The bromo-domain containing protein 1 gene is implicated in the susceptibility to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, confirm findings of an association study. (Source: MedWire News - Psychiatry)MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery 2010; 23: 031-036DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1247855ABSTRACTLower gastrointestinal bleeding is common and can result from several colonic causes including diverticulosis, arteriovenous malformations, ischemia, inflammatory bowel disease, infectious colitis, neoplasm, postpolypectomy, and anastomotic and radiation proctitis. Following resuscitation and evaluation, colonoscopy can be used for diagnosis and treatment. Most physicians prescribe a bowel preparation for their patients. Therapeutic options include injection, coagulation (monopolar or bipolar cautery, argon plasma coagulator), and mechanical (clips, bands, detachable loops) devices.[...]© Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text (Source: Clinics in Col...

(Source: Drugs)

This commentary grows out of an interdisciplinary workshop focused on controversies surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder (BP) in children. Although debate about the occurrence and frequency of BP in children is more than 50 years old, it increased in the mid 1990s when researchers adapted the DSM account of bipolar symptoms to diagnose children. We offer a brief history of the debate from the mid 90s through the present, ending with current efforts to distinguish between a small number of children whose behaviors closely fit DSM criteria for BP, and a significantly larger number of children who have been receiving a BP diagnosis but whose behaviors do not closely fit those criteria. We emphasize one emerging approach, which gives part or all of that larger number of ...

We tested the hypothesis that the presence of AKT1 and AKTIP polymorphisms, target genes that encode key proteins in the signaling of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems, is associated with suicidal behavior in bipolar patients. The subjects were 273 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder I or II (age = 41.4 ± 12.9). TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assays (AKT1: rs2494731, rs3803304, rs3730358, rs10149779, rs2494746, rs1130214 and rs249878; AKTIP: rs9302648 and rs7189819) were used. We found that the AKT1 marker showed an association with suicide attempts (rs1130214, P

The objective burden on caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder is significantly higher than for those with unipolar [straightforward] depression.” Due to the cyclical nature of the illness and the stresses arising from manic and hypomanic episodes, it “causes uncertainty regarding how best to structure family interventions to optimally alleviate burden.” Studies on U.S. caregiver burden in bipolar disorder suggest that the burden is “high and largely neglected.” As well as depression, caregivers can experience poor physical health, low social support, disruption of household routine, financial strain, and can neglect their own health needs. According to Eduard Vieta, MD, and colleagues at the University of Barcelona, Spain, the most burdensome aspects f...MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Researchers suggest that adults with bipolar spectrum disorder often present with co-morbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. (Source: MedWire News - Psychiatry)

It identified anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder in most cases, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

The story of Truehope shows how one person’s persistence can help so many (Source: Alliance for Natural Health)

This week, Dr. Charles Raison offers part two of his answer to the viewer question: Can a 9- or 10-year-old be bipolar? (Source: CNN.com - Health)

A one-page, 27-item questionnaire that is available free online is a valid and effective tool to help primary care doctors screen patients for four common psychiatric illnesses, a study led by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers concludes. Results of the My Mood Monitor (M-3) checklist study are published in the March/April 2010 issue of Annals of Family Medicine... (Source: Bipolar News From Medical News Today)MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Previous observations of distorted self-representation in clinical samples of patients with bipolar disorder may represent a scar of previous depressive or manic episodes rather than act as a predisposing factor, say UK researchers who found no strong evidence of increased distorted self-representation in a sample of BD individuals. (Source: MedWire News - Psychiatry)

Patients with bipolar disorder are at increased risk for behavioral addictions, researchers have found. (Source: MedWire News - Bipolar Disorder)

Purpose: Quantitative analysis of anxiety level in patient groups with generalized and focal, temporal or extratemporal epilepsy. Material and method: Ninety patients (30 with generalized epilepsy, 30 with temporal and 30 with extratemporal epilepsy), and age-matched healthy control subjects were investigated. Anxiety level in all subjects was assessed with Beck Anxiety Inventory. Sheehan Disability Scale was used to determine the functional disability level. Patients with comorbid major depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, progressive neurological disease, alcoholism, and epilepsy associated with mental retardation were excluded. (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)

John Patrick Bedell, who began shooting at Pentagon guards on Thursday and was killed by return fire, had bipolar disorder and had been in and out of treatment for years, according to his family. His mother had notified police in January that her son was mentally ill and had purchased a gun. Some of the news reports I found were careful to point out that people with bipolar disorder are no more likely than others to commit violent crimes, which is a good thing. Many others focus on Bedell's anti-government "rantings" on the internet, as well as the way conservatives and liberals are pointing fingers at each other over the incident. On the other hand, there are editorials like the Kansas City Star's Will 2010 Be Year of the 'Nut Job'?. This was published the day after the shootings, befor...

Conclusion: The ORSM is a useful instrument to help non-professionals who are in regular contact with the patient diagnosed a manic/mixed episode. It thus complements existing rating scales for mania, which are either designed for professionals or are self-rating instruments. (Source: Journal of Affective Disorders)MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Conclusions: Being suicidal may limit response to treatment in depressed major affective disorder patients, independent of diagnosis or overall symptomatic severity. (Source: Journal of Affective Disorders)

Abstract: Background: Despite the high rates of cardiovascular risk factors among people with bipolar disorder, little is known about the incidence of cardiovascular morbidity in this population.Methods: Based upon Ontario, Canada hospital discharge records from April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2006, we constructed a population-based cohort study to assess whether individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (n=5999) would have a significantly greater risk of subsequent readmission with a cardiovascular condition in comparison to a matched population-proxy group of individuals receiving an appendicitis primary diagnosis. A Cox regression procedure was used to estimate group differences in time-to-readmission with a cardiovascular-related diagnosis. Patients were followed for a period up to 4 yea...

Abstract: Background: Asenapine is indicated in adults for acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder with or without psychotic features. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of asenapine in bipolar I disorder.Methods: Adults experiencing manic or mixed episodes were randomized to 3weeks of flexible-dose treatment with sublingual asenapine (day 1: 10mg BID, 5 or 10mg BID thereafter; n=185), placebo (n=98), or oral olanzapine (day 1: 15mg QD, 5–20mg QD thereafter; n=205). Primary efficacy, YMRS total score change from baseline to day 21, was assessed using ANCOVA with last observation carried forward.Results: Mean daily doses were 18.4mg asenapine and 15.9mg olanzapine. Least squares mean...

Abstract: Background: Dysphoric mania is a common and often difficult to treat subset of bipolar mania that is associated with significant depressive symptoms.Objective: This post hoc analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy of ziprasidone in the treatment of depressive and other symptoms in a cohort of patients with dysphoric mania.Methods: Pooled data were examined from two similarly designed, 3-week placebo-controlled trials in acute bipolar mania. Patients scoring ≥2 on at least two items of the extracted Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) met criteria for dysphoric mania and were included in the post hoc analysis. Changes from baseline in symptom scores were evaluated by a mixed-model analysis of covariance.Results: 179 patients with dysphoric mania were included in ...