Effects of Ayahuasca on Personality: Results of Two Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials in Healthy Volunteers.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Mendes Rocha J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8377499 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Two previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggested that adjunctive aspirin is efficacious in treating schizophrenia. We conducted two 16-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled RCTs of adjunctive 1000 mg aspirin vs placebo in schizophrenia. Study 1 included 200 patients, with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score as the primary outcome. Study 2 included 160 patients with C-reactive protein (CRP) >1 mg/L at baseline; the primary outcome was PANSS-positive score. Dropout rates for aspirin/placebo were 12% in study 1 and 20% in study 2. Differences in outcome between aspirin and placebo were calculated with linear regression, adjusting for the baseline value of the outcome. No statistically significant between-group differences were found in primary or secondary outcomes in either study. Study 1: mean difference in PANSS at 16 weeks was -3.9 (95% CI: -8.4 to 0.5, P = .10, effect size (ES) = -0.25) and at 8 weeks was -3.5 (95% CI: -7.5 to 0.5, P = .11, ES = -0.22). Study 2: mean difference in PANSS at 16 weeks was 0.3 (95% CI: -4.1 to 4.7, P = .90, ES = 0.02) and in positive PANSS was 0.5 (95% CI: -1.0 to 2.1, P = .50, ES = 0.11). A meta-analysis of these data with the existing studies, excluding one with large baseline differences in total PANSS, found that the overall estimate of the effect of adjunctive aspirin on the PANSS total score comparing group means at the end of the study was -2.9 (95% CI: -6.6 to 0.7; P = .21), favoring aspirin. Our studies and meta-analysis failed to find a statistically significant improvement in the symptoms of schizophrenia from adjunctive aspirin therapy in comparison to placebo in schizophrenia. Trial registration: study 1: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01320982; study 2 (high CRP): EudraCT Number: 2014-000757-36.
| S-EPMC8266648 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Acetaminophen (APAP) by oral or intravenous (iv) routes is used for mild to moderate pain but may take time to be effective. When fast relief is required and/or oral or iv routes are not available because of the patient's condition, the transmucosal route may be an alternative.A new transmucosal/buccal (b) pharmaceutical form of APAP dissolved in 50% wt alcohol is compared with other routes of administration. Two consecutive randomized, crossover, double-blind clinical trials (CT1: NCT00982215 and CT2: NCT01206985) included 16 healthy volunteers. CT1 compared the pharmacology of 250 mg bAPAP with 1 g iv APAP. CT2 compared the pharmacodynamics of 125 mg bAPAP with 1 g iv and 125 mg sublingual (s) APAP. Mechanical pain thresholds are recorded in response to mechanical stimuli applied on the forearm several times during 120 minutes. The objective is to compare the time of onset of antinociception and the antinociception (area under the curve) between the routes of administration with analysis of variance (significance P<0.05).bAPAP has a faster time of antinociception onset (15 minutes, P<0.01) and greater antinociception at 50 minutes (P<0.01, CT1) and 30 minutes (P<0.01, CT2) than ivAPAP and sAPAP. All routes are similar after 50 minutes.bAPAP has a faster antinociceptive action in healthy volunteers. This attractive alternative to other routes would be useful in situations where oral or iv routes are not available. This finding must now be confirmed in patients suffering from acute pain of mild and moderate intensity.
| S-EPMC4189711 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Objectives: Fear of opioid withdrawal syndrome (OWS) often dissuades opioid discontinuation. Lofexidine is an FDA-approved, alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist for treatment of OWS. Pivotal trial results from the per-protocol statistical analyses have been published. However, the FDA prescribing information presents these efficacy results using a different, standardized statistical approach that does not transform data or impute missing values. This analysis is easier to interpret and allows comparison across studies. This reanalysis is presented here. Methods: Studies were double-blind, placebo-controlled for 7 days in Study 1 and 5 days in Study 2. Opioid-dependent adults received placebo or lofexidine; efficacy was assessed using the Short Opioid Withdrawal Scale of Gossop (SOWS-G) daily. Results: Study 1 (N = 602) mean SOWS-G scores were 6.1 (SE: 0.35), 6.5 (SE: 0.34), and 8.8 (SE: 0.47) over Days 1-7 for lofexidine 2.88 mg/day, 2.16 mg/day, and placebo, respectively (for 2.88, p < .0001; for 2.16 mg, p < .0001). Study 2 (N = 264) mean SOWS-G scores were 7.0 (SE: 0.44) and 8.9 (SE: 0.48) over Days 1-5 for lofexidine 2.16 mg/day and placebo, respectively (p = .0037). Median time to treatment discontinuation was approximately 2 days later with lofexidine treatment than with placebo and significantly more lofexidine-treated subjects completed the studies. Hypotension and bradycardia were more common with lofexidine. More placebo subjects withdrew prematurely for lack of efficacy. Conclusion: This simplified analysis confirmed previous per-protocol results, that lofexidine better reduces OWS severity and increases retention compared with placebo in opioid-dependent adults. These results are robust and comparable across studies using various methods of analysis. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: Study 1, NCT01863186; Study 2 NCT00235729. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/.
| S-EPMC6968526 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background and objectivesInfluenza virosomes represent an innovative human-compatible antigen delivery system that has already proven its suitability for subunit vaccine design. The aim of the study was to proof the concept that virosomes can also be used to elicit high titers of antibodies against synthetic peptides. The specific objective was to demonstrate the safety and immunogenicity of two virosome-formulated P. falciparum protein derived synthetic peptide antigens given in two different doses alone or in combination.Methodology/principal findingsThe design was a single blind, randomized, placebo controlled, dose-escalating study involving 46 healthy Caucasian volunteers aged 18-45 years. Five groups of 8 subjects received virosomal formulations containing 10 microg or 50 microg of AMA 49-CPE, an apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) derived synthetic phospatidylethanolamine (PE)-peptide conjugate or 10 ug or 50 ug of UK39, a circumsporozoite protein (CSP) derived synthetic PE-peptide conjugate or 50 ug of both antigens each. A control group of 6 subjects received unmodified virosomes. Virosomal formulations of the antigens (designated PEV301 and PEV302 for the AMA-1 and the CSP virosomal vaccine, respectively) or unmodified virosomes were injected i. m. on days 0, 60 and 180. In terms of safety, no serious or severe adverse events (AEs) related to the vaccine were observed. 11/46 study participants reported 16 vaccine related local AEs. Of these 16 events, all being pain, 4 occurred after the 1(st), 7 after the 2(nd) and 5 after the 3(rd) vaccination. 6 systemic AEs probably related to the study vaccine were reported after the 1(st) injection, 10 after the 2(nd) and 6 after the 3(rd). Generally, no difference in the distribution of the systemic AEs between either the doses applied (10 respectively 50 microg) or the synthetic antigen vaccines (PEV301 and PEV302) used for immunization was found. In terms of immunogenicity, both PEV301 and PEV302 elicited already after two injections a synthetic peptide-specific antibody response in all volunteers immunized with the appropriate dose. In the case of PEV301 the 50 microg antigen dose was associated with a higher mean antibody titer and seroconversion rate than the 10 microg dose. In contrast, for PEV302 mean titer and seroconversion rate were higher with the lower dose. Combined delivery of PEV301 and PEV302 did not interfere with the development of an antibody response to either of the two antigens. No relevant antibody responses against the two malaria antigens were observed in the control group receiving unmodified virosomes.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrates that three immunizations with the virosomal malaria vaccine components PEV301 or/and PEV302 (containing 10 microg or 50 microg of antigen) are safe and well tolerated. At appropriate antigen doses seroconversion rates of 100% were achieved. Two injections may be sufficient for eliciting an appropriate immune response, at least in individuals with pre-existing anti-malarial immunity. These results justify further development of a final multi-stage virosomal vaccine formulation incorporating additional malaria antigens.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT00400101.
| S-EPMC2001290 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This randomized, double-blind, active- and placebo-controlled, crossover, thorough QT study assessed the effect of two inhaled loxapine doses on cardiac repolarization as measured by corrected QT (QTc) interval in healthy subjects (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01854710).Subjects received two doses of inhaled loxapine (10 mg) 2 hours apart+oral placebo, two doses of inhaled placebo+oral placebo, or two doses of inhaled placebo+oral moxifloxacin (400 mg; positive control), with ?3 days washout between treatments. Two-sided 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated around least-squares mean predose placebo-subtracted individually corrected QT durations (??TcIs) at 12 time points throughout 24 hours after dosing. A ??TcI 95% upper CI exceeding 10 msec was the threshold indicating QTc prolongation (primary endpoint). Secondary endpoints included Fridericia- and Bazett-corrected QT duration and QTcI outliers. Pharmacokinetics and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed.Of 60 subjects enrolled (mean age, 33.8 years; 52% male), 44 completed the study. Post loxapine dosing, no ??TcI 95% upper CI exceeded 10 msec; the largest was 6.31 msec 5 minutes post dose 2. Methodology was validated by ??TcI 95% lower CIs exceeding 5 msec at 9 of 12 time points after moxifloxacin dosing. Loxapine plasma concentrations increased rapidly (mean Cmax, 177 ng/mL; median tmax 2 minutes after dose 2, 2.03 hours after dose 1). There were no deaths, serious AEs, or AEs leading to discontinuation, and one severe AE.Primary and secondary endpoints indicated two therapeutic doses of inhaled loxapine did not cause threshold QTc prolongation in this study.
| S-EPMC4611162 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionTafenoquine has been recently registered for the prevention of relapse in Plasmodium vivax malaria.ObjectiveThis study assessed the pharmacodynamic effects of 300-mg single-dose tafenoquine on the retina.MethodsThis phase I, prospective, multicenter, randomized, single-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted between 2 February 2016 and 14 September 2017 at three US study centers. Adult healthy volunteers were randomized (2:1) to receive either a single 300-mg oral dose of tafenoquine or matched placebo on day 1. Ophthalmic assessments, including spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF), were conducted at baseline and day 90 and evaluated for pre-determined endpoints by an independent, masked reading center.ResultsOne subject in each group met the composite primary endpoint for retinal changes identified with SD-OCT or FAF, i.e., one out of 306 (0.3%) with tafenoquine, one out of 161 (0.6%) with placebo. Both cases had unilateral focal ellipsoid zone disruption at day 90 with no effect on best-corrected visual acuity. The tafenoquine-treated subject had this abnormality at baseline, and was enrolled in error. There was no difference in ophthalmic safety between tafenoquine and placebo.ConclusionThere was no evidence of any pharmacodynamic effect of 300-mg single-dose tafenoquine on the retina or any short-term clinically relevant effects on ophthalmic safety. This clinical trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02658435).
| S-EPMC6689320 | biostudies-literature
Project description:High salt intake ranks among the most important risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. Western diets, which are typically high in salt, are associated with a high prevalence of obesity. High salt is thought to be a potential risk factor for obesity independent of energy intake, although the underlying mechanisms are insufficiently understood. A high salt diet could influence energy expenditure (EE), specifically diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), which accounts for about 10% of total EE. We aimed to investigate the influence of high salt on DIT. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, 40 healthy subjects received either 6 g/d salt (NaCl) or placebo in capsules over 2 weeks. Before and after the intervention, resting EE, DIT, body composition, food intake, 24 h urine analysis, and blood pressure were obtained. EE was measured by indirect calorimetry after a 12 h overnight fast and a standardized 440 kcal meal. Thirty-eight subjects completed the study. Salt intake from foods was 6 g/d in both groups, resulting in a total salt intake of 12 g/d in the salt group and 6 g/d in the placebo group. Urine sodium increased by 2.29 g/d (p < 0.0001) in the salt group, indicating overall compliance. The change in DIT differed significantly between groups (placebo vs. salt, p = 0.023). DIT decreased by 1.3% in the salt group (p = 0.048), but increased by 0.6% in the placebo group (NS). Substrate oxidation indicated by respiratory exchange ratio, body composition, resting blood pressure, fluid intake, hydration, and urine volume did not change significantly in either group. A moderate short-term increase in salt intake decreased DIT after a standardized meal. This effect could at least partially contribute to the observed weight gain in populations consuming a Western diet high in salt.
| S-EPMC8779306 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWe conducted double-blind, placebo-controlled trials assessing the efficacy and tolerability of favipiravir in acute influenza.MethodsOtherwise healthy adults with influenza-like symptoms and fever of ≤48 hours were randomized to favipiravir (1800 mg twice daily [BID] on day 1, 800 mg BID on days 2-5) or placebo tablets (1:1 in US316; 3:1 in US317). The primary efficacy endpoint was the time to illness alleviation when 6 influenza symptoms were self-rated as absent or mild and fever was absent in the intention-to-treat, influenza-infected participants.ResultsIn US316 (301 favipiravir, 322 placebo), favipiravir was associated with a 14.4-hour reduction (median, 84.2 vs 98.6 hours; P = .004) in time to illness alleviation vs placebo. In US317 (526 favipiravir, 169 placebo), favipiravir did not significantly reduce time to alleviation (median, 77.8 vs 83.9 hours). In both trials favipiravir was associated with reduced viral titers, RNA load area under the curve over days 1-5, and median times to cessation of virus detection (P < .001). Aside from asymptomatic hyperuricemia, no important differences in adverse events were found.ConclusionsThis favipiravir dosing regimen demonstrated significant antiviral efficacy but inconsistent illness alleviation in uncomplicated influenza. Studies of higher doses and antiviral combinations for treating serious influenza and other RNA viral infections are warranted. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02026349; NCT02008344.
| S-EPMC9650493 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PurposeThe objective of this study was to explore the pharmacology of GSK961081, a bi-functional bronchodilator, in healthy volunteers.MethodsTwo randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were conducted. Following optimization of the propranolol dosing regimen (study 1), we conducted a five-period crossover study (study 2) in which subjects received the following treatments: dry powder inhaler (DPI) GSK961081 400 µg + oral placebo, DPI GSK961081 1,200 µg + oral placebo, DPI GSK961081 400 µg + oral propranolol 80 mg, DPI GSK961081 1,200 µg + oral propranolol 80 mg and DPI and oral placebo. GSK961081 (or inhaled placebo) was dosed at 0 h. Propranolol (or oral placebo) was dosed at -8, -2, 4, 10, and 16 h. The primary endpoint for both studies was bronchodilation, measured by specific airway conductance (sGaw), which was assessed at 0, 1, 4, 7, 12, 22, and 24 h in study 2. Tolerability and pharmacokinetics were secondary endpoints.ResultsStudies 1 and 2 enrolled 18 and 23 subjects, respectively. In study 2, bronchodilation was seen for 24 h following GSK961081 400 and 1,200 μg. In the presence of β2 blockade, GSK961081 1,200 μg demonstrated bronchodilation in the first 4 h after dosing (treatment difference from placebo at 1 h: 1.206; 90% confidence interval [CI] 1.126-1.292; and at 4 h: 1.124; 90% CI 1.078-1.173) but not at 7 h onwards. In the presence of β2 blockade, GSK961081 400 μg demonstrated bronchodilation in the first 1 h after dosing (treatment difference from placebo: 1.193; 90% CI 1.117-1.274), but not at 4 h onwards. Adverse events were reported for 21 (study 1) and 15 subjects (study 2); none were serious, and there were no deaths.ConclusionThe duration of bronchodilation as a result of receiving the muscarinic antagonist component alone was shorter than that from the muscarinic antagonist β2 agonist combination. Removing the β2 agonist component may underestimate the contribution of the muscarinic antagonist component to the bronchodilation of the combination.
| S-EPMC4269816 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Suicide is a major public health problem. Given increasing suicide rates and limitations surrounding current interventions, there is an urgent need for innovative interventions for suicidality. Although ayahuasca has been shown to target mental health concerns associated with suicidality (i.e., depression and hopelessness), research has not yet explored the impact of ayahuasca on suicidality. Therefore, we conducted secondary analyses of a randomized placebo-controlled trial in which individuals with treatment-resistant depression were administered one dose of ayahuasca (n = 14) or placebo (n = 15). Suicidality was assessed by a trained psychiatrist at baseline, as well as 1 day, 2 days, and 7 days after the intervention. A fixed-effects linear mixed model, as well as between and within-groups Cohen's d effect sizes were used to examine changes in suicidality. Controlling for baseline suicidality, we found a significant effect for time (p < .05). The effect of the intervention (i.e., ayahuasca vs. placebo) trended toward significance (p = .088). At all time points, we found medium between-group effect sizes (i.e., ayahuasca vs. placebo; day 1 Cohen's d = 0.58; day 2 d = 0.56; day 7 d = 0.67), as well as large within-group (ayahuasca; day 1 Cohen's d = 1.33; day 2 d = 1.42; day 7 d = 1.19) effect sizes, for decreases in suicidality. Conclusions: This research is the first to explore the impact of ayahuasca on suicidality. The findings suggest that ayahuasca may show potential as an intervention for suicidality. We highlight important limitations of the study, potential mechanisms, and future directions for research on ayahuasca as an intervention for suicidality. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02914769.
| S-EPMC6878725 | biostudies-literature