Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science
January 1, 2023
Melissa C. Selinger, David M. Compton, Hamilton Morris et al.
3 citations
Managing patients with both chronic pain and major depressive disorder is challenging, and many do not benefit adequately from standard medications. A retrospective review of cases explored patient satisfaction and tolerability of a novel virtual reality protocol used alongside intravenous ketamine infusions. Pain scores on a visual analogue scale were significantly lower on the third treatment day than on the first. Depression ratings also improved after infusions and across sessions. Two-thirds of patients preferred having virtual reality with their ketamine infusion. The findings suggest potential for combination therapy, but prospective studies are needed to confirm any synergistic benefit.
Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science
January 1, 2017
David M. Compton, Kerri L. Dietrich, Peniel Esquivel et al.
2 citations
Repeated exposure to MDMA or the drug Foxy during mid-adolescence in rats led to lasting cognitive impairments that persisted into adulthood, even though no changes in serotonin or dopamine levels were detected in the brain. MDMA-treated rats showed the most significant deficits, particularly in adapting to changing task demands on water maze tests, while a step-down passive avoidance task also revealed impairments. These findings indicate that adolescent use of these drugs can cause long-term neurocognitive problems that continue long after drug exposure ends, without measurable alterations in key neurotransmitter systems. The study highlights the need for further research into the physiological and neurochemical mechanisms behind these persistent effects.
Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science
January 1, 2021
Shannon O’brien, David M. Compton, Julianna M. Davis et al.
Ketamine, traditionally used as a dissociative anesthetic and more recently studied as a fast-acting antidepressant and non-opiate pain treatment, is also used recreationally by adolescents. Using a rodent model, researchers exposed rats to ketamine or saline from early to mid-adolescence (postnatal days 22–40) and then, after a 50-day drug-free period, tested them in adulthood (starting at 90 days old) for general activity, spatial navigation, and nonspatial response learning. Contrary to predictions, the ketamine-exposed rats showed no spatial or nonspatial learning impairments compared to saline controls, though differences in general activity levels were observed. The findings suggest that the effects of adolescent ketamine exposure may depend on the specific developmental stage.