Scientific publications

The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication.

Anxiety disorders are common and often treatment-resistant, prompting the need for regulatory trials. A Delphi consensus of 36 experts established 14 recommendations defining treatment-resistant anxiety disorders (TR-AD) and criteria for resistance. This guideline aims to enhance future clinical trials and improve treatment strategies for these disorders.  Authors: Burkauskas, I. Branchi, S. Pallanti, K. Domschke 

The review explores anxiety in post-COVID-19 syndrome, noting risk factors like age, gender, infection severity, and isolation, with prevalence rates between 16.6% and 29.6%. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness.

Authors: Stefano Pallanti, Gioele Gavazzi, Gregory Gasic, Bianca Besteher, Carina Heller, Ron Kikinis, Nikos Makris, Zora Kikinis.

This review examines the immune system's role beyond defense, especially its interaction with the nervous system, impacting cognitive and emotional functions. It discusses brain-immune interactions in COVID-19 and highlights neuroimaging’s potential in developing treatments for conditions like cancer and Long COVID. Authors: Kikinis Z, Castañeyra-Perdomo A , González-Mora J L , Rushmore R J, Toppa P H, Haggerty K , Papadimitriou G, Rathi Y, Kubicki M, Kikinis r , Heller C , Yeterian E , Besteher B , Pallanti S , Makris N.

The review explores anxiety in post-COVID-19 syndrome, noting risk factors like age, gender, infection severity, and isolation, with prevalence rates between 16.6% and 29.6%. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness.

Authors: Stefano Pallanti, Gioele Gavazzi, Gregory Gasic, Bianca Besteher, Carina Heller, Ron Kikinis, Nikos Makris, Zora Kikinis.

"Brain fog," a symptom of neuro-PACS, impairs attention and memory in 9–55% of cases post-COVID-19. This study links executive dysfunction in neuro-PACS to elevated inflammatory markers like IL-6 and fibrinogen, suggesting an immuno-inflammatory basis. The authors advocate for defining brain fog as a specific PACS subtype tied to executive function issues.

Authors: Stefano Pallanti, Gioele Gavazzi, Gregory Gasic, Bianca Besteher, Carina Heller, Ron Kikinis, Nikos Makris, Zora Kikinis.

This study used theta-burst stimulation (TBS) on the pre-SMA in patients with behavioral addictions (BA) and substance use disorders (SUDs), reducing craving and addiction severity in both groups. Impulsivity improved in SUD but not BA, suggesting TBS’s potential and the need for tailored treatments.  Authors: Pallanti, S., Levola, J. et al.

This study explored the impact of continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation (cTBS) on the pre-Supplementary Motor Area (pre-SMA) in Gambling Disorder (GD) patients using fMRI. Real cTBS increased functional connectivity between pre-SMA and right prefrontal areas, enhancing inhibitory control and reducing GD symptoms, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention.  Authors: Nikos Makris, Gioele Gavazzi, Juan G. Prieto, George Papadimitriou, Carlo Cavaliere, Liberatore Tramontano, Pantelis Lioumis, Dubravko Kicic, Jonna Levola, Tina Paunio, Risto J. Ilmoniemi, Joan Camprodon, Mario Mascalchi, Viola Capecchi, Stefano Pallanti.

Corrigendum to “The global assessment of OCD”.  Authors: Ilenia Pampaloni, Sabina Marriott, Enrico Pessina, Claire Fischer, Anusha Govender, Heba Mohammed, Augusta Chandler, Tyagi Himanshu, Lucy Morris, Stefano Pallanti.

Postinfectious neuroinflammation is linked to acute-onset OCD models like Sydenham chorea, PANS, and PANDAS, associated with autoantibodies from infections such as group A streptococci. This review highlights evidence of neuroinflammation and calls for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance research on these disorders.  Authors: Allison Vreeland, Denise Calaprice, Noga Or-Geva, Richard E. Frye, Dritan Agalliu, Herbert M. Lachman, Christopher Pittenger, Stefano Pallanti, Kyle Williams, Meiqian Ma, Margo Thienemann, Antonella Gagliano, Elizabeth Mellins, Jennifer Frankovich

This study explored the impact of continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation (cTBS) on the pre-Supplementary Motor Area (pre-SMA) in Gambling Disorder (GD) patients using fMRI. Real cTBS increased functional connectivity between pre-SMA and right prefrontal areas, enhancing inhibitory control and reducing GD symptoms, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention.  Authors: Nikos Makris, Gioele Gavazzi, Juan G. Prieto, George Papadimitriou, Carlo Cavaliere, Liberatore Tramontano, Pantelis Lioumis, Dubravko Kicic, Jonna Levola, Tina Paunio, Risto J. Ilmoniemi, Joan Camprodon, Mario Mascalchi, Viola Capecchi, Stefano Pallanti.

This mini-review discusses the use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to enhance motor and cognitive performance in soccer players, highlighting its effects on muscle strength and fatigue. It calls for more targeted research and personalized protocols to optimize its application.  Authors: Stefano Pallanti^, Carlotta Colzi

This review evaluates lormetazepam's role in treating insomnia, particularly during pregnancy and in patients with psychodermatoses. It highlights its effectiveness in increasing sleep duration and quality, its better tolerability compared to long-acting benzodiazepines, and its suitability for short-term use during pregnancy due to minimal transplacental effects.  Author: Stefano Pallanti

Since the 1980s, benzodiazepine use has declined due to concerns about side effects. This review re-evaluates their clinical benefits, proposing a precise, person-centered approach to prescribing them based on specific GABA receptor mechanisms.   Authors: Stefano Pallanti, Joseph Zohar, Siegfried Kasper, Hans-Jürgen Möller, Eric Hollander