Latest studies show that bananas contain neuro transmitters that maintain the level of the depression causing enzyme -- 5-hydroxy tryptamine -- in the brain cells. Scientists of the Lucknow-based Industrial Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research claim to have developed a revolutionary technology which could serve as a biomarker to monitor the blood platelet changes, thus enabling an easy detection of a particular disease.

The technology, now being validated, could benefit many medical colleges and diagnosticians for detecting several neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, suicidal tendencies, migraine, epilepsy and even Parkinson's Disease and congestive headaches, claims ITRC Director Prahlad Kishore Seth.

The study of neurological disorders is related to monitoring increase or decrease in dopamine receptor binding of platelets in blood. It was undertaken incollaboration with the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry at the King George's Medical College, Lucknow, he told a team of visiting Delhi-based Science corrrespondents recently.

Promising leads had been obtained during the research which were now being validated with wider medical diagnostic applications, Seth said, adding that efforts to develop in vitro systems in this direction were in progress.Studies of toxic effect of various metals including manganese and their mineral products like batteries were also being studied by the centre. The inhalation toxicology wing has already made a profile of deleterious effects of the Methyl Iso Cyanide (MIC) gas that struck tragedy in Bhopal by generating huge data, he said.The ITRC had recently proposed to undertake a project with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to study the environmental impact of lead on health systems, particularly in children in collaboration with the National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad under the Indian Council ofMedical Research.

With reports of women with lead content (more than ten micrograms per decilitre) in blood prone to abortions and children developing mental disability (less intelligent quotient) the comprehensive study became necessary, he said.

Efforts were also underway to build finer phycho-physiological models after screening the harmonal changes besides the invitro parametres for cancer in reproductory systems, Seth said.