Increasing Amphetamine Abuse Among Pregnant Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Hospitalizations for amphetamine abuse in pregnant women have doubled and primarily occur in the western region of the U.S.
Cannabis Smoking Is Bad for Oral Health
Periodontal disease can now be added to the list of potential adverse effects of marijuana smoking.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
March 12, 2008
Covering:
Thomson WM et al., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:525
Hujoel PP., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:574
Torpy JM et al., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:598
Activated Charcoal Has No Benefit in Organophosphate Overdose
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
As with other types of overdose, activated charcoal fails to make a difference.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
March 7, 2008
Covering:
Eddleston M et al., Lancet 2008 Feb 16; 371:579
Eyer P and Eyer F., Lancet 2008 Feb 16; 371:538
Is Psychosis Nonspecific?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Methamphetamine psychosis may share a dysbindin polymorphism with schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
March 3, 2008
Covering:
Kishimoto M et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Jan 15; 63:191
Genes, Stress, and Adolescent Drinking
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Researchers find a connection between a single-nucleotide polymorphism, drinking, and stressful events.
By Barbara Geller, MD
March 3, 2008
Covering:
Blomeyer D et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Jan 15; 63:146
Cocaine Chest Pain: To Beta Block or Not?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
β-blockers reduced the incidence of myocardial infarction but not death in this retrospective cohort study.
Marijuana Smoking Linked to Periodontal Disease
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The association is independent of tobacco smoking.
Marijuana and Periodontal Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cannabis smoking could be an independent risk factor, in addition to tobacco.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
February 12, 2008
Covering:
Thomson WM et al., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:525
Hujoel PP., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:574
Alcohol Screening and Brief Counseling Are Cost-Saving
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But it’s hardly ever done in primary care.
Another Smoking Gun: The Effects of Cigarettes on Skin Aging
Dermatology Summary and Comment
One twin smoked; the other didn’t.
Getting High Reaches New Lows
Illicit drug use among American teenagers continues its decade-long decline.
Drinking Goals for Patients with Alcohol Dependence
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Abstinence is still best.
"I Didn’t Smoke, But I Inhaled"
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A smokeless vaporizer might decrease dangerous combustion products, thus encouraging medical marijuana use.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
January 18, 2008
Covering:
Abrams DI et al., Clin Pharmacol Ther 2007 Nov; 82:572
A Molecular Switch for Chronic Cocaine Addiction
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An animal study provides important insights.
Baclofen Aids Alcohol Abstinence in Patients with Cirrhosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This small trial also suggested that baclofen is not hepatotoxic.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
January 3, 2008
Covering:
Addolorato G et al., Lancet 2007 Dec 8; 370:1915
Garbutt JC and Flannery B., Lancet 2007 Dec 8; 370:1884
It’s Not Benign: Cannabis, Cognition, and Psychosis
Accumulating evidence suggests that cannabis use is harmful to mental health.
Crystal Meth and HIV/AIDS: The Perfect Storm?
Methamphetamine use is already influencing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. and could have an even greater impact in coming years.
Does Cannabis Cause Schizophrenia?
Neurology Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis suggests that cannabis use is associated with a 40% increased risk of psychosis in later life.
By Leslie L. Iversen, PhD
November 27, 2007
Covering:
Moore THM et al., Lancet 2007 Jul 28; 370:319
Nordentoft M and Hjorthøj C., Lancet 2007 Jul 28; 370:293
A Genetic Predictor of Medication Effectiveness in Smoking Cessation?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Clinicians still wait for a useful marker of drug effectiveness for smoking cessation.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
November 19, 2007
Covering:
Lee AM et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Sep 15; 62:635
Coronary Heart Disease Linked to Colorectal Tumors
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Evidence from a prospective study implicates common risk factors, notably metabolic syndrome and smoking.
Random Alcohol Testing Protects Our Roads
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Mandated alcohol testing of truck drivers significantly reduced related motor vehicle fatalities.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
October 22, 2007
Covering:
Snowden CB et al., J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2007 Sep; 68:634
Topiramate and Alcohol Dependence
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Heavy drinking days decreased and abstinent days increased with doses up to 300 mg daily.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
October 18, 2007
Covering:
Johnson BA et al., JAMA 2007 Oct 10; 298:1641
Willenbring ML., JAMA 2007 Oct 10; 298:1691
Topiramate or Quetiapine for Alcohol Dependence?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Early results are promising, especially for patients with difficult-to-treat Type B alcoholism.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
October 15, 2007
Covering:
Johnson BA et al., JAMA 2007 Oct 10; 298:1641
Kampman KM et al., J Clin Psychopharmacol 2007 Aug; 27:344
Prolonged Military Deployment in Iraq Increases Mental Health Problems
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Soldiers deployed to combat for longer than 1 year reported more psychological and physical symptoms.
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate: A Prodrug for Children with ADHD
LDX appears to be as effective as extended-release mixed amphetamine salts, with a similar side-effect profile.
