Depression
Recent articles
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
What, if anything, makes mood fundamentally different from memory?
To better understand mood disorders—and to develop more effective treatments—should we target the brain, the mind, the environment or all three?
![Illustration of a sparkly brain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200-nicole-rust-brain-disorder-mood-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
What, if anything, makes mood fundamentally different from memory?
To better understand mood disorders—and to develop more effective treatments—should we target the brain, the mind, the environment or all three?
FDA describes ‘objectionable conditions’ at New York State Psychiatric Institute
The facility’s institutional review board failed to report a 2021 incident and “serious and ongoing noncompliance” by a principal investigator, according to a letter released by the federal agency this week.
![Image of a red rectangle against a gray background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FDA-letter-1200-1024x692.webp)
FDA describes ‘objectionable conditions’ at New York State Psychiatric Institute
The facility’s institutional review board failed to report a 2021 incident and “serious and ongoing noncompliance” by a principal investigator, according to a letter released by the federal agency this week.
Temperament is innate but hackable, animal studies suggest
Emotional reactivity and vulnerability to stress are largely inherited in rodents — but can be modified in early life by targeting inflammation-related cells or even just adjusting an animal’s environment.
![Research image of microglia in rats.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-neurobiology-emotion-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Temperament is innate but hackable, animal studies suggest
Emotional reactivity and vulnerability to stress are largely inherited in rodents — but can be modified in early life by targeting inflammation-related cells or even just adjusting an animal’s environment.
Co-occurring conditions in autistic teens increase with age
The most prevalent conditions include obesity, neurological disorders, anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
![Photograph of a doctor and nurse checking a patient’s temperature and taking notes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/co-occurring-conditions-autism-teens-811.png)
Co-occurring conditions in autistic teens increase with age
The most prevalent conditions include obesity, neurological disorders, anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Exclusive: Shake-up at top psychiatric institute following suicide in clinical trial
The New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City is undergoing an audit and a change in leadership following a suicide that occurred during one of its clinical trials.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rutherfordreplac-1200e-1024x692.webp)
Exclusive: Shake-up at top psychiatric institute following suicide in clinical trial
The New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City is undergoing an audit and a change in leadership following a suicide that occurred during one of its clinical trials.
Prenatal exposures; Angelman trial suspension; autistic adult well-being
This month’s issue of the Null and Noteworthy newsletter breaks down some negative results involving prenatal exposures, an experimental treatment for Angelman syndrome, and the role that age at autism diagnosis plays in subsequent outcomes, and more.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lights_03-scaled.jpg)
Prenatal exposures; Angelman trial suspension; autistic adult well-being
This month’s issue of the Null and Noteworthy newsletter breaks down some negative results involving prenatal exposures, an experimental treatment for Angelman syndrome, and the role that age at autism diagnosis plays in subsequent outcomes, and more.
Flawed protocol for levodopa clinical trial brings retractions
The retracted studies mar hope for the drug’s use in depression.
![Photograph of a white man in a green sweater sitting on a yellow sofa near a large window.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-flawed-levodopa-clinical-trial-retraction.jpg)
Flawed protocol for levodopa clinical trial brings retractions
The retracted studies mar hope for the drug’s use in depression.
Null and Noteworthy: Reinforcing rigor; medication medley
This month’s newsletter highlights findings on the use of three medication types during pregnancy.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/844_Null2_01.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: Reinforcing rigor; medication medley
This month’s newsletter highlights findings on the use of three medication types during pregnancy.
Null and Noteworthy: COVID-19 conclusions; diagnosis duplication; oxytocin again
This month’s newsletter explores the pandemic’s effects on autism rates, trends in co-occurring mental health conditions, and the impact of intranasal oxytocin.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lights_03-scaled.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: COVID-19 conclusions; diagnosis duplication; oxytocin again
This month’s newsletter explores the pandemic’s effects on autism rates, trends in co-occurring mental health conditions, and the impact of intranasal oxytocin.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
X-chromosome genes; neurobiology of infant crying; MCHAT in preemies
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 September.
![Research image of astrocytes and microglia in mouse brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1200-spotted-20240903-1024x683.webp)
X-chromosome genes; neurobiology of infant crying; MCHAT in preemies
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 September.