{"title":"Donanemab: The dawn of disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease in Australia.","authors":"Samantha M Loi, Matthew Jy Kang","doi":"10.1177/10398562251355157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562251355157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>On 22 May 2025, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced that the anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody donanemab (Eli Lilly, Kisunla) was approved in Australia for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This has been heralded by some as a breakthrough for the treatment of AD, reflecting a turning point from symptomatic treatments to disease-modifying therapies. Psychiatrists should understand this scientific context, as it underpins both the hope and the limits of what donanemab can achieve. The roll-out of disease-modifying treatment comes with significant challenges but also provides a unique opportunity to improve care for people with AD and other dementias.</p>","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251355157"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144473904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarangan Ketheesan, Vicki Wade, Te-Yu Hung, Kathryn V Roberts
{"title":"Autoimmune neuropsychiatric sequelae of group A streptococcal infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: an overlooked burden?","authors":"Sarangan Ketheesan, Vicki Wade, Te-Yu Hung, Kathryn V Roberts","doi":"10.1177/10398562251351462","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562251351462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveWe highlight two autoimmune neuropsychiatric sequelae of group A streptococcal (GAS) infection that may cause disproportionate levels of psychiatric morbidity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Sydenham's Chorea (SC) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). GAS infections, along with better characterised immune-mediated sequelae such as acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, are highly prevalent in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly in rural and remote communities, yet there is minimal information in the literature about the neuropsychiatric sequelae that might be expected. We suspect that there is an under-recognised burden of disease in these groups and seek to understand reasons for this.ConclusionsA multi-faceted, culturally attuned approach to better characterising and detecting the burden of these two conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is required. Furthermore, larger scale clinical trials examining the efficacy of proposed treatments for SC and PANDAS are required to inform clinical guidelines.</p>","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251351462"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Back to the future: A call to generalism in psychiatry.","authors":"Mathew Coleman, Beatriz Cuesta-Briand","doi":"10.1177/10398562251351507","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562251351507","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionProviding a sustainably resourced medical workforce to meet the healthcare needs of a population is a significant challenge. Drivers of medical workforce issues include an ageing population, increasing chronic disease, skill shortages and workforce maldistribution. In this paper, we consider the imbalance between generalism and specialism in Australia, arguing that generalist positions may better address the current healthcare gaps.Analysis and evidenceWe describe generalism in the broad Australian healthcare system before exploring generalism within psychiatry and reflect on how lessons learned in rural generalist psychiatry can be applied to broader medical workforce reform.DiscussionThe imbalance between specialism and generalism within the mental health workforce across settings must be re-examined given the increased burden of disease and patient complexity. An explicit articulation and recognition of generalism within psychiatry may yield positive results on workforce development and ultimately accessibility of psychiatric services across geographical and service delivery settings.ConclusionAdvocating for generalist psychiatry, alongside general practice, to be at the centre of workforce solutions into the future is more critical than ever. The profession must give generalist psychiatry the recognition it deserves, lift its professional status and prioritise its training before we lose our authority and our social licence.</p>","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251351507"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144309490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Edward Miller, Yoon Kwon Choi, Michael Taran, Allen Huang, Katelyn Tadd, Tristan Bampton, Fiona Wilkes
{"title":"Reflections on challenges and opportunities in attempting a clinical academic career.","authors":"Edward Miller, Yoon Kwon Choi, Michael Taran, Allen Huang, Katelyn Tadd, Tristan Bampton, Fiona Wilkes","doi":"10.1177/10398562251351505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562251351505","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article explores the perspectives and experiences of trainee, trainee-adjacent and early career psychiatrists who are attempting a clinical academic career. Collective views are grouped under five themes - Fostering Agency, Barriers and Setbacks, Mentors and Self Care, Saying Yes to Serendipity, and Stability and Time. Recommendations for those at an individual, clinical service, and College level are considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251351505"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144282299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comorbid ADHD and Bipolar Disorder - An Update.","authors":"Gordon Parker","doi":"10.1177/10398562251351448","DOIUrl":"10.1177/10398562251351448","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveTo note the strong comorbid link between ADHD and the bipolar disorders, consider candidate mechanisms and nominate a preferred management approach.ConclusionsComorbid ADHD and bipolar disorder is distinctly higher than expected if they are independent conditions and their linkage is capable of multiple explanations. In managing such states a sequential approach is favoured, with the bipolar condition being brought under control first before initiating any stimulant medication for the ADHD.</p>","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251351448"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144282298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Margarita M Maramis, Jakobus Gerick Pantouw, Isa Multazam Noor, Andi J Tanra, Pornjira Pariwatcharakul, Nopporn Tantirangsee, Kok Yoon Chee, Win Aung Myint, Tin Oo, Ee-Heok Kua, Tran Van Cuong, Shih-Ku Lin, Yu-Tao Xiang, Yang Shu-Yu, Lian Yu Chen, Tan Chay Hoon, Naotaka Shinfuku, Norman Sartorius, Takahiro A Kato, Kang Sim
{"title":"Antipsychotic prescription pattern in ASEAN: Comparison of antipsychotic prescription formulation and type from REAP-AP4 consortium study.","authors":"Margarita M Maramis, Jakobus Gerick Pantouw, Isa Multazam Noor, Andi J Tanra, Pornjira Pariwatcharakul, Nopporn Tantirangsee, Kok Yoon Chee, Win Aung Myint, Tin Oo, Ee-Heok Kua, Tran Van Cuong, Shih-Ku Lin, Yu-Tao Xiang, Yang Shu-Yu, Lian Yu Chen, Tan Chay Hoon, Naotaka Shinfuku, Norman Sartorius, Takahiro A Kato, Kang Sim","doi":"10.1177/10398562251345320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562251345320","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundTo date, there has not been an evaluation of antipsychotic prescription practices specific to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. This study examined antipsychotic prescription for schizophrenia patients in ASEAN countries based on Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription (REAP) survey.MethodsThis study used data from the fourth REAP antipsychotic survey (REAP-AP4), conducted between March and May 2016 using standardized procedures. In total, 1817 adult schizophrenia patients from six ASEAN countries were analysed.ResultsPrescription formulation was significantly associated with illness duration (<i>G</i> (24) = 150.595, <i>p</i> < .001) and prescribing country (<i>G</i> (20) = 571.423, <i>p</i> < .001). Oral antipsychotic monotherapy was the most common prescription across all illness durations, with a decreasing trend from 3-6 months to 10-20 years. Oral antipsychotic monotherapy was also the most commonly used prescription in almost all countries. The frequency of long-acting injection (LAI)-oral combination antipsychotic prescription increased with the patient's illness duration and is more commonly prescribed in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.ConclusionLAI-oral combination antipsychotics were prescribed more frequently within patients with longer duration of illness in more developed countries. Antipsychotic monotherapy and oral antipsychotic prescriptions were prevalent across all illness durations and in most ASEAN countries.</p>","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251345320"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144282297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Response to: RANZCP Position Statement 46: A missed opportunity to provide sophisticated guidance on asylum seeker and refugee policy.","authors":"Suresh Sundram, Kym Jenkins, Tram Nguyen","doi":"10.1177/10398562251351439","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562251351439","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251351439"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144265183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"'I, robot, can help you'. Applications of Generative Artificial Intelligence in RANZCP psychiatry training.","authors":"Shane Gill, Cherrie Galletly Oam","doi":"10.1177/10398562251344470","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562251344470","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveThe growing availability and sophistication of online generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, necessitates an exploration of their applications within the RANZCP Fellowship Training Program. This article examines how GenAI could be integrated into various areas, including trainee selection, workplace-based assessments, the Scholarly Project (SP), and the Psychotherapy Written Case (PWC). While GenAI offers benefits, trainees must understand that there are limitations on how these can be used with patient data. They should also be aware of the ethical and legal considerations surrounding the use of purpose-built medical scribe programs. For this paper, ChatGPT was employed to enhance language quality, without contributing to content generation.ConclusionThe accessibility and ease of use of GenAI present both opportunities and challenges. Given the limitations of AI detection software, the RANZCP will need to adapt to GenAI rather than attempt to regulate its use. Revisions to assessment methods, particularly those relying on written assignments, will be needed. As this is a rapidly evolving field, training programs should be continually updated to remain relevant.</p>","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251344470"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144246209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Moving away from cosmetic psychiatry and toward eudaimonic psychiatry.","authors":"Brendan Daugherty","doi":"10.1177/10398562251347920","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562251347920","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The concept of cosmetic psychiatry unnecessarily risks polarizing mental health treatment. Traditional psychiatric practice focuses on treating illness, while cosmetic psychiatry aims to enhance well-being in \"healthy\" individuals. This distinction is problematic and stigmatizing, as life enhancement should be accessible to everyone. Eudaimonic psychiatry, which focuses on fostering human flourishing and fulfillment beyond simply addressing mental illness, could serve as a solution. Moving toward this paradigm could help reduce stigma and offer a broader, more humanistic approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251347920"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144232926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A systematic review of the treatments of anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder.","authors":"Humaira Khaleeq, Mohsin Malik, Victoria Harpwood","doi":"10.1177/10398562251346614","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562251346614","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectivesAnxiety symptoms are frequently observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While there is substantial research on treatment options for anxiety in typically developing (TD) children, there is a significant gap in understanding the management of anxiety in children with ASD. The aim of this review is to evaluate the evidence base of current research on various treatments for anxiety in children under 18 years of age with ASD, assess the effectiveness of these interventions, and examine the potential adverse effects associated with these treatment options to inform clinical practice and caregiver decisions.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted using the databases Scopus, PubMed, and MEDLINE. The search employed relevant keywords to identify articles published between 2014 and 2023 (inclusive). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were adhered to throughout the review process.ResultsA total of 33 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Significant heterogeneity was observed in the methodologies of the included studies, including variations in assessment of anxiety, measures of treatment response, treatment duration, and follow-up periods. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) emerged as the most evidence-based treatment for managing anxiety in autistic children. Notably, adapted CBT specifically designed for children with ASD demonstrated superior outcomes compared to standard CBT approaches. There is a notable lack of pharmacological studies addressing anxiety in this population.ConclusionFurther research is essential to address the gaps in treatments available for managing anxiety in autistic children. Moreover, the development of sophisticated and customized anxiety measurement scales specifically designed for autistic children would enhance the validity and reliability of future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":8630,"journal":{"name":"Australasian Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"10398562251346614"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}