General Psychiatry - Articles - Page 155

Benzodiazepines are Bad. Or Are They?

March 1, 2006

Nobody doubts that benzodiazepines (“benzos” or BZs) are effective in treating a wide range of anxiety disorders, but many believe that they are addictive, difficult and perhaps dangerous to stop taking, and that they cover up anxiety instead of truly treating it. Let’s take a closer look at each of the concerns.

The Role of GABA in Anxiety

March 1, 2006

Andrew Goddard, MD

Andrew Goddard, MD Professor of Psychiatry and Radiology; Director, Adult Outpatient Clinic and Anxiety Program, Indiana University Department of Psychiatry Dr. Goddard has disclosed that he was or is the recipient of research grants from Cephalon and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals; and was or is a consultant for AstraZeneca; and was or is a member of the speakers bureau of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. The editors of The Carlat Psychiatry Report have closely reviewed the content of Dr. Goddard’s interview and have determined that there are no financial conflicts of interest regarding this educational activity. The author has disclosed that D-cycloserine, gabapentin, lamotrigine, pregabalin, and tiagabine have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of anxiety. Please consult product labeling for the approved usage of these drugs.

Dr. Goddard, you’ve done a lot of neurobiological research in anxiety disorders. It’s a very complex area, but basically what goes on in patients’ brains when they have a panic attack?

Learning Objectives, Medication Treatment of Anxiety, TCPR, March 2006

March 1, 2006

After reading these articles, you should be able to…

The CATIE Trial: The Story is in the Dosing

February 1, 2006

Few clinical trials have ever generated as much buzz as the series of trials known as CATIE. CATIE stands for “Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness,” and is the only set of trials ever done comparing the major second-generation antipsychotics. And because CATIE is funded entirely by NIMH, its results are thought to be quite trustworthy (NEJM 2005;353:1209-1223).

Typical Antipsychotics: A Brief Review

February 1, 2006

Those of us who completed residency anytime during the last 10 years were indoctrinated against the use of conventional neuroleptics because of their array of side effects, particularly extrapyramidal syndromes (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia (TD).

Background of the CATIE Trial

February 1, 2006

John Hsiao, MD

John Hsiao, MD Project Officer, National Institute of Mental Health Dr. Hsiao has disclosed that he has no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Dr. Hsiao, you were NIMH’s project officer for the CATIE trial. What was your goal when you came up with the idea for CATIE?

What is an “atypical”?

February 1, 2006

Following the introduction of the first neuroleptics in the 1950s, pharmaceutical companies continued screening compounds for psychoactive properties. In 1959, at Wander Laboratories (ultimately purchased by Sandoz), researchers were surprised to discover a chemical similar to tricyclic antidepressants that had antipsychotic properties. They named it clozapine.

Learning Objectives, Antipsychotic Roundup 2006, TCPR, February 2006

February 1, 2006

After reading these articles, you should be able to…

Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Is the Evidence Convincing?

January 1, 2006

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is certainly new—but is it effective? It took the FDA a long time to make up its mind, but eventually it approved the treatment in May 2005. (For more details on why the FDA flip-flopped on the issue, see “FDA Approval of VNS,” this issue.) In this article, we scrutinize the two pivotal studies leading to approval.