Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
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J Clin Psychopharmacol · Feb 2011
Comparative StudyEffect of methylphenidate on intelligence quotient scores in Chinese children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Stimulants are the most effective drugs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. The purpose of this study was to explore the intervention effect of methylphenidate, a commonly used stimulant, on cognitive performance in ADHD children and whether the effect is associated with age, sex, different subtypes of ADHD, and drug dosage. ⋯ Methylphenidate can enhance cognitive performance in ADHD patients thus evaluating their IQ scores, although the effect size seems to be relatively small. The result should not be indicated as an increase in intelligence.
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J Clin Psychopharmacol · Dec 2010
Letter Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyImpact of antidepressant treatment history on clinical outcomes in placebo and medication treatment of major depression.
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J Clin Psychopharmacol · Oct 2010
Case ReportsVenlafaxine-associated serotonin syndrome causing severe rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in a patient with idiopathic Parkinson disease.
A 43-year-old male patient with idiopathic Parkinson disease, on dopaminergic therapy, was admitted with confusion and agitation, diaphoresis, and hyperkinesia after the commencement of the serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine 2 weeks prior for depression. He was found to have severe rhabdomyolysis and developed acute renal failure. The most likely diagnosis was serotonin syndrome induced by venlafaxine, although neuroleptic malignant syndrome was also considered. The differential diagnosis, atypical features in this presentation, and possible mechanisms are discussed.
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J Clin Psychopharmacol · Aug 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComparisons of the efficacy and tolerability of extended-release venlafaxine, mirtazapine, and paroxetine in treatment-resistant depression: a double-blind, randomized pilot study in a Chinese population.
To compare the efficacy and tolerability of antidepressants switch with extended-release venlafaxine (venlafaxine-XR), mirtazapine, and paroxetine in Chinese patients with major depressive disorder who had 2 consecutive unsuccessful antidepressant trials. One hundred fifty adult patients with treatment-resistant depression according to their medical records and/or response to current treatments were randomly assigned to receive fixed-dosage treatment of venlafaxine-XR 225 mg/d (n = 50), mirtazapine 45 mg/d (n = 55), or paroxetine 20 mg/d (n = 45) for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the remission rates that were defined as a score 7 or lower on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17). ⋯ Similarly, there were also no significant differences between groups in secondary outcome measure. Venlafaxine-XR, mirtazapine, and paroxetine were equally effective in the treatment of Chinese patients with major depressive disorder who failed at least 2 previous antidepressant treatments. Selecting any of these 3 antidepressants as a third-step antidepressant is a reasonable choice for this group of patients.
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J Clin Psychopharmacol · Aug 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialA post hoc analysis of negative symptoms and psychosocial function in patients with schizophrenia: a 40-week randomized, double-blind study of ziprasidone versus haloperidol followed by a 3-year double-blind extension trial.
Schizophrenia is a persistent, lifelong illness such that enduring functional improvements may only occur over the course of years [corrected]. This post hoc analysis in stable outpatients with schizophrenia investigated the negative symptom efficacy and treatment outcomes of ziprasidone (80-160 mg/d given twice a day, mean modal dose of 112 mg/d; and 80-120 mg/d given every day, mean modal dose of 96 mg/d) versus haloperidol (5-20 mg/d, mean modal dose of 12 mg/d) in a randomized, 40-week, double-blind study, followed by a double-blind continuation trial that extended up to 156 additional weeks. ⋯ A similar pattern was observed for the ziprasidone 80 to 120 mg group, which showed significant differences versus haloperidol in negative symptom remission and instrumental role functioning (but not other Quality-of-Life subscale measures). The clinically relevant outcome differences detected in this post hoc exploratory analysis support the potential for both enhanced remission in negative symptoms and psychosocial recovery during long-term treatment with an atypical agent and add to our understanding regarding the degree to which negative symptom remission can be attained in the maintenance phase.