The effects of intranasal esketamine on on-road driving performance in patients with major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder.

Background: Intranasal esketamine demonstrates rapid improvement of depressive symptoms. However, transient adverse effects (dissociation, sedation and dizziness) may occur, which could impact driving performance.

Aims: To evaluate the effects of 84 mg intranasal esketamine on driving performance in unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD) or persistent depressive disorder (PDD) patients.

Pharmacological validation of TDO as a target for Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease patients suffer from both motor and nonmotor impairments. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, and the most commonly used treatment, levodopa, only functions as a temporary relief of motor symptoms. Inhibition of the expression of the L-tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) has been shown to inhibit aging-related α-synuclein toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Microbes Tickling Your Tummy: the Importance of the Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson's Disease.

Purpose Of Review: Patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD) are known to experience gastrointestinal dysfunction that might precede the onset of motor symptoms by several years. Evidence suggests an important role of the gut-brain axis in PD pathogenesis. These interactions might be essentially influenced by the gut microbiota.