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Kronenberg G, Schoretsanitis G, Seifritz E, Olbrich S. The boon and bane of nitrous oxide. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024:10.1007/s00406-024-01801-3. [PMID: 38613686 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01801-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been known since the end of the eighteenth century. Today, N2O plays a huge role as a greenhouse gas and an ozone-depleting stratospheric molecule. The main sources of anthropogenic N2O emissions are agriculture, fuel combustion, wastewater treatment, and various industrial processes. By contrast, the contribution of medical N2O to the greenhouse effect appears to be small. The recreational and medical uses of N2O gradually diverged over time. N2O has analgesic and anesthetic effects, making it widely used in modern dentistry and surgery. New research has also begun studying N2O's antidepressant actions. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonism and opioid effects are believed to be the main underlying biochemical mechanisms. At this point, numerous questions remain open and, in particular, the conduct of larger clinical trials will be essential to confirm N2O's use as a rapid-acting antidepressant. The N2O concentration delivered, the duration of a single inhalation, as well as the number of inhalations ultimately required, deserve to be better understood. Finally, the non-medical use of N2O has gained significant attention in recent years. Sudden deaths directly attributed to N2O are primarily due to asphyxia. Heavy, chronic N2O use may result in vitamin B12 deficiency, which, among other things, may cause megaloblastic anemia, venous thrombosis, myeloneuropathy, and skin pigmentation. Helpful biochemical tests include homocysteine and methylmalonic acid. The centerpiece of treatment is complete cessation of N2O use together with parenteral administration of vitamin B12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golo Kronenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zürich, Lenggstrasse 31, P.O. Box 363, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Georgios Schoretsanitis
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zürich, Lenggstrasse 31, P.O. Box 363, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Northwell/Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, USA
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zürich, Lenggstrasse 31, P.O. Box 363, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Olbrich
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zürich, Lenggstrasse 31, P.O. Box 363, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
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Rozov S, Saarreharju R, Khirug S, Storvik M, Rivera C, Rantamäki T. Effects of nitrous oxide and ketamine on electrophysiological and molecular responses in the prefrontal cortex of mice: A comparative study. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 968:176426. [PMID: 38387719 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O; laughing gas) has recently reported to produce rapid antidepressant effects, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. We performed transcriptomics, in situ hybridization, and electrophysiological studies to examine the potential shared signatures induced by 1 h inhalation of 50% N2O and a single subanesthetic dose of ketamine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in adult mice. Both treatments similarly affected the transcription of several negative regulators of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), namely, dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs). The effects were primarily located in the pyramidal cells. Notably, the overall effects of N2O on mRNA expression were much more prominent and widespread compared to ketamine. Ketamine caused an elevation of the spiking frequency of putative pyramidal neurons and increased gamma activity (30-100 Hz) of cortical local field potentials. However, N2O produced no such effects. Spiking amplitudes and spike-to-local field potential phase locking of putative pyramidal neurons and interneurons in this brain area showed no uniform changes across treatments. Our findings suggest that N2O and subanesthetic-dose ketamine target MAPK pathway in the mPFC but produce varying acute electrophysiological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Rozov
- Laboratory of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; SleepWell Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland.
| | - Roosa Saarreharju
- Laboratory of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; SleepWell Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Stanislav Khirug
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | | | - Claudio Rivera
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INMED, Marseille, 13007, France
| | - Tomi Rantamäki
- Laboratory of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland; SleepWell Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
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Wang B, Wang L, Yang Q, Zhang Y, Qinglai T, Yang X, Xiao Z, Lei L, Li S. Pulmonary inhalation for disease treatment: Basic research and clinical translations. Mater Today Bio 2024; 25:100966. [PMID: 38318475 PMCID: PMC10840005 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.100966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary drug delivery has the advantages of being rapid, efficient, and well-targeted, with few systemic side effects. In addition, it is non-invasive and has good patient compliance, making it a highly promising drug delivery mode. However, there have been limited studies on drug delivery via pulmonary inhalation compared with oral and intravenous modes. This paper summarizes the basic research and clinical translation of pulmonary inhalation drug delivery for the treatment of diseases and provides insights into the latest advances in pulmonary drug delivery. The paper discusses the processing methods for pulmonary drug delivery, drug carriers (with a focus on various types of nanoparticles), delivery devices, and applications in pulmonary diseases and treatment of systemic diseases (e.g., COVID-19, inhaled vaccines, diagnosis of the diseases, and diabetes mellitus) with an updated summary of recent research advances. Furthermore, this paper describes the applications and recent progress in pulmonary drug delivery for lung diseases and expands the use of pulmonary drugs for other systemic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Binzhou People's Hospital, Binzhou, 256610, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Yuming Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Tang Qinglai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Xinming Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Zian Xiao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Lanjie Lei
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shisheng Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
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Liu Y, Hu Q, Xu S, Li W, Liu J, Han L, Mao H, Cai F, Liu Q, Zhu R, Fang C, Lou Y, Wang Z, Yang H, Wang W. Antidepressant effects of dexmedetomidine compared with ECT in patients with treatment-resistant depression. J Affect Disord 2024; 347:437-444. [PMID: 38000472 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This pilot study was designed to investigate the antidepressant effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX), a selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The antidepressant effects of dexmedetomidine was compared with ECT, which is widely used in clinical practice for treatment of patients with TRD. METHODS Seventy six patients with TRD were randomly assigned to receive 10 sessions of DEX infusions or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatment. The primary outcome was the changes of depression severity determined by the improvement of 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-24). The second outcomes were the rates of therapeutic response (reduction in HDRS-24 ≥ 50 %) and remission (HDRS-24 ≤ 10 and reduction in HDRS-24 ≥ 60 %) at posttreatment and after 3 months of follow-up visits. RESULTS We found that 10 sessions of DEX infusions or ECT treatments significantly improved HDRS-24 scores at posttreatment and after 3 months of follow-up visits compared with the baseline. In addition, there was no significant difference between DEX infusions and ECT treatments regarding HDRS-24 at these evaluating points. Furthermore, the depression severity dropped to mild after 2 sessions of DEX infusion. In contrast, at least 6 sessions of ECT treatment were needed to achieve a same level. Finally, the rates of therapeutic response and remission were comparable between the two groups. No serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS Based on current published evidence, we conclude that DEX exhibits rapid and durable antidepressant properties similar to ECT but with fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusi Liu
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, China
| | - Qiyun Hu
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Sen Xu
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Wanwen Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310063, China
| | - Junyun Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310063, China
| | - Liang Han
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Hui Mao
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Fang Cai
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Qiaoyan Liu
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Renlai Zhu
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Caiyun Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310063, China
| | - Yifei Lou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, China
| | - Zhenhua Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jiaxing Hospital of T.C.M., Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314015, China
| | - Huiling Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, China
| | - Wenyuan Wang
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China.
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Rech P, Custodio RM, Rodrigues Uggioni ML, Silveira Prestes G, Marçal F, Silveira VP, Dagostin VS, Colonetti T, Rosa MI. Use of nitrous oxide in the treatment of major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis nitrous oxide in depressive disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 129:110869. [PMID: 37813146 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has, as a conventional treatment, pharmacological therapy with selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors. However, the medication does not always have a rapid action for exacerbated cases, and moreover, it is estimated that 15 to 30% of patients do not respond effectively to conventional treatment, leading to 'treatment-resistant depressive mood disorder' (TRD). Thus, it is necessary to search for new therapeutic methods for exacerbated and resistant cases. The objective of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of nitrous oxide (N2O) in patients with MDD and TRD. The study was characterized as a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Search strategy was developed using the keywords "nitrous oxide," "treatment-resistant depression," "Depression disorder," and their synonyms, searched in the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and American Psychological Association. Four articles were included in the systematic review, with two of them being utilized for the meta-analysis, which comprised a total of 23 patients with MDD and 86 with TRD. A standardized mean difference (SMD) for the HDRS score at 24 h of -2.36 was found, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of -3.37 to -1.34 (p < 0.0001; I2 = 46%). For the evaluation of the score after one week, an SMD of -0.60, 95% CI of -1.13 to -0.07 (p = 0.03; I2 = 0%) was found. In conclusion, N2O has a rapid action for managing decompensated patients, with a potential therapeutic effect for TRD. However, more studies needed to determine N2O's effectiveness duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peterson Rech
- Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil..
| | - Rodrigo Miranda Custodio
- Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Maria Laura Rodrigues Uggioni
- Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil..
| | - Gabriele Silveira Prestes
- Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Marçal
- Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil..
| | - Vitoria Pedroso Silveira
- Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Valdemira Santina Dagostin
- Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil..
| | - Tamy Colonetti
- Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Maria Inês Rosa
- Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil..
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De Filippo R, Schmitz D. Synthetic surprise as the foundation of the psychedelic experience. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 157:105538. [PMID: 38220035 PMCID: PMC10839673 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Psychedelic agents, such as LSD and psilocybin, induce marked alterations in consciousness via activation of the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2ARs). We hypothesize that psychedelics enforce a state of synthetic surprise through the biased activation of the 5-HTRs system. This idea is informed by recent insights into the role of 5-HT in signaling surprise. The effects on consciousness, explained by the cognitive penetrability of perception, can be described within the predictive coding framework where surprise corresponds to prediction error, the mismatch between predictions and actual sensory input. Crucially, the precision afforded to the prediction error determines its effect on priors, enabling a dynamic interaction between top-down expectations and incoming sensory data. By integrating recent findings on predictive coding circuitry and 5-HT2ARs transcriptomic data, we propose a biological implementation with emphasis on the role of inhibitory interneurons. Implications arise for the clinical use of psychedelics, which may rely primarily on their inherent capacity to induce surprise in order to disrupt maladaptive patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto De Filippo
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Neuroscience Research Center, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Neuroscience Research Center, 10117 Berlin, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Einstein Center for Neuroscience, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Philippstr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Ladha KS, Lee J, Mattina GF, Pazmino-Canizares J, Wijeysundera DN, Gholamali Nezhad F, Philip K, Tassone VK, Adamsahib F, Bhat V. Sustained Mood Improvement with Laughing Gas Exposure (SMILE): Study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial of nitrous oxide for treatment-resistant depression. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297330. [PMID: 38241247 PMCID: PMC10798444 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitrous oxide has shown potentially as an efficacious intervention for treatment-resistant depression, yet there remains insufficient evidence pertaining to repeated administration of nitrous oxide over time and active placebo-controlled studies with optimal blinding. Thus, we aim to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a six-week follow up study examining the effects of a 4 week course of weekly administered nitrous oxide as compared to the active placebo, midazolam. METHODS In this randomized, active placebo-controlled, pilot trial, 40 participants with treatment-resistant depression will receive either inhaled nitrous oxide (1 hour at 50% concentration) plus intravenous saline (100mL) or inhaled oxygen (1 hour at 50% concentration) plus intravenous midazolam (0.02 mg/kg in 100mL, up to 2mg) once per week, for 4 consecutive weeks. Participants will be followed up for 6 weeks starting from the first treatment visit. Primary feasibility outcomes include recruitment rate, withdrawal rate, adherence, missing data, and adverse events. The primary exploratory clinical outcome is change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score at day 42 of the study. Other exploratory clinical outcomes include remission (defined as MADRS score <10), response (defined as ≥ 50% reduction in MADRS score), and adverse side effects. DISCUSSION This pilot study will provide valuable information regarding the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of repeated nitrous oxide administration over time for treatment-resistant depression. If feasible, this study will inform the design of a future definitive trial of nitrous oxide as an efficacious and fast-acting treatment for treatment-resistant depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04957368. Registered on July 12, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim S. Ladha
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anesthesia, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jiwon Lee
- Department of Anesthesia, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Duminda N. Wijeysundera
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anesthesia, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Kaylyssa Philip
- Department of Anesthesia, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vanessa K. Tassone
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fathima Adamsahib
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Venkat Bhat
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Neuroscience Research Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Johnston JN, Kadriu B, Kraus C, Henter ID, Zarate CA. Ketamine in neuropsychiatric disorders: an update. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:23-40. [PMID: 37340091 PMCID: PMC10700638 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01632-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of ketamine as a rapid-acting antidepressant led to a new era in the development of neuropsychiatric therapeutics, one characterized by an antidepressant response that occurred within hours or days rather than weeks or months. Considerable clinical research supports the use of-or further research with-subanesthetic-dose ketamine and its (S)-enantiomer esketamine in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety spectrum disorders, substance use disorders, and eating disorders, as well as for the management of chronic pain. In addition, ketamine often effectively targets symptom domains associated with multiple disorders, such as anxiety, anhedonia, and suicidal ideation. This manuscript: 1) reviews the literature on the pharmacology and hypothesized mechanisms of subanesthetic-dose ketamine in clinical research; 2) describes similarities and differences in the mechanism of action and antidepressant efficacy between racemic ketamine, its (S) and (R) enantiomers, and its hydroxynorketamine (HNK) metabolite; 3) discusses the day-to-day use of ketamine in the clinical setting; 4) provides an overview of ketamine use in other psychiatric disorders and depression-related comorbidities (e.g., suicidal ideation); and 5) provides insights into the mechanisms of ketamine and therapeutic response gleaned from the study of other novel therapeutics and neuroimaging modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenessa N Johnston
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Bashkim Kadriu
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Translational and Experimental Medicine, Neuroscience at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Christoph Kraus
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ioline D Henter
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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9
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Kim J, He MJ, Widmann AK, Lee FS. The role of neurotrophic factors in novel, rapid psychiatric treatments. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:227-245. [PMID: 37673965 PMCID: PMC10700398 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01717-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors are a family of growth factors that modulate cellular growth, survival, and differentiation. For many decades, it has been generally believed that a lack of neurotrophic support led to the decreased neuronal synaptic plasticity, death, and loss of non-neuronal supportive cells seen in neuropsychiatric disorders. Traditional psychiatric medications that lead to immediate increases in neurotransmitter levels at the synapse have been shown also to elevate synaptic neurotrophic levels over weeks, correlating with the time course of the therapeutic effects of these drugs. Recent advances in psychiatric treatments, such as ketamine and psychedelics, have shown a much faster onset of therapeutic effects (within minutes to hours). They have also been shown to lead to a rapid release of neurotrophins into the synapse. This has spurred a significant shift in understanding the role of neurotrophins and how the receptor tyrosine kinases that bind neurotrophins may work in concert with other signaling systems. In this review, this renewed understanding of synaptic receptor signaling interactions and the clinical implications of this mechanistic insight will be discussed within the larger context of the well-established roles of neurotrophic factors in psychiatric disorders and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihye Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Michelle J He
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Alina K Widmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Francis S Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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10
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Dai R, Huang Z, Larkin TE, Tarnal V, Picton P, Vlisides PE, Janke E, McKinney A, Hudetz AG, Harris RE, Mashour GA. Psychedelic concentrations of nitrous oxide reduce functional differentiation in frontoparietal and somatomotor cortical networks. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1284. [PMID: 38114805 PMCID: PMC10730842 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05678-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the longstanding use of nitrous oxide and descriptions of its psychological effects more than a century ago, there is a paucity of neurobiological investigation of associated psychedelic experiences. We measure the brain's functional geometry (through analysis of cortical gradients) and temporal dynamics (through analysis of co-activation patterns) using human resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data acquired before and during administration of 35% nitrous oxide. Both analyses demonstrate that nitrous oxide reduces functional differentiation in frontoparietal and somatomotor networks. Importantly, the subjective psychedelic experience induced by nitrous oxide is inversely correlated with the degree of functional differentiation. Thus, like classical psychedelics acting on serotonin receptors, nitrous oxide flattens the functional geometry of the cortex and disrupts temporal dynamics in association with psychoactive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Dai
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Zirui Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Tony E Larkin
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Vijay Tarnal
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Paul Picton
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Phillip E Vlisides
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Ellen Janke
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Amy McKinney
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Anthony G Hudetz
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Richard E Harris
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - George A Mashour
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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11
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Lii TR, Smith AE, Flohr JR, Okada RL, Nyongesa CA, Cianfichi LJ, Hack LM, Schatzberg AF, Heifets BD. Randomized trial of ketamine masked by surgical anesthesia in patients with depression. NATURE MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 1:876-886. [PMID: 38188539 PMCID: PMC10769130 DOI: 10.1038/s44220-023-00140-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Ketamine may have antidepressant properties, but its acute psychoactive effects complicate successful masking in placebo-controlled trials. We present a single-center, parallel-arm, triple-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the antidepressant efficacy of intravenous ketamine masked by surgical anesthesia (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03861988). Forty adult patients with major depressive disorder who were scheduled for routine surgery were randomized to a single infusion of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) or placebo (saline) during usual anesthesia. All participants, investigators, and direct patient care staff were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was depression severity measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at 1, 2, and 3 days post-infusion. After all follow-up visits, participants were asked to guess which intervention they received. A mixed-effects model showed no evidence of effect of treatment assignment on the primary outcome (-5.82, 95% CI -13.3 to 1.64, p=0.13). 36.8% of participants guessed their treatment assignment correctly; both groups allocated their guesses in similar proportions. In conclusion, a single dose of intravenous ketamine delivered during surgical anesthesia had no greater effect than placebo in acutely reducing the severity of depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. This trial successfully masked treatment allocation in moderate-to-severely depressed patients using surgical anesthesia. Although this masking strategy is impractical for most placebo-controlled trials, future studies of novel antidepressants with acute psychoactive effects should make efforts to fully mask treatment assignment in order to minimize subject-expectancy bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa R Lii
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ashleigh E Smith
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Josephine R Flohr
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robin L Okada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia A Nyongesa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lisa J Cianfichi
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Laura M Hack
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Alan F Schatzberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Boris D Heifets
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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12
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Wu G, Xu H. A synopsis of multitarget therapeutic effects of anesthetics on depression. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 957:176032. [PMID: 37660970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a profound mental disorder that dampens the mood and undermines volition, which exhibited an increased incidence over the years. Although drug-based interventions remain the primary approach for depression treatment, the available medications still can't satisfy the patients. In recent years, the newly discovered therapeutic targets such as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor, and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) have brought new breakthroughs in the development of antidepressant drugs. Moreover, it has come to light that certain anesthetics possess pharmacological mechanisms intricately linked to the aforementioned therapeutic targets for depression. At present, numerous preclinical and clinical studies have explored the therapeutic effects of anesthetic drugs such as ketamine, isoflurane, N2O, and propofol, on depression. These investigations suggested that these drugs can swiftly ameliorate patients' depression symptoms and engender long-term effects. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the research progress and potential molecular mechanisms of various anesthetic drugs for depression treatment. By shedding light on this subject, we aim to facilitate the development and clinical implementation of new antidepressant drugs based on anesthetic medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China.
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13
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Palanca BJA, Conway CR, Zeffiro T, Gott BM, Nguyen T, Janski A, Jain N, Komen H, Burke BA, Zorumski CF, Nagele P. Persistent Brain Connectivity Changes in Healthy Volunteers Following Nitrous Oxide Inhalation. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:698-704. [PMID: 37881568 PMCID: PMC10593877 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nitrous oxide holds promise in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Its psychotropic effects and NMDA receptor antagonism have led to comparisons with ketamine. Despite longstanding use, persistent effects of nitrous oxide on the brain have not been characterized. Methods Sixteen healthy volunteers were recruited in a double-blind crossover study. In randomized order, individuals underwent a 1-hour inhalation of either 50% nitrous oxide/oxygen or air/oxygen mixtures. At least two 7.5-minute echo-planar resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained before and at 2 and 24 hours after each inhalation (average 130 min/participant). Using the time series of preprocessed, motion artifact-scrubbed, and nuisance covariate-regressed imaging data, interregional signal correlations were measured and converted to T scores. Hierarchical clustering and linear mixed-effects models were employed. Results Nitrous oxide inhalation produced changes in global brain connectivity that persisted in the occipital cortex at 2 and 24 hours postinhalation (p < .05, false discovery rate-corrected). Analysis of resting-state networks demonstrated robust strengthening of connectivity between regions of the visual network and those of the dorsal attention network, across 2 and 24 hours after inhalation (p < .05, false discovery rate-corrected). Weaker changes in connectivity were found between the visual cortex and regions of the frontoparietal and default mode networks. Parallel analyses following air/oxygen inhalation yielded no significant changes in functional connectivity. Conclusions Nitrous oxide inhalation in healthy volunteers revealed persistent increases in global connectivity between regions of primary visual cortex and dorsal attention network. These findings suggest that nitrous oxide inhalation induces neurophysiological cortical changes that persist for at least 24 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Julian A. Palanca
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Neuroimaging Labs Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Center on Biological Rhythms and Sleep, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Charles R. Conway
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Neuroimaging Labs Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Thomas Zeffiro
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Britt M. Gott
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Neuroimaging Labs Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Thomas Nguyen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alvin Janski
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Nisha Jain
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Helga Komen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Broc A. Burke
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Charles F. Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Peter Nagele
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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14
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Qiu Y, Li L, Duan A, Wang M, Xie M, Chen Z, Wang Z. The efficacy and tolerability of inhaled nitrous oxide in major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:2033-2043. [PMID: 37608194 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06449-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been initially confirmed by clinical trials to benefit to patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, there needs to be a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and tolerability of N2O in MDD. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies up to Jan 1st, 2023. The meta-analysis mainly compared the outcome of the change in depression severity scores, response, remission, and adverse events in patients with MDD receiving 50% N2O and placebo. RESULTS Four studies with 133 patients were eventually identified. We found that the N2O group and control group showed an overall significant difference in the change in depression severity score for patients at 2 h, 24 h, and 2 weeks or more (2 h, SMD = - 0.64, 95% CI - 0.01 to - 0.28, p < 0.0001) (24 h, SMD = - 0.65, 95% CI - 1.01 to - 0.29, p < 0.0001) (2 weeks, SMD = - 0.76, 95% CI - 1.16 to - 0.36, p < 0.0001). For the response and remission rate, the long-term effect of N2O was also statistically significant (for the response, RR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.23 to 4.44, p = 0.01) (for the remission, RR = 4.68, 95% CI 1.49 to 14.68, p = 0.008). For safety outcomes, patients treated with N2O had higher odds of nausea or vomiting (RR = 10.15, 95% CI 1.96 to 52.59, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION Our study suggested that N2O has a rapid and long-lasting antidepressant effect in patients with MDD. However, the efficacy of lower or titrated concentration of N2O should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjia Qiu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Longyuan Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Aojie Duan
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Menghan Wang
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow USniversity, Suzhou, 215002, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Minjia Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhouqing Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Zhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu Province, China.
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15
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Tadler SC, Jones KG, Lybbert C, Huang JC, Jawish R, Solzbacher D, Kendrick EJ, Pierson MD, Weischedel K, Rana N, Jacobs R, Vonesh LC, Feldman DA, Larson C, Hoffman N, Jessop JE, Larson AL, Taylor NE, Odell DH, Kuck K, Mickey BJ. Propofol for treatment resistant depression: A randomized controlled trial. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.12.23294678. [PMID: 37745479 PMCID: PMC10516089 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.23294678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Background Anesthetic agents including ketamine and nitrous oxide have shown antidepressant properties when appropriately dosed. Our recent open-label trial of propofol, an intravenous anesthetic known to elicit transient positive mood effects, suggested that it may also produce robust and durable antidepressant effects when administered at a high dose that elicits an electroencephalographic (EEG) burst-suppression state. Here we report findings from a randomized controlled trial ( NCT03684447 ) that compared two doses of propofol. We hypothesized greater improvement with a high dose that evoked burst suppression versus a low dose that did not. Methods Participants with moderate-to-severe, treatment-resistant depression were randomized to a series of 6 treatments at low versus high dose (n=12 per group). Propofol infusions were guided by real-time processed frontal EEG to achieve predetermined pharmacodynamic criteria. The primary and secondary depression outcome measures were the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-24) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Secondary scales measured suicidal ideation, anxiety, functional impairment, and quality of life. Results Treatments were well tolerated and blinding procedures were effective. The mean [95%-CI] change in HDRS-24 score was -5.3 [-10.3, -0.2] for the low-dose group and -9.3 [-12.9, -5.6] for the high-dose group (17% versus 33% reduction). The between-group effect size (standardized mean difference) was -0.56 [-1.39, 0.28]. The group difference was not statistically significant (p=0.24, linear model). The mean change in PHQ-9 score was -2.0 [-3.9, -0.1] for the low dose and -4.8 [-7.7, -2.0] for the high dose. The between-group effect size was -0.73 [-1.59, 0.14] (p=0.09). Secondary outcomes favored the high dose (effect sizes magnitudes 0.1 - 0.9) but did not generally reach statistical significance (p>0.05). Conclusions The medium-sized effects observed between doses in this small, controlled, clinical trial suggest that propofol may have dose-dependent antidepressant effects. The findings also provide guidance for subsequent trials. A larger sample size and additional treatments in series are likely to enhance the ability to detect dose-dependent effects. Future work is warranted to investigate potential antidepressant mechanisms and dose optimization.
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16
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Alitalo O, González-Hernández G, Rosenholm M, Kohtala P, Matsui N, Müller HK, Theilmann W, Klein A, Kärkkäinen O, Rozov S, Rantamäki T, Kohtala S. Linking Hypothermia and Altered Metabolism with TrkB Activation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3212-3225. [PMID: 37551888 PMCID: PMC10485900 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain acute antidepressant drug-induced activation of TrkB neurotrophin receptors, but several questions remain. In a series of pharmacological experiments, we observed that TrkB activation induced by antidepressants and several other drugs correlated with sedation, and most importantly, coinciding hypothermia. Untargeted metabolomics of pharmacologically dissimilar TrkB activating treatments revealed effects on shared bioenergetic targets involved in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) breakdown and synthesis, demonstrating a common perturbation in metabolic activity. Both activation of TrkB signaling and hypothermia were recapitulated by administration of inhibitors of glucose and lipid metabolism, supporting a close relationship between metabolic inhibition and neurotrophic signaling. Drug-induced TrkB phosphorylation was independent of electroencephalography slow-wave activity and remained unaltered in knock-in mice with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met allele, which have impaired activity-dependent BDNF release, alluding to an activation mechanism independent from BDNF and neuronal activity. Instead, we demonstrated that the active maintenance of body temperature prevents activation of TrkB and other targets associated with antidepressants, including p70S6 kinase downstream of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). Increased TrkB, GSK3β, and p70S6K phosphorylation was also observed during recovery sleep following sleep deprivation, when a physiological temperature drop is known to occur. Our results suggest that the changes in bioenergetics and thermoregulation are causally connected to TrkB activation and may act as physiological regulators of signaling processes involved in neuronal plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okko Alitalo
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Gemma González-Hernández
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Marko Rosenholm
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Center
for Translational Neuromedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Piia Kohtala
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Department
of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
| | - Nobuaki Matsui
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Gifu University of Medical
Science, 4-3-3 Nijigaoka,
Kani, Gifu 509-0293, Japan
| | - Heidi Kaastrup Müller
- Translational
Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark
| | - Wiebke Theilmann
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Anders Klein
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
- Department
of Drug Design & Pharmacology, University
of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Olli Kärkkäinen
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70210, Finland
- Afekta
Technologies Ltd., Kuopio 70210, Finland
| | - Stanislav Rozov
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Tomi Rantamäki
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Samuel Kohtala
- Laboratory
of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- SleepWell
Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
- Department
of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, United States
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17
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Desmidt T, Dujardin PA, Andersson F, Brizard B, Réméniéras JP, Gissot V, Arlicot N, Barantin L, Espitalier F, Belzung C, Tanti A, Robert G, Bulteau S, Gallet Q, Kazour F, Cognet S, Camus V, El-Hage W, Poupin P, Karim HT. Changes in cerebral connectivity and brain tissue pulsations with the antidepressant response to an equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide: an MRI and ultrasound study. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3900-3908. [PMID: 37592013 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02217-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) has recently emerged as a potential fast-acting antidepressant but the cerebral mechanisms involved in this effect remain speculative. We hypothesized that the antidepressant response to an Equimolar Mixture of Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide (EMONO) would be associated with changes in cerebral connectivity and brain tissue pulsations (BTP). Thirty participants (20 with a major depressive episode resistant to at least one antidepressant and 10 healthy controls-HC, aged 25-50, only females) were exposed to a 1-h single session of EMONO and followed for 1 week. We defined response as a reduction of at least 50% in the MADRS score 1 week after exposure. Cerebral connectivity of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), using ROI-based resting state fMRI, and BTP, using ultrasound Tissue Pulsatility Imaging, were compared before and rapidly after exposure (as well as during exposure for BTP) among HC, non-responders and responders. We conducted analyses to compare group × time, group, and time effects. Nine (45%) depressed participants were considered responders and eleven (55%) non-responders. In responders, we observed a significant reduction in the connectivity of the subgenual ACC with the precuneus. Connectivity of the supracallosal ACC with the mid-cingulate also significantly decreased after exposure in HC and in non-responders. BTP significantly increased in the three groups between baseline and gas exposure, but the increase in BTP within the first 10 min was only significant in responders. We found that a single session of EMONO can rapidly modify the functional connectivity in the subgenual ACC-precuneus, nodes within the default mode network, in depressed participants responders to EMONO. In addition, larger increases in BTP, associated with a significant rise in cerebral blood flow, appear to promote the antidepressant response, possibly by facilitating optimal drug delivery to the brain. Our study identified potential cerebral mechanisms related to the antidepressant response of N2O, as well as potential markers for treatment response with this fast-acting antidepressant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Desmidt
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France.
- CHU de Tours, Tours, France.
- CIC 1415, CHU de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France.
| | | | | | - Bruno Brizard
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | | | | | - Nicolas Arlicot
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
- CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | | | - Fabien Espitalier
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
- CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | | | - Arnaud Tanti
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | - Gabriel Robert
- Behavior and Basal Ganglia Host Team 4712, University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France Department of Psychiatry, Rennes University Hospital, Guillaume Régnier Hospital Centre, Rennes, France
| | - Samuel Bulteau
- Addictology and Liaison Psychiatry Department, CHU de Nantes, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Quentin Gallet
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - François Kazour
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Angers, France
| | | | - Vincent Camus
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
- CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Wissam El-Hage
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
- CHU de Tours, Tours, France
- CIC 1415, CHU de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | | | - Helmet T Karim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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18
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Kronenberg G, Müller A, Seifritz E, Olbrich S. A distinct pattern of EEG and ECG changes associated with inhalational nitrous oxide's rapid antidepressant effects. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:1395-1397. [PMID: 36305920 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01502-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Golo Kronenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zürich, Lenggstrasse 31, P.O. Box 363, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annette Müller
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zürich, Lenggstrasse 31, P.O. Box 363, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zürich, Lenggstrasse 31, P.O. Box 363, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Olbrich
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zürich, Lenggstrasse 31, P.O. Box 363, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
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19
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Liu J, Zhao X, Wei X, Yan D, Ou W, Liao M, Ji S, Peng Y, Wu S, Wang M, Ju Y, Zhang L, Li Z, Liu B, Li L, Zhang Y. Empirical evidence for the neurocognitive effect of nitrous oxide as an adjunctive therapy in patients with treatment resistant depression: A randomized controlled study. Psychiatry Res 2023; 326:115326. [PMID: 37390601 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) has demonstrated an antidepressant effect for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but no studies investigated the effects of N2O on different cognition domains. This study aimed to test whether N2O would display pro-cognitive effects. We conducted a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial, 44 patients with TRD were randomized to N2O group (one-hour inhalation of 50% N2O/50% oxygen) or placebo group (50% air/50% oxygen). Thirty-four patients completed cognitive tests at the pre-treatment phase, 1-week, and 2 weeks post-treatment including subjective cognitive function, processing speed, attention, and executive function. Although the antidepressant effect of N2O was not significant at 1 week, patients still showed better performance of executive function at 1 week after receiving N2O compared with the placebo. Moreover, this significant improvement still existed at 1 week after controlling for the change in depressive symptoms over-time. Additionally, no significant difference was observed in subjective cognitive function, processing speed, and attention between these two groups across the 2-week follow-up period. As the first study investigating the treatment effects of N2O on improving cognitive function in TRD patients, the current study indicated that N2O has a potential pro-cognitive effect on executive function and this effect might be independent from improvements in depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xiyu Wei
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Danfeng Yan
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Shanxi Mental Health Center, Taiyuan Fifth People's Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030045, China
| | - Wenwen Ou
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Mei Liao
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Shanling Ji
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yan Peng
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Shibin Wu
- Nanning Fifth People's Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530028, China
| | - Mi Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yumeng Ju
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Zexuan Li
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Bangshan Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
| | - Lingjiang Li
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
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20
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Myles PS, Kulkarni J, Nagele P. Treatments for major depression. Lancet 2023; 401:2111. [PMID: 37355289 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)00950-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Myles
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
| | - Jayashri Kulkarni
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Peter Nagele
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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21
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Marwaha S, Young AH, Suppes T, Upthegrove R. Treatments for major depression - Authors' reply. Lancet 2023; 401:2111-2112. [PMID: 37355290 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)00952-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Marwaha
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Allan H Young
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Trisha Suppes
- Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Upthegrove
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Early Intervention Service, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Edgbaston, UK.
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22
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Lii TR, Smith AE, Flohr JR, Okada RL, Nyongesa CA, Cianfichi LJ, Hack LM, Schatzberg AF, Heifets BD. Randomized Trial of Ketamine Masked by Surgical Anesthesia in Depressed Patients. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.28.23289210. [PMID: 37205558 PMCID: PMC10187335 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.28.23289210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ketamine may have antidepressant properties, but its acute psychoactive effects complicate successful masking in placebo-controlled trials. METHODS In a triple-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 40 adult patients with major depressive disorder were randomized to a single infusion of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) or placebo (saline) during anesthesia as usual for routine surgery. The primary outcome was depression severity measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at 1, 2, and 3 days post-infusion. The secondary outcome was the proportion of participants with clinical response (≥50% reduction in MADRS scores) at 1, 2, and 3 days post-infusion. After all follow-up visits, participants were asked to guess which intervention they received. RESULTS Mean MADRS scores did not differ between groups at screening or pre-infusion baseline. The mixed-effects model showed no evidence of effect of group assignment on post-infusion MADRS scores at 1 to 3 days post-infusion (-5.82, 95% CI -13.3 to 1.64, p=0.13). Clinical response rates were similar between groups (60% versus 50% on day 1) and comparable to previous studies of ketamine in depressed populations. Secondary and exploratory outcomes did not find statistical separation of ketamine from placebo. 36.8% of participants guessed their treatment assignment correctly; both groups allocated their guesses in similar proportions. One serious adverse event occurred in each group, unrelated to ketamine administration. CONCLUSION In adults with major depressive disorder, a single dose of intravenous ketamine delivered during surgical anesthesia had no greater effect than placebo in acutely reducing the severity of depressive symptoms. This trial successfully masked treatment allocation in moderate-to-severely depressed patients using surgical anesthesia. While it is impractical to use surgical anesthesia for most placebo-controlled trials, future studies of novel antidepressants with acute psychoactive effects should make efforts to fully mask treatment assignment in order to minimize subject-expectancy bias. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03861988).
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa R Lii
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (T.R.L., A.E.S., J.F., R.L.O., C.A.N., B.D.H.), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (L.M.H., A.F.S., B.D.H.), and Department of Radiology (L.J.C.) at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California (L.M.H.)
| | - Ashleigh E Smith
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (T.R.L., A.E.S., J.F., R.L.O., C.A.N., B.D.H.), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (L.M.H., A.F.S., B.D.H.), and Department of Radiology (L.J.C.) at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California (L.M.H.)
| | - Josephine R Flohr
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (T.R.L., A.E.S., J.F., R.L.O., C.A.N., B.D.H.), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (L.M.H., A.F.S., B.D.H.), and Department of Radiology (L.J.C.) at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California (L.M.H.)
| | - Robin L Okada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (T.R.L., A.E.S., J.F., R.L.O., C.A.N., B.D.H.), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (L.M.H., A.F.S., B.D.H.), and Department of Radiology (L.J.C.) at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California (L.M.H.)
| | - Cynthia A Nyongesa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (T.R.L., A.E.S., J.F., R.L.O., C.A.N., B.D.H.), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (L.M.H., A.F.S., B.D.H.), and Department of Radiology (L.J.C.) at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California (L.M.H.)
| | - Lisa J Cianfichi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (T.R.L., A.E.S., J.F., R.L.O., C.A.N., B.D.H.), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (L.M.H., A.F.S., B.D.H.), and Department of Radiology (L.J.C.) at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California (L.M.H.)
| | - Laura M Hack
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (T.R.L., A.E.S., J.F., R.L.O., C.A.N., B.D.H.), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (L.M.H., A.F.S., B.D.H.), and Department of Radiology (L.J.C.) at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California (L.M.H.)
| | - Alan F Schatzberg
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (T.R.L., A.E.S., J.F., R.L.O., C.A.N., B.D.H.), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (L.M.H., A.F.S., B.D.H.), and Department of Radiology (L.J.C.) at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California (L.M.H.)
| | - Boris D Heifets
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (T.R.L., A.E.S., J.F., R.L.O., C.A.N., B.D.H.), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (L.M.H., A.F.S., B.D.H.), and Department of Radiology (L.J.C.) at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California (L.M.H.)
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23
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Dai R, Larkin TE, Huang Z, Tarnal V, Picton P, Vlisides PE, Janke E, McKinney A, Hudetz AG, Harris RE, Mashour GA. Classical and non-classical psychedelic drugs induce common network changes in human cortex. Neuroimage 2023; 273:120097. [PMID: 37031827 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurobiology of the psychedelic experience is not fully understood. Identifying common brain network changes induced by both classical (i.e., acting at the 5-HT2 receptor) and non-classical psychedelics would provide mechanistic insight into state-specific characteristics. We analyzed whole-brain functional connectivity based on resting-state fMRI data in humans, acquired before and during the administration of nitrous oxide, ketamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide. We report that, despite distinct molecular mechanisms and modes of delivery, all three psychedelics reduced within-network functional connectivity and enhanced between-network functional connectivity. More specifically, all three drugs increased connectivity between right temporoparietal junction and bilateral intraparietal sulcus as well as between precuneus and left intraparietal sulcus. These regions fall within the posterior cortical "hot zone," posited to mediate the qualitative aspects of experience. Thus, both classical and non-classical psychedelics modulate networks within an area of known relevance for consciousness, identifying a biologically plausible candidate for their subjective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Dai
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Tony E Larkin
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Zirui Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Vijay Tarnal
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Paul Picton
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Phillip E Vlisides
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Ellen Janke
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Amy McKinney
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Anthony G Hudetz
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Richard E Harris
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
| | - George A Mashour
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
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24
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Hassamal S. Chronic stress, neuroinflammation, and depression: an overview of pathophysiological mechanisms and emerging anti-inflammatories. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1130989. [PMID: 37252156 PMCID: PMC10213648 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1130989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In a subset of patients, chronic exposure to stress is an etiological risk factor for neuroinflammation and depression. Neuroinflammation affects up to 27% of patients with MDD and is associated with a more severe, chronic, and treatment-resistant trajectory. Inflammation is not unique to depression and has transdiagnostic effects suggesting a shared etiological risk factor underlying psychopathologies and metabolic disorders. Research supports an association but not necessarily a causation with depression. Putative mechanisms link chronic stress to dysregulation of the HPA axis and immune cell glucocorticoid resistance resulting in hyperactivation of the peripheral immune system. The chronic extracellular release of DAMPs and immune cell DAMP-PRR signaling creates a feed forward loop that accelerates peripheral and central inflammation. Higher plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, most consistently interleukin IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, are correlated with greater depressive symptomatology. Cytokines sensitize the HPA axis, disrupt the negative feedback loop, and further propagate inflammatory reactions. Peripheral inflammation exacerbates central inflammation (neuroinflammation) through several mechanisms including disruption of the blood-brain barrier, immune cellular trafficking, and activation of glial cells. Activated glial cells release cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species into the extra-synaptic space dysregulating neurotransmitter systems, imbalancing the excitatory to inhibitory ratio, and disrupting neural circuitry plasticity and adaptation. In particular, microglial activation and toxicity plays a central role in the pathophysiology of neuroinflammation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies most consistently show reduced hippocampal volumes. Neural circuitry dysfunction such as hypoactivation between the ventral striatum and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex underlies the melancholic phenotype of depression. Chronic administration of monoamine-based antidepressants counters the inflammatory response, but with a delayed therapeutic onset. Therapeutics targeting cell mediated immunity, generalized and specific inflammatory signaling pathways, and nitro-oxidative stress have enormous potential to advance the treatment landscape. Future clinical trials will need to include immune system perturbations as biomarker outcome measures to facilitate novel antidepressant development. In this overview, we explore the inflammatory correlates of depression and elucidate pathomechanisms to facilitate the development of novel biomarkers and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Hassamal
- California University of Sciences and Medicine, Colton, CA, United States
- Clinicaltriallink, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- California Neuropsychiatric Institute, Ontario, CA, United States
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25
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Kim JW, Suzuki K, Kavalali ET, Monteggia LM. Bridging rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of ketamine. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:364-375. [PMID: 36907686 PMCID: PMC10101916 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Acute administration of (R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) produces rapid antidepressant effects that in some patients can be sustained for several days to more than a week. Ketamine blocks N-methyl-d-asparate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) to elicit specific downstream signaling that induces a novel form of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus that has been linked to the rapid antidepressant action. These signaling events lead to subsequent downstream transcriptional changes that are involved in the sustained antidepressant effects. Here we review how ketamine triggers this intracellular signaling pathway to mediate synaptic plasticity which underlies the rapid antidepressant effects and links it to downstream signaling and the sustained antidepressant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Woon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA; College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Regulatory Science, Gradaute School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Regulatory Innovation through Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kanzo Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacology and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA; Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Katsushika-ku, Japan
| | - Ege T Kavalali
- Department of Pharmacology and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Lisa M Monteggia
- Department of Pharmacology and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
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26
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Brain function changes reveal rapid antidepressant effects of nitrous oxide for treatment-resistant depression:Evidence from task-state EEG. Psychiatry Res 2023; 322:115072. [PMID: 36791487 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide has rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but its underlying mechanisms of therapeutic actions are not well understood. Moreover, most of the current studies lack objective biological indicators to evaluate the changes of nitrous oxide-induced brain function for TRD. Therefore, this study assessed the effect of nitrous oxide on brain function for TRD based on event-related potential (ERP) components and functional connectivity networks (FCNs) methods. In this randomized, longitudinal, placebo-controlled trial, all TRD participants were divided into two groups to receive either a 1-hour inhalation of nitrous oxide or a placebo treatment, and they took part in the same task-state electroencephalogram (EEG) experiment before and after treatment. The experimental results showed that nitrous oxide improved depressive symptoms better than placebo in terms of 17-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score (HAMD-17). Statistical analysis based on ERP components showed that nitrous oxide-induced significant differences in amplitude and latency of N1, P1, N2, P2. In addition, increased brain functional connectivity was found after nitrous oxide treatment. And the change of network metrics has a significant correlation with decreased depressive symptoms. These findings may suggest that nitrous oxide improves depression symptoms for TRD by modifying brain function.
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27
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Rübsam ML, Kruse P, Dietzler Y, Kropf M, Bette B, Zarbock A, Kim SC, Hönemann C. A call for immediate climate action in anesthesiology: routine use of minimal or metabolic fresh gas flow reduces our ecological footprint. Can J Anaesth 2023; 70:301-312. [PMID: 36814057 PMCID: PMC10066075 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-022-02393-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Climate change is a global threat, and inhalational anesthetics contribute to global warming by altering the photophysical properties of the atmosphere. On a global perspective, there is a fundamental need to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality and to provide safe anesthesia. Thus, inhalational anesthetics will remain a significant source of emissions in the foreseeable future. It is, therefore, necessary to develop and implement strategies to minimize the consumption of inhalational anesthetics to reduce the ecological footprint of inhalational anesthesia. SOURCE We have integrated recent findings concerning climate change, characteristics of established inhalational anesthetics, complex simulative calculations, and clinical expertise to propose a practical and safe strategy to practice ecologically responsible anesthesia using inhalational anesthetics. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Comparing the global warming potential of inhalational anesthetics, desflurane is about 20 times more potent than sevoflurane and five times more potent than isoflurane. Balanced anesthesia using low or minimal fresh gas flow (≤ 1 L·min-1) during the wash-in period and metabolic fresh gas flow (0.35 L·min-1) during steady-state maintenance reduces CO2 emissions and costs by approximately 50%. Total intravenous anesthesia and locoregional anesthesia represent further options for lowering greenhouse gas emissions. CONCLUSION Responsible anesthetic management choices should prioritize patient safety and consider all available options. If inhalational anesthesia is chosen, the use of minimal or metabolic fresh gas flow reduces the consumption of inhalational anesthetics significantly. Nitrous oxide should be avoided entirely as it contributes to depletion of the ozone layer, and desflurane should only be used in justified exceptional cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Luise Rübsam
- Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, University Medicine of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Philippe Kruse
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yvonne Dietzler
- Department of Anaesthesia, St. Marienhospital Vechta, Marienstraße 6-8, 49377, Vechta, Germany
| | - Miriam Kropf
- Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, BG Klinikum Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Bette
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Zarbock
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University Hospital of Muenster, Münster, Germany
| | - Se-Chan Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Hönemann
- Department of Anaesthesia, St. Marienhospital Vechta, Marienstraße 6-8, 49377, Vechta, Germany.
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University Hospital of Muenster, Münster, Germany.
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Lv S, Yao K, Zhang Y, Zhu S. NMDA receptors as therapeutic targets for depression treatment: Evidence from clinical to basic research. Neuropharmacology 2023; 225:109378. [PMID: 36539011 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine, functioning as a channel blocker of the excitatory glutamate-gated N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, displays compelling fast-acting and sustained antidepressant effects for treatment-resistant depression. Over the past decades, clinical and preclinical studies have implied that the pathology of depression is associated with dysfunction of glutamatergic transmission. In particular, the discovery of antidepressant agents modulating NMDA receptor function has prompted breakthroughs for depression treatment compared with conventional antidepressants targeting the monoaminergic system. In this review, we first summarized the signalling pathway of the ketamine-mediated antidepressant effects, based on the glutamate hypothesis of depression. Second, we reviewed the hypotheses of the synaptic mechanism and network of ketamine antidepressant effects within different brain areas and distinct subcellular localizations, including NMDA receptor antagonism on GABAergic interneurons, extrasynaptic and synaptic NMDA receptor-mediated antagonism, and ketamine blocking bursting activities in the lateral habenula. Third, we reviewed the different roles of NMDA receptor subunits in ketamine-mediated cognitive and psychiatric behaviours in genetically-manipulated rodent models. Finally, we summarized the structural basis of NMDA receptor channel blockers and discussed NMDA receptor modulators that have been reported to exert potential antidepressant effects in animal models or in clinical trials. Integrating the cutting-edge technologies of cryo-EM and artificial intelligence-based drug design (AIDD), we expect that the next generation of first-in-class rapid antidepressants targeting NMDA receptors would be an emerging direction for depression therapeutics. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'Ketamine and its Metabolites'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyun Lv
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kejie Yao
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Youyi Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shujia Zhu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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29
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Jha MK, Mathew SJ. Pharmacotherapies for Treatment-Resistant Depression: How Antipsychotics Fit in the Rapidly Evolving Therapeutic Landscape. Am J Psychiatry 2023; 180:190-199. [PMID: 36855876 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
One in three adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) do not experience clinically significant improvement after multiple sequential courses of antidepressants and have treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The presence of TRD contributes to the morbidity and excess mortality associated with MDD and has been linked to significantly increased health care expenses. In the absence of a consensus definition of TRD, this report takes a broad approach by considering inadequate response to one or more courses of antidepressants and focuses on atypical antipsychotics that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of depression (aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, cariprazine, extended-release quetiapine, and olanzapine-fluoxetine combination). While multiple acute-phase studies have demonstrated the efficacy of these medications in improving depressive symptoms, clinically meaningful improvement (i.e., remission) remains limited, with significant concerns about side effects (including weight gain, metabolic dysfunction, extrapyramidal symptoms, and tardive dyskinesia), especially with long-term use. With the rapidly evolving landscape of antidepressant treatments over the past few years, which has witnessed approval of rapid-acting antidepressants (e.g., esketamine nasal spray and dextromethorphan-bupropion combination) and several more in the late-stage pipeline (e.g., zuranolone and psilocybin), it remains to be seen whether the use of atypical antipsychotics will go the way of the older and rarely prescribed antidepressants (such as tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors). Pragmatic clinical trials are needed to compare the effectiveness of atypical antipsychotics with TRD-specific pharmacotherapies and neuromodulation treatments and to identify the optimal sequencing of these varied approaches for patients with MDD. When using atypical antipsychotics, clinicians and patients are encouraged to use a shared decision-making approach by personalizing treatment selection based on anticipated side effects, tolerability, cost, and feasibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish K Jha
- Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (Jha); Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston (Mathew); Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston (Mathew); Menninger Clinic, Houston (Mathew)
| | - Sanjay J Mathew
- Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (Jha); Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston (Mathew); Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston (Mathew); Menninger Clinic, Houston (Mathew)
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30
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Scangos KW, State MW, Miller AH, Baker JT, Williams LM. New and emerging approaches to treat psychiatric disorders. Nat Med 2023; 29:317-333. [PMID: 36797480 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-02197-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent, often devastating diseases that negatively impact the lives of millions of people worldwide. Although their etiological and diagnostic heterogeneity has long challenged drug discovery, an emerging circuit-based understanding of psychiatric illness is offering an important alternative to the current reliance on trial and error, both in the development and in the clinical application of treatments. Here we review new and emerging treatment approaches, with a particular emphasis on the revolutionary potential of brain-circuit-based interventions for precision psychiatry. Limitations of circuit models, challenges of bringing precision therapeutics to market and the crucial advances needed to overcome these obstacles are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine W Scangos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Matthew W State
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrew H Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Justin T Baker
- McLean Hospital Institute for Technology in Psychiatry, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Leanne M Williams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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31
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Correll CU, Solmi M, Cortese S, Fava M, Højlund M, Kraemer HC, McIntyre RS, Pine DS, Schneider LS, Kane JM. The future of psychopharmacology: a critical appraisal of ongoing phase 2/3 trials, and of some current trends aiming to de-risk trial programmes of novel agents. World Psychiatry 2023; 22:48-74. [PMID: 36640403 PMCID: PMC9840514 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable progress in pharmacotherapy over the past seven decades, many mental disorders remain insufficiently treated. This situation is in part due to the limited knowledge of the pathophysiology of these disorders and the lack of biological markers to stratify and individualize patient selection, but also to a still restricted number of mechanisms of action being targeted in monotherapy or combination/augmentation treatment, as well as to a variety of challenges threatening the successful development and testing of new drugs. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the most promising drugs with innovative mechanisms of action that are undergoing phase 2 or 3 testing for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety and trauma-related disorders, substance use disorders, and dementia. Promising repurposing of established medications for new psychiatric indications, as well as variations in the modulation of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin receptor functioning, are also considered. We then critically discuss the clinical trial parameters that need to be considered in depth when developing and testing new pharmacological agents for the treatment of mental disorders. Hurdles and perils threatening success of new drug development and testing include inadequacy and imprecision of inclusion/exclusion criteria and ratings, sub-optimally suited clinical trial participants, multiple factors contributing to a large/increasing placebo effect, and problems with statistical analyses. This information should be considered in order to de-risk trial programmes of novel agents or known agents for novel psychiatric indications, increasing their chances of success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph U Correll
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Marco Solmi
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Mental Health, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) Clinical Epidemiology Program, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Samuele Cortese
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
- Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York University Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maurizio Fava
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mikkel Højlund
- Department of Public Health, Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Department of Psychiatry Aabenraa, Aabenraa, Denmark
| | - Helena C Kraemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Cupertino, CA, USA
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence, Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel S Pine
- Section on Developmental Affective Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lon S Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, and L. Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John M Kane
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
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32
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van Roessel PJ, Grassi G, Aboujaoude EN, Menchón JM, Van Ameringen M, Rodríguez CI. Treatment-resistant OCD: Pharmacotherapies in adults. Compr Psychiatry 2023; 120:152352. [PMID: 36368186 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) medications are well established as first-line pharmacotherapeutic treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). However, despite the excellent safety profile and demonstrated efficacy of these medications, a substantial proportion of individuals with OCD fail to attain sufficient benefit from SRIs. In this narrative review, we discuss clinical features of OCD that have been associated with poorer response to SRIs, and we present pharmacotherapeutic interventions that have been explored as augmenting or alternative treatments for treatment-resistant OCD. We additionally highlight non-SRI interventions for OCD that are currently under investigation. Pharmacotherapeutic interventions were identified via expert consensus. To assess the evidence base for individual pharmacotherapies, targeted searches for relevant English-language publications were performed on standard biomedical research databases, including MEDLINE. Information relevant to ongoing registered clinical trials in OCD was obtained by search of ClinicalTrials.gov. Pharmacotherapies are grouped for review in accordance with the general principles of Neuroscience-based Nomenclature (NbN). Clinical features of OCD that may suggest poorer response to SRI treatment include early age of onset, severity of illness, duration of untreated illness, and the presence of symmetry/ordering or hoarding-related symptoms. Based on evolving pathophysiologic models of OCD, diverse agents engaging serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, glutamate, and anti-inflammatory pathways have been explored as alternative or adjunctive therapies for treatment-resistant OCD and have at least preliminary evidence of efficacy. Medications with dopamine antagonist activity remain the most robustly evidence-based of augmenting interventions, yet dopamine antagonists benefit only a minority of those who try them and carry elevated risks of adverse effects. Interventions targeting glutamatergic and anti-inflammatory pathways are less well evidenced, but may offer more favorable benefit to risk profiles. Ongoing research should explore whether specific interventions may benefit individuals with particular features of treatment-resistant OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J van Roessel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
| | | | - Elias N Aboujaoude
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - José M Menchón
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Cibersam, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Van Ameringen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carolyn I Rodríguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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33
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Kim WSH, Dimick MK, Omrin D, Mitchell RHB, Riegert D, Levitt A, Schaffer A, Belo S, Iazzetta J, Detzler G, Choi M, Choi S, Herrmann N, McIntyre RS, MacIntosh BJ, Orser BA, Goldstein BI. Proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial of single-session nitrous oxide treatment for refractory bipolar depression: Focus on cerebrovascular target engagement. Bipolar Disord 2022; 25:221-232. [PMID: 36579458 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There remain few efficacious treatments for bipolar depression, which dominates the course of bipolar disorder (BD). Despite multiple studies reporting associations between depression and cerebral blood flow (CBF), little is known regarding CBF as a treatment target, or predictor and/or indicator of treatment response, in BD. Nitrous oxide, an anesthetic gas with vasoactive and putative antidepressant properties, has a long history as a neuroimaging probe. We undertook an experimental medicine paradigm, coupling in-scanner single-session nitrous oxide treatment of bipolar depression with repeated measures of CBF. METHODS In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 25 adults with BD I/II and current treatment-refractory depression received either: (1) nitrous oxide (20 min at 25% concentration) plus intravenous saline (n = 12), or (2) medical air plus intravenous midazolam (2 mg total; n = 13). Study outcomes included changes in depression severity (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores, primary) and changes in CBF (via arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging). RESULTS There were no significant between-group differences in 24-h post-treatment MADRS change or treatment response. However, the nitrous oxide group had significantly greater same-day reductions in depression severity. Lower baseline regional CBF predicted greater 24-h post-treatment MADRS reductions with nitrous oxide but not midazolam. In region-of-interest and voxel-wise analyses, there was a pattern of regional CBF reductions following treatment with midazolam versus nitrous oxide. CONCLUSIONS Present findings, while tentative and based on secondary endpoints, suggest differential associations of nitrous oxide versus midazolam with bipolar depression severity and cerebral hemodynamics. Larger studies integrating neuroimaging targets and repeated nitrous oxide treatment sessions are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S H Kim
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mikaela K Dimick
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle Omrin
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachel H B Mitchell
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Riegert
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony Levitt
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ayal Schaffer
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan Belo
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Iazzetta
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Mabel Choi
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen Choi
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bradley J MacIntosh
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Beverley A Orser
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benjamin I Goldstein
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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34
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Izumi Y, Hsu FF, Conway CR, Nagele P, Mennerick SJ, Zorumski CF. Nitrous Oxide, a Rapid Antidepressant, Has Ketamine-like Effects on Excitatory Transmission in the Adult Hippocampus. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:964-972. [PMID: 36050137 PMCID: PMC10107749 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a noncompetitive inhibitor of NMDA receptors that appears to have ketamine-like rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant major depression. In preclinical studies, ketamine enhances glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. In this study, we examined the effects of N2O on glutamate transmission in the hippocampus and compared its effects to those of ketamine. METHODS Glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission was studied in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices from adult albino rats using standard extracellular recording methods. Effects of N2O and ketamine at subanesthetic concentrations were evaluated by acute administration. RESULTS Akin to 1 μM ketamine, 30% N2O administered for 15-20 minutes resulted in persistent enhancement of synaptic responses mediated by both AMPA receptors and NMDA receptors. Synaptic enhancement by both N2O and ketamine was blocked by co-administration of a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist at saturating concentration, but only ketamine was blocked by an AMPA receptor antagonist. Synaptic enhancement by both agents involved TrkB (tropomyosin receptor kinase B), mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin), and NOS (nitric oxide synthase) with some differences between N2O and ketamine. N2O potentiation occluded enhancement by ketamine, and in vivo N2O exposure occluded further potentiation by both N2O and ketamine. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that N2O has ketamine-like effects on hippocampal synaptic function at a subanesthetic, but therapeutically relevant concentration. These 2 rapid antidepressants have similar, but not identical mechanisms that result in persisting synaptic enhancement, possibly contributing to psychotropic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukitoshi Izumi
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Medicine and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Charles R Conway
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Peter Nagele
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Steven J Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
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35
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Yan D, Liu B, Wei X, Ou W, Liao M, Ji S, Peng Y, Liu J, Wu S, Wang M, Ju Y, Zhang L, Li Z, Li L, Zhang Y. Efficacy and safety of nitrous oxide for patients with treatment-resistant depression, a randomized controlled trial. Psychiatry Res 2022; 317:114867. [PMID: 36191556 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O), an N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor antagonist, has demonstrated a rapid-onset antidepressant effect for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) preliminarily in the United States. This study aimed to test the efficacy and safety of N2O for TRD patients in China. In this double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 44 patients with TRD were randomized to receive a one-hour inhalation of a mixture of either 50% N2O/50% oxygen (N2O group) or 50% air/50% oxygen (placebo group). The primary outcome was the change on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) over a course of two weeks. Using modified intention-to-treat analysis, the between group difference was found in the HDRS-17 score at two hours and 24 h after inhalation treatment, while no significant difference was found in week one and week two. Patients receiving N2O reported a significantly higher number of adverse events. All the adverse events lasted for no more than 24 h. No serious adverse events were reported. A single inhalation of 50% N2O effectively alleviates depression in patients with TRD in China. The efficacy lasts for no more than one week. N2O is safe for patients with TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danfeng Yan
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Shanxi Mental Health Center, Taiyuan Fifth People's Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030045, China
| | - Bangshan Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xiyu Wei
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Wenwen Ou
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Mei Liao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Shanling Ji
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yan Peng
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Jin Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Shibin Wu
- Nanning Fifth People's Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530028, China
| | - Mi Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Yumeng Ju
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Li Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Zexuan Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Lingjiang Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.
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Liu H, Kerzner J, Demchenko I, Wijeysundera DN, Kennedy SH, Ladha KS, Bhat V. Nitrous oxide for the treatment of psychiatric disorders: A systematic review of the clinical trial landscape. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2022; 146:126-138. [PMID: 35353901 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systematically review published research studies and ongoing clinical trials investigating nitrous oxide (N2 O) in psychiatric disorders, providing an up-to-date snapshot of the clinical research landscape. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted for studies published until June 2021 using the OVID databases (MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo) and the clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTRP). RESULTS In total, five relevant published articles were identified, among which four investigated N2 O for depression. One single-dose randomized controlled trial (RCT) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), one triple crossover RCT comparing 50% vs. 25% N2 O for TRD, and one repeated-dose RCT for major depressive disorder (MDD) suggest that N2 O has preliminary feasibility with rapid-acting effects on symptoms of depression. From the public registries, 10 relevant ongoing clinical trials were identified. They aim to explore the use of N2 O for MDD, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidal ideation. To date, the typical treatment protocol parameters were a single session of 50% N2 O delivered for 60 min, although the concentration of 25% is also being explored. Projected enrolment numbers for ongoing trials (M = 55.0) were much higher than sample sizes for published studies (M = 13.0), suggesting that there potentially will be more large-scale RCTs published in the next few years. CONCLUSION Preliminary studies support the feasibility of administering N2 O for depression; however, appropriate blinding is a critical challenge. Larger-scale RCTs with repeated doses of N2 O and follow-up times beyond 1 month are needed to confirm the feasibility, therapeutic efficacy, and sustainability of response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Liu
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jaimie Kerzner
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ilya Demchenko
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Duminda N Wijeysundera
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anesthesia, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sidney H Kennedy
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karim S Ladha
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anesthesia, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Venkat Bhat
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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37
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Lengvenyte A, Strumila R, Olié E, Courtet P. Ketamine and esketamine for crisis management in patients with depression: Why, whom, and how? Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 57:88-104. [PMID: 35219097 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Currently, only a limited number of interventions can rapidly relieve depressive symptomatology in patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder experiencing extreme distress. Such crises, especially when suicide attempt or ideation is involved, are a major risk factor of suicide. Ketamine, a N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor antagonist, and its enantiomer esketamine rapidly reduce depressive symptoms in depressed patients with current suicidal ideation. Recently, esketamine has been approved for use in patients with depression at risk of suicide and for psychiatric emergency by major medical agencies in the United States and Europe, whereas ketamine is increasingly used off-label. However, there is currently limited guidance on why, when, and how to use these drugs in patients with depression to treat a crisis. In this review article, we provide a succinct overview of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of ketamine and esketamine, and of the functional brain changes following their administration. We also summarize the major clinical studies on ketamine and esketamine efficacy in patients experiencing a crisis (generally, suicidal ideation), and propose a profile of patients who can benefit most from such drugs, on the basis of neurobiological and clinical observations. Finally, we describe the administration mode, the efficacy and tolerability profiles, the side effect management, possible concomitant treatments and the issue of deprescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiste Lengvenyte
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, CHU Montpellier, France; IGF, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France; Psychiatric Clinic, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Robertas Strumila
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, CHU Montpellier, France; IGF, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France; Psychiatric Clinic, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Emilie Olié
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, CHU Montpellier, France; IGF, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Courtet
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, CHU Montpellier, France; IGF, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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38
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Sakurai H, Yonezawa K, Tani H, Mimura M, Bauer M, Uchida H. Novel Antidepressants in the Pipeline (Phase II and III): A Systematic Review of the US Clinical Trials Registry. PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY 2022; 55:193-202. [PMID: 35045580 PMCID: PMC9259184 DOI: 10.1055/a-1714-9097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Introduction
There is an imminent need for faster-acting and more
effective antidepressants beyond the monoaminergic hypothesis.
Methods
We systematically searched the US Clinical Trials registry for
antidepressant compounds with completed phase II and III trials. Compounds that
demonstrated significant superiority over placebo in the primary outcome measure
in the latest phase of phase II and III trials were identified. The collateral
information was gathered via a PubMed search and press releases.
Results
Nine compounds were identified. AXS-05 (a combination of
dextromethorphan and bupropion) and ansofaxine hydrochloride showed a positive
result over placebo in a phase III study for major depressive disorder or
treatment-resistant depression. MIJ821, nitrous oxide, psilocybin, ayahuasca,
facial injection of botulinum toxin A, prasterone, and casopitant demonstrated
at least one positive result in phase II trials. Ayahuasca showed a greater
response rate than placebo at week one, indicating the rapid antidepressant
effect.
Discussion
These new compounds with novel mechanisms of action are
expected to provide a greater variety of treatment options for depression if
preliminary positive results are confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Sakurai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kengo Yonezawa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kawasaki Municipal Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hideaki Tani
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michael Bauer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hiroyuki Uchida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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39
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Lee YK, Gold MS, Fuehrlein BS. Looking beyond the opioid receptor: A desperate need for new treatments for opioid use disorder. J Neurol Sci 2022; 432:120094. [PMID: 34933249 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.120094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The mainstay of treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is opioid agonist therapy (OAT), which modulates opioid receptors to reduce substance craving and use. OAT maintains dependence on opioids but helps reduce overdose and negative sequelae of substance abuse. Despite increasing availability of OAT, its effectiveness is limited by difficulty in initiating and maintaining patients on treatment. With the worsening opioid epidemic in the United States and rising overdose deaths, a more durable and effective treatment for OUD is necessary. This paper reviews novel treatments being investigated for OUD, including neuromodulatory interventions, psychedelic drugs, and other novel approaches. Neuromodulatory interventions can stimulate the addiction neural circuitry involving the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and deeper mesolimbic structures to curb craving and reduce use, and multiple clinical trials for interventional treatment for OUD are currently conducted. Similarly, psychedelic agents are being investigated for efficacy in OUD specifically. There is a resurgence of interest in psychedelic agents' therapeutic potential, with evidence of improving mood symptoms and decreased substance use even after just one dose. Exact mechanism of their anti-addictive effect is not fully elucidated, but psychedelic agents do not maintain opioid dependence and some may even be helpful in abating symptoms of withdrawal. Other potential approaches for OUD include targeting different parts of the dopamine-dependent addiction pathway, identifying susceptible genes and modulating gene products, as well as utilizing vaccines as immunotherapy to blunt the addictive effects of substances. Much more clinical data are needed to support efficacy and safety of these therapies in OUD, but these proposed novel treatments look beyond the opioid receptor to offer hope for a more durably effective OUD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Kyung Lee
- School of Medicine, Yale University, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Mark S Gold
- Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Brian S Fuehrlein
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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Demchenko I, Tassone VK, Kennedy SH, Dunlop K, Bhat V. Intrinsic Connectivity Networks of Glutamate-Mediated Antidepressant Response: A Neuroimaging Review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:864902. [PMID: 35722550 PMCID: PMC9199367 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.864902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional monoamine-based pharmacotherapy, considered the first-line treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), has several challenges, including high rates of non-response. To address these challenges, preclinical and clinical studies have sought to characterize antidepressant response through monoamine-independent mechanisms. One striking example is glutamate, the brain's foremost excitatory neurotransmitter: since the 1990s, studies have consistently reported altered levels of glutamate in MDD, as well as antidepressant effects following molecular targeting of glutamatergic receptors. Therapeutically, this has led to advances in the discovery, testing, and clinical application of a wide array of glutamatergic agents, particularly ketamine. Notably, ketamine has been demonstrated to rapidly improve mood symptoms, unlike monoamine-based interventions, and the neurobiological basis behind this rapid antidepressant response is under active investigation. Advances in brain imaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and positron emission tomography, enable the identification of the brain network-based characteristics distinguishing rapid glutamatergic modulation from the effect of slow-acting conventional monoamine-based pharmacology. Here, we review brain imaging studies that examine brain connectivity features associated with rapid antidepressant response in MDD patients treated with glutamatergic pharmacotherapies in contrast with patients treated with slow-acting monoamine-based treatments. Trends in recent brain imaging literature suggest that the activity of brain regions is organized into coherent functionally distinct networks, termed intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs). We provide an overview of major ICNs implicated in depression and explore how treatment response following glutamatergic modulation alters functional connectivity of limbic, cognitive, and executive nodes within ICNs, with well-characterized anti-anhedonic effects and the enhancement of "top-down" executive control. Alterations within and between the core ICNs could potentially exert downstream effects on the nodes within other brain networks of relevance to MDD that are structurally and functionally interconnected through glutamatergic synapses. Understanding similarities and differences in brain ICNs features underlying treatment response will positively impact the trajectory and outcomes for adults suffering from MDD and will facilitate the development of biomarkers to enable glutamate-based precision therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Demchenko
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Center for Depression and Suicide Studies, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vanessa K Tassone
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sidney H Kennedy
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Center for Depression and Suicide Studies, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katharine Dunlop
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Center for Depression and Suicide Studies, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Venkat Bhat
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, Mental Health and Addictions Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Center for Depression and Suicide Studies, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Gillman MA. What is better for psychiatry: Titrated or fixed concentrations of nitrous oxide? Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:773190. [PMID: 36072452 PMCID: PMC9441863 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.773190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medication dosages are crucial-no single dose fits all. My paper compares the safety, scientific and practical applicability of fixed 25-50% concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O) with the variable titrated concentrations of Psychotropic Analgesic N2O (PAN), as used in dentistry, and neuropsychiatry. A crucial difference is that PAN is always titrated, via an open circuit (nasal mask), to the minimum concentration (dose), which ensures full consciousness, cooperation, comfort and relaxation. With PAN, the goal is subject comfort, not dose. In contrast, fixed goal concentrations are usually given via relatively closed circuits (full facial mask/similar) without account for individual patient's dose-response. Hence, fixed concentrations, in N2O sensitive subjects, could result in unconsciousness and other adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, anxiety, aspiration, might occur; requiring an anaesthesiologist for patient safety. PAN is titrated using each subject's subjective and objective responses as the guide to the ideal concentration. Thus, when PAN is used, there is no fixed concentration even for a single subject, nor is an anaesthesiologist required. Furthermore, there is a greater scientific rationale for using PAN, because the receptor systems involved are better known, whilst those for fixed concentrations are not. The PAN or dental titration method has been safely used in general dentistry for over 70 years and as an investigative, diagnostic and therapeutic tool for neuropsychiatry for over 40 years. Clinical applications include substance abuse detoxification, ameliorating depression, and investigations of schizophrenia, human orgasm, pain perception and basic neuroscience. By contrast, the experience with fixed doses in psychiatry is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Gillman
- Directorate, South African Brain Research Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
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