Category: Medications
Blocking Pro-inflammatory Tumor Necrosis Factor with Remicade for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Increased concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers predict antidepressant nonresponse, and inflammatory cytokines can sabotage and circumvent the mechanisms of action of conventional antidepressants. A drug that targets inflammation may assist in the treatment of depression in individuals with high levels of inflammation. Results of a proof-of-concept study by him, Charles Raison, M.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona, and colleagues showed that a biologic medication was able to reduce depressive symptoms in some subjects who had suffered from major depression for an average of 15 years.
Citalopram, QTc Interval Prolongation, and Torsade de Pointes
Recently, both the manufacturer of citalopram and the US Food and Drug Administration have warned health care providers and patients about new information implicating drug-induced QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes when using citalopram in doses >40 mg/day. This warning is not placed in the context of either benefits or risks in real-world clinical practice, leaving clinicians with an untenable choice between depriving patients of high-dose citalopram or malpractice litigation. We reviewed the literature and found no cases of citalopram-induced sudden cardiac death among patients taking up to 60 mg/day of citalopram and free of risk factors for QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes. Because psychotropic drug-induced sudden cardiac death is an outlier in the absence of identified risk factors for QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes, we do not believe current Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies provide sufficient information to limit current prescribing practices for citalopram (20 mg to 60 mg/day).
Low-Dose Aripiprazole in the Treatment of SSRI-Induced Bruxism.
Bruxism is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding. Several reports in the literature suggest that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might induce bruxism. In that event, clinicians face difficult treatment decisions, especially in cases whereby SSRIs cannot be discontinued or decreased, as in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In the following, we report the case of a patient with severe OCD and SSRI-induced bruxism successfully treated with low-dose aripiprazole.
Metformin Prevents and Reverses Inflammation in a Non-Diabetic Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Metformin prevented and reversed steatosis and inflammation of NASH in an experimental non-diabetic model without affecting peripheral insulin resistance. Administration of metformin significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose levels, but did not affect glucose tolerance or peripheral insulin sensitivity. Metformin ameliorated MCD+HF diet-induced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Furthermore, metformin significantly reversed hepatic steatosis and inflammation when administered after the development of experimental NASH. These histological changes were accompanied by reduced hepatic triglyceride content, suppressed hepatic stellate cell activation, and the downregulation of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrogenesis.
Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone improves Cognition in Older Adults and Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), growth hormone, and insulinlike growth factor 1 have potent effects on brain function, their levels decrease with advancing age, and they likely play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. Previously, we reported favorable cognitive effects of short-term GHRH administration in healthy older adults and provided preliminary evidence to suggest a similar benefit in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The intent-to-treat analysis indicated a favorable effect of GHRH on cognition which was comparable in adults with MCI and healthy older adults. Subsequent analyses indicated a positive GHRH effect on executive function and a trend showing a similar treatment-related benefit in verbal memory. Treatment with GHRH increased insulinlike growth factor 1 levels by 117%, which remained within the physiological range, and reduced percent body fat by 7.4%. Treatment with GHRH increased fasting insulin levels within the normal range by 35% in adults with MCI but not in healthy adults. Adverse events were mild and were reported by 68% of GHRH-treated adults and 36% of those who received placebo.
SSRI-Use vs. Non-Use for Depression During Pregnancy
Untreated maternal depression was associated with slower rates of fetal body and head growth. Pregnant mothers treated with SSRIs had fewer depressive symptoms and their fetuses had no delay in body growth but had delayed head growth and were at increased risk for preterm birth.
Inflammatory prostaglandin E(2) Signaling on EP3 Receptors Lead to Pro-inflammatory Changes Contributing to Alzheimer’s Disease
There is significant evidence for a central role of inflammation in the development of Alzheimer disease (AD). Chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduces the risk of developing AD. Stimulation of the the PGE(2) EP3 receptor activates proinflammatory, proamyloidogenic, and synaptotoxic signaling pathways. Deletion of the PGE(2) EP3 receptor in a model of Aβ(42) peptide-induced neuroinflammation reduced proinflammatory gene expression, cytokine production, and oxidative stress. Deletion of the EP3 receptor blocked induction of proinflammatory gene and protein expression and lipid peroxidation, and levels of Aβ peptides were significantly decreased, as were β-secretase and β C-terminal fragment levels.
Sulfasalazine Inhibits Activation of NF-κB in Basolateral Amygdala, Impairing Memory Persistance in Auditory Fear Conditioning
Activation of NF-κB in Basolateral Amygdala Is Required for Memory Reconsolidation in Auditory Fear ConditioningPLoS One. 2012;7(9):e43973. Epub 2012 Sep 5.Si J, Yang J, Xue L, Yang C, Luo Y, Shi H, Lu L.Source Abstract Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by acute and chronic changes in the stress response, manifested as conditioned fear memory. [...]
Seroquel Reduces Autoimmune-Mediated Demyelination and IL-2
Quetiapine, an Atypical Antipsychotic, Is Protective against Autoimmune-Mediated Demyelination by Inhibiting Effector T Cell Proliferation Feng Mei, Sheng Guo, Yangtao He, Linyun Wang, Hongkai Wang, Jianqin Niu, Jiming Kong, Xinmin Li, Yuzhang Wu, Lan Xiao PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e42746. Epub 2012 Aug 13. Abstract Quetiapine (Que), a commonly used atypical antipsychotic drug (APD), can prevent myelin [...]
Losartan Reduces Fibrosis and Improves Muscle Strength in Muscular Dystrophy Model
Losartan, a therapeutic candidate in congenital muscular dystrophy: studies in the dy(2J) /dy(2J) mouse Ann Neurol. 2012 May;71(5):699-708 Elbaz M, Yanay N, Aga-Mizrachi S, Brunschwig Z, Kassis I, Ettinger K, Barak V, Nevo Y Abstract OBJECTIVE: Lamininα2-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A) is a cureless disease associated with severe disability and shortened lifespan. Previous [...]
Viagra Reduces Insulin Resistance in Endothelial Cells
Sildenafil reduces insulin-resistance in human endothelial cells PLoS One. 2011 Jan 28;6(1):e14542.Mammi C, Pastore D, Lombardo MF, Ferrelli F, Caprio M, Consoli C, Tesauro M, Gatta L, Fini M, Federici M, Sbraccia P, Donadel G, Bellia A, Rosano GM, Fabbri A, Lauro D. Abstract BACKGROUND:The efficacy of Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors to re-establish endothelial function [...]
Valproic Acid helps T-Cells Kill Cancer Cells
The antitumour effect of {gamma}{delta} T-cells is enhanced by valproic acid-induced up-regulation of NKG2D ligands Anticancer Res. 2010 Nov;30(11):4509-13 Suzuki T, Terao S, Acharya B, Naoe M, Yamamoto S, Okamura H, Gotoh A Abstract BACKGROUND: The aim of this study wsa to evaluate the additive effect of valproic acid (VPA) to γδ T-cell cytotoxicity against [...]
The renin-angiotensin pathway in PTSD: ACE inhibitors and ARBs are associated with fewer PTSD symptoms.
The renin-angiotensin pathway in posttraumatic stress disorder: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are associated with fewer traumatic stress symptoms. J Clin Psychiatry. 2012 Jun;73(6):849-55 Khoury NM, Marvar PJ, Gillespie CF, Wingo A, Schwartz A, Bradley B, Kramer M, Ressler KJ Abstract OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating stress-related illness associated with trauma [...]
Benzodiazepines Help Kill Cancer Cells
Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands reverse apoptosis resistance of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo Cancer Res. 2002 Mar 1;62(5):1388-93 Decaudin D, Castedo M, Nemati F, Beurdeley-Thomas A, De Pinieux G, Caron A, Pouillart P, Wijdenes J, Rouillard D, Kroemer G, Poupon MF Abstract The mitochondrial peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (mPBR) is involved in a functional [...]
Vitamin C Reduces Benzodiazepine-induced Immunosuppression and Immune Cell Apoptosis
Protective role of vitamin C in diazepam-induced apoptosis in rat thymocytes Bratisl Lek Listy. 2012;113(6):350-3 Authors: Pavlovic V, Pavlovic D, Kamenov B, Sarac M, Peric Z, Velojic M Abstract Diazepam, a peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligand, is widely used as a therapeutic agent. On the other hand, peripheral-type benzodiazepines have been shown to induce apoptosis in [...]
Quetiapine enhances oligodendrocyte regeneration and myelin repair
Quetiapine enhances oligodendrocyte regeneration and myelin repair after cuprizone-induced demyelination Schizophr Res. 2012 Jun;138(1):8-17 Zhang Y, Zhang H, Wang L, Jiang W, Xu H, Xiao L, Bi X, Wang J, Zhu S, Zhang R, He J, Tan Q, Zhang D, Kong J, Li XM Abstract Myelin and oligodendrocyte dysfunctions have been consistently found in patients [...]
Antidepressant Combination for Major Depression: Flaws in Evidenced-Based Medicine
Antidepressant combination for major depression in incomplete responders-a systematic review. J Affect Disord. 2012 Jul 24; Authors: Lopes Rocha F, Fuzikawa C, Riera R, Ramos MG, Hara C Abstract BACKGROUND: Antidepressant combination has been suggested as a strategy to increase treatment efficacy. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis [...]
Residual Memory Dysfunction In Major Depressive Disorder Means Incomplete Treatment
Residual memory dysfunction in recurrent major depressive disorder-A longitudinal study from Juntendo University Mood Disorder Project J Affect Disord. 2012 Jul 23; Authors: Maeshima H, Baba H, Nakano Y, Satomura E, Namekawa Y, Takebayashi N, Suzuki T, Mimura M, Arai H Abstract BACKGROUND: Depression may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Large cohort studies [...]
