Current opinion in psychiatry
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Mar 2015
ReviewSmell identification function and Alzheimer's disease: a selective review.
To provide an update of the recent studies on the olfactory function in Alzheimer's disease, with a focus on the olfactory identification function. ⋯ The need for simple, inexpensive and non-invasive procedures for aiding in the diagnosis and understanding of Alzheimer's disease has led to theories and procedures examining the role of olfactory functions in Alzheimer's disease. Although there is increasing evidence for olfactory dysfunction in general and impaired odour identification in particular in Alzheimer's disease, additional larger and methodologically sound research is needed for testing its clinical utility in day-to-day clinical practice for early, accurate and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
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Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem genetic disorder with physical and neuropsychiatric manifestations and significant research progress has been made in recent years. Here, we focus on the key advances over the last 18 months. ⋯ The updated diagnostic criteria and management guidelines, the new concept of TAND and the TAND Checklist should lead to significant improvements in the quality of care for individuals with TSC. The promise of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and other molecular treatments are still to be confirmed. We suggest that great care should be taken to identify 'optimal mammalian target of rapamycin signalling' in the therapeutic approach to the neuropsychiatric features of the disorder.
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Sep 2014
ReviewThe effectiveness of psychological treatments for chronic pain in older adults: cautious optimism and an agenda for research.
To explores the potential role of psychological treatments for older people who are affected by chronic pain. ⋯ We conclude that there is sufficient evidence that psychological interventions are efficacious for older people with chronic pain. We propose a number of areas for research focus over the next 10 years that will help to consolidate our knowledge and to explore new avenues for the psychological management of chronic pain in older people.
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Curr Opin Psychiatry · Sep 2014
ReviewUnderstanding and translating the knowledge about placebo effects: the contribution of psychology.
Recent articles have summarized the literature on the neurobiological mechanisms involved in placebo effects. In this article, we review and evaluate the status of the psychological mechanisms in theory and research regarding placebo effects. ⋯ Research and theory on placebo effects has illuminated much regarding the neurobiological mechanisms. The psychological mechanisms, however, have received much less attention. Expanding our knowledge regarding the psychological processes involved in placebo responding would open up opportunities for developing nondeceptive intervention techniques that encourage placebo responses. Ultimately, a concerted empirical effort to clarify the psychological model underlying placebo effects could merge with the evolving neurobiological model to fulfill the promise that placebo effects have for improving patient outcomes.
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Bariatric surgery has been consistently shown to be effective in long-term marked weight loss and in bringing significant improvement to medical comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome. Empirical data suggest a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among bariatric surgery candidates. In this review, we focus on the studies published recently with a high impact on our understanding of the role of psychiatry in bariatric surgery. ⋯ Recent publications suggest new directions for psychiatric evaluation and interventions for bariatric surgery patients. Future research on outcomes of specific populations, effectiveness of psychopharmacotherapy, and underlying pathophysiology are warranted for the advancement of treating bariatric surgery patients.