This Week in JAMA FREE

Methylmercury, a neurotoxin present in all ocean fish, has been associated with severe neurodevelopmental damage following high levels of in utero exposure. In a prospective study conducted in the Republic of Seychelles, where the typical diet is high in ocean fish, Dr Davidson and coworkersArticle did not detect neurodevelopmental deficits in children at 66 months of age who had prenatal and postnatal methylmercury exposure. In an editorial, Dr MahaffeyArticle notes that subtle neurocognitive deficits may be difficult to detect and cautions women of childbearing age to be aware of the mercury contamination of the fish they consume.

Social phobia, an underdiagnosed and undertreated anxiety disorder, may result in marked emotional, social, and occupational impairment. In a 12-week multicenter controlled trial, Dr Stein and colleagues found that treatment with paroxetine significantly reduced the symptoms associated with generalized social phobia compared with placebo and was well tolerated.

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The association between UV-B radiation in sunlight and cataract development has been reported in men with high occupational exposure to sunlight. In a population-based sample of older individuals with ordinary levels of sunlight exposure, Dr West and coworkers found that cumulative sunlight exposure was correlated with the risk of cortical cataracts.

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Ovarian cancer is particularly lethal because it is often detected after widespread metastases have already occurred. Dr Xu and coworkersArticle found that women with ovarian cancer, including stage I disease, and women with other gynecologic malignancies had significantly higher levels of plasma lysophosphatidic acid than healthy controls. In an editorial, Dr RobertsArticle discusses issues that must be addressed before using lysophosphatidic acid levels in clinical practice.

Dr Gans Epner and colleaguesArticle present a scholarly review of the scientific and medical information key to an understanding of the current debate about the legislative ban on late-term abortion. In an editorial, Dr LundbergArticle explains JAMA's responsibility to provide discussion and debate on difficult and even divisive issues in medicine.

Many people experience low back pain and face a perplexing array of possible therapeutic interventions and conflicting recommendations. In this Clinical Crossroads, Mr S, an avid jogger, has had episodic low back pain for years but seeks evaluation because of residual numbness of his left foot after an especially severe occurrence of back pain. Dr Weinstein reviews the evidence for medical and surgical interventions.

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Severin Roesen, Still Life With Fruit, c 1855-1860, American.

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Vive la différence—or celebrate similarities? France and the United Kingdom contrast and compare their approach to health care at a unique conference.

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"The shirt exposes his arms, still strong and capable. . . . His hands are large, with gnarled fingers folded into his lap." From "The Veteran."

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Innovative new antiepileptic drugs, new formulations of existing drugs, and vagal nerve stimulation offer promising options for the treatment of epilepsy.

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Should late-term abortion be banned?

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For your patients: Preventing food-borne illnesses.

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