The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from May 2008

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from May 2008

Individual-level data from genome-wide association study in PD made public.(Parkinson's Disease)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2008... precis * Public release of genetic data from the first genome-wide association study ever conducted in Parkinson's disease brings the medical community a step closer to the goal of individualized drug therapy for neurodegenerative...

Cessation attempts a consideration for elderly patients on antipsychotics.(Long-Term Care)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2008... precis * A randomized, placebo-controlled study (N= 55) of nursing home patients tested discontinuing long-term antipsychotic treatment for 4 consecutive weeks * At study's completion, 23 of 27 patients receiving this intervention...

Venlafaxine and propafenone may cause hallucinations and psychomotor agitation.(Drug-Drug Interactions)
May 1, 2008... Venlafaxine (Effexor), with a dual mechanism of inhibiting both serotonin and norepinephrine uptake, has been shown to be an effective antidepressant with a good safety profile. The following case described the occurrence of hallucinations...

Methylphenidate may reduce risk of falling in the elderly.(What's New In Research)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2008... precis * Results from a small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 26 nondemented adults (mean age 74 years) found that a single 20-mg dose of methylphenidate significantly improved measures of executive function (EF),...

10th International Hong Kong/springfield Pan-Asian Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer Therapy (AAT).(Conference Update)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2008... Rivastigmine response influenced by gender and genotype A clinical trial investigating the influence of gender and genotype on response to rivastigmine (Exelon) found that women who are homozygous for wild-type (wt/wt)...

Safety of 1-week dose titration of galantamine ER studied.(News Note)(Clinical report)
May 1, 2008... Results from a 12-week, open-label study indicate that extended-release galantamine (GAL-ER) was well tolerated and generally safe using a one-dose titration schedule, but carried a potential risk of more gastrointestinal side effects. The...

Risperidone augmentation with paroxetine for vascular depression and musical hallucinations.(Case Report)
May 1, 2008... Patient: Male, 83-year-old Medications: Paroxetine (Paxil), risperidone (Risperdal) Case: An 83-year-old man with major depressive disorder and psychotic features presented with anxiety, agitation, depression, restlessness,...

Approval: aripiprazole for bipolar I mixed/manic episodes.(From the FDA)
May 1, 2008... The FDA granted approval for a new supplemental drug application for aripiprazole (Abilify) in the treatment of manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in pediatric patients 10 to 17 years of age. The approval is based on...

Approval: fluvoxamine CR for SAD and OCD.(From the FDA)
May 1, 2008... Fluvoxamine (Luvox) has been approved for treating social anxiety disorder (SAD) and obsessive-compulsive (OCD) in adults. The manufacturer, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, has licensed Jazz Pharmaceuticals the right to market Luvox CR...

Modafinil (generic): Provigil (brand).(YOUR MEDICATION INFORMATION)
May 1, 2008... CLASSIFICATION: Stimulant. COMMON USAGE: Modafinil is used to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Modafinil is under review for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity...