Probing Parallels

• ADHD, Nintendo, and Evolutionary Psychology (1) by Jim Brody, 2/26/97
  • McGee, a Siamese Cat with ADHD; Implications for Barkley by James Brody, 3/8/98
    
    

A pretty interesting cat!

Many have sought parallels between animal actions and human actions. Judy Rappoport, for example, has attempted to relate obsessive compulsive disorders to the ethological literature on displacement activities. To seek these parallels is a worth while venture.

Analogy versus homology in behavioral comparisons has never been an easy topic. Even if cats are wired up differently from us, they may show certain "disorders" that remind us, importantly, of human disorders. I wish there were more attempts to pursue such parallels. The interesting points are both where they hold up, and where they separate.

At the Salk Institute recently I discussed the possibility of making a mouse model (!) of Williams Syndrome in children. These children have low IQ's (whatever they are!), limited spatial abilities, and often remarkable verbal as well as musical fluency. So where is a mouse model relevant? Well, the genetic basis for Williams is pretty well worked out, and can be replicated in a mouse. Would these animals also have limited spatial skills but also temporal fluency in their actions? Maybe. Maybe not. If so, more detailed investigations might suggest other parallels, and separations, with the human case. Etc.

Comparative studies are ALWAYS about similarities and differences. We all seek deep similarities across situations, species, etc. I was fascinated to read about the cat. Who knows, maybe there are important hints this animal is offering.

Good luck with the scratches!

John

• Reading McGee's Mind by James Brody, 3/18/98