Sydney A. Mashaw

Background Postoperative pain following spinal and neurological surgeries is often severe and can hinder recovery, mobilization, and increase risk of chronic pain. While opioids are the traditional standard for pain management, associated risks and the ongoing opioid crisis necessitate alternative therapies. Magnesium sulfate, an NMDA receptor antagonist and calcium channel blocker, has shown promise in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption. Methods The present investigation utilized a systematic search for studies from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Sources were eligible for inclusion in this review if published from 2010 to present, if patients received a spinal or neurological surgery regardless of patient age, country, race, and gender, and if the source was a randomized control trial, case report, or case series. Sources in non-English, without full-text access, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses were excluded, as well as studies focused on non-human subjects or studies with adjuvant therapies. Nine randomized controlled trials met our criteria. Pain scores (VAS/NRS) and opioid consumption were the primary outcomes. Meta-analysis was conducted using Cochrane Review Manager with fixed or random-effects models depending on heterogeneity. Results Magnesium sulfate significantly reduced pain scores at rest at multiple postoperative time points, including 0 h (MD=- 0.79; p = 0.004), 4 h (MD= -1.03, p < 0.00001), 24 h (MD= -0.78: p = 0.005), and 48 h (MD= -0.67: p = 0.0006). Opioid consumption was also significantly reduced at various intervals. No major adverse events were reported. Conclusion Perioperative magnesium sulfate infusion is a safe and effective adjunct for reducing postoperative pain and opioid use in spinal surgery patients, with potential applications in neurological procedures pending further research.

Purpose of Review Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), are widely prescribed for mental health disorders. These medications, however, are linked to increased bleeding risks related to inhibition of serotonin reuptake, which impairs platelet aggregation. The present investigation explores the pharmacodynamics of antidepressants, clinical evidence of bleeding complications, and strategies to manage these risks. Recent Findings While SSRIs and SNRIs pose the highest risk, tricyclic and atypical antidepressants show comparatively lower bleeding incidences. The concomitant use of anticoagulants, NSAIDs, or antiplatelet agents significantly amplifies bleeding risk. Summary Current guidelines stress individualized risk assessment, alternative drug selection, and preventive measures, such as gastroprotective agents. Future research may offer novel approaches to mitigate bleeding while maintaining therapeutic efficacy, ensuring the safety of antidepressants in clinical practices.

Niacin therapy has been a mainstay in traditional secondary prevention of stroke. Supplemental use of niacin has been used to improve lipid panel markers, including lowering low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides, and raising high-density lipoproteins, which have been associated with lower risk for stroke. This supplementation has been supported by earlier studies regarding niacin and its role in reducing cardiovascular risk. However, recent studies have called into question the efficacy of niacin therapy and some studies even show negative effects that are associated with taking supplemental niacin. In the present investigation, review of niacin-mediated benefits to cardiovascular disease and newer research suggesting that niacin may be ineffective with the potential of adverse side effects are summarized. This review further highlights the need for more population-level studies regarding the effects of supplemental niacin use to provide a scientific basis for its therapeutic role in cardiovascular disease, including improvement in lipid panel markers and stroke prevention.

Background: Agitation is a frequent and challenging symptom in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, characterized by heightened motor activity, emotional distress, and potential aggression. This symptom is most observed during acute episodes, representing a significant burden on patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems. Agitation is a leading cause of emergency department visits and psychiatric hospitalizations, necessitating prompt and effective interventions to ensure safety and mitigate its far-reaching impact. Traditional treatments, including high-potency antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, remain first-line options but are associated with significant drawbacks such as sedation, extrapyramidal symptoms, tolerance, and limited applicability in certain patient populations, especially those with respiratory or cardiac depression and the elderly. Non-pharmacologic strategies like de-escalation techniques and environmental modifications are invaluable but may be impractical in acute care settings, as speed and efficiency are critical in emergent settings. These limitations, including the onset of extrapyramidal symptoms with high-dose antipsychotics and the development of tolerance with benzodiazepines, highlight gaps in care, including the need for faster-acting, safer, and more patient-friendly alternatives that reduce reliance on physical restraints and invasive interventions. Methods: This review explores the evolution of treatments for agitation, focusing on alternative and innovative approaches. To highlight these treatments, an extensive review of the literature was conducted utilizing PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase.com, and other search engines. Results: Key developments include sublingual dexmedetomidine, recently FDA-approved, which offers sedation without respiratory depression and a non-invasive administration route. Similarly, subcutaneous olanzapine provides a more convenient alternative to intramuscular injections, reducing injection-related complications. Other emerging treatments such as gabapentin, pregabalin, and ketamine show promise in addressing agitation in specific contexts, including comorbid conditions and treatment-resistant cases. A comparative analysis of these therapies highlights their mechanisms of action, clinical evidence, and practical challenges. Conclusions: Future directions emphasize intranasal delivery systems, novel pharmacologic agents, and potential roles for cannabinoids in managing agitation. These innovations aim to balance rapid symptom control with improved patient safety and experience. The set back with these emerging techniques is a lack of standardized dosing and protocols. They also face ethical concerns, including the chance of misuse or abuse, as well as regulatory barriers, as they lack FDA approval and their legality changes between states. This review underscores the clinical, practical, and ethical considerations in advancing care for agitated patients, paving the way for more effective and compassionate management strategies in psychiatric settings.

Purpose of Review Chronic pain affects a significant portion of the population globally, making it a leading cause of disability. Understanding the multifaceted nature of chronic pain, its various types, and the intricate relationship it shares with risk factors, comorbidities, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety is critical for comprehensive patient care. Factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), age, gender, and obesity collectively add layers of complexity to chronic pain experiences and pose management challenges. Recent Findings Low SES presents barriers to effective pain care, while gender differences and the prevalence of chronic pain in aging adults emphasize the need for tailored approaches. The association between chronic pain and physical comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes mellitus reveals shared risk factors and further highlights the importance of integrated treatment strategies. Chronic pain and mental health are intricately linked through biochemical mechanisms, profoundly affecting overall quality of life. This review explores pharmacologic treatment for chronic pain, particularly opioid analgesia, with attention to the risk of substance misuse and the ongoing opioid epidemic. We discuss the potential role of medical cannabis as an alternative treatment with a nuanced perspective on its impact on opioid use. Summary Addressing the totality and complexity of pain states is crucial to individualizing chronic pain management. With different types of pain having different underlying mechanisms, considerations should be made when approaching their treatment. Moreover, the synergistic relationship that pain states can have with other comorbidities further complicates chronic pain conditions.