Depression as a Stroke Risk Factor
Neurology Summary and Comment
A systematic review and meta-analysis finds that depression increases the risk for stroke.
Caffeinated Coffee and Late-Life Depression in Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Study raises the possibility that coffee provides protection.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Depression? The Jury Is Still Out
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
A meta-analysis says success depends on a high percentage of EPA, but a large study using this dose finds only small effects in less severely ill patients.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
October 17, 2011
Covering:
Sublette ME et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2011 Sep 6
Lespérance F et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2011 Aug; 72:1054
Effect of Maternal PTSD on Gestational Duration and Birth Weight
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Infants born to women with post-traumatic stress disorder had lower birth weights; child abuse–related PTSD was associated with shorter gestation.
Depression Is Less Common in Women Who Drink Coffee
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Four or more cups daily seemed to protect against developing depression.
Why Don't All Traumatized People Develop PTSD?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Two genetic studies raise the possibility of identifying specific aspects of the stress response system that could be treated in trauma-exposed patients.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
October 3, 2011
Covering:
Mehta D et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2011 Sep; 68:901
Mercer KB et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2011 Sep 5
Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: Benefits Vary More Than Harms
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
This drug class can be modestly effective depending on the drug and condition, but adverse events are uniformly problematic.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
September 27, 2011
Covering:
Maher AR et al., JAMA 2011 Sep 28; 306:1359
Trajectories of Grief in Suddenly Bereaved Children
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Half of bereaved children work out their grief in the first year, but others struggle, with 10% failing to resolve their grief within 3 years.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
September 26, 2011
Covering:
Melhem NM et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2011 Sep; 68:911
Does CBT Work for Treating Residual Symptoms in Pediatric OCD?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Results from a study of CBT plus medication for residual symptoms are unclear because the study lacked appropriate controls.
By Barbara Geller, MD
September 26, 2011
Covering:
Franklin ME et al., JAMA 2011 Sep 21; 306:1224
A Yogurt of the Future as an Anxiety Treatment?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In mice, a <$EMPH_O>Lactobacillus<$EMPH_C> strain reduces anxiety via vagus nerve mechanisms that affect brain GABAergic systems.
By Joel Yager, MD
September 26, 2011
Covering:
Bravo JA et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011 Aug 29
Childhood Trauma Might Shorten Lives
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In adults, short telomere length in leukocytes is associated with severe childhood traumas.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
September 26, 2011
Covering:
O'Donovan A et al., Biol Psychiatry 2011 Sep 1; 70:465
An Adult Neural Signature of Early Infant Temperament
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Infant boys reacting with high distress to novelty maintain this tendency as adults, showing increased amygdala activity to unfamiliar faces.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
September 26, 2011
Covering:
Schwartz CE et al., Mol Psychiatry 2011 Sep 6
Being Spiritual Protects People from Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
A prospective study suggests that this is especially true if the patient has already experienced depression and has a depressed parent.
By Joel Yager, MD
September 19, 2011
Covering:
Miller L et al., Am J Psychiatry 2011 Aug 24
PTSD Affects Medical Outcomes After Acute Coronary Syndromes
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This effect, however, seems limited to intrusive PTSD symptoms.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
September 19, 2011
Covering:
Edmondson D et al., J Psychiatr Res 2011 Jul 30
For Acute Mania, Antipsychotics Are Superior to Mood Stabilizers
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
But treating bipolar illness over the long term is the greater challenge, and mood stabilizers remain crucial.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
September 12, 2011
Covering:
Cipriani A et al., Lancet 2011 Aug 17
Berk M and Malhi GS., Lancet 2011 Aug 16
Using CBT to Treat Psychogenic Symptoms
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A short-term approach using cognitive-behavioral techniques was helpful, although gains did not persist.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
September 12, 2011
Covering:
Sharpe M et al., Neurology 2011 Aug 9; 77:564
Studies of Neuroimaging and Gene Interactions: Figures Don't Lie, Do They?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Caution is required when interpreting these studies because they may overreport positive results.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
September 12, 2011
Covering:
Ioannidis JPA., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2011 Aug; 68:773
Moskvina V et al., Biol Psychiatry 2011 Jul 15; 70:198
Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health Diagnoses
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women who experienced one or more types of gender-based violence had excess risk for mental disorders.
Is Prenatal SSRI Exposure Linked to Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
A single study suggests an association.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
August 29, 2011
Covering:
Croen LA et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2011 Jul 4
White-Matter Hyperintensities Linked to Brain Activations in Late-Life Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Emotion-laden brain activation is high in patients with high levels of hyperintensities, but which comes first — the depression or the hyperintensities?
By Joel Yager, MD
August 29, 2011
Covering:
Aizenstein HJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2011 Jul 28
Lithium or Valproate for Preventing Suicidal Behavior in Patients with Bipolar Disorder?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The two mood stabilizers yielded similar rates of suicidal behaviors and events.
By Joel Yager, MD
August 22, 2011
Covering:
Oquendo MA et al., Am J Psychiatry 2011 Jul 18
Lactation Support Can Help Fend Off Postpartum Depression
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Help for breast-feeding pain while in the hospital was associated with lower risk for developing postpartum depression.
Reviews of Note
Neurobiology of depression; treating refractory depression; adolescents with substance use disorders; gambling disorders; neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness; exercise to improve cognition; leptin, metabolism, and psychiatric disorders.
Adjunctive Risperidone Is Ineffective for Military PTSD
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Post-traumatic stress disorder in combat veterans is often treatment resistant, and this antipsychotic does not help much.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
August 2, 2011
Covering:
Krystal JH et al., JAMA 2011 Aug 3; 306:493
Hoge CW., JAMA 2011 Aug 3; 306:549
Antidepressants Are Ineffective for Depression in Dementia Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
With no differences in effectiveness between antidepressants and placebo, psychosocial treatment approaches should be routinely pursued in the initial phase of treatment.
