Same drug, different story: repurposing drugs in mental health

There have been few new medications for mental health disorders over the past 20 years. While the health burden from mental illness is growing and effective psychological therapies have increased in availability, there is a need for innovation in all therapeutic areas. The intimacy of relationships between inflammation, immunity and brain function has become clear, raising the prospect that anti-inflammatory drugs might have therapeutic benefit. This talk will review this exciting new development and suggest where knowledge is firm and and where it’s flaky.

People with depression often experience memory problems or difficulties in making decisions. A major challenge is that such problems tend to be persistent and clinicians cannot offer enough help due to a lack of treatment options. In my talk, I will discuss the ways to approach this challenge with a particular focus on modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting drug that has the potential to improve memory and decision-making in depression.

Ketamine and esketamine are rapidly acting antidepressants. How do they work? Can their effect be maintained? And how can we avoid over-prescription, backlash and stigma – the fate of most potent psychiatric treatments? Based on our experience of treating over 150 patients I will talk about the trials and tribulations of introducing this new treatment and about the problems that may lie ahead. And of course, there’s always the Brexit angle.

As part of the Creative Reactions project, Alan will be presenting artwork inspired by the research of speakers in this talk series. The artwork will also be on display at our Creative Reactions Exhibition at St Barnabas Church, 24 - 25 May.