Psilocybin, a Naturally Occurring Indoleamine Compound, Could Be Useful to Prevent Suicidal Behaviors

The available interventions for people who are at risk of suicide have limited efficacy. Recently, research on new mental health treatments has started to consider psychedelic compounds, particularly psilocybin, a molecule with a few thousand years of history of use in human societies. The possible effects of psilocybin on suicidal ideation and behaviors have not been specifically studied yet; however, the current knowledge on the suicidal process and the available data on es/ketamine suggest that psylocibin could be used to modulate the thoughts and behavioral patterns in individuals who are at risk of suicidal behaviors. Here, we summarize the available evidence on the possible mechanisms underlying psilocybin positive effects on suicide risk. Major pathways related to suicidal behaviors that might be modulated by psylocibin include serotonin receptors. Specifically, psylocibin directly stimulates the serotonin 2A receptor (5HT_2A), targeting the inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways and leading to a rapid increase in brain plasticity and inflammation suppression and increases in cognitive flexibility, spirituality, and empathy. We also present preliminary epidemiological data and provide a rationale for studying psilocybin in individuals with suicidal ideation or who are at risk of suicidal behaviors. This review presents a framework to understand the basis for psilocybin use in individuals who are at risk of suicidal behaviors and calls for clinical studies.

Metabolic-targeted Combination Therapy With Dichloroacetate and Metformin Suppresses Glioblastoma Cell Line Growth In Vitro and In Vivo

BACKGROUND/AIM

We investigated the hypothesis that dichloroacetate (DCA), a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitor, and metformin (MET), an antidiabetic agent and complex I inhibitor, have synergistic cytotoxic effects in glioblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed dose response experiments and combination index calculation. Apoptotic and necrotic cells were estimated by flow cytometry. Cell metabolism was evaluated by Seahorse analysis and lactate export. Overall survival and tumor volume growth experiments were performed in C57BL/6 mice GL-261 allograft model.

RESULTS

DCA and MET showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity and synergistic effects. DCA alleviated the increase in lactate production induced by MET. Seahorse analysis showed that DCA treatment results in increased oxygen consumption rate, which is decreased by MET. DCA and MET significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased overall survival in mice.

CONCLUSION

Compounds targeting tumor cell metabolism could become potential treatment options for glioblastoma multiforme.

Stock price reaction to the drug development setbacks in the pharmaceutical industry

BACKGROUND

Investments in pharmaceutical companies remain challenging due to the inherent uncertainties of risk assessment.

OBJECTIVES

Our paper aims to assess the impact of the drug development setbacks (DDS) on the stock price of pharmaceutical companies while taking into account the company's financial situation, pipeline size and trend of the stock price before the DDS.

METHODS

The model-based clustering based on finite Gaussian mixture modeling was employed to identify the clusters of pharmaceutical companies with homogenous parameters. An artificial neural network was constructed to aid the prediction of the positive mean rate of return 120 days after the DDS.

RESULTS

Our results reveal that a higher pipeline size and a lower rate of return before the DDS, as well as a lower ratio of the market value of the equity and the book value of the total liabilities, are associated with a positive mean rate of return 120 days after the DDS.

CONCLUSION

In general, the DDS have a negative impact on the company's stock price, but this risk can be minimized by investors choosing the companies that satisfy certain criteria. Graphical abstract The higher pipeline size(spip) and lower rate of return before (srr) the drug development setback (DDS) and the Market Value of Equity/Book Value of Total Liabilities ratio (sx4) are associated with a positive mean rate of return 120 days after the DDS.