Top 8 developments in depression research

There has been a variety of recently published research on depression, ranging from preliminary drug trials to alternative treatment options and practice management models.

Here are the eight most popular depression studies published on Healio.com/Psychiatry.

Studies show efficacy of rapastinel for treatment-resistant depression

Researchers used hippocampal slices to evaluate the potential of pharmacological modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype of glutamate receptor (NMDAR) activity through the obligatory co-agonist binding site, its effect on modulation of the dissemination of cortical spreading depolarization and modulation of cortical spreading depolarization effects on dendritic spine morphology. Read more

Higher doses of SSRIs increase efficacy, decrease tolerability for major depressive disorder

A systematic review and meta-analysis indicated higher doses of serotonin reuptake inhibitors are slightly more effective for treatment of major depressive disorder in adults, with benefit plateauing at around 250 mg of imipramine equivalents. Read more

Latuda effective, well-tolerated among adults with major depressive disorder

Trisha Suppes, MD, PhD, of Stanford University School of Medicine, and colleagues randomly assigned adults with major depressive disorder with a limited number of manic symptoms to receive 20 mg to 60 mg flexibly dosed lurasidone hydrochloride per day (n = 109) or placebo (n = 102) for 6 weeks. Read more

Bright light monotherapy, combination effective for nonseasonal MDD

To determine efficacy of light treatment, as monotherapy and in combination with fluoxetine hydrochloride, researchers randomly assigned 122 adults with at least moderately severe MDD to light monotherapy (n = 32), 20 mg/day of fluoxetine monotherapy (n = 31), combination therapy (n = 29) or placebo (n = 30) for 8 weeks. Light therapy consisted of active 10,000-lux fluorescent white light box for 30 minutes/day in the morning. Researchers measured change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores from baseline to 8 weeks. Read more

Collaborative care model efficacious for individuals with both psychiatric, medical conditions

A recently completed 3-year initiative indicated efficacy of an evidence-based collaborative care management model designed to improve care for patients with both depression, diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.

The Care of Mental, Physical and Substance-use Syndromes (COMPASS) initiative, funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, was implemented among 181 medical groups, 171 clinics and 3,300 clinicians in eight U.S. states. Read more

Research suggests link between inflammation, depression and pathogen host defense

To evaluate if the association between C-reactive protein and depression is symptom-specific, researchers analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Surveys for 2005 to 2006 (n = 4,593), 2007 to 2008 (n = 5,151) and 2009 to 2010 (n = 5,327). Overall, 15,071 participants (mean age, 47.5 years) were included in the current analysis. C-reactive protein was measured via standard procedures and depressive symptoms were assessed via the Depression Screener Questionnaire as part of computer-assisted personal interviews. Read more

Amygdala activity during memory recall may indicate depression severity

To assess associations between amygdala responses to positive memories and depression symptom severity, amygdala reactivity and connectivity with amygdala regions were examined among 45 individuals with unmedicated depression, 25 with unmedicated remitted depression, 30 at high familial risk for depression, and 60 healthy controls. Researchers conducted functional MRI while study participants recalled autobiographical memories in response to “emotionally valenced” cue words. Read more

MRI shows structural abnormalities in medial frontal pole of individuals with depression

Researchers conducted multisite voxel- and region-based morphometric MRI analysis among 73 individuals with depression and 73 individuals without psychiatric history. First, they compared frontal pole volume by subdivision-wise classical morphometric analysis, then frontal pole volume was compared by subdivision-naïve multivariate searchlight analysis based on support vector machines. Read more