The Growing Role of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms occur frequently in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Pharmacological treatment of the psychiatric symptoms has been found to be inadequate. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an evidence based form of psychotherapy that is effective in treating a number of psychiatric disorders. In this article we examine the evidence of CBT in treating common psychiatric symptoms seen in PD patients, namely depression, anxiety, insomnia and impulse control behaviors. Most of the studies adapted CBT to address PD related concerns. Caregivers were frequently part of the CBT programs. Among the studies reviewed, randomized controlled trials showed significant effects in treating depression with CBT in PD patients. Studies have also provided preliminary data for effects of CBT on anxiety, impulse-control behaviors and insomnia. There is a need for more well designed studies with sufficient power for CBT to be established as a useful non-pharmacological treatment for psychiatric symptoms in PD.

Cardiometabolic effects of psychotropic medications.

Background Many psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression convey an excess burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The medications used to treat these conditions may further adversely affect cardiovascular risk and exacerbate health disparities for vulnerable populations. There is a clinical need to appreciate the cardiometabolic adverse effects of psychotropic medications. Methods This paper reviews the most relevant cardiometabolic effects of psychotropic medications, organized around the components of metabolic syndrome. When known, the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying any adverse cardiometabolic effects are detailed. Results Many commonly used psychotropic medications, particularly antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and some antidepressants, have been independently associated with cardiometabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance, obesity and dyslipidemia. Stimulants, antidepressants that inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine, some antipsychotics and valproic acid derivatives may also increase blood pressure. Conclusion Understanding, assessing and subsequently managing cardiometabolic complications of psychotropic medications are important to mitigate the excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the clinical populations prescribed psychotropic medications. There is considerable variability in risk between medications and individuals. Timely management of iatrogenic cardiometabolic effects is critical.