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Comparison of Brexipiprazole vs. Aripiprazole for Treatment-Resistant Depression (2024 Study)

Antidepressant-resistant major depressive disorder (AR-MDD) poses significant challenges in psychiatric treatment. Antipsychotics like aripiprazole (ARI) and brexpiprazole (BRE) have emerged as effective adjunct therapies that may be more tolerable than older antipsychotics. Highlights: Both Brexipiprazole and Aripiprazole demonstrated better efficacy than placebo in treating AR-MDD in Japanese patients. Brexipiprazole showed a higher discontinuation rate due …

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MicroRNA Biomarkers May Help Diagnose Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by a myriad of symptoms, typically divided into positive, negative, and cognitive categories. Despite the prevalence and severity of this condition, current diagnostic methods are largely based on subjective clinical interviews and observations, leading to potential misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Recent studies have focused on microRNAs (miRNAs) …

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Metformin Prevents Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain: A Saudi Study Finds

Research suggests that metformin may reduce weight gain associated with antipsychotic medications. Key facts: Antipsychotics are linked to weight gain, especially clozapine and olanzapine. Metformin may counteract antipsychotic-induced weight gain through effects on insulin resistance and appetite. Study found metformin reduced mean weight gain on antipsychotics from 2.5 kg to -0.04 kg. Younger patients ages …

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Antipsychotics and Brain Damage: Shrinkage & Volume Loss

Antipsychotics are drugs that alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia and psychotic episodes.  These medications are considered highly effective interventions for mitigating “positive symptoms” such as hallucinations (e.g. hearing voices) and various types of delusions (e.g. assuming others are plotting against you).  Approved uses for antipsychotics include treating individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and cases of …

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Drug-Induced Psychosis: List Of Causative Agents

Psychosis is a condition that is commonly associated with the mental illness schizophrenia.  It is defined as a detachment from reality and hallmark symptoms include delusions (beliefs that aren’t based in reality) and hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling stimuli that aren’t real).  Those with psychosis are usually admitted to a psychiatric ward and/or hospital and …

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