Switching to lemborexant for the management of insomnia in mental disorders: the SLIM study.

Study Objectives: We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the efficacy and safety of switching from other hypnotics, including benzodiazepines and Z-drugs, suvorexant, ramelteon, mirtazapine, trazodone, and antipsychotics, to lemborexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, for 3 months.

Methods: Clinical data obtained from the medical records of 61 patients treated at the Horikoshi Psychosomatic Clinic between December 2020 and February 2022 were analyzed, including the Athens Insomnia Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-5. The primary outcome was the mean change in Athens Insomnia Scale score after 3 months.

Effect of Switching to Brexpiprazole on Plasma Homovanillic Acid Levels and Antipsychotic-Related Side Effects in Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder.

Objective: Although switching antipsychotics is a common strategy in the treatment of schizophrenia, caution is needed because of the risk of worsening of psychosis, particularly when switching to a dopamine D2 partial agonist. Homovanillic acid (HVA), a dopamine metabolite, is thought to be a possible indicator of the response to antipsychotics. We examined the effects of switching to brexpiprazole monotherapy from other antipsychotics on plasma HVA levels and side effects during maintenance treatment of schizophrenia.

Low- and high-dose aripiprazole augmentation and plasma levels of homovanillic acid in major depressive disorder: A randomized, open-label study.

Objective: This randomized controlled study evaluated the efficacy of low-dose (LD) and high-dose (HD) aripiprazole augmentation in major depressive disorder. Additionally, we examined the relationship between clinical response and changes in plasma homovanillic acid (pHVA) levels during aripiprazole augmentation.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with inadequate response to antidepressants were randomized to receive adjunctive treatment with LD (3 mg/day, n = 17) or HD (up to 12 mg/day, n = 14) aripiprazole for 6 weeks.