The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from March 2004

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from March 2004

New research spotlights promising treatments for geriatric depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.(AAGP Conference News)
March 1, 2004... The following new research was presented in Baltimore last month during the annual meeting of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) and offers insight into currently available treatment for geriatric depression, dementia, and...

Memantine plus donepezil improves cognitive and physical symptoms of AD.(Alzheimer's Disease)
March 1, 2004... A combination therapy of memantine with the cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil provides an improvement in cognitive and physical behavior in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to the results of a recent...

What's the likelihood of an SSRI/Triptan interaction?(Drug-Drug Interactions)(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
March 1, 2004... Many patients suffering from migraines have depression and it is not uncommon for these patients to be receiving anti-migraine drugs such as the triptans and antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The triptans are...

Methylphenidate augmentation for depression.(Clinical Update)
March 1, 2004... In an open-label study of depressed elderly outpatients, augmentation with methylphenidate accelerated response to the antidepressant citalopram. These results indicate that this type of augmentation strategy may be a safe treatment option for...

Comparison of geriatric and general psychiatry.(Clinical Update)
March 1, 2004... Do elderly patients receive better treatment in a geriatric psychiatry unit compared to a general psychiatry unit? A retrospective chart review conducted at The Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, NY suggests that inpatients treated by...

Combination of vitamin E/C could reduce risk for AD.(Clinical Update)(Alzheimer's Disease)
March 1, 2004... Analysis of data from the Cache County Study examining antioxidant supplement use and the risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) concluded that the combined use of vitamin E and vitamin C supplements is inversely related to the occurrence of AD. In...

Anti-insomnia drug approved.(News Updates)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Sepracor Inc. received an "approvable" letter from the FDA for its New Drug Application (NDA) for eszopiclone (Estorra). Eszopiclone 2 mg and 3 mg tablets are approved for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep,...

Low testosterone levels in men linked to AD.(News Updates)(Alzheimer's disease)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Men with low levels of free testosterone may have an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), a recent study out the National Institute of Aging concludes. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) has been measuring...

Olanzapine may increase risk of death/stroke in elderly patients.(News Updates)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... In January, Eli Lilly and Co. sent a letter to U.S. doctors warning them that olanzapine (Zyprexa) may raise the risk of death and stroke in elderly dementia patients. The letter warns that olanzapine increased the risks of stroke and death...

Case report.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... * Tardive dyskinesia and ziprasidone Patient: Female (70 y/o) Medication: Ziprasidone (Geodon), quetiapine (Seroquel), haloperidol (Haldol) Comment: A 70-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis was admitted...