Including Laboratory Tests in DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria

Michael B. First, M.D. and Mark Zimmerman, M.D. write in the December issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry:

Despite widespread acceptance that most psychiatric disorders are "diseases of the brain" (1), the field of psychiatry has thus far failed to identify a single neurobiological marker that is diagnostic of a mental disorder (2). There are a number of potential advantages to including laboratory tests in diagnostic criteria. In contrast to the clinical signs and symptoms that form the basis for the current DSM criteria, laboratory tests are more objective (3), would facilitate detection of mental disorders in primary care settings (4), and would highlight the neurobiological basis of psychiatric disorders.

Are complementary and alternative therapies safe and effective?

Read what the Canadian Health Network has to say by clicking here.

Some recent publications ...

... of possible interest:


DSM and the Death of Phenomenology in America: An Example of Unintended Consequences.
Nancy C. Andreasen, Schizophrenia Bulletin, doi:10.1093/schbul/sbl054.


The Search for New Off-Label Indications for Antidepressant, Antianxiety, Antipsychotic and Anticonvulsant Drugs.
Guy Chouinard, M.D., Focus 4:528, September 2006.


Middle and Inferior Temporal Gyrus Gray Matter Volume Abnormalities in First-Episode Schizophrenia: An MRI Study.
Noriomi Kuroki, M.D., et al., American Journal of Psychiatry 163:2103-2110, December 2006.


What Is Familial About Familial Bipolar Disorder? Resemblance Among Relatives Across a Broad Spectrum of Phenotypic Characteristics.
Thomas G. Schulze, M.D., et al., Archives of General Psychiatry, 2006; 63:1368-1376.


Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: Compendium 2006.
American Psychiatric Association.


Postpartum Depression: A Major Public Health Problem.
Katherine L. Wisner, MD, MS; Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH; Dorothy K. Y. Sit, MD, Journal of the American Medical Association, 2006; 296:2616-2618.


Modeling Sensitization to Stimulants in Humans: An [11C]Raclopride/Positron Emission Tomography Study in Healthy Men.
Isabelle Boileau, PhD, et al., Archives of General Psychiatry, 2006; 63:1386-1395.

Nicotine Receptor Agonist Could Aid Smoking Cessation

Joan Arehart-Treichel writes in the December 1, 2006 issue of Psychiatric News:

Counseling, CBT, and nicotine patches can help schizophrenia patients who want to quit smoking. However, other interventions — such as a nicotinic receptor agonist called DMXB-A — may work even better.

References:
Am J Psychiatry 163:1934-1942, November 2006
Am J Psychiatry 163:11, November 2006

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