cutoff, it showed a sensitivity of 77.0% and a specificity of 72.4%. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 71.9% while the negative predictive value (NPV) was 77.4%. Using failing any three of the 14 new critical items--referred to as the ''Brief 14''--as cutoff, it yielded a sensitivity of 70.8% and a specificity of 82.1%. The PPV of the ''Brief 14'' was 78.4% while the NPV was 75.4%. The preliminary results of the C-M-CHAT and the ''Brief 14'' performance demonstrated an acceptable predictive validity and promising utility for use in high-risk, rural populations in Taiwan.

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AbstractObjectivesThe present study aimed to examine the mediational role of maladaptive cognitive schema in the association between stressful life events, which are operationalised as major (i. e. negative life events) and minor (i. e. daily hassles) life stressors, and depressive symptoms among adolescents.MethodsA cross-sectional correlational study was conducted to recruit participants across four selected states of Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka and Selangor in Peninsular Malaysia. This study involved a total of 1,032 adolescents from 25 government secondary schools, identified using probability proportional to size cluster sampling technique. Data were collected through a self-report questionnaire.ResultsUsing structural equation modelling analyses, findings revealed a full mediation effect of maladaptive cognitive schema between negative life events and depressive symptoms, and a partial mediation effect between daily hassles and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThis study provided valuable insights about the significance of maladaptive cognitive schema as a mediator in the stress-depression association and advanced the understanding of mechanism underlying development of depressive symptoms among adolescents in Malaysia. Findings also benefit the clinical practice in the development of targeted depression prevention and intervention programs.