The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update 
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This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.Auditory hallucinations associated with relapse in Alzheimer's disease
Post‐hoc analyses in a trial of antipsychotic discontinuation in patients with Alzheimer's disease have found that patients who had severe hallucinations at baseline were more likely to relapse after antipsychotic discontinuation. This association was present only for auditory hallucinations and not visual hallucinations, the researchers reported. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - February 20, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research
Adjunctive taurine shows mixed results in first ‐episode psychosis
Twelve weeks of adjunctive treatment with the inhibitory neuromodulatory amino acid taurine improved psychiatric symptomatology but not cognition relative to placebo in young adult patients being treated for first‐episode psychosis, a new study has found. Researchers suggested that these results warrant further investigation of taurine in larger randomized trials. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - February 20, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research
Effect of olanzapine on sertraline concentration
The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have a good efficacy and safety profile for most patients with depression. However, some patients with depression present with co‐existing psychotic symptoms, and antipsychotic drugs are commonly prescribed with SSRIs to improve clinical response. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - February 20, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug ‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research
Post ‐hoc analysis in Alzheimer's study shows benefit of LMTM monotherapy
A randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group study of a tau protein aggregation inhibitor, while not showing treatment benefit in the primary analysis of its effect on slowing disease progression in Alzheimer's disease patients, found significant results in a post‐hoc analysis for patients receiving the drug as monotherapy. Patients receiving leuco‐methylthioninium bis[hydromethanesulfonate] (LMTM) monotherapy at doses of either 75 or 125 mg twice a day saw benefits in both cognition and activities of daily living, researchers reported. Study results were published online Nov. 15, 2016, in The Lancet. (Source: The Br...
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - February 20, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Geriatric Psychiatry Source Type: research
Former inmates show less reoffending when receiving psychotropic drugs
A longitudinal study of released prison inmates in Sweden has found that fewer violent reoffenses occurred in periods when the individuals were receiving antipsychotics, psychostimulants, or drugs used to treat substance addiction. The researchers recommended further study to analyze the potential causal nature of the association between psychotropic medication and reduced violence. Study results were published Nov. 1, 2016 in JAMA. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - January 25, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Special Populations Source Type: research
Regulatory actions
(Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - January 24, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: From the FDA Source Type: research
Research Roundup
Newer antidepressants show small effect in bipolar depression
Patient characteristics influence OCD treatment preferences
Therapy used for prostate cancer may increase risk of dementia
Antioxidant promising in treating comorbid PTSD, substance abuse
Adjunctive memantine shows promise in treatment‐refractory schizophrenia
Population's use of supplements shows little change in early 2000s (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - January 24, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Research Roundup Source Type: research
SSRI exposure in pregnancy linked to language disorders in offspring
A birth cohort study in which children were observed through age 14 has found that use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants during pregnancy was associated with speech/language disorders in the women's offspring. The association was observed among women who received at least two SSRI prescriptions during pregnancy. No association with scholastic or motor disorders was identified. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - January 24, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research
Drug classes for hypertension show differential effects on mood disorder risk
An analysis of patients on antihypertensive monotherapy, using a large hospital database, has found differential risk for mood disorders among various classes of antihypertensive drugs. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were associated with the lowest risk for hospital admissions for mood disorders, while beta‐blockers and calcium channel blockers were associated with the highest risk. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - January 24, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research
Anticholinergic drugs and cognitive impairment
Impaired cognitive function poses a major concern for elderly patients, with age‐related cholinergic deficit likely contributing to cognitive decline. Nevertheless, the cause of cognitive impairment in elderly patients is mostly multifactorial, with drug‐induced adverse events also a possible etiologic factor. Benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticholinergic drugs all have been implicated in the development of cognitive impairment. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - January 24, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug ‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research
Review suggests anti ‐cytokine treatment can improve treatment‐resistant depression
A review and meta‐analysis of 20 studies, including seven randomized controlled trials, has concluded that anti‐cytokine therapy significantly improves depressive symptoms and could be particularly effective for individuals with treatment‐resistant depression and increased inflammation. Results of the review were published online Oct. 18, 2016 in Molecular Psychiatry. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - January 24, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Depression Treatment Source Type: research
Data suggest antibody's clinical benefit in treatment of Alzheimer's disease
A year of monthly infusions of the human monoclonal antibody aducanumab reduced amyloid‐ß (Aß) plaques in patients with prodromal or mild Alzheimer's disease, and resulted in a slowing of clinical decline in these patients, a new study has found. These results, published in the September 2016 issue of Nature, support the continued development of aducanumab as a disease‐modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease, the researchers stated. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - December 21, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Geriatric Psychiatry Source Type: research
Regulatory actions
(Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - December 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: From the FDA Source Type: research
Research Roundup
Methylphenidate monotherapy increases risk of mania in bipolar patients
Sweet‐liking phenotype linked to improved response to naltrexone
CYP2D6 inhibitors do not increase death risk in breast cancer patients
Study finds antidepressant use does not increase mortality risk
Patient expectancy influences placebo response in trials
Evidence suggests bleeding risk for SSRI users having surgery (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - December 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Research Roundup Source Type: research
Study suggests hormonal contraception can lead to depression
A nationwide prospective cohort study conducted in Denmark has found an association between young women's use of hormonal contraceptives and subsequent use of antidepressants and a first diagnosis of depression. The association was found to be strongest among adolescents. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - December 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research
