Spotlight on depression: Antidepressants, memory, expectant fathers and more

Depression Awareness Week, which runs from May 7 to 13, provides the opportunity to revisit some of the most popular depression research thus far in 2017.

The following collection of articles covers a wide range of topics within depression, including antidepressant exposure and risk for birth defects, treatment for memory in depression, and overdoses associated with depression medications.

Antidepressant exposure increases risk for birth defects

Findings from a population-wide cohort study indicated exposure to antidepressants with serotonin reuptake effects during embryogenesis increased risk for organ-specific malformations. Read more

Modafinil improves memory in remitted depression

Modafinil, a stimulant intended to treat narcolepsy, improved episodic memory and working memory performance among individuals with remitted depression, according to recent findings. Read more

Study finds depression risk factors in expectant fathers

Expectant fathers had increased risk for depression if they reported feeling stressed or poor health during their partner’s pregnancy, according to recent findings. Read more

Vraylar effective for acute bipolar I depression

Results from an 8-week, multinational, multicenter, randomized, double blind placebo-controlled study indicated consistent efficacy of Vraylar, an atypical antipsychotic currently intended for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, for acute bipolar I depression. Read more

Overdose, adverse exposure to depression medications increase in US

Analysis of cases reported to Poison Control indicated overdose or unintentional adverse exposure to depression medications significantly increased from 2000 to 2014. Read more