UNIVERSITY OF SURREY

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Shows Promise for Treatment-Resistant Depression

7 days ago

• A new clinical trial published in Lancet Psychiatry demonstrates that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) significantly improves symptoms in patients with difficult-to-treat depression compared to standard care. • The eight-week MBCT program delivered via videoconference was found to be cost-effective at less than £100 per person, potentially saving healthcare systems money while providing a viable treatment option for patients who haven't responded to conventional therapies. • Researchers from the University of Surrey, University of Exeter, and University of Sussex report that MBCT's effectiveness is comparable to antidepressants, offering new hope for the approximately 50% of depression patients who remain symptomatic after completing standard psychological treatments.

Moderna Emerges as UK's Leading Clinical Trial Sponsor with New Oxford Innovation Center Nearing Completion

4 months ago

• Moderna has launched 23 clinical trials across 110 UK sites since 2021, becoming the largest industry sponsor with 20% of all industry-sponsored trial participants in 2023/24. • The new Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre in Oxfordshire is nearing completion, with capabilities to produce 250 million vaccine doses annually and house state-of-the-art research laboratories. • Through strategic partnerships, Moderna has initiated mRNA research collaborations with four UK universities and expanded trial accessibility through innovative recruitment strategies including pharmacy partnerships.

NK2R Agonist Shows Promise for Weight Loss Without Muscle Loss in Preclinical Study

6 months ago

• A novel drug candidate, NK2R, has demonstrated weight loss effects in preclinical studies by targeting appetite and increasing calorie burning. • Unlike semaglutide (Ozempic), NK2R appears to spare muscle mass during weight loss, potentially offering a significant advantage. • The drug acts on a different neural circuit than GLP-1 agonists, targeting the neurokinin 2 receptor to influence blood sugar, body weight, and cholesterol. • Human clinical trials are planned within the next two years to assess the safety and efficacy of NK2R in overweight individuals.

Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation Shows Promise in Pediatric ADHD

2 years ago

• A clinical trial found that transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) combined with cognitive training may alleviate ADHD symptoms in children. • 55% of parents reported significant clinical improvement in their children's ADHD symptoms after tRNS treatment, compared to 17% in the placebo group. • The study, involving 23 children aged 6-12, suggests tRNS has the potential to become a new therapeutic option for ADHD. • Researchers are planning a larger clinical trial, with hopes of FDA approval for tRNS as a medical device for ADHD treatment.