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The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between psychopathological dimensions in recent-onset neuroleptic-naive schizophrenic patients and EEG alpha coherence in the resting state. 37 neuroleptic-naive recent-onset schizophrenic patients were assessed on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, and psychopathological dimension scores on reality distortion, psychomotor poverty and disorganization were calculated. EEG alpha coherence was computed across 14 intra-hemispheric and 8 interhemispheric electrode pairs in the resting eyes closed and eyes open conditions. The relationship between the psychopathological dimension scores and coherence values was assessed using Pearson's product moment correlation with Bonferroni correction for levels of significance. Significant associations between higher psychomotor poverty scores and lower inter-hemispheric coherence values were found across the central and parietal regions in the eyes closed condition and across central regions in the eyes open condition. Reality distortion and disorganization dimensions were not significantly correlated with intra- or inter-hemispheric coherences in both eyes closed and eyes open conditions. However there was a trend for an inverse correlation between disorganization dimension and intra-hemispheric coherence across left frontal, left temporo-parietal and right parieto-occipital regions in the eyes open condition. These findings suggest a possible differential pattern in the extent of brain involvement across the three psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia in neurolepticnaive patients with recent-onset illness.

Plasma homovanillic acid (pHVA) levels were estimated in 20 cases of schizophreniform disorder, 14 cases of schizophrenia 'on medication' and 17 cases of schizophrenia 'off medication'. A bimodal distribution of pHVA was seen in schizophreniform disorder subjects, suggesting heterogenous groups in terms of dopaminergic function. No significant difference in the pHVA values was seen in the 3 groups, nor was there a relationship between the severity of the illness and the pHVA values; these results suggest plasticity of the dopaminergic system to neuroleptics.

SUMMMARY Little work is available on the acute and time-dependant dopaminergic effects of single electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and multiple ECS despite the posited clinical utility of such schedules of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) administration and the posited role of dopaminergic mechanisms in iieuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, using the apomorphine-induced motility-alteration behavioural paradigm, single session multiple ECS was found to produce no significant effect while single ECS behaviourally downregulated dopamine postsynaptic receptor functioning one week after the ECS, which effect was also seen (albeit to a lesser extent) a further week later. These findings indicate a possible application of restricted schedules of ECT to dopamine postsynaptic receptor supersensitivity syndromes. Lines for future research are suggested.

SUMMMARY Conventional neurochemical animal models of tardive dyskinesia are based upon the production of dopamine postsynaptic receptor supersensitivity by the chronic administration of neuroleptics. This study demonstrates that the same result is obtained by injecting Sprague-Dawley rats with a single (‘high’) dose of ipomorphine. It is hence suggested that apomorphine-induced time-dependant potentiation of dopaminepostsynaptic receptor response may be a more convenient neurochemical animal model of tardive dyskinesia; related theoretical and practical issues are discussed briefly, as also he methodological differences between the present study and an earlier report.

SUMMARY In depression, the identification of predictors of fast response is necessary to improve patient selection for ECT. In a double-blind, prospective study of 32 endogenously depressed patients treated with ECT, we attempted to identify the clinical characteristics of ECT responders which predicted fast (requiring ≤ 5 treatments to produce maximum recovery) and slow (requiring ≥ 6 treatments to produce maximum recovery) response to ECT. Of the 22 ECT responders in the study, 13 were fast and 9 were slow responders. We found that male sex, and greater age associated with lesser initial severity of depression were significantly associated with fast recovery. Surprisingly, factors suggested or expected to predict good outcome with ECT failed to predict fast outcome. Finally, the treatment variables of mean seizure duration and stimulus waveform were found to be unrelated to recovery rate. The findings are briefly discussed.

The relationship of intracellular Na+ K+ Li+ to their extracellular concentrations had been studied on 22 cases bipolar affective disorders who had been on prophylactic lithium. 6 of these cases were nonresponders who were admitted repeatedly despite a therapeutic serum lithium values of 0.8-1.1 m moi/L. Parameters measured were Plasma lithium (Lp), Erythrocyte Lithium (Le), Plasma potassium (Kp), Erythrocyte potassium, Ke) Plasma sodium (Nae). Eli had been calculated by using Nerst's equation. Significant correlations have been obtained for dosage and Lp, Lp and Le, and Lp and Le/Lp. There were no significant difference between the responders and non-responders as regards to values of Le, Lp, Nap, Nae, Kp and Ke.

SUMMARY A patient having two schizophrenic brothers developed simple writer's cramp at the age of 20 years. Three years later she developed irregular and unusual movements which was diagnosed and treated as hysteria until she had contractures in the right hand. EMG studies revealed abnormalities suggestive of torsion dystonia. The association of schizophrenia in the first degree relatives and the differential responses to haloperidol in this case of torsion dystonia has been discussed.

SUMMARY Alcoholics could present with various degrees of deterioration of cognitive functioning. The subclinical psychological deterioration had been one of the least recognized entities. This condition could be reversed or atleast arrested with treatment. The application of the term alcoholic dementia happened to be a misnomer for the clinical entity. A case of subclinical psychological deterioration that improved with treatment has been described here.

SUMMARY In a double-blind, prospective study, 29 patients with endogenous depression were treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The degree of attenuation in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores after the first ECT was compared between ECT responders and non-responders at the end of the treatment course; a significant difference was obtained, indicating higher initial response in ECT responders. It is therefore suggested that response to a single trial ECT may form the basis for prediction of response of endogenous depression to a course of ECT. An operationalization of this concept is proposed, its sensitivity and specificity calculated, and its implications discussed.

SUMMARY Catatonia is oily a clinical diagnosis with a variety of possible aetiological conditions. Among the many neuropsychiatric disorders in renal failure, catatonia is one which has not been established well. The authors report two cases in which despite strong evidence for primary psychiatric disorder, on investigation the catatonic state was found to be associated with ureaemic encephalopathy.

SUMMARY A case of central anticholinergic syndrome due to overdosage of trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride presenting as septal akinetic mutism with unequally dilated pupils is discussed in reference to similar presentation in animals and possible clinical application.