Behavioral Rating Scales

Sturgeon, R.D. Fessler, R.G. and Meltzer, H.Y. Behavioral rating scales for assessing phencyclidine-induced locomotor activity, stereotyped behavior and ataxia in rats. J. 

Locomotion, stereotypy, and ataxia were rated via behavioral observations for all compounds, using behavioral rating scales devised specifically for PCP (Sturgeon et al. 1979). Behaviors were rated by observing each animal for 1 or 2 minutes at the midpoint of each 30-minute dosing interval during collection of the EEG. 

FIGURE 4. Dose-response-curves for the effects of phencyclinoids on (A) locomotion (B) stereotypy and (C) ataxia. Overt behaviors were scored using the behavioral rating scales of Sturgeon et al. (1979). 

Summary of Tests. Common dermatological tests are shown in Table 20.15 and ophthalmological tests in Table 20.14. Note that any of these tests could be utilized as measures of efficacy if they addressed the clincial trial objectives. Selected pointers are given in Table 20.13. Specific tests that may be used in hematology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis are shown in Table 20.12, adult and pediatric behavioral rating scales in Tables 20.16 and 20.17, and psychometric and performance tests in Table 20.18. 

Behavioral Rating Scales, Performance, Personality, and Disability Tests... 

A number of behavioral ratings scales and psychometric and performance tests, listed in Tables 20.16 to 20.18, are briefly summarized below, since many of these scales and tests may be used to evaluate safety as well as efficacy. The following comments on the tests provide only a few highlights readers who are interested in more details are advised to obtain additional information before choosing the tests that appear most relevant to be included in their particular protocol. 

Devereux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale... 

Clinical Global Impression. See adult behavioral rating scale description of the CGI. 

Devereux Child Behavior Rating Scale. The Devereux Child Behavior Rating Scale contains 97 items and is similar to the Devereux Teacher Scale. It is used for emotionally disturbed and mentally retarded children aged 8 to 12 years. Besides being easy to use, this scale is well researched and discussed in the literature. It requires 10 to 20 minutes to complete by clinicians, child care workers, parents, or others and gives 17 scores. There is a Devereux Adolescent Behavior Rating Scale for children from ages 13 to 18. 

Devereux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale. The Devereux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale is a widely used test incorporating 47 items that have a high test-retest reliability. It uses a checklist format and is easy to use (requires 10 min). There are 11 factor scores and three item scores. 

Aman, M.G., Singh, N.N., Stewart, A.W., and Field, C.J. (1985) The Aberrant Behavior Checklist a behavior rating scale for the assessment of treatment effects. Am Ment Defic 89 485 91. 

Behar L.B. and Stringfield, S. (1974a) A behavior rating scale for the preschool child. Development Psychology, 10, 601-610. 

Hart, E.L. and Lahey, B.B. (1999) General behavior rating scales. In Shaffer, D., Lucas, C.P., Richters, J.E., eds. Diagnostic Assessment in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. New York Guilford Press, pp. 65-90. 

In a study of age-associated memory impairment [Crook and Lakin 1991), using a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and three doses of ondansetron (10, 250, or 1,000 pg po bid), patients were treated for 12 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout period, with assessments being made at the initiation of, during, and at the termination of treatment. Behavioral rating scales and a computerized battery of tests related to learning and memory tasks of daily life were used to assess changes in cognitive performance. Ondansetron caused dose-related effects to enhance acquisition, name-face associa-... 

Fankhauser MP, German ML. Understanding the use of behavioral rating scales in studies evaluating the efficacy of antianxiety and antidepressant... 

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