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New technique tracks drug use through smartphones

A simple and convenient method to collect drug use data from the surface of a smartphone is revealed for the first time in a new study published in De Gruyter's Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. By helping clinicians understand what drugs people are taking in certain contexts, the research could protect public health and improve the treatment of patients suspected of overdosing.

23 Apr 2024

Ketamine's rapid impact on depression linked to immune system pathways

Study reveals ketamine's potent anti-inflammatory effects on neurological disorders, showing promise for treating major depressive disorder through modulation of neuroimmune pathways.

15 Apr 2024

Esketamine after childbirth cuts risk of postnatal depression by three-quarters

Low-dose esketamine administered post-labor significantly reduced depressive symptoms in women with prenatal depression within 42 days, despite an increase in short-lived neuropsychiatric side effects.

14 Apr 2024

Low dose esketamine injection after childbirth reduces postpartum depression

A single low dose injection of esketamine given immediately after childbirth reduces major depressive episodes in individuals with depressive symptoms during pregnancy (prenatal depression), finds a clinical trial published by The BMJ today.

12 Apr 2024

Tiam1 inhibition mitigates morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia in mouse model

Morphine and other opioids are vital to treat severe and chronic pain. However, they have two problems -; prolonged use creates morphine tolerance, where ever-increasing doses are needed for the same pain relief, and paradoxically, prolonged use also can create an extreme sensitivity to pain, called hyperalgesia.

9 Apr 2024

Study finds racial disparities in chemical sedation rates for psychiatric patients in the EDs

Black patients presenting at Emergency Departments (EDs) across the country with psychiatric complaints are 63 percent more likely to be chemically sedated than their white counterparts.

8 Apr 2024

When it comes to ketamine, Meta’s posting policy is no party to decipher

People keep talking about ketamine. The drug has become a favorite of celebrities, billionaires, and ordinary patients, many of whom view it as a potential miracle drug for depression and other mental health conditions.

7 Mar 2024

Key brain cells linked to repetitive behaviors in psychiatric diseases

Crym-expressing astrocytes in the striatum have been identified as key regulators of behaviors often seen in neuropsychiatric diseases, opening up new avenues for targeted therapies.

6 Mar 2024

RMIT-led study highlights the urgent need for more drug testing facilities in Australia

Testing of illicit drugs bought online found 35% were not what they said they were, highlighting the urgent need for more local drug testing facilities in Australia to prevent harm and overdose.

5 Mar 2024

Ketamine variant shows promise in treating social impairments

Well-being is important for everyone, especially when we feel lonely or isolated. Depression is a serious challenge for many people and finding an effective solution is key.

22 Feb 2024

Ketamine therapy for mental health a ‘wild West’ for doctors and patients

In late 2022, Sarah Gutilla's treatment-resistant depression had grown so severe, she was actively contemplating suicide.

31 Jan 2024

Vanderbilt launches $13 million trial to test repurposed drugs for Rett syndrome

Vanderbilt University Medical Center received a $13 million Department of Defense grant to lead a multisite clinical trial that will evaluate repurposed FDA-approved drugs as treatment options for patients with Rett syndrome.

16 Jan 2024

Study offers new insights into ketamine's rewiring of the brain

Ketamine – an anesthetic also known for its illicit use as a recreational drug – has undergone a thorough reputational rehabilitation in recent years as the medical establishment has begun to recognize its wide-ranging therapeutic effects.

4 Dec 2023

Science tackles mental health: New tools against anxiety and depression in a stressed world

This review in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences discusses the role of scientific tools in combating mental health disorders like anxiety, MDD, and PTSD, emphasizing the need for a deep scientific understanding and diverse treatment approaches in the face of a global surge in psychological stress. The study explores stress biology, treatment strategies, and the importance of personalized scientific approaches to effectively address the mental health crisis.

29 Nov 2023

UTS researcher tests new handheld device for rapidly and accurately identifying drug specimens

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Centre for Forensic Science PhD candidate Harry Fursman is working on two fronts to prevent harm to people who use drugs: He is testing a new handheld device for rapidly and accurately identifying drug specimens and conducting ongoing chemical analysis of used syringes.

16 Nov 2023

LHPP gene identified as a potential target for treatment-resistant depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a widespread mental health condition that for many is disabling. It has long been appreciated that MDD has genetic as well as environmental influences.

2 Nov 2023

Ketamine's long-lasting antidepressant effects unveiled in new study

Persistent blocking of NMDAR and burst-type firing by lateral habenula (LHb) neurons may offer a basis for the long-lasting antidepressant effects of ketamine.

22 Oct 2023

How ketamine treatment elicits long-lasting anti-depressive effects

Researchers discuss the mechanisms responsible for the sustained antidepressant effects of ketamine by examining ketamine-NMDAR interactions.

20 Oct 2023

Ketamine shows complex influence on social cognition in schizophrenia, study reveals

Researchers from the University of Bonn delve into the complex relationship between ketamine and social cognition deficits in schizophrenia, revealing both promising and cautionary insights.

12 Oct 2023

Intracellular journey: The penetration of antidepressants into cells, organelles, and membranes

Researchers in neuropsychopharmacology challenge conventional wisdom about antidepressants' actions, revealing significant intracellular activity that influences their effectiveness. Utilizing advanced technologies, the study prompts a reevaluation of drug targeting and mechanisms, opening new avenues for treating depression.

12 Oct 2023