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.
According to researchers, a mutation in a gene associated with brain development may dispose people to various psychiatric illnesses as it reduces synapse numbers. Lithium may help to restore some of the synapses.
The antidepressant effect of psilocybin-assisted therapy, in combination with psychotherapy, appears to provide up to a year of symptom relief for some patients with major depressive disorder.
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.
Degarelix, a drug that reduces testosterone levels, shows potential in the treatment of pedophilic disorder. Men with a history of child sexual abuse who took the drug had reduced overall sexual desire and decreased attraction toward children, with noticeable effects within two weeks.
A person's socioeconomic background may impact how well they respond to treatments for depression. Depressed people without a college degree had 9.8% less improvement in symptoms following treatment compared to graduates, and those who were unemployed had 6.6% less improvement than those with a steady job.
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), a medication commonly used to treat ADHD, lowers the risk of hospitalization and death for those with amphetamine use disorder.
A single dose of tabernanthalog (TBG), a non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analog, corrects stress-induced behavioral deficits, including anxiety and cognitive inflexibility, in mouse models. Additionally, the compound promoted neurogenesis and restores neural circuits in brain areas damaged by stress.
Ketamine may improve brain functions involved in mood regulation, researchers report.
A new study provides novel mechanistic insights into how ketamine exerts its antidepressant effects for those with depression.
A newly developed drug can help combat the effects of postnatal depression.
Osanetant, a drug that inhibits the Tac2 pathway, has opposite effects on the recall of traumatic events in male and female mice.
