How People With Intellectual or Development Disabilities Cope With Verbal Violence

Violence against people is a widespread phenomenon and violence against people with disabilities even more common. Studies have examined different types of violence toward people with disabilities, but there has been almost no research to date on verbal violence involving people with intellectual or development disabilities (IDD). The present research focused on this subject. A qualitative study was conducted using an intervention program. The research questions were (a) what can help people with IDD expand their understanding of verbal violence and differentiate different situations of verbal violence and (b) what can help people with IDD expand their means for handling verbal violence of their own and that directed toward them? The sample included 64 people (45 males, 19 females; ages 22-75) with mild IDD, who were divided into four groups of 16 participants each in the intervention program. The findings indicate that the participants' conceptualization of verbal violence improved after the intervention program. Three main themes were identified: (a) differentiation between good and bad; (b) choosing how to handle verbal violence; and (c) helping others cope with verbal violence. Consistent with the humanistic perspective, the findings show that people with IDD can learn to handle verbal violence toward them in a way that promotes their understanding, enables them to choose their reactions, and affects those around them, as well as strengthening their self-efficacy. The research contributes to the sparse knowledge regarding verbal violence, especially against people with IDD, and offers ways of intervening to help them handle verbal violence.

Parents' perceptions regarding couple relationships of their adult children with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

A particular challenge facing parents of children with intellectual disabilities occurs when their adult children with intellectual disabilities has an interest in pursuing couple relationships. This study explores parents' perceptions regarding the nature of couple relationships, the right of their adult children with intellectual disabilities to pursue such relationships, the difficulties their children encounter and their own role in providing support.

METHOD

Interviews were conducted with 30 parents of adults with intellectual disabilities who had left home for independent and semi-independent living arrangements. A thematic content analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Whereas parents used "mutual support" to characterize couple relationships in general, they viewed their children with intellectual disabilities as primarily focused on "physical intimacy" and the couple relationship as a "status symbol," as well as expressed reservations about their becoming parents.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents should be helped to adopt a more consistent and positive attitude towards their intellectual disabilities children's pursuit of couple relationships.

Strontium hexaferrite nanomagnets suspended in a cosmetic preparation: a convenient tool to evaluate the biological effects of surface magnetism on human skin

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Magnetic therapy has been popular for ages, but its therapeutic abilities remain to be demonstrated. We aimed to develop a homogeneous, stable dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles in a skin-care preparation, as a tool to analyze the biological and physiological effects of superficial magnetism in skin.

METHODS

SrFe(12)O(19) nanoparticles were generated by ultrasound, dispersed in glycerol, stabilized in Dermud cream and permanently magnetized. The magnetic cream was applied on the epidermis of human skin organ cultures. The effects on UV-induced cell toxicity, apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine expression were analyzed. A clinical test was performed to check skin moisturization.

RESULTS

Nanomagnets were found to be homogenously and stably dispersed. After magnetization, the preparation generated a magnetic field of 1-2 G. Upon cream application, no cytotoxicity and no impairment of cellular vitality were found after 24 and 48 h, respectively. The anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties of Dermud were not modified, but its long-term effect on moisturization in vivo was slightly increased.

CONCLUSION

Nanomagnetic Dermud cream can be used as a tool to analyze the biological effects of nanomagnets dispersed on the skin surface at the cellular and molecular levels, thus allowing to explore the possible therapeutic uses of superficial magnetism for skin care.

Transport distraction osteogenesis for closing full-thickness calvarial defects in sheep

OBJECTIVE

To prove the hypothesis that transport distraction osteogenesis can be applied to the skull to close critical-size calvarial defects.

DESIGN

A sheep model was developed to investigate this hypothesis. In four sheep, bilateral parietal bone windows were created and adjacent osteotomies performed. On the tested side, an adjacent bone segment was transported into the defect. The contralateral side was left untreated as a control.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

After completion of the distraction and consolidation period, a computed tomography study was performed, and the animals were sacrificed. The newly formed bone was examined macroscopically and histologically.

RESULTS

A successful closure of the defect with transport distraction was achieved in all of the animals. The control side healed spontaneously in one (younger) sheep but did not heal in the other three animals. The closure of the bony defect with transport distraction was evident macroscopically as well as on the computerized tomography. Microscopic examination showed new healthy bone formation on the treated side.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that transport distraction is an effective tool in closing full-thickness calvarial defects in adult sheep. Further investigation is needed before applying this promising technique in humans.

Which cancer patient completes a psychosocial intervention program?

The present study explored the similarities and differences in patterns of psychological distress, coping strategies and social support of 41 cancer patients who dropped out of a psychosocial therapy program and 20 patients who completed the program as agreed. The findings indicated that only depression, out of nine brief symptom inventory subscales, predicted which patients would complete the program, i.e. patients with a high level of depression tended to complete the psychosocial intervention program.

E280A PS-1 mutation causes Alzheimer's disease but age of onset is not modified by ApoE alleles

A single base substitution of a glutamic acid to an alanine codon 280 was found in the presenilin-1 (PS-1) gene on chromosome 14 in affected individuals in each of seven Colombian early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) kindreds. The mutation segregated with disease in kindreds tested. In the largest kindred (C2), the maximum two-point lod score between the mutation and AD was Z = 8.14 at theta = 0. The presence of a single mutation and the common geographic origin, with all families from the state of Antioquia, suggest a founder effect in this population. This finding is supported by the observation of a rare haplotype inherited with AD in all kindreds. These kindreds form the largest collection of AD cases with the same PS-1 mutation and the same educational, environmental, and ethnic background in which to study the phenotypic effect of putative risk factors, such as the epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) or head trauma. Of the few AD cases having a history of head trauma, the age of onset was not lowered. No effect of ApoE genotype on the age of onset was detected. Previous investigations of the effect of ApoE genotype on the age of onset were confounded by small patient numbers, familial clustering of ApoE genotypes, and combining data from unrelated families with different mutations.

Linkage of a gene for familial hypobetalipoproteinemia to chromosome 3p21.1-22

Familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL) is an apparently autosomal dominant disorder of lipid metabolism characterized by less than fifth percentile age- and sex-specific levels of apolipoprotein beta (apobeta) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In a minority of cases, FHBL is due to truncation-producing mutations in the apobeta gene on chromosome 2p23-24. Previously, we reported on a four-generation FHBL kindred in which we had ruled out linkage of the trait to the apobeta gene. To locate other loci containing genes for low apobeta levels in the kindred, a genomewide search was conducted. Regions on 3p21.1-22 with two-point LOD scores >1.5 were identified. Additional markers were typed in the region of these signals. Two-point LOD scores in the region of D3S2407 increased to 3.35 at O = 0. GENEHUNTER confirmed this finding with an nonparametric multipoint LOD score of 7.5 (P=.0004). Additional model-free analyses were conducted with the square root of the apobeta level as the phenotype. Results from the Loki and SOLAR programs further confirmed linkage of FHBL to 3p21.1-22. Weaker linkage to a region near D19S916 was also indicated by Loki and SOLAR. Thus, a heretofore unidentified genetic susceptibility locus for FHBL may reside on chromosome 3.

Contribution of emotionally traumatic events and inheritance to the report of current physical health problems in 4042 Vietnam era veteran twin pairs

OBJECTIVE

To determine the contributions of psychological trauma (exposure to combat during the Vietnam War), genetic factors, childhood experiences shared by twin siblings, and unmeasured experiences not shared by twin siblings to the reporting of current physical health problems a mean of 19 years after military service.

METHODS

In 1987, a national sample of 2224 monozygotic and 1818 dizygotic male veteran members of the Vietnam Era Twin Registry participated in a survey of health. Genetic modeling was performed on cross-sectional physical health and combat exposure data derived from Registry twins.

RESULTS

Combat experiences explained a small proportion (0.7-8.4%) of the variance in the report of hypertension, respiratory conditions, persistent skin conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, joint disorders, and hearing problems. Childhood experiences shared by siblings are not clearly related to any health problem studied. By contrast, genetic factors explain 31 to 54% and noncombat experiences not shared by siblings explain 45 to 66% of the variance in current physical health status.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater than 90% of the variance in reported current physical health problems in Vietnam era veterans is attributable to inherited factors and unmeasured environmental experiences not shared by twin siblings. The traumatic experience of combat makes only a small contribution to the report of current physical health problems. These results do not preclude the possibility that combat influenced the prevalence of illness shortly after military service or that combat may influence the development of illness in the future.

Increased prevalence of alcoholism in relatives of depressed and bipolar children

OBJECTIVE

Previous publications from the "Nortriptyline in Childhood Depression: Follow-up Study" reported increased prevalence rates of mood disorders and alcoholism in the relatives of prepubertal depressed subjects. This article presents data on the association versus independent transmission of alcohol and mood disorders in the families of these subjects.

METHOD

The follow-up study included 6- to 12-year-olds with major depressive disorder (MDD) and matched normal controls. After 2 to 5 years of follow-up, bipolarity developed in 31.7% of the MDD subjects. Family history data for the first- and second-degree relatives and first cousins of the 76 nonadopted MDD subjects and the 31 controls were obtained from the subjects' mothers, using the Family History-Research Diagnostic Criteria.

RESULTS

The prevalence of alcoholism among the relatives of the MDD and bipolar probands was two to three times that reported for control relatives and twice that reported for the relatives of adult MDD and bipolar probands. Mood disorders and maternal alcoholism were independently transmitted while paternal alcoholism increased the risk for mood disorder in offspring.

CONCLUSIONS

The potential psychosocial and genetic effects of familial alcoholism need to be considered for the clinical management and investigation of childhood-onset mood disorders.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. A case report of monozygotic twins discordant for the disease

OBJECTIVE

To identify the major histocompatibility complex markers and the autoantibody associated with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) in a proband, her unaffected cotwin, and the children of the cotwin. Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the conjunctiva and other squamous epithelium. It is associated with the major histocompatibility complex class II alleles that are presumed to provide enhanced susceptibility to the disease. We encountered a pair of monozygotic female twins, one of whom has OCP. In addition to totally identical physical appearances since birth, the two sisters have identical blood groups.

METHODS

The following studies were performed on the patient, her unaffected cotwin sister, and her children: (1) polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex class II genes by DNA typing, (2) sequence analysis of DQ beta gene second and third exons, and (3) serologic evaluation for the presence of anti-basement membrane zone autoantibodies specific for OCP by Western immunoblot with the use of skin and conjunctiva lysates as substrates.

RESULT

Both monozygotic twins had the same HLA haplotypes. The sequence analysis of the second and third exons of DQ beta genes revealed no significant differences between the proband and her unaffected cotwin. Autoantibodies specific to OCP were detected only in the patient's serum. The serum of the unaffected cotwin and the other relatives did not demonstrate the presence of the OCP autoantibody.

CONCLUSION

This isolated family study does not support a single-gene theory for the development of OCP. It is most likely due to a multigene effect and associated with environmental factors.

Genetic studies of affective disorders: should we be starting with childhood onset probands?

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to test whether the presence of childhood onset affective disorder identifies families with increased incidence and severity of affective disorders.

METHOD

Family history information was collected on the first and second degree relatives and first cousins age > or = 15 years of 22 children with bipolar affective disorder, 54 children with major depressive disorder, and 31 psychiatrically normal children.

RESULTS

Compared with the relatives of normal children, relatives identified through children with bipolar affective disorder or major depressive disorder had elevated rates of affective disorders and increased severity of affective disorders as judged by earlier age of onset and increased suicide attempts. Segregation analyses could reject purely environmental transmission of illness.

CONCLUSION

Ascertaining families through childhood onset affective disorder probands identifies extended pedigrees with high incidence and severity of affective disorders. These families may be more appropriate for genetic analyses than are families of adult probands.

Polymorphic microsatellite repeat markers at the glucokinase gene locus are positively associated with NIDDM in Japanese

To assess the possible role of glucokinase defects contributing to a genetic susceptibility to NIDDM in Japanese, allelic frequencies of two microsatellite repeat polymorphisms, one in the 3'-flanking region (GCK1) and the other in the 5'-flanking region (GCK2) of the human glucokinase gene, were analyzed in subjects with NIDDM and in nondiabetic control subjects. After typing 107 diabetic and 74 nondiabetic subjects, we found four GCK1 alleles (Z, Z2, Z4, Z6) and six GCK2 alleles (0, -4, -2, 2, 4, 8). The frequency distribution of GCK1 alleles was different between the two groups (P = 0.005), although not significant after correction for multiple comparisons. The Z4 allele was found more frequently in diabetic than in nondiabetic subjects (23 vs. 10%, P = 0.002). This was still significant after correction for multiple comparisons (P < 0.05). The frequency distribution of GCK2 alleles was not different between the two groups. However, the -2 allele was more common in diabetic than in nondiabetic subjects (P = 0.044), although not significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Clinical characteristics were compared between the diabetic subjects with Z4 and/or -2 allele and those without either of these two alleles. No differences were found in the age of diagnosis, positive family history, mode of therapy, current HbA1c, or daily urinary C-peptide immunoreactivity excretion between the two groups. We demonstrated a significant association between GCK1 and GCK2 alleles and NIDDM. The results indicate that the polymorphic alleles GCK1 and GCK2 could be genetic markers in NIDDM in Japanese, suggesting a relationship between glucokinase defects and the susceptibility to NIDDM in this population.

The cost of an extensive burn survival

A 17-year-old male sustained 95 per cent body surface area burns (87 per cent full thickness skin loss). He was hospitalized in the Department of Plastic Surgery that also treats burns. After 232 days he was discharged home when he was functionally independent. He had 16 surgical procedures for excision of burn eschar and skin grafting; received a total of 128 units of blood; 899 units of fresh frozen plasma and had enteral hyperalimentation for 175 days. About 1000 physician-hours, 3000 nurse-hours, 1000 physiotherapy and occupational therapy-hours and about 250 dietician-hours were needed for his treatment. More than 1850 laboratory tests and 120 X-rays were performed, and more than 600 kg of ointment and creams were used, as well as half a ton of topical antimicrobial solutions. Ten different antibiotics were used for a total of 85 treatment days. Some 8500 m of dressing were applied with more than 6000 pieces of petroleum jelly gauze dressing. Hospitalization costs were found to be US$141,750, only 37.5 per cent of which were salaries. An analysis of these costs is given.

Report on the sequence of DQB1*0301 gene in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid patients

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is an autoimmune disease that affects the conjunctiva and other mucous membranes. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes are important in autoimmunity because the antigen is presented to the T cell receptor in association with these molecules. A highly statistically significant association has been observed between patients with OCP and DQw7 (DQB1*0301) gene. DNA sequences of the second and third exons of the DQB1*0301 gene were determined in three OCP patients and compared with a control homozygous cell line for DQw7 from the Tenth International Histocompatibility Workshop. The sequences were identical in the patients studied and reference cell line. This data indicates that DQB1*0301 may only partly provide the enhanced susceptibility to get OCP and that another gene(s) in linkage disequilibrium with it and other factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis.

Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide Increases the Frequency of Spontaneous Miniature Postsynaptic Currents in CA3 Rat Hippocampal Neurons

Mast cell degranulating peptide (MCDP) is a neurotoxic agent isolated from bee venom. It produces a long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. We now report that MCDP, at nanomolar concentrations, induces a reduction of a transient voltage-dependent potassium current (ID) in CA3 rat pyramidal neurons and a persistent (>30 min) enhancement of the frequency of spontaneous miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (m.e.p.s.c.s. and m.i.p.s.c.s.). M.e.p.s.c.s. and m.i.p.s.c.s. were recorded in the presence of bicuculline (30 microM) and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 10 microM), respectively. The increased frequency of m.e.p.s.c.s. (408 +/- 60%) and m.i.p.s.c.s. (583 +/- 553%) was independent of the reduction of ID because 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 30 microM - 2 mM) blocked ID but had no effects on m.e.p.s.c.s. and m.i.p.s.c.s. In the presence of the calcium channel blocker manganese (3 mM), MCDP still enhanced the frequency of m.e.p.s.c.s. (326 +/- 162%). It is concluded that MCDP augments the release of excitatory and inhibitory transmitter by an action, which is independent of calcium influx, through voltage-dependent channels.

Determining zygosity in the Vietnam Era Twin Registry: an approach using questionnaires

The Vietnam Era Twin Registry (VETR) is a registry of 7375 American male veteran twin pairs born between 1939 and 1955 who served in the armed forces of the United States between 1964 and 1975. Optimal use of registry data requires the determination of zygosity. Two approaches are available: analysis of blood genetic marker systems and responses of twins to questions about sibling similarity. Zygosity for the VETR was determined using the questionnaire technique supplemented with blood group typing data abstracted from military records. After comparing four alternative zygosity assignment methods, a logistic regression technique which uses discriminating variables based on race was selected. The approach is similar to that described by Magnus et al. (1983) in their study of Norwegian twins, suggesting that questionnaire responses are independent of nationality and reinforcing the reliability of the questionnaire method for zygosity ascertainment.

Epileptiform bursts elicited in CA3 hippocampal neurons by a variety of convulsants are not blocked by N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists

Intracellular and extracellular recordings from CA3 hippocampal neurons in vitro were used to study the ability of several NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonists to suppress epileptiform bursts induced by NMDA and convulsants not thought to act at NMDA receptors. The antagonists, APV (D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate), AP-7 (D,L-2-amino-7-phosphonohepatanoate) and CPP (D,L-3[(+/-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl]-propyl-1-phosphonic acid), blocked the spontaneous and evoked bursts induced by NMDA. CPP, but not APV or AP-7, prevented the development of bursts induced by Mg-free medium. The NMDA antagonists failed to block bursting induced by kainate, 7 mM K+, mast cell degranulating peptide, anoxia or spontaneous bursting. In some cases the NMDA antagonists induced spontaneous bursts or enhanced burst frequency, a proconvulsant effect. It is concluded that activation of NMDA receptors is sufficient but not necessary for burst generation in the CA3 region.

Extrahepatic tumor deposits misdiagnosed as intrahepatic metastases

Focal hepatic lesions seen on roentgenologic evaluation of the liver in patients with cancer are usually assumed to be caused by parenchymal metastases. In this report, liver imaging tests showed six patients with filling defects caused by peritoneal carcinoma indenting the liver parenchyma. Extrahepatic tumor deposits were misdiagnosed in all but one of these cases. The roentgenographic characteristics that can assist in the differentiation of intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases are a lens-shaped defect, a defect adjacent to the hemidiaphragm, and a halo around the liver suggesting peritoneal carcinomatosis. A high index of suspicion for extra-hepatic tumor masses causing intrahepatic filling defects may help prevent unnecessary exploratory surgery for treatment of hepatic metastases. Angiography may occasionally be helpful in distinguishing intrahepatic from extrahepatic disease.

Epileptogenic properties of the mast cell degranulating peptide in CA3 hippocampal neurones

The epileptogenic properties of the mast cell degranulating peptide (MCD) have been investigated in the CA3 region of the hippocampal slice preparation. Brief (3-5 min) bath application of MCD (0.5-2 microM) to CA3 hippocampal neurones produced an enhancement of the spontaneous synaptic activity and the appearance of spontaneous bursts that persisted for several hours. These bursts were network driven and the underlying paroxysmal depolarizing shift met the criteria for a giant excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP), with a reversal potential close to 0 mV. Furthermore following the application of MCD, stimulation of the mossy fibres, commissural or temporo-ammonic pathway evoked an EPSP followed by an evoked network burst. The bursts which could be elicited for several hours were reversibly blocked by a brief application of tetrodotoxin (TTX; 1 microM) or cobalt (2 mM). In contrast, prior and concomitant treatment with TTX or cobalt prevented the occurrence of the bursts induced by MCD. The effects of MCD were not due to a blockade of GABAergic inhibition since the toxin did not reduce the fast and slow IPSP. Furthermore, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists D-2-amino-phosphonovalerate (D-APV; 30 microM) or DL-amino-phosphoheptanoic acid (AP-7, 30 microM) did not block the action of MCD, suggesting that the activation of NMDA receptors are neither necessary nor sufficient for MCD-induced bursts. It is concluded that MCD induces in the CA3 region long-lasting changes in the synaptic responses which may be mediated through a presynaptic mechanism.

Further studies of opioids and intake of sweetened alcoholic beverage

Rats were placed on a daily regimen of water deprivation followed by a limited opportunity to take either water or a sweetened alcoholic beverage. Across days of opportunity, they took less water and more alcohol until they were taking considerable amounts of alcohol. Naloxone, the classic antagonist at opioid receptors, was given prior to opportunity to drink and it reduced intakes of alcoholic beverage. Small doses of morphine, the classic agonist, increased intakes of alcoholic beverage at doses as low as 0.41 mg/kg. The effects of two other antagonists at opioid receptors (LY117413 and MR2266) were also tested. Both reduced intakes of alcohol. The data showing that more than one or two opioid antagonists reduce intakes of alcoholic beverages, even palatable beverages usually taken in large amounts, and that morphine increases intakes at very low doses, strengthen the idea that endogenous opioid systems are involved in modulating intake of alcohol.

A small dose of morphine increases intake of and preference for isotonic saline among rats

Water-deprived rats were given hourly opportunities to ingest physiological saline and water for a number of days until they were taking substantial amounts of both solutions. Prior to some opportunities to ingest, they were injected with either morphine (2.0 mg/kg) or a placebo. Across a variety of procedures, morphine increased intake of and, in 1-hr tests, increased preference for 0.9% NaCl. Intake of 1.5% NaCl also increased after administration of morphine. These data suggest that endogenous opioids are involved in sodium intake. These data also provide further support for the idea that one or more of the endogenous opioid systems are involved in the regulation of ingestion.

Is activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor gated channels sufficient to induce long term potentiation?

Superfusion of hippocampal slices with Mg2+ free medium (20-30 min) produced in CA1 interictal bursts and an enhancement of the Schaffer collateral synaptic response which persisted for over 2 h after return to control media. This long lasting effect, which was blocked by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, was not associated with changes in postsynaptic cell excitability. A cut between CA3 and CA1, which blocked the bursts in CA1 (but not in CA3), also abolished the long lasting effects of Mg2+ free medium. It is concluded that the activation of NMDA receptors gated ionic channels is insufficient per se to induce a long term potentiation of synaptic transmission.

Investigations concerning the action of serveral chemical and biological agents on HBsAg

Native and purified HBsAg preparations were subjected in vitro to the action of cetylpyridinium bromide (Bromocet), hibitan-chlorhexidine (Hibiscrub), chloramine B and propolis extract, at different concentrations and for various time intervals. The effect of these agents on the serological reactivity of HBsAg was tested by electroimmunodiffusion (EID) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Chloramine B and the propolis extract had a significant inhibitory effect-ascertained by both EID and RIA - on purified HBsAg, but not on the native preparation. The inhibition exerted by Bromocet and Hibiscrub indicated by EID results was not confirmed by RIA.

Hepatic cholesterol-7alpha-hydroxylase activity in neurogenic hypercholesterolemia

The cholesterol-7alpha-hydroxylase activity of hepatic microsomal preparations of hypothalamic hypercholesterolemic rats and normal rats was assayed in rats fed diets high and low in cholesterol, and in rats killed at the supposed height and at the nadir of the diurnal cycle of enzyme activity. The activity of this enzyme system appeared to be unimpaired in the hypothalamic hypercholesterolemic rat.

Neurogenic hypercholesterolemia: influence of autonomic drugs

Eleven substances capable of either augmenting or depleting the alpha- and - beta-adrenergic capacities of the autonomic nervous system were administered to rats exhibiting hypothalamic hypercholesterolemia and to normal controls. Only the beta-adrenergic blocking agents propranolol and possibly 6-OH dopamine were observed to alter (raise) the serum cholesterol concentration, and this occurred in both experimental and control animals. Neither atropine, nor the serotonin-depleting agent, rho-chlorophenylalanine, nor the serotonin-antagonist cyproheptadine, were observed to alter serum cholesterol level. Such absence of effect was also noted with metaraminol, phenoxybenzamine, isoproterenol, epinephrine, reserpine, and alpha-methyl tyrosine.