A review of the efficacy and tolerability of agomelatine in the treatment of major depression.

Agomelatine is a novel agent that is under late-stage development as a potential antidepressant. Compared with available antidepressant agents, the drug may have a distinct mechanism of action, with significant interactions with melatonin receptors, in addition to serotonergic brain systems. Agomelatine has been shown to be active in preclinical models indicative of antidepressant activity and the results of a large-scale clinical trial programme, conducted in major depressive disorder, indicate both antidepressant activity and a favourable tolerability profile.

Quetiapine demonstrates good tolerability and is associated with improvements in extrapyramidal symptoms in patients with schizophrenia switched from other antipsychotics: results of a naturalistic study.

Objectives. Compared with conventional agents, atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine (Seroquel®; AstraZeneca) show improved tolerability and a lower liability to cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). In the routine treatment of schizophrenia, it is usual practice to consider a change of medication when the current treatment is ineffective or poorly tolerated, although few studies are available to guide clinicians.

A review of the evidence for the use of antipsychotics in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorders.

Antipsychotic agents have long had a place in the clinical treatment of bipolar disorder, in both acute and maintenance phases. Recent clinical research conducted with the new generation of antipsychotic agents has contributed enormously to the data available on antipsychotic agents in bipolar disorder. Even now, however, the clinical trial data relates principally to the short-term treatment of acute mania.

Thought disorder in schizophrenia is associated with both executive dysfunction and circumscribed impairments in semantic function.

Background: Formal thought disorder (FTD) has long been regarded as a key sign of schizophrenia but little is known about its origins or aetiology. One suggestion is that it is directly related to disordered language functioning; a second is that it is a reflection of poor neurocognitive functioning. A current model posits that it is related to a combination of executive dysfunction and impaired semantic processing.

Evaluation of the Two-Way Communication Checklist as a clinical intervention. Results of a multinational, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Patients and doctors often have divergent views on care needs.

Aims: To examine whether providing patients with an opportunity to identify and discuss their needs would improve communication and induce changes in care.

Method: Patients with schizophrenia (n=134) were randomly allocated to either standard care or use of the Two-Way Communication Checklist (2-COM).

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) in the treatment of bipolar disorders: a review of efficacy and tolerability.

Oxcarbazepine, although structurally similar to carbamazepine, is metabolised very differently. As a consequence, oxcarbazepine's pharmacokinetic profile is comparatively less complex, and a more predictable, linear relationship between oxcarbazepine and blood levels is apparent. Furthermore, hepatic enzyme induction is considerably less with oxcarbazepine.

Quetiapine: a well-tolerated and effective atypical antipsychotic.

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic, licensed in the UK for the treatment of schizophrenia. This review of published literature identifies the evidence that quetiapine is both effective and well-tolerated and highlights the particular indications in which quetiapine will be of most value to clinicians and patients.

Patients' subjective experiences of antipsychotics: clinical relevance.

The subjective experience of patients with schizophrenia who are receiving antipsychotic medication has been a neglected research area, as has the satisfaction of patients with their drug treatments. This is unfortunate, as satisfaction with treatment appears to be related strongly to the readiness of patients to take their medication as prescribed, and thereby to outcome. Patients' perceptions of their treatment do not appear to be related strongly to severity of illness or symptom ratings, although there are associations between perceptions of treatment and adverse effects.