In a paper in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the researchers reviewed a number of meta-analyses of drug efficacy for both physical and mental illnesses. The researchers found that in general medications for both types of illness were roughly equivalent in their efficacy. However they concluded by saying that while outcome measures can be useful the efficacy of a drug needs to be contextualised by other factors including the severity and natural course of the illness.
In a follow-up study of 4037 people diagnosed with a Myocardial Infarct researchers found that when there was comorbid depression the all-cause mortality was highest compared to the non-depressed group. Importantly when there was insufficient treatment of depression there was a 3.04-fold increase in the risk of mortality compared to people with depression that was treated (Confidence Interval – 95% CI 2.12-4.35). These findings emphasise the importance of both identifying depression and ensuring adequate treatment in this population.
The Alzheimer’s Disease Research Forum has an interesting piece on radiolabelled tracer compounds. Several radiolabelled tracer compounds used in Positron Emission Tomography neuroimaging are being considered by the USA regulatory authority – the FDA – for approval for use in the clinical evaluation of Alzheimer’s Disease. However there has been a vigorous academic debate in the Journal of European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and also in correspondence from many scientists on both sides of the argument. Debates are useful both for stimulating new lines of inquiry in a subject area as well as helping beginners in the field to quickly gain insights and an overview of the subject. In this debate the researchers are focusing on whether the tracer compounds can be effective in the clinical workup of Alzheimer’s Disease. The arguments include a debate on the resolution of the PET scans in relation to the size of the plaques, the use of the compounds in Mild Cognitive Impairment and the specificity of the compounds for their target.
A report by Age UK states that there is a reduction in the social care spending on older adults in the UK with an estimate of a 4.5% reduction in spending by councils. Care services minister Paul Burstow is quoted in this piece as saying that there is sufficient funding to maintain ‘access and eligibility’ and goes on to suggest ways in which this can be met. Age UK have also been reminding people of the importance of older adults keeping their houses warm in the cold weather following a Met Office Cold Alert.
An index of the site can be found here. The page contains links to all of the articles in the blog in chronological order. Twitter: You can follow ‘The Amazing World of Psychiatry’ Twitter by clicking on this link. Podcast: You can listen to this post on Odiogo by clicking on this link (there may be a small delay between publishing of the blog article and the availability of the podcast). It is available for a limited period. TAWOP Channel: You can follow the TAWOP Channel on YouTube by clicking on this link. Responses: If you have any comments, you can leave them below or alternatively e-mail justinmarley17@yahoo.co.uk. Disclaimer: The comments made here represent the opinions of the author and do not represent the profession or any body/organisation. The comments made here are not meant as a source of medical advice and those seeking medical advice are advised to consult with their own doctor. The author is not responsible for the contents of any external sites that are linked to in this blog.
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I have a question.
Is it possible for a person who “has a personality disorder” to be courageous? As in risk his/her own life/safety/security for the benefit of another?
I have another question.
Is it possible that a there is a spectrum that ranges from “normal” to “personality disorder” such that those at the “normal” end exhibit behavior that, except for the fact that amongst the people with home the person spends his/her life consider it normal/acceptable, a large percentage of the population might not? For example politicians who lead us into wars that many see as unjustifiable and that result in the death and injury of many people.
More specifically is it possible for, say, George Bush to be considered someone who has a personality disorder on that spectrum but is not so diagnosed because he lives in the company of people who are similarly positioned?
p
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Lots of good information in your posting, I would like to tweet your post so I can visit again in the near future.
Justin,
Excellent job, well done! You’ve put together a considerable resource for anyone interested in mind evolution, and mind solutions. Thanks for including CorePsych Blog over here, -and do stay tuned for a new project launching soon, a training site for those interested in the specific applications of neuroscience initiatives to add value wherever they are globally: CoreBrain.org. – a project like yours that pulls together mind science and common sense for street applications. Well done!
cp
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Hi Charles
Thanks very much for your generous comments and i’ll be looking forward to your new project!
Justin
There are many types of Personality Disorders. Antisocial/Borderline/Narcissistic and Histrionic Personality Disorders are the most well known and are classically associated with a preoccupation with self rather than others. However personality is complex and it is unlikely that such descriptions would cover all behaviours in all circumstances. There is likely to be a spectrum as you suggest. Elsewhere a Hubris Syndrome has been suggested for use in the political environment although I haven’t kept track of this development. I wouldn’t comment on a specific person as diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical examination and there are a number of factors that would influence behaviours some of which we would be aware of and others which we would not. The issue you raise about the consequences of actions made in these environments for the health of others is an important one though.
Thanks for the information!
Thanks!
Thanks for the reply
p
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Peachy stuff I enjoyed it. Someone else once said: The human mind is like umbrella. It functions best when open.
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