IL-6 Drug Promising in Depression; U.S. More Anxious; AI Risks in Addiction Medicine

A single infusion of the interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitor tocilizumab (Actemra) showed greater improvements in depression severity, somatic symptoms, fatigue, and anxiety in patients with difficult-to-treat depression and low-grade inflammation compared with placebo in a proof-of-concept trial. (JAMA Psychiatry)

A 3-minute video game-like task was able to monitor depression severity. (PNAS)

Nearly half (48%) of Americans said they’re more anxious than they were last year, according to a national poll from the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Catch up on coverage from APA’s annual meeting here.

Meanwhile, the number of pediatric primary care visits that included mental health issues increased from 2014 to 2023, with the greatest spike for anxiety, a study of insurance claims found. (JAMA Network Open)

An ultra-brief intermittent theta-burst stimulation protocol was as effective as standard high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treating depressive symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, while also reducing treatment time. (JAMA Network Open)

GLP-1 drugs may help mitigate some of the metabolic side effects associated with clozapine or olanzapine therapy, a literature review suggested. (Cureus)

Over 5 million people in the U.S. have used kratom in their lifetime, with increasing popularity among young adults, according to research in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

Artificial intelligence has a place in medicine, though may be risky in addiction medicine, a STAT opinion piece argued.

Brain-stimulating contact lenses produced antidepressant-like effects similar to that of fluoxetine (Prozac) in mice. (Cell Reports Physical Science)

Combined treatment with levothyroxine and liothyronine was tied to an increased risk of psychiatric morbidity in patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism, a Swedish cohort study found. (Journal of the Endocrine Society)

Positive screening rates increased by 9% for depression and 30% for post-traumatic stress disorder among over 3 million Veterans Health Administration patients from 2021 to 2024. (JAMA Network Open)