Mental Disorders Commons^™

Fda Approval Of Cobenfy: A New Therapeutic Option For Schizophrenia, Brenna Hissong, Penlope Mazivanhanga, Alexander Defranco, Linda Azap, Haley Brown, Megan Rizo, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Lindsey Ferraro

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Schizophrenia is a complex illness characterized by behavioral, emotional, and cognitive dysfunctions. Common symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, cognitive decline, and social withdrawal. The disorder is related to structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter imbalances, and a combination of genetic and environmental elements, and affects about 24 million individuals globally. Currently, two medication classes are most commonly used to treat schizophrenia. These medications are first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Due to the side effect profiles that both medication classes carry, research is being conducted for new drug classes.

Cobenfy (xanomeline/trospium chloride), also known investigationally as KarXT, is a new class of …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

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 …

Is Acupuncture At The Auricular Shenmen Point Effective In Treating Anxiety?, Nicole Vaiani, Alexander King, Venkateswar Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition in the United States and are often managed with pharmacological interventions, which can lead to adverse side effects. As a result, alternative therapies such as acupuncture are gaining attention. This study investigates the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture, specifically targeting the Shenmen point, in reducing symptoms of anxiety. We analyzed ten randomized controlled trials that included quantitative outcome measures. The results suggest that auricular acupuncture at the Shenmen point is an effective and well-tolerated adjunctive treatment for anxiety. While further research with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods is warranted, these …

The Role Of Ect In Ocd: A 10-Year Review (2014-2024), Mariana Sales, Tainiz Polanco, Amy Nguyen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects up to 2.5% of the population with significant impacts on everyday functioning and relationships. First-line treatment includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and cognitive behavioral therapy; however, studies have found that up to 40-60% of patients do not respond to SSRIs. ECT is an alternative approach that has demonstrated limited efficacy in OCD.

Objective: The current review aims to summarize the results of published work between 2014-2024 to assess the efficacy of ECT in the treatment of OCD.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using eight studies from 2014-2024 to assess the effectiveness of ECT …

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 …

Understanding Obesity Risk In Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities: Key Diagnoses And Factors, Elizabeth Kolaski, Wendy Aita, Jennifer Lecomte, Andrea Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have obesity rates nearly twice those of the general population, leading to higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and reduced quality of life.¹ Genetic syndromes such as Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Down syndrome (DS) feature distinct mechanisms driving weight gain.² The burden of obesity in IDD exacerbates health disparities and strains caregivers and healthcare systems.³ Yet, comparative obesity prevalence and its drivers across specific IDD diagnoses remain poorly characterized.⁴

Hypothesis:

Obesity prevalence and underlying risk factors differ among IDD diagnoses …

Assessing The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Mental Health In Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic, Sabah Iqbal, Kirsten Carlberg, Emily Reilly, Jessica Ivanov, Victoria Youssef, Lily Roessler, Maikel Monsour, Nils Brolis

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Mental health is an important part of patient care, therefore it is imperative to understand how it’s recognized and treated. Socioeconomic status and the COVID19 pandemic contribute to disproportionate incidences of mental illness^{1, 2, 10, 11, 12}. This study uses data from a student-run clinic, the Rowan-Virtua Community Health Center (RVCHC), to examine disparities in mental health needs and screenings among the local population.

Hypothesis

It was hypothesized that underserved populations are at a disadvantage when it comes to both mental health screenings and treatment due to restricted access to healthcare and other unmet needs. Additionally, the …

Exercise As An Intervention For Postpartum Depression (Ppd), Kylie P. Mistretta

Honors Scholar Theses

Objective: To illustrate the applications of exercise for preventing the development of postpartum depression (PPD) and addressing associated risk factors identified in the literature. Data Sources: PubMed and EBSCO: Academic Search Premier were accessed using the search terms exercise OR physical activity OR yoga AND postpartum depression OR postnatal depression. A secondary search of PubMed was conducted using the search terms exercise AND pregnancy AND depression OR gestational diabetes OR weight gain OR sleep quality.

Study Selection: Studies selected for inclusion were peer-reviewed, published after January 2012, written in English, and relevant to the PPD risk factors examined. Only clinical …

Investigating Prefrontal Cortex Neuronal Signatures Of Opioid-Induced Risk-Taking Behavior, Cana Quave

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Opioid use disorder occurs alongside impaired risk-related decision-making, but the underlying neural correlates are unclear. We developed an approach-avoidance conflict task using a modified conditioned place preference procedure to study neural signals of risky opioid seeking in the prefrontal cortex, a region implicated in executive decision-making. Following morphine conditioned place preference, rats underwent a conflict test in which fear-inducing cat odor was introduced in the previously drug-paired side of the apparatus. While the saline-exposed control group avoided cat odor, the morphine group included two subsets of rats that either maintained a preference for the paired side despite the presence of …

Evaluating Referral Rates For Positive Postpartum Depression Screenings At Telehealth And Well-Child Visits: A Scoping Review, Rachel Macklin Barber, Mph, Bsn, Rn, Damaris Amber Brooks, Bsn, Rn, Ashli-Emeria Gary, Bsn, Rn, Margaret Harvey, Phd, Acnp-Bc, Chfn, Kate Fouquier Phd, Aprn, Cnm, Pmh-C, Facnm

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects one in nine women. It has distressing impacts, including behavioral and attachment issues and toveruse of healthcare services. PPD occurs within 4 weeks to 12 months postpartum. A scoping review was conducted to compare referral rates to mental health providers after PPD screenings were conducted via telehealth versus those completed at well-child visits.

Methods

Peer-reviewed articles published within five years before the initial search, beginning September 2022 and ending November 2024, were selected. Articles were sourced from several publications using an online library database with various MeSH terms and Boolean operators. Search results were narrowed …

The Use Of Person-Centered Language In Scientific Research Articles Focused On Psychosis, Zach Monahan, Tanner Stone, Vinay Swami, Kelly Dunn, Micah Hartwell

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Societal stigma of psychosis leads to delayed treatment for individuals experiencing early symptoms, for fear of being labeled “crazy” or “psychotic.” Delayed treatment can worsen the prognosis of individuals with psychosis. Proper adherence to person-centered language (PCL) guidelines can curb the widely held stigmatized preconceptions about psychotic conditions.

Methods: Our meta-epidemiological analysis began with a systematic search of literature in PubMed discussing psychosis from 2020-2022. From the 14,522 results, we randomly selected 500 articles in journals with at least 20 articles on psychosis (n = 9,775), of which 241 articles met the inclusion criteria. These papers were screened for …

A New Paliperidone Palmitate Formulation: How Is It Different And Where Does It Fit In Our Array Of Choices For Long-Acting Formulations Of Risperidone And Paliperidone?, Justin Faden, Leslie Citrome

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics have been shown to enhance treatment adherence and outcomes in individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several LAIs with differing amenities of care, such as mode of administration, duration of oral medication supplementation, dosing frequency, needle gauge and size, and injection volume, amongst others. Additionally, several LAIs are distinct formulations of risperidone and paliperidone, making it difficult to distinguish between formulations, and many providers are unfamiliar with these newer agents. In 2024, a once-monthly LAI formulation of paliperidone palmitate, manufactured by Luye …

Safety And Efficacy Of 112 Mg Intranasal Esketamine In Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Retrospective Observational Study From Outpatient Community Clinics, Kirsten Brinkmeier, Michael Kritzer, Brandon Doan, Cecilia Li, Nicholas Mischel

Medical Student Research Symposium

This retrospective study examined the safety and efficacy of 56, 84, and 112 mg intranasal (IN) esketamine via medical record review of 24 patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD). Doses ranged from 56 mg to 112 mg and were titrated across sessions to maximize individual response while considering tolerability. Treatment response was defined by reduction in average Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores. Tolerability was defined by blood pressures at baseline, 40 minutes after, and 2 hours after drug administration. Patients ranged from 19 to 60 years old (average 38.87), and 15 (62.5%) were female. Patients received an average of 1 …

The Unfolding Story Of Protein Misfolding Causing Alzheimer Disease In Recipients Of Human Pituitary Growth Hormone, Evan G. Graber, Sayed M. Hadi Hosseini, Darrell M. Wilson, Alan D. Rogol

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Faculty Papers

Human growth hormone (hGH) has been in clinical use for children with GH deficiency (GHD) since the late 1950s. The original formulations were considered very safe with few adverse events reported. That changed remarkably in 1985 when the first patients with GHD, who had been treated with cadaveric hGH, were diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Fortunately, that same year a robust supply of recombinant hGH was released to the market whose adverse event profile did not include CJD. Patients who had received National Hormone and Pituitary Program hGH have been continuously followed since 1985. It is clear that prions are …

Long-Acting Injectables: A Strategy To Mitigate Nonadherence In Bipolar Disorder, Justin Faden, Elina Maymind

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

No abstract provided.

A Compelling Case Of The Use Of Electroconvulsive Therapy In Severe Treatment Resistant Depression With Suicidality, Neha Narayanan, Ryan Tam, James Mead

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Treatment-resistant depression is a condition that occurs when an individual, experiencing major depressive disorder episodes, has failed the first line of treatment with medication therapy of adequate dose and duration. This is important to be addressed as there is a high likelihood of progression to having thoughts and an intended plan for suicide. Electroconvulsive therapy is a recommended option for those who have failed medication therapy, but it has been controversial in its use due to its stigma and side effects of memory impairment. Here, we present a case of a patient who had undergone several sessions of ECT with …

Barbiturates Versus Benzodiazepines For Adults With Severe Alcohol Withdrawal, Frank Schaefer, Alexandra Doan, Jarratt Lark, Scott Gutovitz

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Nitrous Oxide Induced Psychosis: A Case Report, Brianne Kimmet, Barbara Gracious

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Qi Project On Depression Screening Phq2 And Phq9 In Kingwood Im Clinic, Anam Zara, Sara Shahid, Anusha Putta

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Case Report Of Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity With Prolonged Qt/Qtc And Widened Qrs On Ekg, Alexandra Doan, Joshua Wilkes, Jonathan Leggett, Jarratt Lark

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Retrospective Comparison Of Emergency Department (Ed) Length Of Stay (Los) Between Marijuana And Alcohol Users, Paul Bomar, Jonathan Leggett, Lisa Persaud, Franklin Schaefer, Vanessa Knapp, Lauren Eisenberg, Austin Johnson

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Autism Prevalence And Appropriate Care Analytics, Brittany Bare, Final Patel, Peyton Dekle, Jessica Donaldson

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Phenobarbital And Ciwa Protocol: A Retrospective Analysis Of Alcohol Withdrawal Optimization, Cooper Alden Josephs, Trey Austin Doss, Maulikkumar Patel, Taylor Templeton-Jager

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Distinguishing Narcolepsy Hallucinations From Drug-Induced Hallucinations In An Adolescent With Comorbidities, Avidor Gerstenfeld, Biwy Emmanuella Cadet, Salma Alkhatib, Annette Santiago

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Comparing Efficacy Of Psychotropic Classes To Control Aggression Among Pediatric Patients Hospitalized With Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Orestes Hadjistamoulou, Sindhura Kompella, Melissa Ricardo, Samuel Neuhut

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Seizure In The Setting Of Metoprolol Overdose, Shilpa Amin, Justin H. Le, Hannah Sodergren

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Salicylate Overdose Protocols For Family Medicine Physicians, Christine Tamayo, Denae Kappers, Patricia Gilford

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Maternal Postpartum Depression, The Family Unit, And Childhood Development, Sara Kate Wiggins, Alexandria Bailey, Peyton Dekle, Joshua Ferrell

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.