Clinical neuropharmacology
-
Clin Neuropharmacol · Jul 2006
Association between attitude toward medication and neurocognitive function in schizophrenia.
A patient's attitude toward medication is important for medication adherence, which is a key determinant of outcome in schizophrenia. This study examined the association between attitude toward antipsychotic medication and clinical status, particularly neurocognitive function, in patients with schizophrenia. ⋯ Our findings indicate that a patient's attitude toward medication is associated with neurocognitive function. Specifically, verbal learning memory, executive functioning, and sustained attention were associated with attitude toward medication.
-
Clin Neuropharmacol · May 2006
Comparative StudyLorazepam and diazepam rapidly relieve catatonic features in major depression.
We have proved that a modified strategy (ie, lorazepam intramuscular injection [IMI] or diazepam intravenous drip [IVD] if lorazepam IMI fails) can rapidly relieve catatonic features in patients with schizophrenia. During a period of 3 years, we identified 7 major depressive patients with catatonic features in the emergency unit of a general hospital. ⋯ The total complete remission rate to lorazepam IMI within 2 hours was 6 (85.7%) per 7 patients, and the total complete remission rate to benzodiazepines (lorazepam IMI and diazepam IVD) within 1 day was 7 (100%) of all 7 patients. These results highly suggest that this modified strategy can also rapidly relieve catatonic features in major depression within 1 day and attain a high complete remission rate, even without electroconvulsive therapy.
-
Clin Neuropharmacol · Mar 2006
Clinical TrialConversion from sustained release carbidopa/levodopa to carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone (stalevo) in Parkinson disease patients.
This study was performed to determine if conversion from sustained release carbidopa/levodopa (SR-CL) with or without entacapone to carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone (CLE; Stalevo) improves motor functioning and quality of life in Parkinson disease (PD) patients and to assess patient tolerance and drug preference. ⋯ A majority of patients suboptimally controlled on SR-CL can be successfully converted to CLE with improvements in motor function, quality of life, and sleepiness. Older patients, with longer disease duration not previously exposed to entacapone, may better tolerate CLE after the addition of entacapone.
-
The neurodegenerative diseases are in need of drugs that are capable of treating their many different presentations. Some drugs have recently been developed and approved by the authorities for use in Alzheimer's disease; their beneficial effects are no longer questionable. ⋯ Pharmacology has taken this new understanding on board, and has finally defined its objective as preventing the decline of the neuron as much as of cognitive performance. It remains for clinicians to confirm the authenticity of this worldwide project.