Major Depressive Disorder News and Research

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Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by depressed mood or anhedonia (significant loss of interest or pleasure). The condition affects more than 15.7 million adults and approximately 3 million adolescents (aged 13 to 17 years) in the USA each year.

Support for DSM-5 mixed features specifier

Study findings uphold the value of the DSM-5 mixed features specifier of at least three depressive symptoms during a manic episode for diagnosing and classifying patients with mixed mania.

8 Jan 2014

PET imaging of brain reveals ketamine may act as antidepressant by regulating serotonin activity

Ketamine is a potent anesthetic employed in human and veterinary medicine, and sometimes used illegally as a recreational drug. The drug is also a promising candidate for the fast treatment of depression in patients who do not respond to other medications.

7 Jan 2014

Antidepressant medications do not increase suicide risk in children

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study released today shows there is no evidence that the risk of suicide differs with two commonly prescribed antidepressants prescribed to children and adolescents.

7 Jan 2014

Portage acquires approximately 54% equity in Biohaven

Portage Biotech Inc., is pleased to announce that it has acquired approximately 54% equity in Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Limited, a private corporation formed under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, for $3.5 million, payable as $1.75 million upfront and the balance in three installments over the next eleven months.

6 Jan 2014

Inactive patients following cardiac surgery have higher risk of depression

New research indicates that inactive patients following cardiac surgery have a substantially higher risk of depression and that the number of patients suffering from depression after cardiac surgery is as high as 40%. Investigators recommend that cardiac patients should be assessed for depression and level of physical activity and remain as active as they safely can after surgery to minimize post-operative depression. The results are published in the December issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

19 Dec 2013

Eli Lilly reports edivoxetine Phase III program did not meet primary endpoint for major depressive disorder

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that results from three studies of edivoxetine did not meet the primary study objective of superior efficacy in depression after eight weeks of treatment.

6 Dec 2013

Early natural history of bipolar disorder mapped

A longitudinal study of children of parents with bipolar disorder gives insights into the developmental trajectory of the condition, which researchers say should prove valuable in guiding future intervention and prevention efforts.

28 Nov 2013

Bipolarity caution in depressed MS patients

Physicians should be sure to exclude bipolar disorder before prescribing antidepressants to patients with multiple sclerosis who have depression, say researchers.

26 Nov 2013

Mood disorder subtypes remain in the family

Psychosis, mania, and depression are unlikely to have shared hereditary causes, report researchers in Molecular Psychiatry.

8 Nov 2013

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation announces recipients of NARSAD Investigator Grants

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (formerly known as NARSAD, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression), under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, President & CEO, has announced the latest recipients of its NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants.

8 Nov 2013

Bipolar mania and depression independently inherited

Bipolar mania and depression may be independently inherited in families, findings of a US study suggest.

7 Nov 2013

FDA approves Prior Approval Supplement for EMBEDA Extended Release Capsules CII

Pfizer Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a Prior Approval Supplement for EMBEDA (morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride) Extended Release Capsules CII.

4 Nov 2013

Alkermes reports 38% of year-over-year revenue growth from key products

Alkermes plc today reported financial results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2013. This is the second quarter of the nine-month period ending Dec. 31, 2013, as the company transitions to reporting on a calendar year basis.

31 Oct 2013

e-Therapeutics begins ETS6103 phase IIb trial for major depressive disorder

e-Therapeutics plc announces that it has started a randomised double-blind controlled phase IIb trial of ETS6103 in major depressive disorder.

31 Oct 2013

Serotonin 2C receptors induce fast-acting antidepressant effects in mice

More than 1 in 10 Americans take antidepressants, but these medications can take weeks-and for some patients, months-before they begin to alleviate symptoms. Now, scientists from the University of Chicago have discovered that selectively blocking a serotonin receptor subtype induces fast-acting antidepressant effects in mice, indicating a potential new class of therapeutics for depression. The work was published Oct. 29 in Molecular Psychiatry.

29 Oct 2013

Multifactorial approach needed for early bipolar detection

At-risk states for bipolar disorder require a multifaceted approach to be identified and appropriately treated, according to preliminary results from the Dresden High-Risk Project.

24 Oct 2013

Researchers find relationship between solar intensity and ADHD prevalence

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is the most common childhood psychiatric disorder. Scientists do not know what causes it, but genetics play a clear role. Other risk factors have also been identified, including premature birth, low birth weight, a mother's use of alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, and environmental exposures to toxins like lead.

23 Oct 2013

Obesity may aggravate bipolar neuropathology

Being overweight may result in increased white matter loss in key brain regions in patients with bipolar disorder, research suggests.

18 Oct 2013

Bipolar risk markers identified in depressed ADHD children

Researchers have identified risk markers for bipolar I disorder conversion in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and major depressive disorder.

15 Oct 2013

Elsevier journals currently offers 3D visualization services to authors and readers

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, and Kitware, a worldwide leader in developing advanced visualization technologies, today announced that Elsevier journals offer the opportunity to upload 3D datasets when submitting a paper for publication. This way, once published, readers can interactively explore 3D datasets next to the online article on ScienceDirect.

15 Oct 2013