The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from July 2002

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from July 2002

Diagnosing and treating minor depression is vital in elderly. (Low-Level Depression).
July 1, 2002... Depression presents serious implications at all stages of life. For the elderly, depression may lead to increased mortality due to suicide and medical illness as well as intensified disability associated with medical and cognitive disorders,...

Non-cholinergic treatments for AD: present knowledge, future hope. (Alzheimer's Disease).
July 1, 2002... At the recent 155th American Psychiatric Association (APA) annual meeting, presenters at a symposium exploring non-cholinergic treatment options for Alzheimer's disease (AD) discussed a number of issues, including: existing cholinergic...

Galantamine effective for AD with cerebrovascular disease. (Alzheimer Disease).
July 1, 2002... Researchers found cognitive and non-cognitive benefits of galantamine (Reminyl) in a six-month trial in patients with probable vascular dementia or Alzheimer's disease (AD) combined with cerebrovascular disease. They note, "Until now, there has...

Possible interaction between oxybutynin and antidepressants. (Drug-Drug Interactions).
July 1, 2002... Oxybutynin (Ditropan) is an antispasmodic agent used to relax bladder smooth muscle. Its therapeutic use is primarily for relief of symptoms associated with voiding (e.g., urgency) in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. It is...

Psychotropics rarely cause for hospitalization. (Clinical Updates from the APA Annual Meeting).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Researchers assessed the prevalence of medication-induced emergency hospitalization for psychiatric disorders among patients aged 65 or more. They examined Medicare claims for the primary diagnosis of psychiatric disorder in which the patient...

Donepezil may be linked to use of hypnotics in AD. (Clinical Updates from the APA Annual Meeting).(Alzheimer's disease)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Researchers examined the relationship between the use of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and concomitant use of sedative/hypnotic agents among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) living in the community. The subjects consisted of...

Citalopram for depression in Parkinson's disease. (Clinical Updates from the APA Annual Meeting).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Researchers conducted a trial of citalopram in levodopa-responsive patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and major depression without dementia. Ten patients were started on citalopram at 10 mg/day in an eight-week, open-label trial. Patients...

Quetiapine improves psychotic symptoms in LBD. (Clinical Updates from the APA Annual Meeting).(Lewy body dementia)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Researchers conducted a 12-week, open-label trial of quetiapine in nine male patients with Lewy body dementia (LBD). The patients were between 60 and 85 years of age (mean 73 [+ or -] 4 years). The subjects discontinued all neuroleptics seven...

Physical illness and suicide. (News Updates).(aged with severe physical illness at a greater risk for suicide)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... A recent study suggests that older men and women with severe physical illness may be at higher risk for suicide. Researchers compared data from 46 men and 39 women 65 years old or older who had committed suicide with age-matched controls in...

MedWatch reports confusion between Seroquel and Serzone. (News Update).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... AstraZeneca sent health care professionals a letter alerting them to reports of medication errors involving confusion between its atypical antipsychotic Seroquel (quetiapine), indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia, and Serzone...

Abuse-resistant pain medication shelved. (News Updates).(OxyContin)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Purdue Pharma, makers of the pain medication oxycodone (OxyContin), reported recently that more studies would be required before submitting its new drug application (NDA) for an abuse-resistant pain medication to the Food and Drug...

New molecule may block neurodegeneration. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... A team of Canadian researchers has designed a molecule that may block neurodegeneration in the absence of neurotrophins, such as Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Treatment of neurodegenerative diseases with NGF has had unacceptable side effects....

Hypnotremia with reboxetine. (Case Reports).(Edronax)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... # Patients: 1 female (72 y/o) Medications: reboxetine (Edronax), lorazepam (Ativan), olanzapine (Zyprexa) Comments: A 72-year-old woman who was hospitalized for depression with sleep disturbances, lack of drive and decreased appetite...

Prolonged QT interval with rivastigmine treatment. (Case Reports).(Exelon)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... # Patients: 1 male (78 y/o) Medications: rivastigmine (Exelon), citalopram (Celexa) Comments: A 78-year-old man with dementia was started on rivastigmine to treat cognitive decline and behavioral difficulties. He was also recieivnig...

Amitriptyline (generic) ~Elavil (brand). (Your Medication Information).
July 1, 2002... Classification: Tertiary amine tricyclic antidepressant Common Usage: Amitriptyline is used in the treatment of depression, panic disorder, bulimia nervosa, and augmentation in chronic pain control. Other uses include anxiety disorders,...