A simplified, app-based mindfulness program for people with epilepsy in mainland China was feasible and well-accepted. Ten adults completed a 6-week self-guided program (15 minutes daily, 6 days per week) via a WeChat mini-program. Completion rates averaged 110.1%, and user feedback was positive. Exploratory assessments suggested improvements in quality of life (median increase of 9.12 points on the QOLIE-31) and reductions in anxiety (median decrease of 5.50 points on the GAD-7). Seizure frequency descriptively decreased by a median of 1.17 seizures per 4 weeks, with half of participants experiencing at least a 50% reduction. These findings support planning a future randomized controlled trial.
Esketamine nasal spray provides rapid relief for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and helps prevent suicidal behavior. It works primarily by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, with additional effects on AMPA receptors, opioid receptors, monoaminergic receptors, and inflammatory pathways, though the full synergistic mechanisms are not yet understood. Multiple randomized controlled trials show that esketamine reduces depressive symptoms within hours and maintains these benefits over several weeks, with a favorable safety profile and minimal side effects in long-term use. Its approval offers a new therapeutic option for patients with severe depression, impacting healthcare practices and policies.