How Depression Causes a Weak Leg to Stand On
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
This animal study suggests that depression might be a treatable risk factor for osteoporosis.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
December 4, 2006
Covering:
Yirmiya R et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006 Nov 7; 103:16876-81
Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Osteoporosis?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Risk for bone loss is especially high in younger women with major depression and borderline personality disorder.
By Joel Yager, MD
December 4, 2006
Covering:
Kahl KG et al., Psychosom Med 2006 Sep/Oct; 68:669-74
The Depression of a Broken Heart
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
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Patients recall that their moods were depressed 2 hours before onset of acute coronary syndromes.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
November 27, 2006
Covering:
Steptoe A et al., Biol Psychiatry 2006 Oct 15; 60:837-42
Electroconvulsion Stimulates the Brain Selectively: An Animal Study
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Neuronal activation and cell proliferation increased in areas implicated in depression.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
November 27, 2006
Covering:
Jansson L et al., Biol Psychiatry 2006 Oct 15; 60:874-81
Genetic Protection Against Bipolar and Unipolar Disorders
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Preliminary evidence suggests that the gene for tryptophan hydroxylase plays a role.
By Barbara Geller, MD
November 27, 2006
Covering:
Van Den Bogaert A et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2006 Oct; 63:1103-10
Independent Predictors of New-Onset Panic Attacks
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Family history, respiratory responses, and neuroticism are linked prospectively to subsequent panic attacks.
By Joel Yager, MD
November 27, 2006
Covering:
Coryell W et al., Psychosom Med 2006 Sep/Oct; 68:754-7
Memantine for Behavior Problems in Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
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Adding memantine to donepezil improves certain behavioral problems, though the reason remains unclear.
By Andrew E. Budson, MD
November 21, 2006
Covering:
Cummings JL et al. for the Memantine MEM-MD-02 Study Group., Neurology 2006 Jul 11; 67:57-63
The Trajectory of Depression in Acute-MI Patients
Cardiology Summary and Comment
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No matter when depressive symptoms were evident during the 1 month after acute MI, they were associated with increased risk for rehospitalization within 6 months.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
November 17, 2006
Covering:
Parashar S et al. for the PREMIER Registry Investigators., Arch Intern Med 2006 Oct 9; 166:2035-43
Does Interpretation of Transference Affect Psychotherapy Outcome?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Transference interpretations may benefit patients with poorer object relations.
By Joel Yager, MD
November 13, 2006
Covering:
Høglend P et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Oct; 163:1739-46
Gabbard GO., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Oct; 163:1667-9
Do Depression and Anxiety Drive Chronic Opioid Use?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Perhaps, according to a community-based survey
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
November 13, 2006
Covering:
Sullivan MD et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Oct 23; 166:2087-93
Depression and Poor Cardiac Outcomes: A Connection
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Persistent depression decreases adherence to healthy behaviors that could improve outcomes.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
November 13, 2006
Covering:
Kronish IM et al., J Gen Intern Med 2006 Nov; 21:1178-83
Antidepressant Does Dual Duty in Menopausal Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Escitalopram was more effective than hormone therapy for both depression and menopause-related symptoms.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
November 9, 2006
Covering:
Soares CN et al., Menopause 2006 Sep/Oct; 13:780-6
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Documented After Certain Infections
Neurology Summary and Comment
Some cases of chronic fatigue syndrome are triggered by infection.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
October 31, 2006
Covering:
Hickie I et al., BMJ 2006 Sep 16; 333:575-8
Drug Alert: Overdosing Risk with Venlafaxine
Psychiatry Letter to Readers
Free
A notice from the FDA
Do Antidepressants Induce Hypomania in Unipolar Patients?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Perhaps, but these patients might merit a bipolar diagnosis.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
October 30, 2006
Covering:
Wada K et al., J Clin Psychopharmacol 2006 Oct; 26:512-5
Clarifying the Link Between Depression and Overgeneral Autobiographical Memories
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Overgeneral autobiographical memories are linked to depression in teens, independent of these patients’ trauma histories.
By Michael W. Otto, PhD
October 30, 2006
Covering:
Kuyken W et al., J Abnorm Psychol 2006 Aug; 115:387-96
Yaz Demonstrates Versatility
Women's Health News in Context
Oral contraceptive approved for treatment of premenstrual symptoms.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
October 26, 2006
Substance-Use Disorder and Antidepressant-Induced Mania
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
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Substance-use disorders increase the risk for switching to mania.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
October 23, 2006
Covering:
Manwani SG et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 67:1341-5
Think the Worst — and Feel Bad!
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Induced cognitive biases persist and affect stress resiliency.
By Michael W. Otto, PhD
October 23, 2006
Covering:
Mackintosh B et al., Behav Ther 2006 Sep; 37:209-22
Still More Results from a Large Depression Trial
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Remission rates are low after several failed trials of antidepressant therapy.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 19, 2006
Covering:
Nierenberg AA et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 163:1519-30
McGrath PJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 163:1531-41
Valenstein M., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 163:1484-6
More on STAR*D’s Trials (and Tribulations)
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Little new light from the latest STAR*D reports
By Joel Yager, MD
October 16, 2006
Covering:
Nierenberg AA et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 163:1519-30
McGrath PJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 163:1531-41
Which Patients with Major Depression Will Relapse Despite Maintenance Fluoxetine?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Chronicity, female sex, and a reverse neurovegetative symptom pattern increase risk for relapse.
By Joel Yager, MD
October 16, 2006
Covering:
McGrath PJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 163:1542-8
Completed Suicides in the Elderly: Effects of Physical Vulnerability
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Poison seems to be more lethal in this population.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
October 6, 2006
Covering:
Eddleston M., Br J Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 189:278-9
Serotonin 2A Receptors in Previously Depressed, Unmedicated Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Euthymic patients had evidence of up-regulated binding potential for these receptors.
By Joel Yager, MD
October 6, 2006
Covering:
Bhagwagar Z et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Sep; 163:1580-7
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder and Depression
General Medicine Summary and Comment
As the breathing disorder worsened, the odds for developing depression increased.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
October 3, 2006
Covering:
Peppard PE et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Sep 18; 166:1709-15
