April 1999
Bulletin Issue 8
(for int

ernal circulation to members only)

Antidepressant Therapy – Challenges in the Next Millennium

Friday, 26 Feb 99

A CME lecture on "Antidepressant Therapy – Challenges in the Next Millenium" was jointly conducted by the Singapore Psychiatric Association and the Chapter of Psychiatrists, Academy of Medicine on the 26^th February 1999 at the Goodwood Park Hotel.

Dr Ng Li-Ling, President of SPA, chaired the session which saw Dr Calvin Fones, Asst Professor, National University of Singapore giving an interesting lecture on current antidepressant treatment and Dr James M Ferguson, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry from the University of Utah offering new treatment options to deal with these problems. Dr Low Bee Lee, Consultant Psychiatrist, Tan Tock Seng Hospital; Dr Peh Lai Huat, Consultant Psychiatrist, Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre and Dr Tay Liam Kai, Consultant Psychiatrist, Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre also participated as expert panelists to explore further treatment strategies to deal with the common problems of anxiety, sleep and sexual dysfunction in the depressed patient respectively.

In his lecture, Dr Calvin Fones talked about the quest for a better antidepressant that offers faster onset of action, enhanced efficacy in more than two-thirds of patients and improved safety and tolerance. He also shared his clinical experiences with nefazadone, an antidepressant that seemed to work quicker without causing sexual dysfunction.

Dr Ferguson further elaborated on the clinical profile of this novel drug belonging to a new class of antidepressants called the Serotonin Receptor Modulators (SRM). He pointed out that by virtue of nefazadone’s unique 5-HT₂ blockade and serotonin re-uptake, it offers the advantage of rapid and powerful anxiolysis, sleep normalization and lack of sexual dysfunction which may occur when using SSRIs and SNRIs. He also pointed out nefazadone’s lack of anti-histaminergic effects eg sedation and weight gain that is a problem with many other antidepressants.

The expert panelists participated actively with Dr Low Bee Lee suggesting that nefazadone may be useful as a monotherapy for depression with co-morbid anxiety. Dr Peh Lai Huat also affirmed with his own clinical experience that it offers the patients optimum sleep without causing over-sedation. Dr Tay Liam Kai also reiterated that the complaint of sexual dysfunction with the SSRIs locally are on the increase as patients are now becoming more forthcoming about mentioning sexual adverse effects.

All in all, the event offered the audience an update on current antidepressant therapy and the new treatment options that have arisen.

CALL FOR PAPERS SPA-AM Combined Scientific Meeting Saturday & Sunday, 5 & 6 June 1999 Venue: College of Medicine Time: Saturday afternoon and Sunday Chair: Dr Yap Hwa Ling Further details available from the Academy of Medicine, Chapter of Psychiatrists.

9th Scientific Meeting of the Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists 3-6 October, 1999, Seoul, Korea Theme: Challenges in a Changing World – New Directions for Psychiatry in the 21st Century Abstract Submission: May 31, 1999 Registration forms and details available from Dr Francis Ngui.

Invitation: American Psychiatric Association Meeting 1999 15 – 20 May 99 Venue: Washington DC Sponsorship by Pfizer and partial-sponsorship by GlaxoWellcome for two government psychiatrists is available. Please send in your applications by end-April.

Part-Time Training Courses in Psychotherapy Starting in July 1999, the NUS Graduate School of Medical Studies will launch a series of part-time courses in psychotherapy for those working in the medical and non-medical helping professions. Social workers, psychologists, counsellors in various settings, doctors and psychiatrists will benefit from the theoretical and practical training provided by local experienced mental health professionals as well as invited international experts in psychotherapy. Course on "Introduction to Psychotherapy" (12-week part-time course in the evenings, including 24 lectures in 3 modules on fundamentals of individual psychotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy Fee: $600 (inclusive of course lectures, notes and light refreshments) Registration closing date: 29 May 1999 Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy (1 year part-time course) Fee: $4,500 Registration closing date: 30 Apr 1999 For information brochure and applications forms, please contact John at: Graduate School of Medical Studies National University of Singapore Lower Kent Ridge Road Singapore 119074 Tel: 8743306; Fax: 7731462; E-mail: pmdgen5@nus.edu.sg