Oral Postpartum Depression Tx Heads to FDA; Shroom Microdosing; Autism and Motherese

The FDA is currently reviewing 14-day oral zuranolone for the treatment of major depressive disorder and postpartum depression, with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date set for early August, Biogen and Sage Therapeutics announced.

Some moms are now microdosing mushrooms at play dates to cope with their depression and anxiety. (Washington Post)

During the span of a 22-year Finnish study, 58% of people with low educational attainment were diagnosed with a mental disorder by age 52 versus 36% of those who completed higher education. (Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health)

More and more patients are raising mental health concerns at primary care appointments. “These findings emphasize the need for payment and billing approaches … as well as organizational designs and supports … that enable primary care physicians to adequately address mental health needs,” researchers wrote in Health Affairs.

The shortage of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications has grown worse, in part due to an unexpected rise in demand. (NBC News)

In a meta-analysis of 31 antipsychotics used for schizophrenia, chlorpromazine yielded the most weight gain (5.13 kg vs placebo), followed by clozapine (4.21 kg), olanzapine (3.82 kg), and zotepine (3.87 kg). (World Psychiatry)

In a study of 107 Minnesota Department of Health reports of “drug diversion” in nursing homes, a total of 11,328.5 tablets were stolen from 368 residents — 97.5% of which were controlled substances. This translated to over 30 tablets stolen per resident. (Journal of Applied Gerontology)

Toddlers with autism spectrum disorder tended to pay less attention to “motherese, a playful speech style characterized by exaggerated intonation contours, simple grammar, high pitch, and slow tempo.” (JAMA Network Open)

“Psychedelic churches” that encourage members to consume ayahuasca to promote spiritual awakening are growing in the U.S. and elsewhere. (AP)

Why aren’t new addiction treatments getting as much development funding as other drugs? (STAT)

Among 30-day-old babies, an electronic health record-based autism detection tool showed 45.5% sensitivity and 90% specificity. (JAMA Network Open)

Violations involving suicidal patients may have occurred at Santa Clara County’s main hospital in San Jose. (The Mercury News)

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