The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from January 2008

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from January 2008

Aripiprazole may help reduce psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's patients.(Alzheimer's Disease)(Clinical report)
January 1, 2008... precis * A 10-week, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found aripiprazole safe and effective in reducing psychotic symptoms in institutionalized AD patients * 487 patients (mean age 82.5 years) randomized to one of 3...

New study finds that age, comedications affect serum levels of quetiapine.(Drug-Drug Interactions)(Report)
January 1, 2008... precis * The study comprised analysis of 2,111 serum samples investigated the effect of age and comedications on serum levels of quetiapine * Being older than 70 and having comedications with alimemazine, fluvoxamine, citalopram/...

Probable exacerbation of myoclonus by memantine.(Adverse Events)
January 1, 2008... Memantine (Namenda) is an antagonist to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain. The NMDA receptor antagonism leads to blockade of the sustained activation of NMDA receptors that is commonly thought to occur in neurodegenerative...

Cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine in vascular dementia.(What's New in Research)(Clinical report)
January 1, 2008... precis * A meta-analysis of clinical trials investigating donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine in treating vascular dementia concludes that there are insufficient data to support the widespread use of these drugs * There...

Managing psychosis in patients with PD.(What's New in Research)(Disease/Disorder overview)
January 1, 2008... The diagnosis and treatment of psychosis in the context of Parkinson's disease (PD) is challenging, with few and difficult pharmacologic options available to the clinician. Using the following hypothetical case report as a starting point for...

Depression and vitamin D deficiency in the elderly.(News Notes)
January 1, 2008... A review of the role of vitamin D in treating mood disorders suggests that supplementation with vitamin D could help to prevent worsening mood, including depression, and have a beneficial impact on bone health in the elderly. One pilot study...

Musical hallucinations induced by dipyridamole.(Case Report)
January 1, 2008... Patient: Female, 83 years old Medications: Dipyridamole (Persantine), dothiepin (Prothiaden), metoprolol (Metopirone), cilazapril (Vascace), aspirin, omeprazole (Prilosec), risperidone (Risperdal) Case: An 83-year-old widow was...

New safety warnings for modafanil (Provigil).(From the FDA)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Revised labeling for modafanil (Provigil) updates safety information warning of serious rash, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and hypersensitivity reactions, and psychiatric symptoms. Modafanil is indicated for improving wakefulness in...