Electricity can improve memory!

Now that we know that no drugs can improve memory, researchers have been looking at more exotic methods to stimulate the brain. Recently scientists from the famed British University, Oxford, revealed that tiny electrical current to the brain could make one better at learning maths. They observed that when the parietal lobe of the brain was shocked, the ability of volunteers to solve mathematical problems improved. They suggest that perhaps this technique may help people who struggle with numbers (dyscalculia).

There are many people who have trouble with basic numbers, and this affects their ability to perform even the most basic maths and managing money. Some neuroscientists speculate that perhaps certain chemicals within the parietal lobe play a crucial role in memory.

Previous studies have shown that when magnetic field is applied to certain parts of the brain, it can disrupt electrical activity and lead to temporary difficulties in solving math problems. Therefore, these investigators applied electrical current to stimulate the parietal lobe in a small number of students. The electrical current was minor and had no untoward effects on other brain function. As the current was employed, the students performed much better at mathematical problems than those who were given no electrical current. In addition, the direct of the current was also very important. When the current was given in the wrong direction, their ability to solve problems declined drastically.

The study also revealed that the positive benefits were long lasting and persisted beyond 6 months. 

Dr Cohen Kadosh, lead investigator said, "We are not advising people to go around giving themselves electric shocks, but we are extremely excited by the potential of our findings and are now looking into the underlying brain changes. We have shown before that we can induce dyscalculia, and now it seems we might be able to make someone better at maths, so we really want to see if we can help people with dyscalculia. Electrical stimulation is unlikely to turn you into the next Einstein, but if we're lucky it might be able to help some people to cope better with maths."

This study is very intriguing and may perhaps open the door to the treatment of other mental and neurological disorders like addiction or memory loss following a stroke.

Said Dr Chambers of Cardiff University, "This is still an exciting new piece of research, but if we don't know how selective the effects of brain stimulation are then we don't know what other brain systems could also be affected, either positively or negatively."

Final point: While the study is exciting, one should note that electrical therapy (ECT) has been used to treat depression for several decades. So before you start lining up for electrical therapy, remember that even though the current in ECT therapy is slightly high, the majority of people have one major side effect- memory loss, which is sometimes permanent. Until further studies are done on this type of therapy, people who cannot count their money are better off asking others to shop for them.

The urge to steal- kleptomania: Part 2

Like all things in mental health, the cause of kleptomania remains a puzzle. It is believed to be to an abnormality in one the brain neurotransmitters called serotonin. Kleptomania is rare but the actual numbers of people affected remain unknown. Less than 5% of people caught for shoplifting are kleptomaniacs. The disorder usually starts in early childhood and peaks in the 2^nd decade of life. Risk factors for kleptomania include head trauma, life stress, having a family member with a mental health disorder (mood disorder, addiction or impulsivity). Doctors use the criteria stated in DSM to make a diagnosis of kleptomania. If kleptomania is untreated, it usually leads to legal, financial and emotional problems. Most kleptomaniacs know that stealing is wrong but are powerless to resist the urge to steal. Many of them are left with residual feelings of remorse, disgrace, embarrassment and self-loathing. Often kleptomania is associated with other disorders like alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, compulsive gambling, social isolation, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Kleptomania is difficult to overcome with self-treatment at home. There are no standard treatments for the disorder and doctors use a combination of medications and psychotherapy to help overcome the impulse to steal. Even though medications like anti depressants and mood stabilizers are used, there is no clinical evidence that these medications help overcome kleptomania. Moreover, the same medication does not work in all individuals. Most of the medications relieve stress, cause generalized sedation and diminish the urge to steal. The major thrust of treatment is psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been used to identify unhealthy negative behaviors and replace them with healthy positive attitudes. CBT can gradually help people overcome kleptomania, but the treatment is long term and expensive.

To prevent relapse, individuals are urged to develop a support system. This may means educating one's self about the disorder, adopting healthy attitudes, learning to relax and remaining focused. Since the cause of kleptomania is unknown, it is difficult to prevent it. The best way to treat it is to seek help early. Overall, the prognosis of kleptomania depends on the severity of the condition. Those in the early stages can overcome the disorder but those with a long history often end up in legal and financial problems.

The urge to steal- kleptomania: Part 1

Kleptomania is the overwhelming urge to steal items that one really does not need or have little value. Kleptomania is a serious social problem as it can create havoc in a person’s life if it is not treated early. The impulse to steal is very strong and people have no control over it. Unfortunately, because of the taboo associated with the diagnosis of “thief” most people with this disorder remain silent and never seek therapy. Most people only seek treatment when they are caught and in legal difficulties. 

The symptoms of kleptomania may include1) an irresistible urge to steal items not needed 2) a heightened stress just prior to the steeling 3) feeling delight to fulfillment while stealing and 4) feeling intense guilt or disgrace after the theft.

What must be understood is that unlike the typical shoplifter, kleptomaniacs do not steal for personal gain nor do they commit the theft as a means of revenge. The stealing is done because of the intense urge that is beyond control. Until they steal, these individuals feel anxious, tensed, and extremely hypersensitive. To resolve these feelings they steal.

Kleptomania occurs spontaneously and is rarely a planned event. Sometimes a simple argument may trigger an episode of kleptomania. Kleptomaniacs may steal from public places, from friends and family or from work. Men tend to steal “hard” items whereas many women steal jewelry, undergarments or private letters. In many cases, the same items are repeatedly stolen and there may be an ingredient of fetishism.

Schizoaffective Disorder: Part 2

Like most psychiatric disorders, diagnosis is based on clinical features. Most physicians will also perform laboratory tests to ensure that the effects are not due to illicit drugs or any other medical disorder like HIV, temporal lobe epilepsy, hypothyroidism or prolonged steroid usage.

Individuals with schizoaffective disorder usually require both medications and psychotherapy. Both anti psychotics and mood stabilizing drugs are used to treat these individuals. Psychotherapy can help diminish distorted or negative thoughts, improve social skills and boost self-confidence. Family or group therapy has been found to be more effective in helping people deal with real life issues. Family group therapies also provide a decrease in social isolation and helps maintain a check on the psychotic episodes.

The overall prognosis for patients with schizoaffective disorder is better than those with schizophrenia but treatment is life long. Unfortunately, most people tend to develop severe depression or mania and eventually become non-complaint with therapy. Many end up with legal problems and remain confined to psychiatric facilities.

Schizoaffective Disorder: Part 1

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder where an individual experiences a mixture of schizophrenia symptoms (hallucinations, paranoia or delusions) and of mood disorder symptoms (mania or depression).

The majority of individuals with schizoaffective disorder are loners and have difficulty holding jobs or attending school. Most end up living in a group homes or in a psychiatric facility. The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are variable and range from paranoia, delusions, strange perceptions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and paranoid thoughts — as well as a mood disturbance, such as depressed or manic mood. Other features may include bizarre thoughts like suicide or homicide, deficits in attention and memory, lack of concern for hygiene, change in appetite and profound sleep disturbances. These individuals are very antisocial and are usually shunned by people around them.  Most of these individuals are simply not able to function in society because the variety of symptoms which can be quite intense.

In many cases, the psychotic features and mood disturbances may appear in the same setting or may cycle on regular intervals. The major problem with schizoaffective individuals is that they rarely seek treatment on their own; most are brought to medical attention by concerned family members or law enforcement.

The cause of schizoaffective disorder is not known but believed to be due to an imbalance of certain brain neurotransmitters. Some experts speculate that exposure to chemicals during pregnancy or a viral illness may be responsible for the illness.