Treating Depression in Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
In this short, high-quality study, nortriptyline was an effective antidepressant in PD, whereas paroxetine CR was not.
By Joseph H. Friedman, MD
January 27, 2009
Covering:
Menza M et al., Neurology 2008 Dec 17
Okun MS and Fernandez HH., Neurology 2008 Dec 17
Intimate Partner Violence and Maternal Maltreatment
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Women who are victims of intimate partner violence often turn on their young children.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 26, 2009
Covering:
Taylor CA et al., Am J Public Health 2009 Jan; 99:175
Risk Factors for Rapid Rehospitalization for Mood Disorders
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Revisiting an old finding with newer, more solid data
By Joel Yager, MD
January 26, 2009
Covering:
Prince JD et al., Am J Public Health 2009 Jan; 99:160
Antipsychotics and Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Typical antipsychotics and the newer atypical agents pose similarly elevated risks.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD and Mark S. Link, MD
January 14, 2009
Covering:
Ray WA et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jan 15; 360:225
Schneeweiss S and Avorn J., N Engl J Med 2008 Jan 15; 360:294
With a Little Help from My Friends: The Happiness Effect
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Could happiness be socially contagious?
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
January 12, 2009
Covering:
Fowler JH and Christakis NA., BMJ 2008 Dec 4; 337:a2338
Steptoe A and Diez Roux AV., BMJ 2008 Dec 4; 337:a2781
Cohen-Cole E and Fletcher JM., BMJ 2008 Dec 4; 337:a2533
Is Pain a Component of Major Depression?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A closer look at a common and important comorbidity
By Joel Yager, MD
January 12, 2009
Covering:
Vaccarino AL et al., Psychosom Med 2008 Dec 10
Outcomes Among Patients with Mental Illness and Heart Failure
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An analysis of Medicare data has worrisome news.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 12, 2009
Covering:
Rathore SS et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Dec; 65:1402
Geriatric Depression: Recurrences Are Common
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
They’re more common than first episodes.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 12, 2009
Covering:
Luijendijk HJ et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Dec; 65:1394
Past Depression and Current Poor Sleep? Watch Out for Depression Recurrence
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In previously depressed older patients, sleep disturbances independently predict future depressive episodes.
By Joel Yager, MD
January 12, 2009
Covering:
Cho HJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Dec; 165:1543
The Emerging Evidence Base for Psychodynamic Psychotherapies
These modalities begin to earn research esteem.
Psychosurgery — Beyond the Nobel Prize?
New neurosurgical approaches are promising, but more research is needed before they enter the psychiatric mainstream.
Pediatric Psychopharmacology: Learning What We Don’t Know
This year saw more research — and even more questions.
Depression and Antidepressants in Pregnancy
Both psychiatric illness and medications can affect the child.
Predictive Power of Genes: Stronger but Not Ready for the Clinic
The new world of genomic psychiatry has not yet arrived.
Traumatic Brain Injury: New Importance, New Developments
This year saw dramatic new research into the assessment and treatment of mild TBI.
Bereavement-Related Depression Is Not Grief
Grief is not an illness, but psychiatric illness can occur with bereavement.
Does Lithium Protect Against Dementia?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Long-term use of lithium might protect against the increased risk found for dementia in bipolar disorder.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
December 22, 2008
Covering:
Kessing LV et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Nov; 65:1331
Does Hypomania Make You Happy?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The mood state has its advantages and its drawbacks.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
December 22, 2008
Covering:
Gamma A et al., J Affect Disord 2008 Dec; 111:235
Behavioral Factors Link Depression to Cardiac Risk
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A new explanation for an often-seen connection
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
December 22, 2008
Covering:
Whooley MA et al., JAMA 2008 Nov 26; 300:2379
Depression and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Physical inactivity might partly explain the association.
Just How Common Is Sexual Distress Among U.S. Women?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
About one in eight adult American women has sexual problems that cause distress.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
December 11, 2008
Covering:
Shifren JL et al., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Nov; 112:970
Nygaard I., Obstet Gynecol 2008 Nov; 112:968
Suicide Risk After Recent Attempt or Psychiatric Hospitalization
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Two large studies provide more data.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
December 8, 2008
Covering:
Gunnell D et al., BMJ 2008 Nov 18; 337:a2278
Tidemalm D et al., BMJ 2008 Nov 18; 337:a2205
Second-Generation Antidepressants to Treat Depression: Clinical Practice Guideline
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Efficacy of antidepressants in treating major depression did not differ; the incidence of specific adverse events did differ.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
December 4, 2008
Covering:
Qaseem A et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Nov 18; 149:725
Gartlehner G et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Nov 18; 149:734
Depression and Cardiovascular Disease: A Need for Increased Awareness
Cardiology Summary and Comment
The association of depressive symptoms with adverse CVD outcomes is clear; whether depression screening or treatment will improve outcomes is less so.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
December 3, 2008
Covering:
Thombs BD et al., JAMA 2008 Nov 12; 300:2161
Lichtman JH et al., Circulation 2008 Oct 21; 118:1768
Depression and Cardiovascular Risk: Get Moving!
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a prospective cohort study of patients with stable CAD, physical inactivity was the strongest mediator of the association of depression with cardiovascular events.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
December 3, 2008
Covering:
Whooley MA et al., JAMA 2008 Nov 26; 300:2379
