Cognitive mechanisms of social anxiety reduction: an examination of specificity and temporality.

Cognitive theories posit that exposure-based treatments exert their effect on social anxiety by modifying judgmental biases. The present study provides a conservative test of the relative roles of changes in judgmental biases in governing social anxiety reduction and addresses several limitations of previous research. Longitudinal, within-subjects analysis of data from 53 adults with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.

Assessing aggression in adolescent romantic relationships: can we do it better?

Almost all research on aggression in adolescent romantic relationships makes use of 1-time, retrospective assessment methods. In the present research, the authors compared data on the experience of adolescent relationship aggression (physical aggression and threatening behavior) collected from 125 high school students via 2 methods: (a) a 1-time, 2-month retrospective assessment and (b) a cumulative method based on four 2-week retrospective assessments, each spaced 2 weeks apart. For the cumulative method, data from the 4 assessments were aggregated to cover the same time period as the single, 2-month retrospective assessment.

Nicotine-mediated plasticity in robust nucleus of the archistriatum of the adult zebra finch.

Activation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) modulates the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), a possible cellular mechanism for learning. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of activation of nAChRs by nicotine on long-term plasticity in the songbird zebra finch, which is a valuable model to study synaptic plasticity and its implications to behavioral learning. Electrophysiological recordings in the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) in adult zebra finch brain slices reveal that tetanic stimulation alone does not produce LTP.

Modulation of theta/alpha frequency profiles of slow auditory-evoked responses in the songbird zebra finch.

Spatiotemporal patterns of forebrain neural activity associated with auditory perception of biologically relevant complex acoustic stimuli can be conveniently studied in the songbird zebra finch. Here we present a time-frequency analysis of averaged slow auditory-evoked potentials (sAEPs) obtained at electrode locations overlying the main song control nucleus, high vocal center. Gabor spectrograms of these sAEPs show a prolonged response time course consisting of unimodal frequency peaks in the theta/alpha range (4-17 Hz).

Development and adult phase plasticity of syllable repetitions in the birdsong of captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata).

Oscines learn their birdsongs from tutors. The authors found that a small fraction (approximately 7%) of captive male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) produce variant acoustic birdsong profiles consisting of repetitions of single song syllables at high frequencies. Juvenile offspring of nonrepeaters can selectively learn the syntactic rule or habit of repeating syllables from repeaters.

Reduction of female-directed song motifs induced by repeated singing in laboratory-bred zebra finches.

Songbirds such as zebra finches show a remarkable degree of neural plasticity associated with the motor act of singing. Here we show that in adult male zebra finches repeated female-directed singing episodes are associated with a change in subsequent singing behavior involving a progressive long-lasting decline in the number of song motifs sung. This reduction in song motif production cannot be completely explained by the circadian rhythm, declining motivation or neuromuscular exhaustion.

Acoustic pattern variations in the female-directed birdsongs of a colony of laboratory-bred zebra finches.

The acoustic profile of the zebra finch song is characterized by a series of identical repeating units, each comprising a distinctive sequence of acoustic elements, called syllables. Here, we perform an analysis of song pattern deviations caused by variabilities in the production of song syllables. Zebra finches produce four different kinds of syllable variabilities-syllable deletions, single or double syllable insertions, syllable alterations, and syllable repetitions.

Transient speech compromise following sublabial transsphenoidal surgery: a case report and findings of a small preliminary study.

Sublabial transsphenoidal surgical removal of pituitary tumors is a common procedure with minimal complications. Although many investigators have reported oral sensory compromises following surgery, none has reported any postoperative compromise in speaking ability. In this article, we describe the case of a 33-year-old woman who developed transient but severe speech symptoms after she underwent sublabial transsphenoidal surgery.

Stuttering induced by theophylline.

We retrospectively evaluated three fluent asthmatic children who developed speech dysfluency following administration of theophylline. The dysfluency ceased in all three, following discontinuation of the medication. The medication was re-instituted in two patients, prompting return of dysfluency.

A model of the phonatory response time of stutterers and fluent speakers to frequency-modulated tones.

Stutterers and fluent speakers tracked frequency-modulated tones by humming. The response time (RT) to the first corrective change in fundamental frequency in response to linear ramps of increasing and decreasing frequency was measured. The results demonstrate that RT is a function of the stimulus ramp velocity.

Neurologic aspects of spasmodic dysphonia.

We discuss the etiology of 100 spasmodic dysphonia patients. Seventy-one patients had underlying essential tremor, 25 had Meige's syndrome, 12 were hypothyroid, and 27 had either a functional disturbance or focal dystonia. Six patients had intermittent breathy dysphonia.

Physician referral patterns for stutterers.

Many children who stutter initially seek guidance from their pediatricians. Pediatricians often do not refer stutterers for speech therapy. We present a brief analysis of pediatricians' views regarding stuttering, as well as their exposure to patients who stutter.