Does acute tobacco smoking prevent cue-induced craving?
Conclusions:
While both nicotine pharmacology and expectancy appear to contribute to craving reduction associated with acute tobacco smoking, neither smoking-related nicotine administration nor expectation prevents increases in craving following exposure to smoking-associated stimuli. These findings suggest that cue-induced craving may be resistant to various pharmacological and psychological interventions. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - April 18, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Schlagintweit, H. E., Barrett, S. P. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Atomoxetine could improve intra-individual variability in drug-naïve adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder comparably with methylphenidate: A head-to-head randomized clinical trial
Conclusion:
Our results provide evidence to support that atomoxetine could improve IIV-RT and inhibitory control, of comparable efficacy with immediate-release methylphenidate, in drug-naïve adults with ADHD. Shared and unique mechanisms underpinning these medication effects on IIV-RT awaits further investigation. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - April 18, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ni, H.-C., Hwang Gu, S.-L., Lin, H.-Y., Lin, Y.-J., Yang, L.-K., Huang, H.-C., Gau, S. S.-F. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
A network meta-analysis of atomoxetine and osmotic release oral system methylphenidate in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adult patients
The lack of head-to-head clinical studies powered to compare atomoxetine and osmotic release oral system (OROS) methylphenidate necessitates treatment comparison by methods that include indirect evidence such as network meta-analysis (NMA). A NMA assessing the relative treatment effects of atomoxetine and OROS methylphenidate in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was conducted. Studies were identified by systematic literature review. Analyses summarised improvements in efficacy, measured by ADHD-specific scales, using Cohen’s d to calculate the standardised mean difference (SMD), and all caus...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - April 18, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Bushe, C., Day, K., Reed, V., Karlsdotter, K., Berggren, L., Pitcher, A., Televantou, F., Haynes, V. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Antipsychotic polypharmacy and augmentation strategies prior to clozapine initiation: a historical cohort study of 310 adults with treatment-resistant schizophrenic disorders
Conclusions:
APP and augmentation of antipsychotics with antidepressants, mood stabilizers and benzodiazepines are being employed in treatment-resistant schizophrenia prior to clozapine. The conservative APP rate observed may have been influenced by an initiative within SLaM that reduced APP rates during the study window. Efforts to reduce the use of poorly evidenced prescribing should focus on adjuvant medications as well as APP. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - April 18, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Thompson, J. V., Clark, J. M., Legge, S. E., Kadra, G., Downs, J., Walters, J. T., Hamshere, M. L., Hayes, R. D., Taylor, D., MacCabe, J. H. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
A proof-of-concept, randomized controlled trial of DAR-0100A, a dopamine-1 receptor agonist, for cognitive enhancement in schizophrenia
Conclusion:
These results suggest that low doses of D1 agonists that do not result in measureable occupancy of the D1R do not reliably improve cognition in SCZ, unlike the observations in NHP. As this drug is limited by its pharmacokinetic profile, better D1R agonists that can achieve adequate levels of D1R occupancy are needed to test the efficacy of this mechanism for cognitive enhancement in SCZ. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - April 18, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Girgis, R. R., Van Snellenberg, J. X., Glass, A., Kegeles, L. S., Thompson, J. L., Wall, M., Cho, R. Y., Carter, C. S., Slifstein, M., Abi-Dargham, A., Lieberman, J. A. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
{gamma}-aminobutyric acid as a metabolite: Interpreting magnetic resonance spectroscopy experiments
The current rise in the prevalence of magnetic resonance spectroscopy experiments to measure -aminobutyric acid in the living human brain is an exciting and productive area of research. As research spreads into clinical populations and cognitive research, it is important to fully understand the source of the magnetic resonance spectroscopy signal and apply appropriate interpretation to the results of the experiments. -aminobutyric acid is present in the brain not only as a neurotransmitter, but also in high intracellular concentrations, both as a transmitter precursor and a metabolite. -aminobutyric acid concentrations mea...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - April 18, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Myers, J. F., Nutt, D. J., Lingford-Hughes, A. R. Tags: Perspectives Source Type: research
BAP Position Statement: Off-label prescribing of psychotropic medication to children and adolescents
The off-label use of medicines for children and adolescents remains a common and important issue for prescribing practice across child and adolescent psychiatry, paediatrics and primary care. This editorial focusses on psychotropic drug treatment, which plays an essential part in the comprehensive management of a range of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Despite a growing evidence base for drug treatment in child and adolescent psychiatric disorders, much psychotropic medication continues to be prescribed off-label (i.e. outside the limits of the marketing authorisation or product license). The reasons for and i...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - April 18, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Sharma, A. N., Arango, C., Coghill, D., Gringras, P., Nutt, D. J., Pratt, P., Young, A. H., Hollis, C. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
Neuroscience-based Nomenclature (NbN) for Journal of Psychopharmacology
(Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - April 18, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Nutt, D. J., Blier, P. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
Sodium oxybate plus nalmefene for the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A case series
We describe seven cases of consecutive patients affected by alcohol use disorder, and treated with sodium oxybate (50 mg/kg per day) who did not achieve complete alcohol abstinence after at least one month of pharmacological treatment. Then, in partial- and non-responder patients to sodium oxybate treatment, administration of nalmefene, 18 mg as needed, was commenced. Our data show that, during the first month of the combined treatment of sodium oxybate plus nalmefene, patients were able to achieve alcohol abstinence (two patients), to suppress (five cases) or reduce (two patients) episodes of heavy drinking days, and to s...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 15, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Caputo, F., Maremmani, A. G., Addolorato, G., Domenicali, M., Zoli, G., DAmore, A., Maremmani, I., Bernardi, M. Tags: Short Report Source Type: research
Up: The rise of nitrous oxide abuse. An international survey of contemporary nitrous oxide use
In recent years the recreational use of inhaled nitrous oxide gas (N2O) is becoming increasingly popular, yet little is known about the characteristics of its users or the effects they experience. This paper presents original research from the 2014 Global Drug Survey (GDS) (n=74,864). GDS runs the largest survey of recreational drug use in the world. The findings confirm N2O as a very common drug of use, in particular in the UK and US (38.6% and 29.4% lifetime prevalence). In the UK N2O was reported to be the eighth most commonly used substance. N2O was generally consumed via gas-filled balloons, at festivals and clubs whe...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 15, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Kaar, S. J., Ferris, J., Waldron, J., Devaney, M., Ramsey, J., Winstock, A. R. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Placebo caffeine reduces withdrawal in abstinent coffee drinkers
Conclusions:
Our results indicated that the belief that one has consumed caffeine can affect caffeine withdrawal symptoms, especially cravings, even when no caffeine was consumed. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 15, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Mills, L., Boakes, R. A., Colagiuri, B. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine on socioemotional feelings, authenticity, and autobiographical disclosure in healthy volunteers in a controlled setting
The drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy", "molly") is a widely used illicit drug and experimental adjunct to psychotherapy. MDMA has unusual, poorly understood socioemotional effects, including feelings of interpersonal closeness and sociability. To better understand these effects, we conducted a small (n=12) within-subjects double-blind placebo controlled study of the effects of 1.5 mg/kg oral MDMA on social emotions and autobiographical disclosure in a controlled setting. MDMA displayed both sedative- and stimulant-like effects, including increased self-report anxiety. At the same time, MDMA positively...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 15, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Baggott, M. J., Coyle, J. R., Siegrist, J. D., Garrison, K. J., Galloway, G. P., Mendelson, J. E. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Effects of levodopa-carbidopa-entacapone and smoked cocaine on facial affect recognition in cocaine smokers
In addition to difficulties in daily social functioning, regular cocaine users have decrements in social processing (the cognitive and affective processes underlying social behavior) relative to non-users. Little is known, however, about the effects of clinically-relevant pharmacological agents, such as cocaine and potential treatment medications, on social processing in cocaine users. Such drug effects could potentially alleviate or compound baseline social processing decrements in cocaine abusers. Here, we assessed the individual and combined effects of smoked cocaine and a potential treatment medication, levodopa-carbid...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 15, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Bedi, G., Shiffrin, L., Vadhan, N. P., Nunes, E. V., Foltin, R. W., Bisaga, A. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Cannabis craving in response to laboratory-induced social stress among racially diverse cannabis users: The impact of social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder appears to be a risk factor for cannabis-related problems. Although it is presumed that increases in cannabis craving during elevated social anxiety reflect an intent to cope with greater negative affectivity, it is unclear whether increases in physiological arousal during social stress are related to cannabis craving, especially among those with social anxiety disorder. Similarly, no studies have assessed motivational reasons for cannabis use during elevated social stress. Thus, the current study tested whether increases in state social anxiety (measured subjectively and via physiological arousal) ...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 15, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Buckner, J. D., Zvolensky, M. J., Ecker, A. H., Jeffries, E. R. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Cannabis use in people with severe mental illness: The association with physical and mental health - a cohort study. A Pharmacotherapy Monitoring and Outcome Survey study
Conclusion:
Extra attention should be paid to the monitoring and treatment of metabolic parameters in patients who discontinue their cannabis use. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 15, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Bruins, J., Pijnenborg, M. G., Bartels-Velthuis, A. A., Visser, E., van den Heuvel, E. R., Bruggeman, R., Jörg, F. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
