The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from October 2006

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from October 2006

Sertraline may not be effective in preventing post-stroke depression.(Treating Post-Stroke Depression)(Clinical report)
October 1, 2006... precis * Sertraline treatment in non-depressed patients following acute stroke ( * 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 111 subjects (mean age 67.5 years) treated with daily 50 mg fixed-dose sertraline or...

Intramuscular ziprasidone safe and effective in elders with schizophrenia.(Schizophrenia Research)(Clinical report)
October 1, 2006... precis * 21 patients received 3 days of flexible-dose intramuscular ziprasidone for acute psychotic agitation. The maximum daily dose was 40 mg. * All patients completed the three days of treatment. One adverse event was reported in a...

Back conversion of nortriptyline to amitriptyline.(Adverse Events)
October 1, 2006... Although the serotonin reuptake inhibitors have overtaken the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) as the primary drugs for management of depression, the TCAs remain useful for management of patients with poststroke depression and major depression...

Risperidone and haloperidol compared for dementia.(What's New in Research)
October 1, 2006... precis * Risperidone found to be significantly more effective than haloperidol in treating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia * Post hoc analysis of data from an 18-week, randomized, double-blind, crossover head-to-head...

Cognitive decline linked to dietary copper and saturated and trans fats.(What's New in Research)(Clinical report)
October 1, 2006... precis * High dietary copper intake ([greater than or equal to] 1.6 mg/d) was found to be associated with accelerated cognitive decline in elderly subjects with high intake of saturated and trans fats, equivalent to 19 additional years of...

Potential long-term benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors.(News Notes)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The long-term use of cholinesterase inhibitors may have benefits that extend to at least 3 years, with each of these agents working as well as the other, according to Edward Zamrini, M.D., during a poster presentation on July 19 at the...

Very-late onset of schizophrenia-like psychosis or late paraphrenia?(Case Reports)
October 1, 2006... Patient: Female, 95 y/o Medication: quetiapine (Seroquel) Comment: A95-year-old illiterate widow, without a history of mental or neurological disorder or substance abuse, was accompanied by her grandson, with a slow onset of symptoms...

Oral Abilify approved.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company announced the launch of Abilify Discmelt (aripiprazole) on August 17, 2006. Abilify Discmelt received FDA approval (June 7, 2006) as a new oral form of Abilify that rapidly disintegrates in...

First-time generic approvals.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... * Final approval (August 3, 2006) has been granted for a first-time generic venlafaxine, manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals. The Reference Listed Drug is Effexor. [www.fda. gov.cder] * Final approval August 2, 2006) has been granted for a...