New Study Shows SSRI's do not cause suicide - and I can get you the Brooklyn Bridge for cheap!

[Guest guest]

http://nachrichten.boerse.de/anzeige.php3?id=7c39f9aa

New Report Concludes SSRI Antidepressants Do Not Increase Suicidal Behavior in

Youth with Depression

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- SSRI* antidepressants do not increase

the risk of suicidal thinking or suicide attempts in youth, according to a new

report released today by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP).

The report also noted that several SSRIs have been shown to be effective for

treating depression in this population. ACNP appointed a special task force of

the nation's leading scientists in the field to review the available research on

the use of antidepressants and youth under 18 years of age.

" The evidence linking SSRIs to suicide is weak, " said J. Mann, M.D.,

Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia

University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Chief, Department of

Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute. " There are strong lines of

evidence in youth -- from clinical trials, epidemiology and autopsy studies --

that led the ACNP Task Force to conclude that SSRIs do not cause suicide in

youth with depression. "

ACNP established the Task Force after regulatory agencies in the United

States and United Kingdom voiced concerns in 2003 about the possibility that

treatment of depression in children and adolescents with SSRIs may increase the

risk for suicide. The FDA is convening an advisory committee hearing to review

the issue on Feb. 2, 2004.

" The most likely explanation for the episodes of attempted suicide while

taking SSRIs is the underlying depression, not the SSRIs, " said Graham Emslie,

M.D., Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Chief, Division of Child and

Adolescent Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Texas

Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. " The potential benefits of SSRIs outweigh

the risks. "

The ACNP Task Force reviewed clinical trials of more than 2,000 youth and

found that there were no statistically significant increases in suicide

attempts, self-harm, and suicidal thinking related to SSRI use. Importantly,

they found that there were no suicide deaths in any of the trials.

The ACNP Task Force concluded that if anything, the increased use of SSRIs

appears to have lowered the risk of suicide worldwide based on a review of

epidemiology studies from several countries. The group noted that the rate of

youth suicide in 15 countries has declined by an average of 33 percent over the

past 15 years. This period of time coincides with increases in prescribing rates

for SSRIs.

The ACNP Task Force also cited an autopsy study, which suggests that

suicide is more likely when depressed individuals do not take their medication,

rather than when they take it. A study of adolescent suicides found that of the

24 percent who had been prescribed antidepressants, none tested positive for

SSRIs at the time of their death.

The Task Force found several SSRI trials that showed efficacy in treating

depression in youth, while other trials failed to demonstrate efficacy. They

noted that differences in drug effectiveness across clinical trials may be from

differences in methodology and recommended additional study.

The report concluded that another category of antidepressants known as

tricyclics were ineffective in patients under 18 years of age. Other forms of

treatment were found to be not widely available to youth, or insufficient data

were available to support their effectiveness.

Childhood depression is a serious public health problem that carries the

risk of suicide. ACNP urged clinicians to ask depressed patients about suicide,

suicidal thinking, and plans for suicide.

The report also includes research and regulatory recommendations. ACNP

urged that all data held by FDA or pharmaceutical companies should be made

rapidly available to allow ACNP and other research organizations to conduct an

independent evaluation of the risks and benefits of SSRIs in youth and adults

with depression and other mood disorders.

Evidence reviewed includes all published clinical trial data in youth. The

Task Force also obtained and reviewed unpublished data from several drug

companies and data reported to the United Kingdom's drug regulatory agency.

" The Task Force emphasizes that its findings and recommendations are

preliminary, " said Mann. " While ACNP reviewed all published data and some

unpublished data, it does not have access to a substantial amount of data

available to the FDA or to pharmaceutical companies. "

The full version of the ACNP Task Force report will be released in the

spring or early summer of 2004. For a copy of the executive summary of

preliminary findings, visit http://www.acnp.org/ or call Betsy Murrett at

202-745- 5107.

Members of the Task Force include: Graham Emslie, M.D., Co-Chair of the

ACNP Task Force and Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and

Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at

Dallas; J. Mann, M.D., Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Professor of

Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Chief,

Department of Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute;

Beardslee, M.D., Psychiatrist-in-Chief and Chair, Children's Hospital Department

of Psychiatry, Professor of Child Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Jan

Fawcett, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, ACNP member;

Leon, Ph.D., Professor of Biostatistics in Psychiatry and Professor of

Public Health Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Herbert Meltzer,

M.D., Professor of Psychiatry & Pharmacology, Director Division of

Psychopharmacology, President, Collegium Internationale

Neuropsychopharmacologicum, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, ACNP member;

Fredrick Goodwin, M.D., Research Professor of Psychiatry and Director,

Psychopharmacology Research Center, Washington University, ACNP member;

Shaffer, M.D., Professor of Child Psychiatry, and Professor of Psychiatry

and Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons,

Director, Division of Child Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute;

Wagner M.D., Ph.D., Director, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,

Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,

University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, ACNP member; and Neal , M.D.,

Professor of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, University of

Pittsburgh, ACNP member.

ACNP, founded in 1961, is a professional organization of more than 700

leading scientists, including four Nobel Laureates. The mission of ACNP is to

further research and education in neuropsychopharmacology and related fields in

the following ways: promoting the interaction of a broad range of scientific

disciplines of brain and behavior in order to advance the understanding of

prevention and treatment of disease of the nervous system including psychiatric,

neurological, behavioral and addictive disorders; encouraging scientists to

enter research careers in fields related to these disorders and their treatment;

and ensuring the dissemination of relevant scientific advances.

ACNP is a non-profit, professional society with revenues from a variety of

sources including membership dues, publication sales, registration fees, and

unrestricted educational grants from the pharmaceutical industry. The ACNP Task

Force on SSRIs and Suicide was supported solely by the ACNP. There was no

financial support from the pharmaceutical industry for this Task Force. * SSRIs

or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a widely used category of

antidepressants, which includes such drugs as fluoxetine (Prozac®) and

paroxetine (Paxil®).American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

CONTACT: Betsy Murrett, +1-202-745-5107, or Sharon Reis,+1-202-745-5103,

both for the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

Web site: http://www.acnp.org

21.01.2004 15:39

©PRNewswire

Jim - Norman

" Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. "

Strauss

[Guest guest]

http://nachrichten.boerse.de/anzeige.php3?id=7c39f9aa

New Report Concludes SSRI Antidepressants Do Not Increase Suicidal Behavior in

Youth with Depression

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- SSRI* antidepressants do not increase

the risk of suicidal thinking or suicide attempts in youth, according to a new

report released today by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP).

The report also noted that several SSRIs have been shown to be effective for

treating depression in this population. ACNP appointed a special task force of

the nation's leading scientists in the field to review the available research on

the use of antidepressants and youth under 18 years of age.

" The evidence linking SSRIs to suicide is weak, " said J. Mann, M.D.,

Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia

University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Chief, Department of

Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute. " There are strong lines of

evidence in youth -- from clinical trials, epidemiology and autopsy studies --

that led the ACNP Task Force to conclude that SSRIs do not cause suicide in

youth with depression. "

ACNP established the Task Force after regulatory agencies in the United

States and United Kingdom voiced concerns in 2003 about the possibility that

treatment of depression in children and adolescents with SSRIs may increase the

risk for suicide. The FDA is convening an advisory committee hearing to review

the issue on Feb. 2, 2004.

" The most likely explanation for the episodes of attempted suicide while

taking SSRIs is the underlying depression, not the SSRIs, " said Graham Emslie,

M.D., Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Chief, Division of Child and

Adolescent Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Texas

Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. " The potential benefits of SSRIs outweigh

the risks. "

The ACNP Task Force reviewed clinical trials of more than 2,000 youth and

found that there were no statistically significant increases in suicide

attempts, self-harm, and suicidal thinking related to SSRI use. Importantly,

they found that there were no suicide deaths in any of the trials.

The ACNP Task Force concluded that if anything, the increased use of SSRIs

appears to have lowered the risk of suicide worldwide based on a review of

epidemiology studies from several countries. The group noted that the rate of

youth suicide in 15 countries has declined by an average of 33 percent over the

past 15 years. This period of time coincides with increases in prescribing rates

for SSRIs.

The ACNP Task Force also cited an autopsy study, which suggests that

suicide is more likely when depressed individuals do not take their medication,

rather than when they take it. A study of adolescent suicides found that of the

24 percent who had been prescribed antidepressants, none tested positive for

SSRIs at the time of their death.

The Task Force found several SSRI trials that showed efficacy in treating

depression in youth, while other trials failed to demonstrate efficacy. They

noted that differences in drug effectiveness across clinical trials may be from

differences in methodology and recommended additional study.

The report concluded that another category of antidepressants known as

tricyclics were ineffective in patients under 18 years of age. Other forms of

treatment were found to be not widely available to youth, or insufficient data

were available to support their effectiveness.

Childhood depression is a serious public health problem that carries the

risk of suicide. ACNP urged clinicians to ask depressed patients about suicide,

suicidal thinking, and plans for suicide.

The report also includes research and regulatory recommendations. ACNP

urged that all data held by FDA or pharmaceutical companies should be made

rapidly available to allow ACNP and other research organizations to conduct an

independent evaluation of the risks and benefits of SSRIs in youth and adults

with depression and other mood disorders.

Evidence reviewed includes all published clinical trial data in youth. The

Task Force also obtained and reviewed unpublished data from several drug

companies and data reported to the United Kingdom's drug regulatory agency.

" The Task Force emphasizes that its findings and recommendations are

preliminary, " said Mann. " While ACNP reviewed all published data and some

unpublished data, it does not have access to a substantial amount of data

available to the FDA or to pharmaceutical companies. "

The full version of the ACNP Task Force report will be released in the

spring or early summer of 2004. For a copy of the executive summary of

preliminary findings, visit http://www.acnp.org/ or call Betsy Murrett at

202-745- 5107.

Members of the Task Force include: Graham Emslie, M.D., Co-Chair of the

ACNP Task Force and Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and

Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at

Dallas; J. Mann, M.D., Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Professor of

Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Chief,

Department of Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute;

Beardslee, M.D., Psychiatrist-in-Chief and Chair, Children's Hospital Department

of Psychiatry, Professor of Child Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Jan

Fawcett, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, ACNP member;

Leon, Ph.D., Professor of Biostatistics in Psychiatry and Professor of

Public Health Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Herbert Meltzer,

M.D., Professor of Psychiatry & Pharmacology, Director Division of

Psychopharmacology, President, Collegium Internationale

Neuropsychopharmacologicum, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, ACNP member;

Fredrick Goodwin, M.D., Research Professor of Psychiatry and Director,

Psychopharmacology Research Center, Washington University, ACNP member;

Shaffer, M.D., Professor of Child Psychiatry, and Professor of Psychiatry

and Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons,

Director, Division of Child Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute;

Wagner M.D., Ph.D., Director, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,

Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,

University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, ACNP member; and Neal , M.D.,

Professor of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, University of

Pittsburgh, ACNP member.

ACNP, founded in 1961, is a professional organization of more than 700

leading scientists, including four Nobel Laureates. The mission of ACNP is to

further research and education in neuropsychopharmacology and related fields in

the following ways: promoting the interaction of a broad range of scientific

disciplines of brain and behavior in order to advance the understanding of

prevention and treatment of disease of the nervous system including psychiatric,

neurological, behavioral and addictive disorders; encouraging scientists to

enter research careers in fields related to these disorders and their treatment;

and ensuring the dissemination of relevant scientific advances.

ACNP is a non-profit, professional society with revenues from a variety of

sources including membership dues, publication sales, registration fees, and

unrestricted educational grants from the pharmaceutical industry. The ACNP Task

Force on SSRIs and Suicide was supported solely by the ACNP. There was no

financial support from the pharmaceutical industry for this Task Force. * SSRIs

or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a widely used category of

antidepressants, which includes such drugs as fluoxetine (Prozac®) and

paroxetine (Paxil®).American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

CONTACT: Betsy Murrett, +1-202-745-5107, or Sharon Reis,+1-202-745-5103,

both for the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

Web site: http://www.acnp.org

21.01.2004 15:39

©PRNewswire

Jim - Norman

" Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. "

Strauss

[Guest guest]

http://nachrichten.boerse.de/anzeige.php3?id=7c39f9aa

New Report Concludes SSRI Antidepressants Do Not Increase Suicidal Behavior in

Youth with Depression

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- SSRI* antidepressants do not increase

the risk of suicidal thinking or suicide attempts in youth, according to a new

report released today by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP).

The report also noted that several SSRIs have been shown to be effective for

treating depression in this population. ACNP appointed a special task force of

the nation's leading scientists in the field to review the available research on

the use of antidepressants and youth under 18 years of age.

" The evidence linking SSRIs to suicide is weak, " said J. Mann, M.D.,

Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia

University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Chief, Department of

Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute. " There are strong lines of

evidence in youth -- from clinical trials, epidemiology and autopsy studies --

that led the ACNP Task Force to conclude that SSRIs do not cause suicide in

youth with depression. "

ACNP established the Task Force after regulatory agencies in the United

States and United Kingdom voiced concerns in 2003 about the possibility that

treatment of depression in children and adolescents with SSRIs may increase the

risk for suicide. The FDA is convening an advisory committee hearing to review

the issue on Feb. 2, 2004.

" The most likely explanation for the episodes of attempted suicide while

taking SSRIs is the underlying depression, not the SSRIs, " said Graham Emslie,

M.D., Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Chief, Division of Child and

Adolescent Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Texas

Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. " The potential benefits of SSRIs outweigh

the risks. "

The ACNP Task Force reviewed clinical trials of more than 2,000 youth and

found that there were no statistically significant increases in suicide

attempts, self-harm, and suicidal thinking related to SSRI use. Importantly,

they found that there were no suicide deaths in any of the trials.

The ACNP Task Force concluded that if anything, the increased use of SSRIs

appears to have lowered the risk of suicide worldwide based on a review of

epidemiology studies from several countries. The group noted that the rate of

youth suicide in 15 countries has declined by an average of 33 percent over the

past 15 years. This period of time coincides with increases in prescribing rates

for SSRIs.

The ACNP Task Force also cited an autopsy study, which suggests that

suicide is more likely when depressed individuals do not take their medication,

rather than when they take it. A study of adolescent suicides found that of the

24 percent who had been prescribed antidepressants, none tested positive for

SSRIs at the time of their death.

The Task Force found several SSRI trials that showed efficacy in treating

depression in youth, while other trials failed to demonstrate efficacy. They

noted that differences in drug effectiveness across clinical trials may be from

differences in methodology and recommended additional study.

The report concluded that another category of antidepressants known as

tricyclics were ineffective in patients under 18 years of age. Other forms of

treatment were found to be not widely available to youth, or insufficient data

were available to support their effectiveness.

Childhood depression is a serious public health problem that carries the

risk of suicide. ACNP urged clinicians to ask depressed patients about suicide,

suicidal thinking, and plans for suicide.

The report also includes research and regulatory recommendations. ACNP

urged that all data held by FDA or pharmaceutical companies should be made

rapidly available to allow ACNP and other research organizations to conduct an

independent evaluation of the risks and benefits of SSRIs in youth and adults

with depression and other mood disorders.

Evidence reviewed includes all published clinical trial data in youth. The

Task Force also obtained and reviewed unpublished data from several drug

companies and data reported to the United Kingdom's drug regulatory agency.

" The Task Force emphasizes that its findings and recommendations are

preliminary, " said Mann. " While ACNP reviewed all published data and some

unpublished data, it does not have access to a substantial amount of data

available to the FDA or to pharmaceutical companies. "

The full version of the ACNP Task Force report will be released in the

spring or early summer of 2004. For a copy of the executive summary of

preliminary findings, visit http://www.acnp.org/ or call Betsy Murrett at

202-745- 5107.

Members of the Task Force include: Graham Emslie, M.D., Co-Chair of the

ACNP Task Force and Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and

Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at

Dallas; J. Mann, M.D., Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Professor of

Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Chief,

Department of Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute;

Beardslee, M.D., Psychiatrist-in-Chief and Chair, Children's Hospital Department

of Psychiatry, Professor of Child Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Jan

Fawcett, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, ACNP member;

Leon, Ph.D., Professor of Biostatistics in Psychiatry and Professor of

Public Health Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Herbert Meltzer,

M.D., Professor of Psychiatry & Pharmacology, Director Division of

Psychopharmacology, President, Collegium Internationale

Neuropsychopharmacologicum, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, ACNP member;

Fredrick Goodwin, M.D., Research Professor of Psychiatry and Director,

Psychopharmacology Research Center, Washington University, ACNP member;

Shaffer, M.D., Professor of Child Psychiatry, and Professor of Psychiatry

and Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons,

Director, Division of Child Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute;

Wagner M.D., Ph.D., Director, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,

Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,

University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, ACNP member; and Neal , M.D.,

Professor of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, University of

Pittsburgh, ACNP member.

ACNP, founded in 1961, is a professional organization of more than 700

leading scientists, including four Nobel Laureates. The mission of ACNP is to

further research and education in neuropsychopharmacology and related fields in

the following ways: promoting the interaction of a broad range of scientific

disciplines of brain and behavior in order to advance the understanding of

prevention and treatment of disease of the nervous system including psychiatric,

neurological, behavioral and addictive disorders; encouraging scientists to

enter research careers in fields related to these disorders and their treatment;

and ensuring the dissemination of relevant scientific advances.

ACNP is a non-profit, professional society with revenues from a variety of

sources including membership dues, publication sales, registration fees, and

unrestricted educational grants from the pharmaceutical industry. The ACNP Task

Force on SSRIs and Suicide was supported solely by the ACNP. There was no

financial support from the pharmaceutical industry for this Task Force. * SSRIs

or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a widely used category of

antidepressants, which includes such drugs as fluoxetine (Prozac®) and

paroxetine (Paxil®).American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

CONTACT: Betsy Murrett, +1-202-745-5107, or Sharon Reis,+1-202-745-5103,

both for the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

Web site: http://www.acnp.org

21.01.2004 15:39

©PRNewswire

Jim - Norman

" Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. "

Strauss

[Guest guest]

http://nachrichten.boerse.de/anzeige.php3?id=7c39f9aa

New Report Concludes SSRI Antidepressants Do Not Increase Suicidal Behavior in

Youth with Depression

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- SSRI* antidepressants do not increase

the risk of suicidal thinking or suicide attempts in youth, according to a new

report released today by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP).

The report also noted that several SSRIs have been shown to be effective for

treating depression in this population. ACNP appointed a special task force of

the nation's leading scientists in the field to review the available research on

the use of antidepressants and youth under 18 years of age.

" The evidence linking SSRIs to suicide is weak, " said J. Mann, M.D.,

Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia

University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Chief, Department of

Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute. " There are strong lines of

evidence in youth -- from clinical trials, epidemiology and autopsy studies --

that led the ACNP Task Force to conclude that SSRIs do not cause suicide in

youth with depression. "

ACNP established the Task Force after regulatory agencies in the United

States and United Kingdom voiced concerns in 2003 about the possibility that

treatment of depression in children and adolescents with SSRIs may increase the

risk for suicide. The FDA is convening an advisory committee hearing to review

the issue on Feb. 2, 2004.

" The most likely explanation for the episodes of attempted suicide while

taking SSRIs is the underlying depression, not the SSRIs, " said Graham Emslie,

M.D., Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Chief, Division of Child and

Adolescent Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Texas

Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. " The potential benefits of SSRIs outweigh

the risks. "

The ACNP Task Force reviewed clinical trials of more than 2,000 youth and

found that there were no statistically significant increases in suicide

attempts, self-harm, and suicidal thinking related to SSRI use. Importantly,

they found that there were no suicide deaths in any of the trials.

The ACNP Task Force concluded that if anything, the increased use of SSRIs

appears to have lowered the risk of suicide worldwide based on a review of

epidemiology studies from several countries. The group noted that the rate of

youth suicide in 15 countries has declined by an average of 33 percent over the

past 15 years. This period of time coincides with increases in prescribing rates

for SSRIs.

The ACNP Task Force also cited an autopsy study, which suggests that

suicide is more likely when depressed individuals do not take their medication,

rather than when they take it. A study of adolescent suicides found that of the

24 percent who had been prescribed antidepressants, none tested positive for

SSRIs at the time of their death.

The Task Force found several SSRI trials that showed efficacy in treating

depression in youth, while other trials failed to demonstrate efficacy. They

noted that differences in drug effectiveness across clinical trials may be from

differences in methodology and recommended additional study.

The report concluded that another category of antidepressants known as

tricyclics were ineffective in patients under 18 years of age. Other forms of

treatment were found to be not widely available to youth, or insufficient data

were available to support their effectiveness.

Childhood depression is a serious public health problem that carries the

risk of suicide. ACNP urged clinicians to ask depressed patients about suicide,

suicidal thinking, and plans for suicide.

The report also includes research and regulatory recommendations. ACNP

urged that all data held by FDA or pharmaceutical companies should be made

rapidly available to allow ACNP and other research organizations to conduct an

independent evaluation of the risks and benefits of SSRIs in youth and adults

with depression and other mood disorders.

Evidence reviewed includes all published clinical trial data in youth. The

Task Force also obtained and reviewed unpublished data from several drug

companies and data reported to the United Kingdom's drug regulatory agency.

" The Task Force emphasizes that its findings and recommendations are

preliminary, " said Mann. " While ACNP reviewed all published data and some

unpublished data, it does not have access to a substantial amount of data

available to the FDA or to pharmaceutical companies. "

The full version of the ACNP Task Force report will be released in the

spring or early summer of 2004. For a copy of the executive summary of

preliminary findings, visit http://www.acnp.org/ or call Betsy Murrett at

202-745- 5107.

Members of the Task Force include: Graham Emslie, M.D., Co-Chair of the

ACNP Task Force and Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and

Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at

Dallas; J. Mann, M.D., Co-Chair of the ACNP Task Force and Professor of

Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Chief,

Department of Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute;

Beardslee, M.D., Psychiatrist-in-Chief and Chair, Children's Hospital Department

of Psychiatry, Professor of Child Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Jan

Fawcett, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, ACNP member;

Leon, Ph.D., Professor of Biostatistics in Psychiatry and Professor of

Public Health Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Herbert Meltzer,

M.D., Professor of Psychiatry & Pharmacology, Director Division of

Psychopharmacology, President, Collegium Internationale

Neuropsychopharmacologicum, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, ACNP member;

Fredrick Goodwin, M.D., Research Professor of Psychiatry and Director,

Psychopharmacology Research Center, Washington University, ACNP member;

Shaffer, M.D., Professor of Child Psychiatry, and Professor of Psychiatry

and Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons,

Director, Division of Child Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute;

Wagner M.D., Ph.D., Director, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,

Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,

University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, ACNP member; and Neal , M.D.,

Professor of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, University of

Pittsburgh, ACNP member.

ACNP, founded in 1961, is a professional organization of more than 700

leading scientists, including four Nobel Laureates. The mission of ACNP is to

further research and education in neuropsychopharmacology and related fields in

the following ways: promoting the interaction of a broad range of scientific

disciplines of brain and behavior in order to advance the understanding of

prevention and treatment of disease of the nervous system including psychiatric,

neurological, behavioral and addictive disorders; encouraging scientists to

enter research careers in fields related to these disorders and their treatment;

and ensuring the dissemination of relevant scientific advances.

ACNP is a non-profit, professional society with revenues from a variety of

sources including membership dues, publication sales, registration fees, and

unrestricted educational grants from the pharmaceutical industry. The ACNP Task

Force on SSRIs and Suicide was supported solely by the ACNP. There was no

financial support from the pharmaceutical industry for this Task Force. * SSRIs

or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a widely used category of

antidepressants, which includes such drugs as fluoxetine (Prozac®) and

paroxetine (Paxil®).American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

CONTACT: Betsy Murrett, +1-202-745-5107, or Sharon Reis,+1-202-745-5103,

both for the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

Web site: http://www.acnp.org

21.01.2004 15:39

©PRNewswire

Jim - Norman

" Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. "

Strauss