Poul Hansen Family Centre for Depression, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: david.chen-li@uhn.ca.
2 papers in the library · 33 citations · publishing 2024
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for treating depression and distress in life-threatening illnesses, but a systematic review of 28 clinical trial protocols reveals substantial variability and inconsistency in therapeutic approaches beyond the basic framework of preparatory, dosing, and integration sessions. The review found no validated or universally agreed-upon protocol, with frequent lack of clarity in descriptions of therapy models, duration, and number of sessions. Future studies need to define and report psychotherapeutic components more clearly to identify the safest and most effective approaches.
Ketamine is a rapid antidepressant for people with treatment-resistant depression, but no reliable predictors of response have been identified. This study examined whether variants in the Val66Met and CYP2B6 genes predicted treatment outcomes in 85 participants with major depressive disorder who received four intravenous ketamine infusions. Participants showed significant overall reductions in depression, suicide, and anxiety, with 25% meeting response criteria and 15% meeting remission criteria. However, neither Val66Met nor CYP2B6 genotypes significantly predicted changes in depressive symptoms, suicidality, anxiety, or dissociation. The findings suggest that single-gene predictors are unlikely to be useful and that a broader genetic approach may be needed.