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Bertolini F, Robertson L, Bisson JI, Meader N, Churchill R, Ostuzzi G, Stein DJ, Williams T, Barbui C. Early pharmacological interventions for prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals experiencing acute traumatic stress symptoms. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 5:CD013613. [PMID: 38767196 PMCID: PMC11103774 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013613.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute traumatic stress symptoms may develop in people who have been exposed to a traumatic event. Although they are usually self-limiting in time, some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a severe and debilitating condition. Pharmacological interventions have been proposed for acute symptoms to act as an indicated prevention measure for PTSD development. As many individuals will spontaneously remit, these interventions should balance efficacy and tolerability. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and acceptability of early pharmacological interventions for prevention of PTSD in adults experiencing acute traumatic stress symptoms. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Controlled Trial Register (CCMDCTR), CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and two other databases. We checked the reference lists of all included studies and relevant systematic reviews. The search was last updated on 23 January 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials on adults exposed to any kind of traumatic event and presenting acute traumatic stress symptoms, without restriction on their severity. We considered comparisons of any medication with placebo, or with another medication. We excluded trials that investigated medications as an augmentation to psychotherapy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methodological procedures. Using a random-effects model, we analysed dichotomous data as risk ratios (RR) and calculated the number needed to treat for an additional beneficial/harmful outcome (NNTB/NNTH). We analysed continuous data as mean differences (MD) or standardised mean differences (SMD). Our primary outcomes were PTSD severity and dropouts due to adverse events. Secondary outcomes included PTSD rate, functional disability and quality of life. MAIN RESULTS We included eight studies that considered four interventions (escitalopram, hydrocortisone, intranasal oxytocin, temazepam) and involved a total of 779 participants. The largest trial contributed 353 participants and the next largest, 120 and 118 participants respectively. The trials enrolled participants admitted to trauma centres or emergency departments. The risk of bias in the included studies was generally low except for attrition rate, which we rated as high-risk. We could meta-analyse data for two comparisons: escitalopram versus placebo (but limited to secondary outcomes) and hydrocortisone versus placebo. One study compared escitalopram to placebo at our primary time point of three months after the traumatic event. There was inconclusive evidence of any difference in terms of PTSD severity (mean difference (MD) on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS, score range 0 to 136) -11.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) -24.56 to 1.86; 1 study, 23 participants; very low-certainty evidence), dropouts due to adverse events (no participant left the study early due to adverse events; 1 study, 31 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and PTSD rates (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.03 to 13.08; NNTB 37, 95% CI NNTB 15 to NNTH 1; 1 study, 23 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The study did not assess functional disability or quality of life. Three studies compared hydrocortisone to placebo at our primary time point of three months after the traumatic event. We found inconclusive evidence on whether hydrocortisone was more effective in reducing the severity of PTSD symptoms compared to placebo (MD on CAPS -7.53, 95% CI -25.20 to 10.13; I2 = 85%; 3 studies, 136 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and whether it reduced the risk of developing PTSD (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.09 to 2.38; NNTB 14, 95% CI NNTB 8 to NNTH 5; I2 = 36%; 3 studies, 136 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Evidence on the risk of dropping out due to adverse events is inconclusive (RR 3.19, 95% CI 0.13 to 75.43; 2 studies, 182 participants; low-certainty evidence) and it is unclear whether hydrocortisone might improve quality of life (MD on the SF-36 (score range 0 to 136, higher is better) 19.70, 95% CI -1.10 to 40.50; 1 study, 43 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No study assessed functional disability. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This review provides uncertain evidence regarding the use of escitalopram, hydrocortisone, intranasal oxytocin and temazepam for people with acute stress symptoms. It is therefore unclear whether these pharmacological interventions exert a positive or negative effect in this population. It is important to note that acute traumatic stress symptoms are often limited in time, and that the lack of data prevents the careful assessment of expected benefits against side effects that is therefore required. To yield stronger conclusions regarding both positive and negative outcomes, larger sample sizes are required. A common operational framework of criteria for inclusion and baseline assessment might help in better understanding who, if anyone, benefits from an intervention. As symptom severity alone does not provide the full picture of the impact of exposure to trauma, assessment of quality of life and functional impairment would provide a more comprehensive picture of the effects of the interventions. The assessment and reporting of side effects may facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of tolerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bertolini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lindsay Robertson
- Cochrane Common Mental Disorders, University of York, York, UK
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jonathan I Bisson
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Nicholas Meader
- Cochrane Common Mental Disorders, University of York, York, UK
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Rachel Churchill
- Cochrane Common Mental Disorders, University of York, York, UK
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Giovanni Ostuzzi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Dan J Stein
- SAMRC Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Taryn Williams
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Corrado Barbui
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Norred MA, Zuschlag ZD, Hamner MB. A Neuroanatomic and Pathophysiologic Framework for Novel Pharmacological Approaches to the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Drugs 2024; 84:149-164. [PMID: 38413493 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01983-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder inflicting high degrees of symptomatic and socioeconomic burdens. The development of PTSD results from a cascade of events with contributions from multiple processes and the underlying pathophysiology is complex, involving neurotransmitters, neurocircuitry, and neuroanatomical pathways. Presently, only two medications are US FDA-approved for the treatment of PTSD, both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, the complex underlying pathophysiology suggests a number of alternative pathways and mechanisms that may be targets for potential drug development. Indeed, investigations and drug development are proceeding in a number of these alternative, non-serotonergic pathways in an effort to improve the management of PTSD. In this manuscript, the authors introduce novel and emerging treatments for PTSD, including drugs in various stages of development and clinical testing (BI 1358894, BNC-210, PRAX-114, JZP-150, LU AG06466, NYV-783, PH-94B, SRX246, TNX-102), established agents and known compounds being investigated for their utility in PTSD (brexpiprazole, cannabidiol, doxasoin, ganaxolone, intranasal neuropeptide Y, intranasal oxytocin, tianeptine oxalate, verucerfont), and emerging psychedelic interventions (ketamine, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy), with an aim to examine and integrate these agents into the underlying pathophysiological frameworks of trauma-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Norred
- Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Zachary D Zuschlag
- Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mark B Hamner
- Behavioral Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC, 29401, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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Burback L, Brémault-Phillips S, Nijdam MJ, McFarlane A, Vermetten E. Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A State-of-the-art Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:557-635. [PMID: 37132142 PMCID: PMC10845104 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230428091433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This narrative state-of-the-art review paper describes the progress in the understanding and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over the last four decades, the scientific landscape has matured, with many interdisciplinary contributions to understanding its diagnosis, etiology, and epidemiology. Advances in genetics, neurobiology, stress pathophysiology, and brain imaging have made it apparent that chronic PTSD is a systemic disorder with high allostatic load. The current state of PTSD treatment includes a wide variety of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches, of which many are evidence-based. However, the myriad challenges inherent in the disorder, such as individual and systemic barriers to good treatment outcome, comorbidity, emotional dysregulation, suicidality, dissociation, substance use, and trauma-related guilt and shame, often render treatment response suboptimal. These challenges are discussed as drivers for emerging novel treatment approaches, including early interventions in the Golden Hours, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions, medication augmentation interventions, the use of psychedelics, as well as interventions targeting the brain and nervous system. All of this aims to improve symptom relief and clinical outcomes. Finally, a phase orientation to treatment is recognized as a tool to strategize treatment of the disorder, and position interventions in step with the progression of the pathophysiology. Revisions to guidelines and systems of care will be needed to incorporate innovative treatments as evidence emerges and they become mainstream. This generation is well-positioned to address the devastating and often chronic disabling impact of traumatic stress events through holistic, cutting-edge clinical efforts and interdisciplinary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Burback
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Mirjam J. Nijdam
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Center, Diemen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Eric Vermetten
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
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Cardoner N, Andero R, Cano M, Marin-Blasco I, Porta-Casteràs D, Serra-Blasco M, Via E, Vicent-Gil M, Portella MJ. Impact of Stress on Brain Morphology: Insights into Structural Biomarkers of Stress-related Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:935-962. [PMID: 37403395 PMCID: PMC10845094 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230703091435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to acute and chronic stress has a broad range of structural effects on the brain. The brain areas commonly targeted in the stress response models include the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex. Studies in patients suffering from the so-called stress-related disorders -embracing post-traumatic stress, major depressive and anxiety disorders- have fairly replicated animal models of stress response -particularly the neuroendocrine and the inflammatory models- by finding alterations in different brain areas, even in the early neurodevelopment. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide an overview of structural neuroimaging findings and to discuss how these studies have contributed to our knowledge of variability in response to stress and the ulterior development of stress-related disorders. There are a gross number of studies available but neuroimaging research of stress-related disorders as a single category is still in its infancy. Although the available studies point at particular brain circuitries involved in stress and emotion regulation, the pathophysiology of these abnormalities -involving genetics, epigenetics and molecular pathways-, their relation to intraindividual stress responses -including personality characteristics, self-perception of stress conditions…-, and their potential involvement as biomarkers in diagnosis, treatment prescription and prognosis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narcís Cardoner
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine Bellaterra, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Raül Andero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Cano
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Marin-Blasco
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Porta-Casteràs
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine Bellaterra, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Maria Serra-Blasco
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Programa eHealth ICOnnecta't, Institut Català d'Oncologia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Via
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Muriel Vicent-Gil
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria J. Portella
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine Bellaterra, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Aljuwaiser M, Alayadhi N, Ozidu V, Shafik Zakhari SA, Rushdy R, Naguy A. Clinical Indications of Memantine in Psychiatry-Science or Art? PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY BULLETIN 2023; 53:30-38. [PMID: 36873917 PMCID: PMC9981340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Memenatine is USFDA approved for dementia of Alzheimer's disease. Apart from this indication, trend of its use in psychiatry is on the rise addressing a multitude of disorders. Study question Memantine remains one of only few psychotropic drugs with antiglutamate activity. This might impart it a therapeutic potential in treatment-resistant major psychiatric disorders characterized by neuroprogression. We reviewed memantine basic pharmacology and its diversifying clinical indications while examining the extant evidence. Methods EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews were searched for all relevant studies up to date of November, 2022. Results Sound evidence supports use of memantine for major neuro-cognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease and severe vascular dementia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and, ADHD. Modicum evidence supports use of memantine for PTSD, GAD and pathological gambling. Less compelling evidence is present for use in catatonia. No evidence supports use for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Conclusions Memantine is an important addition to the psychopharmacological armamentarium. Level of evidence supporting the use of memantine in these off-label indications is highly variable, and hence, sound clinical judgment is necessary for its proper use and placement in real-life psychiatric practice and psychopharmacotherapy algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadyah Alayadhi
- Alayadhi, BSc (Pharma, UK), MSc, PhD (UK), Head, Pharmacy Department, KCMH, Kuwait
| | - Victoria Ozidu
- Ozidu, MBBch, MSc, MRCPsych (UK), General Adult Psychiatrist, Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust, UK
| | | | - Reda Rushdy
- Rushdy, MD, PhD, Professor, and Chairperson, Psychiatric Departments, Azhar University, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Naguy
- Naguy, MBBch, MSc, Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist, Al-Manara CAP Centre, Kuwait Centre for Mental Health (KCMH), Jamal Abdul-Nassir St, Shuwaikh, State of Kuwait
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6
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O'Brien B, Lee J, Kim S, Nandra GS, Pannu P, Swann AC, Murphy N, Tamman AJF, Amarneh D, Lijffijt M, Averill LA, Mathew SJ. Replication of distinct trajectories of antidepressant response to intravenous ketamine. J Affect Disord 2023; 321:140-146. [PMID: 36302492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to replicate previous findings of three distinct treatment response pathways associated with repeated intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS We conducted growth mixture modeling to estimate latent classes of change in depression (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report, QIDS-SR) across six treatment visits in 298 patients with MDD treated with IV ketamine in an outpatient community clinic. Mean age was 40.36 and patients were primarily male (58.4 %). The sample had relatively severe depression (QIDS-SR = 16.61) at pre-treatment and the majority had not responded to at least two prior medications. RESULTS Best-fit indices indicated three trajectory groups to optimally demonstrate non-linear, quadratic changes in depressive symptoms during ketamine treatment. Two groups had severe depression at baseline but diverged into a group of modest improvement over the treatment course (n = 78) and a group of patients with rapid improvement (n = 103). A third group had moderate depression at baseline with moderate improvement during the treatment course (n = 117). Additional planned trajectory comparisons showed that suicidality at entry was higher in the high depression groups and that change in suicidality severity followed that of depression. LIMITATIONS This was a retrospective analysis of a naturalistic sample. Patients were unblinded and more heterogenous than those included in most controlled clinical trial samples. CONCLUSIONS This replication study in an independent community-based ketamine clinic sample revealed similar response trajectories, with only about a third of depressed patients benefitting substantially from an acute induction course of ketamine infusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany O'Brien
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Brittany.o'
| | - Jaehoon Lee
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Tech University, Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Counseling, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA; The Menninger Clinic, 12301 S Main Street, Houston, TX, 77035, USA
| | - Seungman Kim
- Texas Tech University, Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Counseling, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Guriqbal S Nandra
- IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago and Kansas City, 712 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
| | - Prabhneet Pannu
- IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago and Kansas City, 712 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
| | - Alan C Swann
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nicholas Murphy
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; The Menninger Clinic, 12301 S Main Street, Houston, TX, 77035, USA
| | - Amanda J F Tamman
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dania Amarneh
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marijn Lijffijt
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lynnette A Averill
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sanjay J Mathew
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; The Menninger Clinic, 12301 S Main Street, Houston, TX, 77035, USA
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Bertolini F, Robertson L, Bisson JI, Meader N, Churchill R, Ostuzzi G, Stein DJ, Williams T, Barbui C. Early pharmacological interventions for universal prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022; 2:CD013443. [PMID: 35141873 PMCID: PMC8829470 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013443.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe and debilitating condition. Several pharmacological interventions have been proposed with the aim to prevent or mitigate it. These interventions should balance efficacy and tolerability, given that not all individuals exposed to a traumatic event will develop PTSD. There are different possible approaches to preventing PTSD; universal prevention is aimed at individuals at risk of developing PTSD on the basis of having been exposed to a traumatic event, irrespective of whether they are showing signs of psychological difficulties. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and acceptability of pharmacological interventions for universal prevention of PTSD in adults exposed to a traumatic event. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Controlled Trial Register (CCMDCTR), CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, two other databases and two trials registers (November 2020). We checked the reference lists of all included studies and relevant systematic reviews. The search was last updated on 13 November 2020. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised clinical trials on adults exposed to any kind of traumatic event. We considered comparisons of any medication with placebo or with another medication. We excluded trials that investigated medications as an augmentation to psychotherapy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methodological procedures. In a random-effects model, we analysed dichotomous data as risk ratios (RR) and number needed to treat for an additional beneficial/harmful outcome (NNTB/NNTH). We analysed continuous data as mean differences (MD) or standardised mean differences (SMD). MAIN RESULTS We included 13 studies which considered eight interventions (hydrocortisone, propranolol, dexamethasone, omega-3 fatty acids, gabapentin, paroxetine, PulmoCare enteral formula, Oxepa enteral formula and 5-hydroxytryptophan) and involved 2023 participants, with a single trial contributing 1244 participants. Eight studies enrolled participants from emergency departments or trauma centres or similar settings. Participants were exposed to a range of both intentional and unintentional traumatic events. Five studies considered participants in the context of intensive care units with traumatic events consisting of severe physical illness. Our concerns about risk of bias in the included studies were mostly due to high attrition and possible selective reporting. We could meta-analyse data for two comparisons: hydrocortisone versus placebo, but limited to secondary outcomes; and propranolol versus placebo. No study compared hydrocortisone to placebo at the primary endpoint of three months after the traumatic event. The evidence on whether propranolol was more effective in reducing the severity of PTSD symptoms compared to placebo at three months after the traumatic event is inconclusive, because of serious risk of bias amongst the included studies, serious inconsistency amongst the studies' results, and very serious imprecision of the estimate of effect (SMD -0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.61 to 0.59; I2 = 83%; 3 studies, 86 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No study provided data on dropout rates due to side effects at three months post-traumatic event. The evidence on whether propranolol was more effective than placebo in reducing the probability of experiencing PTSD at three months after the traumatic event is inconclusive, because of serious risk of bias amongst the included studies, and very serious imprecision of the estimate of effect (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.92; 3 studies, 88 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No study assessed functional disability or quality of life. Only one study compared gabapentin to placebo at the primary endpoint of three months after the traumatic event, with inconclusive evidence in terms of both PTSD severity and probability of experiencing PTSD, because of imprecision of the effect estimate, serious risk of bias and serious imprecision (very low-certainty evidence). We found no data on dropout rates due to side effects, functional disability or quality of life. For the remaining comparisons, the available data are inconclusive or missing in terms of PTSD severity reduction and dropout rates due to adverse events. No study assessed functional disability. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This review provides uncertain evidence only regarding the use of hydrocortisone, propranolol, dexamethasone, omega-3 fatty acids, gabapentin, paroxetine, PulmoCare formula, Oxepa formula, or 5-hydroxytryptophan as universal PTSD prevention strategies. Future research might benefit from larger samples, better reporting of side effects and inclusion of quality of life and functioning measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bertolini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lindsay Robertson
- Cochrane Common Mental Disorders, University of York, York, UK
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jonathan I Bisson
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Nicholas Meader
- Cochrane Common Mental Disorders, University of York, York, UK
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Rachel Churchill
- Cochrane Common Mental Disorders, University of York, York, UK
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Giovanni Ostuzzi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- MRC Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Taryn Williams
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Corrado Barbui
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Cochrane Global Mental Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Ramakrishnan N, Lijffijt M, Green CE, Balderston NL, Murphy N, Grillon C, Iqbal T, Vo-Le B, O’Brien B, Murrough JW, Swann AC, Mathew SJ. Neurophysiological and clinical effects of the NMDA receptor antagonist lanicemine (BHV-5500) in PTSD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Depress Anxiety 2021; 38:1108-1119. [PMID: 34254405 PMCID: PMC8560553 DOI: 10.1002/da.23194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with hyperarousal and stress reactivity, features consistent with behavioral sensitization. In this Phase 1b, parallel-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we tested whether the selective low-trapping N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist [Lanicemine (BHV-5500)] blocks expression of behavioral sensitization. METHODS Twenty-four participants with elevated anxiety potentiated startle (APS) and moderate-to-severe PTSD symptoms received three infusions of lanicemine 1.0 mg/ml (100 mg) or matching placebo (0.9% saline) (1:1 ratio), over a 5-day period. The primary outcome was change in APS from baseline to end of third infusion. We also examined changes in EEG gamma-band oscillatory activity as measures of NMDAR target engagement and explored Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) hyperarousal scores. RESULTS Lanicemine was safe and well-tolerated with no serious adverse events. Using Bayesian statistical inference, the posterior probability that lanicemine outperformed placebo on APS T-score after three infusions was 38%. However, after the first infusion, there was a 90% chance that lanicemine outperformed placebo in attenuating APS T-score by a standardized effect size more than 0.4. CONCLUSION We demonstrated successful occupancy of lanicemine on NMDAR using gamma-band EEG and effects on hyperarousal symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.75). While lanicemine strongly attenuated APS following a single infusion, differential changes from placebo after three infusions was likely obscured by habituation effects. To our knowledge, this is the first use of APS in the context of an experimental medicine trial of a NMDAR antagonist in PTSD. These findings support selective NMDAR antagonism as a viable pharmacological strategy for salient aspects of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithya Ramakrishnan
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA,Corresponding Authors: Nithya Ramakrishnan, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA. , (713)798-7768; Sanjay J. Mathew, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA. (713) 798-5877
| | - Marijn Lijffijt
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Nicholas Murphy
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA,The Menninger Clinic, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Tabish Iqbal
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brittany Vo-Le
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brittany O’Brien
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James W. Murrough
- Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Alan C. Swann
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sanjay J. Mathew
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA,The Menninger Clinic, Houston, TX, USA,Corresponding Authors: Nithya Ramakrishnan, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA. , (713)798-7768; Sanjay J. Mathew, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA. (713) 798-5877
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10
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Akhtar A, Pilkhwal Sah S. Advances in the pharmacotherapeutic management of post-traumatic stress disorder. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:1919-1930. [PMID: 34124975 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1935871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental disorder, is associated with anxiety, depression, and social awkwardness resulting from past traumatic episodes like natural disasters, accidents, terrorist attacks, war, rape, and sexual violence. It affects primarily the amygdala, cortex, and hippocampus where neurochemical changes result in altered behavior. PTSD patients display impaired fear extinction, and past events keep haunting them. The topic presents relevant sections like PTSD pharmacotherapy, associated challenges, and the novel targets and drugs for future research and therapy.Areas covered: The authors discuss the current pharmacotherapy like SSRIs, NDRIs, SNRIs, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines, used to attenuate the associated symptoms. However, the primary focus being the novel and potential targets which can be explored better to understand possible future research and advanced therapy in PTSD. For the same, an account of both preclinical and clinical studies has been covered.Expert opinion: Excessive adverse effects, limited efficacy, and lower patient compliance are some of the major challenges with conventional drugs. Moreover, they correct only fewer symptoms without halting the disease progression. Several agents are investigated in different preclinical and clinical phases, which can potentially overcome the pitfalls and limitations associated with conventional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansab Akhtar
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sangeeta Pilkhwal Sah
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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11
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Swann AC, Graham DP, Wilkinson AV, Kosten TR. Nicotine Inhalation and Suicide: Clinical Correlates and Behavioral Mechanisms. Am J Addict 2021; 30:316-329. [PMID: 34109688 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Extensive evidence links smoking and suicide independently of psychiatric diagnoses, but there are questions about the pathophysiology and specificity of this relationship. We examined characteristics of this linkage to identify potential transdiagnostic mechanisms in suicide and its prevention. METHODS We reviewed literature that associated suicide with smoking and e-cigarettes, including the temporal sequence of smoking and suicide risk and their shared behavioral risk factors of sensitization and impulsivity. RESULTS Smoking is associated with increased suicide across psychiatric diagnoses and in the general population, proportionately to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Rapid nicotine uptake into the brain through inhalation of conventional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette), or even second-hand smoke can facilitate long-term sensitization and short-term impulsivity. Both impair action regulation and predispose to negative affect, continued smoking, and suicidal behavior. Intermittent hypoxia, induced by cigarettes or e-cigarettes, synergistically promotes impulsivity and sensitization, exacerbating suicidality. Two other shared behavioral risks also develop negative urgency (combined impulsivity and negative affect) and cross-sensitization to stressors or to other addictive stimuli. Finally, early smoking onset, promoted by e-cigarettes in never-smokers, increases subsequent suicide risk. CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Prevention or cessation of nicotine inhalation can strategically prevent suicidality and other potentially lethal behavior regardless of psychiatric diagnoses. Medications for reducing smoking and suicidality, especially in younger smokers, should consider the neurobehavioral mechanisms for acute impulsivity and longer-term sensitization, potentially modulated more effectively through glutamate antagonism rather than nicotine substitution. (Am J Addict 2021;30:316-329).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan C Swann
- Mental Health Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas.,Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - David P Graham
- Mental Health Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas.,Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Thomas R Kosten
- Mental Health Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas.,Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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12
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Therapeutic potential of ketamine for alcohol use disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:573-589. [PMID: 33989669 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Excessive alcohol consumption is involved in 1/10 of deaths of U.S. working-age adults and costs the country around $250,000,000 yearly. While Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) pathology is complex and involves multiple neurotransmitter systems, changes in synaptic plasticity, hippocampal neurogenesis, and neural connectivity have been implicated in the behavioral characteristics of AUD. Depressed mood and stress are major determinants of relapse in AUD, and there is significant comorbidity between AUD, depression, and stress disorders, suggesting potential for overlap in their treatments. Disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate are current pharmacotherapies for AUD, but these treatments have limitations, highlighting the need for novel therapeutics. Ketamine is a N-methyl-D-Aspartate receptor antagonist, historically used in anesthesia, but also affects other neurotransmitters systems, synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and neural connectivity. Currently under investigation for treating AUDs and other Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), ketamine has strong support for efficacy in treating clinical depression, recently receiving FDA approval. Ketamine's effect in treating depression and stress disorders, such as PTSD, and preliminary evidence for treating SUDs further suggests a role for treating AUDs. This review explores the behavioral and neural evidence for treating AUDs with ketamine and clinical data on ketamine therapy for AUDs and SUDs.
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O'Brien B, Lijffijt M, Lee J, Kim YS, Wells A, Murphy N, Ramakrishnan N, Swann AC, Mathew SJ. Distinct trajectories of antidepressant response to intravenous ketamine. J Affect Disord 2021; 286:320-329. [PMID: 33770540 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine is potentially effective in treatment resistant depression. However, its antidepressant efficacy is highly variable, and there is little information about predictors of response. METHODS We employed growth mixture modeling (GMM) analysis to examine specific response trajectories to intravenous (IV) ketamine (three infusions; mean dose 0.63 mg/kg, SD 0.28, range 0.30 - 2.98 mg/kg over 40 min) in 328 depressed adult outpatients referred to a community clinic. The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) assessed depression severity at baseline and before each infusion, up to three infusions for four total observations. RESULTS GMM revealed three QIDS-SR response trajectories. There were two groups of severely depressed patients, with contrasting responses to ketamine. One group (n=135, baseline QIDS-SR=18.8) had a robust antidepressant response (final QIDS-SR=7.3); the other group (n=97, QIDS-SR=19.8) was less responsive (final QIDS-SR=15.6). A third group (n=96) was less severely depressed at baseline (QIDS-SR=11.7), with intermediate antidepressant response (final QIDS-SR=6.6). Comparisons of demographic and clinical characteristics between groups with severe baseline depression revealed higher childhood physical abuse in the group with robust ketamine response (p=0.01). LIMITATIONS This was a retrospective analysis on a naturalistic sample. Patients were unblinded and more heterogenous than those included in most controlled clinical trial samples. Information pertaining to traumatic events occurring after childhood and pre-existing or concurrent medical conditions that may have affected outcomes was not available. CONCLUSIONS Overall, ketamine's effect in patients with severe baseline depression and history of childhood maltreatment may be consistent with ketamine-induced blockade of behavioral sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany O'Brien
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcomb Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. brittany.o'
| | - Marijn Lijffijt
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcomb Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jaehoon Lee
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Texas Tech University, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA; The Menninger Clinic, 12301 S Main Street, Houston, TX, 77035, USA
| | - Ye Sil Kim
- Texas Tech University, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Allison Wells
- Lone Star Infusion, PLLC, 14740 Barryknoll Lane, Houston, TX, 77079, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nicholas Murphy
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; The Menninger Clinic, 12301 S Main Street, Houston, TX, 77035, USA
| | - Nithya Ramakrishnan
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Alan C Swann
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcomb Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sanjay J Mathew
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcomb Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1977 Butler Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; The Menninger Clinic, 12301 S Main Street, Houston, TX, 77035, USA
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14
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Murphy N, Lijffijt M, Ramakrishnan N, Vo-Le B, Vo-Le B, Iqbal S, Iqbal T, O'Brien B, Smith MA, Swann AC, Mathew SJ. Does mismatch negativity have utility for NMDA receptor drug development in depression? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 44:61-73. [PMID: 33825765 PMCID: PMC8827377 DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2020-1685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Rapid antidepressant effects associated with ketamine have shifted the landscape for the development of therapeutics to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) from a monoaminergic to glutamatergic model. Treatment with ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, may be effective, but has many non-glutamatergic targets, and clinical and logistical problems are potential challenges. These factors underscore the importance of manipulations of binding mechanics to produce antidepressant effects without concomitant clinical side effects. This will require identification of efficient biomarkers to monitor target engagement. The mismatch negativity (MMN) is a widely used electrophysiological signature linked to the activity of NMDA receptors (NMDAR) in humans and animals and validated in pre-clinical and clinical studies of ketamine. In this review, we explore the flexibility of the MMN and its capabilities for reliable use in drug development for NMDAR antagonists in MDD. We supplement this with findings from our own research with three distinct NMDAR antagonists. The research described illustrates that there are important distinctions between the mechanisms of NMDAR antagonism, which are further crystallized when considering the paradigm used to study the MMN. We conclude that the lack of standardized methodology currently prevents MMN from being ready for common use in drug discovery. This manuscript describes data collected from the following National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Veterans Affairs (VA) studies: AV-101, NCT03583554; lanicemine, NCT03166501; ketamine, NCT02556606.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Murphy
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,The Menninger Clinic, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marijn Lijffijt
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nithya Ramakrishnan
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bylinda Vo-Le
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brittany Vo-Le
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sidra Iqbal
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tabish Iqbal
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brittany O'Brien
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mark A Smith
- VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.,Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Alan C Swann
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sanjay J Mathew
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,The Menninger Clinic, Houston, TX, USA
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Hori H, Itoh M, Matsui M, Kamo T, Saito T, Nishimatsu Y, Kito S, Kida S, Kim Y. The efficacy of memantine in the treatment of civilian posttraumatic stress disorder: an open-label trial. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1859821. [PMID: 33680346 PMCID: PMC7874937 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1859821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Currently, there is a paucity of pharmacological treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the development of a novel pharmacotherapeutic approach has become a matter of great interest. Objective: We conducted a 12-week open-label clinical trial to examine the efficacy and safety of memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, in the treatment of civilian PTSD. Method: Thirteen adult patients with DSM-IV PTSD, all civilian women, were enrolled. They were monitored at an ambulatory care facility every week until 4 weeks and then every 4 weeks until 12 weeks. Memantine was added to each patient's current medication, with the initial dosage of 5 mg/day and then titrated. Concomitant medications were essentially kept unchanged during the trial. The primary outcome was PTSD diagnosis and severity assessed with the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS). Results: Of the 13 cases, one dropped out and two were discarded due to the protocol deviation, and the analysis was done for the remaining 10. Mean PDS total scores decreased from 32.3 ± 9.7 at baseline to 12.2 ± 7.9 at endpoint, which was statistically significant with a large effect (paired t-test: p = .002, d = 1.35); intrusion, avoidance, hyperarousal symptoms were all significantly improved from baseline to endpoint. Six patients no longer fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PTSD at endpoint. Some adverse, but not serious, effects possibly related to memantine were observed, including sleep problems, sleepiness, sedation, weight change and hypotension. Conclusions: Memantine significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in civilian female PTSD patients and the drug was well tolerated. Future randomized controlled trials are necessary to verify the efficacy and safety of memantine in the treatment of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Hori
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariko Itoh
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mie Matsui
- Department of Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Liberal Arts and Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Toshiko Kamo
- Wakamatsu-cho Mental and Skin Clinic, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Saito
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan.,Faculty of Psychology, Rissho University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Nishimatsu
- Faculty of Psychology, Rissho University, Tokyo, Japan.,Ai Clinic Kanda, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Satoshi Kida
- Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Kim
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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