CSF 5 - HIAA IN VIOLENT AND NON-VIOLENT SUICIDE ATTEMPTERS

Many studies have reported involvement of monoamine neurotransmission in suicide through measurement of serotonin and its main metabolite, 5-HIAA, in brain of suicide victims and in CSF of suicide attempters. 23 non-depressed non-psychotic suicide attempters and equal number of controls were selected, and all the subjects were screened on Cornell Medical Index. Suicide attempters were assessed on Risk-Rescue Rating Scale and were divided into non-violent suicide attempters (N= 12) and violent suicide attempters (N= II). CSF of all subjects was collected by lumbar puncture and CSF 5-HIAA was measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electro-chemical detector. Risk-rescue rating score was significantly higher in violent suicide attempters as compared to non-violent suicide attempters. Mean CSF- 5- HIAA was significantly lower in suicide attempters as compared to normal controls. Mean CSF 5-HIAA was significantly lower in violent suicide attempters as compared to non-violent suicide attempters

P 300 EVENT RELATED POTENTIAL IN DEPRESSION

P300 component of the event related potential (ERP) provides one neurophysiological index of cognitive dysfunction in depression. Forty subjects fulfilling DSM-III criteria for depression were compared to 40 age and sex matched normal controls. The P300 was recorded using the auditory odd-ball paradigm. Depressives had a significantly prolonged P300 latency and reduced P300 amplitude as compared to the controls. The P300 latency showed a significant positive correlation with age of the patient and severity of depression while P300 amplitude showed a significant negative correlation with age. The clinical subcategory of depression, duration of illness and sex did not show any relationship with P300 abnormality. Twelve out of 40 depressives (30%) had an abnormal P300. The mean Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) score was significantly high in those with an abnormal P300

LITHIUM IN AFFECTIVE DISORDERS : A SEVEN YEAR OBSERVATION OF LITHIUM CLINIC

Out of 692 patients registered in the lithium clinic, King George's Medical College, Lucknow, 122 patients suffering from affective disorders, receiving lithium for at least 6 months continuously, having had at least 5 serum lithium estimations done and having been evaluated at least once in 6 months while on follow-up, were analysed with a view to study the relapses. About one-third patients suffered no relapse while on lithium. The study revealed that longer the duration of lithium treatment lesser were the frequency, number, intensity and duration of manic/depressive relapses. Majority of patients were maintained on the lower side (0.5-0.8 mEq/L) of the usually recommended therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L) for lithium prophylaxis. Commonly observed side effects include fine tremors, muscular weakness, polyuria, polydipsia and constipation. All the side effects were easily managed and none had a fatal sides-effect. A reappraisal in the light of existing literature of lithium prophylaxis on manic depressive psychosis is done

PSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATIONS OF CYSTECERCOSIS : REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND CASE REPORT

This article describes the report of a case of cerebral cystecercosis, diagnosed only after G. T. head scan, who presented primarily with a picture of an organic psychotic condition. The literature in relation to psychiatric aspects of cystecercosis is reviewed

ECT AND PLATELET 5HT UPTAKE IN MAJOR DEPRESSION

Several studies have reported decreased platelet 5-HT uptake in patients of major depression. The mechanism of antidepressant action of ECT is not clear. The present work was undertaken with the aim to study the active platelet 5-HT uptake and the effect of ECT on it in patients of major depression. 15 patients of major depression (DSM-lll-R) and equal number of age and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Active platelet 5-HT uptake was determined before ECT, after a course of ECT and 7 days after last ECT. Platelet 5-HT uptake was. significantly lower in der essives than normal controls. After ECT treatment there was significant increase in 5-HT uptake which came down to pretreatment level after 1 week of last ECT. The effect of ECT on serotonergic system is discussed

ACTIVE PLATELET 5-HT UPTAKE IN DEPRESSIVES TREATED WITH IMPRAMINE AND ECT

Several studies have reported decreased platelet 5-HT uptake in patients of major depression. The present study was undertaken with the aim to study the active platelet 5-HT uptake in depressed patients and effect of treatment with imipramine/ECT on platelet 5-HT uptake in these patients. 30 patients of major depression and equal number of age and sex-matched controls were included in the study. The depressives received imipramine (N=15) or ECT (N=15). Pretreatment active platelet 5-HT uptake was lower in depressives. Treatment with imipramine resulted in significant decrease in 5-HT uptake while with ECT there was significant increase. The serotonergic mechanisms are discussed

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS IN DEPRESSION: A CLINICAL REPORT

Fifty patients of depression and thirty normal subjects were assessed using clinical rating scales and also for the executive functions by Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The depressed subjects demonstrated poor performance on WCST suggesting cognitive inflexibility and prefrontal dysfunction. More severe illness was associated with greater impairment in the executive functioning. This pattern of result in conjunction with previous studies supported the idea that depressed patients may have fixed frontally based dysfunction and calls for the use of cognitive assessment and rehabilitation in the patients with depression