The Charcot joint: a modern neurologic perspective.

The Charcot joint, or Charcot neuroarthropathy, is a syndrome that was described over 140 years ago but one with very little exposure in the neurologic literature. We present a case recently seen and then discuss the history, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of acute and chronic Charcot joint disease with particular emphasis on the value and limitations of imaging. A diagnostic algorithm is proposed.

Social and environmental influences on opioid sensitivity in rats: importance of an opioid's relative efficacy at the mu-receptor.

Rationale: Evidence indicates that social and environmental enrichment can influence the functional maturation of the central nervous system and may affect an organism's sensitivity to centrally acting drugs.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of social and environmental enrichment on sensitivity to mu-opioids possessing a range of relative efficacies at the mu-receptor.

Methods: Rats were obtained at weaning (21 days) and divided into two groups immediately upon arrival.