Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology and Addiction
June 25, 2026
Luca Persico, Giacomo D’andrea, Clara Cavallotto et al.
Background: Intranasal esketamine (ESK-NS) is an effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but whether antidepressant outcomes differ by sex and age remains insufficiently explored. Methods: This secondary analysis of the REAL-ESK study included 210 patients with TRD treated with ESK-NS in routine clinical practice and assessed at baseline (T0), one month (T1), and three...
Translational Psychiatry
June 24, 2026
Mauro Pettorruso, Giacomo D’andrea, Antonio Inserra et al.
Clinical trials investigating psychedelic compounds for depression and anxiety-related disorders are yielding promising preliminary results. Psychedelics produce profound alterations in brain function—such as suppression of the default mode network and thalamocortical dysregulation—leading to intense subjective experiences including ego dissolution and mystical-type states. While often...
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
October 19, 2025
Alessio Mosca, Gianluca Mancusi, Stefania Chiappini et al.
6 citations
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are increasingly used by young individuals for their psychoactive effects and have been frequently associated with the emergence of psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, it remains unclear whether NPS use directly increases the risk of psychosis onset or whether individuals with a predisposition to psychosis are more likely to...
Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology and Addiction
September 25, 2025
Stefania Chiappini, Clara Cavallotto, Andrea Miuli et al.
2 citations
Introduction: Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) affects approximately 30–50% of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who fail to respond to at least two adequate antidepressant trials. This condition presents substantial clinical and functional challenges, and no universally accepted treatment algorithm currently exists. Emerging therapeutic strategies, particularly glutamatergic...
Brain Sci
September 17, 2025
Alessio Mosca, Stefania Chiappini, Andrea Miuli et al.
1 citation
Clinical Management of Synthetic-Cannabinoid-Induced Psychosis: A Systematic Review of Treatment Strategies and Outcomes.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
August 1, 2025
Giovanni Martinotti, Clara Cavallotto, Giacomo D’andrea et al.
Abstract Background Among the innovative treatments investigated for depression, psilocybin appears to play an extremely promising role, with several studies showing remission rates up to 70% in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) treated with protocols involving a single or double dose administration [1,2]. Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound belonging to the tryptamine class,...
Psychiatry Research
July 26, 2025
Giacomo D’andrea, Clara Cavallotto, Mauro Pettorruso et al.
16 citations
INTRODUCTION Anhedonia, defined as the diminished ability to experience or anticipate pleasure, is a core symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BD), and associated with depression severity, suicidality and poor treatment outcomes. Conventional antidepressants demonstrate limited efficacy against anhedonia. Esketamine nasal spray (ESK-NS) - a novel NMDA receptor...
Current Neuropharmacology
February 20, 2025
Alessio Mosca, Stefania Chiappini, Gianluca Mancusi et al.
3 citations
BACKGROUND: The widespread availability and accessibility of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines play a vital role in modern healthcare systems, enabling individuals to manage minor health concerns independently. However, certain OTC medications possess pharmacological properties that render them susceptible to misuse and abuse, including stimulants, laxatives, sedatives, and opiate-containing...
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
February 1, 2025
Clara Cavallotto, Giacomo D’andrea, Andrea Miuli et al.
1 citation
Abstract Background Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) affects almost 30% of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (1). Esketamine Nasal Spray (ESK-NS) has recently been approved for TRD in combination with a Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitor/SSRI or a Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor/SNRI. There is a lack of studies investigating the effectiveness and safety of ESK-NS...
Journal of Affective Disorders
December 15, 2024
Giacomo d'Andrea, Andrea Miuli, Mauro Pettorruso et al.
6 citations
Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) affects almost 30 % of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Esketamine Nasal Spray (ESK-NS) has recently been approved for TRD in combination with a Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitor/SSRI or a Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor/SNRI. There is a lack of studies investigating the effectiveness and safety of ESK-NS in combination with...
Psychiatry International
September 20, 2024
Alessio Mosca, Stefania Chiappini, Andrea Miuli et al.
5 citations
Background: Piperazines, synthetic compounds known for their stimulant and hallucinogenic effects, have gained prominence among novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and are frequently associated with adverse psychiatric outcomes, including psychosis. Methods: A systematic review of the literature available up to 23 May 2024 was conducted, using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases,...
Bipolar Disorders
January 13, 2023
Giovanni Martinotti, Bernardo Dell’osso, Giorgio Di Lorenzo et al.
72 citations
BACKGROUND: Bipolar depression accounts for most of the disease duration in type I and type II bipolar disorder (BD), with few treatment options, often poorly tolerated. Many individuals do not respond to first-line therapeutic options, resulting in treatment-resistant bipolar depression (B-TRD). Esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine, has recently been approved for treatment-resistant...