The dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol disrupts behavioral responses of sea urchins and sea stars.

Despite lacking a brain and having an apparent symmetrically pentaradial nervous system, echinoderms are capable of complex, coordinated directional behavioral responses to different sensory stimuli. However, very little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these behaviors. In many animals, dopaminergic systems play key roles in motivating and coordinating behavior, and although the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol has been shown to inhibit the righting response of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, it is not known whether this is specific to this behavior, in this species, or whether dopaminergic systems are needed in general for echinoderm behaviors.

Lessons learned from an elementary school norovirus outbreak.

Outbreaks of norovirus have been on the increase. The virus often spreads quickly through schools and similar institutions. The school nurse may be able to minimize the impact of a school norovirus outbreak by providing accurate information about the disease, the scope of the local situation, and instruction on infection control measures.