The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from October 2008

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from October 2008

Effects of PBT2 on amyloid beta in patients with early Alzheimer's disease.(Alzheimer's Disease)
October 1, 2008... PBT2, a metal-protein attenuating compound (MPAC), significantly reduced amyloid beta (A[beta]) concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) but had no effect on plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD), or serum zinc and copper...

Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone linked with depression in older adults.(DEPRESSION)
October 1, 2008... A large population-based study shows, for the first time, an association between depression and decreased serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and increased parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in older adults. Depression is highly...

Liver disease possibly associated with citalopram.(Adverse Events)
October 1, 2008... The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have become the drugs of choice for management of depression and other neuropsychiatric illnesses. Although they have a very good safety profile, other less known adverse effects, including...

Effects of statin use on cognitive outcomes in the elderly.(What's New in Research)(Clinical report)
October 1, 2008... A new study has found that statin use significantly decreased the incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND) in a group of elderly subjects who were dementia-free at baseline. During 5 years of follow-up,...

Analysis of IVIG use and dosing in clinical practice.(SPECIAL REPORT: International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008: Summary of new research)
October 1, 2008... Results from a retrospective claims database analysis indicate that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (Gammagard Liquid and Gammagard S/D, Baxter Healthcare Corporation) is in current use in clinical practice with AD patients. During the last...

Perispinal etanercept improves primary progressive aphasia.(SPECIAL REPORT: International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008: Summary of new research)
October 1, 2008... Weekly dosing with perispinal etanercept for one month resulted in sustained improvement in activities of daily living (ADL) in a patient with severe primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Investigator Edward L. Tobinick reported rapid improvement...

Plasma A[beta] in humans reduced by intravenous administration of CTS-21166.(SPECIAL REPORT: International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008: Summary of new research)(Brief article)(Clinical report)
October 1, 2008... A phase 1 randomized, single-ascending dose trial found that intravenous administration of CTS-21166, a beta-secretase (BACE 1) inhibitor, was well tolerated and resulted in a robust dose-related reduction of plasma A[beta]40 in human subjects....

Phase IIa trial results for effects of intranasal AL-108 on cognitive function.(SPECIAL REPORT: International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008: Summary of new research)
October 1, 2008... Results from a phase II a clinical trial indicate that intranasal administration of AL-108 had a positive impact on memory function in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The 12-week, double-blind trial randomly assigned 3...

Venlafaxine may be effective for geriatric depression.(News Notes)
October 1, 2008... Venlafaxine extended release (VXR) may be safe and effective when used in treating geriatric depression, according to researchers from the San Carlos Clinic Hospital in Madrid, Spain. A 24-week naturalist, open-label study investigated...

Effects of antihypertensive treatment on cognitive function.(News Notes)(Clinical report)
October 1, 2008... Antihypertensive medications did not statistically reduce the incidence of dementia in elderly patients with hypertension who were dementia-free at baseline, according to new study results. In the Hypertension in the Very Elderly cognitive...

Propafenone and citalopram interaction mimics coronary artery disease.(Case Reports)
October 1, 2008... Patient: Female, 80 years old Medications: Propafenone (Rythmol), citalopram (Celexa), amlodipine (Norvasc), nitroglycerin patch (Transderm Nitro), warfarin (Coumadin) Case: An 80-year-old woman was followed up at a memory clinic in...

Dangerous interaction between simvastatin and amiodarone.(From the FDA)
October 1, 2008... The FDA warns of a dangerous interaction between simvastatin and amiodarone which, when taken together, can cause rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition of muscle injury which can lead to kidney failure or death. The risk is dose-related and...

First generic divalproex.(From the FDA)
October 1, 2008... The first generic divalproex sodium has been approved for treatment of seizures, bipolar disorder and migraine headaches. The generic versions are manufactured by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Ltd.; Roxane Laboratories; Sun Pharmaceutical...

Clozapine-induced microscopic colitis.(Case Reports)
October 1, 2008... Patient: Female, 62 years old Medications: Clozapine (Clozaril), valproic acid (Depakene), quetiapine (Seroquel), clonazepam (Klonopin) Comment: A 62-year-old woman with a history of bipolar disorder was admitted for the treatment of...

Selegiline transdermal system (generic) Emsam (brand).(YOUR MEDICATION INFORMATION)
October 1, 2008... CLASSIFICATION: Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant. COMMON USAGE: The selegiline transdermal system is indicated for the treatment of major depression in adults. When applied to intact skin, it is designed to deliver...