Is saliva a valid substitute for plasma in pharmacokinetic studies of oxycodone and its metabolites in patients with cancer?

Purpose: Little is known about the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of oxycodone in patients with advanced cancer. There is considerable reluctance to subject these patients to non-essential tests including repeated venipuncture that has been necessary in PK studies to date. We investigated the possibility of using saliva sampling as a simple non-invasive test to investigate opioid PKs.

Pilot study to determine the optimal dose of methylphenidate for an n-of-1 trial for fatigue in patients with cancer.

Purpose: In advanced cancer, the prevalence of fatigue is high and can be related to treatment or disease. Methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) is a central nervous system stimulant that has been used to palliate fatigue. There is no standard dose for MPH when used for this indication; recommended doses range from 5–20 + mg/d.

The efficacy of haloperidol in the management of nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer.

Context: Haloperidol is used commonly for the control of nausea and vomiting (N/V) in palliative care patients, but there is very little evidence to support its use.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of haloperidol as an antiemetic in patients with cancer and N/V not related to cancer treatment.

Methods: Patients with an N/V score of at least 1 on a 4-point scale were prescribed either oral or subcutaneous haloperidol.

Source memory in children with autism spectrum disorders.

The evidence to date regarding memory processes in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) remains equivocal. Although children with these neurodevelopmental disorders have been shown to display exceptional memories for fact-based information, they seem to be less able to attach meaning or context to their memories. Thus, this study investigated the specific role of source memory in autism.