Science
March 21, 2013
Daniel Wacker, Chong Wang, Vsevolod Katritch et al.
689 citations
Serotonin receptors are targets for drugs treating depression, obesity, and migraine headaches. Crystal structures of two serotonin receptor subtypes bound to antimigraine medications or a precursor of LSD reveal how subtle differences in ligand binding cause substantial differences in receptor signaling and biological responses. The structures show that the same ligand can activate one or both of the two main serotonin receptor signaling mechanisms, depending on which receptor it binds.
Science
March 22, 2013
Chong Wang, Yi Jiang, Jinming Ma et al.
522 citations
Two research teams independently determined the crystal structures of two serotonin receptors bound to antimigraine drugs or a precursor of LSD. The structures show that subtle differences in how ligands bind to these receptors lead to substantial differences in the signals generated and the resulting biological responses. The same ligand can activate one or both of the two main serotonin receptor signaling mechanisms, depending on which specific receptor it binds to.
Psychiatry research
January 1, 2024
Wei Liu, Jing Yuan, Yun Wu et al.
19 citations
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) reduced depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) while increasing mindfulness, self-compassion, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in college students with major depressive disorder, compared with a wait-list group. Greater daily practice time and more session attendance were linked to larger reductions in depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties. Completers showed significantly greater improvement than partial attendees, indicating a dose-response effect.
Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
September 20, 2023
Ziyi Li, Zehong Li, Wanting Xie et al.
13 citations
A method using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated to detect phencyclidine-type substances in human hair. The method showed good sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy. It was applied to hair samples from 87 authentic forensic cases, identifying and quantifying nine analytes including ketamine, 2-F-2-oxo-PCE, 2-FDCK, 2-BrDCK, nor2-FDCK, tiletamine, O-PCE, DCK, and norDCK at various concentrations. This approach provides technical support for monitoring abuse of these substances, which are often synthesized as substitutes for controlled drugs.
Journal of Chromatography B
March 2, 2022
Shuo Yang, Yan Shi, Zhuonan Chen et al.
13 citations
Mescaline, a psychedelic compound, can be effectively identified using advanced forensic toxicology methods. In a study involving 150 samples, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry demonstrated a detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL for mescaline, allowing for precise analysis in drug studies. This technique reduces confusion in distinguishing mescaline from other substances. The combination of analytical chemistry and chromatography enhances the reliability of forensic toxicology and drug analysis, ensuring accurate identification of psychedelics in various contexts, ultimately improving public safety and understanding of these compounds.
BMC anesthesiology
July 5, 2025
Dujuan Qiao, Wei Liu, Huanjia Xue et al.
5 citations
In mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS, esketamine combined with midazolam improved respiratory system compliance and oxygenation compared with remifentanil combined with midazolam. At 72 hours after medication, static compliance was higher in the esketamine group (49.8 ± 13.8) than in the control group (42.4 ± 11.9), while plateau pressure and peak airway pressure were lower. Both groups received equivalent sedation and analgesia. The findings suggest esketamine may offer respiratory advantages in this population.
Trials
August 13, 2023
Irina Falkenberg, Florian Bitsch, Wei Liu et al.
4 citations
A study will investigate how treatment expectation influences the antidepressant effects of esketamine in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Using a fully balanced placebo design with factors of treatment (esketamine or placebo) and verbally induced expectation (high or low), combined with fMRI, the research aims to uncover the neural mechanisms—particularly in the lateral prefrontal cortex and rostral anterior cingulate cortex—underlying expectation effects and their interaction with esketamine's pharmacology. Insights may inform strategies to modulate placebo response in clinical trials and optimize treatment regimens that leverage expectation and drug synergy.
Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
February 1, 2025
Zixuan Song, Zhenshuo Guo, Yiling Tang et al.
1 citation
A new high-throughput screening method using gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) identifies 30 phencyclidine analogs in human blood and urine. After a simple extraction with ethyl ether and buffer, analytes are identified using a self-built library and reference spectra; isomers are differentiated by exact molecular mass and retention time. The method shows no interferences, recovery ranges from 30% to 123%, and detection limits from 0.05 to 5 ng/mL. Applied to 800 authentic forensic cases, it detected four analogs—2-F-2-oxo-PCE, 3-MeO-PCE, O-PCE, and 2-FDCK—demonstrating suitability for sensitive, fast high-throughput drug screening.
Pharmacological research
July 1, 2026
Yang Zhou, Wanchen Sun, Yuxuan Fu et al.
Among patients undergoing major surgery who had moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms before the operation, a single intraoperative dose of esketamine led to a higher rate of symptom remission three days after surgery compared with a placebo. In a randomized, double-blind trial of 435 patients, 28.3% in the esketamine group achieved remission versus 11.3% in the placebo group. Acute pain rates did not differ between groups. Esketamine treatment requires monitoring for possible dissociative side effects, and its clinical use for depressive symptoms should weigh benefits against risks.