Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Pharmacotherapy For Impulsivity-Hyperactivity Behaviors In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jenna Katnis

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Hyperactivity is a shared behavior with ASD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Medications such as Methylphenidate (MPH) and α 2-a adrenergic receptor agonists are used to modify hyperactivity behavior in ADHD and thus have been used as management in ASD. A review of literature was done to evaluate the use of medications typically used for ADHD in the use of ASD. The databases searched included PubMED, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and Clinical Key. After reviewing the literature, it was found that both MPH and 2-a adrenergic receptor agonist have a potential role in pharmacotherapy for ASD. MPH may be slightly more …

Managing Anxiety With Pharmacogenomic Testing, Ashley Pommer

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Anxiety affects approximately three to seven percent of the United States population, and nearly 50% of the diagnosed patients fail to respond to first-line treatment regimens (Boland, Duffy, & Meyer 2018). Traditional first-line treatments include medication therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or the combination of both. With such a high initial failure rate, recent studies indicate promising results in managing anxiety with pharmacogenomic testing. Pharmacogenomic testing is allowing providers to prescribe medication based on individual genetic makeup, focusing on how each patient metabolizes certain medications. The purpose of this literature review was to determine if first-line methods or pharmacogenomic testing …

Treating Peri And Postnatal Depression & Anxiety, Emily M. Stevenson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

- The objective of this research is to evaluate the commonly prescribed treatment methods for prenatal and postnatal depression, focusing on the efficacy of antidepressant medications and nonpharmacologic treatments while evaluating the effects these medications have on the fetus/breastfeeding infant.

- The method of research included 15 studies completed within the past ten years on women who were pregnant or who had delivered a baby within the past 12 months. One study did evaluate long-term effects on offspring, which included a participant number of 3,342 children who were exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. The total number of participants in the …

Evaluating Internet Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Adults With Depression, Togan Cottrell

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Depression is one of the most prevalent and costly mental health issues worldwide.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been a long-standing treatment for patients with depression. CBT has been proven to reduce or eliminate depression symptoms while increasing quality of life.

• Due to lack of access to care and a deficiency of mental health providers throughout the United States, the frequent and lengthy visits that are required for traditional CBT may not be an option.

• The use of internet based CBT has been studied as an alternative to traditional therapy and may serve to fill a …

Treatment Options For Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Comorbid Depression, Elizabeth Morton

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Irritable bowel syndrome & depression are common comorbidities, however there is a wide variability regarding the appropriate treatment regimens for these patients.

• IBS is classified as a functional bowel disease in which patients suffer from recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort associated with alterations in bowel habits.

• While the cause of IBS is multifactorial, studies have revealed that the dysfunction of the brain-gut pathways are a culprit to disease appearance and progression, as seen in the biopsychosocial model of IBS. This model proposes that abdominal symptoms secondarily impact anxiety & depression symptoms and that psychological factors influence physiologic …

Folate As An Adjunctive Therapy For Treatment Resistant Depression, Katherine Mcfarland

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Numerous medications are available to treat depression, yet many patients do not achieve remission or recovery of their symptoms with traditional therapies alone. Folate supplementation has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of depression when used in addition to traditional prescription therapy. A literature review was conducted to determine the effect of low folate levels on depression and if supplementation with either folic acid or L-methylfolate benefits this patient population. Key search terms including folate, folate deficiency, methylfolate, nutrition, and depression were used to perform searches of multiple databases and journals including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and the American …

A Comparison Of Traditional Care And Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Treating Depression Following Open Heart Surgery, Derryk Allen

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Depression occurs shortly after open heart surgery in many patients. When depression is identified, traditional treatment consists of antidepressant medications along with cardiac rehabilitation and follow up care but these visits may not address depression. The purpose of this study compares traditional care with cognitive behavioral therapy. Does cognitive behavioral therapy more effectively manage depression than traditional care among male and female patients that have undergone open-heart surgery and acquired depressive symptoms? An article search of the following databases was conducted: PubMed and The Cochran Library. The review of literature explored studies that compare treatment between traditional care and CBT …

Treatment Of Resistant Depression, Brittany Michels

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Depression is a common and debilitating disease complicated by comorbidities, medication side effects, limited alternative treatment options, and poor patient adherence.

• Currently, clinical practice guidelines are available outlining the indications and treatment options for depression.

• Discussion will involve pathophysiology of the disease process and possible treatments, such as pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and somatic therapy, including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

• ECT is widely accepted as an effective treatment for severe refractory depression, but has a negative social stigma despite its effectiveness.

• This paper has shown ECT remains the most effective treatment of severe refractory depression in …

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infection Antibiotic Prophylaxis Treatment Compared With Alternative Treatment Options, Heather Watkins

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders associated with Streptococcal Infection, known as PANDAS, is a clinical diagnosis made after a child develops Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and/or ticks after a Streptococcal Pharyngitis. Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders associated with Streptococcal Infection is diagnosed in children 3 years of age until 14 years of age. The purpose of this study is to determine if antibiotics versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor with cognitive behavior therapy versus prophylaxis with antibiotics should be used in the treatment of children who develops PANDAS. The review of literature will explore studies that compare current treatment options with new research …