Jeffrey P. Kahn – författare

For many years, experiments using chimpanzees have been instrumental in advancing scientific knowledge and have led to new medicines to prevent life-threatening and debilitating diseases. However, recent advances in alternate research tools have rendered chimpanzees largely unnecessary as research subjects. The Institute of Medicine, in collaboration with the National Research Council, conducted an in-depth analysis of the scientific necessity for chimpanzees in NIH-funded biomedical and behavioral research. The committee concludes that while the chimpanzee has been a valuable animal model in the past, most current biomedical research use of chimpanzees is not necessary, though noted that it is impossible to predict whether research on emerging or new diseases may necessitate chimpanzees in the future.

Rare diseases, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, affect up to 30 million people in the United States and at least 300 million across the globe. Congress called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to sponsor a National Academies study on processes for evaluating the safety and efficacy of drugs for rare diseases or conditions in the United States and the European Union. The resulting report provides recommendations for enhancing and promoting rare disease drug development by improving engagement with people affected by a rare disease, advancing regulatory science, and fostering collaboration between FDA and the European Medicines Agency.

A counterintuitive and novel approach to the long-sought goal of subtyping schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders emerges from ongoing research.? Five psychosis associated anxiety and depressive subtypes each help define five corresponding psychosis diagnoses, their fixed false beliefs, and most importantly, their treatments.��

These anxiety and depressive comorbidities have long been long overlooked as an understandable hodgepodge of distressing symptoms caused by the pain of psychosis.? But these five comorbidities usually precede onset of the psychosis, and their treatment can significantly improve outcome. So, maybe, the causation is the other way around: maybe they are among the underlying contributors to schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.��

The chapter authors expertly detail the data supporting this innovative approach.? They provide fictional case studies, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, specific interviewing approaches for the five comorbidities in psychosis patients, and improved treatment options.? Other chapters explore psychoses related to substance use, medical illness and medical treatment, as well as other factors that contribute to psychotic disorders.�

This first-of-its-kind reference is a valuable clinical, educational, research and training resource for psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, neurologists and anyone interested in the care and treatment of someone with a psychotic disorder.