The FDA has cleared a clinical trial to evaluate the combination of the investigational drug NRX-101 with robotic-enabled TMS for treating depression and suicidality.
Monash University research indicates that higher-THC medicinal cannabis products are associated with a majority of adverse events reported to Australia's regulator, with psychiatric disorders being the most common reaction.
This case report illustrates aripiprazole-induced pathological gambling, reinforcing the need for clinicians to monitor patients for impulse control disorders when prescribing this partial D2/D3 agonist.
This podcast discusses the use of deep brain stimulation and neuromodulation for treating OCD, binge eating disorder, and depression, alongside the neuroscience of compulsive behaviors.
Machine learning analysis identifies lower baseline neutrophil-to-platelet ratio and lower pre-treatment HAMD scores as predictors of poor response to ECT in adolescents with MDD, aiding in patient stratification.
Clinical Pearls
Bite-sized clinical takeaways from today's literature (sources from May 04 – May 07)
- Consider prescribing Auvelity for agitation in Alzheimer's disease as a non-antipsychotic alternative to mitigate metabolic and extrapyramidal risks.
- Utilize genotype-guided SSRI selection to significantly improve six-month remission rates in patients with major depressive disorder.
- Monitor patients initiating aripiprazole closely for impulse control disorders, such as pathological gambling, due to its partial D2/D3 agonist activity.
- Manage risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia by adding a second antipsychotic rather than switching agents, preserving the original treatment efficacy.
- Counsel patients on the risk of psychiatric adverse events when using high-THC medicinal cannabis products, as these constitute the majority of reported reactions.
- Use lower baseline neutrophil-to-platelet ratio and lower pre-treatment HAMD scores as predictive markers for poor response to ECT in adolescents with MDD.
- Evaluate the combination of ketamine and dialectical behavior therapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression and borderline personality disorder exhibiting suicidality.
- Recognize that higher-THC formulations are associated with increased adverse psychiatric events compared to lower-THC or balanced ratios in medicinal cannabis use.
- Apply accelerated continuous theta burst stimulation as a targeted neuromodulation option for postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Exercise caution with transcranial direct current stimulation for alcohol use disorder, as evidence shows it modestly reduces drinking days but not total consumption.
Drug Development 4
The novel psychedelic compound 25C-NBF demonstrates rapid antidepressant effects in preclinical models without the addictive properties typically associated with classic psychedelics, suggesting a potential new avenue for treating depression.
Phase 2 clinical trial results for a next-generation formulation of the atypical antipsychotic amisulpride show promising efficacy for schizophrenia.
A clinical trial is recruiting participants to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of COMP360 (psilocybin) for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Coreterra Therapeutics has secured patents for new agents targeting schizophrenia, indicating ongoing drug development efforts in this therapeutic area.
Clinical Pearl 3
This case-based discussion explores the clinical strategy of using dual antipsychotics to manage risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia, offering a practical prescribing alternative for psychiatrists.
A clinical trial is recruiting to evaluate the combination of ketamine hydrochloride and dialectical behavioral therapy for treating suicidality in patients with treatment-resistant depression and borderline personality disorder.
A clinical trial is recruiting to evaluate the efficacy of combining ketamine with dialectical behavioral therapy for treating suicidality in patients with treatment-resistant depression and borderline personality disorder.
Diagnosis & Treatment 3
A triple-blind randomized trial found that transcranial direct current stimulation modestly reduces heavy drinking days in alcohol use disorder but does not significantly reduce total alcohol consumption compared to sham.
A clinical trial is recruiting to evaluate accelerated continuous theta burst stimulation for postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A clinical trial is recruiting to evaluate the impact of ketogenic therapy on symptom severity and metabolic side effects in patients with bipolar disorder treated with standard antipsychotics.
Pharmacogenomics 1
A genotype-guided SSRI prescription strategy significantly increased depression remission rates at six months, highlighting the clinical utility of pharmacogenomics in optimizing antidepressant selection.
Mechanism of Action 5
A single dose of psilocybin causes transient brain alterations, providing mechanistic insights that may inform the development of new psychedelic-based psychiatric treatments.
A study suggests psilocybin may cause temporary structural changes in the brain, contributing to the mechanistic understanding of this psychedelic substance's potential psychiatric applications.
Research into psilocybin-induced brain changes provides mechanistic insight into its therapeutic effects, relevant to the pharmacological understanding of psychedelics in psychiatry.
A single dose of psilocybin induces lasting brain changes detectable 50 days later, providing mechanistic insight into the neurobiology of psychedelic therapy.
This article reports on the neurobiological effects of psilocybin in humans, providing mechanistic insights into how this psychedelic compound alters brain function, which is relevant to the pharmacodynamics of emerging psychedelic therapies.
Uncategorized 3
Bayer to buy Perfuse for up to $2.45B, bolstering eye drug pipeline
Policy & Regulation 4
President Trump's executive order accelerates psychedelic drug development and approval through FDA priority vouchers, DEA scheduling reforms, and ARPA-H funding, raising questions about clinical readiness.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has initiated a campaign to encourage the deprescribing of antidepressants, representing a significant policy and regulatory shift in psychiatric prescribing practices.
A study identifies international supply chain disruptions as the cause of the 2022-2023 ADHD medication shortage in the US.
Axsome Therapeutics has raised the peak sales projection for Auvelity to $8 billion following FDA approval of its indication for agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease, highlighting a non-antipsychotic alternative for this population.