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Increased Suicide Risk from Antiepileptic Drugs

October 2nd,2009

Beginning in 2008, the FDA began notifying clinicians of the potential of antiepileptic drugs to increase suicide risk and earlier in 2009 issued a public health advisory notifying the public of this increased risk. Also, the FDA is mandating that manufacturers of antiepileptic drugs change the labeling of their meds, adding this risk to the Warnings section of the drug insert.

  

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Informed Consent for the Boards

October 1st,2009

The concept of Informed Consent comes up on board exams in many specialties, including psychiatry and neurology ones.

    

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The Underutilized Anti-Depressant “Wonder Drug”

September 18th,2009

Today’s post is about an antidepressant augmenter that can lead to incredibly powerful responses and yet, that is NEVER used by a majority of psychiatrists. What drug am I referring to? It is T3 or triiodothyronine.

  

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Stroop Color & Word Test

April 28th,2008

Here is the second article in a series of on neuropsychological tests that assess frontal lobe function. The Stroop Color & Word Test is based on this simple but powerful realization.

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Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

April 23rd,2008

As psychiatrists, we often use the MMSE to screen for cognitive dysfunction. The problem with the MMSE is that it does not assess frontal lobe functions. To assess those function we must turn to other instruments. Today I explain the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. This information is pertinent for the Psychiatry Part 1 exam, the Geriatric Certifying and MOC exam, and to a lesser extent the CAP Part 1 and MOC exams.

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Depression & Diabetes: The Bidirectional Relationship

March 11th,2008

Did you know that diabetes mellitus increases risk for depression? Yes, it’s true. Read more on the bidirectional relationship between these two disorders. It’ll hold you in good stead on your board exam.

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HIV / AIDS Issues on Your Board Exam II

February 29th,2008

Here is the second article in the series. I cover the cognitive disorders associated with HIV / AIDS. Let me repeat: this is a topic pertinent to any and every Psychiatry board exam. Let’s get going.

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Study Suggestions & Resources

February 25th,2008

I’ve received a ton of questions on study suggestions and resources. Here are my recommendations and links to some great free resources (including my Med Quik Guide).

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HIV / AIDS Issues on Your Board Exam

February 22nd,2008

Today, I provide you with a primer on HIV / AIDS. This topic is assessed on the Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 (MOC) boards as well as on many if not all of the subspecialty board exams. Here is the first of two posts on the HIV / AIDS fundamentals you need to know for your exam.

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