A study of 276 consecutive patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer has found that 32.1% manifest depressive symptoms (Luutonen et al. Radiother Oncol 2011; epublished February 11, 2011).
Psychiatry
Image broadcasting: teleconferencing useful in schizophrenia
June 8, 2011UPDATE ON SCHIZOPHRENIA – The advent of teleconferencing technology has enabled telepsychiatry programs to improve access to mental health services, notably in countries such as Canada and Australia (Doze et al. J Telemed Telecare 1999; 5: 38-46). But is this approach appropriate in managing patients with psychotic disorders?
Metabolic effects of second-generation antipsychotics: meta-analysis
June 8, 2011UPDATE ON SCHIZOPHRENIA – Some second-generation antipsychotic medications are associated with substantially more metabolic side effects than other SGAs, according to a Cochrane analysis of 48 studies of schizophrenia (Rummel-Kluge et al. Schizophr Res 2010; 123: 225-233).
Pilot study of adjunctive L-lysine in schizophrenia
June 8, 2011UPDATE ON SCHIZOPHRENIA – Recent studies have suggested that dysfunctional nitric oxide (NO) signalling in the prefrontal cortex is involved in schizophrenia (Fejgin et al. Neuropsychopharmacology 2008; 33: 1874-1883; free full text at www.nature.com/npp/journal/v33/n8/full/1301587a.html). For example, in the phenylcyclidine model of schizophrenia, PCP-induced behavioural effects appear to be due in part to an increase in NO activity (Klamer et al. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2005; 15: 587-590; Johansson et al. Psychopharmacology (Berl); 1997; 131: 167-173).
Positive symptoms common in non-converters to psychosis
May 25, 2011UPDATE ON SCHIZOPHRENIA – The North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS) is an ongoing collaborative research project by a consortium of research centres, including the University of Toronto. [For the background see Addington et al. Schizophr Bull 2007; 33: 665-672; free full text at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2526151/?tool=pubmed.]