This procedure led to 1,000–2,000 permutations of null hypothesis

This procedure led to 1,000–2,000 permutations of null hypothesis CNV sets each for the bipolar, schizophrenia, and control de novo CNV sets. Significance for each of the query pathways was assessed by counting the number of pathway genes impacted by each null hypothesis CNV set, thus leading selleck chemicals llc to a null distribution against which we could compare the number of observed hits and calculate enrichment p values. Second we applied a case-control CNV enrichment test implemented in PLINK (http://pngu.mgh.harvard.edu/∼purcell/plink/) to the eight gene sets (pathways) associated

with SCZ de novo CNVs and seven gene sets associated with BD de novo CNVs. For analysis of de novo CNVs using PLINK we report the one-sided empirical p value based on 10,000 permutations. A category was defined as “enriched” if nominally significant (p < 0.05) by all case-only and case-control permutation tests. Pathway enrichment analysis was also applied to de novo CNVs in control, and significance was based on a single (control only) permutation test. We extended our analysis of pathways identified in this study (Table 4 and Table 5, and S7) to

rare CNVs from large case-controls studies of SCZ and BD. These included rare CNVs from 8,290 SCZ cases and 7,431 controls from Vacic et al. (2011), a combined sample of three studies from our group, MGS (Levinson et al., 2011), and the International Schizophrenia Consortium (International Schizophrenia Consortium, 2008), and a BD case-control data set consisting Sunitinib cost of 2,777 cases and 3,508 controls from BiGS study (Smith et al., 2009). Pathway enrichment was assessed using the case-control CNV enrichment test implemented in PLINK. We thank all patients and their families for their participation in this genetic study. Special thanks to James Watson for helpful discussions and support. This study was supported by a gift from Ted and Vada Stanley to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a gift to J.S. from the Beyster family foundation, NIH grants to J.S. (MH076431, HG04222), D.L.L. (MH071523), and

M.K. (MH061399), grants to J.S. and D.L.L. from NARSAD, grants ADP ribosylation factor to A.C. and M.G. from the Wellcome Trust (072894/Z/03/Z) and Science Foundation Ireland (08INIB1916), and grants to D.L.L. from the Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation and Essel Foundation. We thank the Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN), Molecular Genetics of Schizophrenia (MGS), and the Bipolar Genome Study (BiGS) for providing data for this study. We thank Roche NimbleGen and Oxford Gene Technology for their expert technical assistance. We thank Lilia M. Iakoucheva and Roser Corominas for helpful discussions. “
“Sleep is an essential and conserved animal behavior. In humans, sleep occupies approximately one-third of life, and its importance is underscored by the overpowering drive to obtain sleep after a period of sleep deprivation.

The correlation between the two variables was statistically signi

The correlation between the two variables was statistically significant (r = 0.14, p < 0.01), indicating that the stronger the visual response relative to the motor response, the stronger the coupling with V4 during attention. It should be noted, that in contrast to the results in the covert attention task, no prominent

synchrony was found in the memory-guided saccade task between any type of FEF neuron and V4 LFPs, and there was no spatial effect on coherence, suggesting that the processes involved in the two tasks are markedly different. We next examined the effects of attention on spike-field Quizartinib ic50 coherence within FEF. First taking all cells together, we found that single unit spike-field coherence in the gamma frequency range was significantly enhanced with attention (Figure 6A; coherence averaged PCI-32765 ic50 between 35 and 60 Hz; paired t test p < 0.001), consistent with

our previous multiunit results (Gregoriou et al., 2009a). At the population level gamma band coherence increased by 12%. However, this enhancement of gamma synchrony with attention in FEF was specific to just the visual cells. Pure visual neurons showed a significant, 13% enhancement with attention in the gamma range (Figure 6B; 35–60 Hz, paired t test, p < 0.01), whereas visuomovement and movement neurons did not display significant modulation of synchrony in the gamma band with attention (Figures 6C and 6D; paired t test, visuomovement cells: p = 0.14, 9% increase; movement cells: p = 0.21, 9% increase with attention). Moreover, when the attentional effect on gamma synchrony was compared across the three neuronal classes a significant main effect of cell type was found (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.01) with visual to visuomovement and movement

FEF neurons comparisons revealing a significant difference (Tukey-Kramer, p < 0.05 for both comparisons) and no difference between visuomovement and movement neurons (p = 0.61). Interestingly, TCL however, movement cells did show a significant, 28%, increase in coherence with attention inside their movements fields at lower frequencies, spanning beta and lower gamma frequencies (15–35 Hz, paired t test, p < 0.001). For a distribution of attentional effects on frequencies from 35–60 Hz and 15–35 Hz see Figure S4. Although the increase in synchrony between 15 and 35 Hz could be attention-related, we also considered whether it might be caused by the inhibition of saccades into the movement field in the attention task, given that the task required that the animal attended to the stimulus in the field but suppressed any saccade to it. To distinguish whether the increase in synchrony between 15 and 35 Hz was due to attention to the movement field or inhibition of saccades into the movement field in the attention task, we examined coherence within FEF in the delayed saccade task.

As stated above, adult forebrain GluN2B (protein and mRNA) levels

As stated above, adult forebrain GluN2B (protein and mRNA) levels are unaltered in GluN2B+/+ versus GluN2B2A(CTR)/2A(CTR) mice ( Figure 3A). We also specifically studied GluN2B levels in isolated protein Linsitinib concentration fractions enriched in synaptic and peri/extrasynaptic

NMDARs, following an established protocol ( Milnerwood et al., 2010). Briefly, a synaptosomal preparation was made from the hippocampi of adult GluN2B+/+ and GluN2B2A(CTR)/2A(CTR) mice. This prep was then split into a Triton-soluble “non-PSD enriched” fraction including extrasynaptic NMDARs, plus a Triton-insoluble (but SDS-soluble) “PSD-enriched” fraction containing synaptic NMDARs. We found no differences in the levels of GluN2B between GluN2B+/+ and GluN2B2A(CTR)/2A(CTR) ABT-263 in vitro hippocampi with regard to either total homogenate, “Non-PSD enriched” fraction, or “PSD-enriched” fraction ( Figure 3B). This biochemical

data is in agreement with observations that the NMDAR:AMPAR current ratios in evoked EPSCs measured at holding potentials of −80 and +40 mV are not altered in adult CA1 pyramidal cells of GluN2B2A(CTR)/2A(CTR) mutants compared to GluN2B+/+ controls (Thomas O’Dell, personal communication). Moreover, the decay time constant of NMDAR-mediated EPSCs recorded at +40 mV in GluN2B2A(CRT)/2A(CTR) mutants was found to be indistinguishable from GluN2B+/+ controls (Thomas O’Dell, personal communication), indicative of a similar GluN2 subunit composition. To promote excitotoxic neuronal loss, we stereotaxically

injected a small (15 nmol) dose of NMDA into the hippocampus (just below the dorsal region of the CA1 layer) and quantified the resulting lesion volume 24 hr later. Consistent Oxalosuccinic acid with the position of the injection site, the lesions were centered on the CA1 subregion, an effect potentially enhanced by the known vulnerability of this subregion to excitotoxic insults (Stanika et al., 2010). However the lesion also spread to other hippocampal subregions (CA3, dentate gyrus) as well as a small intrusion into the thalamus. Importantly, analysis revealed that GluN2B2A(CTR)/2A(CTR) mice exhibited smaller lesion volumes in the hippocampus and the thalamic region (and smaller overall lesion volumes) than GluN2B+/+ mice ( Figures 3C–3F). Thus, the GluN2 CTD subtype also influences NMDAR-mediated excitotoxicity in vivo. We next investigated the mechanistic basis for the observed GluN2 CTD subtype-dependent differences in vulnerability to excitotoxicity. NMDAR-dependent activation of CREB-dependent gene expression protects against excitotoxicity (Lee et al., 2005) and can act as a protective response to excitotoxic insults (Mabuchi et al., 2001). We found that basal levels of CREB (serine-133) phosphorylation (normalized to total CREB) were unaltered in GluN2B2A(CTR)/2A(CTR) neurons (118% ± 12% compared to GluN2B+/+ neurons, p = 0.2).

, 2010) Further evidence for the claim that learning of motor sk

, 2010). Further evidence for the claim that learning of motor skill results from changes in representation in motor cortex comes from experiments in rats. In a specially designed reach to grasp task, performance improvements are accompanied by various structural changes in M1 (Whishaw and Pellis, 1990). It has also been shown that the signal-to-noise ratio in spiking

M1 neurons improves with practice on a reach-to-grasp task (Kargo and Nitz, 2004). Recently it has been shown that destroying dopaminergic projections to motor cortex completely abolishes skill acquisition (Hosp et al., 2011), which suggests that a specific kind of learning (skill) needs Vismodegib to take place in M1 directly. Large lesions to motor cortex lead to permanent qualitative changes in skilled reaching, with recovery mediated through compensation (Metz et al., 2005 and Whishaw et al., 2008). In contrast, small strokes in motor cortex lead to significant recovery of premorbid prehension kinematics (Gonzalez and Kolb, 2003). This recovery seems to be mediated by plasticity in peri-infarct cortex, with structural

changes very similar to those described after reach training in healthy rats. Similar findings have been made in the squirrel monkey (Nudo et al., 1996). Thus M1 is necessary for recovery of previously acquired High Content Screening skills after small cortical lesions and acquisition of new skills, likely using very similar plasticity mechanisms. All these results taken together suggest that if skill is considered the ability to execute better movements of a given type rather than selecting

the right sequence of movements without emphasis on their quality, then the motor cortex is necessary if not sufficient. It is notable that simply repeating a movement stereotypically that does not Olopatadine require a skill change does not lead to map changes in motor cortex (Plautz et al., 2000). Finally, it should be emphasized that our contention that M1 is the necessary structure for learning skilled execution does not preclude M1 also being the location for the representation of stereotypies that are learned initially through BG-dependent processes. This “transfer” idea is favored by some investigators and supported by the decreasing LMAN dependence of learned songs in the songbird (Ölveczky et al., 2011). Here, we have briefly described experiments across humans and model systems in order to seek unifying functional principles with respect to the roles of the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and primary motor cortex in motor learning. Recently, a similar but more general computational synthesis of these areas has been proposed (Doya, 1999).

After the instructions to the game were explained, all pictures w

After the instructions to the game were explained, all pictures were presented one at a time to the entire group. While the pictures were being presented, each participant played in the role of the Investor with the pictured participant and was endowed with

$10 for the round. After making an investment on the round, they were then asked how much of this amount (multiplied by 4) they believed their partner would return to them. At the end of the session, participants were paid $5 for their participation. A subset of participants (n = 17) were recruited from Session 1 to participate in the second session, in which they played the TG in the role of the Trustee while being scanned ISRIB cost using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Each participant had an individually tailored paradigm, in which they decided how much money they wanted to return to the other participants in the experiment, based on these partners’ actual proposals to them from Session 1. Each participant played a total of 28 rounds, distributed over four runs. Each run lasted exactly 7 min including an extra 14 s fixation cross display at the beginning of the run to allow for T1 equilibrium, and another 21 s fixation cross at the end of the

run (210 volumes per run). The timeline of events in a typical round can be seen in Figure 1B. The stimuli were presented using E-Prime software via VisuaStim goggles (Resonance Technologies Inc, IL, USA), and participants DNA ligase indicated their answers by using a two-button fiber optic response Androgen Receptor Antagonist purchase box. Responses changed in 10% increments on each button press. These increments were randomly selected to either increase from $0 or decrease from the maximum amount of money for that round (which varied depending on how much had been sent by the partner), ensuring that the number of button presses was orthogonal to the amount of money selected, removing effects of any motor confounds. After participants selected their chosen amount of money, they used the second button to confirm this response. After participants completed scanning, they rated their

counterfactual guilt by indicating on a 7-point Likert scale the amount of guilt they believed they would have experienced had they returned a different amount of money, and were then paid a $20 participation fee. Finally, at the conclusion of the entire experiment, all participants were paid 50% of their earnings for one randomly selected trial. If participants participated in both sessions, they were paid for two separate trials. Participants in the first session that correctly predicted their partner’s behavior for the trial selected received an additional $2 bonus (Charness and Dufwenberg, 2006 and Dufwenberg and Gneezy, 2000). Only identification numbers were provided at the time of payment, thus ensuring that Trustees’ responses were completely anonymous. No deception was employed in this study.

To determine which α subunit(s) might be important, we examined c

To determine which α subunit(s) might be important, we examined clones lacking multiple edematous wings (mew), which encodes αPS1 and inflated (if), which encodes αPS2.

mew, if double mutant clones showed similar reductions in length and branching as mys clones, indicating that one, or both, of these genes is important for dendrite morphogenesis ( Figures 1C, 1E, and 1F). We examined roles for individual α subunits by transgenic RNAi-based knock down ( Dietzl et al., 2007) and found that depletion of mew, but not if, transcripts in class I neurons using 221-Gal4 led to a defect in dendritic arborization similar to that caused by RNAi of mys ( Figures 1I–1J). Consistent with these results, we did not observe a dendrite branching or length phenotype in if MARCM clones (p > 0.05; data not shown). Thus, PS1 (αPS1βPS) selleck chemicals probably plays a primary role in dendritic morphogenesis, although these data do not exclude a possible neuronal role for PS2 (αPS2βPS). Finally, consistent BMS-354825 nmr with a role for integrin-mediated adhesion in dendritic arborization, a mutation in rhea, which encodes a Drosophila talin essential for integrin function ( Brown et al., 2002), caused defects that were similar to those caused by mys mutations in class I neurons ( Figures 1D, 1G, and 1H). Together, these results reveal a cell-autonomous requirement for integrins in da neuron dendritic elaboration and/or

dendritic branch maintenance, likely reflecting a requirement for adhesive interactions between dendrites and the ECM. We next used MARCM to examine the requirements for integrins in dendritogenesis of the complex class IV neuron, ddaC. Like class I neurons, ddaC mys clones showed a decrease in

dendritic branch points ( Figures 1K–1M). Class IV dendrites also normally show robust self-repulsion between branches with only occasional crossing errors ( Figure 1K). We found that mys ddaC clones showed increased self-crossings and thus appeared to be defective in this repulsive Cell press response ( Figures 1L and 1N; Figure S1A available online). By contrast, sister dendrite crossing as a proportion of total branch number or total length was not significantly affected in class I mys clones (both p > 0.05, Wilcoxon rank-sum test). Excessive dendrite self-crossing observed in class IV neurons suggested that integrin-mediated dendrite-ECM interactions promote dendritic self-avoidance. We next examined expression patterns of integrins in the peripheral body wall at third instar larval stages. Immunolabeling with anti-βPS, αPS1, and αPS2 integrin revealed localization in puncta on the basal surface of the epidermis, and enrichment alongside dendrites (Figures S1B–S1F). Expression across the epidermis prevented unambiguous assessment of expression in da neuron dendrites; however, examination of arbors growing over mys epidermal clones that were devoid of βPS integrin provided support for dendritic localization ( Figures S1C–S1D′).

To test whether the positive charges in the Syntaxin1A juxtamembr

To test whether the positive charges in the Syntaxin1A juxtamembrane domain are also needed for clustering of the protein at synapses in vivo, we used recombination in yeast to generate hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged fruit fly Syntaxin1AKARRAA or HA-tagged wild-type Syntaxin1A. The genomic constructs were inserted using Phi-C-31 integrase at the identical genomic location (25C6) and the proteins are expressed under endogenous fruit fly promotor control. We then assessed the localization of these proteins in relation to the active zone marker RBP. Compared to wild-type HA-Syntaxin1A,

the mutant HA-Syntaxin1AKARRAA overlaps much less with the active zone marker RBP and the mutant protein appears selleck kinase inhibitor more dispersed (Figures 3G–3I). The data are consistent with a model in which Syntaxin1A concentrates with PI(3,4,5)P3 in membranes based on electrostatic interactions between negatively charged PI(3,4,5)P3 head groups and positively charged juxtamembrane residues, resulting in the formation of circular domains in which boundary energy is minimized (Christian et al., 2009). While such a mechanism has previously been proposed for PI(4,5)P2-Syntaxin1A-mediated interactions (Aoyagi et al.,

2005; Lam et al., 2008; McLaughlin and Murray, 2005; van den over Bogaart et al., Ruxolitinib clinical trial 2011), taken together, our in vivo and in vitro data suggest a critically important role for the more negatively charged PI(3,4,5)P3 in Syntaxin1A clustering at synapses. Numerous mutations that affect synaptic transmission result in adult temperature-sensitive paralysis in fruit flies, including dap160, shibire (dynamin), syntaxin1A, CSP, and comatose (NSF) ( Koh et al., 2004; Littleton et al., 1998; Zinsmaier et al., 1994). To test whether reduced PI(3,4,5)P3 availability in the nervous system results

in temperature-dependent paralysis, we placed flies that express PH-GRP1 under control of the neuronal nSybGal4 driver in an empty vial in a water bath at different temperatures and counted the number of flies standing after 3 min. In contrast to controls, PH-GRP1-expressing flies show a dose-dependent temperature sensitivity and at 38°C all flies are paralyzed within 3 min ( Figures 4A and 4B). When flies are placed back at room temperature, they recover slowly (data not shown). This effect is specific to reduced availability of PI(3,4,5)P3, as expressing the PH-GRP1 probe together with the Lyn11-FRB/FKBP-p85 and growing the animals on rapamycin completely rescues temperature-sensitive paralysis and animals behave like controls in this assay ( Figure 4C).

The seeds are 1 5 mm in diameter (Fig 1a and b) The main differe

The seeds are 1.5 mm in diameter (Fig.1a and b). The main differences are tabulated in Table 2. The non-polluted stem showed single layer of epidermis covered by thin cuticle and non glandular trichomes, hypodermis; 4–5 layers of collenchymatous cells, 4–5 layers of parenchymatous cortex; single layer of endodermis with casparian strip. Secondary vascular bundles are present in a ring and remain embedded in the prosenchyma (conjuctive tissue). Phloem is interxylary. Vascular bundles are conjoint, collateral, open and endarch. Pith cells are polygonal with intercellular spaces (Fig. 2a). But in case

of polluted stem there were 5–6 layers of collenchyma, 5–6 layers of parenchyma whereas ruptured endodermis; phloem and cambium are in discontinuous manner. Vascular NVP-BKM120 UMI-77 research buy bundles are smaller in size. Micro and rosette crystals are present in parenchymatous cells (Fig. 2b). Non-polluted leaf showed single layer of epidermis bearing glandular and non-glandular trichomes covered with cuticle. Stomata are anisocytic and anomocytic present on both the surfaces

of leaf and more frequent on lower surface 1–2 layers of collenchyma in the upper region and lower region, 4 vascular bundles in midrib and presence of micro and rosette crystals of calcium oxalate in parenchymatous cells. The stomatal index was found to be 18.12–19.75 on upper surface and 20.00–22.66 on lower surface in non-polluted leaves while in case of polluted plant samples stomatal index is 18.11–23.15 on upper surface and

18.03–22.25 on lower surface. Palisade ratio is lower in polluted leaves. Vein Islet Number and Vein Termination Number were higher in those plants which are colleted from polluted areas. Mesophyll is differentiated into 3–4 layers of palisade, unless 2–3 layers of spongy parenchyma, (Fig. 3a and b). But the polluted leaf is isobilateral in nature containing 2–3 layers of collenchyma present in upper region and 1–3 layers of collenchyma in lower region. 7–9 layer of palisade with a duct and a continuous layer of rosette crystals of calcium oxalate Lamina. In polluted leaves the glandular trichomes and spongy parenchyma are absent (Fig. 3c & d). The result shows the presence of saponin, tannin, lignin, protein, carbohydrates, suberin, glucoside, flavin, and traces amount of oil and absence of alkaloids and sugars in both the cases. Degrees of changes in colour reaction tests are tabulated in Table 2. The numbers of spots are higher in non-polluted plant than the polluted plant (Fig. 4). Rf values of Chenopodium album Linn. were decreased in those plants which were collected from polluted areas, results are tabulated in Table 3. The percentage of water and alcoholic soluble extractives are lower whereas LOD, total ash, acid insoluble and sulphated ash are higher in polluted plant samples (Table 4).

, 2005 and Milligan, 2009) The physiological relevance of hetero

, 2005 and Milligan, 2009). The physiological relevance of heteromerization is clear for GPCRs that function only as “obligate dimers” (Jones et al., 1998 and Zhao et al., 2003). However, for the vast majority of GPCR combinations that have been studied, a physiological role for heteromers has C59 in vitro been difficult to establish, and an impediment to this characterization has been the in vivo experimental

challenge of differentiating receptor crosstalk from a direct protein-protein interaction. The handful of studies that indicate the formation of physiologically relevant heteromers have required numerous technical approaches to substantiate their conclusions and remain somewhat controversial (González-Maeso et al., 2008, Pei et al., 2010, Fribourg et al., 2011 and Liu et al., 2011). In this issue, Kern et al. (2012)

provide evidence supporting a physiologically relevant interaction between the dopamine D2 (D2R) and the ghrelin receptor (GHSR1a) that regulates feeding behavior in mice, and their observations are important in building a case for the in vivo relevance of GPCR heteromers. Additionally, their findings have important implications regarding the development not only of obesity-related therapies targeting ghrelin receptors but also of potential therapies targeting the dopamine-related reward systems underlying other neurological conditions. The motivation for HTS assay the present study stems from the authors’ previous intriguing observation that a subset of neurons in the hypothalamus coexpresses the D2R and GHSR1a, despite the virtual absence of ghrelin in the brain. Their hypothesis is that GHSR1a expression alone can modify D2R signaling, and they address this using several different approaches. In SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma that express

Gi/o-coupled D2R, coexpression of GHSR1a leads to an unexpected calcium mobilization response through D2R activation that ADP ribosylation factor is blocked by both D2R and GHSR1a antagonists. Importantly, they also detect an agonist-mediated D2R calcium signaling in primary cultures from hypothalamus, indicating that this form of signaling is also present in intact tissue. The authors further show that while GHSR1a mobilizes calcium through Gq/11, D2R-dependent Ca+2 signaling in the presence of GHSR1a occurs through a pertussis-toxin-sensitive Gβγ mechanism; another Gq/11-coupled GPCR cannot substitute for the GHSR1a; and D2R-dependent Ca+2 signaling is not dependent on GHSR1a constitutive activity. Thus, in the complex, the D2R remains coupled to and signals through Gi/o protein but the presence of the GHSR1a in the heteromer presumably recruits Gβγ subunits that have the ability to mobilize calcium from intracellular stores through the phospholipase C pathway. This observation is quite intriguing and could be a mechanistic basis for signaling diversity through heteromerization.

Reliability and validity: Good test-retest reliability

(P

Reliability and validity: Good test-retest reliability

(Pearson correlations 0.24–0.73) had been demonstrated (Broadbent et al 2006). Equivalent scales of the brief IPQ and IPQ-R had moderate to good correlations when tested for concurrent validity (Pearson correlations 0.32–0.63) (Broadbent et al 2006). The Brief IPQ predicted a number of key outcomes following myocardial infarct. Slower return to work was significantly associated with higher concern (r = 0.43, p = 0.03) and higher treatment control beliefs (r = 0.44, p = 0.03). The subscales of consequences, identity, concern, and emotional response were significantly associated with cardiac anxiety (r = 0.33–0.47) (Broadbent et al 2006). The discriminant validity of the questionnaire was Vorinostat concentration supported by its ability to distinguish between different illnesses, namely asthma, diabetes, colds, myocardial infarct selleck chemical prior to discharge, and prediagnosis chest pain patients waiting stress exercise testing. Individuals diagnosed with an illness, health threat, or who suffer an injury develop an organised pattern of beliefs about their condition (Petrie and Wienman 2006). The cognitive and emotional representations of the illness, or illness perceptions, determine

the individual’s coping behaviour (Leventhal et al 1984). Five dimensions within the cognitive representation of illness are identified: identity – the label the individual uses to describe the illness and the symptoms they view as part of the disease; consequences – the expected effects and outcome of the illness; cause – personal ideas about the cause of the illness; timeline – how long the individual believes the illness will

last; and cure or control – the extent to which the individual believes that they can recover from or control the illness. The emotional representation incorporates negative reactions such as fear, anger, and distress ( Broadbent et al 2006). Negative illness perceptions are associated with poorer recovery and increased healthcare use independent of objective measures of illness severity (Petrie and Weinman MycoClean Mycoplasma Removal Kit 2006). On the other hand, positive illness perceptions are associated with an earlier return to work (Giri et al 2009). Interventions to change illness perceptions can reduce disability and improve functioning (Petrie and Weinman 2006). Assessment of clients’ illness perceptions, as part of psychosocial assessment, is important in all fields of physiotherapy. Awareness of our clients’ illness perceptions can improve treatment outcomes as well as communication with our clients. The Brief IPQ is a useful tool for assessing illness perceptions. It has the advantages of being brief and easy to understand. It only takes a few minutes to complete.