Putting an End to Yo-Yo Dieting
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A simple program of weigh-ins and supportive phone calls was as effective as a more elaborate approach.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
June 2, 2009
Covering:
Dale KS et al., CMAJ 2009 May 12; 180:E39
Mood Disorders, Epilepsy, and Surgery: Full Circle
Neurology Summary and Comment
Lifetime history of psychiatric disorder predicts worse outcome after mesial temporal lobe resection, suggesting that an underlying disorder predisposes to both.
By Susan S. Spencer, MD
June 2, 2009
Covering:
Kanner AM et al., Neurology 2009 Mar 3; 72:793
Cognitive Effects of Antiepileptic Drug Withdrawal
Neurology Summary and Comment
Withdrawal in patients with well-controlled seizures produced significant improvements on cognitive-test performance.
By Kimford J. Meador, MD
June 2, 2009
Covering:
Hessen E et al., Acta Neurol Scand 2009 Mar; 119:194
Sudden Unexplained Death and Stimulant Medications: The Controversy Continues
Results of a retrospective case-control study support an association between stimulant use and sudden unexplained death.
Intensive Efforts Could Improve Smoking-Cessation Rate
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Both outreach programs and the intense cessation programs affect the proportion of smokers who succeed in quitting.
Othello Syndrome in Parkinson Disease without Dementia
Neurology Summary and Comment
A review of six cases provides insights into this delusional disorder.
By Scott M. McGinnis, MD
April 21, 2009
Covering:
Cannas A et al., Neurologist 2009 Jan; 15:34
Driving with Dementia
Neurology Summary and Comment
Scores on cognitive tests relate to driving behaviors in people with Alzheimer disease.
By Germaine L. Odenheimer, MD
April 7, 2009
Covering:
Dawson JD et al., Neurology 2009 Feb 10; 72:521
Is Donepezil Effective for Mild Cognitive Impairment?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Donepezil was not more effective than placebo, according to the study’s primary endpoint.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 14, 2009
Covering:
Doody RS et al., Neurology 2009 May 5; 72:1555
USPSTF: Screening Children and Adolescents for Depression
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
The task force recommends screening for adolescents when follow-up is available, but data are still sparse on whether screening benefits children.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
April 21, 2009
Covering:
US Preventive Services Task Force., Pediatrics 2009 Apr; 123:1223
Long-Term Antipsychotic Use in Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Mortality was higher with 1 year of antipsychotic use than with placebo and appeared to increase with longer-term follow-up.
By Zeina Chemali, MD, MPH
April 28, 2009
Covering:
Ballard C et al., Lancet Neurol 2009 Feb; 8:151
Could B12 and Folate Deficiencies Cause Brain Atrophy and Dementia?
Neurology Summary and Comment
In one study of community-dwelling elders, folate and B12 levels correlated with brain atrophy; in another, these vitamins correlated with incident dementia.
By Laurence J. Kinsella, MD
April 14, 2009
Covering:
Vogiatzoglou A et al., Neurology 2008 Sep 9; 71:826
Kim J-M et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2008 Aug; 79:864
How Does HT Affect the Brains of Older Menopausal Women?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Subclinical cerebrovascular disease and regional decreases in brain volume could contribute to HT-associated cognitive decline.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
February 5, 2009
Covering:
Coker LH et al., Neurology 2009 Jan 13; 72:125
Resnick SM et al., Neurology 2009 Jan 13; 72:135
Surprise! Asking Adolescents About Sensitive Topics Improves Their Perception of Care
Discussion about sensitive health issues contributes to a positive provider–patient relationship.
Physical Activity and Mortality in 50-Year-Old Men
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Boosting physical activity has the same long-term effect on mortality as does smoking cessation.
Statins and Risk for Alzheimer Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
In a large, prospective study, use of statin cholesterol-lowering drugs was associated with reduced risk for Alzheimer disease, independent of the drug’s lipophilicity.
By Gad A. Marshall, MD
March 17, 2009
Covering:
Haag MDM et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2009 Jan; 80:13
Sparks L., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2009 Jan; 80:1
Predicting Remission in Depressed Children Treated with Fluoxetine
A reduction in symptoms of 50% or more after 4 weeks of treatment predicts remission at 12 weeks.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
February 11, 2009
Covering:
Tao R et al., J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2009 Jan; 48:71
Benefits of Antidepressants in Fibromyalgia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Tricyclic antidepressants were effective in reducing pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
How Safe Is Ecstasy in Low Doses?
Neurology Summary and Comment
An imaging study finds evidence of brain damage in new users, compared with their own pre-use baseline and with ecstasy-naive controls.
By John C.M. Brust, MD
January 13, 2009
Covering:
de Win MML et al., Brain 2008 Nov; 131:2936
Diabetes, Depression, and Pregnancy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Diabetes was associated with perinatal depression in low-income mothers.
In Finland, Fewer Suicides in Areas with Diversified Outpatient Mental Health Services
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Suicide rates were lower in communities that provided 24-hour emergency services.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
January 27, 2009
Covering:
Pirkola S et al., Lancet 2009 Jan 10; 373:147
In Utero Exposure to Valproate: A Cause of Autism?
Preliminary findings from this small study represent the first prospective observation of an association between fetal valproate exposure and ASDs.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
January 7, 2009
Covering:
Bromley RL et al., Neurology 2008 Dec 2; 71:1923
Psychological Effects of Parental Wartime Deployment on Young Children
Children ages 3 to 5 years whose parents were deployed had worse behavior scores than those who did not.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
December 17, 2008
Covering:
Chartrand MM et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008 Nov; 162:1009
Asking About Parental Alcohol Use Might Be Easier Than You Think
Most parents surveyed would not mind being asked about their alcohol use.
Increased Prevalence of Risk Behaviors Reported by Chronically Ill Adolescents
Adolescents with chronic conditions were more likely than healthy peers to smoke cigarettes or marijuana or to engage in violent or antisocial acts.
Unhealthy Alcohol Use Is Associated with Medication Nonadherence
General Medicine Summary and Comment
People who drank most heavily had lowest adherence to statins and antihypertensive drugs.
