Olanzapine for Schizophrenia Improves Meds Compliance – MM1510
Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disorder afflicting approximately one percent of the population world-wide with little gender differences. For patients with schizophrenia, treatment with antipsychotics is typically necessary for the long term, but persistence on treatment is often poor, resulting in frequent relapses with potentially serious consequences.
Modern Medicine – October 2015
The Ups and Downs of Bipolar Disorder in General Practice – MM1508
GPs are uniquely placed to identify patients with bipolar disorder and to contribute to their management, including addressing physical health problems and encouraging a stable balanced life and sleep/wake cycle. Treatment is generally with mood stabilisers rather than antidepressants, in collaboration with a psychiatrist.
Modern Medicine – August 2015
The Treatment of Schizophrenia An Overlooked ‘Duty to Care’ – MM1506
Schizophrenia remains a challenging illness causing high levels of chronic disability. Identifying the condition early is difficult, medication adherence is problematic, the availability of psychosocial interventions is limited and the poor physical health of people with schizophrenia is often overlooked.
Modern Medicine – June 2015
Treatment Goal for Major Depressive Disorder is Remission – MM1504
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent condition associated with significant levels of disability, morbidity, and mortality. There is a growing emphasis on the importance of achieving remission rather than merely the reduction of symptoms in the treatment of MDD.
Modern Medicine – April 2015
Dopamine and Noradrenaline Reuptake – MM1504
The mechanism of action of bupropion is still uncertain but may be related to inhibition of presynaptic dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake transporters. The activity of vesicular monoamine transporter-2, the transporter pumping dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin from the cytosol into presynaptic vesicles, is increased by bupropion and may be a component of its mechanism of action. Bupropion is approved for use in major depression and seasonal affective disorder and has demonstrated comparable efficacy to other antidepressants in clinical trials.
Modern Medicine – April 2015
Detecting and Managing Depression in Patients with Cardiac Disease – MM1503
Depression is common in patients with cardiac disease, is associated with increased risk of mortality and morbidity and is the major driver of quality of life. Depression is also a major determinant of adherence to treatment strategies. It is therefore important that depressive symptoms are recognised and treated early in patients with cardiac disease.
Modern Medicine – March 2015
Lamotrigine is an Antiepileptic and Mood Stabiliser – MM1503
Lamotrigine is used in combination with other anti-seizure drugs for the treatment of partial seizures, tonicclonic seizures and seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It is also used alone for treating partial seizures in patients 16 years and older when converting from other anti-epileptic drugs. Lamotrigine also is used for preventing mood episodes in individuals 18 years or older with bipolar disorder.
Modern Medicine – March 2015
Hyperconnectivity Seen in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy – MM1502
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most common idiopathic (presumed genetic) generalised epilepsy (IGE) syndrome and represents five to 10% of all epilepsies. It is characterised by an age-related onset of upper limb myoclonic seizures in the mid-teens, followed in the majority of cases by generalised tonic–clonic seizures. There is increasing evidence of cognitive dysfunction in these patients, with deficits reported on tests of frontal lobe function.
Modern Medicine – February 2015
