Psychiatry Commons^™

The Fear Factor In Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Lex Denysenko, Md, Robin Hanson, Md, Jessica Mosier, Md, Ethan J. Halpern, Md

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

Presented at: Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine in Atlanta Georgia.

BACKGROUND

•Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a transient, reversible acute cardiac syndrome that mimics acute MI

•Reportedly frequently precipitated by an emotionally stressful event

•Excessive catecholamine release is a possible pathophysiologic mechanism¹

•Prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders in TCM patients varies among studies, ranging from 21-40%^2,3

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy And Catatonia: An Acute Stress Connection?, Lex Denysenko, Md, Rachel Shmuts, Do, Adam Trenton, Do, Ethan J. Halpern, Md, Madeleine Becker, Md

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND

•Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM):

•transient left ventricular dysfunction

•ECG changes and symptoms mimicking acute MI

•often precipitated by emotional stressor

•Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome most commonly seen in mood disorders

•This is the first known reported case of TCM co-occurring with catatonia in the setting of acute psychological trauma and bereavement

A Four Factor Model Of Systems-Based Practices In Psychiatry., Jules M. Ranz, Michael Weinberg, Melissa R. Arbuckle, Joanna Fried, Anthony Carino, Hunter L. Mcquistion, Glen Davis, Donovan Wong, Sosunmolu O. Shoyinka, Benjamin Brody, Kamala D. Sethi, Anna Skiandos, Wesley Sowers, David Stern, Anne Sullivan, Michael J. Vergare

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Reintegration Of Child Soldiers In Burundi: A Tracer Study, Mark J.D. Jordans, Ivan H. Komproe, Wietse A. Tol, Aline Ndayisaba, Theodora Nisabwe, Brandon A. Kohrt

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Substantial attention and resources are aimed at the reintegration of child soldiers, yet rigorous evaluations are rare.

Methods

This tracer study was conducted among former child soldiers (N=452) and never-recruited peers (N=191) who participated in an economic support program in Burundi. Socio-economic outcome indicators were measured retrospectively for the period before receiving support (T1; 2005–06); immediately afterwards (T2; 2006–07); and at present (T3; 2010). Participants also rated present functional impairment and mental health indicators.

Results

Participants reported improvement on all indicators, especially economic opportunity and social integration. At present no difference existed between both groups on any of the …

Severe Stress Switches Crf Action In The Nucleus Accumbens From Appetitive To Aversive., Julia C Lemos, Matthew J Wanat, Jeffrey S Smith, Beverly A S Reyes, Nick G Hollon, Elisabeth J Van Bockstaele, Charles Chavkin, Paul E M Phillips

Farber Institute for Neuroscience Faculty Papers

Stressors motivate an array of adaptive responses ranging from 'fight or flight' to an internal urgency signal facilitating long-term goals. However, traumatic or chronic uncontrollable stress promotes the onset of major depressive disorder, in which acute stressors lose their motivational properties and are perceived as insurmountable impediments. Consequently, stress-induced depression is a debilitating human condition characterized by an affective shift from engagement of the environment to withdrawal. An emerging neurobiological substrate of depression and associated pathology is the nucleus accumbens, a region with the capacity to mediate a diverse range of stress responses by interfacing limbic, cognitive and motor circuitry. …

Inter-Individual Variation During Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation And Normalization Of Dose Using Mri-Derived Computational Models, Abhishek Datta, Dennis Quangvinh Truong, Preet Minhas, Lucas C. Parra, Marom Bikson

Publications and Research

Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, versatile, and safe neuromodulation technology under investigation for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, adjunct to rehabilitation, and cognitive enhancement in healthy adults. Despite promising results, there is variability in responsiveness. One potential source of variability is the intensity of current delivered to the brain which is a function of both the operator controlled tDCS dose (electrode montage and total applied current) and subject specific anatomy. We are interested in both the scale of this variability across anatomical typical adults and methods to normalize inter-individual variation by customizing tDCS dose. Computational FEM …

Psychometrics Of The Scale Of Attitudes Toward Physician-Pharmacist Collaboration: A Study With Medical Students., Mohammadreza Hojat, John Spandorfer, Gerald A. Isenberg, Michael J. Vergare, Reza Fassihi, Joseph S. Gonnella

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Despite the emphasis placed on interdisciplinary education and interprofessional collaboration between physicians and pharmacologists, no psychometrically sound instrument is available to measure attitudes toward collaborative relationships.

AIM: This study was designed to examine psychometrics of an instrument for measuring attitudes toward physician-pharmacist collaborative relationships for administration to students in medical and pharmacy schools and to physicians and pharmacists.

METHODS: The Scale of Attitudes Toward Physician-Pharmacist Collaboration was completed by 210 students at Jefferson Medical College. Factor analysis and correlational methods were used to examine psychometrics of the instrument.

RESULTS: Consistent with the conceptual framework of interprofessional collaboration, three underlying …

Sudden Cardiac Death With Clozapine And Lorazepam Combination, Sriram Ramaswamy, Susan J. Boust, Prizada S. Sattar, Subhash C. Bhatia, Frederick Petty

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Objective: To report a case of sudden cardiac death in a patient taking a combination of clozapine and lorazepam.

Case summary: A 31-year-old white man with schizophrenia was found dead at his apartment. His medication regimen included clozapine 500 mg at bed time, lorazepam 0.5 mg three times daily and levothyroxine 75 mcg once a day. Autopsy studies revealed cardiac hypertrophy, pulmonary congestion and edema.

Discussion: Clozapine therapy may cause cardiomyopathy and reduction in heart rate variability (HRV) indices. Benzodiazepines can reduce vagal tone and increase sympathetic activity. This combination can have an enhanced potential for sudden cardiac death.

Conclusions: …

Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Tms) To Compare Cortical Excitability Among Depressed Patients, Sleep-Deprived Controls, And Rested Controls, Rajani Rajan, Paul A. Zarkowski, Pedro L. Delgado

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Objective: To compare cortical excitability among sleep-deprived and rested controls, and depressed subjects.

Methods: 3 controls and 4 depressed patients (average HAM-D 19) wererecruited. Sleep-deprived controls were instructed to sleep <=4 hours the previous night. TMS-produced motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were measured before and after subjects engaged in sets of non-fatiguing manual exercise.

Results: Post-exercise MEP increased 71+1-19% for rested controls, 28+1-32% for sleep deprived controls, and 8+1-15% for depressed patients. This increase, "facilitation," was significantly greater in rested controls than in depressed patients (p=0.011). No significant difference in facilitation was found between sleep-deprived controls and depressed patients.

Conclusion: Sleep-deprivation may partially account for reduced cortical excitability in depressed patients.

Antidepressant Pharmacotherapy: Prescription Practices In Psychiatric Resident Care, Rachel Dew, W. Vaughn Mccall

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Background: Research on treatment of depression has raised concerns regarding adequacy of medication trials and rationality of drug choice. Little data exists regarding pharmacotherapy by psychiatric residents. As practice habits begun in training will likely persist after graduation, examination of residents' antidepressant use may ultimately improve treatment by psychiatrists.

Methods: Charts of new patients presenting to the Wake Forest University Psychiatry Resident Clinic were reviewed. Survey was made of medications prescribed to 112 patients diagnosed with major depression, dysthymia, depressive disorder NOS, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, or bipolar disorder with a documented depression during the studied period. Drug choice …

The Duty To Warn/Protect Doctrine And Its Application In Pennsylvania, Clarence Watson

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Despite the almost universal familiarity of mental health professionals with the Tarasoff case, many questions regarding its associated legal requirements often arise when evaluating potentially dangerous patients. The principles of the duty to warn/protect, while appearing nebulous at times, contain key concepts that the clinician must consider in the face of potential danger to third parties. This article reviews the landmark decision of the Tarasoff case and outlines its key concepts. In addition, given that state jurisdictions vary in treatment of Tarasoff-like cases, this article explores the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision, Emerich v. Philadelphia Center for Human Development, Inc.

Editor's Note, Anika Vaughn-Cooke

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

No abstract provided.

Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Review Of Its Current Status, Tyler Kenning, Ranjnish Mago, Steven Huege, Kenneth Certa, Rodney Pelchat

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

This article presents an overview of the current knowledge and practice of ECT. It provides a brief history of the development of ECT followed by a discussion of the accepted indications for ECT in psychiatric practice, including major depression, bipolar disorder (mania and depression), and schizophrenia. Moreover, a description of the technique of performing ECT is given. Also examined are the use of ECT in medically ill patients and the risks associated with ECT. In conclusion, with the aid of advances in anesthesia and the delivery of ECT, electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective treatment of mood and psychotic …

General Practitioners' Awareness And Management Of Common Psychiatric Disorders: A Community-Based Survey From Karachi, Pakistan, H A. Naqvi, S Sabzwari, S Hussain, M Islam, M Zaman

Department of Psychiatry

This study assessed the knowledge and management of common psychiatric disorders by general practitioners (GPs) in Karachi, Pakistan. Structured interviews were carried out in 2009 with 360 GPs selected by cluster random sampling. Patients with psychiatric disorders were estimated to be up to 10% of the daily caseload according to 71.8% of doctors. Two-thirds of GPs were unaware of the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for depression and anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines were the most recognized category of medication (75.3%) and were the most commonly used medication for all mental health conditions. Fewer GPs were familiar with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (35.1%) or …

Onset Of Alcohol Or Substance Use Disorders Following Treatment For Adolescent Depression., John Curry, Susan Silva, Paul Rohde, Golda Ginsburg, Betsy Kennard, Christopher Kratochvil, Anne Simons, Jerry Kirchner, Diane May, Taryn Mayes, Norah Feeny, Anne Marie Albano, Sarah Lavanier, Mark Reinecke, Rachel Jacobs, Emily Becker-Weidman, Elizabeth Weller, Graham Emslie, John Walkup, Elizabeth Kastelic, Barbara Burns, Karen Wells, John March

Journal Articles: Psychiatry

OBJECTIVE: This study tested whether positive response to short-term treatment for adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) would have the secondary benefit of preventing subsequent alcohol use disorders (AUD) or substance use disorders (SUD).

METHOD: For 5 years, we followed 192 adolescents (56.2% female; 20.8% minority) who had participated in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS; TADS Team, 2004) and who had no prior diagnoses of AUD or SUD. TADS initial treatments were cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), fluoxetine alone (FLX), the combination of CBT and FLX (COMB), or clinical management with pill placebo (PBO). We used both the original …

Psychostimulant Drug Abuse And Personality Factors In Medical Students, Joshua T. Buchner, Md, Duc M. Vu, Md, Mohammadreza Hojat

CRMEHC Faculty Papers

Purpose:

This study was designed to examine the prevalence of psychostimulant drug abuse among medical students and to test the hypothesis that medical students who use psychostimulant drugs for non-medical reasons are characterized by a sensation seeking and aggressive-hostility personality and exhibit lower empathy.

Recommendations For The Use Of Common Outcome Measures In Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Research, Stephen R. Mccauley, Elisabeth A. Wilde, Vicki A. Anderson, Gary Bedell, Sue R. Beers, Thomas F. Campbell, Sandra B. Chapman, Linda Ewing-Cobbs, Joan P. Gerring, Gerard A. Gioia, Harvey S. Levin, Linda J. Michaud, Mary R. Prasad, Bonnie R. Swaine, Lyn S. Turkstra, Shari L. Wade, Keith O. Yeates

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

This article addresses the need for age-relevant outcome measures for traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and summarizes the recommendations by the inter-agency Pediatric TBI Outcomes Workgroup. The Pediatric Workgroup's recommendations address primary clinical research objectives including characterizing course of recovery from TBI, prediction of later outcome, measurement of treatment effects, and comparison of outcomes across studies. Consistent with other Common Data Elements (CDE) Workgroups, the Pediatric TBI Outcomes Workgroup adopted the standard three-tier system in its selection of measures. In the first tier, core measures included valid, robust, and widely applicable outcome measures with proven utility in pediatric TBI from …

Readers Are Leaders In Publishing, Kiran Ejaz, Haider Naqvi

Department of Psychiatry

No abstract provided.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Psychiatric Disorders In Pakistan: A Case Control Study., Amna Subhan Butt, Mohammad Salih, Wasim Jafri, Javed Yakoob, Mohammad Wasay, Saeed Hamid

Section of Gastroenterology

Background:The psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression could have a profound influence on onset, expression, and course of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Aim: To estimate the frequency and strength of association of common mental disorders (CMDs) in Patients with IBS and Patients with other chronic diseases, that is, migraine and hypertension. Method: This was a case control study. Individuals aged 18-70 years diagnosed as IBS were enrolled as cases. The control groups consisted of Patients without IBS but diagnosed to have a chronic disease, that is, migraine or HTN. Self-Reporting Questonnaire-20(SRQ-20) was used as a screening tool for the …

Medical Evaluation And Triage Of The Agitated Patient: Consensus Statement Of The American Association For Emergency Psychiatry Project Beta Medical Evaluation Workgroup, Kimberly Nordstrom, Leslie S. Zun, Michael P. Wilson, Victor Stiebel, Anthony T. Ng, Benjamin Bregman, Eric L. Anderson

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

Numerous medical and psychiatric conditions can cause agitation, some of these causes are life threatening. It is important to be able to differentiate between medical and non-medical causes of agitation so that patients can receive appropriate and timely treatment. This article aims to educate all clinicians in non-medical settings, such as mental health clinics, and medical settings on the differing levels of severity in agitation, basic triage, use of de-escalation, and factors, symptoms, and signs in determining whether a medical etiology is likely. Lastly, this article focuses on the medical workup of agitation when a medical etiology is suspected or …

The Evidence-Based Pharmacological Treatment Of Paediatric Adhd., Brigette S. Vaughan, John S. March, Christopher J. Kratochvil

Journal Articles: Psychiatry

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in children, adolescents, and adults, with extensive research establishing it as a valid neurobiological disorder. Without intervention, ADHD can result in significant impairment throughout the lifespan for the individuals it afflicts. Fortunately, multiple evidence-based options are available for the treatment of ADHD, including several efficacious pharmacotherapies. The role of medication, including stimulants as well as non-stimulants, is well-documented by an extensive body of literature. Although there may be less enthusiasm for behavioural and other psychosocial interventions as stand-alone treatments for moderate to severe ADHD, they are recommended as first-line treatment for ADHD management …

Vitamin D: Does It Play A Role In Psychiatry, Mukesh Mohan Bhimani

Department of Psychiatry

No abstract provided.

The Efficacy And Toxicity Of Bupropion In The Elderly, William T. Howard M.D., M.S., Julia K. Warnock M.D., Ph.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Bupropion is an antidepressant with excellent tolerability and few side effects or drug interactions. These characteristics suite it well for use both in the elderly and in the medically ill. However, early reports of seizures with bupropion therapy in patients with bulimia limited its use. The pharmacology, efficacy, toxicity, and side effect profile of both the immediate release (IR) and the recently available sustained release (SR) formulations of bupropion are reviewed. Bupropion SR is associated with a reduced seizure incidence (0.1%) compared to that found with the IR formulation (0.4%). Recent reports, however, demonstrate that the half-life of bupropion is …

The Malingering Of Psychotic Disorders, Michael R. Harris M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The phenomenon of malingered psychosis is examined through a review of the available literature. Possible motivations for malingering are discussed, and clinical indicators of feigned psychotic symptoms are reviewed. The methods discussed focus on the inpatient evaluation of suspected malingerers and include discussions of interview techniques and psychometric testing to supplement clinical impressions. A differential diagnosis is presented, and techniques for confronting a malingering patient are reviewed.

Lilliputian Hallucinations And Marijuana Dependence In A Bipolar Patient, Matthew L. Bush M.S. Iv, Saurabh Gupta M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Lilluputian hallucinations are rarely seen in manic patients. Here we present a case of isolated lilluputian hallucinations against a backdrop of psychosis and marijuana use. The phenomenon is interesting and worth following up with. The patient recovered and a brief literature search is included.

A New Onset Paranoid Psychosis Associated With Fluoxetine And Bupropion: A Case Report, Vassili V. Arkadiev M.D., Stephen L. Ruedrich M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

No abstract provided.

Current Methodological Issues In Candidate Gene Association Studies In Psychiatric Disorders, Leo Sher M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

One of the most rapidly emerging areas of neuroscience research is the study of genetic approaches to complex psychiatric disorders. The author discusses potential benefits and pitfalls of candidate gene association studies. Association studies search for correlations in the population between a DNA marker and a disorder. The so-called candidate gene approach is frequently used in association studies. Candidate gene studies are usually based on hypotheses about relationships between specific known loci and particular phenotypes. The aim of molecular genetic studies of behavioral disorders includes the development of predictive and diagnostic testing for psychiatric disorders that can help to establish …

Addiction Professionals' Attitudes Regarding Treatment Of Nicotine Dependence, Baljit S. Gill M.D., Dwayne L. Bennett M.D., Mohammad Abu-Salha M.D., Lisa Fore-Arcand Ed.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The objectives of this study were: to establish the extent to which addiction professionals are willing to treat nicotine addiction concurrently with other addictions, and to evaluate what factors affect their attitudes.

A 21-item questionnaire was developed and distributed to therapists, physicians and other mental health workers in different treatment settings in Southeastern Virginia.

CD staffers own smoking histories were significantly related to: their perceptions of the impact of nicotine use, and how likely they were to intervene in patients' nicotine use. Intervention in CD staffers own smoking behavior may increase the treatment of nicotine dependence in their patients.

Psychosis In Azheimer's Disease, George M. Strickland M.D., Thomas F. Ditzler Ph.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Much of the basic science literature on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) reflects ongoing research into pathophysiology and neuropathology. Yet, despite reports of the association between psychotic symptoms and Alzheimer's disease, relatively little is known about why such symptoms develop in certain patients and not in others. Neuroimaging and genetic studies may provide greater understanding of this association and allow clinicians and researchers to prevent, predict and treat the onset of psychotic symptoms in the future. This paper will review the current literature on the topic of psychosis in Alzheimer's disease and focus on current recommendations for interventions by clinicians and caregivers.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Review, Diagnostic Critique, Khurram K. Durrani M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) can be defined as an idiosyncratic and potentially fatal reaction to neuroleptic agents that consists of fever, mental status changes, muscle rigidity, autonomic dysfunction, respiratory distress and rhabdomyolysis. The pathogenesis of NMS is still not fully understood. The diagnosis presents a challenge and the diagnostic criteria need further refinement. The presentation and course of NMS are quite variable and can range from a progressive, fulminating, downhill course to a relatively benign and self-limiting course. Despite great improvements in the management of the syndrome, prevention and early diagnosis are the most important aspects of treatment.