Redefining Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
An ad hoc international working group proposes a new lexicon, to be used in both clinical and research settings, that defines AD on a continuum.
Is Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides Associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
Maternal prenatal pesticide levels were associated with attention problems in 5-year-old boys.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
September 15, 2010
Covering:
Marks AR et al., Environ Health Perspect 2010 Aug 19
Milnacipran for Fibromyalgia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Efficacy is modest, and side effects are common.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 21, 2010
Covering:
Arnold LM et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Sep; 62:2745
Autism and Thimerosal Exposure: No Relation Found Again!
This study adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating no association between prenatal or infant exposure to thimerosal and autism.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
September 29, 2010
Covering:
Price CS et al., Pediatrics 2010 Oct; 126:656
How Deadly Is Delirium in Elders?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Delirium was an independent predictor of 6-month mortality among older emergency department patients.
Adult Sleep Quality After Childhood Adversity
Neurology Summary and Comment
Among respondents to a large epidemiological survey, those who recalled more adverse experiences during childhood reported relatively worse sleep during adulthood.
By Quentin Regestein, MD
August 10, 2010
Covering:
Koskenvuo K et al., Sleep Med 2010 Jan; 11:17
Emotional Response to Bullying Is in the Genes
Variation in the serotonin transporter gene influences variability in response to being bullied.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
September 1, 2010
Covering:
Sugden K et al., J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2010 Aug; 49:830
Can Brief Emergency Department Interventions Reduce Teen Violence and Alcohol Use?
A brief intervention delivered by therapists reduced some self-reported violence- and alcohol-related outcomes.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
August 18, 2010
Covering:
Walton MA et al., JAMA 2010 Aug 4; 304:527
Saitz R and Naimi TS., JAMA 2010 Aug 4; 304:575
Caregiver Support and Functional Improvement in Dementia Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Structured home-based intervention improves some outcomes for both caregivers and patients.
Survival After Diagnosis of Dementia in Primary Care
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Survival time is much shorter when diagnoses occur in general practice than when patients are screened.
Information from Prescription Monitoring Programs Changes Opioid Prescribing Behavior
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
After reviewing past prescriptions, emergency physicians changed opioid prescribing plans for 41% of patients.
Outcomes of Drug Trials and Association with Funding Source
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Industry-funded trials were more likely to report positive outcomes.
Tai Chi Relieves Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Initial single-center results are encouraging, but verification is needed.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
August 19, 2010
Covering:
Wang C et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Aug 19; 363:743
Yeh GY et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Aug 19; 363:783
New Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
SIRT1 suppresses production of Aβ plaques.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
August 17, 2010
Covering:
Donmez G et al., Cell 2010 Jul 23; 142:320
Wolfe MS and Selkoe DJ., Cell 2010 Jul 23; 142:194
Does Thyroxine Replacement Improve Cognition in Subclinical Hypothyroidism?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cognition scores did not improve in older patients who received thyroxine.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 19, 2010
Covering:
Parle J et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010 Aug; 95:3623
Spinal Fluid Markers Predict Progression to Alzheimer Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Levels of two proteins that have long been associated with AD might be useful predictors.
What Is the Yield of Brain Biopsy in Patients with Neurological Decline?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Brain biopsy established diagnoses in 18 of 51 cases but changed management in only 4 cases.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 12, 2010
Covering:
Schuette AJ et al., Neurology 2010 Aug 3; 75:419
Prognosis of Patients in Vegetative and Minimally Conscious States
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Some patients "improve" but still have severe functional disability.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 12, 2010
Covering:
Estraneo A et al., Neurology 2010 Jul 20; 75:239
Luauté J et al., Neurology 2010 Jul 20; 75:246
An Autobiographical Memory Task to Assess Dementia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients are asked to recall participation in two recent events.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 10, 2010
Covering:
Dreyfus DM et al., Arch Neurol 2010 Jul; 67:862
Obesity's Effects on Sexuality
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Compared with normal-weight individuals, obese men reported more erectile dysfunction; obese women did not report more sexual dysfunction but were more likely to report unintended pregnancies.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
July 15, 2010
Covering:
Bajos N et al., BMJ 2010 Jun 15; 340:c2573
Goldbeck-Wood S., BMJ 2010 Jun 15; 340:c2826
Pairing Placebo with Stimulant Medication to Reduce Stimulant Dose
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder who received placebo with stimulant medication reduced their dose by 50%.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
July 14, 2010
Covering:
Sandler AD et al., J Dev Behav Pediatr 2010 Jun; 31:369
Valproic Acid and Specific Congenital Malformations
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
A fresh approach to an old dilemma provides valuable detailed information about the specific risks from using valproic acid during pregnancy.
By Page B. Pennell, MD
July 13, 2010
Covering:
Jentink J et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jun 10; 362:2185
Correction: Habit Reversal Training: A Treatment Option for Tourette Disorder
A correction to a summary published on June 9, 2010
By The Editors
August 18, 2010
Testosterone Therapy in Men with Androgen Deficiency Syndromes
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Endocrine Society recommendations reflect ongoing uncertainty.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 15, 2010
Covering:
Bhasin S et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010 Jun; 95:2536
Testosterone in Older Men: More Clarity or More Confusion?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Results of three studies argue against wholesale use of this drug for anti-aging purposes.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 15, 2010
Covering:
Wu FCW et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jul 8; 363:123
Krasnoff JB et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010 Jun; 95:2790
Basaria S et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jul 8; 363:109
