The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from December 2007

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from December 2007

Donepezil no more effective than placebo in treating agitation in AD patients.(Results from CALM-AD Trial)
December 1, 2007... Results from a new clinical trial indicate that donepezil (Aricept) is no more effective in treating agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) than placebo. Although some modest benefits were observed in cognitive function in...

Medicare Part D offers drug cost savings, but barriers remain for some seniors.(Cost and Access to Drugs)
December 1, 2007... A study by Carmella Evans-Molina, M.D., et al., examined prescription drug costs in a Medicare population with atrial fibrillation. The study found that a prescription drug plan endorsed by the American Association of Retired People (AARP)...

Venlafaxine and nortriptyline equally effective in elderly depressed patients.(What's New in Research)
December 1, 2007... Venlafaxine and nortriptyline appear to be equally effective in treating major depression in elderly inpatients with significant physical comorbidity. According to a controlled clinical trial carried out by researchers in The Netherlands,...

Rivastigmine plus fluoxetine improves ADL in Alzheimer's patients.
December 1, 2007... Rivastigmine used alone or in combination with fluoxetine appears to result in improvement in cognitive function and memory, and in reducing symptoms of depression in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, greater...

Progress in diagnosing AD using biomarkers.(News Notes)
December 1, 2007... Researchers report the development of a blood test that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease (AD) years before memory loss actually occurs. Analyzing over 200 blood samples from people with and without Alzheimer's disease, the...

Treatment with ECT in a 97-year-old woman.(Case Report)
December 1, 2007... Patient: Female, 97 years old Interventions: Citalopram (Celexa), venlafaxine (Effexor), anesthetics (thiopentone, suxemethonium, propofol [Diprivan]), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) via Thymatron IV Case: A 97-year-old, single...

Risk of QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes with haloperidol.(From the FDA)
December 1, 2007... The FDA has issued an alert advising healthcare professionals of the risk of QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes in patients treated with haloperidol, especially when it is given intravenously. Injectable haloperidol is only approved for...

Donepezil (generic) aricept (brand).
December 1, 2007... CLASSIFICATION: Reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. COMMON USAGE: Donepezil is indicated for the treatment of mild, moderate and severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type. INFORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: If you are at risk for...