psychopharmacology Research Articles

‘Sticky’ gene may help Valium calm nerves

Neuroscience NewsOctober 11, 2019

A new study challenges existing theories about how benzodiazepines, such as valium, work to calm nerves. Researchers report a 'sticky' gene called Shisa7 plays a critical role in the regulation of inhibitory neural circuits, and the sedative effects benzodiazepines have on circuit activity.... Read More...

FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology7 min read

This shows an older man opening a bottle of pills

Number of depressed over-65s unchanged but antidepressant use soars

Neuroscience NewsOctober 7, 2019

The proportion of those aged 65 and older prescribed antidepressants has more than doubled over two decades, from 4.2% in the 90s to 10.7% in twenty years later. However, the prevalence of depression among the age group has dropped since the 90s from 7.9% to 6.8%.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology6 min read

Common antidepressant may not reduce depression symptoms, but does reduce anxiety

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 20, 2019

Sertraline (Zoloft), a commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressant, may not be as effective at treating depression within 6 weeks as previously thought. However, the drug is effective for treating anxiety symptoms. ... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology8 min read

Psychedelic drugs: would you accept a prescription? It depends if you’ve tried them before

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 1, 2019

Numerous studies have linked controlled psychedelics to improvements in mental health conditions such as depression and PTSD. In March, the FDA approved Esketamine as a treatment for depression. However, with much stigma surrounding psychedelics, researchers question how many patients would take psychedelic medications if prescribed to them. According to a new study, 40% of people with no experience of psychedelics would be unlikely to take the prescription due to fears of 'brain damage' or a 'bad trip'.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology6 min read

Ketamine isn’t an opioid and treats depression in a unique way

Neuroscience NewsJuly 31, 2019

A new study clarifies the mechanism behind how ketamine works as an antidepressant. Researchers say there is evidence to suggest ketamine binds to NMDA receptors, instead of opioid receptors. Reducing the belief that ketamine is an opioid may make patients with depression more open to using the treatment.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology5 min read

Improved mood and focus reported by microdosers

Neuroscience NewsJuly 15, 2019

Microdosing, a growing trend where people take small doses for psychedelic drugs, is associated with improved mood, focus, and creativity. For some, microdosing may provide a possible alternative to SSRI antidepressants. However, researchers warn of some potential problems with microdosing, including negative side effects, psychological stigma, and exposure to elicit, black market products.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology5 min read

How a popular antidepressant drug could rewire the brain

Neuroscience NewsJuly 10, 2019

Fluoxetine rearranges nerve fibers in the hippocampus of mice, a new study reports. ... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology3 min read

This shows a person with pills in their hand

Common antidepressants interact with opioid med to lessen pain relief

Neuroscience NewsJune 25, 2019

SSRI antidepressants, such as Prozac and Paxil, interact with opioid medications to make them less effective at providing relief from chronic pain. Tramadol relies on activation of the CYP2D6 enzyme to control pain, but SSRIs inhibit this enzyme. Researchers suggest prescribing different classes of antidepressants which do not suppress the enzyme may benefit those in need of opioid medications. Alternatively, non-opioid pain killers should be considered for those who can not switch from SSRIs.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology6 min read

Safe to breastfeed while on bipolar meds? Jury’s still out

Neuroscience NewsJune 10, 2019

Previous research into the effects of lithium exposure via breastmilk are poorly designed and sparse, researchers report. Until more research is done, mothers and babies should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for lithium continuation, as discontinuing the medication could pose a significant risk for both child and parent.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology5 min read

This shows a diagram of how the drug works

Diabetes drug alleviates anxiety in mice

Neuroscience NewsJune 3, 2019

Metformin, a common diabetes medication, shows promise for the treatment of anxiety and depression.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology4 min read

This shows two heads with a psychedelic background

‘Ecstasy’ shows promise for post-traumatic stress treatment

Neuroscience NewsMay 30, 2019

MDMA shows promise for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Combining the use of Ecstasy with psychotherapy treatments resulted in a reduction of PTSD symptoms after just one session. 54% of the study participants no longer met the PTSD criteria after two sessions. Patients also reported improvements in depression symptoms.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology5 min read

Study supports effectiveness of new fast-acting antidepressant, esketamine nasal spray

Neuroscience NewsMay 21, 2019

Esketamine combined with antidepressants acts rapidly to help alleviate symptoms in those with treatment-resistant depression.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology6 min read

News

The difference between an expert’s brain and a novice’s

At what point does click-bait susceptibility become a mental health disorder?

How humans’ sense of ‘intuitive physics’ leaves fingerprints on fictional worlds

Neuroscience

The difference between an expert’s brain and a novice’s

At what point does click-bait susceptibility become a mental health disorder?

How humans’ sense of ‘intuitive physics’ leaves fingerprints on fictional worlds

Neurology

New cell therapy improves memory and stops seizures following TBI

Fecal transplantation to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease: Hope or hype?

Long-term blood pressure variation and risk of dementia

AI

How artificial intelligence can transform psychiatry

Enjoyment of pop music classics linked to combination of uncertainty and surprise

Learning is optimized when we fail 15% of the time

Robotics

Deep3DFly: the deep-learning way to design fly-like robots

Electronic glove offers ‘humanlike’ features for prosthetic hand users

Robotic thread is designed to slip through the brain’s blood vessels

Psychology

At what point does click-bait susceptibility become a mental health disorder?

How humans’ sense of ‘intuitive physics’ leaves fingerprints on fictional worlds

Researchers discover the brain circuits that rapidly detect friend or foe

psychopharmacology

‘Sticky’ gene may help Valium calm nerves

Number of depressed over-65s unchanged but antidepressant use soars

Common antidepressant may not reduce depression symptoms, but does reduce anxiety

Psychedelic drugs: would you accept a prescription? It depends if you’ve tried them before

Ketamine isn’t an opioid and treats depression in a unique way

Improved mood and focus reported by microdosers

How a popular antidepressant drug could rewire the brain

Common antidepressants interact with opioid med to lessen pain relief

Safe to breastfeed while on bipolar meds? Jury’s still out

Diabetes drug alleviates anxiety in mice

‘Ecstasy’ shows promise for post-traumatic stress treatment

Study supports effectiveness of new fast-acting antidepressant, esketamine nasal spray