Human psychopharmacology
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Human psychopharmacology · Jun 2006
ReviewCannabis and neurodevelopment: implications for psychiatric disorders.
The developing brain is susceptible to the effects of exogenous cannabinoids both during the perinatal period through maternal cannabis use and in young adolescent users. Emerging data from human and animal perinatal exposure studies demonstrate a subtle rather than gross effect of cannabis upon later functioning including; specific cognitive deficits especially in visuospatial function; impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity; depressive symptoms; and substance use disorders. From animal studies motor control systems, neuroendocrine function and nociception may additionally be affected. ⋯ Much of these data support a neurodevelopmental effect, however, predisposing genetic and/or environmental factors cannot be excluded from human studies. Gender specific differences have been observed in both human and animal studies implying sex hormone and related factors may interact with cannabinoids in neurodevelopment. Further understanding how cannabinoids influence neurodevelopment will inform public debate about the health effects of cannabis but also open avenues in discerning how modulation of the endocannabinoid system may assist in the development of therapeutic tools for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Human psychopharmacology · Jul 2005
ReviewSafety and tolerability of duloxetine in the treatment of major depressive disorder: analysis of pooled data from eight placebo-controlled clinical trials.
To examine the safety and tolerability of the antidepressant duloxetine across multiple studies for major depressive disorder (MDD). ⋯ These results are consistent with those obtained previously from smaller pooled data sets, and suggest that duloxetine is safe and well tolerated in patients with MDD.
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Human psychopharmacology · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparing effects of methylphenidate, sertraline and placebo on neuropsychiatric sequelae in patients with traumatic brain injury.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of methylphenidate and sertraline compared with placebo on various neuropsychiatric sequelae associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ Methylphenidate and sertraline had similar effects on depressive symptoms. However, methylphenidate seemed to be more beneficial in improving cognitive function and maintaining daytime alertness. Methylphenidate also offered a better tolerability than sertraline.
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Human psychopharmacology · Dec 2004
Letter Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialPost-treatment emergent adverse events in depressed patients following treatment with milnacipran and paroxetine.
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Human psychopharmacology · Oct 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA double-blind placebo-controlled trial of milnacipran in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a systemic disorder of widespread pain which is thought to result from abnormal pain processing within the central nervous system. There are no currently approved treatments for this indication. Antidepressants appear, however, to be effective, especially those with an action on noradrenergic neurotransmission. ⋯ Furthermore, 37% of twice daily milnacipran-treated patients reported at least 50% reduction in pain intensity, compared with 14% of placebo-treated patients (p < 0.05). 84% of all milnacipran patients escalated to the highest dose (200 mg/day) with no tolerability issues. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in intensity, and transient in duration. These results suggest that milnacipran may have the potential to relieve not only pain but several of the other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.