Tag: News Approved

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<![CDATA[DT120, a pharmaceutical-grade formulation of LSD, shows rapid, lasting anxiety relief—single dose, no therapy—with 48% remission at 12 weeks.]]>
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How adolescent cannabis use reshapes the developing brain — a systematic review

Background and hypothesisCannabis use initiation during adolescence has increased globally, raising concerns about neurodevelopmental consequences during this critical period when the brain undergoes extensive remodeling in cannabinoid receptor-rich regions.Study designThis systematic review examines neurodevelopmental consequences of adolescent cannabis use, focusing on structural brain changes, cognitive impacts, addiction vulnerability, and long-term outcomes. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (2000-2025) for studies examining cannabis effects in adolescent populations. Following PRISMA guidelines, two reviewers screened 3,421 records and assessed 156 full-text articles, including studies with neuroimaging, cognitive assessments, or longitudinal follow-up.Study resultsThirty-six studies involving 8,432 participants met criteria: 23 longitudinal cohorts (62.2%), 8 cross-sectional (22.2%), 4 RCTs (11.1%), and 1 case-control study (2.8%). Neuroimaging revealed dose-dependent alterations including reduced prefrontal cortical and hippocampal/amygdala volumes, accelerated cortical thinning in longitudinal studies, and impaired white matter connectivity correlating with initiation age. Cognitive findings were mixed — some showed persistent deficits after prolonged abstinence in adolescent-onset users, others found no effects after controlling for confounders. Epidemiological studies consistently showed elevated addiction risk (ORs 3.9–7.2) in adolescents versus adults. Long-term associations included educational difficulties, mental health problems, and functional impairment, though causal relationships remained unclear.ConclusionsAdolescent cannabis use associates with structural brain changes, elevated addiction risk, and variable cognitive effects, suggesting greater vulnerability versus adult-onset use. However, methodological limitations including confounders, heterogeneous definitions, and observational designs limit causal inference. Findings support age-specific prevention and specialized interventions while highlighting needs for rigorous longitudinal research establishing causality.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifierCRD420251165329.
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Milnacipran continuation during pregnancy in a patient with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and psychotic depression: a case report with 3-year pediatric follow-up

Evidence on milnacipran exposure during pregnancy is sparse, complicating treatment decisions when maternal stability depends on this antidepressant. We report a 31-year-old primigravida with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and a severe major depressive episode with psychotic features in the context of a chronic, difficult-to-treat psychiatric course marked by self-harm, dissociation, and recurrent suicidal behavior. Milnacipran 150 mg/day led to marked clinical improvement before pregnancy. After pregnancy confirmation, treatment was changed to sertraline plus quetiapine because of limited pregnancy safety data, but depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior reemerged within 2 weeks. Milnacipran was therefore re-established after risk-benefit evaluation and shared decision-making, with renewed improvement. Moderate hyperemesis gravidarum during the second trimester led to discontinuation of milnacipran by gestational week 22. Delivery occurred at gestational week 38 via primary cesarean section. No congenital anomalies or neonatal adaptation problems were observed. At 3-year follow-up, pediatric developmental screenings remained within expected limits. This case illustrates the challenge of balancing relapse risk, prior treatment response, and treatment feasibility during pregnancy when evidence for the effective medication is limited.
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Electrophysiological and morphological alteration in the visual pathway of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

IntroductionAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Visual evoked potentials (VEP) are common non-invasive diagnostic techniques. Researchers can use these techniques to identify possible biomarkers and explore the neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying ADHD.MethodsThe ADHD group (37 cases, average age 8.81 ± 1.44 years) and the healthy controls (38 cases, average age 8.97 ± 1.43 years), had the OCT and VEP. The retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), optic disc parameters, and macular parameters were measured through OCT. The latencies of P100 and the amplitudes of N75-P100 and P100-N135 waves at three different spatial frequencies (visual angles of 15’, 30’, and 60’) were tested through VEP.ResultsThe average RNFL and RNFL in each quadrant between the two groups were no statistically significant (all p > 0.05). The optic disc area, average cup-to-disc ratio, and cup volume in the ADHD group were all significantly larger than those in the control group (all p < 0.05). At three visual angles (15’, 30’, 60’), P100-latency in the ADHD group were all more significant than those in the control group (all p < 0.05). The amplitudes of N75-P100 and P100-N135 in the ADHD group were all statistically significantly lower than those in the control group (all p ≤ 0.001).DiscussionFrom the perspective of electroencephalophysiology, children with ADHD may have early visual information processing disorders. This provides a theoretical and practical basis for further early intervention in children with ADHD from the field of visual perception. The study protocol followed the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki, was approved by the local ethics committee (No 2023-2240), and was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (ChiCTR2400086223).
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From collective restriction to critical action: the indirect effects of critical motivation and radical hope

IntroductionHistorically, Women of Color (WOC) in the United States have experienced systemic restrictions to their freedom and autonomy, which can have a lasting impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Conceptually, this type of collective autonomy restriction (CAR) experience may be associated with increased critical consciousness (CC), reflected in greater awareness of social and systemic oppression, commitment to and belief in one’s capacity to address social issues, and engagement in action; however, there is a dearth of research examining this association. Building on critical consciousness and hope literatures, we hypothesized that the association between CAR and critical action would be explained through serial pathways of increased critical motivation and greater radical or collective hope.Materials and MethodsA sample of 408 WOC completed an online survey administered through Prolific and hosted on Qualtrics. The survey included indicators of CAR, critical consciousness (critical motivation and critical actions), psychological hope, and radical hope. ResultsWe conducted structural equation modeling to test a serial mediation model exploring the associations among CAR, critical motivation, hope, and critical action. Findings indicated the association between CAR and critical action was fully mediated by the proposed serial mediation pathways (CAR → Critical Motivation → Radical Hope → Critical Action). The pathway through radical hope was stronger than through psychological hope. The direct effect of CAR on critical action was non-significant, indicating full mediation.DiscussionThese results highlight the role of radical hope as a potential pathway connecting critical awareness of collective autonomy restriction and critical motivation to engage in critical action aimed at social change. We extend the existing literature by demonstrating that awareness of oppression and motivation alone may be insufficient to explain the link between the first two dimensions of critical consciousness (critical reflection and critical motivation) and critical action. Limitations and implications for research and practice are discussed.
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Ngā māuiui kai: a cross-sectional study of elevated eating disorder risk and related experiences among trans people in Aotearoa

PurposeLittle is known about disordered eating and eating disorders (ngā māuiui kai) among transgender and non-binary (trans) communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. This cross-sectional study sought to provide evidence of the prevalence and experiences of ngā māuiui kai among these communities.MethodsWe analyzed data from a national trans health survey of people using chi-square tests of independence to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and elevated eating disorder risk measured by the SCOFF screening tool. A content analysis of open-text survey comments identified themes across participants’ self-reported experiences of ngā māuiui kai.ResultsOverall, 34.3% of participants met criteria for increased risk for an eating disorder. Age, neurodivergence, material hardship, functional impairment, and Māori ethnicity were associated with elevated risk among this sample. No associations were found for gender, self-identified disability, or other ethnicities. The content analysis found that several participants reported connections between their māuiui kai and gender incongruence, broader mental health issues, or structural barriers. Some reported challenges seeking related healthcare, and a lack of providers’ awareness of the relationship between gender-affirming healthcare needs and ngā māuiui kai.ConclusionsA high proportion of trans participants met the criteria for elevated risk of eating disorders, with higher risk among those belonging to other marginalized groups. These findings highlight the unique risk factors among trans people who belong to multiple marginalized groups. They signal need for appropriate prevention and provision of responsive care for trans people at the intersections of ngā māuiui kai and gender-affirming healthcare.
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STAT+: Zap in a cap: How one neurotech startup is using a hat to treat depression

Wake up. Brush your teeth. Wash your face. 

And put on your lifesaving baseball hat.

That’s right. If you have treatment-resistant depression, this could be the regular morning routine in your future. The hat would activate a blueberry-sized device implanted in your skull that sends a pulse of electricity into your brain.

This is Jacob Robinson’s vision — and it got closer to reality on Friday after the Food and Drug Administration approved a request from Robinson’s startup, Motif Neurotech, to start an initial feasibility trial to test the efficacy of their device in treating depression that hasn’t responded to other treatments. Scientists have been zapping brains to alleviate depression for decades through a method called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. Motif wants to do the same thing, but with a twist.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

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Oxytocin Plus Self-compassion Training in Borderline Personality Disorder

Conditions: Self-compassion Training (SCT) Plus Intranasal Oxytocin; Self-compassion Training (SCT) Plus Intranasal Placebo

Interventions: Drug: Intranasal Oxytocin (IN-OXT); Drug: Intranasal Placebo; Behavioral: Self-Compassion Training (SCT)

Sponsors: Fundació Institut de Recerca de l’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau

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