Cognitive Dysfunction in Depression: A Complex Picture
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Cognitive slowing may be a direct effect of depression, whereas impaired memory may be more related to hypercortisolemia.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 18, 2008
Covering:
Reppermund S et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Sep 1; 62:400
A Unique Psychotherapy–Pharmacotherapy Synergism
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder who are beginning behavioral therapy may benefit from early use of cycloserine.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 14, 2008
Covering:
Kushner MG et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Oct 15; 62:835
Krystal JH., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Oct 15; 62:833
Using the Internet to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A self-directed CBT program was associated with a more marked reduction of symptoms and achievement of high-end function in more patients than was supportive counseling.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 14, 2008
Covering:
Litz BT et al., Am J Psychiatry 2007 Nov; 164:1676
Does Your Work Depress You?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
High job strain fosters major depression in the workplace.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 14, 2008
Covering:
Blackmore ER et al., Am J Public Health 2007 Nov; 97:2088
Possible Biologic Basis to SSRI-Related Suicidal Ideation
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Initial genetic screening implicates markers within the glutamate signaling pathway.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 7, 2008
Covering:
Laje G et al., Am J Psychiatry 2007 Oct; 164:1530
Link Suggested for Depression and Living with Dampness and Mold
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
But does depression result from these poor home conditions or cause them?
By Joel Yager, MD
January 7, 2008
Covering:
Shenassa ED et al., Am J Public Health 2007 Oct; 97:1893
Is Bipolar Disorder Bad for the Brain?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A prospective, case-controlled study associates bipolar I disorder with progressive loss of gray matter and cognitive function.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 7, 2008
Covering:
Moorhead TWJ et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Oct 15; 62:894
Hope for Women with Postpartum Depression in Resource-Poor Settings
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Effective intervention for postpartum depression was feasible in a low-resource, primary care setting.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 3, 2008
Covering:
Rojas G et al., Lancet 2007 Nov 10; 370:1629
After STAR*D, What More Could There Be?
This year, researchers learned much about the wide-ranging effects of depression and about helpful treatments for this debilitating illness.
New Studies in Polymorphism Psychiatry: Focus on 5-HTTLPR
When life gets hard, does the short allele confer the short end of the stick?
Childhood Bipolar Disorder: Why Are the Numbers Higher?
Even if the answer becomes clearer, the reality of treating these ill children remains harsh.
Depression: Can You Feel It in Your Bones Even After It’s Gone?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An observational study confirms depression as a risk factor for osteoporosis in women.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
December 17, 2007
Covering:
Eskandari F et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Nov 26; 167:2329
Effective Long-Term Treatment for Depressed Teens
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Within a few months of initiating various treatments, the differences seemed to be few.
By Barbara Geller, MD
December 17, 2007
Covering:
March JS et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2007 Oct; 64:1132
Low Cortisol Levels in Children of Parents with PTSD
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
New evidence supports the hypothesis that susceptibility to developing PTSD may be acquired.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
December 10, 2007
Covering:
Yehuda R et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2007 Sep; 64:1040
"Peripregnancy" Depression: Frequency and Correlates
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Depression occurs in one of seven women around the time of pregnancy; stress from lack of resources and support raises the risks.
By Joel Yager, MD
December 10, 2007
Covering:
Dietz PM et al., Am J Psychiatry 2007 Oct; 164:1515
Lose Your Weight — and Your Peace of Mind?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A new weight-loss drug works but appears to significantly increase anxiety and depression in some patients.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
December 3, 2007
Covering:
Christensen R et al., Lancet 2007 Nov 17; 370:1706
Benefits of Meditation: You Don’t Need Years, Just a Week
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A specific type of meditation is beneficial after just 5 days of training.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
December 3, 2007
Covering:
Tang Y-Y et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007 Oct 23; 104:17152
Risperidone Augmentation for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
It’s somewhat helpful, like other atypical antipsychotics.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
December 3, 2007
Covering:
Mahmoud RA et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Nov 6; 147:593
Acute Sedation of Violent Psychiatric Patients
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Haloperidol plus promethazine (Phenergan) is superior to either haloperidol or olanzapine (Zyprexa) alone.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
November 30, 2007
Covering:
Raveendran NS et al., BMJ 2007 Oct 27; 335:865
Huf G et al., BMJ 2007 Oct 27; 335:869
Andrade C., BMJ 2007 Oct 27; 335:835
Rimonabant, a Promising Anti-Obesity Drug, Appears to Increase Risk for Depression
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The FDA has withheld approval of this drug, which is used in several European countries.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
November 27, 2007
Covering:
Christensen R et al., Lancet 2007 Nov 17; 370:1706
Mania in Teens: How to Treat?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Olanzapine was better than placebo, but its rate of response was poor in this industry-sponsored study.
By Barbara Geller, MD
November 19, 2007
Covering:
Tohen M et al., Am J Psychiatry 2007 Oct; 164:1547
Are More Children Becoming Bipolar?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Two research groups track the growth of bipolar diagnoses among young people.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
November 19, 2007
Covering:
Moreno C et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2007 Sep; 64:1032
Blader JC and Carlson GA., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Jul 15; 62:107
Tamoxifen for Mania: Maybe It’s Not Just for Breast Cancer
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Results from a small pilot study are promising.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
November 5, 2007
Covering:
Zarate CA Jr et al., Bipolar Disord 2007 Sep; 9:561
Improving the Functioning of Bipolar Patients: News from STEP-BD
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Intensive psychosocial interventions added to medications help patients with bipolar depression in multiple ways.
By Joel Yager, MD
November 5, 2007
Covering:
Miklowitz DJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2007 Sep; 164:1340
More News from STEP-BD: Adjunctive Antidepressants May Worsen Manic Symptoms
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Observations from a naturalistic cohort study
By Joel Yager, MD
November 5, 2007
Covering:
Goldberg JF et al., Am J Psychiatry 2007 Sep; 164:1348
