FDA to Review Olanzapine-Samidorphan Combo (Again); Ketamine for PTSD?

After an initial positive review from an advisory panel but subsequent FDA rejection in November 2020, the FDA accepted Alkermes’ resubmission of its new drug application for ALKS 3831, a combination olanzapine/samidorphan treatment for adults with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder.

Who is most likely to develop an alcohol use disorder? Those who most strongly feel alcohol’s rewarding and pleasurable effects, researchers found. (American Journal of Psychiatry)

A quarter of women with ADHD have attempted suicide, a Canadian study found. (Forbes)

Repeated ketamine infusions were effective at reducing PTSD symptom severity after two weeks. “The data presented in our current study not only replicates, but also builds on our initial findings about ketamine for PTSD, indicating that in addition to being rapid, ketamine’s effect can be maintained over several weeks,” said Dennis Charney, MD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. (American Journal of Psychiatry)

BioSerenity announced the FDA cleared its Neuronaute EEG System and IceCap EEG wearable device to monitor electrical brain activity of patients with epilepsy.

Singer Halsey apologized for not giving a “trigger warning” when sharing a photo of her struggle with an eating disorder. (CNN)

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can help protect against relapse of depressive symptoms. “Self-criticism makes people vulnerable to depression. This study shows that MBCT can influence how people relate to themselves, and that being supportive towards oneself protects against depressive relapse,” said study author Elisabeth Schanche, PhD, of the University of Bergen in Norway. (Counselling and Psychotherapy Research)

Traditional diagnostic criteria might not pick up all cases of autism-linked genetic conditions. “It is important that clinicians are aware of the risk of autism associated with certain genetic conditions in order to improve opportunities for early diagnosis and support,” said Samuel Chawner, PhD, of Cardiff University in Wales. (American Journal of Psychiatry)