Monday, August 11, 2003

Lamotrigine in Mood Disorders
Current Medical Research and Opinion article at Medscape - "Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug with good efficacy and safety in the treatment of epilepsy. There is now substantial evidence that lamotrigine is also useful in treating resistant depression, rapid cycling bipolar affective disorder, depressive episodes in bipolar affective disorder and in the maintenance phase or prophylaxis of bipolar affective disorder. There are possible roles in managing mood changes in borderline personality disorder, reducing chronic pain and treating schizoaffective disorder...." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Some Autistic Children Make Remarkable Progress With Intensive Behavioral Program, Study Suggests
Ascribe Newswire item at PsycPORT - "A new study provides confirmation that some young autistic children can make remarkable progress when they participate in a specially designed intensive behavioral intervention program. The study by Ohio State University researchers is one of few that have rigorously examined the success of the Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) program, which some believe is the best way to treat autistic children. The preliminary results show the value of EIBI, said James Mulick, co-author of the study and professor of pediatrics and psychology at Ohio State University. He and his colleagues presented results of the research August 7 in Toronto at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association."  
  

ADHD Treatment Discourages Children From Drug Abuse Later
Story at InteliHealth - "Treatment with stimulants such as Ritalin halves the chances that a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will become a drug or alcohol abuser later, according to several studies reported here over the weekend. Although some animal research suggests that stimulants can 'prime' the brain for addiction, the medications 'help protect kids, reducing their risk for later substance use. . . . But they do not immunize them' against drug or alcohol problems, says psychiatrist Timothy Wilens of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He spoke on a panel at the American Psychological Association meeting."