The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from October 2003

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from October 2003

Results from sertraline vs. venlafaxine trial surprise researchers.(Treating Depression in Nursing Home Residents)
October 1, 2003... Investigators recently conducted a randomized clinical trial to examine the efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine vs. sertraline as treatment for depression in nursing home residents. The study findings indicate that venlafaxine was less...

Fluoxetine plus clarithromycin may cause delirium.(Drug-Drug Interactions)
October 1, 2003... Clarithromycin(Biaxin) is a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome P-450 3A4 isoenzyme and the following case described the occurrence of delirium in a patient receiving concurrent fluoxetine (Prozac) therapy. (1) Clinical report The case...

Primary care physicians not recognizing early signs of AD.(International Psychogeriatric Association's 11th International Congress)(Alzheimer's disease)
October 1, 2003... Dr. Sanford Finkel, Chair of the IPA Congress, Director of the Leonard Schanfield Research Institute, and clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Chicago, presented a study showing that four in five older patients experiencing...

Bills would integrate services for seniors in primary care settings.(Legislative Update)
October 1, 2003... Both houses of Congress have recently filed legislation that addresses the significant need for more integrated and tailored mental health programs for seniors. The legislation provides for projects that support both the integration of mental...

Donepezil (generic) ~ Aricept (brand).(Your Medication Information)
October 1, 2003... Classification: Cholinesterase inhibitor. Common Usage: Donepezil is used to decrease the rate of decline of cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's disease. It may improve cognitive function, particularly memory, in mild dementia....

Donepezil effective for vascular dementia.(Clinical Notes)
October 1, 2003... Results from a 24-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study suggests that donepezil (5 and 10 mg/day) significantly improved cognition and global function in patients with vascular dementia (VaD). This research, the first of two...

Canadian study examines elderly benzodiazepine use.(Clinical Notes)
October 1, 2003... Researchers from the University of Calgary recently reported that benzodiazepine usage by senior citizens is associated with a number of adverse outcomes, including impaired cognition, depression, functional difficulties and...

Gene therapy trial for PD initiated.(News Updates)(Parkinson's disease treatment)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The first gene therapy trial for Parkinson's disease in humans was initiated on August 18, 2003 at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. The gene for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme responsible for making the inhibitory...

Lilly joins the Pharmacy Care Alliance.(News Updates)(Eli Lilly and Company)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Eli Lilly and Company has joined the Pharmacy Care Alliance (PCA) in an effort to educate more low-income seniors about its Lilly Answers Card program. Approximately 5 million Americans are eligible to receive the Lilly Answers Card, providing...

Consuming DHA, fish reduces risk of Alzheimer's disease.(News Updates)(docosahexaenoic acid)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Martek Biosciences, a company whose products include nutritional supplements and food ingredients that may be beneficial in promoting mental health, recently commented on a study showing that weekly fish and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)...

Synthetic cannabinoid may help improve appetite in AD patients.(News Updates)(dronabinol (Marinol) may help Alzheimer's patients)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Findings presented at the annual meeting of the International Psychogeriatric Association in Chicago suggest that dronabinol (Marinol), a synthetic cannabinoid, may reduce agitation and improve appetite in Alzheimer's patients, The Press...