Articles tagged with Antidepressants
Studies have shown that medications used to treat bipolar disorder, particularly mood stabilizers, can increase grey matter volume and normalize white matter disorganization. These findings suggest a predominantly ameliorative effect of psychopharmacological treatment on brain anatomy.
The American College of Physicians recommends using either cognitive behavioral therapy or second-generation antidepressants to treat adults with major depressive disorder. Both treatments are found to be similarly effective for treating depression, and physicians should consider a discussion with the patient about treatment effects, a...
Researchers studied exposure to antidepressants in mice, finding that SSRIs like citalopram rapidly transfer to fetuses and brains. The study's findings suggest potential risks for children of mothers taking these medications during pregnancy.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have found a potential treatment for depressive-like symptoms in alcoholics using ketamine and an endocannabinoid system booster. The study, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, validates a mouse model of alcoholism and shows promise for developing novel treatments for mood disorders.
A systematic review found antidepressants increase aggression and suicidal thoughts in children, with a doubled risk compared to adults. Experts recommend minimal use and alternative treatments like exercise or psychotherapy.
Research at Newcastle University has questioned the effectiveness of metyrapone, a drug suggested to treat depression, finding it inadequate for treatment-resistant patients. The study suggests that depression may be more complex than simply being a consequence of high stress hormone levels.
Researchers found that regions of the brain normally working together to process emotion become decoupled in people who experience multiple episodes of depression. This disruption may lead to inaccurate emotional information processing and negative biases.
Researchers discovered a new type of antidepressant that acts quickly in mice, unlike current treatments which take weeks or months. The compound CGP3466B targets a new network of proteins and has fewer side effects than existing medications.
Studies show that inducing a second stroke nearby in the brains of mice can help them regain motor function to pre-stroke efficiency. This suggests that the optimal recovery window after a stroke may not be permanently closed and can reopen under certain conditions.
A large study published in Translational Psychiatry found no evidence that prenatal antidepressant exposure increases the risk of autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The research team analyzed medical records data from over 1,200 children with an autism-related diagnosis and nearly 3,800 control children. Matern...
Research found a heightened risk of subsequent mania and bipolar disorder in adults treated with certain antidepressants, including SSRIs and venlafaxine. The peak age for diagnosis was among patients aged 26 to 35, with an annual risk of 1.2%.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics has found that taking antidepressants during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of autism in children. The study analyzed data from over 145,000 pregnancies and found an 87% increased risk of autism when antidepressants were used during the second or third trimester.
Research suggests that second-generation antidepressants and CBT have comparable effectiveness in treating major depressive disorder. Experts recommend making both treatments accessible to primary care patients, regardless of personal preference.
A phase 1B clinical trial of the novel antidepressant NSI-189 has shown that the compound appears to be safe and may be effective against depression. The study found improvements in depressive and cognitive symptoms in study participants, with effects persisting for several months after treatment discontinuation.
A new study by King's College London found that reduced antibiotic prescribing is associated with lower GP satisfaction scores. The study, which analyzed records from 7,800 general practices, found a 25% lower rate of antibiotic prescribing corresponded to a 5-6 point reduction in GP satisfaction rankings.
A Loyola University Medical Center study found that antidepressant escitalopram reduces levels of two neurotoxic compounds associated with memory loss and dementia in severely depressed patients. The study suggests a potential link between depression and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
A large Kaiser Permanente study contradicts previous concerns that antidepressants reduce tamoxifen's effectiveness in lowering subsequent breast-cancer risk. Researchers found no increased risk of recurrence among women who took antidepressants with tamoxifen.
A new study found that patients who undergo hip-replacement surgery experience a surge in pain medication use before and immediately after surgery, but this trend reverses in the long term. Medication use for insomnia and anxiety also increases before surgery and decreases afterward.
High levels of inflammation markers in blood are connected to stubborn symptoms of depression, such as anhedonia. Researchers believe blocking inflammation or its effects on the brain may reverse anhedonia in depressed individuals who fail to respond to antidepressants.
A UBC study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that light therapy can effectively treat non-seasonal depression and improve the overall wellbeing of people suffering from the disease. The research, which followed 122 patients, showed that light therapy was most beneficial when used with antidepressants.
Research finds a 'serious' toll on mental health after introducing tougher disability benefit assessments in England. A higher reassessment rate was linked to more suicides, mental ill health issues, and antidepressant prescribing. The study suggests that the policy may be undermining the mental health of claimants.
Prescription drug use increased by 8% to 59% among US adults between 1999-2000 and 2011-2012, with notable increases in hypertension and hyperlipidemia treatments. The prevalence of polypharmacy also rose from 8% to 15%.
Research review finds no consistent evidence that antidepressants increase bleeding, breast cancer, or other adverse outcomes in patients undergoing plastic surgery. However, the underlying depression may pose a risk to postoperative problems. Plastic surgeons should consider the impact of depression on surgical complications.
Research suggests that antidepressants like SSRIs and NRI can improve motor recovery and aphasia treatment in stroke patients. However, more studies with well-designed methodologies are required to establish the usefulness of these medications as adjuvants to rehabilitation.
A new mouse study reveals that high-fat diets can lead to anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as measurable brain changes. The study also found that completely reversing the diet improved metabolic impairments and reduced anxious symptoms.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that psychotherapy's effectiveness in treating depression is often overstated due to publication bias. The research team analyzed unpublished data from 55 clinical trials and concluded that the treatment works but its benefits are inflated by selective publication of positive results.
New research suggests that individuals who demonstrate a strong brain response to sham treatment are more likely to experience symptom relief when receiving actual depression medication. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments and biomarkers for treatment response in depression.
A new class of antidepressants has been found to work by targeting the brain's ability to respond to glutamate. The experimental therapies have been shown to produce an antidepressant effect in mice by altering brain signaling in particular neurons.
A new study from Mayo Clinic shows that simple conversation cards can dramatically improve patients' and clinicians' satisfaction with antidepressant discussions. The tool increased patients' comfort in making decisions by 5 points and their satisfaction likelihood by 2.4-fold, while also improving physicians' decision-making comfort a...
A decision aid helped primary care clinicians and patients with moderate to severe depression select antidepressants together, improving decisional comfort and knowledge. However, its effect on depression control and medication use was not discernible.
Researchers found that combining antidepressants with blood thinners increases autophagy in cancer cells, causing them to die. This combination therapy doubled the lifespan of mice with early-stage brain cancer, but further study is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Researchers have discovered that combining tricyclic antidepressants with anticoagulant drugs can slow down glioma tumors in mice by causing excessive autophagy. The study, published in Cancer Cell, found that the combination therapy doubled the lifespan of mice with gliomas.
A study found that people with delayed orthostatic hypotension are at risk of progressing to a more serious condition, Parkinson's disease, or dementia. Over 10 years, 54% of participants with the delayed condition progressed to orthostatic hypotension and 31% developed a degenerative brain disease.
A reanalysis of a 2001 study on antidepressants found that popular drug paroxetine is neither safe nor effective for adolescents with depression. The new results contradict the original research and have important implications for research and practice.
A multidisciplinary team is developing guidelines for the most effective antidepressant doses throughout pregnancy and postpartum, building on recent initiatives like CDC's Treating for Two and FDA's new labeling requirements.
A comprehensive review of treatment options for PMDD identified selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as the first-line treatment, effective in reducing symptoms. For women who experience an inadequate response to SSRIs, alternative treatments such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and oral contraceptives are recommended.
Researchers found that the antidepressant sertraline increased the volume of one brain region in depressed subjects, while decreasing two brain areas in non-depressed subjects. The study used middle-aged female monkeys to replicate human depression and tested the effects of sertraline on brain volumes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that fluoxetine prolongs physical therapy's effectiveness for stroke victims, especially those too ill to start intensive rehabilitation. Early intervention with fluoxetine improves motor function recovery in mice, suggesting potential benefits for human stroke patients.
A study at Mount Sinai Hospital found that antidepressants regulate chronic pain and depression through actions in the nucleus accumbens, a key brain reward center. The research discovered a gene (RGS9) controlling molecular adaptations for recovery from pain and depression.
A recent study published in Tobacco Control found that varenicline, a prescription smoking-cessation aid, has no significant impact on the rate of smokers who successfully quit. Instead, it appears to displace the use of older tobacco addiction therapies, such as nicotine patches and bupropion.
A new study found that GeneSight CPGx precision medicine testing improves medication adherence and reduces polypharmacy in patients treated with antidepressants and antipsychotics. The test resulted in substantial cost savings of $1,036 per year per patient.
Researchers found antidepressants during pregnancy lowered the risk of preterm birth by 16% and very preterm birth by nearly 50%. However, they also increased the risk of neonatal problems, including breathing issues and longer hospital stays.
A new study found that depressed female patients have abnormally high expression levels of genes regulating the glutamate system, which may contribute to their increased suicidal risk. The research suggests that drugs targeting this system, such as ketamine, could provide rapid relief from depression and potentially save lives.
A new study by Michigan Medicine reveals that seniors receive prescriptions for mental health medications at more than twice the rate of younger adults. However, they are much less likely to be getting their mental health care from a psychiatrist, raising concerns about potential interactions with other medications.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that taking a combination of antidepressants and common painkillers increases the risk of bleeding. The researchers analyzed data from over four million patients and found a substantially increased bleeding risk with combined use of antidepressants and NSAIDs, especially in men.
A study found that over 82% of people with depression in the general population are not eligible for clinical trials of antidepressant drugs. The trials use strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, which can exclude patients based on age, medical conditions, or severity of depression.
A new study by researchers from King's College London found that antidepressants were prescribed more often and used more regularly in countries with higher levels of healthcare spending. Attitudes towards mental illness, such as viewing people with a mental illness as 'dangerous', were also associated with higher use of antidepressants.
A study published in The BMJ found an association between SSRI antidepressants and increased risk of birth defects in infants. Sertraline was the only SSRI not linked to higher risks, while fluoxetine and paroxetine were associated with heart wall defects and irregular skull shape, respectively
Researchers discovered a link between autoimmune diseases and Long QT syndrome, a potentially life-threatening heart condition. Screening and counseling are now recommended for patients with certain medications or abnormal electrolytes.
A new study from Washington State University suggests that REM sleep plays a crucial role in converting waking experiences into lasting memories and abilities in young brains. The study found that brain circuits change in the visual cortex during exploration, but REM sleep is required to make those changes "stick".
Researchers found that St John's Wort produces the same adverse reactions as antidepressants, including anxiety, panic attacks, and dizziness. The study highlights the need for people to seek advice from qualified healthcare practitioners when using herbal medicines like St John's Wort.
A study of 200 adult men found that those with borderline testosterone levels had a 56% rate of depression and depressive symptoms, highlighting the importance of screening for mental health in this population. The researchers also identified high rates of obesity and low physical activity as contributing factors.
Research suggests that SSRIs taken for menopausal symptoms may increase bone fracture risk in middle-aged women, with significant increases observed after several years of treatment. Shorter treatment lengths may be preferable to mitigate this risk.
A multicenter, double-blind study found that sTMS therapy was significantly more effective than sham for treatment-naive and treatment-resistant patients with MDD, achieving a clinical response rate of 34.2%. The device also showed an attractive safety profile, with no significant adverse events.
A large cohort study found a modest increase in risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) associated with maternal antidepressant use late in pregnancy. The absolute risk was small, and no significant association was found with non-SSRI antidepressants.
A study of 3.8 million pregnancies found a possible association between antidepressant use and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, but the absolute risk was small. The risk increase appears more modest than previously reported, with SSRI use linked to a slightly higher risk.
Researchers analyzed data from major company-sponsored studies on SSRIs and found a significant difference favoring the active drug. The conventional measure of efficacy was only 44% effective, but analyzing the effect on depressed mood showed 91% superiority over placebo.,
A systematic review of six randomised controlled trials found that antidepressants were of benefit for postnatal depression, with 54% of participants reporting 'much improved' symptoms after treatment. Remission rates were also improved, with 49% of participants showing remission compared to 26% in the placebo group.
Research suggests that psychiatric drugs may be harming more people than helping them, with experts arguing that the benefits are minimal and the risks are immense. The BMJ says that more than half a million people die from psychiatric drug use every year in Western countries.
Researchers developed two new strategies to mitigate the risk of suicide in young people taking SSRIs, finding that careful dosing can minimize negative effects. Adding a molecule called WAY-100635 eliminates anxiety and impulsivity associated with SSRI treatment.