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Trunnell ER, Baines J, Farghali S, Jackson T, Jayne K, Smith R, Stibbe T. The need for guidance in antidepressant drug development: Revisiting the role of the forced swim test and tail suspension test. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 151:105666. [PMID: 38942190 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2024.105666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Depressive disorders are one of the most common mental disorders globally and progress in treating these disorders has been hampered, in part, by a lack of suitable nonclinical efficacy tests. Two common tests used in nonclinical efficacy studies of antidepressants-the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST)-have come under criticism in recent years for their inconsistency and lack of validity, yet they continue to be used in the pharmaceutical industry. In this review, we provide a rationale for why international pharmaceutical regulatory and guidance agencies should begin issuing direction on methods for non-clinical efficacy testing that traditionally use the FST and TST, particularly considering that some regulators, such as those in the U.S. and E.U., allow the authorization of clinical trials to proceed without requiring tests in animals. The area of antidepressant drug discovery represents an important opportunity for reducing the attrition of psychiatric drugs, harmonizing regulatory requirements, and reducing animal use. Specific recommendations for the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) have been provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Trunnell
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) U.S., 1536 16th St. N.W., Washington, DC, 20036, USA.
| | - Julia Baines
- PETA U.K., Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL, UK
| | - Stephen Farghali
- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 5100 Wisconsin Ave # 400, Washington, DC, 20016, USA.
| | - Tara Jackson
- New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society, PO BOX 9387, Tower Junction, Christchurch, 8149, New Zealand.
| | - Kimberley Jayne
- PETA U.K., Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL, UK.
| | - Rachel Smith
- Animal-Free Science Advocacy, PO Box 15, Fitzroy Vic, 3065, Australia.
| | - Tina Stibbe
- PETA Deutschland e.V., Friolzheimer Strasse 3, 70499, Stuttgart, Germany.
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2
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Balan I, Boero G, Chéry SL, McFarland MH, Lopez AG, Morrow AL. Neuroactive Steroids, Toll-like Receptors, and Neuroimmune Regulation: Insights into Their Impact on Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:582. [PMID: 38792602 PMCID: PMC11122352 DOI: 10.3390/life14050582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnane neuroactive steroids, notably allopregnanolone and pregnenolone, exhibit efficacy in mitigating inflammatory signals triggered by toll-like receptor (TLR) activation, thus attenuating the production of inflammatory factors. Clinical studies highlight their therapeutic potential, particularly in conditions like postpartum depression (PPD), where the FDA-approved compound brexanolone, an intravenous formulation of allopregnanolone, effectively suppresses TLR-mediated inflammatory pathways, predicting symptom improvement. Additionally, pregnane neurosteroids exhibit trophic and anti-inflammatory properties, stimulating the production of vital trophic proteins and anti-inflammatory factors. Androstane neuroactive steroids, including estrogens and androgens, along with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), display diverse effects on TLR expression and activation. Notably, androstenediol (ADIOL), an androstane neurosteroid, emerges as a potent anti-inflammatory agent, promising for therapeutic interventions. The dysregulation of immune responses via TLR signaling alongside reduced levels of endogenous neurosteroids significantly contributes to symptom severity across various neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuroactive steroids, such as allopregnanolone, demonstrate efficacy in alleviating symptoms of various neuropsychiatric disorders and modulating neuroimmune responses, offering potential intervention avenues. This review emphasizes the significant therapeutic potential of neuroactive steroids in modulating TLR signaling pathways, particularly in addressing inflammatory processes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. It advances our understanding of the complex interplay between neuroactive steroids and immune responses, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual needs and providing insights for future research aimed at unraveling the intricacies of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Samantha Lucenell Chéry
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Minna H. McFarland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alejandro G. Lopez
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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3
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Giliberto S, Shishodia R, Nastruz M, Brar C, Bulathsinhala S, Terry J, Pemminati S, Shenoy SK. A Comprehensive Review of Novel FDA-Approved Psychiatric Medications (2018-2022). Cureus 2024; 16:e56561. [PMID: 38646400 PMCID: PMC11028406 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mental health disorders are among the top leading causes of disease burden worldwide and many patients have high levels of treatment resistance. Even though medications offer improvement to some patients, antidepressants are only effective in about half of those treated, and schizophrenia is treatment-refractory in about one-third of patients. One way to combat this disparity is to improve medication development and discovery for psychiatric disorders through evidence-based research. Recently, most psychiatric medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are for increased tolerability or extended release. Because of the slow, incremental progress, there is a pressing need to explore novel medications with new indications or mechanisms of action to treat the expanding population with mental disorders, especially in those who are fully or partially recalcitrant to first-line medication options. This review aims to present the newest FDA medications with new indications, establish the clinical need for each, and discuss future directions in drug development. We searched and reviewed novel psychiatric medications approved by the FDA from 2018 to 2022. We then analyzed each medication in the United States Clinical Trials Registry and gathered updated results for efficacy and safety information. We also searched PubMed/MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), Scopus, Web of Science, Elsevier, and Google Scholar to understand how these new indications met current clinical needs. Finally, we inquired about related technological implications that will lead the field of psychopharmacology now and in the years to come. We found 12 novel psychiatric medications approved by the FDA from 2018 to 2022, representing a very small percentage of the total FDA approvals during that period. These psychiatric medications with novel mechanisms or improved efficacy and safety are expected to provide further options for treating mental health disorders; promising results will lead to new patterns of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Giliberto
- Department of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA
| | - Rhea Shishodia
- Department of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA
| | - Meredith Nastruz
- Department of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA
| | - Chamandeep Brar
- Department of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA
| | - Sadeepa Bulathsinhala
- Department of Biomedical Education, St. George's University School of Medicine, True Blue, GRD
| | - Jonathan Terry
- Department of Specialty Medicine, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA
| | - Sudhakar Pemminati
- Department of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA
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4
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Violante IR, Alania K, Cassarà AM, Neufeld E, Acerbo E, Carron R, Williamson A, Kurtin DL, Rhodes E, Hampshire A, Kuster N, Boyden ES, Pascual-Leone A, Grossman N. Non-invasive temporal interference electrical stimulation of the human hippocampus. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1994-2004. [PMID: 37857775 PMCID: PMC10620081 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01456-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) via implanted electrodes is used worldwide to treat patients with severe neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, its invasiveness precludes widespread clinical use and deployment in research. Temporal interference (TI) is a strategy for non-invasive steerable DBS using multiple kHz-range electric fields with a difference frequency within the range of neural activity. Here we report the validation of the non-invasive DBS concept in humans. We used electric field modeling and measurements in a human cadaver to verify that the locus of the transcranial TI stimulation can be steerably focused in the hippocampus with minimal exposure to the overlying cortex. We then used functional magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral experiments to show that TI stimulation can focally modulate hippocampal activity and enhance the accuracy of episodic memories in healthy humans. Our results demonstrate targeted, non-invasive electrical stimulation of deep structures in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines R Violante
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
| | - Ketevan Alania
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Antonino M Cassarà
- Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Esra Neufeld
- Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emma Acerbo
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, Marseille, France
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Romain Carron
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, Marseille, France
- Department of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Adam Williamson
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, Marseille, France
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Danielle L Kurtin
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Edward Rhodes
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Adam Hampshire
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Niels Kuster
- Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS), Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edward S Boyden
- Departments of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Media Arts and Sciences, and Biological Engineering, McGovern and Koch Institutes, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nir Grossman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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5
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Albuquerque PC, Zicker F, Fonseca BP. Advancing drug repurposing research: Trends, collaborative networks, innovation and knowledge leaders. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103396. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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6
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Mutual regulation of noncoding RNAs and RNA modifications in psychopathology: Potential therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders? Pharmacol Ther 2022; 237:108254. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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7
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Geils H, Riley A, Lavelle TA. Incentivizing drug development in serious mental illness. Clin Ther 2022; 44:1258-1267. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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8
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Almeida-González M, Boada LD, Henríquez-Hernández LA, Luzardo OP, Zaragoza E, Burillo-Putze G, Quintana-Montesdeoca MP, Zumbado M. Medical Psychotropics in Forensic Autopsies in European Countries: Results from a Three-Year Retrospective Study in Spain. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10020064. [PMID: 35202250 PMCID: PMC8876624 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10020064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Medical psychotropics are widely used and prescribed in developed countries. These medications may have an impairing effect on mood or perception and may induce harmful behaviors. Nevertheless, in Europe, studies on their importance from a medico-legal perspective are scarce. To fill this gap, we evaluate the determinants of these drugs in a retrospective study based on data obtained from forensic autopsies. Toxicological analyses were performed on 394 blood samples from compulsory autopsies at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Las Palmas. Of the samples, 41% (159) were positive for at least one psychotropic, with benzodiazepines being the most frequently detected (24.1%), followed by opiates and antidepressants. Benzodiazepines, opiates, and antidepressants were detected more frequently in men who suffered a violent death. More than 30% of the positive samples showed two or more drugs, suggesting a prevalence of polypharmacy among forensic autopsy subjects, with the most frequently combination found being benzodiazepines plus opiates (28.3% of positive samples). A combination of opiates plus antidepressants was also found in subjects involved in violent deaths. Our results suggest that more than 40% of the adult European population involved in medico-legal issues may be under the influence of legal psychotropics. The link between violent deaths and the use of medical psychotropics is particularly worrisome and indicates that these drugs should be carefully monitored in developed countries, in all forensic autopsies, in a similar way to illegal psychotropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maira Almeida-González
- Institute of Legal Medicine of Las Palmas, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (M.A.-G.); (L.D.B.); (E.Z.)
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (O.P.L.); (M.P.Q.-M.); (M.Z.)
| | - Luis D. Boada
- Institute of Legal Medicine of Las Palmas, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (M.A.-G.); (L.D.B.); (E.Z.)
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (O.P.L.); (M.P.Q.-M.); (M.Z.)
| | - Luis Alberto Henríquez-Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (O.P.L.); (M.P.Q.-M.); (M.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-928-451-461
| | - Octavio P. Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (O.P.L.); (M.P.Q.-M.); (M.Z.)
| | - Enrique Zaragoza
- Institute of Legal Medicine of Las Palmas, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (M.A.-G.); (L.D.B.); (E.Z.)
| | - Guillermo Burillo-Putze
- Emergency Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Carretera Ofra S/N, 38320 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain;
| | - María P. Quintana-Montesdeoca
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (O.P.L.); (M.P.Q.-M.); (M.Z.)
| | - Manuel Zumbado
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (O.P.L.); (M.P.Q.-M.); (M.Z.)
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9
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Noorani T, Martell J. New Frontiers or a Bursting Bubble? Psychedelic Therapy Beyond the Dichotomy. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:727050. [PMID: 34566724 PMCID: PMC8460766 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.727050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tehseen Noorani
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Jonny Martell
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Trunnell ER, Carvalho C. The forced swim test has poor accuracy for identifying novel antidepressants. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2898-2904. [PMID: 34390862 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite the prevalence of treatment-resistant depression, many pharmaceutical companies have abandoned the development of new antidepressants. Experts have attributed this, in part, to the low quality of preclinical tests available in this field, often citing over-reliance on animal behavioral screens, such as the forced swim test (FST). This retrospective review assessed whether compounds tested in the FST by major pharmaceutical companies were shown to have antidepressant effects in humans. Of 109 compounds identified, only 28% had been explored for antidepressant effects in humans. Of these, there were only three for which the FST appeared to positively predict antidepressant efficacy, but none are currently approved to treat any type of depression. With such poor accuracy for identifying novel antidepressants, the FST might not be a useful screening tool for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Trunnell
- Laboratory Investigations Department, 501 Front Street, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA.
| | - Constança Carvalho
- Centro de Filosofia das Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
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11
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Grubisha MJ, Sweet RA, MacDonald ML. Investigating Post-translational Modifications in Neuropsychiatric Disease: The Next Frontier in Human Post-mortem Brain Research. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:689495. [PMID: 34335181 PMCID: PMC8322442 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.689495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression and translation have been extensively studied in human post-mortem brain tissue from subjects with psychiatric disease. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) have received less attention despite their implication by unbiased genetic studies and importance in regulating neuronal and circuit function. Here we review the rationale for studying PTMs in psychiatric disease, recent findings in human post-mortem tissue, the required controls for these types of studies, and highlight the emerging mass spectrometry approaches transforming this research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie J. Grubisha
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Robert A. Sweet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Matthew L. MacDonald
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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12
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Mingrone A, Kaffman A, Kaffman A. The Promise of Automated Home-Cage Monitoring in Improving Translational Utility of Psychiatric Research in Rodents. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:618593. [PMID: 33390898 PMCID: PMC7773806 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.618593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Large number of promising preclinical psychiatric studies in rodents later fail in clinical trials, raising concerns about the efficacy of this approach to generate novel pharmacological interventions. In this mini-review we argue that over-reliance on behavioral tests that are brief and highly sensitive to external factors play a critical role in this failure and propose that automated home-cage monitoring offers several advantages that will increase the translational utility of preclinical psychiatric research in rodents. We describe three of the most commonly used approaches for automated home cage monitoring in rodents [e.g., operant wall systems (OWS), computerized visual systems (CVS), and automatic motion sensors (AMS)] and review several commercially available systems that integrate the different approaches. Specific examples that demonstrate the advantages of automated home-cage monitoring over traditional tests of anxiety, depression, cognition, and addiction-like behaviors are highlighted. We conclude with recommendations on how to further expand this promising line of preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Mingrone
- Department of Psychology, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Ayal Kaffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Arie Kaffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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13
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Estrela M, Herdeiro MT, Ferreira PL, Roque F. The Use of Antidepressants, Anxiolytics, Sedatives and Hypnotics in Europe: Focusing on Mental Health Care in Portugal and Prescribing in Older Patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17228612. [PMID: 33228203 PMCID: PMC7699589 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Mental disorders are a growing concern in the 21st century. The most prevalent common mental disorders include depression and anxiety. It is predicted that half of the population will at some point in their lives experience one or more mental disorders. Although common mental disorders are highly prevalent, some of the most significant related problems are the wide treatment gap and the excessive use of antidepressants, anxiolytics and sedatives/hypnotics, especially among older patients. (2) Methods: This study aimed to analyze mental health care in Portugal, with a focus on the consumption of antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics among older patients. (3) Results: The use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics has increased overall across Europe. In Portugal, a downward trend of sedatives and hypnotics consumption can be observed. Anxiolytics and antidepressants, on the other hand, have been increasing. Patients aged ≥60 years old consume more than half of the aforementioned drugs. (4) Conclusions: Mental health policies should be designed to improve the conscientious use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, particularly among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Estrela
- iBiMED—Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3800 Aveiro, Portugal;
- Centre for Health Studies and Research (CEISUC), 3000 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, 3000 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria Teresa Herdeiro
- iBiMED—Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3800 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Pedro Lopes Ferreira
- Centre for Health Studies and Research (CEISUC), 3000 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, 3000 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fátima Roque
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic of Guarda (UDI-IPG), 6300 Guarda, Portugal;
- Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), 6200 Covilhã, Portugal
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14
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Luoma JB, Chwyl C, Bathje GJ, Davis AK, Lancelotta R. A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. J Psychoactive Drugs 2020; 52:289-299. [PMID: 32529966 PMCID: PMC7736164 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2020.1769878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
After a two-decade hiatus in which research on psychedelics was essentially halted, placebo-controlled clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health conditions have begun to be published. We identified nine randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy published since 1994. Studies examined psilocybin, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), ayahuasca (which contains a combination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmala monoamine oxidase inhibitor alkaloids), and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). We compared the standardized mean difference between the experimental and placebo control group at the primary endpoint. Results indicated a significant mean between-groups effect size of 1.21 (Hedges g), which is larger than the typical effect size found in trials of psychopharmacological or psychotherapy interventions. For the three studies that maintained a placebo control through a follow-up assessment, effects were generally maintained at follow-up. Overall, analyses support the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy across four mental health conditions - post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety/depression associated with a life-threatening illness, unipolar depression, and social anxiety among autistic adults. While study quality was high, we identify several areas for improvement regarding the conduct and reporting of trials. Larger trials with more diverse samples are needed to examine possible moderators and mediators of effects, and to establish whether effects are maintained over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason B. Luoma
- Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center
| | | | | | - Alan K. Davis
- College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, 1947 College Rd N, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA
| | - Rafael Lancelotta
- Innate Path Psychotherapy Clinic, 1445 Holland St, Lakewood, CO 80215 USA
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15
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Verbitsky A, Dopfel D, Zhang N. Rodent models of post-traumatic stress disorder: behavioral assessment. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:132. [PMID: 32376819 PMCID: PMC7203017 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0806-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the etiology and expression of psychiatric disorders are complex, mammals show biologically preserved behavioral and neurobiological responses to valent stimuli which underlie the use of rodent models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a complex phenotype that is difficult to model in rodents because it is diagnosed by patient interview and influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. However, given that PTSD results from traumatic experiences, rodent models can simulate stress induction and disorder development. By manipulating stress type, intensity, duration, and frequency, preclinical models reflect core PTSD phenotypes, measured through various behavioral assays. Paradigms precipitate the disorder by applying physical, social, and psychological stressors individually or in combination. This review discusses the methods used to trigger and evaluate PTSD-like phenotypes. It highlights studies employing each stress model and evaluates their translational efficacies against DSM-5, validity criteria, and criteria proposed by Yehuda and Antelman's commentary in 1993. This is intended to aid in paradigm selection by informing readers about rodent models, their benefits to the clinical community, challenges associated with the translational models, and opportunities for future work. To inform PTSD model validity and relevance to human psychopathology, we propose that models incorporate behavioral test batteries, individual differences, sex differences, strain and stock differences, early life stress effects, biomarkers, stringent success criteria for drug development, Research Domain Criteria, technological advances, and cross-species comparisons. We conclude that, despite the challenges, animal studies will be pivotal to advances in understanding PTSD and the neurobiology of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Verbitsky
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - David Dopfel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Nanyin Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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16
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Kaffman A, White JD, Wei L, Johnson FK, Krystal JH. Enhancing the Utility of Preclinical Research in Neuropsychiatry Drug Development. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2011:3-22. [PMID: 31273690 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9554-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Most large pharmaceutical companies have downscaled or closed their clinical neuroscience research programs in response to the low clinical success rate for drugs that showed tremendous promise in animal experiments intended to model psychiatric pathophysiology. These failures have raised serious concerns about the role of preclinical research in the identification and evaluation of new pharmacotherapies for psychiatry. In the absence of a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, the task of developing "animal models" seems elusive. The purpose of this review is to highlight emerging strategies to enhance the utility of preclinical research in the drug development process. We address this issue by reviewing how advances in neuroscience, coupled with new conceptual approaches, have recently revolutionized the way we can diagnose and treat common psychiatric conditions. We discuss the implications of these new tools for modeling psychiatric conditions in animals and advocate for the use of systematic reviews of preclinical work as a prerequisite for conducting psychiatric clinical trials. We believe that work in animals is essential for elucidating human psychopathology and that improving the predictive validity of animal models is necessary for developing more effective interventions for mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arie Kaffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Jordon D White
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lan Wei
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Frances K Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John H Krystal
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Grossman
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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18
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Frau R, Bortolato M. Repurposing steroidogenesis inhibitors for the therapy of neuropsychiatric disorders: Promises and caveats. Neuropharmacology 2018; 147:55-65. [PMID: 29907425 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Steroids exert a profound influence on behavioral reactivity, by modulating the functions of most neurotransmitters and shaping the impact of stress and sex-related variables on neural processes. This background - as well as the observation that most neuroactive steroids (including sex hormones, glucocorticoids and neurosteroids) are synthetized and metabolized by overlapping enzymatic machineries - points to steroidogenic pathways as a powerful source of targets for neuropsychiatric disorders. Inhibitors of steroidogenic enzymes have been developed and approved for a broad range of genitourinary and endocrine dysfunctions, opening to new opportunities to repurpose these drugs for the treatment of mental problems. In line with this idea, preliminary clinical and preclinical results from our group have shown that inhibitors of key steroidogenic enzymes, such as 5α-reductase and 17,20 desmolase-lyase, may have therapeutic efficacy in specific behavioral disorders associated with dopaminergic hyperfunction. While the lack of specificity of these effects raises potential concerns about endocrine adverse events, these initial findings suggest that steroidogenesis modulators with greater brain specificity may hold significant potential for the development of alternative therapies for psychiatric problems. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Drug Repurposing: old molecules, new ways to fast track drug discovery and development for CNS disorders'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato CA, Italy; Tourette Syndrome Center, University of Cagliari, Monserrato CA, Italy; Sleep Medicine Center, University of Cagliari, Monserrato CA, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Monserrato CA, Italy.
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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19
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Föcker M, Antel J, Grasemann C, Führer D, Timmesfeld N, Öztürk D, Peters T, Hinney A, Hebebrand J, Libuda L. Effect of an vitamin D deficiency on depressive symptoms in child and adolescent psychiatric patients - a randomized controlled trial: study protocol. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:57. [PMID: 29490621 PMCID: PMC5831612 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1637-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a significant health and economic burden worldwide affecting not only adults but also children and adolescents. Current treatment options for this group are scarce and show moderate effect sizes. There is emerging evidence that dietary patterns and specific nutritional components might play a role in the risk for developing depression. This study protocol focusses on the role of vitamin D which is for long known to be relevant for calcium and phosphorous homeostasis and bone health but might also impact on mental health. However, the assessment of the vitamin D status of depressed juvenile patients, or supplementation of vitamin D is currently not part of routine treatment. Controlled intervention studies are indispensable to prove whether a vitamin D deficiency ameliorates depressive symptoms. METHODS/DESIGN This double blinded, randomized controlled trial will enroll 200 inpatients from a child and adolescent psychiatric department with a vitamin D deficiency defined by a 25(OH)-vitamin D-level < 30 nmol/l (12 ng/ml) and a Beck Depressions Inventory (BDI-II) score > 13 (indicating at least: mild depression). Upon referral, all patients will be screened, checked for inclusion criteria, and those eligible will be randomized after written consent into a supplementation or placebo group. Both study-arms will receive treatment-as-usual for their psychiatric disorder according to established clinical guidelines. The participants of the vitamin D supplementation group will receive 2640 I.E. vitamin D3 q.d. for 28 days in accordance with best practice in pediatric endocrinology. We hypothesize that delaying supplementation of vitamin D in the placebo arm will affect the treatment success of the depressive symptomatology in comparison to the vitamin D supplementation group. Patients will be enrolled for a period of 28 days based on the mean length of hospitalization of juveniles with depression. DISCUSSION Randomized controlled trials in children and adolescents with depression are needed to elucidate the role of a vitamin D deficiency for mental disorders and to investigate the relevance of a routine assessment and supplementation of vitamin D deficits. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS00009758, 16/06/2016 (retrospectively registered).
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Föcker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, D-45147, Essen, Germany.
| | - Jochen Antel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, D-45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Corinna Grasemann
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Kinderklinik II, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dagmar Führer
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical Center and Central Laboratory, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nina Timmesfeld
- 0000 0004 1936 9756grid.10253.35Institute for Medical Biometry und Epidemiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Dana Öztürk
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, D-45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Triinu Peters
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, D-45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Anke Hinney
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, D-45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Hebebrand
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, D-45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Lars Libuda
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr. 21, D-45147 Essen, Germany
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20
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Projected Spending on Psychotropic Medications 2013-2020. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2018; 43:497-505. [PMID: 26041078 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-015-0661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Spending on psychotropic medications has grown rapidly in recent decades. Using national data on drug expenditures, patent expirations, future drug development and expert interviews, we project that spending will grow more slowly over the period 2012-2020. The average annual increase is projected to be just 3.0 % per year, continuing the steady deceleration in recent years. The main drivers of this expected deceleration include slower development of new drugs, upcoming patent expirations which will lower prices, and payers' growing ability to manage utilization and promote generic use. The slowdown will relieve some cost pressures on payers, particularly Medicare and Medicaid.
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21
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Barajaz AM, Kliethermes CL. An assessment of the utilization of the preclinical rodent model literature in clinical trials of putative therapeutics for the treatment of alcohol use disorders. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 181:77-84. [PMID: 29035708 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rodent models of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) are used extensively by preclinical researchers to develop new therapeutics for the treatment of AUD. Although these models play an important role in the development of novel, targeted therapeutics, their role in bringing therapeutics to clinical trials is unclear, as off-label use of existing medications not approved for the treatment of AUD is commonly seen in the clinic and clinical trials. METHOD In the current study, we used the Clinicaltrials.gov database to obtain a list of drugs that have been tested for efficacy in a clinical trial between 1997 and 2017. We then conducted a set of literature searches to determine which of the 98 unique drugs we identified had shown efficacy in a rodent model of an AUD prior to being tested in a clinical trial. RESULTS We found that slightly less than half of the drugs tested in clinical trials (48%) had shown prior efficacy in any rodent model of an AUD, while the remaining 52% of drugs were used off-label, or in some cases, following non-published studies. CONCLUSION This study raises the question of how clinical researchers incorporate results from preclinical studies in the decision to bring a drug to a clinical trial. Our results underscore the need for ongoing communication among preclinical and clinical researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Barajaz
- Drake University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, 1344 27th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States
| | - Christopher L Kliethermes
- Drake University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, 1344 27th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States.
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22
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McClellan L, Dominick KC, Pedapati EV, Wink LK, Erickson CA. Lurasidone for the treatment of irritability and anger in autism spectrum disorders. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2017; 26:985-989. [DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2017.1353600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lynn McClellan
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kelli C. Dominick
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ernest V. Pedapati
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Logan K. Wink
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Craig A. Erickson
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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23
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MacEwan JP, Seabury S, Aigbogun MS, Kamat S, van Eijndhoven E, Francois C, Henderson C, Citrome L. Pharmaceutical Innovation in the Treatment of Schizophrenia and Mental Disorders Compared with Other Diseases. INNOVATIONS IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 13:17-25. [PMID: 27672484 PMCID: PMC5022985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to assess the level of private and public investment in research and development of treatments for schizophrenia and other mental disorders compared to other diseases in order to present data on the economic burden and pharmaceutical innovation by disease area, and to compare the level of investment relative to burden across different diseases. DESIGN The levels of investment and pharmaceutical innovation relative to burden across different diseases were assessed. Disease burden and prevalence for mental disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder); cancer; rheumatoid arthritis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder; diabetes; cardiovascular disease; and neurological disorders (dementia and epilepsy) were estimated from literature sources. SETTING Pharmaceutical treatment innovation was measured by the total number of drug launches and the number of drugs launched categorized by innovativeness. Research and development expenditures were estimated using published information on annual public and domestic private research and development expenditures by disease area. Lastly, investment relative to disease burden was measured among the set of disease classes for which all three measures were available: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurology (dementia and epilepsy combined). RESULTS The level of investment and pharmaceutical innovation in mental disorders was comparatively low, especially relative to the burden of disease. For mental disorders, investment was $3.1 per $1,000 burden invested in research and development for schizophrenia, $1.8 for major depressive disorder, and $0.4 for bipolar disorder relative to cancer ($75.5), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ($9.4), diabetes ($7.6), cardiovascular disease ($6.3), or rheumatoid arthritis ($5.3). Pharmaceutical innovation was also low for mental disorders. CONCLUSION Despite the significant burden mental disorders impose on society, investment and pharmaceutical innovation in this disease area remains comparatively low. Policymakers should consider new strategies to stimulate public and private investment in the research and development of novel and effective therapies to treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna P MacEwan
- Dr. MacEwan and Ms. van Eijndhoven are with Precision Health Economics in Los Angeles, California, USA; Dr. Seabury is with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Ms. Aigbogun, Mr. Kamat, and Dr. Henderson are with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Dr. Francois is with Lundbeck LLC in Deerfield, Illinois, USA; and Dr. Citrome is with the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Seth Seabury
- Dr. MacEwan and Ms. van Eijndhoven are with Precision Health Economics in Los Angeles, California, USA; Dr. Seabury is with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Ms. Aigbogun, Mr. Kamat, and Dr. Henderson are with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Dr. Francois is with Lundbeck LLC in Deerfield, Illinois, USA; and Dr. Citrome is with the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Myrlene Sanon Aigbogun
- Dr. MacEwan and Ms. van Eijndhoven are with Precision Health Economics in Los Angeles, California, USA; Dr. Seabury is with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Ms. Aigbogun, Mr. Kamat, and Dr. Henderson are with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Dr. Francois is with Lundbeck LLC in Deerfield, Illinois, USA; and Dr. Citrome is with the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Siddhesh Kamat
- Dr. MacEwan and Ms. van Eijndhoven are with Precision Health Economics in Los Angeles, California, USA; Dr. Seabury is with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Ms. Aigbogun, Mr. Kamat, and Dr. Henderson are with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Dr. Francois is with Lundbeck LLC in Deerfield, Illinois, USA; and Dr. Citrome is with the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Emma van Eijndhoven
- Dr. MacEwan and Ms. van Eijndhoven are with Precision Health Economics in Los Angeles, California, USA; Dr. Seabury is with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Ms. Aigbogun, Mr. Kamat, and Dr. Henderson are with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Dr. Francois is with Lundbeck LLC in Deerfield, Illinois, USA; and Dr. Citrome is with the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Clement Francois
- Dr. MacEwan and Ms. van Eijndhoven are with Precision Health Economics in Los Angeles, California, USA; Dr. Seabury is with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Ms. Aigbogun, Mr. Kamat, and Dr. Henderson are with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Dr. Francois is with Lundbeck LLC in Deerfield, Illinois, USA; and Dr. Citrome is with the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Crystal Henderson
- Dr. MacEwan and Ms. van Eijndhoven are with Precision Health Economics in Los Angeles, California, USA; Dr. Seabury is with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Ms. Aigbogun, Mr. Kamat, and Dr. Henderson are with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Dr. Francois is with Lundbeck LLC in Deerfield, Illinois, USA; and Dr. Citrome is with the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Leslie Citrome
- Dr. MacEwan and Ms. van Eijndhoven are with Precision Health Economics in Los Angeles, California, USA; Dr. Seabury is with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Ms. Aigbogun, Mr. Kamat, and Dr. Henderson are with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Dr. Francois is with Lundbeck LLC in Deerfield, Illinois, USA; and Dr. Citrome is with the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
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Logan AC, Jacka FN, Craig JM, Prescott SL. The Microbiome and Mental Health: Looking Back, Moving Forward with Lessons from Allergic Diseases. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 14:131-47. [PMID: 27121424 PMCID: PMC4857870 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2016.14.2.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Relationships between gastrointestinal viscera and human emotions have been documented by virtually all medical traditions known to date. The focus on this relationship has waxed and waned through the centuries, with noted surges in interest driven by cultural forces. Here we explore some of this history and the emerging trends in experimental and clinical research. In particular, we pay specific attention to how the hygiene hypothesis and emerging research on traditional dietary patterns has helped re-ignite interest in the use of microbes to support mental health. At present, the application of microbes and their structural parts as a means to positively influence mental health is an area filled with promise. However, there are many limitations within this new paradigm shift in neuropsychiatry. Impediments that could block translation of encouraging experimental studies include environmental forces that work toward dysbiosis, perhaps none more important than westernized dietary patterns. On the other hand, it is likely that specific dietary choices may amplify the value of future microbial-based therapeutics. Pre-clinical and clinical research involving microbiota and allergic disorders has predated recent work in psychiatry, an early start that provides valuable lessons. The microbiome is intimately connected to diet, nutrition, and other lifestyle variables; microbial-based psychopharmacology will need to consider this contextual application, otherwise the ceiling of clinical expectations will likely need to be lowered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan C Logan
- International Inflammation (in-FLAME) Network, Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), Geelong, Australia.,International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research (ISNPR), Geelong, Australia
| | - Felice N Jacka
- International Inflammation (in-FLAME) Network, Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), Geelong, Australia.,International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research (ISNPR), Geelong, Australia.,The Centre for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Treatment, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Craig
- International Inflammation (in-FLAME) Network, Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), Geelong, Australia.,Group of Early Life Epigenetics, Department of Paediatrics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Susan L Prescott
- International Inflammation (in-FLAME) Network, Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), Geelong, Australia.,School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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25
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Samalin L, Murru A, Vieta E. Management of inter-episodic periods in patients with bipolar disorder. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:659-70. [PMID: 27058008 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1176530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The management of inter-episodic periods of bipolar disorder (BD) appears complex as it combines several therapeutic approaches and takes into account individual characteristics of BD patients. Over recent decades, new evidence has been provided about pharmacological treatments, psychosocial interventions or models of care for the long-term management of BD patients. Considering this, guidelines for the maintenance treatment of BD should be regarded as an evidence-based ground for everyday clinical practice in real-life setting. This article critically reviews recently published clinical guidelines on the management of BD patients during the inter-episodic phases of illness, in order to highlight the consensual or controversial recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Samalin
- a Bipolar Disorder Unit, Institute of Neuroscience , Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM , Barcelona , Spain.,b Department of Psychiatry , CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University of Auvergne , EA 7280 Clermont-Ferrand , France
| | - Andrea Murru
- a Bipolar Disorder Unit, Institute of Neuroscience , Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Eduard Vieta
- a Bipolar Disorder Unit, Institute of Neuroscience , Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM , Barcelona , Spain
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Abstract
Psychiatry is in one of its regular crises. It is a crisis of its diagnostic systems despite - perhaps because - of the recurrent claims about the extent of diagnosable 'brain disorders'. It is a crisis of its explanatory systems despite - perhaps because - of its current wager on the brain as the ultimate locus for explanations of mental disorders. It is a crisis of its therapeutic capacities despite - perhaps because - more and more people are making use of its primary mode of intervention focussed on the brain - psychiatric drugs. In this editorial, I will suggest that this triple crisis of diagnosis, explanation and therapeutics arises from the dominant reductionist approaches to the role of neurobiology in psychiatry that priorities the analysis of brain mechanisms, at the expense of an understanding of the whole living organism in its milieu, and the processes which social experience shapes neurobiology from the moment of conception if not before. I shall suggest a different approach that starts from the experience of persons coping with adversity in their forms of life. This approach does not require giving up on our search for plausible explanations of mental health problems that engage neurobiological mechanisms, but it begins from a commitment to understanding, and hence intervening in, the ways in which social adversity shapes and blights the lives of so many of our fellow citizens.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Rose
- Department of Social Science, Health and Medicine, King's College London, UK
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Hodgkin D, Horgan CM, Creedon TB, Merrick EL, Stewart MT. Management of Newer Antidepressant Medications in U.S. Commercial Health Plans. THE JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH POLICY AND ECONOMICS 2015; 18:165-173. [PMID: 26729008 PMCID: PMC4812668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Private health insurance plays a large role in the U.S. health system, including for many individuals with depression. Private insurers have been actively trying to influence pharmaceutical utilization and costs, particularly for newer and costlier medications. The approaches that insurers use may have important effects on patients' access to antidepressant medications. AIMS OF THE STUDY To report which approaches (e.g., tiered copayments, prior authorization, and step therapy) commercial health plans are employing to manage newer antidepressant medications, and how the use of these approaches has changed since 2003. METHODS Data are from a nationally representative survey of commercial health plans in 60 market areas regarding alcohol, drug abuse and mental health services in 2010. Responses were obtained from 389 plans (89% response rate), reporting on 925 insurance products. For each of six branded antidepressant medications, respondents were asked whether the plan covered the medication and if so, on what copayment tier, and whether it was subject to prior authorization or step therapy. Measures of management approach were constructed for each medication and for the group of medications. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to test for association of the management approach with various health plan characteristics. RESULTS Less than 1% of health plan products excluded any of the six antidepressants studied. Medications were more likely to be subjected to restrictions if they were newer, more expensive or were reformulations. 55% of products used placement on a high cost-sharing tier (3 or 4) as their only form of restriction for newer branded antidepressants. This proportion was lower than in 2003, when 71% of products took this approach. In addition, only 2% of products left all the newer branded medications unrestricted, down from 25% in 2003. Multivariate analysis indicated that preferred provider organizations were more likely than other product types to use tier 3 or 4 placement. DISCUSSION We find that U.S. health plans are using a variety of strategies to manage cost and utilization of newer branded antidepressant medications. Plans appear to be finding that approaches other than exclusion are adequate to meet their cost-management goals for newer branded antidepressants, although they have increased their use of administrative restrictions since 2003. Limitations include lack of information about how administrative restrictions were applied in practice, information on only six medications, and some potential for endogeneity bias in the regression analyses. CONCLUSION This study has documented substantial use of various restrictions on access to newer branded antidepressants in U.S. commercial health plans. Most of these medications had generic equivalents that offered at least some substitutability, reducing access concerns. At the same time, it is worth noting that high copayments and administrative requirements can nonetheless be burdensome for some patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICY Health plans' pharmacy management approaches may concern policymakers less than in the early 2000s, due to the lesser distinctiveness of today's branded medications. This may change depending on future drug introductions. IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Future research should examine the impact of plans' pharmacy management approaches, using patient-level data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Hodgkin
- Heller School of Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA,
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Hodgkin D, Horgan CM, Quinn AE, Merrick EL, Stewart MT, Leslie LK. Management of newer medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in commercial health plans. Clin Ther 2014; 36:2034-2046. [PMID: 25450473 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2014.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In the United States, many individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) pay for their medications using private health insurance coverage. As in other drug classes, private insurers are actively seeking to influence use and costs, particularly for newer and costlier medications. The approaches that insurers use may have important effects on patients' access to medications. This article examines approaches (eg, copayments, prior authorization, and step therapy) that commercial health plans are using to manage newer medications used to treat ADHD and changes in approaches since 2003. METHODS Data are from a nationally representative survey of commercial health plans in 60 market areas regarding alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services in 2010. Responses were obtained from 389 plans (89% response rate), reporting on 925 insurance products. For each of 6 branded ADHD medications, respondents were asked whether the plan covered the medication and, if so, on what copayment tier each medication was placed and whether it was subject to prior authorization or step therapy. Measures of management approach were constructed for each medication and for the group of medications. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to test for association of the management approach with various health plan characteristics. FINDINGS There was considerable variation across these 6 medications in how tightly they were managed by health plans, with newer medications being subject to more stringent management. The proportion of insurance products relying solely on copayment tiering to manage new ADHD medications appears to have decreased since 2003. Less than half of insurance products (43%) managed these 6 medications solely by use of tier 3 or 4 placement, and most of the remainder (48%) used other restrictions (with or without tier 3 or 4 placement). The average insurance product restricted access to at least 3 of the 6 brand-only medications examined, whether through copayment tier placement or other approaches. More ADHD medications were left unrestricted in health maintenance organization products than in preferred provider organization ones, products with internal or hybrid-internal contracts for behavioral health, those not contracting with pharmacy benefits managers, and those with for-profit ownership. IMPLICATIONS Many plans have supplemented copayment tiering with other approaches, such as prior authorization and step therapy, to influence use and decrease costs. It may be that plans have found copayments to be less effective in redirecting use in this medication class. The effect on clinical outcomes was not examined in this study but should be prioritized using other data sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Hodgkin
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts.
| | - Constance M Horgan
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Amity E Quinn
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth L Merrick
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Maureen T Stewart
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Laurel K Leslie
- Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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