Psychiatry & Mental Health Clinical Briefs

• Cognitive Tests Can Predict Mortality Risk After Stroke CME A new study shows that poor performance on common tests of executive function could signal increased mortality risk after a first stroke during a 10-year period.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, May 2012
• Computer Use Combined With Exercise Lowers Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment CME In this population-based sample, both physical exercise and computer use as assessed in a survey were associated with decreased odds of having mild cognitive impairment.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, May 2012
• Screening Women for Domestic Violence May Have Benefits, Few Harms CME/CE A systematic review suggests that screening instruments accurately identify women experiencing intimate partner violence, offer benefits that vary by populations, and have few adverse effects.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, May 2012
• Concurrent Use of Speed, Ecstasy in Teens Ups Future Depression Risk CME Use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and either amphetamines or the more potent methamphetamine in teens is linked with an increased risk for later depression.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, May 2012
• 12 Comorbidities Help Predict COPD Mortality Risk CME Specific comorbidities common among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are independently linked with an increased risk for death.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, May 2012
• Study Identifies Risk Factors of Bullied Children Likely to Self-Harm CME A large cohort study in the United Kingdom shows that young children who are frequently bullied are up to 3 times more likely to self-harm up to age 12 years.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, May 2012
• Visceral Adiposity, High BMI May Promote Cognitive Decline in Adults CME A new study reveals that visceral adiposity and a high body mass index are linked with poor cognitive functioning in adults younger than 70 years.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, May 2012
• Computerized Intervention May Help Teens With Depression CME In a new randomized controlled study, a computerized cognitive behavioral therapy program offered an effective alternative to traditional counseling for adolescents with depression.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, May 2012
• The Effect of Vitamin D on Childhood Academic Performance CME A new study from the United Kingdom found no association between 25(OH)D3 vitamin D levels and academic performance in children 13 to 14 years old or 15 to 16 years old.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012
• Fetal Exposure to Antipsychotics Associated With Poor Motor Performance CME A prospective controlled study of 6-month-old infants suggests that prenatal exposure to antipsychotics may be linked with poor neuromotor skills in these infants.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012
• FDA Safety Changes: Warnings Issued on Storage, Use of Fentanyl Patches CME/CE To prevent harm from accidental exposure, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning emphasizing the appropriate storage, use, application, and disposal of fentanyl patches.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, May 2012
• Cognitive Therapy May Reduce Severity of Psychosis CME In this study, cognitive therapy did not prevent transition to psychosis in patients at high risk for psychotic illness but did decrease the severity of psychotic symptoms in these patients.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012
• Strong Link Between Auditory Hallucinations and Mental Disorders in Teens CME Children commonly hear voices, but when auditory hallucinations persist into adolescence, they are often associated with complex mental health problems.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012
• Maternal Metabolic Conditions May Promote Autism in Offspring CME Children who had mothers with metabolic conditions during pregnancy were at higher risks for autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays than children with mothers without metabolic conditions.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012
• Youth With Substance Use Disorders Benefit From 12-Step Program CME New research reveals that outpatient attendance in community-based 12-step programs for up to 1 year is a positive predictor of abstinence in adolescents with substance use disorders.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012
• Brief ED Intervention Cuts Alcohol Consumption in Risky Drinkers CME A brief intervention performed by emergency department staff reduced alcohol consumption and episodes of impaired driving during the next 6 to 12 months in a randomized study.
  Reuters Health Information CME, April 2012
• Hypnotherapy Effective Way to Improve IBS Symptoms CME Hypnotherapy appears to reduce irritable bowel syndrome symptoms for the long term.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012
• FDA Safety Changes: Higher Citalopram Dose Increases Risk in Older Patients CME/CE The FDA has issued an alert about use of citalopram in adults older than 60 years old.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012
• Rates of Depression Similar After Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack CME A prospective cohort registry study shows comparable, high depression rates after stroke and transient ischemic attack at 3 months and at 12 months after onset.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012
• Increased Risk for MI Seen in Elderly Patients Taking Antipsychotics CME Antipsychotic drugs used to treat symptoms in elderly patients with dementia are associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction, especially during the first month of use.
  Medscape Education Clinical Briefs, April 2012