Genetic Vulnerabilities to Methamphetamine Abuse and Psychosis?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Researchers look at genetic polymorphisms associated with a protein implicated in schizophrenia.
By Joel Yager, MD
September 10, 2007
Covering:
Matsuzawa D et al., Am J Psychiatry 2007 Jul; 164:1105-14
Survival Improving Among HIV-Infected IDUs
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
A report from Spain confirms significant reductions in mortality in a large cohort of HIV-infected injection-drug users who were enrolled in a substance-abuse treatment program.
By Peter A. Selwyn, MD, MPH
August 30, 2007
Covering:
Muga R et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Aug 1; 45:370-6
Kirk GD and Vlahov D., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Aug 1; 45:377-80
Young-Adult Gambling Is a Bad Bet!
College students who gamble also engage in a host of other risk behaviors.
By M. Susan Jay, MD
August 22, 2007
Covering:
Huang J-H et al., J Adolesc Heath 2007 May; 40:390-7
Do Teens Get the Message?
If alcohol advertisers are serious about protecting youth, responsibility and moderation messages included in alcohol advertisements must be visible, prominent, and memorable.
By M. Susan Jay, MD
August 22, 2007
Covering:
Thomsen SR and Fulton K., J Adolesc Health 2007 Jul; 41:27-34
Crystal Methamphetamine Use Among Young Adults
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Rates are higher than previously thought.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
August 13, 2007
Covering:
Iritani BJ et al., Addiction 2007 Jul; 102:1102-13
College Drinking Predicts Abuse of Prescription Drugs
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Misuse of prescription drugs is high among students with drinking problems.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
August 13, 2007
Covering:
McCabe SE et al., J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2007 Jul; 68:543-7
Childhood Abuse and Antisocial Alcoholism in Women: A Genetic Link
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An <$EMPH_O>MAOA<$EMPH_C> polymorphism predicted psychopathology, but only among women with histories of childhood sexual abuse.
By Barbara Geller, MD
August 13, 2007
Covering:
Ducci F et al., Mol Psychiatry 2007 Jun 26
Big Brother May Be Watching What You Prescribe
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Although rare, excessive prosecutions of physicians who prescribed high-dose narcotics for chronic pain may have a chilling impact on clinical practice.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
July 30, 2007
Covering:
Reidenberg MM and Willis O., Clin Pharmacol Ther 2007 Jun; 81:903-6
Benjamin DM., Clin Pharmacol Ther 2007 Jun; 81:797-8
Hoffmann DE., Clin Pharmacol Ther 2007 Jun; 81:799-801
Detecting Problem Drinking
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Even psychiatrists can improve. . . .
By Deborah S. Cowley, MD
July 30, 2007
Covering:
Hill KP and Chang G., Am J Addict 2007 May/Jun; 16:222-6
Alcohol Dependence: Chronic Disorder or Not?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Many people with alcohol use disorders report one episode lasting up to several years.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
July 24, 2007
Covering:
Hasin DS et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2007 Jul; 64:830-42
Targeting High-Risk Drinking in Fraternities
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A peer-to-peer intervention produces some temporary improvement in drinking behaviors.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Caudill BD et al., J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2007 May; 68:399-409
"Why Do You Think They Call It Dope?"
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Even light use of MDMA can result in problems with verbal memory.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
July 9, 2007
Covering:
Schilt T et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2007 Jun; 64:728-36
Paying Attention to Meth Abuse
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An animal and a human study show the deleterious effect of methamphetamine on brain structure and function, especially attention.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
July 9, 2007
Covering:
Deng X et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Jun 1; 61:1235-43
Salo R et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Jun 1; 61:1272-80
HIV Infection Is Linked to Lung Cancer Risk Again
In a cohort comprised mostly of smokers, HIV infection was an independent risk factor for lung cancer. Message for patients: Time to quit!
By Abigail Zuger, MD
July 2, 2007
Covering:
Kirk GD et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Jul 1; 45:103-10
Is Methadone Bad for the Heart?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
New evidence links the <$EMPH_O>S<$EMPH_C>-enantiomer and high methadone doses with prolonged QTc interval.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
July 2, 2007
Covering:
Eap CB et al., Clin Pharmacol Ther 2007 May; 81:719-28
How Teens Use ADHD Medications
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Few teens with ADHD were receiving stimulant prescriptions in this study, but nonmedical use of stimulants was popular.
By Deborah S. Cowley, MD
July 2, 2007
Covering:
Poulin C., Addiction 2007 May; 102:740-51
Two Interventions for At-Risk Alcohol-Using Trauma Patients
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Both methods are brief, effective, and durable.
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM, FACEP
June 29, 2007
Covering:
Soderstrom CA et al., J Trauma 2007 May; 62:1102-11
Smoking and Endothelial Dysfunction
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Smokers had more epicardial endothelial dysfunction than nonsmokers, but the smokers' microvascular function was intact.
By Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH
June 19, 2007
Covering:
Lavi S et al., Circulation 2007 May 22; 115:2621-7
Anabolic Steroid Use in Female Teens
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Steroid use was correlated with a range of high-risk behaviors, but not with competitive athletics or bodybuilding.
By Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
June 19, 2007
Covering:
Elliot DL et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Jun; 161:572-7
Cannabis, Cognition, and the Prefrontal Cortex
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Researchers propose some hypotheses regarding how cannabis may be connected to schizophrenia risk or to treatment for Parkinson disease.
By Barbara Geller, MD
June 11, 2007
Covering:
Hermann D et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Jun 1; 61:1281-9
Hepatitis C Transmission: Sex or Drugs?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A study among heterosexual couples provides additional evidence that sexual contact plays little role in HCV transmission.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
May 2, 2007
Covering:
McMahon JM et al., J Infect Dis 2007 Jun 1; 195
Diverting Drugs: Teens and Misuse of Psychoactive Prescription Drugs
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Rates of prescription use and misuse were high in this single-site survey.
By Barbara Geller, MD
April 30, 2007
Covering:
Boyd CJ et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Mar; 161:276-81
Emerging Perspectives: Psychopathology and the Serotonin Transporter
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The effect of the short-allele variant on depression may be secondary to more general effects.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
April 30, 2007
Covering:
Covault J et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Mar 1; 61:609-16
Kraft JB et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Mar 15; 61:734-42
Young KA et al., Biol Psychiatry 2007 Mar 15; 61:813-8
Teens Report Using Drugs More Often Than Alcohol in Cars
Drugs, too, can affect driving performance.
By Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP
April 11, 2007
Videotapes of Delirium Tremens Reduce Relapse Rates
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Watching yourself in DTs is a sobering experience.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
March 26, 2007
Covering:
Mihai A et al., Addiction 2007 Feb; 102:226-31
