Do classic psychedelics increase the risk of seizures? A scoping review.

Seizures are a concerning adverse event frequently associated with the use of psychedelics, and hence, studies involving these substances tend to exclude patients with past history of epilepsy. This is especially relevant because epileptic seizures are markedly increased in the population suffering from mental disorders, and psychedelic assisted therapy is being researched as a promising treatment for several of them. To determine the extent of the current literature on the relationship between classic psychedelics and seizures, a scoping review was performed using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). The search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Google scholar, LILACS and Scielo, and both animal and human models were included. A total of 16 publications on humans, and 11 on animals, were found. The results are heterogeneous, but globally suggest that psychedelics may not increase the risk of seizures in healthy individuals or animals in the absence of other drugs. However, concomitant use of other substances or drugs, such as kambo or lithium, could increase the risk of seizures. Additionally, these conclusions are drawn from data lacking sufficient external validity, so they should be interpreted with caution. Future paths for research and a summary on possible neurobiological underpinnings that might clarify the relationship between classical psychedelics and seizures are also provided.

Treating Treatment-resistant Depression with Esketamine Nasal Spray When All Therapeutic Options Have Been Exhausted: Clinical Experience from a Spanish Cohort of Expanded Use.

Objective: : Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) is commonly defined as the lack of response to two or more anti-depressants with different mechanisms of action. Up to 30% of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder might be considered to present TRD. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of esketamine in patients diagnosed with TRD, who were referred to our program after exhausting all available treatments. A secondary objective consisted in researching the relationship between response and previous use of electroconvulsive therapy. Methods: : A prospective, observational study was carried out in patients enrolled in the expanded use of esketamine in our center. They received esketamine prior to its marketing authorisation, for therapeutic purposes. Sixteen subjects were analyzed. Effectiveness was assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS). Patients were followed up to 4 months after the administration. Results: : Esketamine showed a rapid, robust effect in improving depressive symptoms, with no specific correlation between outcome and any demographic or clinical traits evaluated. No differences were found between patients that previously received Electroconvulsive Therapy, and those that didn't. 10 out of 16 patients responded (＞ 50% change in baseline MADRS scores), but only five achieved remission (＜ 12 points in the global MADRS score). We provide some recommendations, based on clinical experience, to improve tolerability and adherence, and to manage adverse effects. Conclusion: : Results suggest that esketamine is a safe, effective and rapid-acting option for TRD. More studies are needed to properly assess predictors of response outcome.

Inhaled Loxapine as a Rapid Treatment for Agitation in Patients with Personality Disorder: A Prospective Study on the Effects of Time.

Objective: Agitation in patients diagnosed with personality disorders (PD) is one of the most frequent crises in emergency departments (ED). Although many medications have been tested, their effectiveness has been small or non-significant, and no specific drugs are supported by the available evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Inhaled loxapine (IL) as a therapeutic option for agitated patients with PD. Methods: A naturalistic, unicentric, prospective study was carried out. Thirty subjects diagnosed with PD and attending the ED with episodes of agitation were recruited most of whom were women diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Subjects were treated with a single dose of IL (9.1 mg). Efficacy was assessed with the Clinical Global Impression scale, the Excited Component of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-EC) and the Agitation-Calmness Evaluation Scale (ACES). Patients were followed 60 minutes after administration to measure IL effect and its duration. Results: IL exhibited an overall efficacy in managing mild to severe agitation, with a quick onset of effect and persistence. 'Effect of time', where IL efficacy is maintained over time, is more marked in higher-severity agitation. No additional treatments were needed to improve agitation during the follow-up time. Conclusion: Results suggest that IL could be a safe and effective option to manage agitation in PD.

Improvement of functional neurological disorder after administration of esketamine nasal spray: a case report.

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a complex neuropsychiatric condition characterized by the presence of neurological symptoms and signs (either motor or sensory) that cannot be explained by any known medical or mental disease. It is frequently presented with psychiatric comorbidities, such as major depression. Its prognosis is poor, with low improvement or recovery rates at 1 year after their onset, and no particular treatment has demonstrated significant efficacy in this regard. Here, we describe the management of a patient affected by treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and FND characterized by mixed paralysis (sensory and motor) in the left arm, and who was successfully treated with esketamine nasal spray, achieving remission in both disorders. The US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency recently approved esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine, for treatment of TRD. It is a fast-acting drug that provides a rapid-onset improvement of depressive symptoms. We have presented the first case, to our knowledge, of functional neurological symptoms being successfully treated with esketamine in a patient with comorbid TRD. While the novelty of this data implies a clear need for further research, it is suggested that esketamine might be a useful tool for the treatment of FND, acting through different theorized mechanisms that are in tune with recent advances in knowledge of the etiopathology of FND.

Risk of cancer in bipolar disorder and the potential role of lithium: International collaborative systematic review and meta-analyses.

We examined bipolar disorder (BD) as a risk factor for developing cancer and the role of lithium on cancer incidence. We conducted two systematic review and meta-analyses of population-based studies providing data on these associations. We screened articles indexed in MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and PsycINFO up to August 2020. The first random-effects meta-analysis, based on 4,910,661 individuals from nine studies estimated an increased risk of cancer of any kind [RR = 1.24 (1.05-1.46); p < 0.01], especially breast cancer [RR = 1.33 (1.15-1.55); p < 0.01] in BD. The second random-effects meta-analysis, based on 2,606,187 individuals from five studies did not show increased risk of cancer in people with BD using lithium, and even suggested a small protective effect both in overall [RR = 0.94 (0.72-1.22); p = 0.66] and urinary cancer [RR = 0.93 (0.75-1.14); p = 0.48] although these findings did not reach statistical significance. The current evidence highlights that cancer risk is increased in individuals with BD, particularly breast cancer in women. Lithium may have a potential protective effect on cancer, including urinary cancer. The role of lithium as a mainstay of treatment for BD is reinforced by this study.

Preventing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the general population induced by trauma during the COVID pandemic: A simple brief intervention based on cognitive science that could be delivered digitally.

Most of the recent studies indicated the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) are increasing after the COVID pandemic around the world. Bo et al. reported PTSS prevalence of 96.2% among the COVID-19-infected people. The sociocultural and individual vulnerability and protective factors may influence onset and maintenance of the symptoms. However, there is significant lack in understanding the risk factors and preventive factors that influence the maintenance of Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms that defines Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The digital technology gives us the unique opportunity to assess this risk, to monitor and track this evolution longitudinally. In this research project we aimed to design and develop a smartphone application for longitudinal data collection enabling to (1) predict and follow the evolution of PTSS toward PTSD, (2) assess the relative efficacy of several methods to prevent the evolution of PTSS right after exposure to trauma (1-24 h), (3) educate people about psychological effects that can occur during and after trauma, normalize acute distress and refer to professional help if a disorder is constituted. We hope that this research project will help to understand how to maximize the self help support during the acute phase (golden hours) after trauma to prevent the transition from PTSS to PTSD. A video abstract can be found on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZJehj3J8go&feature=emb_title.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a neglected metabolic companion of psychiatric disorders: common pathways and future approaches.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis in over 5% of the parenchyma in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption. It is more prevalent in patients with diverse mental disorders, being part of the comorbidity driving loss of life expectancy and quality of life, yet remains a neglected entity. NAFLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and increases the risk for cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma. Both NAFLD and mental disorders share pathophysiological pathways, and also present a complex, bidirectional relationship with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related cardiometabolic diseases. MAIN TEXT: This review compares the demographic data on NAFLD and NASH among the global population and the psychiatric population, finding differences that suggest a higher incidence of this disease among the latter. It also analyzes the link between NAFLD and psychiatric disorders, looking into common pathophysiological pathways, such as metabolic, genetic, and lifestyle factors. Finally, possible treatments, tailored approaches, and future research directions are suggested. CONCLUSION: NAFLD is part of a complex system of mental and non-communicable somatic disorders with a common pathogenesis, based on shared lifestyle and environmental risks, mediated by dysregulation of inflammation, oxidative stress pathways, and mitochondrial function. The recognition of the prevalent comorbidity between NAFLD and mental disorders is required to inform clinical practice and develop novel interventions to prevent and treat these complex and interacting disorders.