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The Carlat Psychiatry Report

Understanding Psychiatric Research (February) | 2007

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How to Read a Journal Article

February 1, 2007

In this article, guest author Jeffrey S. Barkin, MD, describes an approach to reading journal literature designed to derive the most useful information in the least amount of time. Read More

Statistical Significance: What Does it Really Mean?

February 1, 2007

You won’t get very far into any journal before you start reading about statistical significance, and its close sibling, 95% confidence intervals. But what do these terms mean, and how do they help us draw conclusions about studies? Read More

Clarifying the Risks of Antidepressants

February 1, 2007

Dr. Oransky, as Deputy Editor of The Scientist, I know that you spend a great deal of time looking at medical statistics, and you do an excellent job of making these concepts understandable in your column in CNS News, Statistically Speaking. Read More

Vitamin E and Cognitive Function in Women

February 1, 2007

Vitamin E, recommended variously for preventing cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and tardive dyskinesia, has taken quite a drubbing in recent years. Recent results from Harvard’s Women's Health Study have put another nail in its coffin. Read More

Common PTSD Drug Doesn’t Really Help

February 1, 2007

Guanfacine is an alpha-2 agonists approved for the treatment of hypertension, but commonly prescribed for posttraumatic stress disorder. Like clonidine, another alpha-2 agonist, guanfacine is believed to decrease norepinephrine release from noradrenergic neurons during states of heightened arousal. Read More

A Cure for Amphetamine Dependence?

February 1, 2007

We have no effective treatment for severe amphetamine dependence. Now, a study from Finland points to an obvious candidate treatment for those meeting DSMIV criteria for intravenous amphetamine dependence. Patients were randomly assigned to Abilify (aripiprazole--15 mg/day), Concerta (methylphenidate controlled release--54 mg/day) or placebo for 20 weeks. Read More

Curb Your Enthusiasm!

February 1, 2007

Recently, the FDA approved the Amplichip CYP450 Test (from Roche Diagnostics), which is a device allowing laboratories to quickly find out whether your patient metabolizes drugs too slowly or too quickly. Read More