mechanisms of action

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) of Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Seems Effective for Depression & Anxiety (2024 Review)

by

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) at 2-mA intensity effectively alleviates depressive symptoms and shows promise in reducing anxiety symptoms across various clinical conditions. Highlights: tDCS targeting the left DLPFC significantly reduces depressive symptoms, highlighting it as a transdiagnostic neural mechanism across diverse clinical conditions. The meta-analysis showed that …

Read more

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists & Lower Dementia Risk in Older Adults with Diabetes (2024 Study)

by

TLDR: GLP-1 agonists were found to significantly reduce the risk of dementia in older individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to DPP-4 inhibitors and sulfonylureas. Highlights: A sequential trial emulation was conducted using data from Swedish national registers from 2010 to 2020, involving 88,381 participants aged 65 or older with T2DM. The incidence …

Read more

Quercetin Alginate Nanogels Loaded with BDNF for Depression (2023 Study)

by

TLDR: Quercetin-based alginate nanogels loaded with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier via intranasal delivery, providing a promising treatment for depressive disorders. Highlights: Nanogels: Quercetin nanogels protect BDNF from oxidative damage, exhibit rapid brain distribution, and significantly enhance bioavailability compared to oral administration. Efficacy: BDNF-Quercetin nanogels delivered via intranasal route show …

Read more

How do Antidepressants Work in the Brain? Delayed Onset vs. Rapid-Acting & Neuroplasticity

by

Current antidepressants can take weeks to improve symptoms of depression. New research explores reasons for this delay and provides clues to develop more rapid-acting drugs. Key Facts: Most antidepressants increase brain serotonin and norepinephrine, but their mood benefits are delayed for weeks. Researchers are investigating other mechanisms that could explain this lag. Two leading theories …

Read more

Key Anticancer Peptides (ACPs): Advances in Cancer Treatment

by

Anti-cancer peptides (ACPs) offer a potentially more targeted way to detect and treat cancer compared to conventional therapies like chemotherapy. ACPs can discriminate between cancerous and healthy cells, resulting in fewer side effects. Key Facts: ACPs can actively penetrate and kill tumor cells or enhance the immune system’s response against tumors They have high specificity, …

Read more

BPC-157 Peptide May Treat CNS Disorders: Stroke, Schizophrenia, Spinal Cord Injury

by

The naturally occurring peptide BPC 157 shows potential to treat stroke, schizophrenia symptoms, and spinal cord injury in animal models. Key facts: BPC 157 rapidly counteracted stroke damage and led to full recovery of memory, coordination and movement in rats. The peptide alleviated schizophrenia-like symptoms and catalepsy in rodent models by modulating dopamine, glutamate and …

Read more

mGluR2/3 Inhibitors as Antidepressants: Targeting Glutamate Receptors in Depression

by

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 …

Read more

MDPV Mechanisms of Action: Neurochemical Effects of the Synthetic Cathinone

by

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, …

Read more

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (TACS) for Cognitive Enhancement & Psychiatric Disorders

by

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (TACS) is an emerging non-invasive brain stimulation technique that shows promise for enhancing cognition and treating psychiatric conditions like depression and schizophrenia. Recent research indicates TACS may improve symptoms and function by modulating brain oscillations and connectivity. Key facts: TACS delivers alternating electrical current to the brain at specific frequencies, which …

Read more

Probiotics for Depression: Prebiotics & Synbiotics May Also Help

by

Depression affects over 270 million people worldwide. New research is investigating whether manipulating gut bacteria with probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics can help treat depression symptoms. Key Facts: Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed. Prebiotics are food for probiotics. Synbiotics contain both probiotics and prebiotics. A meta-analysis combined results from 13 studies …

Read more