[Others physical methods in psychiatric treatment based on electromagnetic stimulation].

In the last decades a few new physical methods based on the electromagnetic head stimulation were subjected to the clinical research. To them belong:--vagus nerve stimulation (VNS),--magnetic seizure therapy/magnetoconvulsive therapy (MST/MCT),--deep stimulation of the brain (DBS) and--transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The paper presents a description of mentioned techniques (nature, advantages, defects, restrictions), which were compared to the applied electroconvulsive treatment ECT, earlier described transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS and the pharmacotherapy (the basis of the psychiatric treatment).

[Transcranial magnetic stimulation in psychiatric therapy].

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is one of new techniques of the physical treatment in psychiatry. Its advantage is painlessness, so as lack of invasiveness and evoking a convulsive effect. The technique of TMS was introduced into the clinical practice in 1985--originally as a diagnostic method in neurology.

Application of fatty acid and lipid measurements in neuropsychiatry.

The importance of lipids in the understanding of disease states is constantly increasing. Whilst the link between metabolic disorders and lipids seems to be clear, interpreting lipid regulation in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders is a new approach. Mental disorders account for almost 15% of the total global disease burden with Alzheimer's disease, depression or schizophrenia being amongst the most widespread mental disorders in the general population.

[Contemporary place of the electroconvulsive therapy. Part 2. Clinical aspect].

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an important method of biological treatment in serious psychic disturbances. Similarly to drug therapy it is marked by a determined schematics of applying including the list of indications, contraindications, procedures of the performance, as well as the list of adverse invents. Applying defined schemas allows for minimizing the risk and influences the final effectiveness of therapy.

[Biomarkers of Alzheimer disease].

Cognitive impairment is one of the most abundant age-related psychiatric disorders. The outcome of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease has both individual (the patients and their families) and socio-economic effects. The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease doubles after the age of 65 years, every 4.

[Contemporary place of the electroconvulsive therapy Part 1. The historical context arnd the biological basis].

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a former physical therapy method in psychiatry which is applicable up till today in relation to its high effectiveness and the safety. Centuries of applying nonconvulsive methods of the electric stimulation preceded introducing this method into the clinical practice. ECT is arousing a lot of controversies; populous myths are connected with its applying--that demands explanations.

[The influence of long-term care on the health of caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients].

The literature indicates that caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease experience a significant degree of burden that impacts on their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). AD caregivers experience significant changes in a social, family and professional life depending on diverse factors. Caring for a patient with dementia directly links to significant psychological stress.

[Usefulness of proton MR spectroscopy for determining diagnosis and treatment outcome in unipolar depressive disorder].

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of proton MR spectroscopy for determining the biochemical abnormalities in acute episode of depression and after regression of the disease in course of unipolar depressive disorder.

Material And Methods: Forty one patients (age 18-55 years) with known unipolar depressive disorder (a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale of 16 or greater) were evaluated by the means of HMRS during acute episode of depression and after positive therapeutic response (at least 50% reduced Hamilton score for at least 4 consecutive weeks). All patients underwent single-volume 1H MRS (TR=1500 ms, TE=35 ms) using a 1.