Does School Drug Testing Work?
Yes and no: Testing was often associated with decreased use of marijuana but greater use of other illicit drugs.
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for Episodic Migraine
Neurology Summary and Comment
A sham-controlled study of supraorbital transcutaneous stimulation shows a migraine-preventive effect.
By Thorsten Bartsch, MD
March 5, 2013
Covering:
Schoenen J et al., Neurology 2013 Feb 19; 80:697
Long-Term Cognitive Effects of In Utero Antiepileptic Drug Exposure
Neurology Summary and Comment
Two studies link in utero valproic acid exposure with cognitive and neurodevelopmental abnormalities up to age 6 years.
By Autumn Klein, MD, PhD
March 5, 2013
Covering:
Meador KJ et al., Lancet Neurol 2013 Mar; 12:244
Bromley RL et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2013 Jan 31
Alzheimer Disease Prevalence Estimates Predict Dramatic Increase by 2050
Neurology Summary and Comment
Using 2010 census data, researchers confirm a previous prediction of a nearly threefold increase in U.S. patients with AD.
When the Emergency Department Is Busier, Do Patients Suffer More Psychological Stress?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
A small study suggests that heart attack patients may have more PTSD when admissions increase.
Major Congenital Malformation Rate Is Low with Levetiracetam
Neurology Summary and Comment
A registry study from the U.K. and Ireland shows that the rate was low with levetiracetam monotherapy but higher with polytherapy.
Early Toxic Stress: Effects on Immune, Endocrine, and Brain Development
Understanding the science of early toxic stress is key to reducing the lifelong health effects.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
February 27, 2013
Covering:
Johnson SB et al., Pediatrics 2013 Feb; 131:319
In-Depth Study of Desvenlafaxine for Menopausal Hot Flashes
Women's Health Summary and Comment
This serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor was effective and safe at 12 weeks and 1 year, but should be directly tested against hormone therapy.
By Anne A. Moore, DNP, APRN, FAANP
February 21, 2013
Covering:
Pinkerton JV et al., Menopause 2013 Jan; 20:28
Pinkerton JV et al., Menopause 2013 Jan; 20:38
Archer DF et al., Menopause 2013 Jan; 20:47
Quadruple Increase in ED Visits Involving ADHD Medications in Young Adults
Between 2005 and 2010, the number of ED visits among 18- to 25-year-olds increased from 2100 to 8000, while increasing only slightly among adolescents.
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP
February 20, 2013
Covering:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality., DAWN Report 2013 Jan 24
Increasing Doses of Citalopram, Escitalopram, and Amitriptyline are Associated with QT Interval Prolongation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
These observational results support the FDA's warning about cardiac changes.
Binge Drinking Is Common Among Young Women and Girls
About 25% of 18–24-year-olds reported binge drinking in the past 30 days; more than 50% of girls in grades 9–12 who drink alcohol reported binge drinking.
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP
February 13, 2013
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2013 Jan 11; 62:9
Rivastigmine for HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Rivastigmine improved information processing speed, but not other cognitive functions, in a small cohort of patients with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
By Jaime Toro, MD
February 19, 2013
Covering:
Simioni S et al., Neurology 2013 Feb 5; 80:553
USPSTF Now Recommends Screening Women for Intimate Partner Violence
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Women who screen positive should receive intervention.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
February 12, 2013
Covering:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)., Ann Intern Med 2013 Jan 22
Antipsychotic Prescribing in U.S. Nursing Homes Continues at High Levels
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Some geographic variation exists, but prescribing rates in all regions are higher than guidelines support.
Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
Neurology Summary and Comment
Depression was commonly associated with, but not necessarily antecedent to, both mild cognitive impairment and dementia in a cohort study.
Pill Color Changes Are Associated with Nonadherence to Antiepileptic Medications
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Especially in patients with seizure disorder, drug colors matter.
Update: Primary-Care Risk Assessment and Behavioral Interventions Can Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect
Standardized risk assessment and behavioral interventions reduce abuse and neglect outcomes in young children.
AAP Policy Statement: Pesticide Exposure in Children
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
A call for pediatricians to be knowledgeable about signs and symptoms of common pesticide exposures, counseling on exposure, and toxicity management
By Louis M. Bell, MD
January 30, 2013
Covering:
Council on Environmental Health., Pediatrics 2012 Dec 1; 130:e1757
Roberts JR et al., Pediatrics 2012 Dec 1; 130:e1765
Behavioral Therapies Work for Disruptive Behavior in Young Children
In pooled analysis, psychosocial treatments showed a large sustained effect.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
January 30, 2013
Covering:
Comer JS et al., J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2013 Jan; 52:26
ACOG Recommends Routinely Screening Women for Reproductive and Sexual Coercion
Women's Health Practice Watch
Free
Interventions include providing safety cards as well as contraceptive methods that are less susceptible to partner subversion.
Cautionary Tale About Adderall's Dangers Featured in Sunday's New York Times
A lengthy account of one young man's descent from seemingly innocent Adderall abuse into paranoia, psychosis, and eventual suicide will likely have patients and colleagues...
Mild Cognitive Impairment Common in Patients with Chronic AF
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Assessment of cognitive functioning should be a routine component of clinical management in older patients.
Citalopram Reduces GERD Symptoms in Hypersensitive Esophagus
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
This selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor showed promise in a small clinical trial of patients who did not respond to acid suppressants.
By David A. Johnson, MD
January 18, 2013
Covering:
Viazis N et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2012 Nov; 107:1662
Nonbenzodiazepine Hypnotics Affect Sleep Latency in Adults with Insomnia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The combination of drug and placebo response shortened time to falling asleep.
USPSTF Review of Interventions to Prevent Tobacco Use in Children and Adolescents
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
In a draft statement, the USPSTF recommends that clinicians provide educational or counseling interventions to prevent initiation of tobacco use.
