Metformin for Weight Loss and Metabolic Control in Overweight Outpatients With Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder.: “ Related Articles Metformin for Weight Loss and Metabolic Control in Overweight Outpatients With Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2013 Jul 12; Authors: Jarskog LF, Hamer RM, Catellier DJ, Stewart DD, Lavange L, Ray N, Golden LH, Lieberman …

Metformin for Weight Loss and Metabolic Control in Overweight Outpatients With Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder. Read More »

Effects of dietary glycemic index on brain regions related to reward and craving in men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 Jun 26; Authors: Lennerz BS, Alsop DC, Holsen LM, Stern E, Rojas R, Ebbeling CB, Goldstein JM, Ludwig DS Abstract BACKGROUND: Qualitative aspects of diet influence eating behavior, but the physiologic mechanisms for these calorie-independent …

Why you're hungry after eating Chinese food – It's the rice Read More »

Effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 Jun 26; Authors: Liu K, Zhou R, Wang B, Chen K, Shi LY, Zhu JD, Mi MT Abstract BACKGROUND: The results of studies investigating the effect of green tea on glucose control and …

Green tea improves glucose control and insulin sensitivity Read More »

Examining transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment for hallucinations in schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry. 2012 Jul 1;169(7):719-24 Authors: Brunelin J, Mondino M, Gassab L, Haesebaert F, Gaha L, Suaud-Chagny MF, Saoud M, Mechri A, Poulet E   Abstract OBJECTIVE: Some 25%–30% of patients with schizophrenia have auditory verbal hallucinations that are refractory to antipsychotic …

Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) for hallucinations in schizophrenia Read More »

Increased concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers predict antidepressant nonresponse, and inflammatory cytokines can sabotage and circumvent the mechanisms of action of conventional antidepressants. A drug that targets inflammation may assist in the treatment of depression in individuals with high levels of inflammation. Results of a proof-of-concept study by him, Charles Raison, M.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona, and colleagues showed that a biologic medication was able to reduce depressive symptoms in some subjects who had suffered from major depression for an average of 15 years.

The prevalence of depression is increased in people with diabetes and there are both national and international recommendations for screening of depression in people with diabetes. Most screening is currently sporadic and there are no formal screening programs. Further research is needed to evaluate the most clinically effective and cost effective way of doing so in structured screening programs.

Recently, both the manufacturer of citalopram and the US Food and Drug Administration have warned health care providers and patients about new information implicating drug-induced QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes when using citalopram in doses >40 mg/day. This warning is not placed in the context of either benefits or risks in real-world clinical practice, leaving clinicians with an untenable choice between depriving patients of high-dose citalopram or malpractice litigation. We reviewed the literature and found no cases of citalopram-induced sudden cardiac death among patients taking up to 60 mg/day of citalopram and free of risk factors for QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes. Because psychotropic drug-induced sudden cardiac death is an outlier in the absence of identified risk factors for QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes, we do not believe current Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies provide sufficient information to limit current prescribing practices for citalopram (20 mg to 60 mg/day).

Several stress-related states and conditions that are considered to involve sympathetic overactivation are accompanied by increased circulating levels of inflammatory immune markers. β-AR sensitivity was lower in people with higher C-reactive protein concentration receiving Isoproterenol. This study demonstrates a link between in vivo β-adrenergic receptor function and selected circulating inflammatory markers (CRP) in humans.

Bruxism is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding. Several reports in the literature suggest that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might induce bruxism. In that event, clinicians face difficult treatment decisions, especially in cases whereby SSRIs cannot be discontinued or decreased, as in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In the following, we report the case of a patient with severe OCD and SSRI-induced bruxism successfully treated with low-dose aripiprazole.

Metformin prevented and reversed steatosis and inflammation of NASH in an experimental non-diabetic model without affecting peripheral insulin resistance. Administration of metformin significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose levels, but did not affect glucose tolerance or peripheral insulin sensitivity. Metformin ameliorated MCD+HF diet-induced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Furthermore, metformin significantly reversed hepatic steatosis and inflammation when administered after the development of experimental NASH. These histological changes were accompanied by reduced hepatic triglyceride content, suppressed hepatic stellate cell activation, and the downregulation of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrogenesis.