Coffee, one of the world’s most consumed beverages, is often lauded for its ability to enhance alertness and cognitive performance. Recent studies utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques like resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have begun to unravel the intricate ways in which coffee, and its key component caffeine, modulate brain activity. This exploration into the …
Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in Cannabis sativa, has emerged as a substance of interest in the medical community due to its potential therapeutic benefits for various neurological and mental disorders. This comprehensive review examines the current scientific understanding of CBD’s effects on brain function, its potential as a therapeutic agent, and the ethical and …
Narcolepsy, a chronic neurological disorder, significantly impacts the daily lives of those affected due to excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Modafinil has been a cornerstone in managing EDS, but its effectiveness can wane over time due to tolerance. An innovative approach, using the drug pitolisant during modafinil ‘drug holidays’, offers new hope for resetting tolerance and …
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) represents a significant challenge in mental health care, often leaving patients and clinicians in a difficult position after traditional treatments fail. Recent studies, including a prospective, observational study at a leading medical center, have brought new hope in the form of esketamine, a novel antidepressant. Highlights: Esketamine’s Mechanism: Esketamine, the S-enantiomer of …
Bipolar disorder (BD) remains a complex psychiatric condition with limited therapeutic options, posing a significant challenge in drug discovery. The latest research leverages network-based drug repurposing, employing advanced computational techniques to identify novel treatment strategies for bipolar disorder. Highlights: Network-based drug repurposing employs gene regulatory networks to identify potential new uses for existing drugs in …
Recent research has uncovered the potential of minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, in modifying fear memory retention. A new study conducted by Yanfang Xia and colleagues, published in Translational Psychiatry, highlights how minocycline could play a role in treating anxiety and stress-related disorders. Highlights: Study Basis: The study was based on Pavlovian fear conditioning as a …
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 …