Oral Ketamine for Depression; ADHD Video Game Cleared; Narcolepsy Drug OK’d for Kids

A phase II study showed that twice-weekly oral ketamine tablets led to significantly greater reductions in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores compared with placebo after 13 weeks in adults with treatment-resistant major depression. (Nature Medicine)

A secondary analysis of the ELEKT-D trial showed greater improvements in self-reported depression symptoms with intravenous ketamine compared with electroconvulsive therapy in adults with treatment-resistant major depression. (JAMA Network Open)

Digital therapeutics company Akili said the FDA cleared EndeavorOTC, an over-the-counter treatment for adults with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) delivered through a video game.

And Harmony Biosciences said the FDA expanded the approval of pitolisant (Wakix) tablets to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in pediatric patients with narcolepsy ages 6 years and older.

Meanwhile, the agency accepted a supplemental new drug application for brexpiprazole (Rexulti) in combination with sertraline (Zoloft) for treating adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Otsuka and Lundbeck announced, with a decision from FDA expected by early 2025.

Public health experts are worried about an increase in gambling addiction. (STAT)

In related news, a 6-week, self-guided, internet-based intervention significantly improved gambling and depressive symptoms — but not gambling-specific thought distortions — in people with self-reported problematic gambling behavior. (JAMA Network Open)

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, declared gun violence a public health crisis, noting that it has created a cycle of trauma and fear that is damaging Americans’ mental health.

Researchers identified six biotypes of major depression by using brain imaging combined with machine learning. (Nature Medicine)

The WHO reported that 2.6 million deaths per year were attributable to alcohol consumption and 0.6 million deaths were attributable to psychoactive drug use; most occurred in men.

PTSD may be an independent risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea in older men, a cross-sectional study of twins who served in the Vietnam War suggested. (JAMA Network Open)

Doctors who screened positive for depression during their internship had significantly higher depression scores 5 and 10 years later. (JAMA Network Open.)

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