Depression TMS Cleared for Teens; Phase III Narcolepsy Win; Fake ADHD Diagnosis?

— News and commentary from the psychiatry world

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Illustration of a brain shaped maze.

Neuronetics said the FDA cleared its transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device, NeuroStar, as an adjunct therapy for the first-line treatment of major depressive disorder in individuals ages 15 to 21 -- the only TMS device cleared for this age group.

An analysis of Facebook posts using artificial intelligence models was able to predict depression severity for white individuals, but not Black individuals. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

According to a 10-year study, consistently exercising two to three times each week was linked with a reduced risk of insomnia and a higher likelihood of sleeping the recommended 6 to 9 hours a night. (BMJ Open)

Reboxetine -- a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and cortical dopamine modulator -- significantly reduced cataplexy attacks compared with placebo in the 5-week phase III SYMPHONY trial of people with narcolepsy, said Axsome Therapeutics.

A genetic test approved by the FDA to identify people at higher risk of developing opioid use disorder will be available later this year, but one expert called it a "sham." (Washington Post)

Some high school students were getting fake attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses just to score extra time on standardized tests like the SATs. (New York Post)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law legislation that restricts social media use in minors, with supporters of the law citing mental health concerns. (AP)

No surprise here: greater job security and flexibility were significantly linked with less work-related psychological distress and anxiety. (JAMA Network Open)

Adding limonene terpene significantly cut down on feelings of anxiousness and paranoia associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis. (Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

In its draft evidence report, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) concluded that the current publicly available information on Lykos Therapeutics' MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder is insufficient, and therefore the drug-pricing watchdog could not offer a cost-effective analysis. David Rind, MD, the chief medical officer at ICER, said that while the approach may be promising, functional unblinding in the MAPP1 and MAPP2 trials "and additional concerns around trial design and conduct leave many uncertainties about the balance of benefits and harms." The draft report is open for public comment through April 22.

Using a previously validated model of suicide attempt, the top 10% of mental healthcare intake appointments stratified to the highest suicide risk level accounted for nearly half of appointments followed by a suicide attempt within 90 days. (JAMA Psychiatry)

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline may soon route callers based on location rather than their phone's area code. (CNN)

  • author['full_name']

    Kristen Monaco is a senior staff writer, focusing on endocrinology, psychiatry, and nephrology news. Based out of the New York City office, she’s worked at the company since 2015.