New Treatments in Parkinson's Disease
By Laurence Mignon, PhD
Parkinson's disease affects more than one million Americans aged 55 and over. Patients with Parkinson's disease often have comorbid psychiatric disorders, and the treatment of these patients can be challenging. In order to properly treat patients with Parkinson's disease, it is important to understand how different medications will affect both motor and non-motor symptoms and to be aware of alternative methods of treatment. Better care and quality of life will be reached in patients with Parkinson's disease when a holistic approach is taken to treat motor problems and mental health issues.
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Second Messenger
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Physical and Mental Fatigue
This animation shows that fatigue may be linked to a number of diffuse cortical projections including those of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and histamine.
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Back to Basics
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Depression and Chronic Medical Illness: Why Psychiatrists Should Care
By Shilpa Sachdeva, MD
Depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and when co-occurring with medical illnesses likely creates a vicious circle in which each separate ailment makes treatment outcomes worse for the others. A better assessment and care of these patients should include a greater emphasis during initial evaluation on general medical history and family medical history, more emphasis during follow-up sessions regarding lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), informed consent about medication side effects along with mitigation of these side effects, appropriate medical monitoring, and liaison with other medical providers. Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with comorbid medical and psychiatric illnesses, the development of clinical awareness and competence in these areas should provide for more comprehensive care and improved clinical outcomes for our patients. Psychiatrists likely have to begin thinking more like our primary care colleagues.
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Invited Insights
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Desvenlafaxine
Desvenlafaxine: Dosing Tips and Prescribing Pearls
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Tips and Pearls
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Selective histamine H1 antagonism: Part II
By Stephen Stahl, MD, PhD
Antihistamines have been widely used to treat insomnia and may have obtained a bad reputation in the past. The clinical difference between selective and nonselective H1 antagonism is not widely known. The therapeutic benefits of selective H1 antagonism will become clear only once various myths have been debunked. This article aims to do just that by explaining the clinical effects of selective H1 blocking agents on daytime sedation and weight gain. A better understanding of how to use selective histamine blockers will lead to improved treatment and outcome for patients with insomnia.
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