Investigation of Cortisol Dynamics in Human Sweat Using a Graphene-Based Wireless mHealth System

Prompt and accurate detection of stress is essential to the monitoring and management of mental health and human performance. Considering that current methods such as questionnaires are very subjective, we propose a highly sensitive, selective, miniaturized mHealth device based on laser-enabled flexible graphene sensor to non-invasively monitor the level of stress hormones (e.g., cortisol). We report a strong correlation between sweat and circulating cortisol and demonstrate the prompt determination of sweat cortisol variation in response to acute stress stimuli. Moreover, we demonstrate, for the first time, the diurnal cycle and stress-response profile of sweat cortisol, revealing the potential of dynamic stress monitoring enabled by this mHealth sensing system. We believe that this platform could contribute to fast, reliable, and decentralized healthcare vigilance at the metabolic level, thus providing an accurate snapshot of our physical, mental, and behavioral changes

The Impact of Psilocybin on Patients Experiencing Psychiatric Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of psilocybin on patients experiencing psychiatric symptoms, with a focus on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and safety. METHOD OF RESEARCH: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched the PubMed database and identified studies published from January 2011 to December 2021 pertaining to the impact of psilocybin on psychiatric symptoms. Two authors independently conducted a focused analysis and reached a final consensus on five studies meeting the specific selection criteria. Study bias was addressed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS: The impact of psilocybin on psychiatric symptoms was examined in five randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Four studies administered 1 to 2 doses of psilocybin, with doses ranging from 14mg/70kg to 30mg/70kg, and one study administered a fixed dose of 25mg to all participants. Administration of psilocybin resulted in significant and sustained reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhanced sense of wellbeing, life satisfaction, and positive mood immediately after psilocybin administration and up to six months after conclusion of treatment. All studies included some form of psychotherapy, and none reported serious adverse effects. CONCLUSION: RCTs show the efficacy of psilocybin in the treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as improvement in HRQoL, and no serious side effects. However, additional research is necessary to characterize predictors of treatment response, patient screening requirements, effectiveness in broader clinical populations, and guidelines for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy

Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Objectives: The aim of this review is to provide practicing clinicians with detailed information on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with fibromyalgia, and the medical and non-medical management effects on quality of life in fibromyalgia.Methods: A systematic English language search of the medical literature from January 1980 to January 2013 using PubMed was conducted using the search terms “fibromyalgia†AND “quality of life.†The literature search revealed 1,086 publications; 259 were clinical trials on human patients, 230 were reviews and 20 were case reports. Three authors reached a consensus on selecting the studies based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 95 research studies were included in this review.Results: Overall quality of life is severely impaired in patients with fibromyalgia. Comorbidities have a further negative impact on QoL. Substantial pain reductions resulting in improvement of QoL were observed with medications and non-medication interventions such as exercise, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, neurofeedback and multidisciplinary approach.Conclusion: Fibromyalgia and its comorbidities including pain have a considerable negative impact on the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients. Substantial or moderate pain reduction seems to improve quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach appears to be most beneficial in management of this multifaceted illness, but more studies are needed to develop specific interventions necessary to alleviate pain and sufferings in these patients

Trazodone for insomnia: A systematic review

Objective.?While trazodone is approved for the treatment of depression, the off-label use of this medication for insomnia has surpassed its usage as an antidepressant. In this systematic review, we examined the evidence for the efficacy and safety of trazodone for insomnia. Methods.?A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE/PubMed databases from the past 33 years (1983-2016) and the keywords insomnia, trazodone, sedative, treatment, and hypnotics. The results were restricted to English language and human subjects. All randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, observational studies, and placebo-controlled trials regarding trazodone for the treatment of primary or secondary insomnia were reported, per PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The study selection process yielded a total of 45 studies. Results. Evidence for the efficacy of trazodone has been repeatedly demonstrated for primary insomnia, as well as secondary insomnia, including for symptoms that are a result of depression, dementia, and being a healthy man. Earlier studies (1980-2000) focused on utilizing trazodone at high doses (?100mg/d) for the treatment of insomnia among the depressed population; however, since the 2000s, the utility of trazodone has been expanded to treat secondary insomnia among the non-depressed population as well. The side effects are dose-dependent, and the most common is drowsiness. Conclusion. A review of the literature suggests that there are adequate data supporting the efficacy and general safety of the low-dose use of trazodone for the treatment of insomnia. keywords: insomnia, hypnotics, treatment, trazodone, sedative