Faculty Bibliography

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as zidovudine, didanosine, lamivudine, and stavudine have all been associated with precipitating mania. Presents a case report of abacavir sulfate-induced mania in a 47-year-old man infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Aripiprazole is an atypical neuroleptic indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. A potent dopamine partial agonist, aripiprazole acts as an antagonist at dopamine (D)2 receptors under hyperdopaminergic conditions and as a D2 agonist under hypodopaminergic conditions. It has been theorized that dopamine partial agonists may be able to stabilize the dopaminergic system without inducing a hypodopaminergic state, thereby reducing the risk of side effects associated with pure blockade of 'dopamine receptors. In addition to these effects, aripiprazole also acts as a partial agonist at serotonin (5-HT)-sub(1A) and as an antagonist at 5-HT-sub(2A) receptors. Aripiprazole has a low incidence of clinically significant weight gain and hyperlipidemia.

This column presents a case of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in which the transdermal--but not the oral--formulation of selegiline was effective.

Pica, defined as the ingestion of nonfood items, likely represents a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Predisposing factors include developmental disabilities, seizure disorders, depression, and OCD. Medication treatments for pica include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, carbamazepine, and haloperidol. The following is a report on the successful use of the aminoketone norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, bupropion, for the treatment of chronic, persistent, severe nicotine-craving pica in a developmentally disabled adult. (journal abstract)

Rabbit syndrome is characterized by involuntary, rapid, fine, rhythmic vertical movements of the perioral muscles resembling the chewing movements of a rabbit. It usually occurs after long-term treatment with antipsychotics, including atypicals such as risperidone. Historically, rabbit syndrome has been reported with a variety of neuroleptic agents but not with other classes of psychotropic medications. Usually, patients with rabbit syndrome manifest other Parkinsonian signs such as rigidity, bradykinesia, or tremor. Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant agent that blocks catecholamine reuptake and directly stimulates the release of dopamine and norepinephrine. The following is the first published report of rabbit syndrome in association with the use of methylphenidate in an 8-year-old male with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (journal abstract)

Baclofen, the Upsilon -aminobutyric acid (GABA)-sub(B) agonist muscle relaxant, has been commonly used to treat muscle spasms associated with various neurologic conditions including spinal injury, hemi-facial spasm, multiple sclerosis, trigeminal neuralgia, and neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesias. The usual dosage ranges from 10-200 mg/day. While baclofen is generally well tolerated, adverse effects are not uncommon, especially when higher doses are used. The following is a report of psychosis associated with use of therapeutic doses of baclofen.