Serotonin

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd. announced the FDA plans a PDAC meeting to discuss brexpiprazole with sertraline for PTSD treatment, delaying the PDUFA target action date. PTSD affects about 5% of the U.S. population, with symptoms including intrusion, avoidance, negative cognitions, and arousal alterations. Brexpiprazole, approved for MDD, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s agitation, is under review for PTSD treatment.

Lundbeck announces FDA's plan for a PDAC meeting to discuss brexpiprazole with sertraline for PTSD treatment, missing the PDUFA target date. PTSD affects 5% of the U.S. population, with symptoms impacting daily life. Brexpiprazole, approved for various conditions, is co-developed by Otsuka and Lundbeck.

Mental health advancements face a challenge with Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD), affecting a third of 280 million global depression cases. Traditional treatments like SSRIs and CBT often fail for TRD. Psychedelics, targeting the brain's Default Mode Network, show promise, with studies and trials, including BPL-003 for TRD, indicating potential breakthroughs. Australia and the US are moving towards legalizing psychedelic treatments, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to ensure accessible, equitable treatment delivery.

AXS-05, a dextromethorphan-bupropion combination, shows promise for Alzheimer's agitation without antipsychotic risks. It targets glutamate to manage symptoms, offering therapeutic benefits without excessive sedation, with effects visible after about 2 weeks.

The brain, 2% of body weight, uses 20% of daily calories. Foods like watermelon, eggs, chicken, salmon, walnuts, seaweed, quinoa, milk, sage, sesame seeds, za’atar, lentils, butternut squash, and fermented foods boost brain health with nutrients improving cognitive function, memory, and protecting against decline.

The strongest weight loss prescription pill varies by individual, with options like Orlistat, Phentermine, Naltrexone-bupropion, and Phentermine-topiramate. Effectiveness depends on personal health, goals, and medical history. Always consult a healthcare provider for the best choice.

Long COVID-19 symptoms persist post-recovery, including headache. A trial on VPBM for post-COVID headache showed pain reduction in both VPBM and sham groups, with VPBM showing gradual improvement. However, no significant difference in pain reduction between groups was found, indicating VPBM's potential benefits require further study.

Memantine shows potential as a safe and effective treatment for ADHD in both pediatric and adult populations, with studies indicating symptom improvement and a favorable safety profile. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes and study biases, necessitating further research for conclusive efficacy and safety assessments.

Stanford study reveals dopamine and serotonin act as opposing forces in decision-making and learning, supporting the opponency hypothesis. This 'gas and brake' system influences reward processing, with implications for treating disorders like addiction and depression.

A national trial led by Washington University School of Medicine found vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy significantly improved mood, quality of life, and daily functioning in individuals with severe, treatment-resistant depression. Despite no primary outcome difference, secondary measures and patient reports highlighted benefits, with 18% of active VNS patients showing at least 50% symptom improvement.