drug (antidepressant)

Depression Guidelines Fall Short in Characterizing Withdrawal

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Current depression guidelines offer incomplete guidance for clinicians to identify antidepressant withdrawal, based on data from a review of 21 guidelines. Previous research suggests that approximately half of patients who discontinue or decrease dosage of antidepressants experience withdrawal symptoms, wrote Anders Sørensen, MD, of Copenhagen University Hospital, and colleagues. These symptoms are diverse and may … Read more

ADHD Exacts Higher Mental Health Toll vs Autism in Adults

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Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is more predictive of poor mental health in adults than autism spectrum disorder (ASD), new research suggests. In a trait-based analysis of more than 500 adults, researchers found that ADHD traits trumped ASD traits in predicting internalizing problems. “Further research is now needed to delve deeper into understanding exactly why ADHD … Read more

FDA Serotonin Syndrome Warning Unnecessary?

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The oral antibiotic linezolid does not increase risk for serotonin syndrome in patients taking antidepressants, new research suggests — contradicting a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2020 warning. Results from a study that included more than 1,100 patients who were prescribed linezolid, about 20% of whom were also taking antidepressants, showed that serotonin syndrome … Read more

IV Ketamine Effective for Resistant Depression in Older Adults?

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Dr Marie Anne Gebara The administration of IV ketamine over the course of 2 months can improve treatment resistant depression (TRD) and executive function in older adults, findings from a new pilot study suggest. Results showed nearly 50% of participants responded to ketamine and 25% achieved complete remission from TRD, as measured by scores on … Read more

Treatment-Resistant Depression Ups Risk for Comorbidities, Death

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Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is significantly linked to comorbid psychiatric conditions and a higher risk for mortality, and can take more than a year to be diagnosed, new research shows. In a population study of more than 145,000 patients, participants with TRD used outpatient resources and missed work at twice the rate as patients with treatment-responsive … Read more

‘Striking’ Rate of Suicidal Thoughts in Teens With Epilepsy

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee ― About 21% of teens are newly diagnosed with epilepsy experience suicidal ideation, and the percentage jumps to 31% within 3 years, new research reveals. Dr Hadley Greenwood “We hope these results inspire epileptologists and neurologists to both recognize and screen for suicide ideation and behaviors in their adolescent patients,” study investigator Hadley … Read more

Higher Potency of Fentanyl Affects Addiction Treatment, Screening

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As fentanyl-related overdose deaths continue to increase, clinicians should take note of the important differences that set the drug apart from the other drugs of misuse — and the troubling reality that fentanyl now contaminates most of them. “It would be fair to tell patients, if you’re buying any illegal drugs — pills, powder, liquid, … Read more

Strong Two-Way Link Between Epilepsy and Depression

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A large Danish study supports a robust and long-term bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and depression, with implications for diagnosis and patient care. Eva Bolling-Ladegaard The findings “strongly support previous observations of a bidirectional association between these two brain disorders,” Eva Bolling-Ladegaard, MD, PhD student, Department of Clinical Medicine (Neurology), Aarhus University, Denmark, told Medscape Medical … Read more

Novel Intervention Relieves Depression in MS Patients

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An internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) program specifically designed for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to usual treatment, new research shows. Participants in the randomized controlled trial who received iCBT either benefits alone or in combination with weekly emails from therapists reported that persisted up to a year after therapy. Although … Read more

Single Dose of Psilocybin for Major Depression Tied to Short-Term Remission

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A single 25 mg dose of synthetic psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy appears to effectively ease symptoms of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) — at least in the short-term, new research shows. In the largest study of psilocybin for TRD to-date, results of the phase 2b randomized, double-blind trial show participants in the 25-mg dose group experienced … Read more