Race- and gender-related differences in clinical characteristics and quality of life among outpatients with psychotic disorders.

Background: Historically, the literature suggests that African Americans with mental illness are diagnosed with psychotic disorders at a higher rate and receive higher doses of antipsychotic medications than other racial groups. However, few studies have compared clinical characteristics and quality of life among African-American (AA) and white men and women. Thus, research is needed to examine potential race and gender differences in clinical characteristics, prescribing practices, and quality of life.

Are There Racial Ethnic Differences in Indigent, Inner-City Clients With Dual-Diagnosis?

OBJECTIVE: An exploratory, cross-sectional study examined personal, clinical, and treatment characteristics among non-Hispanic Caucasian, non-Hispanic African American, and Hispanic indigent, inner-city clients with co-occurring disorders. METHODS: Men and women, 20-50 years old who met DSM-IV criteria for concurrent mood and substance use disorders were eligible. Inpatients, persons in detoxification programs, or incarcerated inmates were excluded.

Is serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor related to craving for or use of alcohol, cocaine, or methamphetamine?

Background: Data suggests that brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) plays a neuroadaptive role in addiction. Whether serum BDNF levels are different in alcohol or psychostimulants as a function of craving is unknown. Here, we examined craving and serum BDNF levels in persons with alcohol versus psychostimulant dependence.

The effects of continuous 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist administration on the subsequent behavioral response to cocaine.

A functional down-regulation of central serotonin3 (5-HT(3)) receptors represents a partial mechanism of the tolerance to cocaine induced by the continuous administration of cocaine. Blocking this down-regulation by co-administering continuous cocaine and daily injections of 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists blocks the development of tolerance. The present experiment evaluated the ability of continuously administered 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists, to induce sensitization (reverse tolerance) to the behavioral effects of cocaine, based on the hypothesis that chronic blockade of 5-HT(3) receptors should induce an up-regulation of these receptors.