Successful RCT trial for Major Depressive Disorder

🧠 NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: Bridging the Gap Between Psychiatry and Neurology NMDA receptor encephalitis is a critical diagnosis that neurologists should be aware of, particularly because it often presents first with psychiatric symptoms—leading to frequent misdiagnosis as primary psychiatric disorders. Recognizing the early signs and initiating treatment promptly can make all the difference in outcomes for patients. 🔑 Key Diagnostic Features: Psychiatric onset: Patients often present with severe symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, agitation, anxiety, and mutism. Neurological progression: This includes seizures, memory deficits, and movement disorders like chorea and dystonia, which emerge after the psychiatric symptoms. Common triggers: In women, approximately 30% of cases are associated with ovarian teratomas. A smaller number of cases follow herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Definitive diagnosis: Detection of NMDA receptor antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is key, as imaging (MRI) often appears normal. 💡 Treatment & Long-term Outcomes: Early intervention with immunotherapy (IV corticosteroids, IVIG, or plasma exchange) is crucial. For cases that don’t respond to first-line therapies, second-line treatments like rituximab or cyclophosphamide are highly effective. Prognosis: Around 80% of patients show significant improvement, but relapse occurs in 10-15% without sustained immunotherapy. 📢 Why It Matters: NMDA receptor encephalitis often remains underdiagnosed due to its initial psychiatric presentation. Increased awareness and recognition can prevent misdiagnosis and ensure timely, life-saving immunotherapy. As neurologists, staying updated on this condition will help us improve patient care and long-term outcomes. For a comprehensive review, refer to this great article: Sarosh Irani , S.R. (2024). Autoimmune Encephalitis. Continuum (Minneap Minn), 30(4), 995-1020. #Neurology #AutoimmuneEncephalitis #NMDAReceptor #Neuropsychiatry #Immunotherapy #Healthcare #MedicalEducation #Neurologist #MedicalAwareness

HOPE Therapeutics plans to acquire Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute The move aligns with the previously signed letter of intent for expanding the HOPE network. https://lnkd.in/e_-Be4Ck

HOPE Therapeutics plans to acquire Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute The move aligns with the previously signed letter of intent for expanding the HOPE network. https://lnkd.in/e_-Be4Ck

HOPE Therapeutics plans to acquire Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute The move aligns with the previously signed letter of intent for expanding the HOPE network. https://lnkd.in/e_-Be4Ck

Biomarkers in psychiatry are greatly lacking relative to other therapeutic areas. I mean, you just can’t cut open or biopsy the brain... Furthermore, the connection between liquid biomarkers and neurological function or dysfunction are highly complex and heterogenous within patient groups. The best tools being employed to understand drug effects in psychiatry are neuroimaging techniques. These pharmacodynamic measurements in neuropsychiatry are relatively new but evidence is growing that including this data collection in early phase trials can greatly de-risk further development of a drug candidate. One of the pioneers of this work, Amit Etkin and Alto Neuroscience, recently published a review on this topic. The future of precision psychiatry heavily relies on this neuroimaging data and interpretation of data into specific patient populations. PET imaging relies on radioligand displacement to determine occupancy on a receptor target of interest. This dynamic relationship between ligand and drug does add some complexity not least making sure there is a radioligand designed for your target; if not this requires considerable R&D costs. Large patient Ns are not required for meaningful data collection. EEG and fMRI measure functional brain changes without the granularity of the molecular interaction of PET imaging. These functional measures along with tasks (eyes open vs closed, cognitive, etc) can provide insights into efficacy or reducing side effects, arguably much better than PET. Generally, larger Ns are needed to confirm these functional imaging techniques between patient dosing groups. However, EEG is relatively cheap and accessible to employ in large trials of patients with standardized protocols and growing effectiveness in pivotal trials. There are now proven cases of this precision approach in FDA approved drugs (i.e. Zuranolone for PPD and Aduhelm for AD). While the commercial viability of these aforementioned drugs remains in question, it’s easy to see the utility of a #precisionpsychiatry approach to increase clinical viability and reduce risks of a development candidate. I believe the next couple of decades will be a golden era in neurology and psychiatry. Just as oncology shifted into a precision or genetic approach (still TBD in psychiatry), I believe we will see a similar and successful approach towards the brain. #sciencesunday https://lnkd.in/e4y47SQr

A recent randomized clinical trial, published in JAMA Neurology, demonstrates that a multidisciplinary approach combining physiotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly improves symptoms and quality of life in patients with functional movement disorders. Led by Daniel Macías García and Pablo Mir Rivera, the study involved a team of specialists across neurology, psychiatry, and psychology. Patients receiving this integrated treatment showed over a 50% reduction in motor symptoms at a five-month follow-up, with 60% reporting clear improvements. The approach also positively impacted patients' social and occupational reintegration, benefiting 20% of those on sick leave or unemployed. Functional movement disorders, which disrupt movement control due to nervous system malfunction, are common in neurology but often lack comprehensive care plans. This study marks the first controlled trial to confirm the effectiveness of this combined treatment, potentially paving the way for future multidisciplinary care units within public health systems. It also opens avenues for further research on its impact on brain circuits and cost-efficiency in healthcare. #neurology #multidisciplinary #functional With the Specialist combines artificial intelligence with a board certified neurologist to enhance neurological care, bringing the neurology consult to you. #withthespecialist #aiinhealthcare #innovation https://lnkd.in/gR_6Sf9x https://lnkd.in/gExrwg2P

We’re excited to share a recent feature on Circular Genomics in Springer Nature and Biopharma Dealmakers discussing our latest breakthrough in precision psychiatry, titled “Bringing Precision Medicine to Psychiatry: Circular RNAs as a Window into the Brain.” This article highlights our development of the world’s first circular RNA-based diagnostic, MindLight™, designed to predict patient response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). By analyzing circular RNA from a blood sample, MindLight™ provides unique insights into individual genetic response profiles, facilitating tailored, effective treatment plans. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gfZ7XhXK

Neuroimaging techniques have been essential in clinical #neuroscience for decades but have yet to make a significant impact on psychiatric drug development and clinical care. By integrating neuroimaging into precision psychiatry, we can measure drug effects on the brain early to refine dosing and indications and use it in later trials to identify likely responders. This approach has the potential to enhance drug development success, diversify mechanisms, and improve clinical outcomes. In a recent Nature publication, researchers take an industry lens to examine the opportunities and challenges in using #neuroimaging to mitigate risks in drug development and improve clinical efficacy in psychiatric practice, ultimately paving the way for more precise and effective treatments. See here: https://lnkd.in/dUQYTwni

I attended the Tokyo 35th World Congress Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (CINP) #CINP2024, held in conjunction with the Japanese Society of Neuropsychopharmacology (JSNP) and the Japanese Society of Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology (JSCNP).    In addition to productive meetings with friends and colleagues, I had the opportunity to participate in an industry leader panel discussion on Recent Trends and Future Prospects in Neuropsychopharmacology. I presented Eisai’s research and development progress in Neurology focusing on recent advances and future outlook in the development of anti-amyloid treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, and how Eisai is making an impact, and the panel debated future visions in neuropsychopharmacology, from symptomatic to disease modifying treatments, biomarker-guided targeted therapy, and precision medicine in psychiatry and neurology.   I was truly inspired by the keynote address from our CEO, Dr. Haruo Naito, on the spirit of drug discovery.    I am confident that with global academic and industry collaboration, appropriation of government policies, and the selfless participation of patients in clinical research, we will continue to make significant breakthroughs and advances in global medical care. #CINP2024 #neurology #psychiatry #alzheimer #alzheimersdisease #dementia #cognitivedecline #medicalaffairs #genetics #clinicalcarepathway #patientcare #precisionmedicine #biomarkers #drugdevelopment #pharmacology #breakthroughs #patientcare #healthcare #clinicalresearch #brainhealth #tokyo #CINP

Hope Therapeutics, Inc. and NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announce Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute as the Expected First Acquisition for its International Network of Interventional Psychiatry Clinics: https://lnkd.in/eJQX8KRk