text: Cognitive neuroscience is an integrative field of the scientific study of biological substrates underlying cognition with a specific focus on the neural substrate of mental processes. Cognitive neuroscience looks at the effects of brain abnormalities and resulting changes in the thought processes due to neural circuitry defects. Methods employed in cognitive neuroscience include experimental paradigms from psychophysics and cognitive psychology, functional neuroimaging, electrophysiology, cognitive genomics, and behavioral genetics. Neurophysiological tools like electrophysiological measures and eye movement tracking have paved way for newer understandings into the brain in health and disease.
  Schizophrenia is a neurocognitive disorder. Neurocognition not only identifies the cognitive deficits but also helps in objectifying behavioural functions. Certain Cognitive functions could be indirectly measured or correlated with the neurophysiological measures. It is intended to approach the challenge of Schizophrenia through the cognitive neurophysiological markers. Cortical electroencephalography (EEG), evoked response potentials (ERP), Polysomnographic changes and eye movement dysfunction are few of the promising neurophysiological tools in Schizophrenia. The scope of these electrophysiological and eye tracking measures in classification, stratification, early and accurate diagnosis of Schizophrenia spectrum of disorders as well as personalizing therapy and pointing at the stage of the illness would be discussed through neurocognitive approach. The anticipated path of translating these research measures into the clinical decision making process needs an appraisal.
  Burden of mental & behavioural disorders is enormous. About 450 million people suffer from mental & behavioural disorders worldwide. One person in four will develop one or more of these disorders during their lifetime. Neuropsychiatric conditions account for 13% of total Disability adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due all diseases and injuries in the world, and are estimated to increase by 15% by year 2020. Five of the ten leading cause of disability and premature death worldwide are psychiatric conditions. The mental disorders represent not only an immense psychological and economic burden to society but also increase the risk of physical disorders. The economic impact of the mental disorders is worldwide, long lasting and enormous. These disorders impose a range of cost on individuals, families and communities. The indirect cost arising from productivity lost account for larger proportion of overall cost.
  According to WHO, to reduce the Health, social and economic burden of mental disorders it is essential that countries and regions pay greater attention to prevention and promotion in mental health at the level of policy formulation, legislation, decision making and resource allocation within the overall health care system. The proposed symposium is an attempt to discuss various evidence based strategies to promote mental health and prevention of mental disorders in India.
  Mental health promotion interventions vary in a scope and include strategies to promote the mental well being of those who are not at risk, those who are at increased risk and those who are suffering or recovering from mental health problems. In prevention, intervention work by focusing on reducing risk factors and enhancing protective factors associated with mental ill health. The approach to mental disorder prevention lies in the concept of public health.