Draw-the-home: An analysis of the drawings of Down's syndrome children: I. Temptative interpretation of personality features

13 children (aged 7-17 yrs) with Down's syndrome, all with chromosomal diagnoses, produced color drawings of "the home" in various conditions. Projective analysis of the drawings showed the following: awareness of communication difficulty, mistrust or fear of the new and unknown, the need for family protection, scarce trends toward exploratory behavior, the active wish for improvement, and awareness of problems and inferiority. Males, but not females, showed good maternal relationships. Findings suggest that drawing is a suitable means of acquiring information on personality, even in the case of children with Down's syndrome.

Drug therapies of bruxism in Down children: Preliminary report

134 home-reared children with Down's syndrome presented with bruxism at 1st consultation (at ages 5-12 yrs) and at a subsequent check-up. Nine types of drug therapies aimed at reducing stress reactions eliminated bruxism in 63% of the Ss and mitigated it in 30%, after 8-22 mo of treatment. The possible role of some of the drugs used, as well as their synergisms, are discussed.

Cognitive development of Down's syndrome children: Qualitative observations

Measured the levels of cognitive development of a group of children with Down's syndrome. Human subjects: 40 preschool and school age children (aged 2-8 yrs) (Down's syndrome). Form L-M of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale was used to measure the levels of cognitive development of Ss.

Experiences with pharmacological therapy of adults with Down's syndrome

Describes the results of therapy for 10 adults with Down's syndrome. The age and diagnoses of the patients and the types and duration of drug treatment are reviewed. The extent of improvement, if any, in physical condition and in motor, language, social, and intellectual skills is considered.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Characteristics and clinical use

Discusses the significance of Vitamin B6 for human mental health and physical health. The sources and metabolic functions of Vitamin B6 are reviewed. The causes and consequences of Vitamin B6 deficiencies are described. The use of Vitamin B6 in treating a variety of conditions, including Down's syndrome, is considered.

Psychosis in Down Children and in Normal Children: Analogy and Differences

Compared epidemiological factors (e.g., premature birth, low birth weight) physical symptoms (strabismus, bruxism, convulsions, epilepsy, and abnormal EEG), psychiatric diagnoses, and psychotic symptoms of psychotic children with and without Down's syndrome. Human subjects: 40 school age children (mean age 7 yrs) (psychotic disorders with Down's syndrome). 20 school age children (mean age 7 yrs) (psychotic disorders without Down's syndrome). Both S groups were examined to determine their symptoms and diagnoses.

The free radicals hypothesis in causing dementia: High probability refutation in Down's syndrome subjects

Examined the hypothesis of reduced inactivation of oxygen's free radicals as an explanation for the onset of Alzheimer's dementia. Ss affected by Down's syndrome have a documented increase in the enzyme superoxide-dismutase-1 and about a 30% increase in the enzyme glutathione-peroxidase, both scavengers of oxygen's free radicals. For this reason, Down's syndrome Ss should also show a retardation in the onset of dementia, compared with normal individuals. However, it is regularly found that Down's syndrome Ss anticipate by an average of 15 yrs the onset of an Alzheimer type of dementia.

Non causal connection between cerebral palsy and squint outcomes in premature and/or low birthweight Down subjects

We investigated the link among the outcomes in cerebral palsy (CP) and squint, in Downs prematurely born with / or without low birthweight. In a group of 90 persons selected according to Susser et al., criteria. (1985), with one or both these risk factors, we did not find any CP form, besides 26 squint cases. As for this two risk factors and their outcome in CP, the Poisson's distribution showed that random probability of such an event is less than 0.04. We cannot figure that the squint and CP probability have the same cause in premature with or without with low birthweight, since our sample lacking any CP. We may easily suppose that a causal link between these two outcomes has very poor probability.

Susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections in psychotic children with and without Down's syndrome

Studied immunity and illness based on examination of medical charts and histories. Human subjects: 40 male and female Italian infants, preschool and school-age children, and adolescents (aged 15 mo to 15.2 yrs) (psychosis and Down's syndrome) (raised at home); 289 male and female Italian infants, preschool and school-age children, and adolescents (aged 15 mo to 15.2 yrs) (Down's syndrome) (raised at home); 22 male and female Italian preschool and school-age children and adolescents (aged 2-23.6 yrs) (psychosis) (raised at home). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) was used. The relationships between stress and/or psychosis and immunity were considered based on the findings of the study.

Characteristics of folate deficiency and clinical use of folates

Discusses the following topics: nutritional sources of folates and daily dietary requirements; metabolic functions of folates; folate deficiency; and clinical use of folates, particularly in neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., Down's syndrome).

Self-abusiveness in psychotic children

Studied the incidence and etiology of self-abusive behavior. Human subjects: 40 male and female Italian infants and preschool and school-age children (aged 1.5-9 yrs) (Down's syndrome and psychosis); 22 male and female Italian preschool and school-age children and adolescents (aged 2-13 yrs) (psychosis). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) was used. The characteristics of subgroups of self-abusers were compared. Neurochemical factors involved in self-abusive behavior were considered.