New research finds that regular running is just as effective as antidepressants for treating depression and anxiety, and leads to better physical health outcomes. Key Facts: In a study of 141 patients, running therapy and antidepressant medication had comparable effects on rates of remission (no longer meeting diagnostic criteria) from depression/anxiety disorders. However, running led …
Depression affects over 300 million people globally. Current antidepressants have limited efficacy and slow onset of action. New research shows promise for compounds targeting metabotropic glutamate receptors 2 and 3 (mGluR2/3) as fast-acting antidepressants with fewer side effects. Key Facts: 1/3 of depressed patients are treatment-resistant with current antidepressants mGluR2/3 inhibitors show robust, rapid (within …
Researchers have made strides towards enabling personalized dosing for the commonly prescribed antidepressant escitalopram. Using robust clinical trial data, they developed an innovative population pharmacokinetics model that elucidates the impact of patient genetics and physiology. Key Facts: Model based on data from over 170 healthy Chinese adults receiving single escitalopram doses Identified CYP2C19 liver enzyme …
Medications are meant to treat medical conditions and improve health, but some can have the unintended consequence of weight gain, which can then worsen other health risks. Understanding which medications tend to cause weight gain and the mechanisms behind this effect can help patients and doctors make informed treatment decisions. Key Facts: Medications for diabetes, …
Semaglutide is emerging as a wonder drug for management of various metabolic diseases. Originally approved for type 2 diabetes, this glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist is now showing promise for treating obesity, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Let’s explore the therapeutic potential of semaglutide and how it acts as …
Synthetic cathinones like MDPV emerged as drugs of abuse in the early 2010s, gaining notoriety for their powerful stimulant effects and association with bizarre intoxication and death. Despite legislation banning MDPV and its analogs, these substances continue circulating in the drug marketplace. Understanding the pharmacology of MDPV provides insight on its abuse liability, toxic effects, …
Cocaine abuse leads to dysfunction of brain dopamine systems and the development of addiction. New research identifies changes in the dopamine transporter as a driving force underlying cocaine addiction, and points to a novel way to reverse these detrimental effects. Key Facts: Cocaine abuse caused the dopamine transporter to form larger complexes of multiple transporter …
Researchers have found that repeated low doses of amphetamine can alter reward and motivation circuits in the human brain. The changes mirror what is seen in addiction and schizophrenia. Key Facts: Healthy volunteers received 4 doses of a low 20mg dose of amphetamine or placebo, spaced 2 days apart. Those getting amphetamine showed enhanced subjective …
New research reveals that the wake-promoting drug modafinil affects markers of sleep homeostasis differently depending on a person’s genetics. Key facts: Modafinil improved sustained attention in people with a certain gene variant but not others after sleep deprivation. Modafinil reduced sleepiness and theta brain waves during wakefulness regardless of genetics. Modafinil did not reduce slow …
A series of studies suggest that repeated low doses of d-amphetamine can lead to a progressively greater behavioral response in some people. This phenomenon, known as “behavioral sensitization,” has been observed in animal models and hypothesized to contribute to addiction in humans. However, few controlled human studies have directly tested this idea. A new double-blind, …
