The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from August 2006

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from August 2006

Unexpected results from SADHART: in over half of cases depression began long before acute coronary events.(Depression and Acute Coronary Syndrome)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... precis * 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating safety and efficacy of sertraline (Zoloft) in 369 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) *...

More research needed on treating bipolar disorder in the elderly: current efforts focus on lithium and valproate.(Bipolar Disorder)
August 1, 2006... Practitioners in the field of geriatric psychopharmacology trying to determine optimal treatment of bipolar disorder for elderly patients must rely on extrapolated data from studies on mixed-age adults. There is an acute need for...

Neurologic toxicities secondary to gabapentin.(Adverse Events)
August 1, 2006... Gabapentin (Neurontin) is an effective anticonvulsant for treatment of refractory epilepsy. In addition, there are literature data that suggest gabapentin to have both antimanic and antidepressant properties, and it has been used as an...

Impact of chemotherapy on cognitive function.(What's New in Research)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... precis * In a small pilot study, a subset of elderly women experienced cognitive decline from pretreatment assessment to 6 months after receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, but findings are limited by the small sample size...

Citalopram in the treatment of late-life anxiety disorders.(Disease/Disorder overview)
August 1, 2006... precis * 32-week, open label trial of citalopram in 30 elderly patients (mean age 69 years), most with generalized anxiety disorder (N=27), or with panic or posttraumatic stress disorders * Results suggest an association between...

Cholinesterase inhibitors and involuntary weight loss.(Case Reports)
August 1, 2006... During an 18-month period, the authors of the following case reports found that 8 patients developed significant weight loss while taking cholinesterase inhibitors. Only 3 of the 8 patients developed nausea or vomiting taking a cholinesterase...

Final approval (May 22, 2006) has been granted for a first-time generic escitalopram oxalate to treat major depressive disorder.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Final approval (May 22, 2006) has been granted for a first-time generic escitalopram oxalate to treat major depressive disorder. The Reference Listed Drug is Lexapro. [www.fda.gov.cder]

Final approval (June 12, 2006) for a new indication has been granted to Wellbutrin XL (bupropion HCL extended release tables) for prevention of major depressive episodes in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).(From the FDA)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Final approval (June 12, 2006) for a new indication has been granted to Wellbutrin XL (bupropion HCL extended release tables) for prevention of major depressive episodes in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This is the first drug...

Zelapar (selegiline HCL) has received approval (June 15, 2006) as an adjunct therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease being treated with levodopa/carbidopa.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Zelapar (selegiline HCL) has received approval (June 15, 2006) as an adjunct therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease being treated with levodopa/carbidopa. Manufactured by Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the oncedaily orally disintegrating...

Alzheimer's disease and memory loss--2 new booklets from the NIA.(National Institute on Aging)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The National Institute on Aging has just released 2 new easy-to-read booklets--Understanding memory loss and Understanding Alzheimer's disease--targeted to persons with limited literacy skills. The booklets are available free of charge and may...