Role of Medium Chain Triglycerides (Axona®) in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease.

Treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists provides symptomatic relief but do not prevent its progression. Thus, additional approaches aimed at slowing the progression of the disease have been investigated. Reports detailing reduced brain glucose metabolism in the early stages of AD led to the hypothesis that alternate energy sources aimed at increasing neuronal metabolism may protect neurons and thus benefit patients with AD.

Exenatide as a novel weight loss modality in patients without diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate the potential role of exenatide for weight loss in overweight or obese adults without diabetes.

Data Sources: PubMed (1946-August 2012) and EMBASE (1974-August 2012) were used to conduct a literature search utilizing the terms exenatide, weight loss, obesity, and overweight. Additional references were identified by bibliographic review of relevant articles.

An update in options for the treatment of pain: a review of new opioid formulations.

In the past 2 decades, there has been a significant increase in the use of opioids for the management of chronic nonmalignant pain. This increase in usage has led to concerns of misuse and abuse of opioids. Also, many of the available opioid options were previously only available as oral tablets or capsules, further limiting treatment options for health care providers.

Considerations for the use of proton-pump inhibitors in older adults.

Objective: To investigate current concerns regarding the use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in older adults.

Data Sources: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (1948 to April week 3 2011) to identify relevant publications. Key words searched included proton-pump inhibitor, safety, adverse events, elderly, and older adults.

Efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for the treatment of Parkinson disease.

Objective: To review the literature describing the efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy and to determine the best treatment option for patients with Parkinson disease (PD).

Data Sources: Literature was obtained through MEDLINE/PubMed (1948-September, week 2, 2011) and a bibliographic review of relevant articles. Key words included Parkinson disease, medication, pharmacotherapy, surgery, deep brain stimulation, and best medical therapy.

Proton Pump Inhibitor use in Hospitalized Patients: Is Overutilization Becoming a Problem?

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most common classes of medications prescribed. Though they were previously thought of as safe, recent literature has shown risks associated with their use including increased risk for Clostridium difficile infection, pneumonia, and fractures. Due to these risks, it is important to determine if PPIs are being used appropriately.

Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: To review the literature on the efficacy and safety of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Data Sources: Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1948-August 2011 week 2) and EMBASE (1980-2011 week 32) using the search terms rosiglita-zone, pioglitazone, and Alzheimer's disease. Results were limited to studies conducted in humans and published in English.

Special considerations for the use of insulin in older adults.

Objective: The goal of this article is to provide guidance in prescribing insulin for older adults.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes increases with age, with almost 30% of the elderly population diagnosed with this metabolic disorder. Along with the well-documented microvascular and microvascular complications of diabetes, older adults are at increased risk of numerous other complications, such as dementia, risk of falling, frailty, and incontinence.

Thienopyridines in Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the thienopyridines in order to identify their current place in therapy for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Data Sources: Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1966-October 2010 week 1), EMBASE (1980-2010 week 40), and a bibliographic review of published articles using the search terms acute coronary syndrome, clopidogrel, and prasugrel. Articles were limited to clinical trials conducted in humans and published in the English language.

Dexlansoprazole in the treatment of esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objective: To describe the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of dexlansoprazole in the treatment of heartburn associated with nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and healing and maintenance of healing of all grades of erosive esophagitis (EE).

Data Sources: Literature searches were conducted using MEDLINE Ovid (1950-December 2009, week 4) and EMBASE (1980-2009, week 53) using the term dexlansoprazole. References from articles obtained from the search were evaluated for other relevant citations.

The role of pramlintide for weight loss.

Objective: To evaluate the weight-loss effects of pramlintide.

Data Sources: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (1950-October week 4, 2009), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-October 2009), and Evidence Based Medicine Database (1991-2009 week 44) to identify relevant publications. Key words searched included pramlintide, weight loss, obesity, and overweight.

Role of huperzine a in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: To review the role of huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Data Sources: A literature search was conducted through MEDLINE (1950-September week 2, 2008), EMBASE (all years), Google Scholar, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and a bibliographic review of relevant articles. Key words included huperzine, huperin, Huperzia serrata, and Alzheimer's disease.

Role of metformin for weight management in patients without type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of metformin for weight management in overweight and obese patients without type 2 diabetes.

Data Sources: Literature was obtained through MEDLINE Ovid (1950-February week 3, 2008), EMBASE (all years), and a bibliographic review of relevant articles. Key words included metformin, obesity, overweight, and weight loss.

Pharmacotherapeutic options for overweight adolescents.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of current pharmacotherapeutic options for weight loss in overweight adolescents.

Data Sources: Literature was obtained through MEDLINE Ovid (1996-April 2007) and EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology (1991-2nd quarter 2007) searches and a bibliographic review of published articles. Key words included adolescents, overweight, obesity, anti-obesity agents, drug therapy, orlistat, sibutramine, and metformin.