Current Psychopharmacology - Volume 12, Issue 1, 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity, tremors, and impaired balance, among other motor impairments. The issue arises from dopaminergic neurons located in the spinal column of the brain. This research report examines the therapeutic potential of dopaminergic medications in the management of Parkinson's disease. The central concept of Parkinson's disease (PD) revolves around the notion that dopaminergic pathways exert significant influence over the regulation of movement. The book examines various dopaminergic medications, elucidating their mechanisms of action and the impact they exert on dopamine signaling. Examples of these medications include levodopa, dopamine agonists, and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors. Although dopaminergic medicines initially aid in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), prolonged usage of these medications gives rise to several complications. Experiencing dyskinesias and motor fluctuations, characterized by episodes of involuntary movements and behaviors that are undesired, is a significant challenge. This study investigates the underlying causes of these difficulties and explores potential treatment options, including the use of controlled-release formulations and further therapy. The book discusses the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as the use of dopaminergic medications to treat mood disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and cognitive loss. Dopaminergic medications remain crucial in reducing motor symptoms and enhancing the quality of life for those with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex condition with multiple distinct variations. In order to address its existing challenges and explore its potential implications for future Parkinson's disease medications, a comprehensive and effectively coordinated strategy is required.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is induced by antipsychotic drugs that have dopamine-antagonising properties. It frequently causes physical and mental anguish in individuals, lowering their quality of life. Recent research on the aetiology and pathogenesis of TD indicates that genetic predisposition, treatment options, age, sex, and lifestyle factors are among the key risk factors contributing to the development of TD. Various genetic polymorphisms along with severe oxidative stress and other diseased conditions help to precipitate TD while on antipsychotic medications or other dopamine receptor blockers. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are at a higher likelihood of developing TD. The current piece of literature aims to review the probable underlying mechanisms of TD, explore its pathophysiology, address the diagnostic challenges, and present the available treatment options. This comprehensive analysis draws from a range of published peer-reviewed publications, presenting the information in a clear and accessible manner.

This narrative review delves into the potential therapeutic implications of semaglutide, a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, in the context of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). By systematically exploring databases from 2011 to 2023, and incorporating foundational works from 2004, a total of 59 articles were identified as pertinent to the topic. Utilizing the SANRA scale for assessment, the quality and relevance of these studies were rigorously evaluated. Preliminary findings indicate that semaglutide may play a pivotal role in modulating behaviors associated with SUDs, potentially providing fresh perspectives on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these disorders. While the precise pathways of action for semaglutide remain to be fully deciphered, its recurrent mention in the literature underscores its emerging importance in the field of SUD research. As the understanding of semaglutide's influence expands, it holds promise as a focal point in future studies, warranting further in-depth exploration to ascertain its full therapeutic potential.

Depression has a high prevalence and associated comorbidities. It is still unknown what the molecular basis of depression is, regardless of many theories that have been put up to explain it. Many researchers investigate that present-day therapies for depression are ineffective due to their low efficacy, delayed onset of action (typically two weeks), and adverse effects. Novel medications that operate more quickly and effectively are thus needed. Several novel molecules (e.g., ketamine, buprenorphine) have been proven to produce quick and dependable antidepressant benefits in depressive patients who are resistant to treatment; yet, questions about their effectiveness, possible abuse, and adverse effects persist. The molecular basis and pharmacological interventions for depression were included in this study. Even if pharmaceutical treatments for depression have mostly failed to alleviate the condition, identifying and addressing possible risk factors in an effort to reduce the prevalence of this psychiatric disease is beneficial for public health. We emphasized the neuroanatomy and etiopathogenesis of depression, along with a discussion of the putative pharmacological mechanisms, novel targets, research hurdles, and prospective therapeutic futures.

A review is presented as to the neurochemical basis of the straight runway task, usually consisting of an acquisition phase followed by an extinction phase. During the acquisition of the appetitive runway task, running speeds from the start box to the goal box progressively increase over trials and then decrease when the reward is withheld. Runway extinction is susceptible to lesions of the limbic system, including the medial frontal cortex, the hippocampus, the septum, the amygdala, and the dorsomedial thalamus. When specific neurotransmitter systems are examined, extinction was delayed when noradrenaline transmission was impeded, perhaps involving noradrenergic projections to the hippocampus and neocortex. Extinction was likewise delayed after either facilitation or blocking of dopamine transmission, a result implicating an inverted U-shaped function caused by dopamine’s role in behavioral activation or reward processes. Extinction was also delayed by indirect GABAA receptor agonists injected during acquisition, explained by drug-induced disinhibitory tendencies. This simple paradigm may provide information about the effects of a physiological manipulation on both cognition and emotion.

Depression is one of the most challenging diseases for society to treat. It is a highly prevalent and disabling illness in the general population. Affective disorders are characterised by depressed mood, diminished interest and pleasure, feelings of guilt or poor self-worth, sleep or food difficulties, decreased energy, and impaired attention. This manuscript will look at depression from a behavioural analytic perspective. The pathogenesis of major depressive disorder is poorly understood. Several lines of experimental and clinical evidence, however, show that the therapeutic effect of most antidepressant drugs is related to an increase in 5-HT-mediated neurotransmission. Alternative techniques, however, are employed to obtain this net effect. A better understanding of the neurological mechanism underpinning antidepressant drugs' delayed onset of action has resulted in the development of ways to accelerate antidepressant responses, which are discussed further below. Many antidepressant medications on the market today are beneficial, but they come with many downsides, including unpleasant side effects, potential interactions, and a low response rate. Natural drugs, on the other hand, are extremely effective, have a low risk, and a limited amount of side effects, which are covered briefly in this paper. Alternative modalities of administration have received a lot of attention in recent decades as a complement to approved prescription pharmaceuticals, especially for people who cannot tolerate oral or parenteral methods. The most promising non-invasive systemic delivery techniques are transdermal and transbronchial administration, and these are the focus of this research.