Endophenotypes: A conceptual link between anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder.

The paper, by translating the concept and the two models of endophenotype (EP), strengthens the hypothesis that there exists a linkage between anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, the paper synthesizes empirical research that supported the idea that individuals with AN and individuals with ASD share similarities with respect to their neurocognitive EPs and temperament EPs. The paper then introduces an innovative structure to emphasize the subtle difference between neurocognitive EPs and temperament EPs in relation to AN and ASD. This structure constitutes the categorization of the shared neurocognitive EPs to the liability-index model of EP and the shared temperament EPs to the mediational model of EP. The paper argues that the shared neurocognitive EPs under the liability index model of EP are trait markers signaling the effects of genes on the phenotypes of AN and ASD; whereas, the shared temperament EPs under the mediational model of EP are state markers describing the symptomatic status of AN and ASD. The proposition of the paper suggests clinicians and researchers should target the atypical state markers (i.e., temperament EPs) shared between AN and ASD when tailoring environment-based treatments for individuals with AN who exhibit autistic behaviors and individuals with ASD who display disordered eating behaviors or anorexic symptoms.

The effect of differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors (DRI) on pica for cigarettes in persons with intellectual disability.

The effect of Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors (DRI) on pica for cigarettes in two intellectually disabled adults was studied using an A-B-A-B treatment design; in addition, the efficacy of using placebo pica stimuli (bread "cigarette butts") was evaluated. Both subjects received 10 15-minute sessions of baseline followed by 10 sessions of DRI, with a reversal to baseline and a repeat of the DRI treatment. Results support the efficacy of DRI with pica, as well as the use of placebo pica stimuli. Generalization was conducted with one of the subjects; results indicate that treatment effects were present when implemented by several ward personnel. The implications of the results for future research were discussed.

Response interruption and DRL for the reduction of rapid eating.

We assessed the efficacy of several procedures for reducing the rate of eating responses during mealtime by three institutionalized mentally retarded clients. A time-based (15 s) response interruption procedure was implemented which resulted in little change in eating responses for 2 of 3 subjects. A spaced-responding DRL 15-s procedure resulted in decreases in eating responses to target levels only after a prompting procedure was added. Procedures were evaluated using a multiple baseline across subjects design with assessment of generalization to nontreated meals. A change in eating behavior during breakfast occurred only after direct training in the breakfast setting. Maintenance data were collected at 1- and 5-month follow-up periods.