Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie
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Review Case Reports Meta Analysis
[Myocarditis and cardiomyopathy: underestimated complications resulting from clozapine therapy].
Treatment with clozapine can affect the heart, leading to serious complications such as myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. When in their early stages both illnesses are difficult to diagnose; this can have serious consequences. Recent analyses of clozapine data suggest that particularly myocarditis is possibly more common than has been assumed hitherto. ⋯ Early diagnosis of myocarditis is important because it is a serious condition. Timely recognition of subclinical myocarditis could possibly prevent later complications such as cardiomyopathy. Clinical guidelines are proposed on the basis of the literature.
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Case Reports
[Dopamine dysregulation syndrome in a patient with Parkinson's disease; a case report].
Both Parkinson's disease and its treatment can be associated with psychiatric symptoms. We illustrate this link by focusing on a patient suffering from Parkinson's who received not only deep brain stimulation but also excessive amounts of dopaminergic drugs, a combination that resulted in hypomania which is also known as dopamine dysregulation syndrome. We discuss the symptoms, possible aetiological pathways and the implications for clinical practice.
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For more than two decades psychiatrists have known about and have promoted modafinil, a very promising stimulant that boosts wakefulness in cases of narcolepsy and also enhances cognitive functions. At present, however, we must conclude that modafinil is hardly ever used to treat illness other than narcolepsy. ⋯ Modafinil is particularly successful in the treatment of ADHD, depression and cocaine-dependency on measures of attention and hyperactivity, fatigue and cocaine-use respectively. There is a need for further placebo-controlled trials with longer follow-up periods and larger sample size in order to ensure the safety of the product and to refine its area of efficacy.
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A question that often arises in daily practice is whether a psychiatric patient should be considered as still fit to drive. ⋯ The specialist literature indicates that some of the Dutch regulations are unfair and too rigid. In this article the consequences for daily practice are considered and a plea is made for more research and for laws and regulations that have a more solid basis.