Mood Disorders News

Major depressive disorder, particularly with recurring episodes, was linked to lower dopamine transporter levels in the dorsal striatum, according to in vivo positron emission tomography and postmortem evidence published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Growing evidence shows the potential of ketamine for depression. Research has demonstrated that ketamine provides rapid relief from depressive symptoms and a significant reduction in suicidal ideation, and early this year the FDA approved esketamine nasal spray, combined with an oral antidepressant, for adults with treatment-resistant depression.

A systematic review published in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry concluded that the available evidence isn’t enough to support the use of oral ketamine for depression; however, two randomized controlled studies showed that oral ketamine has significant antidepressant effects and good tolerability.

Researchers found that adversity early in life was associated with increased gastrointestinal symptoms in children and that this adversity-induced gastrointestinal distress was associated with future anxiety, according to data published in Development and Psychopathology.

A popular smartphone app based on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness showed efficacy in individuals with symptoms of anxiety and depression, data presented at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America annual meeting showed.

Veterans with PTSD and major depressive disorder saw significant improvement in suicidal ideation after receiving IV infusions of ketamine over a 12-day period, according to a poster presented at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America annual conference.

Patients with anxiety and mood disorders — especially generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder — had lower levels of self-compassion, according to findings presented at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America annual conference.

Using Mendelian randomization, researchers found that depression and coronary heart disease shared common underlying biological mechanisms.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that the newly FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray will be available to veterans with treatment-resistant depression.

In a pilot study, targeting alpha oscillations in the brain with transcranial alternating current stimulation, or tACS, showed potential as a therapeutic approach for major depressive disorder.