Publications by authors named "Joshua Rosenblat"

Incretin-based treatments, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists (eg liraglutide and semaglutide), have rapidly transformed obesity treatment. The well-documented weight loss effect from these agents is considered to be primarily a result of their actions on food intake, but frequent anecdotal reports from varied sources have suggested that they might also broadly affect consummatory behavior, including alcohol and drugs of abuse, suggesting a potential modulatory effect on reward behavior. Herein, we critically review the extant literature on the behavioral effects of GLP-1R agonists in humans, including their impact on feeding behavior, alcohol/drug intake, and overall reward response.

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Background: Improving functioning in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) is a priority therapeutic objective.

Methods: This retrospective post hoc secondary analysis evaluated 108 patients with MDD or BD receiving the antidepressants vortioxetine, ketamine, or infliximab. The analysis aimed to determine if changes in objective or subjective cognitive function mediated the relationship between depression symptom severity and workplace outcomes.

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Article Synopsis
  • Antidepressants, particularly Tricyclics (TCAs) and some new treatments, may increase the risk of cataracts, while others like Tetracyclics (TeCAs) and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) appear to lower that risk.
  • Several types of antidepressants, including SSRIs and SNRIs, have been linked to an increased risk of glaucoma, with risk ratios (RORs) showing significant associations.
  • However, the study is limited by potential duplicate reports in the FDA database, and causality can't be definitively established. Overall, most antidepressants investigated were linked to lower cataract risk, but caution is needed in interpreting these findings
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During the past decade, there has been extraordinary public, media, and medical research interest in psychedelics as promising therapeutics for difficult-to-treat psychiatric disorders. Short-term controlled trial data suggest that certain psychedelics are effective and safe in the treatment of major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Preliminary evidence also supports efficacy in other psychiatric disorders (e.

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Background: Abnormalities in effort-based decision-making have been consistently reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). Evidence indicates that metabolic factors, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, which are highly prevalent in MDD, are independently associated with reward disturbances. Herein, we investigate the moderating effect of metabolic factors on effort-based decision-making in individuals with MDD.

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Background: Recent guidance from UK health authorities strongly cautions against the use of valproic acid (VPA) in persons under 55 because of reevaluated risk of teratogenicity.

Objective: To summarize the extant literature documenting VPA-associated anatomical, behavioral, and cognitive teratogenicity.

Method: Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane Library, PsychInfo, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

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Objective: The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined Post-COVID-19 Condition (PCC) as the onset of symptoms within three months after resolution of an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, wherein symptoms persist for at least two months and cannot be explained by another medical/psychiatric condition. Persons living with PCC report debilitating symptoms including, but not limited to, depressive symptoms and motivational deficits. The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to evaluate the association between depressive symptoms and motivation in adults with PCC.

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Depression with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with more severe symptoms and a reduced response to traditional treatments. Although ketamine shows promise as a rapid-acting antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), its effectiveness in patients with comorbid PTSD remains underexplored. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 134 patients from the Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence to compare the effectiveness of four ketamine infusions (0.

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Orexin receptor antagonists are a group of medications primarily developed to treat insomnia. Preliminary studies support their efficacy in the treatment of depression. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of orexin receptor antagonists for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

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Background: Nicotine use and nicotine use disorder (NUD) are the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. Persons with mental disorders  (e.g.

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Introduction: The mechanistic role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in modulating brain functional activity has been inadequately examined. Mental disorders are characterized by dysregulated functional connectivity in brain circuits that subserve phenomenology. We conducted a comprehensive synthesis of known effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1RAs on functional connectivity.

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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop after a traumatic event, causing distressing symptoms, including intrusive re-experiencing symptoms, alterations in mood and cognition, and changes in arousal and reactivity. Few treatment options exist for patients who find conventional psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to be inaccessible, ineffective, or intolerable. We explore psilocybin as a potential treatment option for PTSD by examining the neurobiology of PTSD as well as psilocybin's mechanism of action.

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Background: Converging evidence suggests electroencephalography (EEG) methods may elucidate alterations in global structural and functional connectivity that underlie the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. Extant literature suggests SSRIs and SNRIs may broadly induce alterations to EEG-measured neural activity. Herein, this systematic review comprehensively evaluates changes to EEG spectral signatures associated with vortioxetine and each FDA-approved agent within the SSRI and SNRI class.

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Background: Persons with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), notably treatment-resistant depression (TRD), are differentially affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated morbidity. Ketamine is highly efficacious in the treatment of adults living with MDD, notably TRD. Herein, we sought to determine the effect of ketamine on metabolic parameters in animal stress paradigms and human studies.

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Background: Approximately 30 % of persons with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) inadequately respond to conventional antidepressants. Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists, aticaprant and navacaprant, are in development as treatments for MDD. Herein, we aim to comprehensively evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacology of aticaprant and navacaprant for MDD.

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