Adjudicative Competence and the Criminalization of Intellectual Disability.

Wood and colleagues effectively argue that Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to securing accommodations for persons with intellectual/disability disorder so that such persons can meaningfully participate in the criminal adjudicative process. This invited commentary further discusses the challenges in identifying, assisting, and fully accommodating persons with intellectual/disability disorder in the criminal justice system. It also highlights ongoing problems with stereotypes within this population, which may affect the outcome of criminal proceedings.

The Competency Paradox in Somatic Disease.

Westmoreland have reviewed factors associated with provider reluctance to initiate and judicial reluctance to authorize civil commitment and involuntary treatment for persons with severe anorexia nervosa. Their analysis of the legal, medical, and psychiatric elements that affect treatment outcomes contributes to professional understanding of a complex topic. Although their proposal to create guidelines for involuntary treatment for persons with eating disorders may be of clinical utility, guidelines should not be promulgated for the purposes of reaching judicial findings of law.

Mechanisms underlying the effects of amphetamine on particulate PKC activity.

Amphetamine stimulates particulate protein kinase C (PKC) activity that is associated with the outward-transport of dopamine (DA) (Giambalvo [2003] Synapse 49:125-133). This stimulatory effect requires intracellular calcium ([Ca](i)) and endogenous DA and when DA release is diminished, the inward-transport of amphetamine inhibits PKC activity. This study examines the mechanisms involved.

Effects of fenfluramine and antidepressants on protein kinase C activity in rat cortical synaptoneurosomes.

Fenfluramine releases serotonin (5-HT) via the 5-HT transporter (SERT). Previous work has shown that amphetamine increases particulate protein kinase C (PKC) activity in striatal synaptoneurosomes. The increased PKC activity is linked to the outward transport of dopamine, and when release is diminished, the inward transport of amphetamine inhibits PKC instead.

Restoration of competency to stand trial: a training program for persons with mental retardation.

This article describes the development and use of a formal training tool for restoration of competency in clients with mental retardation who are incompetent to stand trial. The program was developed at Eleanor Slater Hospital within the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals. This article describes the development of The Slater Method, the training tool format, the procedure for use of the Slater Method, and the duration of treatment to restore competency to stand trial in clients with mental retardation.

Differential effects of amphetamine transport vs. dopamine reverse transport on particulate PKC activity in striatal synaptoneurosomes.

Amphetamine has been shown to increase striatal particulate protein kinase C (PKC) activity [Giambalvo (1992b) Neuropharmacology 31:1211-1222]. The present study examined possible mechanisms involved. Specifically, the effects of calcium, endogenous DA, and DA receptors on the amphetamine-induced increase in PKC activity in striatal synaptoneurosomes were examined.