Interaction between the default mode network and parts of the pre-frontal cortex may explain some depression phenomena and also links to why TMS and ketamine work
Rising Estrogen Levels Trigger Premenstrual Dysphoria
New research suggests that rising estrogen and progesterone levels trigger premenstrual dysphoria symptoms. “Although the mechanisms underlying the mood-destabilizing effects of ovarian steroids in PMDD remain to be better characterized, as does the source of susceptibility to this trigger, our findings provide a new target for interventions,” Peter Schmidt, M.D., chief of the Section on Behavioral Endocrinology at the National …
Ketamine for Depression – 2017
I just got back from an inspiring conference in Berkeley on Ketamine for Depression. I am eager to implement some changes in how we work with people we refer or provide ketamine infusion for that may make the treatment more effective. The conference was organized by Alison McInnes, MD, MS, who is in charge of the Kaiser, San Francisco Ketamine Treatment Program, …
Maternal SSRI Use and Autism
The CBS Evening News (4/18, story 9, 1:15, Pelley) reported, “Studies have shown that pregnant women who take antidepressants are more likely to have children with autism.” Newly published studies examine whether the medication is causing this. TIME (4/18, Park) reports that in two studies, investigators “found that other factors, including genes linked to mental illness, may be more strongly …
Protected: Alcohol Use Disorder Guidelines
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Delayed Circadian Rhythms
Delayed circadian rhythms occur in a condition known as delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD). This condition needs to be distinguished from disrupted circadian rhythms, a condition in which there are no strong circadian rhythms and therefore it’s hard for people to fall asleep, and when they do fall asleep they tend to have fragmented or light sleep. People with delayed …
Integrated Care
We have a passion for providing the most effective treatment at Gateway and that passion is illustrated by the efforts that we make to ensure that we deliver integrated care. Integrated care is a very simple idea. In fact it is probably something that you expect your treatment providers are already delivering. It means that the different providers who are …
A Possible Cause of Bipolar Mania
A recently published article by a group of Korean researchers hints at a possible cause of bipolar mania. The finding underlines the complex biology of bipolar disorder and perhaps why coming up with a biological mechanism for the dramatic shifts in behavior in bipolar has been so difficult. Background A number of pieces of evidence have suggested that phospholipase C signaling may be …
Valbenazine for Tardive Dyskinesia
The FDA just approved a new drug, valbenazine, for tardive dyskinesia. Until now there have been few treatment options (vitamin E is sometimes helpful) and the most common choice patients and doctors had to make was to reduce the dose of the atypical antipsychotic that caused the tardive dyskinesia, or switch to another medication, possibly leading to worsened psychiatric symptoms. …
Ketamine Guidelines
Ketamine guidelines have recently been published by American Psychiatric Association Council of Research Task Force on Novel Biomarkers and Treatments. They highlight what we know and what we don’t know about this treatment. What We Know “Several studies now provide evidence of ketamine hydrochloride’s ability to produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects in patients with mood and anxiety disorders that were previously resistant …