How Latest Depression Treatments Became The Hottest Trend In 2024
Latest Depression Treatments
The good news is that if your depression does not improve with psychotherapy and antidepressants, new drugs that are fast-acting are promising for treating depression resistant to treatment.
SSRIs, or selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, are the most commonly prescribed and well-known antidepressants. These antidepressants work by altering the way the brain uses serotonin.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavior therapy, assists you in changing negative thoughts and behaviors such as hopelessness. The NHS offers 8 to 16 sessions.
1. Esketamine
In March 2019 the FDA approved a new nasal spray for depression called esketamine. (Brand name Spravato). It is derived from the anesthetic ketamine, which has been shown to be effective in cases of severe of depression. The nasal spray works with an oral antidepressant to combat depression that has not responded to standard medication. In one study, 70% of people suffering from treatment resistant depression who received this medication were able to respond well, which is a significantly higher response rate than just using an oral antidepressant.
Esketamine is different from conventional antidepressants. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters that transmit messages between brain cells. The effects aren't immediately apparent. Patients typically feel better after a couple of days, but the effects last longer than SSRIs and SNRIs.
Researchers believe that esketamine helps alleviate depression symptoms by strengthening connections between brain cells. In animal studies, esketamine reversed the breakdown of these connections that could occur in chronic stress and depression. It also appears to encourage the development of neurons, which can help reduce suicidal thoughts and thoughts.
Esketamine is different from other antidepressants due to the fact that it is delivered by nasal spray. This allows it to get into your bloodstream much faster than pill or oral medication. The drug has been found to reduce depression symptoms within a matter of hours. In some people the effects are instantaneous.
A recent study that followed patients for 16 weeks found that not all patients who started treatment with esketamine were actually in Remission. This is disappointing, but not surprising according to Dr. Amit A. Anand an expert in ketamine who was not part of the study.
Esketamine is currently only available in clinical trials or in private practice. Esketamine isn't a first-line treatment for depression. It is prescribed when SSRIs and SNRIs fail to work for a patient with treatment-resistant depression. Doctors can determine if the condition is resistant to treatment and then decide whether esketamine could be beneficial.
2. TMS
TMS employs magnetic fields to stimulate brain nerve cells. It is non-invasive and does not require surgery or anesthesia. It has been shown to help patients suffering from depression who haven't responded to medications or psychotherapy. It is also used to treat the disorder of obsessive compulsiveness and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
For depression, TMS therapy is typically administered as a series of daily treatments spread over six weeks. The magnetic pulses may be felt as pinpricks on the scalp. It can take time to become accustomed to. After the treatment, patients are able to return to work or go home. Depending on the stimulation pattern used the session TMS session lasts between 3.5 and 20 minutes.
Scientists believe rTMS works by changing the way neurons communicate with one another. This process is referred to as neuroplasticity and allows the brain to form new connections and change how it functions.
At present, TMS is FDA-cleared to help with depression when other treatments such as talk therapy and medications, haven't succeeded. It has also been shown to help people with tinnitus, OCD and pain. Scientists are also exploring the possibility of using it to treat Parkinson's disease as well as anxiety.
Although a number of different studies have found that TMS can reduce depression however, not everyone who receives the treatment will experience a positive effect. Before beginning this treatment, it's important to undergo an extensive medical and psychiatric evaluation. If you have an history of seizures or are taking certain medications, TMS might not be the best option for you.
Talking to your doctor could be beneficial if you're suffering from depression, but are not getting any benefit from your current treatment. You could be eligible to participate in the TMS trial or other forms neurostimulation. However, you need to first try several antidepressants before your insurance will cover the cost. Contact us today to set up a consultation if you're interested in learning more. Our experts will assist you through the process of deciding if TMS treatment is suitable for you.
3. Deep brain stimulation
For those suffering from treatment-resistant depression, a noninvasive therapy that resets brain circuitry can be effective within less than one week. Researchers have come up with new techniques that deliver high-dose electromagnetic waves to the brain more quickly and on a schedule more manageable for the patients.
Stanford neuromodulation therapy, which is now available in the Advanced Psychiatric Therapeutics Clinic at the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences utilizes MRI images to guide electrodes to deliver magnetic pulses to specific brain regions. In a recent study, Mitra & Raichle found in three quarters of depression patients that the normal flow of neural activity was reversed from the anterior cortex to the anterior isola. With SNT this flow was restored to normal within a week, coinciding with a lifting of their depression.
A more in-depth procedure known as deep brain stimulation (DBS) can produce similar results for some patients. Neurosurgeons will perform a series tests to determine the most appropriate place to implant one or more leads inside the brain. The leads are connected with the neurostimulator. It is inserted beneath the collarbone. It appears like a pacemaker. The device supplies continuous electrical current to the leads which alters the brain's circuitry and reduces depression symptoms.
Some psychotherapy treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and inter-personal therapy, can also help with depression symptoms. Psychotherapy can take place in groups or in one-onone sessions with a mental healthcare professional. Some therapists also provide Telehealth services.
Antidepressants are still the primary treatment for depression. However, in recent years there have been some remarkable advancements in the speed at which these medications work to alleviate depression symptoms. Newer drugs, such as gepirone (Exxua), esketamine (Spravato), brexanolone (Zulresso) and dextromethorphan-bupropion (Auvelity), all have been shown to work faster than older antidepressants.
I Am Psychiatry employ magnetic or electric stimulation to stimulate the brain, for example electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). These are more complicated procedures that must be done under a physician's care. In some cases they can cause seizures and other serious adverse side effects.
4. Light therapy
Bright light therapy involves sitting or standing in front of a bright light source. This treatment has been used for many years to treat seasonal depression and major depressive disorder (SAD). Studies show that bright light therapy can reduce symptoms such as sadness and fatigue by improving mood and controlling circadian rhythms. It is also a great option for those who suffer from depression that occurs and disappears.
Light therapy mimics sunlight which is a key element of a biological clock referred to as suprachiasmatic (SCN). The SCN is associated with mood, and light therapy can alter the circadian rhythms that may contribute to depression. In addition, light therapy can lower melatonin levels, and restore the function of neurotransmitters.
Some doctors are also using light therapy to treat a less severe kind of depression called winter blues, which is similar to SAD but is less common and only occurs in the months when there is the least amount of daylight. They suggest sitting in the light therapy box each morning for 30 minutes while awake to reap the maximum benefit. Light therapy produces results in a week, unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to kick in and may cause adverse effects like nausea or weight gain. It's also safe during pregnancy and for those who are older.
However, some research experts warn that a person should never experiment with light therapy without the guidance of psychiatrists or a mental health professional, as it can cause a manic episode for bipolar disorder sufferers. Some people may feel tired during the first week, as light therapy can reset their sleep-wake patterns.
PCPs need to be aware of the latest treatments approved by the FDA. However they shouldn't be ignoring tried-and-true methods like antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy. Dr. Hellerstein told Healio that while the search for better and newer treatments is exciting, we should focus on the most established treatments. He says PCPs should concentrate on educating their patients on the benefits of the latest treatments and help patients adhere to their treatment strategies. This can include providing transportation to the doctor's office, or setting reminders for patients to take their medications and attend therapy sessions.