Episode 1: Why the Duration Until Onset of Antidepressant Matters
Episode 1:?Why the Duration Until Onset of Antidepressant Matters is organized by CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc. (PPP).
Activity opens: 01/30/2023
Activity expires: 02/29/2024
Overview:
Pharmacology for MDD is limited by low efficacy, delayed response, and side effects. Research on the pathophysiology of the disease that includes the glutamatergic system and GABA signaling is ushering in a new era for rapidly acting antidepressants.
Program Description:
Anita Clayton, MD, and Michael Thase, MD, discuss the limitations of current standard of care antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD), including delayed response, failure to achieve remission, relapse, adverse events, and living with a reduced quality of life, creating an unmet need in effective treatment for patients with MDD. Newer understanding of the clinical phenotypes of individuals with depression that addresses interactions between glutamatergic, GABA, and hyperactive hypothalamic pituitary adrenal actions and genetics, environment, and therefore epigenetic factors facilitated by neuroactive steroids (NAS) has led to the development of medications that target these areas. NAS are natural and synthetic steroid-based compounds that regulate neuronal function through concurrent effects on neuronal excitability and gene expression. They impact central nervous system (CNS) function through allosteric modulation of neurotransmitter receptors including inhibitory effects via GABA-A receptor agonists, such as allopregnanolone, and excitatory effects via NMDA receptor class of glutamate receptor agonists, such as pregnanolone sulfate. Drs Clayton and Thase take a deep dive into the neurobiology of depression and the mechanics of new faster acting treatment methods.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this educational activity, you should be able to:
• Identify cases of major depressive disorder in your practice that would benefit from faster-acting antidepressant treatment
