Quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 9 and 19 modulate AII amacrine cell number in the mouse retina.

Sequence variants modulating gene function or expression affect various heritable traits, including the number of neurons within a population. The present study employed a forward-genetic approach to identify candidate causal genes and their sequence variants controlling the number of one type of retinal neuron, the AII amacrine cell. Data from twenty-six recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice derived from the parental C57BL/6J (B6/J) and A/J laboratory strains were used to identify genomic loci regulating cell number.

Independent genomic control of neuronal number across retinal cell types.

The sizes of different neuronal populations within the CNS are precisely controlled, but whether neuronal number is coordinated between cell types is unknown. We examined the covariance structure of 12 different retinal cell types across 30 genetically distinct lines of mice, finding minimal covariation when comparing synaptically connected or developmentally related cell types. Variation mapped to one or more genomic loci for each cell type, but rarely were these shared, indicating minimal genetic coregulation of final number.

Costs of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the US: excess costs of persons with ADHD and their family members in 2000.

Objective: The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive estimate of the cost of ADHD by consider ing the healthcare and work loss costs of persons with ADHD, as well as those costs imposed on their family members.

Methods: Excess per capita healthcare (medical and prescription drug) and work loss (disability and work absence) costs of treated ADHD patients (ages 7 years-44 years) and their family members (under 65 years of age) were calculated using administrative claims data from a single large company; work loss costs are from disability data or imputed for medically related work loss days. Excess costs are the additional costs of patients and their family members over and above those of comparable control individuals.

Cost of stress urinary incontinence: a claims data analysis.

Objectives: The primary objectives of this research were to: (i) identify and present methodologies for estimating three types of 'cost-of-illness' measures using healthcare and disability claims data -- specifically 'cost of treatment', 'incremental cost of patient', and 'incremental cost of illness'; and (ii) perform a case-study analysis of these cost measures for women treated for stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Study Design And Methods: In this paper, we discuss aspects of cost-of-illness methodologies in the context of SUI. We first distinguish between 'cost of treatment' (i.

The economic burden of depression in the United States: how did it change between 1990 and 2000?

Background: The economic burden of depression was estimated to be 43.7 billion dollars in 1990. A subsequent study reported a cost burden of 52.

The economic burden of depression with painful symptoms.

The economic burden of depression is substantial. The condition is highly prevalent, with both psychiatric and physical symptoms that often inflict pain. The chronic and often debilitating nature of depression results in costly medical therapies, as well as impaired workplace productivity.

The economic consequences of irritable bowel syndrome: a US employer perspective.

Background: The objective of this study was to measure the direct costs of treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the indirect costs in the workplace. This was accomplished through retrospective analysis of administrative claims data from a national Fortune 100 manufacturer, which includes all medical, pharmaceutical, and disability claims for the company's employees, spouses/dependents, and retirees.

Methods: Patients with IBS were identified as individuals, aged 18 to 64 years, who received a primary code for IBS or a secondary code for IBS and a primary code for constipation or abdominal pain between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 1998.

The economics of women and depression: an employer's perspective.

Background: While there is a growing literature on various aspects of depression in women, there is little research about the economic cost of depression in women. This analysis focuses on the direct and indirect cost to employers of female compared to male employees treated for depression, and their service utilization patterns.

Methods: We used a claims database from a national, Fortune 100 company to analyze the direct (medical and prescription drug) and indirect (disability and illness-related work absence) costs to an employer for female and male beneficiaries with depression.

Productivity and medical costs of diabetes in a large employer population.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the economic burden of diabetes from an employer's perspective. We analyzed the costs of diabetes, using claims data for an employed population and the prevalence of selected comorbid conditions.

Research Design And Methods: The data source is a claims database from a national Fortune 100 manufacturer.