160 Aslam et al Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2011; 55(2) Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2011; 55 (2) : 160–164 * 1 Corresponding Author : Dr. Mohammed Aslam, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Al Ameen Medical College, Bijapur – 586 108, Karnataka; Tel.: (W) 91-8352-272502; (R) 91-9886286286; (Fax) : 91-8352-272502; E-Mail: kusaldas@yahoo.com SHORT COMMUNICATION STUDY OF SHORT TERM MEMORY STATUS IN ADULT BIPOLAR DISORDER PATIENTS IN SOUTH INDIAN POPULATION MOHAMMED ASLAM* 1 , MOHAMED SIDDIQ*, SALIM A. DHUNDASI*, KUSAL K. DAS* AND B. R. KULKARNI** Department of *Physiology and ** Psychiatry, Al-Ameen Medical College, Bijapur – 586 108, Karnataka ( Received on June 8, 2010 ) Abstract : The present study was undertaken to establish short term memory status in Bipolar disorder cases as compared with normal age and sex matched control group in Bijapur (Karnataka). Results showed that a significant decrease in short term memory status in bipolar disorder cases as compared to their control group .Loss of attention, decreased processing speed and executive function patterns may be the probable causes of such observations. Key words : short term memory bipolar disorder attention processing speed executive function INTRODUCTION Human memory is still a very active field for experimental research. It has yielded a large return in results of both theoretical and practical value (1). Much of the current knowledge of memory has come from studying memory disorders. The basic concern of studies of short term memory is with the initial storage of input or with the fate of the trace representing that input. Hence the procedures in such investigations typically involve a single presentation of stimulus falling within the subject’s span of immediate memory and a test of retention after a brief interval (2). The short term memory is a limited capacity, holding at most only a few items of information. If the items in short term memory are to be retained, the control processes initiates some sort of mnemonic activity such as rehearsal. The memory codes in short term memory are quickly available to retrieval (3). Bipolar disorder is characterized by unpredictable swings in mood from mania (hypomania) to depression. Some patient suffer only from recurrent attacks of mania which in its pure form is associated with increased psychomotor activity, excessive