Sudden valproate-induced hyperammonemia managed with L-carnitine in a medically healthy bipolar patient: Essential review of the literature and case report.

Rationale: Valproic Acid is a commonly used psychiatric drug primarily used as a mood stabilizer. Mild hyperammonemia is a Valproic Acid common adverse effect. This report presents an example of treated hyperammonemia on Valproic acid therapy managed with L-carnitine administration in BD patients characterized by sudden vulnerability.

Recurrent major depressive disorder: Imbalance of neurokinin (NK)-1 and NK-2 receptor expression in monocytes.

Increasing evidence suggests that tachykinins are involved in the control of different pathological conditions, including psychiatric disorders. In this study we evaluated the expression of NK(1) and NK(2) receptors (NK-1R and NK-2R), as well as the effects of substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA), in monocytes isolated from 15 healthy subjects and 15 patients with recurrent major depressive disorder (RMDD), under stable antidepressant therapy. NK-1R expression in monocytes from RMDD patients was significantly decreased as compared to healthy subjects, whereas NK-2R expression was markedly increased.

Effect of introducing a care pathway to standardize treatment and nursing of schizophrenia.

Care pathways can help to implement evidence-based clinical practice. The introduction of care pathways is difficult for psychiatric disorders. This study examined whether the organization and the effectiveness of care provided to schizophrenic patients can be improved by care pathways.