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
Fear Not?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
This study is the first to show nonpharmacologic extinction of fear memories in people.
By Barbara Geller, MD
January 13, 2010
Covering:
Schiller D et al., Nature 2010 Jan 7; 463:49
Quirk GJ and Milad MR., Nature 2010 Jan 7; 463:36
Preventing Bipolar I Relapse: Results of the BALANCE Trial
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
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Relapse rates were high overall, but better with lithium–valproate combination or lithium monotherapy than with valproate monotherapy.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
January 11, 2010
Covering:
Geddes JR et al. for the BALANCE Investigators and Collaborators., Lancet 2009 Dec 23
How Much Does Bipolar II Depression Differ from Unipolar Depression?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Bipolar II depression closely resembles unipolar depression, particularly depression with melancholic features.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 11, 2010
Covering:
Parker GB and Fletcher K., Acta Psychiatr Scand 2009 Dec; 120:446
Is Starting with Two Antidepressants Really Better Than Starting with One?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Perhaps, but these research results are flawed because the monotherapy was inadequately dosed.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 11, 2010
Covering:
Blier P et al., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Dec 15
SSRIs Can Help Your Heart
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An SSRI directly improves endothelial-mediated vascular function and markers of inflammation.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 11, 2010
Covering:
Pizzi C et al., Clin Pharmacol Ther 2009 Nov; 86:527
USPSTF Recommends Screening Adults for Depression When Support for Care Is Available
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
The task force recommends against screening when staff-assisted depression care supports are not in place.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
January 5, 2010
Covering:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force., Ann Intern Med 2009 Dec 1; 151:784
O'Connor EA et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Dec 1; 151:793
2009 Year in Review
Psychiatry Letter to Readers
Free
A perspective on the most important research in the field from the past year
What's New in Perinatal Depression?
Psychiatry Year in Review
Free
Risks of using SSRIs during pregnancy and other important issues in the etiology, diagnosis, and overall approach to the treatment of perinatal depression
Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder
Psychiatry Year in Review
Free
Several effective psychologically based outpatient treatments are emerging.
How to Stay Healthy
Psychiatry Year in Review
Free
A few easy New Year's resolutions to improve or maintain the physical, cognitive, and mental health of ourselves and our patients
Suicide — New Data on Causes and Cures
Psychiatry Year in Review
Free
Careful assessment of suicidal thoughts and acts, awareness of traits associated with suicide, and vigorous treatment with medication and psychotherapy are essential for suicidal patients.
"Worse Than Desolate": Maternal Grief After Loss of an Unborn Child
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The psychological pain of grief activates physical pain networks in the brain.
By Joel Yager, MD
December 14, 2009
Covering:
Kersting A et al., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Dec; 166:1402
Brain Injury, Stress, and Functioning in War Veterans
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans, PTSD further complicates the impact of mild traumatic brain injury.
By Joel Yager, MD
December 14, 2009
Covering:
Pietrzak RH et al., J Nerv Ment Dis 2009 Oct; 197:748
I'm So Tired: Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Caused by a Retrovirus?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Researchers find a promising association but not causation — at least not yet.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
December 14, 2009
Covering:
Lombardi VC et al., Science 2009 Oct 23; 326:585
Kean S., Science 2009 Oct 9; 326:215
Coffin JM and Stoye JP., Science 2009 Oct 23; 326:530
Johnson H., New York Times 2009 Oct 21
Why We Don't All React to Trauma the Same Way
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
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The answer might include genetic influences and an adrenergic–amygdala–insula connection.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
December 7, 2009
Covering:
Rasch B et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009 Nov 10; 106:19191
Diabetes, Depression, and Disease Control
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In patients with diabetes, depression is associated with reduced compliance with medical treatments and worse disease control.
By Joel Yager, MD
December 7, 2009
Covering:
Katon W et al., Psychosom Med 2009 Nov/Dec; 71:965
Another Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Mentalization-based therapy may be effective in reducing hospitalization and self-harm and in improving function.
By Joel Yager, MD
November 30, 2009
Covering:
Bateman A and Fonagy P., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Oct 15
Help Is Just a Phone Call Away
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Structured telephone care management plus cognitive-behavioral therapy improved depression care at modest cost.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
November 23, 2009
Covering:
Simon GE et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009 Oct; 66:1081
Treating Post-CABG Depression via Telephone Care Management
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The collaborative care model for depression treatment shows its strength in a study of depressed cardiac patients.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
November 17, 2009
Covering:
Rollman BL et al., JAMA 2009 Nov 18; 302:2095
Safety Monitoring of Pharmacotherapy for Bipolar Disorder
Psychiatry Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Consensus-based guidelines from the International Society for Bipolar Disorders
By Jonathan Silver, MD
November 16, 2009
Covering:
Ng F et al., Bipolar Disord 2009 Sep; 11:559
Reviews of Note
On cognitive enhancers, treatments for depression, prodromal signs of psychosis, gene–environment interactions, and addressing mutations in mitochondrial DNA
Trichotillomania: N -Acetylcysteine Shows Promise
Dermatology Summary and Comment
This readily available glutamate modulator provided significant improvement in 56% of patients with alopecia caused by compulsive hair pulling.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
November 13, 2009
Covering:
Grant JE et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009 Jul; 66:756
PTSD Is Common in Pregnant Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
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Among nulliparous women, those with histories of abuse or difficult miscarriage or abortion had the highest risk for PTSD.
Using the Scientific Literature to Advance an Agenda
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This analysis of manufacturer-sponsored trials for off-label gabapentin use showed that the prespecified outcomes were not always reported.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
November 12, 2009
Covering:
Vedula SS et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Nov 12; 361:1963
