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CNS Drugs

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01-05-2012 | Leading Article

Minocycline

Therapeutic Potential in Psychiatry

Authors: Dr Olivia M. Dean, João Data-Franco, Francesco Giorlando, Michael Berk

Published in: CNS Drugs | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

Pharmacological interventions to treat psychiatric illness have previously focused on modifying dysfunctional neurotransmitter systems to improve symptoms. However, imperfect understanding of the aetiology of these heterogeneous syndromes has been associated with poor treatment outcomes for many individuals. Growing evidence suggests that oxidative stress, inflammation, changes in glutamatergic pathways and neurotrophins play important roles in many psychiatric illnesses including mood disorders, schizophrenia and addiction. These novel insights into pathophysiology allow new treatment targets to be explored. Minocycline is an antibiotic that can modulate glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Given that these mechanisms overlap with the newly understood pathophysiological pathways, minocycline has potential as an adjunctive treatment in psychiatry. To date there have been promising clinical indications that minocycline may be a useful treatment in psychiatry, albeit from small trials most of which were not placebo controlled. Case reports of individuals with schizophrenia, psychotic symptoms and bipolar depression have shown serendipitous benefits of minocycline treatment on psychiatric symptoms. Minocycline has been trialled in open-label or small randomized controlled trials in psychiatry. Results vary, with findings supporting use in schizophrenia, but showing less benefit for nicotine dependence and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Given the limited data from rigorous clinical trials, further research is required. However, taken together, the current evidence suggests minocycline may be a promising novel therapy in psychiatry

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Title: Minocycline
Therapeutic Potential in Psychiatry
Authors: Dr Olivia M. Dean
João Data-Franco
Francesco Giorlando
Michael Berk
Publication date: 01-05-2012
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: CNS Drugs / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 1172-7047
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1934
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/11632000-000000000-00000

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Minocycline

Therapeutic Potential in Psychiatry

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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