Geriatric-psychiatry - Articles

Listening to Depression: The Importance of Addressing Hearing Loss

November 5, 2021

Nicholas Rosenlicht, MD. Dr. Rosenlicht has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

A simple intervention improves depression in patients with hearing loss.

Lemborexant and Sleep Architecture in the Elderly

August 3, 2021

Garrett Rossi, MD.

Garrett Rossi, MD. Dr. Rossi has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

It’s rare to see a hypnotic that improves sleep architecture, not to mention next-day functioning. Lemborexant hopes to change that.

Suvorexant May Prevent Delirium in Hospitalized Patients

May 21, 2021

Alexander Thompson, MD, MBA, MPH

Alexander Thompson, MD, MBA, MPH Dr. Thompson has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Can suvorexant reduce the risk of delirium in elderly hospitalized patients?

Rest Easy: Benzos, Z-Drugs, and Dementia

December 31, 2020

James Jenkins, MD.

James Jenkins, MD. Dr. Jenkins has disclosed that he has stock in Alkermes, Sage Therapeutics, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Trevena, and Viatris. Dr. Aiken has reviewed this article and has found no evidence of bias pertaining to this educational activity.

It may not be perfect, but this study has the best data yet on the controversial link between benzodiazepines and dementia.

Is Ramelteon an Effective Hypnotic?

November 12, 2020

Randall Moore, MD, JD. and Chris Aiken, MD.

Randall Moore, MD, JD. Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. Chris Aiken, MD. Editor-in-Chief of TCPR. Practicing psychiatrist, Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Moore and Dr. Aiken have disclosed that they have no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Ramelteon (Rozerem) is one of the safer sleep medications, but how well does its efficacy stack up against other hypnotics? The answer surprised us.

A Timely Look at Community Reinforcement for Seniors With Unhealthy Alcohol Use

October 21, 2020

Jesse Koskey, MD.

Jesse Koskey, MD. Dr. Koskey has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Interventions that combat isolation may be particularly important in the context of current physical distancing recommendations. This randomized trial tested whether community reinforcement paired with motivational enhancement therapy impacted outcomes among seniors with alcohol use disorder.

Nuplazid: Novel Mechanism, Modest Benefits

March 30, 2020

Randall Moore, MD, JD. and Chris Aiken, MD.

Randall Moore, MD, JD. Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Texas A & M University Health Science Center College of Medicine. Chris Aiken, MD. Editor-in-Chief of TCPR. Practicing psychiatrist, Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Moore and Dr. Aiken have disclosed that they have no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Pimavanserin (Nuplazid) aims to treat psychosis without blocking dopamine. Though FDA-approved for psychosis associated with Parkinson’s disease, the drug is being tested in a host of other disorders: Depression, dementia, and sexual dysfunction.

Antipsychotics Fall Short in Delirium

March 30, 2020

Adrienne Grzenda, MD.

Adrienne Grzenda, MD. Dr. Grzenda has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Antipsychotics remain a mainstay of delirium treatment despite significant concerns about their safety and efficacy. A pair of reports recently evaluated the evidence on their use in delirium.

Lithium in Geriatric Depression

July 3, 2019

Jason Mallo, DO

Jason Mallo, DO Dr. Mallo has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Lithium is underutilized in geriatric depression, but this study suggests it may have unique benefits there.

The Aging Brain: Preventing Cognitive Decline

April 10, 2019

We’ve all been there. A 63-year-old patient comes to you with a chief complaint of memory loss. She tells you that she has a hard time remembering people’s names and forgets where she puts her keys. She lives and drives on her own without a problem, but asks, “Isn’t there some memory pill I can take?” What advice can we give her?