Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Share Genetic Roots
A trio of genome-wide studies – collectively the largest to date – has pinpointed a vast array of genetic variation that cumulatively may account for at least one third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One of the studies traced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in part, to the same chromosomal neighborhoods. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)...
POSTED 07/01/2009 at 01:44 PM --
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Genetic Pattern Found in Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
A vast number of common gene variants come together in a perfect storm to increase risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, new studies reveal. (Source: WebMD Health)...
POSTED 07/01/2009 at 12:00 AM --
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Preventing Medical Errors: Avoiding Errors with Lamictal Starter Kits
A recent FDA article describes medication errors that occurred with patients using Lamictal starter kits. Lamictal (lamotrigine) is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
The starter kits give patients the recommended initial dose and dose... (Source: Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA): Patient Safety News)...
POSTED 06/30/2009 at 11:00 PM --
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Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share genetic roots
(NIH/National Institute of Mental Health) A trio of genome-wide studies -- collectively the largest to date -- has pinpointed an array of genetic variation that cumulatively may account for at least one-third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One of the studies traced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in part, to the same chromosomal neighborhoods. All three studies implicate an area of Chromosome 6 known to harbor genes involved in immunity and controlling how and when genes turn on and off. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)...
POSTED 06/30/2009 at 11:00 PM --
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Simple Operative Management of Ingrown Toenail Using Bipolar Diathermy
We report a novel, simple technique which involves wedge excision of the ingrowing nail, and bipolar diathermy of the nail bed. Three-hundred and fifty-three procedures were carried out on 302 patients during the study period. Our re-operation rate for recurrence is 9.9%, which compares favourably with other techniques, and which lends itself to utilisation for minor surgery lists in primary care.[...]© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New YorkGet connected:Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Source: European Journal of Pediatric Surgery)...
POSTED 06/30/2009 at 07:52 PM --
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Common polygenic variation contributes to risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors:
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder with a lifetime risk of about 1%, characterized by hallucinations, delusions and cognitive deficits, with heritability estimated at up to 80%. We performed a genome-wide association study of 3,322 European individuals with schizophrenia and 3,587 controls. Here we show, using two analytic approaches, the extent to which common genetic variation underlies the risk of schizophrenia. First, we implicate the major histocompatibility complex. Second, we provide molecular genetic evidence for a substantial polygenic component to the risk of schizophrenia involving thousands of common alleles of very small effect. We show that this component also contributes to the risk of bipolar disorder, but not to several non-psychiatric diseases. (Source: N......
POSTED 06/30/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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[Articles] Four-Year Longitudinal Course of Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Spectrum Disorders: The Course and Outcome of Bipolar Youth (COBY) Study
CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar spectrum disorders in youths are characterized by episodic illness with subsyndromal and, less frequently, syndromal episodes with mainly depressive and mixed symptoms and rapid mood changes. (Source: Am J Psychiatry)...
POSTED 06/30/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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[Letters to the Editor] The Use of Short Half-Life Antidepressants in the Treatment of Bipolar Depression
(Source: Am J Psychiatry)...
POSTED 06/30/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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Doctors Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder In Children Should Consider Irritability A Symptom, Study
New research from the US adds to mounting evidence that when diagnosing bipolar disorder in children doctors and clinicians should consider irritability as a possible symptom. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)...
POSTED 06/30/2009 at 05:00 AM --
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Bad Reasons for No Meds
There are more than five bad reasons not to take medications, but in Part 3 of this article we look at one of the most common reasons people either refuse to start or stop taking meds: side effects. (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)...
POSTED 06/29/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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Cymbalta Drug Profile
Cymbalta is an antidepressant in the SNRI class - a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Cymbalta - generic duloxetine hydrochloride - is prescribed for the treatment of major depression and the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Cymbalta also has some significant off-label uses including bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia. (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)...
POSTED 06/29/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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Bipolar disorder with frequent mood episodes in the national comorbidity survey replication (NCS-R)
Authors: A A Nierenberg, H S Akiskal, J Angst, R M Hirschfeld, K R Merikangas, M Petukhova
& R C Kessler (Source: Molecular Psychiatry)...
POSTED 06/29/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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[How-to-do-it] Modified maze procedure combined with mitral valve surgery via septal-superior approach
Although a septal-superior approach provides excellent exposure of the mitral valve, it requires novel strategies for concomitant ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation. Utilizing a combination of bipolar radiofrequency and cryothermy, we developed a novel technique for creating a biatrial lesion set via a septal-superior approach during mitral valve surgery. We treated 10 patients with functional mitral regurgitation and permanent atrial fibrillation with rhythm disturbance for a mean 87 months. A modified maze was successfully accomplished via a septal-superior approach in all. The mean follow-up period was 18 months, during which permanent pacemaker implantation was necessary for one due to sinus bradycardia. Sustained sinus rhythm, including atrial or atrial-based paced rhythm, ......
POSTED 06/29/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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[PAPERS] Genetic utility of broadly defined bipolar schizoaffective disorder as a diagnostic concept
Conclusions
Our findings show that individuals with broadly defined bipolar
schizoaffective features have either a particularly strong genetic
contribution or that, as a group, are genetically more homogeneous than the
other phenotypes tested. The results point to the importance of using
diagnostic approaches that recognise this group of individuals. Our approach
can be applied to similar data-sets for other psychiatric and non-psychiatric
phenotypes. (Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)...
POSTED 06/29/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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[PAPERS] Patterns of neurocognitive impairment in first-episode bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Conclusions
Particular impairments are common to people with psychosis and may prove
useful as endophenotypic markers. Considering the degree of individuals’
global cognitive impairment is critical when attempting to understand patterns
of selective impairment both within and between these diagnostic groups. (Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)...
POSTED 06/29/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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[Book reviews] Mania. A Short History of Bipolar Disorder
(Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)...
POSTED 06/29/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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Safety, tolerability and efficacy of a rapid dose escalation of quetiapine in bipolar I mania: the FATIMA study
Conclusion: Rapid dose escalation of quetiapine to 800 mg/day over 4 days was well tolerated and effective in reducing symptoms within 5 days in acutely ill bipolar I patients with a manic episode. (Source: Acta Neuropsychiatrica)...
POSTED 06/28/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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Upstream genetic variant near INSIG2, influences response to carnitine supplementation in bipolar patients with valproate-induced weight gain
Conclusions: C-carriers at rs7566605, possibly regulating the homeostasis gene INSIG2, lost significantly less weight in this lifestyle intervention study. This effect was reversed by carnitine supplementation. (Source: Acta Neuropsychiatrica)...
POSTED 06/28/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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Bad Reasons for No Meds
There are more than five bad reasons not to take medications, but in this article we look at some of the most common reasons people either refuse to start or stop taking meds. The common thread in these bad reasons is that they can all lead to serious, even life-threatening problems. Part 1 covers two reasons people don't want to take medications at all. (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)...
POSTED 06/28/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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Jeannie C. Riley - Singer
Biographical sketch of country-western singer Jeannie C. Riley ('Harper Valley PTA'). According to reports, she has stated that she is manic-depressive. (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)...
POSTED 06/28/2009 at 06:00 PM --
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