Heterocyclic Compounds Commons^™

Cobenfy(Xanomeline/Trospium) Vs. Clozapine For Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia, Harmann Singh, Akash M. Patel, Abdullah Noory, Kush C. Patel, Simran Gandhi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) poses significant therapeutic challenges. Although clozapine remains the gold-standard pharmacologic treatment for TRS, its clinical utility is hampered by severe side effects and intensive monitoring requirements. KarXT (Cobenfy), a combination of xanomeline and trospium chloride, represents a novel antipsychotic approach by targeting muscarinic M1/M4 receptors instead of dopamine D2 pathways.

Hypothesis: KarXT offers comparable efficacy to clozapine with a more favorable safety and tolerability profile, making it a viable alternative for patients with TRS.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify studies from 2015–2025 evaluating KarXT in schizophrenia. Sources included PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, FDA databases, ICER …

Hydralazine-Induced Vasculitis Resulting In Large Pleural Effusion And Progressive Renal Dysfunction, Michael A. Acevedo, Hammad Choudhry

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Hydralazine is a vasodilator commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Even with the safety profile of Hydralazine, it is necessary to know that it may lead to Hydralazine-Induced Vasculitis. Here, we discuss how this rare side effect can present in an 80-year-old female with a past medical history of hypertension who presented to the emergency department with complaints of progressive shortness of breath on exertion and while lying supine. Further evaluation revealed a large right-sided pleural effusion with consolidation at the right lower lobe. The patient’s dyspnea worsened, and the surgical team placed a chest tube. The patient also …

Identifying Early Presentation Of Serotonin Syndrome In A 20-Year-Old Male Prescribed Clomipramine And Quetiapine: A Case Report, Veronica Alday, Justin Scarano, Jonathan Yuh, Christie Richardson

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, can be challenging to diagnose due to its diverse etiology and varied symptomatology. Despite its severity, serotonin syndrome may present from mild to fatal, with symptoms such as autonomic instability, altered mental status, and neuromuscular excitation (e.g. muscle rigidity, hyperreflexia). Here, we present a 20-year-old male with an extensive psychiatric history who was prescribed clomipramine and developed serotonin syndrome. Few cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported to date, exacerbating the difficulty in recognizing and quickly treating such cases. Cases of serotonin syndrome should continue to be reported, in order to familiarize clinicians with …

Dabigatran Reduced Acute Microgliosis In A Mouse Model With Tbi, Nicholas R. Eltman, Rashmeena Abbasi, Mary C. Kosciuk, Syed Ahmed, Jose L. Pascual, Randel L. Swanson, Nimish K. Acharya

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Objective:

The study objective was to investigate the acute anti-inflammatory effects of dabigatran in a preclinical mouse controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Design

Mice were separated into three groups: controlled cortical impact (CCI) with dabigatran (drug treatment, n=5), CCI with saline (positive control, n=5), and sham CCI without saline or dabigatran (negative control, n=3). Dabigatran (80mg/kg) or saline was administered orally at 2, 10, 18, 26, 34, and 42 hours following experimental CCI in the drug treatment or positive control groups, respectively. Animals in the negative control group received sham CCI only. 48h following …

Literature Review: Prazosin Used For Ptsd In Pregnancy, Afshan Khan, Natali Sharma, Rebekah M. Dietrich, Martin Forsberg

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 3–4% of pregnant and postpartum individuals and is associated with complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression. Pharmacologic treatment options during pregnancy are limited by concerns about fetal safety.

Methods: A literature review was conducted focusing on studies reporting maternal or neonatal outcomes following prazosin exposure in pregnancy.

Results: One observational study of 11 pregnancies found 54.5% had uneventful outcomes, with rates of preterm birth, miscarriage, and preeclampsia similar to the general population. Hypotension and limited lactation data remain concerns.

Conclusion: Early evidence suggests prazosin may be a relatively safe and …

Examining The Relationship Between Sleep Habits And Caffeine Consumption, Daniel Calaff, Rachel Pruchno

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Sleep is essential for cognitive function, mood regulation, immune defense, and metabolic health. Despite widespread caffeine use, its impact on sleep remains debated. It was initially hypothesized that higher caffeine consumption would correlate with greater sleep disturbances. This study explored the relationship between caffeine consumption and sleep habits in a general adult population using a Qualtrics-based self-report survey. Participants (n=93) reported average hours slept per night, time to fall asleep, and number of nighttime awakenings. Caffeine consumption was calculated based on reported intake and categorized into four dosage groups. Sleep outcomes were statistically compared using ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson correlation. …

Mechanisms Mediating The Protective Effects Of Caffeine On Alzheimer’S Disease Progression, Jessica Ivanov, Malky Bernat, Joshua Drawbaugh, Jeremy Mehta, Namira Rahmani, Saikumar Thellapally

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: This review aims to examine the molecular mechanisms through which caffeine may exert neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

Methods: A literature review was done across PubMed and Embase to identify studies between 2000 and 2024, exploring the mechanism behind caffeine’s effects on AD. The criteria focused on peer-reviewed articles involving human or animal models. Information was gathered on study design, participant characteristics, caffeine consumption, proposed mechanisms, and effects on cognition.

Results: The studies support caffeine's potential as a therapeutic, neuromodulator against AD through six mechanisms: inhibition of adenosine A2A receptors, decreased amyloid-beta production and aggregation, promotion of amyloid …

Case Report: Lamotrigine-Induced Rash In An Adult Patient, Dhruvin Patel, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Lamotrigine (Lamictal®) is a commonly prescribed anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing medication. One of the rare but serious adverse effects of lamotrigine is the development of a drug-induced rash, which can be potentially life-threatening. This case report highlights the occurrence of a drug-induced rash in a 33-year-old female patient who was prescribed lamotrigine for the management of bipolar disorder. The patient presented with a characteristic rash, and following timely intervention, the rash resolved without complications. This case emphasizes the importance of monitoring for early signs of rash in patients receiving lamotrigine and outlines management strategies.

Effects Of Dexmedetomidine As An Adjunct To General Anesthesia On Postoperative Pain And Opioid Consumption In Major Abdominal Surgery, Ahmad H. Elrefahy

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This review examines the impact of dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, on postoperative pain and opioid consumption in major abdominal surgery. Dexmedetomidine, known for its sedative, analgesic, and opioid-sparing properties, is increasingly used as an adjunct to anesthesia. Analyzing existing literature, the review found that dexmedetomidine administration alongside general anesthesia significantly improves postoperative pain management and reduces opioid consumption. Patients receiving dexmedetomidine reported decreased postoperative pain ratings and required fewer opioids during the recovery phase. Additionally, intraoperative dexmedetomidine use correlated with reduced postoperative pain severity and increased patient satisfaction compared to control groups. However, potential side effects such as …

Growing Use Of Xylazine As An Adulterant In Opioids And Its Effects, Oluwapelumi Oluwo

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Xylazine, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a non-opioid tranquilizer used in veterinary medicine. Although this drug has not been approved for human use, it can be linked to an increase in opioid overdose deaths due to its role as an adulterant in drugs like fentanyl.

Xylazine was detected in drugs involved in 41% of all opioid-involved unintentional deaths and in 44% of all unintentional overdose deaths with fentanyl involved in the year of 2021 in Philadelphia.

Treating Trichotillomania With Olanzapine, Christopher Lee

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Trichotillomania (TTM) is characterized by repetitive pulling of one’s hair leading to hair loss and problems in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Often individuals with TTM try to decrease or stop hair pulling, however are often unsuccessful without treatment. Community prevalence studies suggest that TTM is a common disorder with point prevalence estimate of 0.5% to 2.0% and with significant psychological comorbidity. Of note, people with TTM are often embarrassed about their condition, so epidemiology data may be underestimated compared to the true prevalence of this condition. The female to male ratio for this condition is 4:1. …