Skip to content

André F. Carvalho

6 papers in the library · 401 citations · publishing 2013-2024

Papers

Prevention and reversal of ketamine-induced schizophrenia related behavior by minocycline in mice: Possible involvement of antioxidant and nitrergic pathways

Journal of Psychopharmacology September 17, 2013 Aline Santos Monte, Greicy Coelho de Souza, Roger S. McIntyre et al. 123 citations

Minocycline, an antibiotic, prevented and reversed schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice given ketamine, including changes in movement, startle response, social interaction, and memory. It also corrected ketamine-induced oxidative stress—lowered glutathione and raised lipid peroxidation markers—and altered nitrite levels in the striatum. The effects were similar to those of the antipsychotic risperidone. The findings suggest minocycline's potential as a novel psychotropic agent, with its mechanism involving antioxidant and nitrergic systems.

Oral Ketamine for Depression

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry April 15, 2019 Joshua D. Rosenblat, André F. Carvalho, Madeline Li et al. 111 citations

Oral ketamine shows significant antidepressant effects with good tolerability, but its effects are not as rapid as intravenous ketamine. In two randomized controlled trials, significant reductions in depressive symptoms were observed only after 2-6 weeks of treatment. Rapid antidepressant effects within 24 hours, antisuicide effects, and efficacy in treatment-resistant depression were reported only in retrospective studies. Dosages ranged from 0.5 to 7.0 mg/kg, with most studies using 1-2 mg/kg every 1-3 days. No clinically significant adverse effects were reported. The review concludes that antisuicide effects and efficacy in treatment-resistant depression have yet to be demonstrated in well-designed trials.

Psilocybin in neuropsychiatry: a review of its pharmacology, safety, and efficacy

CNS Spectrums July 11, 2022 Seetal Dodd, Trevor R. Norman, Harris A. Eyre et al. 61 citations

Psilocybin, a tryptamine alkaloid found in Psilocybe mushrooms, is metabolized into the active compound psilocin, which produces psychoactive effects primarily by partially activating the 5HT2A receptor. Psilocin also binds to other receptor subtypes, though these actions are not fully understood. Clinical trials have tested psilocybin at hallucinogenic doses for addictive disorders, anxiety, and depression. This review assesses psilocybin and psilocin as potential neuropsychiatric treatments, weighing therapeutic benefits against potential harms. The authors conclude that careful evaluation of the number needed to harm versus the number needed to treat will determine clinical viability, and they call for a responsible path forward in this field.

Relative effectiveness of augmentation treatments for treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

International Review of Psychiatry June 5, 2020 Ben Carter, Rebecca Strawbridge, Muhammad Ishrat Husain et al. 45 citations

A network meta-analysis of 27 randomized trials found that NMDA-targeting medications (e.g., ketamine) are markedly more effective than placebo for augmenting treatment-resistant depression (effect size 0.91). Antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and other pharmacological augmenters were also compared, but NMDA therapies had the highest probability of being effective. No psychological augmentation trials could be included due to the lack of a common comparator. The evidence is limited by few trials, heterogeneity, and inconsistent safety reporting.

Trajectory of Antidepressant Effects after Single- or Two-Dose Administration of Psilocybin: A Systematic Review and Multivariate Meta-Analysis

Journal of Clinical Medicine February 11, 2022 Chia‐ling Yu, Chih‐sung Liang, Fu‐chi Yang et al. 37 citations

A meta-analysis of ten studies found that one or two doses of psilocybin produce rapid and sustained antidepressant effects lasting up to six months. Depressive symptoms decreased substantially, with the largest effect at one week (standardized mean difference -1.74) and a still-large effect at six months (-1.12). Higher doses and two sessions were linked to greater improvement. Psilocybin raised systolic blood pressure by 19.00 mmHg and diastolic by 8.66 mmHg, but discontinuation rates and heart rate changes were similar to placebo. The findings suggest psilocybin has favorable cardiovascular safety and acceptability for treating depression.

Comparative oral monotherapy of psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ayahuasca, and escitalopram for depressive symptoms: systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

BMJ August 21, 2024 Trevor Thompson, Ping-Tao Tseng, Chih-Wei Hsu et al. 24 citations

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials compared oral psychedelics (MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca) and escitalopram for depressive symptoms. Placebo responses were lower in psychedelic trials than in antidepressant trials. Only high-dose psilocybin outperformed placebo from antidepressant trials, with a mean difference of 6.45 on the Hamilton depression rating scale. However, when the reference arm shifted from psychedelic-trial placebo to antidepressant-trial placebo, the effect size dropped from large (0.88) to small (0.31). High-dose psilocybin showed a larger relative effect than escitalopram at 10 mg and 20 mg. No intervention caused higher discontinuation or severe adverse events than placebo.