Serotonin News and Research

Latest Serotonin News and Research

Eli Lilly's Cymbalta receives FDA approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cymbalta® (duloxetine HCl) for the maintenance treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults, announced Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY).

30 Nov 2009

Study on placebo effect

A short time ago, Swedish scientists published a paper suggesting the existence of a genetic disposition to respond to placebo, thus giving rise to debate in the media about a possible "placebo gene." In the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2009; 106[46]: 751-5), Matthias Breidert and Karl Hofbauer summarize the most recent data about placebos.

28 Nov 2009

Findings show the relationship between neurotransmitter dopamine and ADHD

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have uncovered evidence of a primitive emotion-like behavior in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.

26 Nov 2009

Reboxetine drug does not alleviate depression, says new study

There is no scientific proof that people suffering from depression can benefit from taking reboxetine. However, clinical trials do provide proof of benefit of bupropion XL and mirtazapine: both agents can alleviate symptoms. This is the conclusion of the final report of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) published on 24 November 2009.

24 Nov 2009

Top-line data from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals' LX1031 Phase 2 study for IBS to be presented

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced today that top-line data from its Phase 2 clinical study with LX1031 in patients with non-constipating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) will be presented at GASTRO 2009 in London this week. Results from the study, which showed a significant improvement in IBS symptoms, will be presented by Dr. Philip M. Brown, Lexicon's senior vice president of clinical development, on November 25, 2009 at 2:30 pm local time at the session entitled, "Therapeutic insights in functional digestive disorders."

23 Nov 2009

BioSante Pharmaceuticals applauds Boehringer Ingelheim for developing a therapy to treat HSDD

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company developing products for female sexual health, including LibiGel® for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), applauds the efforts of Boehringer Ingelheim to develop a therapy to treat this unmet medical need.

17 Nov 2009

Positive results from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals' LX1031 Phase 2 study for IBS

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the company's investigational new drug, LX1031, a tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) inhibitor, demonstrated positive results in clinically important parameters for the treatment of non-constipating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

13 Nov 2009

Potential benefits of Labopharm's novel trazodone formulation published

Labopharm Inc. today announced an article has been published in the international journal of neuropsychiatric medicine, CNS Spectrums October, 2009 issue, citing the potential benefit of its novel trazodone formulation, which contains Contramid(R). Labopharm's Contramid is the clinically validated proprietary technology that controls the release of active substances from oral medications to optimize drug delivery.

11 Nov 2009

Low-fat diet improves mood and memory skills, says new study

After one year, a low-calorie, low-fat diet appears more beneficial to dieters' mood than a low-carbohydrate plan with the same number of calories, according to a report in the November 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

10 Nov 2009

National Institutes of Health grants $6-million for brain disease research

Brown University, in collaboration with two other institutions, has been awarded a five-year, $6-million National Institutes of Health program project grant to help determine how a virus that can cause a rare brain disease attaches to host cells.

6 Nov 2009

Scientists develop technique to predict new target diseases for existing drugs

Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco have developed and experimentally tested a technique to predict new target diseases for existing drugs.

4 Nov 2009

New improved enzyme could help facilitate spinal cord injuries

Researchers have developed an improved version of an enzyme that degrades the dense scar tissue that forms when the central nervous system is damaged. By digesting the tissue that blocks re-growth of damaged nerves, the improved enzyme - and new system for delivering it - could facilitate recovery from serious central nervous system injuries.

4 Nov 2009

Individuals who had experienced trauma exposure in both childhood and adulthood likely to develop PTSD

Individuals who experience both childhood adversity and traumatic events in adulthood appear more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than those exposed to only one of these types of incidents, according to a report in the November issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In addition, the risk was further increased in individuals with a certain genetic mutation.

3 Nov 2009

Stress-evoked changes can precipitate low mood and re-ignite drug-seeking behaviors

Stress-evoked changes in circuits that regulate serotonin in certain parts of the brain can precipitate a low mood and a relapse in cocaine-seeking, based on mouse studies published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

31 Oct 2009

Arena Pharmaceuticals presents data from its Phase 3 trial of LOrcaserin

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported today data from the pivotal BLOSSOM (Behavioral modification and LOrcaserin Second Study for Obesity Management) Phase 3 trial that demonstrate improvements in patients' body composition, cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life. These findings add to the previously announced top-line BLOSSOM data that showed highly significant weight loss with lorcaserin over one year of treatment in 4,008 patients.

28 Oct 2009

Culture-based treatment may be effective for reducing depression

A genetic tendency to depression is much less likely to be realized in a culture centered on collectivistic rather than individualistic values, according to a new Northwestern University study.

28 Oct 2009

Scientists explore genetic 'Prozac markers'; research may provide simple test for treating depression

Prozac works wonders for some depressed people, but not for others. In some cases, patients derive little benefit and at worst, it can lead to bizarre hallucinations and fits of rage. Researchers and doctors remain puzzled as to what causes the wide range of reaction to Prozac and similar antidepressants.

28 Oct 2009

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals reports fiscal 2009 third-quarter results and updates of its clinical trials

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing breakthrough treatments for human disease, today updated its drug development progress and reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

27 Oct 2009

Antidepressants are not effective for many people

More than half the people who take antidepressants for depression never get relief.

24 Oct 2009

Study compares differences between inpatient and day treatment of bulimia nervosa

A German study published in the fifth issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics compares the differences between inpatient and day treatment of bulimia nervosa.

23 Oct 2009