The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from June 2003

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from June 2003

DHEA found to have no significant effect on Alzheimer's. (Data On Benefits of "Wonder Hormone" Lacking).(dehydroepiandrosterone )
June 1, 2003... In the quest to find viable treatment options for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), researchers have studied numerous natural and synthetic agents. O.M. Wolkowitz, M.D., from the Center for Neurobiology and Psychiatry at the...

Donepezil possibly linked to sleep problems and greater use of hypnotics. (Alzheimer's Disease).
June 1, 2003... According to two of three pivotal placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted by the Donepezil Study Group, donepezil (Aricept), a widely used acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibiting medication for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has...

Possible interaction with buspirone and antiretroviral agents. (Drug-Drug Interactions).
June 1, 2003... It is not uncommon for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to exhibit psychiatric symptoms and receive treatment with psychotropic agents. The protease inhibitors used for treatment of HIV modulate various metabolic enzymes, but...

Aripiprazole for psychosis of Alzheimer's disease. (American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting).
June 1, 2003... Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a newly approved novel antipsychotic agent with a pharmacodynamic profile that differs from other antipsychotics. With a partial agonist activity at dopamine [D.sub.2] receptors, partial agonist activity at serotonin...

Orally disintegrating mirtazapine effective for depression in the very old. (American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting).
June 1, 2003... Elderly patients in nursing homes have a high risk of major depression, which often goes unrecognized and untreated. Mirtazapine (Remeron), a dual-acting antidepressant that increases both noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, is...

Study links osteoarthritis to major depression.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Many African Americans and Hispanics who suffer from osteoarthritis also have symptoms of major depression, according to findings presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. Researchers found that about 19 percent...

Anti-inflammatory tested for AD. (News Updates).(Alzheimer's disease)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... NicOx recently announced completion of a Phase I trial of the investigation agent HCT 1026, which is being developed for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The pharmacokinetic study was conducted in healthy volunteers and demonstrated...

New drug may be useful for AD. (News Updates).(Alzheimer's disease)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Researchers are preparing to conduct a clinical trial with an agent that has been developed for stroke prevention to determine whether the drug may also help prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). NC-758 is being developed to prevent second...

Research investigates Parkinson's side effect. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Although levodopa offers some relief from the tremors and impaired movement characteristic of Parkinson disease (PD), long-term treatment with antiparkinsonian agent can eventually cause dyskinesias. This side effect could be due to the...

Alprazolam XR to be available this month. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Pfizer Inc. has announced that its extended-release alprazolam product (Xanax XR) will be available in June. Alprazolam XR was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. [Pfizer;...

Somnambulism reported with SSRI. (Case Reports).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... # Patients: 1 female (61 y/o) Medications: paroxetine (Paxil) Comments: A 61-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of anxiety, difficulty falling asleep, nervousness and mild depression. She reported no family history of...

Buspirone (generic)~BuSpar (brand). (Your Medication Information).
June 1, 2003... Classification: Anxiolytic. Common Usage: Buspirone is indicated for the treatment of anxiety disorders or the short-term relief of symptoms associated with anxiety. Important Side Effects: The most common side effects associated with...