Sodium valproate is among the newer mood stabilizers and is also an anticonvulsant.To assess the effect of intravenous sodium valproate in patients with acute manic episodes of bipolar disorder.A 1-week open trial was conducted in the year 2004-2005 at the emergency ward of the Psychiatric Centre, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, in which 30 patients participated.Substantial improvement was seen. No major side-effects were noted except marginal elevation of the SGOT and SGPT. The findings suggest that injectable sodium valproate is a safe and effective mood stabilizer for patients with mania.
Genetic mapping refers to the determination of distance and order of genes/QTL on the chromosome. The conventional linkage analysis has been used to this purpose leading to publication of first genetic map of 6 sexlinked genes on a fruit fly chromosome. In plants, genetic linkage maps have been developed for major gene controlling the qualitative traits in several crops. However, the possibility of locating the QTL controlling the quantitative traits has also been investigated earlier using morphological traits as genetic markers. However, the advent of molecular markers has sped up the development of dense molecular maps and QTL analysis in crop plants. This led to the identification of QTL for desirable traits of agronomic importance. In this chapter, we discussed the basic principles of molecular genetic mapping and QTL analysis in plants.
Background: Sex disparities in schizophrenia especially in negative symptoms may be related to the action of sex steroid hormones. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze relationship of serum testosterone levels with respect to clinical psychopathology laying emphasis on negative symptoms in male patients with schizophrenia. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of two hundred male schizophrenia patients and fifty- age matched healthy individuals. Sociodemographic data and history of illness were noted in semi-structured proforma. Clinical psychopathology was assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Drug Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS) and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) were also used to exclude the effects of extrapyramidal symptoms and depression. Serum testosterone level was measured by chemiluminescence method. Data were analyzed by chi square test (x2) and z-test. Pearson's correlation analysis was used for association of testosterone level with PANSS sub-scale scores. Results: Mean testosterone level was significantly lower in schizophrenia patients (381.90±158.29; p ˭ 0.001) as compared to healthy subjects (520.51±145.94). A significant inverse association was detected between PANSS negative sub scale scores and testosterone levels (r ˭ -0.211, p ˭ 0.034). There was no correlation with other PANSS sub scale items (i.e., positive symptoms, general psychopathology and total scores), age of onset and disease duration. Conclusion: The present study indicates that lower level of testosterone may have a role in presentation of negative symptoms in schizophrenia, and the pathophysiological processes of disease affected the testosterone levels. Therefore, clinicians are advised to monitor levels of testosterone in patients with predominant negative symptoms of schizophrenia and enquire about sexual dysfunction and infertility. Lower level of sex steroids is a point of concern as these patients are at high risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular co-morbidities. In near future therapeutic strategies targeting testosterone could be useful in ameliorating the negative symptoms of disease.
Background: Both depression and obesity are widespread problems with major public health implications. Depression and obesity are both associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and with marked impairments in the quality of life. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the CVD risk and cardiovascular risk factors among depressed obese individuals. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients of depression whose body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2 and diagnosed with ICD-10 criteria of depression were selected as study group and 30 healthy obese of BMI >30 kg/m2 without depression were selected as the control group for the study. The participants were divided into two groups: obese patients with depression and healthy obese individuals without depression. Fasting venous blood sample was collected under aseptic condition to estimate fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and high - density lipoprotein cholesterol. Using standard mercury manometer at least two readings at 5 - min intervals, were taken to measure the blood pressure (BP) in the supine position. Both the groups were subjected to specially designed pro forma which included personal and sociodemographic details and Framingham risk assessment tool for assessing cardiovascular risk. The cardiovascular risk was assessed and compared using Framingham risk score assessment tool. Results and Conclusion: Mean age of depressed obese was 46.44 ± 10.44 years and healthy obese had 47.33 ± 10.53. Mean BMI of study group was 32.82 ± 2.53 and healthy obese had 31.76 ± 1.66. BMI was significantly associated with depression. Presence of depression in obese patients increases the chances of CVD risk. Presence of smoking, hypertension, and high cholesterol in patients with depression, increase the risk of CVD, which can be modified by healthy diet, regular exercise, and BP management with periodic blood investigation and regular medication.
Shared paranoid disorders, a relatively rare psychiatric disorder in which paranoid delusions are transferred from one individual to one or more other susceptible person(s) in close association. Folie a deux is characterized by a complex dependent relationship between the involved individuals, yet a challenging diagnosis. In the paradigm of changing nosology, where the term shared/induced psychotic disorder is going obsolete, it is important to recognize such cases due to the potential for recovery in the submissive partner. Here, we present a case report and discussion of folie a deux involving inducer mother and induced daughter. In the clinical case presented, folie a deux was easily diagnosed, but its treatment proved to be a bigger challenge.
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