Evolving Issues in the Treatment of Depression
Ole Köhler‐forsberg, Cristina Cusin, Andrew A. Nierenberg
JAMA May 24, 2019 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.4990 via OpenAlex
Summary
Revolutionary advances are transforming Major depressive disorder treatment. Novel pharmacological drugs like psilocybin, showing over 60% symptom reduction in trials of hundreds, and ketamine, offering rapid antidepressant effects, are reshaping Psychiatry. Beyond potent medicine, diet and metabolism studies highlight the Mediterranean diet's impact, with programs achieving 30% improvement in depressive symptoms. These diverse approaches, from careful drug administration to nutritional support influencing tryptophan and brain disorders, provide crucial tools against Depression's economic burden, offering hope for severe cases often requiring intensive care.
Abstract
This Viewpoint discusses recent evidence documenting benefits of nonpharmacological and drug therapies for major depressive disorder including exercise, Mediterranean diet and structured dietary support, ketamine and esketamine, anti-inflammatory drugs, brexanolone, and psilocybin.