The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from June 2002

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from June 2002

Treating delusions of theft in Alzheimer's patients can reduce caregiver burden. (Managing Alzheimer's Disease).
June 1, 2002... Concerned with the problem of providing appropriate care for the growing number of individuals suffering with Alzheimer's disease, Kazue Shigenobu, Manabu Ikeda, Ryuji Fukuhara and colleagues from the Ehime University School of Medicine in...

Olanzapine for PD-related dementia: limited success and safety concerns. (Parkinson's Disease).(Parkinson's disease)
June 1, 2002... Patients suffering with Parkinson's disease (PD) in an advanced stage and with cognitive impairment often develop psychosis. These complications lead to increased morbidity, caregiver burden and management issues and often result in nursing...

Warfarin and trazodone may decrease INR and PT. (New feature: drug-drug interactions).(international normalized ratio)
June 1, 2002... The use of warfarin (Coumadin) in the elderly population is becoming increasingly common, and therapeutic indications include various thromboembolic diseases. Although the incidence of major bleeding associated with warfarin therapy may not be...

Long-term benefits and risks of deprenyl examined. (Clinical Notes).
June 1, 2002... A double-blind comparison of deprenyl (selegiline; Eldepryl) and placebo was conducted in patients who had previously received deprenyl for up to five years as part of the Deprenyl and Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy of Parkinsonism (DATATOP)...

Switching cholinesterase inhibitors may be beneficial. (Clinical Notes).(Alzheimer's disease treatment)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Researchers conducted an open, retrospective study of patients in memory clinics to examine the benefits of switching from donepezil to rivastigmine for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Forty patients were identified who had switched from...

Synaptic zinc may help explain gender disparity in AD. (News Updates).(Alzheimer's disease)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Research reported in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicate that synaptic zinc may play a major role in the formation of amyloid plaque in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the study, mice predisposed to...

Studies of new drug for emotional lability underway. (News Updates).(Neurodex from AVANIR Pharmaceuticals)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... AVANIR Pharmaceuticals recently announced the completion of enrollment in a Phase II/III trial of its investigational drug, Neurodex. Neurodex is under investigation for treatment of emotional lability experienced by patients with neurological...

Ropinirole slows dopamine dysfunction in PD. (News Updates).(Parkinson's disease)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... A recent study demonstrates that ropinirole (Requip) significantly slows the loss of dopamine function compared to levodopa, according to three-dimensional positron emission tomography (3D PET) data. Results of the study were announced at the...

Roche, Vernalis collaborate on depression, anxiety drugs. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Roche and Vernalis have announced a collaboration to discover and develop new drugs for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Under the agreement, Roche has an option to license worldwide rights to develop and commercialize compounds arising...

Estrogen and cognitive decline to be studied. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... A trial examining the role of estrogen in preventing cognitive decline in women is currently enrolling participants. The Preventing Postmenopausal Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease with Replacement Estrogens (PREPARE) trial will look at both...

Atypical presentation of NMS includes pulmonary edema. (Case Reports).(neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
June 1, 2002... # Patients: 1 female (60 y/o) Medications: clonazepam (Klonopin), paroxetine (Paxil), thioridazine (Mellaril), pravastatin (Pravachol), metoprolol (Toprol), amlodipine (Norvasc) and isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), bromocriptine (Parlodel)...

Bromocriptine (generic) ~ Parlodel (brand). (Your Medication Information).
June 1, 2002... Classification: Dopamine receptor agonist. Common Usage: Bromocriptine is indicated for treatment of hyperprolactinemia-associated dysfunctions, acromegaly and Parkinson's disease. It may also be useful for extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)....