Interrater reliability and internal consistency of the SCID-II 2.0 was assessed in a sample of 231 consecutively admitted in- and outpatients using a pairwise interview design, with randomized rater pairing and blind interview assessment. Interrater reliability coefficients ranged from .48 to .98 for categorical diagnosis (Cohen kappa), and from .90 to .98 for dimensional judgements (Intraclass correlation coefficient). Internal consistency coefficients were satisfactory (.71-.94). The results suggest that the SCID-II 2.0 has adequate interrater and internal consistency reliability.

Olanzapine/fluoxetine combination may be an effective treatment for bipolar I mixed depression. Statistically, the efficacy of OFC was not significantly different from that of olanzapine, but inspection of the 95% CI showed a trend in favor of a possible superiority of OFC. Supporting the study findings are the similar efficacy of OFC in bipolar mixed depression independent of the number of concurrent manic/hypomanic symptoms, a lower dropout rate, and a similarly low switching rate compared to olanzapine. Contrary to other current limited evidence, an antidepressant (fluoxetine) showed efficacy and did not worsen bipolar mixed depression if combined with a mood-stabilizing agent (olanzapine).

Our results show a major finding that repeated, but not single, Duloxetine treatment increases the level of BDNF in the prefrontal cortex.

Background: Fluoxetine was the first molecule of a new generation of antidepressants, the Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). It is recurrently the paradigm for the development of any new therapy in the treatment of depression. Many controlled studies and meta-analyses were performed on Fluoxetine, to improve the understanding of its real impact in the psychiatric area. The main objective of this review is to assess the quality and the results reported in the metaanalyses published on Fluoxetine.

The patient population of this observational trial was representative of the patients changing their therapy for bipolar disorder seen in clinical practice in Italy. Lack of adherence to pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorder is a serious issue, which is more likely to arise in alcohol users and patients with severe symptoms, negative attitude towards medication and/or initiation of treatment early in life. The findings could lead to a more adequate approach of adherence in patients with bipolar disorders.