Restricted sedation and absence of cognitive impairments after administration of intranasal scopolamine
Discussion:
Results show that intranasal scopolamine did not impair cognitive performance. Intranasal scopolamine might be a good alternative to promethazine for the alleviation of space motion sickness, since the agent has minimal sedative effects and does not hamper cognitive performance. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Weerts, A. P., Pattyn, N., Putcha, L., Hoag, S. W., Van Ombergen, A., Hallgren, E., Van de Heyning, P. H., Wuyts, F. L. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Atomoxetine in patients with ADHD: A clinical and pharmacological review of the onset, trajectory, duration of response and implications for patients
This article reviews data providing new insight into the trajectory of response and maintenance of response of atomoxetine in the treatment of child and adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This nonsystematic review includes: onset of action and duration of effect, response rate, effect size, time to optimal response and norepinephrine transporter blockade biomarker data. Atomoxetine can have an onset of action within 1–2 weeks of starting treatment, but there is an incrementally increasing response for up to 24 weeks or longer. Responder rates and effect sizes are similar to methylphenidate. Upon t...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Clemow, D. B., Bushe, C. J. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Concentrations of MDPV in rat striatum correlate with the psychostimulant effect
3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone or MDPV is a synthetic cathinone with psychostimulant properties more potent than cocaine. We quantified this drug in the striatum after subcutaneous administration to rats. MDPV reached the brain around 5 min after its administration and peaked at 20–25 min later. The elimination half-life in the striatum (61 min) correlates with the decrease in the psychostimulant effect after 60 min. Around 11% of the administered dose reached the striatum and, considering a homogeneous brain distribution, we determined that around 86% of the plasma MDPV is distributed to the brain. MDPV induced a do...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Novellas, J., Lopez-Arnau, R., Carbo, M. d., Pubill, D., Camarasa, J., Escubedo, E. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
The involvement of medial septum 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors on ACPA-induced memory consolidation deficit: Possible role of TRPC3, TRPC6 and TRPV2
The present study evaluates the roles of serotonergic receptors of the medial septum on amnesia induced by arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA; as selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist) in adult male Wistar rats. Cannulae were implanted in the medial septum of the brain of the rats. The animals were trained in a passive avoidance learning apparatus, and were tested 24 hours after training for step-through latency. Results indicated that post-training medial septum administration of CP94253 (5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist) and cinancerine (as 5-HT2 receptor antagonist) reduced the step-through latency showing an amnesic resp...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Najar, F., Nasehi, M., Haeri-Rohani, S.-A., Zarrindast, M.-R. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Withania somnifera Dunal (Indian ginseng) impairs acquisition and expression of ethanol-elicited conditioned place preference and conditioned place aversion
In conclusion, these results cast new light on Withania somnifera as an agent potentially useful to counteract distinct aspects of ethanol effects. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Spina, L., Longoni, R., Rosas, M., Collu, M., Peana, A. T., Espa, E., Kasture, S., Cotti, E., Acquas, E. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin
The 30-item revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) was previously developed within an online survey of mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The rated experiences occurred on average eight years before completion of the questionnaire. The current paper validates the MEQ30 using data from experimental studies with controlled doses of psilocybin. Data were pooled and analyzed from five laboratory experiments in which participants (n=184) received a moderate to high oral dose of psilocybin (at least 20 mg/70 kg). Results of confirmatory factor analysis demonstrate the reliability ...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Barrett, F. S., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Cortical oxygenation suggests increased effort during cognitive inhibition in ecstasy polydrug users
Conclusion:
Ecstasy-polydrug users show increased neuronal activation in the prefrontal cortex compared to non-users. This is taken to be compensatory activation/recruitment of additional resources to attain similar performance levels on the task, which may be reversible with prolonged abstinence. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Roberts, C., Montgomery, C. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Psychomotor effects, pharmacokinetics and safety of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant administered in combination with alcohol in healthy subjects
In conclusion, co-administration of 40 mg suvorexant and 0.7 g/kg alcohol had additive negative psychomotor effects. Patients are advised not to consume alcohol with suvorexant. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Sun, H., Yee, K. L., Gill, S., Liu, W., Li, X., Panebianco, D., Mangin, E., Morrison, D., McCrea, J., Wagner, J. A., Troyer, M. D. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Clinical relevance of nalmefene versus placebo in alcohol treatment: Reduction in mortality risk
Reduction of long-term mortality risk, an important clinical outcome for people in alcohol dependence treatment, can rarely be established in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We calculated the reduction in all-cause mortality risk using data from short-term (6 and 12 months) double-blind RCTs comparing as-needed nalmefene treatment to placebo, and mortality risks from meta-analyses on all-cause-mortality risk by reduction of drinking in people with alcohol dependence. A reduction in drinking in the RCTs was defined by shifts in drinking risk levels established by the European Medicines Agency. Results showed that the r...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Roerecke, M., Sorensen, P., Laramee, P., Rahhali, N., Rehm, J. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Genetic moderation of the effects of cannabis: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) affects the impact of {Delta}9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on working memory performance but not on the occurrence of psychotic experiences
This study investigated the moderation of the impact of experimentally administered THC by COMT. Cognitive performance and psychotic experiences were studied in participants without a psychiatric diagnosis, using a between-subjects design (THC vs. placebo). The effect of COMT Val158Met genotype on the cognitive and psychotic effects of THC, administered intravenously in a double-blind, placebo-controlled manner to 78 participants who were vulnerable to paranoia, was examined. The results showed interactive effects of genotype and drug group (THC or placebo) on working memory, assayed using the Digit Span Backwards task. Sp...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tunbridge, E. M., Dunn, G., Murray, R. M., Evans, N., Lister, R., Stumpenhorst, K., Harrison, P. J., Morrison, P. D., Freeman, D. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Altered CB1 receptor coupling to G-proteins in the post-mortem caudate nucleus and cerebellum of alcoholic subjects
Biochemical, pharmacological and genetic evidence suggests the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in alcohol dependence. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the state of CB1 receptors in post-mortem caudate nucleus, hippocampus and cerebellum of alcoholic subjects.
CB1 protein levels were measured by Western blot, CB1 receptor density and affinity by [3H]WIN55,212-2 saturation assays and CB1 functionality by [35S]GTPS binding assays. Experiments were performed in samples from 24 subjects classified as non-suicidal alcoholics (n = 6), suicidal alcoholics (n = 6), non-alcoholic suicide victims (n = 6) and con...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 27, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Erdozain, A. M., Rubio, M., Meana, J. J., Fernandez-Ruiz, J., Callado, L. F. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Kynurenine pathway (KP) inhibitors: Novel agents for the management of depression
Depression is a highly prevalent and severely disabling condition globally. Despite being a major cause of disability worldwide, little progress has been made in the last three decades in developing rational and novel pharmacological treatment options for the management of depression. Recently there has been growing interest in the role of kynurenine pathway in pathophysiology of depression. In this paper, the potential role of kynurenine pathway inhibitors in the management of depression particularly in secondary and reactive depression and the development of novel antidepressant drugs targeting kynurenine pathway are dis...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - September 22, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Hazari, N., Bhad, R. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Does melatonin treatment change emotional processing? Implications for understanding the antidepressant mechanism of agomelatine
The antidepressant, agomelatine, has a novel pharmacological profile, with agonist properties at M1 and M2 receptors and antagonist properties at 5HT2C receptors. Whether the antidepressant effects of this treatment are mediated by the drug’s effects at the M1 and M2 receptors or the 5HT2C receptor or a synergy between these actions remains unclear. In the present study, a healthy volunteer model of emotional processing, which discriminates between effective and non-effective antidepressant compounds, was used to assess the contribution of melatonin agonism to the efficacy of agomelatine. Fifty-eight healthy voluntee...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - September 22, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Pringle, A., Bogdanovskaya, M., Waskett, P., Zacharia, S., Cowen, P. J., Harmer, C. J. Tags: Short Report Source Type: research
Better sexual acceptability of agomelatine (25 and 50 mg) compared to escitalopram (20 mg) in healthy volunteers. A 9-week, placebo-controlled study using the PRSexDQ scale
Conclusion:
The study confirms the better sexual acceptability profile of agomelatine (25 or 50 mg) in healthy men and women, compared to escitalopram.
Trial registration name:
Evaluation of the effect of agomelatine and escitalopram on emotions and motivation in healthy male and female volunteers.
Trial registration number:
ISRCTN75872983. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - September 22, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Montejo, A. L., Deakin, J., Gaillard, R., Harmer, C., Meyniel, F., Jabourian, A., Gabriel, C., Gruget, C., Klinge, C., MacFayden, C., Milligan, H., Mullings, E., Goodwin, G. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Antidepressants with a high serotonin reuptake transporter affinity and serum lipid levels in a population-based study in older adults
Conclusion:
Antidepressants with a high serotonin reuptake transporter affinity were associated with higher LDL cholesterol levels, which were modified by a common genetic variation in the HTR2A gene. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - September 22, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Noordam, R., Aarts, N., de Keyser, C. E., Hofman, A., Stricker, B. H., Visser, L. E. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
