The Week in Review: March 27-31

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This week, Psychiatric Times® covered a wide variety of psychiatric issues and industry updates, from gut microbiota and SSRIs in major depressive disorder to nonpharmacological interventions following traumatic brain injury. Here are some highlights from the week.

FDA Approves First Naloxone Product for Over-the-Counter Use

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The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has approved Narcan for nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) use.

Narcan, 4 mg naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, is the first naloxone product to receive FDA approval for nonprescription use. It quickly reverses the effects of and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose—and now, this decision will make it possible for naloxone to be sold directly to consumers online and in stores. Continue Reading

Positive Results for Lumateperone in Patients With Mixed Features in Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Depression

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Recent results from study 403 showed that lumateperone (Caplyta) 42 mg monotherapy helped significantly reduce the severity of depressive symptoms in patients with mixed features in major depressive disorder (MDD) and in patients with mixed features in bipolar depression.

“In this study, lumateperone demonstrated a robust effect in both patients with MDD with mixed features and patients with bipolar depression with mixed features. This is particularly significant considering these patients suffer from greater symptom severity, increased recurrence of mood episodes, higher comorbidity, and increased risk of suicide,” said Stephen Stahl MD, PhD, DSc, clinical professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of California Riverside. Continue Reading

Gut Microbiota and SSRIs in Major Depression

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Many patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) do not respond to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). There is some evidence for alterations in gut microbiota between patients with depression and controls. Furthermore, 1 study found that transplantation of the feces of patients with MDD into the gut of mice could induce depression-like behaviors.

Outside of depression, gut microbiota can influence the effectiveness of medications via pharmacokinetic changes. There is some evidence in animal models that SSRIs can influence gut microbiota. Continue Reading

Benefits of Aerobic Exercise Following Traumatic Brain Injury

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National surveillance data indicates there are approximately 3 million new cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year in the United States and the incidence of TBI has been increasing since 1995, particularly for adults over the age of 65. TBI is a serious public health problem in the United States and a leading cause of death and long-term disability in adults.

In the general population, regular exercise is associated with better overall health, reduced risk for disease, and increased longevity. Following a brain injury, aerobic exercise promotes cardiovascular fitness, cognitive recovery, and reductions in mood disorders. Continue Reading

See more recent coverage from Psychiatric Times here. And be sure to stay up-to-date by subscribing to the Psychiatric Times E-newsletter.

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