The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from February 2005

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from February 2005

Treating Parkinson's disease dementia--are cholinesterase inhibitors the answer?(Parkinson's Disease)
February 1, 2005... It is estimated that 40-70% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) will develop dementia. However, treating PD dementia is challenging because some medications (i.e., typical neuroleptics) may worsen PD symptoms; also antiparkinson drugs can...

Early treatment with mirtazapine may help curb post-stroke depression.(Depression in the Elderly)
February 1, 2005... After a stroke, patients often face the threat of lingering physical and cognitive disabilities, and a resulting loss of independence. If that were not enough, many stroke survivors also suffer from depressive symptoms that can prove disabling,...

Junctional bradycardia associated with citalopram overdose.(Drug-Drug Interactions)
February 1, 2005... The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are increasingly used to manage psychiatric symptoms in patients. One reason is their relative safety profile compared to the tricyclic antidepressants. (1) Nevertheless, severe cardiac and neurologic...

Pharmacogenetics enters the clinic: genetic test approved for diagnostic use.(New Technology)
February 1, 2005... For some time, we have reported on pharmacogenetic research and its potential impact on clinical practice. And, while there is little doubt that genetics will offer needed insight into how individual patients respond to medications, the big...

Citalopram for late-life anxiety disorders.(What's New In Research)
February 1, 2005... Despite being highly prevalent among the elderly, treatment of anxiety disorders has not been well studied in a geriatric population. However, a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examining the efficacy and tolerability of citalopram...

Delaying the natural course of Alzheimer's.(What's New In Research)(use of cholinesterase inhibitors)
February 1, 2005... In a recent study, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine investigated how cholinesterase inhibitors (CEIs) affected the pattern of progression of Alzheimer's disease. They reported that AD patients taking CEIs were...

Escitalopram-induced hyponatremia.(Case Report)(syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidieuretic hormone)
February 1, 2005... Patient: Female, 62 y/o Medications: Escitalopram (Lexapro), mirtazapine (Remeron) Comment: A 62-year-old woman with a 10-year history of depression was admitted to a general hospital after experiencing syncope and a fall with mild...

Odor recognition proves reliable indicator for Alzheimer's.(News Notes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... A study funded by the National Institute on Aging and presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology annual meeting showed that a smell identification test was a reliable predictor of which patients with minimal to mild cognitive...

High levels of cytokine associated with late-life depression.(News Notes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Researchers investigating the relationship between inflammation and depression reported that the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1B was elevated by 170% in elderly patients with major depression compared to age-matched healthy subjects....

Extended-release galantamine approved.(From the FDA)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... [check] Extended-release galantamine approved A once-daily formulation of galantamine (Reminyl) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The extended release formulation allows galantamine to...

Warning of liver damage risk for atomoxetine (Strattera).(From the FDA)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... [check] Warning of liver damage risk for atomoxetine (Strattera) The FDA has asked Eli Lilly to update labels with a bolded warning about the risk of severe liver injury associated with the use of atomoxetine (Strattera), approved for...

Oral solution of aripiprazole approved.(From the FDA)(ariprazole)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... [check] Oral solution of aripiprazole approved On January 4, the FDA granted approval for an oral formulation of ariprazole (Abilify). The new oral solution will provide an option for adult patients who are unable to swallow or have...

Memantine (generic): Namenda (brand).(Your Medication Information)
February 1, 2005... CLASSIFICATION: NMDA receptor antagonist. COMMON USAGE: Memantine is used for treatment of moderate to severe dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. IMPORTANT SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects occurring in clinical...