New England Journal of Medicine
October 4, 2023
Andreas Reif, Istvan Bitter, Jozefien Buyze et al.
197 citations
In treatment-resistant depression, esketamine nasal spray combined with an SSRI or SNRI led to remission in 27.1% of patients at week 8, compared to 17.6% for extended-release quetiapine plus an SSRI or SNRI. Over 32 weeks, 21.7% of patients on esketamine had no relapse after remission versus 14.1% on quetiapine. The open-label, single-blind, randomized trial included 676 patients. Adverse events matched known safety profiles. Esketamine was superior to quetiapine for achieving remission and preventing relapse.
Nature Medicine
June 14, 2023
Carolina Seybert, Gonçalo Cotovio, Luís Madeira et al.
24 citations
No Summary
Journal of Psychopharmacology
September 12, 2025
Stephan Tap, Kelan Thomas, Tomáš Páleníček et al.
5 citations
Classic psychedelics like psilocybin are being studied for psychiatric disorders. Current protocols typically require patients to stop antidepressants (ADs) for at least two weeks before psychedelic use to avoid serotonin syndrome and preserve efficacy, but discontinuation can worsen depression and increase suicidal ideation. This scoping review of 18 studies found that using ADs alongside classic psychedelics is generally safe and tolerable, with no increased risk of serotonin syndrome, especially with psilocybin. Some studies showed significant improvements in depression and other symptoms. Although some evidence suggests a potential reduction in acute subjective psychedelic effects, this was not consistent. The authors conclude that maintaining ADs may improve patient access and avoid discontinuation risks.
Brain stimulation
October 5, 2021
Gonçalo Cotovio, Albino J. Oliveira‐maia, Carter Paul et al.
3 citations
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex does not reduce depressive symptoms more than sham stimulation in patients with treatment-resistant depression. In a randomized controlled trial, both active and sham tDCS groups showed similar improvements in depression scores over six weeks, with no significant difference between them. The findings suggest that tDCS, as administered in this protocol, is not effective as a standalone treatment for this population.
Revista Portuguesa de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental
September 8, 2021
Gonçalo Cotovio, Ana Maia, Ana Velosa et al.
No Summary