The purpose of this book is to introduce the importance of vitamins and its use in the treatment of schizophrenia, mood and movement disorders. This subject has been already known for many years. In the last years this issue has become "hot" again. To date there is new modern data based on controlled studies leading to a new attitude in consumption of these preparations. The present experience is related to higher doses in contrast to those which were used previously in addition to the scientific base data consisting of new knowledge about the mechanism of action and the influence on different dimensions. The chapters will include theoretical and scientific background as well as practical data based conclusions which might be useful for the clinician in everyday practice.

Vitamin D is a secosteroid, fat-soluble vitamin and a hormone precursor that plays an important role in bone metabolism and has certain anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties as well. It appears to have an effect on numerous diseases and disorders, including osteoporosis, chronic musculoskeletal pain, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease and cancers of the breast, prostate and colon. Although it is a well-known fact that combination of vitamin D and calcium is necessary to maintain bone density as people age, vitamin D may also be an independent risk factor for falls among the elderly. This book introduces the importance of vitamin D and its overall deficiency in human life. The book contains nine chapters and a commentary in which the authors try to summarize some of the most interesting and important subjects in which vitamin D plays a major role.

This book deals with the complex relationship between the highest form of human activity -- creativity -- and mental illness. The heroes of this book are brilliant geniuses in various fields: three writers, four painters and three musicians. The common denominator of these figures is that they lived in Russia in the nineteenth century, a period of cultural and artistic blossoming. Besides the extraordinary creativity they had -- each in his own domain -- these great figures have another common denominator -- their tragic fate. Two committed suicide, two became disabled with severe depression, two were addicted to alcohol, and another died from the complications of brain disease. These psychopathological processes led to the decline in their creativity and to their eventual deaths. However, their struggle with their inner "demons" is also largely what gave meaning to their lives, suffering and work. The authors have demonstrated that in order to understand the nature and the complexity of their works of art, one must recognise the structure of their personalities and comprehend the various psychopathological components that affected their lives. In this book, the authors draw upon examples of many psychopathological possibilities: developmental deprivation and early loss in childhood, psychiatric disorders such as mood and psychotic disorders, the influence of organic factors like brain disease (eg: following an infection such as syphilis) or alcohol abuse, and the overall effect these factors had on the course of the subjects personal lives. It is most ironic that the artistic works of these gifted but tortured, broken souls have uplifted and inspired generations of art lovers, bringing them immense pleasure and meaning.