Clinicians' attitudes toward the use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics.

Depot formulations are not widely used in everyday practice. This study aimed to assess psychiatrists' attitudes toward the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in schizophrenia. We interviewed 113 French psychiatrists about the factors that influenced their prescription of LAI antipsychotics.

What is the evidence for the use of second-generation antipsychotic long-acting injectables as maintenance treatment in bipolar disorder?

Background: In recent years, the use of second-generation antipsychotics long-acting injectable in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder has sparked interest in improving adherence and reducing the risk of relapse.

Aims: This report aims to review the available evidence concerning the use of second-generation antipsychotics depot in bipolar disorder and specify the typology of patients that could be eligible for this formulation.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using Pubmed and EMBASE.

Treatment in hospital for alcohol-dependent patients decreases attentional bias.

Background And Objectives: Previous studies in alcohol-dependent patients have shown an attentional bias (AB) under related substance cues, which can lead to relapse. This AB can be evaluated by the alcohol Stroop test (AST). The AST is a modified Stroop task in which participants have to name the color of an alcohol-related word or a neutral word.

A composite scale applied to evaluate anxiety in schizophrenic patients (SAES).

Anxiety in schizophrenia possesses specific features and is difficult to assess because no specific evaluating tool is currently available. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a hetero-assessment-based scale to specifically measure anxiety in schizophrenia. A literature review and a survey among psychiatrists allowed the selection of 29 items from 4 previous scales evaluating anxiety.

Validation of a functional remission threshold for the Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia (FROGS) scale.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a functional remission threshold for the Functional Remission Of General Schizophrenia (FROGS) scale, and test its validity regarding clinical and quality of life outcomes.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Inclusion Criteria: Schizophrenia according to DSM-IV-TR criteria.

Bilateral lesions of the nigrostriatal pathways are associated with chronic mechanical pain hypersensitivity in rats.

Some patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) suffer from pain before motor symptoms. To model this, we proposed to assess the mechanical hypersensitivity in an animal model of PD with a bilateral lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway. PD model was validated by a decrease of locomotor activity and a 76% dopamine cell loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta.

[Mixed states].

The issue of mixed states has an important place in the debate on psychiatric nosography since the end of 19th century. The current definition of mixed states according to the DSM- IV, as a thymic episode of bipolar disorder type I, is probably somewhat too restrictive in clinical practice. Due to the clinical heterogeneity of bipolar disorder, the mixed states will define within a dimensional approach, likely in the next DSM- V.

Asenapine in bipolar I disorder: evidence and place in patient management.

Asenapine is a new second-generation antipsychotic approved in September 2010 by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of bipolar disorder. It demonstrated significant efficacy compared with placebo in acute mania or mixed episodes as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy to mood stabilizers (lithium or valproate). Early improvement was noted at day 2 and was strongly associated with response and remission at week 3.

Methodological differences between pharmacological treatment guidelines for bipolar disorder: what to do for the clinicians?

Objective: Numerous guidelines for bipolar disorder have been published. The aim of this article is to underline the main differences between consensus-based guidelines (CBG) and evidence-based guidelines (EBG) currently available for the management of bipolar disorder.

Methods: A literature search for guidelines published since 2006 was performed.

[The limits of patient education in short-term hospitalization: the case of cardiovascular patients].

The purpose of this study was to examine the limitations of therapeutic education for patients with cardiovascular risk factors during short hospital stays. The paper presents the results of a qualitative study conducted over the course of a year involving 18 case studies of professional practices and 18 interviews with 5 health professionals and 13 patients. The results show that professionals and patients have conflicting views about the time spent in hospital, as well as conflicting concerns and expectations, thus limiting the effectiveness of educational care.

Prevalence and phenomenology of olfactory hallucinations in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Although visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease (PD) have been described in several major studies, little is known about olfactory hallucinations (OHs).

Methods: The authors performed a detailed analysis of OHs in a cohort of 87 Parkinsonian patients to estimate the prevalence of OHs and describe their phenomenology. They also evaluated smelling abilities in terms of detection and identification.

[Disulfiram and addiction: reminders and new perspectives of use].

Disulfiram is a relatively old molecule, which today remains marginal in the treatment of alcoholics diseases. Using this type of treatment is the subject of ethical debate. The prescription of this therapeutic requires clinical and biological rigorous evaluations before treatment.

The influence of therapeutic alliance and insight on medication adherence in schizophrenia.

Background: Poor adherence is one of the leading problems affecting the effectiveness of treatment in schizophrenia. It is an identified factor for relapse and hospitalizations with major social and economic consequences. Various determinants of poor adherence have been identified but few studies investigate the role of therapeutic alliance on medication adherence in routine mental healthcare.

Body weight gain and deep brain stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical technique that has now been available for some 25 years. It is used in the treatment of various motor disorders, e.g.

Clinical potential of lurasidone in the management of schizophrenia.

Lurasidone is a new second-generation antipsychotic approved in October 2010 by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of schizophrenia. Like other second-generation antipsychotics, lurasidone is a powerful antagonist of D(2) dopamine and 5HT(2A) serotonin receptors, but differs from the other second-generation antipsychotics in its action profile for certain receptors. Lurasidone is the second-generation antipsychotic with the greatest affinity for 5HT(7) receptors and has a high affinity for 5HT(1A) serotonin receptors, compatible with favorable effects on cognitive function and an antidepressant action.

Hypersexuality and pathological gambling in Parkinson's disease: A cross-sectional case-control study.

Background: Substance and behavioral addictions have already been described separately or in combination in Parkinson's disease. However, no comparisons of the prevalence of addictive behaviors in patients with Parkinson's disease and the general population have been published. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence and characteristics of addictions (gambling, hypersexuality, tobacco, and alcohol) in patients with Parkinson's disease and in a matched, paired sample from the general population.

Discussion of prevalence and management of discomfort when swallowing pills: orodispersible tablets expand treatment options in patients with depression.

Many patients experience discomfort when trying to swallow tablets and capsules, but this issue is rarely discussed between patients and physicians. Discomfort when swallowing pills is common and arises due to the morphology of the oropharynx and esophagus, which are not well suited to swallowing rigid objects of small volume. Compliance with medication is poor in patients with chronic diseases such as depression.

Adherence to guidelines by French psychiatrists in their real world of clinical practice.

The treatment modalities of bipolar disorder and adherence to international guidelines recommendations in France were investigated. We conducted an observational survey among 210 French psychiatrists concerning their prescribing practice in bipolar disorder, and whether they use guidelines or not. Simple mania is mainly treated with valproate, whereas second-generation antipsychotics are preferred for delusional mania.

Measuring preventive procedures by French GPs: an observational survey.

Background: Prevention has become a legal obligation for French GPs, since a law was passed in March 2002.

Aim: Measurement and analysis of preventive procedures performed by French GPs.

Design Of Study: Observational survey.

Genetic and molecular exploration of UHMK1 in schizophrenic patients.

In two recent papers, polymorphisms located in U2AF homology motif kinase 1 (UHMK1) gene have been associated to schizophrenia. This gene encodes the serine/threonine kinase, kinase interacting with Stathmin, and has been functionally related to RNA metabolism and neurite outgrowth. In this study, we explored the contribution of this gene in schizophrenia susceptibility, using a case-control association study, a mutation screening, a transcription level analysis, and by the investigation of the phosphorylation status of the splicing factor, SF1, in B-lymphoblastoid cell lines of patients and controls.

A randomized, controlled trial of computer-assisted cognitive remediation for schizophrenia.

Objective: There is considerable interest in cognitive remediation for schizophrenia. Our study aimed to evaluate, in a large sample of patients with schizophrenia, the interest of a computer-assisted cognitive remediation program on cognitive performances of patients as well as in clinical and functional outcome.

Method: Seventy-seven patients with remitted schizophrenia were randomly assigned to 14 2-hours individual sessions of computer-assisted cognitive remediation (n=39) or a control condition (n=38).

Contact dependent reproducible hypomania induced by deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease: clinical, anatomical and functional imaging study.

Hypomanic symptoms depending on anatomical location of contacts are reported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) treated by deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, the underlying cortical and subcortical dysfunction is debated. In this study, five PD patients implanted with DBS-STN who presented with reversible and reproducible hypomanic symptoms after stimulation of specific 'manic' contacts were investigated.

The antidepressant agomelatine improves the quality of life of depressed patients: implications for remission.

One of the ongoing clinical challenges associated with the management of major depressive disorder is the fact that many patients do not achieve complete remission and even fewer patients remain in remission. Residual symptoms and poor treatment adherence are two of the main risk factors for relapse with current therapies. In order to face these challenges, clinicians need new treatment strategies that can provide more sustained, longer-term efficacy and adherence.