Distinctive visual tasks for characterizing mild cognitive impairment and dementia using oculomotor behavior.

Introduction: One's eye movement (in response to visual tasks) provides a unique window into the cognitive processes and higher-order cognitive functions that become adversely affected in cases with cognitive decline, such as those mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. MCI is a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia.

Methods: In the current work, we have focused on identifying visual tasks (such as horizontal and vertical Pro-saccade, Anti-saccade and Memory Guided Fixation tasks) that can differentiate individuals with MCI and dementia from their cognitively unimpaired healthy aging counterparts based on oculomotor Performance indices.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation upon attention and visuoperceptual function in Lewy body dementia: a preliminary study.

Background: Individuals with Lewy body dementia (LBD) typically exhibit impairments in attentional and executive function. Current pharmacological treatments have limited efficacy, with associated side effects. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may represent an alternative treatment, as cognitive improvements have been demonstrated in healthy individuals.

A comparative study of caregivers' perceptions of health-care needs and burden of patients with bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia.

Background: Although many studies in schizophrenia have evaluated health-care needs, there is a lack of data on the needs of patients with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD), with only occasional studies evaluating them, and no study has evaluated the relationship of health-care needs of patients with caregiver's burden.

Aim: To study the relationship of caregiver's burden and needs of patients as perceived by caregivers of patients with BPAD and schizophrenia.

Method: Caregivers of patients with BPAD and schizophrenia were assessed using the Camberwell Assessment of Needs - Research version (CAN-R) and Supplementary Needs Assessment Scale (SNAS), the Family Burden Interview schedule (FBI) and the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ).

Clinicians' versus caregivers' ratings of burden in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Background: Only a few studies have evaluated the similarities and differences between clinicians' and caregivers' rating of burden of caring for a person with chronic mental illness.

Aim: To compare clinician-rated and caregiver-rated burden in a population of patients with either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, using two different scales to measure caregiver burden.

Methodology: Caregivers of patients with schizophrenia (n = 65) or bipolar disorder (n = 57) completed the Hindi version of the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (Hindi-IEQ) by themselves.

Prevalence and pattern of sexual dysfunction in married females receiving antidepressants: An exploratory study.

Objective: To study the prevalence and patterns of sexual dysfunctions in female patients receiving antidepressants.

Materials And Methods: Eighty married female patients with a diagnosis of depressive disorder, currently in remission, and receiving a single antidepressant at least for 3 months, were assessed for sexual dysfunction on female sexual function index (FSFI) scale.

Results: Thirty four patients (42.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia in India.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) was estimated in 227 patients with schizophrenia. A total of 43.6% of patients fulfilled International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and 44.

Treatment resistant non-catatonic mutism in schizophrenia responding to a combination of continuation electroconvulsive therapy and neuroleptics.

Non-catatonic mutism in schizophrenia has been described less frequently in literature. We describe the case of a young male who presented with non-catatonic mutism, secondary to first rank symptoms, which was refractory to adequate antipsychotic trials (quetiapine, risperidone, aripiprazole, ziprasidone, and trifluperazine) and responded to a combination of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and neuroleptics partially. However, when the ECT was continued in the continuation phase, the patient started speaking.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in bipolar disorder: an exploratory study from North India.

Purpose: To study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with bipolar disorder.

Material And Method: By using purposive random sampling 200 patients with bipolar disorder receiving treatment were evaluated for presence of metabolic syndrome using International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP-III) criteria.

Results: Eighty patients fulfilled IDF criteria and 82 patients met NCEP ATP-III criteria for metabolic syndrome.

Perceived burden and quality of life of caregivers in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Aim: The study aimed to examine the family burden and quality of life (QOL) of caregivers of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of 50 patients with OCD and their caregivers was carried out. The severity of OCD was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale.

Phenomenology and treatment of Catatonia: A descriptive study from north India.

Background: Studies on clinical features of catatonia in the Indian population are few in number.

Aim: To study the phenomenology, clinical profile and treatment response of subjects admitted to the psychiatry inpatient with catatonia.

Materials And Methods: Detailed treatment records of all the inpatients were scanned for the period January 2004 to December 2008.

Angioneurotic edema with risperidone: a case report and review of literature.

Angioedema is characterised by oedema of the deep dermal and subcutaneous tissues and is reported as a rare adverse cutaneous reaction with risperidone, clozapine, ziprasidone, droperidol and chlorpromazine. Here we report a case of angioedema with risperidone. A 15-year-old boy diagnosed with schizophrenia was started on risperidone 1 mg/day, which was increased to 2 mg/day after 2 weeks.

Indian research: Focus on clozapine.

Clozapine has been used in the treatment of schizophrenia for about two decades and extensive data have been accumulated with regard to its use in various parts of the world. However, in contrast to Western countries, there are few studies which have evaluated the usefulness of clozapine in Indian patients. This article attempts to review the available data on clozapine originating from India.

Effectiveness of clozapine: A study from North India.

Background: There are few studies from India which have evaluated the usefulness and tolerability of clozapine from India.

Aim: To study the sociodemographic profile, clinical profile, comorbidity, side effects and outcome of subjects treated with clozapine.

Methods And Material: For this study, the inpatient register was screened to obtain data of all patients admitted to the psychiatric inpatient unit during January 2000 to December 2006 and who were either started or continued on clozapine.

An overview of Indian research in depression.

Depression as a disorder has always been a focus of attention of researchers in India. Over the last 50-60 years, large number of studies has been published from India addressing various aspects of this commonly prevalent disorder. The various aspects studied included epidemiology, demographic and psychosocial risk factor, neurobiology, symptomatology, comorbidity, assessment and diagnosis, impact of depression, treatment related issues and prevention of depression in addition to the efficacy and tolerability of various antidepressants.

Long-term outcome of in-patients with substance use disorders: A study from North India.

Background: Research into substance use disorders (SUD) has been unable to unequivocally demonstrate effectiveness of treatment modalities.

Aims: The aim of the study was to study the long-term outcome after in-patient treatment in a cohort of patients admitted for SUD in a deaddiction unit of a hospital in North India.

Materials And Methods: The case notes of all in-patients with a primary diagnosis of alcohol and/or opioid dependence syndrome (F10.

Early intervention in schizophrenia.

Early intervention (EI) programs in schizophrenia and other psychoses are aimed at early detection (ED) of the disease; prevent conversion to manifested psychosis and phase-specific treatment to reduce development of chronic disabilities. EI strategies include targeting people at "high risk" for developing schizophrenia, intervening in prodromal phase of schizophrenia, and reducing the "duration of untreated psychosis" (DUP). Services are delivered by a specialized team and are usually resource intensive.