Thursday, March 27, 2003

Dual Diagnoses, New Perspectives
Article in Medscape General Medicine - "Patients who present to us with so-called "dual diagnoses" of a primary psychiatric disorder and a substance abuse disorder represent some of the most difficult challenges clinicians can face. Often, the substance abuse precludes in some way the treatment for the psychiatric disorder. For example, attendance and compliance may be compromised or the direct effects of the substance abuse may negate or reverse the effects of the treatment. When clinicians look to the literature for guidance in dealing with these difficult situations, they find virtually no data..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

PET Scanning Can Predict Response to Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Reuters Health article reprinted at Medscape - "PET scanning can predict which patients with major depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are likely to respond to treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), according to a report in the March issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].