LECKMAN, ELLOTT, and their colleagues1 have done the field a great service with their clear, in-depth report about research on child and adolescent mental disorders. Their article highlights new approaches and developing technologies that promise to further the understanding of the intricate connections between brain and experiential reality. As the authors point out, although the 152% inflation-adjusted increase in the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) research budget from 1987 to 1993 is welcome, it is not nearly enough to sustain the momentum we have achieved. Furthermore, today's intense cost-cutting atmosphere could easily erode this hardwon gain.
The committee's report is intelligent and sophisticated. In addition to lauding its financial analyses, thoughtful observations and suggestions, and legitimate concerns, this communication will raise some issues to further stimulate the meaningful, wide-ranging research that the committee recommends.
THE ISSUES
Should the distinction between child/adolescent and adult disorders be retained? The