A single intravenous dose of esketamine given during cesarean delivery, followed by 48 hours of patient-controlled analgesia containing esketamine, reduced early postpartum depression symptoms. On day 7 after delivery, 23% of women who received esketamine screened positive for postpartum depression (score of 10 or higher on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) compared with 35% in the placebo group. The difference in depression scores between groups was small but statistically significant. However, by days 14, 28, and 42, there were no differences between groups in depression screening rates or score changes. Pain scores were similar between groups except for a small advantage with esketamine during movement at 72 hours. The antidepressive effect may not apply to women with low baseline depression scores.
A 3-month aerobic dance program improved cognitive function and strengthened structural connections within the default mode network in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Sixteen participants in the exercise group showed significant gains in global cognition, memory, and executive function compared to baseline, while the control group showed no change. The exercise group also had increased structural connections between the hippocampus and several temporal regions, as well as between the default mode network and the supplementary motor area. These connectivity changes correlated with better cognitive scores, suggesting that aerobic dance may enhance brain structure and memory in this population.