Cannabis and Schizophrenia: Blowing Smoke?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Among patients with schizophrenia, those who had histories of cannabis use had better neurocognitive scores than nonusers.
By Joel Yager, MD
July 2, 2010
Covering:
DeRosse P et al., Schizophr Res 2010 Jul; 120:95
Treatment of Opioid Dependence: In the HIV Clinic or Out?
Patients treated in the clinic with buprenorphine-naloxone had closer HIV follow-up and better outcomes related to substance abuse than patients referred to methadone maintenance programs.
By Mark Eisenberg, MD
June 28, 2010
Covering:
Lucas GM et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 Jun 1; 152:704
Cocaine-Associated Chest Pain and β-Blockers
General Medicine Summary and Comment
β-blockers might not be contraindicated after all.
Supervised Injectable Heroin After Failure of Oral Methadone Maintenance
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Compared with addicts who received methadone therapy, longtime addicts who received supervised heroin doses were less likely to use street heroin.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
June 22, 2010
Covering:
Strang J et al., Lancet 2010 May 29; 375:1885
Kerr T et al., Lancet 2010 May 29; 375:1849
HIV Prevention and Treatment Services in Injection-Drug Users
The provision of such services varies widely across countries but is rarely if ever optimal.
By Peter Selwyn, MD, MPH
June 21, 2010
Covering:
Mathers BM et al., Lancet 2010 Mar 20; 375:1014
Young Women Have Few Sequelae from Early Puberty
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
But teenage promiscuity in early maturers raises the risk for sexually transmitted diseases and hepatitis.
By Barbara Geller, MD
June 21, 2010
Covering:
Copeland W et al., Am J Psychiatry 2010 May 17
Earlobes and Cocaine
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Levamisole kills worms in dogs and turns your earlobes purple — what's not to like?
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
June 18, 2010
Covering:
Bradford M et al, Ann Intern
Med 2010 Jun 1; 152:758
Bipolar Disorder plus Antisocial Personality Disorder: An Impulsive Storm
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Talk about impulsivity! Comorbid bipolar disorder and antisocial personality disorder
By Joel Yager, MD
June 7, 2010
Covering:
Swann AC et al., Acta Psychiatr Scand 2010 Jun; 121:453
Tan Addiction
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Some chronic indoor tanners have what looks like a substance-related disorder.
Endogenous Opiates and Mood Regulation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An imaging study uncovers a role for the µ-opioid system in these patients' experience of psychic pain.
By Joel Yager, MD
May 28, 2010
Covering:
Prossin AR et al., Am J Psychiatry 2010 May 13
Addicted to Food
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A study in rats reveals dysfunction in the reward system with unlimited access to rich foods, similar to cocaine addictions.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
May 17, 2010
Covering:
Johnson PM and Kenny PJ., Nat Neurosci 2010 May; 13:635
Emergency Department Use of Droperidol in Adolescents
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Droperidol was safe and effective when used in teens and young adults.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
May 14, 2010
Covering:
Szwak K and Sacchetti A., Pediatr Emerg Care 2010 Apr; 26:248
Factors Affecting Survival During Alcohol Withdrawal
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a Spanish hospital, 7% of patients died during 539 episodes of withdrawal.
Starting Treatment with Both Sertraline and Naltrexone for Depressed Alcoholics
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Does combined treatment for these comorbid disorders make sense?
By Joel Yager, MD
April 12, 2010
Covering:
Pettinati HM et al., Am J Psychiatry 2010 Mar 15
Drinking Affects Campus Sexual Violence
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Rates of campus violence, especially rape, are associated with amounts of student drinking.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
April 12, 2010
Covering:
Scribner RA et al., J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2010 Mar; 71:184
Methadone Isomers and QTc Interval
General Medicine Summary and Comment
QTc appears shorter with (<$EMPH_O>R<$EMPH_C>)-methadone.
Excess Weight Raises Risk for Liver Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
And heavy drinking adds synergistically to the risk.
Are µ-Opioid Receptor Variants Associated with Response to Citalopram?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
. . . or to placebo?
By Joel Yager, MD
March 29, 2010
Covering:
Garriock HA et al., Am J Psychiatry 2010 Mar 1
Pipe and Cigar Smoking Are Associated with Airflow Obstruction
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk isn't limited to cigarette smoking.
Lack of Care for HIV-Infected Crack Cocaine Users
Twenty percent of the HIV-infected crack cocaine users hospitalized at two U.S. sites reported that they had never received outpatient HIV care.
By Ingrid V. Bassett, MD, MPH
March 8, 2010
Covering:
Bell C et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2010 Feb 18
Helping Recovering Cocaine Users Sleep
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Modafinil may improve the sleep of chronic cocaine users, but does this improvement affect overall outcomes?
By Joel Yager, MD
February 22, 2010
Covering:
Morgan PT et al., Am J Psychiatry 2010 Jan 15
Prenatal Effects of Cocaine: An Animal Study
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Cocaine in macaque mothers reaches the fetal brain.
By Barbara Geller, MD
February 22, 2010
Covering:
Benveniste H et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010 Jan 26; 107:1582
Smoking Cessation After Diagnosis of Early-Stage Lung Cancer Improves Outcomes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
It's never too late to stop smoking.
Extended Treatment with Transdermal Nicotine Is Effective
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Abstinence from smoking was more likely with longer use of the patch.
Sudden Infant Death and Parental Psychopathology
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Hospitalization of a parent is associated with elevated risk for SIDS in this study from Sweden.
By Barbara Geller, MD
February 12, 2010
Covering:
Webb RT et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 Jan; 67:69
