Adolescent cannabis use, psychosis and catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype in African Americans and Caucasians.

Cannabis has been reported as a likely risk factor for the development of psychosis, and a gene × environment interaction with the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been proposed. Moreover, COMT has been separately linked to affective symptoms in psychosis. Despite a high rate of cannabis abuse and affective symptoms in African Americans, no studies exploring a relationship between COMT and psychosis in this group have been reported.

Combining norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibition mechanisms for treatment of depression: a double-blind, randomized study.

Background: Although several antidepressants are now available, all have limited efficacy and a delayed onset of action. The current study was undertaken as a proof of the concept that combining norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibition would be more effective and act more rapidly than either drug alone.

Methods: Inpatients with nonpsychotic unipolar major depression and a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) score of at least 18 after 1 week of hospitalization without antidepressant medication were randomized to 6 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine (FLX) 20 mg/day, desipramine (DMI) adjusted to an adequate plasma level, or the combination of FLX 20 mg/day and DMI, given under double-blind conditions.

Discontinuation of antidepressants in newly admitted psychotic patients.

Antidepressants may exacerbate manic or psychotic symptoms in vulnerable individuals. The authors discontinued antidepressants in 16 consecutive cases in which patients with manic or psychotic symptoms were otherwise judged to be on a satisfactory regimen prior to admission. Thirteen of the patients improved rapidly, which suggests a possible association between antidepressant discontinuation and clinical improvement in this patient group.