QTc, the Multitude of Ways It Is Calculated and Implications for Clinical Practice: A Case Example.

QTc stands for heart-rate corrected QT interval on the electrocardiogram and is a measure of the efficiency of repolarization of the left ventricle. Excessive prolongation, generally considered to be >500 ms, can result in a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia known as torsade de pointes. Some psychiatric medications can cause this arrhythmia and, therefore, this issue is important to all prescribers of psychiatric medications.

Pharmacokinetic drug evaluation of paliperidone in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder.

This paper reviews the pharmacokinetics, receptor binding, clinical efficacy and safety of paliperidone in the treatment of patients with schizoaffective disorder. Areas covered: We reviewed the literature using keywords 'paliperidone', 'schizoaffective disorder' and 'clinical trials' with a focus on seminal data papers and information that is clinically relevant to the treatment of schizoaffective disorder. The purpose of this paper is to provide a clinically oriented review of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of paliperidone including receptor binding, clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability.

Misconceptions of depression in african americans.

Major depression is a very common disabling disorder. Although the relationship between race and depression is complex, depression affects all races, all ethnic and geographic locations as well as all age groups. The prevalence of depression in African Americans is controversial, due to the paucity of research.

How to evaluate disability.

A disability assessment for non-therapeutic reasons is the most common evaluation requested of treating psychiatrists. Mental disorders affect approximately 20 percent of Americans each year. People who are unable to work need some financial assistance.