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A cohort study involving both publicly and commercially insured patients has found in adjusted analyses that exposure to stimulant medications during pregnancy did not significantly increase risk of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. The investigators focused largely on children's risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Study results were published online Jan. 24, 2024, in JAMA Psychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a secondary analysis of a study evaluating the cognitive effects of a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement within the COSMOS trial, suggesting that broad-based multivitamin-mineral supplements may positively impact cognitive health in older adults.

The article explores the implications of increased stimulant prescriptions amid the pandemic, particularly in adult populations, suggesting potential overprescribing driven by telemedicine and marketing strategies. Topics include the association of stimulant use with lower mortality in ADHD patients, reduced risk of hospital admission for psychosis in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and concerns regarding cardiovascular risks and misuse.

Combining ketamine with mindfulness‐based relapse prevention therapy resulted in a significant increase in alcohol abstinence among patients with severe alcohol use disorder, a Phase 2 placebo‐controlled study has found. However, ketamine treatment, which consisted of three weekly infusions, did not differ significantly from placebo in improving alcohol relapse rates at 6‐month follow‐up. Study results were published online January 11, 2022, in the American Journal of Psychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the impact of buprenorphine dosage on treatment retention in opioid use disorder, suggesting a need for higher doses due to fentanyl's prevalence in the drug supply, based on a retrospective cohort study of 6,499 patients in Rhode Island.

Back in November 2020, a point in our history that you may recall as marked by, one could say, "disquiet," I wrote a commentary addressing an issue of pharmacoeconomics pertaining to our field (Price, 2020). I acknowledged at the time some trepidation about departing from our core mission of covering psychopharmacology, but argued that the specific topic (dramatic disparities in the pricing of generic psychiatric drugs) was of such great importance to us as psychiatric providers that the exception was justified. Now, nearly three years later, I find myself again sufficiently roiled to make a similar exception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the use of cholinesterase inhibitors to improve psychotic symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, with a meta-analysis finding significant improvements in hallucinations and delusions in both conditions.

Repeated oral dosing of ketamine improved symptoms of depressionCannabinoids may prevent onset of laboratory‐induced painLong‐term SSRI use exacerbates risk of fractures in adultsSome mood stabilizers increase risk of stroke in bipolar disorder patients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Donepezil fails to improve cognition in older patients with depressionFolic acid fortification reduces risk of psychosis in youthsCohort study finds weight gain with each of three antipsychoticsProgression to agranulocytosis with clozapine found to be rare [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study suggests role for folic acid in treating schizophrenia symptoms Clozapine‐associated neutropenia rare, with risk declining after one year Adjunctive aripiprazole counteracts prolactin‐related adverse effects Medication‐assisted treatment reduces mortality in opioid disorder patients Verubecestat fails to reduce decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease Some anticholinergics associated with elevated risk of dementia Efficacy of antidepressants unaffected by baseline severity DES exposure in pregnancy linked to third‐generation deficits [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses use of Lamotrigine in treating acute bipolar depression, and also mentions whether specific depressive symptoms are more responsive to lamotrigine compared with placebo.

Clozapine is highly effective in managing patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia. However, use of this atypical antipsychotic is associated with a highly variable pharmacokinetic profile and the occurrence of significant side effects, such as potentially fatal agranulocytosis. Pancreatitis is another adverse effect that has been reported in the literature. The following case describes a patient receiving clozapine who developed acute pancreatitis with multi‐organ involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on fluoxetine's effect on depression following stroke not significant.

The article presents a study on the addition of atomoxetine with sertraline to achieve drug-specific benefit and relieve the symptoms of depression. It investigates the patients with depressive disorder and were administered 200 mg/day of sertraline for 8 weeks in preparation to receive 40 to 120 mg/day of atomoxetine or placebo for another 8 weeks. It highlights the results that there was no difference between patients taking up atomoxetine and placebo on the symptom severity.

The article reports on the findings of two European studies which found significant link between pergolide, cabergoline and valvular heart disease. Pergolide and cabergoline are ergot-derived dopamine agonist used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Both studies found that the two dopamine agonists are associated with cardiac valve regurgitation.

An introduction is presented in which the guest editors discuss the theme of the issue, using precision medicine in psychiatry.

The article offers information on several selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) that have demonstrated efficacy in treatment of youths with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders. Topics include considered that several adverse events analyzed were activation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, insomnia, headache, and sedation.

Throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic we've heard story after story in the lay media about the terrible toll this worldwide catastrophe has exacted on our collective mental health. Some of these stories have focused on specific age groups (children, teens, the elderly), others on specific ethnic groups (indigenous peoples, minorities), still others on impacts for just folks in general (loneliness, existential despair). There's been no shortage of reporting on specific professions, either. Near the very beginning of the pandemic last year, the resident‐selected topic of one of my monthly seminars with our Brown psychiatry residents was "The COVID‐19 pandemic and psychiatry — Impacts on healthcare providers." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

States that mood stabilizers is not always an effective treatment for depression or mania. Comments from Paul E. Keck Jr., M.D., who conducted studies on bipolar disorder; Why bipolar depression is understudied; Information on the use of serotonin reuptake inhibitor antedepressants venlafaxine and nefazodone in bipolar patients taking mood stabilizers; Findings of the study of olanzapine in bipolar patients.

Presents information on several drugs used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Details on drugs for depression and schizophrenia; Comments from Paul E. Kerk Jr., M.D., who has conducted studies on bipolar disorder; What the guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association for the treatment of bipolar disorder recommend; Names of the drugs. INSETS: Newest anticonvulsant, tiagabine, not yet in trials;Side effects that most commonly lead to discontinuation with....

The article focuses on a research, according to which the drug tamoxifen is effective in the treatment of acute mania in patients suffering from bipolar disorder.

Subthreshold hypomanic symptoms affect antidepressant responseECT shows efficacy in treating clozapine‐resistant schizophreniaMeta‐analysis: SSRIs decrease risk of myocardial infarctionCannabidiol could help patients at high risk for psychosisNicotine shows promise in elderly with mood and depressive symptomsAtypical antipsychotics compare favorably on measures of hostilityAntidepressants in elderly generate no increased risk of dementia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the efficacy of short-term quetiapine XR monotherapy in relieving major depressive disorder (MDD). Results of clinical analysis show significant reductions in depressive symptoms in people receiving quetiapine. The information has become a significant evidence in promoting the use of quetiapine as a treatment for MDD.

The article discusses the study which reviewed the Pubmed and Ovid databases and found case reports that show the association of atypical antipsychotics with priapism. The authors of the study found out that most of the atypical antipsychotics have been reported to cause priapism in men, both in those who were just starting on a medication and those who had been taking a medication for an extended period of time.

The article reports on a study which found higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance in schizophrenic patients with memethylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 T allele who are taking atypical antipsychotics. The study examines the relationship between two genetic variants of MTHFR and metabolic sysndrome in patients with schizophrenia. It was observed that reduced MTHFR can result in inadequate folate metabolism and increased homocysteine. INSET: Folate, homocysteine and the C677T polymorphism.

The article presents a study on the treatment of bipolar depression with mood stabilizer and antidepressant. It explores the combination of paroxetine or bupropion with a mood stabilizer such as lithium, valpoate, carbamazepine or anti-manic agent. It highlights the results of the study that there was no significant difference in using both antidepressant and mood stabilizer in treating bipolar depression.

The article reports on treating addiction by diminishing the positive memories. Topics include sows impact of disrupting positive memories of consuming alcohol that decrease subsequent alcohol use; and focuses on intravenous infusion of ketamine following retrieval of positive alcohol related memories, the second received the ketamine without memory retrieval, and the third received intravenous saline as a placebo following memory retrieval.

The article presents a study conducted by researcher Anthony J. Rothschild, which has found that olanzapine alone is an ineffective treatment for major depression with psychotic features (MDpsy). However, the study also found that adding fluoxetine to olanzapine therapy may improve MDpsy symptoms. Olanzapine has a broad binding profile and has affinity for several neuronal receptor sites. In the study, published in the journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Rothschild tested the efficacy of olanzapine monotherapy versus combination olanzapine/fluoxetine therapy in patients with MDpsy. The results of this study indicated that olanzapine monotherapy is not an effective treatment for MDpsy. However, the combination olanzapine/fluoxetine therapy results are promising and suggest that higher doses of fluoxentine may be advantageous.

Reports on the evolution of a new dual-acting model for antidepressant medications. Enhancement of the monoamine neurotransmission; Composition of the drug with serotonin and norepinephrine; Efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of depression.

Examines augmentation strategies for treating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)-resistant depression. Efficacy of ziprasidone in conjunction with SSRI to treat SSRI-resistant major depressive disorder; Analysis of the augmentation of SSRI treatment with the Β-adrenoceptor antagonist pindolol; Comparison of the effects of the two treatments.

Reports the pending approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the public release of duloxetine, an serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant. Properties of the drug; Use of duloxetine for treatment of patients with major depression; Comparison of efficacy with other SNRI antidepressants.

–Risk of serotonin syndrome low with concomitant use of triptans, antidepressants –Seizure risk lower when patients with ADHD received medication –Study finds value in continuing medication for first‐episode psychosis –NAC improves schizophrenia symptoms, but does not alter brain morphology [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a recent supervision session with a resident, the question arose as to whether the diazepam being given to one of his clinic patients with chronic renal insufficiency should be replaced by a benzodiazepine that was either shorter‐acting or without active metabolites (the answer: probably unnecessary, since most of diazepam's metabolism is hepatic). Quite by coincidence, results of the Chronic Kidney Disease Antidepressant Sertraline Trial (CAST) had just been published by Hedayati et al., allowing our supervision discussion to meander onto a related, and probably more important, topic: What is the best way to treat depression in the medically compromised? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single infusion of ketamine resulted in a greater reduction in suicidal thoughts in comparison with midazolam among patients with depression, with clinical improvement sustained for up to six weeks, a new study has found. Side effects from ketamine were mild to moderate and usually lasted no more than a few hours after infusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of hormonal contraceptives was positively associated with an increased risk of suicide attempt and suicide, a prospective cohort study conducted in Denmark has found. The highest risk was present among adolescent women, according to the researchers, and the association between hormonal contraceptive use and a first suicide attempt reached its peak after two months of contraceptive use. Study results were published online Nov. 17, 2017, in the American Journal of Psychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychosocial intervention improves adherence to antidepressants, Patients on opioid agonists fare best with psychotherapy for mood symptoms, Antidepressant use in pregnancy linked with psychiatric disorders in offspring, Suvorexant has preventive effect on delirium in elderly patients, Adding lorazepam effective for delirium in patients with advanced cancer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended-release tramadol shows promise for opioid withdrawal, Methylphenidate not associated with risk of attempted suicide, Self-harm risk lower with clozapine compared to other antipsychotics, Drug in development shows efficacy for negative symptoms of schizophrenia, No evidence of intellectual disability risk from antidepressant use during pregnancy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No association found between ADHD medication, substance abuse risk, Modulator of GABA receptors effective for women with postpartum depression, Weekly formulation of buprenorphine stabilizes patients with opioid disorder, Clonazepam has favorable results in lowering relapse in panic disorder, Review of ADHD treatments shows greater benefit than risk, Review of treatment for sex offenders emphasizes limits of available studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suvorexant not found to impair morning driving after night use, Crossover study suggests suvorexant has less abuse potential than zolpidem, Metformin can combat weight gain from atypical antipsychotics for autism, Risk of congenital malformations from antipsychotics in early pregnancy low, Varenicline effective in reducing smoking among schizophrenia patients, Neurotrophin pathway has role in suicidality during antidepressant treatment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a study that was published in the journal "Schizophr Bul 2019" on May 31, 2019 on the effect of clozapine treatment on the frequency of violent offenses and comparing its effects to those of olanzapine and reveals that clozapine has favorable effect in reducing violent behavior.

The article offers information related to the need of evidence to identify options for clozapine resistance and mentions Numerous combination strategies with other antipsychotics and augmentation strategies with antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and other agents used in these cases.

The article discusses the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of olanzapine in adults with anorexia nervosa. It notes that patients receiving active drug showed a greater increase in body mass index per month than those receiving placebo, corresponding to about a pound more, or roughly 1.5 pounds total, per month. It adds that refractory patients, who comprise a large number of the affected adult population, are extraordinarily difficult to treat.

Review finds rigorous evidence lacking for antidepressants in cancer patientsThree antidepressants show efficacy in treating older‐adult populationStimulant improves executive function in study of menopausal womenStudy highlights metabolite's role in clozapine's effect on memorySupervised heroin injection may work for treatment‐refractory cases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 24-week trial involving adults with hypochondriasis found the highest response rate with a combination of fluoxetine and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), although the overall results of the study suggest that the antidepressant was the strongest contributor to positive outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the study conducted by Biostatistics Paul Lichtenstein to examine relationship between use of medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and criminality in Sweden. It discusses methodology of the study which reviewed patient database for more than 25,000 individuals. The study concluded occurrence of crimes less frequently among ADHD patients during medication period as compared to non-medication periods.

The article focuses on the adverse effects of triptan-induced selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). According to the article, these two psychotropic drugs are often used in treating anxiety disorders and depressions. However, these drugs, if induced with triptans, can cause serotonin syndrome and proved to be fatal.

The article discusses the issue concerning the interaction of drug metabolism genotypes and methadone bioavailability. It presents a clinical case of a 25-year-old man who was admitted to the opiate withdrawal methadone program. Meanwhile, it reveals that the presence of CYPA35*1 variant, which has been reported to result in rapid metabolism of drug, could play a role in the observed low methadone concentration on the man.

The article offers information on the classification, usage and side effects of the drug Mirtazapine. It is a drug used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Individuals who consider using Mirtazapine or any other antidepressant should balance the risk of possible suicidal tendencies with the clinical need. Patients who use the drug may experience dry mouth, drowsiness, and constipation. There is a risk of developing agranulocytosis, a condition affecting blood cells.

The article describes two case reports on the use of long-term granulocyte colonystimulating factor (G-CSF) in clozapine-treated patients who developed significant decrease in white blood cells (WBC) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Both cases involve African American male schizophrenic patients who were concurrently given the two medication, with clozapine for the psychotic symptoms and G-CSF to restore the patients' WBC and ANC.

The article presents news related to psychopharmacology research in Europe compiled as of April 2007. One study analyzed cardiac-valve regurgitation in elderly patients taking antiparkinsonian medications. Another study evaluated regurgitation severity for mitral, aortic and tricuspid valves and the deformity of mitral valve apparatus in Parkinson's disease patients taking dopamine agonist cabergoline.