Articles tagged with Antidepressants
Researchers discovered an unconventional way serotonin is released from neurons, which could play a key role in antidepressant drug mechanism. The study suggests that the firing of serotonergic neurons is initially suppressed by extracellular serotonin.
A new analysis found that studies supporting the value of second-generation antidepressant drugs for anxiety disorders have been distorted by publication bias, outcome reporting bias, and 'spin'. The researchers concluded that these medications may not be significantly more useful than a placebo in treating anxiety disorders.
Patients with moderate to severe depression who took antidepressants alone had a 53% lower risk of dying, developing coronary artery disease or having a stroke during the three-year follow-up period. Antidepressants were shown to significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes in this group, even when statins were not used.
A new study found that antidepressants may be more important than statins in reducing the risk of heart disease in patients with moderate to severe depression. Patients who took antidepressants alone had a 53% lower risk of death, coronary artery disease, or stroke during a three-year follow-up period.
The GeneSight test combines multiple gene variations to predict patient responses to medications, improving treatment outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. The study found that patients on red category medications showed significantly less improvement in depressive symptoms.
Researchers found that paroxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, restored heart function in mice with heart failure by inhibiting the GRK2 enzyme. The study's findings suggest that physicians may consider prescribing paroxetine to heart failure patients with clinical depression to improve their heart function.
Research suggests that early life stress can lead to an excess release of serotonin, resulting in a deficit. This could explain why many people with depression and anxiety disorders don't respond well to SSRIs, which aim to increase serotonin levels.
A new report from Michigan Medicine and Johns Hopkins University concludes that non-drug approaches, such as caregiver training, work better and carry fewer risks than behavior-calming drugs for Alzheimer patients. The DICE framework provides a tailored approach to address behavioral issues in dementia patients.
A new study suggests that taking popular anti-smoking medication for several weeks before quitting may make it easier to quit and stay quit. The research found that extending the use of bupropion prior to quitting reduced smoking during that period without increasing craving or withdrawal.
A Group Health study of over 3,000 patients found that anticholinergic medications increase the risk of pneumonia in older adults. The study suggests that clinicians should review medications regularly to identify potential risks and explore alternative treatments.
Two studies found that morphine equivalent doses of opioids over 100mg/day increase drug overdose risk, while antidepressant use can mitigate this risk. A third study revealed a 'catch-22' where patients without depression are more likely to overdose when taking opioids with sedatives.
A new survey by Henry Ford Hospital found that brain surgery for hard-to-treat epilepsy can sustain beneficial effects for up to 15 years. The study showed a significant increase in patients' ability to drive and an improvement in antidepressant use, with most patients considering their surgery worthwhile.
A large study links taking commonly used medications with anticholinergic effects to a significantly increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. People taking certain medications at high doses or for longer periods are estimated to be at greater risk for developing dementia.
The Endocrine Society recommends combining weight loss medications with diet and exercise, and considering bariatric surgery for those who have not achieved success. The guideline also provides recommendations for selecting medications that promote weight loss or have no effect on weight.
A UCLA study found that early exposure to antidepressants can impact adult anxiety behavior, with Lexapro potentially altering serotonin neurotransmission and reducing anxiety in mice. The research highlights the need for safer antidepressant options during pregnancy.
A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that benzodiazepine prescribing increases steadily with age, especially among older women. The study suggests that prescriptions for benzodiazepines exceed what research suggests is appropriate and safe, particularly in this age group.
Researchers explain how certain antidepressants, like SSRIs, can initially worsen symptoms by suppressing the release of neurotransmitter glutamate. This delay in effectiveness may be linked to the dual signal of serotonin and glutamate in brain neurons.
A team of researchers has identified an enzyme that inhibits the breakdown of progesterone, a hormone linked to PMS. This discovery could lead to targeted therapy with minimal side effects.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry developed the first potent and highly selective inhibitor of FKBP51, called SAFit-ligand. This inhibitor enhances neuronal cell growth and improves stress-coping behavior in mice, providing a structural and functional basis for mechanistically novel antidepressant treatment.
Researchers found that antidepressant Citalopram restored connections between brain cells, reversing depressive-like behaviors and improved mood. The treatment focused on the nucleus accumbens region, regulating reward and motivation, and showed promise in addressing postpartum depression symptoms.
A recent study published in Nature found that a specific brain protein called beta-catenin influences how the brain manages stress and depression. The research suggests that activating this protein may provide a new model of treating depression by bolstering resilience against stress.
Researchers found that FKBP51 regulates acute and chronic effects of antidepressants via autophagic pathways in mice and humans. Autophagy markers correlate with antidepressant treatment response in patients with depression.
Research suggests an increase in psychotropic medication prescriptions, with doctors often relying on standardized treatments rather than tailored approaches. The tension between clinical reasoning and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) is also a major concern.
A study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress found that people with mental health disorders are twice as likely to develop heart disease or stroke. The study also showed that psychiatric medications and unhealthy behaviors contribute to this increased risk.
In a National Institutes of Health trial, ketamine restored loss of interest in pleasurable activities within 40 minutes, with the effect lasting up to 14 days. Brain scans showed boosted activity in areas linked to motivation and reward-seeking behavior, independent of other antidepressant effects.
The study found that mental health problems differ among various subgroups of Hispanics and Latinos, highlighting the need for tailored mental health services. Depression affected 27% of the population, while antidepressant use was relatively low, especially among uninsured individuals.
Research reveals that increasing fatty fish intake boosts antidepressant response rates in non-responders. Patients who ate more fatty fish had a 75% chance of responding to antidepressants, whereas those who never ate it had only a 23% chance.
The new terminology is based on a classification developed in the 1960s, but has not evolved significantly since. The proposed system will have four components or axes: pharmacological target and mode of action, approved indications, efficacy, and neurobiological description.
Researchers found that using brief depression symptom measures in primary care settings can lead to unnecessary antidepressant prescriptions. The study suggests that these questionnaires may not be diagnostic and can cause false positives, resulting in over-treatment.
A large study found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is more effective and can have lasting effects than medication for social anxiety disorder. CBT helps people challenge irrational fears and overcome avoidance of social situations.
Researchers discovered that a single dose of antidepressant can dramatically change the human brain's functional architecture within three hours. The study found increased connectivity in two specific brain regions, while reducing intrinsic connectivity elsewhere.
A study of 307 patients with treatment-resistant MDD found that NeuroStar TMS Therapy induced significant response and remission, which were maintained through 52 weeks. At one year, 68% achieved symptomatic improvement and 45% reported complete remission.
Researchers found that antidepressants reduced pain in over half of the trials examined, but cautioned that more definitive studies are necessary to recommend their use. The review aims to inform future research directions for this area of study.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry found no statistically significant link between prenatal antidepressant exposure and autism risk after accounting for severe maternal depression. However, an increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persisted even after controlling for factors related to a mother...
A study of 19,136 people found that 15% had experienced an episode of sleep drunkenness in the last year, with more than half reporting multiple episodes per week. People with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions were more likely to experience the disorder.
A randomized clinical trial found that patients with severe, nonchronic depression had better recovery rates when treated with combined therapy of cognitive therapy and antidepressant medication compared to antidepressant medication alone. Patients who received combined treatment also reported fewer serious adverse events.
A randomized clinical trial found that combining cognitive therapy with antidepressant medicine increases the odds of recovery by up to 30% for patients with severe, nonchronic depression. In contrast, chronic or mild cases do not benefit from this combination.
A new study presents findings on how older adults coped with the economic downturn, revealing that over 40% reported a decrease in financial strain between 2006 and 2010. The research also found that initial financial strain and increasing strain exacted a toll on mental health, particularly anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Researchers found low field magnetic stimulation (LFMS) to have rapid mood-elevating effects in depressed patients. A portable device delivered a low strength, high frequency electromagnetic field waveform to the brain, resulting in an immediate and substantial improvement in mood.
A meta-analysis of 17 clinical trials found that early filiform needle acupuncture significantly improved depression symptoms and was safer than conventional medications. This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture in managing poststroke depression.
A UT Southwestern Medical Center study found that combining cognitive behavioral therapy with medication improves long-term success of depression treatment in children and adolescents. Relapse rates were significantly lower for those who received both forms of treatment compared to those on medication alone.
Research from McMaster University suggests a correlation between maternal use of fluoxetine during pregnancy and increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children. The study's findings raise concerns about the long-term metabolic complications in children born to women who take SSRIs during pregnancy.
A new study found that maternal use of the antidepressant fluoxetine during pregnancy increases the risk of fatty liver disease in adult offspring. The researchers studied rats exposed to fluoxetine in utero and found a significant association with metabolic abnormalities.
A study by Harvard Medical School found that antidepressant prescriptions for young people dropped after FDA warnings, leading to a relative increase in suicide attempts. The researchers suggest that better communication between the FDA, media, and physicians is needed to ensure patients receive appropriate treatment.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that blocking NMDA receptors with ketamine can elicit rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The study suggests that this fundamental difference between ketamine and memantine could lead to a new class of drugs with fewer side effects.
A study of 2,654 pregnant women found that PTSD and a major depressive episode were associated with a four-fold increased risk of preterm birth. The risk appears independent of antidepressant or benzodiazepine medication use.
Researchers at McGill University discovered a tiny molecule, miR-1202, that regulates glutamate receptors and is lower in the brains of depressed individuals. The study found that this microRNA increases with antidepressant treatment, suggesting it could be a potential target for developing new treatments.
Researchers found that antidepressants with certain properties contribute less to weight gain than others, which could influence treatment preferences for patients at risk of weight gain. The study analyzed data from a large healthcare system and identified differences in weight gain rates among various antidepressant medications.
A new study from Drexel University suggests that in utero exposure to antidepressant medications may contribute to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children. The study analyzed large population-based registers and found a two-fold increased risk for ASD associated with in utero exposure to SSRIs.
The FDA has approved medications that raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, despite inadequate safety data. The agency is urged to establish guidelines and require pharmaceutical companies to provide cardiovascular safety data on these medications.
Researchers found that antidepressant citalopram reduced amyloid beta production in mice and humans, potentially slowing Alzheimer's progression. The study suggests a possible new treatment approach for the devastating disease.
A new analysis of data from two independent studies shows that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) administered with the NeuroStar TMS Therapy System resulted in greater symptom improvement than conventional antidepressant medication among patients with Major Depressive Disorder who failed to benefit from prior treatment. Additiona...
A study from the University of Waterloo found a correlation between abnormal binocular vision, general health, and antidepressant use in older adults. Binocular vision disorders affect depth perception and may increase fall risk, affecting up to 38% of those over 80 years old.
A recent study found that high doses of antidepressants are associated with a higher risk of suicidal behavior in children and young adults. The study suggests that clinicians should avoid initiating pharmacotherapy at high-therapeutic doses and monitor patients for several months after starting treatment.
Researchers found that activating neurons instead of dampening them opens a new avenue to mimic and promote natural resilience. The study suggests a conceptually novel therapeutic strategy for treating depression.
Research found that fish exposed to antidepressants like Fluoxetine displayed altered mating behaviors, repetitive behavior, and aggression towards female fish. The effects were reversible once the concentration level was reduced.
Researchers found that two-thirds of women on antidepressants stopped breastfeeding after pregnancy, while one-third continued with successful outcomes. The health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and children far outweigh any potential risks from medication.
A new study finds that adult patients with diabetes who trust their medical provider and feel included in treatment decisions are more likely to take and maintain a newly prescribed antidepressant medication. Shared decision-making is also associated with better adherence later in the course of antidepressant treatment.
Researchers at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Oxford conducted a UK study on the use of ketamine intravenous infusions in people with treatment-resistant depression. The study found that 29% of patients experienced benefit that lasted at least three weeks, while 15% took over 2 months to relapse.
Researchers found that acupuncture/electroacupuncture combined with Seroxat improves depressive symptoms and reduces obsessive-compulsive and anxiety symptoms. The treatment produces a rapid onset of therapeutic effect.