Whose job is it to discover and manage patients' sexual concerns? If you believe that you have a role to play, just what is that role and how will you perform it? Sexual disorders are common, yet infrequently diagnosed. A willingness to inquire about sexual function is the most critical diagnostic step for clinicians. Once a problem is discovered, a systematic diagnostic process can uncover etiologic organic and psychogenic factors using customary diagnostic tools, including taking a psychosexual and medical history, comprehensive and focused physical examinations, psychological assessment instruments, laboratory tests, and special procedures.

Neural mechanisms underlying the regulation of ingestive behavior and energy balance are well conserved among mammals. Many neural pathways, each reflecting the function of many genes, interact to regulate these processes. Systematic genetic perturbations are not feasible in humans—the examination of gene functions relevant to feeding regulation must be performed in other species. Many advances in this field have been made through molecular genetic studies of mice, the most genetically tractable of mammalian species. The relevance of mouse ingestive behavior to the mechanisms underlying the regulation of feeding in humans is discussed. Approaches for evaluating the contribution of genes to the regulation of energy balance and to the actions of anorectic drugs are described in the context of studies focused on a line of mice lacking the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor subtype. These animals display reduced responsiveness to serotonergic anorexic drugs and a late-onset obesity syndrome associated with features reminiscent of common forms of human obesity. Developmental studies of energy balance uncovered a novel age-dependent physiological process that may contribute generally to the predisposition of humans and other mammals to accumulate fat stores during “middle-age.” These findings are presented to illustrate considerations in the use of mouse molecular genetic technologies to investigate genetic influences on ingestive behavior and energy balance.

Depression in children and adolescents is relatively common and associated with significant morbidity and mortality—thus, it is strongly deserving of treatment. To date, there have been a number of randomized, controlled trials of both tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the acute treatment of depression in youths. Surprisingly, the available data do not demonstrate TCA superiority over placebo for this disorder in this age group. There is, however, evidence of SSRI superiority to placebo, and longer-term treatment with SSRIs may help prevent recurrence. There is almost no data on other pharmacologic approaches. Effective use of the efficacious treatments also depends on effective case-finding and providing treatment, which families and youths will take in adequate quantity and duration. The right approaches to these aspects of effective treatment are greatly understudied.

The present paper examines the role of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD). A cognitive-behavioral model of SAD is first presented. Different modalities of CBT for SAD are then described, including exposure, cognitive restructuring, relaxation training, and social skills training, and evidence supporting their efficacy is reviewed. The comparative and combined impact of CBT and pharmacotherapeutic interventions is also explored. CBT appears to be an efficacious treatment for SAD. However, the overall efficacy CBT may be increased by closer examination of the active ingredients of treatment. Such analyses may also enable more successful integration of the different CBT techniques and of CBT and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of SAD.

Traditional methods for analyzing trends in longitudinal data have typically emphasized average group change over time. In this article, we propose multilevel, regression-based methods for examining inter-individual differences in intra-individual change and apply these methods to research in trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The outcome or dependent variable of interest is reconceptualized as an index of dynamic change reflecting the trend or trajectory of an individual's PTSD symptom severity scores across time. A basic statistical model is presented, and analyses and findings are demonstrated with an existing database used in previously published studies. The methods offer promise for future study of the natural course of PTSD chronicity or recovery, risk and resilience factors that influence individual growth or decline, and critical timepoints for intervention.

New findings regarding the mechanisms of action of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) have led to novel developments in treatment technique to further improve this highly effective treatment for major depression. These new approaches include novel electrode placements, optimization of electrical stimulus parameters, and new methods for inducing more targeted seizures (eg, magnetic seizure therapy [MST]). MST is the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation to induce a seizure. Magnetic fields pass through tissue unimpeded, providing more control over the site and extent of stimulation than can be achieved with ECT. This enhanced control represents a means of focusing the treatment on target cortical structures thought to be essential to antidepressant response and reducing spread to medial temporal regions implicated in the cognitive side effects of ECT. MST is at an early stage of development. Preliminary results suggest that MST may have some advantages over ECT in terms of subjective side effects and acute cognitive functioning. Studies designed to address the antidepressant efficacy of MST are underway. As with all attempts to improve convulsive therapy technique, the clinical value of MST will need to be established through controlled clinical trials. This article reviews the experience to date with MST, and places this work in the broader context of other means of optimizing convulsive therapy in the treatment of depression.

There is increased recognition that bipolar disorder has an early age of onset. The prevalence of bipolar disorder in prepubertal children has not been determined, however the prevalence in adolescence is ˜1%. Bipolar disorder in children poses a diagnostic challenge since the symptoms may differ from those in late adolescence and adulthood. Comorbid disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, further complicate both the diagnosis and course of the disorder. There is increasing evidence of the chronicity and severity of this disorder in youths. Bipolar disorder significantly disrupts a child's psychosocial development including impairments in academic functioning, family functioning, and relationship with peers. Although this disorder has significant morbidity in children and adolescents, there is a paucity of controlled studies to assess the efficacy and safety of mood stabilizers in the treatment of this disorder in youths. The treatment literature consists largely of case studies, retrospective chart reviews, and open-label studies. There is a compelling need for double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to determine whether commonly used medications to treat this disorder are significantly superior to placebo. Since many children in clinical practice require more than one psychotropic medication to adequately manage this disorder, studies of combination treatments are warranted. This review will provide an overview of the literature of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents, including discussion of the prevalence, diagnosis, epidemiology, course of the illness, and treatment issues.

Antidepressants that primarily target the reuptake of monoamines have been highly successful treatments. However, therapies with these drugs still have several drawbacks, namely severe side effects, delays in the onset of action, and a significant percentage of non-responders. Recently, non-peptidic antagonists of the neurokinin 1 receptor, or substance P antagonists, have emerged as a novel class of drugs with antidepressant efficacy that is comparable to current drugs, but a potentially reduced side effect profile. This review summarizes the pre-clinical evidence derived from pharmacological and transgenic animal studies that suggests an important role for the substance P/neurokinin 1 system in anxiety and depression. Also, potential mechanisms by which substance P antagonists may produce their therapeutic effects are discussed.

Alzheimer's disease represents a significant challenge to the aging population. Since most estimates suggest that AD has a multifactorial etiology, the challenge to find preventative approaches is particularly great. With the aging of the population and the very high incidence from the eighth decade on, the challenge is further enhanced by the need to think of relatively safe interventions given the relative frailty of this elderly population. The need to find safe treatments, or ones with well-understood safety profiles, has led to the examination of known agents for potential dementia-preventing properties. Data supporting these interventions comes from observational studies, laboratory analyses, and clinical trials. Potential mechanisms for prevention of AD include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant approaches. Modulation of risk factors associated with cardiac disease may also reduce the risk of AD. Known agents have been examined for their potential to modify amyloid pathology. Trial designs to address prevention of AD include both primary and secondary prevention studies as well designs to assess slowing disease progression. Information can also be gathered when dementia evaluation is added to ongoing studies. As results from these studies becoming available, we will be able to refine our approach to managing this disease.

The purpose of the research presented in this article was to characterize restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a headache population and correlate treatment induced risks with dopamine blockers. Fifty patients with severe headache who were admitted to an outpatient infusion center were enrolled. The diagnosis of RLS was established using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria. Patients were screened for baseline akathisia using an akathisia scale and reexamined for akathisia after receiving intravenous infusion with one of four dopamine receptor blocking agents as treatment for their headaches. A change from baseline to post-infusion assessment of two points on a global assessment of akathisia was considered positive for drug-induced akathisia. Our results indicated that 41 (82%) of patients had episodic or chronic migraine. The rest had new daily persistent headache, cluster, or posttraumatic headache. Seventeen subjects (34%) met the criteria for RLS. Nineteen (38%) of the subjects developed drug-induced akathisia. Thirteen (76.5%) of the subjects with RLS developed akathisia compared with only 6 of the 33 (18.2%) without RLS (P<.0001). Finally, we concluded that headache patients with RLS are at a greatly increased risk of developing drug-induced akathisia when treated with intravenous dopamine receptor blocking agents.

Is there an association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression? OSA is a common breathing-related sleep disorder. There have been reports that depressive symptoms can be associated with this sleep disorder. A number of investigations have addressed this issue. Although some have found no correlation, most studies have concluded that there is an association between OSA and depressive symptoms. Other investigations have shown that depressive symptoms improve with treatment of OSA, and that untreated OSA may contribute to treatment resistance in some cases of mood disorders. Within the framework of current psychiatric diagnostic criteria, the depressive symptoms associated with OSA can be viewed as a combination of a mood disorder secondary to a primary medical condition and an adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The question of whether OSA causes depressive symptoms can perhaps be best answered by viewing OSA and depression as having certain symptoms that are common to both disorders.

How can neuropsychiatric disorders and syndromes be underdiagnosed and inadequately treated in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus? Depression in particular is among the most prevalent diagnoses and there is a solid foundation of data from controlled clinical studies that has begun to examine the efficacy of various antidepressants in HIV-infected persons. This article summarizes essential findings pertaining to the use of psychotropic medications to treat depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders in the context of immunodeficiency. This includes discussion of clinically significant treatment considerations (eg, efficacy, side effects, drug-drug interactions) derived from the existing literature. Taken together, there is compelling evidence that psychopharmacologic intervention can improve the quality of life of mentally ill HIV-infected individuals.

After providing background information on the definition and nature of generalized anxiety disorder, this article describes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) methods that have been empirically supported in the treatment of this disorder. Subsequent to this description, relevant outcome literature is briefly reviewed, along with evidence that the addition of other techniques beyond traditional CBT methods may be necessary to maximize clinical outcome. A description is then provided of an integrated interpersonal/emotional processing therapy that the authors have recently added to their CBT protocol. CBT with and without this integrated treatment is currently being evaluated in an experimental trial.

What is the current knowledge concerning the pharmacologic treatment of human sexual dysfunction? A number of interventions, including oral phophodiesterase inhibitors and intracorporeal agents with vasodilatory effects, are available to treat male erectile disorder. Serotonergic drugs have been shown to be effective in the treatment of rapid ejaculation. Various lines of research suggest that high dosages of androgenic agents may eventually have a role in the treatment of decreased libido in females. There may be a role for phophodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of a subgroup of women with arousal disorders. Normal sexual function involves successful integration of biological, psychological, and interpersonal influences. Clinical psychiatry with its biopsychosocial model should incorporate the treatment of human sexual dysfunction within its purview.