Scientific Sessions

Psychopharmacology, the study of how drugs affect mood, behavior, and cognition, plays a central role in managing psychiatric and neurological disorders. Traditional medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anxiolytics have long been used to regulate brain chemistry and alleviate symptoms. These treatments target neurotransmitter systems like serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to restore balance and improve mental functioning. While effective for many, conventional psychotropic drugs can cause side effects, delayed responses, and variable outcomes, leading to an ongoing search for safer and more precise options.

Recent advances in novel therapeutics are transforming the landscape of mental health treatment. Breakthroughs include the use of ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression, psychedelic-assisted therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, and neuromodulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS). Personalized medicine, guided by pharmacogenomics, allows clinicians to tailor drug choices based on an individual’s genetic profile, minimizing trial-and-error prescribing. Additionally, digital therapeutics and AI-driven monitoring tools are being integrated with pharmacological care to enhance treatment outcomes. Together, psychopharmacology and novel therapeutics represent a promising frontier, offering more targeted, effective, and holistic solutions for complex psychiatric conditions.