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Background: Hepatitis C represents a significant public health problem, particularly among injection drug users. Other than injection drug practices, little is understood about individual level characteristics that may place some injection drug users at particularly high risk. Objectives: The current study sought to examine two associations among active, regular heroin injection drug users. The first was to determine whether there was an association between two scales from the Shipley Institute of Living Scale (SILS: a neuropsychological measure used to estimate cognitive impairment/intellectual functioning) and self-reported preexisting conditions independent of years of drug use. The second was to examine whether performance on the scales was associated with hepatitis C infection. Methods: Data from 260 HIV negative injection drug users from the Baltimore metropolitan region were used. Participants completed a risk behavior interview, brief neuropsychological battery, and were tested for Hepatitis C. Results: Findings indicated that scale performances varied by self-reported learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. Poorer performance on one scale was statistically significantly associated with greater hepatitis C prevalence on the vocabulary scale, the discrepancy scale showed a statistical trend. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment measured among this sample of injection drug use was related to pre-existing conditions and hepatitis C independent of years of drug use. Such impairment may exist prior to initiation of use and increase vulnerability to poor health outcomes among injection drug users. Scientific Significance: This study highlights the need for interventions targeting a possible high risk subpopulation of injection drug users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of a study on the learning difficulties of boys with severe behavior disorders in a special school established by the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. All the boys shared a common pathology which is commonly called as acting out. This type of behavior is justified every time an impulse or fantasy, conscious or unconscious, is acted upon whether or not is an appropriate response. The boys lack the ability to postpone, regulate, or foresee consequences. Prior to the creation of the school program for the group, their past school experience were evaluated. Acting-out boys are placed in a special class for the emotionally disturbed. Teachers on the other hand are required to treat attention-deficit-disordered children with respect and patience.

The article presents a report on two conferences related to reading disabilities. The Medical Horizons Conference on Minimal Cerebral Dysfunction (MBD) was held in Seattle, Washington. Certain realities regarding the MBD came into light at the Medical Horizons Conference held in Seattle on November 1 and 2, 1973. The stage was set for the dual emphasis on physical findings and educational treatment in the opening speeches of physicians Keith Conners, Norris Haring and Alfred Skinner. Physician Gilbert Omenn spoke on genetics and epidemiology, giving the protocol for genetic studies of MBD at the Child Development and Mental Retardation Center of the University of Washington. The role of the ophthalmologist in learning disabilities was well covered by physician Robert Kalina. The application of drugs in MBD was treated by physician J. Gordon Millichap. He emphasized that medication is an adjunct treatment; if teachers do not provide appropriate classroom intervention, the child won't improve in academic work. Both days of the conference ended with informal discussions. At their 24th annual conference in Baltimore, Maryland, the Orton Society created nine action task forces to help promote the study, treatment and prevention of the problems of specific language disability.