I express my deep concern about vandalistic acts against the Euthanasia memorial in Salzburg. It was erected in memory of those who were murdered by the Nazi regime because their lives were deemed „unworthy“.

At that time, doctors actively and passively helped in deportations and, ultimately, executions.

Today we live in a free and democratic society that guarantees basic civil liberties including life and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Attacking the memorial against the atrocious extinction of „life deemd untworthy by a self-proclaimed elite“ is an attack against the center and very heart and foundation of Austria’s society.
http://www.stadt-salzburg.at/internet/service/aktuell/aussendungen/2014/wieder_schandtat_euthanasie_mahnmal_im_k_404388.htm

Cynical Mistrust seems to be linked to a  increased risk   for dementia – even after controlling for other risk factors and „substracting“ those factors statistically.
A high level of cynical distrust — for example, believing that no one cares much what happens to you and that it’s safer not to trust anybody — was associated with a threefold risk of developping symptoms of dementia in elderly patients.
The original article can be found here:
http://neurology.org/lookup/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000000528
and a commented article about the Research:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/825822?nlid=58143_2052&src=wnl_edit_medn_psyc&uac=97338BZ&spon=12
(requires Login credentials)

The effectiveness of restarted lithium treatment after discontinuation: reviewing the evidence for discontinuation-induced refractoriness.

A recent Meta-Analysis found no convincing evidence for reduced efficacy of ltihium treatment in patients who had discontinued lithium medication and were then reinitiated with the same therapy compared to those who had contninously taken lithium.

This finding contradicts an old psychiatric “myth”  which suggested that “lithium does not work/ does not work as well in patients who have before discontinued the treatment.

Source:

PLoS One. Published online July 17, 2013. Full article
and: MedScapePsychiatry

Scientists believe they have identified a metabolic signature that may help determine response to antidepressant treatment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Weiterlesen →

In the US,  public commercials for psychiatric drugs are permitted.

This is – not yet – the case in Austria.

Here are some US- examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlMm6XpHs94
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGymr78FtbU

Do you think that this kind of commercial should be legal in the European Union, maybe as a consequence of the  transatlantic freetrade area between the EU and the USA?

This webpages comes with high recommendations for critical thinkers in the field of
psychopharmacology. Just to make it clear: I advocate the use of psychopharmacological medication when needed; But not without good information.

Not all of the information on the following link may correspond to all of my own perceptions, but following different leads is always a good idea when you want to make up your mind:
http://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage

Source:

International Congress of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) 2013. Presented July 5, 2013.

A new compound named Suvorexant – based on  neurotransmitters called orexins – is in the pipeline. It is currently developped by Merck. The FDA have reviewed the product, and, according to my understanding, given partial approval, with the exception that the dosage suggestions/recommendations  should be revised and lower doses should be reinforced.

A statement  by Merck can be found here.

Comment: Many sleeping pills have a definite risk of abuse, drug tolerance and addiction.
Any new approach without these unwanted side effects or drugs that may be potentially helpful in patients with insomnia and who have failed to respond to current treatment, would be highly welcome.

Source:
Sanofi Aventis

+43 1 801 85 0
service.at@sanofi.com

Myolastan (Tetrazepam)  is a Benzodiazepin used for muscle relaxation – mostly in low back pain.
Current data seem to suggest a risk of – sometimes severe – skin reactions (rashes). Weiterlesen →