Articles tagged with Antidepressants
A recent study published in The BMJ found that nearly all off-label antidepressant prescriptions (around 29%) were not supported by strong scientific evidence. Only 16% of these prescriptions had direct evidence backing the drug's use for the indication, while 40% relied on another drug in the same class with strong evidence.
A study found that seniors taking three or more brain-affecting medications increased by over 100% between 2004 and 2013, with falls and driving problems being major concerns. The combination of opioids, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and antipsychotics carries special risks for older adults.
Researchers found that brain activity patterns, particularly within two networks involved in error detection and interference processing, can predict treatment response. Patients who showed stronger communication between these networks were less likely to benefit from antidepressants.
A new study from the University of Montreal found that antidepressants prescribed to pregnant women may increase the chance of having a baby with birth defects. The risk is significant enough to merit caution in their use, especially considering the marginal effectiveness of these medications.
Antidepressant use nearly doubles hip fracture risk among community-dwelling elderly with Alzheimer's, highest risk seen at the start of treatment. The association remains elevated even after adjusting for other fall and fracture risks.
Patients taking antidepressants for depression are more likely to report gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects if they also have panic disorder, according to a new study. Co-occurring panic disorder is associated with an increased risk of worsening depressive symptoms.
About 1 in 6 US adults take psychiatric drugs, with use increasing with age and women more likely to report use. The study found higher rates of prescription use among older adults and those over 60 taking antipsychotics.
A new study suggests that a metabolite of ketamine can produce antidepressant-like effects in mice, potentially leading to further research on the efficacy and safety of ketamine in humans. Ketamine has been shown to have rapid and potent antidepressant effects in humans, even in those resistant to traditional treatments.
Research suggests a link between gut microbiota and mood, anxiety, and depression, with changes in the diversity of microorganisms linked to behavioral changes and treatment implications.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that Sudarshan Kriya yoga significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in medicated patients with major depressive disorder. The technique, which includes sequential breathing exercises, reduced mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores by several points ...
A new study at the University of Kansas investigates the potential of transcranial direct current stimulation for depression therapy. Researchers will apply a safe, low current of electricity to the brain and measure changes in brain chemistry and neural activity among participants.
Researchers studied 880 MCI patients and found that the majority took at least one medication, with 40% taking four or more. The study highlights the importance of caution when prescribing medications to elderly patients, particularly those with anticholinergic effects.
A Loyola study found that giving severely depressed bipolar patients the arthritis drug celecoxib significantly boosted the effectiveness of their antidepressant escitalopram. In the eight-week study, 78% of patients in the celecoxib group experienced a 50% reduction in depression scores, compared to 45% in the placebo group.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new strategy for antidepressant therapies by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brains of depressed mice. This approach shows promise as a rapidly acting and more effective treatment option.
Released prisoners in Sweden who received antipsychotics, psychostimulants, and addictive disorder medications had a 42%, 38%, and 52% lower rate of violent reoffending, respectively. Completion of psychological treatments also showed significant reductions.
Researchers at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center have identified serotonin type 3A receptors as a key molecular target for antidepressants, including bupropion. This breakthrough finding has the potential to bring new hope to millions of people suffering from depression.
Researchers developed an imaging technique that creates a 3-D video of serotonin transport, mapping its activity across multiple brain regions. This tool could aid the research and development of antidepressants by analyzing how inhibitors like SSRIs work in different parts of the brain.
Research conducted by Rush University Medical Center found that patients with hypothyroidism who have normal TSH levels are more likely to take antidepressants, be less physically active, and exhibit lower energy levels. These findings indicate that persistent symptoms may not be solely in the patient's head.
Mothers who took antidepressants during pregnancy had a 37-percent increased risk of speech and/or language disorders in their offspring compared to mothers with depression but no treatment. The study, published online in JAMA Psychiatry, used a large sample population and followed children beyond age 3.
Scientists at Northwestern University discovered a new brain pathway that can be manipulated to alleviate depression. The BMP signaling pathway plays a key role in depression and can be targeted by a new molecule called Noggin, which stimulates neurogenesis and blocks the pathway.
A new study aims to evaluate treatment strategies for older adults with depression who have not responded to medications. The researchers will compare the effectiveness of switching people to a new medication or augmenting their current medication with a second drug.
Researchers found that adults who spent eight hours in bed daily showed greater improvements on all fronts, including faster response to treatment and higher remission rates. In contrast, those who spent six hours in bed experienced no significant differences in treatment response.
A new study by University of Vermont scientists contradicts the long-held belief that students flushing unused medications down the drain contribute significantly to pharmaceutical pollution. Instead, research found that excretion and other sources, like pharmaceutical manufacturing, are much more important contributors to wastewater.
Gerontologists call for clinicians to coordinate care among orthopedics, rehabilitation services, and primary care to reevaluate patients' medication use after a fracture. Clinicians should consider reducing or discontinuing psychotropic medications linked to increased risk of falls and fractures, while prioritizing prescribing drugs k...
A study by University of New South Wales and Italian researchers found a significant delay in diagnosing bipolar disorder, with an average delay of almost six years. This delay can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention and reduced severity of episodes.
Scientists at Northwestern University have identified a novel target for depression treatment by manipulating HCN channels in the hippocampus. Reducing these channel's function has been shown to improve mood in mice, offering new hope for millions of patients who don't respond to existing treatments.
A study found that 24 months of treatment with antidepressant escitalopram did not improve mortality, illness, or mood in patients with chronic heart failure and depression. Depression was shown to be an independent predictor of mortality and rehospitalization in these patients.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic are exploring the potential of genetic testing and electronic health records to tailor antidepressant treatment. The study finds that genetic variation can affect patient reactions to drugs, offering a unique opportunity to develop pharmacogenetic guidelines.
A study found that long-acting opioids for chronic noncancer pain were associated with a 1.6 times greater risk of all-cause mortality compared to anticonvulsants or cyclic antidepressants. Cardiovascular deaths accounted for over half of the excess deaths.
A comprehensive review of 14 antidepressants found that only fluoxetine was more effective at relieving depression symptoms than placebo. However, the true effectiveness and risk of serious harms remains unclear due to limited clinical trials and selective reporting.
A randomized clinical trial found that psychotherapy for complicated grief is efficacious and adding antidepressant citalopram improves outcomes for those with co-occurring depressive symptoms. The study's results support using antidepressants in conjunction with therapy for relief of co-occurring symptoms.
A blood test developed by King's College London accurately predicts which depressed patients will respond to common antidepressants. The test identifies biomarkers associated with inflammation, guiding patients towards earlier access to more assertive treatments.
A study analyzed treatment indications for antidepressants, finding that antidepressant use in the US has increased over the last two decades, with a significant portion prescribed off-label for conditions like insomnia and pain. The research highlights the need to evaluate evidence supporting off-label antidepressant use.
A small feasibility trial involving 12 people with treatment-resistant depression found that psilocybin was safe and well-tolerated, reducing symptoms of depression in about half of the participants at 3 months post-treatment. Further research is needed to understand the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin.
A new study found that children whose mothers used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy had longer umbilical cords than other newborns. The lengthening of the umbilical cord may indicate increased fetal activity and movement in the uterus.
A team of researchers has identified a ketamine metabolite that quickly reverses depression in mice without ketamine's major side effects. The study suggests that this compound may work by activating AMPA receptors, potentially opening up new vistas for the development of safer antidepressant treatments.
Researchers found that a chemical byproduct of ketamine metabolism is responsible for its rapid antidepressant action, unlike the anesthetic and dissociative effects. This discovery holds promise for developing more robust and safer treatments for depression.
A meta-analysis of nine randomized trials found that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an effective treatment option for preventing major depression relapse. Participants who received MBCT had a 31% lower risk of relapse compared to those who did not receive the therapy.
A meta-analysis of 40 clinical trials found that combining omega-3 fish oils with antidepressants had a statistically significant effect on improving mood. Other supplements like methylfolate, Vitamin D, and SAMe also showed promise as mood-enhancing therapies when taken with antidepressants.
Depressed teenagers who received cognitive behavioral therapy in their primary care clinic recovered faster and were more likely to recover than those without the counseling. The study found that 70% of teens in the program had recovered after six months, compared to 43% in the standard care group.
A 2-year study found that bupropion (Wellbutrin) is the only antidepressant to induce modest weight loss, while others lead to varying degrees of weight gain. Nonsmokers on bupropion lost an average of 2.4 pounds, compared to a 4.6-pound gain on fluoxetine.
Researchers found that 81% of adults with BDD who took escitalopram for 14 weeks experienced substantial improvement in symptoms. Continued treatment also further improved outcomes and reduced the risk of worsening symptoms. The study provides new evidence-based treatment options for this chronic disease.
Common Parkinson's disease medications can cause impulse control disorders such as pathological gambling, compulsive buying and binge eating in some patients. Alternative treatment strategies include adjusting medications, deep brain stimulation and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Researchers developed a compact system that can synthesize various pharmaceuticals in short periods, reducing batch production and addressing drug shortages. The system produces high-quality drugs continuously over several hours or days, with the potential to facilitate on-the-spot production of pills through new approaches.
A new study published in The BMJ found no evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions like heart attacks and strokes in people under 65. In fact, SSRIs may reduce the risk of heart attacks, particularly with fluoxetine use.
Researchers analyzed data from 238,963 patients with depression, finding no link between SSRIs and increased cardiovascular risk. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were associated with reduced heart attack risk, particularly with fluoxetine use.
Research from University at Buffalo finds that antidepressant use increases the odds of dental implant failure by four times. The study highlights the importance of weighing benefits against side effects for patients using these medications.
A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland found that antidepressant use begins years before an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. The most common antidepressants prescribed were selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and mirtazapine.
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.