Updates from 2015 NEI Congress

I am attending the 11th Annual NEI Psychopharmacology Congress in Orlando, Florida.

Here are the important notes taken from various lectures held on DAY 1 of this meeting.
Please refer to http://www.neiglobal.com/ for full access to these presentations.

(1) Pimavanserin:
- 5HT2A inverse agonist.
- FDA Approved for parkinson's disease psychosis management.
- Unlike antipsychotics, it is not known to impair motor function.

(2) Serotonin receptors responsible for pro-cognitive effects of medications:
- 5HT2C agonism
- 5HT1A Antagonism
- 5HT1B/D Antagonism
- 5HT3 Antagonism

(3) MDD Symptoms and Associated Brain Regions :
- Poor Concentration: DLPFC
- Depressed Mood: VMPFC
- Guilt: VMPFC
- Suicidal Ideations: VMPFC and Amygdala

(4) Genetics and Schizophrenia:
- MTHFR TT genotype associated with significantly higher risk of schizophrenia.
- COMT Met/Met allele associated with higher risk of schizophrenia.
- Reduced Biopterin associated with higher risk of schizophrenia.

(5) Borderline Personality Disorder and Psychopharmacological Treatment:
- Mood Stabilizers have the largest effect on impulsive behavior, anger and anxiety.
- Antidepressants may reduce anxiety, BUT have no effect on depression and impulsive behavior.
- Antipsychotics have moderate effects on cognitive and perceptual symptoms; have major effect on anger.

I will post tomorrow with notes from DAY 2