Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy a Good Fit for Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures?
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
CBT decreases the frequency of episodes, but more is needed to improve quality of life.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
July 19, 2010
Covering:
Goldstein LH et al., Neurology 2010 Jun 15; 74:1986
Reviews of Note
Exercise for anxiety and cognition; alternative treatments; paternal postpartum depression; Do-Not-Resuscitate orders and suicide; sleep; paraneoplastic disorders; and visualizing neurons
Depression in Women with Noncardiac Chest Pain
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Depression is common in women with noncardiac chest pain and is associated with more-frequent ED visits.
Maternal Warmth vs. Poverty and Inflammation
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Free
Decades later, people benefit from mothers who were warm.
Molecular Basis for Sex-Related Differences in Stress Response
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
The signaling pathways for corticotropin-releasing factor differ between male and female rats.
The Genetics of Resilience
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
A series of animal experiments highlight the importance of a transcription factor in the nucleus accumbens for resilience to stress.
Gender Matters in the Course of Bipolar Illness
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Higher rates of both rapid cycling and anxiety disorders among bipolar women help to account for their greater rates of depression.
By Joel Yager, MD
July 2, 2010
Covering:
Altshuler LL et al., Am J Psychiatry 2010 Jun; 167:708
"SSRI Eyes"?
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Newer antidepressants may increase the risk for cataracts, but research into possible confounding factors remains necessary.
By Joel Yager, MD
July 2, 2010
Covering:
Etminan M et al., Ophthalmology 2010 Jun; 117:1251
Pramipexole for Depression in Parkinson Disease
Neurology
Summary and Comment
The largest study of depression in PD to date demonstrates that pramipexole is a statistically better treatment than placebo, but not by a lot.
By Joseph H. Friedman, MD
June 29, 2010
Covering:
Barone P et al., Lancet Neurol 2010 Jun; 9:573
Young Women Have Few Sequelae from Early Puberty
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
But teenage promiscuity in early maturers raises the risk for sexually transmitted diseases and hepatitis.
By Barbara Geller, MD
June 21, 2010
Covering:
Copeland W et al., Am J Psychiatry 2010 May 17
Another Reason Why Depression Isn't Good for Your Heart
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Researchers look at the effects of depression and its treatment on heart rate variability.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 21, 2010
Covering:
Kemp AH et al., Biol Psychiatry 2010 Jun 1; 67:1067
Screening for Depression and Suicide in Adolescents
Two different two-question surveys can facilitate routine screening for depression and suicidality in adolescents.
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP
June 16, 2010
Covering:
Richardson LP et al., Pediatrics 2010 May; 125:e1097
Wintersteen MB., Pediatrics 2010 May; 125:938
What Are the Real Suicide Rates in Minority Populations?
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Some types of suicide may be underreported in black and Hispanic populations.
By Joel Yager, MD
June 14, 2010
Covering:
Rockett IRH et al., BMC Psychiatry 2010 May 19; 10:35
The Interface Between Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders: More Data
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
In a 40-year follow-up study, children of parents with psychosis seemed to have a greater risk for that specific type of psychosis than for other disorders.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 14, 2010
Covering:
Goldstein JM et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 May; 67:458
How Does Depression Break Your Heart?
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Anhedonia might be the mediator between poor medical outcomes and depression in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 14, 2010
Covering:
Davidson KW et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 May; 67:480
Does rTMS Work?
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Free
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation seems effective for uncomplicated depression, but we still don't know about its effectiveness for severe, bipolar, psychotic, and refractory depressions.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 14, 2010
Covering:
George MS et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 May; 67:507
Testing a Specific Therapy for Hoarding
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Multicomponent cognitive-behavioral therapy is superior to a waitlist control.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
June 14, 2010
Covering:
Steketee G et al., Depress Anxiety 2010 May; 27:476
Electroconvulsive Therapy for Unipolar and Bipolar Depressions
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Free
Shocking news — ECT works for both.
By Joel Yager, MD
June 7, 2010
Covering:
Bailine S et al., Acta Psychiatr Scand 2010 Jun; 121:431
Treating Anxiety in Primary Care
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Structured case management is effective, but not feasible, in most primary care offices.
Suicide and Season of Birth
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
In Hungary, risk for suicide peaked for people born in the spring and summer.
Depression and Traumatic Brain Injury
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Researchers look at the possible predictors for depression after injury and the effects on patients 1 year later.
Bipolar Disorder plus Antisocial Personality Disorder: An Impulsive Storm
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Talk about impulsivity! Comorbid bipolar disorder and antisocial personality disorder
By Joel Yager, MD
June 7, 2010
Covering:
Swann AC et al., Acta Psychiatr Scand 2010 Jun; 121:453
Of Mice and Oxytocin: Reducing Emotional Costs of Socially Mediated Stressors
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
In this animal study, oxytocin lowered the adverse effects of social isolation, whereas its antagonist increased depression-like behaviors.
By Joel Yager, MD
June 7, 2010
Covering:
Norman GJ et al., Psychosom Med 2010 May 13
Tan Addiction
Dermatology
Summary and Comment
Free
Some chronic indoor tanners have what looks like a substance-related disorder.
Antiepileptic Drugs Increase Risk for Suicide or Violent Death
Neurology
Summary and Comment
Gabapentin, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, and tiagabine are associated with a greater risk for suicide or violent death than topiramate.
By Gregory L. Holmes, MD
June 1, 2010
Covering:
Patorno E et al., JAMA 2010 Apr 14; 303:1401