ABSTRACT
RATIONALE AND AIM: Testing of new drugs through clinical trials is essential in efforts to increase generalizable knowledge. Little is known about the medical students' perception of their participation as research subjects in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to examine the willingness and attitudes of medical students towards participation as volunteer subjects in clinical trials. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 297 medical students in years 4, 5 and 6 at the University of Belgrade, from October to December 2023. Participants completed a pen-and-paper questionnaire including demographic characteristics, opinions on their participation in clinical trials, and attitudes towards clinical trials in general. The validity of the attitude scale was verified. RESULTS: One in five medical students expressed a positive opinion about their participation in clinical trials, with the majority (about one-half) remaining undecided. General attitudes of students about research and their participation were positive. Students with prior blood donation experience were more willing to participate. Lower socioeconomic status and volunteering experience were also associated with stronger positive attitudes towards clinical trials in general. CONCLUSION: Most students were undecided about their participation, but their attitudes towards clinical trials in general were positive. Positive attitudes towards clinical trials did not uniformly translate to the willingness for personal participation. Promotion of blood donation and volunteering at universities could help to increase the interest in clinical trials as volunteer subjects.
ABSTRACT
Substance P (SP) plays a crucial role in pain modulation, with significant implications for major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Elevated SP levels are linked to heightened pain sensitivity and various psychiatric conditions, spurring interest in potential therapeutic interventions. In chronic pain, commonly associated with MDD and anxiety disorders, SP emerges as a key mediator in pain and emotional regulation. This review examines SP's impact on pain perception and its contributions to MDD, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. The association of SP with increased pain sensitivity and chronic pain conditions underscores its importance in pain modulation. Additionally, SP influences the pathophysiology of MDD, anxiety disorders, and PTSD, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Understanding SP's diverse effects provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying these psychiatric disorders and their treatment. Further research is essential to explore SP modulation in psychiatric disorders and develop more effective treatment strategies.
