Sudeep Chawla

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into psychiatric practice has accelerated rapidly, driven by advances in computational methods and the availability of diverse data sources. The present paper examines contemporary AI applications across diagnostic support, predictive analytics, therapeutic interventions, digital phenotyping, telepsychiatry integration, and ethical, legal, and social considerations. Foundations in machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing are delineated alongside relevant data modalities, including structured clinical records, unstructured clinical notes, and multimodal signals. The roles of AI in symptom detection, neuroimaging pattern recognition, biomarker discovery, and differential diagnosis are evaluated. Predictive models for suicide risk, relapse, and treatment response are reviewed, with attention to personalization algorithms. Therapeutic tools, such as conversational agents, virtual reality, and gamified mobile applications, are discussed. Passive monitoring techniques, telepsychiatry workflows, and clinician dashboards are described. Ethical challenges, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and regulatory frameworks, are considered. Implementation barriers and adoption factors are analyzed. Emerging trends, such as federated learning, multimodal fusion, explainable AI, and applications in low-resource settings, are explored. Implications for patient outcomes, health systems, and policy are synthesized, concluding with recommendations for future research and practice.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are defined by their high levels of refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, artificial additives, and preservatives. These foods contribute to biological aging through mechanisms such as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in insulin signaling are key factors in the development of aging-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Specifically, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and epigenetic modifications significantly contribute to the acceleration of aging by disrupting cellular function, promoting tissue damage, and driving disease development. UPF consumption is linked to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, obstetric and gynecological conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, and a range of adverse effects on various body systems. Reducing UPF intake and encouraging healthier dietary patterns are crucial for mitigating the impact of UPFs on aging and related health conditions. For individuals unable to transition to whole food-based diets, pharmaceutical and medical interventions offer alternatives to reduce UPF-related biological aging. A combined approach of pharmacologic therapies and dietary adjustments may optimize outcomes, with ongoing research into novel treatments further enhancing strategies to counteract aging effects. This review examines the impact of UPFs on accelerating biological aging, the mechanisms by which they contribute to aging and associated health conditions, and potential interventions to mitigate their effects.

The review discusses the risks posed by conventional medical imaging methods, including radiation exposure, allergic reactions, and environmental contamination. It explores recent innovations, such as advanced modalities like photon-counting computed tomography (CT) scanners and ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, which provide high-resolution images with reduced radiation doses. Artificial intelligence (AI) further enhances the field by automating tasks, improving image analysis, and personalizing protocols, including real-time and predictive monitoring. Non-invasive techniques, such as elastography and photoacoustic imaging, are highlighted for minimizing reliance on ionizing radiation. AI-driven strategies also address environmental concerns through the use of biodegradable contrast agents and energy-efficient technologies. Economic assessments reveal the cost-effectiveness of imaging technologies and their impact on healthcare budgets while acknowledging persistent disparities in access. The review examines contrast agents and radiation: their long-term and broad-ranging adverse health impacts and how new imaging techniques aim to eliminate or mitigate these effects. It also considers how advancements in AI improve diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency. Also, the integration of imaging with genomics and telemedicine is discussed, alongside efforts to address economic and accessibility challenges and promote sustainable practices. Imaging technology and AI innovations are transforming diagnostic practices and addressing existing challenges, with ongoing innovation and collaboration essential for optimizing benefits for patients, medical staff, and the environment.

Detox diets, including intermittent fasting, ketogenic, Paleo, vegetarian, Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Whole30, are notable strategies for managing obesity and metabolic syndrome. This review evaluates these diets, highlighting their benefits and limitations. Intermittent fasting methods like 16/8 and 5:2 aid weight management and improve insulin sensitivity, while ketogenic diets induce rapid weight loss and enhance metabolic markers through ketosis. The Paleo diet supports weight loss and better blood glucose control by focusing on whole foods and avoiding processed items. Vegetarian and Mediterranean diets also aid weight management and metabolic health, with the former improving blood sugar control through high fiber and the latter offering anti-inflammatory benefits from healthy fats. The DASH diet reduces blood pressure and supports weight loss, and the Whole30 diet promotes weight loss and reduces inflammation by eliminating processed foods. Anti-inflammatory, plant-based, and vegan diets contribute to weight loss and metabolic health through high nutrient density and reduced processed food intake. Detox diets may offer temporary weight loss and metabolic benefits, but their restrictive nature often limits long-term sustainability and clinical feasibility. Effective use requires careful individualization and ongoing monitoring. Further research is needed to assess their long-term effects, safety, and impact on diverse populations. Advances in personalized nutrition could improve their effectiveness in managing obesity and metabolic syndrome. While promising, these diets require careful management to maximize benefits and minimize risks.

Late-onset psychiatric conditions, which emerge or are first diagnosed in older adulthood, present unique challenges. This review examines their prevalence, risk factors, and clinical presentations, providing a comprehensive overview of their impact on older adults. Late-onset psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder (MDD), are increasingly recognized as significant health concerns among older adults. Epidemiological trends show a rising incidence, influenced by an aging population and demographic changes. Variability in prevalence rates due to gender differences and aging-related factors highlights the need for tailored research and clinical approaches. Risk factors include genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors. Genetic research emphasizes hereditary components, while environmental and lifestyle influences, such as stress and social isolation, add complexity to the clinical picture. Comorbidities, common in older adults, further complicate diagnosis and treatment. Clinical presentations of late-onset psychiatric conditions often differ from early-onset forms, with symptoms that may overlap with age-related changes, making diagnosis challenging. Accurate evaluation is necessary to distinguish these conditions from cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders. Managing and treating these conditions effectively requires a comprehensive, individualized approach integrating pharmacological interventions, psychotherapy, and behavioral therapies tailored to older adults. Pharmacological treatment should consider changes in drug metabolism, sensitivity with age, and the risks of polypharmacy. Essential psychotherapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT), with integrated care involving multidisciplinary teams to address both psychiatric and physical health. Neurologists and geriatricians are crucial in managing neurological manifestations and overall geriatric care. Addressing late-onset psychiatric conditions is critical given the growing old adult population. The rising prevalence emphasizes the need for ongoing research and innovation, focusing on early detection, refining diagnostic criteria, and exploring new therapeutic approaches to enhance care for older adults.

This review discusses the significant health risks posed by exposure to environmentally toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, and nickel. These metals can cause severe and sometimes irreversible damage to various organs and systems in the human body. Each metal has specific health impacts, including neurological disorders, renal and cardiovascular diseases, developmental delays, and cancers. The paper highlights the ability of these metals to cross the placental barrier, affecting fetal development and resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental issues. Heavy metals disrupt placental function by inducing oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired nutrient and oxygen transport, leading to long-term health consequences for the offspring. The paper also explores how heavy metal exposure can cause epigenetic changes, altering gene expression and contributing to chronic diseases. Some of these effects can be transmitted across generations. The contamination of pharmaceuticals and natural remedies with heavy metals is also a concern, emphasizing the need for rigorous quality control and regulatory oversight to protect public health. Diagnostic procedures for detecting heavy metal exposure involve comprehensive history-taking, physical examinations, laboratory tests, neuroimaging, and assessments of neurological and motor functions. The paper underscores the importance of addressing environmental exposure to toxic heavy metals to mitigate their harmful impacts and safeguard public health.

Tinnitus, characterized by phantom auditory perceptions like ringing or buzzing, represents a complex interaction between auditory and neurological pathways. This review explores the significant role of environmental toxins—specifically organic solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals—in the pathogenesis of tinnitus. Organic solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals—prevalent environmental toxins—exhibit pervasive hazards contributing to a spectrum of health conditions, including tinnitus. These toxins exert neurotoxic effects through multifaceted mechanisms that disrupt cellular, biochemical, and systemic neural function. Organic solvents, prevalent in industrial settings and household products, compromise neuronal membrane integrity and synaptic transmission, altering neurotransmitter dynamics critical for auditory signal processing. They induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, further exacerbating neuronal damage and contributing to tinnitus onset and persistence. Similarly, pesticides, extensively used in agriculture, interfere with neurotransmitter synthesis and receptor activation, disrupting neural communication within auditory pathways. Pesticides provoke oxidative stress and inflammation, compounding neurotoxicity and impacting cochlear function and central auditory processing—manifesting as tinnitus. Heavy metals, prevalent in industrial pollutants and e-waste, disrupt neuronal ion channels and induce oxidative stress, triggering inflammatory cascades that compromise auditory nerve integrity and synaptic function. These metals impair mitochondrial function, exacerbating neuronal dysfunction and contributing to the pathophysiology of tinnitus. The diagnostic approach for toxin-induced tinnitus integrates comprehensive patient history, physical examination, neuroimaging, and laboratory tests to identify specific toxin exposure and neurotoxic effects. Audiological assessments, including pure-tone audiometry and auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, further delineate the extent of auditory system involvement. Treatment strategies emphasize eliminating toxin exposure, pharmacological interventions targeting oxidative stress and neurotransmitter imbalance, and adjunctive therapies such as sound therapy and cognitive behavioral techniques to manage tinnitus symptoms effectively. Effective management involves a multidisciplinary approach integrating toxicology, neurology, and audiology to mitigate exposure risks, alleviate symptoms, and enhance patient outcomes and quality of life (QoL).

This review explores how organic solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals, as prevalent environmental toxins, impact human health, particularly the nervous system, and their association with central sleep apnea (CSA). These toxins disrupt neural function through various mechanisms, including direct neurotoxic effects, neurotransmission interference, oxidative stress induction, and inflammatory responses. Organic solvents, prevalent in industrial and household products, compromise neuronal membrane integrity, disrupt neurotransmitter balance, and induce oxidative stress. These effects impair neuronal signaling critical for regulating breathing during sleep, contributing to CSA development. Pesticides inhibit enzymes involved in neurotransmitter production and disrupt neurotransmitter receptor function, leading to imbalances that affect respiratory control. Oxidative stress induced by pesticides further exacerbates neuronal damage, impairing the brainstem’s ability to maintain regular breathing patterns. Heavy metals interfere with neuronal ion channels, induce oxidative stress, and trigger inflammatory responses in the nervous system. These disruptions impair neuronal function in the brainstem responsible for respiratory regulation, resulting in apnea episodes during sleep. The diagnosis of toxin-induced CSA involves comprehensive evaluations, including exposure history, physical examinations, neuroimaging, laboratory tests, polysomnography, and neurophysiological testing. Differential diagnosis excludes other potential causes, ensuring accurate identification of toxin-induced CSA. Treatment strategies focus on eliminating toxin exposure, pharmacological interventions to manage symptoms, adjunctive therapies, and nutritional support. Managing toxin-induced CSA requires a multidisciplinary approach involving pulmonologists, neurologists, and toxicologists, among others, to optimize patient outcomes through targeted interventions and ongoing monitoring. Education and counseling promote patient engagement by fostering a comprehensive understanding and effective management of the condition—enhancing overall respiratory health and patient quality of life (QoL).

Peripheral neuropathy is a complex disorder characterized by damage to the peripheral nerves, resulting in various sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms. This review offers a detailed examination of peripheral neuropathy, covering its prevalence, effects on individuals and society, causes, diagnosis, mechanisms, treatment, and management, focusing on its association with environmental toxins. The etiology of peripheral neuropathy is multifactorial, encompassing diverse causes such as diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, infections, vitamin deficiencies, toxic exposures, and genetic factors. Notably, environmental toxins, including organic solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy. Environmental toxins exert their neurotoxic effects through various mechanisms, including disruption of neuronal membrane integrity, interference with neurotransmission, induction of oxidative stress, and promotion of inflammatory responses. Accurate diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy involves a comprehensive medical history, neurological examination, electrophysiological studies, imaging tests, and laboratory investigations to identify underlying causes, including environmental toxin exposure. Treatment strategies for environmental toxin-induced peripheral neuropathy focus on eliminating exposure, managing symptoms, and preventing further nerve damage. Pharmacological interventions, adjunctive therapies, nutritional support, regular monitoring, and patient education are integral to management. A multidisciplinary approach is fundamental for diagnosing and managing peripheral neuropathy effectively, emphasizing identifying and mitigating environmental toxin exposure to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

Quercetin, an abundant flavonoid in various foods and plants, exhibits diverse therapeutic potential due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This review explores its biological and pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action, formulations, absorption, bioavailability, adverse effects, and potential therapeutic applications.Initially isolated in the 1800s as a dye and in 1936 as a polyphenol, quercetin has garnered attention for its antioxidant capabilities, particularly in preventing oxidative damage from low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies also suggest its efficacy in lowering blood glucose levels, improving insulin sensitivity, and inhibiting viral infections, including COVID-19.Despite its promising benefits, quercetin’s bioavailability is limited by factors such as poor water solubility and rapid metabolism. Researchers have explored various formulations and delivery systems, including quercetin glycosides, nano-formulations, and phytosomes, to enhance quercetin’s absorption and effectiveness.While generally considered safe, high doses of quercetin supplements may lead to gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, and tingling sensation. Furthermore, its interaction with other medications warrants further investigation.Quercetin has therapeutic advantages in CVDs, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative disorders, respiratory conditions, skeletal conditions, bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes, iron-induced toxicity, oxidative stress, and viral infections. However, research in humans is limited, and optimal dosage and formulations remain to be established.Quercetin’s diverse pharmacological activities make it a promising therapeutic agent for various conditions, disorders, and diseases. Future research should focus on standardizing formulations, investigating long-term safety, elucidating mechanisms of action, and clarifying interactions with other medications to optimize quercetin’s therapeutic use.