Neuropsychopharmacology News and Research

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Study shows meth users have lower empathy and higher aggression, ecstasy users show normal empathy but more impulsive aggression

A study in the European Neuropsychopharmacology journal finds that methamphetamine users show lower empathy and higher aggression, whereas ecstasy (MDMA) users exhibit increased impulsive aggression but normal empathy levels.

23 Apr 2024

Probiotics plus vitamin D supplements may improve cognitive function in individuals with schizophrenia

Previous studies have questioned whether gut microbe imbalances and vitamin D deficiency may be linked to schizophrenia.

10 Apr 2024

Study identifies brain energy metabolism dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders

A global collaborative research group comprising 131 researchers from 105 laboratories across seven countries announces a groundbreaking research paper submitted to eLife.

26 Mar 2024

Researchers identify new potential target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Leeds and Lancaster University in the UK have identified a new potential target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease – PDE4B.

26 Mar 2024

Delta opioid receptor agonist reduces anxiety-like behavior in mice

Anxiety-related disorders can have a profound impact on the mental health and quality of life of affected individuals.

22 Feb 2024

Maternal experiences of discrimination may alter the strength of infants' brain circuits

Racial discrimination and bias are painful realities and increasingly recognized as detrimental to the health of adults and children.

7 Dec 2023

Brain stimulation offers promise for prospective memory deficits in schizophrenia

Most people with schizophrenia have extensive impairment of memory, including prospective memory, which is the ability to remember to perform future activities.

6 Dec 2023

Discrimination during pregnancy can harm the eveloping offspring brain

Experiences of discrimination and acculturation are known to have a detrimental effect on a person's health.

27 Nov 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

Intermittent use of benzodiazepines linked with fewer side effects

More than 60 years after being introduced, doctors have uncovered the first reliable evidence to confirm the belief that taking benzodiazepines such as Valium and Ativan intermittently rather than continuously is associated with fewer side effects and reduced falls, hospitalizations and deaths.

9 Oct 2023

Research explains the reason behind delay in therapeutic action of antidepressants

SSRI antidepressants normally take a few weeks before any showing mental health benefits, but how come it takes so long? Now a study from a group of clinicians and scientists provides the first human evidence that this is due to physical changes in the brain leading to greater brain plasticity developing over the first few weeks of SSRI intake.

9 Oct 2023

Study compares effects of antidepressants with running exercises for depression and overall health

The first study to compare effects of antidepressants with running exercises for anxiety, depression and overall health shows that they have about the same benefits for mental health – but a 16-week course of running over the same period scores higher in terms of physical health improvement, whereas antidepressants lead to a slightly worse physical condition, as has been suggested by previous studies.

9 Oct 2023

Women's mood worsens during the 7 contraceptive pill-free days, study finds

Most contraceptive pills are based on a cycle of taking the pill for 21 days, and then stopping the pill for 7 days.

27 Sep 2023

Transforming postpartum depression treatment with neurosteroids

A new study in Neuropsychopharmacology delves into the mechanisms of action of brexanolone, the first FDA-approved, rapid-acting antidepressant specifically for postpartum depression (PPD). The research highlights brexanolone's potential anti-inflammatory effects and its impact on GABAA receptors, offering insights into its efficacy and suggesting avenues for further study.

19 Sep 2023

Experimental insomnia treatment may help prevent opioid relapse

A good night's sleep has many proven health benefits, and a new Scripps Research study suggests one more: preventing opioid relapse.

6 Sep 2023

Gut microbiome changes have significant effects on cocaine use and cravings

According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 4.8 million people (ages 12 and up) reported using cocaine within the previous 12 months, and 24,486 people died from an overdose involving cocaine.

3 Aug 2023

Circadian clock gene plays role in memory formation

A gene that plays a key role in regulating how bodies change across the 24-hour day also influences memory formation, allowing mice to consolidate memories better during the day than at night.

28 Jul 2023

Immune cells may play role in regulating maternal behavior

Immune system changes in the pregnant body that protect the fetus appear to extend to the brain, where a decrease in immune cells late in gestation may factor into the onset of maternal behavior, new research in rats suggests.

19 Jul 2023

Psilocybin-assisted therapy may provide more cost-effective solution to treating major depression disorder

A new study by leading academics in the psychedelics space finds that psilocybin combined with therapy could be more cost-effective at treating major depression disorders than currently used methods.

10 Jul 2023

Males are significantly more vulnerable than females to overdose deaths

Men were significantly more vulnerable than women to overdose deaths involving opioid and stimulant drugs in 2020-2021, according to a new study analyzing death records data from across the United States. The study found that men had a 2–3 times greater rate of overdose mortality from opioids (like fentanyl and heroin) and psychostimulants (like methamphetamine and cocaine).

15 Jun 2023

Neuropsychopharmacology News and Research

Study shows meth users have lower empathy and higher aggression, ecstasy users show normal empathy but more impulsive aggression

Probiotics plus vitamin D supplements may improve cognitive function in individuals with schizophrenia

Study identifies brain energy metabolism dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders

Researchers identify new potential target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Delta opioid receptor agonist reduces anxiety-like behavior in mice

Maternal experiences of discrimination may alter the strength of infants' brain circuits

Brain stimulation offers promise for prospective memory deficits in schizophrenia

Discrimination during pregnancy can harm the eveloping offspring brain

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

Intermittent use of benzodiazepines linked with fewer side effects

Research explains the reason behind delay in therapeutic action of antidepressants

Study compares effects of antidepressants with running exercises for depression and overall health

Women's mood worsens during the 7 contraceptive pill-free days, study finds

Transforming postpartum depression treatment with neurosteroids

Experimental insomnia treatment may help prevent opioid relapse

Gut microbiome changes have significant effects on cocaine use and cravings

Circadian clock gene plays role in memory formation

Immune cells may play role in regulating maternal behavior

Psilocybin-assisted therapy may provide more cost-effective solution to treating major depression disorder

Males are significantly more vulnerable than females to overdose deaths

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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