A study in the current issue of the European Journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics reveals that the association between psychiatric illness, in particular depression, and osteoporosis has been the subject of a growing body of research yielding various findings, although most identify some effect on bone.

In addition to medication-related processes and/or modifiable lifestyle factors associated with mood disturbances, endocrine and immune alteration secondary to depression may play a pathogenetic role in bone metabolism.

Additional longitudinal studies, with the advantage of temporal sequencing, remain to be conducted, as well as research into potential mechanisms surrounding the association. Nevertheless, the current findings are of clinical relevance, given the health burden of both depression and osteoporosis.

 Check out the full article in ScienceDaily.com.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the approval to Neuronetics Inc.’s Neurostar [a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device] for use in the treatment of depression. The non-invasive tool stimulates the brain by transmitting magnetic pulses to the skull. The device will help the adult patients who have not benefited from anti-depressants. Also, this therapy has no risks as associated with electric shock therapy and surgically implanted electrodes.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the approval to Neuronetics Inc.’s Neurostar [a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device] for use in the treatment of depression. The non-invasive tool stimulates the brain by transmitting magnetic pulses to the skull. The device will help the adult patients who have not benefited from anti-depressants. Also, this therapy has no risks as associated with electric shock therapy and surgically implanted electrodes.

The FDA has concluded that Teva Pharmaceutical’s bupropion XL 300 mg, a generic version of Wellbutrin XL, is a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from depression. Questions about the safety and efficacy of Teva’s bupropion XL arose after the agency received 85 postmarketing reports of patients experiencing side effects after switching from GlaxoSmithKline’s Wellbutrin (bupropion HCl) to the generic version.

Israel-based Brainsway Ltd. reported positive results from the final stage of testing its noninvasive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment for depression. TMS is a noninvasive technique for applying brief magnetic pulses to the brain. The company said that it had obtained satisfactory results from its first efficacy test on 64 patients. Brainsway now intends to file for an application for CE Mark certification from the EU and subsequently aim for an FDA approval.