4.5 Editorial Material

Psychopharmacology and Biological Studies of Psychosis

Related references

Note: Only part of the references are listed.
Article Neurosciences

Ketamine as Add-On Treatment in Psychotic Treatment-Resistant Depression

Maria Galuszko-Wegielnik et al.

Summary: Psychotic treatment-resistant depression is a challenging manifestation of mood disorders in clinical settings, often underdiagnosed and undertreated. This study aimed to assess the usage of ketamine as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, and the results suggest its potential benefits for individuals with treatment-resistant depression.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Benzodiazepines and Mood Stabilizers in Schizophrenia Patients Treated with Oral versus Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics-An Observational Study

Ana Aliana Miron et al.

Summary: Schizophrenia is a chronic disease characterized by relapses and remission periods. The main treatment option is antipsychotics, but mood stabilizers and/or benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed as adjunctive therapy. This study found that stabilized schizophrenia patients continue to use benzodiazepines and mood stabilizers, regardless of the antipsychotic formulation. Patients receiving second-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotics are more likely to be stabilized on monotherapy. Further research is needed to clarify the benefits of current drug polypharmacy trends.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2023)

Article Neurosciences

A Comparative Study of the Impact of NO-Related Agents on MK-801- or Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairments in the Morris Water Maze

Paulina Cieslik et al.

Summary: Research shows that learning and memory deficits are present in brain dysfunctions such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, and nitric oxide (NO) is believed to play a role in these processes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of NO releasers and a selective inhibitor of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) on preventing long-term memory deficits induced by MK-801 or scopolamine administration. The Morris Water Maze test was used to assess spatial learning and memory, and the compounds spermine NONOate, DETA NONOate, and N(omega)-propyl-L-arginine (NPLA) were administered at varying doses. The results showed that all compounds prevented learning deficits and reversed reference memory deficits caused by scopolamine, but had limited effects on MK-801-induced deficits.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2023)

Review Neurosciences

Brexpiprazole-Pharmacologic Properties and Use in Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders

Marcin Siwek et al.

Summary: The first III generation antipsychotic drug, aripiprazole, was registered in 2002. It has a unique mechanism of action and potentially beneficial influence on symptoms of schizophrenia. However, it can cause agitation, anxiety, or akathisia. Brexpiprazole, registered in 2015, was developed to retain the positive actions of aripiprazole while presenting a better clinical profile. It shows promise in treating symptoms that previous antipsychotics were not sufficiently effective in, including negative, depressive, or cognitive symptoms.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2023)

Review Neurosciences

Epigenetic Targets in Schizophrenia Development and Therapy

Agnieszka Wawrzczak-Bargiela et al.

Summary: This article summarizes the epigenetic background and regulation mechanisms of schizophrenia, and discusses the potential use of epigenetic mechanisms as targets for schizophrenia pharmacotherapy.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers among Schizophrenia Inpatients

Magdalena Więdłocha et al.

Brain Sciences (2023)

Review Neurosciences

Application of Antipsychotic Drugs in Mood Disorders

Janusz K. Rybakowski

Summary: Antipsychotic drugs have been widely used in the treatment of mood disorders in addition to schizophrenia since their first application in psychiatry seventy years ago. These drugs can be classified into three generations, and each generation has different effects on mood disorders. The second and third generations of antipsychotic drugs have shown efficacy in the treatment of bipolar disorder, including antimanic and antidepressant effects.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2023)

Review Neurosciences

Exploring a Possible Interplay between Schizophrenia, Oxytocin, and Estrogens: A Narrative Review

Danae Papadea et al.

Summary: Schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms of psychosis and sociocognitive deficits. Numerous studies have explored the therapeutic potential of oxytocin due to its antipsychotic and prosocial properties. Sex differences in schizophrenia and oxytocin-mediated behaviors suggest the involvement of gonadal steroid hormones. This review explores the interaction between schizophrenia psychopathology, oxytocin's therapeutic potential, and female gonadal steroid interactions, with a focus on estrogens.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2023)

Article Neurosciences

THINC-Integrated Tool (THINC-it): A Brief Measurement of Changes in Cognitive Functioning and Its Correlation with the Life Quality of Patients with Schizophrenia and Related Disorders-A Pilot Study

Joanna K. Szmyd et al.

Summary: This pilot study assessed patients' cognitive functioning with the Polish version of the THINC-it tool and analyzed its association with self-reported quality of life. The results suggest that the THINC-it tool has utility as a cognitive measure in adults with schizophrenia in both clinical and research settings.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Converging Evidence Points to BDNF as Biomarker of Depressive Symptoms in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders

Mirko Manchia et al.

Summary: This study found that BDNF serum levels are significantly lower in patients with SCZ and SAD and are associated with more severe depressive symptoms. This finding may serve as a prognostic indicator in major psychoses.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2022)

Article Neurosciences

Deficit Symptomatology of Schizophrenia Is Associated with Attenuated Taste Identification: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

Michal Wronski et al.

Summary: This study found a possible relationship between deficit symptoms of schizophrenia and taste disturbances caused by monosodium glutamate (MSG). The intensity of taste perception was negatively correlated with the number of deficit symptoms. Clinicians should monitor and differentiate between actual taste perception deficits and taste hallucinations as symptoms of psychosis.

BRAIN SCIENCES (2022)

Article Neurosciences

Lurasidone in Therapy of Treatment-resistant Ultra-rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder: Case Report

Marcin Siwek et al.

Summary: This case study demonstrates the efficacy of lurasidone in treating treatment-resistant ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder in a 25-year-old female patient. Clinical improvement was observed after 3 weeks of treatment, with cessation of the ultra-rapid cycling course of the disease after 8 weeks. The patient's functioning improved and body mass significantly decreased with good tolerance of the medication.

CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE (2021)