TITLE
Antidepressant Paxil Is Unsafe for Teenagers, New Analysis Says
DESCRIPTION
Of interest for Psychology in the news is that a number of studies have been retracted due to either failures in replication, reanalysis of data, or outright fraud. The study that reassessed the use of Paxil in adolescence has found that it is not only ineffective (compared to placebo groups) but that the negative side effects include suicidal ideation and other serious negative behaviors (acting out violently). From the article: “Fourteen years ago, a leading drug maker published a study showing that the antidepressant Paxil was safe and effective for teenagers. On Wednesday, a major medical journal posted a new analysis of the same data concluding that the opposite is true.”
This article can be used for class in two ways: either in a discussion of psychopharmacology and/or ethics and replication of experimental studies. There is much in the brief article that would be useful for class discussion regarding the application of principles (and misapplication) to published studies. There is also a link in the article to scientific studies (including Psychology) that have been retracted due to reanalysis of data and lack of replication as well as fraud.
SOURCE
New York Times, September 16, 2015, by Benedict Carey
LINK TO RESOURCE
(shortened URL) http://tinyurl.com/psqhvvj
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•What are the principles of good scientific research?
•How does the role of replication play a part in what is considered good research?
•(higher level) What are the stakes involved in fraudulent reporting of results?
•As relates to psychopharmacology: what have been the trends in prescribing medications to adolescents and children?
•As relates to psychopharmacology: How do these medications interact with the brain and neurotransmitters? (in particular the SSRI meds)
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