ABSTRACT
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Cannabis has been implicated as a risk factor for the development of psychosis. There is lacked of literature on the link between risk factors such as brain injury and cannabis use in development of schizophrenia. Method: We reported a case with history of traumatic brain injury, who later developed schizophrenia like symptoms soon after initiation of cannabis uses. Further the symptoms persisted despite abstinence on cannabis but flared up after relapse of cannabis used. Results: Present case helps to understand common neurobiological mechanism behind schizophrenia and risk factors such as TBI and Cannabis abuse. Conclusion: Researches in this area are important for management and further understanding neurobiology of schizophrenia. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 18 (1): January – June 2017: XX XX.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the changes in the insular cortex in alcohol dependent subjects, and to compare the same with controls, the associated clinical findings. The study group consisted of 30 subjects with alcohol dependence syndrome [ADS] selected randomly from the out patient services of the department of psychiatry of a tertiary care hospital. The control group consisted of 30 matched subjects selected randomly from the out patient department and from patients screened for uncomplicated headache. Both groups were examined by a computerized scan [CT], and Mini Mental Status Examination [MMSE]. Chi square, and T test were done after calculating the Evan's ratio. The two groups were compared to assess the cortical atrophy and ventricular enlargement. Cognitive functions were tested by MMSE, and the scores were compared. Atrophy was significantly higher in the experimental group; however, it was not significant. Cognitive functioning was found to be significantly impaired in the experimental group. The study showed that alcohol dependence leads to cortical atrophy which is age independent. The statistically significant disturbance in the MMSE scores along with the frontal and parietal cortical atrophy is also indicative of the insular cortex involvement in the experimentai group. Alcohol dependence leads to cerebral atrophy along with the involvement of the insular cortex