Overlapping Genetic Risk Factors in Psychiatric Disorders
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Similar SNPs increase risk for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, autism, and ADHD.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 11, 2013
Covering:
Cross-Disorder Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium., Lancet 2013 Feb 28
Telemedicine Surpasses On-Site Depression Treatment in Small Remote Clinics
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Primary-care nurses using telemedicine may be better able to stay on message and promote behavioral activation, but results for both groups are modest.
By Joel Yager, MD
March 11, 2013
Covering:
Fortney JC et al., Am J Psychiatry 2013 Feb 22
Childhood Bullying Is Not Harmless, Even in the Long Run
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This longitudinal study documents greater risk for multiple psychiatric disorders in adults with histories of bullying or being bullied in childhood.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 11, 2013
Covering:
Copeland WE et al., JAMA Psychiatry 2013 Feb 20
Another Approach to Electrical Stimulation of the Brain
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
For patients who have uncomplicated unipolar depression and who decline medication, transcranial direct current stimulation could be promising.
Collaborative Primary Care Ineffective for PTSD in Veterans
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The minimal improvement in the patients suggests that they might need more-intensive treatments.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 4, 2013
Covering:
Schnurr PP et al., J Gen Intern Med 2013 Jan; 28:32
Epidemiologic Basis for Dissociative Subtype in PTSD
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Will DSM-5 have gotten something right?
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
February 25, 2013
Covering:
Stein DJ et al., Biol Psychiatry 2013 Feb 15; 73:302
Encouraging Early News for a Supplement for Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In rodent models, L-acetylcarnitine had antidepressant effects through a unique mechanism — could it help people?
By Jonathan Silver, MD
February 25, 2013
Covering:
Nasca C et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013 Feb 4
The Pivotal Role of Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Two animal studies provide detail on neuronal development and differences between antidepressants.
By Joel Yager, MD
February 25, 2013
Covering:
Mateus-Pinheiro A et al., Transl Psychiatry 2013 Jan 15
Jang M-H et al., Cell Stem Cell 2013 Feb 7; 12:215
Using Scopolamine to Test a Biomarker of Depression — and Scopolamine Response
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Another step toward personalized medicine
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
February 15, 2013
Covering:
Furey ML et al., JAMA Psychiatry 2013 Jan 30
Another Quick-Acting Agent for Depression: An Animal Study
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A partial glycine-site NMDA receptor agonist shows the strengths and fewer of the adverse effects of ketamine.
By Barbara Geller, MD
February 15, 2013
Covering:
Burgdorf J et al., Neuropsychopharmacology 2013 Jan 30
"Coming Out" May Be Easier Than Not
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In a small study, lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults who have disclosed their gender orientations show lower psychiatric symptoms and stress markers.
By Joel Yager, MD
February 15, 2013
Covering:
Juster R-P et al., Psychosom Med 2013 Jan 29
Increasing Doses of Citalopram, Escitalopram, and Amitriptyline are Associated with QT Interval Prolongation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
These observational results support the FDA's warning about cardiac changes.
Mothers' Perinatal Negative Thinking Has Intergenerational Effects
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
It is associated 18 years later with their adolescents' negative cognitive style.
By Joel Yager, MD
February 11, 2013
Covering:
Pearson RM et al., Am J Psychiatry 2013 Jan 15
A Genetic Predictor of Response to Exposure Therapy
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Exposure therapy depends on BDNF activity, and people with low <$EMPH_O>BDNF<$EMPH_C> expression respond poorly to this treatment.
By Barbara Geller, MD
February 11, 2013
Covering:
Felmingham KL et al., Biol Psychiatry 2013 Jan 8
Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
Neurology Summary and Comment
Depression was commonly associated with, but not necessarily antecedent to, both mild cognitive impairment and dementia in a cohort study.
Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 and Treatment of a Dopamine–Serotonin Disorder
Neurology Summary and Comment
Identification of a novel mutation led to symptom improvement with dopamine agonist therapy in affected family members.
Reviews of Note
Treating functional symptoms with TMS; oxytocin concerns; depression in pregnancy; comorbid substance use and mood disorders; mixed states; another promise of genomic medicine; loss of gray matter in schizophrenia
Neonatal Brains Express Psychiatric Risk Genes
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Neuroanatomic differences are discovered in neonates who have genetic polymorphisms linked to several psychiatric disorders.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 28, 2013
Covering:
Knickmeyer RC et al., Cereb Cortex 2013 Jan 2
High Prevalence of Suicidality in Adolescents
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
New onset of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts in teenagers was common, even among those already in treatment.
By Barbara Geller, MD
January 28, 2013
Covering:
Nock MK et al., JAMA Psychiatry 2013 Jan 9
Can Imaging Detect Risk for Bipolar Disorder?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Enlarged gray-matter volumes in the right inferior frontal gyrus were consistently found in two separate analyses.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 28, 2013
Covering:
Hajek T et al., Biol Psychiatry 2013 Jan 15; 73:144
Singh MK and Chang KD., Biol Psychiatry 2013 Jan 15; 73:109
An Anti-Inflammatory Approach to Refractory Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Infliximab shows some benefit — but only in patients with high baseline levels of a pro-inflammatory protein.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 18, 2013
Covering:
Raison CL et al., JAMA Psychiatry 2013 Jan; 70:31
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
CBT added to antidepressant drugs was beneficial in primary care practices.
Is Witnessing Stress the Same as Experiencing It?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Apparently so in this animal study, which could lead the way to new treatments for stress-related disorders
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 18, 2013
Covering:
Warren BL et al., Biol Psychiatry 2013 Jan 1; 73:7
Pill Color Changes Are Associated with Nonadherence to Antiepileptic Medications
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Especially in patients with seizure disorder, drug colors matter.
Maternal Antidepressant Use and Perinatal Mortality
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors does not seem to raise risk for stillbirth or infant death.
