Treating monogenic disorders via gene therapy although still considered experimental by some, has becoming a more accepted method lately especially in these last 10 years with a number of recent clinical successes. Genetic modifications are becoming easier to perform with the progressing technology and discovery of new techniques such as the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) methods which can modify DNA with great ease and accuracy. Gene therapy is a powerful technique with huge potential to treat psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Gene therapy is simple in principle, which is corrective genetic material is sent into cells and the disease is cured by ending the problem at its source. Viral and non-viral vectors which are used for the delivery of the desired genes to the targeted cells are briefly listed and explained. Unlike viral vectors non-viral vectors don’t cause an immune response but their pretty low transfer rate makes them rather less interesting for research. Viral vectors of adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, retroviruses with its subclass of lentiviruses and herpes viruses are compared with their advantages and disadvantages related to usage in brain and CNS treatment of our topic. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) have important roles in brain and nervous tissue. Delivering NTFs via viral vectors for treating neurodegenerative diseases is a promising approach. Providing information about principles, methods, hurdles and clinical applications of gene therapy with its historic background to present it with its all basic details and therapeutic effects it can provide to problems related to brain are aimed in this writing.

In this case we report the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment resistant auditory verbal hallucinations. The majority of protocols have utilized low-frequency suppressive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left temporoparietal cortex with some therapeutic benefits in ameliorating auditory hallucinations. Normalizing the functional connectivity between the temporoparietal and frontal brain regions may underlie the therapeutic effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Regarding side effects, the rTMS intervention was well tolerated in this case. Future research must focus on the optimum stimulation site and parameters.

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Trichotillomania is a chronic mental disorder characterized by recurrent hair-pulling. Hoarding, excoriation and trichotillomania are classified as obsessive-compulsive related disorders in DSM-5, which share similar clinical presentations, characterized by inappropriate and excessive repetitive behaviors and dysregulation of inhibitory control processes. Research evidence suggests that abnormalities in the cortico-striato-thalamic-cortical circuits are one of the key factors underlying the pathophysiology of obsessivecompulsive related disorders, including trichotillomania. Glutamate is the primary neurotransmitter within the cortico-striato-thalamiccortical circuits. Therefore, the use of glutamate-modulating agents is subject to interest for obsessive-compulsive related disorders. N-acetylcysteine, a derivate of the amino acid L-cysteine, has been explored as potential therapy for obsessive-compulsive related disorders, including trichotillomania. Pharmacotherapies that target the prefrontal glutamatergic system, such as N-acetylcysteine, may correct the underlying pathophysiologic abnormalities and symptoms of trichotillomania. Even a limited number of studies are suggesting that N-acetylcysteine is a promising treatment option, these studies did not assess treatment effects exceeding 3-4 months treatment period. Longer term effects of N-acetylcysteine therapy in trichotillomania require further evaluation.

Communication deficits resulting from aphasia can negatively impact stroke survivors’ social life. It has been reported that patients with severe non-fluent aphasia are better at singing lyrics than speaking the same words. Based on lesion studies, it is generally proposed that the right hemisphere is dominant especially for melody production. We present a 28-year-old woman with non-fluent aphasia as the result of a left hemisphere ischemic stroke involving mainly the superior division of the middle cerebral artery, and classified as having Broca’s aphasia. She was taken into melodic intonation therapy with speech therapy. Singing is accessible and enjoyable for many people with aphasia and melodic intonation therapies may facilitate recovery in such non-fluent aphasic patients.

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental brain disease and a severe psychiatric disorder which is seen approximately in 1% of the society. About the half of the individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia have substance abuse story, and this rate is higher than the general population. Alcohol dependence, smoking and substance abuse has been reported very often in schizophrenia. Especially smoking rate is very high in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this paper is to briefly review the literature related to the relationship between schizophrenia and nicotine-alcohol dependency.

Clinical lycanthropy is defined as a rare psychiatric syndrome that involves a delusion that the affected person can transform into, has transformed into, or is a non-human animal. Its name is connected to the mythical supranatural stories of lycanthropy, in which humans are said to physically shape shift into wolves. According to suggested diagnostic criteria for lycanthropy, either a delusional belief in current or past transformation or behavior that suggests a person thinks of himself as transformed is considered evidence of clinical lycanthropy. Hereby we present a case of clinical lycanthropy in a male patient reporting moments of feeling himself as a wolf and behaving in a manner that resembles wolf behavior, for example howling and growling.

Trichotillomania is a psychiatric disorder that involves repetitive hair pulling to the point of apparent loss. No approved treatment algorithm is available for trichotillomania. We present a case report of a 28-year-old female diagnosed as trichotillomania, with complaints of recurrent hair pulling resulting in noticeable hair loss. She was treated with Habit Reversal Training and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (sertraline) over a period of 6 weeks. Habit reversal training includes self-monitoring, awareness training, competing response training, and homework assignments. The aim of this case report is to provide a brief description of habit reversal training, which is unfamiliar to many professionals.