The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from February 2007

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from February 2007

Inappropriate drug use in the elderly and adverse drug reactions.(Adverse Reactions)
February 1, 2007... precis * Inappropriate medication (IM) use in the elderly does not appear to be associated with a significant increase in the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs); the high number of drugs appears to be a key factor in ADR development,...

Older adults' utilization of public MH services linked to age, diagnosis.(Cost Analysis)
February 1, 2007... precis * Researchers examined utilization data from San Diego County Adult and Older Adult Mental Health Services (AOAMHS) to identify older adults receiving services in the community during fiscal year 2003-2004. * Expenditures were...

Can donepezil cause alcohol abuse?(Adverse Events)
February 1, 2007... Donepezil (Aricept) is an inhibitor of cholinesterase that is available for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The inhibition of cholinesterase leads to increased availability of acetylcholine in the brain, resulting in improvement of...

Mirtazapine treatment of depression in the old-old.(What's New in Research)(Disease/Disorder overview)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2007... precis * Treatment with mirtazapine orally disintegrating tables in patients 85 years of age or older appears to be safe, and effective in reducing depression. * Naturalistic, open-label, 12-week trial of 50 nursing-home residents...

Impaired cognition associated with vitamin D deficiency.(News Notes)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Low vitamin D levels may contribute to low mood and cognitive impairment among older adults, according to a longitudinal study on aging and memory. The study comprised 40 participants with mild Alzheimer's disease and 40 persons without...

Hashimoto's encephalopathy--reversible dementia with psychosis.(Case Report)
February 1, 2007... Patient: Female, 66 y/o Medications: Paroxetine (Paxil), risperidone (Risperdal), prednisolone (Orapred, Prelone) Comments: The patient was a previously healthy 66-year-old high-functioning woman. Over a 3- to 4-month period, she...

Newly approved Invega (paliperidone) extended-release tablets for schizophrenia.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Approval has been granted for a new atypical antipsychotic--Invega (paliperidone) extended-release tablets--for the treatment of schizophrenia. Paliperidone, the principal active metabolite of risperidone, is a new molecular entity containing...

First-time generic approval of bupropion extended release tablets.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Final approval has been granted for first-time generic bupropion extended-release tablets, indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder. The antidepressant is widely used and the generic version "can bring significant savings to...