Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Psychedelic Science: A Review and Perspective on Opportunities in Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology

Merazin hydrate produces rapid antidepressant effects by activating CaMKII to promote neuronal activities and proliferation in hippocampus

In our previous studies, we demonstrated that merazin hydrate (MH) had rapid antidepressant effects, but the deep mechanism needed to be further investigated. In this study, we used depressive-like model, behavioral tests, molecular biology and pharmacological interventions to reveal the underlying mechanisms of MH's rapid antidepressants. We found that a single administration of MH was able to produce rapid antidepressant effects in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) exposed mice at 1 day later, similar to ketamine. Moreover, MH could not only significantly up-regulated the expressions of cFOS, but also obviously increased the number of Ki67 positive cells in hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Furthermore, we also found that the phosphorylated expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) was significantly reduced by CUMS in hippocampus, which was also reversed by MH. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of CaMKII by using KN-93 (a CaMKII antagonist) blocked the MH's up-regulation of cFOS and Ki67 in hippocampal DG. To sum up, this study demonstrated that MH produced rapid antidepressant effects by activating CaMKII to promote neuronal activities and proliferation in hippocampus.

Palliative Care and Care Partner Support in Neuro-oncology

ABSTRACT

The journey for a patient with a brain tumor and their loved ones can be extremely challenging due to the high burden of physical symptoms and the emotional distress caused by the diagnosis. Optimizing quality of life by addressing symptoms and reducing this emotional distress can improve treatment tolerance and outcomes and alleviate care partner distress and burden. Symptoms in patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors can vary in onset and intensity, ranging from headaches, seizures, and focal weakness to emotional distress and cognitive dysfunction. Additionally, care partners may demonstrate distress due to the high burden of care and need appropriate support structures and access to resources to alleviate this stress. Evidence-based recommendations are unfortunately limited given the lack of high-quality research in this area, but patients living with CNS tumors and their loved ones can benefit from early and routine symptom identification and management, compassionate and transparent communication, and practical guidance for the future. These principles are part of palliative care, a field of medicine focused on alleviating suffering in patients with serious, chronic illness. Clinicians involved in the care of patients with CNS tumors must be educated in these important primary palliative care principles. This article focuses on key symptom management, strategies for high-quality communication, a discussion of advance care planning, and an overview of end-of-life care.