Development of a brief validated geriatric depression screening tool: the SLU "AM SAD".

Objectives: Combining five commonly observed symptoms of late-life depression to develop a short depression screening tool with similar sensitivity and specificity as the conventional, more time-consuming tools.

Methods: We developed the St. Louis University AM SAD (Appetite, Mood, Sleep, Activity, and thoughts of Death) questionnaire.

Impact of exogenous testosterone on mood: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Background: In the last decade, there has been a surge of new clinical trials studying the impact of exogenous testosterone on mood. The results of these studies have been inconsistent.

Methods: Meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials using common depression rating scales was performed.

Electroconvulsive therapy in the presence of a metallic skull plate after meningioma resection.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective and safe treatment even in the frail and in the medically ill. A case report of ECT being administered to a patient with a history of a recently resected meningioma and the presence of a metallic skull plate is presented here. The patient has a history of bipolar disorder in remission but had an acute manic episode with psychotic features after resection of suprasellar meningioma.

The older patient with psychotic symptoms.

Literature of the past ten years is reviewed to examine psychosocial, psychiatric, organic, and general medical causes of psychotic symptoms in persons over age 65. Being bedfast with poor caretaker relationships and being socially isolated are risk factors for psychosis among elderly persons. A thorough history is essential to differential diagnosis.

Alcoholism and prescription drug abuse in the elderly: St. Louis University grand rounds.

This Grand Rounds will review the problem of alcoholism and prescription drug abuse in the elderly. Several case vignettes will be presented. The pharmacology of alcohol and potentially addictive prescription medications will be reviewed.