Article topic: Substance/Medication- Induced Bipolar Disorder (BPD) Author: Nadine Absy Scientific editor: Dr. Ahda Jbara Linguistic editor: Aroob Awwad.   Overview  Substance/medication- induced mental disorders encompass depressive, anxiety-related, psychotic and manic symptoms that result from the usage or abuse of certain medications and/or substances. These symptoms may occur during active use, intoxication or even withdrawal (1).   Etiology and Pathophysiology Depressive episodes are precipitated by heavy alcohol abuse in almost half of the cases of substance-induced mood disorders (2). Substances that follow alcohol in frequency are cocaine and opioids, particularly heroin. Iatrogenic substances such as anticonvulsants, digoxin, interferon (INF) and corticosteroids […]

Article topic: Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) Author name: Nadine Absy Keywords: Neuromyelitis optica, Aquaporin 4, antibody, Devic’s disease   Overview : Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare but serious inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. It is characterized by its classical clinical presentation of myelitis (inflammation of the long segments of the spinal cords) and optic neuritis (often severe and bilateral). The disease may also present with brainstem syndromes, including but not limited to, area postrema syndrome in which patients suffer from episodes of intractable nausea, vomiting and hiccups. (1) Previously, the disease was referred […]