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Abstract Medications are commonly prescribed to psychiatric inpatients on a PRN (pro re nata/as required) basis, allowing drugs to be administered on patient request or at nurses' discretion for psychiatric [...]

Abstract: The importance of the opioid receptor system in substance dependence is increasingly recognised. We used PET with the non-selective tracer [11C]diprenorphine to examine opioid receptor binding in early abstinence from alcohol dependence and the relationship to craving. We recruited 11 alcohol dependent patients and 13 controls. Subjects underwent one [11C]diprenorphine PET scan in early abstinence from dependent alcohol use (∼2weeks) and 2months later if continuously abstinent. Global and regional [11C]diprenorphine volumes of distribution (VD) were increased in alcohol dependent patients compared with controls but did not reach significance. We demonstrated a correlation between global and regional [11C]diprenorphine VD and craving in alcohol dependent patients which persisted in the anterior cingulate cortex into extended abstinence. This confirms previous work showing increased opioid receptor availability in early abstinence from substances of abuse and correlation with craving suggesting that the opioid system plays a fundamental role in this phase of addiction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background. Early worsening of anxiety, agitation and irritability are thought to be common among people commencing antidepressants, especially for anxiety disorders. This phenomenon, which may be termed jitteriness/anxiety syndrome, is cited as an explanation for early treatment failure and caution in using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, we believe that it is inconsistently defined and that robust evidence to support the phenomenon is lacking. Aims. To review systematically all evidence relating to jitteriness/ anxiety syndrome to identify: constituent symptoms; medications implicated; disorders in which it was reported; incidence; time course; management strategies; relationship of this syndrome to therapeutic response; distinction between syndrome and akathisia; relationship between syndrome and suicide; and genetic predispositions. Method. A systematic search identified articles and these were included in the review if they addressed one of the above aspects of jitteriness/anxiety syndrome. Results. Of 245 articles identified, 107 articles were included for review. No validated rating scales for jitteriness/anxiety syndrome were identified. There was no robust evidence that the incidence differed between SSRIS and tricyclic antidepressants, or that there was a higher incidence in anxiety disorders. Published incidence rates varied widely from 4 to 65% of people commencing antidepressant treatment. Common treatment strategies for this syndrome included a slower titration of antidepressant and the addition of benzodiazepines. Conclusive evidence for the efficacy these strategies is lacking. There was conflicting and inconclusive evidence as to whether the emergence of this syndrome had a predictive value on the response to treatment. It appears to be a separate syndrome from akathisia, but evidence for this assertion was limited. The effect of jitteriness/anxiety syndrome on suicide rates has not been evaluated. Three studies examined genetic variations and side-effects from treatment, but none was specifically designed to assess jitteriness/anxiety syndrome. Conclusions. Jitteriness/anxiety syndrome remains poorly characterised. Despite this, clinicians' perception of this syndrome influences prescribing and it is cited to support postulated mechanisms of drug action. We recommend systematised evaluation of side-effects at earlier time points in antidepressant trials to further elucidate this clinically important syndrome. Declaration of interest. There are no direct conflicts of interest relating to any of the authors and the contents of this work. This study was not commissioned, funded or sponsored by any pharmaceutical company or other financial enterprise. Over the past 20 years D.J.N. and his research group (which during the period in which the review was designed and conducted has included S.J.C.D., S.D.H; D.M.C, S.S.A.R. and L.I.S) have received funds (research grants, speakers fees or consultancy payments) from every major pharmaceutical company with an interest in the psychiatric field. D.J.N. has also received legal fees from companies, medical defence organisations and the British Legal Aid board in relation to court cases regarding the effects of psychotropic drugs. He holds approximately 300 GlaxoSmithKline shares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that reviewed evidence for a biological explanation for the association and for drug treatment and psychotherapy for psychiatric morbidity in patients with cardiovascular disease. Description of the study and its results; Link between anxiety and depressive disorders and cardiovascular disease; Assertion that untreated psychiatric disorders worsen the prognosis in patients with cardiovascular problems; View that diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric morbidity should be incorporated into the clinical management of coronary heart disease and hypertension.