Screening for Depression and Suicide in Adolescents
Two different two-question surveys can facilitate routine screening for depression and suicidality in adolescents.
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP
June 16, 2010
Covering:
Richardson LP et al., Pediatrics 2010 May; 125:e1097
Wintersteen MB., Pediatrics 2010 May; 125:938
How Early Can We Detect Autistic Behaviors?
In a prospective study, social behaviors diminished in infants with autism spectrum disorders and increased in typically developing infants by age 1 year.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
April 7, 2010
Covering:
Ozonoff S et al., J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2010 Mar; 49:256
General Medicine Summary and Comment
No evidence of benefit was noted in a 24-month trial.
Vitamin D and Cognitive Function in Older Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Low levels are associated with cognitive decline.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 27, 2010
Covering:
Llewellyn DJ et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1135
Grey A et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jul 12; 170:1099
Prolonged Breast-Feeding Promotes Psychological Health
Breast-feeding for <6 months was associated with increased risk for mental health problems during childhood and adolescence.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
May 5, 2010
Covering:
Oddy WH et al., J Pediatr 2010 Apr; 156:568
Kramer MS., J Pediatr 2010 Apr; 156:523
Frontotemporal Dementia Genetics: The Show Is Not Over
Neurology Summary and Comment
A large, important heritability and genetics study suggests that some genes for frontotemporal dementia remain to be identified.
By William W. Seeley, MD
April 13, 2010
Covering:
Rohrer JD et al., Neurology 2009 Nov 3; 73:1451
Group Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Persistent Low Back Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Intervention patients were more likely to report recovery and satisfaction with care at 12 months.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
April 20, 2010
Covering:
Lamb SE et al., Lancet 2010 Mar 13; 375:916
Chocolate and Mood
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Sad news: People with higher depression scores consumed more chocolate.
Ginkgo Biloba for Prevention of Cognitive Decline
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
In a well-conducted clinical trial, <$EMPH_O>G. biloba<$EMPH_C> was ineffective in preventing cognitive decline in nondemented elders.
By Gad A. Marshall, MD
April 6, 2010
Covering:
Snitz BE et al., JAMA 2009 Dec 23/30; 302:2663
Heavy Alcohol Use Among 8th and 10th Graders
In a national survey, 10% of 8th graders and 21% of 10th graders reported heavy drinking during the past 2 weeks.
Vitamin D and Cognitive Decline
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Three studies explore a possible association.
By Alberto Ascherio, MD, DrPH
March 30, 2010
Covering:
Buell JS et al., Neurology 2010 Jan 5; 74:18
Annweiler C et al., Neurology 2010 Jan 5; 74:27
Slinin Y et al., Neurology 2010 Jan 5; 74:33
Miller JW., Neurology 2010 Jan 5; 74:13
Biofeedback for Migraine and Tension-Type Headache
Neurology Summary and Comment
A small randomized trial shows that the addition of biofeedback results in no further efficacy over relaxation training alone.
By Eric P. Baron, DO, and Stewart J. Tepper, MD
February 23, 2010
Covering:
Mullally WJ et al., Pain Physician 2009 Nov/Dec; 12:1005
Infant Sleep and Cognitive Development
Neurology Summary and Comment
Poor sleep during infancy may be associated with subsequent reduced cognitive function, but association does not mean causation.
By Louise M. O'Brien, PhD
March 30, 2010
Covering:
Ednick M et al., Sleep 2009 Nov 1; 32:1449
The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in Contextual Processing
Neurology Summary and Comment
A study of event-related potentials in patients with prefrontal lesions demonstrates the region's critical role in processing contextual information.
By Kirk R. Daffner, MD
February 16, 2010
Covering:
Fogelson N et al., Brain 2009 Nov; 132:3002
Attitudes About Adolescent Suicide: Not in My Neighborhood
In focus groups, both parents and adolescents acknowledged youth suicide as a major problem, but not in their own communities.
Cognitive Effects of Pregabalin
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Significant negative effects were noted at 3 months in healthy volunteers who received maximal doses.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 18, 2010
Covering:
Salinsky M et al., Neurology 2010 Mar 2; 74:755
Venlafaxine Doesn't Confer Excess Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Mortality among depressed patients was not associated with a particular antidepressant.
HIV and Neurocognitive Impairment
Neurology Summary and Comment
Two studies explore the role of biomarkers in treatment and evaluation of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
By Girish Modi, MBBCh(Wits), MSc(Lond), PhD(Lond), FCP(SA), FRCP(Lond)
March 9, 2010
Covering:
Schifitto G et al., Neurology 2009 Dec 8; 73:1975
Clifford DB et al., Neurology 2009 Dec 8; 73:1982
Communicating with Patients in the Vegetative State
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
In rare cases, changes on functional magnetic resonance imaging suggest that patients in the vegetative state can answer questions and may have some awareness.
By Mark Hallett, MD
March 2, 2010
Covering:
Monti MM et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Feb 18; 362:579
Ropper AH., N Engl J Med 2010 Feb 18; 362:648
Vision and Processing of Emotions
Neurology Summary and Comment
In patients with hemianopia, unseen stimuli elicit startle reflexes but do not trigger frontal mechanisms that control emotional responses.
By Jason J. S. Barton, MD, PhD, FRCPC
March 9, 2010
Covering:
Anders S et al., Brain 2009 Nov; 132:3021
Do Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Attenuate Tamoxifen's Benefits in Breast Cancer Survivors?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Paroxetine was associated with excess mortality in breast cancer survivors who were receiving tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
March 4, 2010
Covering:
Kelly CM et al., BMJ 2010 Feb 8; 340:c693
Andersohn F and Willich SN., BMJ 2010 Feb 8; 340:c783
Antidepressant Use and Cardiovascular Risk in Postmenopausal Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Although antidepressants were not associated with coronary heart disease risk, SSRIs were associated with higher stroke risk and both SSRIs and TCAs with higher all-cause mortality.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
January 21, 2010
Covering:
Smoller JW et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Dec 14/28; 169:2128
O'Connor C and Fiuzat M., Arch Intern Med 2009 Dec 14/28; 169:2140
Opioid Prescription for Chronic Pain and Risk for Overdose and Death
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk is clear, but solutions are not.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
February 11, 2010
Covering:
Dunn KM et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 Jan 19; 152:85
McLellan AT and Turner BJ., Ann Intern Med 2010 Jan 19; 152:123
Lancet Seminar on Eating Disorders
A review of new information on classification and diagnosis, pathogenesis, complications, and treatments for eating disorders
Lancet Seminar on Autism
A review focused on progress in our understanding of autism spectrum disorder
