As a treatment for severe depression, electroconvulsive therapy (electro-shock treatment) has long been considered a last hope — a treatment which works, but which also brings significant side-effects, especially for memory. New research on a less aggressive alternative, transcranial magnetic stimulation, promises similar effectiveness but without memory impairment.
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued new warnings about possible heightened risks of suicide in adults taking antidepressant medications. The warnings follow the FDA’s decision last year to require drug manufacturers to strengthen suicide warnings included on drug labels.
New research suggests that the anti-psychotic medication Seroquel (olanzapine) — can be an effective single-drug treatment for bipolar disorder.
Babies with low birthweights may be at greater risk of suffering symptoms of depression later in life, according to new research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Newborns weighing less than 5.5 lbs were 50 percent more likely to have anxiety and depression as adults.
New studies explore the connection between sleep and depression and suggest that treating insomnia may increase both the likelihood and the rate of recovery for individuals receiving treatment for major depression. Additional research examines the first melatoninergic antidepressant, agomelatine (Valdoxan), and its use as an adjunctive therapy for bipolar disorder.
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