Journal of psychiatric research
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) are common forms of dementia in the elderly. Recent findings have suggested an involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathogenesis of AD. BDNF is an endogenous protein involved in the maintenance of neuronal function, synaptic plasticity and structural integrity in the adult brain. ⋯ The decrease of BDNF serum levels in AD and NPH may reflect a lack of trophic support and thus contribute to progressive degeneration in both diseases. In contrast to serum, CSF seems to be no useful source to determine BDNF in AD or NPH because of too low concentrations. Further examinations have to follow to elucidate the potential sources and the meaning of reduced BDNF levels in the blood in AD and NPH.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Adjunctive herbal medicine with carbamazepine for bipolar disorders: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Chinese herbal medicines possess the therapeutic potential for mood disorders. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of the herbal medicine called Free and Easy Wanderer Plus (FEWP) as an adjunct to carbamazepine (CBZ) in patients with bipolar disorders. One hundred and twenty-four bipolar depressed and 111 manic patients were randomized to treatment with CBZ alone, CBZ plus FEWP, or equivalent placebo for 12 weeks. ⋯ Compared to CBZ monotherapy, adjunctive FEWP with CBZ resulted in significantly better outcomes on the three measures of depression at week 4 and week 8 and significantly greater clinical response rate in depressed subjects (84.8% vs. 63.8%, p=0.032), but failed to produce significantly greater improvement on manic measures and the response rate in manic subjects. There was a lesser incidence of dizziness and fatigue in the combination therapy compared to CBZ monotherapy. These results suggest that adjunctive FEWP has additive beneficial effects in bipolar patients, particularly for those in depressive phase.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of venlafaxine and fluoxetine treatment in depressed outpatients.
This double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared venlafaxine (immediate release), the first modern serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine. Outpatients were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of treatment with venlafaxine (75-225mg/day; n=102), fluoxetine (20-60mg/day; n=104), or placebo (n=102). Efficacy was assessed using the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D(21)), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) scale, response and remission rates, and several other measures. ⋯ This study provides further evidence that venlafaxine is effective after 6 weeks of treatment compared with placebo. The efficacy profile of fluoxetine was somewhat less consistent. It is strongly recommended that future studies of comparative antidepressant efficacy be adequately powered to detect modest between-drug differences in efficacy.
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The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published in PIAT, 41 (2007) page 371, doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2006.11.001. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn.
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To assess the rapidly changing psychological status of nurses during the acute phase of the 2003 SARS outbreak, we conducted a prospective and periodic evaluation of psychiatric morbidity and psychological adaptation among nurses in SARS units and non-SARS units. Nurse participants were from two SARS units (regular SARS [N=44] and SARS ICU [N=26]) and two non-SARS units (Neurology [N=15] and CCU [N=17]). Participants periodically self-evaluated their depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, sleep disturbance, attitude towards SARS and family support. ⋯ Occurrence of psychiatric symptoms was linked to direct exposure to SARS patient care, previous mood disorder history, younger age and perceived negative feelings. Positive coping attitude and strong social and family support may have protected against acute stress. In conclusion, the psychological impact on the caring staffs facing future bio-disaster will be minimized with lowered risk factors and a safer and more structured work environment.