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- Newer Antipsychotics No Better Than Older Drug in Treating Child and Adolescent Schizophrenia
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September 15, 2008
Press Release
Two newer atypical antipsychotic medications were no more effective than an older conventional antipsychotic in treating child and adolescent schizophrenia and may lead to more metabolic side effects.
- Health Risks Associated with Certain Antipsychotics Warrant Extra Monitoring
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July 24, 2008
Science Update
Some atypical antipsychotics may be more likely than others to cause metabolic and cardiovascular side effects, according to recent analyses using data from the NIMH-funded Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE).
- Newer Antipsychotics No Better Than Older Medications in Reducing Schizophrenia-related Violence
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July 11, 2008
Science Update
Antipsychotic medications can reduce the risk of violence among people with schizophrenia, but the newer atypical antipsychotics are no more effective in doing so than older medications.
- Paying More for Prescriptions May Limit Seniors’ Access to Antidepressants
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April 2, 2008
Science Update
New cost-sharing policies may prevent some older adults diagnosed with depression from filling new antidepressant prescriptions.
- State Survey Finds FDA “Black Box” Warning Correlates with Curtailed Antidepressant Prescriptions
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March 14, 2008
Science Update
After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a “black box” warning on antidepressant medications, Nebraskan doctors began prescribing fewer antidepressant medications to children and teens and referring more patients to specialists, according to a state survey.
- Schizophrenia-Related Gene Linked to Imbalance in Dopamine Pathways
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December 17, 2007
Science Update
Forms of a gene known to increase risk for schizophrenia may create an imbalance in brain pathways for dopamine, suggests a recent study by NIMH scientists. The findings could help explain how this key chemical messenger goes awry in the disorder, which affects about one percent of adults.
- Scientists May Have Found Long-Pursued Binding Site for Antidepressants
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September 28, 2007
Science Update
NIMH-funded scientists have a major new clue as to where the long-pursued binding site for commonly used antidepressants – potentially the site that triggers the medications’ effects – may be on brain cells. The finding could lead to better medications for depression, but also has important implications for other mental illnesses because it addresses a biological flaw that a number of them share.
- Genes Linked to Suicidal Thinking During Antidepressant Treatment
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September 27, 2007
Press Release
Specific variations in two genes are linked to suicidal thinking that sometimes occurs in people taking the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants, according to a large study led by scientists at NIMH. Depending on the particular mix inherited, these versions increased the likelihood of such thoughts from 2- to15-fold, the study found.
- Drops in SSRI prescription rates may coincide with increases in youth suicides
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September 19, 2007
Science Update
A 2004 spike in suicide rates may have coincided with a drop in antidepressant prescriptions for youth, following warnings from U.S. and European regulatory agencies that the medications might trigger suicidal thoughts.
- Manic Phase of Bipolar Disorder Benefits from Breast Cancer Medication
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September 12, 2007
Press Release
The medication tamoxifen, best known as a treatment for breast cancer, dramatically reduces symptoms of the manic phase of bipolar disorder more quickly than many standard medications for the mental illness, a new study shows.