Welcome to the March/April 2023 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (JCP). There are many interesting and fascinating articles to explore in this issue. I would like to highlight a few of them. On pages 87-88, Drs. Armstrong and Preskorn have written a Guest Editorial titled, “Thoughts on the Value of Case Series in the Literature: An Example Using the Article on Lurasidone Augmentation of Clozapine in Refractory Schizophrenia." The case series appears on pages 157-160. Drs. Armstrong and Preskorn focus on both the potential benefits and limitations posed by the publication of a small case series, using the report by Dr. Olivola and colleagues as an example.
Some have hypothesized that ketamine partly exerts its antidepressant effects by modulating the opioid system. On pages 89-96, Dr. Quintanilla and colleagues report on a study that examined the relationship between the Κ-opioid receptor (KOR) and dynorphin plasma levels, diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), sex, and response to ketamine. They report that the diagnosis of MDD and biological sex are involved with changes in components of the KOR/dynorphin pathway. Neither KOR nor dynorphin levels consistently moderated ketamine's therapeutic effects or adverse effects, nor were levels altered after ketamine infusion. There is an accompanying podcast from Dr. Quintanilla which can be found here.
On pages 97-105, Dr. Bogers and colleagues, in a paper titled, “Feasibility and Effect of Increasing Clozapine Plasma Levels in Long-Stay Patients With Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia," present data from a study that looked at whether increasing the clozapine plasma level to 400, 750, or 1000 ng/mL is a feasible and effective strategy in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. There is an accompanying podcast from Dr. Bogers which can be found here.
Dr. Viguera and colleagues, in a paper titled, “Risk of Major Malformations Following First-Trimester Exposure to Olanzapine: Preliminary Data From the Massachusetts General Hospital National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications" (pages 106-112), present data on the risk of major malformations among infants exposed to olanzapine, one of the most commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications, during pregnancy compared to a group of nonexposed infants.
Finally, on pages 194-195 is a salute to our invaluable reviewers who have contributed their time and expertise in evaluating the many articles submitted to the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2022. And as you will see, there are many interesting Original Contributions, Brief Reports, and Letters to the Editor in the March/April 2023 issue!
Anthony J. Rothschild, MD
