Propuesta de una batería neuropsicológica para la exploración del síndrome de Capgras

Capgras syndrome is the most prevalent of the delusional misidentification syndromes. It appears in both psychiatric illness and organic brain damage. Cognitive and neuropsychiatric models (lateralization and disconnection) have been proposed to explain the syndrome. From a neuropsychological point of view Capgras syndrome seems to be due to damage of bifrontal and right limbic and temporal regions. Memory, feeling of familiarity, monitoring of self and reality would be altered. All of these cause a failure to adequately integrate the information about emotions and facial recognition. Relative preservation of the left frontal lobe may be necessary for the development of delusional response. There does not seem to be a differential pattern as regards the aetiology, but there is a common underlying neuropsychiatric mechanism. Based on theoretic models, and clinics features, we propose a neuropsychological battery to assess the Capgras syndrome, that should be sensitive to the main expected deficits.     

Riqueza y Distribución Ecológica de Especies de Pteridofitas en la Zona del Río Yavarí-Mirín, Amazonía Peruana

We studied the ecological distribution of pteridophytes (ferns and fern allies) along eight 8-km transects covering 12.7 ha in Peruvian Amazonia. Subunits of 200 m² of the transects have previously been classified into four different forest types, and here we document and quantify the floristic differences among these forest types. Pteridophytes have been suggested as an indicator group to classify rain forest habitats, but this requires that the ecological preferences of the species are well documented and consistent across geographic regions. Here we analyzed in detail the distribution and diversity patterns of 130 species across the four rain forest types. Relative species abundance and species diversity were similar among some of the forest types and differed among others, but the species composition differed markedly. Our results largely confirmed the earlier interpretation of the edaphic preferences of the pteridophyte species in western Amazonia. This supports the proposition that deterministic processes have an important role in influencing the floristic composition of Amazonian forests.     

Social behavior of wild moustached tamarins,Saguinus mystax,at the Estación Biológica Quebrada Blanco,Peruvian Amazonia

The social behavior in two small, polyandrous groups of moustached tamarins, Saguinus mystax, was studied at the Estación Biológica Quebrada Blanco in northeastern Peru. Allogrooming was the most obvious type of social interaction. Grooming relations were characterized by a strong asymmetry. In both groups, one adult male contributed about 70% of all allogrooming given (in terms of time spent grooming) and allocated his allogrooming evenly to all other group members. Grooming relations between the second adult male and other group members were less intensive. Intragroup agonistic interactions were infrequent, and most of them occurred in the context of feeding on small food resources (fruit, exudate) and during intergroup encounters. Sexual behavior was rare, but at least in one group a tendency existed for the principal groomer to be somewhat more active than the other male. Results are compared with data from other field studies on callitrichid social behavior. Although the label polyandrous correctly describes the demographic structure of many groups, it is not clear whether it is sufficient for understanding the patterning of social relations and thus the social organization of tamarins. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Efectos de un programa de intervención neuropsicológica basado en mindfulness sobre la enfermedad de Alzheimer: ensayo clínico aleatorizado a doble ciego

Introduction

The purpose of this research was to assess effects of a mindfulness based neuropsychological intervention on the clinical course of Alzheimer's disease.

Material and method

A two year randomized and double blind clinical trial was conducted on 127 probable Alzheimer's disease patients, according to NINCDS-ADRDA scale. Patients were grouped into three experimental groups (cognitive stimulation, progressive muscular relaxation, and mindfulness) plus a control group. All participants were receiving donepezil. Cognitive skills were assessed with CAMCOG and MMSE, functional area with RDRS-2, and NPI was used for psychopathology screening. Three treatment sessions per week were carried out for two years, and follow up measurements were taken every six months.

Results

The global cognitive function, functionality and behavioral disorders measurements indicated that patients from the experimental group based on mindfulness were stable during the two years, while patients from the control group, as well as the other experimental groups, showed a mild but significant worsening of their mental capacities.

Conclusion

The mindfulness based neuropsychological program showed better cognitive and functional stability, as well as significant improvement in the psychopathological condition of mild to moderate Alzheimer’ patients. These results support the idea that a mindfulness based intervention can produce a clinically relevant improvement in the treatment of dementia. More research is needed to confirm these data.     

Razas y Racismo: Trayectoria y Antología. By Juan Comas. 220 pp. SepSetentas no. 43, Secretaría de Educatión Pública,Mexico. 10.00 pesos

A fluke egg was identified in a probably human coprolite recovered from a Glen Canyon Utah site of prehistoric inhabitation. True parasitism with the fluke could have resulted from eating snails or fish. False parasitism could have resulted from eating a wide variety of mammals known to have lived in the region. This finding identifies another potential medical hazard in the life of man in prehistoric North America.