The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from June 2008

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from June 2008

DART-AD: No benefits found in AD patients who continue to take antipsychotics.(Alzheimer's Disease Special Issue)
June 1, 2008... Findings from a 12-month, placebo-controlled trial indicate that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) who took antipsychotics for 3 months or longer and were then switched randomly to placebo showed significant improvement in verbal fluency...

Ten million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's disease.(Alzheimer'S Association Report)
June 1, 2008... According to a report published by the Alzheimer's Association, upwards of 10 million Americans considered part of the baby boomer demographic will develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) unless science finds a way to effectively treat and prevent the...

Memantine and trimethoprim: Possible delirium and myoclonus.(Drug-Drug Interactions)
June 1, 2008... Memantine (Namenda) was developed as an antagonist to the N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain. The antagonistic activity at the NMDA receptor leads to blockade of the sustained activation of NMDA receptors that is commonly thought...

Quetiapine, placebo equal for neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD.(What'S New in Research)(Clinical report)
June 1, 2008... Quetiapine (Seroquel) was found to be no more beneficial than placebo in reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to a 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Overall findings showed a...

AAGP 2008: Summary poster presentations.(Conference Update)(Clinical report)
June 1, 2008... The following are summaries of selected poster presentations from the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) held in Orlando, Florida on March 13-17, 2008. Tarenflurbil delays time to adverse...

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in Alzheimer's disease.(News Notes)
June 1, 2008... A retrospective chart review found intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) to be well tolerated and effective in improving cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). A total of 18 patients received IVIg 0.4 g/kg every 2 weeks,...

Depression in a geriatric patient may be linked to exenatide for treatment of diabetes.(Case Report)
June 1, 2008... Patient: Female, 70 years old Medications: Fluoxetine (Prozac), venlafaxine XR (Effexor XR), exenatide (Byetta) Case: A 70-year-old woman presented with worsening symptoms of depression, including passive suicidal ideation, apathy,...

Recall of rotigotine transdermal system.(From the FDA)
June 1, 2008... Schwarz Pharma recalled its rotigotine transdermal delivery system (Neupro) used in the treatment of early-stage Parkinson's disease. The drug is being recalled due to formation of rotigotine crystals which may prevent the drug from being...

Behavior/mood changes and suicidality with montelukast.(From the FDA)
June 1, 2008... The FDA informed healthcare professionals of its investigation of a possible association between montelukast (Singulair) and behavior/mood changes, suicidality, and suicide. Montelukast is used to treat asthma, symptoms of allergic rhinitis and...

Pramipexole first-time generic.(From the FDA)
June 1, 2008... The FDA has given final approval for the first generic version of pramipexole, manufactured by Barr Laboratories, Inc. The drug is indicated for treating moderate to severe restless legs syndrome, and signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease....