| Topic: |
Sociology > Depression |
| User: |
"Bev Thornton" |
| Date: |
05 Jul 2005 01:37:33 AM |
| Object: |
[NEWS] One drug therapy for bipolar disorder - it works |
04 Jul 2005
For the first time, researchers have demonstrated in separate
short-term trials that a single drug therapy may be effective in
treating both the manic and depressive phases of bipolar disorder. The
condition (bipolar I and II) affects approximately 8 million
Americans, who have relied on a combination of drugs to manage their
symptoms, and who remain at high risk of committing suicide because of
the difficulty in treating the disorder.
...
"There was a dramatic response within eight days of beginning
treatment in patients who were symptomatic with bipolar depression,"
says Dr. Calabrese. "About 50% of patients responded quickly to
treatment with Seroquel versus placebo, achieving remission from their
symptoms, with the response lasting through the eighth and last week
of the trial. Seroquel was also twice as effective as placebo in
decreasing suicidal thoughts associated with acute bipolar
depression."
"Patients who respond most positively are probably those who also
exhibit anxiety and agitation," adds Dr. Calabrese. "We are not
certain as to the mechanism of action in the brain, however we know
the drug impacts neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. The most
common side effect is fatigue, so it may not be the best initial
approach in patients who experience significant lethargy as a symptom
of depression."
<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=26884>
--
<bevthornton@despammed.com> Support: <http://www.stophumantraffic.org/>
Your work is to discover your world
and then with all your heart, give yourself to it.
.
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
