Psilocybin vs Lexapro; FDA’s KarXT Decision Nears; Obesity and Schizophrenia

In a phase II trial of moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder, 6 weeks of intensive treatment with psilocybin or escitalopram (Lexapro) plus psychological support were tied to improvements in depression symptom severity at 6 months, but only psilocybin was associated with better measures of social functioning, psychological connectedness, and meaning in life. (eClinicalMedicine)

High doses of amphetamines for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were linked to a five times greater risk of psychosis or mania. (American Journal of Psychiatry)

The FDA is expected to make its hotly anticipated decision on Bristol Myers Squibb’s potential first-in-class schizophrenia drug xanomeline-trospium (KarXT) this week. (BioSpace)

Mount Sinai Health System opened the Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing, an expansion of its psychedelic psychotherapy research center for clinical trials of compounds like midomafetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and ketamine.

Adults with opioid use disorder on higher maximum doses of buprenorphine had longer times to subsequent emergency department visits and use of inpatient services related to behavioral health compared with those receiving recommended lower doses. (JAMA Network Open)

A Fairleigh Dickinson University survey showed that 10% of men ages 18 to 30 have a gambling problem versus just 3% of the overall population.

A study in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery suggested a bidirectional link between chronic rhinosinusitis and common psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression.

Singer Chappell Roan said she was recently diagnosed with severe depression following her bipolar II diagnosis a few years ago. (Billboard)

Fussy eating in childhood may largely be explained by genetics, researchers reported in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

In a Finnish cohort study, systemic menopausal hormone therapy was associated with a lower risk of schizophrenia relapses when used at ages 40-49 and ages 50-55, but not at ages 56-62. (American Journal of Psychiatry)

The Health Resources and Services Administration announced $240 million in awards to expand mental health and substance use disorder services in more than 400 community health centers across the country.

Obesity or overweight in childhood was linked with a greater risk of schizophrenia later in life. (ScienceAdvances)