Body, Mind & Spirit Articles and Latest News

Noradrenergic enhancement of reconsolidation in the amygdala impairs extinction of conditioned fear in rats–a possible mechanism for the persistence of traumatic memories in PTSD.

Depress Anxiety. 2011 Mar;28(3):186-93

Authors: Dębiec J, Bush DE, LeDoux JE

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with enhanced noradrenergic activity. Animal and human studies demonstrate that noradrenergic stimulation augments consolidation of fear learning. Retrieval of well-established memories by presenting a learned fear cue triggers reconsolidation processes during which memories may be updated, weakened, or strengthened. We previously reported that noradrenergic blockade in the rat amygdala impairs reconsolidation of fear memories. Here we investigated the effects of noradrenergic enhancement on reconsolidation of learned fear.

PMID: 21394851 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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An evidence-based review of the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosocial issues post-spinal cord injury.

Rehabil Psychol. 2011 Feb;56(1):15-25

Authors: Mehta S, Orenczuk S, Hansen KT, Aubut JA, Hitzig SL, Legassic M, Teasell RW,

Systematic review.

PMID: 21401282 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Patient-centered approach to building problem solving skills among older primary care patients: problems identified and resolved.

J Gerontol Soc Work. 2011 Apr;54(3):276-91

Authors: Enguidanos S, Coulourides Kogan A, Keefe B, Geron SM, Katz L

This article describes problems identified by older primary care patients enrolled in Problem Solving Therapy (PST), and explores factors associated with successful problem resolution. PST patients received 1 to 8, 45-min sessions with a social worker. Patients identified problems in their lives and directed the focus of subsequent sessions as consistent with the steps of PST. The 107 patients identified 568 problems, 59% of which were resolved. Most commonly identified problems included health related issues such as need for exercise or weight loss activities, medical care and medical equipment needs, home and garden maintenance, and gathering information on their medical condition. Problems identified by patients were 2.2 times more likely to be solved than those identified by a health care professional. Using PST in primary care may facilitate patients in addressing key health and wellness issues.

PMID: 21462059 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Implementation of feedback-guided voluntary breath-hold gating for cone beam CT-based stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2011 Jul 1;80(3):909-17

Authors: Peng Y, Vedam S, Chang JY, Gao S, Sadagopan R, Bues M, Balter P

To analyze tumor position reproducibility of feedback-guided voluntary deep inspiration breath-hold (FGBH) gating for cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

PMID: 21470784 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Family interventions in early psychosis: specificity and effectiveness.

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2011 Jun;20(2):113-9

Authors: Onwumere J, Bebbington P, Kuipers E

The first episode of psychosis frequently occurs during adolescence and early adulthood, and is associated with high levels of trauma, affective disturbance and suicide. The social networks of service users often decrease significantly following the first onset, although many will remain in close contact with some family members particularly during the early phases. However, the negative impact of psychosis on families and their relationship with the identified service user are well documented. Family intervention is a recommended and evidence-based treatment in later psychosis. In this paper, we review the literature on family interventions in early psychosis in the context of new evidence for its efficacy and its routine incorporation in early intervention services for psychosis.

PMID: 21714356 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Adherence and competence assessment in studies of CBT for psychosis: current status and future directions.

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2011 Jun;20(2):121-6

Authors: Fowler D, Rollinson R, French P

All good quality trials of psychological interventions need to check formally that therapists have used the techniques prescribed in the published therapy manuals, and that the therapy has been carried out competently. This paper reviews methods of assessing adherence and competence used in recent large-scale trials of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for psychosis in the UK carried out by our research groups. A combination of the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale and specific versions of the Cognitive Therapy for Psychosis Adherence Scales provides an optimal assessment of adherence and competence. Careful assessment of the competence and adherence can help identify the procedures actually carried out with individuals within trials. The basic use of such assessments is to provide an external check on treatment fidelity on a sample of sessions. Such assessment can also provide the first step towards moving research towards making sense of CBT for psychosis as a complex intervention and identifying which techniques work for which problems of people with psychosis, at which stages of disorder?

PMID: 21714357 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Treating co-morbid chronic medical conditions and anxiety/depression.

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2011 Jun;20(2):141-50

Authors: Cimpean D, Drake RE

This systematic review examines interventions for care of people with co-morbid chronic medical illness and anxiety/depression disorders–a group with high risks for morbidity and mortality.

PMID: 21714361 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Neuro-imaging of mindfulness meditations: implications for clinical practice.

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2011 Jun;20(2):205-10

Authors: Chiesa A, Brambilla P, Serretti A

PMID: 21714367 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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[Treatment of irritable colon].

Ugeskr Laeger. 2011 May 23;173(21):1521; discussion 1521

Authors: Hansen G

PMID: 21776629 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Comparison of the Efficacy of Two Different Modified Release Methylphenidate Preparations for Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in a Natural Setting: Comparison of the Efficacy of Medikinet(®) Retard and Concerta(®)-a Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Multicenter Clinical Crossover Trial.

J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2011 Jul 26;

Authors: Döpfner M, Ose C, Fischer R, Ammer R, Scherag A

Abstract Objective: The comparison of the efficacy of Medikinet(®) retard and Concerta(®) trial was a multisite, randomized, double-blind, crossover trial that aimed at comparing the effects of two different modified release methylphenidate preparations (Medikinet retard: 50% immediate release (IR); Concerta: 22% IR) in a natural setting across the day in 113 randomized children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (age range 6-16 years). The duration of the study per patient was 3 weeks. Methods: The primary outcome variable was the German version of the “Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham scale” in the first 3 hours of school as assessed by teachers. Results: Medikinet retard with a higher IR component than Concerta (and an equivalent daily dose) was superior to Concerta (p=0.0009), and Medikinet retard with similar IR components in the morning as Concerta (but a lower daily dose) was noninferior to Concerta with regard to the primary outcome. Further, exploratory analyses on teacher and parent ratings on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and on externalizing symptoms during the day revealed no evidence for the superiority of Concerta over Medikinet retard in an equivalent daily dosage throughout the day. Conclusion: Children and adolescents may be treated with a lower daily dose of Medikinet retard (which has a similar IR component as Concerta) without resulting in a clinically relevant worse effect during school time.

PMID: 21790298 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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