Finding a Link Between Isotretinoin and Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In this retrospective study, the odds of incident depression increased within 5 months of starting acne treatment.
By Barbara Geller, MD
June 9, 2008
Covering:
Azoulay L et al., J Clin Psychiatry 2008 Apr; 69:526
Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Does Adding Exposure and Ritual Prevention Work?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Exposure plus ritual prevention therapy only moderately improves antidepressant treatment of the disease.
By Joel Yager, MD
June 9, 2008
Covering:
Simpson HB et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 May; 165:621
How Are Aversive Memories Formed?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An animal study provides answers at the cellular level.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
June 9, 2008
Covering:
Baumgärtel K et al., Nat Neurosci 2008 May; 11:572
Can We Prevent Poststroke Depression?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
It seems so, and escitalopram is a better choice than problem-solving therapy.
Emerging Perspectives: Connecting Depression to Inflammatory Genes
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Inflammatory changes may reflect high arousal in depression.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
May 23, 2008
Covering:
Padmos RC et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Apr; 65:395
Danese A et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Apr; 65:409
Attempted Suicides in Anorexia Nervosa
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
They are frequent and serious.
By Joel Yager, MD
May 23, 2008
Covering:
Bulik CM et al., Psychosom Med 2008 Apr; 70:378
Sorting Out Menopausal Depression
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Depression was associated with some menopause-related factors and some nonrelated factors, but not with hormone levels.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
May 22, 2008
Covering:
Woods NF et al., Menopause 2008 Mar/Apr; 15:223
Soares CN., Menopause 2008 Mar/Apr; 15:207
Testing the Effectiveness of Long-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Short-term psychodynamic therapy works well in the short run, but long-term therapy is better over 3 years.
Are "Euthymic" Patients Really Well?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Symptom persistence in mood disorders may indicate quicker relapse.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
May 19, 2008
Covering:
Judd LL et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Apr; 65:386
Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management Shows Mixed Results for HIV-Infected Patients
In a randomized, controlled trial in Switzerland, cognitive-behavioral stress management was associated with improvements in quality of life and psychological well-being but not in clinical markers of HIV infection.
By Eric Strachan, PhD
May 12, 2008
Covering:
Berger S et al., AIDS 2008 Mar 30; 22:767
Cellular Processes and Depression Treatments: An Animal Study
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A new focus on BDNF
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
May 12, 2008
Covering:
Adachi M et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Apr 1; 63:642
Neurosurgery for Depression: Pinpointing the Way to Success
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Precise location of the ablative lesion seems important in anterior cingulotomy.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
May 12, 2008
Covering:
Steele JD et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Apr 1; 63:670
Psychiatric Disorders in Combat Zone Veterans: What Mandatory Screens Can Find
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Postdeployment mental health screening results in high yields.
By Joel Yager, MD
May 12, 2008
Covering:
Seal KH et al., Am J Public Health 2008 Apr; 98:714
Can Money Buy Happiness?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Giving to others makes us happier than spending on ourselves.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
May 9, 2008
Covering:
Dunn EW et al., Science 2008 Mar 21; 319:1687
Postnatal Depression in Fathers Has Adverse Effects on Their Children’s Mental Health
Paternal depressive symptoms increase the vulnerability of their children to psychiatric disorders.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
May 7, 2008
Covering:
Ramchandani PG et al., J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2008 Apr; 47:390
Tamoxifen: An Intracellular Target for Treatment of Mania
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Another small, positive study for a drug that alters intracellular dynamics
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
May 5, 2008
Covering:
Yildiz A et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Mar; 65:255
Quantitative EEG Findings and Future Antidepressant-Related Suicidality
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Might clinicians eventually examine frontal quantitative-EEG rhythm asymmetries to predict increased suicidal thinking?
By Joel Yager, MD
May 5, 2008
Covering:
Iosifescu DV et al., Acta Psychiatr Scand 2008 Apr; 117:271
Self-Criticism and CBT
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Highly critical adults may be less responsive to interpersonal psychotherapy.
Skin Hypersensitivity and Chronic Headaches
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Cutaneous allodynia was significantly linked with episodes of chronic headache, especially migraines.
By Gil Yosipovitch, MD
May 2, 2008
Covering:
Bigal ME et al., Neurology 2008 Apr 22; 70:1525
SSRIs and Suicide Rates in the U.K.
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The connection remains unclear, but the clinical message is the same: Closely follow teens starting antidepressant treatment.
By Barbara Geller, MD
April 18, 2008
Covering:
Wheeler BW et al., BMJ 2008 Mar 8; 336:542
Simon G., BMJ 2008 Mar 8; 336:515
The Antidepressant Decision
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Some useful ideas for clinicians on encouraging patients to start or return to antidepressant medication
The Neuroanatomy of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Directs Its Treatment
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Controlling a hyperactive caudate may result in successful treatment.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
April 18, 2008
Covering:
Guehl D et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Mar 15; 63:557
Abdominal Pain and Depression in Adolescents
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Adolescents with frequent abdominal pain are at increased risk for depressive symptoms.
Persistent Deficits After Brain Trauma During Combat
Neurology Summary and Comment
After mild traumatic brain injury during combat, are persistent deficits due to the injury itself or to post-traumatic stress disorder?
By Robert L. Ruff, MD, PhD
April 8, 2008
Covering:
Hoge CW et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jan 31; 358:453
Bryant RA., N Engl J Med 2008 Jan 31; 358:525
Preventing Relapse in Pediatric Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Fluoxetine was better than placebo in this study of continuation treatment, but relapse rates were still notable.
By Barbara Geller, MD
April 7, 2008
Covering:
Emslie GJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Apr; 165:459
