Friday, May 16, 2003

Recent Developments in Antipsychotic Use in Adults
Article in the May Psychiatric Times - "The development of new atypical antipsychotics has been proceeding at a fast pace. Increasing variations in mechanisms of action, side-effect profiles and efficacy among the atypicals enable clinicians to tailor treatments to individual response, side-effect history and current medical conditions."  
  

Understanding Pharmacogenetics
Article in this month's Psychiatric Times -"The idea that drug response could be based on a patient's genetic background first surfaced over 100 years ago. Since then, technology has advanced to the point where prescribing medications based on a patient's genetic makeup no longer seems like science fiction. This article looks at the latest research on the pharmacogenetics of psychotropic medications and shows how far we still have to go."  
  

Senate Republicans Gain Crucial Democratic Vote on Tax Cut
New York Times story - "A bipartisan group of senators reached agreement with Republican leaders today on a financial aid package for the states," including $10 billion to states to offset higher Medicaid costs. [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Wanted: Insurance Parity for Mental Illness
HealthScoutNews story at Yahoo on "a broad coalition of mental health advocates, including 255 national organizations" that jas "lined up in support of federal legislation designed to require insurance companies offering mental health coverage to make the benefits on par with those for other medical conditions." The story notes that "The federal mental health "parity" measure failed during a congressional logjam last session, but drew support from some 300 members of Congress, most of whom still hold their seats."  
  

Drug promising in treating alcoholism
AP article in the Charlotte Observer - "An epilepsy drug offers significant promise in helping alcoholics quit drinking and appears to be more effective than drugs now in use for the problem, a new study shows. Half of the 55 alcoholics who took the anti-seizure drug topiramate either quit drinking altogether or cut back their drinking sharply. Researchers found that those given the medication were six times more likely than those on a dummy pill to abstain from alcohol for a month, according to the report published today in The Lancet."  
  

Dementia services 'under strain' (UK)
BBC story - "The Alzheimer's Society said the government urgently needed to quantify how many people have dementia in Northern Ireland - so services can be designed to cope. It is believed the long delay that some people face before seeing a psychiatrist may affect the course of their illness."  
  

Advocates object to new prisons (North Carolina)
Story in the News Observer - "It didn't take long for debate to break out among members of the council charged with supervising the state's juvenile justice system when they met Thursday -- for the second time in as many years. Gov. Mike Easley and Juvenile Justice Secretary George Sweat have said they want to build three youth prisons at a cost of $90 million. Other council members said the money could be better spent on hiring more staff and improving services for troubled youth."  
  

Human services in jeopardy if state budget gets approved (Pennsylvania)
Story in The Mercury on comments by Montgomery County commissioners on the impact pf proposed human services cuts in the state's 2003-2004 budget, which takes effect July 1.