The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from August 2007

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from August 2007

Panel releases evidence-based algorithms for Alzheimer's disease.
August 1, 2007... Over the past decade, a number of pharmacologic treatments have emerged as a first-line course of therapy as physicians attempt to treat cognitive and functional decline in Alzheimer's disease patients. Guidelines have also been issued by...

Augmenting standard antidepressant treatment may help recovery in elderly.(Depression)
August 1, 2007... Augmenting pharmacotherapy for treatment-resistant depression may help recovery among older patients who are willing and able to tolerate additional psychotropic medication. In an open trial of adults 70 years of age or older, adding bupropion,...

Recurrent hyponatremia with citalopram and duloxetine.(Adverse Events)
August 1, 2007... The kidneys are usually capable of excreting a large amount of dilute urine even after significant water intake. However, secretion of antidiuretic hormone can result in water retention and reduced serum sodium concentration. Syndrome of...

Antipsychotic vs. placebo for behavioral problems in dementia.(Clinical report)
August 1, 2007... A new meta-analysis suggests that dementia patients with behavioral problems have similar outcomes whether treated with atypical antipsychotics or with placebo. The analysis also reports only modest effect sizes of atypical antipsychotics for...

No increased risk of mortality found with antipsychotics.(Clinical report)
August 1, 2007... A 2-year prospective study carried out among the frailest of patients with dementia found that neither conventional nor atypical antipsychotics increased the risk of mortality or hospital admissions. After controlling for demographic and...

Effects of Ramelteon in older adults.(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Ramelteon (Rozerem) does not impair memory or middle-of-the-night balance mobility in older adults compared with placebo, according to a new study presented at the American Psychiatric Association 2007 Annual Meeting. The study also showed that...

Nicotine patch may help reduce agitation in severe dementia.
August 1, 2007... Patient 1: Female, 59 y/o Medications: olanzapine (Zyprexa), valproic acid (Depakene), lorazepam (Ativan), transdermal nicotine patch Case: The patient had a 2-year history of progressive Alzheimer's dementia with medical problems...

FDA warning on propofol (Diprivan).(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The FDA has issued a warning to healthcare professionals regarding the sedative-hypnotic propofol (Diprivan). Several groups of patients have experienced chills, fever and body aches shortly after receiving propofol for sedation or general...