Expert review of neurotherapeutics
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Expert Rev Neurother · Mar 2005
ReviewTherapeutic hypothermia for stroke: do new outfits change an old friend?
Clinically significant neuroprotection for the brain continues to be an elusive quest. All attempts at developing effective pharmacologic agents have failed in clinical trials. Hypothermia has been thought to confer protection after brain injury for many years, but has recently regained interest as a neuroprotectant for focal ischemic stroke in the basic science and clinical literature. ⋯ This obstacle may be easier for hypothermia to overcome as emergency medical service personnel can theoretically initiate it in the field. Additionally, pharmacologic agents are usually restricted to one aspect of the pathophysiologic cascade triggered by focal ischemia, whereas hypothermia acts on several of these pathways simultaneously. The recent advances and future directions in the utilization of hypothermia as a potential therapy for focal ischemic stroke are reviewed.
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Expert Rev Neurother · Mar 2005
ReviewEmerging roles for atypical antipsychotics in chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that may occur after the individual is exposed to severe psychologic trauma such as combat, sexual assault, or childhood physical or sexual abuse. Chronic post-traumatic stress disorder may result in considerable psychologic pain and suffering for the individual in addition to significant functional impairment. In addition to the heterogeneity of symptoms that occur in post-traumatic stress disorder, there may also be extensive comorbidity with other anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and other psychiatric disorders. ⋯ Studies have shown improvement across post-traumatic stress disorder symptom clusters, as well as improvement in comorbid psychotic symptoms or disorders. More research is needed to confirm these recent findings and further delineate the role of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Currently, possible indications for their use include treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder with comorbid psychotic features.