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Study of treatment options for hypochondriasis finds strong results for fluoxetine
A 24‐week trial involving adults with hypochondriasis found the highest response rate with a combination of fluoxetine and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), although the overall results of the study suggest that the antidepressant was the strongest contributor to positive outcomes. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - September 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Educational exam scores improved when ADHD patients were on medication
A study using a within‐individual design has concluded that patients with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scored higher on standardized scholastic aptitude tests during periods when they were taking medication compared with times when they were not on medication. The study's authors suggest that the effects of ADHD medications on educational performance should be considered as part of the analysis of the risks and benefits of these drugs. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - September 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Rhabdomyolysis after risperidone
Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life‐threatening syndrome that reflects lysis of muscle fibers secondary to disruption of the calcium homeostasis in muscle cells. This results in leakage of toxic cellular contents into the systemic circulation, eventually leading to muscle destruction and fiber necrosis. Patients with the condition usually exhibit significantly elevated serum creatine kinase. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - September 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug ‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research

Liraglutide improves metabolic disturbances in antipsychotic ‐treated schizophrenia patients
A 16‐week study of patients with schizophrenia who were receiving clozapine or olanzapine has found that the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonist liraglutide significantly improved glucose tolerance, body weight, and cardiometabolic disturbances compared with placebo. The patients in the study were overweight or obese and were considered prediabetic. Study results were published online June 10 in JAMA Psychiatry. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - September 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Schizophrenia Treatment Source Type: research

Clozapine, long ‐acting injectables show greatest effectiveness in relapse prevention
A nationwide cohort study of patients with schizophrenia in Sweden has found significant variability among antipsychotic medications in their effectiveness in preventing rehospitalization. Results in relapse prevention were particularly strong for clozapine and for long‐acting injectable antipsychotics. Study results were published online June 7 in JAMA Psychiatry (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - August 14, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Schizophrenia Treatment Source Type: research

Approvals
(Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - August 14, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: From the FDA Source Type: research

Research Roundup
Adjunctive memantine found effective for negative symptoms of schizophrenia Lithium could benefit patients with bipolar disorder and suicidality Study spotlights simultaneous use of antidepressants, benzodiazepines Study of veterans finds risk of dementia in antipsychotic users Prenatal antidepressant use and ADHD risk explained in part by confounding Postmarket safety events more common in psychiatric drug class (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - August 14, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Research Roundup Source Type: research

Gene variant associated with response to venlafaxine in elderly
Results of a new study add to evidence that variants of the norepinephrine transporter (NET) gene can be used to predict response to treatment with venlafaxine for depression in older adults. The study, involving 350 adults ages 60 and over, found that the NET variant rs2242446/T‐182C was significantly associated with remission in older patients. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - August 14, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

ADHD patients' risk of vehicle crashes lower in medicated periods
A cohort study using a U.S. health insurance database has concluded that individuals with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a lower risk of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) during periods when they receive medication for their disorder. The study used a within‐individual design in order to examine outcome differences during medicated and nonmedicated periods. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - August 14, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Macrolide antibiotics and tetrahydrocannabinol
Research has suggested a potential link between the development of psychotic symptoms and chronic use of cannabis, possibly resulting from the disruption of dopaminergic neurotransmission by the major active component of cannabis, delta‐9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The following case describes the development of a late‐onset acute psychotic episode in a long‐term cannabis user with no prior psychiatric history after initiation of treatment with an antibiotic in the macrolide class. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - August 14, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug ‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research

Lithium use in pregnancy associated with small risk of cardiac malformations
Use of lithium during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of cardiac malformations in offspring, but this effect appears to be smaller than that seen in earlier research, results of a new U.S. cohort study suggest. The study was published in the June 8 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - August 14, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Bipolar Disorder Treatment Source Type: research

Studies: Antidepressant exposure in pregnancy not associated with autism spectrum disorder
Two studies published in the April 18 issue of JAMA found no association between maternal antidepressant use during pregnancy and adverse outcomes in children that include autism spectrum disorder and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One of the studies analyzed the effects of first‐trimester antidepressant use and looked at a number of child health outcomes, while the other examined serotonergic antidepressant exposure throughout pregnancy and analyzed results for autism spectrum disorder only. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - July 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Depression Treatment Source Type: research

Research Roundup
Assessment tool underestimates risk of fractures with psychotropic use Methylphenidate with cognitive training can improve outcomes after brain injury Imipramine improves health in patients with multiple somatic symptoms Meta‐analysis finds amantadine effective for antipsychotic‐related weight gain Antimuscarinics increase depression risk in women with overactive bladder (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - July 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Research Roundup Source Type: research

Experts find little evidence of long ‐term negative effect on outcomes from antipsychotics
An international group of experts examining research into potential adverse effects of antipsychotics on long‐term outcomes has concluded that the existing evidence for a negative effect is not compelling. Numerous studies that have raised such concerns have been hampered by confounding and other methodological problems, the research group pointed out. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - July 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Antidepressant use before conception more closely linked with autism risk
A review and meta‐analysis encompassing 10 studies has found an association between mothers' use of antidepressants in pregnancy and higher risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in their children, but has concluded that this risk appears more consistent with antidepressant use in the preconception period. This finding, according to authors of the review, suggests that the increased risk for autism might be more closely associated with mothers' psychiatric diagnoses than with antidepressant exposure. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - July 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research