The Journal of clinical psychiatry
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Over the past 10 years several studies have been conducted in psychiatric and neurologic patients with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to determine if patterns of brain dysfunction exist that characterize the different mental diseases. Although there has not been any finding that can be referred to as specific for a particular disease, SPECT studies have been able to demonstrate evidence of brain dysfunction in patients who, when tested with other means, showed no evidence of brain abnormalities. In this manuscript, the current and future applications of SPECT in the clinical practice of psychiatry are analyzed.
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The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence, reliability, and predictive value of comorbid personality disorders in a large sample of 210 women seeking treatment for anorexia nervosa (N = 31), bulimia nervosa (N = 91), or mixed disorder (N = 88). ⋯ The prevalence of personality disorders is not high in treatment-seeking women with eating disorders compared with previously studied samples. The greatest frequency of comorbid personality disorders is in the anorexia nervosa/bulimia nervosa group; this subset also had longer duration of eating disorder illness and much greater comorbid Axis I psychopathology compared with the rest of the sample. Future studies should address whether personality disorders have predictive value in the long-term course and outcome of eating disorders.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Paroxetine in major depression: a double-blind trial with imipramine and placebo.
Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor which is being developed as an antidepressant. Previous studies suggest it is effective in the treatment of depression and has a low incidence of side effects. The authors report on a 6-week, randomized, prospective trial of paroxetine, imipramine, and placebo in 120 outpatients with major depression. ⋯ Imipramine either was not superior on these measures or took longer to show a significant difference. Paroxetine lacked the typical anticholinergic side effects that accompanied imipramine therapy. The results show that paroxetine is an effective antidepressant that may have value especially when depression is accompanied by significant anxiety.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A 6-week, double-blind trial of paroxetine, imipramine, and placebo in depressed outpatients.
Paroxetine is a novel antidepressant that selectively inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin. Results are reported from a 6-week, double-blind trial of paroxetine, imipramine, and placebo in 120 outpatients with DSM-III major depression. Paroxetine was significantly superior to placebo on almost all measures. ⋯ Imipramine-treated patients were significantly more likely than those taking placebo to report one or more adverse effects, which were predominantly anticholinergic in nature. There was no significant difference in the number of paroxetine and placebo patients who reported one or more adverse effects. The results of this and similar studies indicate that paroxetine is an effective treatment in major depression and has a favorable side effect profile.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Paroxetine in the treatment of depression: a comparison with imipramine and placebo.
Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor with significant antidepressant properties. This was a 6-week placebo- and imipramine-controlled study of 120 outpatients with major depression. Paroxetine was statistically significantly superior to placebo on almost all outcome measures. ⋯ Paroxetine was also significantly superior to imipramine on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression total score. Paroxetine was generally better tolerated than imipramine. These results strongly support paroxetine's effectiveness in the treatment of major depression and suggest that paroxetine will be a valuable addition to the options in treating depressive illness.