Articles tagged with Antidepressants
A multi-site US-Canada study found that antidepressant citalopram significantly relieved symptoms of agitation in Alzheimer's patients and reduced caregivers' stress levels. The study involved 186 patients with Alzheimer's disease who showed no relief from non-medication therapies or antipsychotic drugs.
A high dose of antidepressant citalopram significantly reduced agitation in Alzheimer's patients, but higher doses pose a risk of heart rhythm disorder. Caregivers experienced reduced distress when caring for patients taking the medication.
A study found that citalopram reduced agitation in Alzheimer's patients, but at the cost of mild cognitive impairment and increased risk of cardiac adverse effects. The researchers concluded that citalopram cannot be generally recommended as an alternative treatment option due to its limitations.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that rapid improvements in depression symptoms during PTSD treatments are associated with better outcomes. Negative social support from family or friends was also linked to worsening depression symptoms, while transient spikes did not negatively impact treatment progress.
A meta-analysis published in The BMJ suggests that infants exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during late pregnancy are at a higher risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension, which can lead to breathing difficulties. However, the authors stress that the overall risk remains low and that depression during pregna...
A study found that most pediatric primary care practitioners are reluctant to prescribe antidepressant medications to adolescent patients, even in severe cases. PCPs who had access to on-site mental health care providers and were more knowledgeable about depression were more likely to prescribe antidepressants.
Researchers at Hebrew University find that chronic stress activates microglia cells, leading to depressive-like behavior and reduced neurogenesis. Blocking or stimulating microglia cells with specific drugs can reverse these effects, offering new avenues for antidepressant treatment.
Researchers found that ketamine increases serotoninergic neurons in brain areas regulating motivation, suggesting its antidepressant action. The PET imaging studies demonstrate the potential of the technology in diagnosing major depressive disorder and developing new antidepressants.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study tracked over 36,000 children taking two commonly prescribed antidepressants and found no evidence of increased suicidal risk. The research aimed to inform decision-making on treatment options for pediatric patients with major depressive disorder.
A study found that using antidepressant nortriptyline for 15 weeks did not improve symptoms of idiopathic gastroparesis. Researchers concluded that tricyclic antidepressants may not be an effective strategy for treating this disease.
A recent meta-analysis suggests that antidepressants are not effective in treating bipolar disorder. The study found no significant difference in response rates or remission for patients using antidepressants compared to placebo.
A study published in Depression and Anxiety found that exercise can improve orgasm function and overall sexual functioning in women taking antidepressants. Regular exercise, especially immediately before sex, was shown to boost libido and alleviate side effects of antidepressant medications.
Researchers found that combining modafinil with antidepressants improved depression symptoms and reduced fatigue, which are common relapse triggers. The study suggests modafinil may be a useful supplement for those struggling with depression.
A large Danish study of over 600,000 children found no significant link between antidepressant medication during pregnancy and the risk of autism. After adjusting for parental psychiatric diagnoses, the researchers determined that taking antidepressants during pregnancy does not further increase the risk of autism.
A new study found that scopolamine causes rapid activation of mTOR signaling and increased synaptic connections in the prefrontal cortex, similar to ketamine. This suggests a common downstream action linked to rapid antidepressant responses.
A new study published in Journal of Psychiatric Practice reveals that pregnant women with depression often experience conflict when deciding on treatment. They strongly prefer non-drug treatments like psychotherapy and alternative therapies, citing concerns about antidepressant medications' potential effects on the developing baby.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reports that the compound sarcosine enhances NMDA receptor function, causing antidepressant-like effects and improving mood scores in patients with depression. The findings suggest that normalizing NMDA receptor activity may restore mood to normal levels.
Researchers at OHSU's Vollum Institute published two papers on neurotransmission in Nature, revealing a detailed view of the structural biology of the dopamine transporter. This breakthrough could lead to the development of better antidepressants with few or no side effects.
A study found that targeted communication strategies did not improve mental health outcomes in patients with depression. The interventions increased patient engagement and requests for information about depression, but failed to improve symptoms at a 12-week follow-up.
Researchers have found a potential new class of fast-acting antidepressants that could alleviate symptoms in as little as five days, offering a safer alternative to existing treatments.
Researchers have developed a computational method that analyzes mouse behavior to categorize psychiatric drugs more efficiently. The algorithm, called Pattern Array, identifies complex behaviors in mice on various drugs and classifies them into six classes, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics.
Research reveals that a genetic variation in the ADRA2B gene affects how well antidepressants like reboxetine weaken negative memory recall in healthy men. The study found that individuals with the variant gene form recalled more negative memories, regardless of treatment.
A study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was more effective than progressive muscle relaxation therapy (PMR) in reducing heavy drinking among anxious alcoholics. The addition of medication to either CBT or PMR did not decrease alcohol consumption.
Researchers suggest targeting the glutamatergic system as a viable target for antidepressant drug development, with potential to rapidly alleviate symptoms of depression. A phase II trial demonstrated a surprisingly rapid antidepressant effect in humans, and further studies indicate extended efficacy.
A systematic review by the University of Southampton found that people taking antidepressants are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, although the exact cause is still unknown. Different types of antidepressants may carry varying risks, and further research is needed to determine their individual effects.
A new study by Henry Ford Hospital researchers found that mental state and thinking abilities can predict early hospital readmissions in heart patients. Depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments are related to increased risk of hospital admissions and readmissions.
Researchers found that activating CREM accelerates therapeutic efficacy of current antidepressants, increasing nerve growth in the hippocampus and reducing treatment time to just one or two days. This discovery could lead to faster-acting drug targets for depression.
A form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) called exposure and ritual prevention has been shown to augment antidepressant treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with 80% of patients responding compared to 23% on antipsychotics. The therapy works by retraining the brain's habit-forming circuitry to unlearn compulsive rituals.
A Florida State University researcher is studying how estrogen and progesterone impact the antidepressant effects of ketamine, which has shown promise in treating depression. The goal is to find a safer treatment for men, who require higher doses, while minimizing side effects.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used pharmacometabolomics to analyze biochemical changes in people taking antidepressants, finding that those whose depression improved had distinct metabolic profiles. The study suggests that serotonin metabolism in the pineal gland may play a role in depression treatment outcomes.
A new online risk calculator estimates an individual's likelihood of treatment resistance to antidepressants, providing a graphical estimate based on statistical patterns from the STAR*D study. The calculator aims to help clinicians design personalized treatment plans for patients with depression.
A recent study found that nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, with 20 percent taking five or more medications. The study highlights the prevalence of antidepressants and painkilling opioids in prescriptions, which may raise concerns about their addictive nature.
A new animal study finds that short-term use of antidepressants, combined with stress and a high-fat diet, leads to long-term increases in body weight. The study suggests that the medication, rather than the diet alone, contributes to the weight gain, which is accompanied by increased bone and spleen weights.
A recent study found that postmenopausal women who experience depression or take antidepressant medication have a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study, led by Dr. Yunsheng Ma, found associations between elevated depressive symptoms, increased insulin levels, and higher waist circumference.
A new biomarker has been identified to predict which type of depression treatment is most likely to be successful, either therapy or medication. The study used pre-treatment brain scans to identify a pivotal predictor of outcomes from two standard forms of depression treatment: cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or escitalopram.
A new study suggests that long-term antidepressant treatment impairs fear extinction learning in rats, which may disrupt the effectiveness of exposure therapy. The authors propose a mechanism involving decreased NMDA receptor subunits in the amygdala.
A new compound, GLYX-13, has been shown to rapidly lift depression without the severe side effects associated with ketamine. The molecule activates NMDA receptors, leading to increased memory and learning, and has been found effective in patients who failed treatment with conventional antidepressants.
International researchers found that all seven psychotherapeutic interventions have comparable effects on depressive symptoms, regardless of patient group or therapy type. The therapies worked equally well for individual and group therapy, as well as internet-based interactions.
A clinical study demonstrates the durability of NeuroStar TMS Therapy in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who have failed to respond to prior antidepressant medication. After acute treatment, patients maintained significant improvement and remission through 12 months, suggesting a long-term benefit of the therapy.
Researchers found ketamine to be effective in treating treatment-resistant depression within 24 hours, with a response rate of 63.8% compared to 28% in the placebo group. The antidepressant benefits were durable after seven days, making ketamine a promising new treatment option for patients with severe and refractory forms of depression.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered a connection between CB1 receptors and PTSD, finding that individuals with PTSD have lower levels of neurotransmitter anandamide. This breakthrough may lead to the development of novel evidence-based treatments for PTSD.
Randomized trials show exercise reduces depressive symptoms in MDD patients, whether used alone or combined with medication and/or psychotherapy. Exercise intensity and duration are recommended to be 50-85% of maximum heart rate for aerobic exercises and 80% 1-repetition maximum for resistance training.
Researchers found that vagus nerve stimulation brings about changes in brain metabolism weeks or months before patients begin to feel better. The treatment was able to improve symptoms of depression in 9 out of 13 participants, with significant changes in brain metabolism occurring far in advance of any improvement in mood.
A new study found no increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms or death in patients taking daily doses of citalopram above 40mg, contradicting the FDA's warning. Higher dosages were associated with fewer adverse outcomes than lower dosages.
A recent Lund University study analyzed antidepressant ads in the Swedish Medical Journal between 1994 and 2003, finding that 34% were deemed misleading by industry self-regulation. The review process was criticized for being ineffective, with only 0.009% of sales revenue fined for unethical marketing.
The Mayo Clinic has created an institution-wide electronic warning system to identify patients at risk of premature death due to prolonged QT intervals. The system alerts physicians when a patient's ECG shows an abnormal heart rhythm, and has been shown to reduce mortality rates by nearly four times.
Research highlights the significant impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on sexuality, including cognitive deficits, medical issues, and relationship changes. Rehabilitation strategies are crucial to address these challenges and improve sexual functioning in TBI survivors.
Researchers from the University of Granada confirmed the effectiveness of a spray containing 1% malic acid in improving xerostomy, or dry mouth, caused by anti-depressant drugs. The study found significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life for patients with this condition.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that common genetic variants explain 42% of individual differences in antidepressant response, providing a significant step towards personalized treatment for depression. The research identified multiple genetic markers involved in predicting response to antidepressants.
A recent study by Northwestern University found that antidepressant exposure during pregnancy does not impact infant growth over the first year. Infants born to mothers who took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had similar weight, length, and head circumference as infants born to non-depressed women.
A new study challenges the long-held explanation that depression is caused by insufficient serotonin levels. Instead, researchers found that abnormal communication between brain cells is the root cause of depression. This discovery opens possibilities for new therapies targeting excitatory connections rather than serotonin.
A meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials found that adjunctive antipsychotic medications improve depressive symptoms but have limited effects on quality of life. The treatments are also linked to side effects such as weight gain, sedation, and akathisia.
A study suggests a link between untreated depression and decreased response to the shingles vaccine in older adults. Depression treatment, however, boosts cell-mediated immunity and increases vaccine effectiveness.
A 30-year study of nearly 400 men found that nearly one-third of major depressive episodes were seen only while they were drinking heavily. Heavy drinking is often mistaken for depression, but the symptoms typically resolve within weeks to a month of abstinence.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered a key protein that antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy target to relieve depression by stimulating stem cells in the brain. This finding could lead to genetic tests to predict individual responses to therapy and develop new treatments.
A study found that a biomarker based on brain activity in the visual cortex can predict response to scopolamine, an experimental rapid-acting antidepressant. Patients with depression showed lower visual cortex activity, which correlated with treatment response.
Patients attending a family practice clinic will be offered genetic testing to see how they respond to psychiatric medication. The tests, which analyze variations on five genes, can help physicians predict which medications are safe and effective for each patient.
A recent study found a link between certain antidepressants and long QT intervals, a marker for heart rhythm abnormalities. The research used electronic health records to track patients who had taken antidepressants or methadone, and discovered that some medications increased the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
A new analysis of over 38,000 patient records reveals the effects of various antidepressants on heart rhythm, confirming associations with some medications but not others. The study supports FDA warnings and provides guidance for patients taking antidepressants like citalopram and escitalopram.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that psychiatrists exposed to COI policies during residency are less likely to prescribe brand-name antidepressants after graduation. The results suggest that COI policies can lower rates of prescribing heavily promoted antidepressants, potentially reducing cost growth.