Major Depressive Disorder

SAN DIEGO — Alternatives with new mechanisms of action are needed after 50 years of drug development focusing on monoamines for treating major depressive disorder, according to a session presented at Psych Congress.

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson has submitted a supplemental new drug application to the FDA seeking a new indication for Spravato CIII nasal spray for the rapid reduction of depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who have active suicidal ideation with intent.

More than 17 million adults in the U.S. have experienced a major depressive episode, according to data from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Findings from a large genome-wide association study indicated that genetic liability of psychotic experiences may be shared with several psychiatric disorders in addition to schizophrenia, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Glaucoma impacts patients and care givers significantly, according to a national survey conducted by the Glaucoma Research Foundation and supported by Aerie Pharmaceuticals.

Treatment with seltorexant improved depressive symptoms compared with placebo and the antidepressant efficacy was maintained for a month, according to be exploratory findings published in Translational Psychiatry.

Results from a meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry support delay discounting — a type of decision-making tied to impulsivity — as a robust transdiagnostic process across many different psychiatric disorders.

Depression-related cognitive deficits in selective attention, working memory and long-term memory persisted into remission from a major depressive episode and worsened with repeated episodes, study findings published in Lancet Psychiatry revealed.

Study findings published in PLOS Biology indicated that air pollution was significantly linked to increased risk for psychiatric disorders in the United States and Denmark.

Continuing sertraline plus olanzapine compared with sertraline plus placebo reduced the risk for relapse over 36 weeks among adults with psychotic depression in remission, study findings published in JAMA showed.