Synapsins are evolutionarily conserved, highly abundant vesicular phosphoproteins in presynaptic terminals. They are thought to regulate the recruitment of synaptic vesicles from the reserve pool to the readily-releasable pool, in particular when vesicle release is to be maintained at high spiking rates. As regulation of transmitter release is a…

This article presents the results of a large-scale study of the characteristics of 156 individuals with Asperger Syndrome (AS) ages 12 to 18. Specifically, cognitive (intellectual, empathizing, systemizing), adaptive behavior, behavior, temperament, and sensory profiles of study participants are overviewed. These characteristics are discussed as…

The model organism, "Caenorhabditis elegans," in addition to being well suited to genetics and cell biology teaching applications, can also be useful in the physiology laboratory. In this article, the author describes how students in a junior level college Comparative Physiology course have made use of "C. elegans" in semester-long,…

Background: This study describes a new caregiver-report assessment, the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ), and explicates the nature of sensory patterns of hyper- and hyporesponsiveness, their prevalence, and developmental correlates in autism relative to comparison groups. Method: Caregivers of 258 children in five diagnostic groups…

This paper contrasts classical Aristotelian narrative, which encouraged intellectual reflection and came to dominate Hollywood film by the 1930s, with the pulsating images which began to appear in the 1980 as a result of MTV's influence on films. The discussion focuses on two major Hollywood films: "Grapes of Wrath" (1940) and "Top…

Motion media refers to film, television, and other forms of kinesthetic media including computerized multimedia technologies and virtual reality. Imagery reproduced by motion media carries a multisensory amalgamation of mental experiences. The blending of these experiences phenomenologically intersects with the reality and perception of words,…

The perceptual bases of visual literacy are explored, drawing on research into the interpretation of pictures by viewers not familiar with pictorial representation. Research has indicated that inexperienced viewers do not find it difficult to recognize pictures that may be discrepant in color or shape from a familiar object, but may be troubled by…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether context facilitated memory and whether this facilitation was still evident after a delay. Infants were expected to recognize pictures significantly longer when they were tested with the same context cues. This context effect was expected to be even after a 5-minute delay. The subjects were 64…

Describes sensory boxes which are colorful, simple and inexpensive devices which stimulate skill of observation, communication and classification in lower elementary children. (BR)

This study investigated the issue of whether young children understand that the acquisition of certain types of knowledge depends on the modality of sensory experience involved. Sight and touch were the two sensory modalities investigated. A total of 36 children of 3-5 years of age were exposed to pairs of objects that either looked the same and…

The guide presents information on approximately 150 toys useful for infants and children with sensory impairments. The toys listed are available from stores found nation-wide and the list is organized according to age level (infants, toddlers, and elementary levels). A brief description, price, source, and coding of types of skills the toys may…

To provide converging support that the integration of analog and propositional representational systems is associated with spatial ability, visual, auditory, and bimodal brain event-related potentials were recorded from 50 right-handed Caucasian male recruits at the Naval Training Center, San Diego. Sensory interaction indices were derived for…

Suggests that two types of books have particular appeal for children, those which create vivid sensory impressions and those which allow the child to deal vicariously with universal emotions and then discusses several titles of each type. (TO)

Educating the child to be visually literate may help solve such educational problems as lack of motivation, irrelevancy and inefficient learning. (JH)

A scale was prepared for measuring the effects of indirect suggestion upon perception. Three categories were included: 1) distorting the interpretation of presented stimuli, 2) inducing sense-impressions in the absence of adequate stimuli, and 3) producing insensitivity to stimuli that are objectively present. (Author/RC)