 |
|
A pioneering study opens roads for tailor-made antidepressants
August 06, 2007In spite that the causes of depression have not still been fully identified, scientists acknowledge that genetic and environmental factors play a common role in the onset of this disorder. One of the environmental risk factors more often related to depression is exposure to threatening life events. On the other side, from a genetic point of view, the serotonin transporter gene, with a crucial role in communication between neurons, could predispose to depression.
An international group of scientists, headed by professors Jorge Cervilla Ballesteros and Blanca Gutiérrez Martínez, from the department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Psychiatry of the University of Granada, has recently published in the prestigious journal Molecular Psychiatry the pioneering study PREDICT-gene, confirming the relation between allele s in the serotonin transporter gene and exposure to threatening life events in the onset of depression. The study proves, for a population sample accounting for gender, age and family history of psychiatric disorders, that 24% of the Spanish population, comprising people with the s/s genotype, need minimal exposure to threatening life events, unlike individuals with s/l or l/l genotypes, thus confirming the relation between genetic and environmental factors in this mental disorder.
Tailor-made antidepressants
The most important consequence of research on interaction between genetic and environmental factors is that, in a foreseeable future, scientists will be able to produce measures to predict response to antidepressants taking into account each individual's genotype, i. e. they will be able to design tailor-made drugs according to each person's genetic configuration and their exposure to environmental factors.
The research group headed by professor Cervilla Ballesteros and Gutiérrez Martínez is currently working at the University of Granada to open roads for psycho-pharmaco-genetics, a field that will allow for individual treatments, tailor-made drugs, for each patient with depression, a disorder affecting one in every five Spaniards visiting the doctor's.
This study is framed in the international project PREDICT and is funded by the European Union and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. One of its most important novelties is that it has been carried out through a very representative sample: a total of 737 people agreed to participate in the genetic tests, with ages ranging from 18 to 75, patients of nine primary care centres in the South of Spain. That is why this is the first representative population-based replication of earlier research, as until now research had been done into restricted population samples, comprising only women, adolescents, twins or people with affective disorders.
Universidad de Granada
The most important consequence of research on interaction between genetic and environmental factors is that, in a foreseeable future, scientists will be able to produce measures to predict response to antidepressants taking into account each individual's genotype, i. e. they will be able to design tailor-made drugs according to each person's genetic configuration and their exposure to environmental factors.
The research group headed by professor Cervilla Ballesteros and Gutiérrez Martínez is currently working at the University of Granada to open roads for psycho-pharmaco-genetics, a field that will allow for individual treatments, tailor-made drugs, for each patient with depression, a disorder affecting one in every five Spaniards visiting the doctor's.
This study is framed in the international project PREDICT and is funded by the European Union and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. One of its most important novelties is that it has been carried out through a very representative sample: a total of 737 people agreed to participate in the genetic tests, with ages ranging from 18 to 75, patients of nine primary care centres in the South of Spain. That is why this is the first representative population-based replication of earlier research, as until now research had been done into restricted population samples, comprising only women, adolescents, twins or people with affective disorders.
Universidad de Granada
Antidepressants Current Events and Antidepressants News RSSMen leave: Separation and divorce far more common when the wife is the patient
A woman is six times more likely to be separated or divorced soon after a diagnosis of cancer or multiple sclerosis than if a man in the relationship is the patient, according to a study that examined the role gender played in so-called "partner abandonment." The study also found that the longer the marriage the more likely it would remain intact.
Hunting for the Prozac Gene
Prozac works wonders for some depressed people, but not for others. In some cases, patients derive little benefit and at worst, it can lead to bizarre hallucinations and fits of rage.
Why antidepressants don't work for so many
More than half the people who take antidepressants for depression never get relief.
Study reveals an increase in long-term antidepressant drug use
A dramatic rise in antidepressant prescriptions issued by GPs has been caused by a year on year increase in the number of people taking antidepressant drugs on a long-term basis, according to researchers from the University of Southampton.
Popular antidepressant associated with a dramatic increase in suicidal thoughts amongst men
Nortriptyline has been found to cause a ten-fold increase in suicidal thoughts in men when compared to its competitor escitalopram. These findings are published in the open access journal BMC Medicine.
Antidepressant and placebo are equally effective in child pain relief
When used "off-label," the antidepressant amitriptyline works just as well as placebo in treating pain-predominant gastrointestinal disorders in children, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.
Antidepressants: benefit of SNRI is proven
The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) was commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) to investigate whether patients with depression benefit from taking drugs belonging to the selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) drug class.
Worth the effort? Not if you're depressed
New research indicates that decreased cravings for pleasure may be at the root of a core symptom of major depressive disorder. The research is in contrast to the long-held notion that those suffering from depression lack the ability to enjoy rewards, rather than the desire to seek them.
Almost 1 quarter of Spanish women take antidepressants
Psychopharmaceutical use has risen over recent years. This is fact, but what is not clear is the reason why.
Antidepressants aid electroconvulsive therapy in treating severe depression
Combining antidepressant drugs with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) does a better job of reducing symptoms of severe depression and causes less memory loss than using ECT alone.
More Antidepressants Current Events and Antidepressants News Articles
 |
America Fooled: The Truth About Antidepressants, Antipsychotics And How We've Been Deceived by Timothy Scott (Author) America Fooled is the non-sensational, fact-filled story of how Americans have come to believe that depression and other mental problems are caused by chemical imbalances which can be fixed with pills. It reveals how the drug studies used to achieve FDA approval are designed, paid for and written by the drug companies themselves and are purposely deceptive. Part 1 of America Fooled is focused on antidepressants, their effectiveness, and their side effects including the permanent brain damage that results from long-term use about which so few Americans have any knowledge (including those who prescribe and those who take antidepressants). Part 2 deals with the various approaches used throughout history to treat more serious mental problems including the use of antipsychotics. The side... |
 |
Nature Made RX Essentials Anti-Depressants Tablets, 60-Count Tablets by Nature Made Daily Supplement. Tailored to your prescription. Take with: Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac, Effexor XR. Provides essential nutrients for people taking antidepressant medication. No artificial flavors. No preservatives. No yeast or gluten. Your prescription drugs are important to your health and will function without this product. RX Essentials are not intended to replace your prescription drugs. However, people taking antidepressents such as SSRIs and SNRIs may benefit from supplementation with the essential nutrients in this product. If you take prescriptions, take RX Essentials. People taking prescription medications may be more likely to have reduced levels of certain nutrients, low nutrient levels may lead to problems down the road. That's why Nature Made examined numerous clinical studies... |
 |
The Anti-Depressant Fact Book: What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Luvox by Peter R. Breggin (Author) By the author of Talking Back to Prozac and Your Drug May Be Your Problem, the answers to over 100 questions about antidepressants. Known as "the Ralph Nader of psychiatry," Dr. Peter Breggin has been the medical expert in countless court cases involving the use or misuse of psychoactive medications. This unusual position has given him unprecedented access to private pharmaceutical research and correspondence files, information from which informs this straight-talking guide to the most prescribed and controversial category of American drugs: antidepressants. From how these drugs work in the brain to how they treat (or don't treat) depression and obsessive-compulsive, panic, and other disorders; from the documented side and withdrawal effects to what every parent needs to know about... |
 |
Orange Blossom - PURE Incense NEW to Amazon! Burns twice as long as other incense - CORELESS!! nothing to provoke allergies (25-30 sticks) Orange Blossom is a fresh fruity citrus - a natural antidepressant. by PURE Incense Orange Blossom (Citrus and Fresh) Bursting juices of orange come to life with energetic splashes of sweet and juicy true orange zest. Blooming petals of orange flower fragrantly embrace this beautiful creation, giving it depth and complexity, a radiant heady floral. This sun-kissed delight is a combination of fruity citrus adding a tangy aroma to the air. Pure Incense blends its Orange Blossom incense with oil pressed from the skin of the orange fruit. It transports us to the fragrance of an orange grove, with a thick, citrus flavor hanging in the air. This exquisite sensual fragrance of orange blossom is deeply relaxing to the mind, helping to dispel anxiety, increase confidence and create a joyful environment. Orange Blossom is cheering, refreshing, and uplifting, a natural... |
 |
Amoryn Depression Anxiety Relief (60 Caps) by BioNeurix AMORYN works by increasing the levels of all four of the brain's "feel good" neurotransmitters. By providing an all-natural boost to serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA, the ingredients in AMORYN can help you feel happy, calm, and confident.serotonin levels. As a precursor to serotonin, 5-HTP provides the brain with the "building blocks" needed to produce more serotonin naturally. |
 |
Medicines for Mental Health: The Ultimate Guide to Psychiatric Medication by Kevin Thompson PhD (Author) A finalist in the National Indie Excellence 2008 book awards, this book was written for anyone who suffers from sexual dysfunction, depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia (or cares for someone who does). Medicines for Mental Health is the first book to provide detailed and readable information about all psychiatric medications, and other medical treatments, for these mental illnesses. Medicines cuts through jargon, demystifies mental illness, and explains how treatments work. It goes beyond current fads to cover important medications you need to know about, including many that will be new to your doctor. |
 |
Antidepressant by Lloyd Cole As the title suggests, Lloyd Cole delivers an album that mixes sadness delicately with a revitalizing happiness. His songs meld with an exceptionally sunny day or as the rain pours down outside. He twists forgotten youthful dreams with afterthoughts of Scarlet Johansson. Entwining leaving lovers and the grateful thoughts left behind, Cole is heartbreaking and mending all at once. For over 20 years Lloyd Cole, first with the Commotions then solo, has altered style and approach to music leaving a trail of beautiful albums to which Antidepressant is a proud addition. A cult favorite compared with Leonard Cohen, Morrissey, Nick Cave and Elvis Costello, ColeÂ’s gift as a lyricist is on full display in Â"The Young Idealists,Â"Â"NYC SunshineÂ" and the inside jokiness of ... |
 |
Is It Me or My Meds?: Living with Antidepressants by David A. Karp (Author) By the millennium Americans were spending more than 12 billion dollars yearly on antidepressant medications. Currently, millions of people in the U.S. routinely use these pills. Are these miracle drugs, quickly curing depression? Or is their popularity a sign that we now inappropriately redefine normal life problems as diseases? Are they prescribed too often or too seldom? How do they affect self-images? David Karp approaches these questions from the inside, having suffered from clinical depression for most of his adult life. In this book he explores the relationship between pills and personhood by listening to a group of experts who rarely get the chance to speak on the matter--those who are taking the medications. Their voices, extracted from interviews Karp conducted,... |
 |
Xmood - Reduce stress and anxiety, Elevate your mood by My Natural Relief Xmood is an all-natural herbal antidepressant with clinically proven ingredients to fight mild depression. This safe and effective formula was suggested by Rita Elkins, M.H. in her highly acclaimed book Solving the mild depression Puzzle. The key ingredients include: St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, DHA, Ginkgo Biloba, and Folic Acid. These ingredients are combined with a proprietary blend to help people with mild to moderate mild depression. Many people who take prescription antidepressants are burdened with multiple side effects that can often be more devastating than the mild depression they are trying to treat. Xmood is a non-addictive herbal formula designed to treat mild depression naturally without a prescription. |
 |
Blue Q Anti-Depressants Magnet Set by Blue Q This Blue Q magnet set might be just what your refrigerators' been looking for. Made extra thick to really stick. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |