One-step conversion of urea to tertiary amines
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
N Sachinvala
Publications and source records attributed to N Sachinvala.
Cognitive, mood, and functional evaluations using touchscreen technology.
We describe the design and development of the Cognitive Evaluation Protocol (CEP), a computer software program for evaluating cognitive and functional capacities and mood. The program is self-administered by subjects using touchscreen monitors for input. Stimuli in CEP subtests are randomized to reduce the effects of learning on repeated assessments. Findings demonstrate that a) minimum instruction is required for touchscreen use, even for computer-naive subjects; c) both normative subjects and psychiatric patients respond positively to self-administered evaluations; and c) CEP can be used for within-subject repeated evaluations with minimal distortion of results due to practice effects. The CEP Report Generator provides immediate printed performance results and creates a database for long-term digital storage and information use.
Affect↗
Memory, attention, function, and mood among patients with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.
We report a study of memory, attention, function, and mood among 36 male Vietnam War Veterans suffering from chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD subjects (N = 36) were in good physical health, suffering from moderate depression, and not knowingly suffering from other mental disorders. Control subjects (N = 18) were in good physical health, not knowingly suffering from a mental disorder, and matched with PTSD subject for age, sex, and level of education. Assessment instruments for PTSD subjects included the PostTraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (clinician administered), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (clinician administered), and the Cognitive Evaluation Protocol (CEP), a touchscreen computer assessment instrument that is self-administered by subjects. CEP was administered twice to PTSD subjects 1 month apart; other instruments were administered at the beginning of the study. Control subjects took CEP once and were administered the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the PostTraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale once. Compared with control subjects, PTSD subjects performed significantly less well on CEP for the three cognitive domains of attention, memory, and function and had highly elevated depression scores. An interaction between depression and memory was found but not with depression and attention. There was no evidence of reduced information processing speed among PTSD subjects. Comparisons between the three assessment instruments showed a high degree of cross-assessment agreement. The findings are consistent with reports that chronic PTSD is associated with compromised memory, attention, and function. The study documents the feasibility of using self-administrated touchscreen computer programs to evaluate and track features of mental disorders.
Affect↗
Increased regional cerebral perfusion by 99mTc hexamethyl propylene amine oxime single photon emission computed tomography in post-traumatic stress disorder.
OBJECTIVE: Because of the treatment resistance and chronic affective lability of many post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients and the hypothesized association of these behaviors with temporal and limbic structures, a study was conducted to determine whether these patients would exhibit alterations in regional cerebral perfusion in the temporal and limbic regions compared with age-matched normal volunteers at rest. METHOD: We studied 17 patients using 99mTc hexamethyl propylene amine oxime single photon emission computed tomography. Seven of the patients were on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, five were on a tricyclic antidepressant, and five were on no medication at the time of the study. Patients were compared with eight age-matched normal controls. RESULTS: All PTSD patients showed a relative increase in regional cerebral perfusion in the anterior and posterior cingulate regions bilaterally, the right temporal and parietal regions, the right caudate/putamen region, and the left orbital and hippocampal regions compared with the control group. When the group of PTSD patients who were free of medication were compared with the control group, increased regional cerebral perfusion was found in the right and left caudate/putamen regions and the right orbital and anterior cingulate cortex bilaterally. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD is associated with increased regional blood flow in limbic areas and the right temporal and parietal cortex compared with age-matched normal volunteers.
Adult↗