The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry
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Aust N Z J Psychiatry · Jul 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyTreating anxiety and depression in young adults: A randomised controlled trial comparing clinician-guided versus self-guided Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy.
Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy may increase access by young adults to evidence-based treatments for anxiety and depression. ⋯ These results indicate the potential of carefully developed Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy interventions for young adults with anxiety and depression provided in either self or therapist-guided format. Further large-scale research is required to determine the short- and long-term advantages and disadvantages of different models of support.
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Aust N Z J Psychiatry · Aug 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyMindfulness-based cognitive therapy for recurrent depression: A translational research study with 2-year follow-up.
While mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing depressive relapse/recurrence over 12-18 months, questions remain around effectiveness, longer-term outcomes, and suitability in combination with medication. The aim of this study was to investigate within a pragmatic study design the effectiveness of MBCT on depressive relapse/recurrence over 2 years of follow-up. ⋯ This work in a pragmatic design with an active control condition supports the effectiveness of MBCT in something closer to implementation in routine practice than has been studied hitherto. As expected in this translational research design, observed effects were less strong than in some previous efficacy studies but appreciable and significant differences in outcome were detected. MBCT is most clearly demonstrated as effective for people receiving specialist care and seems to work well combined with antidepressants.
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Aust N Z J Psychiatry · Apr 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyMetabolite profiles in the anterior cingulate cortex of depressed patients differentiate those taking N-acetyl-cysteine versus placebo.
Increased oxidative stress is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD), which is in part due to diminished levels of glutathione, the primary anti-oxidant of the brain. Oral administration of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) replenishes glutathione and has therefore been shown to reduce depressive symptoms. Proton magnetic spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) that allows quantification of brain metabolites pertinent to both MDD and oxidative biology may provide some novel insights into the neurobiological effects of NAC, and in particular metabolite concentrations within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) are likely to be important given the key role of this region in the regulation of affect. ⋯ The finding of higher Glx and NAA levels being predictive of the NAC group provides preliminary support for the putative anti-oxidative role of NAC in MDD.
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Aust N Z J Psychiatry · Mar 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in combination with citalopram in young patients with first-episode major depressive disorder: a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial.
To evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) started with citalopram in first-episode young major depressive patients. ⋯ RTMS accelerated the rapidity of the antidepressant response in first-episode young depressive patients. Our results call for future rTMS studies with larger sample sizes, high intensity of stimuli, and longer duration to draw more definitive conclusions.
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Aust N Z J Psychiatry · Feb 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialTherapeutic effects of cerebrolysin added to risperidone in patients with schizophrenia dominated by negative symptoms.
Cerebrolysin is a nootropic drug with unique neurotrophic activities directly affecting cerebral neurons. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of cerebrolysin added to risperidone in patients with schizophrenia dominated by negative symptoms. ⋯ Cerebrolysin added to risperidone did not augment the efficacy of risperidone in treating the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia patients over an 8-week trial. Cerebrolysin at 30 ml per day as an adjunctive treatment was safe and may improve cognitive and memory functions of patients with schizophrenia dominated by negative symptoms.