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Findings on suicide and hypnotics signal need for further study
A review of studies examining FDA‐approved hypnotics and suicide risk found an association between hypnotics and suicidal ideation, but the authors pointed out that the studies examined in the review did not adequately control for underlying psychiatric disorders. Future studies also need to explore the possibility that hypnotics can actually decrease suicidality because of their effects on relieving insomnia, the researchers stated. (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

Risk of extrapyramidal reactions with aripiprazole
Aripiprazole is a third‐generation antipsychotic with a distinct pharmacological profile. It is a partial agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor, and as such has comparatively fewer D2 receptor‐related adverse effects, such as extrapyramidal reactions. Despite this unique receptor activity, case reports have provided evidence that aripiprazole use could be associated with an increased risk of extrapyramidal reactions, primarily in antipsychotic‐naïve patients. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - December 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug ‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research

Sertraline shows promise in preventing depressive disorders in TBI patients
Treatment with sertraline initiated shortly after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) appears to be effective in preventing the onset of post‐TBI depression, a new study has found. This is believed to be the first trial to indicate the efficacy of antidepressants in preventing depression after TBI. Study results were published online Sept. 14 in JAMA Psychiatry. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - December 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Antidepressant Treatment Source Type: research

Escitalopram with CBT improves response in patients with social anxiety disorder
A new study has found that combining escitalopram with internet‐delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) led to greater treatment response than placebo with CBT in a group of 48 adults with social anxiety disorder. The study also documented decreased reactivity in the amygdala during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in patients on the study treatment, indicating that this might serve as a biomarker for successful treatment of anxiety disorders. Study results were published online June 23 in The British Journal of Psychiatry. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - November 21, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Anxiety Treatment Source Type: research

Research Roundup
Suvorexant not found to impair morning driving after night use Crossover study suggests suvorexant has less abuse potential than zolpidem Metformin can combat weight gain from atypical antipsychotics for autism Risk of congenital malformations from antipsychotics in early pregnancy low Varenicline effective in reducing smoking among schizophrenia patients Neurotrophin pathway has role in suicidality during antidepressant treatment (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - November 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Research Roundup Source Type: research

Rivastigmine reduces postoperative delirium in elderly patients
Elderly patients with cognitive impairment who received a rivastigmine patch in the period 3 days before to 7 days after hip surgery experienced less incidence and severity of postoperative delirium than patients who did not receive the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor treatment, a new study has found. No rivastigmine‐related complications occurred during surgery, the researchers added. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - November 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Studies of lurasidone for bipolar depression show differing results
A monotherapy study and an adjunctive therapy study using lurasidone in the treatment of bipolar depression yielded differing results for patients ages 55 and older, with the monotherapy study showing effectiveness over placebo in reducing depressive symptoms and the adjunctive therapy study showing no significant difference from placebo when lurasidone was combined with lithium or valproate. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - November 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Hyperkalemia associated with valproic acid
Valproic acid is widely used for the management of symptoms in patients with mania. Although the drug has been reported to cause hyponatremia,1 its use as a mood stabilizer in general is well‐tolerated, and there has been no evidence in the literature of abnormalities in other electrolyte levels associated with its use. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - November 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug ‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research

Substance use disorders, ADHD common among college ‐age stimulant misusers
An analysis of the characteristics of college students who misuse stimulants has uncovered a largely struggling population with a higher likelihood than nonusers of having a substance use disorder, attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and significant dysfunction. The vast majority of stimulant misuse in the study population occurred with immediate‐release formulations, which suggested to the researchers that prescribing professionals should turn to extended‐release stimulants when treating high‐risk populations. Study results were published in the July 2016 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. (...
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - November 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Young Adult Treatment Source Type: research

Continuation ECT with medication improves outcomes in geriatric depression
Continuation electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) plus medication in elderly patients who had experienced a successful course of ECT resulted in more improvement in depressive symptoms than medication alone, according to results of the second phase of the Prolonging Remission in Depressed Elderly (PRIDE) study. A flexible ECT protocol in Phase 2 involved four treatments over one month and additional treatments as needed. Phase 2 results were published online July 15 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - October 20, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Geriatric Psychiatry Source Type: research

Research Roundup
Quetiapine effective for PTSD among members of military D‐cycloserine study shows no benefit as adjunctive therapy in pediatric OCD Methylene blue improves symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder Older men using testosterone see no cognitive improvement Long‐acting injectable antipsychotics effective in lowering hospital visits Olanzapine effective in prevention of nausea caused by chemotherapy (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - October 19, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Research Roundup Source Type: research

Glutamate receptor modulator shows mixed results in depression study
Six weeks of adjunctive treatment with the glutamate receptor modulator basimglurant did not lead to significant improvement over placebo on a primary measure of clinician‐rated depressive symptoms in adults, but did achieve results on patient‐rated secondary measures, a new study has found. The findings led the researchers to conclude that further study of basimglurant's potential in depression treatment should take place. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - October 19, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Buprenorphine implant non ‐inferior to sublingual form in outpatient trial
Opioid‐dependent individuals receiving a buprenorphine implant subsequent to achieving abstinence on the sublingual formulation of the drug were no less likely to remain a treatment responder than patients continuing to receive the sublingual formulation, a new study has found. The finding adds to evidence that the buprenorphine implant can be an effective option that also improves medication compliance and mitigates diversion risk. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - October 19, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Atypical neuroleptic malignant syndrome with long ‐acting paliperidone
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but serious and potentially fatal adverse effect caused by dopamine receptor blockade associated with the use of antipsychotic agents. The incidence of NMS has been estimated to range from 0.01% to 2.4%, and the syndrome can occur in any age group, including the elderly. Classical features include mental status changes, muscular rigidity, hyperthermia, and symptoms suggestive of autonomic instability (e.g., presyncope, tachycardia, diaphoresis), with elevated creatine kinase and white blood cell count as common laboratory findings. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - October 19, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug ‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research

Study suggests benefits of raloxifene in women with schizophrenia symptoms
A 120‐mg daily dose of the selective estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene significantly reduced illness severity when used with an antipsychotic in adult women with persistent symptoms of schizophrenia, a new study has found. The study's lead author pointed out that the results demonstrate the potential importance of hormonal factors in women who have not responded adequately to conventional treatment for psychotic illness. Study results were published online July 20 in JAMA Psychiatry. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - October 19, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Women's Treatment Source Type: research