Low-dose topiramate appears to be as effective as the atypical antipsychotic agent risperidone in controlling behavioural disturbances in AD patients, according to the results of a double-blind trial (Mowla & Pani. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2010; 30: 40-43).
Neurology
New FDA warning for Tysabri
April 28, 2010The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a safety announcement that the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) increases with the number of infusions received of Tysabri (natalizumab) (www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm199872.htm).
SSRIs in Alzheimers disease: mixed results
March 30, 2010Major depression has been reported to occur in 25% of patients with Alzheimers disease but the role of antidepressants in patient management is unclear. An Italian study of patients receiving a cholinesterase inhibitor + an SSRI reported a reduction in depressed symptoms and improvements in quality of life for patients and caregivers with SSRI use (Moretti et al. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2002; 17: 338-344).
Caution needed when discontinuing dopamine agonists
March 30, 2010A retrospective cohort study has reported that a withdrawal syndrome is common in PD patients who discontinue treatment with a dopamine agonist (Rabinak & Nirenberg. Arch Neurol 2010; 67: 58-63).
Ginkgo ineffective at preventing cognitive decline
March 30, 2010Ginkgo biloba is often taken by older adults to prevent cognitive decline but the herbal product appears to be ineffective, according to the Gingko Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study (Snitz et al. JAMA 2009; 302: 2663-2670).