Headlines This Week - April 20 - April 27, 2025

Staying current with developments across medicine is essential to providing the best care for patients. In addition to delivering the latest in psychiatric research and clinical insights, Psychiatric Live is proud to be part of a family of leading medical publications. Each offers top-quality reporting in specialties that intersect with psychiatric care, from dermatology and neurology to oncology and primary care. Here, we highlight some of the latest key findings and insights from our sister brands to help you stay informed across disciplines.

💊 Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology

Although topline results from the phase 3 ARISE study of xanomeline and trospium chloride (Cobenfy) as an adjunctive treatment to atypical antipsychotics did not show a statistically significant difference compared with placebo in adults with inadequately controlled symptoms of schizophrenia, the augmentation strategy demonstrated a numerical improvement. Peter J. Weiden, MD, shares what this might mean for clinicians and their patients.

Weiden PJ, Duerr HA. Cobenfy as an Adjunctive Agent in Schizophrenia: Peter J. Weiden, MD, Shares Insights on the Latest Findings. Psychiatric Times. April 25, 2025. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/cobenfy-as-an-adjunctive-agent-peter-weiden-md-latest-insights

CIDRAP Launches Vaccine Integrity Project
The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota initiated the Vaccine Integrity Project to ensure the dissemination of reliable vaccine data to both the public and health care professionals.

Contagion Editors. CIDRAP Launches its Vaccine Integrity Project.Contagion Live. April 24, 2025. https://www.contagionlive.com/view/cidrap-launches-its-vaccine-integrity-project

NIH Funding Cuts Put Landmark Women’s Health Study at Risk
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced plans to terminate funding for the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a pivotal 30-year study that has significantly advanced understanding in areas such as aging, disease prevention, and postmenopausal women's health. This decision raises concerns about the future of comprehensive women's health research and its implications for interdisciplinary medical practices.

Krewson C. NIH to Cut Funding for Landmark Women’s Health Study. Contemporary Ob/Gyn. April 23, 2025. https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/nih-to-cut-funding-for-landmark-women-s-health-study

A new study found no significant difference in efficacy between GLP-1 receptor agonists (eg, semaglutide) and SGLT2 inhibitors, suggesting both may offer neuroprotective benefits.

Meglio M. GLP-1 Agonists and SGLT2 Inhibitors Considered More Effective for Lowering Alzheimer Disease Risk. NeurologyLive. April 23, 2025. https://www.neurologylive.com/view/glp-1-agonists-sglt2-inhibitors-considered-more-effective-lowering-alzheimer-disease-risk

A recent study found that buprenorphine treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD) is associated with improved maternal and infant outcomes, including a reduction in preterm births, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and better overall neonatal health, making it a key intervention for this vulnerable population.

Ebert M. Buprenorphine linked to improved outcomes for pregnant women with OUD and their infants. Contemporary Pediatrics. April 27, 2025. https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/buprenorphine-linked-to-improved-outcomes-for-pregnant-women-with-oud-and-their-infants

Outgoing American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) President Seemal Desai, MD, FAAD, shared the 3 pivotal issues shaping the future of dermatology—payment reform, certification awareness, and technology integration—and what clinicians need to know moving forward.

Desai S. Exclusive: Outgoing AAD President Seemal Desai, MD, FAAD, on the 3 Issues That Will Shape Dermatology in 2025 (& Beyond). Dermatology Times. April 24, 2025. https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/exclusive-outgoing-aad-president-seemal-desai-md-faad-on-the-3-issues-that-will-shape-dermatology-in-2025-beyond-

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Fewer Side Effects
A study from the University of Utah reports that the Novavax JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine is associated with fewer and less severe side effects compared to mRNA vaccines among health care workers, potentially influencing vaccine choice considerations.

Jennings S. Novavax JN.1 COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to Fewer Side Effects Than mRNA in Health Care Workers. Patient Care Online. April 22, 2025. https://www.patientcareonline.com/view/novavax-jn-1-covid-19-vaccine-linked-to-fewer-side-effects-than-mrna-in-health-care-workers