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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…
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Depression often comes with significant sleep disturbances that can persist even after other symptoms improve. Choosing an antidepressant that alleviates sleep problems may improve outcomes. Key Facts: Sleep complaints like insomnia occur in 60-90% of depressi…
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Food provides the building blocks for our mental and physical health. New research reveals that many common foods supply key neurotransmitters that regulate brain and nervous system function. Understanding how our diet provides these crucial molecules opens up…
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Suicide is a devastating public health problem, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide each year. Understanding the underlying biological and psychological factors that increase suicide risk is key for developing effective prevention and interventio…
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Social anxiety disorder (SAD), one of the most common anxiety disorders, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations. A new brain imaging study provides evidence that SAD is associated with an overactive serotonin system. Key Takeaways: Using PET…
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Depression affects over 120 million people worldwide, carrying a heavy burden of disability, mortality, and cost. While medications like SSRIs have provided relief for many, most patients fail to achieve full remission. After 30 years with few advances in phar…
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Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonin activity in the brain and body. Key facts: SS is characterized by a triad of mental status changes, neuromuscular abnormalities, and autonomic instability. It is…
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Brain serotonin is crucially involved in regulating mood, social behavior, and physical health. While medications that alter serotonin levels have revolutionized psychiatry, non-drug approaches may provide safer, sustainable ways to optimize serotonin and prom…
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Brain zaps are brief, electric shock-like sensations felt in the brain that can occur when decreasing or stopping dosage of certain antidepressants. Though poorly understood, new research is shedding light on this perplexing phenomenon. Key Facts: Brain zaps a…
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Gambling is a complex behavior influenced by multiple factors in the brain. New research in mice provides insight into the neurobiology underlying key aspects of gambling such as making the initial decision to gamble and persistently chasing losses. Key Facts:…
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