Researchers at the Champalimaud Clinical Center in Portugal have introduced a nasal spray that shows promise in fighting depression. The findings also indicate a strong safety profile with minimal adverse effects, according to the study summaries from the researchers.
Depression is a mood disorder marked by a prolonged low mood, reduced movement, and difficulties with thinking. Its roots can trace back to traumatic events, illnesses in the body, substance use, or metabolic changes in the brain. Traditional treatment often relies on oral antidepressants, but many patients continue to experience persistent symptoms despite ongoing therapy.
The new nasal spray contains esketamine, a compound that appears to boost dopamine activity in brain circuits tied to reward and motivation. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter released when experiences feel rewarding, and its modulation may contribute to improved mood and cognitive function in depression.
Approximately 800 participants were involved in the trial to assess how well the spray works in real-world clinical settings. All participants had depressive disorders and were taking prescribed antidepressants. Participants were split into two groups. One group received the nasal spray in addition to their standard antidepressant tablets for 32 weeks, while the other group received an antipsychotic medication, quetiapine XR, typically used for schizophrenia, as a comparator.
Eight weeks into the study, remission was achieved by 27.1% of those using the nasal spray alongside their oral antidepressants, compared with 17.6% in the comparator group. By week 32, and then through the subsequent 24 weeks, a significant portion of the spray group reported meaningful improvements in mood and daily functioning, suggesting that the combination therapy may help many patients reach and sustain remission more effectively than the comparator in this trial design.
Beyond clinical effectiveness, researchers carefully tracked safety parameters. The incidence of adverse effects attributed to the nasal spray was low, indicating a favorable tolerability profile for patients undergoing treatment in the study. Ongoing monitoring and future research are planned to better understand which patients may benefit most and how best to integrate this approach with psychotherapy and other supportive modalities.
Experts emphasize the importance of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes evidence-based therapies such as psychotherapy, lifestyle interventions, and social support. The goal is to maintain long-term remission and improve overall quality of life for individuals facing depressive disorders. Researchers note that the nasal spray is not a stand-alone cure but a potential tool within a broader, multimodal treatment strategy.
There is growing recognition in the field that depression can interact with other health conditions, including metabolic disorders such as diabetes, underscoring the need for holistic care and careful monitoring of metabolic and cardiovascular health during treatment. This study contributes to a broader effort to refine depression care by exploring rapid-acting interventions that can complement existing therapies and enhance patient outcomes. Attribution: Champalimaud Clinical Center research team.