The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from July 2007

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from July 2007

Quetiapine fails to reduce agitation/psychosis in patients with dementia and parkinsonism.(Dementia Treatment)(Clinical report)
July 1, 2007... precis * A randomized, multicenter placebo-controlled trial (N=40) tested quetiapine to reduce agitation or psychosis in dementia patients with Parkinson disease or features * Quetiapine was well tolerated and did not worsen...

Cholinergic agents may improve REM-sleep procedural memory consolidation.(Sleep and Memory)
July 1, 2007... precis * Randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of REM sleep deprivation and REM sleep augmentation on declarative and procedural memory consolidation in 107 healthy adults (mean age 66 years; age range 60-82 years)...

Gabapentin-related renal failure.(Adverse Events)(Clinical report)
July 1, 2007... In addition to being an effective anticonvulsant for treatment of epilepsy, Gabapentin (Neurontin) has also been used as an adjunctive mood stabilizer. (1,2) The drug is generally well tolerated with mild and usually reversible adverse effects....

Donepezil: behavioral worsening in some dementia patients?(What's New in Research)(Drug overview)
July 1, 2007... precis * Patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) may experience worsening compulsive or disinhibited behavior when treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil * Results from a 6-month empirical, non-randomized...

Risperidone and rivastigmine for agitation in severe AD.(What's New in Research)
July 1, 2007... precis * 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 27 nursing-home patients with severe probable AD randomized to risperidone (N=12) or rivastigmine (N=15) * Risperidone is more efficacious than rivastigmine in the acute...

Possible beneficial effects of clonazepam on senile depression.(Case study)
July 1, 2007... Patient: Male, 77 y/o Medications: brotizolam (Velcade), triazolam (Halcion), sulpiride, clonazepam (Klonopin) Comment: An elderly male patient with no history of depression was hospitalized for dental surgery. Following his discharge...

Large beta-amyloid reduction fREM behavior disorder may lead to Lewy body dementia.(News Note)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Researchers from the Mayo Sleep Disorder Center and a group of international scientists have found a correlation between rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder (RBD) and a high probability of developing dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) later...

First-time approvals.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Schwarz Pharma has won final approval for Neupro (rotigotine transdermal system), the first transdermal patch for the treatment of early Parkinson's disease. Rotigotine, which had not been previously approved in the United States, belongs to...

New FDA warnings on antidepressant use and suicidal thoughts and behavior.(From the FDA)
July 1, 2007... The FDA has requested all manufacturers of antidepressants to update existing black box labeling to include warnings about the increased risks of suicidal thinking and behavior in young adults ages 18 to 24 years during initial treatment. The...

Rotigotine (generic): Neupro (Brand).(YOUR MEDICATION INFORMATION)(Drug overview)
July 1, 2007... CLASSIFICATION: Rotigotine is a non-ergolinic dopamine agonist. COMMON USAGE: The rotigotine transdermal system is indicated for the treatment of early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). When applied to intact skin, it continuously delivers...