Monday, May 19, 2003

Antipsychotics and Bipolar Disorder
The most recent "Bipolar Disorders Expert Column Series" in Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health - "New generation, or atypical, antipsychotics -- medications that were initially developed for the treatment of psychosis in general and schizophrenia in particular -- are being used increasingly in the treatment of bipolar disease. Medications such as olanzapine, which has a formal indication for bipolar disease from the US Food and Drug Administration, clozapine, quetiapine, and risperidone have become important tools for the clinician in helping to stabilize acutely ill bipolar patients and preventing them from becoming ill again. These medications may have efficacy beyond being simply antimanic agents, but may have utility as true mood stabilizers; they may actually help prevent mood fluctuations that interfere with social and occupational functioning...." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Researchers Identify New Variety of Dementia
NewsRx story at PsycPORT on research presented at the annual American Academy of Neurology meeting by researchers at the University of Florida who "believe they have identified a new form of dementia, a disease that develops mostly in elderly people and is characterized by a progressive, generally irreversible loss of mental capabilities."  
  

Some success seen with depression treatment by phone
Health Behavior News Service story - "Phone calls can help primary care doctors and nurses deliver follow-up care to patients who are depressed, a new study suggests. Three months after enrolling in a disease management program offered by telephone, patients with acute depression were six times more likely to have their symptoms reduced to a low level than those who received the standard care of diagnosis and education about their condition."