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Christer Allgulander is a senior lecturer in psychiatry at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm and a member of the Anxiety Disorders section of the Psychiatry Faculty of F1000Prime. Last week, Professor Allgulander visited our office in London, and was kind enough to spend some time talking to us about his current research.

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In this video, Professor Allgulander describes the challenges of treating ‘neuro-AIDS’: the neurological complications of HIV infection that affects a significant number of children and adults in southern Africa. In the most severe cases, it can result in a progressive dementia that can limit childhood development and lead to exploitation by criminal gangs. Research into novel therapies and the sharing of research expertise between Africa and Europe is seen by Professor Allgulander as a vital part of dealing with this challenging and heartbreaking condition.

In this next interview, Professor Allgulander presents his thoughts on the fifth and most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM-5). Despite the controversy among clinicians and in the media, Professor Allgulander is broadly optimistic on DSM-5, and goes through the changes of various disorders he believes does advance the field. In particular he points to the new diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) as a good addition to remedy the overdiagnosis of childhood bipolar disorder.

Professor Allgulander’s most recent article recommendation for F1000Prime, on a review of the significance of deprivation, abuse, and trauma in paediatric catatonia (and with further views on DSM-5) can be read here.