What is schizophrenia: A neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative disorder or a combination of both? A critical analysis

The etiology of schizophrenia has been the focus of intensive research for a long time. Perspectives have changed drastically with the development of new investigative techniques. Clinical observations made by Kraepelin, Clouston, Bender, and Watt are now being complemented by neuroimaging and genetic studies to prove the neurodevelopmental hypothesis. At the same time, neuropathological and longitudinal studies of schizophrenia often support a neurodegenerative hypothesis. To provide a theoretical basis to the available evidence, another hypothesis called the progressive neurodevelopmental model has also emerged. This review presents some key evidence supporting each of these theories followed by a critical analysis of each

Nonunion of paediatric talar neck fracture

【Abstract】Fractures of the paediatric talus are infrequent injuries, most complicated by posttraumatic arthrosis and avascular necrosis in the course of treatment. Non- union in children has not been reported before in literature. We report a case of a 12-year-old boy who had a nonunion of Hawkins type II fracture of talar neck. The nonunion was treated surgically with a good clinical outcome. The goals of management in nonunion of paediatric talar neck fracture are different from those in fresh fractures. A suboptimal reduction should be acceptable without trying a radical surgery which may cause further impairment

Iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury resulting from a venous cut down procedure

We present a case of an iatrogenic left ulnar nerve injury caused during the basilic vein cut down in a 25-year-old woman presenting with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and requiring an emergency laparotomy. Two months after her discharge from the hospital, the patient presented to the hand surgery clinic with a weak grip strength and paraesthesias in the left hand, diagnosed to be resulting from a deficient ulnar nerve function. Surgical exploration of the nerve showed a complete section of the nerve. End to end repair and anterior transposition of the nerve was done. At 10 months follow up, the patient showed recovery in the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor carpi ulnaris, thus partially improving the grip strength. The patient was still under follow-up at the time this report was prepared

Prevalence of depression and its effect on disability in patients with age-related macular degeneration

AIMS: To estimate depression in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and study the relationships among depression, visual acuity, and disability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling (n = 53) of patients with AMD aged 50 years and above attending the retina clinic of a tertiary care hospital in North India. Depression, general disability and vision-specific disability were assessed in subjects meeting selection criteria. Assessments were done using the fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM- IV) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis -I Disorders, Clinical Version (SCID-CV), World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-II (WHODAS-II) and Daily Living Tasks dependent on Vision scale (DLTV). Non-parametric correlation analyses and regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Out of 53 participants, 26.4% (n = 14) met DSM-IV criteria for the diagnosis of depressive disorder. Depressed patients had significantly greater levels of general and vision-specific disability than non- depressed patients. General disability was predicted better by depression and vision-specific disability than by visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Depression is a major concern in patients with AMD and contributes more to disability than visual impairment