The Misrepresentation of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Movies
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), a medical treatment for severe mental illnesses, is one of the most stigmatized and misunderstood procedures in psychiatry, mainly due to its portrayal…
Exploring the Use of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in Treating Depression
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of antidepressant medications that have been used for decades to treat various types of depression. Despite being one of…
Preliminary Findings from LivaNova’s RECOVER Clinical Study on VNS Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD https://med.uth.edu/psychiatry/2022/11/11/joao-l-de-quevedo-md-phd/ LivaNova PLC, a leading medical technology company, recently released preliminary results from its RECOVER clinical study. The study evaluates the efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy in patients with…
FDA Advisers Vote Against First MDMA Therapy to Treat PTSD
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD https://www.utphysicians.com/provider/joao-l-de-quevedo/ Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD The quest for innovative treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) faced a significant setback recently when an advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug…
FDA Grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation to CYB003, a deuterated psilocybin analog being investigated as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD)
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD In a significant stride towards advancing mental health treatment, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) to CYB003, a novel psychedelic compound developed by Cybin Inc….
The real-life treatment-resistant depression population is far more severe than what we expected
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Treatment-resistant depression, a debilitating condition that affects millions worldwide, presents a formidable challenge in psychiatric care due to its resistance to conventional therapies. Despite advancements in pharmacological interventions, psychotherapy, and neuromodulation techniques, a…
Is Maintenance Needed for Patients Who Respond to Acute TMS Therapy?
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a revolutionary treatment for various mental health conditions, particularly depression. Its non-invasive nature and promising results have made it a beacon of hope for many who…
Navigating the Complex Intersection of Depression and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Depression is a heavy burden to carry for anyone, but for individuals on the autism spectrum, its weight can be particularly crushing. Challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors characterize Autism Spectrum…
Celebrating 75 Years of Lithium
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Discovered by Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson in 1817, lithium’s potential truly began to unfold on May 5th, 1949. On this day, Stanley G. Thompson and Glenn T. Seaborg isolated lithium-6, a stable…
FDA Greenlights TMS Therapy for Adolescent Depression
Written by Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD In a momentous stride towards advancing mental health care, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) devices to be utilized in the treatment of Major Depressive…