A controlled study of the effect of balanced general anaesthesia on cognitive functions in hypertensives on propranolol.

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of general anaesthesia (GA) on multiple dimensions of cognitive functioning in hypertensives on propranolol therapy (group A) in comparison to a control group (group B). Ten subjects in each group were administered a battery of six psychological cognitive tests pre- and post-intervention under GA. Both groups showed a significant decrement in memory scores on the 4th postoperative day which showed signs of recovery on seventh day (P < 0.05 for both groups). The group A patients were further compromised in one of the intelligence test scores (Standard progressive matrices) from the beginning (P < 0.05). Although this intergroup deficit persisted even on the 7th postoperative day (P < 0.05), no added effects of GA on this parameter was observed in group A (P > 0.05). In conclusion, GA induced transient memory deficit in both groups. This should be kept in mind while considering 'street fitness' following general anaesthesia.

Intellectual functions in childhood malignant disorders.

Our study was designed to compare the intellectual functions in 35 children with lymphoreticular malignancies (ALL or NHL) who had received CNS directed therapy (Group A), with those in 21 patients with solid tumors (Group B). Intellectual assessment was done using the Malin's modification for Indian children of the Wechsler's intelligence scale. Using 5 verbal and performance subscales each, the verbal IQ, performance IQ and full scale IQ were derived. The mean VIQ, PIQ and FIQ were comparable in the two groups with the differences not being statistically significant. However, the dispersion of IQ scores was greater in Group A with a larger number of subjects having scores of < 80. Similarly, the scores obtained in the arithmetic, digit-span, picture completion and block design subscales were lower in Group A. Mean IQ scores were significantly lower in children over the age of 10 years at diagnosis. Sex duration since diagnosis, disease free survival and treatment variables did not affect IQ scores. In conclusion, a cross-sectional evaluation of intellectual functions has revealed only minimal differences in children treated with chemotherapy and CNS directed therapy (ITMTX and RT) in comparison to those treated with chemotherapy alone.

Development of mother-infant attachment scale.

A 15 item mother-infant attachment scale was developed. It is a simple, brief and easy to comprehend even by the illiterate rural woman. The split half reliability was found to be 0.83 and there was high internal consistency. It has high face and construct validity. The babies separated for longer period had shown lesser attachment subsequently, compared to those who had no separation.

Effect of halothane exposure on motor skills & memory in anaesthetists.

In a prospective study involving 24 anaesthesia residents, each resident was assessed three times i.e., first as control group, not exposed to anaesthesia at all; the second group in which the resident was exposed to anaesthesia while using controlled respiration with closed circuit without halothane (non-halothane group) and the third group in which they were exposed to anaesthesia using spontaneous respiration with semiclosed circuit using halothane (halothane group). After each exposure of 3-4 h duration in each group, the resident was subjected to specific psychological tests to assess motor skills and memory. In the non-halothane group, a depression of motor skills by 5.51 per cent and of memory by 17.14 per cent was observed. In the halothane group, the reduction of motor skills was up to 27 per cent and of memory by 45 per cent as compared to the control values. It is concluded that 3-4 h exposure to halothane (1.5-4%) obtunds the motor skills and memory in anaesthetists.