Two Depression Drugs Flop; ECT vs Ketamine; ‘Depressive Realism’ Squashed

The investigational drug REL-1017 flopped for patients with major depressive disorder in the phase III RELIANCE III trial, failing to make a significant dent in depression symptoms by day 28, Relmada Therapeutics announced.

In other news, Arrivo BioVentures’ major depressive disorder treatment candidate SP-624 — a potential first-in-class sirtuin 6 activator — also missed its primary endpoint in a phase II study, failing to improve symptom scores in all study participants. However, in a post-hoc analysis, women saw a significant improvement at week 4 of treatment.

Meanwhile, zuranolone 50 mg significantly improved depressive symptoms by day 15, with benefits seen as early as day 3, among adult women with postpartum depression. Developers Sage Therapeutics and Biogen presented the phase III SKYLARK study findings at the 35th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress.

Could the addiction drug naltrexone (Vivitrol) actually be a promising treatment for long COVID symptoms like brain fog? (Reuters)

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of six trials, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was a bit more effective for depressive symptoms compared with ketamine. “Treatment options should be individualized and patient-centered, considering different adverse effect profiles and patient preferences,” the researchers wrote in JAMA Psychiatry.

Getting an attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis in childhood didn’t appear to improve quality of life in adolescence and was linked with a greater risk of self-harm when compared to adolescents with similar levels of hyperactive/inattentive behaviors who had never received a formal ADHD diagnosis. (JAMA Network Open)

Researchers are dismissing the theory of “depressive realism,” which suggests that people with depression simply see the world more realistically. (Collabra: Psychology)

The FDA rejected Minerva Neurosciences’ new drug application for roluperidone — for the treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia — hitting the developer with a refusal to file letter.