Do Statins Have Antidepressant Effects?

Statin for mood and inflammation among adult patients with major depressive disorder: an updated meta-analysis

Introduction

Several small sample-sized clinical trials have demonstrated a beneficial effect of statin on depressive mood among major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. However, observational studies have showed the increased risk of anxiety/depression with statin treatment. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of statin on depressive mood and inflammation status among MDD patients.

Methods

We performed an updated meta-analysis RCTs identified in systematic searches of PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, CNKI, Wan fang, VIP, and SinoMed database (up to August 2023). The primary endpoint was the Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS). The secondary endpoints were rate of response to treatment, remission rate, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), cognition and blood lipid. We evaluated the certainty of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results

The search identified seven RCTs involving 448 patients with a median follow-up of 10.4 weeks (range, 6-12 weeks). Compared with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) alone, treatment with statin plus SSRIs was associated with a significantly decreased HDRS [mean difference (MD) = -2.79; 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.83 to -1.76] and C-reactive protein (MD = -0.42 mg/L; 95% CI: -0.53 to -0.12 mg/L), and decreased levels of lipid profiles (P < 0.05). Moreover, statin plus SSRIs was associated with a comparable rate of treatment response [relative risk (RR) = 1.26; 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.62], remission rate (RR = 1.33; 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.99). Meta-regression indicated that the follow-up period was a source of heterogeneity regarding the HDRS (r = 0.302, P = 0.041). The quality of evidence was rated as moderate for HDRS and response rate according to the GRADE.

Conclusion

Statin could safely and effectively improve the symptoms of depression and inflammation status among MDD patients.

Systematic review registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-3-0016/, identifier INPLASY2022230016.

The Anti-Depressant Effects of Statins in Patients With Major Depression Post-Myocardial Infarction: An Updated Review 2022

Statins are the most commonly prescribed lipid-lowering agents in patients with cardiovascular disease, and more than half of the patients with cardiovascular disease have associated depressive symptoms, particularly post-myocardial infarction, which is a major trigger for depression. In our research, we tried to understand the anti-depressant effects of statins, the mechanisms, risks and benefits, and potential drug-drug interactions with anti-depressant medications. We reviewed all the relevant information from inception up to September 2022 regarding the anti-depressant effects of statins. The database used was PubMed, and the keywords were statins, major depression, post-myocardial infarction, and hydroxy methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. We have screened each of the articles carefully, including both human and animal studies, and found a positive correlation between reduction in depressive symptoms with statin therapy as adjunctive treatment with conventional anti-depressants. In conclusion, statins as a monotherapy are not an effective treatment for depression post-myocardial infarction but are good add-on options along with standard therapy such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Statins are safe and have no serious drug-drug interactions with anti-depressants. We would like to encourage large-scale observational studies and further post-marketing surveillance to improve our knowledge regarding the effectiveness of statins in the treatment of depression.

Statins and Antidepressants: A Comprehensive Review and Clinical Outlook of the Risks and Benefits of Co-prescription (2022)

Antidepressants are the most prescribed medications in the United States, and the most frequently prescribed antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) followed by serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs), and norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI). On the other hand, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, are the most prescribed lipid-lowering medications, and because the majority of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) have depressive symptoms, it is essential to understand the possible drug-drug interactions these two classes of medications can have, their potential synergistic mechanisms, and possible risks. In our research, we tried to understand the facts and uncover any missing links regarding the potential risks and benefits of statins and antidepressant co-prescription in the current clinical scenario. We reviewed all the relevant information from inception up to October 2022 regarding the antidepressant and statin polypharmacy. The databases we used were PubMed and PubMed Central, and the 11 keywords were "statins," "SSRI," "SNRI," "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors," "serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors," "antidepressants," "HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors," "tricyclic antidepressants," "monoamine oxidase inhibitors," "serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors," and "norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors." We carefully screened each of the relevant articles, including animal and human studies. In our study, we concluded that co-prescription of statins and SSRIs/SNRIs was generally safe and should be encouraged due to the potential synergistic nature of their effects in patients with CVD and major depression, and caution is advised with all other classes of antidepressants. We would like to encourage the undertaking of large-scale observational studies and proactive postmarketing surveillance to improve our knowledge regarding this topic considering the immense clinical importance it holds by directly and indirectly affecting half the population worldwide.

Shared genetic liability between major depressive disorder and osteoarthritis

Aims

Deciphering the genetic relationships between major depressive disorder (MDD) and osteoarthritis (OA) may facilitate an understanding of their biological mechanisms, as well as inform more effective treatment regimens. We aim to investigate the mechanisms underlying relationships between MDD and OA in the context of common genetic variations.

Methods

Linkage disequilibrium score regression was used to test the genetic correlation between MDD and OA. Polygenic analysis was performed to estimate shared genetic variations between the two diseases. Two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis was used to investigate causal relationships between MDD and OA. Genomic loci shared between MDD and OA were identified using cross-trait meta-analysis. Fine-mapping of transcriptome-wide associations was used to prioritize putatively causal genes for the two diseases.

Results

MDD has a significant genetic correlation with OA (r_g = 0.29) and the two diseases share a considerable proportion of causal variants. Mendelian randomization analysis indicates that genetic liability to MDD has a causal effect on OA (b_xy = 0.24) and genetic liability to OA conferred a causal effect on MDD (b_xy = 0.20). Cross-trait meta-analyses identified 29 shared genomic loci between MDD and OA. Together with fine-mapping of transcriptome-wide association signals, our results suggest that Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1), SRY-Box Transcription Factor 5 (SOX5), and Glutathione Peroxidase 1 (GPX1) may have therapeutic implications for both MDD and OA.

Conclusion

The study reveals substantial shared genetic liability between MDD and OA, which may confer risk for one another. Our findings provide a novel insight into phenotypic relationships between MDD and OA.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(1):12–22.

Update on Statin Treatment in Patients with Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Statins are widely accepted as first-choice agents for the prevention of lipid-related cardiovascular diseases. These drugs have both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, which may also make them effective as potential treatment marked by perturbations in these pathways, such as some neuropsychiatric disorders. In this narrative review, we have investigated the effects of statin therapy in individuals suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder (BD), delirium, and autism spectrum disorders using a broad online search of electronic databases. We also explored the adverse effects of these drugs to obtain insights into the benefits and risks associated with their use in the treatment of these disorders. Lipophilic statins (including simvastatin) because of better brain penetrance may have greater protective effects against MDD and schizophrenia. The significant positive effects of statins in the treatment of anxiety disorders without any serious adverse side effects were shown in numerous studies. In OCD, BD, and delirium, limitations, and contradictions in the available data make it difficult to draw conclusions on any positive effect of statins. The positive effects of simvastatin in autism disorders have been evaluated in only a small number of clinical trials. Although some studies showed positive effect of statins in some neuropsychiatric disorders, further prospective studies are needed to confirm this and define the most effective doses and treatment durations.

Statins in Depression: An Evidence-Based Overview of Mechanisms and Clinical Studies

Background: Depression is a leading cause of disability, burdened by high levels of non-response to conventional antidepressants. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting non-monoaminergic pathways are sorely needed. The widely available and safe statins have several putative mechanisms of action, especially anti-inflammatory, which make them ideal candidates for repurposing in the treatment of depression. A large number of articles has been published on this topic. The aim of this study is to assess this literature according to evidence-based medicine principles to inform clinical practise and research. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the electronic databases MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov, and an unstructured Google Scholar and manual search, until the 9th of April 2021, for all types of clinical studies assessing the effects of statins in depression. Results: Seventy-two studies were retrieved that investigated the effects of statins on the risk of developing depression or on depressive symptoms in both depressed and non-depressed populations. Fifteen studies specifically addressed the effects of statins on inflammatory-related symptoms of anhedonia, psychomotor retardation, anxiety, and sleep disturbances in depression. Most studies suggested a positive effect of statins on the occurrence and severity of depression, with fewer studies showing no effect, while a minority indicated some negative effects. Limitations: We provide a narrative report on all the included studies but did not perform any quantitative analysis, which limits the strength of our conclusions. Conclusions: Robust evidence indicates that statins are unlikely to lead to depressive symptoms in the general population. Promising data suggest a potential role for statins in the treatment of depression. Further clinical studies are needed, especially in specific subgroups of patients identified by pre-treatment assessments of inflammatory and lipid profiles.

Statins for major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The burden of depressive disorder is large and new treatment approaches are required. Repurposing widely available drugs such as statins may be a time- and cost-effective solution. Statins have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which have been shown to be relevant to the pathophysiology of depression. This study assesses the efficacy, acceptability, tolerability, and safety of statins in major depressive disorder.

METHODS

Our study is an update and extension of a previous meta-analysis published in 2016 by Salagre et al. We performed a systematic review (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, ISI Web of Science, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov until the 1st September 2020) and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials using any statin against placebo or any other statin in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Our primary efficacy outcome measure was the mean value on any standardized scale for depressive symptoms at 8 weeks of treatment. We also calculated outcomes for efficacy, response, and remission at 2, 4, and 12 weeks, as well as acceptability (dropouts for any cause), tolerability (dropouts due to any adverse event), and safety (any adverse event) outcomes at the studies' endpoints. Furthermore, we conducted an exploratory network meta-analysis for the primary efficacy outcome to identify potential differences between statins.

RESULTS

We retrieved five randomized controlled trials meeting our inclusion criteria: four used a statin in addition to an antidepressant and compared it to placebo plus antidepressant, and one compared two statins alone. and one comparing one statin with another. Statins compared to placebo in addition to antidepressants were efficacious at 8 weeks (N = 255, SMD = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.74 to -0. 22) and 12 weeks (N = 134, SMD = -0.47, 95% CI = -0.89 to -0.05, moderate certainty) with no difference for acceptability, tolerability, and safety (low certainty). An exploratory network meta-analysis suggested that the most lipophilic statins, especially simvastatin, could be more efficacious than less lipophilic or hydrophilic molecules.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review suggests the efficacy, acceptability, tolerability, and safety of statins in addition to antidepressants in patients with major depressive disorder. Further clinical trials in different settings are required to test this result.

TRIAL RGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration: CRD42020170938.

Drug repositioning for treatment-resistant depression: Hypotheses from a pharmacogenomic study

About 20-30% of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) develop treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and finding new effective treatments for TRD has been a challenge. This study aimed to identify new possible pharmacological options for TRD. Genes in pathways included in predictive models of TRD in a previous whole exome sequence study were compared with those coding for targets of drugs in any phase of development, nutraceuticals, proteins and peptides from Drug repurposing Hub, Drug-Gene Interaction database and DrugBank database. We tested if known gene targets were enriched in TRD-associated genes by a hypergeometric test. Compounds enriched in TRD-associated genes after false-discovery rate (FDR) correction were annotated and compared with those showing enrichment in genes associated with MDD in the last Psychiatric Genomics Consortium genome-wide association study. Among a total of 15,475 compounds, 542 were enriched in TRD-associated genes (FDR p < .05). Significant results included drugs which are currently used in TRD (e.g. lithium and ketamine), confirming the rationale of this approach. Interesting molecules included modulators of inflammation, renin-angiotensin system, proliferator-activated receptor agonists, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta inhibitors and the rho associated kinase inhibitor fasudil. Nutraceuticals, mostly antioxidant polyphenols, were also identified. Drugs showing enrichment for TRD-associated genes had a higher probability of enrichment for MDD-associated genes compared to those having no TRD-genes enrichment (p = 6.21e-55). This study suggested new potential treatments for TRD using a in silico approach. These analyses are exploratory only but can contribute to the identification of drugs to study in future clinical trials.

How to Utilize Clinical and Genetic Information for Personalized Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Step by Step Strategic Approach

Depression is the single largest contributor to non-fatal health loss and affects 322 million people globally. The clinical heterogeneity of this disorder shows biological correlates and it makes the personalization of antidepressant prescription an important pillar of treatment. There is increasing evidence of genetic overlap between depression, other psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders, which varies across depression subtypes. Therefore, the first step of clinical evaluation should include a careful assessment of psychopathology and physical health, not limited to previously diagnosed disorders. In part of the patients indeed the pathogenesis of depression may be strictly linked to inflammatory and metabolic abnormalities, and the treatment should target these as much as the depressive symptoms themselves. When the evaluation of the symptom and drug tolerability profile, the concomitant biochemical abnormalities and physical conditions is not enough and at least one pharmacotherapy failed, the genotyping of variants in CYP2D6/CYP2C19 (cytochromes responsible for antidepressant metabolism) should be considered. Individuals with altered metabolism through one of these enzymes may benefit from some antidepressants rather than others or need dose adjustments. Finally, if available, the polygenic predisposition towards cardio-metabolic disorders can be integrated with non-genetic risk factors to tune the identification of patients who should avoid medications associated with this type of side effects. A sufficient knowledge of the polygenic risk of complex medical and psychiatric conditions is becoming relevant as this information can be obtained through direct-to-consumer genetic tests and in the future it may provided by national health care systems.

An attempt to explain the bidirectional association between ischaemic heart disease, stroke and depression: a cohort and meta-analytic approach

BACKGROUND

Depression and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are common diseases and associated in a bidirectional manner.

AIMS

To examine whether a bidirectional association between CVD and depression could be explained by shared risk factors, misclassification of disease measures or non-response.

METHOD

A total of 10 population-based cohorts including 93 076 men and women (mean age 54.4 years, s.d. = 9.2) and an additional 10 510 men (mean age 51.2 years, s.d. = 0.3) were followed for subsequent depression, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in the Danish National Patient Registry from health examinations between 1982 and 2015 and until end of follow-up in 2017-2018. Exposures were physicians' diagnoses of IHD, stroke, depression or self-reported chest pain, depression, use of antidepressant medication and the Major Depression Inventory at the time of study entry in the Metropolit study. Associations were analysed using Cox proportional hazard regression with disease as time-dependent variables.

RESULTS

IHD and stroke were associated with subsequent depression (hazard ratio (HR) for IHD: 1.79, 95% CI 1.43-2.23 and HR for stroke: 2.62, 95% CI 2.09-3.29) and the associations were present in both men and women. Adjustment for the shared risk factors socioeconomic status, lifestyle, body mass index, statin use and serum lipids did not change the risk estimates. Furthermore, depression was associated with higher risk of subsequent IHD (HR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.36-1.95) and stroke (HR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.63-2.30). The associations were also present when the analyses were based on self-reported disease measures or restricted to include non-responders.

CONCLUSIONS

The bidirectional association between CVD and depression was not explained by shared risk factors, misclassification or non-response.

The effect of combined treatment with SSRIs and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) drugs: A propensity score matched cohort study

Drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may have beneficial effects on mental health. We investigated whether use of drugs acting on the RAS, as add-on to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), was associated with a reduced risk of psychiatric hospital contacts. We identified all individuals initiating treatment with an SSRI between 1997 and 2012. Individuals using an SSRI without concomitant use of a RAS drug (SSRI-only users) were propensity score matched 1:1 to individuals using both an SSRI and a drug acting on the RAS (SSRI+RAS users). The SSRI-only and SSRI+RAS users were followed for up to three years or until December 31, 2013. We performed Cox proportional hazard regression analyses to calculate risks for psychiatric hospital contacts, hospital contacts due to depression, suicidal behavior, and all-cause mortality. We followed 30,311 SSRI-only users and 30,311 SSRI+RAS users for a total of 49,327 person-years. Compared to SSRI-only users, concomitant use of SSRI+RAS was associated with a significantly reduced risk for psychiatric hospital contacts (hazard rate ratio (HRR)=0.91; 95%-confidence intervals (95%-CI)=0.84-0.98) and lower mortality rate (HRR=0.70; 95%-CI=0.66-0.75). The associations between SSRI+RAS use and psychiatric hospital contacts for depression (HRR=0.92; 95%-CI=0.80-1.05) and suicidal behavior (HRR=1.06; 95%-CI=0.79-1.42) were not statistically significant. In this observational cohort study, concomitant use of an SSRI and a drug acting on the RAS was associated with a slightly reduced risk for psychiatric hospital contacts, when compared to use of an SSRI alone.

Statin treatment and the risk of depression

BACKGROUND

The effect of statin treatment on the risk of developing depression remains unclear. Therefore, we assessed the association between statin treatment and depression in a nationwide register-based cohort study with up to 20 years of follow up.

METHODS

We identified all statin users in the period from 1996 to 2013 among individuals born in Denmark between 1920 and 1983. One non-user was matched to each statin user based on age, sex and a propensity score taking several potential confounders into account. Using Cox regression we investigated the association between statin use and: (I) redemption of prescriptions for antidepressants, (II) redemption of prescriptions for any other drug, (III) depression diagnosed at psychiatric hospitals, (IV) cardiovascular mortality and (V) all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 193,977 statin users and 193,977 non-users were followed for 2,621,282 person-years. Statin use was associated with (I) increased risk of antidepressant use (hazard rate ratio (HRR) = 1.33; 95% confidence interval (95%-CI) = 1.31-1.36), (II) increased risk of any other prescription drug use (HRR = 1.33; 95%-CI = 1.31-1.35), (III) increased risk of receiving a depression diagnosis (HRR = 1.22, 95%-CI = 1.12-1.32) - but not after adjusting for antidepressant use (HRR = 1.07, 95%-CI = 0.99-1.15), (IV) reduced cardiovascular mortality (HRR = 0.92, 95%-CI = 0.87-0.97) and (V) reduced all-cause mortality (HRR = 0.90, 95%-CI = 0.88-0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the association between statin treatment and antidepressant use is unspecific (equivalent association between statins and most other drugs) and that the association between statin use and depression diagnoses is mediated by residual confounding, bias or by downstream effects of the statin prescription (seeing a physician more often).

Why Should Psychiatrists and Neuroscientists Worry about Paraoxonase 1?

BACKGROUND

Nitro-oxidative stress (NOS) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. The activity of the polymorphic antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is altered in diseases where NOS is involved. PON1 activity may be estimated using different substrates some of which are influenced by PON1 polymorphisms.

OBJECTIVES

1) to review the association between PON1 activities and psychiatric diseases using a standardized PON1 substrate terminology in order to offer a state-of-the-art review; and 2) to review the efficacy of different strategies (nutrition, drugs, lifestyle) to enhance PON1 activities.

METHODS

The PubMed database was searched using the terms paraoxonase 1 and psychiatric diseases. Moreover, the database was also searched for clinical trials investigating strategies to enhance PON1 activity.

RESULTS

The studies support decreased PON1 activity as determined using phenylacetate (i.e., arylesterase or AREase) as a substrate, in depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and schizophrenia, especially in antipsychotic-free patients. PON1 activity as determined with paraoxon (i.e., POase activity) yields more controversial results, which can be explained by the lack of adjustment for the Q192R polymorphism. The few clinical trials investigating the influence of nutritional, lifestyle and drugs on PON1 activities in the general population suggest that some polyphenols, oleic acid, Mediterranean diet, no smoking, being physically active and statins may be effective strategies that increase PON1 activity.

CONCLUSION

Lowered PON1 activities appear to be a key component in the ongoing NOS processes that accompany affective disorders, GAD and schizophrenia. Treatments increasing attenuated PON1 activity could possibly be new drug targets for treating these disorders.

Adjunctive simvastatin for treatment-resistant depression: study protocol of a 12-week randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

A third of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Relatively few pharmacological agents have established efficacy for TRD. Therefore, the evaluation of novel treatments for TRD is a pressing priority. Statins are pleiotropic agents and preclinical studies as well as preliminary clinical trials have suggested that these drugs may have antidepressant properties.AimsTo report on a protocol for a 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of add-on treatment with simvastatin for patients meeting DSM-5 criteria for MDD who have failed to respond to at least two adequate trials with approved antidepressants. The trial has been registered with Clinicaltrials.gov in (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03435744).

METHOD

After screening and randomisation to the two parallel arms of the trial, 75 patients will receive simvastatin and 75 patients will receive placebo as adjuncts to treatment as usual. The primary outcome is change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores from baseline to week 12 and secondary outcomes include changes in scores on the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Clinical Global Impression scale, the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale and change in body mass index from baseline to week 12. Assessments will take place at screening, baseline, and weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12. Checklists for adverse effects will be undertaken at each visit. Simvastatin (20 mg) will be given once daily. Other secondary outcomes include C-reactive protein and plasma lipids measured at baseline and week 12.

RESULTS

This trial will assess simvastatin's efficacy and tolerability as an add-on treatment option for patients with TRD and provide insights into its putative mechanisms of action.

CONCLUSIONS

As the first trial investigating the use of simvastatin as an augmentation strategy in patients with TRD, if the results indicate that adjuvant simvastatin is efficacious in reducing depressive symptoms, it will deliver immediate clinical benefit.Declaration of interestI.B.C. and N.H. have given lectures and advice to Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lundbeck, Astra Zeneca and Janssen pharmaceuticals for which they or their employing institution have been reimbursed. R.R. and M.M.H. have received educational grants and support for academic meetings from Pfizer, Roche, Novartis and Nabiqasim. A.H.Y. has been commissioned to provide lectures and advice to all major pharmaceutical companies with drugs used in affective and related disorders. A.H.Y. has undertaken investigator-initiated studies from Astra Zeneca, Eli Lilly, Lundbeck and Wyeth. None of the companies have a financial interest in this research.

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) 2018 guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder

The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) previously published treatment guidelines for bipolar disorder in 2005, along with international commentaries and subsequent updates in 2007, 2009, and 2013. The last two updates were published in collaboration with the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). These 2018 CANMAT and ISBD Bipolar Treatment Guidelines represent the significant advances in the field since the last full edition was published in 2005, including updates to diagnosis and management as well as new research into pharmacological and psychological treatments. These advances have been translated into clear and easy to use recommendations for first, second, and third- line treatments, with consideration given to levels of evidence for efficacy, clinical support based on experience, and consensus ratings of safety, tolerability, and treatment-emergent switch risk. New to these guidelines, hierarchical rankings were created for first and second- line treatments recommended for acute mania, acute depression, and maintenance treatment in bipolar I disorder. Created by considering the impact of each treatment across all phases of illness, this hierarchy will further assist clinicians in making evidence-based treatment decisions. Lithium, quetiapine, divalproex, asenapine, aripiprazole, paliperidone, risperidone, and cariprazine alone or in combination are recommended as first-line treatments for acute mania. First-line options for bipolar I depression include quetiapine, lurasidone plus lithium or divalproex, lithium, lamotrigine, lurasidone, or adjunctive lamotrigine. While medications that have been shown to be effective for the acute phase should generally be continued for the maintenance phase in bipolar I disorder, there are some exceptions (such as with antidepressants); and available data suggest that lithium, quetiapine, divalproex, lamotrigine, asenapine, and aripiprazole monotherapy or combination treatments should be considered first-line for those initiating or switching treatment during the maintenance phase. In addition to addressing issues in bipolar I disorder, these guidelines also provide an overview of, and recommendations for, clinical management of bipolar II disorder, as well as advice on specific populations, such as women at various stages of the reproductive cycle, children and adolescents, and older adults. There are also discussions on the impact of specific psychiatric and medical comorbidities such as substance use, anxiety, and metabolic disorders. Finally, an overview of issues related to safety and monitoring is provided. The CANMAT and ISBD groups hope that these guidelines become a valuable tool for practitioners across the globe.

The concept of violent suicide, its underlying trait and neurobiology: A critical perspective

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death and represents a significant public health problem world-wide. Individuals who attempt or die by suicide represent a highly heterogeneous population. Recently, efforts have been made to identify sub-populations and variables to categorize them. A popular dichotomy in suicide research of the past years is violent versus non-violent suicide - based on the method. This dichotomy is important given that there is an association between method of attempted suicide and risk of subsequent death by suicide. The differentiation concerning suicide methods is also critical regarding preventive efforts. In this review, we have tried to approach the concept of violent suicide from different perspectives, including a discussion about its definition and overlapping categories. In addition, we have critically discussed aggression as underlying trait, the question of intent to die, and sociodemographic, environmental, neuropsychological, and neurobiological factors potentially associated with violent suicide.

Drug repurposing may generate novel approaches to treating depression

Objectives

The breakthrough advancements in scientific medical research have greatly improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of depression, encouraging drug discoverers to take a shorter path than ever through drug repurposing to generate new antidepressant medications. In addition to reduced noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in the brain, other coincidence features such as glutamate neurotoxicity, inflammation and/or cerebrovascular insufficiency are implicated in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder and late-life depression. This short review discusses the progress made in repurposing drugs for antidepressant actions.

Key findings

Drugs being repurposed as antidepressants act on novel drug targets, thereby treating resistant depression and improving remission rate. Drugs such as ketamine, dextromethorphan/quinidine and scopolamine are rapidly acting antidepressants targeting glutamate receptors. Nimodipine and quetiapine are efficient add-on therapy for late-life depression. Anti-inflammatory drugs, statins, insulin sensitizers, minocycline could remarkably contribute to treating refractory depression.

Summary

Drug repurposing represents an alternative approach to cope with major obstacles, including financial insufficiency and unavoidable long lag evaluation time, undermining the classical pathway of developing new hit compounds into clinically approved antidepressants.

Effects of Simvastatin Beyond Dyslipidemia: Exploring Its Antinociceptive Action in an Animal Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome-Type I

Simvastatin is a lipid-lowering agent that blocks the production of cholesterol through inhibition of 3-hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. In addition, recent evidence has suggested its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive actions during inflammatory and pain disorders. Herein, we investigated the effects of simvastatin in an animal model of complex regional pain syndrome-type I, and its underlying mechanisms. Chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP) was induced by ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury of the left hind paw. Our findings showed that simvastatin inhibited mechanical hyperalgesia induced by CPIP model in single and repeated treatment schedules, respectively; however simvastatin did not alter inflammatory signs during CPIP model. The mechanisms underlying those actions are related to modulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, especially TRMP8. Moreover, simvastatin oral treatment was able to reduce the nociception induced by acidified saline [an acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) activator] and bradykinin (BK) stimulus, but not by TRPA1, TRPV1 or prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2). Relevantly, the antinociceptive effects of simvastatin did not seem to be associated with modulation of the descending pain circuits, especially noradrenergic, serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems. These results indicate that simvastatin consistently inhibits mechanical hyperalgesia during neuropathic and inflammatory disorders, possibly by modulating the ascending pain signaling (TRPM8/ASIC/BK pathways expressed in the primary sensory neuron). Thus, simvastatin open-up new standpoint in the development of innovative analgesic drugs for treatment of persistent pain, including CRPS-I.