Joseph Albeck | Harvard Medical School (original) (raw)
Papers by Joseph Albeck
Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1994
Journal of studies on alcohol, Jul 1, 1987
American Journal of Psychotherapy, Jul 1, 1991
Codocumentation requires both patient and therapist to dictate their respective summaries of trea... more Codocumentation requires both patient and therapist to dictate their respective summaries of treatment sessirms i n each other's presence. Such joint authorship oJ progress notes promotes bidirectional feedback, which can reduce both patient and therapist contributions to misunderstandings between them. Implications for psychotherapy research, training, supervision, and risk management are discussed.
European Psychiatry, 2010
Introduction: Patients treated with olanzapine may experience substantial weight gain. This may r... more Introduction: Patients treated with olanzapine may experience substantial weight gain. This may result in metabolic abnormalities and contributes to lack of compliance. Recent findings indicate that the weight gain associated with Olanzapine is mediated by hypothalamic blockade of the Histamine H1 Receptor. Betahistine (Histalean ™) is a centrally acting Histamine 1 receptor agonist used for the treatment of vertigo. We herein report the effect of Betahistine on Olanzapine induced weight gain. Aims: To evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics of this drug combination. Methods: 48 healthy women were randomized in a double blinded manner to receive Betahistine 144 mg/day or matching placebo. One week later, all subjects began 3 weeks Olnazapine (7.5 mg or 10 mg/day) treatment period. Results: Overall the combined treatment was well tolerated. No difference was observed between treatment and placebo groups in adverse events rate or type. In the ITT population, the average weight gain in the Betahistine group was 1.2±1.3 Kg and 1.9 ± 0.9 Kg in the placebo group (p=0.0489). 52% of the placebo group gained more than 2.0 Kg versus only 23% in the treatment group (p= 0.043). Conclusions: These results indicate that Betahistine is safe and effective in preventing Olanzapine associated weight gain.
Journal of Psychopharmacology, Feb 2, 2016
Olanzapine’s efficacy in schizophrenia is attributed to antagonism of dopamine and serotonin rece... more Olanzapine’s efficacy in schizophrenia is attributed to antagonism of dopamine and serotonin receptors. Olanzapine is also a potent histamine-H1 antagonist that results in weight gain and somnolence. Betahistine is a centrally acting histamine-H1 agonist, and therefore may reduce olanzapine’s effect on histamine receptors in the brain. Olanzapine’s high affinity for the histamine-H1 receptor warrants the use of high doses of betahistine. Forty-eight healthy women were recruited and randomized to receive either betahistine 144 mg/day or matching placebo for 4 weeks. Due to the high dose of betahistine, olanzapine was started only on the second week and titrated up to 10 mg/day, and co-administration continued for an additional 2 weeks. Only nominal differences in adverse events were noted between the treatment groups. Betahistine caused a 37% reduction in mean weight gain (1.24 kg in the betahistine arm vs. 1.93 kg in the placebo arm; p=.049) and 60% reduction in the mean increase in daytime Epworth sleepiness scores (1.82 units in the betahistine group vs. 3.57 units in the placebo group; p=.042). The present study suggests that betahistine–olanzapine co-administration, in healthy female subjects, yields an acceptable safety profile with mitigation of weight gain and somnolence. This should be further tested in a patient cohort.
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Oct 1, 1992
Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, Dec 1, 2002
This article describes how telling the story of one's personal experiences in a small group compr... more This article describes how telling the story of one's personal experiences in a small group comprised of members from opposing sides of intractable conflicts can help work through some of the ongoing intergenerational effects of violence. The concept of "working through," which underlies the rationale for using this method, is reviewed. This story-telling approach was developed by the members of TRT (To Reflect and Trust). It was initially composed of German descendants of Nazi perpetrators and Jewish descendants of Holocaust survivors. The original members met annually for 4 to 6 days at a time, and in recent years have been joined by others actively working to reduce tensions in the current conflict areas of Northern Ireland, South Africa, and Palestine-Israel. The guidelines for dialogue work in such groups which have evolved from the TRT encounters are presented and discussed, with examples of how they have been adapted for use in the Northern Ireland and Palestinian-Israeli contexts.
Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1996
Psychiatric Services, Jun 1, 2000
The study examined psychiatrists' referrals to and support for participation in self-help groups ... more The study examined psychiatrists' referrals to and support for participation in self-help groups by people with mood disorders. Massachusetts and Michigan psychiatrists with a special interest in patients with mood disorders were surveyed; the 278 respondents represented a 78 percent response rate. About threefourths of the psychiatrists reported that they made referrals to and felt knowledgeable about self-help groups. However, less than half had self-help literature available or discussed self-help groups with their patients. Beliefs that a patient would gain a better understanding of the illness and would receive support after an episode of illness were positively related to support for self-help. Beliefs that the program was inappropriate and that it lacked professional oversight were negatively related. (Psychiatric Services 51:809-811, 2000)
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 2011
© 2009 The Guilford Press A Division of Guilford Publications, Inc. 72 Spring Street, New York, N... more © 2009 The Guilford Press A Division of Guilford Publications, Inc. 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012 www. guilford. com Part IV, Treatment Guidelines,© 2009 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, ...
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2016
Abstract Patients with schizophrenia experience higher rates of obesity and related morbidity and... more Abstract Patients with schizophrenia experience higher rates of obesity and related morbidity and mortality than the general population does. Given preclinical studies revealing the role of histamine H1 receptor in human eating behavior, and the potential of olanzapine to block with this system, we hypothesized that histamine H1 receptor agonists may be beneficial in reducing antipsychotic-associated weight gain. In the present study, 36 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and treated with olanzapine were randomized to betahistine (48 mg/d) or matching placebo for 16 weeks. Study outcomes were change in body weight from baseline and effect on antipsychotic efficacy of olanzapine. The patients in the betahistine group had less weight gain (−1.95 kg) compared with placebo group (5.6 + 5.5 kg vs 6.9 + 5.6 kg, respectively). Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Questionnaire showed improvement within each group and that subjects treated with betahistine enjoyed an improvement (reduction) by a mean of 35.7 points, higher when compared with placebo subjects who had a reduction of 26.6 points (P = 0.233). An almost equal amount of subjects in both groups experienced adverse effects during the course of this study (87.5% of betahistine vs 85.0% of placebo-treated subjects). Overall, there were no clinically marked differences in safety signals between both groups. A larger study addressing the weaknesses of this pilot study is warranted.
Although little is known about self-help attendance among cocaine dependent patients, clinicians ... more Although little is known about self-help attendance among cocaine dependent patients, clinicians frequently recommend this treatment. Cocaine dependent patients (519) entering a psychotherapy study were therefore surveyed regarding their recent self-help group attendance and participation. During the previous week, 34% had attended a self-help group. Of self-help attenders who actively participated, 55% initiated abstinence within the next month, compared with 40'%1 of non-attenders and 38% of non-participating attenders (P < 0.01). These findings support the potential short-term positive prognostic significance of self-help attendance and participation in cocaine dependent patients.
American Journal of Psychotherapy
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2016
Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2016
Olanzapine&amp;amp;amp;#39;s efficacy in schizophrenia is attributed to antagonism of dop... more Olanzapine&amp;amp;amp;#39;s efficacy in schizophrenia is attributed to antagonism of dopamine and serotonin receptors. Olanzapine is also a potent histamine-H1 antagonist that results in weight gain and somnolence. Betahistine is a centrally acting histamine-H1 agonist, and therefore may reduce olanzapine&amp;amp;amp;#39;s effect on histamine receptors in the brain. Olanzapine&amp;amp;amp;#39;s high affinity for the histamine-H1 receptor warrants the use of high doses of betahistine. Forty-eight healthy women were recruited and randomized to receive either betahistine 144 mg/day or matching placebo for 4 weeks. Due to the high dose of betahistine, olanzapine was started only on the second week and titrated up to 10 mg/day, and co-administration continued for an additional 2 weeks. Only nominal differences in adverse events were noted between the treatment groups. Betahistine caused a 37% reduction in mean weight gain (1.24 kg in the betahistine arm vs. 1.93 kg in the placebo arm; p=.049) and 60% reduction in the mean increase in daytime Epworth sleepiness scores (1.82 units in the betahistine group vs. 3.57 units in the placebo group; p=.042). The present study suggests that betahistine-olanzapine co-administration, in healthy female subjects, yields an acceptable safety profile with mitigation of weight gain and somnolence. This should be further tested in a patient cohort.
Data Revues 09249338 V25ss1 S0924933810715741, 2010
The Heroin Stimulus, 1979
Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1994
Journal of studies on alcohol, Jul 1, 1987
American Journal of Psychotherapy, Jul 1, 1991
Codocumentation requires both patient and therapist to dictate their respective summaries of trea... more Codocumentation requires both patient and therapist to dictate their respective summaries of treatment sessirms i n each other's presence. Such joint authorship oJ progress notes promotes bidirectional feedback, which can reduce both patient and therapist contributions to misunderstandings between them. Implications for psychotherapy research, training, supervision, and risk management are discussed.
European Psychiatry, 2010
Introduction: Patients treated with olanzapine may experience substantial weight gain. This may r... more Introduction: Patients treated with olanzapine may experience substantial weight gain. This may result in metabolic abnormalities and contributes to lack of compliance. Recent findings indicate that the weight gain associated with Olanzapine is mediated by hypothalamic blockade of the Histamine H1 Receptor. Betahistine (Histalean ™) is a centrally acting Histamine 1 receptor agonist used for the treatment of vertigo. We herein report the effect of Betahistine on Olanzapine induced weight gain. Aims: To evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics of this drug combination. Methods: 48 healthy women were randomized in a double blinded manner to receive Betahistine 144 mg/day or matching placebo. One week later, all subjects began 3 weeks Olnazapine (7.5 mg or 10 mg/day) treatment period. Results: Overall the combined treatment was well tolerated. No difference was observed between treatment and placebo groups in adverse events rate or type. In the ITT population, the average weight gain in the Betahistine group was 1.2±1.3 Kg and 1.9 ± 0.9 Kg in the placebo group (p=0.0489). 52% of the placebo group gained more than 2.0 Kg versus only 23% in the treatment group (p= 0.043). Conclusions: These results indicate that Betahistine is safe and effective in preventing Olanzapine associated weight gain.
Journal of Psychopharmacology, Feb 2, 2016
Olanzapine’s efficacy in schizophrenia is attributed to antagonism of dopamine and serotonin rece... more Olanzapine’s efficacy in schizophrenia is attributed to antagonism of dopamine and serotonin receptors. Olanzapine is also a potent histamine-H1 antagonist that results in weight gain and somnolence. Betahistine is a centrally acting histamine-H1 agonist, and therefore may reduce olanzapine’s effect on histamine receptors in the brain. Olanzapine’s high affinity for the histamine-H1 receptor warrants the use of high doses of betahistine. Forty-eight healthy women were recruited and randomized to receive either betahistine 144 mg/day or matching placebo for 4 weeks. Due to the high dose of betahistine, olanzapine was started only on the second week and titrated up to 10 mg/day, and co-administration continued for an additional 2 weeks. Only nominal differences in adverse events were noted between the treatment groups. Betahistine caused a 37% reduction in mean weight gain (1.24 kg in the betahistine arm vs. 1.93 kg in the placebo arm; p=.049) and 60% reduction in the mean increase in daytime Epworth sleepiness scores (1.82 units in the betahistine group vs. 3.57 units in the placebo group; p=.042). The present study suggests that betahistine–olanzapine co-administration, in healthy female subjects, yields an acceptable safety profile with mitigation of weight gain and somnolence. This should be further tested in a patient cohort.
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Oct 1, 1992
Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, Dec 1, 2002
This article describes how telling the story of one's personal experiences in a small group compr... more This article describes how telling the story of one's personal experiences in a small group comprised of members from opposing sides of intractable conflicts can help work through some of the ongoing intergenerational effects of violence. The concept of "working through," which underlies the rationale for using this method, is reviewed. This story-telling approach was developed by the members of TRT (To Reflect and Trust). It was initially composed of German descendants of Nazi perpetrators and Jewish descendants of Holocaust survivors. The original members met annually for 4 to 6 days at a time, and in recent years have been joined by others actively working to reduce tensions in the current conflict areas of Northern Ireland, South Africa, and Palestine-Israel. The guidelines for dialogue work in such groups which have evolved from the TRT encounters are presented and discussed, with examples of how they have been adapted for use in the Northern Ireland and Palestinian-Israeli contexts.
Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1996
Psychiatric Services, Jun 1, 2000
The study examined psychiatrists' referrals to and support for participation in self-help groups ... more The study examined psychiatrists' referrals to and support for participation in self-help groups by people with mood disorders. Massachusetts and Michigan psychiatrists with a special interest in patients with mood disorders were surveyed; the 278 respondents represented a 78 percent response rate. About threefourths of the psychiatrists reported that they made referrals to and felt knowledgeable about self-help groups. However, less than half had self-help literature available or discussed self-help groups with their patients. Beliefs that a patient would gain a better understanding of the illness and would receive support after an episode of illness were positively related to support for self-help. Beliefs that the program was inappropriate and that it lacked professional oversight were negatively related. (Psychiatric Services 51:809-811, 2000)
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 2011
© 2009 The Guilford Press A Division of Guilford Publications, Inc. 72 Spring Street, New York, N... more © 2009 The Guilford Press A Division of Guilford Publications, Inc. 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012 www. guilford. com Part IV, Treatment Guidelines,© 2009 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, ...
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2016
Abstract Patients with schizophrenia experience higher rates of obesity and related morbidity and... more Abstract Patients with schizophrenia experience higher rates of obesity and related morbidity and mortality than the general population does. Given preclinical studies revealing the role of histamine H1 receptor in human eating behavior, and the potential of olanzapine to block with this system, we hypothesized that histamine H1 receptor agonists may be beneficial in reducing antipsychotic-associated weight gain. In the present study, 36 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and treated with olanzapine were randomized to betahistine (48 mg/d) or matching placebo for 16 weeks. Study outcomes were change in body weight from baseline and effect on antipsychotic efficacy of olanzapine. The patients in the betahistine group had less weight gain (−1.95 kg) compared with placebo group (5.6 + 5.5 kg vs 6.9 + 5.6 kg, respectively). Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Questionnaire showed improvement within each group and that subjects treated with betahistine enjoyed an improvement (reduction) by a mean of 35.7 points, higher when compared with placebo subjects who had a reduction of 26.6 points (P = 0.233). An almost equal amount of subjects in both groups experienced adverse effects during the course of this study (87.5% of betahistine vs 85.0% of placebo-treated subjects). Overall, there were no clinically marked differences in safety signals between both groups. A larger study addressing the weaknesses of this pilot study is warranted.
Although little is known about self-help attendance among cocaine dependent patients, clinicians ... more Although little is known about self-help attendance among cocaine dependent patients, clinicians frequently recommend this treatment. Cocaine dependent patients (519) entering a psychotherapy study were therefore surveyed regarding their recent self-help group attendance and participation. During the previous week, 34% had attended a self-help group. Of self-help attenders who actively participated, 55% initiated abstinence within the next month, compared with 40'%1 of non-attenders and 38% of non-participating attenders (P < 0.01). These findings support the potential short-term positive prognostic significance of self-help attendance and participation in cocaine dependent patients.
American Journal of Psychotherapy
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2016
Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2016
Olanzapine&amp;amp;amp;#39;s efficacy in schizophrenia is attributed to antagonism of dop... more Olanzapine&amp;amp;amp;#39;s efficacy in schizophrenia is attributed to antagonism of dopamine and serotonin receptors. Olanzapine is also a potent histamine-H1 antagonist that results in weight gain and somnolence. Betahistine is a centrally acting histamine-H1 agonist, and therefore may reduce olanzapine&amp;amp;amp;#39;s effect on histamine receptors in the brain. Olanzapine&amp;amp;amp;#39;s high affinity for the histamine-H1 receptor warrants the use of high doses of betahistine. Forty-eight healthy women were recruited and randomized to receive either betahistine 144 mg/day or matching placebo for 4 weeks. Due to the high dose of betahistine, olanzapine was started only on the second week and titrated up to 10 mg/day, and co-administration continued for an additional 2 weeks. Only nominal differences in adverse events were noted between the treatment groups. Betahistine caused a 37% reduction in mean weight gain (1.24 kg in the betahistine arm vs. 1.93 kg in the placebo arm; p=.049) and 60% reduction in the mean increase in daytime Epworth sleepiness scores (1.82 units in the betahistine group vs. 3.57 units in the placebo group; p=.042). The present study suggests that betahistine-olanzapine co-administration, in healthy female subjects, yields an acceptable safety profile with mitigation of weight gain and somnolence. This should be further tested in a patient cohort.
Data Revues 09249338 V25ss1 S0924933810715741, 2010
The Heroin Stimulus, 1979