“[?W]e objectively, experimentally showed a physiological link between endogenous opioid system deficiency and panic-like suffocation sensitivity in healthy adults. This is consonant with the expanded Suffocation-False Alarm Theory of panic suggesting an episodic functional endogenous opioid deficit (Preter and Klein, 1998). The specificity of the naloxone + lactate model of clinical panic should be tested using specific anti-panic components, possibly including opioidergic mixed agonist-antagonists such as buprenorphine. If specific, the naloxone + lactate effect in normal humans affords a screening method for testing putative anti-panic drugs which is currently not available. This could obviate the experimental treatment of panic disorder patients in drug development.
Our data also show for the first time that actual separations and losses during childhood, such parental death, parental separation or divorce (CPL), effect lifelong alterations in the physiological reactivity of the endogenous opioid system of healthy adults.
This result encourages epigenetic inquiry into the effects of CPL on endogenous opioid systems, and their role in resilience under extreme stress. In addition, a redefinition of what constitutes a (truly) healthy control in clinical research protocols may be called for.”

This is a really exciting integrative paper on the (clinically and heuristically relevant) hot topic du jour: Inflammation.

Interesting line-up of online medical shopping/info sites. Some might offer some relief from/price-conscious alternatives to emergency room visits. Perhaps good news for U.S. patients facing gigantic out-of-pocket expenses for not-sure-what value-add, a worldwide market for digital medical tourism for low-complexity medical care is emerging (see for instance, here https://ring.md/) On the other hand, I don’t […]

Surprisingly critical, thoroughly researched piece by Alan Schwarz. See also recent posts here (on opening the gigantic Asian market to Western psychotropics), here (on Allen Roses critique of drug efficacy), here (on the DSM V’s focus on, well, drug treatment), here on Allen Frances’ DSM V cost predictions, here (on other types of Western toxic […]

Not that medications do not have a place in the treatment armamentarium, but what about proper, expertise-based diagnosis first? What about the undisclosed conflicts of interest rampant in Chinese hospitals? Informed consent? Both an outsized version of the situation in the West, but without any discussion or awareness of the problem.  News US World Sports […]