Ketamine’s Antidepressant Effect May Depend on Opioid System

Previous studies of ketamine have focused on glutamate, but the new finding showing activation of opioid receptors shows why repeated use of ketamine may produce tolerance and addiction. The antidepressant effects of ketamine appear to depend on activation of the brain’s opioid receptors, underscoring the drug’s addictive potential, according to a report published this week

Continue Reading

Antidepressants Moving in Pipeline

After much time and investment, several new classes of antidepressants may soon be available. When ketamine was found to exert a rapid antidepressant effect by researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) more than a decade ago, it sparked hope for a new generation of treatments for depressive disorders. Now, new drug candidates

Continue Reading

Practicing Mindfulness Brings Busy Physicians Back to ‘Now’

Mindfulness- the practice of being attentive to and accepting of experiences in the present moment. Mindfulness is recognized as a way to mitigate stress, increase self-awareness and well-being, and promote more meaningful relationships. For physicians, it is a powerful tool for increasing resilience in the face of stress and countering burnout. Fast-paced, multitasking environments such

Continue Reading

APA Promotes Telemedicine

At a briefing on Capitol Hill last month sponsored by APA, speakers urged members of Congress to expand the opportunities for healthcare professionals to engage in telemedicine, including telepsychiatry. In particular, they voiced their support for CONNECT for Health Act (S 1016, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies), a bipartisan bill first introduced in

Continue Reading