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McIntyre RS, Jain R. Glutamatergic Modulators for Major Depression from Theory to Clinical Use. CNS Drugs 2024:10.1007/s40263-024-01114-y. [PMID: 39150594 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-024-01114-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, burdensome, highly prevalent disease that is characterized by depressed mood and anhedonia. MDD is especially burdensome as approved monoamine antidepressant treatments have weeks-long delays before clinical benefit and low remission rates. In the past 2 decades, a promising target emerged to improve patient outcomes in depression treatment: glutamatergic signaling. This narrative review provides a high-level overview of glutamate signaling in synaptogenesis and neural plasticity and the implications of glutamate dysregulation in depression. Based on this preclinical evidence implicating glutamate in depression and the rapid improvement of depression with ketamine treatment in a proof-of-concept trial, a range of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-targeted therapies have been investigated. While an array of treatments has been investigated in registered phase 2 or 3 clinical trials, the development of most of these agents has been discontinued. Multiple glutamate-targeted antidepressants are actively in development, and two are approved. Nasal administration of esketamine (Spravato®) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression and in 2020 for adults with MDD with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Oral combination dextromethorphan-bupropion (AXS-05, Auvelity® extended-release tablet) was FDA approved in 2022 for the treatment of MDD in adults. These approvals bolster the importance of glutamate in depression and represent an exciting breakthrough in contemporary psychiatry, providing new avenues of treatment for patients as first-line therapy or with either poor response or unacceptable side effects to monoaminergic antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger S McIntyre
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rakesh Jain
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University School of Medicine-Permian Basin, Midland, TX, USA.
- Texas Tech University School of Medicine-Permian Basin, 2500 W William Cannon Drive, Suite 505, Austin, Texas, 78745, USA.
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Fusar-Poli P, Estradé A, Stanghellini G, Esposito CM, Rosfort R, Mancini M, Norman P, Cullen J, Adesina M, Jimenez GB, da Cunha Lewin C, Drah EA, Julien M, Lamba M, Mutura EM, Prawira B, Sugianto A, Teressa J, White LA, Damiani S, Vasconcelos C, Bonoldi I, Politi P, Vieta E, Radden J, Fuchs T, Ratcliffe M, Maj M. The lived experience of depression: a bottom-up review co-written by experts by experience and academics. World Psychiatry 2023; 22:352-365. [PMID: 37713566 PMCID: PMC10503922 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We provide here the first bottom-up review of the lived experience of depression, co-written by experts by experience and academics. First-person accounts within and outside the medical field were screened and discussed in collaborative workshops involving numerous individuals with lived experience of depression, family members and carers, representing a global network of organizations. The material was enriched by phenomenologically informed perspectives and shared with all collaborators in a cloud-based system. The subjective world of depression was characterized by an altered experience of emotions and body (feeling overwhelmed by negative emotions, unable to experience positive emotions, stuck in a heavy aching body drained of energy, detached from the mind, the body and the world); an altered experience of the self (losing sense of purpose and existential hope, mismatch between the past and the depressed self, feeling painfully incarcerated, losing control over one's thoughts, losing the capacity to act on the world; feeling numb, empty, non-existent, dead, and dreaming of death as a possible escape route); and an altered experience of time (experiencing an alteration of vital biorhythms, an overwhelming past, a stagnation of the present, and the impossibility of the future). The experience of depression in the social and cultural context was characterized by altered interpersonal experiences (struggling with communication, feeling loneliness and estrangement, perceiving stigma and stereotypes), and varied across different cultures, ethnic or racial minorities, and genders. The subjective perception of recovery varied (feeling contrasting attitudes towards recovery, recognizing recovery as a journey, recognizing one's vulnerability and the need for professional help), as did the experience of receiving pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and social as well as physical health interventions. These findings can inform clinical practice, research and education. This journey in the lived experience of depression can also help us to understand the nature of our own emotions and feelings, what is to believe in something, what is to hope, and what is to be a living human being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- OASIS service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- National Institute for Health Research, Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley, London, UK
| | - Andrés Estradé
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Giovanni Stanghellini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Diego Portales University, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cecilia Maria Esposito
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - René Rosfort
- S. Kierkegaard Research Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Milena Mancini
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Health and Territory, University of Chieti and Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Peter Norman
- Recovery College, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Mosaic Clubhouse Brixton, London, UK
| | | | - Miracle Adesina
- Global Mental Health Peer Network, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Slum and Rural Health Initiative, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Gema Benavides Jimenez
- Global Mental Health Peer Network, Madrid, Spain
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Instituto Superior de Estudios Psicológicos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Caroline da Cunha Lewin
- Global Mental Health Peer Network, London, UK
- Patient and Public Involvement Team, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Marc Julien
- Global Mental Health Peer Network, Douala, Cameroon
| | | | - Edwin M Mutura
- Global Mental Health Peer Network, Nairobi, Kenya
- Mentally Unsilenced, Nairobi, Kenya
- Psychiatric Disability Organization of Kenya, Nakuru, Kenya
| | - Benny Prawira
- Global Mental Health Peer Network, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Into The Light Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Agus Sugianto
- Global Mental Health Peer Network, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Indonesian Community Care for Schizophrenia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jaleta Teressa
- Global Mental Health Peer Network, Nekemte, Ethiopia
- Nekemte Specialized Hospital, Nekemte, Ethiopia
| | - Lawrence A White
- Global Mental Health Peer Network, Yellowknife, Canada
- Centre for Learning & Teaching Innovation, Aurora College, Yellowknife, Canada
- Advanced Graduate Student, Unicaf University, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Stefano Damiani
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Candida Vasconcelos
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ilaria Bonoldi
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Politi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jennifer Radden
- Philosophy Department, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas Fuchs
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Mario Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Crowe M, Manuel J, Carlyle D, Thwaites B, Lacey C. The experience of 'treatment-resistant' depression: A qualitative meta-synthesis. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2023; 32:662-672. [PMID: 36635921 DOI: 10.1111/inm.13107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
While antidepressants may be effective in treating depression for some people, a third of people do not have an improvement in mood after a trial of two different antidepressants for an adequate duration. These people are diagnosed as having 'treatment-resistant' depression which situates the problem as part of their biological or psychological makeup. We conducted a search of studies that examined this problem from the perspective of people whose depression did not improve on antidepressants. Nine studies were included in a qualitative meta-synthesis that identified four themes across these studies: feeling trapped, disconnection, loss of self, and questioning. The participants experienced considerable distress associated with the constant presence of depression in their lives. While antidepressants may help some people, there is a need for more innovative approaches to the treatment of depression. There is a strong argument for trialling appropriate evidence-based psychotherapy before a person is categorized as having treatment-resistant depression. It is perhaps better to describe the issue as inadequate efficacy of antidepressants to situate the problem with the treatment provided rather than with the person.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Crowe
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Jenni Manuel
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Dave Carlyle
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Bridgette Thwaites
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Cameron Lacey
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Peerenboom N, Aryal S, Blankenship JM, Swibas T, Zhai Y, Clay I, Lyden K. The Case for the Patient-Centric Development of Novel Digital Sleep Assessment Tools in Major Depressive Disorder. Digit Biomark 2023; 7:124-131. [PMID: 37901365 PMCID: PMC10601929 DOI: 10.1159/000533523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Depression imposes a major burden on public health as the leading cause of disability worldwide. Sleep disturbance is a core symptom of depression that affects the vast majority of patients. Nonetheless, it is frequently not resolved by depression treatment and may even be worsened through some pharmaceutical interventions. Disturbed sleep negatively impact patients' quality of life, and persistent sleep disturbance increases the risk of recurrence, relapse, and even suicide. However, the development of novel treatments that might improve sleep problems is hindered by the lack of reliable low-burden objective measures that can adequately assess disturbed sleep in this population. Summary Developing improved digital measurement tools that are fit for use in clinical trials for major depressive disorder could promote the inclusion of sleep as a focus for treatment, clinical drug development, and research. This perspective piece explores the path toward the development of novel digital measures, reviews the existing evidence on the meaningfulness of sleep in depression, and summarizes existing methods of sleep assessments, including the use of digital health technologies. Key Messages Our objective was to make a clear call to action and path forward for the qualification of new digital outcome measures which would enable assessment of sleep disturbance as an aspect of health that truly matters to patients, promoting sleep as an important outcome for clinical development, and ultimately ensure that disturbed sleep will not remain the forgotten symptom of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yaya Zhai
- Vivosense Inc., Newport Coast, CA, USA
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Christensen MC, Ren H, Fagiolini A. Emotional blunting in patients with depression. Part I: clinical characteristics. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2022; 21:10. [PMID: 35379283 PMCID: PMC8981644 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-022-00387-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotional blunting-inability to feel positive or negative emotions, detachment, or reduced emotional responsiveness-is common in people with depression. However, there is a paucity of studies comprehensively investigating this symptom and its functional impact. This study investigated the experience of emotional blunting, and its impact on overall functioning and quality of life, in the acute and remission phases of depression from the perspective of patients and healthcare providers. This paper presents data on the clinical presentation of emotional blunting in depression from the patient perspective. METHODS Cross-sectional, observational study conducted in Brazil, Canada, and Spain between April 15 and May 18, 2021. Data were collected via a self-completed online survey. Respondents were adults with depression (acute or remission phase), who were currently using a prescribed antidepressant, and who reported emotional blunting during the past 6 weeks. Emotional blunting was assessed using the Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ; total score range 26-130, higher scores indicate greater emotional blunting). RESULTS In all, 752 patients completed the survey (62% female; mean age, 45 years). Overall, 44% of patients rated their emotional blunting as extremely severe (acute phase [n = 300], 72%; remission phase [n = 452], 25%; difference, p < 0.01). In all, 56% of patients considered their emotional blunting to be caused by their depression (acute phase, 62%; remission phase, 52%). Mean ODQ total score was 94.8 for patients in the acute phase of depression and 85.7 for those in remission (difference, p < 0.01). Mean score for the ODQ 'antidepressant as cause' domain (maximum possible score, 30) was 18.0 in patients in the acute phase and 17.6 in those in remission. Overall, 45% of patients believed that their antidepressant medication was blunting their emotions and 39% were considering stopping or had already stopped their antidepressant because of perceived emotion-related side effects. CONCLUSIONS Almost three-quarters of patients in the acute phase of depression and one-quarter of those in remission reported severe emotional blunting. Approximately 56% of patients considered their emotional blunting to be caused by their depression, while 45% believed that their antidepressant medication was negatively affecting their emotions. Just over one-third of patients were considering stopping or had stopped their antidepressant as a result.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hongye Ren
- Medical Affairs, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, 2500, Valby, Denmark
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
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Li LR, Sethi G, Zhang X, Liu CL, Huang Y, Liu Q, Ren BX, Tang FR. The neuroprotective effects of icariin on ageing, various neurological, neuropsychiatric disorders, and brain injury induced by radiation exposure. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:1562-1588. [PMID: 35165207 PMCID: PMC8876913 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Epimedium brevicornum Maxim, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for the treatment of impotence, sinew and bone disorders, “painful impediment caused by wind-dampness,” numbness, spasms, hypertension, coronary heart disease, menopausal syndrome, bronchitis, and neurasthenia for many years in China. Recent animal experimental studies indicate that icariin, a major bioactive component of epimedium may effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral ischemia, depression, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, as well as delay ageing. Our recent study also suggested that epimedium extract could exhibit radio-neuro-protective effects and prevent ionizing radiation-induced impairment of neurogenesis. This paper reviewed the pharmacodynamics of icariin in treating different neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases, ageing, and radiation-induced brain damage. The relevant molecular mechanisms and its anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, as well as pro-neurogenesis roles were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Rui Li
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Xing Zhang
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Cui Liu Liu
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Yan Huang
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Qun Liu
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Bo Xu Ren
- The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
| | - Feng Ru Tang
- Radiation Physiology Lab, Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138602, Singapore
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