Articles tagged with Antidepressants
Benzodiazepine prescriptions have decreased by 26.7% over the past decade, with the largest decline observed among young adults between ages 18 and 29. The average dose per prescription also decreased by 18.3%, suggesting more selective prescribing practices.
A new study found that children of mothers with depression have a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, regardless of antidepressant exposure. The study followed over 167,000 children and found a significant association between maternal depression and special educational needs in children.
A recent USC-led study reveals that over 1 in 5 older adults are at risk for major drug interactions, despite a decline in their prevalence. Polypharmacy and dietary supplement polypharmacy have increased, with antidepressants, statins, and antiplatelet therapies being the most commonly used medications involved in these regimens.
A new study from Adelaide University found that most people experience worsening depression and anxiety symptoms when reducing antidepressant use, likely due to withdrawal effects. The study suggests that a slower tapering process is needed when ceasing or reducing dosage to avoid these symptoms.
Researchers found that fish serotonin transporters, similar to human counterparts, can be highly sensitive to antidepressants found in water, highlighting potential risks to aquatic life. The study suggests prioritizing specific pharmaceuticals in environmental monitoring programs and deriving species-specific risk thresholds.
A large Danish study reveals that women with endometriosis use more anxiety and depression medication before and after diagnosis, with differences persisting even after diagnosis. The study suggests that prolonged pain, uncertainty, and fertility problems may contribute to the mental strain, but an earlier diagnosis may not alleviate it.
A preliminary study found that people taking Prozac after a traumatic injury reported fewer PTSD symptoms and lower pain levels in the year following their injury. The study suggests that preventative medical interventions could reduce the formation of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Researchers found that female mice's microglia form prolonged contacts with neurons during recovery, leading to synaptic remodeling and plasticity. This phenomenon was not observed in male mice, highlighting differences in brain recovery processes between sexes.
A new study found that women with unmedicated depression may struggle to regulate body temperature in hot weather, but those taking SSRIs respond similarly to healthy individuals. The research suggests that SSRI treatment can help depressed women tolerate heat stress more effectively.
A new study suggests that functional brain imaging can help guide accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression, leading to improved symptoms and response rates. The approach uses resting-state functional connectivity analysis to identify individualized treatment targets.
A new summary of evidence reveals that antidepressants have limited benefits beyond 12 months and may cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Researchers are calling for treatment reviews every six months and recommending gradual weaning strategies when discontinuing medication.
Researchers found high levels of antidepressant drugs in four North Carolina rivers, exceeding toxic thresholds for aquatic life. The study highlights the need for effective remediation strategies to mitigate environmental contamination and human health risks.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet Psychiatry found no clear link between common antidepressant use in pregnancy and increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD in children. However, the study suggests that genetic predisposition and other factors may contribute to an increased risk.
A randomized clinical trial found that genotype-guided prescribing of SSRIs did not improve depression symptoms at 3 months but showed higher remission rates at 6 months. Future studies should focus on the long-term impact of this approach.
A new study reveals that freshwater fish are accumulating antidepressants, opioids, and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, which can alter their behavior, development, and reproduction. The research uses a novel analytical method to detect these substances in small fish living in rivers receiving urban wastewater.
A randomized trial found that duloxetine does not prevent painful neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer. The study suggests that duloxetine should only be used for managing existing neuropathy, not prevention.
In this randomized clinical trial, mirtazapine effectively reduced methamphetamine use in adults with methamphetamine use disorder. The study's findings have important implications for the treatment of this condition, which currently lacks approved pharmacotherapies.
Researchers identified NOX-1 as a key molecular target to prolong ketamine's therapeutic benefits. Combining ketamine with NOX-1 inhibitors significantly extended its antidepressant-like effects. K-4, a novel AMPAR modulator, also showed rapid antidepressant effects that persisted for at least 2 weeks.
Researchers have developed a low-cost fake drug detector that uses an infrared sensor to track pill dissolution rates. The device can identify legitimate medications from counterfeit ones with high accuracy, making it a valuable tool in the fight against global health threats.
Research from Johns Hopkins University found that tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce accumulate pharmaceutical byproducts in their leaves, which may be a concern for consumers eating the fruit and roots of these vegetables
A new PET imaging study reveals that ketamine relieves treatment-resistant depression by altering AMPAR in brain regions, providing potential biomarker for personalized treatment. The study found that ketamine increased AMPAR density in several cortical regions and decreased it in reward-related areas, strongly correlating with reducti...
Researchers have identified brain neuropeptides as key drivers behind delayed antidepressant effects for the first time. The study found that medication-driven serotonin levels primarily serve as a 'starting signal' while the peptide plays a central role in brain recovery.
Research finds that SSRIs during pregnancy increase gestational diabetes risk in newborns but lower preterm birth and low birth weight risks. SSRIs also associated with breathing problems and neonatal care needs in newborns.
Patients who stopped taking antidepressant medication during pregnancy had a nearly two-fold higher risk of experiencing mental health emergencies, with peaks in the first and ninth months. Researchers found no difference in prior mental health visits between those who continued or discontinued therapy.
A new study from George Mason University reveals that AI-driven antidepressant treatment can be less effective for African American patients due to the use of general population data. The study suggests that incorporating additional patient demographics, such as race and ethnicity, can improve the tool's effectiveness.
A study published in Neurology found that taking antidepressants after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not associated with an increased risk of death, brain surgery, or longer hospital stays. The study included over 54,000 participants and found that antidepressant users had an 11% lower risk of needing emergency brain surgery.
Research finds that nearly one in four Medicare beneficiaries with dementia are prescribed potentially harmful medications linked to falls, confusion, and hospitalization. Despite declines in prescribing rates, high levels of inappropriate prescribing persist among older adults with cognitive impairment.
A Cochrane review found that exercise can reduce depressive symptoms similarly to psychological therapy, with moderate-certainty evidence from ten trials. Long-term effects are unclear due to few studies following participants after treatment.
A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 76 randomised controlled trials found that slow tapering of antidepressants combined with psychological support prevented relapse over the following year to a similar extent as remaining on an antidepressant. This approach could change how coming off antidepressants is managed globally.
A subset of depressed individuals with chronic, low-grade inflammation may benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study found that anti-inflammatory medications significantly reduced depressive symptom severity and anhedonia in these patients.
A new study found that long-term antidepressant use has increased by nearly 20% among young people aged 10-24, raising concerns about potential overprescribing. The study also found no meaningful improvement in efforts to wean patients off antidepressants, highlighting the need for a stronger framework for safely tapering medications.
A new compound MCH11, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, shows promising effects in reducing alcohol consumption and motivation to drink in mice. The molecule exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant properties with sex-dependent efficacy, correcting genetic alterations associated with alcohol use disorder.
A recent landmark study identifies adenosine as the critical mediator of rapid antidepressant action, connecting ketamine, ECT, and hypoxia. The discovery raises questions about the potential interference of caffeine with these treatments, highlighting the need for further research on adenosinergic modulation in depression.
A new analysis of the PANDA trial found that sertraline contributes to improvements in low mood and suicidal thinking within two weeks of taking the drug. The study also revealed an improvement in emotional symptoms of depression within two weeks, with continued benefits from six weeks to 12 weeks.
A randomized, double-blind trial compared Yueju Pill and escitalopram in treating major depressive disorder (MDD). The study found that Yueju Pill improved depression symptoms and increased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Brain network patterns were also predictive of treatment response in the Yueju Pill group.
A meta-analysis published in The Lancet found that antidepressants differ significantly in their physical side effects, including weight change and heart rate variations. The study emphasizes the importance of tailoring treatment to individual needs and preferences.
A study found that combining tramadol with certain antidepressants increases the risk of seizures in older nursing home residents. Researchers analyzed 10 years of Medicare data and found a modest but measurable increase in seizure rates when these medications were taken together.
A new study found that untreated depression in cancer patients leads to poorer surgical outcomes, including longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates. However, treating depression with antidepressants can significantly improve post-surgical recovery and reduce healthcare costs.
A new study reveals that fluoxetine alters how brain cells manage their energy and rebuild connections, potentially helping the brain adapt during depression treatment. This changes may create a window of plasticity or flexibility in the brain.
Conventional treatment methods used by municipal wastewater treatment facilities are ineffective at removing common pharmaceuticals like Prozac, fluoxetine, and loratadine from wastewater. These drugs are discharged into lakes, rivers, and streams, posing risks to aquatic organisms.
A new study finds that up to 18% of women are advised to stop breastfeeding due to medication, while chronic illness increases this number to 58%. The research highlights the need for accurate and balanced information about medication safety during breastfeeding.
Researchers found that Prozac's impact on mood behaviors is critical to the timing of its administration, with early postnatal exposure leading to increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, while adolescent exposure had the opposite effect. This study provides crucial mechanistic insights into alterations in neurocircuits that r...
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine aim to reduce falls and adverse drug events among older adults by using personalized approach tailored to individual genetic profiles.
A new study from the University of Texas at El Paso finds that adolescent antidepressant use, particularly Prozac, may contribute to increased pain sensitivity in adulthood. The research suggests that early exposure to these medications can disrupt brain development and increase inflammatory markers, leading to heightened pain perception.
A new study found that people taking antidepressants for over two years are more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and fatigue. Long-term users also tend to have worse withdrawal symptoms and are less able to stop taking the medication.
A UCLA study found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can significantly enhance the ability of T cells to fight cancer and suppress tumor growth across various cancer types in mouse and human tumor models. SSRIs increased access to serotonin signals, making killer T cells happier and more effective at killing cancer c...
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found an increase in use of only psychotherapy, from 11.5% to 15.4%, and a decline in patients taking medication only, from 68% to 62%. The shift may be attributed to various factors beyond the COVID pandemic.
A new study reveals promising progress toward predicting how patients with major depressive disorder will respond to antidepressant medications. Brain connectivity patterns were found to significantly improve predictions of treatment response across two large, independent clinical trials.
A recent study suggests dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT) can help alleviate depressive symptoms by enhancing mentalising capacity. Patients receiving DIT combined with medication showed significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms and mentalising ability.
Research findings indicate that individuals with a history of antidepressant use have an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, which varies based on age and time of exposure. The study suggests that longer periods of antidepressant exposure are associated with a higher risk of SCD, particularly in older adults.
A new study suggests that nearly half of depression diagnoses could be considered treatment-resistant, with 48% of patients trying at least two antidepressants and 37% trying four or more. This highlights the need for better treatment options to support patients who don't respond to first-line medications.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a computational tool called LogiRx that can predict how drugs will affect biological processes in the body. The tool has demonstrated its potential by identifying a promising candidate to prevent heart failure, a leading cause of death worldwide.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry reveals a strong link between antidepressant use and weight gain, with an average 2% increase in body weight among participants. The study highlights the need to consider this association when prescribing antidepressants and monitor weight changes accordingly.
A new observational study suggests that antidepressants can accelerate cognitive decline in people with dementia, while certain medications appear to be less harmful. Researchers analyzed data from 18,740 patients and found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were associated with the fastest cognitive decline.
Ketamine has been shown to rapidly reduce depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression, often within hours of administration. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of ketamine therapy remain uncertain, with potential risks including cognitive impairment and cardiovascular effects.
Researchers have uncovered ketamine's mechanism of action, revealing how it affects the brain's NMDA receptors. The study provides hope for synthesizing new versions of the drug with fewer harmful side effects.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover SSRIs like Prozac regulate immune response, preventing sepsis in mice. The findings suggest a potential new use for the popular drug, which could lead to life-saving treatments and enhanced global preparedness for pandemics.
A new method allows for accurate measurement of blood-brain barrier permeability, revealing that many CNS drugs penetrate the barrier rapidly. The study found that plasma proteins play a crucial role in maintaining brain delivery of lipophilic agents.
New research suggests lycopene treatment reverses depressive-like traits in mice by promoting synaptic plasticity via the BDNF-TrkB pathway. Lycopene also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, a protein essential for brain function.
The study found a significant decrease in antidepressant use during pregnancy without an accompanying increase in psychotherapy. This suggests that pregnant women with depression or anxiety may be able to effectively manage their symptoms with medication alone.