Depression and Hippocampal Damage: Which Comes First?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Hippocampal malfunction may precede the onset of depression, and environmental factors may worsen the damage to the hippocampus.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
March 15, 2010
Covering:
Rao U et al., Biol Psychiatry 2010 Feb 15; 67:357
Acupuncture for Depression ... Only If You're Pregnant?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Although many studies have not found acupuncture to be effective for depression, it might work in pregnant women with major depression.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 15, 2010
Covering:
Manber R et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Mar; 115:511
You've Got a Friend: Befriending for the Distressed
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This intervention, pioneered in the U.K., is better than nothing — but not as helpful as psychotherapy.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 15, 2010
Covering:
Mead N et al., Br J Psychiatry 2010 Feb; 196:96
Quetiapine Beats Lithium and Paroxetine for Bipolar Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Two manufacturer-sponsored studies show efficacy for this antipsychotic as acute treatment, but careful clinical judgment remains necessary when prescribing to individual patients.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 8, 2010
Covering:
Young AH et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2010 Feb; 71:150
McElroy SL et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2010 Feb; 71:163
More on Depression and Diabetes
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Even low-grade preexisting depression may increase the risk for diabetes.
By Joel Yager, MD
March 8, 2010
Covering:
Campayo A et al., Am J Psychiatry 2010 Feb 1
Does a Sick Cingulate Syndrome Promote Anxiety?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In generalized anxiety disorder, the pregenual anterior cingulate might inadequately regulate emotional processing by the amygdala.
By Joel Yager, MD
March 8, 2010
Covering:
Etkin A et al., Am J Psychiatry 2010 Feb 1
Do Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Attenuate Tamoxifen's Benefits in Breast Cancer Survivors?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Paroxetine was associated with excess mortality in breast cancer survivors who were receiving tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
March 4, 2010
Covering:
Kelly CM et al., BMJ 2010 Feb 8; 340:c693
Andersohn F and Willich SN., BMJ 2010 Feb 8; 340:c783
Intimate Relationship Problems and Depression Treatment Outcome
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Chronically depressed patients are less likely to remit in the presence of dyadic discord.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
March 1, 2010
Covering:
Denton WH et al., Psychol Med 2010 Mar; 40:415
A New Dimension of Panic Anxiety
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Studies in rats and people identify the role played by excessive activity of orexin.
Don't Forget to Use Them After Stroke
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
An antidepressant improves memory in nondepressed poststroke patients.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
February 22, 2010
Covering:
Jorge RE et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 Feb; 67:187
Venlafaxine Doesn't Confer Excess Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Mortality among depressed patients was not associated with a particular antidepressant.
Paroxetine Use Negates Benefits of Tamoxifen in Women with Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Paroxetine inhibits conversion of tamoxifen to its active metabolite.
Sudden Infant Death and Parental Psychopathology
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Hospitalization of a parent is associated with elevated risk for SIDS in this study from Sweden.
By Barbara Geller, MD
February 12, 2010
Covering:
Webb RT et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 Jan; 67:69
More on Polypharmacy for Psychiatric Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Researchers examine epidemiologic data on trends in prescribing multiple medications.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
February 8, 2010
Covering:
Mojtabai R and Olfson M., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 Jan; 67:26
New Directions in Psychosurgery
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Epidural cortical stimulation of prefrontal regions and DBS focusing on the nucleus accumbens show promising, if preliminary, effects in patients with highly treatment-resistant depression.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
February 8, 2010
Covering:
Bewernick BH et al., Biol Psychiatry 2010 Jan 15; 67:110
Nahas Z et al., Biol Psychiatry 2010 Jan 15; 67:101
Depression Level and Suitability of Drug Treatment
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Antidepressants are best reserved for patients with more-severe depression — but what alternatives are accessible to patients with mild or moderate disease?
The Porous Border Between Bipolar and Unipolar Mood Disorders
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The supposed dichotomy might instead be a continuum, according to this community-based study.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
February 1, 2010
Covering:
Zimmermann P et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009 Dec; 66:1341
Knitting Up the Raveled Sleeve of Care
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Earlier parent-set bedtimes are associated with less depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
February 1, 2010
Covering:
Gangwisch JE et al., Sleep 2010 Jan; 33:97
Substance Use Disorders and the Course of Bipolar Disorder
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Comorbid substance use disorder increases the risk that a depressive episode will switch to mania or hypomania, but may have few effects on recovery.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 25, 2010
Covering:
Ostacher MJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Dec 15
Delivering Medical Care to Public Mental Health Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Medical case management in community mental health centers improves access and outcomes.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 25, 2010
Covering:
Druss BG et al., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Dec 15
Antidepressant Use and Cardiovascular Risk in Postmenopausal Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Although antidepressants were not associated with coronary heart disease risk, SSRIs were associated with higher stroke risk and both SSRIs and TCAs with higher all-cause mortality.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
January 21, 2010
Covering:
Smoller JW et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Dec 14/28; 169:2128
O'Connor C and Fiuzat M., Arch Intern Med 2009 Dec 14/28; 169:2140
SSRIs and Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A new case-control study confirms that use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors increases risk for bleeding, but questions remain.
Morphine and PTSD Risk in Injured Combat Veterans
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Early use of morphine seems to protect against the later development of the disorder.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
January 13, 2010
Covering:
Holbrook TL et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jan 14; 362:110
Soldiers' Wives Suffer Mental Health Effects of Deployment
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The effect of war reaches beyond the soldier, according to this large records review study.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
January 13, 2010
Covering:
Mansfield AJ et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jan 14; 362:101
The Functional Anatomy of Persistent Fear in PTSD
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Researchers identify neurological correlates for failure to remember that there is no longer anything to fear.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 13, 2010
Covering:
Milad MR et al., Biol Psychiatry 2009 Dec 15; 66:1075
