Several studies have found that ketamine produces a rapid antidepressant effect, reducing suicidal ideation in just hours.
A new study from Northwestern University sheds light on why the benefits are so instantaneous.
Traditional antidepressants work by increasing the number of neurons in the brain, which can take several weeks.
Ketamine, on the other hand, was found to increase activity in newborn neurons, which then activates other cells in the hippocampus.
“This small population of cells acts like a match, starting a fire that ignites a bunch of activity in a lot of other cells that produce the behavioral effects,” says lead study author Dr. John Kessler.
“That’s important because when you give ketamine to patients now, it affects multiple regions of the brain and causes a lot of adverse side effects. But since we now know exactly which cells we want to target, we can design drugs to focus only on those cells.”
One in four young adults contemplated suicide last year.
Clearly, something needs to change. Could ketamine be the solution?
A study last month found that ketamine was well-tolerated in adolescents aged 13-17 and significantly reduced their depression symptoms.
76% of participants had at least a 50% reduction in depression scores within 3 days of receiving a ketamine infusion, compared to 35% of the placebo group.
The teens had tried between 1 and 7 antidepressants without success prior to the treatment. They all remained on their medications during the trial (SSRIs, non-SSRI antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or lithium) with no serious adverse side effects.
Despite having a supportive family and a healthy lifestyle, Sarah had crippling self doubt and suicidal ideation. It wasn’t until she tried ketamine therapy that she realized why she felt these emotions.
The experience revealed that she never healed the scars of feeling unloved during her parents’ divorce. Her dream-like visions on ketamine showed her that separation is a natural part of life, and that she doesn’t need to be perfect to deserve love.
Sarah finally believes “I’m worth being here,’ she says.
A meta-analysis of 7 clinical trials (5 psilocybin + 2 ayahuasca) found that psychedelic therapy significantly reduced suicidality in as little as 80 minutes.
The significant reductions were sustained for 3-4 months, and patients still had a moderate reduction in suicidality after 6 months.
The majority of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) also experience depression, and patients with severe TBI-related depression are 5x more likely to attempt suicide.
Wesana Health (WESA) is planning a study to see if the condition can be treated with one large dose of psilocybin in a clinic, followed by “self-administered maintenance doses” of psilocybin and CBD to sustain the benefits.
Researchers believe the treatment will promote neuroplasticity and neurogenesis while reducing neuroinflammation.
Researchers have known for years that ketamine can reduce depression symptoms and suicidal ideation in as little as 24 hours, but a recent study helps us understand why it’s so beneficial.
The study showed that a single dose of ketamine rapidly improved cognitive function, problem-solving abilities, and distorted thinking in suicidal patients.
“Being able to think more clearly can make someone feel less suicidal,” explains Ravi. N. Shah, MD, one of the researchers.
Ketamine was more effective than Midazolam, a benzodiazepine used as a sedative for surgeries. After the dose, suicidal ideation was diminished for up to 6 weeks.
– Data from the Part 1 Open-Label Portion of the Study Demonstrated a Rapid, Robust, and Sustained Improvement on all 4 Scales Utilized Measuring Depression and Suicide
– Data Demonstrated the Group Mean Met the MADRS Responder Criteria at All Times Points Measured from 24 Hours Through Day 29/30 of the Study
– Data Demonstrated the Group Mean Met the MADRS Remission Criteria Initially at Day 6 of the Study
NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEEL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies for central nervous system disorders and rare diseases, today presented a poster on Part 1, the open-label portion, of the study of SLS-002 (Intranasal Racemic Ketamine) at the IASR/AFSP International Summit on Suicide Research Virtual Conference.
Clinical Improvements in Four Scales over Study Duration in a Phase 2 Open Label Study of Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of SLS-002 (Intranasal Racemic Ketamine) in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder at Imminent Risk of Suicide
The poster titled A Phase 2 Open Label Study of Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of SLS-002 (Intranasal Racemic Ketamine) in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder at Imminent Risk of Suicide, demonstrated rapid, robust and sustained reductions on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Clinical Global Impression of Severity for Suicidal Ideation and Behavior (CGIS-SI/B), the Patient Global Impression of severity for Suicidal Ideation and Behavior (PGIS-SI/B), and the Sheehan-Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS).
“SLS-002 demonstrated a rapid onset of action, impressive efficacy and a sustained improvement from the first dose through the end of the study, including the group mean meeting the MADRS remission criteria initially on Day 6 after only 2 doses,” said Raj Mehra, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Seelos. “Meeting these early criteria for response and remission is highly encouraging considering that these patients were not only severely depressed but also acutely suicidal.”
This open-label portion of the study enrolled 17 subjects diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) requiring psychiatric hospitalization due to significant risk of suicide with a baseline score of > 28 points on the MADRS, a score of 5 or 6 on MADRS Item-10, a score of > 15 points on the S-STS total score and a history of previous suicide attempt(s), as confirmed on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) with a history of at least one actual attempt, or if the attempt was interrupted or aborted, is judged to have been serious in intent.
If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, please seek immediate medical help, go to your nearest emergency room, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
About SLS-002
SLS-002 is intranasal racemic ketamine with two investigational new drug applications (“INDs”). The lead program is focused on the treatment of ASIB in MDD. SLS-002 was originally derived from a Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc./Hospira, Inc. program with 16 clinical studies involving approximately 500 subjects. SLS-002 looks to address an unmet need for an efficacious drug to treat suicidality in the United States. Traditionally, anti-depressants have been used in this setting but many of the existing treatments are known to contribute to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts in some circumstances, and if and when they are effective, it often takes weeks for the full therapeutic effect to be manifested. We believe there is a large opportunity in the United States and European markets for products in this space. Based on information gathered from the databases of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, there were approximately 1,000,000 visits to emergency rooms for suicide attempts in 2013 in the United States alone. Experimental studies suggest ketamine has the potential to be a rapid, effective treatment for refractory depression and suicidality.
About Seelos Therapeutics
Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and advancement of novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs for the benefit of patients with central nervous system (CNS) disorders and other rare diseases. The Company’s robust portfolio includes several late-stage clinical assets targeting indications including Acute Suicidal Ideation and Behavior (ASIB) in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Sanfilippo syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease, other psychiatric and movement disorders plus orphan diseases.
For more information, please visit our website: http://seelostherapeutics.com, the content of which is not incorporated herein by reference.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this press release, which are not historical in nature, constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among others, those regarding Seelos’ Phase 2 open label study of efficacy, safety, and tolerability of SLS-002 (Intranasal Racemic Ketamine) in adults with major depressive disorder at imminent risk of suicide (the “Study”), statements regarding SLS-002’s prospects and statements regarding the Company’s potential market opportunity. These statements are based on Seelos’ current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks associated with Seelos’ business and plans described herein include, but are not limited to, the risk of not successfully executing its preclinical and clinical studies, or continuing the Study, and not gaining marketing approvals for its product candidates, the risk that prior clinical results may not be replicated in future studies and trials (including the risk that the clinical results from the Study are not replicated), the risks that clinical study results may not meet any or all endpoints of a clinical study and that any data generated from such studies may not support a regulatory submission or approval, the risks associated with the implementation of a new business strategy, the risks related to raising capital to fund its development plans and ongoing operations, risks related to Seelos’ current stock price, risks related to the global impact of COVID-19, as well as other factors expressed in Seelos’ periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, even if subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
The push for psilocybin research is gaining traction in Pennsylvania.
Twenty one lawmakers from both parties sponsored a bill called the Public Heath Benefits of Psilocybin Act, which wouldsetup a research framework to optimize psilocybin’s public health benefits. Studies focused on veterans, retired first responders, and their families would be prioritized.
“A growing body of research provides a reason for hope that psilocybin, administered in a controlled setting, will be the most effective tool at our disposal to combat the suicide, opioid and overall mental health crisis burdening the Commonwealth,” the group wrote to colleagues.
Conventional SSRI antidepressants are often ineffective in reducing suicidality and have even been known to increase suicidal thoughts. Psychedelics could be a revolutionary solution.
An NYU study found that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduced suicidal ideation in advanced cancer patients. Patients saw improvements in existential distress as early as 8 hours after the first dose, and the positive effects lasted over 6 months after the second dose.
Moms around the world are microdosing magic mushrooms to become better parents.
Natalie from Oakland, CA is one of many moms who’ve turned to microdoing to cope with postpartum depression. She was suffering so much that she was worried she’d harm her newborn, which made her suicidal.
Since microdosing 100mg of mushrooms daily for one month, she’s been able to go off antidepressants and ADHD medications. She says she feels more stable than ever and can now face motherhood with a sense of calm.
“Microdosing let me know who I really am…I’m able to parent myself and my daughter in a whole different way, because when I microdose, I know I’ve got this”, Natalie said in an interview with Insider.
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