The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from May 2007

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from May 2007

Treating depression in the elderly in primary-care settings--an evidence-based review.(Focus on Depression)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... precis * Evidence-based review finds that psychosocial interventions with empirical evidence for efficacy in treating depression in the elderly should be tested as first-line treatments in primary care * High comorbidity between...

Treatment and prevention protocols fail to halt depression in hip-fracture patients.(DEPRESSION)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... precis * Two separate studies measured the impact of a psychiatric intervention and a psychological preventive protocol on patients who had undergone surgery for a fractured hip. The treatment study comprised 121 patients, while the...

Mortality risk in patients with dementia on risperidone.(Adverse Events)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... Recent randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in elderly patients with dementia showed a higher incidence of cerebrovascular adverse events (approximately 4%) in patients treated with risperidone (Risperdal) compared to about 2% of...

Risperidone no better than placebo for organic brain disease.(What's New in Research)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... precis * A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of elderly dementia patients randomized to risperidone oral solution (N=612) or placebo (203) * New study results find risperidone not superior to placebo in improving...

Cyproterone vs. haloperidol for aggression in Alzheimer's patients.(What's New In Research)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... precis * 105-day double-blind pilot study of 27 AD patients randomized to fixed-dose cyproterone 100 mg/day (N=13) or fixed-dose haloperidol 2 mg/day (N=14) * Cyproterone, an antiandrogen, was found to be superior to haloperidol in...

Phase III clinical trial of creatine for Parkinson's disease.(News Note)
May 1, 2007... The NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is launching a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III clinical trial to determine whether the nutritional supplement creatine can help to slow the progression of...

Olanzapine for senile mood disorders.(Case Reports)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... The authors present 2 cases of elderly women who present with senile mood disorder, but with no evidence of dementia, organic brain disease or other physical illness, successfully treated with olanzapine. Based on the remission of symptoms in...

Modafinil for treating apathy syndrome.(Case Reports)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2007... Patient: Male, 78 y/o Medications: escitalopram (Lexapro), modafinil (Provigil) Case: An elderly man with depression and dementia was also being treated with the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram for apathy....

Stricter procedures for advisory committee membership.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... The FDA has issued new draft guidelines calling for tougher procedures for advisory committee membership. Under the new guidelines, individuals who are eligible to fully participate in meetings as voting members must have no potential conflicts...

Label changes requested for sleep-disorder drugs.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... The manufacturers of sedative-hypnotic drugs have been requested to strengthen their product labeling by using stronger language regarding the potential increased risk of severe allergic reactions and complex sleep-related behaviors, such as...

Paroxetine hydrochloride (generic): Paxil (Brand).(YOUR MEDICATION INFORMATION)(Drug overview)
May 1, 2007... CLASSIFICATION: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). COMMON USAGE: Paroxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post...