Dopamine supersensitivity psychosis and dopamine partial agonist: A retrospective survey of failure of switching to aripiprazole in schizophrenia
The administration of aripiprazole (ARI), a dopamine partial agonist, could provoke abrupt psychotic worsening in patients with schizophrenia. We explored the relationship between this psychotic worsening and dopamine supersensitivity psychosis (DSP), which is a clinically vulnerable state. We conducted a retrospective investigation for 264 patients whose treatment medication was switched to ARI from other antipsychotics. We divided the patients into the DSP(+) group with a history of DSP episode(s) (N = 70) and the DSP(–) group without such a history (N = 194), and then compared the clinical factors relevant to the ...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 17, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Takase, M., Kanahara, N., Oda, Y., Kimura, H., Watanabe, H., Iyo, M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Understanding responder neurobiology in schizophrenia using a quantitative systems pharmacology model: Application to iloperidone
The concept of targeted therapies remains a holy grail for the pharmaceutical drug industry for identifying responder populations or new drug targets. Here we provide quantitative systems pharmacology as an alternative to the more traditional approach of retrospective responder pharmacogenomics analysis and applied this to the case of iloperidone in schizophrenia. This approach implements the actual neurophysiological effect of genotypes in a computer-based biophysically realistic model of human neuronal circuits, is parameterized with human imaging and pathology, and is calibrated by clinical data. We keep the drug pharma...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 17, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Geerts, H., Roberts, P., Spiros, A., Potkin, S. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Standardization of formulations for the acute amino acid depletion and loading tests
The acute tryptophan depletion and loading and the acute tyrosine plus phenylalanine depletion tests are powerful tools for studying the roles of cerebral monoamines in behaviour and symptoms related to various disorders. The tests use either amino acid mixtures or proteins. Current amino acid mixtures lack specificity in humans, but not in rodents, because of the faster disposal of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) by the latter. The high content of BCAA (30–60%) is responsible for the poor specificity in humans and we recommend, in a 50g dose, a control formulation with a lowered BCAA content (18%) as a common con...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 17, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Badawy, A. A.-B., Dougherty, D. M. Tags: Perspective Source Type: research
"First do no harm." A systematic review of the prevalence and management of antipsychotic adverse effects
Conclusions:
Antipsychotic adverse effects are diverse and frequently experienced, but are not often systematically assessed. There is a need for further scientific study concerning the management of these side effects. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 17, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Young, S. L., Taylor, M., Lawrie, S. M. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Thank you to our reviewers
(Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Thanks to Reviewers Source Type: research
Subchronic administration of short-acting naltrexone has no effect on striatal dopamine transporter availability, food intake or body weight gain in rats
The opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone is successfully used in the treatment of opioid and alcohol dependence. However, questions have been raised about possible anhedonic side effects, because the opioid system is directly involved in hedonic responses to natural rewarding activities, possibly due to its indirect effects on the striatal dopamine transporter (DAT). In order to test this hypothesis, 30 rats were randomized to either a 10-day treatment with 3 mg/kg short-acting naltrexone or vehicle. No significant differences between the groups were found in striatal DAT availability, cumulative food intake (for 48 or 72...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Zaaijer, E. R., de Bruin, K., la Fleur, S. E., Goudriaan, A. E., van den Brink, W., Booij, J. Tags: Short Report Source Type: research
Role of endocannabinoid signalling in the dorsolateral periaqueductal grey in the modulation of distinct panic-like responses
Panic attacks, a major feature of panic disorder, can be modelled in rats by exposing animals to stimuli that induce escape reactions, such as the elevated T-maze or the activation of the dorsolateral periaqueductal grey. Since the cannabinoid CB1 receptor modulates various types of aversive responses, this study tested the hypothesis that enhancement of endocannabinoid signalling in the dorsolateral periaqueductal grey inhibits panic-like reactions in rats. Local injection of the CB1 agonist, arachidonoyl 2-Chloroethylamide (0.005–0.5 pmol), attenuated the escape response from the open arm of the elevated T-maze, a ...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Batista, L. A., Bastos, J. R., Moreira, F. A. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Psychedelic symptoms of cannabis and cocaine use as a function of trait impulsivity
This study assessed whether subjective response to drugs differs between drug users with normal or high levels of trait impulsivity. Regular drug users (N = 122) received doses of cocaine HCl, cannabis, and placebo in a three-way crossover study. Their mood, dissociative state, and psychedelic symptoms were measured with subjective rating scales (CADDS, Bowdle, POMS). Trait impulsivity was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Cannabis increased dissociation and psychedelic state, as well as fatigue, confusion, depression and anxiety, and decreased arousal, positive mood, vigor, friendliness, and elation. Cocaine ...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: van Wel, J., Spronk, D., Kuypers, K., Theunissen, E., Toennes, S., Verkes, R., Ramaekers, J. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Guanfacine enhances inhibitory control and attentional shifting in early abstinent cocaine-dependent individuals
Conclusion:
Guanfacine improves selective cognitive processes which may underlie salient treatment-related regulatory behaviors. Alpha2 agonists may therefore represent important agents for cocaine dependence. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Fox, H., Sofuoglu, M., Sinha, R. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
A translational investigation targeting stress-reactivity and prefrontal cognitive control with guanfacine for smoking cessation
Stress and prefrontal cognitive dysfunction have key roles in driving smoking; however, there are no therapeutics for smoking cessation that attenuate the effects of stress on smoking and enhance cognition. Central noradrenergic pathways are involved in stress-induced reinstatement to nicotine and in the prefrontal executive control of adaptive behaviors. We used a novel translational approach employing a validated laboratory analogue of stress-precipitated smoking, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and a proof-of-concept treatment period to evaluate whether the noradrenergic α2a agonist guanfacine (3 mg/...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: McKee, S. A., Potenza, M. N., Kober, H., Sofuoglu, M., Arnsten, A. F., Picciotto, M. R., Weinberger, A. H., Ashare, R., Sinha, R. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study
Several lines of evidence suggest that classic (5HT2A agonist) hallucinogens have clinically relevant effects in alcohol and drug addiction. Although recent studies have investigated the effects of psilocybin in various populations, there have been no studies on the efficacy of psilocybin for alcohol dependence. We conducted a single-group proof-of-concept study to quantify acute effects of psilocybin in alcohol-dependent participants and to provide preliminary outcome and safety data. Ten volunteers with DSM-IV alcohol dependence received orally administered psilocybin in one or two supervised sessions in addition to Moti...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Bogenschutz, M. P., Forcehimes, A. A., Pommy, J. A., Wilcox, C. E., Barbosa, P., Strassman, R. J. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population
Mental health problems are endemic across the globe, and suicide, a strong corollary of poor mental health, is a leading cause of death. Classic psychedelic use may occasion lasting improvements in mental health, but the effects of classic psychedelic use on suicidality are unknown. We evaluated the relationships of classic psychedelic use with psychological distress and suicidality among over 190,000 USA adult respondents pooled from the last five available years of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008–2012) while controlling for a range of covariates. Lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Hendricks, P. S., Thorne, C. B., Clark, C. B., Coombs, D. W., Johnson, M. W. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study
A recent large population study of 130,000 adults in the United States failed to find evidence for a link between psychedelic use (lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin or mescaline) and mental health problems. Using a new data set consisting of 135,095 randomly selected United States adults, including 19,299 psychedelic users, we examine the associations between psychedelic use and mental health. After adjusting for sociodemographics, other drug use and childhood depression, we found no significant associations between lifetime use of psychedelics and increased likelihood of past year serious psychological distress, ment...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Johansen, P.-O., Krebs, T. S. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Vintage treatments for PTSD: A reconsideration of tricyclic drugs
Serotonin (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine (SNRI) reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the first-line recommended drug treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); but despite their benefits, much residual pathology remains and no new drugs have yet emerged with a clearly demonstrated benefit for treating the disorder. A case is made that tricyclic drugs deserve a closer look, based on their ability to affect several of the main neurotransmitters that are relevant to PTSD. Their promising efficacy, which was shown 30 years ago, had not been followed up, until a recent trial of desipramine found advantages over a SSRI...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Davidson, J. Tags: Perspectives Source Type: research
The adverse health effects of synthetic cannabinoids with emphasis on psychosis-like effects
Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of psychosis in vulnerable individuals. Cannabis containing high levels of the partial cannabinoid receptor subtype 1 (CB1) agonist tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is associated with the induction of psychosis in susceptible subjects and with the development of schizophrenia, whereas the use of cannabis variants with relatively high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) is associated with fewer psychotic experiences. Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are full agonists and often more potent than THC. Moreover, in contrast to natural cannabis, SCRAs preparations contain no CBD...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - March 9, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: van Amsterdam, J., Brunt, T., van den Brink, W. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
