Addressing Depression Symptoms With a Comprehensive Approach

The typical treatments clinicians turn to for major depressive disorder (MDD) treatment are "archaic," according to Ahmed Baig, MD, chief medical officer at Midwest Research Group in Weldon Spring, Missouri. Dr Baig and his colleagues are currently working on novel treatments for depression with new mechanisms of action that Dr Baig says will be able to get patients help faster. In part 2 of an interview with Psych Congress Network, Dr Baig reviews his team's work, emerging studies, and how new treatments will make care more "comprehensive."

Catch up on part 1: Novel Treatments for MDD and TRD. 

For more insights from industry experts, check out our Major Depressive Disorder Excellence Forum. 

Read the Transcript:

Psych Congress Network: How do novel treatments differ from previously available treatments, and how can these treatments benefit patients?

Ahmed Baig, MD: These newer treatments are groundbreaking and completely different—that can't be underscored enough. Newer treatments target specific pathways that we now know are involved in major depressive disorder, and enables the treatments that are rapid-acting, quick onset, minimal side effect profiles, and importantly address depressive symptoms more totally and completely.

Previously, the model that we had for treatment was not sustainable. It's archaic. We would ask patients that need help yesterday to give us 4 to 6 weeks, and we may or may not be able to get them meaningful improvement in their depression. And even if we did, it most likely was in 1 area. So, for example, they might feel a little less sad, but they'll have blunted emotions. Maybe their appetite improves, but they still have really prominent anhedonia and lassitude.

Because of the new pathways that we understand underlie the mechanism of depression, and because of their role in the way the brain works, these new medications address the depression symptoms in a much more comprehensive way. What that means is, I can tell you from firsthand experience, the patients that I've seen in these studies, is that they are getting complete resolution of their symptoms and restoring their quality of life, not in certain areas, but everything. And these are patients that have essentially accepted a life of, "I'm just never going to feel happy. I'm just never going to enjoy certain things," because they've felt that way for so long. They've tried different treatments.

They have a good reason to feel that way, but these medications have completely addressed those symptoms, and restored function and quality of life for these patients, and it's been really exciting to be part of.
 

Ahmed Baig, MD, is chief medical officer at Midwest Research Group and trained at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He has been involved in clinical research trials for the past 10 years and over 40 clinical studies. Currently, under the direction of primary investigator Dr Greg Mattingly, Dr Baig and Midwest Research Group are conducting several clinical trials for novel therapeutics in the treatment of MDD and TRD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and schizophrenia.